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Every word from our vocabulary lessons with a simple meaning and an example. Tap the speaker to hear it.

Animals 89

ant A2
A very small insect that lives in large groups.The ants are carrying food to their nest.
bat A2
A small flying mammal that is active at night.Bats sleep upside down during the day.
bear A1
A large, heavy animal with thick fur.The bear is catching fish in the river.
beaver A2
An animal with a flat tail that builds dams in rivers.The beaver is building a dam.
bee A2
A flying insect that makes honey.Bees make honey from flowers.
beetle A2
An insect with a hard, shiny back.A black beetle is crawling on the leaf.
butterfly A2
An insect with large, colourful wings.A butterfly landed on the flower.
calf A2
A young cow; the plural is calves.The calf is drinking milk from its mother.
cat A1
A small furry animal that people often keep as a pet.Our cat sleeps on the sofa all afternoon.
caterpillar A2
The young form of a butterfly or moth; it looks like a worm.The caterpillar is eating a leaf.
centipede A2
A small animal with a long body and many legs.A centipede ran under the stone.
cheetah A2
A wild cat with spots; it is the fastest land animal.A cheetah can run very fast.
chick A2
A baby bird, especially a young chicken.The chicks follow the hen everywhere.
cockroach A2
A brown insect often found in kitchens.I saw a cockroach in the kitchen.
cow A1
A large farm animal that gives milk.The cow gives us fresh milk every day.
crab A2
A sea animal with a hard shell and ten legs that walks sideways.The crab walked sideways across the sand.
crane A2
A tall bird with long legs and a long neck.A crane is standing in the shallow water.
cricket A2
A jumping insect that makes a loud sound at night.Crickets chirp in the garden at night.
crow A2
A large black bird.A crow is sitting on the roof.
cuttlefish A2
A sea animal like a small squid, with a wide, flat body.The cuttlefish can change its colour.
deer A2
A fast animal with long legs; the males have antlers.We saw a deer near the forest.
dog A1
An animal that people keep as a pet or to guard their homes.My dog barks when someone comes to the gate.
dolphin A2
An intelligent, playful sea mammal.We watched dolphins jumping out of the sea.
donkey A2
An animal like a small horse with long ears.The donkey carries heavy bags up the hill.
dove A2
A white or grey bird, often a symbol of peace.The dove is a symbol of peace.
duck A1
A water bird with short legs and a wide, flat beak.The ducks are swimming in the pond.
eagle A2
A large bird that hunts small animals.The eagle flew high above the mountains.
eel A2
A long fish that looks like a snake.The eel hid between the rocks.
elephant A1
A very large grey animal with a long trunk.Sri Lanka is home to many wild elephants.
fish A1
An animal that lives in water and breathes through gills.Our pet fish swim around a glass tank.
flamingo A2
A pink bird with long legs and a long neck.Flamingos often stand on one leg.
fly A2
A small flying insect with two wings.A fly is buzzing around the room.
fox A2
A wild animal like a dog, with red fur and a bushy tail.The fox hunts at night.
giraffe A2
A tall African animal with a very long neck.The giraffe eats leaves from tall trees.
goat A2
An animal with horns, kept for its milk and meat.The goat is eating grass by the road.
goose A2
A large water bird, bigger than a duck; the plural is geese.A goose is chasing the children.
gorilla A2
A very large, strong ape from Africa.The gorilla is resting in the forest.
hamster A2
A small furry animal like a mouse, often kept in a cage.The hamster runs on its wheel at night.
hawk A2
A bird with sharp claws that hunts small animals.The hawk caught a mouse.
hen A2
A female chicken.Our hen lays an egg every day.
horse A1
A large animal that people ride or use for work.She rides her horse every weekend.
jellyfish A2
A soft sea animal with long, stinging tentacles.Don't touch the jellyfish; it can sting you.
kangaroo A2
An Australian animal that jumps and carries its baby in a pouch.The baby kangaroo is in its mother's pouch.
kitten A2
A young cat.The kitten is playing with a ball of wool.
koala A2
An Australian animal that lives in trees and eats eucalyptus leaves.The koala is sleeping in a tree.
leopard A2
A large wild cat with yellow fur and black spots.We saw a leopard at Yala National Park.
lion A1
A large wild cat; the male has a mane.The lion is resting in the shade.
lizard A2
A small reptile with four legs and a long tail.A lizard is climbing up the wall.
monkey A1
An animal with a long tail that lives in trees.The monkeys took the bananas from our table.
mosquito A2
A small flying insect that bites and can spread disease.Mosquitoes can spread dengue.
mouse A1
A very small animal with a long tail; the plural is mice.The pet mouse lives in a small cage.
octopus A2
A sea animal with eight long arms.The octopus changed colour to hide.
ostrich A2
A very large bird that cannot fly but runs fast.An ostrich cannot fly, but it runs very fast.
owl A2
A bird with big eyes that hunts at night.We heard an owl in the night.
ox A2
A large male cow used for pulling carts and ploughs; the plural is oxen.Two oxen are pulling the cart.
panda A2
A black and white bear from China that eats bamboo.The panda is eating bamboo.
parrot A2
A brightly coloured bird that can copy human speech.Our parrot can say "hello".
peacock A2
A male bird with long, colourful tail feathers.The peacock spread its beautiful tail.
penguin A2
A black and white seabird that swims but cannot fly.Penguins live mostly in the southern half of the world.
pig A1
A farm animal with a flat nose and a curly tail.The pig is rolling in the mud.
pigeon A2
A grey bird often seen in towns and on farms.Pigeons are eating seeds in the yard.
puppy A2
A young dog.We got a puppy for my birthday.
rabbit A1
A small animal with long ears and a short, fluffy tail.The rabbit is eating a carrot.
robin A2
A small bird with a red-orange breast.A robin is singing in the garden.
rooster A2
A male chicken.The rooster crows early in the morning.
sea lion A2
A large seal with small ear flaps that can walk on land.The sea lion is playing with a ball.
seagull A2
A white and grey bird that lives near the sea.Seagulls fly over the beach.
seahorse A2
A small fish whose head looks like a horse's head.The male seahorse carries the babies.
seal A2
A sea mammal with flippers that lives in the sea and on land.A seal is lying on the rocks.
shark A2
A large fish with sharp teeth.The shark swam close to the boat.
sheep A1
A farm animal kept for its wool and meat.The sheep have thick, white wool.
shrimp A2
A small sea animal with a shell, often eaten as food.We had shrimp curry for lunch.
snail A2
A small, soft animal with a shell on its back.The snail moves very slowly.
snake A1
A long animal with no legs.Be careful, there is a snake in the grass.
sparrow A2
A small brown bird.A sparrow built a nest under our roof.
spider A2
A small animal with eight legs that spins webs.The spider is making a web.
squirrel A2
A small animal with a long, bushy tail that lives in trees.A squirrel is running along the wall.
starfish A2
A flat sea animal shaped like a star.We found a starfish on the beach.
stingray A2
A flat fish with a long tail that can sting.A stingray is lying on the sandy sea floor.
swallow A2
A small bird with a forked tail that flies fast.Swallows fly long distances every year.
swan A2
A large white water bird with a long neck.A swan is swimming on the lake.
tiger A1
A large wild cat with orange fur and black stripes.The tiger is hiding in the long grass.
turkey A2
A large bird kept for its meat.Some families eat turkey at Christmas.
turtle A2
An animal with a hard shell that lives mainly in water.The turtle swims slowly in its tank.
vulture A2
A large bird that eats dead animals.Vultures circled high in the sky.
walrus A2
A large sea mammal with two long tusks.The walrus is resting on the ice.
whale A2
A very large sea mammal.The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth.
wolf A2
A wild animal like a large dog; the plural is wolves.Wolves hunt in groups called packs.
zebra A2
An African animal like a horse, with black and white stripes.A zebra is drinking at the river.

Body 67

ache B1
To feel a dull pain that does not stop.My legs ache after the long walk.
ankle B1
The joint between your foot and your leg.She twisted her ankle on the stairs.
arm A1
The long part of your body between your shoulder and your hand.She held the baby in her arms.
back A1
The part of your body from your neck to your bottom, on the other side from your chest.My back hurts after a long bus ride.
backache B1
A pain in your back.Sitting at a desk all day gives me backache.
blood A2
The red liquid that moves around your body.He gave blood at the hospital.
body A1
The whole of a person: the head, arms, legs and everything else.Exercise is good for your body and your mind.
bone A2
One of the hard white parts inside your body.An adult has 206 bones.
bottom B1
The part of your body that you sit on.I slipped and fell on my bottom.
brain A2
The organ inside your head that you think with.The brain controls the whole body.
calf B2
The back of your leg, between your knee and your ankle. The plural is calves.My calves hurt after the long walk.
cheek B1
The soft part of your face below each eye.Her cheeks were red from the sun.
chest B1
The front of your body between your neck and your stomach.The doctor listened to my chest.
chin B1
The part of your face below your mouth.He has a small scar on his chin.
cold A2
A common illness that gives you a sore throat, a runny nose and sneezing.I've got a cold, so I'm staying at home.
cough A2
A loud noise when air comes suddenly out of your throat. It is also a verb.He has a bad cough.
ear A1
The part of your head that you hear with.He whispered in my ear.
earache B1
A pain inside your ear.The baby is crying because she has earache.
elbow B1
The joint in the middle of your arm, where it bends.Don't put your elbows on the table.
eye A1
The part of your face that you see with.Close your eyes and listen.
eyebrow B1
The line of hair above each eye.She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
eyelash B1
One of the short hairs on the edge of your eyelid.The baby has long eyelashes.
face A1
The front of your head, where your eyes, nose and mouth are.Wash your face with cold water.
fever A2
A high body temperature because you are ill. British English also says a temperature.She has a fever, so she can't go to school.
finger A1
One of the four long, thin parts at the end of your hand.She wears a ring on her finger.
foot A1
The part at the end of your leg that you stand on. The plural is feet.Take off your shoes and rest your feet.
forehead B1
The part of your face above your eyes.Mum touched my forehead to check for a fever.
hair A1
The thin threads that grow on your head.My sister has long black hair.
hand A1
The part at the end of your arm, with four fingers and a thumb.Raise your hand if you know the answer.
head A1
The top part of your body, above your neck.She nodded her head.
headache A2
A pain in your head.I have a headache, so I'm going to lie down.
heart A2
The organ in your chest that pumps blood around your body.Your heart beats faster when you run.
heel B1
The back part of your foot.These new shoes hurt my heels.
hip B1
The part at each side of your body between your waist and your legs.My grandmother had an operation on her hip.
hurt A2
To feel pain, or to cause pain. The past form is also hurt.My back hurts. I hurt my ankle playing netball.
jaw B1
The lower part of your face that moves when you talk or eat.My jaw hurts when I chew.
kidneys B1
The two organs that clean your blood and make urine.Drink plenty of water to keep your kidneys healthy.
knee A2
The joint in the middle of your leg, where it bends.He fell and cut his knee.
knuckle B2
One of the joints in your fingers.She knocked on the door with her knuckles.
leg A1
One of the two long parts of your body that you stand and walk on.I hurt my leg playing football.
lip A2
One of the two soft edges of your mouth.My lips are dry in this weather.
liver B1
A large organ that cleans your blood.Too much alcohol can damage the liver.
lungs B1
The two organs in your chest that you breathe with.Smoking damages your lungs.
mouth A1
The part of your face that you eat and speak with.Don't talk with your mouth full.
muscle B1
A part of the body that tightens and relaxes to help you move.Exercise makes your muscles stronger.
nail B1
The hard part at the end of each finger and toe. Also fingernail and toenail.Cut your nails every week.
neck A2
The part of your body between your head and your shoulders.She wore a gold chain around her neck.
nose A1
The part of your face that you breathe and smell with.Breathe in through your nose.
palm B1
The inside part of your hand.Hold the seeds in the palm of your hand.
runny nose B1
A nose with liquid coming out of it, usually because of a cold.I have a runny nose and a cough.
shin B2
The front of your leg, between your knee and your ankle.The ball hit me on the shin.
shoulder A2
The part where your arm joins your body.He carried the bag on his shoulder.
skin A2
The outer layer that covers your body.Use sun cream to protect your skin.
sole B2
The bottom part of your foot.The hot sand burnt the soles of my feet.
sore throat A2
A painful throat, often when you have a cold.I have a sore throat, so I can't sing today.
stomach A2
The front of your body below your chest, or the organ inside it where food goes. Informal: tummy.I lay on my stomach on the beach.
stomach ache A2
A pain in your stomach.I have a stomach ache after eating too much.
thigh B2
The top part of your leg, above your knee.Cyclists have strong thighs.
throat B1
The passage inside your neck that food and air go down.I have a sore throat.
thumb B1
The short, thick finger at the side of your hand.He hurt his thumb playing cricket.
toe A2
One of the five small parts at the end of your foot.The children wiggled their toes in the sand.
tongue A2
The soft part inside your mouth that you taste with.The hot soup burnt my tongue.
tooth A1
One of the hard white things in your mouth that you bite with. The plural is teeth.Brush your teeth twice a day.
toothache A2
A pain in one of your teeth.I have toothache. I need to see a dentist.
vein B2
A thin tube that carries blood back to your heart.The nurse found a vein in my arm.
waist B1
The middle part of your body, above your hips.She tied a belt around her waist.
wrist B1
The joint between your hand and your arm.He wears a watch on his left wrist.

Colours 52

a white lie B2
A small lie that you tell to be kind.I told a white lie and said I loved the gift.
beige B1
A pale brown colour, like sand.The office walls are beige.
black A1
The darkest colour, like the sky at night.I bought a black umbrella.
blue A1
The colour of a clear sky or the sea.The sea is very blue today.
bluish A2
Slightly blue.His lips were bluish from the cold water.
bright A2
Strong and easy to see.He painted the front door bright orange.
brown A1
The colour of earth, wood or coffee.He has brown eyes.
brownish A2
Slightly brown.The river is brownish after heavy rain.
catch someone red-handed B2
To catch someone while they are doing something wrong.The shopkeeper caught the thief red-handed.
colourful A2
Having many bright colours.Vesak lanterns are very colourful.
cream B1
A very pale yellowish-white colour.She bought a cream sofa.
crimson B2
A deep, strong red colour.Her cheeks turned crimson with embarrassment.
dark A1
Deep, with a lot of black in it.My father has a dark green car.
deep B1
Dark and strong.The sea here is a deep blue.
feel blue B1
To feel sad.I always feel blue when it rains all day.
give someone the green light B2
To allow someone to start something.The principal gave us the green light for the school trip.
gold A2
A shiny yellow colour, like the metal gold.The bride wore a gold necklace.
green A1
The colour of grass and leaves.The tea hills of Nuwara Eliya are green all year.
green with envy B2
Very jealous.She was green with envy when she saw my new phone.
greenish A2
Slightly green.The water in the pond looks greenish.
grey A1
The colour between black and white, like a rain cloud.The sky is grey and cloudy.
greyish A2
Slightly grey.My grandfather has greyish hair.
indigo B1
A deep blue-purple colour, between blue and violet in the rainbow.She wore an indigo sari to the wedding.
khaki B1
A pale brownish-yellow or brownish-green colour.He wears khaki trousers to work.
light A1
Pale, with a lot of white in it.She is wearing a light blue blouse.
lilac B1
A pale purple colour, like the lilac flower.She painted her bedroom lilac.
magenta B1
A bright purplish-red colour.The printer needs a new magenta ink cartridge.
maroon B1
A dark brownish-red colour.Our school blazer is maroon.
multicoloured B1
Having many different colours.She wore a multicoloured scarf.
navy B1
A very dark blue colour, also called navy blue.He wore a navy suit to the interview.
olive B1
A dark yellowish-green colour, like a green olive.The soldiers wore olive green uniforms.
once in a blue moon B2
Very rarely.We eat at a restaurant once in a blue moon.
orange A1
The colour between red and yellow, like the skin of an orange.The sky turns orange at sunset.
out of the blue B2
Suddenly and unexpectedly.My old school friend called me out of the blue.
pale A2
Very light, with very little colour.The baby's room is pale yellow.
pastel B1
Soft and pale, like baby pink or mint green.She likes pastel colours for her clothes.
peach B1
A pale orange-pink colour, like the skin of a peach.The bridesmaids wore peach dresses.
pink A1
A pale red colour.My little sister loves pink shoes.
pinkish A2
Slightly pink.The sky was pinkish at sunrise.
purple A1
A colour made by mixing red and blue.Aubergines have shiny purple skin.
purplish A2
Slightly purple.The bruise on his arm was purplish.
red A1
The colour of blood or a ripe tomato.She is wearing a red dress.
reddish A2
Slightly red.The soil in this area is reddish.
see red B2
To become very angry suddenly.My father sees red when people drop litter.
silver A2
A shiny grey colour, like the metal silver.He drives a silver car.
teal B1
A dark greenish-blue colour.I like your teal T-shirt.
turquoise B1
A bright greenish-blue colour.The water at the beach was clear and turquoise.
violet B1
A bluish-purple colour, like the flower of the same name.Violet is the last colour of the rainbow.
white A1
The colour of milk or snow.Sri Lankan schoolchildren wear white uniforms.
whitish A2
Almost white, or slightly white.The walls are painted a whitish colour.
yellow A1
The colour of a lemon or the sun.Bananas turn yellow when they are ripe.
yellowish A2
Slightly yellow.Old newspapers turn yellowish.

Common words 98

age A2
How old a person or thing is.My brother is the same age as me.
and A1
A word that joins two words or ideas.I like tea and biscuits.
beautiful A1
Very pleasant to look at.The beach is beautiful at sunset.
because A1
For the reason that.I stayed at home because I was ill.
believe A2
To think that something is true.I believe you, so please don't worry.
busy A1
Having a lot of things to do.Mum is busy in the kitchen.
but A1
A word that introduces a different idea.The bag is small but heavy.
car A1
A road vehicle with four wheels and an engine.My uncle drives a blue car.
cause B1
To make something happen.Heavy rain can cause floods.
chance A2
A possibility, or an opportunity to do something.I had a chance to visit London last year.
change A2
To become different, or to make something different.Please change your shirt before dinner.
children A1
Young people; the plural of child.The children are playing in the park.
clear A2
Easy to understand, see or hear.Her instructions were very clear.
close A1
To shut something.Please close the window.
common B1
Happening often or found in many places.Rice is a common food in Asia.
cook A1
To make food ready to eat by heating it.My father cooks rice and curry every Sunday.
course A2
A set of lessons on a subject.She is taking an English course online.
decide A2
To make a choice about something.We decided to stay at home.
decision B1
A choice that you make.Moving to a new city was a big decision.
degree B1
A university qualification, or a unit for measuring temperature.He has a degree in science.
desire B2
A strong wish for something.She has a strong desire to travel.
different A1
Not the same.My sister and I have different hobbies.
do A1
To perform an action or a job.I do my homework after school.
door A1
The part you open to go into or out of a room.Can you open the door, please?
drink A1
To take liquid into your mouth and swallow it.I drink two glasses of water every morning.
eat A1
To put food in your mouth and swallow it.We eat dinner at seven o'clock.
education A2
Teaching and learning, especially at school or university.Education is important for every child.
end A2
The last part of something.The hero wins at the end of the film.
enough A1
As much or as many as you need.We have enough chairs for everyone.
experience A2
Something that happens to you, or skill you get from doing something.Travelling alone was a great experience.
feeling B1
An emotion, such as happiness or anger.I have a good feeling about the exam.
food A1
Things that people and animals eat.Sri Lankan food is often spicy.
free A1
Costing no money, or not busy.The museum is free on Sundays.
friend A1
A person you know well and like.Amal is my best friend.
garden A1
Land near a house where people grow flowers or vegetables.We grow tomatoes in our garden.
gate A2
A door in a fence or an outside wall.Please shut the gate when you leave.
get A1
To receive, buy or become.I get a lot of emails every day.
give A1
To hand something to someone.Can you give me that book, please?
go A1
To move or travel to a place.I go to school by bus.
good A1
Of high quality, or pleasant.This is a good book.
government B1
The group of people who control a country.The government is building new roads.
handsome A2
Attractive, usually used about men.Her husband is tall and handsome.
happy A1
Feeling pleased and cheerful.The children are happy today.
have A1
To own or hold something.I have two brothers.
help A1
To make it easier for someone to do something.Can you help me with this bag?
here A1
In or to this place.Come here and sit down.
house A1
A building where people live.Their house has three bedrooms.
hungry A1
Wanting or needing food.I am hungry, so let's eat.
important A1
Having great value or effect.Sleep is important for your health.
knowledge B1
Information and understanding that you have.She has a good knowledge of history.
large A1
Big in size or amount.They live in a large city.
laugh A2
To make a sound that shows you think something is funny.We laughed at his funny story.
like A1
To enjoy something or think it is nice.I like mangoes.
look A1
To turn your eyes towards something.Look at the beautiful sky.
love A1
To like someone or something very much.I love my family.
make A1
To produce or create something.Let's make a cake for her birthday.
mind B1
The part of a person that thinks and feels.Reading keeps your mind active.
name A1
The word that someone or something is called.What is your name?
need A1
To have to have something.I need a new pair of shoes.
news A1
New information about recent events.I watch the news every evening.
no A1
A word used to give a negative answer.No, I don't want any sugar.
now A1
At this moment.I am busy now, so call me later.
order A2
A request for food, drinks or goods.The waiter took our order.
problem A2
Something difficult that needs a solution.I have a problem with my phone.
property B1
Something a person owns, such as land or a building.This property belongs to my grandfather.
purpose B1
The reason why you do something.The purpose of this lesson is to build your vocabulary.
quality B1
How good or bad something is.These shoes are of good quality.
question A1
A sentence or phrase that asks for information.Can I ask you a question?
read A1
To look at words and understand them.I read a story before bed.
reason A2
Why something happens or why you do something.What is the reason for the delay?
relation B1
A member of your family, or a connection between things.She is a relation of mine.
say A1
To speak words.Please say your name slowly.
see A1
To notice something with your eyes.I can see the mountains from my window.
simple A2
Easy to understand or do.This recipe is very simple.
small A1
Little in size or amount.She has a small dog.
smile A2
To make a happy expression with your mouth.The baby smiled at me.
society B1
People living together in a community or country.Teachers play an important role in society.
special A2
Different from usual and better or more important.Today is a special day for our family.
supermarket A1
A large shop that sells food and things for the home.We buy our groceries at the supermarket.
talk A1
To speak with someone.I talk to my grandmother every Sunday.
television A1
A machine with a screen that shows programmes.We watched a film on television.
tell A1
To give information to someone by speaking.Please tell me the answer.
that A1
Used for a person or thing that is not near you.Who is that man over there?
there A1
In or to that place.Put the box over there.
these A1
Used for people or things near you (plural).These apples are sweet.
think A1
To have an idea or opinion.I think it will rain today.
thirsty A1
Wanting or needing a drink.I'm thirsty, so I need some water.
this A1
Used for a person or thing near you.This bag is mine.
those A1
Used for people or things not near you (plural).Those shoes are too expensive.
time A1
What we measure in minutes, hours, days and years.What time is it?
tired A1
Needing rest or sleep.I am tired after work.
true A2
Correct and based on facts.Is it true that you are moving?
use A1
To do something with a tool or thing.I use my phone to learn English.
watch A1
To look at something for some time.We watch cricket on Saturdays.
water A1
The clear liquid in rivers, rain and the sea.Drink plenty of water every day.
word A1
A unit of language with its own meaning.Learn five new words every day.
work A1
To do a job, usually to earn money.My mother works in a hospital.
yes A1
A word used to agree or to say something is true.Yes, I would like some tea.

Confusing words 41

accept A2
To agree to take something, or to agree that something is true.Please accept this small gift.
advice A2
An opinion about what someone should do.My teacher gave me some good advice.
advise B1
To tell someone what you think they should do.The doctor advised me to rest.
affect B1
To change or influence something.Lack of sleep can affect your memory.
borrow A2
To take something from someone and give it back later.Can I borrow your pen?
bring A1
To carry something or come with someone to the place where you are.Please bring your notebook to class tomorrow.
do A1
To perform an action, a job or a task.I do my homework after dinner.
economic B2
Connected with the economy, trade and money of a country.The country is facing serious economic problems.
economical B2
Using little money, fuel or time; not wasteful.Small cars are more economical than big ones.
effect B1
The result of a change.Lack of sleep has a bad effect on your memory.
especially B1
Above all, or more than usual.I love fruit, especially mangoes.
except A2
Not including; but not.Everyone came to the party except Kamal.
fewer B1
A smaller number of. Use it with plural countable nouns.There are fewer cars on the road today.
it’s A1
It is, or it has.It's raining again.
its A2
Belonging to it.The cat is washing its paws.
lay B2
To put something down carefully in a flat position. It needs an object. Past forms: laid, laid.Lay the map on the table.
lend A2
To give something to someone for a short time.Can you lend me your pen?
less A2
A smaller amount of. Use it with uncountable nouns.I drink less coffee than before.
lie B1
To be or put yourself in a flat position. It has no object. Past forms: lay, lain.I like to lie on the sofa after work.
loose B1
Not tight, or not firmly fixed.These trousers are too loose.
lose A2
To stop having something, or to not win.Don't lose your train ticket.
make A1
To create or produce something.I made a cake for her birthday.
practice A2
Doing something regularly to get better at it.Piano practice takes an hour every day.
practise A2
To do something regularly to get better at it.I practise my English every evening.
remember A1
To keep something in your memory; not to forget.I remember my first day at school.
remind B1
To make someone remember something.Please remind me to call my mother.
rob B1
To take money or things from a person or a place illegally.Two men robbed the bank.
say A1
To speak words. You say something, or say something to someone.She said hello to me.
sensible B1
Practical and showing good judgement.It was sensible to take an umbrella.
sensitive B2
Easily hurt or upset, or quick to react to something.My skin is very sensitive to the sun.
specially B2
For one particular purpose.This cake was made specially for you.
steal B1
To take something that does not belong to you.Someone stole my bicycle.
take A1
To carry something or go with someone to another place.Take an umbrella when you go out.
tell A1
To give information to someone. You tell someone something.She told me a funny story.
than A2
A word used in comparisons.My brother is taller than me.
their A1
Belonging to them.They sold their house last year.
then A1
At that time, or next.We had lunch, and then we went to the beach.
there A1
In or to that place; also used in there is and there are.Put the box over there.
they’re A1
They are.They're coming to dinner tonight.
you’re A1
You are.You're late again!
your A1
Belonging to you.Is this your bag?

Family 46

aunt A1
The sister of your mother or father, or the wife of your uncle.My aunt lives in Australia.
brother A1
A boy or man who has the same parents as you.My brother is older than me.
brother-in-law B1
The brother of your husband or wife, or the husband of your sister.My brother-in-law helped us move house.
child A1
A son or daughter. The plural is children.They have three children.
cousin A1
The child of your aunt or uncle.I have more than twenty cousins.
dad A1
An informal word for father.Dad drives me to school every morning.
daughter A1
Someone's female child.Their daughter is a doctor.
daughter-in-law B1
The wife of your son.My daughter-in-law is a nurse.
family A1
A group of people who are related, usually parents and their children.There are five people in my family.
father A1
Your male parent.My father works in a bank.
father-in-law B1
The father of your husband or wife.Her father-in-law is a retired teacher.
grandchildren A2
The children of your son or daughter.My grandparents have eight grandchildren.
granddaughter A2
The daughter of your son or daughter.Her granddaughter plays the piano.
grandfather A1
The father of your mother or father. Informal: grandpa, granddad.My grandfather was a fisherman.
grandmother A1
The mother of your mother or father. Informal: grandma, granny.My grandmother tells us old stories.
grandparents A1
The parents of your mother or father.My grandparents live in a village near Galle.
grandson A2
The son of your son or daughter.Their grandson starts school this year.
great-grandfather B1
The father of one of your grandparents.I never met my great-grandfather.
great-grandmother B1
The mother of one of your grandparents.My great-grandmother is ninety-five years old.
half-brother B1
A brother who has only one parent the same as you.My half-brother is ten years younger than me.
half-sister B1
A sister who has only one parent the same as you.She has two half-sisters.
husband A1
The man a woman is married to.Her husband is a farmer.
in-laws B1
The parents and other relatives of your husband or wife.We spend New Year with my in-laws.
mother A1
Your female parent.My mother is a teacher.
mother-in-law B1
The mother of your husband or wife.My mother-in-law is a wonderful cook.
mum A1
An informal word for mother in British English. American English: mom.Mum makes the best curry.
nephew A2
The son of your brother or sister.My nephew is five years old.
niece A2
The daughter of your brother or sister.My niece wants to be a doctor.
only child B1
A child who has no brothers or sisters.I'm an only child.
parents A1
Your mother and father.My parents live in Kandy.
relative B1
A member of your family. Also called a relation.We invited all our relatives to the wedding.
siblings B1
Your brothers and sisters.Do you have any siblings?
sister A1
A girl or woman who has the same parents as you.My sister is studying in Colombo.
sister-in-law B1
The sister of your husband or wife, or the wife of your brother.My sister-in-law lives next door.
son A1
Someone's male child.They have one son and two daughters.
son-in-law B1
The husband of your daughter.Their son-in-law is from Jaffna.
spouse B2
Your husband or wife. It is a formal word, often used on forms.Please write your spouse's name on the form.
stepbrother B1
The son of your stepmother or stepfather.My stepbrother and I go to the same school.
stepdaughter B1
The daughter of your husband or wife from an earlier relationship.Her stepdaughter is at university.
stepfather B1
The man who is married to your mother but is not your father.Her stepfather taught her to swim.
stepmother B1
The woman who is married to your father but is not your mother.My stepmother is very kind to me.
stepsister B1
The daughter of your stepmother or stepfather.I share a room with my stepsister.
stepson B1
The son of your husband or wife from an earlier relationship.He has a stepson and a daughter.
twin B1
One of two children born to the same mother at the same time.My cousins are twins.
uncle A1
The brother of your mother or father, or the husband of your aunt.My uncle owns a small shop.
wife A1
The woman a man is married to.His wife works at the hospital.

Fruit 28

amla A2
A small, round, green fruit with a sour taste, also called Indian gooseberry.Amla juice is very sour.
apricot A2
A small, soft, orange-yellow fruit with a stone inside.Dried apricots are a healthy snack.
avocado A2
A fruit with green skin, a large seed and soft, creamy flesh.I spread avocado on my toast.
banana A1
A long, curved fruit with yellow skin.I eat a banana for breakfast.
dragon fruit A2
A bright pink fruit with white or red flesh and tiny black seeds.Dragon fruit looks colourful and tastes mild.
durian A2
A large, spiky fruit with a very strong smell.Durian has a strong smell but a sweet taste.
golden kiwi A2
A kiwi fruit with smooth skin and sweet yellow flesh.Golden kiwi is sweeter than green kiwi.
grape A1
A small, round green or purple fruit that grows in bunches.I bought a bunch of grapes.
guava A2
A round fruit with green skin and pink or white flesh.Guava is rich in vitamin C.
jackfruit A2
A very large fruit with green, bumpy skin and yellow flesh.Jackfruit is the largest fruit that grows on a tree.
kiwi A2
A small fruit with brown, hairy skin and green flesh.Cut the kiwi in half and eat it with a spoon.
kumquat A2
A very small orange citrus fruit that you can eat with its skin.You can eat a kumquat whole, skin and all.
lemon A1
A sour, yellow citrus fruit.Add some lemon juice to the salad.
lime A2
A small, green, sour citrus fruit.Squeeze some lime over the fish.
mandarin A2
A small, sweet orange that is easy to peel.Mandarins are easy to peel.
mango A1
A sweet tropical fruit with yellow or orange flesh.We eat mangoes in April.
orange A1
A round, juicy citrus fruit with orange skin.I drink a glass of orange juice every morning.
papaya A2
A long fruit with orange flesh and black seeds.Papaya is a healthy breakfast fruit.
passion fruit A2
A round, purple or yellow fruit full of juicy seeds.Passion fruit juice is sweet and sour.
pineapple A1
A large fruit with rough skin, spiky leaves and sweet yellow flesh.Pineapple tastes sweet and a little sour.
star fruit A2
A yellow fruit that looks like a star when you cut it.Slices of star fruit look like little stars.
tamarind A2
A brown pod with sour, sticky flesh, used in cooking.Tamarind gives the curry a sour taste.
tangelo A2
A juicy citrus fruit that is a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit.A tangelo is sweet and very juicy.
tangerine A2
A small, sweet citrus fruit like a mandarin, with deep orange skin.She packed a tangerine in her lunch box.
ugli fruit A2
A large citrus fruit from Jamaica with rough, greenish-yellow skin.Ugli fruit looks ugly, but it tastes sweet.
watermelon A1
A large, green fruit with juicy red flesh and black seeds.Watermelon is perfect on a hot day.
yellow cherry A2
A cherry with yellow skin and a sweet taste.Yellow cherries are small, round and sweet.
yuzu A2
A small, sour citrus fruit used in Japanese and Korean cooking.Yuzu juice is used in some Japanese sauces.

Idioms 40

a bundle of nerves B2
A very nervous person.I was a bundle of nerves before my job interview.
a rip-off B2
Something that costs much more than it should.Two thousand rupees for a cup of tea? What a rip-off!
a storm in a teacup C1
A lot of anger or worry about something unimportant.Don't worry about their argument. It's just a storm in a teacup.
against the clock B2
As fast as possible, because there is very little time.The builders are working against the clock to finish the bridge before the rains.
around the corner B2
Coming very soon.The exams are just around the corner, so start revising now.
back to the drawing board B2
Start again because a plan has failed.The client didn't like our design, so it's back to the drawing board.
better late than never B1
It is better to do something late than not to do it at all.You've finally answered my email? Well, better late than never!
break the bank B2
Cost more than you can afford.A weekend in Nuwara Eliya won't break the bank.
break the ice B1
Say or do something to help people relax when they first meet.Our teacher played a short game to break the ice on the first day.
burn the midnight oil C1
Work or study late into the night.She burnt the midnight oil to finish her report on time.
call it a day B2
Stop working for the rest of the day.We've been working for ten hours. Let's call it a day.
cost an arm and a leg B1
Be very expensive.That new phone cost an arm and a leg.
down in the dumps B2
Sad and without energy.You look a bit down in the dumps. What's wrong?
every cloud has a silver lining B2
There is something good in every bad situation.I missed the bus, but every cloud has a silver lining: I met an old friend at the bus stop.
get cold feet B2
Suddenly become too nervous to do something you planned.She planned to give a speech, but she got cold feet at the last minute.
get the ball rolling B2
Start an activity or a process.Let's get the ball rolling with a quick introduction from everyone.
get the sack B2
Lose your job because your employer tells you to leave.He got the sack for arriving late every day.
in the long run B2
Over a long period of time in the future.Learning English takes time, but it will help you in the long run.
in the nick of time B2
Just before it is too late.We reached the station in the nick of time, just as the train was leaving.
it’s raining cats and dogs B1
It is raining very heavily.Take an umbrella. It's raining cats and dogs!
keep your chin up B2
Stay positive in a difficult situation.Keep your chin up. You'll do better next time.
kill time B1
Do something to make time pass while you wait.I read a magazine to kill time at the airport.
learn the ropes B2
Learn how to do a new job or activity.It took me a month to learn the ropes at my new job.
lose your temper B1
Suddenly become very angry.My father is a patient man and rarely loses his temper.
make ends meet B2
Have just enough money to pay for the things you need.Many families work two jobs just to make ends meet.
money doesn’t grow on trees B1
Money is limited, so you should not waste it.Turn off the lights when you leave. Money doesn't grow on trees!
not see the wood for the trees C1
Be unable to see the main point because you look too closely at small details.He worries so much about small details that he can't see the wood for the trees.
on cloud nine B2
Extremely happy.He has been on cloud nine since his daughter was born.
on edge B2
Nervous and unable to relax.Everyone was on edge while we waited for the exam results.
on the same page B2
Agreeing about or understanding something in the same way.Before we start, let's make sure we're all on the same page.
once in a blue moon B2
Very rarely.I eat fast food once in a blue moon.
over the moon B1
Very happy.She was over the moon when she passed her driving test.
pay through the nose C1
Pay much too much for something.We paid through the nose for our concert tickets.
pull your weight B2
Do your fair share of the work.Everyone in the team needs to pull their weight.
save for a rainy day B2
Keep money for a time when you might need it.My grandmother always told me to save some money for a rainy day.
steal someone’s thunder C1
Take the attention or praise that someone else should get.He stole my thunder by announcing the good news before I could.
the calm before the storm B2
A quiet period just before trouble or a lot of activity.The office is quiet now, but it's the calm before the storm.
think outside the box B2
Think in a new and creative way.We need to think outside the box to attract more customers.
tighten your belt B2
Spend less money than before.Prices are rising, so we all need to tighten our belts.
under the weather B1
Slightly ill.I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I'll stay at home.

Jobs 54

accountant A2
A person who keeps and checks the financial records of a company or a person.Our accountant checks the company's accounts every month.
actor A2
A person who performs in films, plays or television programmes.My favourite actor is in a new film.
artist A2
A person who paints, draws or makes other works of art.The artist painted a picture of the beach at sunset.
baker A2
A person who makes and sells bread and cakes.The baker starts work at four o'clock every morning.
bank clerk A2
A person who helps customers in a bank with their money and accounts.The bank clerk helped me open a savings account.
builder A2
A person who builds and repairs houses and other buildings.The builders are putting a new roof on our house.
bus driver A1
A person who drives a bus and takes passengers from place to place.The bus driver waited for me when he saw me running.
butcher A2
A person who cuts and sells meat.I buy chicken from the butcher near the market.
carpenter B1
A person who makes and repairs things made of wood.A carpenter made these wooden chairs by hand.
cashier B1
A person who takes payments from customers in a shop, supermarket or bank.The cashier gave me the wrong change.
chef A2
A person who cooks food in a restaurant or hotel kitchen.The chef makes an excellent fish curry.
cleaner A2
A person who cleans houses, offices or other buildings.The cleaner comes to the office every evening.
dentist A2
A person who checks and treats people's teeth.I visit the dentist twice a year.
doctor A1
A person who examines sick people and gives them medicine or treatment.The doctor told me to rest for three days.
electrician A2
A person who fits and repairs electrical wires and equipment.We called an electrician because the lights kept going off.
engineer A2
A person who designs and builds machines, roads, bridges or systems.The engineers are designing a new bridge over the river.
farmer A1
A person who grows crops or keeps animals on a farm.My uncle is a rice farmer near Anuradhapura.
firefighter A2
A person who puts out fires and rescues people in danger.The firefighters put out the fire in less than an hour.
fisherman A2
A person who catches fish as a job.The fishermen go out to sea before sunrise.
flight attendant A2
A person who looks after passengers on a plane.The flight attendant brought me a blanket.
gardener A2
A person who looks after gardens and plants.The gardener cuts the grass every week.
headteacher A2
A person who is in charge of a school.The headteacher spoke to all the parents at the meeting.
journalist A2
A person who collects news and reports it for newspapers, television, radio or websites.The journalist asked the minister some difficult questions.
lawyer A2
A person who gives people advice about the law and speaks for them in court.You should talk to a lawyer before you sign the contract.
lecturer B1
A person who teaches students at a university or college.My cousin is a lecturer in chemistry.
librarian A2
A person who works in a library and helps people find books and information.The librarian helped me find a book about birds.
lorry driver A2
A person who drives a large vehicle that carries goods.Lorry drivers often work long hours on the road.
manager A2
A person who is in charge of a team, a shop or part of a company.The manager wants to see the sales report by Monday.
mechanic A2
A person who repairs cars, motorbikes and other machines.The mechanic said the car needs new brakes.
musician A2
A person who plays a musical instrument or sings as a job.The musicians played until midnight.
nurse A1
A person who looks after sick or injured people, usually in a hospital.My aunt works as a nurse in a children's hospital.
paramedic B1
A person who gives emergency medical help, often in an ambulance.The paramedics arrived five minutes after the accident.
pharmacist B1
A person who prepares and sells medicines in a pharmacy.The pharmacist explained how to take the tablets.
photographer A2
A person who takes photographs as a job.We hired a photographer for my sister's wedding.
pilot A2
A person who flies a plane.The pilot told us we would land in twenty minutes.
plumber B1
A person who fits and repairs water pipes, taps and toilets.The plumber fixed the leaking pipe in the kitchen.
police officer A2
A person who protects people and makes sure they obey the law.A police officer helped the old man cross the road.
postman A2
A person who delivers letters and parcels to homes and offices.The postman brought a parcel this morning.
receptionist A2
A person who welcomes visitors and answers the phone in an office, hotel or clinic.The receptionist asked me to wait in the lobby.
scientist A2
A person who studies the natural world and does experiments.The scientist is testing a new medicine.
secretary A2
A person who types letters, organises meetings and keeps records for an office or a manager.Please ask my secretary to book a meeting room.
security guard B1
A person who protects a building and the people or things inside it.The security guard checks everyone's bags at the entrance.
shop assistant A2
A person who helps customers and sells things in a shop.The shop assistant found the shoes in my size.
software developer B1
A person who writes and tests computer programs and apps.She works as a software developer for a company in Colombo.
soldier A2
A person who is a member of an army.Her grandfather was a soldier for twenty years.
taxi driver A1
A person who drives a taxi and takes passengers where they want to go.The taxi driver knew a quick way to the airport.
tea plucker B1
A person who picks tea leaves by hand on a tea estate.Tea pluckers pick the young leaves at the top of each tea bush.
teacher A1
A person who teaches children or adults, usually in a school.Our English teacher gives us a short test every Friday.
tour guide A2
A person who shows tourists around a place and tells them about it.Our tour guide told us the history of the old fort in Galle.
tutor B1
A person who teaches one student or a small group, often at home or online.I have a maths tutor on Saturday mornings.
vet A2
A person who treats animals that are sick or injured.We took our dog to the vet because it wasn't eating.
waiter A1
A person who brings food and drinks to customers in a restaurant or café.The waiter brought us the menu and some water.
web designer A2
A person who plans and creates websites.A web designer made our new website.
writer A2
A person who writes books, stories or articles.The writer is working on her third novel.

Numbers 60

billion B1
The number 1,000,000,000.There are about eight billion people in the world.
cent A2
A small unit of money: 100 cents make one rupee or one dollar.The price is four dollars and ninety-nine cents.
cost A1
To have a price. The past form is also cost.How much does this bag cost?
dollar A1
The money of the USA, Australia and some other countries. Symbol: $.The book costs twelve dollars.
double A2
Two of the same digit together, as in 55 (double five).The number ends in double three.
dozen A2
A group of twelve.I bought a dozen eggs.
eight A1
The number 8.A spider has eight legs.
eighteen A1
The number 18.You can vote when you are eighteen.
eighth A1
Number 8 in order. Short form: 8th.August is the eighth month of the year.
eighty A1
The number 80.The old bridge is eighty years old.
eleven A1
The number 11.A cricket team has eleven players.
eleventh A2
Number 11 in order. Short form: 11th.Our office is on the eleventh floor.
fifteen A1
The number 15.Fifteen students passed the test.
fifth A1
Number 5 in order. Short form: 5th.My birthday is on the fifth of June.
fifty A1
The number 50.There are fifty students in the hall.
first A1
Number 1 in order. Short form: 1st.January is the first month of the year.
five A1
The number 5.School starts in five minutes.
forty A1
The number 40.My father is forty years old.
four A1
The number 4.A car has four wheels.
fourteen A1
The number 14.The bus leaves in fourteen minutes.
fourth A1
Number 4 in order. Short form: 4th.This is my fourth visit to Kandy.
half A2
One of two equal parts (1/2).Half of the class is absent today.
hundred A1
The number 100. Say a hundred or one hundred.Two hundred people came to the wedding.
hundredth A2
Number 100 in order. Short form: 100th.The school celebrated its hundredth anniversary.
million A2
The number 1,000,000.Sri Lanka has about 22 million people.
nine A1
The number 9.My little brother is nine years old.
nineteen A1
The number 19.She was nineteen when she moved to Colombo.
ninety A1
The number 90.A football match lasts ninety minutes.
ninth A1
Number 9 in order. Short form: 9th.This is the ninth time he has called me today.
oh A2
A common way to say 0 in phone numbers and some years.My number starts with oh seven seven.
one A1
The number 1.I have one brother.
price A1
The amount of money you pay for something.What is the price of this shirt?
quarter A2
One of four equal parts (1/4).A quarter of an hour is fifteen minutes.
rupee A2
The money of Sri Lanka, India and some other countries. Short form: Rs.This notebook costs two hundred and fifty rupees.
second A1
Number 2 in order. Short form: 2nd.She came second in the race.
seven A1
The number 7.There are seven days in a week.
seventeen A1
The number 17.There are seventeen chairs in the room.
seventh A1
Number 7 in order. Short form: 7th.We live in the seventh house on the left.
seventy A1
The number 70.My grandmother is seventy.
six A1
The number 6.There are six eggs in the box.
sixteen A1
The number 16.He started work at sixteen.
sixth A1
Number 6 in order. Short form: 6th.The sixth question was the hardest.
sixty A1
The number 60.There are sixty minutes in an hour.
ten A1
The number 10.I have ten fingers.
tenth A1
Number 10 in order. Short form: 10th.October is the tenth month of the year.
third A1
Number 3 in order. Short form: 3rd.Our classroom is on the third floor.
thirteen A1
The number 13.My sister is thirteen.
thirteenth A2
Number 13 in order. Short form: 13th.Her birthday is on the thirteenth of May.
thirtieth A2
Number 30 in order. Short form: 30th.My parents celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary.
thirty A1
The number 30.April has thirty days.
thousand A1
The number 1,000.The phone costs forty-five thousand rupees.
three A1
The number 3.She drinks three cups of tea a day.
triple B1
Three of the same digit together, as in 777 (triple seven).Our office number ends in triple four.
twelfth A2
Number 12 in order. Short form: 12th.December is the twelfth month of the year.
twelve A1
The number 12.There are twelve months in a year.
twentieth A2
Number 20 in order. Short form: 20th.The festival starts on the twentieth of May.
twenty A1
The number 20.I paid twenty dollars for this book.
twenty-first A2
Number 21 in order. Short form: 21st.We live in the twenty-first century.
two A1
The number 2.We have two cats.
zero A1
The number 0.Add a zero to 10 and you get 100.

One-word substitutes 136

acoustics C1
The branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound.Acoustics is the study of how sound travels.
agnostic C1
A person who is not sure whether God exists.As an agnostic, he says nobody can know the truth about God.
alchemy C1
The medieval forerunner of chemistry.In alchemy, people tried to turn ordinary metals into gold.
amateur B2
A person who does something for pleasure, not as a job.He plays football as an amateur at weekends.
ambidextrous C1
Able to use either hand equally well.She is ambidextrous, so she can write with both hands.
ambivert C1
A person who has features of both an extrovert and an introvert.As an ambivert, I enjoy parties, but I also need quiet time.
anarchist C1
A person who wants, or tries to cause, a society without government.The anarchist believed that all governments should be removed.
anarchy C1
Disorder because there is no government or controlling authority.After the king died, the country fell into anarchy.
anchor C1
A person who presents a news programme on radio or television.The news anchor read the headlines at nine o'clock.
anthropologist C1
A person who studies human societies and how humans developed.The anthropologist lived with the villagers for a year.
apostate C1
A person who has given up their religious faith.He was called an apostate after he left the church.
arbitrator C1
A person chosen by two sides to settle a dispute.The two companies asked an arbitrator to settle their dispute.
aristocracy C1
Government by the nobility, or the class of noble families.In the past, the aristocracy owned most of the land.
arsonist C1
A person who deliberately sets fire to a building.The police arrested the arsonist who burned down the factory.
ascetic C1
A person who lives a simple, strict life without comforts.The ascetic lived alone in the forest and ate very little.
astronaut B1
A person trained to travel in a spacecraft.The astronaut spent six months in space.
atheist B2
A person who does not believe that God exists.My friend is an atheist, but he respects all religions.
auditor B2
A person who officially examines an organisation's accounts.The auditor checked the company's accounts for mistakes.
autocracy C1
A system of government by one person with absolute power.The country was an autocracy ruled by one man.
autocrat C1
A ruler who has unlimited power.The autocrat made every decision without asking anyone.
autonomy C1
The right of a country or region to govern itself.The region won autonomy from the central government.
bell C1
The sound of deer.In autumn, male deer bell to attract females.
bellow C1
The sound of alligators.Alligators bellow loudly in spring.
bohemian C1
A person who lives in an unconventional, often artistic, way.The painter lived like a bohemian in a small studio.
botany C1
The scientific study of plants.She studied botany because she loves plants.
bureaucracy C1
A system in which state officials, not elected representatives, make most decisions.Bureaucracy can make simple tasks very slow.
cackle C1
The sound of geese.The geese cackled when the farmer came near.
cacographer C1
A person who is bad at spelling.He is a cacographer, so he always uses a spellchecker.
calligrapher C1
A person who is skilled in beautiful handwriting.The calligrapher wrote our wedding invitations by hand.
cannibal C1
A person who eats human flesh.In the old adventure story, the sailors were afraid of cannibals.
cartographer C1
A person who draws or produces maps.The cartographer drew a new map of the coast.
caw C1
The sound of crows.The crows cawed loudly from the trees.
centenarian C1
A person who is 100 years old or older.My great-grandmother is a centenarian; she is 101.
chauffeur C1
A person employed to drive a private or hired car.The chauffeur opened the car door for the minister.
chauvinist C1
A person who is blindly devoted to an idea, or aggressively patriotic.A chauvinist believes that his own country is always right.
chirographer C1
A person who is an expert in handwriting.The old letters were written by a skilled chirographer.
chirp B2
The sound of crickets (some older lists say creak).Crickets chirp in the grass at night.
choreographer C1
A person who creates the steps and moves for a dance.The choreographer taught the dancers a new routine.
chronobiology C1
The branch of biology that studies natural body cycles, such as sleep.Chronobiology helps explain why we feel sleepy at night.
click B2
The sound of dolphins.Dolphins click to find food in dark water.
cluck B2
The sound of hens.The hens clucked in the yard.
compere C1
A person who introduces the performers in a show.The compere told jokes between the acts.
connoisseur C1
An expert judge of art, food, drink or other fine things.My uncle is a connoisseur of Ceylon tea.
contemporary C1
A person who lives at the same time as another person.Shakespeare and Cervantes were contemporaries.
convalescent C1
A person who is getting better after an illness.The convalescent rested at home for two weeks after the operation.
coquette C1
A woman who flirts with men.In the old novel, the coquette flirts with every guest at the ball.
cosmopolitan C1
A person who regards the whole world as their country.As a true cosmopolitan, she feels at home in any city.
croak C1
The sound of frogs.Frogs croak loudly after the rain.
curator C1
A person who looks after a museum's or gallery's collection.The curator showed us the museum's oldest paintings.
cynic C1
A person who sneers at the beliefs and good intentions of others.Don't be such a cynic; some people really do want to help.
cynosure C1
A person or thing that is the centre of attention.The bride was the cynosure of all eyes at the wedding.
cypher C1
A secret or disguised way of writing; a code.The spies sent their messages in cypher.
dactylology C1
Using the fingers and hands to communicate ideas; finger spelling.Dactylology helps deaf people spell out names with their fingers.
debonair C1
Confident, stylish and charming, usually used about a man.The debonair actor smiled at the cameras.
demagogue C1
A leader who wins ordinary people's support with powerful, emotional speeches.The demagogue made big promises to the angry crowd.
democracy B1
Government by the people, usually through elected representatives.In a democracy, citizens vote for their leaders.
demography C1
The study of population statistics, such as births and deaths.Demography shows that the population is getting older.
dilettante C1
A person who dabbles in art, science or literature without serious study.He is a dilettante who paints a little and writes a little.
effeminate C1
Describes a man who behaves in a way seen as typical of women.Critics once called the singer's style effeminate.
egotist C1
A person who often talks about their own achievements.The egotist talked about his own success all evening.
emigrant B2
A person who leaves their own country to live in another.Many emigrants left Ireland for America in the 1800s.
epicure C1
A person who takes great pleasure in fine food and drink.As an epicure, she always looks for the best restaurants.
extrovert B2
A lively, confident person who enjoys being with other people.My sister is an extrovert who loves parties.
fanatic C1
A person with excessive enthusiasm, especially in religious matters.The fanatic refused to listen to any other views.
fastidious C1
Very careful about details and hard to please.He is fastidious about keeping his desk tidy.
fatalist C1
A person who believes that fate controls everything.As a fatalist, he always says, "What will be, will be."
florist B2
A person who sells and arranges cut flowers.The florist made a beautiful bouquet.
fugitive C1
A person who is running away from the police or justice.The fugitive was caught at the airport.
genealogy C1
A line of family descent from an ancestor, or the study of it.My aunt studies genealogy and has traced our family back 200 years.
gerontocracy C1
A state, society or group governed by old people.Critics called the country a gerontocracy because all its leaders were very old.
gibber C1
The sound of monkeys.The monkeys gibbered in the trees.
gourmand C1
A person who loves good food, sometimes eating too much.The gourmand ordered three desserts.
grunt C1
The sound of camels.The camel grunted as it stood up.
heliotherapy C1
The use of sunlight to treat illness.The clinic offered heliotherapy for some skin problems.
henpecked C1
Describes a husband who is controlled by his wife.The henpecked husband always does what his wife says.
heretic C1
A person whose beliefs go against the accepted teaching of a religion.In the Middle Ages, heretics were often punished.
highbrow C1
A person with intellectual or highly educated tastes.She is a highbrow who reads philosophy for fun.
honk C1
The sound of penguins.The penguins honked on the beach.
honorary C1
Given as an honour, without the usual duties or requirements.The university gave the singer an honorary degree.
hoot C1
The sound of owls.An owl hooted in the dark.
horticulture C1
The art or practice of growing and managing gardens.He studied horticulture and now works in a botanical garden.
humanitarian C1
A person who works to improve people's lives and reduce suffering.The humanitarian spent years helping refugees.
hypochondriac C1
A person who always worries about being ill, often without reason.My uncle is a hypochondriac who visits the doctor every week.
iconoclast C1
A person who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions.The young director is an iconoclast who breaks the rules of film-making.
immigrant B2
A person who comes to live in a new country.Many immigrants live and work in London.
immoral B2
Behaving without moral principles.Stealing from the poor is immoral.
impregnable C1
So strong that it cannot be captured or broken into.The castle on the hill was impregnable.
indefatigable C1
Never getting tired; always working with energy.The indefatigable nurse worked all night.
insolvent C1
Not having enough money to pay your debts.The company became insolvent and closed.
introvert B2
A shy, quiet person who prefers to spend time alone.As an introvert, he enjoys reading at home.
invigilator C1
A person who watches students during an exam.The invigilator told us to put our phones away.
jurisprudence C1
The theory or philosophy of law.She studied jurisprudence at law school.
kakistocracy C1
Government by the worst, least qualified or most dishonest citizens.The writer joked that the town council had become a kakistocracy.
lexicographer C1
A person who writes or compiles dictionaries.Samuel Johnson was a famous lexicographer.
lunatic C1
An old, now offensive, word for a person who is mentally ill.Some lunatic drove straight through the red light.
mercenary C1
A person who cares only about money, even at the cost of ethics.Don't trust him; he is a mercenary who only cares about money.
misanthrope C1
A person who dislikes people and avoids human society.The old misanthrope lived alone and spoke to no one.
monarchy B2
A system of government with a king or queen at the head.The United Kingdom is a monarchy.
moo B1
The sound of cattle.The cows mooed in the field.
narcissist C1
A person who is too interested in and in love with themselves.The narcissist took hundreds of selfies every day.
neigh B2
The sound of horses.The horse neighed when it saw the farmer.
neocracy C1
Government by new or inexperienced people.The ministers were so young that critics called the government a neocracy.
numismatist C1
A person who collects or studies coins.The numismatist showed us coins from ancient Rome.
ochlocracy C1
Government by the populace; mob rule.Without fair laws, a democracy can turn into an ochlocracy.
odontology C1
The scientific study of the structure and diseases of teeth.Odontology helps dentists understand tooth disease.
oligarchy C1
A small group of people who control a country or organisation.The country was run by an oligarchy of rich families.
omniscient C1
Knowing everything.The story is told by an omniscient narrator.
optimist B2
A person who always looks at the positive side of things.She is an optimist who sees the good in everything.
parasite C1
A person who lives on others without giving anything back.He is a parasite who never pays for anything.
pessimist B2
A person who always looks at the negative side of things.A pessimist sees problems in every plan.
petrology C1
The study of the origin, structure and composition of rocks.Students of petrology examine rocks under a microscope.
philanthropist C1
A person who loves humankind and helps others, often by giving money.The philanthropist gave money to build a new school.
philogynist C1
A person who likes or admires women.The writer was a philogynist who wrote about strong women.
pipe C1
The sound of nightingales.A nightingale piped in the garden at night.
plutocracy C1
Government by the wealthy.Some people fear that their country is becoming a plutocracy.
polyglot C1
A person who speaks several languages.The polyglot speaks English, Sinhala, Tamil and French.
psephologist C1
A person who studies elections and trends in voting.The psephologist predicted the election result correctly.
quack B1
The sound of ducks.The ducks quacked by the pond.
radio jockey B2
A person who presents a radio programme.The radio jockey played my favourite song this morning.
recluse C1
A person who lives alone and avoids other people.The writer became a recluse in his old age.
rhetoric C1
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.The politician used powerful rhetoric in her speech.
screech C1
The sound of parrots.The parrot screeched when the cat came in.
sculptor B2
An artist who makes sculptures.The sculptor carved a statue from marble.
secular C1
Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.A secular state treats all religions equally.
somnambulist C1
A person who walks while asleep.The somnambulist walked into the kitchen in the middle of the night.
somniloquist C1
A person who talks while asleep.My brother is a somniloquist; he talks in his sleep every night.
squeak B2
The sound of rats.A rat squeaked under the floor.
stoic C1
A person who accepts pain and pleasure calmly, without complaining.He was a stoic who never complained about his illness.
termagant C1
A bad-tempered woman who often scolds and nags.In the play, the termagant shouts at everyone.
thearchy C1
Government by God or by gods.The ancient city was a thearchy ruled in the name of its gods.
trumpet C1
The sound of elephants.The elephant raised its trunk and trumpeted.
twitter B2
The sound of birds.Birds twitter in the trees every morning.
uxorious C1
Showing great or excessive love for your wife.The uxorious husband bought his wife flowers every day.
virtuoso C1
A person with outstanding skill in music or another art.The young violinist is a virtuoso.
whine C1
The sound of mosquitoes.A mosquito whined near my ear all night.
zoology C1
The scientific study of animals.My cousin is studying zoology at university.

Phrasal verbs 50

ask out B1
Invite someone to go on a date with you.He finally asked her out for dinner.
break down B1
Stop working, used about a machine or a vehicle.Our car broke down on the way to the airport.
break up B1
End a romantic relationship.Ravi and Priya broke up after three years.
bring up B1
Care for a child until he or she is an adult; raise.My aunt brought me up in Kandy.
calm down B1
Become less angry, upset or excited.Calm down and tell me what happened.
carry on B1
Continue doing something.Carry on reading until the bell rings.
catch up B1
Reach the same level as other people; do work you have missed.I missed two lessons, so I need to catch up.
come up with B2
Think of an idea, a plan or an answer.We need to come up with a better plan.
count on B2
Trust someone to help you; rely on.You can count on me. I'll be there at eight.
cut off B1
Stop the supply of electricity, water or gas, or end a phone call.Our electricity was cut off during the storm.
deal with B1
Take action to solve a problem; handle.The manager deals with customer complaints.
eat out A2
Eat at a restaurant, not at home.We usually eat out on Friday nights.
fall out with B2
Argue with someone and stop being friendly.She fell out with her best friend over money.
figure out B1
Understand or solve something after thinking about it.I can't figure out how this new phone works.
fill in A2
Write information in the spaces on a form.Please fill in the application form in black ink.
find out A2
Discover a fact or a piece of information.I need to find out what time the train leaves.
get on with B1
Have a friendly relationship with someone.I get on well with my colleagues.
get over B1
Recover from an illness or a sad experience.It took her two weeks to get over the flu.
get up A1
Get out of bed.I get up at half past six on weekdays.
give in B2
Finally agree to something after refusing.The boy cried until his parents gave in and bought him a toy.
give up B1
Stop doing something, especially a habit; stop trying.My father gave up smoking last year.
go off B1
Become bad, used about food or milk; start ringing, used about an alarm.Don't drink that milk. It has gone off.
go out A1
Leave your home to go somewhere for fun.Are you going out tonight?
go over B1
Check or study something again carefully.Let's go over the answers together.
grow up A2
Change from a child into an adult.I grew up in a small village near Galle.
hand in B1
Give your work to a teacher or a person in charge.You must hand in your essay by Friday.
let down B1
Disappoint someone by not doing what they hoped.I promised to help her, and I don't want to let her down.
lie down A2
Put your body flat on a bed or sofa to rest.I feel tired, so I'm going to lie down for a while.
look after A2
Take care of someone or something.My grandmother looks after my little brother while my parents are at work.
look for A1
Try to find something or someone.I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
look up B1
Find information in a dictionary, a book or online.If you don't know a word, look it up in a dictionary.
look up to B2
Respect and admire someone.Many young players look up to their coach.
make up B1
Become friends again after an argument.They had a big argument, but they made up the next day.
pick up A2
Collect someone or something; lift something.I pick up my daughter from school at two o'clock.
put off B1
Decide to do something later; postpone.Don't put off your homework until Sunday night.
put on A2
Dress yourself in clothes, shoes or glasses.Put on your raincoat. It's raining.
put up with B2
Accept something unpleasant without complaining.I can't put up with this noise any longer.
run out of B1
Use all of something so there is none left.We've run out of milk. Can you buy some?
set up B1
Start a business or an organisation.She set up her own bakery in Colombo.
sign up for B1
Join a course, club or activity by giving your name.I've signed up for an evening English course.
sort out B1
Deal with a problem successfully; organise.Don't worry. I'll sort out the problem tomorrow.
take after B2
Look or behave like an older member of your family.Nimal takes after his father. They are both very calm.
take off A2
Remove clothes or shoes.Please take off your shoes before you come in.
take over B2
Take control of something from someone else.Who will take over the class when Mr Perera retires?
throw away A2
Put something in the bin because you do not want it.Don't throw away that box. I need it.
tidy up A2
Make a place clean and neat.Please tidy up your room before dinner.
turn off A2
Make a machine or a light stop working.Turn off your phone before the exam starts.
turn on A2
Make a machine or a light start working.Can you turn on the fan, please?
wake up A1
Stop sleeping.I usually wake up at six o'clock.
work out B1
Find the answer to a problem by thinking or calculating.I can't work out the answer to question five.

Time and dates 39

April A1
The fourth month of the year. Short form: Apr.Sinhala and Tamil New Year is in April.
August A1
The eighth month of the year. Short form: Aug.August has thirty-one days.
autumn A1
The season between summer and winter, when leaves fall from the trees. American English: fall.The leaves turn red and gold in autumn.
December A1
The twelfth month of the year. Short form: Dec.Christmas is in December.
dry season A2
The part of the year when there is very little rain.The rivers get low in the dry season.
February A1
The second month of the year. Short form: Feb.February usually has 28 days.
fortnight B1
A period of two weeks.We are going on holiday for a fortnight.
Friday A1
The day after Thursday. Short form: Fri.We play cricket every Friday afternoon.
January A1
The first month of the year. Short form: Jan.My birthday is in January.
July A1
The seventh month of the year. Short form: Jul.The Kandy Esala Perahera is usually in July or August.
June A1
The sixth month of the year. Short form: Jun.Poson is celebrated in June.
March A1
The third month of the year. Short form: Mar.We have exams in March.
May A1
The fifth month of the year. It has no short form.Vesak is usually in May.
Monday A1
The day after Sunday. Short form: Mon.I go back to work on Monday.
monsoon B1
A season of heavy rain and strong winds in South and Southeast Asia.The monsoon brings heavy rain to Sri Lanka.
north-east monsoon B1
The monsoon that brings rain to the north and east of Sri Lanka, from about December to February.Trincomalee gets a lot of rain during the north-east monsoon.
November A1
The eleventh month of the year. Short form: Nov.Deepavali is often in October or November.
October A1
The tenth month of the year. Short form: Oct.October is often a rainy month in Colombo.
rainy season A2
The part of the year when it rains a lot.Roads often flood during the rainy season.
Saturday A1
The day after Friday. Short form: Sat.We visit my grandparents on Saturday.
season A2
One of the four main parts of the year, or a time with a particular kind of weather.My favourite season is spring.
September A1
The ninth month of the year. Short form: Sept or Sep.In the UK, the new school year starts in September.
south-west monsoon B1
The monsoon that brings rain to the west and south of Sri Lanka, from about May to September.The south-west monsoon brings heavy rain to Galle.
spring A1
The season between winter and summer, when plants start to grow.Flowers start to bloom in spring.
summer A1
The warmest season of the year.In Britain, summer is from June to August.
Sunday A1
The day after Saturday. Short form: Sun.The market is busy on Sunday morning.
the day after tomorrow A2
Two days after today.The exam is the day after tomorrow.
the day before yesterday A2
Two days before today.I saw him the day before yesterday.
Thursday A1
The day after Wednesday. Short form: Thu or Thurs.My exam is on Thursday.
today A1
This day.Today is Friday.
tomorrow A1
The day after today.See you tomorrow.
Tuesday A1
The day after Monday. Short form: Tue or Tues.We have an English class on Tuesday.
Wednesday A1
The day after Tuesday. Short form: Wed.The shop closes early on Wednesday.
week A1
A period of seven days.I study English three times a week.
weekday A2
Any day from Monday to Friday.The library is open on weekdays.
weekend A1
Saturday and Sunday.What are you doing at the weekend?
wet season B1
Another name for the rainy season.Mosquitoes are common in the wet season.
winter A1
The coldest season of the year.It often snows in winter in Canada.
yesterday A1
The day before today.It rained all day yesterday.

Vegetables 42

artichoke A2
A round green vegetable with thick leaves; you eat the soft parts.We ate the soft heart of the artichoke.
arugula A2
A salad leaf with a peppery taste (UK: rocket).Arugula gives the salad a peppery taste.
asparagus A2
A vegetable with long, thin green stems.Steamed asparagus is soft and tasty.
aubergine A2
A vegetable with smooth, shiny purple skin (US: eggplant).My mother makes a sweet aubergine curry.
beetroot A2
A round, dark red root vegetable (US: beet).Beetroot turns the curry a deep red colour.
bell pepper A2
A hollow, sweet pepper that can be red, green or yellow.Cut the red bell pepper into thin slices.
bitter gourd A2
A green vegetable with bumpy skin and a bitter taste.Bitter gourd tastes bitter, but many people love it fried.
broccoli A2
A green vegetable with a thick stem and small flower heads.Broccoli cooks quickly in boiling water.
cabbage A1
A large, round vegetable made of thick green or purple leaves.Cabbage is cheap and easy to cook.
carrot A1
A long, orange root vegetable.I grate carrots for the salad.
cassava A2
A long root with brown skin and white flesh, cooked before eating.Boiled cassava tastes good with coconut sambol.
celery A2
A vegetable with long, pale green stems.Celery is crunchy and fresh.
collards A2
Large, dark green leaves cooked as a vegetable, also called collard greens.Collards are popular in the southern United States.
coriander A2
A herb with fresh green leaves and seeds used in cooking.Add fresh coriander to the soup.
cucumber A2
A long, green vegetable that people often eat raw in salads.I put cucumber in my salad.
daikon A2
A large, long white radish, also called mooli.Daikon is often used in Japanese cooking.
drumstick A2
The long, thin green pod of the moringa tree, cooked in curries.We cooked drumsticks in a coconut milk curry.
garlic A2
A plant with a strong smell and taste, used to flavour food.Add two cloves of garlic to the pan.
ginger A2
A root with a hot, strong taste, used in cooking and drinks.I drink ginger tea when I have a cold.
grape leaves A2
The leaves of the grape vine, often filled with rice (UK: vine leaves).My friend filled grape leaves with rice and herbs.
green bean A2
A long, thin green pod eaten as a vegetable.Green beans cook quickly.
kale A2
A dark green cabbage with curly leaves.Kale is often added to smoothies.
kohlrabi A2
A round, pale green vegetable from the cabbage family.Kohlrabi tastes a little like cabbage.
leek A2
A long vegetable like an onion, with white and green parts.Leek and potato soup is warm and filling.
lettuce A2
A plant with large green leaves eaten raw in salads.Wash the lettuce before you make the salad.
mint A2
A herb with fresh-smelling leaves.Mint leaves make a refreshing drink.
nettle A2
A wild plant with stinging leaves that can be cooked and eaten.Wear gloves when you pick nettles.
okra A2
A green pod with small seeds inside, also called ladies' fingers.Fried okra is crispy and tasty.
onion A1
A round vegetable with layers and a strong smell.Cutting onions makes my eyes water.
pea A2
A small, round green seed that grows in a pod.Peas are small, sweet and green.
plantain A2
A fruit like a large banana that is cooked before eating.We fried some plantain for dinner.
potato A1
A root vegetable with brown or red skin and white flesh.We had potato curry with bread.
pumpkin A2
A large, round vegetable with orange skin and flesh.Pumpkin curry is sweet and creamy.
radish A2
A small, round, red or white root with a hot taste.Radishes add a crunchy taste to salads.
shallot A2
A small onion with a mild taste.Chop the shallots finely.
spinach A2
A vegetable with dark green leaves.I cook spinach with garlic.
spring onion A2
A young onion with a long green stem (US: scallion).Sprinkle chopped spring onions on the noodles.
sweet potato A2
A root vegetable with orange or white flesh and a sweet taste.Roasted sweet potato is soft and sweet.
Swiss chard A2
A leafy vegetable with large leaves and colourful stems.Swiss chard can have red or yellow stems.
tomato A1
A soft, round, red vegetable used in salads and sauces.Slice the tomatoes for the salad.
watercress A2
A small plant with round, peppery leaves that grows in water.Watercress makes a fresh, peppery salad.
zucchini A2
A long, green vegetable like a small marrow (UK: courgette).Zucchini is easy to grill.

Weather 63

blow A2
Move the air, used about the wind.The wind is blowing from the sea.
boiling B1
Extremely hot. This word is informal.It's boiling today! Let's stay inside.
breeze B1
A light, gentle wind.A cool breeze comes from the sea in the evening.
bright A2
Full of sunshine and light.It's a bright morning, so let's go for a walk.
brighten up B2
Become brighter and sunnier.It's cloudy now, but it should brighten up later.
Celsius B1
A scale for measuring temperature in which water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees.Sri Lanka measures temperature in Celsius.
changeable B2
Changing often.The weather in the hills is very changeable.
clear A2
With no clouds.The sky is clear tonight, so we can see the stars.
clear up B1
Become bright and dry after rain or clouds.The weather will clear up in the afternoon.
cloud A1
A white or grey mass in the sky, made of tiny drops of water.Dark clouds are coming in from the sea.
cloudy A1
With a lot of clouds.It's cloudy, but it isn't raining.
cold A1
With a low temperature.Take a jacket. It's cold at night.
cool A2
A little cold, in a pleasant way.Nuwara Eliya is cool even in April.
cyclone B2
A violent tropical storm with very strong winds that turn in a circle.The cyclone brought strong winds to the east coast.
degree A2
A unit for measuring temperature.It's 30 degrees today.
downpour B2
A very heavy fall of rain.We got caught in a downpour on the way home.
drizzle B2
Light rain with very small drops.It's only drizzle, so you don't need an umbrella.
drought B2
A long period with little or no rain.The drought destroyed many crops.
dry A2
With little or no rain.The weather has been very dry this month.
dry season A2
The months of the year when there is little rain.The rivers get very low in the dry season.
dull B1
Grey and without sunshine.It's a dull, grey morning.
flash flood B2
A sudden flood after very heavy rain.A flash flood can happen within minutes of a downpour.
flood B1
A large amount of water that covers land that is usually dry.The floods closed several roads in the city.
fog A2
Thick cloud near the ground that makes it hard to see.The fog was so thick that the flights were delayed.
foggy A2
With fog.Drive carefully on foggy mornings.
freeze B1
Become ice because it is very cold.The lake froze last winter.
freezing A2
Extremely cold.It's freezing outside. Wear a warm coat.
frost B2
A thin white layer of ice on the ground on very cold mornings.There was frost on the grass this morning.
hail B2
Small balls of ice that fall from the sky.The hail damaged the cars in the car park.
heatwave B1
A period of unusually hot weather.During the heatwave, schools told children to drink more water.
hot A1
With a high temperature.It's too hot to walk at midday.
humid B1
Hot and wet, so the air feels heavy.Colombo is often hot and humid.
humidity B2
The amount of water in the air.The humidity makes the heat feel even worse.
landslide B2
When earth and rocks suddenly slide down a hill or mountain.Heavy rain caused a landslide in the hill country.
lightning B1
The bright flash of light in the sky during a storm.Lightning hit a tall tree near our house.
melt B1
Change from ice or snow into water.The snow melts in spring.
mild B1
Not too hot and not too cold.We had a mild winter this year.
mist B1
Light fog, often in the morning or in the hills.Early in the morning, mist covers the tea estates.
misty B1
With mist.The hills look beautiful on misty mornings.
monsoon B2
A seasonal wind in South Asia that brings a long period of heavy rain; also the rainy season itself.The monsoon brings heavy rain to the south-west of Sri Lanka.
pour B1
Rain very heavily.It poured all night.
rain A1
Water that falls from the clouds in drops.The rain stopped at about four o'clock.
rainbow A2
A curve of colours in the sky when the sun shines through rain.Look, there's a rainbow over the hills!
rainy A1
With a lot of rain.I don't like rainy Mondays.
rainy season A2
The months of the year when it rains a lot.Many farmers plant rice at the start of the rainy season.
shine A2
Give out light, used about the sun.The sun is shining at last.
shower B1
A short period of rain.There will be a few showers this afternoon.
snow A1
Soft white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky.Children love playing in the snow.
snowy A2
With snow.We saw snowy mountains from the plane.
sticky B1
Hot and humid in an unpleasant way. This word is informal.It's so sticky today that my shirt is wet.
storm A2
Very bad weather with strong wind and heavy rain.The storm knocked down several trees.
stormy B1
With storms.The sea is too stormy for the fishing boats.
sun A1
The star in the sky that gives us light and heat.The sun is very strong at midday.
sunny A1
With a lot of sun.It's a lovely sunny day.
sunshine A2
The light and heat that come from the sun.We sat outside in the sunshine.
temperature A2
How hot or cold something is.The temperature reached 35 degrees yesterday.
thunder B1
The loud noise you hear in the sky during a storm.The thunder woke the baby.
thunderstorm B1
A storm with thunder and lightning.Afternoon thunderstorms are common between the two monsoons.
warm A1
Pleasantly hot.It's a warm evening, so let's eat outside.
waterlogged C1
So wet that water stays on the surface.The football pitch is waterlogged after the rain.
wet A2
With a lot of rain.It was a wet and windy night.
wind A1
Air that moves quickly.The wind blew my hat off.
windy A1
With a lot of wind.It's very windy, so hold on to your umbrella.