/saʊθ/
the direction opposite north
noun · uncountable
Examples
- The wind is coming from the south.
- Spain is in the south of Europe.
in the direction opposite north
adverb
Examples
- The birds fly south in winter.
- We drove south for two hours.
/truː/
correct, agreeing with the facts
adjective
Examples
- Is it true that you speak French?
- That is a true story.
real or genuine, not false
adjective
Examples
- She is a true friend.
- He showed his true feelings.
/ˈɔːlməʊst/
very nearly, but not completely
adverb
Examples
- I'm almost ready.
- We almost missed the bus.
/əˈmerɪkən/
from or connected with the United States
adjective
Examples
- I like American music.
- She drives an American car.
a person from the United States
noun ·
Examples
- Many Americans visit Paris every year.
- He's an American, but he lives in Spain.
/ˈhɪstri/
the events of the past, or the study of them
noun · uncountable
Examples
- The museum shows the history of our city.
- She studies history at school.
/lɑːdʒ/
big in size or amount
adjective
Examples
- They live in a large house.
- A large number of people came to the show.
/ˈriːsɜːtʃ/, /rɪˈsɜːtʃ/
careful study to find new facts
noun · uncountable
Examples
- Scientists are doing research on the disease.
- Her research took three years.
to study a subject carefully to find facts
verb
Examples
- She is researching the history of jazz.
- He researched the topic before he wrote the report.
/ruːm/
a part of a building with its own walls and door
noun ·
Examples
- This house has five rooms.
- Please wait in the other room.
free space for something
noun · uncountable
Examples
- There is no room for another chair.
- Make room for the guests.
/ˈsevrəl/
more than two but not very many
determiner
Examples
- I have several friends in Paris.
- We waited for several hours.
/ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəti/
a place where students study for a degree
noun ·
Examples
- She studies medicine at the university.
- Thousands of students attend the university.
/wɪn/
to be the best or first in a game, race, or competition
verb · past won · past participle won
Examples
- Our team won the game.
- Who do you think will win?
/rɒŋ/
not correct
adjective
Examples
- That answer is wrong.
- I think you have the wrong number.
morally bad, or not allowed
adjective
Examples
- It is wrong to steal.
- Lying to your friends is wrong.
/əˈlɒŋ/
next to or following the length of something
preposition
Examples
- We walked along the river.
- There are trees along the road.
together with someone
adverb
Examples
- Do you want to come along?
- I brought my sister along.
/ˈeniwʌn/
any person, used mainly in questions and conditions
pronoun · In negative sentences it means "no person": I didn't see anyone.
Examples
- Is anyone in?
- Does anyone know where Tom is?
any person at all, no matter who
pronoun
Examples
- Anyone can learn to swim.
- Anyone would be happy to win a prize.
/ɛls/
in addition to what has already been mentioned
adverb
Examples
- What else do you need?
- Is there anything else I can help you with?
other, or different from what has been mentioned
adverb
Examples
- Ask someone else.
- I want to go somewhere else.
/ɡɜːl/
a female child
noun ·
Examples
- The little girl is reading a book.
- They have two girls and a boy.
a young woman, especially a teenager
noun ·
Examples
- She is a nice girl.
- The girls from my school are going to the party.
/ˈmætə/
to be important
verb
Examples
- It doesn't matter.
- Your opinion matters to me.
a subject or situation that you need to think about or deal with
noun · · Also used in the question "What's the matter?" meaning "What is wrong?"
Examples
- This is a serious matter.
- I'd like to discuss a private matter with you.
/ˈprɪti/
nice to look at
adjective
Examples
- She has a pretty smile.
- What a pretty dress!
fairly or quite
adverb
Examples
- The test was pretty easy.
- I'm pretty sure he left.
/rɪˈmembə/
to keep something in your memory, or bring it back to mind
verb
Examples
- I remember my first day at school.
- Do you remember her name?
to not forget to do something
verb
Examples
- Remember to lock the door.
- Please remember to call your mother.
/eə/
the mixture of gases around us that we breathe
noun · uncountable
Examples
- Open the window and let in some fresh air.
- The air is cold this morning.
/hɪt/
to touch someone or something quickly and with force, using your hand or an object
verb · past hit · past participle hit
Examples
- Don't hit your brother!
- The boy hit his sister with a pillow.
a song, film, or show that many people like
noun ·
Examples
- The song was a big hit.
- Her first book was a hit.
/naɪs/
pleasant or enjoyable
adjective
Examples
- We had a nice day at the beach.
- What a nice surprise!
kind and friendly
adjective
Examples
- Your friends are really nice.
- It was nice of you to help.
/ˈprɒbəbli/
used when something is very likely but not certain
adverb
Examples
- It will probably rain tomorrow.
- She is probably at home.
/ˌʌndəˈstænd/
to know the meaning or reason of something
verb · past understood · past participle understood
Examples
- I don't understand this word.
- She understands why you are upset.
/klɑːs/
a lesson or course taught at a school
noun ·
Examples
- My English class starts at nine.
- She takes a dance class on Fridays.
a group of students who are taught together
noun ·
Examples
- There are twenty students in my class.
- The whole class laughed.
/kləʊz/
to shut something
verb
Examples
- Please close the door.
- She closed the window and sat down.
not far away in distance or time
adjective · /kləʊs/ · The adjective ends in /s/, not /z/.
Examples
- The hotel is close to the beach.
- Our exams are getting close.
very friendly, knowing someone well
adjective · /kləʊs/
Examples
- We are close friends.
- She is very close to her sister.
/aɪˈdɪə/
a thought or plan that you have
noun ·
Examples
- That's a great idea!
- She had an idea for a new game.
knowledge or a guess about something
noun ·
Examples
- I have no idea where he is.
- Do you have any idea what time it is?
/ˌɪntəˈnæʃnəl/
involving or between different countries
adjective
Examples
- She works for an international company.
- The airport has many international flights.
/pɑːst/
the time before now
noun · uncountable
Examples
- I like reading about the past.
- In the past, people wrote more letters.
during the most recent period of time up to now
adjective
Examples
- I have been busy for the past week.
- She has lived here for the past ten years.
a certain number of minutes after the hour, when telling the time
preposition
Examples
- The film starts at ten past eight.
- It is already twenty past two.
/ˈpɒsəbl/
able to happen or be done
adjective
Examples
- Is it possible to pay by card?
- It's possible that she is late.
/kɔːz/
the reason why something happens
noun ·
Examples
- The police are looking for the cause of the fire.
- Smoking is a major cause of cancer.
to make something happen
verb
Examples
- Heavy rain caused the flood.
- Too much sugar can cause health problems.
/djuː/
expected to happen or arrive at a certain time
adjective
Examples
- The train is due at ten.
- When is your baby due?
because of (used in the phrase "due to")
preposition
Examples
- The game was cancelled due to rain.
- Many flights were late due to the storm.
/ˈhæpi/
feeling pleasure and joy
adjective
Examples
- I'm so happy to see you.
- She looked happy.
/ˈhjuːmən/
a person
noun ·
Examples
- Humans need water to live.
- Robots are not humans.
relating to people
adjective
Examples
- The human body has 206 bones.
- Making a mistake is only human.
/ˈmembə/
a person who belongs to a group or club
noun ·
Examples
- She is a member of the school choir.
- Only members can use the pool.
/mʌnθ/
one of the twelve parts of a year
noun ·
Examples
- My birthday is next month.
- The baby is three months old.
/muːv/
to change position or go from one place to another
verb
Examples
- Don't move!
- The train started to move.
to go and live in a new home
verb
Examples
- We moved to a new city last year.
- My sister moved to Spain in May.
to change the position of something
verb
Examples
- Can you help me move the sofa?
- We moved the table closer to the window.
/ˈkwɛstʃən/
a sentence that asks for information
noun ·
Examples
- Can I ask you a question?
- She answered every question.
a matter that needs to be discussed or decided
noun ·
Examples
- The question is how to pay for it.
- It's only a question of time.
/ˈsɪəriːz/
a number of similar things that come one after another
noun · · pl. series
Examples
- A series of storms hit the coast.
- He asked me a series of questions.
a set of television programmes with the same characters or theme
noun · · pl. series
Examples
- My favourite TV series is on tonight.
- We watched the whole series in a week.
/weɪt/
to stay in a place until something happens or someone comes
verb
Examples
- Please wait here.
- I'm waiting for the bus.
/ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person
noun · · pl. women
Examples
- A woman is waiting outside.
- That woman is my teacher.
/ɑːsk/
to say something to a person in order to get an answer or information
verb
Examples
- Can I ask you a question?
- She asked me where I lived.
to say that you want something or want someone to do something
verb
Examples
- He asked for a glass of water.
- I asked my brother to help me move.
/kəˈmjuːnəti/
the people who live in the same area
noun ·
Examples
- The whole community came to the festival.
- She works to help her local community.
a group of people with the same interests, religion, or background
noun ·
Examples
- There is a large Chinese community in the city.
- The online community shared many useful tips.
/ˈdeɪtə/
information, especially numbers, that is collected and used for decisions or research
noun · uncountable
Examples
- The company collects data about its customers.
- We need more data before we decide.
/leɪt/
not on time; coming or happening after the expected time
adjective
Examples
- Sorry, I'm late.
- The train was ten minutes late.
near the end of the day or of a period of time
adjective
Examples
- We walked home in the late afternoon.
- I like to take a late walk after dinner.
/liːv/
to go away from a place
verb · past left · past participle left
Examples
- I have to leave now.
- Please don't leave without me.
to put something somewhere and not take it with you
verb · past left · past participle left
Examples
- I left my keys at home.
- Please leave your shoes by the door.
/nɔːθ/
the direction at the top of most maps
noun · uncountable
Examples
- The wind is coming from the north.
- Which way is north?
in the direction that is at the top of most maps
adverb
Examples
- We drove north for two hours.
- Many birds fly north in the spring.
/ˈspɛʃəl/
better, more important, or different from what is usual
adjective
Examples
- Today is a special day for our family.
- She made a special dinner for his birthday.
/wɒtʃ/
to look at something such as a film, show, or game for a time
verb
Examples
- We watch a film every Friday night.
- She likes to watch cartoons on TV.
a small clock that you wear on your wrist
noun ·
Examples
- My watch says it is noon.
- He looked at his watch and left.
/ˈaɪðə/
one or the other of two; it does not matter which
determiner
Examples
- You can sit on either chair.
- Either day is fine with me.
also, used after a negative statement
adverb
Examples
- I don't like coffee, and my sister doesn't either.
- "I can't swim." "I can't either."
used with or to show a choice between two things
conjunction
Examples
- Either you come with us, or you stay here.
- You can either call me or send a message.
/ˈfjuːtʃə/
the time that will come after now
noun · countable and uncountable
Examples
- Nobody knows what the future will bring.
- I will be more careful in the future.
going to happen or exist after now
adjective
Examples
- We must protect the planet for future generations.
- We can talk about it at a future meeting.
/laɪt/
the brightness from the sun or a lamp that lets you see
noun · uncountable
Examples
- We need more light in this room.
- The light from the window was too weak to read by.
an electric lamp or other thing that makes a place bright
noun ·
Examples
- Please turn off the light when you leave.
- The lights went out during the storm.
not heavy
adjective
Examples
- This bag is very light.
- She wore a light jacket.
/ləʊ/
not high; close to the ground
adjective
Examples
- The ceiling in the basement is very low.
- The boy jumped over the low fence.
small in amount, level, or value
adjective
Examples
- Prices are low this week.
- Her energy was low after the trip.
/ˈmɪljən/
the number 1,000,000
numeral
Examples
- The city has more than a million people.
- The film made ten million pounds.
/ˈmɔːnɪŋ/
the early part of the day, until noon
noun ·
Examples
- I drink coffee every morning.
- She has a meeting tomorrow morning.
/pəˈliːs/
the people whose job is to protect the public and catch criminals
noun · plural only · Used with a plural verb.
Examples
- Someone called the police.
- The police are looking for the thief.
/ʃɔːt/
not long from one end to the other
adjective
Examples
- She has short brown hair.
- It is a short walk to the station.
not tall
adjective
Examples
- He is too short to reach the top shelf.
- My little brother is shorter than me.
lasting only a small amount of time
adjective
Examples
- We took a short break.
- The meeting was very short.
/steɪ/
to remain in a place and not leave
verb
Examples
- Please stay here until I come back.
- I stayed at home because I was ill.
to live in a place for a short time, for example in a hotel
verb
Examples
- We stayed at a small hotel near the beach.
- They are staying at a friend's house this week.
to continue to be in a particular state
verb
Examples
- Please stay calm.
- The weather stayed warm all week.
/eɪdʒ/
the number of years that someone has lived
noun ·
Examples
- What is your age?
- He started school at the age of five.
a long period of history
noun ·
Examples
- We live in the age of computers.
- People in the Stone Age made tools from rocks.
/baɪ/
to get something by paying money for it
verb · past bought · past participle bought
Examples
- I want to buy a new phone.
- She bought some bread on her way home.
/diːl/
an agreement, especially in business
noun ·
Examples
- The two companies made a deal.
- They finally reached a deal on the price.
an offer or price that is better than usual
noun ·
Examples
- I got a great deal on this jacket.
- The shop has some good deals this week.
to take action to solve a problem or handle a task
verb · past dealt · past participle dealt · Usually used in the phrase deal with.
Examples
- I'll deal with the problem tomorrow.
- She knows how to deal with difficult customers.
/ˈrɑːðə/
to a fairly large degree
adverb
Examples
- It was rather cold yesterday.
- She sings rather well.
used in would rather to say what you prefer
adverb
Examples
- I'd rather stay at home tonight.
- She would rather walk than take the bus.
/ˈriːzən/
why something happens or why someone does something
noun ·
Examples
- What is the reason for the delay?
- She had a good reason to leave early.
/rɪˈpɔːt/
a piece of writing or a talk that gives information about something
noun ·
Examples
- She wrote a report on climate change.
- Our teacher asked us to write a report about the trip.
to tell the police or another authority about a crime or problem
verb
Examples
- She reported her stolen car to the police.
- He reported the theft to the police.
/suːn/
in a short time from now
adverb
Examples
- Dinner will be ready soon.
- See you soon!
/θɜːd/
coming after two others in order
numeral
Examples
- This is my third cup of coffee today.
- She finished third in the race.
one of three equal parts of something
noun ·
Examples
- A third of the class was absent.
- Add one third of a cup of sugar.
/tɜːn/
to change the direction in which you are moving, for example at a corner
verb
Examples
- Turn left at the next corner.
- The car turned into our street.
the time when it is your chance to do something in a group
noun ·
Examples
- It's your turn to choose.
- Wait for your turn.
to become different in some way
verb
Examples
- The leaves turn red in autumn.
- The weather turned cold overnight.
/ˈwɛðə/
used to talk about two possibilities
conjunction
Examples
- I don't know whether she will come.
- Tell me whether you like it.
/əˈmʌŋ/
in the middle of a group of people or things
preposition
Examples
- The house was hidden among the trees.
- He felt happy among his friends.
/tʃɛk/
to look at something to make sure it is correct, safe, or working
verb
Examples
- Please check your answers before you hand them in.
- I need to check the oven.
an examination to make sure that something is correct or safe
noun ·
Examples
- The mechanic did a quick safety check.
- Security checks at the airport take time.
/dɪˈvɛləpmənt/
the process of growing or becoming more advanced
noun · countable and uncountable
Examples
- Education is important for a country's development.
- The development of the new app took two years.
a new event or change in a situation
noun · countable and uncountable
Examples
- There has been a new development in the case.
- Please keep me informed of any developments.
/fɔːm/
a document with spaces where you write information
noun ·
Examples
- Please fill in this form.
- You need to sign the form.
the shape or type that something takes
noun ·
Examples
- Water can take the form of ice.
- Poetry is a form of art.
to begin to exist or to make something exist
verb
Examples
- Clouds form when warm air rises.
- We formed a small study group.
/ˈfɜːðə/
more than what already exists; extra
adjective
Examples
- For further information, please call us.
- We have no further questions.
to or at a greater distance
adverb
Examples
- I can't walk any further.
- The lake is further than I thought.
/hɑːt/
the organ in your chest that pumps blood
noun ·
Examples
- Her heart was beating fast.
- He has a problem with his heart.
the part of a person that feels love and other emotions
noun ·
Examples
- She has a kind heart.
- I love you with all my heart.
/ˈmɪnɪt/
a period of 60 seconds
noun ·
Examples
- The bus comes every ten minutes.
- It takes five minutes to walk there.
a very short time
noun ·
Examples
- Wait a minute!
- Just a minute, I'm coming.
/maɪˈsɛlf/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
pronoun
Examples
- I cut myself while cooking.
- I looked at myself in the mirror.
used to stress that the speaker, and no one else, does something
pronoun
Examples
- I made this cake myself.
- I will talk to him myself.
/jɔːˈsɛlf/
used when the person you are talking to is also the object of the action
pronoun
Examples
- Be careful or you will hurt yourself.
- Look at yourself in the mirror.
used to stress that the person you are talking to, and no one else, does something
pronoun
Examples
- Did you make this yourself?
- You should ask her yourself.
/ækt/
to do something in order to deal with a situation
verb
Examples
- We must act quickly to save the forest.
- The doctors acted fast.
to behave in a certain way
verb
Examples
- He acts like a child.
- Stop acting so strange.
to perform in a play or film
verb
Examples
- She wants to act in films.
- He acted in several plays at school.
/ɔːlˈðəʊ/
used to introduce a fact that makes the main statement surprising
conjunction
Examples
- Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
- She smiled, although she was tired.
/ˈfaɪə/
flames and heat from something that is burning
noun · countable and uncountable
Examples
- We sat around the fire and sang songs.
- Don't play with fire.
to shoot bullets from a gun
verb
Examples
- The soldier fired his gun.
- The police fired into the air.
to make someone leave their job
verb
Examples
- The company fired him last week.
- She was fired for being late.
/fʌn/
a feeling of enjoyment; a good time
noun · uncountable
Examples
- We had a lot of fun at the party.
- Skiing is great fun.
enjoyable and not serious
adjective
Examples
- The game was really fun.
- She is a fun person to be around.
/ˈmeɪdʒə/
very large or important
adjective
Examples
- Pollution is a major problem in big cities.
- She made a major decision about her future.
/ˈmiːdiə/
newspapers, television, radio, and websites that give news to the public
noun · uncountable · Used with a singular or plural verb.
Examples
- The media reported the story quickly.
- She works in the media.
/fəʊn/
a device used to talk to people who are far away
noun ·
Examples
- The phone rang twice.
- Can I use your phone?
/ˈpleɪə/
a person who takes part in a game or sport
noun ·
Examples
- He is the best player on our team.
- Each player on the team wears a number.
a person who plays a musical instrument
noun ·
Examples
- She is a great piano player.
- The band needs a new guitar player.
/ɑːt/
paintings, drawings, and other things made to be beautiful or to express ideas
noun · uncountable
Examples
- She studies art at university.
- The museum has a lot of modern art.
/bɪˈhaɪnd/
at the back of someone or something
preposition
Examples
- The cat is hiding behind the sofa.
- Who is the man standing behind you?
/ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure with walls and a roof, such as a house, school, or office
noun ·
Examples
- The building has ten floors.
- They are painting the old building.
/ˈiːzi/
not difficult
adjective
Examples
- The test was easy.
- It's easy to make pancakes.
/ˈmɑːkɪt/
a place where people buy and sell food and other goods, often outdoors
noun ·
Examples
- We buy fresh fruit at the market.
- The market is open every Saturday.
the business of buying and selling a particular kind of goods
noun ·
Examples
- The market for electric cars is growing.
- The housing market is very slow now.
/nɪə/
not far from
preposition
Examples
- She lives near the station.
- Is there a bank near here?
not far away in distance or time
adjective
Examples
- The station is quite near.
- The holidays are getting near.
/plæn/
an idea of what you will do and how you will do it
noun ·
Examples
- What's your plan for the weekend?
- We have a plan to travel in June.
to decide and prepare what you will do
verb
Examples
- We are planning a trip to Japan.
- She planned the party for weeks.
/pəˈlɪtɪkəl/
relating to government and how a country is run
adjective
Examples
- They talked about political news all evening.
- He started his political career at thirty.
/kwaɪt/
to a fairly large degree
adverb
Examples
- It's quite cold today.
- The film was quite good, but a little long.
completely
adverb
Examples
- I'm not quite ready.
- You are quite right.
/sɪks/
the number 6
numeral
Examples
- She has six brothers.
- We sat down at six o'clock.
/əˈveɪləbəl/
able to be bought, used, or found
adjective
Examples
- Is this shirt available in blue?
- The tickets are available online.
free to talk to someone or to do something; not busy
adjective
Examples
- Are you available on Friday?
- The doctor is not available right now.
/ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən/
the teaching and learning that happens in schools and universities
noun · uncountable
Examples
- Education is free in many countries.
- He works in education.
/ˈfaɪnəl/
coming last in a series
adjective
Examples
- This is the final exam of the year.
- The final bus leaves at midnight.
the last and most important game in a competition
noun ·
Examples
- Our team reached the final.
- The final is on Sunday.
/frʌnt/
the side or part of something that faces forward
noun ·
Examples
- The front of the house is painted white.
- The label is on the front of the box.
at or near the side of something that faces forward
adjective · Used before a noun.
Examples
- Please use the front door.
- He sat in the front seat of the car.
/kɪd/
a child
noun · · Informal.
Examples
- The kids are playing in the park.
- She has two kids.
to say something untrue as a joke
verb
Examples
- I'm only kidding.
- Are you kidding? That is too expensive!