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OR

OR

23 1.0
A state in the United States in the northwest with capital Salem
  • proper noun
  • /ɔr/
translation icon : Oregón
  • We gotta get him into OR fast.
  • OR, Oregon
  • Portland, OR
  • Eugene, OR

Examples

Synonyms

Oregon
vsOR
314 1.0

A state in the northwest of the United States on the Pacific coast with capital Salem

is the abbreviated form used to write that state's name
Ore.
vsOR
  • US
2.8

The state of Oregon in the northwest of the United States with capital Salem

is the alternative short form of that state's name
5.3

A nickname for the state of Oregon in the United States

is a formal written abbreviation rather than an informal nickname

Idioms

695 1.0

You add it after a number to show the number is about that amount

301 2.1

About a number or idea, not exact but close enough

209 2.0

Shows what will happen if something is not done, often as a warning

88 1.6

Happens one or two times, not often

61 4.0

About an amount that may be a little more or less

a thing or two
  • Informal
35 3.7

Some useful knowledge or experience about a subject

to make or break
  • Informal
26 4.5

Decide whether something is a complete success or failure

20 2.4

Available at any time, both during the day and at night

20 4.4

Say this before a surprising fact that is hard to accept

Being fully committed to one plan with no compromise

rhyme or reason
  • Informal
9 6.6

Having no clear reason or order

9 4.6

An offer you cannot change that you must accept or refuse

6 7.7

Tell someone to do what they say or stop talking

5 8.3

No matter what happens or how difficult it is

do or die
  • Informal
4 6.7

A situation when you must succeed because failure is not allowed

It is not true or possible in any way

3 8.4

Says that something will be done no matter what problems happen

Ask anyone who objects to speak now or be silent forever

1 8.1

Using any way to get something done no matter what it takes

1 8.8

Choose to act now or step aside so someone else can

feast or famine
  • Informal
1 5.3

A time when you have a lot of something and then very little

Tell someone to accept a situation they cannot change

1 8.1

A warning that tells someone to get better or leave

1 9.9

Tell someone in a rude way to decide now or stop wasting time

1 6.8

In a random way with no clear reason

9.9

People make decisions by guessing when there is no clear plan

9.9

A situation when you must give full effort or you get nothing

6.6

You cannot do it even for a large reward

Accept something as it is even if you do not like it

A joking phrase telling someone to drink water to avoid getting dehydrated

A casual question asking if something is true or if someone will do something

now or never
  • Informal
3.9

Act immediately because there may not be another chance

9.3

Ask for proof when you doubt what someone says

At about that time, place, or number

A phrase that asks for a picture as proof that something really happened

A humorous question asking if people do their job a lot or only a little

Compounds

28 6.7

A very serious situation that may cause death if you do not act

trick or treat
  • Baby Talk
8 2.5

An activity where children go from house to house asking for sweets on Halloween

Allowing no compromise and happening completely or not at all

hit-or-miss
  • Informal
3 6.9

Sometimes works well and sometimes fails depending on luck

do-or-die
  • Informal
2 7.2

Willing to do anything to succeed when the situation is urgent

do-or-die moment
  • Informal
1 6.0

A time when someone must succeed or they will fail under great pressure

all-or-none
  • Specialized
1 7.0

Happening fully or not at all, with no partial result

OR circuit
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A circuit that turns its output on when any input is on

Ordinary and not special, like a simple jacket you can buy anywhere

all-or-none law
  • Specialized
8.0

A nerve or muscle responds fully when a signal reaches a level and not at all below it

OR gate
  • Specialized
4.3

An electronic circuit that gives an output when any input is on

X-OR circuit
  • Specialized
7.8

A circuit that sends a signal when two inputs are different

Surface Forms

OR main

Etymology

OR is the short form for the U.S. state Oregon, a name first used by early explorers; one popular story says Oregon may come from a Spanish word meaning 'big mouth' or from an old map name. That's why OR is the short form you see in addresses and lists.