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book

Syllabification: (book)
Pronunciation: /bo͝ok/
Translate book | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of book

noun

  • 1a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers:a book of selected poems a book on cats [as modifier]:a book report
  • a literary composition that is published or intended for publication as a book:the book is set in the 1940s I’m writing a book
  • (the books) used to refer to studying:he is so deep in his books he would forget to eat
  • a main division of a classic literary work, an epic, or the Bible:the Book of Genesis
  • the libretto of an opera or musical, or the script of a play.
  • (the book) the local telephone directory:is your name in the book?
  • (the Book) the Bible.
  • informal a magazine.
  • an imaginary record or list (often used to emphasize the thoroughness or comprehensiveness of someone’s actions or experiences):she felt every emotion in the book of love
  • 2 [with modifier] a bound set of blank sheets for writing or keeping records in:an accounts book
  • (books) a set of records or accounts:he can do more than balance the books
  • a bookmaker’s record of bets accepted and money paid out.
  • 3a set of tickets, stamps, matches, checks, samples of cloth, etc., bound together:a pattern book a book of matches
  • (the book) the first six tricks taken by the declarer in a hand of bridge.

verb

[with object]
  • 1reserve (accommodations, a place, etc.); buy (a ticket) in advance:I have booked a table at the Swan [no object]:book early to avoid disappointment
  • reserve accommodations for (someone):his secretary had booked him into the Howard Hotel [with two objects]:book me a single room at my usual hotel
  • engage (a performer or guest) for an occasion or event.
  • (be booked (up)) have all appointments or places reserved; be full:I’m booked till, like, 2014
  • 2make an official record of the name and other personal details of (a criminal suspect or offender):the cop booked me and took me down to the station
  • 3 [no object] US informal leave suddenly:they just ate your pizza and drank your soda and booked
  • move quickly; hurry:my sister and I booked to the playground I didn’t hear the verdict because I had to book it to work

Phrases

bring someone to book

bring someone to justice; punish.

by the book

strictly according to the rules:a cop who doesn’t exactly play it by the book

close the book on

lay aside; expend no further energy on:Congress closed the book on wool subsidies

in someone's bad (or good) books

chiefly British in disfavor (or favor) with a person.

in my book

in my opinion:that counts as a lie in my book

make book

take bets on the outcome of an event: US figurativeI wouldn’t make book on it

one for the books

an extraordinary feat or event.

on the books

contained in a book of laws or records:discriminatory laws still on the books the longest pitching career on the books

People of the Book

Jews and Christians as regarded by Muslims.

suit someone's book

British be convenient for someone:it didn’t suit her book at all to be moved

take a leaf from (or out of) someone's book

imitate or emulate someone in a particular way:Gorbachev must take a leaf from Deng’s book and offer tangible benefits

throw the book at

informal charge or punish (someone) as severely as possible.

wrote the book

be the leader in the field:John wrote the book on extreme biking

you can't judge a book by its cover

proverb outward appearances are not a reliable indication of true character.

Derivatives

bookable

adjective

Origin:

Old English bōc (originally also 'a document or charter'), bōcian 'to grant by charter', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch boek and German Buch, and probably to beech (on which runes were carved)

book in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of book in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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