1HMN the second person, thing, event etc is the one that comes after the first :
the Second World War
the second of August
a second year student
his second wife
Clinton's second term in office
the second half of the year
the second time in three days
the Second World War
the second of August
a second year student
his second wife
Clinton's second term in office
the second half of the year
the second time in three days2 the position in a competition or scale that comes after the one that is the best, most successful etc :
She won second prize.
They climbed to second place in the League.
She won second prize.
They climbed to second place in the League. be second only to something (=used to emphasize that something is nearly the largest, most important etc)
The euro will have a circulation second only to that of the dollar.
The euro will have a circulation second only to that of the dollar.3 another example of the same thing, or another in addition to the one you have :
We advertised for a second guitarist.
There was a second reason for his dismissal.
I asked the doctor for a second opinion (=when you ask another person to repeat an examination, test etc for you).
We advertised for a second guitarist.
There was a second reason for his dismissal.
I asked the doctor for a second opinion (=when you ask another person to repeat an examination, test etc for you).4
every second year/person/thing etc
HMNa) the second, then the fourth, then the sixth year etc :
The nurse comes every second day.
The nurse comes every second day.b) used to emphasize that in a group of similar things, there is too much of one particular thing :
Every second house seemed to be boarded up.
Every second house seemed to be boarded up.5 to be the best :
The quality of Britain's overseas aid programme is second to none.
be second to none
The quality of Britain's overseas aid programme is second to none.7 to start having doubts about a decision you have made :
You're not having second thoughts, are you?
have second thoughts
You're not having second thoughts, are you?8 used to say that you have changed your mind about something :
I'll call her tomorrow - no, on second thought, I'll try now.
on second thoughts
British English on second thought American English spoken
I'll call her tomorrow - no, on second thought, I'll try now.9 used to say that someone does not think or worry about something :
She dismissed the rumour without a second thought.
not give something a second thought/without a second thought
She dismissed the rumour without a second thought.10 to not look at something again, because you have not really noticed it or because it does not seem important :
No-one gave the woman in the grey uniform a second glance.
not give something a second glance/look
also without a second glance/look
No-one gave the woman in the grey uniform a second glance.11 something that is second nature to you is something you have done so often that you do it almost without thinking :
Driving becomes second nature after a while.
be/become second nature (to somebody)
Driving becomes second nature after a while.12 a new feeling of energy after you have been working or exercising very hard, and had thought you were too tired to continue :
