English Reference

Word

oxford

Phoneticsox·ford

US/ˈɑksfɝd/

UK/ˈɒksfəd/

Definitions

01the city or university

A2

n. a famous city in England that is home to one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world.

n. a city in Oxfordshire, England, primarily known as the seat of the University of Oxford.

“She spent three years studying history at Oxford.”

“The city of Oxford is renowned for its 'dreaming spires' and a collegiate system that has educated world leaders for centuries.”

02a type of shoe

B2

n. a formal, low-heeled shoe that fastens with laces.

n. a style of low-heeled lace-up shoe characterized by an 'closed' lacing system where the eyelet tabs are stitched under the vamp.

“He wore a pair of polished black oxfords with his suit for the wedding.”

“While loafers are acceptable for business casual, a formal dark suit typically requires a well-maintained pair of leather oxfords.”

Synonyms

dress shoe

03fabric or shirt

B2

n. a type of strong cotton cloth used to make shirts, or a shirt made from this cloth.

n. a durable, basket-weave cotton fabric; frequently used as an ellipsis for an 'Oxford shirt', characterized by a button-down collar.

“A blue oxford is a classic choice for a professional but relaxed look.”

“The designer chose a heavy-gauge oxford for the autumn collection to ensure the shirts would hold their shape throughout a long workday.”

Synonyms

oxford cloth

04a dictionary

B1

n. a dictionary published by the Oxford University Press.

n. a common metonym for the Oxford English Dictionary or other reference works published by the Oxford University Press.

“If you aren't sure how to spell that word, check the Oxford.”

“Scholars often consult the Oxford for historical etymologies that other contemporary dictionaries might omit.”

Informal

Synonyms

OED

Etymology

From Middle English Oxenford, Oxneford, from Old English Oxnaford (“Oxford”, literally “oxen's ford”), equivalent to ox + ford. Compare Old Norse Öxnafurða.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Common
Updated

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