This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Leisure, Social Life & Celebrations. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
source of fun
The games tent was a reliable source of fun for younger visitors.
join in the festivities
Visitors are welcome to join in the festivities after the parade.
extend a formal invitation
The mayor will extend a formal invitation to the visiting artists.
wear traditional dress
During the ceremony, many residents wear traditional dress.
rich tradition
The region has a rich tradition of folk music and dance.
dip into emergency funds
After the venue flooded, the organisers had to dip into emergency funds.
proud tradition
The choir's annual concert is a proud tradition for the community.
raise their glasses
At midnight, everyone will raise their glasses to the new year.
fundamentally different
The two festival formats are fundamentally different.
source of entertainment
The outdoor cinema became a popular source of entertainment in summer.
uphold a tradition
The organisers want to uphold a tradition that brings generations together.
play host to the guest
This year, the village will play host to performers from six countries.
convivial atmosphere
The shared tables created a convivial atmosphere at the street festival.
fundamentally similar
The two festivals are fundamentally similar in their aims.
pay the guest a visit
The host planned to pay the guest a visit before the ceremony began.
provide entertainment
Street musicians provide entertainment while visitors wait for the parade.
social exclusion
The youth club works to prevent social exclusion among isolated teenagers.
long-standing tradition
The midnight swim is a long-standing tradition in the town.
send out a search party
When the hikers did not return, rangers had to send out a search party.
attend a formal function
She will attend a formal function at the embassy next month.
source of funding
Ticket sales are the festival's main source of funding.
engage in hostilities
The two groups agreed not to engage in hostilities during the festival.
be joined in matrimony
At the ceremony, the couple were joined in matrimony before their families.
spring a surprise on the guest
They plan to spring a surprise on the guest of honour after dinner.
wedded bliss
The toast wished the couple many years of wedded bliss.
mark a momentous occasion
The town held a concert to mark a momentous occasion.
source of amusement
The magician was a source of amusement for children at the fair.
whirlwind visit
The artist made a whirlwind visit to open the exhibition.
movable feast
Easter is a movable feast, so its date changes each year.
be on the go
During the festival, the organisers were on the go from morning until night.