there

1 pronoun

1 there is/there are/there must be used to say that something exists: Is there life after death? | There's no special way of doing it - you just have to mix the dough slowly. | There must be some explanation for such outlandish behaviour. | there seems/appears to be: There seems to be some mistake. I've never met you before in my life. | there exists/there remains etc formal: There remains the possibility that mistakes have been made.

2 there was/there were etc used to say that something happened: Suddenly there was a loud crash as the clock fell to the floor. | There were several fights outside the stadium but no one was hurt.

2 adverb

1 in or to a particular place: Sit there and wait until the teacher's finished. | Scotland? I've always wanted to go there. | Don't just stand there - do something! | out/in/under etc there: I know there's a mouse under there somewhere. | over there: How are you getting on over there in Paris?

—compare here 1 (1)

2 if something is there, it exists: The chance was there, but I didn't take it. | All the food is there to be eaten so please enjoy it. | When asked why he climbed Everest, Mallory just said “Because it was there.”

3 spoken used to say which statement, idea or reason you agree with, you want to say something about etc: “I believe we are all products of our environment.” “I'm sorry but I disagree with you there.”

4 spoken used to get someone's attention when you are speaking to them or to make them notice someone or something: Hey, you there! Watch out! | Hi there, I haven't seen you in ages. | There goes the phone again. It's not stopped ringing all morning.

5 get there

a) to arrive in a particular place: Most of the food had been eaten by the time I got there.

b) spoken to succeed in doing something: It took me a lot of time and effort to qualify as a doctor but I got there in the end.

6 be there (for sb) spoken to be ready to help someone or be kind to them when they have problems: That's what I loved about my father - he was always there for me.

7 he's/she's not all there spoken a phrase used to describe someone who is not very intelligent and seems slightly crazy, used when you want to avoid saying this directly

8 there and back the distance, cost etc there and back is the total distance or cost of the journey to a place, added to the distance or cost of the return: The journey's not too bad - only four hours there and back.

9 there and then also then and there immediately: I thought I'd have to wait but they offered me the job there and then.

10 there's a good boy/there's a clever dog etc spoken used to praise a child or animal

11 there you are/go spoken

a) used to be polite when giving something to someone: “Can I have two bottles of beer please?” “There you are, that'll be -3.20 please.”

b) used when someone is upset, complains etc, to tell them that what has happened is typical or they should have expected it

12 that book there/those shoes there etc spoken used when showing or pointing to where something is: Can you pass me that wine glass there? | that there book/those there shoes etc (=a form of this expression that is sometimes used although most people think it is incorrect): It was those there holes in the road which made me fall down.

3 interjection used to express success, satisfaction, sympathy etc: There! I've done it! I've resigned. | It only lasted a week but there! What can you expect for -2 an hour. | there, there! (=used to comfort someone who is crying): There, there, don't get so upset!