Language Research

place · noun

/pleɪs/Full view

Word family

Nouns: place, placement, replacement

Adjectives: misplaced

Verbs: place, displace, replace

place (SOMEWHERE)

A1 C a position, building, town, area, etc.

Dictionary examples:

There are several places of interest to visit in the area.

It was a silly place to park.

This plant needs a warm, sunny place.

This looks like a nice place for a picnic.

His leg was broken in two places.

Are your documents in a safe place?

Learner example:

My favorite place is the hotel near Olomouc. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Croatian)

place (HOME)

A2 C a home

Dictionary examples:

We'll have the meeting at my place.

They just bought a place in Florida.

Learner example:

Can you come over to my place [this] afternoon? (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

place (SEAT)

B1 C the seat where you sit in a theater, a class, a train, etc.

Dictionary examples:

The children accepted their prizes and then went back to their places.

Could you hold my place for just a minute?

Learner example:

We looked for a place to sit and found one. (Preliminary English Test; ; German)

place (OPPORTUNITY)

B1 C an position at a school, on a team, in society, etc.

Dictionary examples:

He hopes to win a place on the swim team.

She has a place in the history of American art.

Learner example:

I felt it was my chance so on Monday I ran to the club. [T]here were only 3 places [left], [and] I will begin next Saturday. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

take place

B1 to happen

Dictionary example:

The concert takes place next Thursday.

Learner example:

A dance night will take place in the club soon. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

in place of sth

B2 instead of something

Dictionary example:

Try adding fruit to your cereal in place of sugar.

Learner example:

Both television and books are very important for our education, for our lives, but never one in the place of the other! (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

in first/second/third, etc. place

B1 If you are in first/second/third, etc. place in a race or competition, that is your position.

Dictionary example:

He finished in fifth place.

Learner example:

To achieve first place, I have put a lot of effort [into] a project about the consequences of the use of plastic bags. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

take sb's place

B2 to do something instead of someone else

Dictionary example:

If I can't make it to the theater that night you can take my place.

Learner example:

First of all, it had been written that Danny Brook and Tina Truelove were starring, but Danny wasn't there and somebody else took his place. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

in the first place

B2 at the start of a situation

Dictionary example:

Why did you invite her in the first place?

Learner example:

In the first place, you were unknown people for me, but now you are my special foreign friends. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

all over the place

B2 in or to many different places

Dictionary example:

There were dirty dishes all over the place.

Learner example:

I am thinking of dog-dirt on the pavements, cans all over the place, [and] a lot of disgusting paintings on the walls in the public toilets, the underground and so on. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

in place

C2 in the correct position

Dictionary example:

The chairs are all in place.

Learner example:

I looked neat and clean even after the wildest games in the school yard, with all the ribbons that tied my long hair in place. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

in place

C2 If a rule, system, etc. is in place, it has started to exist.

Dictionary example:

There are now laws in place to prevent this from happening.

Learner example:

Let's take [the] example of Mexico City, where such restrictions have been in place since early 2000. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Russian)

put sb in their place

C2 to let someone know that they are not as important as they think they are

Dictionary example:

He was rather arrogant, but the other kids soon put him in his place.

out of place

C2 not in the correct position

Dictionary example:

Why are my files all out of place?

Learner example:

It was awful getting back from school and se[e]ing all my things out of place. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

out of place

C2 not right or suitable for a particular situation

Dictionary example:

Everyone else was wearing jeans and I felt completely out of place in my office clothes.

Learner example:

This does not mean everybody is wearing tuxedos and dresses but you might be out of place just wearing shorts and a shirt. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

fall into place

C2 When events or details that you did not understand before fall into place, they become easy to understand.

Dictionary example:

When Jo told me she had a twin sister, everything fell into place.

place · verb

/pleɪs/

Word family

Nouns: place, placement, replacement

Adjectives: misplaced

Verbs: place, displace, replace

place sth in/on, etc.

B2 to put something somewhere carefully

Dictionary example:

She placed the letter in front of me.

Learner example:

There was a breakfast table waiting for him in the pool. They ha[d] actually placed the table in the pool. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

place an advertisement/order, etc.

C1 to arrange to have an advertisement/order, etc.

Dictionary example:

She placed an ad for a housekeeper in the local paper.

Learner example:

Study materials: as before, place an advertisement. There are always students willing to sell their old books. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Catalan)

place

C1 to cause someone to be in a situation

Dictionary example:

One stupid action has placed us all at risk.

Learner example:

Lack of education placed them in the lowest range of salaries at that time. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

place emphasis/importance, etc. on sth

C2 to give something emphasis/importance, etc.

Dictionary example:

They place a lot of importance on qualifications.

Learner example:

They want to fit [in]to their peer group - having idols and placing importance upon clothes is not new for this age. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)