strength
noun OPAL WOPAL S
/streŋkθ/
/streŋkθ/
Word Family
Idioms - strong adjective
- strongly adverb
- strength noun
- strengthen verb
- [uncountable, singular] the quality of being physically strong
- He pushed against the rock with all his strength.
- It may take a few weeks for you to build up your strength again.
- She gradually regained strength in her legs.
- He had a physical strength that matched his outward appearance.
- strength to do something She didn't have the strength to walk any further.
Extra ExamplesTopics Health and Fitnessb1- He got the door open with brute strength.
- He had just enough strength to reach for the phone.
- She threw the rope with all her strength.
- The series of steep hills sapped the cyclists' strength.
- The Moroccan athlete ran a fast lap to test the strength of the other runners.
- She summoned up every ounce of strength she possessed.
- She pushed him away with unexpected strength.
- It's well known that cycling builds leg strength.
- It took all his strength to open the box.
- I'm trying to summon up the strength to do some more work.
- I'm still not quite back to full strength after my illness.
- His superior physical strength won him the title.
- They believe their combined strength will overwhelm the competition.
- Her strength was ebbing fast, so her children were called to her bedside.
- He used to entertain people with his feats of strength.
- The fitness program will help you maintain your strength and endurance.
- Pilates will build up muscle strength.
- These exercises are a great way to increase strength while maintaining flexibility.
- Older adults need strength training to keep their muscle mass and their bone density.
- Bicep curls develop arm strength.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- have
- possess
- lack
- …
- grow
- increase
- decline
- …
- up to strength
- below strength
- under strength
- …
- at full strength
- back to full strength
- every ounce of strength
- …
- [uncountable] the ability that something has to resist force or hold heavy weights without breaking or being damaged
- the strength of a rope
- The panels are reinforced with steel for extra strength.
Extra Examples- The steel adds tensile strength to the concrete.
- The metal reinforcement gives it the strength to resist the high winds.
- The material has exceptionally high strength for its weight.
- The shape provides maximum size and strength, using minimum steel.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- have
- possess
- lack
- …
- grow
- increase
- decline
- …
- up to strength
- below strength
- under strength
- …
- at full strength
- back to full strength
- every ounce of strength
- …
- [uncountable, singular] the quality of being brave and determined in a difficult situation
- During this ordeal he was able to draw strength from his faith.
- She has a remarkable inner strength.
- You have shown great strength of character.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesb2- My childhood memories were a great source of strength to me after my parents died.
- Their reaction was so encouraging it gave me the strength to carry on.
- She was able to draw on her immense inner strength.
- I draw great strength from the support of my family.
- When she had twins, she discovered reserves of strength that she didn't know she had.
- Her love and support gave me the strength and the courage to persevere.
- He put all his strength into reorganizing the department.
- She took strength from the amount of people who turned up to the funeral.
- Thank you for being such a pillar of strength.
- After she died, I found strength in so many small things.
- The situation tested the strength of her faith.
- “Give me strength!” she said under her breath.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- have
- possess
- lack
- …
- grow
- increase
- decline
- …
- up to strength
- below strength
- under strength
- …
- at full strength
- back to full strength
- every ounce of strength
- …
- [uncountable] the power and influence that somebody/something has
- Political power depends upon economic strength.
- Their superior military strength gives them a huge advantage.
- to negotiate from a position of strength
- The rally was intended to be a show of strength by the socialists.
Extra Examples- The country's economic strength is declining.
- Today's vote is being seen as a test of strength for the government.
- Her unwillingness to answer questions undermined the strength of her position.
- The dispute developed into a trial of strength between management and the union.
- The party are gaining political strength.
- Consumer price falls will depend on the strength and speed of the economic recovery.
- The film has a power and strength that gets you involved in the story.
- The prosecution lawyer emphasized the strength of the evidence against him.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- have
- possess
- lack
- …
- grow
- increase
- decline
- …
- up to strength
- below strength
- under strength
- …
- at full strength
- back to full strength
- every ounce of strength
- …
- [uncountable] how strong or deeply felt an opinion or a feeling is
- the strength of public opinion
- This view has recently gathered strength (= become stronger or more widely held).
- I was surprised by the strength of her feelings.
- I have been overwhelmed by the strength of feeling that people have about this issue.
Extra Examples- The opinion that the president should stand down has gained considerable strength.
- The council should be aware of the strength of public opinion on homelessness.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- have
- possess
- lack
- …
- grow
- increase
- decline
- …
- up to strength
- below strength
- under strength
- …
- at full strength
- back to full strength
- every ounce of strength
- …
- [countable] a quality or an ability that a person or thing has that gives them an advantage
- The ability to keep calm is one of her many strengths.
- the strengths and weaknesses of an argument
- The new weapon's strength lies in its accuracy.
Extra Examples- Consider all the strengths and weaknesses of the argument.
- What's your greatest strength?
- We want to learn more about the relative strengths of our students.
- Her great strength lies in her flexibility.
- The company's key strength is its people.
- The team may not have the best players, but it plays to its strengths.
- Her strength as an architect is in building design.
- Each song shows the tremendous strength of the band.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- real
- individual
- …
- capitalize on
- exploit
- play to
- …
- come from something
- lie in something
- strengths and weaknesses
- [uncountable] how strong a natural force or a signal is
- the strength of the sun
- wind strength
- the strength and direction of the tide
- The phone company aims to improve signal strength within buildings.
- [uncountable, countable] how strong a particular taste or substance is
- Add more curry powder depending on the strength required.
- a range of beers with different strengths (= with different amounts of alcohol in them)
- a packet of double-strength mints
- These wines vary in strength between 11° and 15°.
- [uncountable] strength (of something) (against something) how strong a country’s currency is in relation to other countries’ currencies
- the relative strength of the euro against the dollar
- The euro has continued to gain strength.
- the continuing strength of the pound
- [uncountable] the number of people in a group, a team or an organization
- The strength of the workforce is about to be doubled from 3 000 to 6 000.
- The team will be back at full strength (= with all the best players) for the next match.
- up to strength The Korean team was not up to strength for the final.
- in strength The protesters turned out in strength (= in large numbers).
- under/below strength These cuts have left the local police force under strength (= with fewer members than it needs).
Extra Examples- the numerical strength of the Chinese army
- US troop strength in Afghanistan dropped to 18 000.
- The orchestra was at full strength for the Mahler symphony.
- Injuries meant that the Dutch team was below strength for the final.
- The Chilean team was below strength for the final.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- have
- possess
- lack
- …
- grow
- increase
- decline
- …
- up to strength
- below strength
- under strength
- …
- at full strength
- back to full strength
- every ounce of strength
- …
being physically strong
being brave
power/influence
of opinion/feeling
advantage
of natural force
of taste/substance
of currency
number in group
Word OriginOld English strengthu, from the Germanic base of strong.
Idioms
go from strength to strength
- to become more and more successful
- Since her appointment the department has gone from strength to strength.
on the strength of something
- because somebody has been influenced or persuaded by something
- I got the job on the strength of your recommendation.
- She hopes to secure a recording contract on the strength of these songs.
strength in depth
- the quality of being strong because you have a great variety of good people, ideas, etc. that can contribute to the success of something
- The French team does not have the strength in depth that the Australians have.
there's strength in numbers
- (saying) being in a group gives you more power
- There's strength in numbers, so encourage your friends and family to join us.
a tower of strength
- a person that you can rely on to help, protect and comfort you when you are in trouble
- He was a tower of strength to his sisters when their father died.