4000 Essential English Words 4 » Index

a
  • absolute
    absolute [ˈæbsəluːt] adj.
    If something is absolute, it is total or complete.
    →My presentation was an absolute disaster! It was terrible!
  • accent
    accent [ˈæksənt] n.
    An accent is a certain way of speaking that shows where a person is from.
    →The new teacher’s accent was clearly a German one.
  • access
    access [ˈækses] n.
    Access is the right to enter or use something.
    →The manager was the only person with access to the password.
  • accident
    accident [ˈæksɪdənt] n.
    An accident is an unexpected undesirable event.
    →She had to go to the hospital after she was in a serious car accident.
  • account
    account [əˈkaunt] n.
    An account with a bank is an arrangement to keep one’s money there.
    →After I paid for the new car, my bank account was nearly empty.
  • accurate
    accurate [ˈækjərit] adj.
    If something is accurate, it is completely correct.
    →The story in the newspaper wasn’t very accurate.
  • admiral
    admiral [ˈædmərəl] n.
    An admiral is someone who controls many military ships.
    →They won the sea battle because of the admiral’s great leadership.
  • admonish
    admonish [ədˈmɒnɪʃ] v.
    To admonish someone is to tell them you disapprove of their behavior.
    →The teacher admonished Mark because he was chewing gum in class.
  • affect
    affect [əˈfekt] v.
    To affect someone or something is to have an influence over them.
    →The student’s poor attitude affected the other students in the class.
  • afflicted
    afflicted [əˈfliktid] adj.
    Afflicted means to suffer physically or mentally.
    →He was afflicted by pain in his right arm.
  • aircraft
    aircraft [ˈɛəkræft] n.
    An aircraft is a vehicle that flies in the sky, such as an airplane or helicopter.
    →At the museum in the airport, you can see a lot of old aircraft.
  • aisle
    aisle [ail] n.
    An aisle is a space between two things that people use to walk.
    →They were told to clear the aisle because the plane was about to land.
  • alas
    alas [əˈlæs] int.
    Alas is a word that people say when something bad happens.
    →I looked everywhere for my purse, but alas, I couldn’t find it.
  • alliance
    alliance [əˈlaiəns] n.
    An alliance is a group of people who work together.
    →The junior executives formed an alliance with each other.
  • alongside
    alongside [əˈlɒŋˈsaɪd] adv.
    If something is alongside another thing, then it is next to it.
    →We work alongside each other in the office.
  • alternative
    alternative [ɔːlˈtəːrnətiv] n.
    An alternative is something that you can choose instead of your first choice.
    →Her first plan to make extra money seemed weak, so she chose an alternative.
  • although
    although [ɔːlˈðou] conj.
    You use although to say that one thing is contrasted by another.
    →Although she was late, her friends gave her a warm welcome.
  • altogether
    altogether [ˌɔːltəˈgeðər] adv.
    If something happens altogether, it happens completely.
    →The company stopped using sugar altogether in its food.
  • analyze
    analyze [ˈænəlaiz] v.
    To analyze something is to study it.
    →The scientist will analyze the blood sample.
  • animate
    animate [ˈӕnəmit] adj.
    When something is animate, it has life.
    →Rocks and machines are not animate things.
  • appetite
    appetite [ˈæpitait] n.
    Your appetite is your hunger for food.
    →Tom has a big appetite. He eats all the time.
  • applause
    applause [əˈplɔːz] n.
    Applause is the noise made when people clap hands to show approval.
    →At the end of his speech, everyone gave applause.
  • apply
    apply [əˈplai] v.
    To apply something means to put it on.
    →She always applies makeup to her face before going outside.
  • arc
    arc [ɑːrk] n.
    An arc is a curved shape.
    →A rainbow has the shape of an arc.
  • architect
    architect [ˈɑːrkɪtekt] n.
    An architect is a person who designs buildings.
    →The plans for building the new home were drawn by a famous architect.
  • armed
    armed [ɑːrmd] adj.
    If you are armed, you are carrying a weapon.
    →The robber was armed with a gun.
  • aroma
    aroma [əˈroumə] n.
    An aroma is a scent or smell.
    →I love the aroma of coffee in the morning.
  • assist
    assist [əˈsist] v.
    To assist someone is to help them.
    →Andrew assisted me with my homework.
  • assumption
    assumption [əˈsʌmpʃən] n.
    An assumption is something that you believe is true but cannot prove.
    →I went to the cafeteria on the assumption that everyone would be there.
  • asteroid
    asteroid [ˈæstərɔɪd] n.
    An asteroid is a giant rock from outer space.
    →In 1908, a giant asteroid hit Siberia.
  • atmosphere
    atmosphere [ˈætməsfiər] n.
    The atmosphere is the air around the Earth where weather conditions form.
    →Scientists worry that harmful substances are hurting the atmosphere.
  • attentive
    attentive [əˈtentɪv] adj.
    If you are attentive, you are careful and you pay attention.
    →He is a good student because he is attentive to every detail on his work.
  • audible
    audible [ˈɔːdəbl] adj.
    If something is audible, then it is able to be heard.
    →The sound of the drums was audible from miles away.
  • author
    author [ˈɔːθər] n.
    An author is a person who wrote a certain piece of writing.
    →The author was hard at work on his next novel.
  • authoritative
    authoritative [əˈθɔːriteitiv] adj.
    If something is authoritative, it uses the best information available.
    →This book is an authoritative source on Ancient Egypt’s Queen Nefertiti.
  • autograph
    autograph [ˈɔːtəgrɑːf] n.
    An autograph is the written name of a famous person.
    →Everybody wanted the movie star’s autograph.
  • automobile
    automobile [ˈɔːtəməbiːl] n.
    An automobile is a car.
    →The first automobiles were very different from the ones that exist today.
  • avail
    avail [əˈveil] n.
    Avail is help. It is often used in the achievement of a goal.
    →His studying was to no avail because he failed the test.
  • avenue
    avenue [ˈævənjuː] n.
    An avenue is a road, often a large one with buildings on each side.
    →Drive down this avenue and then turn left to go to the park.
  • await
    await [əˈweit] v.
    To await something means to wait for it.
    →The players awaited the judge’s decision.
  • awesome
    awesome [ˈɔːsəm] adj.
    If something or someone is awesome, they are impressive or frightening.
    →The huge military plane was an awesome sight.
  • awhile
    awhile [əˈwaɪl] adv.
    If you do something awhile, you do it for a short time.
    →Wait here awhile, and I’ll bring some tea.
b
  • background
    background [ˈbækgraund] n.
    A background is a person’s education, family, and experience.
    →The new teacher had a background in science and math.
  • bait
    bait [beit] n.
    Bait is something used to trick a person or thing to do something.
    →The best bait for catching fish is a big, fat worm.
  • barber
    barber [ˈbɑːrbər] n.
    A barber is a person whose job is to cut hair.
    →My hair is getting much too long. I’d better go to the barber’s shop.
  • barley
    barley [ˈbɑːrli] n.
    Barley is a grain that is used for animal feed, health food and beer.
    →The farmer grew barley to feed his cows in the winter.
  • basement
    basement [ˈbeismənt] n.
    A basement of a house or building is a room that is built underground.
    →They turned their basement into a game room.
  • bead
    bead [bi:d] n.
    A bead is a drop of liquid.
    →Beads of water collected outside the glass.
  • beak
    beak [beak] n.
    A beak is the hard curved part of a bird’s mouth.
    →The bird used her beak to dig a small hole in the ground.
  • beast
    beast [biːst] n.
    A beast is a large, dangerous animal.
    →A lion is one of the fiercest beasts on Earth.
  • belly
    belly [ˈbeli] n.
    The belly is the stomach of a person or animal.
    →His belly was full because he ate a lot of food.
  • beloved
    beloved [biˈlʌvid] adj.
    When something is beloved, it is very special and you like it very much.
    →The boy took a nap next to his beloved cat.
  • beneficial
    beneficial [benəˈfiʃəl] adj.
    If something is beneficial, it is good for you.
    →Drinking milk everyday is beneficial to your bones.
  • betray
    betray [biˈtrei] v.
    To betray someone means to treat them in a dishonest way.
    →The man betrayed his country when he gave away national secrets.
  • beverage
    beverage [ˈbevərɪdʒ] n.
    A beverage is a drink.
    →The waiter brought our beverages first. Then he brought our food.
  • beware
    beware [bɪˈwɛər] v.
    To beware means to be careful of something or someone that is dangerous.
    →You should beware of driving fast on wet roads.
  • bid
    bid [bid] n.
    A bid to do something is an attempt to do it.
    →He made a bid to become the university’s next president.
  • bill
    bill [bil] n.
    A bill is a statement of money owed for goods or a service.
    →I have so many bills that I do not know how to pay for them all.
  • bind
    bind [baind] v.
    To bind is to bring people together.
    →The victims of the flood were bound by their need to help each other.
  • birthplace
    birthplace [ˈbəːθpleis] n.
    A birthplace is a place where a person is born or where something started.
    →China is the birthplace of chopsticks.
  • blank
    blank [blæŋk] adj.
    When something is blank, it does not have anything on it.
    →She got a blank paper to draw on.
  • blast
    blast [blæst] n.
    A blast is a loud noise made by something that explodes.
    →There was a loud blast when the police officer fired the gun.
  • blink
    blink [blɪŋk] v.
    To blink means to shut the eyes and quickly open them again.
    →I blinked many times so that my eyes could adjust to the bright light.
  • blow
    blow [blou] v.
    To blow means to move air or move something through the air, as in the wind.
    →The wind is blowing very hard today. We should stay inside.
  • boundary
    boundary [ˈbaundəri] n.
    A boundary is the line where one area of land stops, and another begins.
    →This fence shows the boundary between our yard and yours.
  • bracelet
    bracelet [ˈbreislit] n.
    A bracelet is a piece of jewelry that you wear around your wrist.
    →My father gave me a pretty gold bracelet for my birthday.
  • brag
    brag [bræg] v.
    To brag means to talk of one’s abilities or achievements in a proud way.
    →He had strong muscles and bragged about it to the entire class.
  • breakdown
    breakdown [ˈbreɪkdaun] n.
    A breakdown is a failure to work correctly.
    →Her car had a breakdown, and she wasn’t sure how to fix it.
  • breeze
    breeze [briːz] n.
    A breeze is a soft wind.
    →The breeze caused the leaves to fall off the tree.
  • brew
    brew [bru:] v.
    To brew coffee or tea means to pour hot water over it.
    →Please brew a fresh pot of coffee.
  • brick
    brick [brik] n.
    A brick is a block of hard clay that is used for building things, such as walls.
    →There were several bricks scattered on the ground.
  • bruise
    bruise [bruːz] n.
    A bruise is a dark mark caused by being hit by something.
    →She got a bruise on her knee from falling down.
  • bury
    bury [ˈberɪ] v.
    To bury someone or something means to put them in the ground.
    →They buried their grandfather under his favorite tree after he died.
c
  • candidate
    candidate [ˈkændideit] n.
    A candidate is a person who is competing to win something such as a job.
    →Alice is the best candidate for the job.
  • capacity
    capacity [kəˈpæsəti] n.
    The capacity of something is the amount of things that can be put in it.
    →The parking lot has reached its full capacity.
  • cape
    cape [keɪp] n.
    A cape is a large cloth that covers one’s back and is tied around the neck.
    →The superhero wore a long red cape.
  • cargo
    cargo [ˈkɑːrgəu] n.
    Cargo is the items carried by a ship or airplane.
    →The cargo of the ship got wet when it started raining.
  • cease
    cease [siːs] v.
    To cease means to stop.
    →After about an hour, the rain ceased, and a rainbow appeared.
  • celebrity
    celebrity [ˈsəlebrəti] n.
    A celebrity is someone who is famous.
    →It was the highlight of the evening when the celebrities arrived.
  • ceremony
    ceremony [ˈserəmouni] n.
    A ceremony is an event that happens on special occasions.
    →Tom and Amy’s marriage ceremony is in June.
  • chaos
    chaos [ˈkeiɒs] n.
    Chaos is a situation that is confusing and not ordered.
    →His presentation was in chaos. I couldn’t understand what he meant.
  • chapter
    chapter [ˈtʃæptər] n.
    A chapter is a part of a book that usually has a number or a title.
    →The first chapter of a book usually introduces the main character of a story.
  • character
    character [ˈkærɪktər] n.
    Your character is your personality.
    →My sister’s character is fun and very outgoing.
  • charity
    charity [ˈtʃӕrəti] n.
    Charity is an act of giving help, usually money, to those who need it.
    →Thanks to his friends’ charity, he had enough money to pay the rent.
  • charm
    charm [tʃɑːrm] v.
    To charm someone is to please them with your personality.
    →Gail charmed everyone with her humorous stories.
  • cherish
    cherish [ˈtʃeriʃ] v.
    To cherish something means to hold it as very important.
    →I cherish this trophy I won.
  • choir
    choir [ˈkwaɪər] n.
    A choir is a group of people who sing together.
    →He had choir practice every day after school.
  • choke
    choke [tʃouk] v.
    To choke means to cough because you have difficulty breathing.
    →There was a lot of smoke in the air, and it made me choke.
  • chronicle
    chronicle [ˈkrɒnikl] v.
    To chronicle something means to record an event or speech.
    →The daily newspaper chronicles local and world events.
  • civil
    civil [ˈsivəl] adj.
    When an event is civil, it happens inside a country.
    →The country was torn apart by a terrible civil war.
  • civilization
    civilization [sivəliˈzeiʃən] n.
    A civilization is an organized group of humans that have culture and government.
    →Most early civilizations in Central America didn’t use metal weapons.
  • classify
    classify [ˈklӕsəfai] v.
    To classify things is to put them into groups based on their type.
    →The biologist classified the plant as a completely new species.
  • climate
    climate [ˈklaimit] n.
    A climate is the usual weather in a place.
    →The climate in the desert is very hot.
  • cluster
    cluster [ˈklʌstər] n.
    A cluster of things is a small group of them placed close together.
    →She held a large cluster of grapes in her hand.
  • colonel
    colonel [ˈkəːrnəl] n.
    A colonel is a military officer.
    →James has been given a promotion in the army. He is now a colonel.
  • combine
    combine [kəmˈbaɪn] v.
    To combine is to join together to make a single thing or group.
    →Mina combined peanut butter and jelly to make a sandwich.
  • comic
    comic [ˈkɒmik] adj.
    When something is comic, it is funny.
    →The comic actor was famous for his jokes.
  • comment
    comment [ˈkɒment] v.
    To comment means to say something that shows your personal opinion.
    →Tom commented on the poor quality of the food.
  • commerce
    commerce [ˈkɒmərs] n.
    Commerce is the activity of buying and selling things.
    →The new shopping mall increased the commerce in that section of town.
  • comparative
    comparative [kəmˈpærətiv] adj.
    If something is comparative, it is being judged based on something else.
    →The money that John has is comparative to most other adults.
  • compassion
    compassion [kəmˈpæʃən] n.
    Compassion is a feeling of understanding for someone who is hurt or suffering.
    →The veterinarian had compassion for the sick little puppy.
  • complain
    complain [kəmˈplein] v.
    When you complain, you say that you are unhappy about something.
    →The workers complained that they were being treated unfairly.
  • complicate
    complicate [ˈkɒmplikeit] v.
    To complicate something means to make it harder than necessary.
    →The bad weather complicated finishing the job quickly.
  • comprehensive
    comprehensive [ˌkɒmpriˈhensiv] adj.
    If something is comprehensive, it has all the details about something else.
    →The teacher gave us a comprehensive review for the exam.
  • conceal
    conceal [kənˈsiːl] v.
    To conceal something means to hide it.
    →You should conceal your money so no one can take it from you.
  • concede
    concede [kənˈsiːd] v.
    To concede is to admit that something is true against your wish.
    →The student conceded that he had cheated on the test.
  • concept
    concept [ˈkɒnsept] n.
    A concept is an idea about something.
    →I learned some concepts of molecules before working in the science lab.
  • concrete
    concrete [ˈkɒnkriːt] n.
    Concrete is a substance made from stones.
    →The man covered the ground with concrete.
  • condemn
    condemn [kənˈdem] v.
    To condemn someone means to give them a specific punishment.
    →The judge condemned the criminal to five years in prison.
  • condensed
    condensed [kənˈdenst] adj.
    When a liquid is condensed, it is made thicker.
    →One way to make a dessert thick and sweet is to use condensed milk.
  • conduct
    conduct [ˈkɒndʌkt] n.
    Conduct is the way that someone acts.
    →She was punished for her bad conduct.
  • confidential
    confidential [ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃəl] adj.
    If something is confidential, it must be kept secret.
    →The information from the meeting is confidential.
  • conflict
    conflict [ˈkɒnflɪkt] n.
    A conflict is a fight between different people or groups.
    →The two nations had a conflict over which one could use the water in the river.
  • confuse
    confuse [kənˈfjuːz] v.
    To confuse someone means to make them feel like they are unsure.
    →The sign confused the traveler because it pointed in two directions.
  • connect
    connect [kəˈnekt] v.
    To connect two things means to join them together.
    →I connected the mouse to my laptop computer.
  • conscience
    conscience [ˈkɒnʃəns] n.
    Your conscience is your inner sense of what is right and wrong.
    →I recycle everything I can, so my conscience is clear!
  • conscious
    conscious [ˈkɒnʃəs] adj.
    If someone is conscious of something, then they are aware of it.
    →The new student was conscious of the other students staring at her.
  • consent
    consent [kənˈsent] n.
    Consent is permission to do something.
    →Their mother gave the children consent to go outside and play.
  • conserve
    conserve [kənˈsəːrv] v.
    To conserve something is to protect it from being ruined or used completely.
    →The group worked to conserve the beauty of Europe’s national parks.
  • consistent
    consistent [kənˈsistənt] adj.
    If a person is consistent, they keep the same behavior or attitude.
    →Sara comes in every day and is our most consistent worker.
  • constant
    constant [ˈkɒnstənt] adj.
    When an event or action is constant, it happens a lot or all the time.
    →The television at home is in constant use.
  • construct
    construct [kənˈstrʌkt] v.
    To construct something means to make or build it.
    →The men used wood and metal to construct a house.
  • contagious
    contagious [kənˈteɪdʒəs] adj.
    If a disease is contagious, it is easily carried from one person to another.
    →You must wear protective clothing because the patient’s illness is contagious.
  • contemporary
    contemporary [kənˈtempərərɪ] adj.
    When something is contemporary, it is related to the present time.
    →Contemporary scientists have learned quite a bit about DNA.
  • continent
    continent [ˈkɒntənənt] n.
    A continent is one of the seven large areas of land on the Earth.
    →Asia is the largest continent.
  • controversy
    controversy [kɒnˈtrəvə:rsɪ] n.
    A controversy is a dispute about something that affects many people.
    →There has been a lot of controversy over the judge’s decision.
  • convenient
    convenient [kənˈviːnjənt] adj.
    When something is convenient, it is easy to do and does not take a lot of work.
    →The bus is a convenient way to get to school.
  • copper
    copper [ˈkɒpər] n.
    Copper is a red-brown metal often used in electric wire and pipes.
    →Ancient hunters melted copper to make knives and spears.
  • core
    core [kɔːr] n.
    The core is the center of something.
    →The rings of a tree start forming at its core.
  • corporate
    corporate [ˈkɔːrpərit] adj.
    If something is corporate, it is related to a large business.
    →Tom enjoys working in the corporate world.
  • corpse
    corpse [kɔːrps] n.
    A corpse is a dead body of a human.
    →After the accident, the corpse was taken to the hospital.
  • cozy
    cozy [ˈkouzi] adj.
    If something is cozy, then it is comfortable, warm, and relaxing.
    →The thick blanket made the bed very cozy.
  • crack
    crack [kræk] n.
    A crack is a narrow space between the parts of something broken.
    →The old window was covered with cracks.
  • crime
    crime [kraɪm] n.
    A crime is something bad that a person does that can be punished by law.
    →Police quickly arrived at the scene of the crime.
  • crisis
    crisis [ˈkraisis] n.
    A crisis is a situation that is extremely stressful or dangerous.
    →The airport workers’ strike led to a crisis at the airport.
  • cross
    cross [krɔ:s] v.
    To cross means to go from one side to the other side.
    →We used his boat to cross to the other side of the lake.
  • crucial
    crucial [ˈkruːʃəl] adj.
    If something is crucial, it is extremely important to another thing.
    →Clean air is crucial to the survival of humans, plants, and animals.
  • crumble
    crumble [ˈkrʌmbl] v.
    To crumble means to break or fall apart into small pieces.
    →The old house’s walls crumbled into a pile of rock and wood.
  • cultivate
    cultivate [ˈkʌltəveɪt] v.
    To cultivate plants is to care for them and help them grow.
    →A research company is cultivating new kinds of rice to aid poor countries.
  • culture
    culture [ˈkʌltʃər] n.
    Culture is the music, art, and writings of a certain place or group of people.
    →Ancient Mexican culture is renowned for its architecture.
  • cumulative
    cumulative [ˈkjuːmjəleitiv] adj.
    Cumulative describes an increase by adding one after another.
    →The cumulative snowfall in the area is 50 centimeters per year.
  • cunning
    cunning [ˈkʌniŋ] adj.
    If someone is cunning, they are good at tricking people.
    →The cunning child fooled his parents into thinking that he was kind.
  • cure
    cure [kjuər] v.
    To cure means to cause an illness or injury to end or disappear.
    →My dentist cured me of my toothache.
  • current
    current [ˈkə:rənt] n.
    A current is a steady and constant flow of air or water in a river or ocean.
    →The ocean currents took the ship far off into the sea.
  • custom
    custom [ˈkʌstəm] n.
    A custom is a way of doing things that has been the same for a long time.
    →It is a custom that the bride and groom have the first dance.
  • cyberspace
    cyberspace [ˈsaɪbərspeɪs] n.
    Cyberspace is the imaginary place of the Internet where activities occur.
    →I didn’t receive your email. It probably got lost in cyberspace.
  • cyclone
    cyclone [ˈsaikloun] n.
    A cyclone is a large storm with heavy rain and winds that spin in a circle.
    →Hundreds of homes were damaged by the cyclone.
d
  • damp
    damp [dæmp] adj.
    If something is damp, it is somewhat wet.
    →My hair is still damp from my shower.
  • decade
    decade [ˈdekeɪd] n.
    A decade is a period often years.
    →She celebrated her three decades of work with the company.
  • decisive
    decisive [diˈsaisiv] adj.
    If someone is decisive, they make decisions quickly.
    →Our boss is very decisive, so it did not take long to organize the project.
  • decline
    decline [diˈklain] v.
    To decline an offer or invitation means to say no to it.
    →She declined his offer to pay for her dinner.
  • deed
    deed [diːd] n.
    A deed is a certificate that proves that someone owns something.
    →When she bought the car, she was given a deed to show the car was hers.
  • defense
    defense [diˈfens] n.
    A defense is something that is done to protect another thing.
    →The airforce works in defense of its country.
  • define
    define [diˈfain] v.
    To define means to clearly state, show, or explain what something is.
    →People define success in many different ways.
  • deformed
    deformed [diˈfɔːrmd] adj.
    If something is deformed, it is not shaped normally and may appear ugly.
    →Even though the carrot was deformed, it was still safe to eat.
  • defy
    defy [diˈfai] v.
    To defy someone is to work against them or refuse to do what they say.
    →The students got into trouble for defying their teacher’s rules.
  • den
    den [den] n.
    A den is a living space for some types of animals, such as lions.
    →The mother lion left her babies in the den.
  • dent
    dent [dent] n.
    A dent is damage caused by something heavy hitting something else.
    →That blue car hit my car, and now there is a small dent in my car door.
  • deplete
    deplete [diˈpliːt] v.
    To deplete an amount of something means to use up all of it.
    →All the driving he was doing was depleting his car’s fuel supply.
  • deposit
    deposit [diˈpɒzit] v.
    To deposit something is to put it into a place or another thing.
    →I deposited the money into my bank account.
  • destiny
    destiny [ˈdestəni] n.
    A destiny is all the things that happen or will happen to a person in their life.
    →It was his destiny to become a great singer.
  • detail
    detail [ˈdiːteil] n.
    A detail is a small piece of information.
    →Jane told Ben all the details of her trip to China.
  • device
    device [diˈvais] n.
    A device is an object or a machine.
    →A thermometer is a device that tells temperature.
  • dew
    dew [djuː] n.
    Dew is the drops of water that form on the ground outside during the night.
    →When we woke up, we saw that the grass was covered in dew.
  • diagram
    diagram [ˈdaiəgrӕm] n.
    A diagram is a simple drawing that explains what something is or how it works.
    →By following the diagram, I was able to put the desk together.
  • disagree
    disagree [dɪsəgriː] v.
    To disagree with someone means to have a different opinion from them.
    →The lawyers disagreed about the best way to settle the case.
  • disapprove
    disapprove [disəˈpruːv] v.
    To disapprove of something is to think that it is wrong.
    →Alex, disapproved of his son’s behavior.
  • discriminate
    discriminate [disˈkriməneit] v.
    To discriminate means to judge people according to their looks.
    →They discriminated against her because she was different.
  • disease
    disease [diˈziːz] n.
    A disease is an illness that causes specific problems.
    →He had a disease that caused him to lose his hearing.
  • disobedient
    disobedient [ˌdisəˈbiːdiənt] adj.
    When someone is disobedient, they do not follow the rules or instructions.
    →The disobedient children didn’t listen to their mother and had an accident.
  • display
    display [disˈplei] v.
    To display something is to show it, especially by putting it in a certain place.
    →The museum displayed many wonderful paintings.
  • disrespect
    disrespect [ˈdisrisˈpekt] n.
    Disrespect is rudeness or a behavior that shows a lack of respect.
    →He showed disrespect by arguing with his boss during a meeting.
  • distribute
    distribute [disˈtribjuːt] v.
    To distribute something is to give it to a number of people.
    →The teacher distributed crayons and markers to his students.
  • distrust
    distrust [disˈtrʌst] v.
    To distrust someone means to believe that they are not honest.
    →Don’t lend money to someone if you distrust them!
  • diverse
    diverse [diˈvəːrs] adj.
    When a group of things is diverse, it is made up of a wide variety of things.
    →Big cities have diverse populations with people of different races and ages.
  • divine
    divine [dɪˈvaɪn] adj.
    When something is divine, it is related to gods.
    →Legends say that music was given to men as a divine gift from the gods.
  • dizzy
    dizzy [ˈdizi] adj.
    If someone is dizzy, then they feel off balance as if they will fall down.
    →The pregnant woman was dizzy after standing up too quickly.
  • doomed
    doomed [duːmd] adj.
    If someone or something is doomed, they are going to fail or be destroyed.
    →Since I spent all my money, my date with Jane is doomed.
  • dough
    dough [dou] n.
    Dough is a mixture of flour and water that becomes bread when baked.
    →I made heart-shaped cookies from the dough.
  • drastic
    drastic [ˈdræstik] adj.
    When something is drastic, it is extreme or major.
    →She made a drastic decision to get her long hair cut short.
  • dread
    dread [dread] v.
    To dread is to be afraid of something that could, or is going to, happen.
    →I dread the idea that I will not get into college.
  • due
    due [djuː] adj.
    When something is due, it is expected to happen or be done at that time.
    →The papers were due on the 19th.
e
  • echo
    echo [ˈekou] v.
    To echo means that a sound repeats itself because it bounced off an object.
    →The child yelled over the canyon, and the wall echoed the sound.
  • economy
    economy [iˈkɒnəmi] n.
    An economy is the money and businesses of a country or region.
    →The factory was good for the economy because it brought jobs to the area.
  • edit
    edit [ˈedɪt] v.
    To edit means to correct a piece of writing so that it is suitable to be published.
    →She asked her brother to edit her paper before she submitted it to her teacher.
  • efficient
    efficient [iˈfiʃənt] adj.
    If something or someone is efficient, they do not waste energy.
    →My car is very efficient. I rarely have to buy gas.
  • embassy
    embassy [ˈembəsi] n.
    An embassy is where government officials work in a foreign country.
    →If you lose your passport, you should contact the embassy.
  • empire
    empire [ˈempaɪər] n.
    An empire is a large group of countries ruled by an emperor or empress.
    →The emperor built roads to make travel easier throughout the empire.
  • enchant
    enchant [inˈtʃænt] v.
    To enchant someone is to make them feel very interested or happy.
    →The beautiful woman enchanted everybody in the room.
  • enclose
    enclose [inˈklouz] v.
    To enclose something is to contain it.
    →The cows in the field were enclosed by a fence.
  • enhance
    enhance [enhæns] v.
    To enhance something is to make it better.
    →Amy’s blue shirt really enhances the color of her eyes.
  • enthusiasm
    enthusiasm [enˈθuːzɪæzəm] n.
    Enthusiasm is a very strong good feeling about something.
    →The crowd showed their enthusiasm for the soccer team by cheering loudly.
  • entire
    entire [ənˈtaiər] adj.
    When you talk about an entire thing, you are talking about the whole thing.
    →He was so hungry that he ate the entire pizza by himself.
  • envision
    envision [ɪnˈvɪʒən] v.
    To envision something means to imagine that it may happen.
    →I can envision my mom’s face when I give her this present!
  • equator
    equator [iˈkweitər] n.
    The equator is an imaginary line that splits the Earth into north and south.
    →The equator crosses the northern part of South America.
  • equilibrium
    equilibrium [iːkwəˈlibriəm] n.
    Equilibrium is the balance between different forces.
    →The sudden drop in prices upset the equilibrium of the economy.
  • equip
    equip [iˈkwip] v.
    To equip someone is to give them the things needed to do something.
    →Steve was equipped with the tools needed to do the job.
  • era
    era [ˈerə] n.
    An era is a period of time that has something special about it.
    →During the medieval era, knights wore protective armor.
  • errand
    errand [ˈerənd] n.
    An errand is a trip taken to do a specific activity.
    →He couldn’t go to practice because he had several errands to do.
  • essay
    essay [ˈeseɪ] n.
    An essay is a short piece of writing on a certain subject.
    →She had to write a two-page essay for her English class.
  • establish
    establish [isˈtæbliʃ] v.
    To establish something means to create it.
    →He wanted to establish a club for people to help the Earth.
  • esteemed
    esteemed [isti:md] adj.
    If someone is esteemed, many people like or respect them.
    →An esteemed scientist is coming to the university to talk about her discoveries.
  • etc.
    etc. [etsetərə] n.
    Etc. is short for “etcetera.” It is used to refer to other unspecified objects.
    →She was going to bring treats to the party: cookies, muffins, cake, etc.
  • ethical
    ethical [ˈeθikəl] adj.
    If something is ethical, it is the right thing to do.
    →Many people believe that it is ethical to help others in need.
  • evaluate
    evaluate [iˈvӕljueit] v.
    To evaluate something means to study it, so a decision can be made.
    →Joe and Ken evaluated the plan and agreed that it would work.
  • evenly
    evenly [ˈiːvənlɪ] adv.
    When something happens evenly, it happens at the same rate or level.
    →The food was handed out evenly among the hungry people.
  • eventual
    eventual [iˈventʃuəl] adj.
    If something is eventual, it will happen at the end of a series of events.
    →The constant training and planning led the team to an eventual victory.
  • evolve
    evolve [iˈvɒlv] v.
    To evolve is to change over time.
    →Many people think that humans evolved from animals.
  • except
    except [ɪkˈsept] prep.
    You use except to talk about the only thing that a statement does not apply to.
    →Everyone had fun on the trip except Jim, who felt ill the whole time.
  • exception
    exception [ikˈsepʃən] n.
    An exception is someone or something not conforming to a rule.
    →Most students thought the test was hard, but Tim was the exception.
  • exit
    exit [ˈegzit] v.
    To exit means to leave.
    →The students exited through the front door.
  • exotic
    exotic [igˈzotik] adj.
    Exotic describes something unusual because it is from far away.
    →Rebecca tried many exotic foods on her trip to Africa.
  • expand
    expand [iksˈpænd] v.
    To expand is to become bigger in size.
    →A balloon will expand as you blow air into it.
  • express
    express [iksˈpres] v.
    To express a feeling or idea means to show others how one thinks or feels.
    →The nurse expressed her sympathy for the sick patient.
  • extinct
    extinct [iksˈtiŋkt] adj.
    If plants or animals are extinct, there are none left.
    →There used to be dinosaurs all over the world, but now they are extinct.
  • extinguish
    extinguish [iksˈtiŋgwiʃ] v.
    To extinguish a fire means to make it stop.
    →Michael extinguished the small fire with the hose.
f
  • factor
    factor [ˈfæktər] n.
    A factor is something that has an effect on the way another thing happens.
    →Smoking is the main factor that causes lung cancer.
  • faint
    faint [feɪnt] v.
    To faint means to go unconscious and fall down.
    →Carol fainted because she hadn’t eaten in over a day.
  • federal
    federal [ˈfedərəl] adj.
    If something is federal, it comes from the government of a country.
    →Sometimes federal laws are different from state laws.
  • feeble
    feeble [ˈfiːbəl] adj.
    If someone is feeble, they are small or weak.
    →The boy was too feeble to carry the object very far.
  • ferry
    ferry [ˈferi] n.
    A ferry is a boat that carries passengers over short distances.
    →The ferry took the people across the lake.
  • fiery
    fiery [ˈfaɪərɪ] adj.
    If something is fiery, it is burning strongly.
    →The fiery blaze burned all night long.
  • fist
    fist [fist] n.
    A fist is a hand with fingers bent in toward the palm.
    →The bully made a fist and threatened to hit the small boy.
  • flesh
    flesh [fleʃ] n.
    Flesh is the skin, muscle and fat on your body.
    →The zebra’s flesh has black and white stripes.
  • flexible
    flexible [ˈfleksəbəl] adj.
    If something is flexible, then it can bend easily without breaking.
    →The tree branch was so flexible it could be bent into a circle and not break.
  • flight
    flight [flaɪt] n.
    A flight is an act of flying, often in an airplane.
    →The airplane made a flight around the world.
  • flint
    flint [flint] n.
    Flint is a hard stone that people used to make weapons for hunting.
    →There are a lot of flint tools in the museum.
  • flip
    flip [flip] v.
    To flip means to press a switch quickly to turn it on or off.
    →To turn on the lights, just flip this switch.
  • flock
    flock [flɒk] n.
    A flock is a group of animals, such as birds, sheep or goats.
    →There was one black sheep in the entire flock.
  • flush
    flush [flʌʃ] v.
    To flush means the face becomes red due to heat, illness, or emotion.
    →After the long race, the runner’s face was flushed.
  • fold
    fold [fould] v.
    To fold is to bend something like paper or cloth so that it takes up less space.
    →I folded the paper and put it in my pocket.
  • folk
    folk [fouk] n.
    Folk are common or average people.
    →I’ve invited all the folks from our street to a gathering at my place.
  • folklore
    folklore [ˈfouklɔːr] n.
    Folklore is the collection of beliefs and stories of a culture.
    →India’s folklore has stories written in long poems about great warriors.
  • fond
    fond [fɒnd] adj.
    When someone is fond of something, they like it.
    →I am very fond of chocolate cake.
  • foresee
    foresee [fɔːrsiː] v.
    To foresee something is to know about it before it happens.
    →The teacher didn’t foresee any problems with her large class.
  • forgive
    forgive [fə:rgɪv] v.
    To forgive someone is to stop being angry with them.
    →Sandra forgave Peter after he said he was sorry.
  • formation
    formation [fɔːrˈmeiʃən] n.
    A formation is the way that something is made.
    →The formation of ice happens when water freezes.
  • fort
    fort [fɔːrt] n.
    A fort is a small building that is specially built to defend an area from attack.
    →When the army arrived, they built a big fort on the top of the hill.
  • foster
    foster [ˈfɔ(:)stər] v.
    To foster a feeling or a skill means to help it develop.
    →She helped foster a sense of calm in the little boy.
  • found
    found [faund] v.
    To found means to bring something into existence.
    →The pastor founded his church in the countryside.
  • frequency
    frequency [ˈfriːkwənsi] n.
    The frequency of something is the number of times that it happens.
    →The frequency of rainstorms is very high, especially during the spring.
  • fundamental
    fundamental [ˌfʌndəˈmentl] adj.
    If something is fundamental, it is a basic part of something.
    →The fundamental rules of basketball are easy.
  • furnace
    furnace [ˈfəːrnis] n.
    A furnace is a place where heat is made.
    →Mr. Jones came to fix the furnace.
g
  • genetic
    genetic [dʒiˈnetik] adj.
    If something is genetic, it is related to the genes in one’s body.
    →The color of one’s eyes is genetic.
  • genome
    genome [ˈdʒiːnoum] n.
    A genome is the collection of all the genes in a living thing.
    →Understanding the human genome may help cure many diseases.
  • genre
    genre [ʒɑ̃ːnrə] n.
    A genre is a type of literature, art, or music characterized by its style.
    →She is considered a master in the comedy genre.
  • glimpse
    glimpse [glimps] v.
    To glimpse something is to see it for a short time.
    →She glimpsed outside the window as the plane was about to land.
  • global
    global [ˈgloubəl] adj.
    If something is global, it happens all around the world.
    →Pollution is a global problem.
  • glove
    glove [glʌv] n.
    A glove is a piece of clothing that covers your fingers and hand.
    →When it gets cold, I always put on a pair of gloves.
  • goods
    goods [gudz] n.
    Goods are anything that can be bought or sold.
    →Shoes, hats, dresses and purses were the goods she wanted to buy.
  • grapefruit
    grapefruit [ˈgreɪpfruːt] n.
    A grapefruit is a fruit similar to an orange, but bigger and not as sweet.
    →Would you like a grapefruit with your breakfast?
  • gratitude
    gratitude [ˈgrӕtətjuːd] n.
    Gratitude is a feeling of being thankful.
    →The kids showed Aunt Tess much gratitude for visiting them.
  • grind
    grind [graind] v.
    To grind something means to break it into very small pieces or powder.
    →She wanted to grind the beans, so she could brew some coffee.
  • grip
    grip [grɪp] v.
    To grip something is to hold it very tightly.
    →I was scared, so I gripped my older sister’s hand.
  • growl
    growl [graul] v.
    To growl means to make a deep, angry sound.
    → The dog started to growl at the man walking by.
  • guideline
    guideline [ˈgaidlain] n.
    A guideline is a rule about how to do something.
    →Before they began the project, the teacher gave them some guidelines.
  • gymnasium
    gymnasium [dʒɪmˈneɪzɪəm] n.
    A gymnasium is a building with equipment that you can use to get exercise.
    →When I go to the gymnasium, I use the treadmill for 20 minutes.
h
  • habitat
    habitat [ˈhӕbətӕt] n.
    A habitat is the natural home of animals or plants.
    →Frogs are often found in a wet habitat, such as near a lake, river, or pond.
  • halt
    halt [hɔːlt] v.
    To halt is to stop moving.
    →The criminal halted when he saw the police coming.
  • handy
    handy [ˈhændi] adj.
    If something is handy, it is useful.
    →An eraser is handy if you make a lot of mistakes.
  • harass
    harass [ˈhəræs] v.
    To harass someone means to annoy or trouble them.
    →The children harassed their mother because they wanted her attention.
  • hardy
    hardy [ˈhɑːrdi] adj.
    If a person or plant is hardy, it is strong and can live though difficult conditions.
    →The farmer is a hardy man and doesn’t mind working outside.
  • harsh
    harsh [hɑːrʃ] adj.
    When something is harsh, it is very unpleasant.
    →The desert can be a very harsh environment.
  • hay
    hay [heɪ] n.
    Hay is dry grass used to feed animals or used as a covering.
    →I need to buy some more hay for the horse to sleep on.
  • heed
    heed [hiːd] v.
    To heed something means to obey or follow it.
    →You should heed the advice on the sign and not drive so fast.
  • heir
    heir [ɛər] n.
    An heir is a person who receives money or property of someone who dies.
    →The princess was the heir to the king and queen’s throne.
  • hermit
    hermit [ˈhəːrmit] n.
    A hermit is one who lives alone and does not spend time with others.
    →The hermit lived a simple life in a small cave in the forest.
  • highlight
    highlight [ˈhaɪlaɪt] v.
    To highlight something means to mark it with a color so that it is easy to see.
    → I read my vocabulary list and highlighted the most difficult words.
  • hint
    hint [hint] n.
    A hint is information that suggests something will happen or is true.
    →I quietly passed on a hint to my sister about the test.
  • hitchhike
    hitchhike [ˈhitʃhaik] v.
    To hitchhike means to travel by asking for rides from passing vehicles.
    →She didn’t have a car, so she hitchhiked several miles to her brother’s home.
  • hoop
    hoop [huːp] n.
    A hoop is a ring that is made of plastic, metal, or wood.
    →The boys tried to toss the ball through the basketball hoop.
  • horn
    horn [hɔːrn] n.
    A horn is a device that makes a loud noise.
    →The boy honked his horn while he rode his bicycle past the house.
  • horrified
    horrified [ˈhɔ:rəˌfaɪd] adj.
    If you are horrified, you are very shocked and feel upset.
    →I was horrified when I read about the old lady who was attacked.
  • horrifying
    horrifying [ˈhɔ:rəfaiŋ] adj.
    If something is horrifying, it is frightening and very unpleasant.
    →There was a horrifying car accident today.
  • humid
    humid [ˈhjuːmɪd] adj.
    When it is humid, there is a lot of water in the air.
    →It is very humid inside of a sauna.
i
  • identical
    identical [aiˈdentikəl] adj.
    To be identical is to be the same as someone or something else.
    →James and John are identical twins.
  • idiot
    idiot [ˈɪdɪət] n.
    An idiot is a person who is not smart or who has done something silly.
    →Because he got lost in the forest, the man felt like an idiot.
  • idle
    idle [ˈaidl] adj.
    If you are idle, you are not doing anything.
    →She read a book to keep from being idle.
  • ignorant
    ignorant [ˈɪgnərənt] adj.
    If someone is ignorant about something, they have no knowledge about it.
    → I’m a bit ignorant about his theories. Can you explain them to me?
  • immense
    immense [iˈmens] adj.
    If something is immense, it is very large.
    →An immense amount of money was needed to buy such a large boat.
  • immoral
    immoral [ɪˈmɔ(:)rəl] adj.
    When something or someone is immoral, they are evil or do bad things.
    →Stealing money from one’s mother is an immoral act.
  • impact
    impact [ˈimpækt] n.
    An impact is the effect someone or something has on another.
    →My grandmother had a great impact on my life.
  • impending
    impending [ɪmˈpendɪŋ] adj.
    If something is impending, it is going to happen soon.
    →The student was nervous about his impending test.
  • incorporate
    incorporate [inˈkɔːrpəreit] v.
    To incorporate is to add something to another thing.
    →I decided to incorporate a new ingredient into my cake recipe.
  • incredulous
    incredulous [inˈkredjələs] adj.
    If someone is incredulous about something, they do not believe that it is true.
    →She was incredulous that monkeys could ever drive a car.
  • index
    index [ˈɪndeks] n.
    An index is a list of words at the end of a book that gives information.
    →If you look in the index, you’ll find the right page number.
  • indirect
    indirect [indiˈrekt] adj.
    If something is indirect, then it is not the easiest or straightest way.
    →He chose to take the most indirect route to the coast.
  • infect
    infect [inˈfekt] v.
    To infect someone means to give them an illness.
    →The common cold infects hundreds of millions of people each year.
  • influence
    influence [ˈinfluəns] v.
    To influence someone or something is to have an effect over them.
    →My friend influenced my decision to attend Terrance University.
  • injure
    injure [ˈindʒər] v.
    To injure someone means to damage a part of their body.
    →The car crash injured two people.
  • institute
    institute [ˈinstətjuːt] n.
    An institute is an organization that is interested in research or teaching.
    →I am going to a lecture about ancient Rome at the Historical Institute.
  • integrate
    integrate [ˈintəgreit] v.
    To integrate means to join, communicate and socialize.
    →Governments want immigrants to integrate with the population.
  • intellectual
    intellectual [ˌɪntəˈlektjuəl] n.
    An intellectual is a very smart person.
    →We’ve always considered my Uncle Max the intellectual of the family.
  • interact
    interact [intərˈӕkt] v.
    To interact is to talk to or do something with another person.
    →The kids began to interact when the adults left the room.
  • interval
    interval [ˈintərvəl] n.
    An interval is the time between two things happening.
    →Tony rested for brief intervals while he worked in the yard.
  • intervene
    intervene [intərviːn] v.
    To intervene means to help stop a problem between two people or groups.
    →The students argued until the teacher intervened.
  • irritable
    irritable [ˈirətəbəl] adj.
    When someone is irritable, they become annoyed or angry very easily.
    →She is irritable when she doesn’t get enough sleep.
  • isolate
    isolate [ˈaisəleit] v.
    To isolate is to separate one person or thing from a group.
    →The teacher isolated the bad child from the class before talking with her.
  • itch
    itch [itʃ] v.
    To itch means to rub the skin with your fingernails.
    →The rough fabric in his shirt made the back of his neck itch.
  • ivy
    ivy [ˈaivi] n.
    Ivy is a plant with long vines that grows upward typically on walls.
    →The walls of the castle are covered with ivy.
j
  • jealousy
    jealousy [ˈdʒeləsi] n.
    Jealousy is a feeling of wanting something that somebody else has.
    →She felt a lot of jealousy when she saw Luke with two girls.
  • justly
    justly [ˈdʒʌstli] adv.
    If something is done justly, then it is fair.
    →We justly decided to give the prize to him.
k
  • kerosene
    kerosene [ˈkerəsiːn] n.
    Kerosene is a type of oil. It is used in some lamps and stoves.
    →Many people in poor countries cook on kerosene stoves.
l
  • lag
    lag [læg] v.
    To lag behind is to move slowly behind other moving objects.
    →The girl on rollerblades lagged behind the little girl on the bicycle.
  • landmark
    landmark [ˈlændmɑːrk] n.
    A landmark is an object that helps people find or remember a location.
    →The tall tree was used as a landmark for people to find the road to the inn.
  • law
    law [lɔː] n.
    A law is a rule made by the legislative body.
    →The students learned about different laws during social studies class.
  • lean
    lean [li:n] v.
    To lean is to bend the body in a particular direction.
    →The woman leaned against the counter because she was tired.
  • leash
    leash [liːʃ] n.
    A leash is a rope or chain that is used to lead an animal.
    →A lot of dogs must wear a leash to keep them from running away.
  • leather
    leather [ˈleðə:r] n.
    Leather is a material made from animal skin that is used to make clothing.
    →He got a new leather jacket for his birthday.
  • lecture
    lecture [ˈlektʃə:r] n.
    A lecture is a long, educational speech.
    →His lecture on world hunger was very informative.
  • legal
    legal [ˈliːgəl] adj.
    If something is legal, it is related to the law or allowed by the law.
    →It was not legal for him to drive until he was eighteen years old.
  • lid
    lid [lid] n.
    A lid is a top for a box or container that can be removed.
    →He lifted the lid of the box and revealed her present.
  • linger
    linger [ˈliŋgər] v.
    To linger is to last for a long time.
    →The smell of fresh cookies lingered in the bakery.
  • lining
    lining [ˈlainiŋ] n.
    Lining is a piece of cloth that covers the inside of clothes.
    →This jacket is very warm because it has a thick lining.
  • literature
    literature [ˈlitərətʃər] n.
    Literature is books, plays, and poetry.
    →Early American literature covers the poetry and stories from 1500 to 1800.
  • lively
    lively [ˈlaivli] adj.
    If someone is lively, they have a lot of energy.
    →Jennifer is very lively: she’s always running and playing.
  • longing
    longing [ˈlɔ(:)ŋɪŋ] n.
    A longing is a strong feeling of wanting.
    →Since he skipped breakfast, he had a longing for food all morning.
  • loom
    loom [lu:m] v.
    To loom is to seem very large and often scary.
    →The ominous clouds loomed over the school.
  • loop
    loop [luːp] n.
    A loop is a line made into the shape of a circle.
    →He made a loop with the rope and placed it over the post.
  • lump
    lump [lʌmp] n.
    A lump is a small piece of something that is solid.
    →The artist took a lump of clay and turned it into a beautiful pot.
  • lure
    lure [luər] v.
    To lure someone is to convince them to do something, by using a trick.
    →The store lures people in with big signs that say “Sale!”
m
  • majestic
    majestic [məˈdʒestik] adj.
    If something is majestic, it is large and beautiful.
    →The rich people lived in a big, majestic house.
  • majority
    majority [məˈdʒɔ(:)rətɪ] n.
    A majority of something is almost all of the people or things in that group.
    →A majority of the people voted for Tom Smith in the election.
  • mammal
    mammal [ˈmæməl] n.
    A mammal is an animal that usually has hair and is not born from an egg.
    →Even though it lives in the water, whales are actually mammals.
  • martial
    martial [ˈmɑːrʃəl] n.
    If something is martial, it is related to fighting or war.
    →Karate is a martial art that began many years ago in Japan.
  • mass
    mass [mæs] n.
    A mass is a large number of things of one type.
    →We received a mass of letters this morning.
  • mature
    mature [məˈtjuə:r] v.
    To mature means to grow up to become an adult.
    →When they matured, they became as tall as their parents.
  • maximize
    maximize [ˈmæksəmaiz] v.
    To maximize something means to make it the biggest in size or amount.
    →Businesses try to maximize their profits.
  • meantime
    meantime [ˈmiːnˈtaim] n.
    The meantime is the time between two events.
    →Ted began setting the table. In the meantime, I began preparing the food.
  • measure
    measure [ˈmeʒə:r] v.
    To measure something means to find out the quality, value, or effect of it.
    →The scientists carefully measured the amount of chemicals in the tubes.
  • melt
    melt [melt] v.
    To melt means to turn from a solid to a liquid.
    →The snowman that we made yesterday melted in the sun.
  • memorable
    memorable [ˈmemərəbəl] adj.
    If something is memorable, then it is remembered for a special reason.
    →The party was memorable; people were still talking about it years later.
  • midst
    midst [midst] n.
    The midst of something is the middle of it.
    →She was in the midst of cleaning when the telephone rang.
  • mighty
    mighty [ˈmaiti] adj.
    When something is mighty, it is strong and large.
    →The mighty wrestler scared all who faced him.
  • migrate
    migrate [maiˈgreit] v.
    To migrate means to move from one place to another.
    →Many birds migrate to warmer countries in the winter.
  • millennium
    millennium [miˈleniəm] n.
    A millennium is one thousand years.
    →Stonehenge is believed to have been built about 5 millenniums ago.
  • miniature
    miniature [ˈminiətʃər] adj.
    If something is miniature, it is very small.
    →The boy enjoys playing with his miniature train set in his bedroom.
  • mischief
    mischief [ˈmistʃif] n.
    Mischief is behavior that is meant to trick or cause trouble for people.
    →Ben was up to mischief when he persuaded Ken to paint his face.
  • misery
    misery [ˈmizəri] n.
    Misery is extreme suffering.
    →There was a lot of misery after Sam lost his dog.
  • misfortune
    misfortune [misˈfɔːrtʃən] n.
    Misfortune is bad luck or an unlucky event.
    →His family helped him when he encountered misfortune.
  • mixture
    mixture [ˈmikstʃə:r] n.
    A mixture is something that is made by mixing other things together.
    →The walls were built using a mixture of water, rock, and dirt.
  • moan
    moan [moun] v.
    To moan is to make a low sound when feeling pain or sadness.
    →The sick man moaned from his bed.
  • mobile
    mobile [ˈmoubail] adj.
    If something is mobile, it can be moved easily.
    →Mobile phones are popular because you can take them anywhere.
  • mock
    mock [mɒk] v.
    To mock someone means to tease them in a cruel way.
    →The girls mocked Nancy because she was a new student.
  • mode
    mode [moud] n.
    A mode is a setting or condition on a machine.
    →Mother turned the TV to quiet mode while she talked on the phone.
  • moderation
    moderation [ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃən] n.
    Moderation is a state of being just enough but not too much.
    →It is important to eat in moderation so that you can have a healthy body.
  • modify
    modify [ˈmɒdəfai] v.
    To modify something is to change it a little bit.
    →I modified my outfit by adding a belt to it.
  • moral
    moral [ˈmɔ(:)rəl] n.
    A moral is a message at the end of a story that teaches you something.
    →At the end of the story, Mother explained the moral to the children.
  • multiply
    multiply [ˈmʌltəplai] v.
    To multiply is to increase in number.
    →In the past year, the number of people at work multiplied by ten percent.
  • muscle
    muscle [ˈmʌsəl] n.
    Muscle is a mass of tissue attached to bone that helps you move.
    →She went to the gym in order to make her muscles stronger.
  • mushroom
    mushroom [ˈmʌʃru(:)m] n.
    A mushroom is a fungus with a round top. Some are used as food.
    →The soup had fresh mushrooms in it.
  • myth
    myth [miθ] n.
    A myth is a traditional story that explains a culture’s history and beliefs.
    →In Greece, there was a myth about a woman who had snakes for hair.
n
  • native
    native [ˈneitiv] adj.
    When something is native, it is originating in a certain place or area.
    →Avocadoes are native fruits of Mexico.
  • negative
    negative [ˈnegətiv] adj.
    When something is negative, it is unpleasant or sad.
    →She doesn’t like to say negative things about her friends.
  • neutral
    neutral [ˈnjuːtrəl] adj.
    If someone is neutral, then they do not help either of the two fighting sides.
    →The girl’s friend remained neutral while the couple was arguing.
  • nightmare
    nightmare [ˈnaitmɛə:r] n.
    A nightmare is a bad or scary dream.
    →The girl was scared to go back to sleep because she had a nightmare.
  • nor
    nor [nɔːr] conj
    You use nor to connect two negative ideas.
    →I eat neither apples nor oranges. I don’t like either one.
  • notify
    notify [ˈnoutəfai] v.
    To notify someone of something is to tell them about it.
    →The teacher notified us about a change to our assignment.
  • numerous
    numerous [ˈnjuːmərəs] adj.
    If something is numerous, there are many of those things.
    →It was hard to drive fast since there were numerous holes in the road.
  • nurture
    nurture [ˈnəːtʃər] v.
    To nurture something means to care for it as it grows or develops.
    →Robert nurtured his plants, and that is why they grow so well.
  • nutrition
    nutrition [njuːˈtriʃən] n.
    Nutrition is the process by which people use food to stay healthy.
    →It is important to pay attention to nutrition if you want to be an athlete.
  • nutritious
    nutritious [njuˈtriʃəs] adj.
    When something is nutritious, it helps the body stay healthy.
    →Mangoes are one of the most nutritious fruits in the world.
o
  • objective
    objective [əbˈdʒektiv] adj.
    An objective is a goal or plan that someone has.
    →My objective this week is to finish my homework by 7:30 every night.
  • oblige
    oblige [əˈblaɪdʒ] v.
    To oblige someone means to require them to do something.
    →If I wanted to have playtime, I was obliged to clean my room once a week.
  • oblivious
    oblivious [əˈblɪvɪəs] adj.
    If someone is oblivious of something, they are unaware of it.
    →I was late to school because I was oblivious of the time.
  • obstacle
    obstacle [ˈɒbstəkəl] n.
    An obstacle is an object or a problem that stops you from doing something.
    →Climbing over the giant rock was the biggest obstacle for the hikers.
  • odor
    odor [ˈoudər] n.
    An odor is a very distinct smell.
    →He knew there was a leak when he noticed the strong odor of natural gas.
  • offense
    offense [əˈfens] n.
    An offense is an action that breaks the law and requires punishment.
    →He was put in jail for two days for the offense.
  • offspring
    offspring [ˈɔ:fspriŋ] n.
    Offspring are the children of a person or the babies of an animal.
    →The dog’s offspring had the same color of fur as she did.
  • operate
    operate [ˈɒpəreɪt] v.
    To operate means to work or function.
    →I’m sorry, but the trains are not operating today.
  • option
    option [ˈɒpʃən] n.
    An option is a choice between two or more things.
    →The children were given the option of three houses to pick from.
  • organic
    organic [ɔːrˈgænik] adj.
    If food is organic, it is grown without adding chemicals to it.
    →The organic carrots are more expensive, but they’re better for you.
  • organism
    organism [ˈɔːrgənizəm] n.
    An organism is a living thing, especially a very small one.
    →We studied the organism on the microscope.
  • outraged
    outraged [ˈautreɪdʒ] adj.
    If someone is outraged, they are very angry.
    →My father was outraged when he saw that I had crashed his car.
  • overhead
    overhead [ouvərˈhed] adv.
    If something is overhead, it is located above you.
    →As we sat on top of the hill, a plane flew overhead.
  • oxygen
    oxygen [ˈɒksidʒən] n.
    Oxygen is a gas that all living things need to breathe.
    →My aunt believes that the oxygen in the country is cleaner than in the city.
p
  • paddle
    paddle [ˈpædl] n.
    A paddle is a piece of wood or plastic that moves a boat across water.
    →We need a paddle to help us move across the water.
  • palate
    palate [ˈpælɪt] n.
    The palate is the top part of the mouth.
    →You can touch your palate with your tongue.
  • paradise
    paradise [ˈpærədaɪs] n.
    Paradise is the place or condition of happiness where things are perfect.
    →My vacation in Hawaii was like being in paradise.
  • parallel
    parallel [ˈpærəlel] adj.
    If two things are parallel, they are the same distance away from each other.
    →There are two yellow parallel lines dividing both sides of traffic.
  • paraphrase
    paraphrase [ˈpærəfreiz] v.
    To paraphrase is to make someone else’s writing or speech shorter.
    →The students were asked to paraphrase the story they just heard.
  • particle
    particle [ˈpaːrtikl] n.
    A particle is a very small piece of something.
    →The bottles of wine were covered in a layer of dust particles.
  • pastime
    pastime [ˈpæstaɪm] n.
    A pastime is an activity done for fun that you do often.
    →In the US, baseball is considered the national pastime.
  • patch
    patch [pætʃ] n.
    A patch is a part of a surface that is different in appearance from the rest.
    →There was one small patch of grass in the sand-covered desert.
  • pea
    pea [pi:] n.
    Peas are a vegetable that is small, round and green.
    →His favorite food was peas.
  • per
    per [pər] prep.
    Per is used to mean “each” when giving a price, size, or amount.
    →It costs $8 per person to watch the baseball game.
  • perfect
    perfect [ˈpəːrfɪkt] adj.
    If something is perfect, then it is without any mistakes.
    →She got all the questions right, so her score was perfect.
  • perish
    perish [ˈperɪʃ] v.
    To perish means to die, usually because of bad conditions or bad events.
    →Many people perish in wars.
  • persecute
    persecute [ˈpəːrsikjuːt] v.
    To persecute means to treat someone badly.
    →Dan felt persecuted because he was smaller than the other boys at school.
  • perspire
    perspire [pəsˈpaɪər] v.
    To perspire means to sweat.
    →I usually perspire a lot when I am at practice.
  • pessimistic
    pessimistic [ˌpesəˈmistik] adj.
    If someone is pessimistic, they believe that the worst will happen.
    →John is pessimistic. He always thinks something bad will happen.
  • pesticide
    pesticide [ˈpestəsaid] n.
    A pesticide is a substance used to kill insects.
    →The farmer sprayed his crops with a pesticide to keep bugs away.
  • phenomenon
    phenomenon [fiˈnɒmənɒn] n.
    A phenomenon is something that can be seen as it is happening.
    →I was amazed when I saw the phenomenon of shooting stars.
  • pinpoint
    pinpoint [ˈpɪnpɔɪnt] v.
    To pinpoint something means to locate it exactly.
    →The navigation system in my car is able to pinpoint my exact location.
  • pit
    pit [pit] n.
    A pit is a big hole in the ground.
    →Michael fell into the pit and needed some help to get out.
  • pity
    pity [ˈpiti] n.
    Pity is the feeling of sadness and kindness for those who are suffering.
    →Because she had pity for the lost boy, she helped him find his parents.
  • plague
    plague [pleig] n.
    A plague is a serious disease that quickly spreads to many people.
    →A plague in Europe killed millions of people.
  • plantation
    plantation [plænˈteɪʃən] n.
    A plantation is a big farm that only grows certain kinds of crops.
    →In the 1800s, there were many cotton plantations in the southern US.
  • plea
    plea [pliː] n.
    A plea is a request that is urgent or emotional.
    →The poor, hungry man made a plea for food.
  • plead
    plead [pliːd] v.
    To plead is to ask for something you want very badly.
    →He pleaded for his parents to let him go to the soccer game.
  • pleasure
    pleasure [ˈpleʒər] n.
    Pleasure is a feeling of happiness.
    →The student smiled with pleasure when she received the prize.
  • poison
    poison [ˈpɔɪzən] n.
    Poison is a dangerous substance that causes illness or death.
    →They used poison to get rid of the rats in their home.
  • pollute
    pollute [pəˈluːt] v.
    To pollute means to make air, water, or land dirty, unclean, or foul.
    →The careless factory polluted the river with chemicals.
  • ponder
    ponder [ˈpɒndər] v.
    To ponder something is to think about it carefully.
    →She sat in the park and pondered her problem.
  • pop
    pop [pop] n.
    A pop is a short, loud sound.
    →I heard a loud pop; then my computer screen shattered.
  • poultry
    poultry [ˈpoultri] n.
    Poultry is a bird, such as a chicken, that is used for meat and eggs.
    →He raises poultry and sells their meat for extra money.
  • pray
    pray [prei] v.
    To pray means to talk to God.
    →When people go to church, they pray for their families and friends.
  • predator
    predator [ˈpredətər] n.
    A predator is an animal that kills and eats other animals.
    →The peregrine falcon is a predator that eats fish.
  • presently
    presently [ˈprezəntli] adv.
    If something happens presently, it is happening right now.
    →Presently, our profits are good, but by next year we can do even better.
  • principle
    principle [ˈprinsəpəl] n.
    A principle is a belief about the correct way to behave.
    →To maintain principles, it’s vital to watch, listen, and speak carefully.
  • prior
    prior [ˈpraiər] adj.
    When something happened prior to something else, it happened earlier.
    →Ron had to wait since he arrived prior to the scheduled meeting time.
  • private
    private [ˈpraɪvɪt] adj.
    If something is private, it is only used by one person or group.
    →Don’t look at my diary! It’s private!
  • proclaim
    proclaim [prouˈkleim] v.
    To proclaim something means to say it in public.
    →The army general proclaimed that the war was won.
  • promote
    promote [prəˈmout] v.
    To promote someone means to raise them to a higher position or rank.
    →After two years in the company, she was promoted to a manager.
  • promptly
    promptly [ˈprɒmptli] adv.
    If something happens promptly, it happens quickly or on time.
    →Arrive promptly, or we won’t have time to discuss everything.
  • protein
    protein [ˈproutiːn] n.
    Protein is a substance that is necessary for the body to grow and be strong.
    →Fish and beef are good sources of protein.
  • pudding
    pudding [ˈpudiŋ] n.
    A pudding is a sweet dessert.
    →Would you like some chocolate pudding and coffee for dessert?
r
  • raft
    raft [ræft] n.
    A raft is a floating platform made from pieces of wood tied together.
    →The man made a raft out of bamboo and floated out to sea.
  • rail
    rail [reɪl] n.
    A rail is a horizontal bar made of metal or wood.
    →The cat was sitting on the rail of the fence.
  • rainforest
    rainforest [ˈreinˌfɔ(:)rist] n.
    A rainforest is a forest that is in a place where it rains very often.
    →The rainforest is home to many animals.
  • raisin
    raisin [ˈreizən] n.
    A raisin is a dried grape.
    →Raisins are one of my favorite snacks.
  • rally
    rally [ˈrӕli] n.
    A rally is a large public meeting in order to support something.
    →The school had a rally in the gym to support the basketball team.
  • random
    random [ˈrændəm] adj.
    If something is random, it happens without any pattern or reason.
    →Young children often ask random questions.
  • rapid
    rapid [ˈræpɪd] adj.
    When something is rapid, it moves or changes very quickly.
    →His mother was surprised by her son’s rapid growth.
  • rate
    rate [reɪt] n.
    A rate is the speed at which something happens.
    →Grass tends to grow at a very slow rate.
  • recent
    recent [ˈriːsənt] adj.
    When something is recent, it happened a short time ago.
    →I did not know what caused his recent behavior.
  • recipe
    recipe [ˈresəpi:] n.
    A recipe is a set of instructions to make food.
    →The apple cake that you made is really tasty. Can I have the recipe, please?
  • reconcile
    reconcile [ˈrekənsail] v.
    To reconcile means to return to a friendly relationship.
    →After arguing, the two friends were reconciled with each other.
  • reduce
    reduce [riˈdjuːs] v.
    To reduce something means to make it less in size or number.
    →When the store reduced its prices, people wanted to shop there.
  • reed
    reed [ri:d] n.
    Reeds are tall and skinny plants that grow in groups near water.
    →The sun set behind the reeds of the lake’s shore.
  • refrain
    refrain [riˈfrein] v.
    To refrain from something is to avoid doing it.
    →The doctor asked Mary to refrain from eating fast food as part of her diet.
  • regulate
    regulate [ˈregjəleit] v.
    To regulate something is to control how it happens.
    →The bank regulates how much money people can borrow from it.
  • reinforce
    reinforce [riːinˈfoːrs] v.
    To reinforce something is to make it stronger.
    →Peter reinforced his opinion with information from a book.
  • relate
    relate [riˈleit] v.
    To relate to something means to have a connection with it.
    →A company’s plan usually relates to how much profit it can make.
  • religion
    religion [riˈlidʒən] n.
    A religion is a belief in a god or gods.
    →Their religion taught that people should forgive their enemies.
  • replace
    replace [riˈpleis] v.
    To replace something is to put it in the place of something else.
    →I replaced the tire on my car because it was flat.
  • rescue
    rescue [ˈreskjuː] v.
    To rescue someone means to remove them from danger.
    →The firefighter rescued the man from the burning building.
  • research
    research [riˈsəːrtʃ] n.
    Research is close and careful study to discover new things.
    →Scientists did a lot of research on the subject of blood type.
  • reserve
    reserve [riˈzəːrv] v.
    To reserve something means to keep it for a certain person or time.
    →He reserved a table at the busy restaurant.
  • resolution
    resolution [ˌrezəˈluːʃən] n.
    A resolution is a personal decision.
    →At New Year, I made a list of resolutions to help me have a better year.
  • resolve
    resolve [rɪˈzɒlv] v.
    To resolve something means to find a solution.
    →She resolved the problem with her children by giving them both a toy.
  • resource
    resource [rɪˈsɔːrs] n.
    Resources are a person or country’s money and materials that they can use.
    →The poor man didn’t have the resources to feed himself.
  • retain
    retain [riˈtein] v.
    To retain something is to keep it.
    →Even by the afternoon, the day had retained the morning’s freshness.
  • review
    review [riˈvjuː] n.
    A review of something is a formal inspection of it by people in authority.
    →The government ordered a careful review of the economic situation.
  • ridicule
    ridicule [ˈridikjuːl] v.
    To ridicule is to make fun of something in a mean way.
    →The other students ridicule Peter’s foreign accent.
  • rife
    rife [raif] adj.
    If a place is rife with something bad, it is very common in that place.
    →This part of the country is rife with disease.
  • rim
    rim [rim] n.
    The rim is the outside edge of a round thing, like a cup or bottle.
    →I put my lips to the rim of the bottle and took a drink.
  • riot
    riot [ˈraiət] n.
    A riot is a crowd that reacts to bad news by violently breaking laws.
    →A riot broke out after the candidate lost the election.
  • rip
    rip [rip] v.
    To rip something means to pull it apart.
    →She ripped the paper in half by accident.
  • role
    role [roul] n.
    A role is the normal purpose or function of a person or thing.
    →My role at work is to check the quality of the products.
  • roost
    roost [ruːst] n.
    A roost is a place where birds can land and rest or sleep.
    →The family of doves made a roost at the top of the tree.
  • ruin
    ruin [ˈruːin] v.
    To ruin something means to harm or damage it greatly.
    →Our walk in the park was ruined by the sudden rain.
  • rumor
    rumor [ˈruːmər] n.
    A rumor is something people talk about even though it may not be true.
    →Kevin was spreading rumors about Marcia to everyone.
  • rural
    rural [ˈruərəl] adj.
    If a place is rural, it is in the countryside instead of the city.
    →I want to live in a small house in a rural area.
s
  • sake
    sake [seik] n.
    The sake of something is the reason for doing it.
    →The parents worked hard for their children’s sake.
  • sane
    sane [sein] adj.
    If someone is sane, they can think in a normal way.
    →Oliver does not act like a sane person when he is angry.
  • saucer
    saucer [ˈsɔːsər] n.
    A saucer is a small round dish that you set a cup on.
    →He placed the spoon on the saucer.
  • scramble
    scramble [ˈskræmbl] v.
    To scramble is to move somewhere quickly and desperately.
    →The hikers scrambled down the side of the hill.
  • scrape
    scrape [skreip] v.
    To scrape something is to rub it very hard with something sharp.
    →I accidentally scraped the paint off the side of the car.
  • scribble
    scribble [ˈskribəl] v.
    To scribble is to write something quickly without caring about how it looks.
    →I scribbled a rough diagram of our plan and gave it to him.
  • scribe
    scribe [skraib] n.
    A scribe was a person whose job was to copy written works.
    →In Ancient Egypt, scribes recorded important events.
  • script
    script [skript] n.
    A script is the words of a film or play.
    →He read the script of the play three times.
  • search
    search [səːrtʃ] v.
    To search for something or someone means to look for them carefully.
    →I searched the newspaper for a new job.
  • secluded
    secluded [siˈkluːdid] adj.
    If a place is secluded, it is far away from any other place.
    →There was a secluded bench in the park.
  • semester
    semester [sɪˈmestər] n.
    A semester is a portion of a school year.
    →Jack is in his second semester of college.
  • sentence
    sentence [ˈsentəns] n.
    A sentence is punishment given to someone who didn’t follow the law.
    →The sentence for stealing a car is much worse than for stealing candy.
  • sergeant
    sergeant [ˈsɑːrdʒənt] n.
    A sergeant is a soldier or police officer of middle rank.
    →He was promoted to sergeant after a year in the army.
  • shatter
    shatter [ˈʃætə:r] v.
    To shatter something means to break it suddenly into many tiny pieces.
    →When the ball hit the window, the glass shattered.
  • sheer
    sheer [ʃiə:r] adj.
    If you describe something as sheer, it is complete and very strong.
    →I was impressed by her sheer dedication to jogging.
  • shelter
    shelter [ˈʃeltə:r] n.
    A shelter is a place to go that is safe from danger or bad weather.
    →The frog took shelter from the storm in a nearby cave.
  • shield
    shield [ʃiːld] v.
    To shield something is to protect it.
    →She shielded her eyes from the sun with sunglasses.
  • shrine
    shrine [ʃrain] n.
    A shrine is a religious building built to honor a person, event, or god.
    →He prayed at the shrine for an hour.
  • shrink
    shrink [ʃriŋk] v.
    To shrink means to get smaller.
    →If you stick to a healthy diet, your stomach will shrink!
  • shutter
    shutter [ˈʃʌtə:r] n.
    Shutters are wooden or metal covers in front of a window.
    →Mr. Smith closed the shutters every night to make his bedroom dark.
  • sift
    sift [sift] v.
    To sift something means to remove all the large pieces.
    →The baker sifted the flour into a large bowl.
  • signature
    signature [ˈsɪgnətʃə:r] n.
    A signature is your name that you have written in your own way.
    →I put my signature at the end of the letter.
  • slam
    slam [slæm] v.
    To slam is to close something hard.
    →She slammed the book shut after she finished reading it.
  • slap
    slap [slæp] v.
    To slap someone means to hit them with the palm of the hand.
    →Out of anger, Helen slapped Eunice on the face.
  • slight
    slight [slait] adj.
    If something is slight, then it is small or minor.
    →There was only a slight change in the little boy’s height.
  • slippery
    slippery [ˈslɪpərɪ] adj.
    If something is slippery, it is wet or smooth and causes people to slip.
    →The repairman fell down on the floor because it was too slippery.
  • sly
    sly [slai] adj.
    If a person or animal is sly, they are sneaky or good at tricking people.
    →The sly fox stole the eggs from the nest.
  • smash
    smash [smæʃ] v.
    To smash something is to break it into many small pieces.
    →Jacob smashed the window with a rock.
  • snap
    snap [snæp] v.
    To snap something means to break it suddenly, which causes a loud noise.
    →I took the stick and snapped it with my hands.
  • snatch
    snatch [snætʃ] v.
    To snatch something means to take it away with a quick motion.
    →He was so hungry that he snatched an apple from a tree.
  • soak
    soak [souk] v.
    To soak something means to make it very wet.
    →You need to soak these beans overnight before you cook them.
  • soar
    soar [sɔːr] v.
    To soar means to fly high in the air.
    →As the sun rose, two eagles soared through the sky.
  • solar
    solar [ˈsoulə:r] adj.
    If something is solar, it is related to the sun.
    →Using solar energy is good for the environment.
  • sole
    sole [soul] adj.
    When something is the sole thing, it is the only thing of a particular type.
    →His sole purpose in life was to help others.
  • solitude
    solitude [ˈsɒlitjuːd] n.
    Solitude is the state of being totally alone.
    →John lives a life of solitude because he doesn’t get along well with people.
  • soothing
    soothing [ˈsuːðɪŋ] adj.
    When something is soothing, it makes you calm or relaxed.
    →The soothing music helped the baby fall asleep.
  • sophisticated
    sophisticated [səˈfistəkeitid] adj.
    If someone is sophisticated, they know many things about the world.
    →Jake is one of the most sophisticated persons I’ve ever met.
  • sort
    sort [sɔːrt] v.
    To sort means to separate things into different groups or classes.
    →He sorted his clothes by colors and sizes.
  • sour
    sour [ˈsauə:r] adj.
    When something is sour, it has a sharp and unpleasant taste.
    →I don’t like lemons because I think they are too sour.
  • source
    source [sɔːrs] n.
    A source of something is the place that it comes from.
    →The river was the source of drinking water for the village.
  • spark
    spark [spɑːrk] n.
    A spark is a small, quick flash of fire.
    →As he welded the two pieces of metal together, sparks flew everywhere.
  • sparkle
    sparkle [ˈspɑːrkəl] v.
    To sparkle means to shine brightly with quick flashes of light.
    →The stars sparkled in the winter night’s sky.
  • species
    species [ˈspiːʃi(ː)z] n.
    A species is a type of plant or animal.
    →There are 21 different species of butterfly in this forest.
  • spirit
    spirit [ˈspirit] n.
    A spirit is someone’s feelings and personality, but not a physical body part.
    →He has a very outgoing spirit. He can make friends with anyone.
  • sprinkle
    sprinkle [ˈspriŋkəl] v.
    To sprinkle means to scatter something all over something else.
    →He sprinkled the pasta with salt and black pepper.
  • stagger
    stagger [ˈstægər] v.
    To stagger means to move in an unsteady way and almost fall over.
    →He staggered around after having too much to drink.
  • staircase
    staircase [ˈstɛərkeɪs] n.
    A staircase is a set of stairs found inside a building.
    →The staircase leads directly into the kitchen.
  • stake
    stake [steɪk] n.
    A stake is a small, sharp piece of wood or metal that is put into the ground.
    →We marked our property by placing stakes into the ground.
  • stale
    stale [steil] adj.
    If food is stale, then it is not fresh but dry, hard, and not good to eat.
    →The cookies sat on the table so long that they became stale.
  • stance
    stance [stæns] n.
    A stance is an attitude about an issue that someone states clearly.
    →My stance is that using oil and gas is bad for the environment.
  • stark
    stark [stɑːrk] adj.
    If a contrast is stark, then the things being compared are utterly different.
    →There is a stark contrast between their test scores.
  • state
    state [steit] v.
    To state something means to say it in a definite way.
    →The president stated his opinion about the world’s health concerns.
  • stern
    stern [stəːrn] adj.
    When somebody is stern, they are very serious.
    →The stern teacher didn’t allow the students to speak during class.
  • steward
    steward [ˈstjuːərd] n.
    A steward is a person like a waiter who serves food on planes and ships.
    →The steward is bringing some tea.
  • stitch
    stitch [stitʃ] v.
    To stitch is to use a needle and thread to join pieces of cloth together.
    →My grandmother stitched the pieces together to make a big blanket.
  • stormy
    stormy [ˈstɔːrmi] adj.
    Stormy describes something affected or characterized by storms.
    →The golfers decided to go home because of the stormy weather.
  • strategy
    strategy [ˈstrӕtədʒi] n.
    A strategy is a plan for how to do something.
    →The team came up with a strategy to win the game.
  • stricken
    stricken [ˈstrikən] adj.
    If one is stricken by a disease or problem, they are badly affected by it.
    →Mike was stricken with a horrible illness.
  • string
    string [strɪŋ] n.
    String is a thin piece of fabric or rope.
    →I found a large ball of string.
  • stuff
    stuff [stʌf] n.
    Stuff is a word used to refer to things without mentioning the things by name.
    →We gave a lot of stuff to the charity.
  • stumble
    stumble [ˈstʌmbəl] v.
    To stumble means to put your foot down wrong so that you almost fall.
    →He stumbled as he ran through the puddle.
  • subconscious
    subconscious [ˈsʌbˈkɒnʃəs] adj.
    When something is subconscious, it is done without thinking about it.
    →Breathing is one of the subconscious things that the body does.
  • subject
    subject [ˈsʌbdʒɪkt] n.
    A subject is the topic that is being discussed or taught.
    →The subject of Marco’s speech was the economy.
  • subtle
    subtle [ˈsʌtl] adj.
    When something is subtle, it is not easy to see or notice.
    →The handsome man has a subtle smile.
  • succession
    succession [səkˈseʃən] n.
    A succession is a number of things that follow one after the other.
    →The student said the letters of the alphabet in succession.
  • suit
    suit [suːt] n.
    A suit is a set of clothes. It usually includes a jacket with pants or a skirt.
    →I wore my new suit on my date with Melissa.
  • sum
    sum [sʌm] n.
    A sum is a specific amount of money.
    →He calculated the numbers to see what the sum of his bills would be.
  • summon
    summon [ˈsʌmən] v.
    To summon a person is to ask them to come to you.
    →We summoned the doctor as soon as we noticed she was sick.
  • supply
    supply [səˈplai] v.
    To supply something means to give people what they need or want.
    →The water heater supplied the house with warm water.
  • surrender
    surrender [səˈrendər] v.
    To surrender something is to give it up.
    →The thief surrendered the money to the police when he was caught.
  • swamp
    swamp [swɒmp] n.
    A swamp is a very wet area of land.
    →There are lots of wild animals living in the swamp.
  • sway
    sway [swei] v.
    To sway is to move slowly from side to side.
    →She swayed while she listened to the music.
  • sweep
    sweep [swiːp] v.
    If you sweep the floor, you clean it with a tool like a broom or a brush.
    →There is a lot of dirt on the floor. Can you sweep it please?
  • switch
    switch [swɪtʃ] v.
    To switch means to change something to something else.
    →Mom switched the TV station from the news to her favorite show.
t
  • technician
    technician [tekˈniʃən] n.
    A technician is a person who is skilled in electronic or mechanical work.
    →I need to call the technician to help me with my computer.
  • telegraph
    telegraph [ˈteləgræf] n.
    A telegraph is a method of sending electric messages on wires.
    →In the 1900s, the telegraph was the fastest way to send a message.
  • teller
    teller [ˈtelə:r] n.
    A teller is a person who works with a bank’s customers.
    →The teller at the bank helped Kelly put money into a savings account.
  • temper
    temper [ˈtempə:r] n.
    A temper is someone’s mood or a chance that they might get angry.
    →She has a temper. Even the slightest mistakes make her angry.
  • tend
    tend [tend] v.
    To tend to do something is to be likely to do it or to do it often.
    →My mom tends to buy me the perfect gift each Christmas.
  • tense
    tense [tens] adj.
    If someone is tense, they are worried something bad might happen.
    →After the phone call, Monica was very tense.
  • terrain
    terrain [təˈrein] n.
    The terrain is the land and all of its physical features or parts.
    →The terrain below was rocky and full of hills.
  • territory
    territory [ˈterətɔ:ri] n.
    A territory is a piece of land that belongs to a country but isn’t a state.
    →Gibraltar is a territory of Great Britain.
  • textile
    textile [ˈtekstail] n.
    Textile is cloth that has been woven or knitted.
    →The blue textile was going to be used to make blouses.
  • texture
    texture [ˈtekstʃə:r] n.
    The texture of something is the way its surface looks and feels.
    →The texture of a rock found in the water is typically very smooth.
  • thorn
    thorn [θɔːrn] n.
    A thorn is a sharp part of a plant.
    →Be careful of the thorns when you pick the roses!
  • thorough
    thorough [ˈθə:rou] adj.
    If something or someone is thorough, then they are complete in every way.
    →Tina did a thorough job of cleaning the stains out of the carpet.
  • throne
    throne [θroun] n.
    A throne is the special chair in which a ruler sits.
    →Nobody except the king and queen sat in the thrones in the great hall.
  • thump
    thump [θʌmp] n.
    A thump is the sound of a heavy object falling.
    →They heard the thump when the bowling ball hit the floor.
  • timid
    timid [ˈtimid] adj.
    If someone is timid, they are afraid, shy, or nervous.
    →The timid child hides behind her mother whenever she sees a stranger.
  • torment
    torment [ˈtɔːrment] v.
    To torment someone means to cause them to suffer on purpose.
    →She tormented her little brother by taking his favorite toy.
  • tornado
    tornado [tɔːrˈneidou] n.
    A tornado is a tube-shaped formation of air that spins very quickly.
    →During a tornado, the safest place to be is underground.
  • tournament
    tournament [ˈtuə:rnəmənt] n.
    A tournament is a competition, usually with many people participating.
    →My dad is playing in a golf tournament tomorrow.
  • toxic
    toxic [ˈtɒksɪk] adj.
    When something is toxic, it is poisonous. Toxic things are very dangerous.
    →Please check the label to see if the product is toxic.
  • transportation
    transportation [ˌtrænspəːrˈteɪʃən] v.
    Transportation is any type of vehicle that can carry people or things.
    →I don’t have a car, so my normal transportation is the train.
  • traverse
    traverse [ˈtrævə:rs] v.
    To traverse means to move or travel through an area.
    →The explorer traversed the desert alone on a camel.
  • tray
    tray [trei] n.
    A tray is a flat plate used to hold food.
    →The waiter brought our food on a tray.
  • treachery
    treachery [ˈtretʃəri] n.
    Treachery is a behavior in which a person betrays a country or a person.
    →The man ran away to escape from the treachery of his wife.
  • trivial
    trivial [ˈtrɪvɪəl] adj.
    If something is trivial, it is not important or meaningful.
    →Television is trivial, but learning to read is very important.
  • tropics
    tropics [ˈtropiks] n.
    The tropics are the areas of land and sea close to the equator.
    →People like to go to the tropics for vacation because it’s warm.
  • trustworthy
    trustworthy [ˈtrʌstˌwəːrði] adj.
    If someone is trustworthy, they are honest and truthful.
    →Mary is one of the most trustworthy people I’ve ever met.
  • tuck
    tuck [tʌk] v.
    To tuck something means to put it somewhere so that it is neat or safe.
    →He looked sloppy without his shirt being tucked into his pants.
  • tumble
    tumble [ˈtʌmbəl] v.
    To tumble means to fall, often in a rolling way.
    →He lost his balance while snowboarding and tumbled to the ground.
  • typewritten
    typewritten [ˈtaɪpˌrɪtn] adj.
    If something is typewritten, it is written on a computer or typewriter.
    →This is an important, formal project and must be typewritten.
  • typhoon
    typhoon [taiˈfuːn] n.
    A typhoon is a large tropical storm that moves in circles.
    →Thousands of people lost electricity after a typhoon hit Australia.
  • typical
    typical [ˈtɪpɪkəl] adj.
    If something is typical, it is normal for a certain type of thing.
    →Barking is typical behavior for dogs.
u
  • unfortunate
    unfortunate [ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənɪt] adj.
    If something is unfortunate, it is bad or unlucky.
    →It was unfortunate that Dave’s team lost, but he still had fun.
  • unity
    unity [ˈjuːnəti] n.
    Unity is the state of people working together for a certain purpose.
    →The project was finished early, thanks to the unity of the workers.
  • update
    update [ʌpˈdeit] v.
    To update something means to make it more modern.
    →We need to update the programs on our computers.
  • upright
    upright [ˈʌprait] adj.
    If something is upright, it is standing up straight.
    →Meerkats can’t walk like humans, but they can stand upright.
  • urban
    urban [ˈəːrbən] adj.
    When something is urban, it is related to the city.
    →Subways are an important form of urban transportation.
  • utter
    utter [ˈʌtər] v.
    To utter a word or a sound means to say it.
    →The lost boy was so scared that he could barely utter a single word.
  • utterly
    utterly [ˈʌtəlɪ] adv.
    If something is utterly a way, it is completely that way.
    →When the sun was blocked by the moon, it was utterly dark outside.
v
  • vain
    vain [vein] adj.
    If people are vain, they are only concerned with how they look.
    →Rebecca is so vain that she looks at herself in every mirror.
  • valid
    valid [ˈvælid] adj.
    When something is valid, it is correct or based on good reasoning.
    →The expert’s opinion on the subject was more valid than others.
  • van
    van [væn] n.
    A van is a vehicle that is used for carrying things but is smaller than a truck.
    →The delivery company uses large vans to deliver packages.
  • variety
    variety [vəˈraiəti] n.
    A variety of something is a group of many different kinds of it.
    →There are a variety of flowers at the shop.
  • vary
    vary [ˈvɛərɪ] v.
    To vary means to be different from another thing in size or amount.
    →The heights of the people in my class vary by a large amount.
  • vast
    vast [væst] adj.
    If something is vast, it is very large.
    →The wealthy man bought a vast amount of land in the countryside.
  • vegetarian
    vegetarian [ˌvedʒəˈtɛəriən] n.
    A vegetarian is someone who does not eat any meat products.
    →I became a vegetarian because I don’t like the taste of meat.
  • vehement
    vehement [ˈviːəmənt] adj.
    When somebody is vehement, they are angry and emotional.
    →Gina was vehement when she found out that Liz was bad in school.
  • vein
    vein [vein] n.
    A vein is a tube in the body that carries blood toward the heart.
    →The blue veins in my hand are just under my skin.
  • venom
    venom [ˈvenəm] n.
    Venom is a poisonous substance that comes from animals or plants.
    →A snake’s venom can be used to cure the illnesses it creates.
  • version
    version [ˈvəːrʒən] n.
    A version is an account of something that differs slightly from the original.
    →She read the students British version of the Chinese fairy tale.
  • victor
    victor [ˈviktər] n.
    A victor is a group or person that wins in a contest.
    →At the end of the game, the blue team was the victor.
  • violence
    violence [ˈvaiələns] n.
    Violence is forceful action that is meant to injure or kill people.
    →The boy hit his brother in an act of violence.
  • vivid
    vivid [vivid] adj.
    When something is vivid, it is bright and colorful.
    →The figures in the painting were vivid.
  • volunteer
    volunteer [volənˈtiər] v.
    To volunteer means to offer to do something for free.
    →Many people volunteered to help the adults learn to read.
  • vomit
    vomit [ˈvɒmit] v.
    To vomit means to have food come up from one’s stomach.
    →It is common for women to vomit when they are pregnant.
w
  • wade
    wade [weid] v.
    To wade is to walk in or pass through water.
    →The child waded in the water at the beach.
  • wage
    wage [weɪdʒ] n.
    A wage is the money that a person gets for doing a job.
    →The wages I receive from my job are really great!
  • wail
    wail [weil] v.
    To wail is to show sadness by crying loudly.
    →The baby wailed because it was hungry.
  • wardrobe
    wardrobe [ˈwɔːrdroub] n.
    A wardrobe is the collection of all of a person’s clothing.
    →She bought some new clothes to expand her wardrobe.
  • warn
    warn [wɔːrn] v.
    To warn someone is to make them know of possible danger in the future.
    →The lifeguard warned people to stay away from the rough ocean.
  • weep
    weep [wiːp] v.
    To weep means to cry.
    →My sister told me the dramatic movie would make me weep.
  • weird
    weird [wiə:rd] adj.
    When something is weird, it is very strange.
    →My best friend’s dad is a bit weird.
  • whatsoever
    whatsoever [hwɒtsouˈevər] adj.
    You use whatsoever after a noun to emphasize that there is nothing of that thing.
    →The boy had no idea whatsoever how to solve the story problem.
  • whereas
    whereas [hwɛərˈæz] conj.
    You use whereas to show how two things are different.
    →My sister loves horror movies, whereas I prefer comedies.
  • withhold
    withhold [wiθˈhould] v.
    To withhold something is to not give it to someone.
    →They withheld all information until she paid her fine.
  • witness
    witness [ˈwitnis] n.
    A witness is someone who sees or hears a crime or accident happen.
    →The woman was the only witness of the horrible crime.
  • wooded
    wooded [ˈwudid] adj.
    If an area is wooded, it is covered with trees.
    →Jim and Ben decided to go hiking in the wooded area by the river.
  • workout
    workout [ˈwəːrkaut] n.
    A workout is an exercise routine that helps improve health.
    →She doesn’t do her workout on the weekends.
  • worsen
    worsen [ˈwəːrsən] v.
    To worsen is to get worse.
    →The weather suddenly worsened, and we had to stay inside.
  • worthwhile
    worthwhile [ˈwəːrθhwail] adj.
    If something is worthwhile, it is important or useful.
    →On his visit to Canada, he realized studying English was worthwhile.
  • wreck
    wreck [rek] v.
    To wreck something means to destroy or ruin it.
    →The teenagers wrecked the house for no reason at all.
z
  • zoology
    zoology [zouˈɒlədʒɪ] n.
    Zoology is a subject in which people study animals.
    →Helen wants to study zoology because she has always liked animals.
  • zoom
    zoom [zuːm] v.
    To zoom is to move quickly.
    →The cars zoomed along the road.
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 3

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 3: 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