Definition of second adverb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary



    BrE BrE//ˈsekənd//
    ; NAmE NAmE//ˈsekənd//
    jump to other results
  1. 1  after one other person or thing in order or importance She came second in the marathon. One of the smaller parties came a close second(= nearly won). I agreed to speak second. He is a writer first and a scientist second. I came second (to) last(= the one before the last one) in the race.
  2. 2  used to introduce the second of a list of points you want to make in a speech or piece of writing synonym secondly She did it first because she wanted to, and second because I asked her to. Language BankfirstOrdering your points This study has the following aims: first, to investigate how international students in the UK use humour; second, to examine how jokes can help to establish social relationships; and, third, to explore the role that humour plays in helping overseas students adjust to life in the UK. Let us begin by identifying some of the popular joke genres in the UK. Next, let us turn to/Next, let us consider the question of gender differences in the use of humour. Finally/Lastly, let us briefly examine the role of humour in defining a nation’s culture. Language BankprocessDescribing a process This diagram illustrates the process of paper-making./This diagram shows how paper is made. First/First of all, logs are delivered to a paper mill, where the bark is removed and the wood is cut into small chips. Next/Second, the wood chips are pulped, either using chemicals or in a pulping machine. Pulping breaks down the internal structure of the wood and enables/allows the natural oils to be removed. Once/After the wood has been pulped, the pulp is bleached in order to remove impurities. /…is bleached so that impurities can be removed. The next stage is to feed the pulp into the paper machine, where it is mixed with water and then poured onto a wire conveyor belt. As the pulp travels along the conveyor belt, the water drains away. This causes the solid material to sink to the bottom, forming a layer of paper. At this point the new paper is still wet, so it is passed between large heated rollers, which press out the remaining water and simultaneously dry the paper/…dry the paper at the same time. The final stage is to wind the paper onto large rolls./Finally, the paper is wound onto large rolls.
  3. Word Originadverb Middle English: via Old French from Latin secundus ‘following, second’, from the base of sequi ‘follow’. The verb dates from the late 16th cent.