contrabassoon

A contrabassoon is a bigger version of a bassoon that plays at a lower pitch.

The orchestra has two Amati contrabassoons.


contrabassoons

The plural form of contrabassoon; more than one (kind of) contrabassoon.


contrabasses

The plural form of contrabass; more than one (kind of) contrabass.


bassoonist

A bassoonist is a person who plays the bassoon.


bassoonists

The plural form of bassoonist; more than one (kind of) bassoonist.


contrabassoonist

A contrabassoonist is a person who plays the contrabassoon.


contrabassoonists

The plural form of contrabassoonist; more than one (kind of) contrabassoonist.


duet

A duet is when two people perform something.

The two played a duet on the piano.


duets

The plural form of duet; more than one (kind of) duet.


unison

If two things happen in unison, they happen at the same time.

If two notes are in unison, they are the same pitch.


tritone

A tritone is an interval that is three whole tones long.


tritones

The plural form of tritone; more than one (kind of) tritone.


bookmark

A bookmark is a long piece of leather or paper that is used to mark a place in a book.

The bookmark was placed at page 35.

A bookmark is a website that is saved for future use.

I have a bookmark on simple.wiktionary.org.


bookmark

bookmark (canonical)
bookmarks (third-person singular)
bookmarked (past)
bookmarked (past participle)
bookmarking (present participle)

If you bookmark something, you place a bookmark there.

He bookmarked simple.wiktionary.org.


bookmarks

The plural form of bookmark; more than one (kind of) bookmark.


bookmarks

The third-person singular form of bookmark.


bookmarked

The past tense and past participle of bookmark.


scoop

A scoop of ice cream, potatoes, etc. is an amount taken with a deep, round spoon.

A scoop is a news story that is released before others release it.

The Star had a scoop on the scandal.


scoop

scoop (canonical)
scoops (third-person singular)
scooped (past)
scooped (past participle)
scooping (present participle)

If you scoop something, you move it using a scoop.

He scooped the ice cream.


scoops

The plural form of scoop; more than one (kind of) scoop.


scoops

The third-person singular form of scoop.


scooped

The past tense and past participle of scoop.


trauma

A trauma is a scary or disturbing experience.

Trauma is an injury that is on the body.


traumas

The plural form of trauma; more than one (kind of) trauma.


terrorism

Terrorism is the use of violence for political reasons.

The bombing was an act of terrorism.


airliner

An airliner is a large airplane for carrying people.


alcoholism

If you suffer from alcoholism you drink too much alcohol and it causes you problems.


articulation

The articulation of a word or sound is the act of producing it in speech or music.

We found no significant differences in articulation rate between the two speaking tasks.

The articulation of an idea is the act of expressing it.

Without a clear articulation of the company vision, its employees will lack motivation.

An articulation is a joint that allows movement.

The articulation of two things is the way they are connected.


airliners

The plural form of airliner; more than one (kind of) airliner.


proverb

A proverb is a short and important saying that states a useful piece of advice in life.


volatile

volatile (positive)
more volatile (comparative)
most volatile (superlative)

If something is volatile, it will evaporate easily.

If something is volatile, it can change very easily.

The problem is becoming more volatile.


volatile

A volatile is something that is volatile.


volatiles

The plural form of volatile; more than one (kind of) volatile.


monsoon

A monsoon is a type of wind that blows only in Asia.

A monsoon is the rain that comes after the monsoon winds.

The monsoon rains began on July 20.


monsoons

The plural form of monsoon; more than one (kind of) monsoon.


hoaxed

hoax (canonical)
hoaxes (third-person singular)
hoaxed (past)
hoaxed (past participle)
hoaxing (present participle)

The past tense and past participle of hoax.


squalid

squalid (positive)
squalider (comparative)
squalidest (superlative)

If something is squalid, it is very dirty.

New York City's subway is squalid.


subway

A subway is a railroad that is underground.

I took the subway to work today.

A subway is a tunnel that is underground and is used by pedestrians.


subways

The plural form of subway; more than one (kind of) subway. Subways in different places.


tenement

A tenement is a group of rooms in a house that makes another residence.

The tenements in New York City were not safe.

A tenement is a piece of land that is owned by someone.


tenements

The plural form of tenement; more than one (kind of) tenement.


vulnerable

vulnerable (positive)
more vulnerable (comparative)
most vulnerable (superlative)

If something is vulnerable, it can be harmed or attacked easily.

Your computer is vulnerable to viruses.


vulnerability

A vulnerability is when a person or thing can be attacked or harmed.

Microsoft Windows has many vulnerabilities.


vulnerabilities

The plural form of vulnerability; more than one (kind of) vulnerability.


contention

The road was a point of contention.


contentions

The plural form of contention; more than one (kind of) contention.


pansy

He grows pansies in his flower garden.

A pansy is a man whose behavior is considered feminine.


pansies

The plural form of pansy; more than one (kind of) pansy.


pyramids

The plural form of pyramid; more than one (kind of) pyramid.


pseudonym

Samuel Clemens' pseudonym was Mark Twain.


pseudonyms

The plural form of pseudonym; more than one (kind of) pseudonym.


defendants

The plural form of defendant; more than one (kind of) defendant.


submediants

The plural form of submediant; more than one (kind of) submediant.


double bass

A double bass is a big stringed instrument that is bigger than the cello.

The orchestra has five double basses.


double basses

The plural form of double bass; more than one (kind of) double bass.


blossom

A blossom is a flower of a plant that will become a fruit.

The cherry blossoms are beautiful.

A blossom is a period of time when these plants make flowers.

The orchard is in blossom.


blossom

blossom (canonical)
blossoms (third-person singular)
blossomed (past)
blossomed (past participle)
blossoming (present participle)

When something blossoms, it makes flowers.

The cherry trees have blossomed again.

When something blossoms, it progresses in a good way.

Their love blossomed that summer.


blossoms

The plural form of blossom; more than one (kind of) blossom.


blossoms

The third-person singular form of blossom.


blossomed

The past tense and past participle of blossom.


remotes

The plural form of remote; more than one (kind of) remote.


snare

A snare is a trap that is used to catch small animals.

The snare caught a squirrel.


snare

snare (canonical)
snares (third-person singular)
snared (past)
snared (past participle)
snaring (present participle)

If something gets snared, it gets trapped in a snare.

The birds were snared.


snares

The plural form of snare; more than one (kind of) snare.


snares

The third-person singular form of snare.


snared

The past tense and past participle of snare.


affective

affective (positive)
more affective (comparative)
most affective (superlative)

An affective response, domain, disorder, etc is one that relates to the emotions.

We explored the cognitive and affective responses of parents of youth ice hockey players to the change.


ineffective

ineffective (positive)
more ineffective (comparative)
most ineffective (superlative)

If something is ineffective, it does not work well or as planned.

Having ineffective teachers damages students.


ballpoint

A ballpoint is a type of pen that uses a ball for writing.


ballpoints

The plural form of ballpoint; more than one (kind of) ballpoint.


surreal

surreal (positive)
more surreal (comparative)
most surreal (superlative)

If something is surreal, it is strange or unbelievable.

The experience was surreal.


level-headed

If a person is level-headed, they are very calm.

When arguing, you should be level-headed.


nuke

A nuke is another word for nuclear bomb.

North Korea launched another nuke yesterday.


nuke

nuke (canonical)
nukes (third-person singular)
nuked (past)
nuked (past participle)
nuking (present participle)

If someone nukes something, they use a nuclear bomb on that thing, usually a place or area.

The United States of America nuked Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War 2.

When you nuke something, you totally destroy it and have it completely removed.

It is not possible to nuke anything that is posted on the Internet, so be careful when posting something on Facebook.


nukes

The plural form of nuke; more than one (kind of) nuke.


nuked

The past tense and past participle of nuke.


retreat

retreat (canonical)
retreats (third-person singular)
retreated (past)
retreated (past participle)
retreating (present participle)

If you retreat, you fall back, move away from the enemy.

The army retreated yesterday.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-retreat.wav


retreat

A retreat is a quiet place where someone can relax.

The retreat is in the forest.


retreats

The third-person singular form of retreat.


retreats

The plural form of retreat; more than one (kind of) retreat.


retreated

The past tense and past participle of retreat.


trebles

The plural form of treble; more than one (kind of) treble.


trebles

treble (canonical)
trebles (third-person singular)
trebled (past)
trebled (past participle)
trebling (present participle)

The third-person singular form of treble.


fridges

The plural form of fridge; more than one (kind of) fridge.


bipartisan

bipartisan (positive)
more bipartisan (comparative)
most bipartisan (superlative)

If something is bipartisan, two sides agree to it.

The new law had bipartisan support.


deferment

A deferment is the arrangement for something to happen at a later time than originally planned.

The deferment of the opening allowed the preparations to continue.


deferments

The plural form of deferment; more than one (kind of) deferment.


affluent

affluent (positive)
more affluent (comparative)
most affluent (superlative)

If someone is affluent, they have a lot of money.

The affluent upper-class live in large houses.


bugle

A bugle is an instrument that sounds like a trumpet.

The military still uses bugles in marches.


bugles

The plural form of bugle; more than one (kind of) bugle.


harmonica

A harmonica is a small instrument that is blown onto to make a sound.


harmonicas

The plural form of harmonica; more than one (kind of) harmonica.


ukulele

A ukulele is a small instrument with strings.

The ukulele looks like the guitar.


ukuleles

The plural form of ukulele; more than one (kind of) ukulele.


viol

A viol is an instrument that has strings and looks like a violin.

The viol comes from Spain.


viols

The plural form of viol; more than one (kind of) viol.


frankfurter

A frankfurter is a type of sausage that is made of beef and pork.


frankfurters

The plural form of frankfurter; more than one (kind of) frankfurter.


tilt

tilt (canonical)
tilts (third-person singular)
tilted (past)
tilted (past participle)
tilting (present participle)

If something tilts, it moves to one side.

The aeroplane was tilting to the left.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-tilt.wav


tilt

The tilt of an object is the position or movement of that object.

The aeroplane's tilt was to the left.


tilts

The plural form of tilt; more than one (kind of) tilt.


tilted

The past tense and past participle of tilt.


canoe

A canoe is a type of boat that is moved by paddles.

The lake can be travelled on by canoe.


canoe

canoe (canonical)
canoes (third-person singular)
canoed (past)
canoed (past participle)
canoeing (present participle)

I plan to canoe the entire Mackenzie River this summer.


canoes

The plural form of canoe; more than one (kind of) canoe.


canoes

The third-person singular form of canoe.


canoed

The past tense and past participle of canoe.


kayak

A kayak is a type of canoe that has a hole at the top of the boat.


kayak

kayak (canonical)
kayaks (third-person singular)
kayaked (past)
kayaked (past participle)
kayaking (present participle)

Whitewater kayaking can be very dangerous.


kayaks

The plural form of kayak; more than one (kind of) kayak.


kayaks

The third-person singular form of kayak.


kayaked

The past tense and past participle of kayak.


harpoon

A harpoon is a type of spear that is attached to a rope.

The Inuit used harpoons to hunt seals.


harpoon

harpoon (canonical)
harpoons (third-person singular)
harpooned (past)
harpooned (past participle)
harpooning (present participle)

If you harpoon, you attack something using a harpoon.


harpoons

The plural form of harpoon; more than one (kind of) harpoon.


harpoons

The third-person singular form of harpoon.


harpooned

The past tense and past participle of harpoon.


sailboat

A sailboat is a boat that uses sails to move.

The sailboat is at the dock.


sailboats

The plural form of sailboat; more than one (kind of) sailboat.


capsize

capsize (canonical)
capsizes (third-person singular)
capsized (past)
capsized (past participle)
capsizing (present participle)

If a boat capsizes, it turns upside down in the water.

The canoe capsized.


capsizes

The third-person singular form of capsize.


capsized

The past tense and past participle of capsize.


asylum

If a country or a church gives someone asylum, it allows them to stay because they would face troubles if they left.

The government granted asylum to the refugees.

An asylum is a place where people that are mentally unhealthy are put.


asylums

The plural form of asylum; more than one (kind of) asylum.


insinuates

insinuate (canonical)
insinuates (third-person singular)
insinuated (past)
insinuated (past participle)
insinuating (present participle)

The third-person singular form of insinuate.


insinuated

The past tense and past participle of insinuate.


salamander

A salamander is an amphibian that lives near the water.

Salamanders usually live in swamps and wetlands.


salamanders

The plural form of salamander; more than one (kind of) salamander.


vending machine

vending machine
vending machines (plural)

A vending machine is a large machine that gives out food and drinks when money is put inside.

The vending machine has some snacks.


vending machines

The plural form of vending machine; more than one (kind of) vending machine.


rajah

A rajah is a Hindu prince or ruler in India.


rajahs

The plural form of rajah; more than one (kind of) rajah.


journalists

The plural form of journalist; more than one (kind of) journalist.

These are well-known journalists.


journalist

A journalist is a person who writes and reports the news.

The journalists were reporting the latest news on the BBC.


breadbasket

A breadbasket is a basket that holds bread.

The breadbasket of a country is the part that grows a lot of it grains.

Saskatchewan is the breadbasket of Canada.


breadbaskets

The plural form of breadbasket; more than one (kind of) breadbasket.


lumber

Lumber is wood that is cut up into planks.

The frame of the house is made of lumber.


lumber

lumber (canonical)
lumbers (third-person singular)
lumbered (past)
lumbered (past participle)
lumbering (present participle)

If you lumber, you move clumsily and slowly.


Tajik

A person or thing that is Tajik comes from Tajikstan.


chargeable

Something that is chargeable can be charged.


French horn

A French horn is a musical instrument that you blow into and is made of metal.

The French horn has a solo in this piece.


French horns

The plural form of French horn; more than one (kind of) French horn.


trombonist

A trombonist is a person that plays the trombone.

The jazz trombonist can play very well.


trombonists

The plural form of trombonist; more than one (kind of) trombonist.


zany

zany (positive)
zanier (comparative)
zaniest (superlative)

Something or someone that is zany is very weird.


zany

They got a zany to perform at the party.


zanier

The comparative form of zany; more zany.


zanies

The plural form of zany; more than one (kind of) zany.


zaniest

The superlative form of zany; most zany.


wrapper

A wrapper is something that wraps something else.

Throw your candy wrapper away!


wrappers

The plural form of wrapper; more than one (kind of) wrapper.


ware

The tole ware was put in a museum.


ware

ware (positive)
more ware (comparative)
most ware (superlative)


atoll

An atoll is a reef or island that is made of coral.

There are many atolls in the Pacific.


atolls

The plural form of atoll; more than one (kind of) atoll.


vertex

A vertex is when two lines meet in a shape.

I learned in math that vertex is another word for corner.


vertices

The plural form of vertex; more than one (kind of) vertex.


jellyfish

jellyfish
jellyfish or jellyfishes (plural)

A jellyfish is a type of animal that lives in the water and is clear and can sting.

The box jellyfish is the deadliest type of jellyfish.


jellyfishes

The plural form of jellyfish; more than one (kind of) jellyfish.


deadly

deadly (positive)
deadlier (comparative)
deadliest (superlative)

Something that is deadly can kill a person or thing.

The poison is very deadly.


deadlier

The comparative form of deadly; more deadly.


deadliest

The superlative form of deadly; most deadly.


Cold War

The Cold War was the time when the United States and the Soviet Union were very hostile towards each other.

The Space Race was part of the Cold War.

/ˌkəʊld ˈwɔː/


pharaoh

A pharaoh was a type of ruler in ancient Egypt.


pharaohs

The plural form of pharaoh; more than one (kind of) pharaoh.


pun

A pun is the use of a word or phrase with two meanings in a funny or interesting way that makes you think of both meanings.

In this pun, hard to beat can mean "few things are better" or "difficult to mix using a fork".

The pun about pies was really bad.


pun

pun (canonical)
puns (third-person singular)
punned (past)
punned (past participle)
punning (present participle)


puns

The plural form of pun; more than one (kind of) pun.


punned

The past tense and past participle of pun.


co-producer

A co-producer is someone who produces a project along with one or more other producers.


co-producers

The plural form of co-producer; more than one (kind of) co-producer.


procure

procure (canonical)
procures (third-person singular)
procured (past)
procured (past participle)
procuring (present participle)

If you procure something, you obtain it.

He procured food for his camping trip.


procures

The third-person singular form of procure.


procured

The past tense and past participle of procure.


apportion

apportion (canonical)
apportions (third-person singular)
apportioned (past)
apportioned (past participle)
apportioning (present participle)

If you apportion something, you divide it and give it out.

The money will be apportioned between the companies.


apportions

The third-person singular form of apportion.


apportioned

The past tense and past participle of apportion.


extensive

extensive (positive)
more extensive (comparative)
most extensive (superlative)

Extensive research, experience, damage, etc. is large in size, amount, or degree.

There has been extensive research into ways to improve schools.

She has extensive experience working with these computer systems.

After the wild fires, the damage was extensive.


straighten

straighten (canonical)
straightens (third-person singular)
straightened (past)
straightened (past participle)
straightening (present participle)

If you straighten a place up, you put everything in the right place.

Can you straighten up in here, and make your bed?

If you straighten something, you make it straighter, less curved or irregular.

He took a deep breath and straightened up before walking in.

After going through the mountains, the road straightened out.

She usually straightened her hair in the mornings.


simultaneously

When something happens simultaneously, it happens at the same time.

We both ate the candy simultaneously.


GP

A GP is a doctor who treats minor conditions in a surgery.

I went to the GP because I had a sore throat.


symphony

A symphony is music that is written for an orchestra.

Beethoven's most famous symphony was Symphony No. 5.


symphonies

The plural form of symphony; more than one (kind of) symphony.


cymbal

A cymbal is a round, flat musical instrument that is made of brass.

Drum kits usually have a cymbal.


cymbals

The plural form of cymbal; more than one (kind of) cymbal.


ocarina

An ocarina is a musical instrument that people blow into to play.


ocarinas

The plural form of ocarina; more than one (kind of) ocarina.


recorder

A recorder is something that can record video or sound.

The tape recorder isn't used much anymore.

A recorder is a musical instrument that people blow into to play.

Most schools teach students how to play the recorder.


recorders

The plural form of recorder; more than one (kind of) recorder.


assassination

An assassination is the murder of someone, usually a political leader, for political reasons.

The assassination of John F. Kennedy happened in 1963.


assassinations

The plural form of assassination; more than one (kind of) assassination.


hoarse

hoarse (positive)
hoarser (comparative)
hoarsest (superlative)

If your voice is hoarse, it is very dry and rough.

He replied with a hoarse whisper.


fellowship

A fellowship is a group of people who join together because of a shared purpose or interest.

After church and the fellowship meal, the Amish like to " visit, " as they call it.

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books.

Fellowship is a feeling of friendship based on a shared purpose or interest.

The school offered many opportunities for Christian teaching and social fellowship.

A fellowship is a temporary research job at a university.

She was awarded a one-year fellowship in science at the University of Bonn.

A fellowship is money given to advanced university students to help them continue their studies.

He received a fellowship in 1991 to support his studies for a Ph.D. in Religion and Literature.


fellowships

The plural form of fellowship; more than one (kind of) fellowship.


Nolan

Nolan is a surname.


lettuce

There is lettuce, cabbage, and beans in this salad.


lettuces

The plural form of lettuce; more than one (kind of) lettuce.


hospice

A hospice is a place where sick people are treated, especially people that are about to die.

My aunt was moved to a hospice last week.


hospices

The plural form of hospice; more than one (kind of) hospice.


motel

A motel is a place where people pay to stay in a room overnight, usually for only a few days.

We stayed at a motel in Toronto.


motels

The plural form of motel; more than one (kind of) motel.


loos

The plural form of loo; more than one (kind of) loo.


downsize

downsize (canonical)
downsizes (third-person singular)
downsized (past)
downsized (past participle)
downsizing (present participle)

When a company downsizes, it makes the number of people working for them smaller.

The company downsized by replacing some of it's workers with machines.


downsizes

The third-person singular form of downsize.


downsized

The past tense and past participle of downsize.


boulevard

A boulevard is a wide street in a town or city.

Turn right at Sunset Boulevard.


boulevards

The plural form of boulevard; more than one (kind of) boulevard.


tortoises

The plural form of tortoise; more than one (kind of) tortoise.


snails

The plural form of snail; more than one (kind of) snail.


slang

Slang is an informal way of speaking that is used mostly within certain social groups.

I have trouble understanding my kids' slang.


slang

sling (canonical)
slings (third-person singular)
slang (past)
slang (past participle)
slinging (present participle)

The past tense and past participle of sling.


lilac

There were lilacs in my garden.


lilacs

The plural form of lilac; more than one (kind of) lilac.


punt

We sailed on a punt.


punt

punt (canonical)
punts (third-person singular)
punted (past)
punted (past participle)
punting (present participle)

I will take a punt on B as the answer to your question.

I will take a punt that the green horse will win the race.


punts

The plural form of punt; more than one (kind of) punt.


paintbrush

A paintbrush is a brush that people use for painting.

This paintbrush is used for small details.


paintbrushes

The plural form of paintbrush; more than one (kind of) paintbrush.


choreographer

A choreographer is a person who choreographs dances.

The choreographer worked on all the dances in the movie.


choreographers

The plural form of choreographer; more than one (kind of) choreographer.


cookbooks

The plural form of cookbook; more than one (kind of) cookbook.


loci

The plural form of locus; more than one (kind of) locus.


manga

Manga is a style of Japanese comic books.

The manga was turned into an anime movie last year.


bittersweet

A bittersweet feeling is both sad and happy.

He remembered the bittersweet memories in the school.

If a food or drink is bittersweet is sweet but has a bitter aftertaste.


nocturnal

nocturnal (positive)
more nocturnal (comparative)
most nocturnal (superlative)

When someone is nocturnal, they are active and awake at night.

Owls are nocturnal animals.


companion

A companion is somebody who you spend time with, usually because you enjoy being with them.

In some places, it's best to travel with a companion.

Because she is blind, the dog is her constant companion.

If x is a companion to y, x and y go together.

Pain is a natural companion to art.

Scientists noticed that this normal star circles an unseen companion.


fishers

The plural form of fisher; more than one (kind of) fisher.


mackerel

We cooked mackerel for dinner.


mackerels

The plural form of mackerel; more than one (kind of) mackerel.


archery

Archery is an activity where people use bows to shoot arrows.

Archery is an Olympic sport.


dime

A dime is a metal coin that is worth ten cents.

Ten dimes is one dollar.


dimes

The plural form of dime; more than one (kind of) dime.


radius

A radius is a straight line between the centre of a circle and its circumference.

To find the area of a circle, you have to know the length of the radius.


radii

The plural form of radius; more than one (kind of) radius.


classification

A classification the system of groups that are based on the characteristics of the group members.

Linnaeus was known for his system of plant classification, which ordered plants according to their sexual parts.

The Library of Congress Classification puts these books together.

Classification is the process of organizing things into groups based on their characteristics.

The information that was originally on our website was based on an earlier classification.

A classification is one group of things that have similar characteristics.

The raises are going out mostly to employees in different skill classifications.


classifications

The plural form of classification; more than one (kind of) classification.


lukewarm

Something that is lukewarm is slightly warm.

Wash the dishes in lukewarm water.


steadfast

Something or someone that is steadfast is very determined.

Your steadfast loyalty won't help you.


repetition

Repetition is the same thing happening more than one time, usually many times, especially in speaking or writing.

The article is too long because of all the repetition.

I used constant repetition to learn it.

The researcher analyzed the texts by looking for patterns and repetition in key words.

A repetition is the second, third, fourth, etc. time that something happens.

With this exercise, aim for 3 sets of 20 repetitions.

/rɛpəˈtɪʃən/


cupcake

A cupcake is a small cake that is baked in a small cup.

They baked cupcakes for the bake sale.


cupcakes

The plural form of cupcake; more than one (kind of) cupcake.


vibe

A vibe is a person's emotions or feelings because of their surroundings.

I'm getting bad vibes from this place.


vibes

The plural form of vibe; more than one (kind of) vibe.


sob

sob (canonical)
sobs (third-person singular)
sobbed (past)
sobbed (past participle)
sobbing (present participle)

She went to bed sobbing.


sobs

The plural form of sob; more than one (kind of) sob.


sobbed

The past tense and past participle of sob.


radish

A radish is a type of root vegetable that is small and red.

Put the radishes in the salad.


radishes

The plural form of radish; more than one (kind of) radish.


persimmon

Would you like to eat a persimmon or a tangerine?

A persimmon is the tree that the fruit grows on.


persimmons

The plural form of persimmon; more than one (kind of) persimmon.


chipped

chip (canonical)
chips (third-person singular)
chipped (past)
chipped (past participle)
chipping (present participle)

The past tense and past participle of chip.


ritual

A ritual is a ceremony that always follows the same steps.

The annual ritual to honour the gods was tomorrow.


ritual

Something that is ritual is related to a ritual or rite.


inquire

inquire (canonical)
inquires (third-person singular)
inquired (past)
inquired (past participle)
inquiring (present participle)

If you inquire about something, you ask about it.

I was telling everybody that inquired about him that he was dead.

If anyone inquires about it, I just won't answer.

If you inquire into something, you investigate it.

In order to move forward you need to inquire into the nature of the problem.

They wanted to inquire into whether our views had changed.


straightens

The third-person singular form of straighten.


straightened

The past tense and past participle of straighten.


customary

customary (positive)
more customary (comparative)
most customary (superlative)

Before the meeting, there were the customary greetings and exchange of gifts.


doorknob

A doorknob is a round handle on a drawer or a door that you turn to open.

The door has a doorknob, not a handle.


doorknobs

The plural form of doorknob; more than one (kind of) doorknob.


exaggeration

An exaggeration is when someone says something is better or worse than it really is.

Your sentence is an exaggeration.

/ɪɡˌzæd͡ʒəˈreɪʃən/


exaggerations

The plural form of exaggeration; more than one (kind of) exaggeration.


citrus

A citrus is a tree that can grow oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits.

We can't grow citrus trees in Canada.

A citrus is a fruit that comes from a citrus tree.


citruses

The plural form of citrus; more than one (kind of) citrus.


mercy

Mercy is the quality of kindness and forgiveness that stops you from harming or punishing somebody who you could harm or punish.

The king would always prefer to show mercy, even to his enemies.

Please, sir, have mercy on an old man.

A mercy is a situation that it makes you feel lucky, usually because something worse didn't happen.

It was a small mercy that the storm didn't last long.

A mercy mission or journey is one to help people who are in great need.

They took food and set out on a mercy mission to find survivors.

If you are at the mercy of somebody or something, you have no control over your situation.

I hope the trip will be nice, but we're at the mercy of the weather.


mercy

You use mercy or mercy me to show surprise.

Mercy! You haven't come here alone, have you?


empties

empty (canonical)
empties (third-person singular)
emptied (past)
emptied (past participle)
emptying (present participle)

The third-person singular form of empty.


emptied

The past tense and past participle of empty.


grasps

grasp (canonical)
grasps (third-person singular)
grasped (past)
grasped (past participle)
grasping (present participle)

The third-person singular form of grasp.


grasped

The past tense and past participle of grasp.


cape

A cape is a long piece of cloth tied around the neck and worn down the back.

A cape is a long piece of land that sticks out into a sea or lake.


capes

The plural form of cape; more than one (kind of) cape.


oblations

The plural form of oblation; more than one (kind of) oblation.


variant

A varient of something is a bit different than the original.

The anthem is a varient of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".

LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-variant.wav


variants

The plural form of variant; more than one (kind of) variant.


anthem

Please stand for the national anthem.


anthems

The plural form of anthem; more than one (kind of) anthem.


memo

I have an urgent memo from the CEO.


memos

The plural form of memo; more than one (kind of) memo.


agonic

A shape, line, etc. that is agonic doesn't have an angle.

Something that is agonic has a lot of agony.


agon

An agon is a fight or argument in books, between the main character and their enemy.

The agon in It is between the kids and It.

Agon is a game that is played on a hexagonal board.

Agon was played in Britain.


agons

The plural form of agon; more than one (kind of) agon.


agonics

The plural form of agonic; more than one (kind of) agonic.


alpenglow

An alpenglow is a red glow that shines from mountains.

The alpenglow can be seen at sunrise or sunset.


alpenglows

The plural form of alpenglow; more than one (kind of) alpenglow.


indelible

indelible (positive)
more indelible (comparative)
most indelible (superlative)

A stain, smear, etc. that is indelible is hard to remove.

This stain on my shirt is indelible.


oniochalasia

Oniochalasia is when a person buys things to relax themselves.


problematic

problematic (positive)
more problematic (comparative)
most problematic (superlative)

If something is problematic, it is causing a problem.

Rush hour at the train station was very problematic.


tripod

A tripod is a stand that supports cameras.

I put my camera on the tripod so that I can capture better pictures.

A tripod is a seat or table that has three legs.


tripods

The plural form of tripod; more than one (kind of) tripod.


humble

more humble (comparative)
most humble (superlative)
humble (positive)
humbler (comparative)
humblest (superlative)

If you are humble, you are aware of your own weaknesses and do not want or accept recognition of your good qualities or successes.

You can tell he's very quiet and humble and he keeps to himself.

I have a family that certainly keeps me humble.

A humble place or thing is ordinary and not special.

In my humble opinion, we need to make these changes quickly.

From humble beginnings, she rose to fame.


humble

humble (canonical)
humbles (third-person singular)
humbled (past)
humbled (past participle)
humbling (present participle)

If you humble someone, you easily beat them, even though they have a strong advantage.

The weak will grow strong, and the mighty will be humbled.

If you are humbled, you are shown that you are not as important or good as you thought you were.

I was also honored and deeply humbled to see the great work that my students are doing.

I often felt humbled by my parents who left so much behind in their home country.


disband

disband (canonical)
disbands (third-person singular)
disbanded (past)
disbanded (past participle)
disbanding (present participle)

If a company, group, etc. disbands, it breaks up.

The Beatles disbanded in 1970.

The president disbanded the agency.


disbands

The third-person singular form of disband.


disbanded

The past tense and past participle of disband.


armory

An armory is a place where weapons are made.


armories

The plural form of armory; more than one (kind of) armory.


misconception

You're under the misconception that you're better than him.

It's a common misconception that George Washington had wooden teeth.


misconceptions

The plural form of misconception; more than one (kind of) misconception.


veil

A veil is a thin piece of cloth that hides a woman's face.

Her hair fell over her face like a veil.

A veil is something that hides important information about a situation.

The election lifted the thin veil and fully exposed the truth about America.


veil

veil (canonical)
veils (third-person singular)
veiled (past)
veiled (past participle)
veiling (present participle)

If you veil something, you make it hard to see or understand.


veils

The plural form of veil; more than one (kind of) veil.


prescribe

prescribe (canonical)
prescribes (third-person singular)
prescribed (past)
prescribed (past participle)
prescribing (present participle)

If a doctor prescribes you a medicine or treatment, they tell you what medicine or treatment to use.

The doctor will prescribe me some tablets.

If someone prescribes a rule or a way to do something, they are telling people to follow that rule or do something a certain way.

We have to follow what the law prescribes.


prescribes

The third-person singular form of prescribe.


prescribed

The past tense and past participle of prescribe.


councilmen

The plural form of councilman; more than one (kind of) councilman.


mansion

A mansion is a large house that is usually really expensive.

The rich live in mansions.


mansions

The plural form of mansion; more than one (kind of) mansion.


cultivate

cultivate (canonical)
cultivates (third-person singular)
cultivated (past)
cultivated (past participle)
cultivating (present participle)

By 3,600 years ago, farmers were cultivating cereals at a high altitude.

If you cultivate land, you grow crops on it.

The government gave farmers the right to cultivate more than one million hectares of unused farmland.

If you cultivate a relationship, an image, or a skill, you develop it.

An additional important strategy noted was the importance of cultivating relationships with people.


harmonious

If something is harmonious, it sounds pleasant and tuneful.

The music sounded harmonious.


cultivates

The third-person singular form of cultivate.


cultivated

The past tense and past participle of cultivate.


ballot

A ballot is a piece of paper or a card that is used in voting.

The ballot listed three candidates.


ballot

ballot (canonical)
ballots (third-person singular)
balloted (past)
balloted (past participle)
balloting (present participle)

If you ballot, you vote or decide by ballot.

to ballot for a candidate


ballots

The plural form of ballot; more than one (kind of) ballot.


ballots

The third-person singular form of ballot.


origami

Origami is a type of art where people fold paper.

Origami came from Japan.

Origami is a piece of art that is made of folded paper.

I can fold origami cranes.

/ˌɒrɪˈɡɑːmɪ/


origamis

The plural form of origami; more than one (kind of) origami.


discriminatory

discriminatory (positive)
more discriminatory (comparative)
most discriminatory (superlative)

Something that is discriminatory discriminates against someone or something.

The laws are discriminatory towards Asians.


aftermath

The aftermath of a flood, shooting, etc. is what happens after it. It is usually bad, not good.

The aftermath of the flood was devastating.

The prices of food was very high in the aftermath of the drought.

/ˈæf.tɚˌmæθ/

/ˈɑːf.təˌmɑːθ/


aftermaths

The plural form of aftermath; more than one (kind of) aftermath.


drought

A drought is when there is less water in an area than normal.

The drought in California began in 2012.

Because of the drought, we couldn't use our sprinklers.


droughts

The plural form of drought; more than one (kind of) drought.


collector

A collector is somebody who collects things, usually things that are rare and interesting.

A collector would be willing to pay a lot of money for that painting.

A ticket collector is somebody who checks your ticket on a bus or train.

After you get on the bus, be ready to show your ticket to the collector.

A debt collector is somebody who tries to make people pay their debts when payment is late.

Life was very difficult when a debt collector started calling daily.


paraphrase

paraphrase (canonical)
paraphrases (third-person singular)
paraphrased (past)
paraphrased (past participle)
paraphrasing (present participle)

If you paraphrase something, you say it again in different words.

When paraphrasing books, don't copy everything in it; instead, use your own words.


paraphrases

The third-person singular form of paraphrase.


paraphrased

The past tense and past participle of paraphrase.


integers

The plural form of integer; more than one (kind of) integer.


earbud

An earbud is a small headphone that you put in your ear.

I use earbuds for listening to music.


ear bud

An ear bud is a small headphone that you put in your ear.

I use ear buds for listening to music.


earbuds

The plural form of earbud; more than one (kind of) earbud.


ear buds

The plural form of ear bud; more than one (kind of) ear bud.


sabotage

sabotage (canonical)
sabotages (third-person singular)
sabotaged (past)
sabotaged (past participle)
sabotaging (present participle)

If a building, event, etc. are sabotaged, they are damaged so that they can't work properly.

Her rival sabotaged the concert.


sabotages

The third-person singular form of sabotage.


sabotaged

The past tense and past participle of sabotage.


favela

A favela is a neighbourhood where many poorer people live.

6% of people in Brazil live in favelas.


favelas

The plural form of favela; more than one (kind of) favela.


slum

A slum is a neighbourhood where many poorer people live.

The slums of Rio de Janeiro don't have proper sewage treatment.


slums

The plural form of slum; more than one (kind of) slum.


novella

A novella is a short form of a book. It has between 7,500 and 40,000 words.

Animal Farm by George Orwell has 30,000 words and would be considered a novella.


novellas

The plural form of novella; more than one (kind of) novella.


sleeted

sleet (canonical)
sleets (third-person singular)
sleeted (past)
sleeted (past participle)
sleeting (present participle)

The past tense and past participle of sleet.


earthworm

An earthworm is a type of worm that lives in the ground.

When it was raining, the earthworms came out.


earthworms

The plural form of earthworm; more than one (kind of) earthworm.


enthrall

enthrall (canonical)
enthralls (third-person singular)
enthralled (past)
enthralled (past participle)
enthralling (present participle)

If someone is enthralled, they get a huge fascination with a person or thing.

The singer was able to enthrall audiences with her unique voice.


enthralled

The past tense and past participle of enthrall.


enthralls

The third-person singular form of enthrall.


confront

confront (canonical)
confronts (third-person singular)
confronted (past)
confronted (past participle)
confronting (present participle)

If you are confronted with something, you come face to face with it.

The man confronted the burglar.


confronts

The third-person singular form of confront.


confronted

The past tense and past participle of confront.


enclose

enclose (canonical)
encloses (third-person singular)
enclosed (past)
enclosed (past participle)
enclosing (present participle)

When you enclose something, you force it into a certain area and keep it there.

The sheep flock was enclosed by the fence.

When you enclose something with a letter, you put it in the same envelope as the letter.


holler

holler (canonical)
hollers (third-person singular)
hollered (past)
hollered (past participle)
hollering (present participle)

If you holler, you yell or scream as loud as you can.

Hollering at your enemy will not help you.


holler

Give a holler to call Jim.


cucumber

A cucumber is a vegetable that is grown on a vine.

There are cucumbers in the salad.


hollers

The third-person singular form of holler.


hollers

The plural form of holler; more than one (kind of) holler.


hollered

The past tense and past participle of holler.


cucumbers

The plural form of cucumber; more than one (kind of) cucumber.


encloses

The third-person singular form of enclose.


enclosed

If A is enclosed within B, A surrounded by B.


enclosed

The past tense and past participle of enclose.


imaginative

imaginative (positive)
more imaginative (comparative)
most imaginative (superlative)

If you are imaginative, you have many new and interesting ideas.

As an artist, she's wildly imaginative, and each new show is completely different.

An imaginative action, idea, or creation is one that is new and interesting.

As the boys grew up, the tree was the centre of many hours of imaginative play.


stiffen

stiffen (canonical)
stiffens (third-person singular)
stiffened (past)
stiffened (past participle)
stiffening (present participle)

If you stiffen, you stop moving and make your muscles hard.

The mouse stiffened when the shadow went by.

If your muscles or joints stiffen, they become painful to move.

By the morning after the accident, my hand had stiffened so much that I couldn't move it.

If you stiffen something, you make it stronger or harder so that it is more difficult to bend.

We'll have to stiffen the airplane wing or it could break in flight.


entrée

An entrée is a dish served before the main course of a meal; it may be the first dish served, or it may follow a soup or other small dishes. In the United States and parts of Canada, an entrée is the main dish or the only dish of a meal.

An entrée is the right to be part or join a particular group or organization.

He received an entrée to the Berlin Botanical Garden.


entrées

The plural form of entrée; more than one (kind of) entrée.


stiffens

The third-person singular form of stiffen.


stiffened

The past tense and past participle of stiffen.


fumed

fume (canonical)
fumes (third-person singular)
fumed (past)
fumed (past participle)
fuming (present participle)

The past tense and past participle of fume.


compulsion

If you have a compulsion to do something, you really want to do it even though there is no good reason.

If someone is under compulsion to do something, they are being forced to do it.


irresistible

irresistible (positive)
more irresistible (comparative)
most irresistible (superlative)

If something is irresistible, it's so good that it can't be ignored.

That pie is irresistible!


compulsions

The plural form of compulsion; more than one (kind of) compulsion.


hasten

hasten (canonical)
hastens (third-person singular)
hastened (past)
hastened (past participle)
hastening (present participle)

If you hasten to do something, you try to do it very soon and very quickly.

After the play ended, she hastened to leave.

If you hasten an event, you try to make it happen very soon and very quickly.

We've known for a long time that loneliness hastens death, but haven't been able to explain how.


talkative

talkative (positive)
more talkative (comparative)
most talkative (superlative)

If you are talkative, you like talking or you talk a lot.

The class is talkative during recess.


transversal

A transversal is a line that goes through multiple lines.

Euclid's paralell postulate uses a transversal.


transversals

The plural form of transversal; more than one (kind of) transversal.


CEO

CEO is a short way of saying "chief executive officer".

The CEO runs the company.


chief executive officer

chief executive officer
chief executive officers (plural)

The chief executive officer is the person in a corporation or company that has the most power.

The chief executive officer passed a new rule for the company.


MVP

MVP is short for saying "most valuable player".

He was named the MVP of the team.


topple

topple (canonical)
topples (third-person singular)
toppled (past)
toppled (past participle)
toppling (present participle)

If you topple something, you push it over or defeat it.

Germany toppled Canada in the hockey match.

If something topples, it falls over or it looks like it might fall over.

The pile of pennies began to topple


curling

curl (canonical)
curls (third-person singular)
curled (past)
curled (past participle)
curling (present participle)


curling

Curling is a type of sport where people slide stones across ice.

Curling came from Scotland.


standoff

A standoff is a competition between two sides in which neither side is making progress.

A standoff between the protesters and the police began.


chief executive officers

The plural form of chief executive officer; more than one (kind of) chief executive officer.


to the contrary

You use to the contrary when you want to stress that the truth is the opposite of what was believed.

He did not refuse. To the contrary, he told his them he would be happy to accept.


on the contrary

You use on the contrary when you want to stress that the truth is the opposite of what was believed.

He did not refuse. On the contrary, he told his them he would be happy to accept.


in contrast

You use in contrast when you want to stress the difference between two things.

January was beautiful. In contrast, February was cold and wet.

In contrast to what I know about you, you’re not as bad as I thought.


Godspeed

You say Godspeed when you want something to go well.


azalea

An azalea is a type of plant that grows flowers.

I have pansies, roses, and azaleas in my garden.


PlayStation

PlayStation is a brand of gaming console.


bungs

The plural form of bung; more than one (kind of) bung.


bungs

bung (canonical)
bungs (third-person singular)
bunged (past)
bunged (past participle)
bunging (present participle)


bunged

The past tense and past participle of bung.


churn

churn (canonical)
churns (third-person singular)
churned (past)
churned (past participle)
churning (present participle)

If you churn something, you stir it quickly and multiple times.

To make butter, we churn the milk.

If something churns, it moves around a lot.

I was so nervous my stomach was churning.


churn

A churn is a machine that churns things.

Put the milk in the butter churn.


churns

The third-person singular form of churn.


churns

The plural form of churn; more than one (kind of) churn.


churned

The past tense and past participle of churn.


pry

pry (canonical)
pries (third-person singular)
pried (past)
pried (past participle)
prying (present participle)

If you pry, you ask too much about a person's private affairs.

I don't mean to pry, but are you single?

We need to keep this safe from prying eyes.


excellence

Excellence is the quality of being very, very good.

We're aiming for more than quality. We're aiming for excellence.

The National Teacher's award promotes excellence in education.


tighten

tighten (canonical)
tightens (third-person singular)
tightened (past)
tightened (past participle)
tightening (present participle)

If you tighten something, you make it tighter.

Can you tighten the lid on the jar so it doesn't leak?

His hands tightened when he heard the terrible news.


perfection

Perfection is the state or quality of having no mistakes, problems, or negative aspects.

I don't expect perfection from teachers, but I do expect honesty and hard work.

The painting represents an ideal of human perfection.

Perfection is the process of making something perfect.

In the perfection of the show, a number of significant changes were made.


waist

Your waist is the narrow point between your hips and your chest.

She turned and slipped her arms around his waist.

A terrible car accident had left her paralyzed from the waist down.


kangaroo

A kangaroo is a jumping animal with a pouch that is native to Australia.

/ˌkæŋ.ɡəˈru/


buffalo

Buffalo used to live in the plains of North America.


darken

darken (canonical)
darkens (third-person singular)
darkened (past)
darkened (past participle)
darkening (present participle)

If something darkens, there is less light.

In the evening, he went walking and watched the sky darken.

She darkened the lights and sat quietly.

If your mood, face, or eyes darkens, you become less happy.

As he told her the story, he could see her face darken.


heighten

heighten (canonical)
heightens (third-person singular)
heightened (past)
heightened (past participle)
heightening (present participle)

If a sense, awareness, or risk heightens, it increases or becomes stronger.

The music heightened the tension in the film.

Security was heightened before the meeting.

Her heart beat faster as the drama heightened.


loosen

loosen (canonical)
loosens (third-person singular)
loosened (past)
loosened (past participle)
loosening (present participle)

If you loosen something, you make it looser.

Can you loosen the lid on this jar for me.

His grip on the gun loosened, but only for a second.

Before you plant the seeds, lift the soil to loosen it without actually turning it over.

If somebody loosens up, they become more relaxed.

She loosened up after she'd had a glass of wine.

If your joints or muscles loosen up, they start to move more easily.

I took a deep breath, and I could feel the muscles in my chest loosen.

If you loosen somebody's tongue, you make them talk about something they would not talk about before.

But what truly loosened my tongue was knowing I was on home ground.


thirst

Thirst is the feeling that you want to drink.

She took a long drink to ease her thirst.

All that work has given me a thirst.

Thirst is the state of not having enough to drink.

When the river stopped running, the animals began to die of thirst.

During the war, many suffered from hunger and thirst.

If you have a thirst for something, you want a lot of it regularly.

Their thirst for knowledge was too much for the small school library.


kangaroos

The plural form of kangaroo; more than one (kind of) kangaroo.


sweeten

sweeten (canonical)
sweetens (third-person singular)
sweetened (past)
sweetened (past participle)
sweetening (present participle)

If you sweeten something, you make it sweeter.

They offer me hot milk sweetened with sugar.

Honey not only sweetens this bread but also makes it moist.

If you sweeten a deal or an offer, you make it better for the other person.

I might agree to that if you sweetened the deal.


heavenly

heavenly (positive)
more heavenly (comparative)
most heavenly (superlative)

Heavenly things are related to heaven in some religions.

Every day, we thank our heavenly father for all that we have.

Heavenly choirs sing the praises of Jesus.

If something is heavenly, it is extremely pleasant.

The smell of that coffee is heavenly.

Heavenly things are related to outer space or located there.

In 1609, Galileo made his first observations of heavenly bodies with a telescope.


attentive

attentive (positive)
more attentive (comparative)
most attentive (superlative)

If a person or animal is attentive, it is trying hard to notice things.

An attentive audience, both young and old, was listening for any change.

Our server was attentive but not very knowledgeable about the food.

He was especially attentive toward his wife, and didn't want to leave her side for long.


buffaloes

The plural form of buffalo; more than one (kind of) buffalo.


patriotic

patriotic (positive)
more patriotic (comparative)
most patriotic (superlative)

If you are patriotic, you love, support, and believe in your country.

During the war, it was common to hear patriotic songs on the radio.

It is your patriotic duty to vote in the election.


bison

A bison is a large animal related to cows.

The Yellowstone animals make up the last wild bison herd.


porcupine

A porcupine is an animal (a rodent) with sharp needles all over its body.


macaque

We saw macaques in the zoo.


ounce

An ounce (oz) is a unit of weight equal to 1/16 of a pound or 28.35 grams.

Add 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces).

She was born around 5:00 a.m. this morning, weighing in at 9 pounds, 10 ounces.

An ounce is a very small amount of something.

He was still in great shape, with not an ounce of fat on him.

She didn't show an ounce of emotion when he left.

A fluid ounce (fl oz) is a unit of volume equal to 1/20 of a pint or 0.028 litres in Britain, and 1/16 of a pint or 0.030 litres in the US.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-ounce.wav


fl oz

fl oz is an abbreviation for fluid ounce.


indoor

An indoor event happens in a building, not outside.

The gym has an indoor swimming pool.


redden

redden (canonical)
reddens (third-person singular)
reddened (past)
reddened (past participle)
reddening (present participle)

If something reddens, it becomes more red.

There were still tears in his reddened eyes.

If a person or a person's face reddens, they are embarrassed.

His face reddened as he realized nobody was laughing at his jokes.


woolen

She wore a woolen sweater.


fraud

Fraud is a trick for the purpose of gaining money or other valuables illegally.

He faces punishment for the fraud that lost $1 million.


elucidate

elucidate (canonical)
elucidates (third-person singular)
elucidated (past)
elucidated (past participle)
elucidating (present participle)

If you elucidate something, you clarify or make something clear.

George was able to elucidate his son on proper procedures to cook.


persuasion

Persuasion is the process of making somebody agree with you or do what you want them to do.

A great leader has vision and the power of persuasion.

A religious or political persuasion is a belief system.

He was of a religious persuasion that said "no work on Sundays."


volley

A volley of bullets, arrows, etc. is a group of them fired at the same time.

The army fired a volley of bullets.

A volley is when a ball is hit before it touches the ground.


volley

volley (canonical)
volleys (third-person singular)
volleyed (past)
volleyed (past participle)
volleying (present participle)

If a ball is volleyed, it is hit before it touches the ground.

The tennis player volleyed the ball over the net.


omission

An omission is a failure to do or include something.

The story is misleading because of all the lies and omissions.

The police did not tell them their rights, which is a serious omission.

Omission of the English plural -s is common among these students.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-omission.wav


gaiety

Gaiety is the feeling or atmosphere of fun and happiness.

The air was full of gaiety and sunshine and the sense of singing birds.


scorn

Scorn is a strong feeling, attitude, or comment that something has very low quality or low value.

The teacher was often the object of the students' scorn.

The idea drew scorn from the community.


scorn

scorn (canonical)
scorns (third-person singular)
scorned (past)
scorned (past participle)
scorning (present participle)

If you scorn something, you you show that you strongly think it has very low quality or low value.

They began to consider ideas they had previously scorned.


scent

The scent of fresh bread filled the house.

The dogs followed the scent to a hole in the ground.


scent

scent (canonical)
scents (third-person singular)
scented (past)
scented (past participle)
scenting (present participle)

The flowers scented the room.

He gave her a scented card.

If you scent something such as danger or a story, you have a feeling that it exists.

When the president didn't appear, the newspapers scented a story.

If an animal scents something, it smells it.

The deer ran when they scented the hunter.


volleys

The plural form of volley; more than one (kind of) volley.


volleys

The third-person singular form of volley.


volleyed

The past tense and past participle of volley.


discord

Discord is disagreement and bad feelings between people.

The idea created discord among them.

Discord is when notes in music don't sound good when played at the same time.


discord

discord (canonical)
discords (third-person singular)
discorded (past)
discorded (past participle)
discording (present participle)

If you discord, you disagree with someone.


conquer

conquer (canonical)
conquers (third-person singular)
conquered (past)
conquered (past participle)
conquering (present participle)

Alexander conquered most of Europe and North Africa.

If you conquer a problem, a fear, a disease, etc. you overcome it.

With the help of a councilor, she was able to conquer her fear of flying.


sometime

You use sometime for a time in the future or the past that is unknown or undecided.

We should get together sometime soon.

He must have left sometime after the party started.

A sometime editor, president, minister, etc. is someone who used to be in that position.

Downey's uncle is a sometime actor and screenwriter.

A sometime actor, friend, teacher, etc. is someone who is not usually in that position.

Jackson was a teacher and sometime actor who appeared in many TV commercials.


bearskin

A bearskin is a hat that is worn by British soldiers for special occasions.


ostrich

An ostrich is a large bird that cannot fly.

The ostrich can run up to speeds of 70 kilometres per hour.


ostriches

The plural form of ostrich; more than one (kind of) ostrich.


reindeer

A reindeer is a type of deer that lives in the Arctic.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose.


gorilla

A gorilla is an ape that lives in Africa.

Gorillas are related to chimpanzees, orangutans and humans.


gorillas

The plural form of gorilla; more than one (kind of) gorilla.


reindeers

The plural form of reindeer; more than one (kind of) reindeer.


dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction is the feeling that something are not as good as it should be.

She has recently expressed some dissatisfaction with the amount of progress.


rivalry

A rivalry is a situation in which two groups see themselves as being in long-term competition.

The rivalry between Toronto FC and Montreal Impact heated up this weekend.

Rivalry can be useful for motivating sports teams.


impound

impound (canonical)
impounds (third-person singular)
impounded (past)
impounded (past participle)
impounding (present participle)

If something is impounded, it is taken away and put in a pound.

The car was impounded for seven days.

If documents, vehicles, etc. is impounded, a court holds on to it.

The court impounded a document to keep it safe.


impound

An impound is a place where things are impounded.


flamingo

flamingo
flamingoes or flamingos (plural)

A flamingo is a pink bird that lives near water.

We saw flamingoes in the Zoo.

/fləˈmɪŋɡoʊ/


complication

A complication is something that makes your job more difficult.

When the switch broke, it added a new complication.

Complication is the process of making something more difficult.

Let's aim for simplification, not complication.


congratulations

You say congratulations when a happy event happens, such as somebody winning a game, getting a new job, or passing a test at school.

So you can drive now. Congratulations!


disappearance

dis- + appear + -ance
disappear + appearance

ety-affix

The disappearance of something is when it is gone and we can't find it or it doesn't exist anymore.

Detroit Police say they are still investigating the children's disappearance.

We still don't understand the disappearance of Flight 804.

The rate of disappearance of species in Hawaii continues to increase.


koala

A koala is a small mammal that climbs trees and lives in Australia.

Koalas usually eat eucalyptus leaves.


heptadecagon

A heptadecagon is a shape that has 17 sides and 17 angles.


avoidance

Avoidance is the process of staying away from or not doing something.

Tax avoidance is also high among business owners.

Behaviors including the avoidance of challenging activities increased.

We wonder what her avoidance of the topic meant.


octagon

An octagon (⯄) is a shape that has 8 sides and 8 angles.


rejoice

rejoice (canonical)
rejoices (third-person singular)
rejoiced (past)
rejoiced (past participle)
rejoicing (present participle)

If you rejoice, you act in a way that shows that you feel very happy about something.

An event like this gives everyone an great opportunity and reason to rejoice and celebrate.


dissatisfied

dissatisfied (positive)
more dissatisfied (comparative)
most dissatisfied (superlative)

If you are dissatisfied with something, it is not as good as you think it should be.

I was very dissatisfied with the results of the test.


inclusive

inclusive (positive)
more inclusive (comparative)
most inclusive (superlative)

If something is inclusive, it is open to all the people or all the things that it could be open to.

Our school has a very inclusive culture so that nobody feels left out.

If a price is inclusive, it is the total price and there are no other charges.

It's $127, inclusive of tax and delivery.

You use inclusive at the end of a list to say that the first and last items also belong.

The race is open to anyone 16 to 24 inclusive.


walkout

A walkout is when workers suddenly stop working.

Teachers in Oklahoma are going to do a walkout.

A walkout is when many people leave a place to protest something.

Students took part in a high school walkout to protest gun laws.


metronome

A metronome is something that musicians use to make sure they are playing on time.

Set your metronome to 104.


homemade

Homemade bread, sweaters, cookies, etc. are made at home.

We always have homemade cookies for lunch.


well known

A person or thing that is well known is someone who many people recognize.

After the war, the general became well known for his bravery.


well-known

If a person or thing is well-known, many people know it or know about it.

That area is well-known for their restaurants.


procession

A procession is a number of individuals moving together in one direction.

A funeral procession snaked through the streets of Toronto.

The pilgrims are going to Utah by the millions, an endless procession of them.


chimpanzee

A chimpanzee is an ape that lives in Africa.


jealousy

Jealousy is the bad feeling you get when somebody else has something that you want.

I felt great jealousy towards them and their successes

Jealousy is the bad feeling you get when somebody you're interested in shows interest in another, or when the other person shows interest in them.

Men act violently out of sexual jealousy more than women.


ram

ram (canonical)
rams (third-person singular)
rammed (past)
rammed (past participle)
ramming (present participle)

If you ram something, it means that you hit it hard, causing damage.

The racer rammed into the barriers when turning.

If you ram someone during sexual intercourse, it means that you thrust your partner forcefully.


messy

messy (positive)
messier (comparative)
messiest (superlative)

Something that is messy is very chaotic and not organized.

His sister's bedroom can be a bit messy at times.


homecoming

Homecoming is the event of returning home after a long time away, and the celebrations that go with it.

Everyone was at the house for her homecoming.

Homecoming is the yearly event of returning to the school that you went to, and the celebrations that go with it.

Did you see the homecoming game?


conform

conform (canonical)
conforms (third-person singular)
conformed (past)
conformed (past participle)
conforming (present participle)

If you conform to something, you behave in that manner, especially as a result of social pressure.

He changed his clothes to conform to local tastes.


cockatoo

A cockatoo is a kind of parrot from Australia.


gruelling

gruelling (positive)
more gruelling (comparative)
most gruelling (superlative)

Something that is gruelling is very tiring and difficult.

The climb lasted a gruelling twenty minutes.


grueling

grueling (positive)
more grueling (comparative)
most grueling (superlative)

Something that is grueling is very tiring and difficult.

It took five grueling hours to finish running the marathon.


werewolf

A werewolf is a mythical creature that is sometimes human and sometimes a Wolf.


whiten

whiten (canonical)
whitens (third-person singular)
whitened (past)
whitened (past participle)
whitening (present participle)

If you whiten something, you make it white or lighter in colour.

I got my teeth whitened at the dentist.


cultivation

Cultivation is the process of growing or improving something, especially in farming.

There is a long history of rice cultivation in the region.


cut out

cut out (canonical)
cuts out (third-person singular)
cut out (past)
cut out (past participle)
cutting out (present participle)

If you cut out something, you cut it and separate it.

Cut out the letter and place it on my desk, please.

If you cut out doing something, you stop doing it.

He had to cut out smoking so that he could run the marathon.

If something cuts out, it suddenly stops working.

The engine of the plane suddenly cut out.


companionship

Companionship is the state of having a friend with you.

She keeps a dog for companionship.

The women support each other and provide companionship and humor.


weekday

The weekdays are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday.

I can't sleep late on a weekday.


modesty

Modesty is the attitude of not talking about or not trying to make people notice your abilities and achievements.

Two things were obvious: his intellectual honesty and the modesty with which he spoke.

Without false modesty he knew he was the best teacher in the school.

If you dress with, modesty you cover most of your body and do not wear sexy clothes or bright colours.

There were also all sorts of rules about modesty in dress, you know, no pants for women.


brighten

brighten (canonical)
brightens (third-person singular)
brightened (past)
brightened (past participle)
brightening (present participle)

If something brightens, it becomes brighter, less dark.

As the sun came up, the room brightened.

If someone brightens, they become happier.

She brightened when she thought about the holiday plans.

If you brighten someone or something, you make it brighter.

Having the grandchildren visit brightened their day.


airstrike

An airstrike is an attack by the military that is done by using airplanes or missiles.

President Trump ordered airstrikes against Syria.


tusk

A tusk is a long tooth that goes outside of the mouth of an animal.

Elephant tusks were a large part of the ivory trade.


ambient

ambient (positive)
more ambient (comparative)
most ambient (superlative)

Something that is ambient is in the background and is on all sides of an object.

The cup of tea cooled down to the ambient temperature.

Music that is ambient is very relaxing and peaceful.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Mélange a trois-ambient.wav


moderation

Moderation is the quality of doing things at a reasonable level, not too much or too little, too hard or too gently, etc.

It's OK to have some sweets, as long as you do so in moderation.

I try to remember that a healthy path is balance, variety and moderation.

The president, widely respected as a voice of wisdom and moderation, has died.

/ˌmɑdəˈreɪʃən/

/ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃən/


deafen

deafen (canonical)
deafens (third-person singular)
deafened (past)
deafened (past participle)
deafening (present participle)

If a sound deafens you, it is so loud that it makes you lose your hearing.

The flash temporarily blinded him, and he was deafened by the roar.

He was suddenly awakened by a deafening crash.

A deafening silence is failure to get a reply or reaction when one is needed or expected.

My request for additional funds was met with a deafening silence.


punctual

punctual (positive)
more punctual (comparative)
most punctual (superlative)

If you are punctual, you generally do things on time, not late.

Bobbie, always punctual, walked into the restaurant at exactly 7:00.

We find that workers with young children tend to be less punctual than those without children.


hurrah

You use "hurrah" when you are happy and want to cellebrate.

Hurrah! We won.


uppermost

upper (positive)
uppermost (superlative)

The uppermost point, layer, floor, etc. is the one at the top of something very high.

Birds sat in the uppermost branchs of the tree.

If something is uppermost in your mind, it's the main thing you're thinking about.

The changes at school were uppermost in her mind.


troupe

A theatre, circus, etc. troupe is a group of dancers, actors, or singers that perform on tour.

The Haiyuza theatre troupe is on tour!


conqueror

A conqueror is a country, army, or leader who wins a war and takes complete control of the area.

The first Spanish conquerors defeated the native Americans by infecting them with diseases.


hindrance

A hindrance is something that makes something more difficult.

He long hair was a hinderance, always falling in her face.


stethoscope

A stethoscope is a tool that doctors and nurses use to listen to sounds inside the body.

The doctor checked the patient's abdomen with a stethoscope.


saucer

A saucer is a small plate that goes under a cup.

His tea arrived in a small white cup with two packets of sugar on the saucer.


madden

madden (canonical)
maddens (third-person singular)
maddened (past)
maddened (past participle)
maddening (present participle)

If you madden a person or animal, you make them angry or crazy.

She fought like a maddened animal.

I couldn't block out the maddening noise.


window shopping

Window shopping is the act of going to stores with the plan of looking but not buying.


retail therapy

Retail therapy is the act of shopping to make yourself feel better.


motherhood

Motherhood is the state of being a mother.

Balancing marriage, motherhood and her career will not be easy.

Most of my women friends have walked down the expected path from marriage to motherhood.


sadden

sadden (canonical)
saddens (third-person singular)
saddened (past)
saddened (past participle)
saddening (present participle)

If something saddens you, it makes you feel less happy.

I was saddened by the news of his illness.

It saddened her to see him crying.


headdress

A headdress is anything that is worn on the head, but especially something very decorative.


possessor

A possessor of something is someone who has it.

You are now the proud possessor of a university degree.

Intelligence is a gift over which its possessor has little control.


motherly

motherly (positive)
more motherly (comparative)
most motherly (superlative)

If you act in a motherly way, you are caring and helpful, like a mother.

She spoke in a soft motherly voice.


bribery

Bribery is the crime of paying someone in power to use their power to help you.

The company was under investigation for bribery in the awarding of a government contract.


cultivator

A cultivator is a tool or machine that breaks up the earth for farming or gardening.

He drove the cultivator around the fields before seeding.

A cultivator is a person who helps plants grow.


alas

I thought you'd be here, but alas!

Alas! I wasn't able to make it.


inceldom

Her inceldom made her feel lonely.


scrutinize

scrutinize (canonical)
scrutinizes (third-person singular)
scrutinized (past)
scrutinized (past participle)
scrutinizing (present participle)

If you scrutinize something, you look into it very carefully.

The group scrutinizes the government's actions.


scrutinise

scrutinise (canonical)
scrutinises (third-person singular)
scrutinised (past)
scrutinised (past participle)
scrutinising (present participle)

If you scrutinise something, you look into it very carefully.

The group scrutinises the government's actions.


shotgun

The shotgun seat in a car is the seat that is next to the driver seat.


cancan

The cancan is a dance where people stand in a line and kick their legs high in the air.


foreshadow

foreshadow (canonical)
foreshadows (third-person singular)
foreshadowed (past)
foreshadowed (past participle)
foreshadowing (present participle)

If an event is foreshadowed, it is hinted that it will happen.

The downfall of the company was foreshadowed by the stock market crash.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-foreshadow.wav


germany


heptadecagons

The plural form of heptadecagon; more than one (kind of) heptadecagon.


a whole nother

You use "a whole nother" thing to say that something is completely different from the previous topic.

We already speak Spanish. Why do we have to learn a whole nother language?

You use "a whole nother" thing to say that something to say that it's off topic.

That's interesting, but that's the subject of a whole nother program.


postscript

A postscript is a message that is put at the end of a letter and is put after the author's signature.

He added a postscript to the end of the letter.

A postscript is something that is added to a story or play after it is finished.

The author explained in the postscript of the book why she wrote the book.


sawgrass

Sawgrass is a type of grass in the Cladium species, it has long sedges with saw-like sharp, serrated edges,


chainsaw

He used the chainsaw to cut through the tree.


versatile

versatile (positive)
more versatile (comparative)
most versatile (superlative)

Something that is versatile is able to change easily and do different things.

The writer is versatile because he can write romance stories, science fiction stories, and action stories.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-versatile.wav


flank

flank (canonical)
flanks (third-person singular)
flanked (past)
flanked (past participle)
flanking (present participle)

If an attacking group flanks someone, it comes from both sides.


flank

A flank is the part of the body between the ribs and the hip.


cuboid

A cuboid is a 3D shape with rectangular sides.


hexagon

A hexagon (⬢) is a shape with six sides.


commend

commend (canonical)
commends (third-person singular)
commended (past)
commended (past participle)
commending (present participle)

If you commend someone, you praise or give them credit for something good.

The president commended the soldier for their bravery.


billboard

A billboard is a large advertisement that is usually beside a road or highway.

On the side of the road, we saw a billboard advertising shoes.


valedictorian

The valedictorian of a class is a student that says the valedictory speech. They usually have the highest marks of the class.

The highest placing person in the exam was chosen as the valedictorian.


valedictory

The valedictorian delivered the valedictory speech.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-valedictory.wav


farewell

You use farewell when you are leaving or departing.

Farewell! I will miss you.


farewell

A farewell is when a person says "farewell" to someone else. This means to wish for happiness and safety.


quindecagon

A quindecagon is a shape with fifteen sides.


ruthlessness

Ruthlessness is the property of being ruthless.


ruthless

A ruthless person tries to achieve their goals despite knowing that it will cause pain or damage.

A ruthless action is carried out despite knowing that it will cause pain or damage.


humanity

Have we lost all humanity?

The worker was praised for his humanity and respect.


haggle

haggle (canonical)
haggles (third-person singular)
haggled (past)
haggled (past participle)
haggling (present participle)

If you haggle, you bargain to find a price that is acceptable for the seller and the buyer.

I haggled on the price for the shoes.


novice

A novice is a person who is new to a field or activity.

I was once a novice at football.


den

A den is a place where a wild animal lives.

The wolf went back to his den to sleep after a day of hunting.

A den is a small cave in the side of a hill.


flick

With a quick flick of his wrist, he threw the ball.

She gave a flick of her hair and left the room.

The newest flick is Solo: A Star Wars Story.

My favourite flick is It's a Wonderful Life.


flick

flick (canonical)
flicks (third-person singular)
flicked (past)
flicked (past participle)
flicking (present participle)

If you flick something, you move it or hit it very quickly.

She flicked his hair affectionately.


dale

A dale is a big valley that is very broad and open.

It took the hiker a day to walk through the dale.


dean

A dean is the head of a department of a university or college.

The dean welcomed the students to another year of study at Humber College.


incels

The plural form of incel; more than one (kind of) incel.


genitalia

Genitalia are the body parts used for sex and reproduction, especially the parts on the outside of the body.

His pants were down, and his genitalia were clearly visible.

The law makes it illegal to show female breasts and genitalia.


hendecagon

A hendecagon is a shape with eleven sides.

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-hendecagon.wav


untied

A string, rope, etc. that is untied is not tied.

Your shoelaces are untied.


untied

untie (canonical)
unties (third-person singular)
untied (past)
untied (past participle)
untying (present participle)

The past tense and past participle of untie.


deaf-mute

: A person who can not hear and can not speak (excluding sign lenguage). In modern times some people consider the word offensive and prefer just deaf.


timeout

In sports a timeout is when the coach asks for a short stop in the game to talk with the team.

The coach of the home team is asking for a timeout.

A timeout is a short period to relax from a situation that causes stress.

I need a timeout from this meeting.


time-out

In sports a time-out is when the coach asks for a short stop in the game to talk with the team.

The coach of the home team is asking for a time-out.

A time-out is a short period to relax from a situation that causes stress.

I need a time-out from this meeting.


weld

weld (canonical)
welds (third-person singular)
welded (past)
welded (past participle)
welding (present participle)

If two things are welded together, they are joined together, usually using metal.

The workers welded a piece of steel to the bridge.

If you weld two things, you bring them together very closely.


weld

A weld is the piece of metal that joins two things together.


ratings

The plural form of rating; more than one (kind of) rating.


assuage

assuage (canonical)
assuages (third-person singular)
assuaged (past)
assuaged (past participle)
assuaging (present participle)

If you assuage a feeling, you make it less intense.

We tried to assuage her anger about the damage.


boomerang

A boomerang is a curved weapon made of wood that you can throw and it returns to you.


surreptitiously

If you do something surreptitiously, you do it in secret.

As they were speaking, he surreptitiously took the diamond.


amulet

An amulet is an object a person keeps because he thinks it gives him good luck.


defiant

defiant (positive)
more defiant (comparative)
most defiant (superlative)

If you are defiant, you refuse to do what you are told to do.


defiance

Defiance is the state or act of refusing to do what you are told to do.


idolize

idolize (canonical)
idolizes (third-person singular)
idolized (past)
idolized (past participle)
idolizing (present participle)

When you idolize something, you love and admire it very strongly.

He idolized his mother.


compulsive

compulsive (positive)
more compulsive (comparative)
most compulsive (superlative)

If someone is compulsive, they are doing something a lot and unable to stop doing it.

Her compulsive gambling was causing a lot of problems in her life.

If something is compulsive, it’s uncontrollable.


daunting

daunting (positive)
more daunting (comparative)
most daunting (superlative)

If something is daunting, you feel that should not try it because it will be very difficult.

The from the bottom of the hill, the ride up looked daunting.


regolith

A regolith is a layer of loose material such as dust, soil, and broken rock which covers solid rock. It can be found on planets and the moon.


expedition

An expedition is a long trip that people go on for a specific reason.

The expedition across the Alps lasted two weeks.


intently

If you do something intently, you are very focused on doing it.

He listened intently to his grandfather's stories.

The students, intently studying, did not see the teacher enter the room.


contronym

A contronym is a word with two different meanings, which are the opposite of each other. The meaning can only be understood in the context of the sentence.


fistfight

A fistfight is a fight that is fought using bare fists.

The two men got into a fistfight behind the bar.


fistfight

fistfight (canonical)
fistfights (third-person singular)
fistfought (past)
fistfought (past participle)
fistfighting (present participle)

If you fistfight, you fight using your bare fists.


thrive

thrived (past)
thrived (past participle)
thrive (canonical)
thrives (third-person singular)
throve (past)
thriven (past participle)
thriving (present participle)

To thrive is to grow or develop well or vigorously.

In its new place on the windowsill, the plant is sure to thrive and bloom regularly.


prick

A prick is a short pain from a small sharp object like a needle.

A prick is an annoying or rude person, usually a man.

Nobody cares, prick.


prick

prick (canonical)
pricks (third-person singular)
pricked (past)
pricked (past participle)
pricking (present participle)

If you prick something, it means that you pierce or poke it slightly.

John hardly felt the needle prick his arm when the nurse gave him an injection.


North Korea

The capital city of North Korea is Pyongyang.

/nɔːθ ˌkəˈriː.ə/


Republic of China

The Republic of China is a country in east Asia.


gorge

A gorge is a narrow valley and normally has steep rocky walls and a stream.

The Kali Gandaki Gorge is the deepest in the world.


gorge

gorge (canonical)
gorges (third-person singular)
gorged (past)
gorged (past participle)
gorging (present participle)

If a person gorge themselves, they eat greedily and in large quantities.

They gorged themselves on chocolate and cake.


tributary

A tributary is a river or stream that flows into a larger body of water, such as a river or lake.

A tributary is a state that pays another state, often in return for protection.


myometrium

The myometrium is the thick wall of the uterus made of smooth muscle.

The cells of the myometrium get larger during pregnancy.


fallopian tube

The fallopian tube is a tube in female mammals that moves the egg from the ovary to the uterus.


menstruation

Menstruation is the flow of blood and fluid out through the vagina.

She had her first menstruation at age 13.


enterprise

The enterprise grew every year and now earns millions.


get up

I get up very early to go swimming."


monkey business

Monkey business is time improper or dishonest behaviour.


citation

A citation is a notice given to a person who has to go to court.

A citation is the paper notice given to a person who has to go to court.

A citation is the act of citing a section of a book, or from another person, in their own words.


blender

A blender is an appliance used to crush food into smaller pieces.

I used the blender to make your smoothie.


pentadecagon

A pentadecagon is a shape with 15 sides.

/ˌpɛntəˈdɛkəɡən/


scoff

scoff (canonical)
scoffs (third-person singular)
scoffed (past)
scoffed (past participle)
scoffing (present participle)

If you scoff at someone or at something, you laugh at someone or something with contempt.

If you scoff your food, you eat it very quickly.


they're

They're just sitting around all the time.


denominator

The denominator is the lower number of the fraction.

In the fraction 3/4, the numerator is 3 and the denominator is 4.


voyages

The plural form of voyage; more than one (kind of) voyage.


hmm

You use hmm when you are thinking about what to say or what to do.

Hmm... What should I do?


hype

Hype is excitement for something that is upcoming in the future.

After a storm of hype, the group's debut album was finally released.


hype

hype (canonical)
hypes (third-person singular)
hyped (past)
hyped (past participle)
hyping (present participle)

If someone hypes about something, they are promoting or advertising heavily.

They started to hype about the new album weeks before its release date.


garrison

A garrison is a group of soldiers who stay in a place, such as a fort, usually to defend it from a possible attack.


weren't

be (canonical)
am, is, are (present)
was, were (past)
been (past participle)
being (present participle)

They weren't doing anything to upset you.


slime

Slime is a moist soft, sticky substance.

Slime is mucus-resembling or viscous substance.


peel

peel (canonical)
peels (third-person singular)
peeled (past)
peeled (past participle)
peeling (present participle)

If you peel a fruit, you remove its skin.

I am going to peel this banana.

If you peel something thin and flat off, you remove it.

After peeling off this old wallpaper, I can add new wallpaper.


peel

Banana peels are slippery.


deduce

deduce (canonical)
deduces (third-person singular)
deduced (past)
deduced (past participle)
deducing (present participle)

If someone deduces something, the person reaches a conclusion based on a logical process.


consequently

The word consequently is used show what happened as a result or consequence of an event.

He did not wake up early in the morning. Consequently, he was late to work.

The man looked at a pet shop nearby. Consequently, he remembered the dog he had left at home.


consecutive

Consecutive events follow one another with no other in between.

We were given homework over five consecutive days.


faeces

Faeces are the solid waste from the intestines, also called excrement, shit or poo.

The street was dirty, with dog faeces all over the footpath.


beep

beep (canonical)
beeps (third-person singular)
beeped (past)
beeped (past participle)
beeping (present participle)

If something beeps, it makes a short high-pitched sound; it is a sound that sounds like "beep".

He is an impatient driver. He kept beeping at the car in front of him.


beep

A beep is a short high-pitched sound that sounds like "beep".


blister

A blister is a painful bump on skin that is caused by excessive rubbing or because of extreme heat.


blister

blister (canonical)
blisters (third-person singular)
blistered (past)
blistered (past participle)
blistering (present participle)

If someone blisters, they develop a blister.


dubious

dubious (positive)
more dubious (comparative)
most dubious (superlative)

A dubious decision or opinion is one that you don't believe is honest, safe, or reliable.

If you are dubious about something, you are not sure if you should believe or trust it.


secondhand

A secondhand item is one that was owned by somebody before.

That car retailer sells secondhand cars.


second hand

The second hand is the clock hand that shows the number of seconds passed.


fluctuate

fluctuate (canonical)
fluctuates (third-person singular)
fluctuated (past)
fluctuated (past participle)
fluctuating (present participle)

If something fluctuates, it changes often but not regularly.

The price of gasoline has been fluctuating wildly.


writ

A writ is a document form a court that says you have to do something.

The writ was given to tell information to everyone.


filth

Filth is the dirt that appears on objects.

Filth is someone or something that is disgusting.


stew

Stew is a dish that is made with meat and/or vegetables cooked in liquid.

A stew is an add-on to staple foods such as rice and pasta, usually in the form of soup, vegetables etc.


stew

stew (canonical)
stews (third-person singular)
stewed (past)
stewed (past participle)
stewing (present participle)

If you stew something, it means that you cook by slowly boiling or simmering.

I'm going to stew some meat.

The meat is stewing nicely.

If you stew tea, it means that you brewed it for too long that the flavour becomes too strong.


shorthand

Shorthand is a shortened or simplified way of referring to something.


prong

The broccoli was stuck on one prong of my fork.


deflect

deflect (canonical)
deflects (third-person singular)
deflected (past)
deflected (past participle)
deflecting (present participle)

If you deflect something, you hit it to change its direction.

I was able to deflect the ball coming at me.


spine

Your spine is the set of bones down the middle of your back.

Spines are sharp, pointy parts on an animal or a plant.

The spine of a book is the narrow, hard part that joins the pages together.


interrogation

Interrogation is the process of asking someone questions to get information from them.

The police use interrogation to investigate people suspected of crimes.


mortar

A mortar is kind of large gun that fires explosive shells.

Mortar is a type of paste used to stick bricks together.

A mortar is a bowl used with a pestle to crush food or drugs into smaller pieces.


mortars

The plural form of mortar; more than one (kind of) mortar.


denominators

The plural form of denominator; more than one (kind of) denominator.


blunder

blunder (canonical)
blunders (third-person singular)
blundered (past)
blundered (past participle)
blundering (present participle)

A blunder means to make a clumsy or stupid mistake.

She made a blunder while preparing the customer's order.


skewer

A skewer is a long piece of wood or metal used to hold pieces of food, typically meat, while cooking.

He used a skewer to put pieces of meat together for his kebab.


skewer

skewer (canonical)
skewers (third-person singular)
skewered (past)
skewered (past participle)
skewering (present participle)

If someone skewers pieces of food, they pierce them through a skewer.

He skewered pieces of meat to make his kebab.

If you skewer someone, you criticize them strongly, often in a humorous way.


inflict

inflict (canonical)
inflicts (third-person singular)
inflicted (past)
inflicted (past participle)
inflicting (present participle)

If you inflict something on someone, you cause an unpleasant situation for them.


toasty

toasty (positive)
toastier (comparative)
toastiest (superlative)

Something that is toasty is cooked in a way that resembles toast.

These roasted marshmallows look toasty.

If you feel toasty, you feel comfortably warm.

I am feeling toasty with that new fireplace.


an apple a day keeps the doctor away

An apple a day keeps the doctor away means that healthy food keeps you healthy.

/əˈn‿æpəl‿ə ˈdeɪ ˈkiːps ðə ˈdɒktər‿əˈweɪ/

/əˈn‿æpəl‿ə ˈdeɪ ˈkips ðə ˈdɑktɚ əˈweɪ/

en-us-an apple a day keeps the doctor away.oga


brandy

Brandy is a type of spirit produced by distilled wine.


smear

smear (canonical)
smears (third-person singular)
smeared (past)
smeared (past participle)
smearing (present participle)

If you smear a substance on a surface, you spread it by rubbing.

If you smear a person, you say bad things about them, that are false.

There is a online campaign to smear the president.


spoonbill

A spoonbill is a type of water bird with a spoon-shaped beak.


contempt

Contempt is the feeling that a person or a thing is useless or deserves to be looked down upon.

If you treat someone with contempt, you treat them as inferior or worthless.


bling

Bling is expensive clothes or jewelry of high prestige.


pricey

pricey (positive)
pricier (comparative)
priciest (superlative)

If something is pricey, it costs a lot of money.


rip-off

A rip-off is something that costs much more than it is actually worth.

$200 for a pair of shoes!? That is a rip-off.

A rip-off of something is a poor imitation of it.

This cheap company produces rip-offs of the popular Nike shoes.


swindle

swindle (canonical)
swindles (third-person singular)
swindled (past)
swindled (past participle)
swindling (present participle)

If you swindle someone out of money, you trick them into giving you the money.


swindle

A swindle is the deception of money-related items.


nah

You use "nah" as a casual way of saying "no".

Nah, I'm not gonna make a funny prank at the teacher. You should do it if you are wanting me to do that.


goosebumps

Goosebumps are bumps on your skin that appear whenever you are cold.


wonky

wonky (positive)
wonkier (comparative)
wonkiest (superlative)

Something that is wonky it is not straight or level.


obese

obese (positive)
more obese (comparative)
most obese (superlative)

The man with the obese belly walked to the nearest McDonalds.

That guy in the restaurant is so obese.


necromancer

A necromancer is someone who summons dead people.


skillful

skillful (positive)
more skillful (comparative)
most skillful (superlative)

A skillful person is someone who is skilled in doing something.


chaotic

chaotic (positive)
more chaotic (comparative)
most chaotic (superlative)

Someone or something that is chaotic is unpredictable.


rip-offs

The plural form of rip-off; more than one (kind of) rip-off.


px

"px" is an abbreviation for pixels, usually used to show that a widget (such as an image) on the computer is a number of pixels long.

We need an image that is 400px long to place into this program.


pixel

If you look close enough at an image on the computer, you can see pixels on the picture. They are shaped like squares.


shuffle

shuffle (canonical)
shuffles (third-person singular)
shuffled (past)
shuffled (past participle)
shuffling (present participle)

If you shuffle, you drag your feet along the floor without lifting them up.

He shuffled out of the room.

I shuffled my feet in embarrassment.

If you shuffle something, you rearrange something in a random order.

The dealer will shuffle the playing cards to make the game fair.

I shuffle all of the music in my playlist.


shuffle

If you make a shuffle, you drag your feet along the floor without lifting them up.

The sad young girl left with a tired shuffle.

A shuffle is the rearrangement of something in a random order.

You don't do very good shuffles. Why not make me do it instead?


auto-

"auto-" is a prefix that is related to yourself.

Autobiographies are written biographies about yourself.

"auto-" is a prefix that describes something that automatically does something.

An automobile moves by itself without needing you to make it move.

Autotune is a type of program that automatically tunes your recorded voice.


periodic

Something that is periodic happens regularly.


screw driver

A screw driver is a tool used for twisting screws to make them go into or come out of something.

I need a screw driver to take out these screws.

Oh shoot! This is the wrong type of screw driver for these screws.

A screw driver is a cocktail made of vodka and orange juice.


smudge

He rubbed the smudge off the glass.

There was a smudge on the boy's homework.


smudge

smudge (canonical)
smudges (third-person singular)
smudged (past)
smudged (past participle)
smudging (present participle)

If you smudge something, you rub something in or make it dirty.

The painter accidentally smudged his painting.

She smudged her makeup when she rubbed her eyes.


two thousand

ordinal two thousandth) Two thousand (2000) is a number that has two thousands.

The number two thousand can be written as "2000".

Julius Caesar lived about two thousand years ago.

Just over two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ died on a crucifix.


Ron

Ron is a male given name. It is usually short for Ronald.