course

A set of lessons about a particular subject.

• I am taking an English course.
• The course lasts six weeks.
• Did you enjoy your cooking course?

How to use it: a course in something (I am taking a course in photography.); a course on something (She teaches a course on local history.)

Similar words: class, programme

Common phrases: take a course, course in something

The path something follows, or the way events develop over time.

• The river follows a winding course.
• The argument changed the course of the meeting.
• In the course of the evening, we became friends.

How to use it: the course of something (One decision changed the course of her life.); in the course of something (We learned a lot in the course of the project.)

Similar words: path, progress

Common phrases: course of events, in the course

One part of a meal, served separately from the other parts.

• Soup was the first course.
• We had a meal with three courses.
• What would you like for your main course?

Common phrases: main course, first course

An area of land with holes where people play golf.

• The golf course is nearby.
• We played on a beautiful course yesterday.
• This course has eighteen holes.

Common phrases: golf course, on the course

The direction in which a ship is moving.

• The ship changed course.
• We set a course for the nearest port.
• The captain kept the boat on course despite the strong wind.

How to use it: a course for somewhere (The captain set a course for the island.)

Similar words: heading, direction

Common phrases: change course, set a course

The route that people or animals follow in a race.

• The race course runs through town.
• Cyclists inspected the course before the race.
• There were water stations along the course.

Similar words: route, circuit

Common phrases: race course, along the course

To flow or move quickly through or across something.

• Water coursed down the hillside.
• Blood courses through the body.
• A sudden fear coursed through him.

How to use it: course through something (Blood courses through tiny vessels.); course down something (Tears coursed down her cheeks.)

Similar words: flow, stream, rush

Common phrases: course through something, course down something

To send dogs to chase wild animals as a sport.

• They used to course greyhounds across these fields.
• The hunter coursed his hounds after a deer.
• Farmers opposed plans to course dogs on their land.

How to use it: course dogs after something (They coursed greyhounds after hares.)

Common phrases: course greyhounds, course hounds