Vocabulaire anglais B2

Les 7 943 mots de niveau B2 du dictionnaire WordStudy — avec traduction en français, définition en anglais simple et phrase d'exemple.

7 943mots B2

1 361ont plusieurs sens

6 261avec synonymes

4 041 / 2 228 / 1 497nom / adjectif / verbe

Ce que signifie B2

Le vocabulaire B2 permet de lire la plupart des articles, de suivre des films et de défendre un point de vue avec nuance.

B2 est l'un des six niveaux CEFR. Le dictionnaire entier compte 84 633 mots : A1 1 040 · A2 2 579 · B1 6 148 · B2 8 003 · C1 10 482 · C2 56 381. Comment les niveaux sont attribués →

Vous préférez un fichier ? La liste A1–A2 est téléchargeable gratuitement en CSV (3 619 mots, CC BY 4.0).

Vocabulaire anglais B2 par thème

Les mots de niveau B2 de chaque collection WordStudy sur sa propre page — avec traduction, définitions, liens vers chaque mot et un test de 10 mots.

Logement et hébergement · 27 Informatique et développement · 52 Verbes à particule · 42 Rue et ville · 19 Affaires et gestion · 32 Émotions et sentiments · 15 Construction et rénovation · 19 Santé et bien-être · 19 Médecine et santé · 30 Alimentation et nutrition · 15 Exprimer des attitudes · 21 Psychologie et esprit · 28 Soins des animaux · 16 Salle de sport et entraînement · 37 Sports et jeux · 24 Art et loisirs créatifs · 18 Droit et criminalité · 20 Argot moderne · 22 Expressions idiomatiques modernes · 27 Expressions idiomatiques classiques · 17 Expressions professionnelles · 39 Verbes : make, do, take… · 16 Adjectifs : quoi va avec quoi · 17 Expressions natives du quotidien · 46 Expressions idiomatiques du quotidien · 61 Travail, réunions et recherche d'emploi · 36

Tous les mots B2

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y

A

abandoned left alone and not used or cared for any more
abandonment leaving something or someone and not coming back
abbey a large building where religious people live and pray
abbreviate make a word or name shorter
abbreviated made shorter in form
abdominal about the front body area below the chest
abduct take someone away by force
abduction taking someone away by force against their will
abide follow a rule, or accept something you do not like
ablaze burning with bright fire
ably in a way that shows good skill
abnormality something that is not normal or usual
abnormally in a way that is not normal
abominable very bad, causing strong dislike
abort stop something before it is finished
aborted stopped before being finished
above-average better or more than what is normal
above-ground on top of the earth, not under it
above-mentioned talked about earlier in the same text
aboveground on top of the earth, not below it
abrupt sudden and not expected
abruptly in a sudden way without warning
absent-minded often forgetting things because your thoughts are elsewhere
absentee a person who is not present where they should be
absently without paying attention to what is around you
absentminded often forgetting things because you are thinking of other things
absentmindedly without paying attention, lost in thought
absorbed very interested and giving all your attention to something
absorbent able to take in water or liquid
absorbing very interesting, keeping all your attention
absorption the act of taking in liquid or being very focused
abstain choose not to do something, especially voting or drinking
absurdity the quality of being silly or having no sense
absurdly in a way that is very silly or makes no sense
abuser a person who hurts others or uses something in a wrong way
abusive treating others in a cruel or harmful way
academia the world of universities and learning
accelerated made faster or happening more quickly
accelerating going faster and faster
accelerator the part you press with your foot to make a car go faster
accessibility how easy it is for everyone to use or reach something
accident-free without any accidents happening
acclaim strong praise from many people
accommodated given a place to stay or made to fit
accommodating willing to help and make things easier for others
accompanying going together with someone or something
accomplice a person who helps someone do something wrong or against the law
accomplishing finishing or doing something successfully
accord to agree or match with something
accredit give official approval or recognition to something
accusing showing a belief that someone has done something wrong
ace someone very good at something, or the best card
achievable possible to do or reach
achiever a person who succeeds at what they try to do
acidity how sour or sharp something tastes or measures
acknowledge to say you know about something
acknowledged accepted as true or showed that you received something
acknowledgement saying that something is true or that you received it
acknowledgment saying you accept something is true or received
acorn a small nut that grows on an oak tree
acoustical about sound and how it moves in a space
acquaint make someone know about something or meet someone
acquainted knowing someone or something a little
acquired got or gained over time
acquiring getting or gaining something
acquitted found not guilty by a court of law
acrobat a person who does difficult body moves, like at a circus
acronym a word made from the first letters of other words
acrylic a man-made plastic used to make clear sheets, cloth and paint
act out show feelings through actions, or perform a story
act up behave badly or not work as it should
action item a task that someone needs to do
activated turned on or made to start working
acupuncture putting thin needles in the body to help with pain
adaptability the ability to change and work well in new situations
adaptable able to change and do well in new situations
adaption the act of changing to fit a new situation
adaptive able to change when something new happens
add-on something extra put on top of what already exists
adder a type of snake found in Europe
addititious added from outside, not part of the original thing
additive something added to food or drink to change it
adept very good and skilled at doing something
adhd a condition that makes it hard to focus and sit still
adhered stayed attached to, or followed a rule closely
adios a word for goodbye, from another language
adjacently next to or very close to something
adjectival working like a word that describes a noun
adjourn stop a meeting for now and continue later
adjusted changed a little to make something better or fit
administered given or managed by someone in charge
administering giving medicine or managing something official
administrate manage and organise the work of a group or place
administration group that runs a place or company
admirable very good and deserving respect
admiringly in a way that shows you think someone is very good
admittedly it must be said that, even if not happy about it
adoptable able to be taken into a family as a child or pet
adopted taken into a new family as a son or daughter
adorn add beautiful things to make something look better
adrenalin a body substance that gives you energy when excited or scared
adrenaline a hormone that gives you energy when excited or scared
adrift floating on water with no direction or control
adt short form used for advertisement
advancement moving forward or getting better in work or life
advent the arrival or start of something important
adventuresome willing to try new and exciting things
adventurous wanting to try new and exciting things
adversely in a bad or harmful way
adversity a difficult or unlucky situation
advertising the work of making and showing ads
advised told someone what they should do
adviser a person who gives helpful ideas about what to do
advt short form for advertisement
aerodynamic shaped to move easily through the air
aeronautics the science of building and flying planes
afar at or from a great distance away
affair a thing that is happening, an event
affairs things that need attention or action
affecting causing feelings of sadness or sympathy
affectionate showing love and care to someone
affectionately in a loving and caring way
ageless never seeming to get old
agency a company that does work for others
agenda a list of things to talk about or do
aggravated made worse or more serious
aggravation something that makes you feel angry or annoyed
aggressively in a strong and forceful way, ready to fight
agile able to move quickly and easily
agility the ability to move quickly and easily
agitated feeling worried and not calm
agony very strong pain in your body or mind
agreeable pleasant and enjoyable, or willing to agree
aimlessly without a clear purpose or direction
aircrew the people who work on a plane during a flight
airmail letters sent by plane to another country
akin similar to something else
alarmed feeling frightened or worried about something
alarming causing fear or worry
albatross very large sea bird with long wings
alcoholism a serious problem where someone cannot stop drinking
algorithm a set of rules followed to solve a problem step by step
alibi proof that you were somewhere else when a crime happened
alleged said to be true but not yet proved
allpurpose useful for many different things
alltime the best or most ever known
almighty having total power over everything
alpha the first letter of the Greek alphabet, or the dominant one
alphabetical arranged in the order of the letters A to Z
alreadycrowded already having too many people
altar a special table used for religious actions
alternate happen one after the other, again and again
alternatively as another choice or way to do something
amazement a feeling of great surprise
amber hard yellow-brown substance from old trees
ambiguous having more than one meaning, not clear
ambush surprise attack from a hiding place
amenities things that make a place comfortable
american from or about the United States of America
ammonia a strong-smelling chemical used for cleaning
ammunition bullets and objects shot from weapons
amnesia loss of memory about past events
ample more than enough
amplifier a device that makes sound louder
amplify make something louder or stronger
amputated having had an arm or leg cut off
amuse make someone laugh or smile
analyse to look at something carefully to understand it
analysis a careful look at something to understand it
analytics the study of collected data to find useful patterns
anatomy study of the parts and structure of the body
ancestral coming from or related to family long ago
ancestry all of your family members from the past
anchorage a place where boats can stop safely
anchorman the main person who reads news on television
anesthesia loss of feeling, especially during surgery
anesthesiologist doctor who gives medicine to stop pain
angrylooking having a face that shows anger
anguish very strong emotional pain or suffering
annoyingly in a way that bothers or irritates you
anthropology the study of human societies and cultures
antiaircraft weapons designed to shoot down planes
antibacterial able to kill small living things that cause disease
anticancer used to fight or prevent the disease of cancer
anticipated expected to happen before it actually does
anticipation the feeling of being excited about something coming
antidepressant medicine that helps people who feel very sad
antidote substance that stops the effect of poison
antioxidant substance that protects body cells from harm
antipollution working against damage to air, water, or land
antiquity very old times, the distant past
antistatic stopping the build-up of electric charge
apologetically in a way that shows you are sorry
appal shock or frighten someone very much
apparent easy to see or understand, clear
appreciative showing that you are thankful and grateful
approachable friendly and easy to talk to
approvingly in a way that shows you think something is good
approximate close to the real number but not exact
archaeologist a person who studies ancient civilizations through remains
arctic about the very cold area around the North Pole
aria a song for one person in an opera
arise to come up, to start to happen
aristocracy the highest social class, often with old family wealth
aristocrat a person from a rich and important family
aristocratic behaving like or belonging to a rich important family
armament weapons and military equipment
armful as much as you can carry in your arms
armor a strong protective covering for the body or vehicles
arnica a plant used to treat pain and bruises
arouse wake up a feeling or interest in someone
arrogance acting as if you are better than other people
arrogant thinking you are better than other people
arrogantly in a way that shows you think you are better than others
arson crime of setting fire to a building on purpose
artery a tube that carries blood from the heart
artificially not in a natural way, made by people
artistry great skill in creating art or doing something well
aspect one part or side of something
assailant person who attacks another person
assassinated killed on purpose, especially a public person
assertive saying what you want in a clear strong way
assess to think about how good something is
associate to connect one thing with another in your mind
associated connected with or related to
association a group of people with the same interest
asthma a condition causing difficulty breathing and tightness in chest
astonish surprise someone very much
astonishment a feeling of being very surprised
astronomical very very large, or about the study of space
asynchronous not happening at the same time
athletics the British name for track and field sports
atmospheric relating to the mood or feeling of a place
attacker a person who tries to hurt someone
attainable possible to reach or achieve
attainment reaching a goal or getting something you worked for
attendant a person whose job is to help people in a place
attentive watching and listening carefully
attire clothes, especially nice or special ones
attractiveness the quality of being nice to look at
atypical not like what is normal or usual
aubergine a dark purple vegetable used in cooking
aura special feeling or quality around a person or place
authentic real, true, not a copy
authoritative having power or being trusted as correct
authorities people or groups with power to make decisions
authority the power to tell others what to do
authorization official permission to do something
autistic having trouble with social communication
automation use of machines to do work without human help
autonomous able to rule or control yourself
autopsy cutting open a dead body to find the cause
avalanche large mass of snow falling down a mountain
avenge to hurt someone back for a wrong they did
avid very enthusiastic and keen about something
avidly with great interest and excitement
awaken wake up or make someone aware of something
awakening starting to understand or feel something new
award-winning having received a prize for being very good
awe a feeling of great respect and wonder
awkwardly in a clumsy or uncomfortable way
axis an imaginary line that something turns around

B

bachelor an unmarried man, or a first university degree
bachelorette a woman who is not married
backside the part of your body you sit on
backstage the area behind a stage that the audience cannot see
badtempered often angry and easily annoyed
baffle confuse someone so they cannot understand
bagpipe a musical instrument with a bag and pipes, from Scotland
balky refusing to do what is wanted
ballad a slow song that tells a story
bandwidth amount of data that can be sent at one time
bankrupt having no money to pay what you owe
bankruptcy the state of having no money to pay debts
baptism a church act of putting water on someone
baptize to put water on someone in a church act
barbaric wild, rough, and without fine culture
barbershop a shop where men get their hair cut
barcode black lines on a product that a machine can read
barley a grain plant used for food and making drinks
barometer a tool that measures air pressure to predict weather
barrage a large number of things coming at once
barren land where nothing can grow
base jumping jumping from high buildings or cliffs with a special cloth
basis the main reason or starting point
bathhouse a building where people go to wash or swim
bathtubfuls amounts that would fill a bath
baton a thin stick used by a music leader or in a race
batter to hit repeatedly and hard, or a mixture for cooking
beading line of small round pieces used to decorate
beagle a small dog with long ears, used for hunting
bearing the way you hold your body, or a direction
beating a severe physical attack, or the act of defeating someone
beautify make something look more beautiful
beehive a home where bees live and make honey
beekeeper a person who takes care of bees
befriend become a friend to someone
beggar a person who lives by asking others for money
bellboy hotel worker who carries bags and helps guests
bellow shout in a deep loud voice
beloved loved very much
benevolence the quality of being kind and wanting to help
benevolent kind and wanting to help others
benign not harmful or dangerous
benzene a chemical liquid used in making plastics and fuel
berry a small soft fruit, like a strawberry
bestow give something important as a gift or honour
bewilder confuse someone completely
bewilderment a feeling of being very confused
biased unfairly favoring one side over another
biathlon sport that combines skiing and shooting
biblical about or from the Bible
bicker argue about small unimportant things
bickering arguing about small things again and again
bicolour having two different colours
bidden asked or told to do something
bidding doing what someone asks, or offering money at a sale
bidet a low bathroom bowl for washing the body
bidirectional working in two directions
biennial happening once every two years
bifocal having two parts for seeing near and far
bifocals glasses with two parts for seeing near and far
bifold made to fold in two parts
big-boned having a large body frame
big-city about or from a large city
big-hearted very kind and generous
big-name famous and well known
big-ticket costing a lot of money
big-time at the highest level, very important
biggie something or someone important
biggish quite large, fairly big
bighead a person who thinks too highly of themselves
bigheaded thinking you are more important than you are
bigness the quality of being large
bigot a person who hates others for being different
bigoted having strong unfair opinions about a group of people
bigotry unfair hatred of people who are different
bigtime at the highest level, very successful
bigwig an important or powerful person
biker a person who rides a motorcycle or bicycle
bikeway a road or path made for bicycles
bilateral involving two sides or countries
bilaterally in a way that involves two sides
bilberry a small dark blue wild fruit
bilevel having two levels or floors
bilingualism the ability to speak two languages well
bill-poster a person who puts up signs on walls
billboard a large sign by the road for showing messages
billfold a small flat case for carrying money and cards
billiard about a game played on a table with balls and sticks
billiard-ball a hard round ball used in the table game
billionaire a person who has more than a billion in money
bimbo a person seen as attractive but not very smart
bimonthly happening every two months or twice a month
binary using only the two numbers zero and one
bind up wrap a cloth around a wound
binding a cover that holds pages together, or legally required
bindweed a plant that grows around other plants
binge doing too much of something at once, like eating
binman a person whose job is to take away rubbish
binocular using both eyes to see
binomial having two names or parts in maths
bio a short story about someone's life
biodegradable able to break down naturally without harming nature
biodegrade break down naturally into safe parts
biodiversity the variety of different plants and animals in a place
biographer a person who writes the story of another person's life
biohazard something dangerous to people's health or nature
biopic a film about the life of a real person
biopsy taking a small piece of body tissue to test for disease
biotechnology using living things to make products or solve problems
biplane an old type of plane with two sets of wings
bipolar having two opposite states, or a mood condition
birchbark the outer covering of a birch tree
birchwood wood from a birch tree
bird-call the sound a bird makes
bird-dog a dog trained to find birds for hunting
bird-seed small seeds given as food for birds
bird-watch watch wild birds as a hobby
birdbath a bowl of water in a garden for birds to wash in
birdbrained silly and not very smart
birdcage a box made of wire for keeping birds
birdcall the sound a bird makes
birder a person who watches birds as a hobby
birdie a small bird, or a good score in golf
birdman a person who studies or cares for birds
birdseed small seeds used as food for birds
birthrate how many babies are born in a place per year
birthright a right you have because you were born in a place or family
birthstone a special stone connected to the month you were born
bisect cut or divide something into two equal parts
bisector a line that cuts something into two equal parts
bitchy saying unkind things about other people
bite back stop yourself from saying something angry
biweekly happening every two weeks or twice a week
biyearly happening every two years or twice a year
biz short word for business
blab tell a secret when you should not
blabber talk too much about unimportant things
blabbermouth a person who tells secrets or talks too much
black out lose consciousness, or make all lights go dark
black-head a small dark spot on the skin, blocked by oil
black-jack a card game where you try to get close to twenty-one
black-light a special light that makes some things glow in the dark
black-list a list of people or things that are not allowed
black-listing putting someone on a list of those not allowed
blacken make something become dark or black
blackhaired having hair that is black in colour
blackhead a small dark spot on the skin from blocked oil
blackmail forcing someone to pay by threatening to share secrets
blackpowder an old type of material that explodes
blacktop a road covered with dark hard material
blading moving on shoes with wheels in a line
blah boring and not interesting
blah-blah words meaning boring or unimportant talk
blah-blah-blah used to show boring talk that goes on and on
blaming saying someone is responsible for something bad
bland not having much taste or not interesting
blandly in a way that is not interesting or exciting
blank out suddenly forget something completely
blankly looking at something without any expression
blare make a loud unpleasant sound
blast away keep shooting or doing something with great energy
blast off when a rocket leaves the ground and goes into space
blasted very annoying or damaged by an explosion
blaster a thing or weapon that sends out a strong force
blasting making very loud sounds, or breaking with explosions
blatant very clear and obvious, especially something bad
blatantly in an obvious way that is hard to miss
blaze a large bright fire
blaze away keep shooting or burning strongly
blaze out shine or burn brightly
blaze up suddenly start burning strongly
bleached made white or lighter by chemicals or sun
bleacher rows of seats for watching outdoor sports
bleaching making something white or lighter with chemicals
bleakness a cold empty feeling, without hope
bleary not seeing clearly, with tired eyes
bleeding losing blood from a wound or injury
blended mixed together smoothly
blending mixing things together until smooth
blest lucky or having good things from a higher power
blimp a large soft flying machine filled with gas
blind-alley a path that leads nowhere, a dead end
blind-spot an area you cannot see, or something you do not notice
blinding so bright that you cannot see
blindly without seeing or thinking clearly
blindness not being able to see
blinker a light on a car that shows which way you will turn
blip a small sudden change or problem that does not last
bliss out feel completely happy and relaxed
blissful extremely happy and peaceful
blistering extremely hot, or very fast and strong
blithering talking in a silly way, complete fool
blizzard a very strong storm with wind and snow
bloated swollen and full of gas or liquid
blob a small round drop or shape of something soft
blocker person or thing that stops movement or action
blocky shaped like a block, square and solid
bloke a man, used in casual talk
blood-poisoning a serious illness when infection enters the blood
bloodshot eyes that are red because of tiredness or illness
bloodstain a mark left by blood on something
bloodstream the flow of blood through your body
bloodthirsty wanting to see violence and killing
bloody covered in blood, or very violent
blooming flowers opening, or looking healthy and happy
blow about be moved in different directions by the wind
blow around be moved in different directions by wind
blow down be knocked down by strong wind
blow in arrive at a place without being expected
blow off not do something you should, or be blown away
blow out stop burning by blowing air, or a tyre bursting
blow over be blown down by wind, or a problem ending
blow-back an unwanted result of an action
blow-by-blow telling every detail of what happened
blow-up an explosion, or a big argument
blower a machine that pushes air
blowfish a fish that makes its body round when scared
blue-black a very dark shade of blue
blue-chip about companies or investments that are very safe
blue-collar about workers who do physical jobs
blue-ribbon of the highest quality
blue-sky not practical, only about ideas
bluebell a plant with small blue flowers shaped like bells
blueeyed having eyes that are blue in colour
blues a type of sad slow music, or feelings of sadness
bluff try to trick someone into believing something false
bluish slightly blue in colour
blunder away waste something through stupid mistakes
blundering making many careless mistakes
blunt not sharp, or speaking in a very direct way
bluntness the quality of speaking very directly
blurring making something less clear or hard to see
blurry not clear, hard to see the details
blurt say something suddenly without thinking
blusher a pink or red powder put on the cheeks
blustery with strong winds blowing
boatman a person who works on or drives a boat
bombard attack with many things at once
bomber a plane that drops bombs, or a person who uses them
bony very thin so you can see the bones
bookish liking to read books a lot
booklet a small thin book with information
bookmark something you put in a book to remember your page
boor a rude person with bad behaviour
boredlooking having a face that shows no interest
bosnian from or about the country of Bosnia
botanical relating to the study of plants
botany the scientific study of plants
bothersome causing trouble or annoyance
bottle up to keep feelings hidden inside
bottlemaker a person who makes bottles
bottleneck point where progress becomes very slow
bounce back to recover quickly after a bad time
bourbon a type of strong drink made from grain in America
bout a short period of illness or activity
boyish looking or behaving like a young boy
bracket a mark like this [ ] used in writing, or a support piece
brainless very silly, without thinking
braise to cook slowly in liquid in a closed pot
brash too confident and not polite
brazilian from or about the country of Brazil
break out to escape or suddenly begin
breakable easy to break
breaststroke way of swimming face down with arms opening wide
breathlessly in a way that shows excitement or being out of air
breezy with a light pleasant wind blowing
brewery a place where beer is made
bribe money or gifts given illegally to influence someone
bridesmaid a woman who helps the bride at a wedding
briefing a short meeting where information is given
brighten make something lighter or more cheerful
brighteyed looking happy, excited, and full of energy
brill very good, wonderful
brilliantly in a very clever or bright way
brim the top edge of a cup or hat edge
brink very edge of something steep or dangerous
briskly quickly and with energy
broaden make something wider or include more
broker person who buys and sells things for others
brotherinlaw the brother of your husband or wife
brownfield land that was used for industry before
brownhaired having hair that is brown in colour
brownishred a colour between brown and red
browse look at things in a relaxed way without a clear plan
bruising causing bruises, or very difficult and tiring
buff light yellow-brown color or keen admirer
buggy a small car or cart, or a baby carriage
bulimia an illness where a person eats too much then forces it out
bumpy with many rough parts, not smooth
burdensome difficult to deal with, causing a lot of worry
bureau an office or department that does work
bureaucratic with too many rules and slow processes
burgle break into a building to steal things
busily in a very active and busy way
businesslike serious and practical, focused on work
businesspeople people who work in business or run companies
busker person who performs in public places for money
bussin very good, used mostly to talk about food that is great
bustle move quickly in a busy and noisy way
bustling full of busy activity and movement
butt in to interrupt or join without being asked
butterflies in stomach a nervous feeling in your stomach
bystander person who watches something happen

C

cabaret a show with music and dancing in a restaurant or club
caching storing information so it can be found quickly later
caged kept inside a cage, not free
cain to cause trouble or act wildly
cake-walk something very easy to do
cakewalk something very easy to do
caking becoming covered with a hard dry layer
caky looking or feeling like dried cake on a surface
calabria a region in the south of Italy
calamine a pink liquid put on skin to stop itching
californian from or about the state of California
calisthenics exercises using your own body weight
call down ask for something bad to happen to someone
call forth produce or cause a reaction or feeling
callback a phone call made in return, or being called for a second try
callee the person who receives a phone call
calligrapher a person who writes in a beautiful style by hand
calligraphy art of beautiful handwriting
calling a strong feeling that you should do a particular job
camp up behave in a funny and exaggerated way
camp-meeting an outdoor religious gathering
campaigning working to achieve a political or social goal
campcraft skills needed for living outdoors in nature
campcrafter a person skilled at living outdoors
cancellation stopping something that was planned
cane a walking stick, or a tall grass plant for making sugar
cannabis plant whose leaves are used as a drug
cannonball a heavy metal ball shot from a cannon
canon a general rule or principle, or a type of church leader
canopy a covering that hangs over something, like trees or a bed
cantina a small restaurant or bar, especially in warm countries
canton a political area in some countries, like in Switzerland
canuck an informal word for a person from Canada
capacity how much a thing can hold inside it
capsulize put into a short simple form
captaincy the position of being a captain or leader of a team
captainship the role or time of being a captain
caption words written under a picture to explain it
captivate hold someone's attention because of being interesting
captivating very interesting and attractive
captivation the state of being very interested in something
captor a person who keeps someone as a prisoner
carabine a short light gun
carafe glass container for serving water or wine
caramel a sweet brown food made from heated sugar
carcass dead body of an animal or empty shell
card-table a small table for playing card games
cardamom a spice used in cooking with a strong taste
cardamon a spice used to add flavour to food
cardamum a spice with a strong sweet taste used in cooking
cardigan a warm top with buttons that opens at the front
cardinal-bird a bright red bird found in North America
cardiologist a doctor for the heart
cardiology the study of the heart and its diseases
care-worn looking tired and worried from too many problems
career about move fast in a wild and uncontrolled way
career-guidance help and advice about choosing a job
carefree happy and without any worries
caressingly in a gentle, loving touching way
caressive gentle and showing love through touch
caret a mark (^) showing where to add something in text
careworn looking tired from having too many problems
carfuffle a lot of noisy confusion and trouble
cargo-and-passenger carrying both goods and people
cariboo a region in British Columbia, Canada
caribou a large deer that lives in cold northern areas
caricature a funny picture that makes someone's features look bigger
caricaturist a person who draws funny exaggerated pictures of people
carnival a big fun public event with music, games, and costumes
carpool share a car ride with others going the same way
carrier a person or thing that transports or carries something
cartilage firm flexible tissue in the body, found in the ear and nose
cascade water falling down in steps, or things happening one after another
case-law law based on decisions made by judges in the past
cased put inside a case or covering
casement a window that opens on one side like a door
casework detailed work on individual problems, especially social
cash-book a book for recording money that comes in and goes out
cash-keeper a person who takes care of money
cashable able to be exchanged for money
cashbook a record of money coming in and going out
cashless without using paper money or coins
casing an outer covering that protects something inside
cask a large round wooden container for storing drinks
cast-off something thrown away because it is no longer wanted
castaway a person left alone on an island after a ship accident
caste a social class that people are born into
casting object made by pouring hot metal into a mold
casualties people hurt or killed in a war or accident
catalog a list of things available, like in a shop or library
catalogize put things in order in a list or system
catalysis making a chemical reaction happen faster
catalyst something that makes a change or reaction happen faster
cataract a condition that makes the eye cloudy, or a large waterfall
catastrophic causing very great damage or suffering
catch on to understand or become popular
catchy easy to remember, like a good song
categorise put things into groups based on what they are like
catering providing food and drink for events or groups
catlike moving quietly and gracefully like a cat
causal showing the connection between a cause and its result
cause-and-effect how one thing leads to another thing happening
causeless without a reason or cause
causer a person or thing that makes something happen
causeway a raised road or path over water or wet land
caustic able to burn through things, or very harsh in words
caustically in a harsh and hurtful way with words
caution tape yellow tape used to keep people away from danger
cautionary giving a warning about possible danger
cautioner a person who warns others about danger
cautiously in a careful way, trying to avoid problems
cavalryman a soldier who fights on a horse
caving exploring underground spaces as a sport
cctv cameras that record what happens in a place for safety
cedi the money used in Ghana
cedilla a small mark under a letter that changes how it sounds
ceil cover the inside top of a room
ceilidh a traditional party with music and dancing from Scotland
celebrant a person who leads a ceremony or celebration
celebratory done to celebrate a special event
celeriac a root vegetable that tastes like celery
celeste a light blue colour like the sky
celestial about the sky, stars, or heaven
celiac about a condition where the body cannot handle gluten
celibacy choosing not to have a physical relationship
celibate choosing not to have a physical relationship
cellarway steps leading down to a room under a building
cellist a person who plays the cello instrument
cello a large stringed instrument you sit behind to play
cellulitis a skin infection that makes an area red and swollen
celluloid a material used to make old films and photos
celt a person from the ancient peoples of western Europe
celtic about the ancient people and culture of western Europe
centenarian a person who is 100 years old or older
centenary the 100th anniversary of an event
centennial happening every 100 years, or a 100th anniversary
centennium a period of 100 years
centiare a unit of area equal to one square metre
centigrade a temperature scale where water freezes at zero
centile a value on a scale of one hundred
centimo a small unit of money in some countries
centisecond one hundredth of a second
centra more than one centre or middle point
centralized controlled from one main place
centralwestern in the middle and western area of a place
centreing putting something in the middle position
centremost closest to the very middle
centric at or near the centre
centrical placed at or relating to the centre
centrifugal moving away from the centre when spinning
centripetal moving toward the centre when spinning
centrist having political views in the middle, not extreme
centurion a leader of 100 soldiers in ancient Rome
cep a type of wild mushroom that is good to eat
ceramist a person who makes objects from clay
cerebral about the brain, or very intellectual
cerebrum the largest part of the brain that controls thinking
ceremonial relating to a formal event or tradition
ceremonious very formal and following all the rules of a ceremony
ceres a small planet between Mars and Jupiter
cerise a bright pinkish-red colour
cert something that is certain to happen
certifiable officially able to be declared or confirmed
certification an official document showing you have a skill or right
certifier a person or group that gives official approval
certify officially say that something is true or correct
cerulean a deep sky-blue colour
cerumen the yellow wax inside your ears
cervical about the neck or the lower part of a woman's body
cesium a soft silver metal element
cess a tax or charge
cesspipe a pipe that carries waste water away
cesspit a hole in the ground for collecting waste water
cesspool a hole that collects dirty waste water underground
chachka a small cheap decorative object
chalice a special drinking cup used in religious ceremonies
chalk-stone a hard white lump formed in the body from disease
chalkpit a place where chalk is dug from the ground
chalkstone a hard deposit in the body caused by disease
chamber-maid a person who cleans rooms in a hotel
chambermaid a person who cleans rooms in a hotel
championess a female winner of a competition
chance-comer a person who arrives by luck, not by plan
chanceable depending on luck or chance
chanceful full of risk or depending on luck
chancel the part of a church near the altar
chancellor a high-ranking leader in government or a university
chaotic completely messy and without any order
chap a man or boy, used in friendly talk
chappie a friendly word for a man
chappy a friendly word for a man or boy
chaqueta a type of short jacket
characterful having interesting or unusual qualities
characterisation describing someone's qualities in detail
characteristic a thing that makes someone or something special
characterization the way a person or thing is described
charbroil cook food over very hot burning coals
chard a green vegetable with large leaves
chargeable able to have a cost or able to be charged with power
charioteer a person who drives a chariot
charismatic having a charm that inspires devotion in others
charity-boy a boy who receives help from a charity
charity-girl a girl who receives help from a charity
charity-school a school paid for by charity for poor children
charlemagne a famous king and emperor from European history
charley a painful cramp in a muscle
charmer a person who is very attractive and pleasant
charqui dried meat, also called jerky
charry partly burned or black like coal
chartered given official permission or hired for a special trip
chaser a person who follows something, or a drink after another
chasm a very deep gap in the ground or between ideas
chastise punish or criticize someone strongly
chastisement the act of punishing someone strongly
chastity not having physical relationships, being pure
chatter talk quickly about unimportant things
cheatable able to be cheated or tricked
cheatee a person who has been cheated
chechen from or about a republic in southern Russia
check-off removing items from a list as they are completed
check-room a place where you leave your coat or bags
checkable able to be checked or verified
checkman a person who checks or inspects things
checkpoint a place where people are stopped and checked
checkup a visit to a doctor to see if you are healthy
checkweigh weigh something to check it is the right amount
checky having a pattern of squares like a chess board
cheek-bone the bone below your eye on the side of your face
cheeky slightly rude in a funny and playful way
cheep a short high sound made by a young bird
cheerfully in a happy and positive way
cheerfulness the quality of being happy and positive
cheerly in a bright and happy way
cheesemonger a person who sells cheese
cheesiness the quality of being silly or too sentimental
cheezit a warning to stop because someone is coming
chemotherapy medical treatment using strong drugs to fight cancer
cherished loved and cared for very much
cherub a small angel, often shown as a baby with wings
cherubic looking sweet and innocent like a little angel
chessman one piece used in the game of chess
chevalier a knight or man of noble rank
chicklette a young woman, used informally
chiefly mainly or most importantly
chihuahua very small dog breed from Mexico
childless not having any children
chilling frightening in a way that makes you feel cold
chime in to join a talk by adding your own words
chin-bandage a cloth wrapped around the chin for support
chinch a small insect that damages plants
chinchilla a small soft-furred animal from South America
chinwag a long friendly conversation
chippie a fish and chips shop, or a carpenter
chippy a fish and chips shop, or someone easily annoyed
chivvy keep telling someone to hurry up
chivy keep pushing someone to do something faster
chloroplast the part of a plant cell that makes food from light
choker a piece of jewellery worn tight around the neck
choli a short blouse worn with traditional clothes in South Asia
choosingly in a way that shows careful choosing
chord a group of musical notes played together
choreography art of planning steps and moves for dancing
chroma the brightness or strength of a colour
chrome a shiny silver metal coating
chronicler a person who writes down events as they happen
chronometer a very exact clock or watch
chuckle-head a silly or foolish person
chucklehead a silly or foolish person
chump a foolish person who is easy to trick
church-owl a type of owl that lives in old buildings
circles groups of people with the same interests
circuitry the system of electrical connections in a device
circumcised having had skin cut from a male body part
citywide across the whole city
civil related to the people of a country
civilisation an advanced society with its own culture and rules
civility polite and respectful behaviour
claimant a person who asks for something they believe they deserve
clan a large family group, especially in Scotland
clause a part of a sentence or a rule in a law
clean and jerk a weight lifting move in two stages
cleanliness the state of being free from dirt and keeping things clean
clearness the quality of being easy to see or understand
clerical about office work, or about church leaders
cleverly in a smart and skillful way
climatologist a scientist who studies long-term weather patterns
cloak a loose outer garment without sleeves, or to hide something
cloakroom a room where you leave your coat and bags
clog a shoe made of wood, or to block something
clumsy moving in a careless way and often dropping things
clunker old car or machine that works badly
coaching training or teaching someone to improve
coarse rough and not smooth, or rude in manner
coastline the line where the land meets the sea
coca a plant from South America whose leaves are used in drinks
cocaine a dangerous illegal drug made from the coca plant
codependency needing another person too much in an unhealthy way
coherence when ideas or parts fit together in a clear way
coherent clear and logical, easy to understand
cohesion things sticking together well as one unit
collie a type of dog with long hair, good at herding sheep
colon a mark like two dots used in writing
colonialism control of one country by another
colonization act of taking control of a new land
colonize to take control of a new land
colonized taken under control of another country
colouring the colours of something, or adding colours to a picture
come across to meet or find someone by chance while doing something else
commemorate do something special to remember an important event
commission a group given a job to do or money for selling
committed dedicated and loyal to a cause or activity
commonwealth a group of countries working together
commotion a lot of noise and confused activity
communicative willing and able to share information easily
communicator a person who is good at sharing ideas
compassionate feeling care and wanting to help others in pain
compelled forced to do something
compensation money given to someone for loss or damage
competent having enough skill to do something well
competitively in a way that tries to win against others
compile collect information and put it together
compiler person or program that puts things together
completion the act of finishing something
complexion the natural colour and look of the skin on your face
complexity the state of being difficult and having many parts
compliance following rules or doing what is asked
complication something that makes a situation more difficult
complimentary saying nice things, or given for free
comply do what a rule or person asks you to do
compost old plant material that breaks down to feed the soil
composure state of being calm and in control
comprehend to understand something fully
comprehension the ability to understand something
comprehensive covering everything, complete and detailed
compress press or squeeze something to make it smaller
compression pressing something into a smaller space
comprise be made up of, or include
compromised weakened or damaged, or agreed upon through concession
compulsive feeling a strong need that is hard to stop
compulsory required by law or rules, you must do it
compute calculate or work out a number or answer
computerised done or controlled by a computer
conceal hide something so others cannot find or see it
concede admit that something is true, or give up
conceit thinking you are better or more important than others
conceited thinking too highly of yourself
conceivable possible to imagine or believe
conceive think of an idea, or become pregnant
concentrated focused in a small area, or highly dense and strong
conception the beginning of an idea, or when life starts in the body
concerning about a topic, or making you feel worried
concession something you agree to give up in an argument
concise using few words to say a lot
concussion injury to the brain from a hard hit
condemn say strongly that something is wrong
condemned declared guilty or unfit for use
condom a thin covering used during sex to prevent pregnancy
confederate person who works with others on a plan
confer talk with others to discuss and decide something
confession telling the truth about something wrong you did
confide to tell someone a secret, trusting them to keep it
confidential meant to be kept secret and not shared with others
confidentiality keeping private information secret
confidently in a way that shows you believe in yourself
configuration the way parts are arranged to work together
configure to set up or arrange parts for use
confine keep within limits, or lock someone in a place
confirming making something more certain
conformist a person who follows the rules and does what others do
confrontation an angry meeting or fight between people
confrontational behaving in a way that starts arguments
confucian about the teachings of the Chinese thinker Confucius
congregation a group of people gathered for religious worship
congress formal meeting of representatives
congressional about the group of people who make laws
conjugation different forms of a word listed together
conjunction a word like and, but, or that joins parts of a sentence
conjure make something appear as if by magic
conquest taking control of a place or people by fighting
conscience the inner feeling that tells you what is right and wrong
consciousness being awake and aware of what is around you
consensus general agreement among a group of people
consent give permission for something to happen
conservative not wanting to change, keeping things the same
conservatory a glass room attached to a house, or a music school
conserve use carefully to make sure it lasts, or protect nature
considerably by a large and important amount
considering thinking about, or taking into account
consignment a group of goods sent or delivered together
consistency always behaving or happening the same way
consistently always in the same way, without changing
consolation something that makes you feel better when sad
consolidate make stronger by joining together
conspiracy a secret plan by a group to do something wrong
constable a police officer, especially of low rank
constituency an area whose people choose someone for government
constitutional about the basic rules of how a country is run
constraint a limit on what you can do
consultant an expert who gives advice for a fee
consultation a meeting to discuss and get advice
consultative giving advice but not making final decisions
consumer a person who buys and uses things
contagious spreading from person to person by contact
contaminate make something dirty or dangerous
contaminated made dirty or poisoned
contemplate think deeply and carefully about something
contemporary from the same time or from now
contempt a strong feeling that someone or something is worthless
contend compete or struggle, or claim something is true
contender a person who competes, especially for a prize
contented happy and satisfied with what you have
contention a strong disagreement, or a claim someone makes
contractor a person or company hired to do a specific job
contradiction when two things are opposite and cannot both be true
controversy a big public argument about something important
conveniently in a way that is easy and saves you time
conventional following the traditional and usual way of doing things
converse talk with someone, or the opposite of something
conversely in the opposite way
conversion changing from one form or use to another
convertible a car with a top that can open
convicted found guilty of a crime
conviction a strong belief, or being found guilty of a crime
convincing making you believe something is true
coolly in a calm way without showing feelings
cooperate work together with others to achieve something
cooperative willing to work with others and help
coordinate organise people or things to work well together
coordination making different things work well together
coordinator a person who organises activities or people
copper a reddish-brown metal used for wires and pipes
cornerstone the most important part that everything else is built on
cornet a small brass instrument similar to a trumpet
corona a ring of light around the sun or moon
corporal about the body, or a low-ranking soldier
corporate about a big company or business
correctness the quality of being right and without mistakes
correlate have a connection or relationship with something else
correlation a connection between two things that change together
correspond match or agree with, or exchange letters
correspondence letters or messages between people
correspondent a person who reports news from a distant place
corresponding matching or relating to something
corrupt dishonest, using power for personal gain
corruption dishonest behaviour, especially by people in power
cosmic related to the universe beyond earth
cosmonaut a Russian person who travels into space
cosmos the whole universe and everything in it
councillor a member of a local government council
counsel advice, or to give advice to someone
counselling professional help with personal or emotional problems
counsellor a person trained to help with personal problems
counterfeit fake copy made to look like the real thing
counterpart a person or thing that has the same job in another place
countryman a person from the same country, or from the countryside
countrywide across the whole country
coup a sudden taking of power, especially in government
courier a person who delivers packages or messages
coursework schoolwork done during a course, not in an exam
courteousness polite and respectful behaviour toward others
cozinesscosiness the feeling of being warm and comfortable
craftsman a person skilled at making things by hand
cramping having a sudden tight painful feeling in muscles
cranberry a small sour red berry used in food and drink
crater a large round hole in the ground from an explosion
craving an intense desire or longing for something
crawler something that moves slowly, or a baby learning to move
crazed behaving in a wild and uncontrolled way
crazily in a wild and uncontrolled way
crease a line made by folding or pressing something
creatively in a way that uses imagination and new ideas
credibility the quality of being believed and trusted
credible able to be believed, trustworthy
creep move slowly and quietly, or a strange person
cripple make unable to move or work properly
crippled badly hurt so cannot move well
crisscross lines that cross each other in different directions
criteria standards by which something is judged or decided
criterion a rule used to decide or judge something
critically in a very important way, or with a judging eye
critique a careful examination and judgement of something
crook a dishonest person, or a hooked stick carried by a shepherd
crooked bent or twisted, or dishonest and corrupt
cross-platform working on different types of computers or systems
crosscultural involving different cultures or ways of life
crossly in an angry and annoyed way
crude rough and basic, or rude and not polite
cruelly in a way that causes pain or suffering on purpose
cruelty behaviour that causes pain to others on purpose
crushing overwhelming and devastating, or very severe
crustacean a sea animal with a hard shell, like a crab or lobster
ct scan many pictures joined by a computer to show inside the body
cuban from or about the country of Cuba
cubism an art style that shows objects as flat shapes
cue a signal to start something, or a stick for playing pool
cuff the end of a sleeve near your hand
culinary about cooking or preparing food
culmination the highest or final point of something
cult a small group with extreme beliefs, or something very popular
cultivated grown by people
culturally in a way that relates to culture and traditions
cultured educated and knowing about art, music, and literature
curate a church helper, or choose and organise a collection
curb to hold back or limit something, or the edge of a pavement
curl make or form into a round curved shape
curling sport where you slide stones on ice
cursor the small arrow or line on a computer screen
curtain call when performers come back on stage for applause
curtained covered or hidden with curtains
customizable able to be changed to fit what you want
cutting a piece cut from a plant, or hurtful words
cutting-edge most modern and advanced
cyanide a very dangerous poison
cyberaddict a person who spends too much time on computers
cybercrime crime committed using computers and the internet
cyberschool a school where learning happens online
cybersecurity protecting computers and data from attacks
cyberspace the virtual world of the internet
cyclist a person who rides a bicycle
cylinder a shape like a tube with flat round ends
cynical believing people only do things for selfish reasons

D

dachshund small dog with a very long body and short legs
daft silly and foolish
dairy about milk and foods made from milk
damages money paid to someone who was harmed
damned used to show anger, or said to be sent to hell
dandelion a common yellow wild flower
daring brave enough to do dangerous or risky things
darkbrown a brown colour that is close to black
darkhaired having hair that is very dark in colour
darling a word of love for someone you care about
database a large organised collection of information on a computer
dated old-fashioned and no longer modern
daughterinlaw the wife of your son
dawn on begin to understand something for the first time
daybreak the time in the morning when light first appears
daydream think about nice things while awake instead of working
dazed not able to think clearly
deafening so loud that you almost cannot hear
dean important person in a university or church
debatable not certain
debit money taken from your bank account
debug to find and fix problems in a machine or code
debugging finding and fixing problems in a computer
debut the first time someone performs or appears in public
decathlon sports contest with ten different events
deceit making someone believe something that is not true
deceive make someone believe something that is not true
decency being proper and following good behavior rules
deceptive making you believe something that is not true
decisionmaker a person who makes important choices
decisionmaking the process of making important choices
decompose break down into smaller parts over time, like dead plants
decomposition the natural process of breaking down after death
decorative used to make something look attractive
decrypt to change a secret code back into clear words
dedicated giving a lot of time and effort to something
dedication giving your time and effort to a task or person
deem consider or judge something to be a certain way
deep-fry cook food in a lot of very hot oil
deepdiving going far under water
deepen make or become deeper or more serious
deerstalker a special hat with flaps, like Sherlock Holmes wore
default what happens when no other choice is made
defect a fault or problem in something, or leave to join the other side
defendant person who must answer to a charge in court
defense mechanism a way the body or mind protects itself
defiant refusing to obey and showing it openly
deforestation cutting down large areas of trees
defy refuse to obey or challenge someone openly
deity a god or goddess
delegate give a task to someone else, or a representative
delegation a group of people chosen to speak for others
deli a shop that sells special prepared foods
deliberate done on purpose, not by accident
deliberately on purpose, meaning to do it
delicacy a rare and expensive type of food
delicately in a gentle and careful way
deliciously in a way that tastes very good
delirious very confused and unable to think clearly
delirium a confused mental state, often from illness or fever
deliverable something that must be provided by a certain time
deltoid large triangle-shaped muscle of the shoulder
delusional having false beliefs that seem very real
demanding needing a lot of effort, time, or skill
demeanor way a person acts and looks to others
democrat person who believes in rule by the people
demolish destroy a building or structure completely
demon an evil spirit in stories or religion
demoted moved down to a lower position or rank
denial saying that something is not true
denim a strong blue cloth used to make jeans
denounce publicly say that something or someone is wrong
dense thick and packed closely together
densely with many things packed close together
density how closely packed together things are in a space
dependable always doing what you say, able to be trusted
dependence needing something or someone to survive
dependency the state of needing something too much
depict show or represent something in a picture or words
depicted shown or drawn in a picture or words
deploy send people or equipment to where they are needed
deployment sending people or resources to where they are needed
depot a place where buses or trains are kept, or goods are stored
depress make someone feel very sad, or push something down
deprived not having the basic things needed for a good life
deputy a person who acts for a leader when they are away
dermatologist doctor who treats problems with the skin
descent moving down, or where your family comes from
descriptive giving a lot of details about what something is like
desensitize make less affected by something over time
designate choose someone or something for a particular purpose
desolation a feeling of great sadness, or an empty destroyed place
desperately in a way that shows great need or hopelessness
desperation a feeling of having no hope and needing help badly
despicable very bad and deserving to be hated
despise hate someone or something very much
despised looked down on and greatly disliked
destine plan or decide what will happen in the future
destined meant to happen in the future
destiny what is meant to happen to you in life
detach separate one thing from another
detached separate and not connected, or not showing feelings
detachment not feeling emotionally connected, or a group of soldiers
detain keep someone in a place and not let them leave
detect to find or notice something that is hidden
detected found or noticed something that was hidden
detecting finding or discovering something that is hidden
detection the act of finding or discovering something
deteriorate become worse over time
deteriorated having become worse in quality over time
determiner a word like the, a, this that comes before a noun
detrimental causing harm or damage
devastation great destruction and damage
devise think of a plan or create something new
devote give all your time and effort to something
devoted loving someone very much and giving them all your care
devour to eat something hungrily and quickly
deworming removing harmful worms from the body
diabetes a disease where the body cannot control blood sugar levels
diabetic relating to or suffering from diabetes
diagnose find out what illness or problem someone has
diagnoses decisions about what illnesses people have
diagonal going from one corner to the opposite corner
diagonally in a line from one corner to the opposite corner
dialect a form of language spoken in a particular region
dialing pressing numbers on a phone to make a call
dialog a conversation between two or more people
diamond-shaped having four equal sides in a tilted square shape
diarrhoea an illness that makes you go to the toilet very often
dictate tell someone what to write, or give orders
dictation reading words for someone else to write down
dictator a leader who has total power and controls everything
die away slowly become weaker and then stop
die out slowly disappear completely over time
diesel a type of fuel used in some vehicles
dietary about the food and drink someone takes
dietician a person who gives advice about healthy food
dietitian an expert who advises people about what to eat
differentiate see or show the difference between things
differing not the same, having differences
dig in start eating eagerly, or make yourself strong in a place
dig out find something by searching or remove from the ground
dig up take something out of the ground by digging
digestible easy for your stomach to break down
digestion the process of breaking down food in your body
digestive about the process of breaking down food in the body
digitally using computers or electronic technology
dignified looking serious and worthy of respect
dignify make something seem more important or worthy
dignity calm serious behaviour that makes others respect you
diligently in a careful and hard-working way
dilute make a liquid weaker by adding water
dilution making something weaker by adding liquid
dimension a measurement of size, such as length or width
diminish become smaller or less important
diminished made smaller or less important
diminishing becoming smaller or less over time
dimly with very little light
dimmer a device that controls how bright a light is
diningroom the room where people eat meals
dinner-party a social event where guests eat together
diphtheria a serious disease of the throat
diplomat a person who represents their country in another country
diplomatic skilled at dealing with people without causing anger
dipping putting something briefly into a liquid
directed controlled or aimed in a particular way
directing controlling how something is done or where it goes
directive an official order to do something
directory a list of names, addresses, or files organised in order
dirt-cheap very very cheap, costing almost nothing
dirt-track a rough road or path made of earth
dirtiness the state of being not clean
disagreeable not pleasant, or hard to get along with
disappearance when someone or something goes away and cannot be found
disapproval the feeling that something is wrong or not good
disapprove think that something is wrong or not good
discard throw away something you no longer need
discarded thrown away because it is no longer needed
discharge let someone leave, or release something
discharged allowed to leave, especially from hospital
discharging letting out or releasing something
disciple a person who follows and learns from a teacher or leader
disciplinary about punishment for breaking rules
discipline training people to follow rules and behave well
disciplined trained to follow rules and behave well
disclose tell or reveal secret information
disclosed made known or revealed
disclosure making secret information known to others
discolor change something from its normal colour
discolour change from the normal colour to a worse one
disconnect break the connection between things
disconnecting breaking the connection between things
disconnection when the connection between things is broken
discontent a feeling of not being happy with how things are
discontinue stop doing or making something
discontinued no longer being made or sold
discotheque a club where people dance to recorded music
discouraged having lost confidence or enthusiasm
discourse a long formal discussion or text about a subject
discoverer a person who finds something for the first time
discredit make people stop trusting or believing in something
discreet careful not to let others know, quiet about things
discretion the ability to make careful decisions about what to say
discriminate treat someone unfairly because of who they are
discus a heavy flat round object thrown in sports
diseased having a disease or illness
disenchanted no longer happy or excited about something
disguise change how you look so people do not know you
disguised changed to look different so as not to be recognised
disguising hiding what something really is
dish out give things to people, often food or criticism
dish up put food on plates ready to eat
dish-cloth a cloth used for washing plates and cooking things
dish-washer a machine that washes plates and cooking things
dishcloth a cloth for washing dishes
dishonesty not telling the truth, being a liar
disillusion make someone see the truth about something disappointing
disinfectant a liquid that kills harmful small living things
disinfecting killing harmful small living things on a surface
disk-shaped round and flat like a circle
dislocate move a bone out of its normal position
dislocated a bone moved out of its normal position in a joint
disloyal not faithful to those who deserve loyalty
dismantled taken apart piece by piece
dismay a feeling of shock and worry
dismayed feeling shocked and disappointed
dismissal telling someone to leave, especially from a job
dismount get off a horse, bicycle, or other thing you ride
dismounted got off from something you were riding
disobedience refusing to follow rules or do what you are told
disorder a state of mess and confusion, or a health problem
disordered messy and not organised
disorganize make something messy and without order
disorientation feeling confused about where you are
dispatch send something or someone to a place quickly
dispatching sending something away quickly
dispensable not needed, can be removed without problem
dispenser a machine or container that gives out items
dispensing giving out or providing something
dispersed spread out over a wide area
dispersing spreading out in different directions
displace force something or someone to move from their place
displaced forced to leave home because of war or disaster
displease make someone feel unhappy or annoyed
displeased feeling unhappy or annoyed about something
displeasing making someone feel annoyed or not happy
displeasure a feeling of being unhappy about something
disposal getting rid of something, or having something available
dispose get rid of something, or arrange things in order
disposed willing or likely to do something
disposition a person's usual way of thinking and feeling
dispute a serious argument or disagreement
disqualify stop someone from taking part because of a broken rule
disregard pay no attention to something, ignore it
disrespectfully in a way that shows no respect
disruption something that stops normal activity from continuing
disruptive causing problems and stopping normal activity
dissatisfaction not being happy with how things are
dissatisfied not happy with something, wanting it to be better
disseminate spread information widely to many people
dissertation a long research paper written to complete a university course
dissident a person who publicly disagrees with the government
dissimilar not similar, different from each other
dissolved mixed into a liquid until it disappears
distantly from far away, or in an unfriendly way
distasteful unpleasant and causing dislike
distilling making a liquid pure by heating and cooling it
distinct clearly different from something else
distinctive easy to recognise because of special qualities
distinguished famous and respected, or looking important
distort change the shape or truth of something
distortion changing something from its true or normal shape
distract take someone's attention away from what they are doing
distraction something that takes your attention away
distress great pain, worry, or sadness
distressed very upset and worried
distressing making you feel very upset and worried
distribute to give things out to many people
distributed given out or spread to many people or places
distributing giving things out to many people
distributor a person or company that gives out products to shops
disturbed worried or mentally unwell
disturbing making you feel worried or upset
ditch a narrow channel dug at the side of a road, or to abandon
diversion something that takes attention away, or a different route
diversity having many different types of people or things
divert change the direction of something
diverting interesting and entertaining
divider something that separates one area from another
divulge tell secret information to someone
do away get rid of something completely
do out clean and decorate a room
do over do something again from the start
do up fasten or close something, or repair a building
do-it-yourself building or fixing things at home without an expert
do-it-yourselfer a person who builds or fixes things at home
docker a person who works loading and unloading ships
doctorate the highest degree awarded by a university
doctrine a set of beliefs or rules taught by a group
documentation official papers or written instructions
documented recorded in writing or on film
doddle something very easy to do
dodge move quickly to avoid something
dodging moving quickly to avoid being hit
doe a female deer
doer a person who acts and gets things done
dog-biscuit a hard food for dogs
dog-box a small space for keeping a dog
dog-daisy a common white flower with a yellow centre
dog-eared with pages bent at the corners from too much use
dog-fox a male fox
dog-house a small outdoor shelter for a dog
dog-lead a strap for holding a dog when walking
dogcart a small cart pulled by horses
doglike similar to a dog in behaviour
dogsled a vehicle pulled by dogs over snow
doll-like looking like a pretty toy person
domain an area of knowledge or control, or a web address
dome a large round roof shaped like half a ball
domestic about your home or about your own country
domesticate train a wild animal to live with people
domesticated trained to live with and be useful to people
dominance having more power or control than others
dominant most powerful or important
dominated controlled by one person or thing
dominating having a strong controlling influence
domino a small flat piece with dots used in a game
dominoes a game played with flat pieces that have dots
doms buildings with large round roofs
doodle draw simple pictures while thinking about other things
doom a terrible fate that cannot be avoided
doomed certain to fail, suffer, or be destroyed
door-man a person who opens doors at a hotel or building
door-to-door going from one house to the next
doorkeeper a person who watches over the entrance to a building
dosage the amount of medicine you should take
dot down write something quickly
dot-com a company that does business on the internet
dotted covered with small round marks
double back turn around and go back the way you came
double in also work in another role
double over bend your body forward because of pain or laughing
double up share something with another person
double-bass a very large stringed instrument with a deep sound
double-bedded having a bed for two people
double-breasted a coat or jacket that overlaps at the front
double-charge charge someone twice for the same thing
double-decker a bus with two levels
doubled made twice as big or twice as much
doubling becoming twice as much or twice as big
doubly twice as much, in two ways
doubtfully in a way that shows you are not sure
doubting feeling unsure about whether something is true
down in the dumps feeling very sad and unhappy
down payment the first part of the money you pay for something big
down-to-earth practical and honest, not pretending
downfall the loss of power or success
downpour a very heavy fall of rain
downright completely and totally, used to make a word stronger
downside the bad or negative part of something
downsize make a company smaller by reducing staff
downstream in the direction that water in a river flows
dowry money or things a bride's family gives to the husband
doze away spend time sleeping lightly
doze off fall into a light sleep
doze out wake up slowly from a light sleep
dozed slept lightly for a short time
dozer a heavy machine that pushes earth, or a sleepy person
dozing sleeping lightly, not fully asleep
dozy feeling sleepy and slow
draft a first try at writing something
drafting writing the first version of something
draftsman a person who draws detailed plans for buildings
drafty with cold air blowing through
drag away pull someone away from something they enjoy
drag in bring a topic into a conversation when not wanted
drag on continue for too long in a boring way
drag out make something last longer than needed
drag up mention something unpleasant from the past
dragon-fly an insect with a long body and large clear wings
dragonfly an insect with a long body and four clear wings
drain remove liquid from something, or a pipe for carrying water away
drain-away a pipe or channel that takes water away
drain-pipe a pipe that carries water away from a building
drainage a system for removing water from an area
drainboard a flat area next to a sink where dishes dry
drained very tired, or with all liquid removed
drainer a thing where you put dishes to dry
draining removing water, or making you very tired
drainpipe a pipe that takes water away from a roof or building
drake a male duck
drape hang cloth loosely over something
drapery cloth hung as decoration, or a fabric shop
drat a word showing you are annoyed
draughtboard a board with squares for playing the game of draughts
draughts a board game where you move round pieces diagonally
draughtsman a person who makes detailed drawings and plans
draughty with cold air blowing through gaps
draw aside move to one side for a private talk
draw away move ahead of others, or pull back
draw back move back from something, or not want to continue
draw down reduce the amount of something over time
draw in arrive at a station, or become attracted to something
draw off take liquid away from a larger amount
draw on use something as a resource, or pull on clothing
draw out make something last longer, or encourage someone to talk
draw over pull something to cover another thing
draw round draw a line around the outside of something
draw up create a document, or stop a vehicle
drawbridge a bridge that can be pulled up to stop people crossing
drawing-board a flat board used for making drawings
drawing-pen a pen used for making detailed drawings
drawing-room a formal room for sitting and talking with guests
dreaded causing great fear
dreadfully very badly, or used to mean very much
dream away spend time thinking about nice things instead of working
dream up think of something new and creative
dream-land an imaginary perfect place
dream-world a world that exists only in your imagination
dreamer a person who has unrealistic ideas or plans
dreamland an imaginary place that is perfect and happy
dreamworld a world that exists only in imagination
dreamy looking like you are thinking about nice things
drench make completely wet
drenching making something completely wet through
dressage a sport where horses do careful trained movements
dressing-table a table with a mirror for getting ready
dribbler a person who lets liquid fall from their mouth
dribbling letting liquid fall slowly, or moving a ball with small touches
drier a machine that removes water, or less wet
drift along move slowly without any particular plan
drift apart slowly stop being close friends
drift in arrive slowly and without hurry
drift off slowly fall asleep
drift out slowly move away from a place
drift-wood wood carried by water to the shore
drifter a person who moves from place to place without a plan
drifting moving slowly without direction or purpose
driftwood pieces of wood carried to shore by the water
drill-hole a hole made by a turning tool
drill-sergeant a military person who trains soldiers strictly
driller a person or machine that makes holes
drilling making holes with a turning tool, or practising again and again
drink down drink something completely
drink in enjoy looking at or experiencing something fully
drink off drink something quickly in one go
drip-dry let clothes dry by hanging them without squeezing
dripping with liquid falling in small drops
dripping-pan a pan that catches liquid falling from cooking meat
drippy always dropping liquid, or too sentimental
drive away leave in a car, or make someone go away
drive back force someone to go back
drive in push something in by hitting, or arrive by car
drive off leave quickly in a car
drive on continue driving without stopping
drive out force someone to leave a place
drive over go to a place by car
drive through go through a place without stopping
drive up arrive somewhere in a car
driven very determined and wanting to succeed
drizzle light rain with very small drops
drizzling raining very lightly with small drops
drizzly with light rain falling
dromedary a camel with one hump on its back
drool let liquid come from your mouth without control
droop hang down weakly
drooping hanging down in a weak or tired way
droopy hanging down in a sad or tired way
drop away become less or fewer over time
drop back fall behind others in a group
drop behind not keep up with others
drop out leave a school or activity before finishing
drop set an exercise where you reduce weight each round
drop through fall through something, or fail to happen
drop-in a place you can visit without an appointment
drop-kick kick a ball just as it bounces off the ground
drop-off a sudden fall, or a place to leave something
drop-shaped having the form of a falling liquid drop
dropkick a kick made as the ball hits the ground
droplet a very small drop of liquid
dropout a person who leaves school or a group before finishing
dropper a small tube for adding liquid one drop at a time
dropping-out leaving school or an activity before it ends
drought a long time with no rain, making the land very dry
drove moved animals along, or a large group of moving things
drown out be so loud that you cannot hear something else
drowsiness the feeling of being sleepy
druggist a person who sells medicine in a shop
drum up try hard to get support or business
drumbeat the sound made by hitting a drum
drumming playing a drum, or making a repeated tapping sound
drumstick a stick for hitting a drum, or the leg of a chicken
drunkard a person who drinks too much alcohol regularly
drunken intoxicated by alcohol, or caused by drinking
dry out become completely dry, or stop drinking alcohol
dry up become completely dry, or stop talking suddenly
dry-clean clean clothes with chemicals instead of water
dry-cleaners a shop that cleans clothes with chemicals
dry-cleaning cleaning clothes using chemicals instead of water
dryland land that is not covered by water and gets little rain
dryly in a funny way that seems serious
dryness the state of having no water or moisture
dual having two parts or purposes
dubbed given a name or title, or with new voices added to a film
duel a fight between two people with weapons, planned in advance
duffel thick heavy cloth used for bags and coats
dug-out a shelter dug into the ground, or a boat from a tree
dugout a shelter made by digging, or a boat from a log
dune a hill of sand made by the wind
duo two people who work or perform together
duplex building with two separate living spaces
duplication the act of making an exact copy
dustman a person whose job is to collect rubbish
dutch from or about the Netherlands
dwelt lived in a place for some time
dynamic full of energy and always changing

E

eagerly in a way that shows great interest and excitement
earl a man of high rank in the British system
earnings money that you get from working
earplug a small piece you put in your ear to block sound
ease a feeling of comfort with no worry or difficulty
eastward going toward the east
eating disorder a serious problem with how someone eats
ecg a test that shows how your heart is working
ecoconference a meeting about protecting the environment
ecologically in a way that relates to the natural environment
ecologist a scientist who studies the relationship of living things
economic about money and business in a country
economical using money, time, or resources carefully
economically in a way relating to the economy, or in a thrifty way
economise spend less money or use less of something
economist a person who studies money and how it works in society
economy the system of money and business in a country
ecstatic feeling such great joy that you can hardly control it
editorial an article giving the opinion of a newspaper
effectiveness how well something works to get the result you want
efficientlooking appearing to be well organised and fast
ego a person's sense of their own importance
eighteenth coming at number 18 in order
elaborate very detailed and complex, or to explain more
elated very happy and full of pride
elation a feeling of great happiness and excitement
elder an older person, or a tree with small white flowers
elective a subject you can choose to study, not required
electoral about choosing leaders through voting
electrify supply with electricity, or make very excited
electrode a piece that sends or receives electric current
electronically using electronic devices or computers
elegance the quality of being beautiful and graceful
elegantly in a beautiful and graceful way
elemental about the basic forces of nature
elevate raise to a higher position or level
elevated raised up high or having noble character
elevation the height above sea level, or a promotion in rank
eligible meeting the requirements to do or get something
elite the best or most skilled group of people
elk very large deer with wide flat horns
elliptical shaped like a stretched circle
eloquence the ability to speak beautifully and persuasively
eloquent able to express ideas clearly and beautifully in words
elucidate explain something and make it clear
emanate come out from a source, like light or smell
embark start a journey or begin something new
embed fix something firmly into a surface
embody represent an idea or quality in a clear way
embrace hold someone close in your arms, or accept something fully
emergence coming out or appearing for the first time
emission gas or other substance released into the air
emphasis special attention given to something important
emphatically in a strong and clear way, leaving no doubt
empirical based on observation and testing, not just ideas
empower give someone the power and confidence to do something
enabling making something possible or giving the power to do it
enact make a law official, or act something out
enacting making a law, or performing an action
enamel a hard shiny coating on teeth or objects
enameled covered with a hard shiny coating
enamelled covered with a hard shiny layer
enamored very much in love with or excited about something
encamp set up a camp to stay in temporarily
encamping setting up a camp in a place
encampment a group of tents or shelters set up as a camp
enchanter a person who uses magic to put spells on others
enchanting very beautiful and delightful, like magic
enchantment a feeling of great pleasure, or a magic spell
enchilada a Mexican food made of a rolled flat bread with filling
enclosure an area surrounded by a fence or wall
encode change information into a code or special form
encoder a device that changes information into a code
encoding changing information into a special form
encompass include or contain everything within
encourager a person who gives support and confidence to others
encouragingly in a way that gives someone hope and support
encrypt change data into a secret code for safety
encrypting making data secret by changing it into code
encryption the process of making data secret with a code
encyclopaedia a large book or set with information about many topics
end-consumer the person who finally buys and uses a product
end-game the last part of a game or process
end-piece the part at the very end of something
end-product the final thing made after a process
end-to-end from the beginning to the very end
end-user the person who will actually use a product
endearing making people feel love and warmth toward you
endearment a word or action showing love, like calling someone dear
endeavour try hard to do something difficult
endgame the final stage of something
endlessly without stopping, going on and on
endorse say publicly that you support or approve something
endorsement public support or approval of something
endurable able to be survived or handled
endurance the power to bear pain or hardship without giving up
enduring lasting for a long time, not changing
energetically with a lot of energy and effort
energize give energy and excitement to someone
energized feeling full of energy and ready to act
energizer something that gives energy and excitement
energizing making you feel full of energy
energy-consuming using a lot of energy
energy-efficiency using less energy to do the same work
energy-efficient using less energy while doing the same job
energy-intensive needing a very large amount of energy
enforced made sure a rule is followed by using power
enforcement making sure rules and laws are followed
enforcer a person who makes sure rules are followed
engagement an agreement to marry, or being involved in something
engaging interesting and attractive, holding your attention
engine-driver a person who drives a train
engine-room the room in a ship where the engine is kept
engineered designed and built using science and skill
english-speaking where people speak the language from England
engraved cut a design or words into a hard surface
engraver a person who cuts designs into hard surfaces
engraving a picture or design cut into a hard surface
engulf completely cover or surround something
enhancement making something better or improving its quality
enhancer something that makes another thing better
enlarger a device that makes pictures bigger
enlighten give someone new knowledge or understanding
enlightened having a good understanding, open-minded
enlightening giving new and helpful knowledge
enlightenment gaining deep knowledge and understanding
enlisted joined the military, or got someone to help
enlistee a person who has joined the military
enlistment the act of joining the military
enormously to a very great degree, very much
enquire ask for information about something
enrage make someone extremely angry
enraged extremely angry
enrichment making something richer or more valuable
enrollee a person who has signed up for something
ensemble a group of musicians or actors, or a set of clothes
enshrine protect something important in a law or document
ensue happen after something else, as a result
ensuing happening after and because of something
entail involve or require as a necessary part
entangle get caught up or involved in something complicated
entangled caught up in something complicated
entanglement being caught in a difficult or complicated situation
enterprise a business or a difficult project that takes courage
entertaining fun and enjoyable to watch or listen to
enticing very attractive and tempting
entirety the whole of something, everything included
entitle give someone the right to have or do something
entity something that exists as a separate thing
entrancing so beautiful or interesting you cannot look away
entrant a person who enters a competition or organisation
entree the main dish of a meal
entrepreneurial about starting and running new businesses
entrepreneurship the activity of starting new businesses
entrust give someone responsibility for something important
entry-level for people just starting in a job or activity
entryway the area where you enter a building
envelop wrap or cover something completely
enviously in a way that shows you want what someone else has
environment-conscious caring about protecting nature
environmentalism working to protect the natural world
environmentally in a way that relates to the natural world
environs the area around a place
envision imagine or picture something in your mind
envoy a person sent to represent their government in talks
eon a very very long period of time
epaulet a decoration on the shoulder of a uniform
epaulette a piece on the shoulder of a military uniform
epicenter the central point of an earthquake or event
epicentra more than one central point of earthquakes
epicentre the point on the surface above where an earthquake starts
epicentrum the central point where an earthquake is strongest
epidemical spreading quickly among many people like a disease
epilate remove hair from the body
epilation the removal of body hair
epilator a device for removing body hair
epilepsy a brain condition that causes sudden fits
epileptic about or having a condition that causes sudden fits
epilogue a section at the end of a book or play
episcopal about bishops in a Christian church
episcopalian belonging to a type of Christian church with bishops
epitaph words written on a gravestone about a dead person
epoch an important period of time in history
epsom a town in England known for horse racing and salts
equal-spaced with the same distance between each item
equalize make things equal or the same
equalized made equal or balanced
equalizer something that makes things equal or fair
equate consider two things as being the same
equation a maths statement showing two things are equal
equatorial near the middle line of the earth where it is hot
equestrian about horse riding
equestrianism the sport of horse riding
equidistant at the same distance from two or more points
equilateral having all sides of equal length
equine about or relating to horses
equinox a day when day and night are the same length
equitable fair and equal for everyone
equitably in a fair way that treats everyone equally
equity being fair, or the value of a share you own
equivalent equal in value, amount, or meaning
eradicate completely remove or destroy something bad
eradication completely removing or destroying something
erasable able to be rubbed out or removed
erasure the act of removing or rubbing out something
erect build something, or standing straight and tall
erection the act of building something
ergonomic designed to be comfortable and efficient to use
ergonomics the study of making things comfortable to use
ernie a machine that picks random numbers for a lottery
erode slowly wear away by water, wind, or time
eroded slowly worn away over time
eroding slowly being worn away
erosion the slow wearing away of land by water or wind
err make a mistake
errand-boy a boy who carries messages and small packages
erratic changing often and without a pattern
error-free without any mistakes
error-prone likely to make mistakes often
errorless without any mistakes at all
erupt suddenly burst out, like a volcano or anger
eruption a sudden violent burst, like from a volcano
escalate become worse or more serious step by step
escalate down become less serious step by step
escalating becoming more serious or worse
escapable possible to get away from
escapade an exciting and sometimes dangerous adventure
escapee a person who has got away from prison or danger
escarpment a long steep slope of rock or earth
escort a person who goes with someone for safety or company
eskimo a word used for people living in the very cold north
especial more than usual, greater or better
esperanto a language created for people of all countries to share
essayist a person who writes short pieces about topics
essex a county in the east of England
essie a personal name, usually for a woman
establish to start or set up something new
esteem great respect and admiration for someone
esteemed greatly respected and admired
estonian from or about the country of Estonia
estuary the wide part of a river where it meets the sea
eternally lasting forever, without end
ethernet a way of connecting computers together with cables
ethic a principle about what is right and wrong
ethical about what is right and wrong
ethics study of what is right and wrong
ethnic about a group of people who share culture and history
ethnically in a way relating to cultural groups
ethnicity the group you belong to based on shared culture
etiquette the rules of polite behaviour in society
etna a famous active volcano on the island of Sicily
eulogy a speech praising someone who has died
euphoric filled with an intense sense of well being and excitement
european from or about the continent of Europe
evacuation moving people out of a dangerous place
evaluation carefully judging how good something is
evaporate turn from liquid into gas and disappear
eventual happening at the end, after a long time
everlasting lasting forever, never ending
evicted forced to leave a place by law
eviction act of forcing someone out of their home
evidently clearly, in a way that is easy to see
evoke bring a feeling or memory to mind
evolution slow change and development over a very long time
evolutionary about the slow process of change over time
evolve change and develop slowly over time
exacerbate make a bad situation even worse
exactness being completely correct and precise
exaggerate say something is bigger or more than it really is
exaggerated made to seem larger or more important than reality
exaggeration making something seem bigger than it really is
exalt praise very highly or raise to a higher position
examinee a person who is taking a test
excavation act of digging things out of the ground
exceed go beyond a limit or be more than expected
exceeding going beyond what is normal or expected
excel be very good at something
exceptionally in an unusual and very good way
excessive too much, more than what is needed
excessively in a way that is too much
exchange rate how much one country's money is worth in another
excitable easily made excited or nervous
exclaim say something suddenly and loudly
exclamation a sudden cry or remark expressing strong feeling
exclude keep someone or something out
exclusion keeping someone or something out
exclusively only, for one person or group and no one else
execute carry out a plan, or kill someone as punishment
executed carried out or put to death by law
execution carrying out a plan, or killing as punishment
executive important person who makes decisions at work
exert use effort or influence to make something happen
exhausting making you extremely tired
exile being forced to live away from your own country
exiled sent away from your own country
existed was real or was alive
existing already there, current
expectant feeling or showing hope that something good will happen
expenditure the total amount of money spent
expire come to an end, or stop being valid
explicit stated very clearly with nothing hidden
explicitly in a very clear and direct way
exploit use something fully, or treat someone unfairly for gain
exploitation unfairly using someone or something for your benefit
exploited used unfairly for someone else's benefit
explosive able to blow up, or very sudden and violent
exposure being open to something, like sun or danger
expressive showing feelings and emotions clearly
exquisite extremely beautiful and well made
extended made longer or bigger
extension an extra part added to make something bigger or longer
extraordinarily in an extremely unusual or remarkable way
extraterrestrial from outside the planet Earth
extravagant spending much more money than needed
extremist a person with very strong and dangerous views
exultant feeling very happy because of success
eyebrow the line of hair above each eye
eyelash one of the small hairs on the edge of the eyelid
eyelid the skin that covers and protects your eye
eyesore something ugly that is unpleasant to look at
eyewitness a person who saw an event happen

F

fabric cloth or material used to make clothes or covers
faced having a particular type of face
facial about or for the face
facilitate make something easier or help it happen
facilities buildings or equipment provided for a purpose
facility a building or place made for a special use
faction a small group within a larger group with different ideas
factual based on facts and true information
faculty a part of a university that teaches a group of related subjects
fade away to slowly become weaker and disappear
failed not successful in achieving what was attempted
fairhaired having light-coloured hair
fall behind to not keep up with others
fall out to have an argument with someone
falter become weak or unsure and almost stop
familiarise make someone know about something for the first time
fascination being extremely interested in something
fascism system where one strong leader controls everything
fascist person who supports one strong leader controlling all
fashioned made or shaped in a particular way
fastmoving happening or changing very quickly
fatal causing death
fatherinlaw the father of your husband or wife
fatten make an animal or person fatter
fattening making you gain weight
faulty not working correctly, having something wrong
fearless showing no fear, brave and courageous
fearsome very frightening or scary
feasible possible to do, able to be done
feat an impressive and difficult achievement
federation group of states joined under one shared government
feminist a person who supports equal rights for women
femme a French word for woman
fencing a sport where two people fight with thin swords
fend take care of yourself without help from others
ferment when sugar in food turns to alcohol, or cause trouble
fern green plant with many small thin leaves
ferryboat a boat that carries people across water regularly
festivity happy celebration and enjoyment
feverish having a high body temperature from illness
fiance a man who is engaged to be married
fiancee woman who has promised to marry someone
fictional not real, from a made-up story
fiddle play with something using your fingers, or a violin
fidget keep making small movements because you cannot sit still
fierce very strong and aggressive
fiercely in an intense and aggressive way
fifties the numbers from 50 to 59, or that time period
fightingmachine a vehicle or device made for battle
figurative using words in a way that is not their usual meaning
filial about the relationship between a child and parent
finance money matters and how to use money
findings facts learned by studying or looking into something
finely in very small pieces, or very well
fingernail the hard covering at the end of your finger
fingerprint the unique pattern of lines on your finger tip
firearm a gun or other weapon that shoots bullets
firing shooting a weapon, or removing someone from a job
firmness being strong and not easily changed
fiscal about government money and taxes
fishfarming growing fish in controlled water for food
flam a trick or lie to deceive someone
flammable catching fire and burning very easily
flashpoint the moment when a situation suddenly becomes dangerous
flatten make something completely flat
flavouring something added to food to give it a certain taste
flawed having a fault or weakness that makes it imperfect
flawless perfect, without any mistakes or problems
flax a plant used to make cloth and oil
flee run away quickly from danger
flesh the soft part of the body under the skin
flex bend or stretch something
flexibly in a way that can change and adapt easily
fling throw something with force
flirt behave in a playful way to show romantic interest
flirtation playful behaviour to show romantic interest
flirtatious behaving as if you like someone in a playful way
flora all the plants growing in one area
flowerbed an area of ground where flowers are planted
flowerpot a container for growing plants
flutter move wings quickly, or feel nervous and excited
flux constant change and movement
foil thin metal sheet, or stop someone's plan
fondly in a loving and caring way
foolishly in a silly way without thinking
foolishness the quality of being unwise or lacking good sense
footage a length of film or video recording
footer information shown at the bottom of a page
footing being in a stable safe position on your feet
footnote a note at the bottom of a page with extra information
forcefully in a strong and powerful way
forearm the lower part of your arm between elbow and hand
foreignlooking appearing to be from another country
foreman a person in charge of a group of workers
foremost most important or leading
foreseeable able to be expected or predicted
forestry the science of growing and caring for forests
formation the way something is made or arranged
formica a hard plastic material used for covering surfaces
formidable very impressive and a little frightening
forthcoming about to happen soon, or willing to give information
fortuneteller a person who claims to know your future
forum a place or meeting for public discussion of issues
fossil the preserved remains of ancient plants or animals in rock
foster to encourage or promote development, or to care for a child
foul very unpleasant, or against the rules in sport
framework a basic structure that supports something bigger
framing putting a border around or building a structure
franchise the right to sell a company's products in an area
franchisee a person who pays to run a branch of a business
frantic extremely worried and acting wildly
frantically in a wild and worried way
fraud a crime of tricking people to get money
frayed worn and coming apart at the edges
freeflow moving smoothly without being stopped
freelance working independently rather than for one employer
freshwater water that is not salty, from rivers and lakes
friction the rubbing of surfaces, or disagreement between people
friendless having no friends, lonely
frigate a fast military ship
frontier the border between two countries, or the edge of knowledge
frostbite damage to body parts from extreme cold
frown make an unhappy or worried face by pulling eyebrows down
frugal careful with money, not wasteful
fugitive person running away from the law or police
fulfill do what you promised, or meet a requirement
fume feel very angry, or give off harmful gas
functional working properly and useful
functionality the things something can do, its features
fundamental very important and basic
fundamentally in the most basic and important way
funerary about funerals or death ceremonies
funk a type of dance music, or a state of fear
funky having a strong rhythm, or unusual in a cool way
funnily in a strange or amusing way
furnace a very hot enclosed space for heating or melting
furthermore also, and one more thing
futurologist a person who studies what may happen in the future

G

gadget a small useful electronic device or tool
gaiety a feeling of happiness and fun
gale very strong wind that can cause damage
galloping running very fast like a horse at full speed
gamble risk money hoping to win more
gambler a person who risks money on games or bets
gamer a person who plays video games regularly
garner collect or gather something over time
garnish to add food decoration to make a dish look nicer
gaslighting making someone question what is real and what is not
gasworks a factory where gas is made
gatekeeper person who controls who may enter a place
gateway an entrance or a way to reach something
gaudy too bright and showy, not in good taste
gauge tool for measuring size, amount, or pressure
gaze look at something for a long time
gazebo small open building in a garden for sitting in
gear equipment for an activity, or a part in a machine
gem a beautiful precious stone, or something very good
generalisation a broad statement that may not be true for everything
generalise make a broad statement based on limited examples
generalist a person who knows about many different things
generalization a statement that is true for most but not all cases
generously in a way that gives more than expected
genuinely truly and honestly
geographic about the land, rivers, and mountains of a place
germ a very small living thing that can make you sick
get ahead to make progress and become more successful
geyser a natural spring that shoots hot water into the air
ghetto a poor area of a city where one group of people lives
give out to hand things to many people or stop working
giveaway something given for free, or a sign that reveals truth
giver a person who gives things to others
giving generous and willing to share with others
glacial about ice or glaciers, or extremely cold
glacier a huge mass of ice that moves very slowly down a mountain
glacis a gentle slope in front of a defensive wall
glamorous attractive and exciting in a special way
glare look at someone in an angry way, or a bright harsh light
glazier a person whose job is to fit glass into windows
glazing fitting glass into windows, or the glass itself
gleam a soft gentle light, or to shine softly
glee great happiness and delight
globalization when business and culture spread across the world
globally across the whole world
gloom darkness, or a feeling of sadness
gloomy dark and sad, without hope
glorify praise someone very highly, or make seem better
gloved wearing gloves on the hands
glow give off a warm steady light
glower look at someone in an angry threatening way
gnp the total value of goods made by a country's people
go-ahead permission to start something
go-between a person who takes messages between two groups
go-by pass without stopping, or something to ignore
go-getter a person who works hard to succeed
go-kart a small low racing car with no roof
go-round one turn or attempt at something
goad push someone to act by making them angry
goal-kick a kick in football taken from the goal area
goal-line the line at each end of a football field
goal-shot a shot aimed at scoring a goal
gobal relating to the whole world
goddaughter a girl you promised to help care for at her baptism
godfather a man who promises to help care for a child at baptism
godforsaken empty and without anything good, very unpleasant
godly living by the rules of God, very religious
godparent a person who promises to care for a child at baptism
godsend something very helpful that comes at just the right time
goer a person who goes to a particular place regularly
goitre a swelling in the neck from a thyroid problem
gold-mine a place where gold is dug out, or a source of wealth
gold-plated covered with a thin layer of gold
gold-rush a time when many people hurry to find gold
goo a thick sticky substance
good-humoured cheerful and in a pleasant mood
good-naturedly in a kind and friendly way
good-neighbor friendly and helpful to people who live nearby
good-neighbour being kind and helpful to those who live near you
good-sized fairly large
good-tempered not easily made angry, calm and pleasant
goodwill friendly and helpful feelings toward other people
gooey soft, sticky, and wet
goof make a silly mistake
goofy silly and funny in a playful way
gook thick sticky dirty substance
goop a thick sticky messy substance
gooseberry a small green sour fruit that grows on a bush
gopher a small animal that digs tunnels underground
gore blood from wounds, or to wound with horns
gorge a deep narrow valley, or eat too much
gorgeously in a very beautiful and attractive way
gorgonzola a strong Italian cheese with blue marks
gory showing a lot of blood and violence
gospel the teachings of Jesus, or something believed as true
gothic about a dark style in art and buildings with pointed arches
goulash a thick meat soup with spice, from Hungary
gourd a large fruit with a hard shell, used as a container
gourmet someone who knows and loves fine food
governmental about or run by the government
gracefulness the quality of moving in a smooth beautiful way
graceless without grace, clumsy or not polite
gracious kind, polite, and generous
graciously in a kind and polite way
gradation a small change in steps from one level to another
graded arranged by level or quality
gradient how steep a slope is
grading giving marks or arranging by quality
gradual happening slowly over a long time
grafting attaching a piece of one plant onto another
grainy having a rough surface with small pieces
grammar-school a school for children, or a selective secondary school
grammatical relating to the rules of a language
grand-nephew the son of your nephew or niece
grand-niece the daughter of your nephew or niece
grandeur great beauty and impressiveness
grandiose seeming impressive but too large or unrealistic
grandly in an impressive and important way
grandstand rows of seats for watching sports, or acting to impress
granite a very hard grey rock used in building
granola a breakfast food made from oats, nuts, and honey
grant-in-aid money given by the government to help with a project
granting giving or allowing something officially
granulated in the form of small hard grains
grapevine a plant that grapes grow on, or informal news sharing
graphical shown in the form of pictures or graphs
graphically in a very clear and detailed way, or using pictures
grapple struggle to deal with a difficult problem
grappling trying hard to deal with a difficult situation
grasping trying hard to get things, especially money
gratefulness the feeling of being thankful
gratification a feeling of pleasure from getting what you wanted
gratify give someone pleasure or satisfaction
gratifying giving pleasure and satisfaction
grating a frame of metal bars, or an annoying harsh sound
gratis free, without having to pay
gratuitous done without a good reason, unnecessary
gratuity extra money given for good service, a tip
graveside the area next to a grave
gravitation the force that pulls things toward each other
gravitational related to the force that pulls things down
grayish slightly grey in colour
grazing animals eating grass, or lightly touching a surface
greasing putting oil or fat on something to make it smooth
great-aunt the sister of your grandmother or grandfather
great-grandchild the child of your grandchild
great-granddaughter the daughter of your grandchild
great-grandson the son of your grandchild
great-nephew the son of your nephew or niece
great-niece the daughter of your nephew or niece
great-uncle the brother of your grandmother or grandfather
greats famous important people, or main university courses
greed wanting much more than you need
green-eyed feeling jealous, or having green eyes
greenery green plants and leaves
greenfly a tiny green insect that damages plants
greengrocery a shop that sells fruits and vegetables
greenish slightly green in colour
greeter a person who welcomes others when they arrive
gremlin a small imaginary creature that causes problems
grenade a small bomb thrown by hand
grenadine a sweet red syrup used in drinks
greyfaced having a pale tired-looking face
greyhaired having grey or white hair
greyhound a tall thin dog that runs very fast
greyish slightly grey in colour
greyishgreen a colour between grey and green
grid a network of lines crossing each other to form squares
griddle a flat metal surface for cooking food
grief deep sadness, especially when someone dies
grieve feel great sadness, especially about a death
grieved felt very sad about a loss
grieving feeling deep sadness after someone dies
grievous very serious and causing great pain
grilling cooking food over direct heat, or asking hard questions
grim very serious and unpleasant
grime thick black dirt on surfaces
grimly in a very serious and dark way
grimy covered with thick dirty marks
grind to crush something into small pieces or powder
grind away keep working hard at something difficult
grind down slowly make someone tired and weak
grind out produce something with long hard effort
grind up crush something into very small pieces
grinder a machine that crushes things into small pieces
grindstone a round stone used for making tools sharp
gripe complain about something in an annoying way
griping complaining about things in a boring way
gripper something that holds tight
gripping so exciting that you cannot stop reading or watching
grisly causing horror and disgust, very unpleasant
grits a food made from crushed grain, popular in the south of USA
gritty brave and determined, or having small rough pieces
grizzled having grey hair, especially from age
groan make a deep sound because of pain or annoyance
groaning making a low deep sound from pain or effort
groin the area where your legs meet your body
groomsman a man who helps the groom at a wedding
groomsmen men who help the groom at a wedding
grooved having long narrow cuts in the surface
groovy fashionable and exciting
grope feel around in the dark trying to find something
gross very unpleasant, or the total before anything is taken away
grossly very much, in a very bad way
grotesque very ugly and strange in a shocking way
grotto a small pretty cave
ground-level at the same level as the ground outside
ground-nut a peanut, a nut that grows underground
ground-water water found under the surface of the earth
grounding basic knowledge and training in a subject
groundless without any good reason or proof
groundnut a peanut, growing under the ground
grounds the land around a building, or reasons for something
groundwater water under the surface of the earth
groundwork the basic work needed before starting something bigger
groupie a person who follows a famous person or band everywhere
grouse complain about something, or a type of wild bird
grow over become covered by plants growing
grow together become closer over time
grownup an adult person
grub food, or a small fat insect that lives in soil
grudging done without wanting to, unwilling
grudgingly in a way that shows you do not want to do it
grueling extremely tiring and difficult
gruelling extremely difficult and tiring
gruff having a rough deep voice, or not very friendly
gruffly in a rough and unfriendly way
grumbling complaining in a quiet unhappy way
grumpily in a bad-tempered and complaining way
grungy dirty and in bad condition
grunt make a short low sound, like a pig
grunting making short low sounds
guarantor a person who promises to pay if someone else cannot
guaranty a promise to pay if something goes wrong
guard-rail a metal bar that stops people or vehicles from falling
guarded careful about what you say, not revealing much
guardianship the legal responsibility of caring for someone
guardrail a bar to stop people from falling off an edge
guava a tropical fruit with pink or white flesh inside
guerilla a fighter who attacks in small surprise groups
guerrilla a fighter using surprise attacks against a larger force
guess-work trying to find an answer without having enough facts
guesswork finding answers by guessing, not from real knowledge
guffaw a loud burst of laughter
guide-line a rule or piece of advice about how to do something
guideline a rule or suggestion about how to do something
guild a group of people who do the same work or share interests
guillotine a machine with a blade for cutting, used in history
guilt-ridden feeling very guilty about something
guiltily in a way that shows you feel guilty
guinea-pig a small pet animal, or a person used for testing
guise the way something appears on the outside, often hiding truth
gullet the tube from your mouth to your stomach
gullibility being too easy to trick or fool
gullible too ready to believe what people tell you
gully a narrow channel cut into earth by flowing water
gulping swallowing quickly and with difficulty
gum up block or spoil something so it does not work
gum-boots tall rubber boots for walking in wet places
gum-tree a tree that produces a sticky substance
gumdrop a small soft sweet made from sugar
gummy sticky, or having no teeth
gumtree a tree, especially from Australia, that makes sticky liquid
gun down shoot and kill someone
gun-boat a small ship with guns on it
gun-fire the shooting of guns
gunboat a small military ship with weapons
gung-ho too eager and excited about doing something
gunge sticky unpleasant soft substance
gunner a soldier who uses a large gun
gunpoint threatening someone with a gun
gunshot the sound or act of firing a gun
guppy a small colourful fish kept as a pet
gusty with strong sudden bursts of wind
gut feeling a strong sense about something without knowing why
gutless not brave, without courage
guts courage and bravery, or the inside parts of the body
guzzle eat or drink something quickly and greedily
gymnast a person who does difficult body exercises as sport
gymnastic about the sport of body exercises and movements
gynaecologist a doctor for women's health
gynaecology the medical study of women's health
gynecologist a doctor who treats women's health problems
gynecology the area of medicine about women's health
gyrate turn round and round in a circle
gyro a Greek food of meat in bread, or a spinning device
gyroscope a spinning device that helps keep balance and direction

H

habitant a person who lives in a particular place
habitation a place where people live
hack-saw a saw for cutting metal
hacker a person who breaks into computer systems
hacking breaking into computer systems without permission
hacksaw a saw with a thin blade for cutting metal
haddock a type of sea fish often used in cooking
hag an ugly old woman, used in an unkind way
haggard looking very tired and unwell
haggis a Scottish dish made from meat and oats in a casing
haggling arguing about the price of something
haiku a Japanese poem with three lines of five, seven, and five syllables
hair-dye a product that changes the colour of your hair
hair-line the edge where hair starts growing on the head
hair-net a thin net worn over hair to keep it in place
hair-piece false hair worn to cover baldness
hair-raising very frightening and exciting
hair-slide a clip used to hold hair in place
hairball a ball of hair in an animal's stomach
hairdressing the job of cutting and styling hair
hairgrip a small metal clip for holding hair in place
hairless without any hair
hairnet a thin net for keeping hair tidy
hairpiece extra hair worn on the head
hairpin a thin piece of wire for holding hair in place
hairslide a decorative clip for holding hair
hairstylist a person whose job is to cut and style hair
half-and-half in equal parts, half of each
half-hearted done without real effort or interest
half-heartedly without much effort or enthusiasm
half-hourly happening every thirty minutes
half-life the time for half of a substance to break down
half-light dim light, between light and dark
half-mast a flag flown lower than usual to show sadness
half-measure an action that does not fully solve a problem
half-pound a weight equal to about 225 grams
half-year a period of six months
half-yearly happening every six months
halfblind not able to see very well
halfdecaf coffee that is half normal and half without caffeine
halfempty with only half of the space filled
halfhearted without much interest or effort
halflife the time for half of something to break down
halfsister a sister who shares only one parent with you
halleluiah a word of praise and joy used in religion
hallelujah an exclamation of praise and thankfulness
hallmark a typical quality, or a mark showing quality
hallucinate see things that are not really there
halo a circle of light around the head of a holy person
halter a strap around an animal's head for leading it
halting stopping and starting, not smooth
haltingly in a way that stops and starts, not flowing
hamlet a very small village
hammer throw a sport where you throw a heavy ball on a wire
hammered very drunk
hammerhead a shark with a flat wide head shaped like a hammer
hammering hitting something hard many times
hamstring the muscle at the back of your upper leg
hand round give something to each person in a group
hand-grenade a small bomb thrown by hand
hand-held small enough to hold and use in your hand
hand-knit made by knitting with hands, not a machine
hand-knitted made by hand using knitting needles
hand-me-down clothes passed from an older child to a younger one
hand-pick choose very carefully by hand
hand-picked carefully chosen for a special purpose
hand-to-hand fighting very close to the other person
hand-to-mouth having only enough money for basic needs
handcart a small cart pushed or pulled by hand
handclap hitting your hands together once to make a sound
handcraft something made by skilled hands, not machines
handcrafted made carefully by hand, not by machine
handgrip the part you hold with your hand, or how you hold it
handhold something to hold onto for support
handicap something that makes an activity more difficult
handily in a convenient and useful way
handiness being useful and easy to use
handler a person who manages or controls something
handout something given for free, or a printed sheet
handover giving control or responsibility to another person
handpick choose with great care for a special purpose
handpicked very carefully selected
handprint the mark left by pressing a hand on a surface
handrail a bar to hold for support when walking on stairs
hands-down easily and without any doubt
hands-off not getting involved or controlling things
hands-on learning by doing things yourself
handsaw a saw used with one hand for cutting wood
handset the part of a phone you hold, or a remote control
handsomely generously, or in an attractive way
handsomeness the quality of being good-looking
handwork work done by hand, not by machine
hang about wait around doing nothing in particular
hang back not move forward, stay behind because of doubt
hang gliding flying through the air on a large frame with cloth
hang round spend time in a place without doing much
hang together stay united or make sense as a whole
hang-glider a frame with cloth used for flying through the air
hang-up a problem or worry that stops you from feeling free
hangar a large building where planes are kept
hangnail a small piece of skin torn near your fingernail
hangout a place where you spend a lot of free time
hangtag a label attached to a product with information
happen along arrive somewhere by chance
happen in come into a place by chance
harassment behavior that bothers or hurts someone again and again
hard-back a book with a stiff cover
hard-cover a book with a thick stiff cover
hard-earned gained through a lot of work and effort
hard-headed practical and not influenced by feelings
hard-hearted showing no sympathy or kindness
hard-hit seriously affected by something bad
hard-hitting direct and powerful, not avoiding the truth
hard-line very strict and refusing to change
hard-sell a very aggressive way of trying to sell something
hard-to-get pretending not to be interested
hard-to-reach difficult to get to or contact
hard-won achieved only after a lot of hard work and effort
hardback a book with a stiff cover
hardcover a book with a thick firm cover
hardened made tough and no longer affected by things
hardening becoming harder or less sensitive over time
hardhearted not showing care or sympathy for others
hardiness the ability to survive difficult conditions
hardness how firm or tough something is
hardwearing lasting a long time without getting damaged
hardwood strong heavy wood from trees like oak
hardy strong and able to survive difficult conditions
hare-brained silly and not well thought out
hark back talk about or remember something from the past
harmless not able to cause any damage or hurt
harmonic about musical sounds that go well together
harmonious things that go well together and create a nice effect
harmonize make things go well together
harrow a farm tool for breaking up soil
harrowing extremely upsetting and disturbing
harry keep attacking or bothering someone
harsh rough, unpleasant, or too strong
harshly in a cruel or severe way
harshness being very severe or unkind
harvesting gathering food from fields when it is ready
hasidic about a very religious group of Jewish people
hassle something annoying that causes trouble
haste doing things too quickly, in a rush
hasten make something happen faster, or hurry
hastily very quickly, often too quickly
hatchet small tool with a sharp blade for cutting wood
hatching a baby bird coming out of an egg
hats off a way of showing respect or admiration for someone
haughtiness behaving as if you are better than others
haul in pull something heavy toward you
haul up pull something heavy upward
haunch the upper leg and hip area of a person or animal
haunches the area where the legs and hips meet
haunting beautiful and sad, staying in your mind
have down understand something, or have written it
have in invite someone to your home
hay dried grass used as food for animals
hayfield a field where grass is grown to be cut for hay
haywire out of control and not working properly
hazardous dangerous and likely to cause harm
haze thin mist or smoke in the air that makes it hard to see
hazel a light brown colour, or a type of tree with nuts
hazel-nut a small round brown nut from a hazel tree
hazy not clear because of mist, or vague and unclear
head in go into a place
head up lead or be in charge of something
head-office the main building of a company
headachy having or causing a headache
headcount the total number of people who work at a company
header hitting a ball with your head, or text at the top of a page
headlamp a strong light on the front of a car
headland piece of land going out into the sea
headless without a head
headlight the main light on the front of a vehicle
headmaster the male leader of a school
headnoise sounds heard in the head that are not real
headquarter use a place as the main base of an organisation
headquarters the main office of an organisation
headrest the part of a seat that supports your head
headstand standing on your head with your feet in the air
headway progress moving forward
headwear anything worn on the head, like hats
healer a person who helps others recover from illness
health-care medical services that keep people well
healthiness the state of being in good health
heap a large untidy pile of things
heaps a very large amount of something
hearse car that carries a dead person
heartbreaking causing extreme sadness
heartfelt very honest and deeply felt
heat therapy using warmth to treat pain in the body
heat-wave a long period of very hot weather
heave pull or lift something very heavy with great effort
heavy-duty made to be strong and last through hard use
hectare a unit of land equal to 10,000 square metres
hectic very busy and full of activity
hedge a row of bushes forming a barrier, or avoid giving a clear answer
help along help someone make progress
help off help someone remove something
help on help someone put something on
help over help someone get past a difficulty
helpfully in a way that gives useful help
helpfulness the quality of being willing to help
hemisphere one half of the earth or a round shape
hemp a plant used to make rope, cloth, and other products
hence for this reason, therefore
henhouse a small building where chickens live
herbal made from plants used in medicine or cooking
heritage traditions and culture passed down through history
hesitant not sure what to do, slow to act
hesitated stopped for a moment because of feeling unsure
hesitation pausing because you are not sure
hexagon a shape with six straight sides
hierarchical arranged in levels from most to least important
hierarchy a system where people are ranked by importance
highland an area of mountains or high land
hijack take control of a vehicle by force
hilt the handle of a sword or knife
hinder to make it difficult for something to happen
hip thrust an exercise where you push your hips upward
hit it off become friends quickly and easily
hive a home for bees, or a busy active place
hoax a trick that makes people believe something false
holder a person who has something, or a thing for holding objects
holdup a delay, or a robbery with weapons
holocaust a great destruction and loss of life
homeopath a person who treats illness with very small amounts of natural substances
homeopathic about treating illness with tiny amounts of natural things
homeopathy a way of treating illness using very small amounts of natural substances
homeward going toward home
homicide killing of one person by another
hone improve a skill with practice and effort
honeybee a type of bee that makes honey
honorary given as an honour, without the usual requirements
horrid very unpleasant and nasty
horrified feeling very shocked and scared by something bad
horserace a competition where horses run against each other
horseracing the sport of racing horses
hospice a place where dying people are cared for
hospitable friendly and welcoming to visitors
hospitalise send someone to hospital for treatment
hospitality being friendly and generous to guests
hospitalize put someone in hospital for medical care
hostage person kept by force until demands are met
hostile very unfriendly and ready to fight or argue
hotblooded having strong feelings and getting angry easily
hourly happening every hour
housemaster a teacher in charge of a school house or dormitory
hover stay in the air in one place without moving
hugely very much, to a great degree
hum make a low continuous sound with closed lips
humane showing kindness and care for others and animals
humanist a person who believes in the value of human beings
humanitarian about helping people who are suffering
humankind all people in the world together
humbug dishonest talk, or a type of sweet
humiliate make someone feel ashamed and stupid in public
humiliating making you feel very ashamed
humiliation the feeling of being embarrassed and ashamed
humility quality of not being too proud
hungrylooking appearing to be very hungry
hurl throw something with great force
hurtle move very fast in an uncontrolled way
hush make quiet, or a period of silence
hustle move quickly and push, or work hard to earn money
hydrogen very light gas with no color or smell
hymn a religious song sung in church
hyperbole language that exaggerates to make a strong point
hypertension blood pressure that is too high
hyphen a short line (-) used to join words together
hypocrite person who says one thing but does another
hypocritical saying one thing but doing the opposite
hypothesis an idea that has not yet been proved true
hypothetical based on an idea, not on real facts
hysteric a person in an extreme emotional state

I

i beg to differ a polite way to say you disagree
icecap a thick layer of ice covering a large area
icelandic from or about the country of Iceland
iceman a person who works with or delivers ice
ick a sudden bad feeling about someone you liked before
iconic very famous and widely known as a symbol
icu a hospital unit for patients who are very seriously ill
ideally in the best possible way, or if things were perfect
identification proving who you are, or finding what something is
ideology a set of political or social beliefs
idle not working or doing anything
idleness state of doing nothing or being lazy
ignorance not knowing about something important
ignorant not knowing about something, lacking knowledge
illegible too messy or unclear to be read
illiterate not able to read or write
illuminated lit up or made bright with light
imagemaking creating a particular public picture of someone
imagery pictures or descriptions that create images in the mind
imaginable possible to think of in your mind
imaginative good at thinking of new and creative ideas
immeasurable too large or great to measure
immensely to a very great degree
immerse put completely into a liquid, or be deeply involved
immersed deeply involved or covered in liquid
immobile not moving, completely still
immoral not following what society believes is right
immortal living forever, never dying
immortality the state of living forever
immunization giving a person protection against a disease
impactor something that hits or crashes into another thing
impartial treating everyone equally, not taking sides
imperative extremely important and needing to be done now
impermanent not lasting forever, temporary
implementation the process of putting a plan into action
implode collapse inward suddenly and violently
impolitely in a rude way that lacks good manners
imports goods brought in from another country
imposed put on someone as a rule or duty
imposing large and making a strong effect on people
impossibility something that cannot happen or be done
impotence lack of power or ability to act
impractical not sensible or useful in real life
imprecise not exact or accurate
impressionism an art style that uses light and colour to show feelings
impressionist an artist who paints using light and colour effects
imprison put someone in prison
imprisonment being kept in prison as punishment
improbable not likely to happen or be true
improperly in a wrong or unsuitable way
impulse a sudden strong wish to do something
impurity something dirty or harmful mixed into a substance
in-law family member through marriage
inability state of not being able to do something
inaccurate not correct or exact
inactivity doing nothing, not being active
inadequate not enough, or not good enough
inane very silly and without meaning
inanimate not alive, without life
inborn something you have from birth, natural
incense a substance that makes a sweet smell when burned
incentive something that encourages you to do more
incidentally by the way, as a side note
inclination feeling of wanting to do something
incompetent not able to do a job well
incorporate include something as part of a bigger thing
incriminate make someone appear guilty of a crime
incur cause something unpleasant to happen to yourself
incurable not able to be cured or fixed
indebted owing thanks or money to someone
indecent not proper and shocking to other people
indent move text away from the left edge of a page
indescribable too amazing or terrible to describe in words
indicate to show or point to something
indication a sign that shows something is true
indifference lack of interest or care about something
indifferent not caring or interested
indigenous originally from a particular place, native
indignant angry because of something unfair
indignantly in an angry way because something is unfair
indignity treatment that makes you feel ashamed
indispensable so important that you cannot do without it
indulge allow yourself to enjoy something you want
indulgent allowing someone to have what they want
industrious working very hard and with great effort
ineffective not producing the result you want
inequality unfair difference between groups of people
inert not moving or not able to cause a reaction
inexpertly in a way that shows little skill
infect spread disease or harmful things to something
infectious able to spread disease from person to person
inference a conclusion you reach based on what you know
inferior lower in quality or position than something else
infidelity being unfaithful to a partner or promise
infinite without any end or limit
infinitely without any limit or end at all
inflammation swelling, redness, and pain in part of the body
inflammatory making people angry, or causing swelling in the body
inflate fill with air to make bigger
inflation when prices keep going up over time
inflexible not willing to change, or not able to bend
influential having the power to change how people think
influenza a serious illness like a bad cold with fever
infrared light that gives heat but cannot be seen
infringe break a rule or take away someone's rights
infringement breaking a rule or someone's rights
inhabit live in a place
inheritance money or things you get when someone in your family dies
inhibition a feeling that stops you from doing what you want
initiate start something new
initiative plan or action to fix a problem
innate born with, a natural quality you always had
innocence state of not having done anything wrong
innocently in a way that shows no harmful intent
innovation a new idea or way of doing things
innovative using new and creative ideas
inpatient person staying in hospital for treatment
inquest an official examination to find the cause of a death
inquisitive wanting to know about everything, curious
insecure not feeling safe or confident about yourself
insecurity feeling of not being safe or sure
insensitive not caring about other people's feelings
inseparable always together, impossible to separate
insight a sudden clear grasp of what something really means
insignificant too small or unimportant to matter
insincere not meaning what you say, fake
installment one part of a payment made over time
instinct a natural feeling that tells you what to do
instinctively in a natural way without needing to think
institution important group or building in a country
institutional about large organisations like hospitals or schools
instruct tell someone what to do, or teach them
instructional designed to teach or give information
instructive teaching you something useful
insufficient not enough for what is needed
intact not broken or damaged, still whole
integer whole number that is not a fraction
integrated joined together to work as one whole thing
intellectuals people who spend time thinking about ideas
intelligible able to be understood clearly
intensive care special hospital treatment for very sick people
intent having a firm plan to do something, or great focus
intently with close attention and full focus
interface point where two systems or people meet and work together
interfere get involved when you are not wanted
interior the inside part of something
internally on the inside, within something
internship a period of work experience for a student
interpersonal about relationships between people
interpretive explaining or giving the meaning of something
interrogation act of asking many serious questions
interruption something that stops an activity for a short time
intervention getting involved to change a situation
intimacy state of being very close with someone
intimate very close and personal
intimidate to frighten someone so they do what you want
intimidating making someone feel afraid or less sure
intolerance not accepting people who are different
intolerant not willing to accept others who are different
intoxicated drunk or under the effect of a substance
intransitive a verb that does not need an object after it
intrapersonal happening within one person's own mind
intravenous put directly into a vein in the body
intricate having many small parts that are hard to follow
intrigue make very curious, or a secret plan
intriguing very interesting and making you want to know more
intrude enter a place or situation where you are not welcome
intruder a person who enters a place without permission
intrusion entering where you are not wanted
intuitive understanding things naturally without being taught
invader a person or army that enters a place by force
invariable never changing, always the same
invariably always, without ever changing
invasive spreading in a harmful way that is hard to stop
inventive good at thinking of new and clever ideas
inverter a device that changes one type of electric current to another
investing putting money into something to make more
invincible too strong or powerful to be beaten
invisible not able to be seen
invitingly in a way that makes you want to come closer
invoke use a rule or power, or call for help
involvement taking part in something
iranian from or about the country of Iran
iraqi from or about the country of Iraq
iris the coloured part of your eye, or a purple flower
ironical meaning the opposite of what is said
ironically in a way that is opposite to what you would expect
irrational not based on logic or reason
irrelevant not connected to or important for what is being discussed
irreplaceable too special or valuable to be replaced
irresistible too attractive or strong to say no to
irresistibly in a way that is impossible to resist
irresponsible not thinking about what could go wrong
irretrievable impossible to get back or fix
irritation the feeling of being annoyed
islam the religion followed by Muslims
islamabad the capital city of Pakistan
islamic about the religion and culture of Muslims
islander a person who lives on an island
islet a very small island
isolate separate from others
isolated far from other places or people, alone
isolating making someone feel alone and cut off
israeli from or about the country of Israel
israelite a person from the ancient people of Israel
italic letters that lean to the right in printed text
italics text printed leaning to the right for emphasis
iv drip a device that puts liquid medicine directly into a vein
ivy a green climbing plant that grows on walls

J

jab a quick push or hit, or a medical injection
jack up lift something heavy, or increase a price
jack-in-the-box a toy where a figure jumps out of a box
jackal a wild animal like a dog found in Africa and Asia
jackpot the biggest prize in a game or lottery
jacuzzi a bath with bubbles of air moved by a machine
jailbreak escaping from prison
jailer a person who watches over prisoners
jailhouse a building where prisoners are kept
jailor a person in charge of keeping prisoners
jamming pushing something tightly, or playing music freely
jammy lucky, or covered with jam
jasmin a plant with small sweet-smelling white flowers
jasmine a plant with sweet-smelling white flowers
javanese from or about the island of Java
javelin a long pointed stick thrown in sports
jawline the shape of the lower edge of your face
jay-walker a person who crosses a road in a dangerous way
jaywalk cross a road where it is not safe or allowed
jaywalker a person who crosses a road carelessly
jazz-band a group of musicians who play jazz music
jazzman a musician who plays jazz
jazzy bright and exciting, or in a jazz style
jealously in a way that shows you want what others have
jeep a strong vehicle for driving over rough ground
jeez a word showing surprise or annoyance
jelly-fish a sea creature with a soft body that can sting
jemima a personal name for a woman
jenny a female donkey, or a personal name
jeopardise put something in danger of being lost or harmed
jeopardize put something at risk of being damaged
jericho an ancient city in the Middle East
jerking moving with sudden sharp pulls
jerky moving in sudden sharp movements, or dried meat
jesse a personal name
jet-black completely and very deeply black
jet-fighter a fast military plane
jetfighter a very fast military aircraft
jetliner a large passenger plane with jet engines
jetport an airport designed for jet aircraft
jetty a small structure built out into water for boats
jewel-box a small box for keeping precious stones
jewel-case a container for keeping precious stones or a CD
jeweler a person who makes or sells precious stones and metals
jiffy a very short moment of time
jig a lively dance, or a device that holds something in place
jig-saw a picture cut into small pieces to put together
jiggle shake something gently from side to side
jiggly shaking or moving slightly
jigsaw a picture puzzle cut into pieces
jingle a short simple tune, or a light ringing sound
jinx something that brings bad luck
jobless without a job, not employed
jock a person who loves sports, or a Scottish man
jockey a person who rides horses in races
joey a young kangaroo carried in its mother's pouch
jogger a person who runs slowly for exercise
johnstown a city in the eastern United States
join up become a member, especially of the military
joiner a worker who makes doors, windows and stairs from wood
jointly done together by two or more people
joker a person who tells jokes, or a special playing card
jokingly in a funny way, not being serious
joky meant to be funny
jollier more cheerful and happy
jolly happy and cheerful
jordanian from or about the country of Jordan
jot write something quickly and briefly
jotter a small notebook for quick notes
joy-ride driving a stolen car for fun
joyfulness the feeling of being very happy
joyride a dangerous drive taken for excitement
judaism the religion of the Jewish people
jude a personal name
judged formed an opinion or decided something officially
judging forming an opinion about something or someone
juggle throw and catch several things at the same time
juggler a person who throws and catches objects for entertainment
jugoslav from the former country of Yugoslavia
jugoslavian about the former country of Yugoslavia
juicer a machine for getting juice out of fruits
juke-box a machine that plays music when you put in a coin
jukebox a machine in a public place that plays songs
jumble a messy mix of different things
jumbled mixed up in a messy way
jumbo very large in size
jumpsuit clothing that covers the whole body in one piece
jumpy nervous and easily scared
jupiter the largest planet in our solar system
juror a member of a jury who decides a court case
justifying showing that something is right or reasonable
jutland a peninsula in northern Europe, part of Denmark

K

kabob pieces of meat cooked on a stick over fire
kale a dark green leafy vegetable that is very healthy
kalimantan the part of the island of Borneo belonging to a country in Asia
kaliningrad a Russian city on the Baltic Sea
kampuchea a former name for the country of Cambodia
kanban a system for managing work in steps
karnataka a state in southern India
kart a small low racing vehicle with no roof
karting racing small low vehicles as a sport
kazakh from or about the country of Kazakhstan
keeper a person who takes care of something
kerosene a type of oil used as fuel for lamps and heating
keyhole the hole where you put a key to open a lock
keynote main idea or central theme of something
keystroke pressing one key on a keyboard
kickstart make something start quickly and with energy
kidnap to take a person away by force and keep them
kidney one of two body parts that clean your blood
kilowatt a unit measuring 1000 watts of electrical power
kilt a skirt-like clothing worn by men in Scotland
kindlooking appearing to be gentle and caring
kneel go down on your knees
knitwear clothing made by knitting, like sweaters
knocker a metal piece on a door for knocking
knowingly doing something while understanding what it means
korean from or about the country of Korea

L

laden carrying a heavy load
lamplight the soft light from a lamp
lampshade a cover over a light to make it softer
lance a long pointed weapon used by knights on horses
landing the act of arriving on the ground, or a floor between stairs
landlady a woman who rents rooms or buildings to people
landmark a famous building or place, or an important event
landslide a large mass of earth falling down a hill
lark a small bird that sings, or a fun adventure
lash hit with a whip, or an eyelash
lastly used to introduce the final point
latency time between an action and its result
lats the large muscles on the sides of your back
laughable so bad or silly that it makes you want to laugh
laughteryoga a type of exercise combining laughter and breathing
lavish giving or spending in very large amounts
lawmaker a person who helps create new laws
lawsuit a legal case brought to a court by one person against another
lay off to stop employing workers for a time
layabout a lazy person who does not work
layover short stop during a long trip
lead off begin or start something
lead on trick someone into believing something false
lead up to the events that happen before something important
leadership being the person in charge of a group
leaflet a small piece of paper with information
lean mass the weight of your body without fat
lecturer a teacher at a university or college
ledge a narrow flat surface that sticks out from a wall or cliff
left-over food remaining after a meal
left-wing having political views that support social equality
leftist a person with political views favouring social equality
lefty a person who uses their left hand more, or has left politics
leg-up help to improve your position
legalise make something allowed by law
legislate make or pass laws
legislative about making laws
legislator a person who makes laws in a government
legislature the group of people who make laws
legitimate allowed by law, or fair and reasonable
legwear clothing for the legs, like trousers and tights
leisurely done in a relaxed way without hurrying
lemme informal way to say let me
lengthen make something longer
lengthy very long, taking a lot of time
lest for fear that, in case something bad happens
let by allow someone to pass
let off not punish someone, or release pressure
let on tell a secret or show that you know something
let up become less strong or stop
let-go allow someone to leave a job
let-in allow to enter
letdown a disappointment
lethal able to cause death
letterbox a box where letters are delivered
letterhead the name and address printed at the top of a letter
lettering the style of written or printed letters
letting go stopping to hold onto something
lever a bar used to lift heavy things
liability legal responsibility, or something that causes problems
liberal-minded open to new ideas and accepting differences
liberated freed from control or old-fashioned ideas
liberating making you feel free
liberian from or about the country of Liberia
liberties freedoms and rights
libra a star sign, or a unit of weight
lice tiny insects that live on the body or in hair
licenced having official permission to do something
licensed having an official document allowing you to do something
licking moving the tongue over something
licorice a black sweet made from a plant root
lie along be in a flat position along something
lie in stay in bed longer than usual in the morning
lie out be in a flat position outside
lie over stay somewhere during a break in a journey
lie up stay in bed because of illness
lieutenant a military officer of middle rank
life-and-death extremely serious and important
life-buoy a ring that floats to save someone in water
life-insurance a plan that pays money when someone dies
life-jacket a special top that keeps you floating in water
life-like looking very real and natural
life-line a rope used to save someone, or something very important
life-saver someone or something that saves your life or helps greatly
life-saving preventing death or giving critical help
life-size the same size as the real thing
life-sized made to be the same size as in real life
life-span how long something or someone lives
life-threatening so dangerous it could cause death
lifebelt a ring worn around the body to keep floating in water
lifeboat a boat used to rescue people at sea
lifebuoy a floating ring thrown to save someone in water
lifeless without life, dead or very still
lifeline something extremely important for survival
lift off rise into the air, especially a rocket or plane
lift-truck a vehicle for lifting and moving heavy things
lifter a person or device that lifts things
lifting straps bands worn on the wrists to help hold heavy weights
liftoff the moment when a spacecraft leaves the ground
light out leave a place quickly
light-headed feeling dizzy and not steady
light-hearted fun and not serious
light-weight not heavy, or not very important
light-year the distance light travels in one year
lightbulb a glass object that produces light from electricity
lightening making something lighter or less dark
lighthearted happy and not worried
lightness the quality of being light in weight or colour
lightning-bug a small insect that glows in the dark
lightning-like as fast and sudden as lightning
lightning-strike a sudden action without warning
lights out the time when lights are turned off for sleeping
lightweight not heavy, or not very serious
like-minded sharing the same ideas and opinions
likelihood how probable something is to happen
likewise in the same way, also
lilac a light purple colour, or a bush with purple flowers
limber up stretch your body to get ready for exercise
limbering-up doing stretches to prepare for physical activity
lime-juice liquid from a small green citrus fruit
lime-tree a tree that produces small green citrus fruits
limeade a drink made from lime juice, sugar, and water
limelight being the centre of public attention
limestone a type of light-coloured rock
limiting putting controls on how much of something is allowed
line out form a line, or hit a ball that goes straight
line-up a group of people or things arranged in a row
liner a large ship for passengers, or something that lines
linesman a person who watches for rules at the side of a field
ling a type of heather plant, or a type of fish
linger stay somewhere longer than needed
lingerie women's underwear and night clothes
lingo a language or special words used by a group
linguist person who studies or knows languages well
linguistic about language and how it works
link up connect or join together
linking connecting things together
links connections, or a type of golf course by the sea
lino a hard floor covering, short for linoleum
lint tiny pieces of thread or cloth
lioness a female lion
lipless without lips
liqueur a sweet strong alcoholic drink
liquidizer a machine that turns food into a smooth liquid
liquify turn a solid into a liquid
liquor strong alcoholic drinks
liquorice a black sweet made from a plant root
lira the money once used in Italy and Turkey
listen in listen to a conversation secretly
listen out pay attention for a particular sound
listenable pleasant to listen to
litchi a small sweet tropical fruit with a rough skin
literacy the ability to read and write
literal using the exact meaning of words
literate able to read and write
litter rubbish left in a public place
litter-bin a container for throwing away rubbish in public
little-known not famous or well known
livable good enough to live in
live down make people forget something embarrassing you did
live out spend the rest of your life in a certain way
live up enjoy life with lots of fun and excitement
live up to be as good as people expected
live-in living in the place where you work
live-stock farm animals kept for food or products
liveable suitable and comfortable to live in
liveliness the quality of being full of energy and fun
liven make more exciting and active
living-space the area in a home for daily activities
llama a large South American animal with soft wool
load balancing sharing work equally between systems
loaning lending something to someone
lob throw or hit something slowly in a high curve
locale the particular place where something happens
locality the area around a particular place
loch a Scottish word for a lake
locust flying insect that eats and kills plants
log-book a book for recording events or information
log-cabin a small house made from tree trunks
logging cutting down trees for wood
logicalmathematical about thinking with numbers and reason
logistics the detailed planning of a complex operation
logotype a special design used as the symbol of a company
loin the part of the body between ribs and hips, or a cut of meat
lolly a sweet on a stick, or money in informal talk
londoner a person who lives in London
loner a person who prefers to be alone
lonesome feeling sad because of being alone
long-ago in the distant past
long-awaited waited for over a long time
longdistance covering or reaching a great distance
longed-for wanted very much for a long time
longer-term over a greater period of time
longing a strong feeling of wanting something very much
longish fairly long
longitude the position east or west on the earth measured in degrees
look down on think you are better than someone else
loosely not tightly, in a free way
loot things stolen during a fight or crime
lotus a beautiful water flower important in Asian cultures
loud-hailer a device that makes your voice louder
loudness how loud a sound is
lounger a comfortable chair for lying back in
lounging sitting or lying in a relaxed lazy way
lovable easy to love and feel warm toward
love-affair a romantic relationship, often secret
love-bird a small colourful bird, or someone in love
love-making having a physical romantic relationship
love-seat a small sofa for two people
lovebird a small parrot, or someone deeply in love
loveseat a small couch for two people to sit close together
lovey a word of love, like darling
lovey-dovey showing too much love in public
low-cost cheap, not expensive
low-down the important truth about something
low-end the cheapest and simplest type
low-flying flying close to the ground
low-grade of poor quality or low level
low-income earning not much money
low-key quiet and not attracting much attention
low-level not very high in position or amount
low-lying close to the ground or sea level
low-paid getting very little money for work
low-pressure not needing much force or stress
low-price not costing much money
low-rise a building with few floors
low-risk not likely to cause problems or danger
low-skilled not needing much training or learning
low-tech using simple tools, not modern technology
lowdown the true facts about something
lowfat with very little fat in it
lowland flat land that is not high above the sea
lowquality not made well, not good
lucrative bringing a lot of money
lumpy having hard pieces that stick out
lunatic a person who acts in a very crazy way
lure to lead someone somewhere by offering something nice
lurk to wait in a hidden place, often for bad reasons
lush growing very green and thick
lust a very strong feeling of wanting something badly
luxurious very beautiful, comfortable and expensive

M

mac a coat that keeps rain off you
machinery machines as a group, or the parts of a machine
madame a polite way to speak to a woman
madden to make someone very angry
madman man who acts in a wild and crazy way
madness very foolish or crazy behaviour
maestro a great and skilled music leader
magnetic having the power to pull metal toward it
magnify to make something look bigger than it is
magnitude great size or importance of something
maiden young woman who has not been married
mainland main area of land, not including the islands
mainstream ideas and ways that most people in a society follow
majesty great and impressive beauty or power
make out to see or understand something with difficulty
malady a disease or illness
malaria a serious illness from a small flying insect bite
malay from or about a people of South East Asia
malaysian from or about a country in South East Asia
malaysianborn born in a South East Asian country near Thailand
malice wish to cause pain or harm to others
malicious wanting to hurt other people on purpose
malt grain used to make beer or whisky
mangrove tree that grows in salty water near the coast
manipulate to control someone or something in a clever, unfair way
manned having people working inside or on it
manufacturing the making of goods in large numbers in a factory
mar to damage or spoil the beauty of something
margin the space at the side of a page, or a small difference
marginalized pushed to the edge and given less importance
marital relating to the relationship between husband and wife
martial about war or fighting
martian from or about the red planet near Earth
masked wearing something over the face
masonry building work done with stone or brick
massacre the killing of many people at one time
masseur a person whose job is pressing the body to reduce pain
massively in a very big or great way
masterpiece a work of art that is the best of its kind
mastery great skill or full control of something
matchmaker someone who tries to bring two people together for love
mathematical about or using numbers and shapes
maturity the state of being fully grown or developed
mausoleum a large stone building for keeping dead bodies
measured careful and controlled, not too fast
mechanically done by or like a machine, without thinking
mechanics study of how forces make things move
medallion large round piece of metal worn on a chain
meddle to get involved in what is not your business
mediation helping two sides in a fight reach an agreement
mediator a person who helps two sides agree
medically in a way that is about health or doctors
mediocre not very good, just average
mediumsized not big and not small
melody a nice set of musical notes, a tune
mentality way of thinking about things
mentor an older, experienced person who helps and teaches you
merciful showing kindness to those who suffer
mercury heavy silver liquid metal or the closest planet
merger when two companies join together to become one
messenger a person who carries a message to someone
metabolism how your body changes food into energy
metallic looking or sounding like metal
metaphor a way of describing something by comparing it to another thing
meteorite a rock from space that falls to Earth
meth short name for a very harmful drug
metric using the system of measuring based on tens
metropolitan relating to a large city and its area
micro very, very small
microbe a very tiny living thing you cannot see
microchip a very small part inside a computer
microcomputer a small personal computer
microorganism a very tiny living thing only seen through special glass
microscopic so small you cannot see it without special tools
microscopy the use of tools to look at very small things
midafternoon the middle of the time between lunch and evening
middleman a person who buys from one and sells to another
midst in the middle of something
midwife a person trained to help women have babies
mighty very strong and powerful
migrant a person who moves to another place or country
migrate to move from one place to another to live
migration moving from one place to another
migratory moving from one place to another with seasons
militant ready to use strong or violent action for a cause
milkman a man who brings milk to houses
millennium a period of one thousand years
miller a person who works in a place that makes flour
mimic to copy how someone talks or moves
minded having a certain way of thinking
mindful thinking carefully about something
mindfulness giving full attention to the present moment
miniaturisation making things much smaller than before
minibus a small bus for a few people
minimise to make as small or little as possible
mining digging into the ground to get useful materials
ministry a part of government that handles one area of work
miraculous so wonderful it seems impossible
mirth happy laughing and fun
misconception a wrong idea or belief about something
mismatched not going well together, not fitting
missile a weapon that flies through the air to hit a target
mistaken wrong about something, having the wrong idea
mistreat to be cruel or unfair to someone
mistrustful not trusting, feeling that someone may not be honest
mob large angry crowd of people
mobility the ability to move or be moved easily
mockup simple model of something not yet finished
mode a way or style of doing something
modernisation the act of making something more up to date
modernize to make something more new and up to date
modification a small change made to improve something
mogul a very rich and powerful person in business
moldmould a soft green or white growth on old food
momentarily for a very short time
momentary lasting only a very short time
monastery a place where religious men live and pray together
monetary related to money or how money is used
monopoly when one company controls all of something
monorail a train that runs on one line above the ground
mood swing a quick change in how you feel
moonless without any light from the moon
moonscape a view of land that looks empty like the moon
moped a small, light motorbike
morality ideas about what is right and wrong
morally in a way that is about right and wrong
morals ideas about what is right and wrong behaviour
morn an old or short way to say morning
mortal a living being that will die one day
mortar a mix used to hold bricks together, or a heavy gun
mortify to make someone feel very ashamed
motherinlaw the mother of your husband or wife
motivating making you want to try harder
motocross racing on rough ground using a two-wheeled vehicle
motorcycling riding a big two-wheel motor vehicle as a sport
motorist a person who drives a car
mould a soft growth on old food, or a shaped container
mournful very sad, showing grief
moustached having hair growing above the top lip
mover a person or company that helps carry things to a new home
moving causing strong feelings of sadness or care
mull to think about something slowly and carefully
mullet hair style short in front and long in back
multifaith including many different religions
multigenerational including people of many different ages in a family
multilingual able to speak many languages
multitask to do several things at the same time
murdered killed on purpose by another person
murmur to speak very quietly and softly
muscle fiber a thin thread-like part inside a body part that moves
mustachemoustache hair that grows above the top lip
mutability the ability to change or be changed
mutable able to be changed
mutter to speak quietly so others can hardly hear
mutton meat from a fully grown sheep
mysteriously in a strange way that is hard to explain
mystic a person who tries to reach God through prayer and thought
mystify to confuse someone very much
mythology old stories about gods, heroes, and magic

N

nag to keep asking or telling someone to do something
nagging complaining or asking for something again and again
naive too trusting because you lack experience
narcissistic loving yourself too much and caring little about others
narrator the person who tells a story
narrowly only just, by a very small amount
nationwide across the whole country
naturalist a person who studies plants and animals
naval about a country's ships of war
navigate to find the way to go somewhere
neatly in a clean and tidy way
necessity something you must have or need
needlessly in a way that is not needed
negatively in a bad or harmful way
negligence not taking enough care about something
neighbourly friendly and helpful to people who live near you
networking meeting people to share ideas and help each other in work
neurologist doctor who treats the body's signal system
neurosis a mental problem causing worry and fear
neutralise to stop something from having any effect
newlywed a person who just got married
newness the state of being new and fresh
newsboy a young person who sells or brings newspapers
newscaster a person who reads the news on TV or radio
newsstand a small shop that sells newspapers and magazines
newsworthy interesting enough to be in the news
nineteenthcentury from the years between 1800 and 1899
nobility people of the highest social class, or fine character
noble having high moral character, or from a rich and powerful family
nobleman a man from a high social class
noiselessly without making any sound
nomad a person who moves from place to place, having no fixed home
nominate to suggest someone for a job or prize
nominee a person who is chosen to possibly get a job or prize
nonbeliever a person who does not believe in a religion
nonbritish not from or about Britain
noncombative not wanting to fight
nonfamily not related to or part of a family group
nonfiction writing that is about real facts, not made-up stories
noninvasive not going inside the body, causing little harm
nonitalian not from or about Italy
nonmissionaries people who do not travel to teach their religion
nonprofessional not done as a paid job, or not by a trained person
nonsensical having no meaning, silly and foolish
nonwoollen not made of sheep hair material
noose a ring made of rope that gets tighter when pulled
norm usual way of doing things in a group or society
normalize to make something normal or standard
norms usual rules and ways of doing things in a society
northward toward the direction of north
norwegian from or about a cold country in northern Europe
nostalgia happy-sad feeling about the past
nostril one of the two holes in your nose
nosy too interested in other people's private things
notably in a way that is important and worth attention
notch a small cut shaped like a V on a surface
notepaper paper used for writing letters or notes
noticeably in a way that is easy to see or notice
nought the number zero
nourish to give food and care needed to grow and be healthy
nourishment food and care needed to live and grow
novelty something new and unusual, or the quality of being new
npc a person who seems to have no thoughts of their own
nubian from or about an old group of people in North Africa
nugget a small piece of gold, or a small bit of food
nuisance a person or thing that causes trouble or annoyance
nuke to attack with a powerful bomb, or to heat food quickly
numb unable to feel anything in a part of your body
numeracy the ability to understand and work with numbers
numerical about or shown in numbers
nurture to care for and help someone or something grow
nutmeg a brown seed used to add taste to food
nutritional about the good things in food for health
nutshell the hard outside cover of a nut, or in short

O

oases more than one green place with water in a desert
oasis a green place with water in a desert
oath a serious promise, often made in front of others
obedience doing what you are told to do
obedient willing to do what you are told
obediently in a way that follows what you are told to do
obese very fat in a way that is bad for health
obesity state of being very fat in a way that harms health
obituary a written notice about someone who has died
objectively in a fair way, not letting feelings change your thinking
obligatory that you must do because of a rule or law
oblige to force someone to do something, or to help willingly
obliged feeling you must do something, or thankful
obliging willing and happy to help
obliques muscles on the sides of your stomach area
obliterate to destroy completely, leaving nothing
oblivious not knowing or noticing what is around you
oblong a shape that is longer than it is wide, like a box
obnoxious very rude, unpleasant and annoying
oboe a long thin musical instrument you blow into
observable that can be seen or noticed
observant quick to notice things around you
observatory building for looking at stars
observer a person who watches something carefully
obsession when you cannot stop thinking about something
obsessive thinking too much about one thing
obsolete no longer used because something better exists
obstinate not willing to change your mind
obstruct to block a path or stop something from moving forward
obstructing blocking or getting in the way of something
obstruction something that blocks the way or stops progress
obtainable that can be got or reached
obtaining getting something you want or need
occupier a person who lives in or takes control of a place
occur to happen or take place
occurrence something that happens, an event
ocd a condition where you repeat actions because of worry
oceanic about or from the very large seas
octagon a flat shape with eight sides
octave eight notes in music from one sound to the next same sound
off and on sometimes, not all the time
off-duty not working at your job right now
off-limits not allowed to go there or do that
off-line not connected to the internet
off-load to take goods off a truck, ship or plane
off-peak at a time when fewer people use something
off-road away from normal roads, on rough ground
off-season the time of year when fewer people visit or play
off-shore in the sea, away from the land
off-site not at the main place of work
off-white a colour that is almost white but slightly yellow
offended feeling hurt or angry because of something said or done
offender a person who breaks the law
offending causing anger, hurt or problems
offering something that is given or presented
offhand without thinking or preparing first
offshore in the sea, not on land
offside in a wrong place on the field in a sport
offspring child or children of a person or animal
ogre a big, ugly and scary being in stories
oil-painting a picture made using oil colours
oil-tanker a very large ship that carries oil
oil-well a deep hole in the ground to get oil from
oiled covered with oil to work smoothly
oilfield an area of land where oil is found under the ground
old-age the time of life when you are old
old-time from or like a time long ago
olympia a place in ancient Greece where games were held
olympiad a period of four years between the world sport games
omission leaving something out that should be there
omit to leave something out, not include it
omitted left out, not included
on cloud nine in a state of perfect happiness after very good news
on edge feeling nervous and worried
on-board on or inside a ship, plane or vehicle
on-duty working at your job right now
on-off happening sometimes but not always
on-screen shown on a TV, computer or phone screen
on-site at the place where work is happening
on-the-go while moving or very busy
on-the-job while doing your work
oncologist doctor who treats harmful growths in the body
oncoming coming toward you
one-man done by only one person
one-off happening only once, not repeated
one-on-one between just two people
one-piece made as a single whole part
one-rep max the most weight you can lift one time
one-sided unfair, with one side much stronger
one-stop a place where you can get everything you need
one-time happening only once, or from before
one-to-one between just two people, private
onetime that happened once or was true before
ongoing still happening and not finished yet
onlooker a person who watches something happen
onscreen shown on a TV or computer screen
onset the start or beginning of something
open out to become wider or bigger
open-minded willing to think about new ideas
opinionmaker a person whose ideas change what others think
opposing against, on the other side
oppressed treated in a cruel and unfair way by those in power
opt in to choose to join or take part in something
opt out to choose not to take part in something
optical related to sight or how we see things
optician a person whose job is to test eyes and sell glasses
optimal the best possible, most helpful
optimism a belief that good things will happen
optimize to make something work as well as possible
optional not needed, you can choose to do it or not
orally by speaking, through the mouth
orangutan a large ape with long red hair from South East Asia
orator a person who speaks very well in front of others
orbital moving in a circle around something
orbiting going around something in a circle in space
orc an ugly, dangerous being in fantasy stories
orchestral about a large group of musicians playing together
orchid a beautiful and colourful flower
order about to keep telling someone what to do in a bossy way
order out to tell someone to leave a place
order-form a paper you fill in to buy something
orders instructions telling someone what to do
oregano a green plant used to add taste to food
organically grown without chemicals, or in a natural way
organisational about how things are planned and arranged
oriental from or about the eastern part of the world
orientation direction something faces or general way of thinking
origami the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes
originality the quality of being new and different
orion a group of stars that looks like a person in the sky
ornament a pretty thing used to make a place look nice
orphaned left without parents because they have died
oswald a family name, often connected to a famous person
ottoman a soft seat with no back, or about a past Turkish power
ounce a small unit of weight, about 28 grams
out-of-bounds outside the allowed area
out-of-date no longer useful or true, too old
out-of-door outside, not inside a building
out-of-doors outside a building, in the open air
out-of-focus not clear or sharp when you look at it
out-of-pocket paying with your own money
out-of-print a book that is no longer being made
out-of-service not working or available right now
out-of-step not moving or thinking the same as others
out-of-stock not available to buy right now, sold out
out-of-the-way far from other places, hard to reach
out-of-town away from the centre of a city
out-of-tune not at the right musical sound
out-of-use no longer being used
out-of-work without a job
out-patient a sick person who visits a hospital but does not stay
out-tray a box on a desk for papers that are done
outage a time when power or service stops working
outboard a small engine on the back of a boat
outbound going away from a place, leaving
outbreak the sudden start of something bad like war or disease
outbuilding a small building near a main house
outburst a sudden strong showing of feeling
outcast a person not accepted by a group
outdated old and no longer useful or modern
outdid past form of doing better than someone else
outdistance to go much further ahead than others
outdo to do better than someone else
outdone beaten by someone who did better
outermost the furthest from the centre or inside
outerwear clothes worn on top of other clothes outside
outfield the outer part of a sports field
outgrew past form of growing too big for something
outgrow to grow too big or old for something
outgrown having become too big or old for something
outhouse a small building outside the main house
outing a short trip for fun
outlast to last longer than something or someone else
outlook what you think will happen, or a view from a place
outnumber to be more in number than another group
outpace to move or grow faster than others
outpatient a person who gets treatment at hospital without staying
outperform to do better than others
outplay to play better than the other team or person
outpost a small place far from the main area
outrage a very strong feeling of anger and shock
outraged feeling very angry and shocked
outrageous very shocking and not acceptable
outran past form of running faster than someone
outreach the act of bringing help or services to people
outright completely and totally
outrun to run faster than someone and leave them behind
outrunning running faster than someone else
outscore to get more points than the other team
outsell to sell more than someone or something else
outshine to be much better or brighter than others
outsize bigger than the normal size
outskirts the outer parts of a town or city
outsmart to be more clever than someone and beat them
outsold past form of selling more than others
outspoken saying what you think in a very direct way
outstretched spread out as far as possible
outtake a part of a film or show that was cut out
outwardly on the outside, how something looks to others
outwit to trick or beat someone by being more clever
oval a shape like an egg, round but longer
ovary a part of the female body that makes eggs
ovation long and loud clapping to show you liked something
oven-dried made dry by using heat from a cooking box
ovenproof safe to use inside a hot cooking box
ovenware dishes that can be used in a hot cooking box
over the moon extremely happy about something that has just happened
over-active too busy or moving too much
over-the-counter medicine you can buy without a doctor's note
overact to act with too much feeling, not natural
overactive working or moving more than is normal
overalls loose clothes that cover your body for dirty work
overate past form of eating too much food
overboil to boil too long or too much
overbook to sell more places than are available
overbridge a bridge that goes over a road or train line
overcame past form of successfully dealing with a problem
overcharge to ask for too much money for something
overcharged asked to pay too much money
overconfidence believing too much in your own ability
overconfident too sure of yourself and your abilities
overcook to cook food for too long
overcooked cooked for too long
overcrowding too many people in one place
overdid past form of doing too much of something
overdo to do something too much
overdoing doing something too much right now
overdone done too much, or cooked too long
overdose taking too much of a drug or medicine
overdrank past form of drinking too much
overdraw to take more money from your bank than you have
overdrawn having taken more money than was in your bank
overdress to wear clothes that are too nice for the event
overdrew past form of taking too much money from your bank
overdrink to drink more than is good for you
overdrive a state of working much harder than normal
overdue late, should have happened or been done before now
overestimate to think something is bigger or better than it really is
overfed given too much food
overfeed to give too much food
overfill to put too much in something
overfull too full, with no room for more
overgrew past form of plants growing too much
overground above the surface of the earth, not under it
overgrow to grow too much and cover everything
overgrown covered with plants that have grown too much
overhaul to look at something carefully and fix all its parts
overhauled checked and fixed completely
overheads the regular costs of running a business
overhear to hear what others say when they do not know you listen
overheard past form of hearing others when not meant to
overheat to become too hot
overheating becoming too hot
overkill much more than what is needed
overland across the land, not by sea or air
overlap to cover part of the same area or time
overlapping partly covering the same space or time
overload to put too much on or in something
overlook to not notice, or to have a view over something
overoptimistic hoping too much that things will be good
overpaid given more money than the work is worth
overpass a road or bridge that goes over another road
overpay to pay more money than something is worth
overplay to give too much importance to something
overpopulated having too many people living in one area
overpopulation when there are too many people in a place
overpowering very strong, hard to fight against
overprice to set a price that is too high
overqualified having more skills or learning than a job needs
overran past form of spreading over an area in large numbers
overrate to think something is better than it really is
overrated thought to be better than it really is
overreact to show too much feeling about something small
overreaction a response that is too strong for the situation
overriding more important than anything else
overripe too soft and old to eat, past its best time
overrule to use power to change someone else's decision
overrun to spread over in large numbers, taking control
oversaw past form of watching and being in charge of work
oversea in or to another country across the water
oversee to watch and be in charge of work or a process
overseen past form of being watched and managed by someone
oversensitive too easily hurt or upset by things
overshadow to make something seem less important
overshoot to go past the place you wanted to stop
overshot went past the place you wanted to stop
oversight a mistake made by not noticing something
oversize bigger than the normal or expected size
oversized larger than the usual size
overspend to spend more money than you planned
overspent used more money than was planned
overstay to stay somewhere longer than you should
overstep to go beyond what is allowed or proper
overtake to go past someone or something moving ahead of you
overthrew past form of removing a leader from power by force
overthrow to remove a leader from power by force
overthrown removed from power by force
overtraining doing too much exercise, so your body gets weak
overturn to turn something over so it is upside down
overuse to use something too much or too often
overwhelmingly by a very large amount, completely
overwrite to write new data over old data, replacing it
overwrote past form of writing new data over old data
ownership the state of having something that belongs to you
ox a large strong animal used on farms to pull things

P

pace-maker a small machine put in the body to help the heart beat
pacemaker a device in the body that keeps the heart beating well
pacey moving or happening fast
pacifier a rubber thing babies put in their mouth to feel calm
pacifist a person who believes war and fighting are wrong
pacify to make someone calm and peaceful
pack off to send someone away quickly
packer a person or machine that puts things into boxes
packing-case a large strong box for moving things
paddock a small field where horses are kept
pageant a public show with people dressed in special clothes
pager a small device that tells you someone wants to talk
pagoda a tall building used as a place of prayer in Asia
pah a sound you make to show you do not care or believe
paid-in money that has been put into an account
paid-up having paid all the money you owe
paintbrush a tool with soft hair used to put paint on things
paintwork the painted surface of a building or car
palestinian from or about a land in the Middle East
pallet a flat wooden board used to move heavy goods
pally friendly in a close way
palm-oil oil made from the fruit of a tropical tree
pampas wide flat lands with grass in South America
pampering giving someone too much care and comfort
pamphlet a small thin book that gives information
pan out to develop or end in a certain way
pan-american about all the countries of North and South America
pan-fried cooked in a flat metal dish with a little oil
panamanian from or about a country between North and South America
pancake a thin flat round food made from eggs, flour and milk
pandemic a disease that spreads across many countries
pansy a small garden flower with bright colours
panther a large wild cat, often with black fur
panto a funny Christmas show for families, short for pantomime
pantomime a funny Christmas show with songs and jokes
pantry a small room near a kitchen for storing food
pantsuit a set of matching jacket and trousers for women
paolo an Italian first name for a man
papaya a large tropical fruit with orange flesh and black seeds
par the usual or expected level of something
parachute-jumper a person who jumps from a plane using a cloth to fall slowly
parachutist a person who jumps from a plane with a cloth to slow the fall
paradox a statement that seems to go against itself but may be true
paraffin a type of oil burned for heat or light
paraglider a person who flies using a wide cloth attached to their body
paragliding the sport of flying with a wide cloth in the air
paraguayan from or about a country in the middle of South America
parakeet a small, colourful bird often kept as a pet
parallel two lines or paths going the same way, never meeting
paralympic about the world sport games for people with disabilities
paralysed unable to move part or all of the body
paralyses makes unable to move or act
paralysis being unable to move your body or part of it
paralyze to make someone unable to move
paranoia extreme fear that others want to harm you
paraplegic a person who cannot move the lower part of the body
parasail to fly in the air with a big cloth pulled by a boat
parasite a living thing that lives on or in another and takes food from it
parasol a light thing held over your head to keep the sun off
paratrooper a soldier who jumps from a plane with a cloth to land
paratroops soldiers who jump from planes to fight
parboil to partly cook food in boiling water
parched very dry and needing water
parchment a very old type of thick paper made from animal skin
parcour the sport of running and jumping over things in a city
parkour the sport of running and jumping over things in a city
parliamentary about the group of people who make laws for a country
parlour an old word for a sitting room in a house
parlourmaid a woman who served in a rich house in past times
parole early release from prison with rules to follow
parse to break a sentence into parts to understand its meaning
parsnip a long white root vegetable
parson a Christian church leader, especially in a small area
part-owner a person who owns something together with others
part-timer a person who works fewer hours than a full job
partaken past form of taking part or having food or drink
partaking taking part in or sharing something
parted separated or moved away from each other
parthenon a famous old building in Greece
particle a very, very small piece of something
particulars specific facts or details about something
partisan strongly supporting one side or group
partition thin wall that divides a room
partition off to divide a space with a wall or screen
partitioning dividing something into separate parts
partner off to form pairs with someone
partnership when two or more people work together in business
partygoer a person who goes to a party
pass off to happen, or to pretend something is different
pass over to ignore or not choose someone
pass round to give something to each person in a group
pass up to not use a chance or offer
pass-by going past a place without stopping
pass-fail a test system with only two results, good or not good
pass-out a card or paper that lets you leave and come back
passable good enough but not great
passer a person who goes past a place
passerby a person who is walking past a place
passionately with very strong feelings
passionless without strong feelings or interest
pastille a small sweet, often with medicine in it
pasting hitting or beating very badly
pastor a leader of a Christian church
pastoral about country life, or about caring for people
pastrami smoked salted meat, often beef, eaten in thin pieces
pastry-cook a person who makes cakes and sweet food as their job
pastry-shop a shop that sells cakes and sweet baked food
pastrycook a person who makes cakes and sweet baked food
pastureland land covered in grass where animals eat
pasturing letting animals eat grass in a field
pasty looking pale and not healthy, or a filled pastry case
patagonia a large area of land at the south end of South America
patent an official right that only you can make or sell something
paternalistic controlling people like a father, without letting them choose
pathetic causing feelings of sadness and pity
patriot a person who loves and supports their country
patriotic showing love and support for your country
patriotism love and support for your own country
patrolling walking or driving around an area to keep it safe
patrolman a man whose job is to watch over an area
patron a person who supports or pays for something
patterned having a design of shapes or colours on it
pavilion a building at a sports ground or park
paving the flat stones or blocks covering the ground
pavlova a sweet dish made of sugar, cream and fruit
pawn the smallest piece in a game of chess
pawnbroker a person who lends money in return for your things
pawnshop a shop where you leave things to borrow money
pay away to spend or give money to someone
pay down to pay part of what you owe to reduce the total
pay out to give someone money that is owed to them
pay over to give money to someone as part of a deal
paycheck the money you receive for your work
pda a small hand-held computer used in past times
peasant poor person who works on farmland
peaty containing soft dark earth from old dead plants
pectoral relating to the chest area of the body
pedantic caring too much about small and unimportant rules
pedophile person with a wrong attraction to children
peep to look quickly and secretly at something
penal about or related to punishment by law
penalise to give a punishment for breaking a rule
penalize to give a punishment for breaking a rule
penetrate to go into or through something
penicillin a medicine that kills harmful tiny living things in the body
pentagon a flat shape with five sides
perceive to see, notice or understand something
perception the way you see and understand something
perimeter the outside edge or border of an area
perish to die or be destroyed completely
perished destroyed
permanence the state of lasting forever or a very long time
permeate to spread through every part of something
perplexed completely confused and unable to understand
persecuted treated cruelly because of beliefs or who you are
perseverance keeping on trying even when it is hard
persevere to keep trying even when things are difficult
persist to continue doing something even though it is hard
persistence the act of keeping on trying without giving up
persistent continuing for a long time, or not giving up
persona the way you show yourself to other people
personalise to make something special for one person
personalized made special for one person
personification describing a thing as if it were a person
personify to be a perfect example of something
personnel the people who work for a company
perspiration the water that comes out of your skin when hot
persuasion making someone agree by giving good reasons
peruvian from or about a country on the west side of South America
pessimist a person who thinks bad things will happen
pessimistic thinking that bad things will happen
pesticide a chemical used to kill insects that eat plants
petition a written request signed by many people
petrified so scared you cannot move, or turned to stone
petroleum oil found under the ground used to make fuel
pharmaceutical about the making and selling of medicine
pheasant a large bird with a long tail, often hunted
phenomena more than one event or fact that can be seen or studied
philosophical about deep questions of life and how to think
phlegm thick liquid in your nose and throat when you are sick
phobia a very strong fear of something
phoney not real or true, fake
photomontage a picture made by putting many photos together
photosynthesis how plants use light to make food from air and water
phrasing the way words are chosen and put together
physio short for treatment that uses exercise to help the body
physiology the study of how living bodies work
physiotherapy treatment using exercise and touch to help the body
physique the size and shape of a person's body
piazza a large open square in a town, especially in Italy
pick at to eat only small bits of food without interest
pick off to shoot or remove one by one
pick on to treat someone badly again and again
pick out to choose from a group
pick over to look through carefully, choosing the best
pick-a-back carried on someone's back and shoulders
pick-me-up something that makes you feel better or more awake
pickaback carried on someone's back
pickax a tool with a sharp point for breaking hard ground
pickaxe a tool with a sharp point used to break rock or ground
picker a person who picks or collects things
picket people who stand outside a place to show they disagree
pickled saved in salt water or a sour liquid
pickling keeping food in salt water or a sour liquid
pickpocket a person who steals from people's bags or clothes
pickup a small truck with an open back, or an act of collecting
picnicker a person who eats food outside for fun
pictogram a simple picture used to show information or data
pictograph a simple drawing used to show information
picture-card a playing card with a face on it
picture-gallery a building where paintings are shown to the public
picture-palace an old name for a place where films are shown
picture-theatre an old name for a building where films are shown
picturesque very pretty, like a picture
piece together to put parts together to understand the whole
piecrust the outer part of a pie made from flour and butter
pier a long structure going into the sea for walking or boats
piercing very sharp and strong, or a hole made in the body
piggyback a ride on someone's back and shoulders
pigmeat meat from a pig
pigpen a small area where pigs are kept
pigsty a dirty place, or a small building for pigs
pigtail hair tied in two long parts hanging down
pike a long pointed weapon, or a large fish in fresh water
pilaff a rice dish cooked with meat and spices
pilau rice cooked with spices and often with meat
pilaw rice cooked with spices and meat
pile in to enter a place quickly and in large numbers
pile up to put many things on top of each other
pilgrimage a long trip to a special religious place
pillar a tall strong post that holds up a building
pillar-box a large red box in the street for posting letters
piloted guided or flown by a trained person
piloting flying a plane or guiding a ship
pimpled having small red spots on the skin
pimply covered with small red spots on the skin
pin-hole a very small hole made by a thin sharp point
pin-point to find the exact place or cause of something
pinafore a dress without arms worn over other clothes
pinball a game where you hit a small ball on a table with lights
pinched pressed tightly between two things
pinching pressing or squeezing between finger and thumb
pincushion a small soft thing for sticking pins into
pine-needle a thin sharp leaf from a green tree
pinewood wood from a tall green tree, or a forest of such trees
pink-eye an illness that makes the eye red and sore
pinkeye an illness that makes the eye red and painful
pinkish slightly pink in colour
pinky the smallest finger on your hand
pinny a simple covering worn over clothes to keep them clean
pinpoint to find the exact position or cause of something
pinstripe a thin line on cloth, often on business clothes
pinstriped having thin lines on the material
pint a unit for measuring liquid, about half a litre
pinwheel a toy that turns around in the wind
pioneer one of the first people to do or discover something new
pioneering being among the first to try something new
pip a small seed inside a fruit
pipe down to be quiet, stop making noise
pipe up to suddenly start speaking
piped carried through a long tube
pipeline long tube for carrying oil, gas, or water
piper a person who plays music on a pipe instrument
piping tubes that carry water or gas, or very (as in very hot)
piracy stealing from ships at sea, or copying without permission
pisces a group of stars, or a sign for people born in early spring
pistachio a small green nut with a hard shell
piste a marked path on snow for going down a mountain
pistol a small gun held in one hand
pistol-shot the sound or act of firing a small hand gun
pita a round flat bread with a pocket inside
pitch in to start helping with work
pitch up to arrive at a place
pitch-black completely dark, no light at all
pitch-dark so dark you cannot see anything
pitched thrown, or at a certain level of sound
pitchfork a farm tool with long sharp points for moving hay
pitching throwing, or moving up and down
pitiful causing you to feel very sorry for someone
pitta a round flat bread with a space inside
pivot a central point around which something turns
pix short way to write pictures
pixel the smallest dot of light on a screen
pixelated showing small square dots instead of a clear image
pixie a small, playful being with pointed ears in stories
pixy a small magical being in fairy stories
place-holder something that holds a space until the real thing comes
placebo a fake medicine given to test if real medicine works
placeholder something that fills a space until replaced
plagiarise to copy someone else's work and say it is yours
plagiarism copying someone's work and saying it is yours
plague a very serious disease that kills many people quickly
plainly clearly and in a way that is easy to understand
planeload the number of people or things that fill a plane
planetarium a building where you can see stars shown on the ceiling
planetary about the large round things that go around the sun
plank a long flat piece of wood
plant out to move a young plant outside into the ground
plant-filled having many plants inside or around it
plantation a large farm where one type of plant is grown
planter a container for growing plants, or a farm owner
plasticine a soft coloured material children use to make shapes
plateau a large flat area of high land
plated covered with a thin layer of metal
plateful the amount of food that fills a plate
platter a large flat plate used to serve food
plausible seeming to be true or possible
play about to have fun without a serious purpose
play along to pretend to agree with someone
play around to have fun in a not serious way
play off to make two people or groups compete against each other
play out to happen or develop in a certain way
play up to cause problems or behave badly
play-act to pretend, to act as if something is real
play-acting pretending to have feelings you do not really have
play-day a day for children to play and have fun
playable in good enough condition to be played
playback when you listen to or watch something you recorded
playday a day set aside for playing and fun
playfield an area of ground used for sports and games
playfully in a fun and not serious way
playfulness the quality of being fun and not serious
playgroup a place where small children play and learn together
playhouse a small house for children to play in, or a theatre
playland a place with games and rides for fun
playlist a list of songs or videos chosen to play in order
playmaker a player who helps create chances to score in sport
playmate a friend to play with, especially as a child
playoff a game or set of games to decide a winner
playpen a small safe area where a baby can play
playpit a box filled with sand where children play
playschool a school for very young children to play and learn
playsuit a one piece set of clothes for a child or woman
plaything a toy, or something treated without care
playwright a person who writes plays for the stage
plaza a large open public area in a town
pleasantness the quality of being nice and enjoyable
pleaser person who tries to make others happy
pleasure-boat a boat used for fun, not for work
pleat a flat fold in cloth, made to look nice
pleated having flat folds in the material
plop the sound of something dropping into water
plotline the main events and story in a book or film
pluck to pull something quickly, or to be brave
plucking pulling or picking at something with the fingers
plucky brave and not afraid to try
plug-hole a hole in a bath or sink where water goes out
plug-in a small program added to a computer to do more
plugging pushing something into a hole to block it
plum-tree a tree that grows soft round purple fruit
plunging falling or moving down very quickly
plywood strong flat wood made of thin layers stuck together
pneumonia a serious illness of the parts of the body used to breathe
pocket-book a small book or bag carried in your pocket or hand
pocket-camera a small camera that fits in your pocket
pocket-picking the crime of stealing from people's pockets
pocket-size small enough to fit in a pocket
pocketbook a small book, or a woman's bag
pocketful the amount that fills a pocket
point off to separate numbers with a dot
pointer something that shows direction, or a helpful idea
poisoning the act of harming with a bad substance
poke about to search through things in a slow way
poke around to look through things trying to find something
poke into to push into, or to look into something private
poke up to push something so it sticks up
policing the work of keeping order and enforcing the law
polio a serious disease that can stop you from moving
polished smooth and shiny, or done with great skill
polishing rubbing something to make it clean and shiny
politically in a way that is about government and power
polity a form of government or how a state is organized
polka-dot a pattern of round spots on cloth
pollinate to carry tiny dust between flowers so they can grow seeds
pollination moving tiny dust between flowers to make seeds
pollinator an animal or insect that moves dust between flowers
polling the act of voting, or collecting people's views
polling-booth a small private space where you go to vote
polliwog a young form of a frog that lives in water
pollock a type of sea fish
pollster a person who asks people questions to find out what they think
polluter a person or company that makes the air or water dirty
pollution-free without anything that makes the air or water dirty
pollywog a young form of a frog before it grows legs
polo a sport played on horses, hitting a ball with a stick
polo-neck a piece of clothing with a high collar that folds over
poly short for a school that teaches many practical subjects
polyethylene a common light plastic material
polygon a flat shape with three or more straight sides
polytechnic a school that teaches practical and work skills
pomegranate a round red fruit with many small seeds inside
pompom a small round ball of soft threads used to decorate
poncho a large piece of cloth with a hole for your head
ponder to think about something carefully for a long time
pong a bad smell
pontoon a flat boat or platform that floats on water
poodle a type of dog with thick curly hair
pooled shared together, put into one group
poolroom a room with tables for playing a ball game with sticks
poolside the area next to a swimming pool
poor-quality not good, badly made
poorness the state of being low in quality or having little money
pop in to go inside a place for a very short visit
pop off to leave quickly, or to die suddenly
pop out to go out for a short time
pop up to appear suddenly
pop-art a style of art using images from everyday life
pop-eyed with eyes wide open in surprise
pope the leader of the Roman Catholic Church
popgun a toy gun that makes a popping sound
popper a small button that closes with a pressing sound
poppies more than one red flower that grows in fields
poppy a bright red flower that grows in fields
popularly by most people, in a common way
populated having people living in it
porcupine an animal covered with long sharp points
pore a tiny hole in your skin, or to study something closely
portability how easy something is to carry or move
porter a person who carries bags, or a door keeper
poser a difficult question, or someone who pretends to be special
positive reinforcement giving a reward to make a good behaviour happen again
positivity a hopeful and good way of thinking
possessed controlled by a strong feeling, or owned
possessing having or owning something
possum a small animal that hangs from trees by its tail
post-graduate study done after finishing a first degree at a school
post-war happening after a war ended
postgraduate study done after finishing a first degree
postie a friendly word for the person who brings mail
postmark a mark on a letter showing when and where it was sent
postscript a note added at the end of a letter
posttest a test given after a course or study is finished
posture way you hold your body when sitting or standing
posy a small bunch of flowers
pot-bellied having a large round stomach
pot-belly a large round stomach that sticks out
pot-hole a hole in a road surface
pot-roast meat cooked slowly in a covered pot
potassium a soft metal found in some foods, good for the body
potbelly a big round stomach
potent very strong and powerful
potentially in a way that could happen or be true
potful the amount that fills a pot
pothead a person who uses a certain illegal plant too much
potholder a thick cloth for holding hot pots safely
pothole a hole in the road, or a deep hole in rock
potholed having many holes in the surface
potluck a meal where each person brings food to share
potted put in a pot, or made shorter
potter a person who makes things from clay
pouch a small soft bag for carrying things
pound out to produce something quickly by hitting hard
pounded hit hard again and again
pounding hitting something hard many times
pout to push your lips out to show you are not happy
pouty having lips pushed out in a not-happy way
pow-wow a meeting to talk about something important
powdered made into a very fine dry dust
powdery like a fine dry dust
power down to turn off a machine or device
power up to turn on a machine or start it working
power-boat a fast boat driven by a strong engine
power-dive a fast move straight down through the air
power-driven moved or worked by an engine
power-house a building that makes electricity, or a very strong person
power-plant a place that makes electricity
power-saw a cutting tool that works with an engine
power-station a building where electricity is made
powerboat a fast boat with a strong engine
powerfully in a very strong way
powerless without the ability or strength to do something
powwow a meeting to discuss something
practicality how useful or possible something is in real life
practicehour time set aside for training or learning
practised having a lot of skill from much training
practiser a person who does something regularly
practitioner a person who works in a skilled job
prairie a wide flat area of land with grass and few trees
pram a small bed on wheels for a baby, pushed by hand
prance to move about with high steps in a lively way
prayer-book a book of words used when talking to God
pre-natal before a baby is born
pre-packed put in a package before being sold in a shop
pre-war happening before a war started
preach to give a talk about religion or right behavior
preacher person who gives talks about religion
preaching giving a talk about religion or telling others how to live
precaution something you do to stop bad things from happening
precede to come or happen before something else
precedence being more important or coming before others
preceding coming before in time or order
precision quality of being very exact and accurate
preconceived formed in your mind before knowing the full facts
predicament a difficult situation that is hard to get out of
predicate the part of a sentence that tells what the subject does
predicative about a word that comes after a verb, not before a noun
predictable easy to know what will happen next
predictive able to tell what will happen before it does
predictor something that helps tell what will happen next
predominantly mostly or mainly
prefect a student given power to help keep order in a school
preferably if possible, as the better choice
preferred liked more than other choices
preheating heating an oven before putting food in it
prehistory the time before people could write
prehuman from a time before people lived on Earth
preindustrial before factories and machines were common
prejudge to form an opinion before knowing all the facts
prejudiced having an unfair opinion about someone or something
prelim a first test or game before the main one
preliminaries things done to get ready for the main event
preliminary happening before the main event as a first step
premature happening too early or before the right time
premier the leader of a government, or first in importance
premises building and the land around it
prenatal before a baby is born
preoccupy to fill your mind so you cannot think of other things
prepaid paid for before it is used
prepay to pay for something before you use or get it
preplan to plan something before the time comes
prepositional about a word that shows place, time, or direction
preppie a young person who dresses in a neat, traditional way
preppy dressed in a neat, clean, traditional style
preschooler a child who is not yet old enough for school
prescribe when a doctor says what medicine to take
prescribed ordered by a doctor, or set as a rule
present-day of the time we live in now
presenter a person who leads a show on TV or radio
presently soon, or at the present time
preservative a substance added to food to keep it fresh longer
preserved kept safe from damage or change
preshrunk cloth that has been made smaller before being sold
presidency the job or time of being president
press forward to keep going even when it is hard
press in to push into or crowd into a small space
press-conference a meeting where news people ask questions
press-release a written statement given to news people
pressbutton done by pushing a small switch
pressing needing to be done right away, very important
pressure-cook to cook food fast using high heat and steam
pressure-cooker a closed pot that cooks food very fast with steam
pressure-cooking cooking food quickly in a closed pot with steam
prestige high respect from others because of success
prestigious having much respect and honour
presumably used when you think something is likely true
presume to think something is true without being sure
preteen a child who is about ten to twelve years old
prettily in a nice and attractive way
pretzel a salty snack shaped like a twisted knot
prevail to win or be the strongest in the end
prevention stopping something bad from happening
preventive done to stop something bad before it happens
preview a look at something before it is shown to everyone
prewar from or about the time before a war
price-list a paper showing how much things cost
priceless so important that no money could buy it
pricey costing a lot of money
pricing setting how much something will cost
prick to make a small hole with a sharp point
prick up when ears rise to listen more carefully
pricky slightly sharp and uncomfortable on the skin
priestess a woman who leads religious activities
primadonna a person who thinks they are very important
primate a type of animal like humans, apes, and monkeys
primates the group of animals that includes humans and apes
prime-time the evening hours when most people watch TV
primer a first book for learning, or a base coat of paint
primo the best or most important
printout information from a computer printed on paper
prioritize to decide what is most important to do first
privilege a special right given to some people but not all
privileged having special advantages that others do not have
prized very important to someone, highly valued
proactive acting before problems happen instead of waiting
probe to look into something deeply to find answers
probiotic a living thing added to food that is good for the stomach
problem-solving the act of finding answers to hard questions
problematic causing problems or difficulties
proceeds the money gained from selling something
processing series of actions done to change something
producing making or creating something
productivity amount of useful work done in a time period
prof a short way to say a teacher at a college
profanely using rude words about holy things
profanity rude and disrespectful language
professionalism acting with skill and good behaviour in your job
professionally in a way that shows skill and training
proficient very good at doing something
programing writing instructions for a computer
programmer a person who writes instructions for computers
programming the act of writing instructions for computers
progressing moving forward and getting better
progressive wanting new and better ways of doing things
progressive overload slowly adding more weight or effort in exercise over time
prohibiting not allowing, stopping by rule or law
projected planned for the future, or shown on a screen
projecting sticking out, or showing an image on a surface
projection a guess about the future, or an image shown on a screen
projector a machine that shows pictures or films on a wall
prolong to make something last longer
prolonged lasting a long time, longer than expected
prominence the state of being important and well known
promising showing signs of being good or successful
promo short for something that helps sell a product
prone lying face down or likely to do something
pronto very quickly, right away
proof-read to read carefully to find and fix mistakes
proof-reader a person who checks writing for mistakes
proof-reading checking writing carefully for errors
proofread to read text carefully to find and fix mistakes
propaganda information used to influence opinions
propeller turning blades that push a plane or boat forward
proponent a person who supports an idea or plan
proportions the sizes of parts compared to the whole
proposal an idea or plan you suggest to others
proposed suggested as a plan or idea
proposition idea or plan put forward for thought
proprietor the owner of a business or property
props things used on a stage during a show, or support given
prosciutto Italian dried and salted meat cut in thin pieces
prose normal writing that is not poetry
prosecute to officially charge someone with a crime in court
prosecutor lawyer who argues against accused person
prosocial helpful behaviour that is good for other people
prosper to do well and become successful
protector someone or something that keeps others safe
protestantism a type of Christian religion
protester a person who shows they disagree with something
protocol set of rules for official situations
prototype the first model of something before many are made
protractor a tool shaped like a half circle for measuring angles
prove out to show that something is true or correct
proven shown to be true or good through testing
provider a person or company that gives a service or product
province a large area that is part of a country
proving showing that something is true
provoke to make someone angry or cause a reaction
provoking making someone angry or causing a strong feeling
proximity being near to something in distance or time
prune to cut parts off a plant, or a dried fruit
pruning cutting branches from a tree or plant
pry to try to find out private things about someone
psst a quiet sound to get someone's attention secretly
psychiatric about mental illness and its treatment
psychic able to know things without seeing them
psychologically in a way that is about the mind and feelings
psychopath person who has no feelings for others
ptsd a condition of fear and bad memories after a terrible event
public-health about keeping people in a community healthy
public-sector the part of the economy run by the government
publicise to make something known to many people
publicist a person whose job is to make something well known
publicize to tell many people about something
publicized made known to many people
publicspeaking talking to a large group of people
puck a hard flat round thing used in ice games
pucker to press your lips or skin together in small folds
pudding a sweet food eaten after the main meal
pudge a slightly fat person or soft body fat
pudgy short and a bit fat
puff out to blow air to make something bigger
puff up to become bigger and rounder with air
puffed breathing hard, or made bigger with air
puffed-up too proud of yourself, or swollen with air
puffer a thick warm jacket filled with soft material
puffiness a slightly swollen state
puffy slightly swollen or filled with air
pull apart to separate into pieces
pull round to get better after being sick
pull through to get better after a very difficult time
pull together to work as a group to do something
pull-back moving away or back from a place
pull-in a place beside a road where cars can stop
pull-on clothes you put on by pulling over your head
pull-out a part you can take out, or leaving a place
pullback moving back or away from something
puller a person or thing that pulls
pulley a wheel with a rope used to lift heavy things
pullout a part that can be taken out, or a leaving
pulp the soft wet part inside a fruit, or crushed material
pulpit a high stand in a church where a person speaks
pulpy soft and wet like the inside of a fruit
pulsebeat one beat of the blood moving through your body
pump out to push out a large amount of something
pun a funny use of a word that has two meanings
punch in to start work by pressing a button or card
punch out to end work by pressing a button or card
punchbag a heavy bag you hit for exercise
punchball a ball on a stand you hit for exercise
punchbowl a large bowl for mixing drinks at a party
punching-ball a ball on a stand hit for sport or exercise
punchy having strong effect, or short and powerful
punctual arriving or doing things at the right time
punctuality the habit of being on time
punctually at exactly the right time
punctuate to add marks like dots and commas to writing
puncture a small hole made by a sharp thing
punctured having a small hole in it
punishable that can be punished by law or rules
punishing very hard and tiring, or giving a penalty
punny using funny word play
puppeeteer a person who moves toy figures in a show
puppet-play a show using small figures moved by hand or strings
puppeteer a person who controls toy figures in a show
puppetry the art of making shows with toy figures
puppyhood the time when a dog is very young
puppyish behaving like a young dog, playful and silly
purchasable that can be bought with money
pure-wool made only from sheep hair with nothing else added
puree food that has been made very smooth by pressing
purified made clean by taking away all the bad parts
purifier a machine or thing that makes something clean
purifying making something clean and free of bad things
purity quality of being clean and not mixed
purplish slightly purple in colour
purpose-built made for one special use
purpose-made created for a certain reason or use
purposeful done with a clear reason or aim
purposeless without any aim or reason
purser a person on a ship who takes care of money and tickets
pursuit the act of trying to get or do something
pus thick yellow liquid that comes from a sore spot on the body
push about to tell someone what to do in an unkind way
push along to continue moving forward
push around to treat someone in a bossy and unfair way
push forward to continue trying to move ahead
push off to go away, or to move a boat from the side
push on to continue doing something difficult
push out to force someone to leave a place or group
push through to get something done even though it is hard
push upon to force something on someone who does not want it
push-cart a small cart pushed by hand
push-down pressing something to a lower place
push-over something very easy to do, or a weak person
pushcart a small cart that you push by hand
pusher a person who sells things that are not allowed by law
pushover a person who is easy to control, or an easy task
put about to spread a story or information
put across to explain an idea clearly so others understand
put by to save money for later use
put forth to suggest or offer an idea
put forward to suggest a plan or an idea for others to think about
put over to explain or present something clearly
put through to connect a phone call, or to cause suffering
put upon treated unfairly, asked to do too much
put-off something that makes you not want something
put-on not real, pretended
put-out annoyed or upset
put-up planned in advance to trick someone
putt to hit a golf ball gently on the green toward the hole
putter a golf stick for hitting the ball on the green
putting-green the smooth grass area around the hole in golf
putty a soft material used to fill holes in windows
puzzle out to find the answer by thinking hard
puzzler something that is hard to understand
pygmy a very small person from certain groups in Africa
pylon a tall metal tower that holds electric wires
pyrex a strong type of glass that does not break from heat
pythagorean about an old Greek thinker known for his work with shapes

Q

quad an open area with buildings around it, or four of something
quadrilateral a flat shape with four straight sides
quadruple to become four times as much
quads four babies born at the same time
quail a small bird, or to feel afraid
quaker a member of a peaceful Christian group
quaking shaking with fear or because the ground is moving
qualifier a word that describes another, or a game to enter a contest
quality-of-life how good or comfortable your daily living is
quantify to say how much of something there is using numbers
quantitative about measuring things using numbers
quarrelsome often getting into angry arguments
quarterly happening every three months
quarters rooms where people live, or four equal parts
quartet a group of four people, especially musicians
quartette a group of four musicians or singers
quartz a hard clear stone found in rocks
quay a place in a harbour where ships stop and load
quayside the area next to where ships stop in a harbour
queasiness a sick feeling in the stomach
queasy feeling sick in the stomach
queensland a large state in the north east of Australia
queer strange or unusual, or about certain gender identities
quench to drink until you are no longer thirsty
quest long search for something important
questionable not sure if it is true, right, or honest
questioner a person who asks questions
questioningly in a way that shows you want to know something
queue-jump to go in front of people who are waiting in a line
quick-acting working or having effect very fast
quick-change able to change clothes or form very fast
quick-drying becoming dry in a short time
quick-freeze to make food very cold very fast to keep it fresh
quick-frozen food made very cold very fast
quick-response acting or answering very fast
quick-tempered becoming angry very easily
quick-witted able to think and answer in a fast and clever way
quicken to become faster or make something faster
quickfiring happening one after another very fast
quicksand wet sand that pulls you down if you stand on it
quickstep a fast dance with small quick steps
quicktempered getting angry very easily
quickwitted thinking and responding fast and well
quid a word for one British pound of money
quieten to become quiet or make something quiet
quill a long stiff feather used for writing in old times
quilted made of two layers with soft material between them
quilting sewing two layers of cloth with soft material inside
quince a hard yellow fruit used for making sweet food
quinoa small seeds from a plant, eaten as a healthy food
quintet a group of five people, especially musicians
quintette a group of five musicians or singers
quito the capital city of a country in South America
quits even, with nothing owed to either side
quitter a person who gives up too easily
quivering shaking slightly because of fear or cold
quizmaster the person who asks questions in a quiz show
quotable worth repeating because it is clever or interesting
quotient the number you get when you divide one number by another
quran the holy book of the Islamic religion

R

rabbit-hutch a small wooden house for keeping pet rabbits
racegoers people who go to watch horse races
racism treating people badly because of their skin colour or origin
rack a frame for holding or hanging things
radiance a warm bright light, or happiness showing on a face
radiant shining brightly, or looking very happy
radiate to send out light, heat, or a strong feeling
radical wanting big and complete changes
radically in a very different and complete way
radio-active giving off harmful energy from inside certain materials
radio-activity harmful energy given off by certain materials
radio-controlled guided from far away using waves sent through the air
radioactivity energy from certain materials that can be dangerous
radium a metal that gives off harmful energy
radius the distance from the centre to the edge of a circle
raffle a game where you buy tickets to try to win a prize
rafter one of the big pieces of wood that holds up a roof
rafting riding on a flat boat down a fast river for fun
ragged old, torn, and in bad condition
raging very angry, or very strong and wild
rah a sound to show excitement or support
raid a sudden attack on a place
raider a person who makes a sudden attack
rail-track the metal lines that trains run on
railcar a train carriage that moves on its own
railman a man who works on the railway
railwayman a man who works for the train company
rain out to stop an event because of rain
rained off stopped because of too much rain
rainproof able to keep rain out
rainstorm a storm with a lot of heavy rain
rainsuit clothes that keep you dry in the rain
rainwear clothes made to keep you dry in the rain
raiser a person who collects money or grows things
raisin a small dried grape
rake in to earn a lot of money quickly
rake off to take a share of money, often unfairly
rake out to clean out by pulling things out
rake up to bring up old stories or problems from the past
rally a large public meeting, or getting better after being weak
rallying coming together to support a cause
ramadan a holy month when Muslims do not eat during the day
ramble to walk for fun in the country, or talk without a point
rambler a person who walks in the country for fun
rambling going on for too long without a clear point
rammed pushed or hit with great force
ramp a slope that goes from a low place to a higher one
ranching working on a large farm for animals
range of motion how far a body part can move in any direction
ranging varying between two limits
ranked placed in order from best to worst
ransom money asked for in return for freeing a person
rape a very serious crime of forcing someone into a sexual act
rapidity great speed, how fast something happens
rapids a part of a river where water moves very fast
rapping talking quickly in rhythm to music
raptor a bird that hunts other animals for food
raring very eager and excited to start something
rascal a person, often a child, who plays tricks
rash red spots on the skin, or doing things without thinking
rasher a thin piece of meat from a pig
rashly doing something too quickly without thinking
rat-trap a device used to catch rats
ratatouille vegetable dish from France
rated given a score or mark for quality
ratepayer a person who pays local tax to the government
ratio how much of one thing compared to another
rationale the reasons behind a decision or action
rationally in a way that is based on thinking, not feelings
rations a fixed amount of food given to each person
rattle to make short sharp sounds, or a baby's toy
rattle off to say a list of things very quickly
rattlesnake a dangerous snake that makes a sound with its tail
rattling making a series of quick sharp sounds
ravage to cause a lot of damage to something
rave to talk with great excitement, or a big dance party
raving talking in a wild and crazy way
rayon a smooth cloth made from wood or plant material
re-collect to collect again
re-count to count something again to check the number
re-cover to put a new cover on something
re-do to do something again
re-election being chosen again for the same job by voting
re-enter to go into a place again
re-examine to look at something again more carefully
re-join to join a group or place again
re-paid given back money that was borrowed
re-pay to give back money that you borrowed
re-read to read something again
re-sort to put things in order again
re-surface to come back to the top, or put a new surface on a road
reach back to move your hand behind you to get something
reachable that can be got to or contacted
reactivate to make something work or be active again
reactive acting in response to what happens, not planning ahead
read back to read something out loud that was just written or said
read up to learn about something by reading a lot
read-only that can be read but not changed
readability how easy something is to read and understand
readership the number or type of people who read something
readiness the state of being prepared for something
reading-glass a piece of glass that makes words look bigger
reading-lamp a small light used when reading
reading-room a quiet room in a building where people go to read
ready-built already made and put together before you buy it
ready-cut already cut to the right size before you buy it
ready-for-service prepared and able to be used right away
ready-made already made and ready to use or wear
ready-to-wear clothes that are already made, not made to order
real-estate land and buildings that can be bought or sold
real-time happening at the exact moment, with no waiting
realisation the moment you understand something clearly
realism showing life as it really is, not as you wish it was
realm kingdom or area of activity
realtor a person whose job is to sell houses and land
reaper a person or machine that cuts and collects crops
reaping cutting and collecting crops from a field
reappear to be seen again after being gone for a time
rearing taking care of children or young animals as they grow
reason out to think carefully to find an answer
reassure to make someone feel less worried
reattach to join something back on again
rebar metal bars put inside concrete to make it strong
rebate money paid back to you after you have paid too much
rebellion organized fight against authority
rebellious refusing to follow rules or do what you are told
rebirth a new start, being born again in some way
reboot to turn a computer off and on again
rebuilding building something again after it was destroyed
rebuilt built again after being damaged or destroyed
recalculate to work out the numbers again
recap a short review of the main points
recapture to catch or take back something that was lost
recede to move back or become smaller and further away
receipts papers showing you paid for something
received got something that was given or sent to you
receiver part of a phone you hold to your ear
reception-room a room for welcoming guests
recession a time when a country's economy becomes weak
rechargeable a battery that can be filled with power again
reckless doing things without caring about danger
reckon to think or believe something
recliner a comfortable chair that leans back
recognition knowing someone or something from before
recollect to remember something from the past
recollecting trying to remember things from the past
recollection a memory of something from the past
recommendable good enough to suggest to others
recon short for looking at an area to get information
reconciling making two sides friendly again after a fight
reconsider to think about something again and maybe change your mind
reconstruct to build or create something again
reconstructed built or put together again
record-breaker a person or thing that does better than ever before
record-holder the person who has done the best ever at something
record-player a machine for playing music from round flat discs
recreate to make or do something again
recruit to find new people to join a group or company
recruiting finding and choosing new people for a job or group
recruitment the process of finding new workers
rectangular shaped like a box with four sides and four corners
recurring happening again and again
recyclable that can be used again after special treatment
red-hot so hot it has turned red, or very exciting
redcurrant a very small sour red fruit that grows in groups
reddish slightly red in colour
redecoration painting and fixing a room to look new again
redefine to explain or describe something in a new way
redesign to change the plan or look of something
redevelop to change and improve an area with new buildings
redial to call a phone number again
redirect to change the direction something is going
redness the state of being red in colour
redo to do something again, especially to do it better
redraw to draw something again in a new way
redundant no longer needed for a job, or more than is needed
redwood a very tall tree with red-brown wood
reed a tall thin plant that grows in or near water
reel a round thing that thread or film is wound around
reenter to go into a place again
refactor to change how code is written without changing what it does
refactoring changing how code is organized to make it better
refectory a large room for eating meals in a school or church
refer back to look at something again for information
referendum vote by all people on one important question
referent the thing that a word or sign points to
refined improved to be pure, polite, or of high quality
refinement a small change that makes something better
refinery a factory that makes oil or sugar cleaner and purer
refining making something cleaner or better
refit to repair and improve a ship or building
reflect on to think carefully about something
reflected thrown back, as light from a mirror
reflective thinking deeply, or able to send back light
reflector something that sends back light
reflexes quick automatic body movements in response to something
reflexion another way to write the word for an image in a mirror
reformed changed and improved
reforming making changes to improve something
refrain to stop yourself from doing something
refresher something that helps you remember what you learned
refreshing making you feel cool and full of energy again
refrigerate to keep food cold to stop it going bad
refrigerated kept cold in a special machine
refuel to fill a vehicle with fuel again
refuelling putting more fuel into a vehicle
refuge a safe place away from danger
refugee a person who leaves their country because of danger
refurbished made to look and work like new again
refute to prove that something is wrong or not true
refuted proved to be wrong or false
refuting proving that something is not true
reg short for a number or code that shows a car is legal
regardless without caring about or being stopped by something
regime a government, especially one that controls strictly
regiment a large group of soldiers in an army
regimented very strictly controlled and organized
registrar a person who keeps official records
registry a place where official records are kept
regretful feeling sorry about something you did
regretfully in a way that shows you are sorry
regrettably sadly, in a way that you wish had not happened
regulate to control something by making rules
regulated controlled by rules or laws
regulating making rules to control how something works
regulations official rules that control how things are done
rehabilitation process of returning to normal life or health
reheat to make food hot again
reign period when a king or queen rules
reincarnation being born again in a new body after death
reinforce to make something stronger
reinforcement making something stronger, or extra help sent
rejection being told no, or not being accepted
rejoice to feel or show great happiness
rejoin to join a group or place again after leaving
rejuvenation making something or someone feel young and fresh again
rekindle to make a feeling or interest come back to life
relativity a theory about how time and space are connected
relay to pass a message on, or a team race
relentless never stopping, always going on
relic something old that has survived from the past
religiously very carefully and without fail
relish great enjoyment, or a thick sauce for food
reloading putting new things into something again
relocate to move to a new place to live or work
relocation moving to a different place
reluctantly doing something you do not really want to do
remade made again in a new way
remains what is left after other parts have gone
remake a new version of a film or song made again
remarkably in a way that is surprising and worth noticing
remarry to get married again after a first marriage ends
rematch a second game between the same players or teams
remodel to change the shape or structure of something
remodelling changing the design or look of a building or room
remotely from a far distance
remount to get on a horse or bicycle again
removable that can be taken off or away
removal act of taking something away
removal-van a large truck used to move furniture to a new home
removed taken away from a place
remover a product or tool that takes something away
renaissance a time of new interest in art and learning
rename to give a new name to something
rendered made or caused to be in a certain state
renewable able to be replaced or used again
renewal making something new or fresh again
renovated fixed and improved an old building
renowned famous and respected by many people
rent-free without needing to pay for using a place
rentable that can be paid for and used for a time
renter a person who pays to use a home or property
reorder to ask for something to be sent again
reorganise to arrange things in a new and better way
reorganization changing how things are arranged or managed
reorganize to organize again in a different way
repack to pack things into bags or boxes again
repaid gave back money that was borrowed
repaint to paint something again
repainting putting a new layer of paint on something
repairer a person who fixes things
repent to feel sorry for something bad you did
repertoire all the songs, plays or skills a person knows
repetition doing or saying something again and again
repetitive doing the same thing many times
rephrase to say the same thing using different words
replaceable that can be changed for something new
replacement a new thing or person that takes the place of another
replacer a thing or person that takes the place of another
replant to plant again in a new place
replica an exact copy of something
reportedly according to what people say
reposition to put something in a new place or position
represent to speak or act for someone else
representation a picture, sign or person that stands for something
represented shown or spoken for
repress to hold back feelings and not let them show
repression keeping feelings or people under strict control
reprint to print a book or text again
reproducing making a copy of something, or having babies
reprove to tell someone they did something wrong
republican about a type of government with elected leaders
repulsive so unpleasant it makes you feel sick
reread to read something again
rerun to show a TV program or film again
resale selling something that was bought before
rescheduling changing the time of a planned event
resell to sell something you have already bought
resembling looking like or being similar to something
resent to feel angry about something unfair
residence the house where an important person officially lives
residue what is left over after a process
resign to leave a job by your own choice
resignation leaving your job, or accepting something you cannot change
resigned having accepted a bad situation you cannot change
resilience ability to get better after something difficult
resistance fighting against or refusing to accept something
resistant able to fight against something harmful
resit to take a test again after failing it
reskill to learn skills for a new job because the old one changed
resold sold again after buying it
resolution decision to do or not do something
resolved decided firmly to do something
resonant having a deep, full, lasting sound
respectably in a way that is good enough and not shameful
respective belonging separately to each one mentioned
respectively in the same order as the things just mentioned
respiration the act of breathing
respiratory about breathing and the body parts used for it
responsive quick to react or answer
rest-home a place where old or sick people are cared for
restate to say something again in a different way
restless unable to stay still or relax
restlessness being unable to stay still or relax
restock to fill up a shop or store with goods again
restored brought back to its earlier good condition
restoring bringing back to an earlier good condition
restrain to hold back or stop someone from doing something
restrained calm and controlled, not showing strong feelings
restraining holding back or limiting someone or something
restriction a rule that limits what you can do
restructuring changing how a company or system is organized
resume to start again after stopping, or a short document listing your work and skills
resurface to appear again, or put a new top on a road
resurrect to bring back to life or to use again
retailer a shop or person that sells goods to people
retailing the business of selling goods to customers
retaining keeping or holding on to something
retake to take a test or photo again
retard to make something slower or hold it back
retelling telling a story again, often in a new way
retest to test something again
rethinking thinking about a plan or idea again
retina the part at the back of your eye that sees light
retiring-room a room where people can rest in private
retreating moving back or away from something
retrieval the act of getting something back
retrieve to get something back
retriever a type of dog trained to bring back things
retro in a style from the past
retry to try something again
returnable that can be taken or sent back
reusable that can be used more than once
rev to make an engine go faster
rev up to make an engine run faster, or to get more excited
revealing showing something that was hidden before
revelation a surprising fact that is made known
reverence deep respect and honour for someone
reverend a title used for a Christian church leader
reviewer a person who writes their opinion about a book or film
revised changed and improved, especially a text
revival bringing something back to life or popularity
revive to bring back to life or use again
revived brought back to life or made active again
revolt to fight against those in power
revolted feeling sick and disgusted
revolting extremely unpleasant and disgusting
revolutionary completely new and different, or about a fight for change
revolutionise to change something completely and in a big way
revolve to move or turn around in a circle
revolver a small gun that you hold in your hand
revolving turning around and around in a circle
rewarding giving satisfaction and a good feeling
rewinding making a tape or recording go back to the start
rewire to put new electric wires in a building
rewriting writing something again in a better way
rewritten written again in a new or better way
rheumatism pain and stiffness in the body's joints and muscles
rhinoceros a large heavy animal with a horn on its nose
rhododendron a large bush with big bright flowers
rhymed having words that end with the same sound
rhythmic having a regular repeated pattern of sound or movement
rhythmical having a strong and regular beat
rib one of the curved bones around your chest
richly in a beautiful and expensive way
ride up when clothes move up on your body as you move
ridge a long narrow high part of a mountain or hill
ridiculously in a very silly or foolish way
riding-school a place where people learn to ride horses
rifle long gun fired from the shoulder
rig to set up equipment, or to arrange unfairly
rig up to put together quickly using what is available
rigged arranged dishonestly to get a certain result
right-angled having a corner that is exactly square
right-hander a person who uses their right hand more
right-on agreeing with modern social ideas
righteousness the quality of being morally right and good
rightly correctly, with good reason
righty a person who uses their right hand more
rigid stiff and not able to bend
rim the outer edge of something round
rind the hard outer skin of cheese or fruit
ring in to call by phone, or to mark the start of something
ring off to end a phone call
ring out to make a loud clear sound
ringed having a circle or circles around it
rinsing washing something lightly with clean water
rioter a person who takes part in violent public disorder
rioting violent and noisy behaviour by a crowd
rip away to pull something off with force
rip down to pull something down roughly
rip off to cheat someone by charging too much
rip out to pull something out with force
rip up to tear something into small pieces
ripen to become ready to eat, as fruit does
ripening becoming ready to pick and eat
ripple a small wave on the surface of water
rippling moving in small gentle waves
riser a person who gets out of bed, as in an early one
rising going up or becoming more
risk-taking doing things that might be dangerous
rite a special act done as part of a religious event
ritual a set of actions done the same way each time
rival a person or team you compete against
river-bed the bottom of a river where water flows
riverbed the ground at the bottom of a river
rizz natural ability to attract or charm other people
roach an insect that lives in dirty places
road-test to drive a car to see how well it works
roadblock something put across a road to stop traffic
roadshow a show that travels from place to place
roadway the part of a road where cars drive
roadwork work being done to fix or build a road
roam to walk around without a clear plan
roaming moving around freely without a set direction
roaster a large dish or machine for cooking meat
roasting cooking food in an oven, or very hot
rock-and-roll a type of fast popular music with a strong beat
rock-bottom the lowest possible level
rocking-chair a chair that moves back and forward smoothly
rocknroll a fast and exciting type of popular music
rodeo a show where people ride wild horses and catch animals
roi short for the money gained compared to money spent
role-playing acting as a different person or character
roll away to move away by turning over and over
roll back to reduce or return something to an earlier state
roll by when time passes, often without you noticing
roll in to arrive in large amounts
roll off to fall or move off by turning
roll on to continue or come closer in time
roll out to spread out flat, or to introduce something new
roll up to make into a round shape, or to arrive
roll-call reading a list of names to check who is present
rollback a return to an earlier and lower level
rollcall checking who is present by reading names
roller-coaster a fast ride at a fun park that goes up and down
roller-skate a shoe with small wheels for moving on flat ground
rolling pin a long round tool for making bread dough flat
rolling-stone a person who moves from place to place
rollout the first time something new is introduced
romanian from or about a country in south east Europe
romantically in a way that is about love
rompers a one-piece set of clothes for a baby or small child
romping playing in a lively and noisy way
rookie a new person with little experience in a job or sport
roomful the number of people or things that fill a room
roomie a friendly word for the person you share a room with
roomy having a lot of space inside
rooting searching by moving things around
rose-bush a plant that grows roses
rosebud a rose flower before it opens
rosebush a bush that grows rose flowers
roster a list of people and their planned times to work
rota a list showing when each person must do something
rotator cuff a group of muscles that hold the shoulder joint together
rotting slowly going bad and breaking down
rouble the money used in Russia
rouge red colour put on the face
rough out to make a first simple version of a plan or drawing
roughness the state of being not smooth
roulette a game where a ball spins on a wheel of numbers
round down to lower a number to the nearest whole number
round off to finish something in a nice way
round out to complete or make something more full
round up to gather together, or raise a number up
round-table a meeting where all people are treated as equal
round-the-clock happening all day and all night without stopping
rounder more round in shape
roundtable a meeting where everyone has an equal voice
rouse to wake up or make someone feel excited
router a device that sends internet signals to computers
routinely as a normal part of what is done every day
routing sending something along a chosen path
rowdy noisy and causing trouble
rower a person who moves a boat using long sticks in water
royally in a way that is like a king or queen
royalties money paid to a writer or artist for their work
rub away to remove by pressing and moving back and forward
rub down to clean or dry by rubbing
rub in to push into the skin by rubbing, or to keep reminding
rub off to remove by rubbing, or to spread to another person
rub out to remove marks by rubbing
rubbery soft and bendy like rubber
rubble broken pieces of brick and stone from a building
ruble the money used in Russia
ruby a dark red precious stone
rudder a flat piece at the back of a boat for steering
rugged rough and strong, not smooth or delicate
rugger a name for a sport where you carry and kick a ball
ruinous causing great damage or costing too much
rule out to decide that something is not possible
ruled having printed lines, or controlled by a leader
rumania an older way to write the name of a country in Europe
rumanian from or about a country in south east Europe
rumba a fast lively dance from Cuba
rummage to search through things in a messy way
rummy a card game where you try to collect groups of cards
rumor story passed around that may not be true
rumoured talked about but not known to be true
run down to hit with a car, or to become weak
run in to enter quickly, or to use something new carefully
run off to leave quickly, or to make copies
run on to continue for too long
run over to hit someone with a vehicle, or to take too long
run through to practice quickly, or to go through something fast
run up to collect a large bill, or to run toward something
rung a step on a ladder, or past form of ring
runner-up the person or team that comes second in a contest
runny too liquid, or a nose producing liquid
runoff water that flows away after rain
runtime the time when a computer program is running
runup the time before an important event
rupture to break or burst open suddenly
rusher a person who does things in a hurry
rusk a hard dry piece of bread for babies to eat
rustle to make a soft sound like dry leaves moving
rustling making soft sounds like leaves or paper moving
rut a deep track made by wheels, or a boring routine
ruthless not caring about hurting others to get what you want
rye a type of grain used to make bread and drinks
rye-bread bread made from a certain dark grain

S

saber a long curved sword used by soldiers
sabotage to damage or destroy on purpose to cause problems
sabre a long curved sword
sack a large bag, or to remove someone from their job
sacrifice giving up something important for a good reason
sacrificed given up for a more important reason
safety-belt a strap that holds you in your seat for safety
safety-pin a pin with a cover so the sharp end cannot hurt you
sag to sink or hang down in the middle
sage a wise person, or a green plant used in cooking
saggy hanging down in a loose, tired way
sagittarius a group of stars, or a sign for people born in late autumn
salad-dressing a liquid put on salad to add taste
salami a type of dried sausage with strong taste
salaried receiving a fixed amount of money for a job
salesclerk a person who sells things in a shop
salesmanship the skill of selling things to people
salespeople people whose job is to sell things
salesperson a person whose job is to sell things
salesroom a room where things are sold
saleswoman a woman whose job is to sell things
saline containing salt, especially salt water
saliva the liquid in your mouth that helps you eat
salt-water water from the sea that has salt in it
saltmaker a person who makes salt
saltwater water with salt, from the sea
sampling trying a small amount to see what it is like
samurai a Japanese fighter from old times
sanction an official order to stop trade, or to give permission
sand-dune a hill of sand made by the wind
sand-hill a hill made of sand
sand-pit a box or area filled with sand for children to play in
sandbox an area filled with sand for play or testing
sandpaper rough paper used to make wood smooth
sandpit a hole or box filled with sand for children to play in
sandstone a type of rock made from sand pressed together
sane having a healthy mind, able to think clearly
sanitary clean and good for health
sanitation keeping places clean and safe for health
sanitize to clean something to remove all germs
sanitizer a liquid used to kill germs on your hands
sanity the state of having a healthy mind
saree a long piece of cloth worn as a dress in South Asia
sarge a short friendly word for a police or army leader
satan the name for the ruler of evil in some religions
satchel a bag with a strap, often used for school books
satin a smooth shiny cloth
satisfactorily in a way that is good enough
satisfactory good enough but not the best
satisfying making you feel pleased and happy
saturate to make something completely wet or full
saturated completely wet, or full and unable to hold more
saturation the state of being completely full or wet
saturn a large planet with rings around it
saudi from or about a large country in the Middle East
saute to cook quickly in a little hot oil or fat
savanna a wide flat area of grass with few trees in hot countries
saviour a person who saves others from danger
savoury having a salty or spicy taste, not sweet
sawdust tiny pieces of wood that fall when you cut wood
sax short for a musical instrument you blow into
scalability how well something can grow or be made bigger
scalable able to grow bigger or handle more work without problems
scale up to make something bigger or do more of it
scallop a sea animal with a round shell, often eaten as food
scam a dishonest plan to take money from people
scampi large sea animals cooked in oil, often with bread cover
scandal an event that shocks people because it is wrong
scandinavia the area of northern Europe with Norway, Sweden and others
scandinavian from or about the northern part of Europe
scanning looking at something quickly, or using a machine to read
scarcely almost not, hardly at all
scarecrow a figure put in a field to keep birds away from crops
scarlet a bright red colour
scarred having marks from old wounds
scenario description of what could possibly happen
scented having a nice smell added to it
sceptic a person who does not easily believe things
sceptical not sure if something is true or right
scheduling planning when things should happen
schnitzel a thin flat piece of meat covered in bread and fried
scholasticism a way of thinking and teaching from old times in Europe
school-age old enough to go to school
school-aged of the age when children go to school
school-book a book used for learning in school
school-mate a person who goes to the same school as you
school-time the hours when school is open
schoolbook a book used for studying in school
schoolgirl a girl who goes to school
schoolhouse a building where a school is held
schooling education received at school
schoolmaster a male teacher, especially in old times
schoolroom a room in a school where lessons happen
schoolyear the period from when school starts to when it ends
science-fiction stories about the future, space, or imagined science
scissor to cut with a tool that has two sharp blades
scoop a deep round spoon, or to pick up with one movement
scorch to burn the surface of something slightly
scorching extremely hot
scoreboard a board that shows the points in a game
scoring getting points in a game
scottish from or about the northern part of Britain
scouting looking for something, or being in a youth group
scramble to move quickly using hands and feet
scrambled mixed together, especially eggs cooked while stirring
scrap a small piece of something, or to throw away
scrapbook a book where you stick pictures and memories
scrawl to write in a messy and hard to read way
screech a loud sharp unpleasant sound
screeching making a loud sharp unpleasant sound
screenplay written words for a movie
screenwriter person who writes words for a movie
scribble to write or draw quickly and messily
scroll to move text up or down on a screen
scrooge a person who does not like to spend money
scrum a group push in rugby, or a way of working in teams
scuba equipment for breathing under water
sculpt to make a shape by cutting or forming material
sculpted shaped by cutting or forming material
sculptor a person who makes art by shaping material
scurry to move quickly with small steps
scuttling running with quick short steps
scythe a tool with a long curved blade for cutting grass
sea-breeze a cool wind that blows from the sea to the land
sea-horse a small sea animal with a head like a horse
sea-level the height of the sea surface, used to measure land height
sea-lion a large sea animal with flippers that can sit up
sea-star a star-shaped animal that lives in the sea
sea-urchin a round sea animal covered in sharp points
seabird a bird that lives near the sea
seacoast the land along the edge of the sea
seafloor the bottom of the sea
seafront the part of a town that faces the sea
seahorse a small fish with a head shaped like a horse
sealing closing something tightly
seam a line where two pieces of cloth are sewn together
seaman a man who works on a ship
seamless smooth with no breaks or gaps
seamlessly in a smooth way without any breaks
search out to look hard until you find something
search-party a group of people looking for someone who is lost
searcher a person who is looking for something
seascape a picture or view of the sea
seashore the land at the edge of the sea
seasickness feeling ill caused by the rocking of a boat
season-ticket a pass that lets you travel or enter many times
seasonally at certain times during the year
seasoned experienced, or having added herbs and spices
seasoning salt, pepper and herbs added to food for taste
seater having a certain number of places to sit
seating places for people to sit, or the way seats are arranged
second-class not as good as the best, or a lower ticket type
secretarial about the work of a person who types and organizes
secular not connected with religious or spiritual matters
securely in a safe way, firmly held in place
sedan a car with four doors and a closed back
seduced led into doing something, especially having sex
seductive very attractive in a way that is hard to resist
see off to go with someone to say goodbye as they leave
see out to go with someone to the door, or to last until the end
see over to visit and look at a building or place
see through to not be fooled by someone's trick
seedless without any seeds inside
seek out to look for and find someone or something
seeking looking for something or trying to find it
seemingly in a way that appears to be true
seesaw a play thing that goes up and down with a person on each end
segment one part of something that is divided
segregate to keep groups of people apart from each other
seized grabbed quickly and with force
seldom not often, rarely
selected chosen from a group
selecting choosing something from a group
selectively choosing only certain things, not all
self-assurance feeling sure about your own abilities
self-assured confident and sure of yourself
self-care taking care of your own health and happiness
self-centered thinking only about yourself
self-centred only caring about yourself and your own needs
self-confident sure of your own abilities
self-conscious feeling worried about what others think of you
self-contained having everything it needs inside, not needing help
self-control the ability to control your feelings and actions
self-defence protecting yourself when someone attacks you
self-defense fighting back to protect yourself from harm
self-discipline the ability to make yourself do things you should do
self-drive a car you drive yourself, not driven by someone else
self-employed working for yourself, not for a company
self-esteem how much you like and respect yourself
self-explanatory clear enough to understand without help
self-expression showing your feelings and ideas freely
self-help doing things yourself to solve your own problems
self-improvement making yourself better through your own work
self-made becoming rich or successful by your own hard work
self-portrait a picture you draw or paint of yourself
self-respect feeling good about yourself and your actions
selfconfidence trust in your own skills and abilities
selfconfident feeling sure about what you can do
selfcontrol keeping your feelings and actions under control
selfdriving a vehicle that can move by itself without a person
selfhelp solving your own problems through your own effort
selfishly thinking only about yourself and not caring about others
selfless caring about others more than yourself
selfreliance being able to do things and make choices on your own
selfreliant able to take care of yourself without help
sell off to sell things cheaply to get rid of them
sell out to sell all of something, nothing is left
selves the plural form of the word for your own person
semi half of something, or a large truck with a trailer
semi-detached a house joined to another house on one side
semicircle half of a circle
semicircular shaped like half a circle
semicolon a punctuation mark like a dot above a comma
semidetached a house that shares a wall with the house next to it
semifinal one of two games before the last game in a contest
semolina small hard pieces of wheat used to make pasta
senate a group of people who help make laws in government
send away to tell someone to leave, or to order by mail
send down to send to prison, or to send to a lower place
send in to post or deliver something to a place
send off to post something, or to order a player to leave a game
send on to forward something to a new address
send out to give something to many people at the same time
send round to deliver something to many places
sender the person who sends something
seniority having a higher rank because you have worked longer
sensational causing great excitement and interest
senseless having no meaning, or unconscious
sensing feeling or becoming aware of something
sensitivity ability to feel or respond to small changes
sensor a device that finds heat, light, or movement
sensory about the five ways your body takes in information
sensual about physical pleasure and the body's senses
sentiment feeling or opinion about something
sentry a soldier who stands guard at a gate or door
separating moving apart or dividing into different groups
separation anxiety feeling very upset when away from a loved person
serb a person from a country in south east Europe
serbian from or about a country in south east Europe
serene calm, peaceful and quiet
sergeant soldier or police officer of middle rank
serial a story told in parts, one after another
serum liquid part of blood used in medicine
serve out to give food to everyone, or to finish a time period
serviceman a man in the army, navy, or air force
servicing checking and fixing a machine to keep it working well
serviette a piece of cloth or paper used to clean your mouth
servitude being forced to serve and obey someone like a slave
sesame a plant whose small seeds are used on bread and in food
set about to start doing something with energy
set apart to make different or special from others
set aside to save something for later use
set back to slow down or cause a delay
set down to put something down, or to write rules
set in to start and likely continue for a while
set off to start a trip, or to cause something to begin
set on to attack, or firmly decided to do something
set out to start a trip, or to explain clearly
set to to begin working hard at something
set-up the way something is arranged or organized
setback a problem that delays progress
setter a type of large dog with long hair
settle down to become calm, or to start living a quiet life
settle in to start feeling comfortable in a new place
settle up to pay what you owe
settled comfortable and at home, or decided and agreed
seven-day lasting for one week
seventies the years from 1970 to 1979, or age 70 to 79
seventieth number 70 in order
severed completely cut through or separated
sew in to attach something inside by using needle and thread
sew on to attach by stitching with needle and thread
sew up to close a hole or wound with stitches
sewage dirty water and waste from homes and factories
sewing joining cloth with a needle and thread
sewing-cotton thin thread used for stitching cloth
sewn joined together using a needle and thread
sexism treating people unfairly because of their gender
sexuality nature of a person sexual feelings and identity
sexually in a way that is about physical love between people
shabby old and in bad condition
shaded protected from direct light
shading the dark parts in a picture that show depth
shadowing following someone closely to learn their job
shaft a long straight part, or a hole going straight down
shaggy having long messy hair or fur
shah a king, especially a past ruler of Iran
shake off to get rid of something, like an illness or a person
shake out to shake something to remove dust or dirt
shake up to shock or upset, or to mix by shaking
shaker a container you move back and forward to mix things
shakespearean about or in the style of a famous English writer
shakespearian in the style of a great English writer from old times
shaky not steady, trembling or not sure
shale a soft rock that breaks easily into thin layers
shallot a small mild vegetable similar to an onion
shaman a religious leader who talks with spirits
shamefully in a way that should make you feel bad
shamelessly without any feeling of being sorry or wrong
shamrock a small green plant with three leaves, from Ireland
shantytown an area of very poor small houses
shape up to get better or improve
shaping giving a form or structure to something
share-out dividing something among a group of people
shareholder a person who owns a part of a company
sharer a person who gives part of what they have to others
shareware computer programs you can try before you pay
sharp-cornered having corners that form a point
sharp-edged having an edge that can cut easily
sharp-pointed having a very thin point at the end
sharp-shooter a person who can aim and shoot very well
sharp-toothed having teeth that can cut easily
sharpening making something more pointed or able to cut better
sharply suddenly and strongly, or in a clear way
sharpness how well something can cut, or being clear and strong
sharpshooter a person who is very good at hitting targets
shattering very shocking, or breaking into many pieces
shaven with hair cut very close to the skin
shaving-brush a tool for putting cream on the face before cutting hair
shavings thin pieces cut from wood or other material
shawl a large piece of cloth worn around the shoulders
she-deer a female deer
shear to cut wool from a sheep
shearing cutting wool from sheep
sheath a cover for a sword or knife blade
shedding losing hair, skin or leaves naturally
sheen a soft gentle shine on a surface
sheepish looking a bit silly because you feel ashamed
sheepishly in a shy way because you did something silly
shelled with the hard outside cover removed
shepherdess a woman who takes care of sheep
sherpa a person from a mountain people who helps others climb
shield something that protects you from harm
shifty looking like you cannot be trusted
shimmering shining with a soft light that changes
shin-bone the front bone in the lower part of your leg
shinbone the long bone at the front of the lower leg
shine down to send light from above
shingle small flat stones on a beach
shingles a painful skin illness with red spots
shinkansen a very fast train in Japan
shinto an old Japanese religion that respects nature
shipment goods being sent from one place to another
shipping sending goods by ship or other transport
shipwreck a ship that has been destroyed at sea
shirt-tail the bottom part of a shirt that goes below the waist
shirtless not wearing a top part of clothing on the body
shirtsleeve the part of a shirt that covers the arm
shirttail the part of a shirt below the waist
shivering shaking because you are cold or afraid
shock-absorber a part on a car that makes the ride smooth
shocker something that surprises and upsets you very much
shockproof made to not break if it is hit or dropped
shoddy made badly and cheaply
shoe-leather the material used to make shoes
shoemaker a person who makes or fixes shoes
shooter person who fires a gun
shooting-range a place where people practice shooting at targets
shop around to look at many shops to find the best price
shop-girl a young woman who works in a shop
shop-lifter a person who steals things from a shop
shoplifting stealing goods from a shop
shoreline the edge of the land where it meets the sea
short-circuit when electricity flows the wrong way and causes damage
short-handed not having enough workers to do the job
shortcoming a fault or weakness in someone or something
shortcut a quicker way to get somewhere or do something
shortness the state of being not long or not tall
shortterm for a brief period of time
shorttermism thinking only about what happens soon, not the future
shot-gun a long gun that fires many small pieces of metal
shot-put a sport where you throw a heavy metal ball
shotput throwing a heavy ball as a sport
shoulder-belt a strap that goes across the chest and shoulder
shoulder-blade a flat bone on each side of the upper back
shoulder-harness straps that go over the shoulders to hold you in a seat
shoulder-joint the place where the arm joins the body
shout down to shout louder than someone to stop them talking
shove in to push roughly into a place
shove off to go away, or to push a boat from the side
shovelful the amount a shovel can hold at one time
shoveling moving something with a flat tool
shovelling using a flat tool to move earth or snow
show down to put cards face up on the table in a game
show through to be seen through something covering it
show-case a glass box for showing things, or a chance to show skill
show-girl a woman who dances or performs in a show
show-off a person who tries to get attention by showing skill
show-room a large room where things are put on display to sell
show-window a window in a shop where goods are shown
showcase a chance to show your best work or skills
showdown a final meeting or fight to settle something
shower-party a party where people give presents to a future mother
showerproof keeping out light rain but not heavy rain
showery having many short periods of rain
shrank past form of becoming smaller
shrill a very high and loud sound that hurts your ears
shrine a holy place where people go to pray
shrink away to move back because of fear
shrink up to become smaller and tighter
shrink-wrap thin clear plastic used to cover and protect things
shrinkage the amount by which something gets smaller
shrivel to become smaller, dry and wrinkled
shrubbery an area in a garden with many small bushes
shrug to raise and lower your shoulders to show you do not know
shrug off to not let something bother you
shrunk past form of becoming smaller
shrunken having become smaller than before
shudder to shake quickly because of cold, fear or disgust
shuffling walking slowly without lifting your feet fully
shun to avoid someone or something on purpose
shut down to stop a machine, business or service from working
shut off to stop the flow of water, gas or power
shutdown the closing of a factory or machine
shuttle a vehicle that goes back and forward between two places
sicilian from or about the large island near Italy
sick-list a list of people who are not well
sick-nurse a person who cares for ill people
sick-pay money your job gives you when you are too ill to work
sick-room a room where a sick person rests
sickbay a room on a ship or in a school for sick people
sickbed the bed where an ill person lies
sicken to make someone feel very ill or disgusted
sickening making you feel ill or very upset
sickle a tool with a curved blade for cutting grass or crops
sickle-shaped curved like a half moon
sickly often ill, or making you feel sick
side-effect an extra, usually unwanted, result of a medicine
side-line an activity done in addition to your main work
side-step to step to one side to avoid something
side-track to take attention away from the main point
side-view a picture of something as seen from the side
sidebar extra information shown at the side of a page
sideboard a long low piece of furniture for storing dishes
sideburns hair growing on the sides of a man's face
sidecar a small seat with a wheel attached to a motorbike
sidekick a close helper or friend, especially of a hero
sideline an activity done along with your main work
sidenote an extra piece of information, not the main point
sideroad a smaller road that goes off from a main road
sidewall the side part of a tyre or building
sideway toward one side
siding a short railway track beside the main line
siege when an army stays around a place to force it to give up
siemens a unit for measuring how well electricity flows
sieve a tool with small holes for separating small from large pieces
sift out to use a tool with holes to separate things
sifter a tool with small holes used to separate fine from rough parts
sighing breathing out slowly to show sadness or tiredness
sight-read to play music the first time you see the notes
sighted able to see, having the ability of sight
sightless unable to see, blind
sightseer a person who visits interesting places for fun
sigma a letter of the Greek alphabet used in science
sign off to end a message or broadcast
sign on to agree to start a job or join a group
sign out to write your name when leaving a place
signboard a board with a sign or message on it
signer a person who writes their name on a document
significant important and having a big effect
signify to mean or be a sign of something
sikh a person who follows a religion started in India
silenced made quiet, stopped from making sound
silencer a thing that makes something less noisy
silicon a material found in sand, used to make computer parts
silicone a man-made material that bends easily and keeps out water
silkworm a small animal that makes fine thread for cloth
silky soft, smooth and shiny like silk cloth
sill the flat part at the bottom of a window
silliness the state of being funny and not serious
silo a tall building for storing grain or food for animals
silt very fine sand or earth carried by water
silver-coloured having the grey-white colour of silver metal
silver-grey a light grey colour like silver
silver-haired having grey or white hair
silversmith a person who makes things from silver
sim a small card that goes in a phone
simile comparing two things using the words like or as
simmer to cook gently just below boiling point
simmer down to become calm after being angry or excited
simmering cooking slowly with small bubbles
simple-minded not able to think about difficult things
simple-to-operate easy to use and control
simpleness the quality of being easy and not complex
simplicity quality of being easy to understand or do
simplification making something easier to understand or do
simplified made easier and less complex
simplistic making something seem easier than it really is
simulated made to look or feel like the real thing
simulating making a copy of how something works or looks
simulator a machine that copies the experience of doing something
simultaneous happening at the same time
sincerity being honest and meaning what you say
sine a word used in the study of triangles and angles
sing out to shout or call something loudly
sing up to sing more loudly
singalong a time when people sing songs together
single out to choose one person from a group for special attention
single-handed done by one person alone without help
single-handedly done by one person alone
single-minded thinking about only one thing and not giving up
single-parent a mother or father raising children alone
singlehanded done by one person without any help
singlet a piece of clothing without arms worn on the upper body
singsong when a group of people sing together for fun
sink in to slowly become understood
sinus a space in the bones of your face near your nose
sioux a group of native people from North America
siphon a tube used to move liquid from one place to another
sirloin a good piece of beef from the back of a cow
sismograph a machine that records movements of the ground
sissy a person thought to be weak or not brave
sisterhood a close feeling between women, like being sisters
sisterinlaw the sister of your husband or wife
sisterly kind and caring like a sister
sit about to sit and do nothing for a long time
sit around to spend time sitting and doing nothing useful
sit back to relax and not take action
sit in to take part as a visitor, or to protest by sitting
sit on to be part of a group, or to delay doing something
sit out to not take part in an activity
sit through to stay until the end of something boring
sit-down a meal eaten at a table, or a protest by sitting
sitar a musical instrument from India with strings
sitcom a funny TV show about the same people each week
siting choosing a place to put something
sitter a person who watches children, or who sits for an artist
sitting a time when you sit to eat or have a photo taken
sittingroom a room in a house for sitting and relaxing
situate to put something in a certain place
situational depending on the situation or conditions
situationship a romantic connection that has no clear name or rules
six-day lasting for six days
six-foot being six feet tall, about 183 centimetres
six-footer a person who is six feet tall
sixteenthlargest number sixteen in size compared to others
sixties the years from 1960 to 1969, or age 60 to 69
sizable quite large in size or amount
size up to look at something to judge how big or good it is
sizeable quite big, large enough to be important
sized having a certain size
sizing judging or measuring how big something is
sizzle to make a hissing sound like food cooking in hot oil
sizzling very hot, or making a hissing cooking sound
skateboarder a person who rides a board with wheels
skydive to jump from a plane and fall before opening a cloth to slow down
skylark a small bird that sings while flying high in the sky
skyward up toward the sky
slack not tight, or not working hard enough
slash to cut with a long sweeping movement
slaughter the killing of many people or animals
sleep cycle the natural pattern your body follows while sleeping
sleep deprivation not getting enough sleep over time
sleepover when children sleep at a friend's house for fun
slider thing that moves smoothly along a track
sliver a very thin small piece cut from something
slowmoving moving at a low speed
slumber sleep, especially light peaceful sleep
small-business a company with few workers and not much money
small-minded not willing to accept new or different ideas
small-scale not large, limited in size
small-talk polite talk about unimportant things
small-time not important or successful
small-town from or like a place with few people
smallish quite small but not very small
smallpox a serious disease that caused spots on the skin
smartly in a neat and stylish way
smash to break into many pieces with great force
smash in to break into a place using force
smash up to break or damage something completely
smash-hit something that is a very big success
smashing very good, wonderful
smilingly in a way that shows a happy face
smock a loose piece of clothing worn over other clothes
smog dirty air made of smoke and fog in a city
smoke-free where smoking is not allowed
smoke-stack a tall pipe on a factory that lets out smoke
smokestack a tall chimney that sends out smoke
smoking-room a room where people are allowed to smoke
smoky full of smoke, or having the taste or smell of smoke
smoothing making something flat and without bumps
smoothness the quality of being flat and even
smuggling taking goods into a country secretly to avoid taxes
snag a small problem or difficulty
snakebite a wound from a snake's teeth
snap back to return quickly to a normal state
snap off to break something with a quick sharp movement
snap up to buy or take something quickly
snap-beans long thin green vegetables that break easily
snapback a quick return to a normal state
snapbeans green beans that break with a clean sound
snapdragon a garden flower that opens and closes like a mouth
snapper a type of fish found in warm seas
snappy quick and smart, or easily made angry
snare a trap for catching animals
snare-drum a small drum with wires across the bottom
snarl to make an angry sound showing teeth
snatch to grab something quickly
snatch away to take something from someone very fast
snatch off to pull something off quickly and roughly
snatch up to pick up something quickly
snatched looking very good and well put together
snatching grabbing things quickly
sneak up to come close to someone without them knowing
sneaking done secretly and often felt to be wrong
snicker to laugh quietly in an unkind way
sniff to breathe in quickly through your nose
sniffle to breathe in through the nose when you have a cold
snip to cut something with short quick movements
sniper a person who shoots from a hidden place far away
sniping shooting from a hidden place, or making small cruel remarks
snipping cutting small pieces with short quick cuts
snips small cuts, or a tool for cutting metal
snivelling crying and complaining in a weak way
snob a person who thinks they are better than others
snobby thinking you are better than other people
snooker a game played on a table by hitting balls with a stick
snoop to look around secretly trying to find information
snooping looking around where you should not be
snoopy too interested in finding out about other people
snort to push air out of the nose with a rough sound
snorting blowing air out of the nose roughly
snout the long nose and mouth part of an animal
snow-bank a large pile of snow pushed together
snow-capped having snow on the top, like a mountain
snow-drift a deep pile of snow made by the wind
snow-plough a vehicle that pushes snow off roads
snowbank a large pile of snow at the side of a road
snowcapped with snow on the top
snowdrift snow piled up by the wind
snowdrop a small white flower that grows in late winter
snowfield a large area of land covered with snow
snowmobiling riding a small vehicle designed to move over snow
snowplough a machine that clears snow from roads
snowplow a vehicle used to push snow off roads
snowshoe a flat frame tied to shoes for walking on deep snow
snowsuit warm clothes that cover the whole body for cold weather
snug warm, comfortable and safe
snuggle to get close to someone in a warm comfortable way
snugly in a warm, tight and comfortable way
so-and-so used instead of a name you do not want to say
so-called called this name, but maybe not correctly
so-so not good and not bad, just average
soak up to take in liquid like a cloth does
soaked very wet all the way through
soap-bubble a thin ball of air covered in soapy water
soapbubble a round ball of air with a thin soap film
soapy covered with or containing soap
soar to fly high in the sky, or to rise quickly
sob to cry loudly with deep breaths
sobbing crying very hard with deep breaths
sober not having had any alcohol, or very serious
socalled named this way, but perhaps wrongly
sociable friendly and enjoying being with other people
socialist about a system where wealth is shared more equally
soda-water water with small bubbles of gas in it
soft-spoken having a quiet and gentle voice
softbound a book with a soft, bendy cover
soften to make or become less hard or less strong
soften up to make something or someone less strong or strict
softening becoming less hard or less strong
softie a kind person who is easily made to feel sorry
soggy very wet and soft in an unpleasant way
soiled dirty, with marks or stains on it
solace comfort in a time of sadness or trouble
solemn very serious, not smiling or joking
solidity the quality of being hard, strong and firm
solids things that are hard and have a shape, not liquid
soliloquy when a person in a play speaks their thoughts out loud alone
solitary alone, without others
solvent a liquid that can break down other materials
someway in some way that is not known
song-bird a small bird with a beautiful singing voice
song-book a book with the words and music of songs
songbook a book of songs with words and music
sonic about or using sound
soninlaw the man married to your daughter
sonnet a poem with fourteen lines and a set pattern
sons-in-law the men married to your daughters
soothed made calm and less upset or painful
soothing making you feel calm and less worried
sophisticated having a lot of experience and good taste
sopping extremely wet
soppy showing too much feeling in a silly way
sorbet a frozen sweet food made from fruit and sugar, no milk
sorcerer a person who uses magic, a wizard
soreness the feeling of pain in a part of the body
sorrowful very sad, full of grief
sort out to organize or fix a problem
sorting putting things in order or into groups
sos a call for help when in great danger
sought past form of look for or try to find
souk a market in a Middle Eastern or North African country
sound off to speak loudly and strongly about something
sound-proof not letting sound pass through
sound-track the music from a film or show
sound-wave a movement of energy through the air that we hear
soundproofing material used to stop sound from passing through
soundtrack the music played during a film
soup up to make a car or machine faster and more powerful
south-easterly coming from or going toward the south east
south-eastern in or about the south east part of a place
south-eastward toward the south east direction
south-westerly coming from or going toward the south west
south-western in or about the south west part of a place
southbound going toward the south
southerly from or toward the south
southerner a person from the south part of a country
southernmost the furthest south
southward toward the south
southwestern in or from the south west of a place
soviet about the old country that included Russia and others
sown past form of putting seeds in the ground
soy-bean a small bean from Asia used in many foods
soybean a small bean used to make many food products
space-bar the long key on a keyboard for making spaces
space-saving using less room than usual
spacebar the wide key on a keyboard you press to add spaces
spacecraft a vehicle that travels in space
span the length from one end to the other, or a period of time
spaniard a person from the country of Spain
spaniel a type of dog with long soft ears
spank to hit a child on the bottom as punishment
spanking hitting a child on the bottom as a punishment
spanner a metal tool for turning bolts and nuts
spares extra parts kept to replace broken ones
sparsely with things spread far apart, not crowded
spatial about space and the position of things in it
speak out to say your opinion bravely and publicly
spearmint a type of plant with a cool fresh taste
speciality something a person or place is especially good at
specialize to focus on one area and become very good at it
specialized made or trained for one particular purpose
specializing giving special attention to one area of work
specifications detailed plans and descriptions of how to make something
specifics exact details about something
specified stated clearly and exactly
specify to say exactly what you mean or want
spectacle an impressive or unusual sight
spectrum band of colors formed when light is split
speculating guessing about something without full facts
speculation guessing about something without full knowledge
speechless unable to speak because of strong feeling
speed up to go faster or make something happen more quickly
speed-boat a boat with a powerful engine that goes very fast
speed-limit the fastest speed allowed on a road
speedboat a fast boat powered by a strong engine
speeder a person who drives faster than the law allows
speeding driving faster than the law allows
speedy happening or moving very fast
spell out to explain something very clearly and simply
spellbound so interested you cannot look away
spiderweb the thin net a spider makes to catch insects
spill over to flow over the edge, or to spread to other areas
spin off to create something new from something that exists
spiny covered with sharp points
spire the tall pointed top of a church building
spirited full of energy and strong feeling
spirituality care for the human spirit and deep inner feelings
spit out to push something out of your mouth quickly
spite a wish to hurt or annoy someone on purpose
splatter to splash drops of liquid in many directions
splendid very good, beautiful, or impressive
splendidly in a very impressive and beautiful way
split off to break away from a larger group
split-up the end of a relationship between people
splitting breaking apart into smaller parts
spokesperson a person who speaks for a group or company
spokeswoman a woman who speaks for a group or company
sponge-cake a soft light cake made with eggs, flour and sugar
sponsored paid for by a company or person
sponsorship money given by a company to support an event or person
spontaneous happening or done without planning ahead
sporran a small bag worn at the front of a Scottish kilt
sportswear clothes made for playing sport or for comfort
sportswoman a woman who plays sport
sporty good at or interested in sport
spotless perfectly clean with no marks at all
spotting seeing or noticing something
spotty having many small marks or spots
spout to flow or shoot out quickly, or a tube for pouring
sprain to hurt a joint by twisting it suddenly
spread out to cover a larger area or move apart
spreadsheet a computer program for organizing numbers in rows
spree short time of doing something with much energy
spring out to jump or come out suddenly
spring up to appear or start suddenly
spring-board a bendy board for jumping high
springboard a board that bends to help you jump higher
sprinkler a device that sends out water in small drops
sprint to run as fast as you can for a short distance
sprinter a person who runs very fast for short distances
spying secretly watching and getting information
squadron a group of military planes or ships
square off to prepare to fight or argue with someone
square up to face someone ready to fight, or to pay what you owe
squarely directly and firmly
squaremetre a unit for measuring area, one metre by one metre
squatting sitting with knees bent close to the ground
squawk a loud rough cry, like an angry bird
squeaky making a high thin sound
squeal to make a long high sound
squeeze to press something firmly between two things
squinting looking with eyes partly closed
squire a man who owned land in old times
squirt out to send liquid out in a thin fast stream
squish to press something soft until it is flat
squishy soft and easy to press or squash
ssl a way to keep information safe on the internet
stabbing pushing a sharp thing into someone, or sudden sharp pain
stabilise to make something firm and not likely to change
stability the state of being steady and not changing
stabilizator a device that keeps something steady
stabilized made firm and steady
stabilizing making something steady and balanced
stack up to pile things on top of each other
stacked piled up on top of each other
stacking putting things in a neat pile
staffing providing workers for a business or organization
stag a male deer with large horns on its head
stagger to walk in an unsteady way, almost falling
staging the way a play or event is presented
staining making dirty marks on something
stainless that will not get dirty marks or rust
stainless-steel a type of metal that does not rust
stair-carpet a covering for the steps inside a building
stairwell the part of a building where the stairs are
stake a strong pointed stick pushed into the ground
stakeholder a person with an interest in a business or project
stale no longer fresh, old and not good
stalk the main stem of a plant, or to follow someone secretly
stalker a person who follows someone in a scary way
stalking following someone around in a frightening way
stallion an adult male horse
stammer to speak with difficulty, repeating sounds
stammering speaking with difficulty, repeating parts of words
stamping putting your foot down hard, or pressing a mark
stance way of standing or position on an issue
stand about to stand in a place doing nothing
stand back to move away from something
stand by to wait and be ready, or to support someone
stand down to leave an important position
stand in to do someone's job while they are away
stand off to stay at a distance, not getting close
stand on to have your feet on something
stand over to watch someone closely while they work
stand to to get ready for action
stand-alone working on its own without needing other things
stand-up a type of comedy where one person tells jokes to a crowd
standard-lamp a tall light that stands on the floor
standing the position or rank you have in a group
standing by waiting and ready to help
standing-room space to stand, when all seats are taken
standpoint the position a person argues from when judging something
standstill a state where no movement or progress is happening
stanza a group of lines that form a part of a poem
starch a white substance in foods like bread and potatoes
stardom the state of being a famous person
starling a common dark bird often seen in large groups
starlit lit by the light of stars
starred having a famous actor in a film or show
starring being the main actor in a film or show
starry full of or lit by stars in the sky
start back to begin going back to where you came from
start-up a new small business just beginning
starter the first part of a meal, or someone who starts
starting-point the place or idea where something begins
startle to suddenly surprise and slightly scare someone
startling very surprising, almost shocking
starvation suffering or dying from not having enough food
starve to suffer or die because you have no food
state-owned belonging to the government
state-run managed and controlled by the government
stated said or written clearly and officially
statesman a wise and respected political leader
statewide across the whole state
static not moving or changing
station-wagon a car with a long back area for carrying things
stationary not moving, staying in one place
stationer a person or shop that sells paper and writing things
stationery paper, pens and other writing materials
statistics numbers and facts collected to study a subject
stay down to remain in a low position
stay-at-home a person who stays in the house, especially a parent
stead the place or role of someone else
steakburger a burger made from steak meat
steakhouse a restaurant that serves steak as its main food
steal away to leave a place quietly and secretly
steal up to come close to someone very quietly
steam away to cook using hot water gas for a long time
steam up to cover with tiny drops of water from hot gas
steam-engine a machine that uses hot water gas to make power
steam-room a hot room filled with water gas for relaxation
steamboat a boat that moves using power from hot water gas
steamer a pot or ship that works using hot water gas
steamship a large ship powered by hot water gas
steamy hot and wet with water gas in the air
steely strong, hard and determined like metal
steeple a tall pointed tower on top of a church
steeplechase a horse race with fences and water to jump over
steer to control the direction something moves
stench very strong and very bad smell
step aside to move out of the way, or to leave a position
step back to move back, or to look at something from a distance
step down to leave an important job or position
step off to move down from something you were standing on
step up to increase or improve, or to come forward
stepchild a child of your husband or wife from a past marriage
steppe a large flat area of dry grass land
stepped-up increased or made stronger
stepping-stone a flat stone to step on, or a way to reach something bigger
steppingstone something that helps you reach a higher goal
stereotyped judged by a simple and often wrong idea about a group
stereotyping making simple wrong judgements about groups of people
stern very serious and strict, or the back of a ship
sternly in a very serious and strict way
stewed cooked slowly in liquid for a long time
stick about to stay in a place and wait
stick around to stay somewhere and not leave
stick down to attach with glue, or to write down quickly
stick out to be noticeable, or to push out beyond a surface
stick together to stay loyal to each other
stick up to point upward, or to rob using a weapon
stickiness the quality of being able to attach to things
sticking-plaster a small cloth strip put over a cut on the skin
stiffly in a way that is not relaxed or natural
stiffness the state of being hard to bend or move
stillness being completely quiet and not moving
stimulant a substance that makes your body more active
stimulate to make something more active or interested
stimulated made more active or excited
stimulating making you feel interested and full of new ideas
stimulation something that makes you more active or interested
stinger the sharp part of an insect that hurts you
stinging causing a sharp burning pain
stingray a flat sea fish with a long tail that can hurt you
stinking smelling very bad
stir up to cause trouble or strong feelings
stirrer a thing used for mixing, or a person who causes trouble
stirring causing strong feelings of excitement
stirrup a metal ring hanging from a horse seat for your foot
stitch a loop of thread made by a needle in cloth or skin
stitch up to sew a wound closed, or to trick someone
stitching sewing with a needle and thread
stock-car an ordinary car used for racing
stock-market a place where parts of companies are bought and sold
stockbroker a person who buys and sells parts of companies
stocked having goods ready to sell or use
stockholder a person who owns a part of a company
stockpile a large amount of something saved for later use
stockroom a room where goods are kept until needed
stocky short and strong with a thick body
stomp to walk with heavy steps
stone-cold completely cold
stone-mason a person who cuts and builds with stone
stonework the parts of a building made of stone
stoop to bend your body forward and down
stop away to stay away from a place
stop off to make a short visit on the way somewhere
stop on to stay somewhere longer than planned
stop out to stay away from home, especially at night
stop over to stop for a short time on a long trip
stop up to stay awake late, or to block a hole
stoplight a traffic light that tells cars when to stop or go
stopover a short stay in a place during a long trip
stoppage when work or movement stops for a time
stopper something that closes the top of a bottle
stopwatch a watch used to measure exactly how long something takes
store-bought bought from a shop, not made at home
store-room a room where things are kept until needed
storefront the front of a shop facing the street
storekeeper a person who owns or runs a shop
storewide across the whole shop
storm-cloud a dark cloud that brings rain and wind
story-teller a person who tells stories
story-writer a person who writes stories
stout a bit fat and strong, or a dark strong beer
stow to put something away in a safe place
stow away to hide on a ship or plane to travel free
straight off at once, without waiting
straight out honestly and directly, without hiding anything
straight-line going in one direction without turning
straightaway at once, without any delay
straightener a tool used to make hair smooth and straight
straightening making something not bent or not messy
straightforwardly in a simple and honest way
strain off to pour liquid through a tool to remove solid parts
strained worried and tense, or poured through a filter
strainer a tool with small holes for separating liquid from solid
straining putting a lot of effort, or filtering liquid
strait a narrow area of water between two pieces of land
strand a single thin piece of hair, thread, or rope
strangle to kill by pressing tightly on the throat
strapless without straps over the shoulders
stray to move away from where you should be
strayed moved away from the right path or place
straying moving away from where you should be
streaked having long thin lines of colour
streaky having lines of different colours or textures
streamer a long thin piece of coloured paper for decoration
street-door the main door of a building facing the street
streetcar a bus that runs on metal lines in the road
stretchable that can be pulled to become longer or wider
stretcher a flat bed used to carry a sick or hurt person
stretchy able to be pulled longer and then go back
stride a long step when walking
strike in to suddenly start speaking or acting
strike out to fail, or to start in a new direction
strike through to draw a line through a word to show it is removed
strike up to begin a conversation or start playing music
striking very easy to see and remember, impressive
stringed having strings, as a musical instrument
stringy long, thin and tough like string
strip away to remove a covering or layer
strip down to take all clothes off, or to take apart a machine
strip off to take off clothing quickly
stripping removing layers or coverings
stripy having a pattern of coloured lines
strive to try very hard to do something
striving trying very hard to reach a goal
strode past form of walking with long steps
stroke to move your hand gently over something
stroller a small chair on wheels for a baby
strolling walking in a slow and relaxed way
strong-built having a body that is solid and powerful
strongbox a strong locked box for keeping valuable things safe
strove past form of trying very hard
structural about how something is built or organized
structured organized in a clear and planned way
structuring organizing something in a planned way
struggle on to keep trying even though it is very hard
strum to play a guitar by moving your hand across the strings
strumming moving your hand across guitar strings to make music
strung past form of putting things on a string or wire
strut to walk in a proud way with your chest out
stub a short piece left after the main part is gone
stubble short hair on a man's face that has not been cut
stubbornly refusing to change your mind about something
stubbornness not being willing to change your mind
stubby short and thick
stuck-up thinking you are better than other people
stud a small round decoration, or a male horse for breeding
student-teacher a student learning how to become a teacher
studentteacher someone training to be a teacher at a school
study out to work at understanding something by studying
study up to learn a lot about something before an event
stuffing material put inside something, or food put inside meat
stuffy without fresh air, or too formal and boring
stumble upon to discover something hidden or surprising by accident
stump the short part left after a tree has been cut down
stunt a dangerous and exciting action, often in a film
stuntman a man who does dangerous actions in films
stupidity quality of not being able to think well
sturdy strong and well built, not easily broken
stutter to speak with difficulty, repeating the first sound
stuttering having trouble speaking, repeating sounds
styled designed in a certain way
styling designing the look of something
stylishly in a way that looks good and fashionable
stylist a person who cuts and arranges hair, or designs looks
stylized shown in a simple artistic way, not realistic
subcompact a very small type of car
subconsciously without being fully aware of it in your mind
subcontinent a large area of land that is part of a bigger one
subculture a smaller group with different habits within a larger group
subdivide to divide something that is already divided
subdivision a smaller part of something already divided
subdue to bring under control, or to make quieter
subdued quiet, not bright or strong
subeditor a person who checks writing before it is printed
subgroup a smaller group within a larger one
subhead a smaller title under a main title
subheading a title for a part of a piece of writing
subject-matter the topic or main idea being talked about
subjective based on personal feelings, not on facts
subjectively in a way that is based on personal feelings
subjunctive a form of a verb used to express wishes or doubts
submerge to put or go completely under water
submerged completely under water
submersible a vehicle that can go under water
submission act of giving in to the power of another
submissive willing to do what others tell you without arguing
submissively in a way that shows you will do what others say
submitted gave something to someone for them to decide on
submitting giving something to someone for their decision
subordinate lower in rank, or a person of lower position
subsection a part of a larger section
subsequent coming after something else
subsequently after that, later
subside to become less strong or go to a lower level
subsidiary a company owned by a larger company
subsidise to pay part of the cost to make something cheaper
substandard below the level that is acceptable
substantially by a large amount, or mostly
subtitle words shown at the bottom of a film in another language
subtle not easy to notice, small but important
subtlety a small but important detail or difference
subtract to take one number away from another
subtropical in the area just outside the hottest parts of Earth
suburban about or in the areas at the edge of a city
subzero below zero degrees in temperature
successes more than one time of doing well
successive happening one after another without a break
successively one after another in order
such-and-such used instead of a specific name or detail
suchlike other things of the same type
suck in to pull in air or liquid
suck up to take in liquid, or to try too hard to please someone
sucker a person who is easily tricked
suddenness the quality of happening without any warning
sudsy full of soap bubbles
sue to take legal action against someone for money
suede soft leather with a slightly rough surface
sufferer a person who has a disease or pain
suffering feeling pain or sadness for a long time
sufficiently enough, as much as is needed
suffocate to die or struggle because you cannot breathe
suffocating making it hard to breathe
sugar-cane a tall tropical grass plant from which sugar is made
sugarcane a tall plant used to make sugar
sugared covered with or containing sugar
sugarless without any sugar
suicidal wanting to kill yourself, or very dangerous
suitability how right something is for a purpose
suitably in a way that is right for the situation
suited right or good for a particular purpose
sulfur a yellow chemical that smells bad when burned
sulky being quiet and unhappy because you are angry
sultan a ruler of some Muslim countries
sum up to give the main points in a short way
summer-house a small building in a garden for sitting in
summersault rolling your body forward or backward in a circle
summerset turning your body over in a circle through the air
summery typical of or good for warm sunny weather
summon up to find and use courage or strength
summons an official order to appear in court
sun-bath sitting or lying in the light of the sun
sun-dried made dry by the heat of the sun
sun-tanned having darker skin from being in the sun
sun-up the time when the sun first appears in the morning
sun-visor a thing above a car window to block bright light
sunbath time spent lying in the warm light of the sun
sunbeam a ray of light from the sun
sunday-school a class about religion held on the day of rest
sundeck a flat area outside for sitting in the sun
sundown the time when the sun goes below the horizon
sunglass dark glasses that protect eyes from the sun
sunroof a part of a car roof that opens to let in light
sunroom a room with many windows to let in the sun
sunshade something that gives protection from the sun
sunup the time when the sun appears in the morning
sup to eat an evening meal, or to drink a little
superb excellent, of the highest quality
superbly in a way that is excellent and very impressive
superconducting carrying electricity with no loss of energy
superficiality caring only about what is on the surface, not deep
superfood food thought to be very good for your health
superhighway a very wide road for fast travel
superintendent a person in charge of a building or department
superiority being better or higher in rank than others
superman a person with abilities far beyond normal
supermarkt a large shop where you buy food and household things
supernatural things that cannot be explained by nature or science
supersonic faster than the speed of sound
superstore a very large shop selling many types of goods
supervise to watch over people to make sure work is done well
supervised watched over and guided by someone in charge
supervising watching and managing other people's work
supervision watching over someone to make sure things are done right
supervisor a person whose job is to watch over workers
supervisory about watching over and managing other people
supervolcano a very large mountain that can send out huge amounts of rock
supplant to take the place of something or someone
supplement something extra added to make better or more complete
supplemental extra, added to something else
suppress to stop something by force, or to hide feelings
suppressing holding back or stopping something from appearing
supreme highest in power, importance, or quality
supremely to the highest degree
surf-riding standing on a board and riding waves in the sea
surfriding the sport of riding ocean waves on a board
surgical about or used in medical operations
surgically by means of a medical operation
surplus amount left over after needs have been met
surrender to give up and stop fighting
surroundings everything that is around you in a place
surveillance carefully watching a person or place
surveillance camera a camera that records what happens in an area
surveyed looked at or studied carefully
survived stayed alive after something dangerous happened
susceptible easily affected or harmed by something
suspend to hang from above, or to stop for a time
suspended hanging from above, or stopped for a time
suspender a strap that holds up trousers or stockings
suspense a feeling of worry about what will happen next
suspenseful causing a feeling of excited worry about what happens next
suspension act of stopping something for a period of time
suspicious not trusting, or making you think something is wrong
suspiciously in a way that shows you do not trust something
suspiciousness a feeling of not trusting someone
suss to find out or understand something
sustain to keep something going for a long time
sustainability the ability to continue without harming the future
sustainable able to continue for a long time without harm
sustained kept going for a long time without stopping
swab a small piece of soft material for cleaning wounds
swallowing making food or drink go down your throat
swampland land that is always very wet and soft
swampy very wet and soft like a marsh
swanky expensive and fashionable, trying to impress
swat to hit an insect to kill it
swatter a flat tool used for hitting and killing insects
sway to move slowly from side to side
swaying moving gently from side to side
swear in to make someone take an official promise for a new job
swear off to promise to stop doing or using something
swear-word a rude or bad word
swearing-in a ceremony where a person takes an official promise
swearword a rude word used to show anger
sweat out to wait nervously for something to end
sweat-band a piece of cloth worn to catch sweat from the face
sweatband a band worn on the head or wrist to catch sweat
swede a round root vegetable with yellow inside
swedishborn born in a northern European country
sweep away to remove quickly and completely
sweep down to move down quickly and smoothly
sweep in to enter quickly and confidently
sweeper a person or machine that cleans floors
sweet-scented having a pleasant and nice smell
sweet-talk to use kind words to get what you want from someone
sweet-tempered having a kind and gentle nature
sweetish slightly sweet in taste
sweetness the quality of tasting like sugar, or being kind
swelling a part of the body that has become bigger than normal
swerve to turn suddenly to one side to avoid something
swift happening or moving very quickly
swiftly in a very quick way
swiftness the quality of being very fast
swine a pig, or a very unpleasant person
swing-door a door that opens both ways and closes by itself
swipe to move your finger across a screen, or to hit
swirling moving around and around in circles
swish to move through the air with a soft sound
switch around to change the order or position of things
switch over to change from one thing to another
switch round to change the positions of two things
switchback a road or path with many sharp turns
switched-on aware and interested in new things
switchover a change from one system or way to another
swoop to move down quickly from the air
swoop down to fly down fast to catch something
swoosh to move quickly making a rushing sound
swop to give one thing in exchange for another
sword-fish a large sea fish with a long pointed nose
swordfish a big fish with a long flat nose like a blade
swordsman a person skilled at fighting with a long blade
sworn having made a serious promise
swot to study very hard, especially before a test
sycamore a large tree with wide leaves
syllabi more than one plan of what to study in a course
syllable a single unit of sound in a word
syllabus a plan of what will be studied in a course
symbolic standing for or representing something else
symbolical having a deeper meaning beyond what is seen
symbolically in a way that stands for something else
symbolise to be a sign that stands for something else
symbolism the use of signs and images to represent ideas
symbolize to represent or stand for something
symbolizing being a sign or image that stands for something
symmetric the same on both sides
symmetrical having two halves that are the same
symmetrically in a way where both sides are the same
symmetry when two halves are the same shape and size
sympathetic showing that you understand someone's feelings
sympathetically in a kind way that shows you understand
sympathise to show that you understand someone's problems
sympathizer a person who agrees with and supports a cause
sympathizing showing that you understand someone's troubles
symphonic about music written for a large group of musicians
symposia more than one meeting to discuss a special topic
symposium a meeting where experts discuss a special topic
synchronization making things happen at the same time
synchronized happening at exactly the same time
synchronous happening at the same time
synchronously at the same time, together
syndicate a group of people or companies working together
syndicated sold to many newspapers or TV stations at once
synergy when working together creates a better result
synonym a word that means the same as another word
synonymic about words that have the same meaning
synonymous meaning the same thing as something else
synopses more than one short summary of a story
syntactic about the rules for putting words in order
syntactical about how words are arranged in sentences
syntactically in a way that follows the rules of word order
syntax the rules for how words are put together in a language
syntheses more than one act of combining things to make something new
synthesize to combine different things to make something new
synthesizer a machine that makes music using electric signals
synthetic made by people, not found in nature
synthetics materials made by people, not found in nature
syphilis a serious disease passed between people through contact
syphon a tube used to move liquid from one place to another
syringa a bush with sweet-smelling white or purple flowers
syrupy thick and sweet like sugar water
system-wide affecting every part of a system
systematical done in a careful and organized way
systematize to organize things into a clear ordered system
systematized put into a clear and ordered system

T

tabasco a very hot red sauce used to add spice to food
tabby a cat with stripes on its fur
table-leaf an extra piece that makes a table bigger
table-linen cloth used on a table, like covers and napkins
table-talk light friendly talk during a meal
table-ware plates, cups, knives and forks for eating
table-water plain drinking water served with a meal
tableful the number of people or things that fill a table
tablemat a thing put under a hot dish to protect the table
tableware plates, glasses and eating tools
tabloid a small newspaper with short simple stories
taboo something that society says you must not do or talk about
tabu not allowed or accepted in a culture
tack a small sharp nail with a flat top
tack on to add something extra at the end
tackiness the quality of being cheap or in bad taste
tackle to try to deal with a difficult problem
tacky cheap looking and in bad taste, or slightly sticky
tactic a planned way of doing something to get what you want
tactician a person who is good at planning the best way to win
tactics plans and methods used to win or succeed
tactile about the sense of touch
tactless saying things that upset people without meaning to
tadpole a young frog that lives in water and has a tail
taffy a chewy sweet made from sugar and butter
tail away to become quieter or weaker
tail off to become less and less until it stops
tail on to follow closely behind someone
tail up to lift the tail, showing spirit or energy
tail-coat a formal jacket that is long at the back
tail-lamp a red light at the back of a vehicle
tail-light a light at the back of a car
tail-pipe the tube at the back of a car where gas comes out
tail-spin spinning out of control while falling
tail-wind wind blowing from behind, helping you go faster
tailback a long line of traffic that is not moving
tailcoat a formal jacket with long parts at the back
tailgate the door at the back of a truck or car
taillight the red light at the back of a vehicle
tailor a person who makes and fixes clothes
tailor-made made exactly for one person or purpose
tailor-make to make something for one specific person
tailored made to fit perfectly, or changed for a purpose
tailoring the work of making and fitting clothes
take about to bring someone around a place
take around to guide someone through a place
take-down the act of removing something, or a wrestling move
take-home the money left after tax is taken from your pay
take-in a trick, or the act of making clothes smaller
take-over when one company buys and controls another
take-up the number of people who accept an offer
takeover gaining control of a company by buying it
takings the money received from selling things
talcum a fine soft powder put on the skin
tale-teller a person who tells stories, or who shares secrets
talentless without any special skill or ability
taleteller a person who tells stories or spreads private news
taliban a strict religious group in a central Asian country
talk away to keep talking for a long time
talk back to reply in a rude way to someone in charge
talk down to speak to someone as if they are less smart
talk out to discuss a problem until it is solved
talk up to speak well of something to make it seem better
talkativeness the quality of talking a lot
talking-to a serious talk to tell someone they did wrong
tally a record of the number or amount of something
talon a sharp curved nail on a bird that hunts
tamale a Latin American food of meat wrapped in corn dough
tambourine a small round instrument with metal discs you shake
tame not wild, used to people and gentle
tamer a person who trains wild animals to be gentle
taming making a wild animal calm and used to people
tamper to touch or change something you should not
tampon a small piece of cotton used inside the body
tandem a bicycle built for two people
tangent a line that touches a curve, or going off topic
tangible real and able to be touched or felt
tangle a messy knot of threads, hair or wires
tangram a puzzle of flat shapes that fit together
tangy having a sharp strong taste
tank up to fill a vehicle with fuel
tankard a large cup with a handle for drinking beer
tanked failed badly, or very full of fuel
tanker a large ship or truck that carries liquid
tanned having darker skin from being in the sun
tanning the process of skin getting darker in the sun
tap-dance a dance where you make sounds with special shoes
tape-measure a long thin strip marked with measurements
tape-record to save sounds on a magnetic strip
taped recorded on tape, or stuck with sticky strip
taper to become gradually thinner at one end
taper off to become less and less over time
tapestry a large piece of cloth with pictures woven into it
tapeworm a long flat worm that lives inside the body
tapioca small white balls made from a tropical root plant
tar a thick black sticky material used on roads
tarantula a large hairy spider
tardiness being late or slow
targeting choosing something as your goal or aim
tariff a tax on goods brought in from another country
tarmac a hard surface made of tar and stones for roads
tarnish to lose shine, or to damage a reputation
tarpaulin a large strong cloth that keeps water out
tarred covered with a thick black sticky material
tart a small pie with fruit or cream, or having a sharp taste
tartan a pattern of crossed lines in different colours
tartar hard material that forms on teeth
tartlet a very small pie with filling
taskbar the bar at the bottom of a computer screen
tassel a bunch of threads tied together as decoration
taste-bud a tiny part on your tongue that lets you taste food
tasteful showing good style and choice
tastefully in a way that shows good style
tat cheap and low quality things
tatter a torn piece of cloth or clothing
tattered old and torn
tattle to tell someone in power about what others did wrong
tattler a person who tells on others
tattletale a person, usually a child, who tells on others
tattooing the act of drawing pictures on skin with ink
tatty old, worn and in bad condition
taunt to make fun of someone to make them angry
taurus a sign of the stars for people born in late spring
tavern a place where people go to drink and eat
tax-collector a person whose job is to get tax money from people
tax-free without any tax added to the price
taxable that must have tax paid on it
taxation the system of charging people money for the government
taximeter a device in a taxi that shows how much you must pay
taxing needing a lot of effort, tiring
taxman a person who collects taxes for the government
taxpayer a person who pays tax to the government
taxpaying paying taxes to the government
tea-bread a sweet bread eaten with tea
tea-cake a small sweet bread roll with dried fruit
tea-cloth a cloth for drying dishes or covering a tea tray
tea-cosy a cover put over a teapot to keep it warm
tea-garden a garden or outdoor area where tea is served
tea-house a place, especially in Asia, where tea is served
tea-plant the bush whose leaves are used to make tea
tea-room a small restaurant that serves tea and light food
tea-rose a type of garden rose with a sweet smell
tea-service a set of cups, plates and a pot for serving tea
tea-shop a small shop or cafe that sells tea and cakes
tea-strainer a small tool with holes for catching tea leaves
tea-things cups, pots and plates used for serving tea
tea-tray a flat board for carrying cups and a teapot
tea-tree a plant whose oil is used for cleaning and healing
teabowl a small cup without a handle used for drinking tea
teacake a small round sweet bread with dried fruit
teachable willing and able to learn new things
teacup a cup used for drinking tea
teak a hard strong wood from a tropical tree
teal a blue-green colour, or a type of wild duck
tealeaf a dried leaf used to make tea
team-up joining together with someone to work as a group
teamplay working together as a group to win or succeed
tear about to move around very fast in an excited way
tear along to move very fast in one direction
tear away to pull yourself or someone away with difficulty
tear down to destroy a building by pulling it apart
tear off to pull something away quickly
tear out to pull something out quickly and roughly
tear up to pull into small pieces
tear-drop a single drop of water from the eye
tear-gas a chemical that makes your eyes burn and water
tear-shaped shaped like a drop of water from the eye
teardrop one drop of water that comes from your eye
tearfully while crying or almost crying
tearless without any crying
tearstained showing marks from crying
teary about to cry, or with tears in the eyes
teaser something that makes you curious, or a difficult question
teashop a cafe where you can buy tea and cakes
teatime the time in the afternoon when people drink tea
technically according to the exact rules or facts
technologist a person who studies or works with new methods and tools
tedious long, boring and not interesting
tee a small stand for a golf ball, or a type of shirt
tee off to start a game of golf by hitting the first ball
teensy extremely small and tiny
teeny very small
teeny-weeny extremely small and tiny
teepee a cone-shaped tent used by native Americans
teeter-totter a play thing that goes up and down
teeterboard a flat board that tips up and down when you stand on it
teethe when a baby's first teeth start coming through
teething the time when a baby's first teeth are growing
teeup to prepare something for the next step
telecast a program sent out on television
telegraph an old way to send messages using a wire
telegraph-pole a tall wooden post that holds telephone wires
telemarketer a person who sells things by calling on the phone
telepathic able to know what others think without speaking
tell off to speak angrily to someone for doing something wrong
telling having a strong and important effect
telling-off being spoken to angrily for doing wrong
telly a friendly word for a television
temperate not too hot and not too cold
tempered having a certain type of mood or feelings
template a pattern or guide used to make something
tempo the speed of music or activity
temptation a strong wish to do something, often something wrong
tempting attractive and making you want to do or have something
ten-year lasting or covering a period of ten years
tender soft and easy to cut, or gentle and caring
tenderize to make meat softer by beating or cooking it
tenderized made softer and easier to eat
tenderloin a soft and tender piece of meat
tenderly in a gentle and caring way
tenderness the quality of being gentle and caring
tenerife a large island near Africa popular for holidays
tenfold ten times as much or as many
tenor a man with a high singing voice
tenpins a game where you roll a ball to knock down ten pieces
tensely in a nervous and worried way
tenseness the feeling of being nervous and tight
tent-peg a pointed stick pushed into the ground to hold a tent
tentacle a long thin arm of a sea animal like an octopus
tentative not certain or confident, done as a first try
tentatively in an uncertain or careful way
tepee a tent shaped like a cone, used by native Americans
tequila a strong alcoholic drink from a plant in Mexico
term-time the period when school is open, not holidays
terminate to end or stop something
terraced built in a row sharing walls, or having flat areas on a hill
terrain type of land in a particular area
terrarium a glass box for growing plants or keeping small animals
terrier a small active type of dog
terrifically extremely well or to a great degree
terrifying causing extreme fear
territorial about an area of land, or eager to protect your own space
territory an area of land that belongs to someone
terrorist person who uses fear to hurt people
terrorize to frighten people very badly on purpose
test-drive to drive a car before buying it to see how it works
test-tube a small glass tube used in science experiments
tester a person who tests things, or a small free sample
testify to speak in court about what you know
testimony words someone says in court about what they know
testing difficult and challenging, or checking how things work
tether a rope or chain that keeps an animal in one place
textile cloth or fabric, especially one that is woven
textilefactory a building where cloth is made
textured having a surface that is not smooth
thankfulness the feeling of being grateful
thanksgiving a holiday for giving thanks, or the act of being grateful
thaw to become soft after being frozen
theatre-goer a person who often goes to see plays
theatre-going the habit of going to see plays
theatrical about the theatre, or too dramatic in behaviour
theoretical based on ideas, not on practice or experience
theorist a person who develops ideas to explain things
thereabout near that number, time or place
thereabouts around that number, time or place
thermal about heat, or keeping you warm
thermostat a device that controls the temperature in a building
thesis a long research paper written for a master or doctor degree
thickened made thicker or more dense
thickly in a thick way, with many layers
thickness how thick something is
thigh-bone the long bone in the top part of your leg
thighbone the bone in the upper part of your leg
thimble a small metal cover for your finger when sewing
thin out to become less crowded or less thick
think out to think about something very carefully
think through to consider all parts of something carefully
think up to create a new idea or plan
thinness the state of being not thick or not fat
third-class of the lowest level of quality or service
thirdly used to introduce the third point in a list
thirds three equal parts of something
thirteenth number 13 in order
thirtykilometre having a distance of thirty thousand metres
thirtyyearold being thirty years of age
thistle a wild plant with sharp leaves and purple flowers
thong a thin strap of leather, or a type of underwear
thorn a sharp point on the stem of a plant like a rose
thorny covered with sharp points, or difficult to deal with
thoroughly completely and carefully
thoughtfully in a way that shows care for others, or while thinking deeply
thoughtless not thinking about how your actions affect others
thoughtlessly without caring about others' feelings
thoughtlessness not thinking about how you affect other people
thrash to hit hard many times, or to defeat badly
threatened in danger, or warned that something bad will happen
three-digit a number with three figures
three-dimensional having height, width and depth, not flat
three-fourths three parts out of four equal parts
three-lane having three paths for traffic
three-legged having three legs
three-man done by or for three people
three-mile covering a distance of three miles
three-piece made of three matching parts
three-quarter being three out of four parts
three-quarters three parts out of four
three-sided having three sides
three-storey having three floors in a building
three-wheeler a vehicle with three wheels
threefold three times as much
threes groups of three
threshold level at which something begins to happen or change
thrill a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure
thrilling very exciting and enjoyable
thrillseeker a person who loves doing exciting and risky things
thriving doing very well, growing and being successful
throb to beat with a strong regular rhythm, often painfully
throbbing beating hard and regularly, causing pain
throng a large crowd of people
throttle to press the throat to stop breathing, or a speed control
throughway a main road for fast traffic
throw about to throw things in different directions carelessly
throw back to return by throwing
throw down to drop something with force to the ground
throw in to add something extra for free
throw off to get free from something
throw on to put clothes on quickly
throw over to leave someone for another person
throw-out something that is rejected or removed
thrower a person who throws something
thrush a small brown singing bird
thrust to push something forward suddenly and with force
thrusting pushing forward with force
thruway a major highway for fast travel
thud a dull heavy sound when something falls
thudding making repeated dull heavy sounds
thug a violent and dangerous person
thumb down to show you do not approve of something
thumb-nail the flat hard part on the end of your thumb
thumb-tack a small pin with a flat top for fixing paper to a wall
thumbnail a very small picture, or the nail on your thumb
thumbprint the mark made by pressing your thumb on something
thumbs-down a sign showing you do not like or agree
thumbtack a pin with a flat round top for sticking paper to a board
thundercloud a large dark cloud that brings storms
thundershower a short heavy rain with thunder and lightning
thundery weather that could bring thunder and storms
thyme a green plant used to add taste to food
tick off to mark something as done, or to make someone angry
tick-tack-toe a simple game where you draw circles and crosses
ticking a regular clicking sound, like a clock makes
tickle to touch someone lightly to make them laugh
tickling touching someone lightly to make them laugh
tidal about or caused by the rise and fall of the sea
tidily in a clean and organized way
tidiness the state of being clean and in good order
tidy away to put things back in their proper places
tie down to hold in place with a rope, or to limit freedom
tie in to connect or fit well with something else
tie on to attach something using string or rope
tie up to fasten with rope or string, or to be busy
tier one of several levels or layers
tight-fitting fitting very closely to the body
tighten up to make rules or controls more strict
tightening making something more tight or strict
tightness the state of being firmly held or not loose
tightrope a high thin rope that someone walks across
tigress a female tiger
tilt to move or lean to one side
time-consuming taking a lot of time to do
time-limit the most time allowed for doing something
time-out a short break from an activity
time-saving helping you do something in less time
timed set to happen at a certain time
timeline a line showing events in the order they happened
timeliness happening at the right time
timespan the length of time something lasts
timid shy and easily scared
timing choosing the right moment to do something
tin-foil a thin sheet of metal for wrapping food
tinfoil thin metal paper used to cover food
tingle a slight stinging feeling on the skin
tinkle a light high ringing sound
tinned kept in a metal container
tint a small amount of colour
tinted having a light colour added
tip off to give secret information to someone
tip over to fall on its side
tip up to lift one end so that something slides out
tipsy slightly drunk from drinking alcohol
tiptoe to walk very quietly on the front of your feet
tiredlooking appearing to be very tired and worn out
tiredness the feeling of needing sleep or rest
tirelessly without ever getting tired or stopping
tiresome making you feel bored and annoyed
titanium a strong light metal used in planes and medicine
to-be that will be in the future
to-do a list of things you need to do, or a fuss
toadstool a wild plant like a mushroom, often poisonous
toasty warm and comfortable
tobacco-pipe a tube used for smoking dried leaves
toboggan a long flat board for sliding down snow hills
toddle to walk with short unsteady steps like a small child
toenail the hard flat part on top of your toe
tog a unit for measuring how warm bedcovers are
togetherness the feeling of being close and connected to others
toggle a small switch, or to change between two states
toil to work very hard for a long time
toilet-train to teach a small child to use the toilet
toiletries things you use to wash yourself, like soap and toothpaste
token small thing that represents a bigger idea or value
tolerable that can be accepted, not too bad
tolerably in a way that is acceptable but not great
tolerant willing to accept beliefs and behaviour different from yours
toll a charge for using a road or bridge
toll road a road you must pay to use
toll-free without any charge for using a phone number
tollbooth a small building where you pay to use a road
tollgate a gate across a road where you must pay to pass
tom-cat a male cat
tombola a game where you pick tickets to win prizes
tomboy a girl who enjoys rough active play
tombstone a stone marker put over a grave
tomcat a male cat
tone down to make something less strong or extreme
tone up to make your body firmer with exercise
tone-deaf not able to tell the difference between musical sounds
toner a powder used in printers, or a skin cleaning liquid
tongs a tool with two arms for picking up things
tongue-tied too nervous or shy to speak
tongue-twister a group of words that is very hard to say fast
tonic a drink or medicine that makes you feel better
tonsil one of two small parts at the back of your throat
tonsillitis a painful illness of the parts at the back of the throat
toolbar a row of buttons on a computer screen
toolkit a set of tools, or a group of useful things
toolshed a small building for keeping garden tools
toot a short sound made by a horn or whistle
toothpick a small thin stick for cleaning between your teeth
top off to fill something to the very top
top up to add more to make something full again
top-down starting from the highest level and going down
top-grade of the best quality
top-level at the highest and most important position
top-priority the most important thing that must be done first
top-rated having the best score or review
top-secret very private and not to be shared with anyone
topcoat a long coat worn over other clothes
topical about things happening now
topmost at the very highest point
tops at the most, the highest amount
torment great pain or suffering
torrent a strong fast flow of water, or a large amount
tortilla a thin flat bread from Mexico
tortoiseshell a pattern of brown and yellow colours
torture causing great pain to someone on purpose
toss out to throw something away
toss up to throw something in the air
tossing throwing something lightly or carelessly
tote to carry something, or a large bag
toucan a tropical bird with a very large colourful bill
touch base to talk to someone briefly to share information
touch down to land, as a plane does
touch on to talk about something briefly
touch up to make small fixes to improve something
touch-line the line at the side of a sports field
touchable that can be touched
touchdown when a plane lands, or a score in American football
touching making you feel sad or emotional in a good way
touchline the line at the side of a football field
touchpoint a moment when a company connects with its customer
toughen to make or become stronger and harder
tourer a car or bike made for long trips
touristic about or designed for people visiting a place
touristy full of visitors, often too many
towing pulling something behind a vehicle
townhouse a tall narrow house in a row in a town
township a small town or area of a town
towrope a strong rope used to pull a vehicle or boat
toxin a poison made by living things
toyshop a shop that sells toys
traceable that can be found or followed
traced found by following marks or information
traceur a person who does the sport of jumping over things in cities
tracing following the path of something, or copying a drawing
track down to search for and find someone or something
track-and-field athletics sports like running, jumping and throwing
tracker a person or device that follows and finds things
traction the grip between wheels and the ground
tractor-driver a person who drives a farm vehicle
trad short for traditional, in an old style
trade in to give an old thing as part of payment for a new one
trade off to accept something bad to get something good
trade-union a group of workers who join to protect their rights
trader a person who buys and sells things
trading buying and selling of goods and services
traffic warden a person who checks that cars are parked correctly
traffic-circle a round place in a road where cars go around
trafficking moving or selling things in a wrong way
tragically in a very sad way that causes great suffering
trail off to become quieter and quieter until you stop
trailing following behind, or hanging down
train-service trains that run on a certain route
trainee a person who is learning a job
traineeship a period of training for a job
training-college a school for learning how to do a job
traitor a person who is not loyal and helps the enemy
tram-car a bus that runs on metal lines in the street
tram-driver a person who drives a vehicle on street tracks
tram-line the metal track that a street vehicle runs on
tramcar a vehicle for people that runs on tracks in the street
tramline the metal track in the road for a street vehicle
tramp a person with no home who walks from place to place
trample to step heavily on something and damage it
trampolining jumping up and down on a bouncy surface for sport
trans across, or about people whose gender is different from birth
transactions acts of buying or selling, business deals
transcript a written copy of spoken words
transcription writing down spoken words or copying music
transferable that can be moved from one person or place to another
transferring moving something from one place to another
transformed changed completely into something different
transformer a device that changes the level of electrical power
transfusion putting blood from one person into another
transient lasting only a short time, not staying long
transistor a tiny part in electronic devices that controls power
transit the act of moving from one place to another
transitive a verb that needs an object after it
translated changed words from one language to another
transmission sending something from one place to another
transmit to send or pass something from one place to another
transmitter a device that sends out signals or messages
transmitting sending out signals, messages or disease
transnational across more than one country
transparent clear enough to see through
transplant to move something to a new place, especially a body part
transportable that can be moved from one place to another
transporter a vehicle or person that carries things
transsexual a person who feels they are a different gender from birth
trapdoor a door in a floor or ceiling
trapeze a bar hanging from ropes, used by circus performers
trapezius a large muscle in the upper back and neck
trapper a person who catches wild animals for their fur
trapping catching animals in a device
trashcan a container for throwing rubbish into
traumatic causing very strong feelings of shock and pain
travel-bureau an office that helps people plan their trips
travelling-bag a bag for carrying things when on a trip
traverse to travel across or through an area
tray a flat board for carrying food and drinks
tread to walk or step on something
tread down to press something down by stepping on it
treasurer a person who takes care of money for a group
treasury a place where government money is kept and managed
treatable that can be helped or made better with medicine
treaty a formal agreement between countries
treble three times as much, or a high musical voice
trek a long difficult walk or journey
trembling shaking because of fear, cold, or weakness
tremendously to a very great degree
tremor a slight shaking of the earth or body
trench a long narrow hole dug in the ground
triathlon a sport that combines swimming, cycling and running
tribe a group of people who share customs and a leader
tribesman a man who belongs to a tribe
tribesmen men who belong to a tribe
tribute payment or gift showing respect or gratitude
trickiness the quality of being difficult or not straightforward
trickle to flow slowly in a thin stream
trickling flowing slowly in small amounts
trig short for the study of triangles and angles
triggering causing something to start happening
trigonometry the study of triangles and the size of their angles
trike a small vehicle with three wheels
trimester a period of three months
trimmer a tool for cutting edges neatly
trimming cutting something to make it neat
trimmings extra things served with the main part of a meal
trinity a group of three, or the three forms of God in Christianity
tripod a stand with three legs for holding a camera
tripping catching your foot and almost falling
triumphant very happy because you have won or succeeded
triumphantly in a way that shows joy at winning
trod past form of stepping or walking on something
trodden walked on by many feet
trojan from or about the old city of Troy
trolley-bus a bus powered by electric wires above the road
trolley-car a bus or train that runs on electric power
trolleybus a bus that gets power from wires above the street
trolly a small cart with wheels for moving things
trooper a soldier, or a police officer
tropic the hot area near the middle of the Earth
trot off to walk away at a quick pace
trouble-free without any problems
trouble-shooter a person who solves problems for others
troublesome causing problems and difficulty
troubling causing worry or concern
trough long open box for animals to eat or drink from
troupe a group of actors, dancers or other performers
trouper a member of a performing group, or a reliable person
trowel a small flat tool for spreading or digging
truancy staying away from school without permission
truce an agreement to stop fighting for a time
truckdriver a person who drives a large vehicle for carrying goods
trucker a person whose job is driving a large goods vehicle
trucking the business of moving goods by large road vehicles
trudge to walk slowly with heavy steps, often when tired
true-life based on things that really happened
true-love a person you love deeply and forever
truelove a person you love deeply and forever
trump to beat or do better than something else
trusted believed to be honest and reliable
trustee a person who controls money or property for others
trusting ready to believe that others are good and honest
trustworthiness the quality of being honest and able to be trusted
trusty that you can depend on, reliable and faithful
truthfully in a way that is honest and true
truthfulness the quality of being honest and saying what is true
try-on an act of putting on clothes to see if they fit
try-out a test to see how good someone or something is
tsunami a very large ocean wave caused by an earthquake
tuba a very large brass instrument that plays low sounds
tubby short and a little fat
tubeless a tire that has no inner tube of air
tuber a thick round root of a plant, like a potato
tuberculosis a serious disease that mainly affects the lungs
tubing long round hollow pieces of material, or tubes together
tubular shaped like a long round hollow pipe
tuck to push or fold something into a small space
tuck away to put something in a safe or hidden place
tuck in to push edges of cloth under something to hold it
tuck up to make someone warm in bed by pulling covers close
tuck-shop a small shop selling sweets and snacks at school
tuft a small group of hairs, grass, or threads growing together
tug to pull something hard, often more than once
tugboat a small strong boat that pulls large ships
tuition teaching, especially to one person or a small group
tuition-fee money paid for being taught at a school
tulip a bright spring flower shaped like a cup
tumble down to fall or come down in a messy way
tumbler a drinking glass with no handle and a flat bottom
tumbling falling or rolling around in an uncontrolled way
tumour an unusual growth of cells in the body
tundra large flat land in the far north where no trees grow
tune in to set a radio or TV to receive a programme
tune out to stop paying attention to something
tune up to make small changes to an engine so it works better
tuner a part of a radio or TV that receives signals
tunic a loose piece of clothing that reaches the knees
tuning the act of making an instrument play the right notes
tuning-fork a metal tool that makes one perfect note when hit
turbo a part that makes an engine more powerful using gas flow
turbocharger a device that forces more air into an engine for power
turbulent with strong sudden movements, or full of trouble
turmoil a state of great worry, confusion, or trouble
turn aside to move to face a different direction
turn-down a refusal or saying no to an offer
turn-off something that makes you lose interest
turn-out the number of people who come to an event
turn-round the time needed to finish a task and be ready again
turn-table a round surface that spins to play records
turn-up the bottom of a trouser leg folded up
turnaround a big change from bad to good, or time to finish
turning-point a moment when an important change happens
turnip a round white root vegetable that grows underground
turnover the total amount of money a business earns in a time
turntable a round surface that spins to play music records
tusk a very long pointed tooth that grows outside the mouth
tutee a person who is being taught by a tutor
tutu a very short skirt made of many layers, worn for dance
tux short for a formal black suit worn at special events
tuxedo a formal black suit worn at special events
tweak to make small changes to improve something
tween a child between about ten and thirteen years old
twenty-twenty normal good eyesight, or clear understanding
twentyfifth coming after twenty-four others in order
twentyfirst coming after twenty others in order
twiceyearly happening two times each year
twiddle to play with something using your fingers with no aim
twig a very small thin branch of a tree
twiggy thin like a small branch, or having many small branches
twilight the soft light in the sky just after the sun goes down
twinbed one of two single beds in the same room
twine strong string made by twisting threads together
twinkle to shine with a small light that comes and goes quickly
twinkly shining with small lights that come and go
twirl to spin around quickly, or to turn something in circles
twist off to remove something by turning it
twist round to turn your body to face a different way
twist up to bend or turn something into a wrong shape
twisty having many turns and bends
twitchy feeling nervous and unable to keep still
twitter to make short high sounds, like a bird
two-colour having or using two different colours
two-dimensional flat, having only length and width but no depth
two-faced not honest, saying different things to different people
two-headed having two heads
two-piece a set of clothes made of two matching parts
two-sided having two different sides or views
two-storied a building that has two floors
two-time to be secretly seeing two people at the same time
two-way moving or working in both directions
two-wheeled having two wheels
two-wheeler a vehicle with two wheels, like a bicycle
twosome a group of two people, often a couple
twowheeled having two wheels
typewritten written using a machine that prints letters on paper
typhoid a serious disease from dirty water that causes high heat
tyranny cruel and unfair use of power over people
tyrant a ruler who uses power in a cruel and unfair way

U

udder the part of a cow where milk comes from
ulcer a painful open sore on the skin or inside the body
ultimate the greatest or most important, or final
ultrafast very much faster than normal
ultrasecure made safe to a very high level
ultrasound way to see inside the body using sound
ultraviolet light beyond what the eye can see that burns skin
umami a deep rich taste found in foods like meat and cheese
umbrella-shaped round and curved on top like a rain cover
umbrella-stand a container for holding rain covers when not used
umpire a person who makes sure rules are followed in a game
umpteen very many, too many to count
unacceptable not good enough, cannot be allowed
unaccompanied alone, without anyone else
unaccustomed not used to something, not familiar with it
unaffected not changed or influenced by something
unaltered not changed in any way, staying the same
unanimous when everyone agrees completely
unanticipated not expected, coming as a surprise
unappealing not attractive or interesting
unappetizing food that does not look or smell good to eat
unarmed not carrying any weapons
unashamedly without feeling bad or sorry about something
unattainable not possible to reach or get
unattended left alone with no one watching or caring for it
unattractive not nice to look at, not beautiful
unauthorised done without official permission
unavoidable impossible to stop from happening
unbalanced not steady or equal, or mentally not well
unbearable too painful or bad to accept or deal with
unbeaten not lost or beaten by anyone
unbeautiful not pretty or nice to look at
unbelievably in a way that is very hard to believe
unbelt to take off or open a belt
unbiased fair, not favouring one side over another
unbiassed fair, not favouring one side over another
unbleached not made white by using chemicals
unblock to remove what is stopping something from moving
unblurred clear and sharp, not out of focus
unbreakable so strong that it cannot be broken
unbuckle to open the fastener on a belt or shoe
uncalled-for not needed or wanted, and often rude
uncap to take the cover off something
uncarpeted a floor with no soft covering on it
uncaught not caught or found
uncertainly in a way that shows doubt or not being sure
unchanged staying the same, not different from before
uncharacteristic not typical of how someone usually acts
uncheck to remove a mark from a small box on a form
unchecked not stopped or controlled, allowed to continue
unclean dirty, not clean
unclearly in a way that is hard to see or understand
unclog to remove a block so something can flow freely again
unclosing not shutting, staying open
uncoil to make something that was wound up become straight
uncombed hair that has not been made neat or tidy
uncomfortably in a way that causes physical or mental unease
unconcerned not worried or bothered about something
unconfirmed not yet shown to be true or certain
unconsciousness the state of not being awake or aware
uncontrollably in a way that cannot be stopped or managed
unconvinced not believing that something is true or right
unconvincing not making you believe something is true
uncoordinated moving in a clumsy way, not smooth
uncork to pull the stopper out of a bottle
uncountable too many to count
uncovered not hidden, or with no cover on top
uncrowded not having too many people, with plenty of space
uncurl to make something that was curled become straight
uncut not cut, left in its full or natural state
undamaged not harmed or broken in any way
undecided not yet having made a choice about something
undefeated not having lost any game or fight
undeniable clearly true, impossible to say it is not so
undependable not able to be trusted or counted on
under-age too young to do something by law
underarm the area under your arm where it joins the body
undercarriage the wheels and landing parts under a plane
undercook to not cook food for long enough
undercover done secretly, often to find out hidden information
undercurrent a hidden feeling or force beneath the surface
underdeveloped not grown or built as much as it could be
underdog a person or team expected to lose
underfoot on the ground, under your feet
undergarment a piece of clothing worn under other clothes
undergone past form of undergo, to have experienced something
undergrad a student studying for their first degree at college
undergraduate a student studying for their first degree
underhand done in a secret and dishonest way
underhanded done in a secret and dishonest way
underlie to be the hidden cause or basis of something
underlying hidden below the surface but very important
undermine to slowly weaken or destroy something from within
underpass a road or path that goes under another road
underprivileged having less money and fewer chances in life
underrate to think something is less good or important than it is
undersea found or happening below the surface of the sea
undershirt a piece of clothing worn under a shirt next to skin
underside the bottom part or surface of something
undertake to agree to do or start a piece of work
undertaken past form of starting or agreeing to do work
undertaker person who prepares dead people to be buried
undertook past form of starting or agreeing to do work
undervalue to think something is worth less than it really is
underway already started and happening now
underwent past form of experiencing or going through something
undeserved not earned or not fair, given without good reason
undesirable not wanted because it may cause trouble
undesired not wanted or wished for
undetected not found or noticed
undeveloped land that has not been built on or used
undiscovered not yet found or known about
undoubtedly without any doubt, certainly
undreamed so good or big that you never thought possible
undressed not wearing clothes, or having taken clothes off
unearthly strange and not from this world, or very early
unease a feeling of worry or not being comfortable
uneasily in a way that shows worry or discomfort
uneaten not eaten, still on the plate
uneducated not having had much teaching or schooling
unemotional not showing feelings, calm and controlled
unenforceable a rule that cannot be made to work in practice
unenthusiastic not showing much interest or excitement
unequal not the same in size, amount, or quality
unequipped not having the tools or skills needed
unethical not following rules of right and wrong behaviour
unexciting not interesting or fun, dull
unexperienced not having done something before, new to it
unexplained with no reason given or known
unexplored not yet visited or studied
unfaithful not loyal, especially having a secret love partner
unfamiliar not known or seen before, strange
unfashionable not in the current style or trend
unfasten to open or undo something that was closed or tied
unfastened opened or undone, not closed or tied
unfavorable not good or helpful, working against you
unfavourable not good or helpful, working against you
unfed not given food
unfilled empty, not yet filled with anything
unflattering making someone look or seem worse than they are
unfocused not clear or sharp, or not paying attention
unfolding developing or becoming known over time
unforced natural, done without pressure or effort
unforeseen not expected, happening as a surprise
unforgivable too bad to be excused or forgiven
unfounded not based on any real facts or truth
unfreeze to let something that was frozen become soft again
unfriend to remove someone from your friends list online
unfriended removed from someones friends list online
unfriendliness the quality of not being warm or welcoming
unfulfilled not satisfied, or not done as promised
unfunny not at all amusing or making you laugh
unfurnished a room or home with no tables, chairs, or beds
ungodly at a very bad or unreasonable time
ungraceful moving in a clumsy way, not smooth or pretty
ungreased not covered with oil or fat
unguarded not protected, or speaking without thinking
unguided without help or direction from anyone
unhandy not easy to use or hold, or not good with hands
unhang to take something down from where it was hanging
unharmed not hurt or damaged in any way
unholy very bad or shocking, against what is right
unhook to remove something from a hook or fastener
unhygienic not clean, likely to cause sickness
unified joined together as one, working as a whole
unimaginable so great or bad that you cannot picture it in mind
unimaginably to a degree that is impossible to picture in mind
unimpressive not causing admiration, ordinary
uninformed not having enough knowledge about something
uninhabited with no people living there
uninhibited free and open, not held back by shyness
uninjured not hurt
uninspired not showing new or exciting ideas, dull
unintended not planned or meant to happen
unintentional not done on purpose, happening by mistake
unintentionally without meaning to, by accident
uniqueness the quality of being the only one of its kind
unironed clothes not made smooth with a hot tool
unisex made for or used by both men and women
uniting bringing together or joining as one
unity state of being joined together as one
unjust not fair or not right
unjustified not fair or not having a good reason
unjustly in a way that is not fair or right
unkempt not neat or tidy, looking messy
unkindly in a way that is not nice or caring
unknowingly without being aware of what you are doing
unlace to undo the strings that hold shoes or clothes closed
unlink to break the connection between two things
unload to take things off a vehicle or out of a container
unlock to open something that was locked, using a key
unluckily in an unfortunate way, sadly
unmanned with no people inside or controlling it
unmistakable so clear that you cannot be wrong about it
unmistakably in a way that is very clear and obvious
unmotivated not wanting to do something, lacking drive
unmoving staying completely still, not moving at all
unnatural not normal, different from what you would expect
unneeded not required or necessary
unofficial not approved by those in charge
unopened still closed, not yet opened
unorganized messy and without a good system or plan
unoriginal not new or different, copied from others
unpaid not yet given money for work done
unplanned not arranged ahead of time, happening by chance
unpleasantly in a way that is not nice or enjoyable
unpleasantness the quality of being not nice or enjoyable
unprepared not ready for what is going to happen
unprocessed food or material in its natural state, not changed
unprofessional not meeting the standards expected at work
unprotected not kept safe from harm or danger
unpunctual often late, not arriving on time
unqualified not having the right skills or training for a job
unquestionably without any doubt at all, certainly
unreachable not possible to get to or contact
unread not yet looked at or read
unreadable too hard or boring to read, or impossible to read
unready not prepared or ready for something
unreal so strange or amazing that it seems not real
unrealized not yet made to happen or come true
unreasonable not fair or sensible, asking too much
unrecognized not known or given credit for
unrecorded not written down or saved
unrecoverable lost forever, not possible to get back
unreliable not able to be trusted or depended on
unremarkable not special or interesting in any way
unresolved not yet settled or answered
unrest a state of unhappiness and anger among people
unripe not yet ready to eat, still growing
unroll to open something that was rolled up
unsalted without salt added
unsanitary dirty and likely to spread disease
unsatisfactory not good enough to be accepted
unsatisfying not giving you what you wanted or needed
unscheduled not planned or arranged in advance
unscramble to put mixed up letters or words in the right order
unscrew to open or remove something by turning it
unscrewed opened or removed by turning
unscripted spoken freely without prepared words
unset to change something back to how it was before
unsettled not calm, or not yet decided
unsettling making you feel uncomfortable or worried
unsew to undo the stitches that hold cloth together
unshaded not protected from the sun, in full light
unshakable very strong and firm, cannot be changed
unshapely not having a nice or pleasing shape
unshared kept to yourself, not given to others
unshaven not having removed the hair on the face recently
unshelled with the hard outer cover removed
unsheltered not protected from weather or danger
unshielded not protected by a barrier or cover
unsinkable designed so it will not go under water
unskilled not having special training for a job
unsmiling not showing a happy face, looking serious
unsociable not wanting to be with or talk to other people
unsold not bought by anyone
unsophisticated simple and not knowing much about the world
unsorted not arranged or put into groups
unsound not in good condition, weak or not safe
unsown land where no seeds have been planted
unspecified not clearly named or described
unspoiled not damaged or changed, still in natural beauty
unspoken understood but not said in words
unsporting not fair or not following the spirit of a game
unsportsmanlike not showing good behaviour in a game or sport
unstick to free something that was stuck
unstuck no longer stuck, freed or loose
unsuccessful not achieving what was wanted or planned
unsuccessfully in a way that did not achieve the wanted result
unsuitable not right or fitting for a particular purpose
unsuited not having the right qualities for something
unsupported not helped or given proof, standing alone
unsweetened without sugar or sweet taste added
unsympathetic not showing care for others' problems or pain
untalented not having natural ability or skill
untamed wild, not trained or controlled by people
untapped not yet used or taken advantage of
untaught not taught or given instruction
untaxed not having to pay tax on it
untested not yet tried or checked to see if it works
unthinkable too terrible or unlikely to imagine
unthinkably to a degree that is impossible to imagine
unthinking done without careful thought
untidiness the state of being messy and not neat
untitled without a name or title
unto an old word meaning to or towards
untold too great to count or measure
untouchable not able to be touched, or too powerful to harm
untrained not taught the skills needed for a task
untreated not given medical care, or not cleaned with chemicals
untrustworthy not honest or reliable, cannot be trusted
untruthful not telling the truth, lying
untying undoing a knot or something that was tied
unusable not able to be used, broken or not working
unused not being used, or never having been used
unusualness the quality of being different from what is normal
unveil to show something to people for the first time
unverified not yet checked or proved to be true
unwarranted not fair or needed, without good reason
unwed not married
unwilling not wanting to do something
unwillingly in a way that shows you do not want to do it
unwillingness the state of not wanting to do something
unwind to relax after working or feeling stressed
unwise not showing good judgement, foolish
unworldly not knowing much about life and the real world
unworn not yet worn, still new
unworthy not good enough, not deserving
unwritten not put in writing, but understood by everyone
up-and-coming likely to become successful or popular soon
up-and-down moving higher and lower again and again
up-beat happy and positive, full of hope
up-date to give the newest information about something
up-front honest and direct, or paid before work starts
up-grade to change something to a better version
up-to-date having the most recent information or style
up-top at the highest point or level
upandcoming likely to become successful or popular soon
upbeat happy and full of hope about the future
upbringing the way a child is cared for and taught at home
updo a hairstyle where hair is arranged up on the head
upgrade to change something to a better or newer version
upgraded changed to a better or newer version
upgrading the act of changing to a better version
upkeep the work and cost of keeping something in good state
upland high ground, the hilly parts of a country
uplift to make someone feel better or more hopeful
uplifting making you feel happier or more hopeful
upper-class belonging to the richest and highest social group
upper-cut a punch that goes upward towards the chin
upperclassman a student in the later years of college
uppercut a strong hit that goes upward to the chin
uppermost highest in position, or most important
upright standing straight up, or honest and good
upsell to make a buyer choose a more costly thing than planned
upskill to learn new things to become better at your work
upstate in the northern part of a state, away from the city
upstream in the direction against the flow of water
uptight nervous, worried, and unable to relax
uptown the part of a city away from the centre, often richer
ural relating to a mountain range between Europe and Asia
uranus the seventh planet from the sun in our system
urbanized changed into a town or city area
urdu a language spoken mainly in Pakistan and India
urgency the need to act or deal with something very quickly
urging strongly telling someone to do something
urinal a bowl fixed to a wall for men to pass water
urinate to pass liquid waste from the body
urn a tall container, or a pot for making hot drinks
uruguayan from or relating to Uruguay
used-up completely finished, with nothing left
usefulness the quality of being helpful or serving a purpose
uselessly in a way that has no purpose or does not help
usher a person who shows people to their seats
utility a useful service like water, gas, or power
utility room a room for washing machines and cleaning things
utilized used for a particular purpose
utmost the greatest or most possible
utter complete and total, or to speak or say something
utterly completely and totally
uzbek from or relating to Uzbekistan

V

vacant empty, with no one using or living in it
vacationer a person who is on a trip away from home for fun
vaccinate to give medicine to protect against a disease
vacuum space with nothing in it
vacuum-clean to clean using a machine that sucks up dirt
valencian from or relating to Valencia in Spain
valentine a card or gift sent to someone you love on Feb 14
valid acceptable, based on truth, or still able to be used
validation act of proving something is correct or true
valued considered important and worth a lot
valve a part that opens and closes to control flow
vanish to go away suddenly and completely
vanity too much pride in how you look
vapor tiny drops of liquid floating in the air like mist
vapour tiny drops of liquid floating in the air like mist
variant a form of something that is slightly different
variation a small change or difference from the usual form
varnish a clear liquid painted on wood to make it shine
varnished covered with a clear shiny liquid for protection
varsity the main sports team of a school or college
varying changing or different in amount or type
vascularity the amount of blood vessels in a part of the body
vaseline a thick soft oily substance used to protect skin
vatican the place in Rome where the Pope lives and works
vault a strong room for keeping money safe, or a jump over
vee the shape of the letter V
veganism the practice of not eating or using animal products
vegetarianism the practice of not eating meat or fish
vegetation plants and trees growing in an area
velocity the speed at which something moves in a direction
vender a person who sells things
vending the act of selling things, often from a machine
venomous able to put poison into a body through a bite
vent an opening that lets air, gas, or smoke go through
ventilator a machine that helps a person breathe
venture a new business or activity that involves risk
veranda a covered area along the outside of a house
verbalize to express feelings or ideas in words
verbally using spoken words
verdict the decision made at the end of a trial in court
verification the act of checking that something is true or correct
vermouth a type of wine with herbs and spices added
vermuth a type of wine with herbs and spices added
versatile able to do many different things well
verse a group of lines that form one part of a poem or song
versus against, used to show two sides in a competition
veteran a person with long experience, or a former soldier
veterinarian a doctor who treats sick or hurt animals
veterinary relating to the medical care of animals
veto the power to stop a plan or decision from happening
vexed annoyed and worried about a problem
vibrant full of energy, life, and bright colours
vibrate to shake with small fast movements
vibrating shaking with small fast movements
vibration a small fast shaking movement
vicar a priest in the Church of England
vicarage the house where a church priest lives
vice-chairman the person just below the chairman in rank
vice-president the person just below the president in rank
vicinity area close to or around a particular place
victor the person who wins a fight or competition
victorian from the time when Queen Victoria ruled Britain
victorious having won a fight, game, or competition
video-based using or built around recorded moving pictures
videoconferencing a meeting where people in different places see each other on screen
videoplayer a machine for playing recorded moving pictures
videorecorder a machine that records and plays back TV programmes
videotaped recorded on film or in a digital way
viennese from or relating to Vienna in Austria
view-point a way of thinking about something, or a good place to look from
viewing the act of watching or looking at something
vigilant always watching carefully for problems or danger
vigor great energy and strength
vigorous strong, healthy, and full of energy
vigorously with great force and energy
vigour great energy and strength
violate to break a rule or law, or to not respect something
violation act of breaking a rule, law, or agreement
violet a small plant with purple or white flowers
vip a very important person who gets special treatment
virtualization making a computer system work as if it were many
virtually almost, very nearly
virtue a good quality in a person, like being honest or kind
visibly in a way that can be clearly seen
visiting-card a small card with your name and details on it
visiting-day a day when people can come to see someone
visor a part that protects your eyes from the sun
vitally in a way that is extremely important
vixen a female fox
vocalist a person who sings, especially in a band
vocally using the voice, or in a way that is openly spoken
vocation a strong feeling that a particular job is right for you
vogue the current fashion or popular trend
voice-over words spoken in a film by someone you do not see
void completely empty space, or not having legal force
volley hitting a ball before it touches the ground
voluntarily done because you choose to, not because you must
voodoo a type of religion using magic and spirits
vote down to say no to something by voting against it
vote in to choose someone for a job by voting
vote through to approve something by voting for it
voting-paper a piece of paper used to make your choice in a vote
vouch to say that you are sure someone is good or honest
vow a serious promise to do something
voyager a person who makes a long journey, often by sea
vulnerability state of being open to harm or easy to attack
vulnerable weak and easy to hurt or attack
vulture a large bird that eats dead animals

W

wacky funny and strange in a silly way
wad a thick block of soft material or paper pushed together
waddle to walk with short steps, moving from side to side
wade to walk through water that is not deep
wade in to become involved in something in a strong way
wafer a very thin light crispy piece of food
wag to move from side to side quickly, like a tail
wage-cut a reduction in the money paid for work
wage-earner a person who earns money from working
wage-freeze when pay is not allowed to go up for a time
wage-rate the amount of money paid for each hour of work
wage-work work done for regular pay
wage-worker a person who works for regular pay
wager money that you risk on the result of something
wageworker a person who works for regular pay
waggle to move something from side to side with small moves
wagon-train a line of horse-drawn vehicles travelling together
waist-belt a band worn around the middle of the body
waist-high reaching up to the middle of your body
waistband the band at the top of trousers or a skirt
waistcoat a piece of clothing with buttons, worn over a shirt
waistline the measurement around the middle of the body
wait-and-see waiting before acting to find out what will happen
waitlist a list of people waiting for something to become free
waken to wake up or cause someone to stop sleeping
walk back to change what you said before to something less strong
walk-through a guide that shows each step of how to do something
walkable close enough to reach by walking
walkabout a walk among a crowd, or a long journey on foot
walkie-talkie a small radio you hold to talk to someone far away
walking-stick a stick used to help someone walk
walking-tour a trip where you walk from place to place
walkway a path for people to walk along
wall off to separate an area by building a wall
wall up to close an opening by building a wall across it
wall-painting a picture painted on a wall
wall-to-wall covering the whole floor, or everywhere
wallboard flat boards used to make the inside walls of a room
walled having walls around it
wallflower a shy person who stands alone at a social event
wallop to hit someone or something very hard
walloping very large, or the act of hitting very hard
walnut a hard round nut with a wrinkled shell
walnut-tree a tree that grows hard round nuts
wanderer a person who travels from place to place with no plan
wandering moving from place to place without a clear aim
wane to become smaller, weaker, or less important
want in to wish to join or be part of something
want out to wish to leave or stop being part of something
want-ad a small notice asking for something or offering a job
war-plane a flying machine built to fight in wars
war-time a period when a country is at war
ware things that are made to sell
warfare activity of fighting a war
warily in a careful way, watching for possible danger
warm-hearted kind and caring towards other people
warm-up exercises done to get the body ready for activity
warming-up the act of getting the body ready before exercise
warrant official paper giving permission to do something
warship a large boat built for fighting in wars
wart a small hard lump that grows on the skin
wartime a period when a country is fighting a war
wary careful because you think something may be dangerous
wash down to clean by pouring water over, or drink after food
wash off to remove something by washing with water
wash out to clean the inside of something with water
wash up to clean dishes, or to clean your hands and face
wash-and-wear clothes that need little or no ironing after washing
wash-basin a bowl fixed to the wall for washing hands and face
wash-day a day for washing clothes
washable able to be cleaned with water without being damaged
washbasin a bowl fixed to the wall for washing hands and face
washcloth a small cloth for washing the body
washday a day for washing clothes
washed-out very tired, or having lost its colour
washed-up no longer successful or popular
washing-day a day for washing clothes
washout something that fails completely
waste-basket a container for putting things you want to throw away
waste-ground empty land with nothing built on it
waste-pipe a pipe that carries used water away
wastebasket a container for things you want to throw away
wastepaper paper that is no longer needed and can be thrown out
wastewater used water that comes from homes and factories
watch-maker a person who makes and fixes small clocks
watch-tower a tall building where guards look out for danger
watchband the band that holds a small clock on your wrist
watchdog a dog that guards a place, or a person who checks others
watcher a person who watches or observes something
watchmaker a person who makes and fixes small clocks
watchman a person whose job is to guard a building
water-bed a bed with a bag of water inside instead of springs
water-bird a bird that lives near or on water
water-can a container used for pouring water on plants
water-colour a type of paint mixed with water, not oil
water-drop a single small round piece of water
water-front the area of a town next to the sea or a river
water-ice a frozen sweet food made from fruit and sugar
water-level the height of water in a river, lake, or tank
water-lily a plant with large flat leaves that floats on water
water-pipe a tube that carries water to or from a building
water-plant a plant that grows in or near water
water-power energy made by moving water to run machines
water-skis two long boards for moving over water behind a boat
water-supply the water available for people in an area
water-tower a tall structure holding water for a town
water-way a river or channel that boats can travel on
water-wings air-filled bands on arms to help children float
waterbed a bed with a bag of water inside
watercolour paint mixed with water, or a picture made with it
waterdrop a single small round piece of water
waterfowl birds that live on or near water, like ducks
watering-can a container with a long part for pouring water on plants
watering-pot a container used for pouring water on plants
waterproofing making something so water cannot pass through it
waterwheel a large wheel turned by flowing water to make power
waterwings air-filled bands on arms to help children float
waterworks a place where water is cleaned before going to homes
watt a unit for measuring how much power something uses
wattage the amount of power measured in watts
wave-length the distance between two waves of energy
wavelength the distance between two waves of energy
wax-paper paper covered with a thin layer to keep water out
waxed covered with a smooth shiny layer for protection
weaken to make or become less strong
weakened made less strong than before
weakening becoming less strong or powerful
weakly in a way that shows little strength
wear away to slowly remove or damage by rubbing over time
wear down to make weaker or smaller through long use
wear off to slowly disappear or stop having an effect
wear on when time passes slowly
wearable able to be worn, or a small device worn on the body
wearied made tired or bored by something
wearily in a way that shows you are very tired
weariness the feeling of being very tired
wearing making you feel tired, using a lot of your energy
wearisome making you feel very tired and bored
weary very tired, especially after working hard or for long
weather-forecast a report saying what the weather will be like
weather-resistant able to stand rain, wind, and sun without damage
weather-station a place where weather conditions are measured
weathered changed by being outside in wind, rain, and sun
weatherman a person who tells people what the weather will be
weave to make cloth by crossing threads over and under
weaver a person who makes cloth from threads
weaving making cloth by crossing threads over and under
web-based working through the internet
wedded married, or strongly connected to an idea
wedged stuck tightly in a narrow space
weed out to remove unwanted things from a group
weeding removing wild plants that are not wanted
weedkiller a substance used to kill plants that are not wanted
weep away to keep crying for a long time
weeping crying with tears
weepy tending to cry easily, or a sad film that makes you cry
weigh down to make something heavy, or to make someone feel sad
weigh in to be measured before a sports event, or to join a talk
weigh out to measure an amount of something using scales
weigh up to think carefully about something before deciding
weighing-machine a device for measuring how heavy something is
weight-lifter a person who lifts heavy objects as a sport
weight-lifting the sport of lifting heavy objects above the head
weighted made heavier, or arranged to favour one side
weightless having no weight, floating as if in space
weightlifter a person who lifts heavy objects as a sport
weightlifting the sport of lifting heavy objects
weirdo a person who behaves in a strange way
weld to join pieces of metal by heating them together
welder a person who joins metal parts by heating them
welding the act of joining metal by heating and pressing
welfare health, happiness, and comfort, or government help
well-armed having many or good weapons
well-balanced having all parts in the right amounts
well-being the state of being healthy, happy, and comfortable
well-defined clear and easy to see or understand
well-deserved fully earned and right to receive
well-developed fully grown or carefully planned and built
well-earned fully deserved after hard work
well-educated having had a good and full education
well-established having existed for a long time and being accepted
well-fed given plenty of good food
well-groomed looking very neat and clean in appearance
well-informed knowing a lot about a subject or the world
well-intentioned meaning to do good, even if results are not good
well-kept looked after carefully and kept in good condition
well-made built to a high standard with good materials
well-maintained kept in good condition through regular care
well-mannered polite and behaving in a good way
well-marked easy to see because it is clearly shown
well-meaning wanting to help, but sometimes causing problems
well-meant done with good wishes, even if not always helpful
well-off having a lot of money, rich
well-organized arranged in a neat and efficient way
well-preserved still in good condition despite being old
well-read having read many books and knowing a lot
well-rounded having skills and knowledge in many areas
well-run managed in a good and efficient way
well-spent used in a way that was valuable and worthwhile
well-thought-out carefully planned with much thinking
well-to-do having a lot of money, wealthy
well-trained taught very well and skilled at what they do
well-water water that comes from a deep hole in the ground
wellbalanced having all parts in the right amounts
wellbehaved acting in a good and polite way
wellbeing how healthy, happy and comfortable a person feels overall
wellbuilt having a strong body, or made in a strong way
wellconnected knowing many important or powerful people
wellinformed knowing a lot about many subjects
wellingtons tall rubber boots that keep feet dry in wet weather
wellintended meant to help or do good
wellness the practice of staying healthy in body and mind
wellpaid earning a lot of money for the work done
wellresearched studied carefully with a lot of information gathered
wellselling bought by many people, popular in shops
wellstocked having plenty of goods available
welsh from or relating to Wales
westbound travelling or going towards the west
westerly from or towards the west
westerner a person from the western part of the world
westernmost furthest towards the west
wetly in a way that involves water or liquid
wetting making something covered with water or liquid
whack to hit someone or something hard
whacked very tired, or hit hard
whacking very large, or the act of hitting hard
whacky funny and strange in a silly way
whaling the activity of hunting large sea animals
wharf a platform where ships stop to load and unload goods
wharves more than one platform where ships stop to load goods
whatsit a thing whose name you cannot remember
whatsoever at all, used to make a negative stronger
wheelie riding on the back wheel of a bicycle with the front up
wheeling pushing or moving something on wheels
wheezing breathing with a high rough sound from the chest
wheezy breathing with a rough whistling sound
whiff a slight smell of something that comes and goes
whilst during the time that, or although
whimper to make soft crying sounds
whine to make a long high unhappy sound, or to complain
whiny tending to complain in a high annoying voice
whip off to remove something very quickly
whip out to take something out very quickly
whip round to turn around very fast, or collect money from a group
whip up to make something quickly, or to make people excited
whipped beaten with a tool to make light and soft
whirl to turn around very quickly
whirling turning or spinning around very fast
whirlpool water that spins around in a fast circle
whisk to mix food fast with a special tool, or to move quickly
whisker one of the long stiff hairs on an animals face
whiskey strong drink made from grain, Irish or American style
whisky strong drink made from grain, Scottish style
whistler a person who makes a high sound by blowing air
white-collar relating to office work rather than physical work
white-faced with a very pale face, often from fear
white-fish a fish with light-coloured meat
white-haired having hair that is white, usually from age
white-headed having white hair on the head
whitefaced with a very pale face
whitefish a fish with light-coloured meat
whiten to make or become white or lighter in colour
whitened made white or lighter
whitener a substance that makes things white or lighter
whiteness the quality of being white in colour
whitening making something white or lighter in colour
whitewalled having walls that are painted white
whitish slightly white or almost white in colour
whiz to move very fast, or a person who is very good at something
whizz to move very fast, or a person who is very clever
whole-hearted done with complete feeling and effort
whole-heartedly with full effort and strong feeling
whole-time working all the normal hours, not part time
wholefood food that has not been changed from its natural state
wholehearted done with complete effort and strong feeling
wholeheartedly with all your energy and feeling
wholemeal made from the whole grain including the outer part
wholesale selling goods in large amounts to shops
wholesaler a company that sells goods in large amounts to shops
wholesome good for your health or character
wholly completely and entirely, without anything left out
whomever used to mean any person, no matter who
whoop a loud cry of joy or excitement
whoosh to move quickly with a rushing sound
whopping very large and surprising
wick the string in a candle that burns
wicked very bad or evil, or very good in informal speech
wickedness the quality of being very bad or evil
wicker thin branches woven together to make furniture
wide-awake completely awake and alert
wide-eyed with eyes open wide, often from surprise
wide-open opened as far as possible, or easy to enter
wide-spread happening in many places or to many people
wideawake completely awake and paying attention
widen to make or become wider
wideness the quality of being wide or broad
widening becoming wider or more open
wideshouldered having broad shoulders
widow a woman whose husband has died
width how wide something is from one side to the other
wiggle to make small quick movements from side to side
wilderness a wild natural area where no people live
wildflower a flower that grows freely in nature, not in a garden
wildness the quality of being wild and not controlled
will-power strong control over your own actions and feelings
willed having a certain type of strong wish to do things
willingly in a way that shows you are happy to do something
willow a tree with long thin branches that hang down
willpower strong control over your own actions and feelings
willy the male body part, used by children
wilt when a plant becomes soft and starts to die from heat
win back to get something again that you had lost
win out to succeed after a difficult struggle
win-win good for everyone involved
wince to make a quick face movement from pain or discomfort
winch a machine that pulls heavy things using a rope and wheel
wind down to gradually slow down or become less active
wind-up something done to annoy someone as a joke
winded unable to breathe well after being hit or running
windstorm a storm with very strong wind but little rain
windswept open to strong winds, or hair blown by the wind
wine-cellar a cool room under a building for keeping wine
winery a place where wine is made
wing-span the distance from one wing tip to the other
winged having wings
winger a player on the side of the field in football
wingspan the distance from one wing tip to the other
winnings money won in a game or competition
wipe out to destroy completely, or to fall off something
wireframe a simple drawing showing the basic shape of something
wishful based on hopes rather than facts
wit the ability to say clever and funny things
with all due respect a polite phrase used before saying you disagree
withdrawal the act of taking something out or moving back
withered dried up and dead, often said of plants
withhold to keep something back and not give it
wits ability to think quickly and make good decisions
witty clever and funny with words
wonderfully in a way that is very good or pleasing
wondrous causing a feeling of great surprise and admiration
woodcarving the art of cutting shapes from wood
woodsman a person who lives or works in a forest
woollen made from the soft hair of sheep
wordlessly without saying anything, in silence
workaholic a person who works too much and cannot stop
workbench a strong table where you do work with tools
workforce all the people who work in a company or country
workload the amount of work a person has to do
workman a man whose job involves physical work
workspace an area or place where you do your work
worldview a persons beliefs and ideas about how the world works
worriedly in a way that shows you are feeling anxious
worryingly in a way that causes worry or concern
worsen to become worse or make something worse
worship to show great love and respect for a god or person
wounded hurt or injured, especially in a fight
wrath very strong anger or fury
wreck to damage or destroy something completely
wreckage the broken pieces from something that was destroyed
wretched very unhappy, miserable, or of very poor quality
wrist wrap a band worn around the wrist for support

X

xray a picture of the inside of the body using special light

Y

yearn to want something very much with a feeling of sadness
you nailed it you did it perfectly, a phrase of praise
youthful looking or seeming young, full of energy

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