4000 Essential English Words 3 » Index

a
  • abandon
    abandon [əˈbændən] v.
    To abandon something is to leave it forever or for a long time.
    →The old room had been abandoned years before.
  • abnormal
    abnormal [æbˈnɔ:rməl] adj.
    If something is abnormal, it is strange or not normal.
    →Her idea of art is a bit too abnormal for me.
  • aboard
    aboard [əˈbɔːrd] prep.
    When someone is aboard a ship or plane, they are on or in it.
    →They climbed aboard the kayak and paddled through the river.
  • Aborigine
    Aborigine [ӕbəˈridʒəni:] n.
    An Aborigine is a native of Australia before Europeans lived there.
    →The Aborigines created beautiful artwork.
  • absence
    absence [ˈæbsəns] n.
    Absence is the state of something being away.
    →There is an absence of sand in the hourglass.
  • accommodate
    accommodate [əˈkɒmədeɪt] v.
    To accommodate is to have enough room.
    →The meeting room can accommodate nine people.
  • accustomed
    accustomed [əˈkʌstəmd] adj.
    When you become accustomed to something, you are in the habit of it.
    →Grandfather is accustomed to reading the newspaper every morning.
  • ache
    ache [eɪk] v.
    If something aches, it hurts.
    →Mindy’s head ached because she bumped it against the wall.
  • acknowledge
    acknowledge [əkˈnɒlɪdʒ] v.
    If you acknowledge something, you accept that it is true or that it exists.
    →The teacher acknowledged that the young student was hungry.
  • acquaint
    acquaint [əˈkweɪnt] v.
    To acquaint is to get to know something or someone.
    →Nancy acquainted herself with the new computer.
  • acquire
    acquire [əˈkwaɪər] v.
    To acquire something is to gain possession of it.
    →Tina acquired a strange package yesterday.
  • adolescent
    adolescent [ӕdəˈlesənt] n.
    An adolescent is a young person or a teenager.
    →The adolescent was excited about getting a skateboard for his birthday.
  • affair
    affair [əˈfɛər] n.
    An affair is an event or a thing that happened.
    →My wife and I attended a formal affair over the weekend.
  • affection
    affection [əˈfekʃən] n.
    Affection is a feeling of liking someone or something.
    →Amanda has a lot of affection for her little sister Sarah.
  • affirm
    affirm [əˈfəːrm] v.
    To affirm is to say that something is true.
    →Using a graph, Malcolm affirmed the success o f the company.
  • agency
    agency [ˈeɪdʒənsɪ] n.
    An agency is a business or service set up to act for others.
    →I went to a travel agency to help me arrange a flight home.
  • ail
    ail [eɪl] v.
    To ail a person or group is to cause difficulty or pain.
    →My brother went to the doctor to see what was ailing him.
  • alert
    alert [əˈləːrt]
    To alert someone is to tell or warn them about something.
    →The fire alarm alerted us that there was a problem.
  • alley
    alley [ˈælɪ] n.
    An alley is a narrow road behind houses or buildings.
    →The alley behind my house looks dirty.
  • ally
    ally [ˈælaɪ] n.
    An ally is someone who agrees to help or support you.
    →I was happy to find many allies who shared the same opinion as me.
  • aloud
    aloud [əˈlaud] adv.
    If you say something aloud, you say it so that others can hear you.
    →My father often reads stories aloud to me and my sister.
  • alter
    alter [ˈɔ:ltər] v.
    To alter something means to make a small change to it.
    →I altered the color of my nails to match my hair.
  • ambassador
    ambassador [æmˈbæsədər] n.
    An ambassador is a government worker who works in another country.
    →The ambassador from Korea was in charge ofthe conference.
  • ambitious
    ambitious [æmˈbɪʃəs] adj.
    If someone is ambitious, they want to be rich or successful.
    →Kendra had to be ambitious to get into medical school.
  • anniversary
    anniversary [ˌænəˈvəːrsərɪ] n.
    An anniversary is a day that celebrates something from the past.
    →My parents went out to eat for their wedding anniversary.
  • anticipate
    anticipate [ӕnˈtisəpeit] v.
    To anticipate something is to think that it will happen.
    →Carrie anticipated the arrival of her baby.
  • appliance
    appliance [əˈplaɪəns] n.
    An appliance is a piece of equipment used for jobs in the home.
    →Many homes have appliances like ovens, toasters and refrigerators.
  • apprentice
    apprentice [əˈprentɪs] n.
    An apprentice is a person who learns how to do a job from a skilled person.
    →Mark is an apprentice chef at the restaurant.
  • aptitude
    aptitude [ˈæptɪtjuːd] n.
    Aptitude is a natural ability or skill.
    →He has a natural aptitude for water skiing.
  • arctic
    arctic [ˈɑːrktɪk] adj.
    If something is arctic, it is from far north near the North Pole.
    →It is cold when the arctic winds blow.
  • arise
    arise [əˈraɪz] v.
    To arise is to happen.
    →Difficulties arose with his computer because it was old.
  • arithmetic
    arithmetic [əˈrɪθmətɪk] n.
    Arithmetic is math.
    →I like to study arithmetic at school.
  • armor
    armor [ˈaːrmər] n.
    Armor is metal worn by soldiers to protect the body.
    →The soldier wore armor to protect his body.
  • ash
    ash [æʃ] n.
    Ash is the grey or black powder created when something is burned.
    →The end of his cigar was full of ashes.
  • ashamed
    ashamed [əˈʃeɪmd] adj.
    To be ashamed is to feel upset because you did something wrong or bad.
    →He was ashamed when he found out that I knew about his past.
  • aside
    aside [əˈsaɪd] adv.
    If someone stands aside, they are on or to one side.
    →The man stood aside and opened the door for me.
  • assembly
    assembly [əˈsemblɪ] n.
    An assembly is a group that is together for the same reason.
    →The students had an assembly to talk about their interests.
  • assure
    assure [əˈʃuər] v.
    To assure someone is to tell them something is true to make them less worried.
    →He assured the boss that the building would be done on time.
  • astonished
    astonished [əstɒnɪʃt] adj.
    If someone is astonished, they are very surprised or shocked.
    →I was astonished when he pulled the live rabbit out of his hat.
  • autumn
    autumn [ˈɔːtəm] n.
    Autumn is the season of the year between summer and winter.
    →I love when the leaves fall in autumn because I can play in them.
  • awkward
    awkward [ˈɔːkwərd] adj.
    If something is awkward, it is embarrassing and uncomfortable.
    →After dropping his coffee cup, Robbie felt awkward.
  • ax
    ax [ӕks] n.
    An ax is a tool used to cut wood.
    →She used an ax to cut some wood for the fire.
b
  • baggage
    baggage [ˈbægɪdʒ] n.
    Baggage is the set of bags that people take with them when they travel.
    →I’m taking several pieces of baggage with me on vacation.
  • bald
    bald [bɔːld] adj.
    If someone is bald, they have no hair.
    →My oldest brother is bald.
  • bamboo
    bamboo [bæmˈbu:] n.
    Bamboo is a hard plant with thin branches and leaves.
    →Outside his home, there is a lot of bamboo.
  • ban
    ban [bæn] v.
    To ban something is to not let people do it.
    →Smoking is banned in this building.
  • bandage
    bandage [ˈbændɪdʒ] n.
    A bandage is a piece of cloth used to stop bleeding.
    →If you cut yourself, please get a bandage from the first-aid kit.
  • bang
    bang [æŋ] v.
    To bang is to hit something to make a noise.
    →The drummer banged on his drum as he marched in the parade.
  • bark
    bark [bɑːrk] v.
    When a dog barks, it makes a short, loud noise.
    →The dog barked loudly and frighteningly.
  • barrel
    barrel [ˈbærəl] n.
    A barrel is a round thing that you can keep liquids in.
    →There was an empty barrel outside the house.
  • basin
    basin [ˈbeɪsən] n.
    A basin is large bowl for washing things. A sink is sometimes called a basin.
    →She filled the basin with water and washed her face.
  • bay
    bay [beɪ] n.
    A bay is an area near the ocean where the land goes inward.
    →The Golden Gate Bridge crosses San Francisco Bay.
  • beam
    beam [biːm] n.
    A beam is a heavy bar.
    →Modern skyscrapers are made with several beams.
  • bench
    bench [bentʃ] n.
    A bench is a long seat for two or more people.
    →Most parks have benches for citizens to relax upon.
  • beneath
    beneath [bɪˈniːθ] prep.
    If something is beneath something else, it is under it.
    →The largest part of an iceberg lies beneath the waterline.
  • benefactor
    benefactor [ˈbenəfӕktər] n.
    A benefactor is a person who gives money to help someone.
    →The student’s benefactor gave him money to spend on his studies.
  • bitter
    bitter [ˈbɪtər] adj.
    When a person is bitter, they are upset with someone or a situation.
    →He was extremely bitter when his computer crashed.
  • blacksmith
    blacksmith [ˈblæksmɪθ] n.
    A blacksmith is a person who makes things out of metal.
    →The blacksmith pounded the piece of metal until it was flat.
  • blanket
    blanket [ˈblæŋkɪt] n.
    A blanket is a piece of cloth that you use to keep warm or to sit upon.
    →I laid a blanket on the ground so that we could have a picnic.
  • blaze
    blaze [bleɪz] v.
    To blaze means to burn brightly or powerfully.
    →The small fire soon blazed into a large dangerous one.
  • bleed
    bleed [bliːd] v.
    To bleed is to lose blood.
    →If you are not careful, you will cut your finger and bleed.
  • blend
    blend [blend] v.
    To blend is to mix two or more things together so that they become one thing.
    →My wife blended together all of the ingredients to make a delicious stew.
  • bless
    bless [bles] v.
    To bless is to ask God for protection or help.
    →The angel blessed the newborn baby to keep it safe.
  • blonde
    blonde [blɒnd] adj.
    If someone is a blonde, they have light-colored hair.
    →My cousin is different from me. She is a blonde with blue eyes.
  • bloom
    bloom [bluːm] v.
    When a plant blooms, it makes flowers.
    →Roses look so pretty when they bloom.
  • blossom
    blossom [ˈblɑsəm] n.
    A blossom is a flower or group of flowers.
    →There were colorful blossoms in the yard.
  • boast
    boast [boust] v.
    To boast is to talk about how good you are.
    →We all became tired o f listening to him boast about him self all day.
  • bomb
    bomb [bɒm] n.
    A bomb is an object that explodes and destroys large areas.
    →The bomb will destroy anything that is near.
  • bond
    bond [bɔnd] v.
    To bond with someone is to become friends with them.
    →The women bonded after several hours of conversation.
  • boom
    boom [buːm] v.
    To boom means to make a loud, deep sound.
    →The firecrackers made a loud boom when they exploded.
  • bounce
    bounce [bauns] v.
    To bounce is to move something up and away from a surface after hitting it.
    →Owen bounced the ball on the ground.
  • brilliant
    brilliant [ˈbrɪljənt] adj.
    If someone is brilliant, they are very smart.
    →My younger sister is brilliant for someone her age.
  • broadcast
    broadcast [ˈbrɔ:dkæst] n.
    A broadcast is a television or radio show.
    →We watched the broadcast of the local news on TV.
  • broom
    broom [bruːm] n.
    A broom is a brush with a long handle used for cleaning floors.
    →My father usually uses a broom to sweep away dust in the basement.
  • bulb
    bulb [bʌlb] n.
    A bulb is the glass part of an electric light.
    →I had to change the light bulb in my bedroom.
  • bullet
    bullet [ˈbulit] n.
    A bullet is a small metal object that is shot out of guns.
    →Bullets come in different sizes for different guns.
  • bulletin
    bulletin [ˈbulətin] n.
    A bulletin is a news report that talks about very recent and important events.
    →There was a live bulletin reporting on the economy of the city.
  • bully
    bully [ˈbulɪ] n.
    A bully is a person who is mean to others.
    →The two bullies always picked on the smaller, weaker kids.
  • bump
    bump [bʌmp] n.
    A bump is a small raised area on a surface.
    →The monkey got a bump on his head because he was hit by a rock.
  • bunch
    bunch [bʌntʃ] n.
    A bunch is a group of the same things.
    →She was hungry, so she ate the entire bunch of grapes.
  • bundle
    bundle [ˈbʌndl] n.
    A bundle is a number of things that are tied together.
    →I was shocked when he showed me a bundle of money.
  • burst
    burst [bəːrst] v.
    To burst is to suddenly break open or apart.
    →The bomb burst over the city.
c
  • canal
    canal [kəˈnæl] n.
    A canal is a path for water to travel through.
    →The city of Venice, Italy, has many canals.
  • carbohydrate
    carbohydrate [ˈkɑːrbouˈhaɪdreɪt] n.
    Carbohydrates are substances in foods like bread that give you energy.
    →Carbohydrates like rice are a good source o f energy for active people.
  • caretaker
    caretaker [ˈkɛərteɪkər]
    A caretaker is a person who takes care of very young, old, or sick people.
    →My grandmother’s caretaker helps her get around the house.
  • carpenter
    carpenter [ˈkɑːrpəntər] n.
    A carpenter is a person who builds things with wood.
    →We hired a carpenter to make a cupboard.
  • casual
    casual [ˈkæʒjuəl] adj.
    If something is casual, it is relaxed or simple.
    →You can wear casual clothes to the party like jeans.
  • caterpillar
    caterpillar [ˈkætərpɪlər] n.
    A caterpillar is a small insect that looks like a worm and eats plants.
    →After eating a lot of leaves, caterpillars change into butterflies.
  • cattle
    cattle [ˈkætl] n.
    Cattle are cows and bulls, especially on a farm.
    →The rancher’s cattle were eating the grass in the field.
  • caution
    caution [ˈkɔːʃən] n.
    Caution is care and attention in order to avoid danger.
    →Please use the power saw with caution. It is very dangerous.
  • cautious
    cautious [ˈkɔːʃəs] adj.
    If you are cautious, you are careful in a dangerous situation.
    →Be very cautious as you stack those boxes.
  • cemetery
    cemetery [ˈseməteri] n.
    A cemetery is where people are buried when they die.
    →Some people are scared of cemeteries.
  • cereal
    cereal [ˈsɪərɪəl] n.
    Cereal is a food that you mix with milk and eat for breakfast.
    →Cereal is a fast and common breakfast food enjoyed in the U.S.
  • certificate
    certificate [sərtɪfəkɪt] n.
    A certificate is a document that says that something is true or happened.
    →I was given a certificate after completing the computer course.
  • charitable
    charitable [ˈtʃærətəbəl] adj.
    When someone is charitable, they help people who are in need.
    →My sister was charitable enough to help me buy my first house.
  • cheerful
    cheerful [ˈtʃɪəfəl] adj.
    If someone is cheerful, they are happy or feel good.
    →The children were cheerful because they didn’t have to go to school.
  • chef
    chef [ʃef] n.
    A chef is a person who cooks in a restaurant.
    →Tom is a chef at the restaurant near my house.
  • chemist
    chemist [ˈkemɪst] n.
    A chemist is a scientist who works with chemicals.
    →My mother is a successful chemist who helps invent new products.
  • chill
    chill [tʃɪl] n.
    A chill is a feeling of cold.
    →The chill from the cold wind made Bill shiver.
  • chimney
    chimney [ˈtʃɪmnɪ] n.
    A chimney is a tall pipe used to carry smoke out of a building.
    →The cat was on the roof sitting next to the chimney.
  • chin
    chin [tʃɪn] n.
    Your chin is the hard part at the bottom of your face.
    →Luke pointed to the hair on his chin.
  • chop
    chop [tʃɒp] v.
    To chop something means to cut it into pieces with a tool.
    →Mom chopped some vegetables to put into the stew.
  • chore
    chore [tʃɔːr] n.
    A chore is a job that you have to do but don’t like.
    →It’s Nikki’s chore to do the dishes every Tuesday and Wednesday night.
  • circulate
    circulate [ˈsəːrkjəleit] v.
    To circulate something is to spread it quickly.
    →The fan helped to circulate cool air through the room.
  • circumstance
    circumstance [ˈsəːrkəmstӕns] n.
    A circumstance is an event that makes a situation what it is.
    →There were many circumstances behind their success like hard work.
  • circus
    circus [ˈsəːrkəs] n.
    A circus is a traveling show with animals and people.
    →I like to go to the circus to see the animals do tricks.
  • clan
    clan [klæn] n.
    A clan is a group of relatives or friends.
    →The Lee clan meets every year to celebrate the New Year.
  • cliff
    cliff [klɪf] n.
    A cliff is a high and often flat wall of rock.
    →The wolf stood at the cliff and howled.
  • closet
    closet [ˈklɒzɪt] n.
    A closet is a small room used to store things.
    →Marie has many clothes inside o f her closet.
  • coal
    coal [koul] n.
    Coal is a hard black rock that you burn for heat.
    →Many power stations burn coal to produce energy.
  • coffin
    coffin [ˈkɔ:fɪn] n.
    A coffin is a box used to bury dead people.
    →When a person passes away, they are usually buried inside of a coffin.
  • coincide
    coincide [kouinˈsaid] v.
    If two things coincide, they happen at the same time.
    →My birthday coincides with Christmas.
  • collapse
    collapse [kəˈlæps] v.
    To collapse is to fall down suddenly.
    →The tree collapsed right in front of our house.
  • commission
    commission [kəˈmɪʃən] v.
    To commission someone to do something is to pay them to do it.
    →The artist was commissioned to create a picture.
  • compact
    compact [kəmˈpækt] adj.
    If something is compact, it is smaller than normal.
    →A laptop computer is much more compact than a desktop model.
  • compass
    compass [ˈkʌmpəs] n.
    A compass is a device used to tell what direction one is going.
    →A compass is an important tool to have when you are traveling.
  • compensate
    compensate [ˈkɒmpənseɪt] v.
    To compensate is to pay someone for the time they spent doing something.
    →Her boss compensated her for the extra work she did last week.
  • complaint
    complaint [kəmˈpleɪnt] n.
    A complaint is something you say to tell people that you don’t like something.
    →Mom said she didn’t want to hear my brother’s complaints.
  • compliment
    compliment [ˈkɒmpləmənt] v.
    To compliment is to say a nice thing about someone or something.
    →Her co-worker complimented her for doing a good job.
  • confess
    confess [kənˈfes] v.
    To confess something is to say that you did it.
    →He confessed that he was responsible for choosing the winning story.
  • confine
    confine [kənˈfaɪn] v.
    To confine something is to keep it in one place.
    →The elephant is confined to a cage in the zoo.
  • confront
    confront [kənˈfrʌnt] v.
    To confront a hard situation or person is to deal with it.
    →The couple has to confront each other about their problems.
  • congress
    congress [ˈkɔŋgris] n.
    Congress is a group of leaders in a government.
    →Congress makes laws for people to follow.
  • conquer
    conquer [ˈkɒŋkər] v.
    To conquer a country means to attack and take control of it.
    →The soldiers were trying to conquer the world.
  • consequent
    consequent [ˈkɒnsɪkwənt] adj.
    Consequent means happening because of a different situation.
    →Her consequent rash came after she touched the poison ivy.
  • console
    console [kənˈsoul] v.
    To console someone who is sad means to make them comforted.
    →When my dog ran away, my dad consoled me.
  • contrary
    contrary [ˈkɒntrərɪ] adj.
    If something is contrary to something else, it is the opposite.
    →It isn’t warm outside at all. On the contrary, it is quite cold.
  • cope
    cope [koup] v.
    To cope with a difficult or stressful situation means to deal with it.
    →He copes with work stress by exercising three or four times a week.
  • cottage
    cottage [ˈkɒtɪdʒ] n.
    A cottage is a small, old house in the countryside.
    →My aunt lives in a pretty cottage in the mountains.
  • couch
    couch [kaʊtʃ] n.
    A couch is a long, soft seat that many people can sit on.
    →Kim and M artin’s new couch was very expensive.
  • crawl
    crawl [krɔːl] v.
    To crawl is to move slowly on your hands and knees.
    →The baby crawled across the floor.
  • creep
    creep [kriːp] v.
    To creep is to move quietly and slowly.
    →The cat slowly crept down the tree.
  • criticism
    criticism [ˈkritisizəm] n.
    Criticism is the act of saying that you don’t like or approve of something.
    →She had a lot of criticism about their new plan.
  • crown
    crown [kraun] n.
    A crown is the hat worn by a king or queen.
    →The crown is made of gold.
  • crush
    crush [krʌʃ] v.
    To crush something is to press it together so its shape is destroyed.
    →Selena’s new car was crushed when something fell on top of it.
  • cub
    cub [kʌb] n.
    A cub is a baby animal, such as a bear or lion.
    →The lion cub was crying for its mother.
  • cupboard
    cupboard [ˈkʌbərd] n.
    A cupboard is a piece of furniture that is used to store food or household items.
    →We put all of our dishes and food in the cupboards.
  • curl
    curl [kɜːrl] n.
    A curl is a small piece of something with a round shape.
    →The colorful ribbons were bent into curls.
  • curse
    curse [kə:rs] v.
    To curse someone or something is to hope that bad things happen to them.
    →The witch cursed the village.
  • curve
    curve [kəːrv] v.
    To curve is to move in a line that bends and does not go straight.
    →The road curves to the left and to the right.
d
  • dairy
    dairy [ˈdɛərɪ] adj.
    If something is dairy, it is made from milk.
    →Things like milk and cheese are dairy foods.
  • daisy
    daisy [ˈdeɪzɪ] n.
    A daisy is a small flower with white petals and a yellow center.
    →There were a few daisies growing in the field.
  • dawn
    dawn [dɔːn] n.
    Dawn is the time of day when the sun rises.
    →At dawn, the sun gently rose over the farm.
  • daytime
    daytime [ˈdeɪtaɪm] n.
    Daytime is the time of the day when the sky is light.
    →I only allowed my kids to play outside in the daytime.
  • deaf
    deaf [def] adj.
    When someone is deaf, they cannot hear.
    →Susan was born deaf.
  • decay
    decay [dɪˈkeɪ] v.
    To decay is to be destroyed naturally.
    →The old wooden house was slowly decaying.
  • deceive
    deceive [dɪˈsiːv] v.
    To deceive someone is to make them believe something that is not true.
    →He tried to deceive his friends as they were playing a game.
  • decent
    decent [ˈdiːsənt] adj.
    When something is decent, it is OK or good enough.
    →Eric did a decent job painting the fence.
  • defeat
    defeat [dɪˈfiːt] v.
    To defeat someone is to beat them in a game or battle.
    →The champion defeated the challenger in the boxing match.
  • deliberate
    deliberate [dɪˈlɪbərɪt] adj.
    If you are deliberate, you do something on purpose.
    →Bernie made a deliberate attempt to injure Andy.
  • delicate
    delicate [ˈdeləkɪt] adj.
    If something or someone is delicate, they are easy to break or harm.
    →You should hold the baby carefully because she’s very delicate.
  • departure
    departure [dɪˈpɑːrtʃər] n.
    A departure is the act of leaving a place.
    →They were excited about their departure back home.
  • derive
    derive [dɪˈraɪv] v.
    To derive something from another source means to get it from that thing.
    →Red’s nickname was derived from the color of her hair.
  • descend
    descend [dɪˈsend] v.
    To descend is to go downward.
    →I descended the stairs to get out of the building.
  • desperate
    desperate [ˈdespərɪt] adj.
    If you are desperate, you will try anything to do or change something.
    →I’m desperate to find a new job.
  • dessert
    dessert [diˈzəːrt] n.
    Dessert is a sweet food that you eat after a meal.
    →Kayla wants ice cream for dessert.
  • devastate
    devastate [ˈdevəsteɪt] v.
    To devastate something means to completely destroy it.
    →The entire wall was devastated.
  • devil
    devil [ˈdevl] n.
    The devil is a powerful evil spirit in some religions.
    →The church promised protection from the devil.
  • dial
    dial [ˈdaɪəl] n.
    A dial is the front of a clock.
    →I looked at the dial to see what time it was.
  • dialect
    dialect [ˈdaɪəlekt] n.
    A dialect is a regional variety of language showing where you are from.
    →People from the U.K. have a different dialect of English from those in the U.K.
  • diameter
    diameter [daɪˈæmɪtər] n.
    The diameter of a round thing is the length across its center.
    →The diameter o f the tree was about 22 centimeters.
  • diligent
    diligent [ˈdɪlədʒənt] adj.
    If someone is diligent, they work hard and are careful.
    →Craig has always been a very diligent person at work.
  • dim
    dim [dɪm] adj.
    When something is dim, it does not give out much light.
    →Working in a dim room is bad for your eyes.
  • dip
    dip [dip] v.
    To dip something is to put part of it into a liquid for a short time.
    →Laurel dipped her strawberry into the chocolate.
  • discourage
    discourage [dɪsˈkə:rɪdʒ] v.
    To discourage someone is to make them feel less excited about something.
    →Mr. Perry discouraged the students from quitting school.
  • disgrace
    disgrace [dɪsˈgreɪs] n.
    Disgrace is a feeling of shame.
    →He felt a sense of disgrace after failing his big exam.
  • disguise
    disguise [dɪsˈgaɪz] n.
    A disguise is something you wear so people cannot tell who you are.
    →Everyone knew that it was Dad in the Santa disguise.
  • disgusting
    disgusting [dɪsˈgʌstɪŋ] adj.
    If something is disgusting, it is very unpleasant.
    →After running all day, Greg’s feet had a disgusting odor.
  • dishonest
    dishonest [dɪsˈɒnɪst] adj.
    If someone is dishonest, they do not tell the truth.
    →She was being dishonest when she copied the answers from his test.
  • dismiss
    dismiss [dɪsˈmɪs] v.
    To dismiss something is to say it is not important.
    →He quickly dismissed my idea about a new project.
  • dispute
    dispute [diˈspjuːt] n.
    A dispute is an argument or disagreement that people have.
    →Karen and Brian often have disputes about silly things.
  • dissatisfied
    dissatisfied [ˈdɪsˈsætɪsfaɪd] adj.
    If you are dissatisfied, you are not happy with something.
    →I was dissatisfied with their decision to work on Sunday.
  • dissolve
    dissolve [dɪˈzɒlv] v.
    To dissolve something is to mix it into a liquid and disappear.
    →I dissolved the pill in a glass o f water.
  • distant
    distant [ˈdɪstənt] adj.
    If something is distant, it is far away.
    →Michael could barely see the distant island.
  • district
    district [ˈdɪstrɪkt] n.
    A district is a small part of a city, county, state, or country.
    →I live in a residential district of Seattle, Washington.
  • divorce
    divorce [dɪˈvɔːrs] n.
    Divorce is an event in which a marriage is ended.
    →Divorce rates have increased in the past twenty years.
  • dominant
    dominant [ˈdɒmənənt] adj.
    When someone or something is dominant, they are stronger than others.
    →The gorilla is one o f the dominant animals in the jungle.
  • dose
    dose [dous] n.
    A dose is a certain amount of medicine that you take at one time.
    →My mother gave me a dose of medicine before I went to bed.
  • drag
    drag [dræg] v.
    To drag something means to pull it across the ground.
    →The dog was dragging his owner down the street.
  • drain
    drain [dreɪn] n.
    A drain is a pipe that carries away water from a building, such as in a kitchen.
    →The water in the sink goes down the drain as you wash your hands.
  • drawer
    drawer [ˈdrɔːər] n.
    A drawer is a small part in furniture that is used to store things.
    →I put my clothes into the empty drawers.
  • drift
    drift [drɪft] v.
    To drift means to be moved slowly by wind or water.
    →The large chunk of ice drifted in the water.
  • drip
    drip [drɪp] v.
    When a liquid drips, just a little bit falls at a time.
    →I heard water dripping from the faucet.
  • drown
    drown [draun] v.
    To drown is to die from not being able to breathe underwater.
    →He would have drowned if the sailors would not have rescued him.
  • dwarf
    dwarf [dwɔːrf] n.
    A dwarf is a creature from stories that often looks like a short, hairy man.
    →The dwarf had a pleasant look on his face.
  • dye
    dye [daɪ] v.
    To dye something is to make it a certain color by using a special chemical.
    →Valery got her hair dyed at the salon yesterday.
  • dynasty
    dynasty [ˈdainəstɪ] n.
    A dynasty is a series of rulers who are all from the same family.
    →The ancient Egyptians had a dynasty that lasted for many years.
e
  • ease
    ease [iːz] n.
    When something is done with ease, it is not hard to do.
    →The monkey climbed the tree with ease.
  • eclipse
    eclipse [ɪˈklɪps] n.
    An eclipse is an occasion when the moon moves in front of the sun.
    →A complete eclipse of the sun is a very rare occurrence.
  • ecosystem
    ecosystem [i:kousɪstəm] n.
    An ecosystem is a group of plants and animals in an area.
    →The river’s ecosystem not only includes fish but other insects and plants too.
  • elbow
    elbow [ˈelbou] n.
    The elbow is the middle part of a person’s arm that lets you bend it.
    →She pointed to her elbow to show me where she hurt herself.
  • elegant
    elegant [ˈelɪgənt] adj.
    If something is elegant, it is very fancy and pleasing.
    →In Japan, women wear elegant kimonos on special occasions.
  • embrace
    embrace [ɪmˈbreɪs] v.
    To embrace is to hug.
    →When they saw each other again, the happy couple embraced.
  • emerge
    emerge [ɪˈməːrdʒ] v.
    To emerge from something means to come out of it.
    →The hand suddenly emerged from the grave.
  • emperor
    emperor [ˈempərər] n.
    An emperor is the leader of a group of countries.
    →The emperor Julius Caesar was in control o f ancient Rome.
  • emphasis
    emphasis
    Emphasis is special attention or importance.
    →The students put special emphasis on chapter 4 because it will be on the test.
  • encounter
    encounter [ɪnˈkaʊntər] v.
    If you encounter something, you meet or come close to it.
    →I encountered a sea turtle while I was swimming.
  • endure
    endure [enˈdjuər] v.
    To endure something tough means to do or go through it.
    →She had to endure her husband shouting all day long.
  • enforce
    enforce [enˈfɔːrs] v.
    To enforce means to make a person follow a rule.
    →Police enforce traffic laws to keep everyone safe.
  • enthusiastic
    enthusiastic [eneu:ziæstik] adj.
    To be enthusiastic about something is to be excited by or interested in it.
    →The man was enthusiastic about his job.
  • envy
    envy [ˈenvɪ] v.
    To envy someone is to wish that you had something that they have.
    →Sally envied the happy couple.
  • erupt
    erupt [ɪˈrʌpt] v.
    To erupt is for a volcano or something to shoot a hot substance.
    →The volcano erupted for the first time in ten years.
  • evident
    evident [ˈevɪdənt] adj.
    When something is evident, it is easy to see or understand.
    →It was evident from the look on his face that he was unhappy.
  • exaggerate
    exaggerate [ɪgˈzædʒəreɪt] v.
    To exaggerate is to say that something is bigger or better than it really is.
    →Jimmy wasn’t exaggerating about the seriousness of his injury.
  • exceed
    exceed [ɪkˈsiːd] v.
    To exceed is to be more than something.
    →Since I exceeded my limit, I decided to get rid of my credit cards.
  • execute
    execute [ˈeksɪkjuːt] v.
    To execute someone means to kill them as a legal punishment.
    →Some people are executed for serious crimes.
  • expedition
    expedition [ˌekspədɪʃən] n.
    An expedition is a long trip, usually to a place very far away.
    →They got into their spaceship to begin their expedition.
  • explode
    explode [ɪksˈploud] v.
    When something explodes, it blows up.
    →My new radio exploded when I plugged it in.
  • exploit
    exploit [ˈiksplɔɪt] v.
    To exploit something is to use it for greedy reasons rather than good reason.
    →The company exploits their workers and makes them stay 12 hours a day.
  • extent
    extent [ɪksˈtent] n.
    The extent of something is how large, important, or serious it is.
    →He ate to such an extent that he became overweight.
f
  • fable
    fable [ˈfeibəl] n.
    A fable is a short story that teaches a lesson.
    →In the fable about the tortoise and the hare, the lesson is consistency.
  • fabric
    fabric [ˈfæbrɪk] n.
    Fabric is cloth used to make clothes, furniture, etc.
    →The towels were made from a soft fabric.
  • fade
    fade [feɪd] v.
    If something fades, it gets quieter or darker.
    →The piece of cloth I found was old and faded.
  • fairy
    fairy [ˈfɛərɪ] n.
    A fairy is a small, magic creature with wings.
    →There are usually fairies in fantasy stories.
  • fake
    fake [feɪk] adj.
    If something is fake, it is made to look real in order to trick people.
    →The model was wearing fake eyelashes.
  • famine
    famine [ˈfæmɪn] n.
    A famine is a long time with little or no food.
    →The farmers couldn’t grow any food on the dry soil, so there was a famime.
  • fancy
    fancy [ˈfænsɪ] adj.
    If something is fancy, it is nicer than normal.
    →Their table was all set for a fancy dinner.
  • fasten
    fasten [ˈfæsn] v.
    To fasten something is to close it or put it in the correct place.
    →Elizabeth fastened her seat belt.
  • fatal
    fatal [ˈfeɪtl] adj.
    If something is fatal, it causes death.
    →They passed away in a fatal car crash.
  • fate
    fate [feɪt] n.
    Fate is a power that causes some things to happen.
    →Some people believe that a person’s hand can tell their fate.
  • feast
    feast [fiːst] n.
    A feast is a large meal for many people.
    →At Thanksgiving, I enjoy a wonderful feast with my family.
  • fiber
    fiber [ˈfaibər] n.
    Fiber is a thread of a substance used to make clothes or rope.
    →The mat was made from tiny fibers.
  • fierce
    fierce [fɪərs] adj.
    If a person or animal is fierce, they are angry or violent.
    →Wolves are fierce animals. Do not disturb them.
  • fireworks
    fireworks [ˈfaɪərwəːrks] n.
    Fireworks are objects that create colored lights when they are lit.
    →The display of fireworks was so beautiful.
  • flame
    flame [fleɪm] n.
    A flame is part of fire.
    →The torch was filled with yellow and orange flames.
  • flashlight
    flashlight [ˈflæʃlaɪt] n.
    A flashlight is a small electric light that you carry in your hand.
    →We took a flashlight when we went camping.
  • flee
    flee [fliː] v.
    To flee means to run away from trouble or danger.
    →The crowd of men tried to flee from the danger.
  • flour
    flour [ˈflauər] n.
    Flour is a powder made from plants that is used to make foods like bread.
    →I wanted to bake a pie, but I needed flour.
  • forge
    forge [fɔːrdʒ] v.
    To forge is to make or produce, especially with difficulty.
    →Stacy and Heather forged their friendship when they were teenagers.
  • fountain
    fountain [ˈfauntɪn] n.
    A fountain is a source of water made by people.
    →There was a beautiful fountain in the middle of the park.
  • fraction
    fraction [ˈfrækʃən] n.
    A fraction is a small part of something.
    →Only a fraction of the cake was gone.
  • frost
    frost [frɔ:st] n.
    Frost is a white layer of ice that forms during very cold weather.
    →In the morning, the trees were all covered with frost.
  • frown
    frown [fraun] v.
    To frown is to make an unhappy look with your face.
    →Melissa frowned when she found out that the party had been cancelled.
  • fuse
    fuse [fjuːz] n.
    A fuse is a string that you light on fireworks to make them explode.
    →The boy litthe fuse on the rocket and waited for it to burst in the sky.
g
  • gamble
    gamble [ˈgæmbəl] v.
    To gamble means to play a game that involves winning or losing money.
    →Many people like to go to casinos to gamble.
  • gaze
    gaze [geɪz] v.
    To gaze at something means to look at it for a long time.
    →We used a telescope to gaze at the stars for over an hour.
  • gender
    gender [ˈdʒendər] n.
    Gender is a category that describes being either a boy or a girl.
    →Do you know the gender of her new baby?
  • germ
    germ [dʒəːrm] n.
    A germ is something that makes you sick.
    →Germs are on everything that you touch.
  • ginger
    ginger [ˈdʒɪndʒər] n.
    Ginger is a spice from the root of a plant. It tastes spicy and sweet.
    →Ginger is a common ingredient in many dishes from India.
  • glance
    glance [glæns] v.
    To glance at something means to look at it quickly.
    →She glanced behind her to see if he was looking at her.
  • glow
    glow [glou] v.
    To glow is to make a soft light.
    →The small flame glowed softly.
  • grace
    grace [greɪs] n.
    Grace is a quality of moving in a smooth, relaxed and attractive way.
    →The ballerina danced with grace.
  • grasp
    grasp [græsp] v.
    To grasp something means to hold it.
    →He grasped the bag o f money tightly.
  • grateful
    grateful [ˈgreɪtfəl] adj.
    When you are grateful for something, you are happy that it happened.
    →The girls were grateful to have a chance to spend time with their grandfather.
  • graze
    graze [greɪz] v.
    To graze means to eat grass.
    →The cows grazed in the field.
  • greed
    greed [griːd] n.
    Greed is a desire to have more than the things that you need.
    →She ate all the cookies out of her greed.
  • grief
    grief [griːf] n.
    Grief is the feeling of deep sadness, usually when a person dies.
    →The grief caused by losing her parents was very difficult for her.
  • grocer
    grocer [ˈgrousər] n.
    A grocer is a person who sells food.
    →Our grocer, Mr. Smith, is a very kind man.
  • groom
    groom [gruːm] n.
    A groom is a man who is going to be married.
    →The groom looked happy as he walked with his new wife.
h
  • hail
    hail [heɪl] n.
    Hail is ice that falls from the sky when rain freezes.
    →The hail from the storm was the size of golf balls.
  • handicap
    handicap [ˈhændɪkæp] n.
    A handicap is a condition that limits someone’s mental or physical abilities.
    →Joe has a slight handicap, so he uses a walker to get around.
  • harbor
    harbor [ˈhaːrbər] n.
    A harbor is an area of water along a shore where boats land.
    →There were a few small boats in the harbor.
  • harvest
    harvest [ˈhɑːrvɪst] n.
    A harvest is the act of collecting food from farming.
    →They had a lot of wheat from the last harvest.
  • hatred
    hatred [ˈheɪtrɪd] n.
    Hatred is a strong feeling of not liking someone or something.
    →I have a hatred for the taste of medicine.
  • headline
    headline [ˈhedlaɪn] n.
    A headline is the title of a newspaper story.
    →The headline on the front page was about the economy.
  • herd
    herd [həːrd] n.
    A herd is a large group of the same type of animals that live together.
    →The herd of cows moved slowly across the ranch.
  • heritage
    heritage [ˈherɪtɪdʒ] n.
    Heritage is the collection of features of a society, such as language and religion.
    →Teepees are part ofthe heritage of the American Indians of the plains.
  • hesitate
    hesitate [ˈhezəteɪt] v.
    To hesitate is to wait for a short time before doing something.
    →He hesitated for a moment before he decided which choice to make.
  • highlands
    highlands [ˈhaɪlənd] n.
    The highlands are high areas of land, usually with mountains.
    →The man had a small home in the highlands.
  • hinder
    hinder [ˈhindər] v.
    To hinder is to keep someone or something from doing something.
    →All the traffic hindered me from getting to work on time.
  • hollow
    hollow [ˈhɒlou] adj.
    When something is hollow, it has an empty space inside.
    →Straws are hollow, so liquid can flow through them.
  • hood
    hood [hʊd] n.
    A hood is part of a coat that goes over your head.
    →She put on her hood to keep her head warm.
  • hook
    hook [huk] n.
    A hook is a sharp curved piece of metal used for catching or holding things.
    →The fish went after the sharp hook.
  • hop
    hop [hɔp] v.
    To hop means to jump a short distance.
    →The kangaroo quickly hopped away from danger.
  • horizon
    horizon [həˈraɪzən] n.
    The horizon is where the sky looks like it meets the ground.
    →The sun clipped below the horizon.
  • horrible
    horrible [ˈhɔ:rəbəl] adj.
    If something is horrible, it is very bad.
    →The assignment was horrible. I hated it.
  • horror
    horror [ˈhɔ:rər] n.
    Horror is a feeling of being very afraid or shocked.
    →The audience screamed in horror when the ghost appeared in the movie.
  • howl
    howl [haul] v.
    To howl means to make a long, loud sound like a wolf or a dog.
    →The wolf howled at the moon.
  • humble
    humble [ˈhʌmbl] adj.
    People who are humble do not believe that they are better than other people.
    →Even though Bob is the smartest boy in his class, he is humble.
  • hut
    hut [hʌt] n.
    A hut is a house made of wood, grass, or mud that has only one or two rooms.
    →We all went into the hut to sleep.
i
  • illusion
    illusion [ɪˈluːʒən] n.
    An illusion is something that looks real, but doesn’t actually exist.
    →Some pictures create an illusion for the eyes.
  • imitate
    imitate [ˈɪmɪteɪt] v.
    To imitate someone is to do exactly what they do.
    →He imitated his favorite superhero by putting on a costume.
  • impatient
    impatient [ɪmˈpeɪʃənt] adj.
    If someone is impatient, they are not able to wait for things.
    →Bob was so impatient that he could barely wait for the light to turn green.
  • impolite
    impolite [impəˈlait] adj.
    If someone is impolite, they are rude.
    →Roger is im polite to everyone he meets.
  • incident
    incident [ˈɪnsədənt] n.
    An incident is an event that is usually not pleasant.
    →Mr. Wilson had an incident where he became sick and had to leave.
  • independence
    independence [indiˈpendənt] adj.
    Independence is the state of being free from the control of others.
    →After leaving home, Sophia had a great feeling of independence.
  • infant
    infant [ˈɪnfənt] n.
    An infant is a baby.
    →The infant cried all night.
  • inferior
    inferior [ɪnˈfɪərɪər] adj.
    If something is inferior, it is not as good as something else.
    →Cars built a hundred years ago are inferior to ones built today.
  • informal
    informal [ɪnˈfɔːrməl] adj.
    When something is informal, it is not official.
    →They had an informal meeting to talk about their experiences.
  • inhabit
    inhabit [ɪnˈhæbɪt] v.
    To inhabit means to live in a certain place.
    →No one inhabits the ancient city.
  • inhabitant
    inhabitant [ɪnˈhæbətənt] n.
    An inhabitant is a person who lives in a certain place.
    →The number of inhabitants in the countryside is increasing.
  • initiate
    initiate [ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪt] v.
    To initiate something means to start it.
    →You have to turn the switch on to initiate the computer system.
  • inquire
    inquire [ɪnˈkwaɪər] v.
    To inquire about something is to ask about it.
    →Dad called to inquire about the price of tickets for the show.
  • instinct
    instinct [ɪnstɪŋkt] n.
    Instinct is the natural way that people behave without thinking about it.
    →Cats hunt mice because of instinct.
  • institution
    institution [ɪnstəˈtjuːʃən] n.
    An institution is an organization that works to help a city or group of people.
    →Banks are vital institutions that businesses and people use every day.
  • insult
    insult [ˈɪnsʌlt] v.
    To insult someone is to say things that will hurt their feelings.
    →The girls insulted each other all afternoon.
  • invade
    invade [ɪnˈveɪd] v.
    To invade is to take over a place by force.
    →The enemy forces tried to invade our country through the air.
  • invasion
    invasion [ɪnˈveɪʒən] n.
    An invasion is an attack by a group from another country.
    →In Korea, walls were built around cities to protect them from invasions.
  • iron
    iron [ˈaɪərn] n.
    Iron is a strong metal that is used to make many objects.
    →The horse had shoes made of iron.
  • irritate
    irritate [ˈɪrəteɪt] v.
    To irritate means to annoy someone.
    →She was irritated when her brother told her that he had lost her camera.
  • ivory
    ivory [ˈaɪvərɪ] n.
    Ivory is a white, hard substance that comes from elephants.
    →The elephant’s long ivory tusks looked very impressive.
j
  • jealous
    jealous [ˈdʒeləs] adj.
    If you are jealous, you think someone might take something from you.
    →Miriam was jealous because Sue was paying too much attention to Jim .
  • jog
    jog [dʒɔg] v.
    To jog is to run slowly.
    →He jogs every day so he can be healthier.
  • joint
    joint [dʒɔɪnt] n.
    A joint is a place of the body where the bones meet, such as the knee.
    →Two important bones in your leg meet at a join t in your knee.
  • journalism
    journalism [ˈdʒəːrnəlɪzəm] n.
    Journalism is the work of collecting the news to put in newspapers or on TV.
    →Before becoming a teacher, she worked in journalism.
  • jury
    jury [ˈdʒuəri] n.
    A jury is a group of people that listen to a trial and say if someone is guilty.
    →The jury listened closely to the attorney before they made their decision.
  • justice
    justice [ˈdʒʌstɪs] n.
    Justice is fairness in the way that you treat other people.
    →People turn to the court system when they are seeking justice.
k
  • kid
    kid [kid] v.
    To kid is to make a joke to make someone believe something which is not true.
    →I am not really mad. I was kidding when I said I was angry.
  • kidnap
    kidnap [ˈkɪdnæp] v.
    To kidnap someone is to take them illegally.
    →She was terrified to find out her son was kidnapped.
  • kit
    kit [kit] n.
    A kit is a set of all the things needed to do something.
    →Is there a first aid kit in your office?
  • kneel
    kneel [niːl] v.
    To kneel is to put one or both knees on the ground.
    →Daryl got down on one knee and asked Nina to marry him.
  • knight
    knight [nait] n.
    A knight is a soldier of high rank and skill who usually serves a king.
    →He was the best soldier, so the king made him a knight.
l
  • ladder
    ladder [ˈlædə:r] n.
    A ladder is an object that is used to climb up and down things.
    →He used a ladder to climb to the top of his tree house.
  • lane
    lane [leɪn] n.
    A lane is a small road.
    →The lane passes directly in front of our house.
  • laundry
    laundry [ˈlɔːndrɪ] n.
    Laundry is clothes that have been or need to be washed.
    →He folded the clean laundry and put the dirty laundry in a basket.
  • lava
    lava [ˈlɑːvə] n.
    Lava is the hot substance made of melted rock that shoots from volcanoes.
    →The red hot lava poured from the volcano.
  • lawn
    lawn [lɔːn] n.
    A lawn is an area covered in grass.
    →My dad keeps the lawn in front of our house very neat.
  • leaf
    leaf [li:f] n.
    A leaf is the flat green thing on trees or bushes.
    →In the fall, the leaves on the trees change colors.
  • leak
    leak [liːk] v.
    To leak is to let a liquid or gas pass through a flaw.
    →The pipe leaks from many places.
  • leap
    leap [liːp] v.
    To leap means to jump a long distance.
    →He had to leap over the gap to reach the other side of the hill.
  • leisure
    leisure [ˈliːʒə:r] n.
    Leisure is time when you do not have to do work.
    →Eve likes to listen to music in her leisure time.
  • liberty
    liberty [ˈlibə:rti] n.
    Liberty is freedom to do what you want.
    →To many people, the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom.
  • license
    license [ˈlaɪsəns] n.
    A license is an official document that gives one permission to do something.
    →In the United States you need a driver’s license to drive legally.
  • lieutenant
    lieutenant [luːˈtenənt] n.
    A lieutenant is a rank in the military or police, or a person with that rank.
    →The lieutenant was a good leader, and his soldiers respected him.
  • lightning
    lightning [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ] n.
    Lightning is the bright light seen during a storm.
    →The lightning flashed above the water.
  • literary
    literary [ˈlɪtərərɪ] adj.
    If someone or something is literary, it is involved with literature in some way.
    →He worked hard to create a successful literary career.
  • lodge
    lodge [lɒdʒ] n.
    A lodge is a house in the mountains, used by people who hunt or fish.
    →During our ski trip, we stayed at a lodge.
  • loose
    loose [luːs] adj.
    When something is loose, it is not held in place well.
    →The bolt was loose, so I tightened it with the wrench.
  • loyal
    loyal [ˈlɔɪəl] adj.
    To be loyal to something or someone is to agree to always help them.
    →The three friends are very loyal to each other.
  • luxury
    luxury [ˈlʌkʃərɪ] n.
    A luxury is an expensive thing that you do not need.
    →We stayed at a luxury resort for our honeymoon.
m
  • magnificent
    magnificent [mægˈnɪfəsənt] adj.
    When something is magnificent, it is beautiful and grand.
    →The man gave his wife a pair of magnificent diamond earrings.
  • mankind
    mankind [mænˈkaɪnd] n.
    Mankind is all of the world’s people.
    →All of mankind has to work to make this a better world.
  • manuscript
    manuscript [ˈmӕnjəskript] n.
    A manuscript is an old book or paper written by hand.
    →The manuscript was written over 150 years ago.
  • march
    march [mɑːrtʃ] v.
    To march means to walk at a steady pace together with others.
    →The soldiers marched in straight rows.
  • marine
    marine [məˈriːn] adj.
    The word marine describes something related to the sea.
    →A healthy ocean is full of marine animals.
  • marsh
    marsh [mɑːrʃ] n.
    A marsh is a type of wet land covered with grasses and short plants.
    →The marsh looked so lovely against the mountains.
  • massive
    massive [ˈmæsɪv] adj.
    If something is massive, it is very big.
    →The wheels on his truck were massive.
  • mayor
    mayor [meiə:r] n.
    The mayor is the person in charge of a city.
    →The mayor o f my hometown is quite a powerful speaker.
  • meanwhile
    meanwhile [ˈmiːnhwaɪl] adv.
    Meanwhile means until something happens or while something is happening.
    →He wants to be a doctor in the future, but meanwhile, he works a regular job.
  • merchant
    merchant [ˈməːrtʃənt] n.
    A merchant is a person who sells things.
    →The merchant was selling used cars.
  • mercy
    mercy [ˈməːrsi] n.
    If you show mercy, you choose not to punish or harm someone.
    →He asked his boss for mercy and to not fire him.
  • merit
    merit [ˈmerɪt] n.
    The merit of something or someone is their good qualities.
    →The actor received an award for his merits in the movie.
  • merry
    merry [ˈmerɪ] adj.
    If someone is merry, they are very happy.
    →They felt merry because the weather was great.
  • messenger
    messenger [ˈmesəndʒər] n.
    A messenger is one who carries information from one place to another.
    →The messenger delivered an important document to the office.
  • microscope
    microscope [ˈmaɪkrəskoup] n.
    A microscope is a device that makes small objects look bigger.
    →Germs cannot be seen without a microscope.
  • mill
    mill [mil] n.
    A mill is a building where flour is made.
    →The farmer took his wheat to the mill to make it into flour.
  • millionaire
    millionaire [mɪljənɛər] n.
    A millionaire is a person who has at least a million dollars.
    →He became a millionaire because he was smart with his money.
  • miserable
    miserable [ˈmɪzərəbəl] adj.
    If someone is miserable, they are very unhappy.
    →He was miserable after his dog died.
  • mist
    mist [mist] n.
    Mist is water that you can see in the air or on a surface.
    →The forest was covered with mist.
  • modest
    modest [ˈmɒdɪst] adj.
    If people are modest, they do not think that they are too important.
    →Derek is very modest for someone who is so rich.
  • mow
    mow [mou] v.
    To mow grass is to cut it to make it very short.
    →I mow our lawn every weekend.
  • mutual
    mutual [ˈmjuːtʃuəl] adj.
    If something is mutual, it is felt in the same way by two or more people.
    →Robert likes Sarah. The feeling is mutual.
n
  • nap
    nap [næp] n.
    A nap is a short sleep, usually during the day.
    →I took a short nap because I stayed up late last night.
  • navigate
    navigate [ˈnævəgeɪt] v.
    To navigate something is to control the way it moves or goes.
    →She navigated the ship across the ocean.
  • navy
    navy [ˈneɪvɪ] n.
    A navy is the part of a country’s military that fights at sea.
    →My country is known for our strong navy.
  • necessity
    necessity [nɪˈsesətɪ] n.
    A necessity is something that is needed.
    →Fresh water is a necessity for life.
  • necklace
    necklace [ˈneklɪs] n.
    A necklace is a piece of jewelry that people wear around their necks.
    →Joyce received a lovely pearl necklace for her wedding anniversary.
  • needle
    needle [ˈniːdl] n.
    A needle is a small, sharp piece of metal that you use to make or fix clothes.
    →I used a needle to fix the hole in my pants.
  • neglect
    neglect [nɪˈglekt] v.
    To neglect someone or something is to not take care of it properly.
    →William neglected his room, so it is a complete mess.
  • nerve
    nerve [nəːrv] n.
    Nerve is bravery or the belief that you can do something.
    →He has the nerve to think that he can actually wrestle with a lion.
  • newcomer
    newcomer [ˈnjuːˌkʌmə:r] n.
    A newcomer is a person who has recently arrived at a place or a group.
    →The students happily welcomed the newcomer to the school.
  • noble
    noble [ˈnoubəl] n.
    A noble is a rich and powerful person.
    →The Queen invited a noble from a nearby country to dinner.
  • nod
    nod [nɒd] v.
    To nod is to move your head up and down.
    →I nodded my head as I listened to the song.
  • nourish
    nourish [ˈnə:rɪʃ] v.
    To nourish something is to give it food that it needs to live.
    →A good mother will nourish her baby every day.
  • nowhere
    nowhere [ˈnouhwɛə:r] adv.
    You use nowhere to say that a place or thing does not exist.
    →Unfortunately, water was nowhere to be found.
  • nuclear
    nuclear [ˈnjuːklɪə:r] adj.
    When something is nuclear, it relates to the division or joining of atoms.
    →Nuclear power plants provide inexpensive energy to cities.
  • nut
    nut [nʌt] n.
    A nut is a hard seed or fruit that comes from some trees and bushes.
    →To eat a nut, first you have to crack its shell.
o
  • object
    object [ˈɒbdʒɪkt] n.
    An object is an inanimate thing that you can see or touch.
    →The shopping cart was filled with objects.
  • occupy
    occupy [ˈɒkjəpaɪ] v.
    To occupy a place is to live, work, or be there.
    →Kevin and Alice occupied the chairs and had a long discussion.
  • offend
    offend [əˈfend] v.
    To offend someone means to make them angry or upset.
    →They were both offended by what they had said to each other.
  • offense
    offense [əfens] n.
    An offense is behavior that is wrong or breaks a law.
    →Stealing a car is a very serious offense.
  • opponent
    opponent [əˈpounənt] n.
    An opponent is someone who fights against you.
    →On the field, our opponents were too good for us.
  • optimist
    optimist [ˈɔptəmɪst] n.
    An optimist is somebody who sees the good parts of a situation.
    →Even though he has physical problems, my brother is an optimist.
  • originate
    originate [əˈrɪdʒəneɪt] v.
    To originate somewhere is to start there.
    →The idea of democracy originated in Ancient Greece.
  • orphan
    orphan [ˈɔːrfən] n.
    An orphan is a child who does not have parents.
    →The orphan frequently cried during the night.
  • outcome
    outcome [ˈautkʌm] n.
    An outcome is the end of an action or event.
    →The outcome of his latest business plan was a complete failure.
  • outlaw
    outlaw [ˈautlɔː] n.
    An outlaw is a criminal who hides from the police.
    →The police passed out posters of the outlaw to all the people.
  • overlook
    overlook [əuvəˈluk] v.
    To overlook something is to not notice it, or to not realize that it is important.
    →Brenda overlooked the last step and had a bad fall.
  • overnight
    overnight [ouvərnait] adv.
    When something happens overnight, it happens during the night.
    →The campers stayed in the tent overnight.
  • overweight
    overweight [ouvərweit] adj.
    If someone is overweight, they are very fat.
    →Roger eats too much, so now he’s overweight.
p
  • panic
    panic [ˈpænɪk] v.
    To panic is to feel so nervous or afraid that you cannot think clearly.
    →Everyone panicked when the house caught on fire.
  • parade
    parade [pəˈreɪd] n.
    A parade is a celebration when groups of people walk in the same direction.
    →There were many marching bands in the spring parade.
  • pardon
    pardon [ˈpɑːrdn] v.
    To pardon is a way to ask someone to repeat what was said before.
    →Pardon me teacher, but could you repeat what you just said?
  • passion
    passion [ˈpæʃən] n.
    Passion is a very strong feeling of wanting to do something.
    →She had a passion for dancing.
  • paste
    paste [peɪst] n.
    A paste is a thick and smooth substance.
    →My son needed some paste for a school project.
  • pat
    pat [pæt] v.
    To pat something is to hit it softly with your hand.
    →I patted some lotion onto my face.
  • patience
    patience [ˈpeɪʃəns] n.
    Patience is the ability to wait for something without becoming upset.
    →Sue’s patience was rewarded by catching her very first fish.
  • pave
    pave [peɪv] v.
    To pave the ground is to lay material on it to make it easier to walk or drive on.
    →The path was paved with yellow bricks.
  • peer
    peer [pɪər] v.
    To peer at something is to watch it carefully.
    →She peered at people through the window.
  • penny
    penny [ˈpenɪ] n.
    A penny is a coin worth one cent.
    →U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is on the penny.
  • perfume
    perfume [pəˈ:rfjuːm] n.
    Perfume is a good-smelling liquid that girls wear.
    →When she wore her perfume, everyone said she smelled great.
  • persist
    persist [pə:rsɪst] v.
    To persist means to keep doing something even when it is hard.
    →Even though the lesson was difficult, he persisted until he understood.
  • phantom
    phantom [ˈfæntəm] n.
    A phantom is a ghost or spirit.
    →A scary phantom appeared from out of the darkness.
  • pharaoh
    pharaoh [ˈfɛərou] n.
    A pharaoh was a king in ancient Egypt.
    →The pharaohs ruled Egypt for thousands of years.
  • pharmacy
    pharmacy [ˈfɑːrməsɪ] n.
    A pharmacy is a place where medicine is sold.
    →My mother sells medicine to people at the pharmacy.
  • physician
    physician [fɪzɪʃən] n.
    A physician is a doctor.
    →The physician said I would feel better if I took my medicine.
  • pile
    pile [paɪl] n.
    A pile is a large group of things on top of one another.
    →The pile of cups was beginning to tilt.
  • pill
    pill [pil] n.
    A pill is a small object that has medicine inside.
    →She took a pill for her headache.
  • pillow
    pillow [ˈpɪlou] n.
    A pillow is something that you put your head on when you sleep.
    →When I travel, I usually take along my favorite pillow.
  • pine
    pine [paɪn] n.
    A pine is a type of tree that is tall and thin.
    →There were many beautiful pine trees in the forest.
  • pirate
    pirate [ˈpaɪərət] n.
    A pirate is a sailor who steals things from other boats.
    →Pirates are very scary characters.
  • plot
    plot [plɔt] v.
    To plot is to make a secret plan to do something that is wrong or mean.
    →The group was plotting to ruin the company’s financial reports.
  • poke
    poke [pouk] v.
    To poke something is to push it with your finger.
    →I poked my finger on a thumb tack.
  • polar
    polar [ˈpoulər] adj.
    Polar relates to the cold places on Earth’s north and south ends.
    →Only a few people live in the Earth’s northern polar region.
  • polish
    polish [ˈpɒlɪʃ] v.
    To polish something is to rub it in order to make it shiny.
    →Mark spent all morning polishing his shoes for the wedding.
  • pond
    pond [pɒnd] n.
    A pond is a very small area of water.
    →The ducks swam in the pond.
  • port
    port [pɔːrt] n.
    A port is a place where ships stop to load and unload things.
    →The ship was being loaded with materials at the port.
  • portable
    portable [ˈpɔːrtəbəl] adj.
    Something that is portable is able to be moved or carried easily.
    →Since computers are portable, people can use them anywhere.
  • portrait
    portrait [ˈpɔːrtrɪt] n.
    A portrait is a painting or photograph of someone.
    →I saw many religious portraits when I went to the museum.
  • portray
    portray [pɔːrtreɪ] v.
    To portray something means to describe it or show it in a picture.
    →Her picture portrayed the house she grew up in when she was little.
  • pose
    pose [pouz] v.
    To pose is to stay in one place without moving.
    →The kids and their dog posed for a picture.
  • poster
    poster [ˈpoustər] n.
    A poster is a written announcement that is used to advertise something.
    →I saw a poster about a free concert in the park.
  • postpone
    postpone [poustˈpoun] v.
    To postpone something is to make it happen later than planned.
    →They postponed the meeting until Elena arrived.
  • preach
    preach [priːtʃ] v.
    To preach is to talk about and promote a religious idea.
    →Aaron often preached about living an honest life.
  • precious
    precious [ˈpreʃəs] adj.
    When something is precious, it is valuable and important.
    →In a desert, water can be more precious than money.
  • pregnant
    pregnant [ˈpregnənt] adj.
    When a female is pregnant, she is going to have a baby.
    →The pregnant woman was shopping for baby clothes.
  • prejudice
    prejudice [ˈpredʒudɪs] n.
    A prejudice is an unfair opinion about someone before you get to know them.
    →The company’s rules against gender prejudice must be enforced.
  • presume
    presume [prɪˈzuːm] v.
    To presume is to believe something is true without being certain.
    →Since he raised his hand, the teacher presumed he knew the answer.
  • priority
    priority [praɪɔ(:)rətɪ] n.
    A priority is something that is more important than other things.
    →My priority is to get good grades in school.
  • privacy
    privacy [ˈpraɪvəsɪ] n.
    To have privacy is to be away from other people.
    →Please hang the sign on the door so we can have some privacy.
  • profound
    profound [prəˈfaund] adj.
    When something is profound, it is very intelligent.
    →For a little boy, Jeremy has some profound thoughts.
  • prospect
    prospect [ˈprɒspekt] n.
    A prospect is a possibility that something will happen.
    →He wakes up every morning with the prospect of having a good day.
  • prosper
    prosper [ˈprɒspər] v.
    To prosper is to be successful or make a lot of money.
    →Frank’s new business finally prospered after many years of hard work.
  • proverb
    proverb [ˈprɒvəːrb] n.
    A proverb is a short saying that tells you something important.
    →The proverb “egg on your face” means you’ve done something embarrassing.
  • province
    province [ˈprɒvɪns] n.
    A province is a small area that is controlled by a country.
    →Canada is divided into several different provinces.
  • publication
    publication [ˌpʌbləˈkeɪʃən] n.
    A publication is something printed, like a newspaper or book.
    →She’s been a subscriber to that publication for over ten years.
  • puff
    puff [pʌf] n.
    A puff is a little bit of smoke or steam.
    →A puff of smoke came from the burnt match.
  • pulse
    pulse [pʌls] n.
    A pulse is the beat of the heart.
    →The doctor checked the patient’s pulse by feeling his wrist.
  • punishment
    punishment [ˈpʌnɪʃmənt] n.
    A punishment is something that one must endure for any wrong doing.
    →He was given a punishment for being rude to the teacher.
  • purse
    purse [pəːrs] n.
    A purse is a bag where women keep money, makeup and keys.
    →My sister likes to buy designer purses.
  • pursue
    pursue [pərjuː] v.
    To pursue someone or something is to chase or follow them.
    →The mother pursued her young child down the hill.
  • pursuit
    pursuit [pərsuːt] n.
    A pursuit is a chase.
    →The dinosaur was in pursuit of the caveman.
q
  • quarrel
    quarrel [ˈkwɔ:rəl] v.
    To quarrel is to argue or fight.
    →Billy quarreled with his wife about buying a new house.
r
  • rag
    rag [ræg] n.
    A rag is a small towel.
    →Please use a rag to clean the dust o ff the table.
  • rage
    rage [reɪdʒ] n.
    Rage is a very angry feeling.
    →The chef was filled with rage when his helpers ruined the meal.
  • ranch
    ranch [ræntʃ] n.
    A ranch is a large farm where animals are kept.
    →My uncle has many horses on his ranch.
  • ray
    ray [reɪ] n.
    A ray is a line of light that comes from a bright object.
    →The sun’s warm rays covered the beach.
  • rear
    rear [rɪə:r] n.
    When something is in the rear of something, it is in the back.
    →The man loaded the rear of his truck with boxes.
  • rebel
    rebel [ˈrebəl] n.
    A rebel is a person who fights the government in order to change it.
    →The rebel had enough of the government’s unfair polices.
  • receipt
    receipt [rɪˈsiːt] n.
    A receipt is a paper that proves that something was received or bought.
    →After looking at my receipt, I realized that I had spent too much money.
  • recite
    recite [rɪˈsaɪt] v.
    To recite something means to repeat or say aloud in front of a group.
    →Katie recited the Pledge of Allegiance in class.
  • refresh
    refresh [rɪˈfreʃ] v.
    To refresh someone is to make them feel less hot or tired.
    →The baby was refreshed after taking a cool bath.
  • refuge
    refuge [ˈrefjuːdʒ] n.
    A refuge is a place where you go to be safe.
    →When it started to rain, she found refuge in the house.
  • relief
    relief [rɪˈliːf] n.
    Relief is a feeling you get when something bad or challenging ends.
    →I felt a sense of relief when I heard the good news.
  • reluctant
    reluctant [rɪˈlʌktənt] adj.
    If someone is reluctant, they do not want to do something.
    →She was reluctant to eat the meager breakfast.
  • remainder
    remainder [rɪˈmeɪndə:r] n.
    The remainder of something is what is left.
    →He took a bite of the apple, then gave me the remainder of it.
  • repay
    repay [riːˈpeɪ] v.
    To repay is to pay back or to reward someone or something.
    →She repaid her friend for all of his hard work with a small gift.
  • reproduce
    reproduce [riːprəˈdjuːs] v.
    To reproduce is to make something exactly how someone else did it.
    →The children tried to reproduce their house using toy blocks.
  • resign
    resign [rɪˈzaɪn] v.
    To resign means to quit a job.
    →After I officially resigned from work, I said goodbye to my boss.
  • restore
    restore [rɪsˈtɔːr] v.
    To restore something is to put it back the way it was.
    →Victor restored the old car.
  • retreat
    retreat [rɪˈtriːt] v.
    To retreat means to run away because you have been beaten in a fight.
    →The army retreated because they were losing the battle.
  • retrieve
    retrieve [rɪˈtriːv] v.
    To retrieve something is to find it and get it back.
    →She retrieved her mail from the mail box.
  • revenge
    revenge [rɪˈvendʒ] n.
    Revenge is what you do to hurt or punish someone who hurts you.
    →He broke his sister’s doll as revenge after she lost his favorite book.
  • revolution
    revolution [revəˈluːʃən] n.
    A revolution is a change to the political system by a group of people.
    →The revolution in Russia led to the creation of the Soviet Union.
  • rhyme
    rhyme [raɪm] n.
    To rhyme is to have the same sounds at the end of a word.
    →Humpty Dumpty is an old rhyme that children learn in school.
  • riddle
    riddle [ˈrɪdl] n.
    A riddle is a question that is difficult to answer but meant to be funny.
    →I could not answer Wendy’s riddle, but it made me laugh.
  • ridiculous
    ridiculous [rɪˈdɪkjələs] adj.
    If something is ridiculous, it is silly or strange.
    →Steve looked ridiculous with those huge blue sunglasses.
  • ripe
    ripe [raɪp] adj.
    When a fruit is ripe, it is ready to be eaten.
    →The cherries were nice and ripe.
  • rival
    rival [ˈraɪvəl] n.
    A rival is someone that is trying to keep you from getting what you want.
    →The three rivals were all competing for the same job.
  • roast
    roast [roust] v.
    To roast something is to cook it in an oven or over a fire.
    →Mom roasted a turkey for the holiday dinner.
  • robe
    robe [roub] n.
    A robe is a long, loose piece of clothing.
    →Many people wear robes in the morning.
  • rod
    rod [rɔd] n.
    A rod is a thin stick made of wood or metal.
    →I bought a new fishing rod to use while on vacation.
  • rot
    rot [rɒt] n.
    When something rots, it slowly gets softer and is destroyed.
    →The old log began to rot in the forest.
  • rotate
    rotate [rouˈteɪt] v.
    To rotate something means to turn it around in a circle.
    →An airplane’s propellers rotate quickly to help it fly.
  • routine
    routine [ruːˈtiːn] n.
    A routine is a way of doing things that is the same every time.
    →My father’s daily routine includes shaving right before breakfast.
  • rub
    rub [rʌb] v.
    To rub something is to push on it and move your hand back and forth.
    →Mom’s feet were sore, so she rubbed them.
  • rumor
    rumor [ˈruːmə:r] n.
    A rumor is a story that may not be true.
    →Carla was spreading rumors around the office.
s
  • sacrifice
    sacrifice [ˈsækrəfaɪs] v.
    To sacrifice something valuable is to give it up to get something else.
    →Her parents sacrificed a lot of money in order for her to go to college.
  • satisfaction
    satisfaction [ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən] n.
    Satisfaction is a feeling you get when you do or receive something good.
    →Brad was filled with satisfaction when he saw what was for dinner.
  • satisfactory
    satisfactory [ˌsætɪsˈfæktərɪ] adj.
    If something is satisfactory, it is good enough.
    →Mina often received satisfactory grades since she studied so hard.
  • scar
    scar [skɑːr] n.
    A scar is a mark on the skin after a wound heals.
    →The monster had horrible scars on his cheek and forehead.
  • scare
    scare [ˈskɛə:r] v.
    To scare means to cause one to feel frightened.
    →I was scared by the sight of the monster.
  • scatter
    scatter [ˈskætə:r] v.
    To scatter something is to make it go in many places.
    →I accidentally scattered all of my pills.
  • scent
    scent [sent] n.
    A scent is a smell.
    →Julie enjoyed the scent of the flowers.
  • scheme
    scheme [skiːm] n.
    A scheme is a plan or design.
    →Mickey and Minnie came up with a scheme to solve the problem.
  • scold
    scold [skould] v.
    To scold means to criticize one angrily because they have done wrong.
    →Jesse was scolded by the teacher for not paying attention.
  • scratch
    scratch [ˈskrætʃ] v.
    To scratch is to make small cuts with a claw or fingernail.
    →I used a stick to scratch my back.
  • seize
    seize [siːz] v.
    To seize something means to grab it quickly or strongly.
    →The man seized as much money as he could before anyone could see him.
  • seldom
    seldom [ˈseldəm] adv.
    If something seldom happens, it doesn’t happen very often.
    →It seldom rains in southern Arizona.
  • senator
    senator [ˈsenətər] n.
    A senator is someone who makes laws for a state.
    →The young senator promised to make laws that would help the people.
  • sensation
    sensation [senˈseɪʃən] n.
    A sensation is a feeling a person gets from their senses.
    →Mom got a painful sensation in her head from the loud noise.
  • senses
    senses [sensiz] n.
    Your senses are how you see, taste, hear, feel and smell.
    →It would be hard to live without your five senses.
  • sensible
    sensible [ˈsensəbl] adj.
    If someone is sensible, they make good decisions.
    →It was sensible for her to save some money each month.
  • sew
    sew [sou] v.
    To sew means to put pieces of cloth together using string.
    →I learned to sew when I was a little girl.
  • shallow
    shallow [ˈʃælou] adj.
    If something is shallow, it is not deep.
    →The kids were playing in the shallow water.
  • shame
    shame [ʃeɪm] n.
    Shame is a bad feeling about things you have done wrong.
    →The boy felt shame about misplacing his clothes.
  • shave
    shave [ʃeɪv] v.
    To shave means to cut the hairs on your face with a sharp tool.
    →My father shaves his face every day because he doesn’t want a beard.
  • shed
    shed [ʃed] n.
    A shed is a small building where you store things like tools.
    →We have a small shed in the backyard for storage.
  • shepherd
    shepherd [ˈʃepə:rd] n.
    A shepherd is a person who protects and cares for sheep.
    →The shepherd moved the sheep to another field.
  • sheriff
    sheriff [ˈʃerɪf] n.
    A sheriff is a police officer who is in charge of a large area.
    →It was the sheriff’s job to make the city safe.
  • shortly
    shortly [ˈʃɔːrtlɪ] adv.
    If something will happen shortly, it will happen very soon.
    →My workday will end shortly.
  • sigh
    sigh [saɪ] v.
    To sigh is to breathe out loudly and show that you are tired or sad.
    →Molly sighed when she looked at all the information she had to research.
  • sin
    sin [sin] n.
    A sin is something that is wrong for religious reasons.
    →Taking something that doesn’t belong to you is a sin.
  • skeleton
    skeleton [ˈskelətn] n.
    A skeleton is the bones of a body.
    →There is a skeleton in the science classroom.
  • skull
    skull [skʌl] n.
    A skull is the hard part of your head. Your brain is inside of it.
    →The brain is protected by the skull.
  • sled
    sled [sled] n.
    A sled is a small vehicle that you use on snow.
    →Marvin likes to ride his sled down the hill in winter.
  • sleeve
    sleeve [sliːv] n.
    Sleeves are the part of a shirt where your arms go.
    →Ryan bought a new shirt with long sleeves to keep his arms warm.
  • slice
    slice [slaɪs] n.
    A slice is a piece from something larger, such as a cake.
    →The girl enjoyed a slice of cake at her birthday party.
  • slim
    slim [slim] adj.
    If something or someone is slim, they are thin.
    →Look at my new cell phone. It’s very slim.
  • slope
    slope [sloup] n.
    A slope is ground that is not flat.
    →The slope to the top of the mountain was very steep.
  • sneak
    sneak [sniːk] v.
    To sneak is to move quietly so that no one hears or sees you.
    →The thief snuck out of the house without anyone noticing him.
  • sneeze
    sneeze [sniːz] v.
    To sneeze is to suddenly blow air out of your nose and mouth.
    →He sneezed after smelling the flower.
  • sore
    sore [sɔːr] adj.
    When a part of your body is sore, it hurts.
    →After lifting the heavy box, Mona’s back was sore.
  • sorrow
    sorrow [ˈsɒrou] n.
    Sorrow is a very sad feeling.
    →The girl felt sorrow after her best friend moved away.
  • souvenir
    souvenir [su:vəniə:r] n.
    A souvenir is something you buy to remind you of a place or event.
    →I bought a Russian doll as a souvenir from my trip to Moscow.
  • span
    span [spæn] v.
    To span a length of time is to last that long.
    →His work began in 1999. It has spanned many years since then.
  • spare
    spare [spɛə:r] v.
    To spare something is to give it because you have more than you need.
    →I wanted to help him but I couldn’t spare a tire.
  • spear
    spear [spɪə:r] n.
    A spear is a long stick with a blade on one end that is used as a weapon.
    →The soldier was holding a spear in his hand.
  • spectacle
    spectacle [ˈspektəkəl] n.
    A spectacle is an amazing sight.
    →Niagara Falls is quite a spectacle.
  • spice
    spice [spaɪs] n.
    A spice is a flavor for food and drinks.
    →Two common spices found in many homes are salt and pepper.
  • spine
    spine [spaɪn] n.
    The spine is the bone that runs up and down the middle of the back.
    →Our spine helps us to stand up nice and straight.
  • splash
    splash [splæʃ] v.
    When a liquid splashes, it bursts and hits something.
    →Some green paint splashed upon the floor.
  • spoil
    spoil [spɔɪl] v.
    If something spoils, it turns bad or rots.
    →We left the fruit out too long, and it spoiled.
  • squeeze
    squeeze [skwiːz] v.
    To squeeze something means to press it together and hold it tightly.
    →When Clara saw her cat, she gave it a big squeeze.
  • stack
    stack [stæk] n.
    A stack is a pile of different things.
    →There was a stack of paperwork on his desk to complete.
  • stain
    stain [steɪn] n.
    A stain is a dirty mark that is difficult to clean.
    →He had a red stain on the collar of his shirt.
  • startle
    startle [ˈstɑːrtl] v.
    To startle means to scare someone suddenly.
    →The loud crash startled the sleeping woman.
  • starve
    starve [stɑːrv] v.
    If a person starves, they do not get enough to eat and sometimes die.
    →During the war, many people starved.
  • steel
    steel [sti:l] n.
    Steel is a shiny gray metal.
    →The new apartment building was made with steel.
  • steep
    steep [stiːp] adj.
    If something is steep, then its slope or angle rises or falls sharply.
    →He rode his bike up the steep hill to reach the top.
  • steer
    steer [stɪə:r] v.
    To steer something is to control where it goes.
    →He steered the go-cart around the track.
  • stem
    stem [stem] n.
    The stem of a plant is the stick that grows leaves or flowers.
    →The rose had a long thin stem.
  • stiff
    stiff [stɪf] adj.
    When something is stiff, it is hard to move.
    →The bird was standing on the tree’s s tiff branch.
  • sting
    sting [stɪŋ] v.
    To sting is to cause pain by pushing a sharp part into the skin.
    →The needle stung my arm and made me say, “ Ouch!”
  • stir
    stir [stəːr] v.
    To stir something means to mix it using something small, like a spoon.
    →Mom stirred the batter until it was smooth.
  • stove
    stove [stouv] n.
    A stove is a device used to cook food.
    →Our new stove helps us to cook food much faster than before.
  • strain
    strain [streɪn] v.
    To strain is to try very hard.
    →Casey strained to lift the heavy box.
  • straw
    straw [strɔː] n.
    A straw is a thin tube that is used to suck liquid into the mouth.
    →I drank the orange juice through a straw.
  • strip
    strip [strɪp] n.
    A strip is a long, narrow piece of material or land.
    →He had long strips of film that held images of his trip abroad.
  • stripe
    stripe [straɪp] n.
    A stripe is a thick line.
    →The flag of the United States has red and white stripes.
  • stroke
    stroke [strouk] v.
    To stroke is to move a hand over something or someone.
    →She stroked her cheek to see if there was something on it.
  • stubborn
    stubborn [ˈstʌbə:rn] adj.
    If people are stubborn, they don’t change their minds easily.
    →Both of my parents are stubborn. They never give in to each other.
  • submarine
    submarine [sʌbməˈriːn] n.
    A submarine is a boat that can go underwater for long periods of time.
    →The submarine dove under the sea so the enemy couldn’t see it.
  • suburb
    suburb [ˈsʌbəːrb] n.
    A suburb is a small part of a large city.
    →I grew up in the suburbs only a few minutes outside of the city.
  • suck
    suck [sʌk] v.
    To suck is to put something in your mouth and try to get flavor out of it.
    →The baby sucked milk from her bottle.
  • suicide
    suicide [ˈsuːəsaid] n.
    Suicide is the act of killing oneself.
    →Some people feel so sad that they think suicide is the only answer.
  • summit
    summit [ˈsʌmɪt] n.
    A summit is the highest part of a hill or mountain.
    →Snow covered the summit of the mountain even during the summer.
  • superstition
    superstition [suːpərstiʃən] n.
    A superstition is something magical that people believe is real.
    →It is a superstition that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day.
  • supper
    supper [ˈsʌpər] n.
    Supper is a meal that is eaten in the evening.
    →We usually have supper around 6 o ’clock at my house.
  • supreme
    supreme [suˈpriːm] adj.
    When something is supreme, it is the highest or best.
    →The supreme officer was in charge of keeping the citizens calm.
  • suspicious
    suspicious [səsˈpɪʃəs] adj.
    If someone is suspicious of someone else, they do not trust that person.
    →Dad was suspicious ofthe caller on the line.
  • sustain
    sustain [səsˈteɪn] v.
    To sustain something is to keep it going.
    →Wind power is a clean way to sustain a city with energy.
  • swear
    swear [swɛər] v.
    To swear means to promise to do something.
    →I will put my hand on the Bible and swear to do my best for the country.
  • sweat
    sweat [swet] v.
    To sweat means to lose liquid from the body through the skin.
    →Whenever I workout, I sweat quite a bit.
  • swell
    swell [swel] v.
    To swell is to become larger and rounder.
    →My sister’s stomach began to swell after she got pregnant.
  • swift
    swift [swift] adj.
    If something is swift, it is fast.
    →The swift horse easily jumped over the hurdle.
  • swing
    swing [swɪŋ] v.
    To swing something means to move it back and forth or from side to side.
    →He can swing a golf club very powerfully.
  • sympathy
    sympathy [ˈsɪmpəθɪ] n.
    Sympathy is a feeling of being sad for another person.
    →I felt sympathy for my sister so I got her a balloon to cheer her up.
  • symphony
    symphony [ˈsɪmfənɪ] n.
    A symphony is a long piece of music performed by many musicians.
    →Alex, a violin player, has always dreamt of playing a symphony.
t
  • tame
    tame [teɪm] adj.
    When an animal is tame, it is not afraid to be near people.
    →The tame bird rested on his hand.
  • tap
    tap [tæp] v.
    To tap something is to hit it lightly.
    →He tapped the keys of the keyboard to write a short word.
  • tease
    tease [tiːz] v.
    To tease someone means to laugh at or make fun of them.
    →Jake teased Charlie because he was the new student.
  • tempt
    tempt [tempt] v.
    To tempt people is to offer them something they want but shouldn’t have.
    →I wasn’t hungry, but she tempted me with a piece of my favorite cake.
  • tender
    tender [ˈtendə:r] adj.
    When something is tender, it is soft and easy to chew.
    →The meat was so tender they didn’t need knives to cut it with.
  • terrific
    terrific [təˈrɪfɪk] adj.
    When something is terrific, it is very good.
    →My youngest daughter is a terrific painter.
  • terrified
    terrified [ˈterəfaid] adj.
    If you are terrified, you are extremely scared.
    →When I saw the ghost, I was absolutely terrified!
  • theft
    theft [θeft] n.
    A theft is a criminal act that involves someone stealing something.
    →The theft of his TV took place when he was at work.
  • thread
    thread [θred] n.
    A thread is a thin piece of string.
    →I have many different colors of thread at home.
  • thrill
    thrill [θrɪl] n.
    A thrill is an exciting feeling.
    →The boys enjoy the thrill of surfing a big wave.
  • thunder
    thunder [ˈθʌndə:r] n.
    Thunder is the loud noise heard during a storm.
    →The sound of the thunder startled me.
  • tide
    tide [taɪd] n.
    The tide is the level of the water in the sea.
    →The tide continued to crawl upon the beach little by little.
  • tidy
    tidy [ˈtaɪdɪ] adj.
    When something is tidy, it is clean and in order.
    →Leon has always been a very tidy boy.
  • tin
    tin [tɪn] n.
    Tin is a cheap white metal.
    →Soup is a common food that is often sold in tin cans.
  • torture
    torture [ˈtɔːrtʃə:r] n.
    Torture is something that causes you physical or mental pain.
    →Greg thought that writing the essay was torture.
  • toss
    toss [tɔ:s] v.
    If you toss something, you throw it softly.
    →He tossed a coin into the air.
  • trace
    trace [treɪs] v.
    To trace something means to follow over it with the eyes or a finger.
    →He traced over the graph with his finger.
  • tragedy
    tragedy [ˈtrædʒədɪ] n.
    A tragedy is a very sad event.
    →It was a tragedy when his house was struck by lightning and burned.
  • tragic
    tragic [ˈtrædʒɪk] adj.
    When something is tragic, it is connected with death and suffering.
    →The airplane crashed in a tragic accident.
  • trait
    trait [treɪt] n.
    A trait is part of someone’s personality.
    →One trait of Salvador’s personality is his cheerfulness.
  • tremble
    tremble [ˈtrembəl] v.
    To tremble is to shake as a result of cold weather.
    →Harry was not used to the cold, so he trembled most of the day.
  • tremendous
    tremendous [triˈmendəs] adj.
    When something is tremendous, it is very large.
    →The Earth’s oceans are filled with a tremendous amount of water.
  • trigger
    trigger [ˈtrɪgə:r] n.
    A trigger is the part of the gun that a person pulls to make it fire.
    →The man had his finger on the trigger of the gun.
  • trim
    trim [trim] v.
    To trim something is to cut it a little bit.
    →I had my hair trimmed this afternoon.
  • triumph
    triumph [ˈtraɪəmf] n.
    Triumph is what you feel when you win or finish something.
    →He raised the award in triumph at the end of his speech.
  • troops
    troops [truːps] n.
    Troops are soldiers that fight in groups in a battle.
    →The troops were all prepared to go into battle.
  • tune
    tune [tjuːn] n.
    A tune is a song.
    →The students played a familiar tune for the audience.
u
  • underlying
    underlying [ˈʌndərlaɪɪŋ] adj.
    When something is underlying, it is a hidden cause of something else.
    →Her underlying fear of flying reduced her traveling options.
  • underneath
    underneath [ˈʌndərniːθ] prep.
    When something is underneath something else, it is below or lower than it.
    →The roots of a tree are located underneath the ground.
  • unify
    unify [ˈjuːnəfaɪ] v.
    To unify means to bring people or things together.
    →With their good deeds, the children tried to unify the world.
  • upwards
    upwards [ˈʌpwərdz] adv.
    If something goes upwards, it moves vertically higher.
    →The kite went upwards further and further.
  • urgent
    urgent [ˈəːrdʒənt] adj.
    If something is urgent, it is important and needs to be done now.
    →He had to leave now; it was urgent.
  • utilize
    utilize [ˈjuːtəlaiz] v.
    To utilize something means to use it for a specific purpose.
    →They utilized a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon.
v
  • valentine
    valentine [ˈvæləntaɪn] n.
    A valentine is someone you love or admire with great affection.
    →Harry wanted Molly to be his valentine.
  • vanish
    vanish [ˈvænɪʃ] v.
    To vanish is to go away suddenly.
    →All the passengers vanished from the train station.
  • vase
    vase [veis] n.
    A vase is an attractive container where people keep flowers.
    →The vase was filled with such lovely flowers.
  • venture
    venture [ˈventʃər] v.
    To venture is to go to a place that may be dangerous.
    →Even though it was dangerous, they ventured up the mountain.
  • vessel
    vessel [ˈvesəl] n.
    A vessel is a large ship or boat.
    →We toured the area aboard a luxury vessel.
  • veterinarian
    veterinarian [ˌvetərənɛərɪən] n.
    A veterinarian is a doctor that takes care of animals.
    →Wanda became a veterinarian because she loves dogs.
  • via
    via [vi:ə] prep.
    To travel via something means to travel through or using something.
    →We arrived in the city from the airport via the train.
  • vibrate
    vibrate [vaɪˈbreɪt] v.
    To vibrate is to shake very hard.
    →The machine made his whole body vibrate as he broke up the ground.
  • vital
    vital [ˈvaɪtl] adj.
    When something is vital, it is necessary for life.
    →The heart is a vital organ.
  • voyage
    voyage [ˈvɔidʒ] n.
    A voyage is a long journey made on a boat or an aircraft.
    →The astronauts took off on a long voyage to the moon.
w
  • wagon
    wagon [ˈwæɡən] n.
    A wagon is a cart you use to carry heavy things.
    →He used his wagon to carry some of his gifts.
  • wander
    wander [ˈwɒndə:r] v.
    To wander is to walk without going to a certain place.
    →The boys like to wander in the woods and look at birds.
  • warrior
    warrior [ˈwɔ(:)riə:r] n.
    A warrior is a brave soldier or fighter.
    →The samurai were some of the most skilled warriors in the ancient world.
  • wheat
    wheat [hwiːt] n.
    Wheat is a plant which makes grain. Wheat grain is used to make bread.
    →The field of golden wheat was ready to be harvested.
  • whistle
    whistle [hwɪsəl] v.
    To whistle is to make a sound by putting your lips together and blowing.
    →Ashe was listening to music, Daryl whistled.
  • wicked
    wicked [ˈwɪkɪd] adj.
    If something is wicked, it is very bad or evil.
    →My boss is a very wicked man.
  • widow
    widow [ˈwɪdou] n.
    A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
    →The widow had no children and was very lonely.
  • wilderness
    wilderness [ˈwɪldə:rnɪs] n.
    A wilderness is an area where no people live.
    →If you are not careful, you can get lost in the wilderness.
  • wipe
    wipe [waip] v.
    To wipe something is to slide a piece of cloth over it to clean it.
    →She wiped the dust from the windows.
  • wire
    wire [ˈwaɪə:r] n.
    A wire is a thin string made out of metal.
    →The wires were connected to towers that brought electricity to the city.
  • withdraw
    withdraw [wɪθˈdrɔː] v.
    To withdraw means to leave a place, usually during war.
    →After losing the battle, the enemy withdrew back to its own country.
  • wizard
    wizard [ˈwɪzə:rd] n.
    A wizard is a man who can do magic.
    →The wizard made gold fall from the sky.
  • wool
    wool [wʊl] n.
    Wool is the hair that a sheep has.
    →Grandma wants to use the blue wool to knit me a sweater.
  • worm
    worm [wəːrm] n.
    A worm is a small animal with a long, thin body.
    →Worms are often used to help catch fish.
  • worship
    worship [ˈwəːrʃip] v.
    To worship means to like and honor a person, thing, or religious figure.
    →Many people around the world worship in a church.
  • wrestle
    wrestle [ˈresəl] v.
    To wrestle is to play a game where you try to push someone to the floor.
    →My dad loved to wrestle when he was in high school.
  • wrinkle
    wrinkle [ˈrɪŋkəl] n.
    A wrinkle is a line on a person’s face that happens as they get old.
    →My grandfather has some wrinkles on his face.
y
  • yield
    yield [jiːld] v.
    To yield something means to give up control of it or to give it away.
    →He had to yield his turn because he was in checkmate.
Answer Key
Favorite Books
4000 Essential English Words 1

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 1: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

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4000 Essential English Words 2

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 2: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 4

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 4: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 5

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 5: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 6

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 6: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more