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collocation noun
/ˌkɒl.əʊ ˈkeɪ.ʃən/
/ˌkɑː.lə-/ n specialized Definition
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[C] (also collocate) a word or phrase which is often used with another word or phrase, in a way that sounds correct to people who have spoken the language all their lives, but might not be expected from the meaningIn the phrase 'a hard frost', 'hard' is a collocation of 'frost' and 'strong' would not sound natural.
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[C] the combination of words formed when two or more words are often used together in a way that sounds correctThe phrase 'a hard frost' is a collocation.
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[U] the regular use of some words and phrases with others, especially in a way which is difficult to guess(Definition of collocation noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
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