How to use this dictionary Word classes
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Dictionary A-Z
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Word Wizard
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How to use this dictionary 1
aqueduct appropriate ADJECTIVE suitable or acceptable for a particular situation
a b
approval NOUN If you ask for approval for something
c
that you want to do, you ask for agreement with your plans.
approve approves, approving, approved VERB 1 If you approve of something or
d
f
SYNONYMS: favour, like
g
VERB 2 If someone approves a plan or idea,
they agree to it. • The council approved plans for the new swimming pool.
h
SYNONYMS: agree to, permit
i
approximate
k
apricot apricots
l
NOUN a small, soft, yellowish-orange fruit
April
m
NOUN the fourth month of the year. April has
NOUN a piece of clothing worn over the front
of normal clothing to protect it
4
j
ADJECTIVE near but not exactly right • What was the approximate time you arrived?
apron aprons
3
e
someone, you think they are acceptable or good.
30 days.
2
5
n o
fish and other aquatic animals or plants are kept
aquatic ADJECTIVE An aquatic animal or plant lives
in water.
q
6
r s t
aqueduct aqueducts NOUN a bridge with many arches, which
u
carries a water supply over a valley
v w x y
7
z
8
3
The alphabet line shows you which letter you are in. The headword is the word you are looking up. Headwords are in blue and in alphabetical order. Synonyms are given for some words. These are words with a similar meaning that you can use instead. Antonyms are given for some words. These are words that have the opposite meaning. The word class tells you if the headword is, for example, a noun, verb, adjective, adverb or pronoun.
p
aquarium aquaria or aquariums NOUN a glass tank filled with water in which
The guide word on a left-hand page tells you the first word you will find on the page. On a righthand page, the guide word tells you the last word on the page.
The definition tells you what the word means. Sometimes definitions include a label, such formal or informal. Formal tells you that a word is used in serious writing and speech. Informal tells you that a word is used in a more relaxed way, between family and friends. Some words or word forms can have more than one spelling. Sometimes an illustration is included to give you more information.
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Sometimes there is an example to show how the word is used.
If there is useful information about a word at an illustration elsewhere in the book, a note tells you where to find it.
A pronunciation tip shows you how to say a difficult word. A language tip helps you with the spelling of words or the way they are used.
There can be other forms of the word after the headword. These might be the plural of a noun, tenses of a verb, or comparative and superlative forms of an adjective.
nuclear ADJECTIVE relating to the energy produced when atoms are split • We live near a nuclear power station.
nucleus nuclei
NOUN 1 the central part of an atom or a cell
➔ Have a look at the illustration for atom NOUN 2 the important or central part of something • We still have the nucleus of the team.
PRONUNCIATION TIP The singular is pronounced nyoo-clee-us. The plural is pronounced nyoo-clee-eye.
nude nudes
ADJECTIVE 1 If someone is nude, they are naked.
NOUN 2 A nude is a picture or statue of a naked person.
nudge nudges, nudging, nudged
VERB 1 If you nudge someone, you push
them gently with your elbow to get their attention or to make them move. NOUN 2 a gentle push with your elbow
nugget nuggets NOUN a small rough lump of something,
especially gold
nuisance nuisances NOUN someone or something that is
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A word history tells you where a word originally came from.
annoying or causing problems
numb ADJECTIVE unable to feel anything • I was so cold my hands and feet felt numb.
WORD HISTORY from Middle English nomen meaning paralysed
number numbers, numbering, numbered
NOUN 1 a word or symbol used for counting
or calculating NOUN 2 the series of numbers that you dial when you phone someone VERB 3 If you number something, you give it a number, usually in a sequence. • Please number each page you write on.
number bond number bonds NOUN any pair of numbers that add together
to make up another number
numeracy NOUN the ability to do arithmetic
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Word classes Each word in this dictionary belongs to a particular word class, for example, nouns, verbs or adjectives. To find out more about each of these word classes, look at pages 460–462 in the Word Wizard.
Nouns A noun is a word that is used for talking about a person or thing. Nouns are sometimes called “naming words” because they are often the names of people, places, things g and ideas. Examples p off nouns are book,, child and smile.
Adjectives An adjective is a word that tells you more about a person or thing. Adjectives are often called “describing words” because they describe what something looks, feels or smells like. Examples are happy, p off adjectives j ppy, green g n and cloudy. y
Verbs A verb is a word that you use for saying what someone or something does. Verbs are often called “doing words” because they talk about an action that someone or something is doing. Examples of verbs are walk, speak and look.
Adverbs An adverb is a word that tells you more about how someone does something. Examples p off adverbs are slowly, y loudly y and hungrily. g y
Pronouns A pronoun is a word you use instead of a noun, to refer to someone or something. Examples of pronouns are he, it and their.
Prepositions A preposition is a word that links a noun, pronoun or noun phrase to some other word in the sentence. Examples are under, in and with. p off prepositions p p
Conjunctions A conjunction is a word that links two words or phrases or two parts of a sentence. Examples are and, but and because. p off conjunctions j
Determiners 6
A determiner is a specific word you use before a noun and/or an adjective. Examples of determiners are a, the and some.
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absent absent A B
ADJECTIVE If you are absent from a place, you
are not there. ANTONYM: present
C
absolute
D
darkness
E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
ADJECTIVE 1 total and complete • absolute ADJECTIVE 2 having total power • an absolute
ruler
absolutely ADVERB If you are absolutely sure about something, you are completely sure of it.
absorb absorbs, absorbing, absorbed VERB If something absorbs liquid or gas, it
soaks it up. • Plants absorb moisture from the soil.
absorbent ADJECTIVE If something is absorbent, it soaks
up liquids easily.
abstract ADJECTIVE 1 An abstract idea is based on thoughts and ideas rather than on real objects or happenings, for example bravery and happiness. ADJECTIVE 2 Abstract art uses shapes rather than images of people or objects. ADJECTIVE 3 In grammar, abstract nouns refer to qualities or ideas, rather than real objects, for example happiness.
absurd ADJECTIVE Something that is absurd is stupid
or ridiculous.
abundant ADJECTIVE present in large amounts • There is abundant wildlife, including a pride of lions.
abuse abuses, abusing, abused
U
NOUN 1 cruel treatment of someone
V
VERB 3 To abuse someone is to treat them
W X Y Z
NOUN 2 rude and unkind remarks
cruelly. VERB 4 If you abuse someone, you speak to them in a rude and insulting way.
abysmal ADJECTIVE very bad
academic academics ADJECTIVE 1 Academic work is done in school,
college and university. NOUN 2 someone who teaches or does
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research in a college or university
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academy academies NOUN 1 a school or college, usually one that specialises in a particular subject • the Royal Academy of Arts NOUN 2 an organisation of scientists, writers, artists or musicians
accelerate accelerates, accelerating, accelerated VERB To accelerate is to speed up. ANTONYM: decelerate
acceleration NOUN the rate at which the speed of something increases
accent accents NOUN a way of pronouncing a language • She had an Australian accent.
accept accepts, accepting, accepted VERB 1 If you accept something, you say yes to it or you take it from someone. • She accepted our invitation to the party. VERB 2 If you accept a situation, you realise that it cannot be changed. • I accepted that I would have to work hard before my exams.
acceptable ADJECTIVE satisfactory • These are all
acceptable answers.
access NOUN If you have access to a place, you may
enter it. If you have access to a thing, you may use it.
accessible ADJECTIVE 1 easy to reach or to see • The beach
was accessible by a narrow path. ADJECTIVE 2 Books that are accessible are
easy to understand.
accident accidents NOUN 1 something that happens suddenly or unexpectedly, causing people to be hurt or killed PHRASE 2 Something that happens by accident has not been planned. • We met by accident in the supermarket.
accidental ADJECTIVE Something that is accidental has
not been planned.
accidentally ADVERB If you do something accidentally, you do not plan to do it.
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acid rain accommodate accommodates, accommodating, accommodated VERB If you accommodate someone, you provide them with a place to sleep, live or work.
accommodation NOUN a place where you can live, work or
sleep
accompany accompanies, accompanying, accompanied VERB 1 If you accompany someone, you go with them. VERB 2 If you accompany a singer, you play an instrument while they sing.
accomplice accomplices NOUN a person who helps someone else to
commit a crime
accomplish accomplishes, accomplishing, accomplished VERB If you accomplish something, you succeed in doing it.
according to PREPOSITION If something is true according
to a particular person, that person says that it is true. • According to my grandad, that castle is haunted.
account accounts, accounting, accounted NOUN 1 a written or spoken report of something NOUN 2 money that you keep at a bank PHRASE 3 On account of means because of. • He couldn't play football, on account of a sore throat.
account for VERB To account for something is to explain it.
accountant accountants NOUN someone whose job is to look after the
financial affairs of people and companies
accumulate accumulates, accumulating, accumulated VERB If things accumulate, or if you accumulate things, they collect over a period of time. • While they were away, a large pile of letters accumulated on the doormat.
accuracy NOUN the quality of being absolutely correct
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accurate ADJECTIVE absolutely correct
accusation accusations NOUN An accusation is when you say that someone has done something wrong.
accuse accuses, accusing, accused VERB If you accuse someone of doing
something wrong, you say they have done it.
ace aces NOUN 1 In a pack of cards, the ace is a card with a single symbol on it. NOUN 2 In tennis, an ace is a serve that the other player is unable to return. ADJECTIVE 3 (informal) good or skilful • an ace squash player
ache aches, aching, ached NOUN 1 a continuous, dull pain VERB 2 If a part of your body aches, you feel
a continuous, dull pain there.
achieve achieves, achieving, achieved VERB If you achieve something, you are
successful at doing it or at making it happen. LANGUAGE TIP The i comes before the e in achieve and achievement.
achievement achievements NOUN something which someone has been
successful in doing or making happen, especially after a lot of effort
acid acids NOUN 1 a chemical substance. Strong acids
can damage skin, cloth and metal, for example sulphuric acid. Other acids, such as those found in citrus fruit and vinegar, are harmless. ANTONYM: alkali ADJECTIVE 2 If something has an acid taste, it
tastes sharp or bitter. ANTONYM: alkaline
WORD HISTORY from Latin acidus meaning sour
acid rain NOUN rain that has been polluted by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
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acknowledge acknowledge acknowledges, A B C D E F G
acknowledging, acknowledged VERB 1 If you acknowledge a fact or a situation, you admit that it is true. VERB 2 If you acknowledge someone, you show that you have seen and recognised them, by waving or saying hello. VERB 3 If you acknowledge a message or a letter, you tell the person who sent it that you have received it.
acne NOUN a skin condition that causes spots on the face and neck. Acne is common among teenagers.
acorn acorns H I J K L
NOUN a nut that grows on oak trees
acquaintance acquaintances NOUN someone you know slightly but not
well
acre acres NOUN a unit for measuring land. One acre is equal to 4840 square yards or about 4047 square metres.
acrobat acrobats M
NOUN an entertainer who performs difficult gymnastic acts
NOUN 4 a single thing someone does • The rescue was a brave act. NOUN 5 An Act of Parliament is a law passed by the government. NOUN 6 Stage plays are divided into parts called acts.
action actions NOUN 1 something you do for a particular purpose NOUN 2 a physical movement, such as jumping
active ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is active moves
around a lot or does a lot of things. ADJECTIVE 2 In grammar the active, or the
active voice, is the form of the verb in which the subject of the sentence is the person or thing doing the action, rather than having it done to them. For example, the sentence The dog bit Ben is in the active voice. In the passive voice the subject has the thing done to them: Ben was bitten by the dog. ANTONYM: passive
N O P Q R S T U V W X
WORD HISTORY from Greek akrobates meaning someone who walks on tiptoe
acrobatic ADJECTIVE involving difficult gymnastic acts
acrobatics PLURAL NOUN difficult gymnastic acts
acronym acronyms NOUN a word made up of the initial letters of
a phrase. NATO is an acronym, and stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
across PREPOSITION 1 If you go across a place, you go
from one side of it to the other. • We walked across Hyde Park. PREPOSITION 2 Something that is situated across a road or river is on the other side of it.
act acts, acting, acted VERB 1 If you act, you do something.
Y Z
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• We have to act quickly in an emergency. VERB 2 If you act in a particular way, you behave in that way. • You're acting like a baby. VERB 3 If you act in a play or film, you play a role in it.
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activity activities NOUN 1 a situation in which a lot of things are happening at the same time • There was a great deal of activity in the hall as we got ready for the school play. NOUN 2 something you do for pleasure, such as gymnastics or music
actor actors NOUN a man or woman whose job is performing in plays or films
actress actresses NOUN a woman whose profession is acting
actual ADJECTIVE real, rather than imaginary or
guessed at • You guessed I was eleven – my actual age is twelve.
actually ADVERB 1 You use actually to show that something is real or true. • Mum told me what actually happened. ADVERB 2 You use actually to politely tell someone that they are wrong. • No, I'm not eight. I'm nine, actually.
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adjective acute
addiction addictions
ADJECTIVE 1 severe or intense • She had an
NOUN If you have an addiction to
acute pain in her arm. ADJECTIVE 2 In mathematics, an acute angle measures less than 90 degrees. ADJECTIVE 3 Someone who is acute is intelligent.
a
something, you cannot stop doing it or wanting it.
b
addition additions
c
NOUN 1 the process of adding two or more
numbers together
d
NOUN 2 something that is added to
something else • The addition of sugar would improve the taste of these plums.
e f
additional ADJECTIVE extra or more
g
additive additives h
NOUN something that is added to something else, such as food
AD ADJECTIVE You use AD in dates to show the
number of years after the birth of Jesus Christ. WORD HISTORY an abbreviation of the Latin Anno Domini meaning the year of Our Lord
adapt adapts, adapting, adapted VERB 1 If you adapt to something, you get
used to it. VERB 2 If you adapt something, you change
it so that it can be used in a new way.
adaptable ADJECTIVE If you are adaptable, you change
easily in a new situation or to suit new circumstances.
adaptation NOUN the act of changing something to
make it suitable for a new purpose or situation • Most living creatures are capable of adaptation when they need to be.
add adds, adding, added VERB 1 If you add something to a number of
things, you put it with those things. • Each girl added more wood to the pile. VERB 2 If you add numbers together, or add them up, you work out the total. • Two and three added together are five (2 + 3 = 5).
adder adders NOUN a small, poisonous snake
addicted ADJECTIVE If you are addicted to something,
you cannot stop doing it or wanting it.
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i
address addresses, addressing, addressed NOUN 1 Your address is the number of the house where you live, together with the name of the street and the town or village. VERB 2 If someone addresses a letter to you, they write your name and address on it. VERB 3 If you address a group of people, you speak to them formally. LANGUAGE TIP There are two ds and two ss in address.
j k l m n o p
adenoids PLURAL NOUN small lumps of flesh at the back
q
of the throat
r
adequate ADJECTIVE just enough for what is needed
s
SYNONYMS: enough, satisfactory, sufficient
t
adhesive adhesives NOUN 1 a substance used to stick things
u
together, such as glue ADJECTIVE 2 If something is adhesive, it sticks to other things.
v
adjacent PREPOSITION If one thing is adjacent to another, the two things are next to each other.
adjective adjectives NOUN a word that adds to the description of
a noun. For example, large and old are both adjectives.
w x y z
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adjust adjust adjusts, adjusting, adjusted A B C D
VERB 1 If you adjust something, you change
its position or alter it in some other way. • She adjusted her pillow to make herself more comfortable. VERB 2 If you adjust to a new situation, you get used to it.
adjustment adjustments NOUN 1 a small change that you make to
E F G H
something • By making adjustments to your diet, you can improve your health. NOUN 2 Adjustment is when you get used to a new situation.
administration administrations NOUN the work of managing and supervising an organisation
I
admiral admirals
J
admire admires, admiring, admired
K L M
NOUN a senior officer in the navy
VERB If you admire someone or something,
you respect and approve of them.
admirer admirers NOUN someone who respects and approves of someone or something
admission admissions
WORD HISTORY from Latin adoptare meaning to choose for oneself
adorable ADJECTIVE loveable and attractive
adoration NOUN a feeling of deep love and admiration for someone
adore adores, adoring, adored VERB If you adore someone, you feel deep
love and admiration for them.
adult adults NOUN a mature and fully developed person or animal
advance advances, advancing, advanced VERB 1 To advance is to move forward. NOUN 2 An advance is progress in something. • There have been many scientific advances in the past century. PHRASE 3 If you do something in advance of something, you do it beforehand. • We booked our holiday well in advance.
advanced
N
NOUN 1 If you are allowed admission to a
ADJECTIVE If something is advanced, it is at
O
place, you may go into it. NOUN 2 If you make an admission, you confess to something or agree that it is true.
a high level, or ahead in development or progress. • The children in the top group do advanced maths exercises.
P Q R S T U V
admit admits, admitting, admitted VERB 1 If you admit something, you agree
that it is true. VERB 2 If you admit to something, you agree that you did something you shouldn't have done. VERB 3 To admit someone or something to a place is to allow them to enter it.
admittance NOUN the right to enter somewhere • There will be no admittance to the party after eight o'clock.
adolescent adolescents W
NOUN a young person who is no longer a
child, but is not yet an adult
X Y Z
WORD HISTORY from Latin adolescere meaning to grow up
adopt adopts, adopting, adopted
advantage advantages NOUN 1 a benefit, or something that puts you in a better position • The advantage of email is that it is quicker than the post. PHRASE 2 If you take advantage of someone, you treat them unfairly for your own benefit. PHRASE 3 If you take advantage of something, you make use of it.
adventure adventures NOUN something that is exciting, and perhaps even dangerous
adverb adverbs NOUN a word that tells you how, when, where or why something happens or something is done. For example, she walked slowly, he came yesterday, they live here.
WORD HISTORY from Latin adverbium meaning added word
VERB If someone adopts a child, they take
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them into their family as their son or daughter by a legal process.
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advert adverts NOUN an abbreviation for advertisement
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affluent advertise advertises, advertising, advertised VERB If you advertise something, you tell people about it online, in a newspaper, on a poster or on TV.
advertisement advertisements NOUN a notice in a newspaper, on a poster,
on TV or on the internet, about something such as a product, event or job
aeroPREFIX to do with the air, for example
a
aeroplane
b
WORD HISTORY from Greek aer meaning air
c
aeroplane aeroplanes
d
NOUN a vehicle with wings and engines that enable it to fly
e
➔ Have a look at the illustration
advice NOUN a suggestion from someone about
what you should do
f
aerosol aerosols NOUN a small, metal container in which
g
liquid is kept under pressure so that it can be forced out as a spray
LANGUAGE TIP The noun advice ends in ce.
h
affair affairs
advisable
NOUN 1 an event or series of events
ADJECTIVE If it is advisable to do something,
it is a sensible thing to do and will probably give the results that you want. • It is advisable to wear a helmet when cycling.
advise advises, advising, advised VERB If you advise someone to do something, you tell them you think they should do it.
• The wedding was a happy affair. NOUN 2 If something is your own affair, then it is your concern only.
j k
affect affects, affecting, affected VERB When something affects someone
l
or something, it causes them to change. • Computers affect our lives in many ways.
m
affection NOUN a feeling of love and fondness for someone
LANGUAGE TIP The verb advise ends in se.
i
n
affectionate
o
ADJECTIVE showing that you love or like
aerial aerials NOUN 1 a piece of wire for receiving television or radio signals ADJECTIVE 2 happening in the air • We watched the aerial displays at the RAF airshow.
tail
rudder
someone • He was a very affectionate child.
affluent ADJECTIVE People who are affluent have a lot
of money and possessions. flap
fuselage
p q r s
cockpit
t u v propeller
w x
wing
undercarriage
engine
y z
aeroplane
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