courses
courses — verb
- coursespresent simple I / you / we / they
- courseses3rd person singular
- coursesing-ing form
- coursesedpast simple
1. to move rapidly and smoothly, like a liquid running through a channel or spread
to move rapidly and smoothly, like a liquid running through a channel or spread across a surface
Tears coursed down Wei's face as she read the farewell letter from her grandmother.
course down [body part]
The cool mountain water courses through the narrow valley after the spring thaw.
course through [place]
Adrenaline coursed through Lucas's body as he prepared for the final jump.
course through [body] — abstract force as liquid
Blood courses through the veins of every living creature, carrying oxygen to the cells.
A feeling of relief coursed through the crowd when the lost child was found safe.
- course down
- course through
- course along
- course across
- course freely
- trickle
suggests a slow, small amount of liquid moving weakly
Grammar Patterns
course + prepositional phrase (through/down/along/across)
Usage Note
The subject is usually a liquid (tears, blood, water) or an abstract emotion that moves as if it were a liquid. Frequently used in literary or descriptive writing. The verb is almost always followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the route.
Common Mistakes
courses — noun
1. a programme of study sessions that teaches a specific topic and often ends with
a programme of study sessions that teaches a specific topic and often ends with a test or the award of a certificate
Rachid signed up for a course in digital photography at the local college.
course in [subject] — sign up for a course
The university offers a course on medieval history every autumn.
course on [topic] — university offer
Shirin is taking an online course to improve her written English.
James completed a three-year nursing course and passed his final exams.
complete a course — finish with exams
This introductory course covers the basics of computer programming for beginners.
- take a course
- do a course
- enrol on a course
- course in
- course on
- online course
- training course
Grammar Patterns
course in [subject]
course on [topic]
take/do/enrol on a course
Usage Note
Countable noun. Often used with 'in' for academic subjects and 'on' for topics. Common verbs: take, do, enrol on, sign up for, complete, offer.
Common Mistakes
2. a piece of ground or a stretch of water specially prepared for people to play a
a piece of ground or a stretch of water specially prepared for people to play a sport or take part in a race
The golf course winds through a forest with beautiful views of the lake.
golf course + location description
Runners found the muddy course very slippery after the heavy rain.
The race course takes cyclists through five small villages in the valley.
race course — route description
Naoko prefers a shorter golf course when she plays at the weekend.
- golf course
- race course
- obstacle course
- muddy course
- short course
Grammar Patterns
golf course
race course
obstacle course
Usage Note
Common in compound nouns such as 'golf course', 'racecourse', 'obstacle course'. The word itself forms part of the name of the place.
Common Mistakes
3. the continuous progress or natural development of events, actions, or changes ov
the continuous progress or natural development of events, actions, or changes over a period of time — for example, the course of a disease, a river, or a relationship
The natural course of the illness varies greatly from person to person.
course of [an illness] — natural development
Over the course of the project, the team made several important discoveries.
The course of the river was changed by the powerful earthquake last year.
course of a river — physical path
These early decisions will shape the course of the company's future growth.
Priya decided to let the situation run its course rather than interfere.
run its course — idiomatic use
- course of events
- course of history
- course of a disease
- run its course
- over the course of
- progress
focuses on forward movement toward a goal
- development
emphasises how something grows or changes over time
- process
a series of steps or stages
Grammar Patterns
the course of [something]
over the course of [time period]
run its course
Usage Note
Often appears in fixed expressions such as 'in the course of', 'over the course of', and 'run its course'. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense describes a natural or temporal progression, not a chosen method of acting.
Common Mistakes
4. a particular way of doing something or dealing with a situation, especially when
a particular way of doing something or dealing with a situation, especially when choosing between different options
The manager chose a different course of action after hearing the staff feedback.
course of action — chosen plan
Sofie decided that the safest course was to speak to her supervisor first.
Following the usual course, the report will be reviewed by the legal team.
Taking a firm course with the children helped improve their behaviour at school.
take a firm course — be strict
- course of action
- take a course
- follow a course
- adopt a course
- safest course
Grammar Patterns
course of action
course to take
follow a course
Usage Note
Typically appears in the phrase 'course of action', referring to a chosen plan or method. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense describes a deliberate choice, not a natural or inevitable development.
Common Mistakes
5. the path or direction along which a vehicle, ship, or aircraft travels, or the l
the path or direction along which a vehicle, ship, or aircraft travels, or the line that a river or moving object follows
The captain changed course to avoid the storm approaching from the south.
change course — alter direction
The plane set a course directly toward the airport after the emergency call.
The river takes a winding course through the mountains before reaching the coast.
a winding course — describes a river's path
The ship's course was adjusted slightly due to strong winds over the Atlantic.
- change course
- set a course
- alter course
- hold course
- on course
- off course
Grammar Patterns
change course
set a course
hold to a course
be on course
Usage Note
Commonly used with verbs like 'change', 'set', 'hold to', 'alter', 'adjust'. Frequently appears in nautical and aviation contexts. Can also describe a river's path.
Common Mistakes
6. each individual dish that is brought to the table in turn during a multi-dish me
each individual dish that is brought to the table in turn during a multi-dish meal, such as a light starter or a heavy meat dish
For the main course, Kofi ordered grilled fish with roasted vegetables.
main course — the largest part of a meal
The first course at the wedding dinner was a light tomato soup.
first course — starter
Ayesha chose pasta as her main course and a green salad to start.
Each course of the tasting menu was paired with a different wine.
- main course
- first course
- starter course
- dessert course
- three-course meal
Grammar Patterns
first course
main course
dessert course
Usage Note
Typically used with position labels: first course, main course, dessert course. Not used for a single snack or a whole meal eaten at once. Common in restaurant and formal dining contexts.
Common Mistakes
7. a planned series of medical treatments or medications that a patient receives ov
a planned series of medical treatments or medications that a patient receives over a set period, aimed at a specific illness or condition
The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics for Sahil's chest infection.
course of + medication type
Camila finished her course of chemotherapy last month.
Patients must complete the full course of treatment even if they feel better.
Yasmin started a new course of medication for her allergy.
course of + treatment / medication
The hospital offered a short course of physical therapy after Hugo's operation.
- course of antibiotics
- course of chemotherapy
- course of treatment
- course of medication
- full course
Grammar Patterns
course of + treatment/medication
Usage Note
Frequently followed by 'of' plus the type of treatment, e.g. course of antibiotics, course of chemotherapy.
Common Mistakes
8. a single horizontal row of bricks, stones, or other material that makes up one l
a single horizontal row of bricks, stones, or other material that makes up one level in a wall or structure built from stacked units
The bricklayer checked the level of each course of bricks.
course of + building material
A wooden beam was set into the course of stone blocks.
The wall's top course of stones was cracked after the earthquake.
Quan pointed out a gap in the lower course of masonry.
course of masonry / stone / brick
- course of bricks
- course of stone
- course of masonry
- top course
- lower course
Grammar Patterns
course of + building material
Usage Note
Primarily a technical term in construction and masonry. A single course is one horizontal row; walls are built by stacking courses on top of one another.
9. used in the fixed phrase 'in the course of' to mean during a particular process,
used in the fixed phrase 'in the course of' to mean during a particular process, event, or period, often showing that something happens within that timeframe
In the course of the meeting, several new ideas came up.
in the course of + event/process
Many important changes happened in the course of the project.
In the course of human history, languages are always changing.
The team solved several problems in the course of their research.
- in the course of
- in the course of time
- in the course of events
- during
shorter and more direct, same basic meaning
- throughout
emphasises the entire duration rather than just a point within it
Grammar Patterns
in the course of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Always appears within the fixed phrase 'in the course of' followed by a noun phrase describing the process or event. Do not confuse with 'in the course of time', which is a separate fixed expression meaning 'eventually'.
Common Mistakes
10. used in the fixed phrase 'over the course of' to describe a development or chang
used in the fixed phrase 'over the course of' to describe a development or change that happens gradually throughout a particular period of time
Over the course of the summer, the garden grew thick and wild.
over the course of + time period
Nikos improved his English over the course of two years.
The city changed a lot over the course of a decade.
Temperatures dropped steadily over the course of the week.
- over the course of
- over the course of time
- over the course of years
- over the course of the day
- gradually
a single adverb with the same meaning, more direct
- throughout
focuses on the full duration rather than the gradual nature
Grammar Patterns
over the course of + time period
Usage Note
Always appears within the fixed phrase 'over the course of' followed by a time period. Emphasises gradual change or progression rather than a single event.
11. used in the fixed phrase 'a matter of course' to describe an outcome that is nat
used in the fixed phrase 'a matter of course' to describe an outcome that is naturally expected because of how things normally work
Given her talent, her success was a matter of course.
a matter of course
Given his experience, it was a matter of course that Selim would lead the team.
The promotion came as a matter of course after five years of good work.
Rain is a matter of course during the monsoon season in this country.
When you train hard every day, improvement is a matter of course.
matter of course = naturally expected
- a matter of course
- matter of course
- naturally
common adverb expressing the same idea of expected outcome
- predictably
slightly more formal, emphasises prior knowledge of the outcome
- unexpectedly
describes a surprising outcome
Grammar Patterns
a matter of course
of course (naturally expected)
Usage Note
Distinguish from the everyday use of 'of course' as an affirmative reply ('Of course I will help you'). This sense describes an outcome that follows naturally from the situation, not agreement or permission.
Common Mistakes
courses — idiom
1. an old-fashioned or formal word for the monthly flow of blood from the womb that
an old-fashioned or formal word for the monthly flow of blood from the womb that women of childbearing age go through as part of the natural reproductive cycle
Ingrid recorded in her journal that her courses arrived three days late that month.
historical or diary context
The doctor told the young woman that irregular courses were common for someone her age.
Maja asked her grandmother what "courses" meant in the old novel.
context: explaining a dated term to a younger person
The 1872 letter noted that Lady Whitmore's courses had stopped, suggesting a pregnancy.
literary and historical register
Aylin found "courses" in a Victorian medical book given by her professor.
- her courses
- my courses
- the courses
- courses began
- courses stopped
- regular courses
- courses arrived
- period
standard everyday term in modern English
- menstruation
formal medical term used in clinical contexts
- monthly
informal euphemism, slightly old-fashioned but still used
Grammar Patterns
[possessive pronoun] + courses
the courses
Usage Note
Dated term — this sense would sound unusual in modern everyday conversation. It appears mainly in historical fiction, old letters, diaries, and early medical texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- coursenounB1
- courseverbB1
- courseworknounB2
- coursingnounC1
- coursernounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
A course is a complete series of study sessions on one subject, often spanning weeks or months and leading to a qualification. A class is typically a single teaching session, though in American English it can also mean a full course (e.g. "I have a history class this semester"). A programme is a longer, structured set of courses that leads to a degree or diploma. A module is one distinct unit within a larger course or programme. A lesson is a shorter instructional period, usually one meeting of a class. For example, you enrol on a course in marketing, which contains twelve modules, each taught over two or three lessons per week.
Common collocations
Nouns
- course of action
- course of events
- course of treatment
- course of history
- golf course
- race course
Phrases
- a matter of course
- in due course
- run its course
- stay the course
- change course
- set a course
- course of action
Prepositions
- in the course of
- over the course of
- on course for
- off course
Etymology
From Old French 'cours', from Latin 'cursus' (a running, a race, a journey), derived from the verb 'currere' (to run). The core idea of movement through a space or over time connects the physical senses (flowing liquid, direction of travel) with the more abstract senses (development of events, series of stages).
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb