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Definition
A keyword: an important word to learn course   Show phonetics
noun
1 of course

a YES used to say 'yes' and emphasize your answer
"Can you help me?" "Of course!"

b OBVIOUS used to show that what you are saying is obvious or already known
The rain meant, of course, that the barbecue was cancelled.
Of course, the Olympics are not just about money.

2 of course not used to say 'no' and emphasize your answer
"Do you mind if I borrow your pen?" "Of course not."

3 LESSONS [C] a series of lessons about a particular subject
She did a ten-week course in computing.

4 PART OF MEAL [C] a part of a meal
a three-course dinner

5 SPORT [C] an area used for horse races or playing golf
a golf course

6 MEDICINE [C] MAINLY UK a fixed number of regular medical treatments
a course of antibiotics

7 ROUTE [C,U] the direction in which a ship, aircraft, etc is moving
During the storm, the boat was blown off course (= in the wrong direction).

8 ACTION [C] (ALSO course of action ) something that you can do in a particular situation
I think the best course of action would be to write to him.

9 during/in/over the course of sth during a particular time or activity
In the course of the interview she mentioned her previous experience.

10 in due course at a suitable time in the future
The results will be sent to you in due course.

11 DEVELOPMENT [no plural] the way something develops, usually over a long time
Nuclear weapons have changed the course of modern history.

12 in the course of time UK gradually, or over a period of time
His English will improve in the course of time.

13 be on course for sth/to do sth UK to be very likely to succeed at something

14 run its course If something runs its course, it continues naturally until it has finished.
See also: be on a collision course, crash course, be par for the course

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