Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

abandonment definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əˈbændənmənt/

the act of leaving someone or something behind completely; the state of being deserted

"The child suffered deep emotional pain because of abandonment."

abate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abate

verb C1
/əˈbeɪt/

to become less intense or widespread

"The storm began to abate after midnight."

abbot definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abbot

noun C1
/ˈæbət/

The head of a monastery for monks.

"The abbot welcomed the visitors to the monastery."

abbreviate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əˈbriːvieɪt/

To shorten a word, phrase, or text by leaving out letters or parts.

"We often abbreviate 'Doctor' to 'Dr'."

abdicate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/ˈæbdɪkeɪt/

To give up a position of power or responsibility, especially a throne.

"The king decided to abdicate the throne."

abdomen definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈæbdəmən/

The part of the body below the chest and above the hips that contains the stomach and other organs.

"He complained of pain in his abdomen."

abdominal definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/æbˈdɑː.mə.nəl/

relating to the abdomen (the part of the body between the chest and pelvis)

"He complained of severe abdominal pain."

abduct definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əbˈdʌkt/

to take someone away illegally by force or deception

"The criminal tried to abduct the child in broad daylight."

abduction definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abduction

noun C1
/æbˈdʌk.ʃən/

the act of taking someone away illegally by force; kidnapping

"The police are investigating the abduction of the child."

abiding definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/əˈbaɪdɪŋ/

lasting for a long time; enduring

"She had an abiding love for her hometown."

able-bodied definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/ˌeɪ.bəlˈbɒd.id/

physically strong and healthy, not disabled

"The company is looking for able-bodied workers for the construction site."

abode definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abode

noun C1
/əˈboʊd/

a place of residence; a home

"They invited us to their humble abode."

aboriginal definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/ˌæbəˈrɪdʒənəl/

Relating to the original inhabitants of a region.

"The museum has a large collection of aboriginal art."

aborigines definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˌæbəˈrɪdʒəniːz/

The original inhabitants of a land, especially in Australia.

"The aborigines have preserved their traditions for thousands of years."

abort definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abort

verb C1
/əˈbɔːrt/

to stop a process or action before it is completed; to end a pregnancy deliberately

"The pilot decided to abort the mission due to bad weather."

abound definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əˈbaʊnd/

To exist in large numbers or amounts.

"Opportunities abound in the field of technology."

abrasion definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əˈbreɪʒən/

a scrape or wearing away of the skin or surface due to friction

"He suffered a minor abrasion on his knee after falling."

abrasive definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/əˈbreɪsɪv/

harsh, rough, or capable of wearing down by rubbing

"His abrasive tone made everyone uncomfortable."

abreast definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️

abreast

adverb C1
/əˈbrɛst/

side by side and facing the same direction; informed about something

"The soldiers marched two abreast down the street."

abscess definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈæbsɛs/

A swollen area within body tissue containing pus, usually caused by infection.

"The dentist treated the abscess in his tooth."

absolve definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əbˈzɒlv/

to declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility

"The priest absolved him of his sins."

absorbent definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective, noun C1
/əbˈzɔːrbənt/

able to soak up liquid, moisture, or energy easily; a material or substance that absorbs

"This towel is highly absorbent and dries quickly."

absorption definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əbˈzɔːrpʃən/

the process of taking in or soaking up something

"The absorption of sunlight helps plants grow."

abstain definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əbˈsteɪn/

to deliberately avoid doing or consuming something

"He decided to abstain from smoking."

abstinence definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/

the practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically alcohol or sex

"His doctor advised abstinence from alcohol for better health."

abstraction definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/æbˈstrækʃən/

the process of forming general ideas by removing specific details; an abstract concept or idea

"Abstraction allows complex ideas to be represented in a simplified form."

abysmal definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/əˈbɪzməl/

extremely bad or appalling

"The team's performance was abysmal."

abyss definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abyss

noun C1
/əˈbɪs/

a deep, immeasurable space, chasm, or void; something seemingly without end

"The climbers looked down into the dark abyss below."

accentuate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əkˈsɛntʃueɪt/

to emphasize or make something more noticeable

"The lighting accentuated the beauty of the painting."

acclaim definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əˈkleɪm/

to praise enthusiastically and publicly

"The audience acclaimed the actor for his outstanding performance."

acclimate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/ˈæklɪˌmeɪt/

to adapt or adjust to a new climate, environment, or situation

"It took him a few weeks to acclimate to the new city."

accolade definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈækəleɪd/

An award, honor, or expression of praise.

"She received an accolade for her outstanding performance."

accompaniment definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əˈkʌmpənɪmənt/

Something that goes together with or complements another thing, often music or food.

"The dish was served with a spicy sauce as an accompaniment."

accomplice definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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accomplice

noun C1
/əˈkʌmplɪs/

a person who helps another commit a crime

"The thief was arrested along with his accomplice."

accordion definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əˈkɔːrdiən/

a musical instrument played by squeezing and expanding with keys and buttons

"The musician played a cheerful tune on the accordion."

accredit definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əˈkrɛdɪt/

to officially recognize, authorize, or approve someone or something

"The university is accredited by the national education board."

accreditation definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
əˌkred.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən

The action or process of officially recognizing someone or something as having a particular status or being qualified to perform a particular activity.

"Accreditation ensures institutional credibility."

accrue definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/əˈkruː/

to accumulate or receive over time, especially payments or benefits

"Interest will accrue on the savings account monthly."

acidity definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əˈsɪdɪti/

the quality or degree of being acidic; the amount of acid present in a substance

"The acidity of the soil affects how well crops grow."

acoustics definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əˈkuːstɪks/

the science of sound, or the properties of a space that affect how sound is heard

"The hall’s excellent acoustics made the orchestra sound rich and clear."

acquit definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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acquit

verb C1
/əˈkwɪt/

to free someone from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty

"The court decided to acquit the defendant of all charges."

acquittal definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/əˈkwɪtl/

a judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged

"The acquittal of the accused shocked the public."

acreage definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈeɪ.kər.ɪdʒ/

An area of land measured in acres.

"The farmer owns a large acreage of fertile land."

actionable definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/ˈækʃənəbl̩/

Able to be acted on or giving sufficient reason for legal action.

"The lawyer confirmed that the evidence was actionable in court."

actuality definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˌæktʃuˈæləti/

The state of existing in reality rather than in appearance or imagination.

"The movie was based on historical actuality."

acumen definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈækjʊmən/

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain

"She has strong business acumen that helped grow the company."

acutely definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adverb C1
/əˈkjuːtli/

in a sharp, intense, or severe way; with keen awareness

"She was acutely aware of the risks involved."

adage definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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adage

noun C1
/ˈædɪdʒ/

a short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice

"The old adage says that honesty is the best policy."

Adamant definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/ˈædəmənt/

refusing to change one's mind; firmly determined

"She was adamant about not changing her decision."

adept definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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adept

adjective C1
/əˈdɛpt/

Highly skilled or proficient at something.

"She is adept at solving complex problems."