policy
gb/pˈɑlɪsi/ us/pˈɑlɪsi/
B1
English
~ 300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
official rules or guidelines
A plan of rules made by a group or person to decide what to do.
Usage pattern:
[organization/government] has a policy on [topic]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'policy' with 'police' because the words look similar but have different meanings.
Synonyms
guideline (Less formal and more general than policy; often advisory rather than mandatory.)
|
regulation (More specific and legally enforceable than a policy.)
Antonyms
anarchy (A state with no rules or policies.)
Collocations
government policy
|company policy
|foreign policy
|privacy policy
|public policy
Themes
business
|government
|law
|politics
Examples
- The company has a strict policy on workplace safety.
- Government policy on climate change is being debated.
- Our school’s policy requires students to wear uniforms.
- The hotel has a no-smoking policy in all rooms.
Learner examples
- My school has a policy about phones in class.
- The store has a refund policy.
- The city has a policy to keep parks clean.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
course of action or strategy
A plan of action made to reach certain goals.
Usage pattern:
[organization/government/person] adopts a policy to [do something]
Synonyms
strategy (Focuses more on the method and planning aspect than the official nature.)
|
approach (Less formal and broad; not always officially declared.)
Antonyms
improvisation (Acting without a set plan or strategy.)
Collocations
economic policy
|foreign policy
|monetary policy
Themes
politics
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The government's economic policy aims to reduce inflation.
- Their foreign policy focuses on building strong alliances.
- We need a clear policy for handling customer complaints.
Learner examples
- The bank changed its loan policy to help small businesses.
- His policy is to listen before making changes.
- Their travel policy is to book flights early.
Noun
B1
entity
3
insurance contract document
A paper that says what an insurance will pay for and how it works.
Usage pattern:
[someone] holds a policy with [insurance company]
Synonyms
contract (A general legal agreement, not specific to insurance.)
Antonyms
lapse (The end of an insurance agreement due to non-payment or expiry.)
Collocations
insurance policy
|life insurance policy
|policy holder
Themes
finance
|insurance
|business
|daily_life
Examples
- I need to review my car insurance policy before renewing it.
- Her life insurance policy will support her family if anything happens.
- The policy covers damage caused by storms.
Learner examples
- I have a health insurance policy.
- This policy pays money if my house burns.
- He bought a new car and got an insurance policy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
policy
IPA
GB/pˈɑlɪsi/
US/pˈɑlɪsi/
Syllables & stress
policy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (policy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: policy
- Plural: policies, policy
Word family
Forms
policies
noun
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
apolitical
adjective
nonpolitical
adjective
Advanced or less common
politicize
verb C1
politicization
noun
Expressions
open-door policy
1/ˈoʊpən dˈɔɹ pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
practice of free access or communication
A way of working where people can come and talk anytime.
Examples
- Our manager has an open-door policy for all employees.
- An open-door policy encourages better communication.
foreign policy
1/fˈɔɹən pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
government's plan for other countries
A country's plan for how it will act toward other countries.
Examples
- The president announced changes to foreign policy.
- The president announced a change in foreign policy.
- Foreign policy decisions can affect the economy.
- Foreign policy decisions affect international trade.
monetary policy
1/mˈɑnɪtˌɛɹi pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
technical
Government control of money supply
Actions by a country's government or central bank to control the amount of money and interest rates.
Examples
- Monetary policy can influence inflation rates.
- The central bank uses monetary policy to control inflation.
- The central bank decided to tighten monetary policy.
- Changes in monetary policy can affect economic growth.
privacy policy
1/pɹˈaɪvəsi pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
formal
statement on data handling practices
A document that says how a company will collect and use your personal information.
Examples
- The app's privacy policy explains how they use your data.
- Always read the privacy policy before agreeing.
privacy policy
2/pɹˈaɪvəsi pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
statement on data collection and use
A paper or web page that says how a company uses your personal information.
Examples
- You should read the website's privacy policy before signing up.
- The app updated its privacy policy last month.