noun
plural books
[count] a set of printed sheets of paper that are held together inside a cover :a long written work
a long written work that can be read on a computer :e-book
[count] :a set of sheets of paper that are inside a cover and that you can write information on
[count] :a major section of a long written work (such as the Bible)
[count] :a set of things held together inside a cover like the pages of a book
books [plural]
the financial records of a business
the official records of a business or organization
the book US informal :the knowledge or information that relates to a particular subject, person, etc.
the book informal :phone book
a closed book
a person or thing that is difficult to understand
an open book
a person or thing that is easy to learn about and understand
bring (someone) to book
chiefly Brit formal :to require (someone) to explain and accept punishment or criticism for bad or wrong behavior
by the book
by following the official rules very strictly
cook the books
every trick in the book
hit the books
informal :to study or begin studying very intensely
in my book
informal :in my opinion
in someone's bad books
chiefly Brit informal :in a state in which you are not liked or treated nicely by someone
in someone's good books
chiefly Brit informal :in a state in which you are liked or are treated nicely by someone
one for the books
a very unusual, important, or surprising situation, statement, event, etc.
on the books
part of the set of official laws
read someone like a book
suit someone's book
throw the book at
informal :to punish (someone) as severely as possible
write the book on
verb
books; booked; booking
to make arrangements so that you will be able to use or have (something, such as a room, table, or seat) at a later time [+ obj]
This sense is used in U.S. English, but it is more common in British English. In U.S. English, reserve or make a reservation for is more commonly used.
When a hotel, restaurant, etc., is booked (up), booked solid, or fully booked, there are no more rooms, tables, etc., available. These forms are commonly used in both U.S. and British English.
[+ obj] :to make arrangements for (someone) to do, use, or have something at a later time
[+ obj] :to schedule a performance or appearance by (someone, such as a musician)
[+ obj] law :to write down in an official police record the name of (a person who is being charged with a crime) - usually used as (be) booked
[+ obj] Brit of a soccer referee :to write down in an official book the name of (a player who has broken the rules in a game) - usually used as (be) booked
book in/into
[phrasal verb]
book in or book into (something) Brit :to arrive at and be given a room in a hotel, an inn, etc.
adjective
always used before a noun
learned from reading books and not from experience