{
    "term": "must",
    "partOfSpeech": "modal verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "",
            "heSheIt": ""
        },
        "pastSimple": "",
        "pastParticiple": "",
        "ingForm": ""
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "used to say that something is necessary or very important (sometimes involving a rule or a law)",
            "labels": "(formal)(especially British English)",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "All visitors must report to reception."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Cars must not be parked in front of the entrance *(= it is not allowed)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I must ask you not to do that again."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You mustn't say things like that."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I must go and get the kids from school."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**I must admit** *(= I feel that I should admit)* I was surprised it cost so little."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Must you always question everything I say? *(= it is annoying)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Do we have to finish this today?’ ‘Yes, you must.’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Permission and obligation"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "used to say that something is likely or logical",
            "labels": "North American EnglishBritish EnglishBritish EnglishNorth American EnglishBritish English(British English)",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You must be hungry after all that walking."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He must have known *(= surely he knew)* what she wanted."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm sorry, she's not here. She must have left already *(= that must be the explanation)*."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "used to recommend that somebody does something because you think it is a good idea",
            "labels": "(especially British English)",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You simply must read this book."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We must get together soon for lunch."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that somebody may do something but you do not really want them to",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "‘Can I smoke?’ ‘If you must.’"
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's from my boyfriend, **if you must know**."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to tell people that something is so good or interesting that they should see, read, get it, etc.",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Sydney is one of the world's must-see cities."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The magazine is a must-read in the show business world."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This is on my must-do list."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a must-have for any fan"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "in certain situations it is necessary for you to do something that you do not like or enjoy",
            "labels": "(saying)",
            "examples": []
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/məst//mʌst/",
                "audio": "mu/must/must__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈmʌsnt/",
                "audio": "mu/must/mustn_t_1_gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/məst//mʌst/",
                "audio": "mu/must/must__us_1_rr.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈmʌsnt/",
                "audio": "mu/must/mustn_t_1_us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English mōste, past tense of mōt ‘may’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch moeten and German müssen."
}