Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

adjective
/ˈspaɪn.ləs/

lacking courage or determination; weak-willed

"He was too spineless to stand up for his beliefs."

adjective
/ˈspaɪnəs/

Having spines or thorn-like projections

"The spinous cactus was difficult to handle without gloves."

👩‍🦳

spinster

noun
/ˈspɪnstər/

An unmarried woman, often one who is older and considered unlikely to marry

"The novel featured a kind-hearted spinster who cared for the village children."

🌵

spiny

adjective
/ˈspaɪni/

covered with or full of spines; having sharp points

"The spiny cactus stood tall in the desert."

adjective
/ˈspaɪ.rəl/

winding in a continuous curve; helical

"The spiral staircase led to the top floor."

noun
/ˈspaɪər/

a tall, pointed structure on top of a building, especially a church

"The church spire could be seen from miles away."

noun
/ˈspɪrɪt/

the non-physical part of a person, regarded as their true self

"Her spirit remained unbroken despite the hardships."

🕊️

Spiritual

adjective
/ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/

relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul

"She practices spiritual meditation every morning."

😤

spit

verb
/spɪt/

to force liquid, especially saliva, out of the mouth

"He spat on the ground in anger."

😠

spite

noun
/spaɪt/

a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone

"She refused the gift out of spite."

noun
/spliːn/

an organ in the body that produces lymphocytes and filters blood; also refers to bad temper or spite

"He vented his spleen on his coworkers after the meeting."

adjective
/ˈsplendɪd/

magnificent; excellent; very impressive

"The castle looked splendid in the sunset."

adjective
/splɪˈnɛtɪk/

bad-tempered, irritable, spiteful

"His splenetic remarks offended everyone in the room."

verb
/splaɪs/

to join two pieces of rope, film, or other material by weaving or attaching them together

"The technician spliced the two wires to restore the connection."

/splɪnt/

A rigid device used to support and immobilize a broken or injured body part.

"The doctor applied a splint to stabilize the patient's broken arm."

✂️

split

verb
/splɪt/

to divide or separate into parts or groups

"He split the log in two with an axe."

💔

spoil

verb
/spɔɪl/

to damage or ruin something

"The rain spoiled the outdoor event."

noun
/ˈspɔɪlˌspɔːrt/

A person who ruins other people's enjoyment or fun.

"Don't be a spoilsport and let us enjoy the party."

🚲

spoke

noun, verb
/spoʊk/

As a noun, a bar connecting the center of a wheel to its rim; as the past tense of 'speak'.

"The bicycle's spoke was bent after the accident."

🗣️

spokesman

noun
/ˈspəʊksmən/

a person who speaks on behalf of others, especially for a group or organization

"The spokesman addressed the crowd during the rally."

noun
/ˈspəʊkspɜːrsən/

a person who speaks on behalf of others or an organization

"The spokesperson addressed the press conference on behalf of the company."

👩‍💼

spokeswoman

noun
/ˈspəʊkswɪmən/

a woman who speaks on behalf of a group or organization

"The spokeswoman for the company announced the new product."

noun
/ˌspoʊliˈeɪʃən/

The act of destroying or ruining something, often evidence or property.

"The court punished the company for the spoliation of evidence."

adjective
/ˈspʌndʒi/

soft and full of holes like a sponge; porous

"The cake had a light and spongy texture."

noun
/spʌndʒ ɡɔːrd/

a fibrous gourd that becomes sponge-like when dried, used for cleaning and in cooking when young

"The sponge gourd can be eaten when young or dried to make natural scrubbers."

noun
/ˈspɒnsər/

a person or organization that provides funds for a project or activity in exchange for publicity or support

"The company became the main sponsor of the event."

noun
/ˈspɒnsəʃɪp/

the act of supporting an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through other resources

"The event was made possible due to the sponsorship of several big companies."

spontaneity definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˌspɑːntəˈneɪəti/

The quality of being natural, impulsive, and unplanned.

"Her spontaneity made the trip more exciting."

adjective
/spɒnˈteɪniəs/

Happening naturally without planning or external cause; impulsive or unplanned.

"Their spontaneous trip to the mountains turned out to be the highlight of the summer."

spontaneously definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adverb
/spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs.li/

happening naturally without being planned or forced

"She spontaneously started singing when she heard the music."

🎭

spoof

noun/verb
/spuːf/

A humorous imitation of something, or to trick or parody someone or something.

"The comedian spoofed the politician’s speech to entertain the audience."

🥄

Spoon

noun
/spuːn/

a utensil consisting of a small shallow bowl with a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving food

"She stirred her coffee with a silver spoon."

noun
/ˈspuːnərɪzəm/

A verbal error in which the initial sounds of words are swapped to create a humorous effect.

"He made a spoonerism by saying 'queer old dean' instead of 'dear old queen'."

sporadic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🌧️

sporadic

adjective
/spəˈrædɪk/

Occurring irregularly or in scattered instances rather than continuously.

"The region experienced sporadic rain showers throughout the week."

noun
/spɔːt/

an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment

"Football is a popular sport around the world."

adjective
/ˈspɔːrtɪv/

Playful, lively, or full of fun.

"The children were in a sportive mood during the picnic."

noun
/ˈspɔːrtsmən/

A person who is skilled in sports or enjoys participating in athletic activities.

"He is a true sportsman, always fair and respectful to his opponents."

📍

spot

noun
/spɒt/

a particular place or position

"I found a great spot for a picnic in the park."

noun
/ˈspɒt.laɪt/

a strong beam of light directed onto a particular area; figuratively, public attention

"The singer stood proudly in the spotlight."

adjective
/ˈspɒtɪd/

having spots or marks; noticed or seen

"The spotted leopard moved silently through the jungle."

noun
/ˈspɒt.ɪd sneɪk hed/

a type of freshwater fish with spotted markings and an elongated head resembling a snake

"The spotted snake head is a popular fish for aquaculture in South Asia."

noun
/spaʊs/

a person's husband or wife

"Each employee may include their spouse in the health insurance plan."

noun, verb
/spreɪn/

an injury to a joint in which the ligaments are stretched or torn

"She sprained her ankle while running in the park."

💦

spray

verb
/spreɪ/

to apply liquid to something in a fine mist

"She sprayed perfume on her wrist before leaving."

verb
/sprɛd/

to open or extend something over an area

"She spread the blanket on the grass for a picnic."

adjective
/ˈspraɪtli/

full of energy and life; lively

"The sprightly old man danced with joy at the wedding."

noun
/sprɪŋ/

the season between winter and summer when plants begin to grow

"Flowers bloom in the spring."

verb
/ˈsprɪŋkəl/

to scatter small drops or particles of a substance over a surface

"She sprinkled sugar on top of the cake."

verb, noun
/spraʊt/

to begin to grow; to produce new leaves or shoots

"The seeds began to sprout after a few days of rain."

verb, adjective, noun
/spruːs/

to make neat or tidy in appearance; also refers to an evergreen tree

"He spruced up his room before the guests arrived."