Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

verb
/priːˈfɪɡjər/

to represent, show, or foreshadow something in advance

"The economic reforms prefigure major social changes."

noun
/prɪˈfɜːrmənt/

promotion or advancement in rank, position, or office

"He hoped for preferment in the government office."

adjective
/ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/

showing or giving advantage to one over others

"Members receive preferential treatment at the club."

noun
/ˈprɛf(ə)rəns/

a greater liking for one alternative over another

"She has a preference for tea over coffee."

adjective
/ˈprɛf(ə)rəb(ə)l/

more desirable or suitable; better than something else

"It is preferable to take the train rather than drive in heavy traffic."

prefer definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
/prɪˈfɜːr/

to like one thing better than another

"I prefer tea over coffee in the morning."

adjective
/ˈprɛfətɔːri/

serving as an introduction or preface

"He made some prefatory remarks before the lecture began."

noun
/ˈprɛfəs/

an introduction to a book, speech, or other written work

"The author explained his motivation in the preface."

noun
/ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪstəns/

the state of existing before something else

"Philosophers often debated the preexistence of the soul."

verb
/ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪst/

to exist beforehand or before something else

"These customs preexist the arrival of modern technology."

verb
/ˌpriːɪˈstæblɪʃ/

To establish or set up beforehand.

"Certain rules were preestablished before the meeting."

verb
/ˌpriːɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/

To contract or engage beforehand; to arrange in advance.

"The workers were preengaged before the project officially started."

🪞

preen

verb
/priːn/

To groom or dress oneself with care; to show pride in one's appearance.

"She preened in front of the mirror before leaving for the party."

🛡️

preemptive

adjective
/priˈɛmptɪv/

Serving or intended to prevent something by taking action first.

"The government took preemptive measures to control inflation."

noun
/priˈɛmpʃən/

The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.

"The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors."

🛡️

preempt

verb
/priːˈɛmpt/

To take action in order to prevent something from happening; to take the place of something.

"The government acted quickly to preempt a financial crisis."

👩‍🔬

preeminent

adjective
/priːˈɛmɪnənt/

Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way.

"She is a preeminent scientist in the field of genetics."

noun
/priːˈɛmɪnəns/

The fact of surpassing all others; superiority.

"The university has gained preeminence in medical research."

verb
/prɪˈdɒmɪneɪt/

To be the strongest, most common, or most influential element.

"Traditional values still predominate in the community."

adverb
/prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/

mainly; for the most part

"The population in the city is predominantly young."

adjective
/prɪˈdɒmɪnənt/

Having superior strength, influence, or authority; most common or noticeable.

"The predominant color in the painting is blue."

practice definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun/verb
/ˈpræk.tɪs/

the act of doing something repeatedly to improve skill, or the actual application of an idea

"He practices the piano every day."

precarious definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/prɪˈkɛəriəs/

not securely held; dangerously unstable or uncertain

"The climber was in a precarious position on the edge of the cliff."

preamble definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈpriːˌæmbəl/

a preliminary statement, especially the introduction to a formal document

"The preamble of the constitution outlines its guiding principles."

verb
/priːtʃ/

to deliver a religious or moral talk, often in a church setting

"The pastor preached about forgiveness and kindness."

verb
/priːˈɛmpt/

to act in advance to prevent an anticipated event from happening; forestall

"The government moved to pre-empt a crisis by introducing new policies."

🕊️

prayer

noun
/ˈprɛər/

a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity

"She recited a prayer before the meal."

🙏

pray

verb
/preɪ/

to speak to a deity, especially for help or thanks

"Every night, she prays for her family’s safety."

🦐

Prawn

noun
/prɔːn/

a large marine crustacean similar to shrimp but typically bigger

"The chef prepared delicious prawn curry with coconut milk."

👶🗣️

prattle

verb
/ˈprætəl/

to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way

"The children would prattle on about their games."

🗣️

prate

verb
/preɪt/

to talk foolishly or at tedious length about something

"He would prate endlessly about his minor achievements."

🎭

prank

noun
/præŋk/

A trick that is intended to be funny but not harmful.

"They played a harmless prank on their friend during the party."

verb
/præns/

To move with high, springy steps, often to show off or attract attention.

"The horse pranced around the field gracefully."

adjective
/ˈpreɪz.wɜː.ði/

deserving praise; commendable; admirable

"Her charitable work is truly praiseworthy."

Praise definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
/preɪz/

to express approval or admiration for someone or something

"The teacher praised the student for her hard work."

noun
/ˈprɛəri/

A large open area of grassland, especially in North America.

"The bison roamed freely across the prairie."

noun
/ˈpræɡmətɪst/

A person who deals with things in a practical and realistic way.

"He is a true pragmatist who values results over ideals."

pragmatism definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈpræɡ.mə.tɪ.zəm/

A pragmatic attitude or policy.

"Pragmatism is essential in problem-solving."

pragmatic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🛠️

pragmatic

adjective
/præɡˈmætɪk/

Dealing with problems in a practical and sensible way rather than depending on theories or ideals.

"She took a pragmatic approach to solving the business challenge."

👩‍⚕️

practitioner

noun
/prækˈtɪʃ.ən.ər/

a person actively engaged in a profession, especially medicine or law

"She is a skilled medical practitioner."

practise definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
/ˈpræktɪs/

to do something repeatedly to improve skill; to work in a profession

"She practises piano for two hours daily."

noun
/ˈpɑː.tər/

a person who makes pottery

"The potter shaped clay on the spinning wheel."

pour definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🥄

pour

verb
/pɔːr/

to cause a liquid to flow from a container

"She poured the tea into the cup."

💷

pound

noun, verb
/paʊnd/

a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces or a unit of currency

"The price of the book is five pounds."

noun
/ˈpoʊltɪs/

a soft, moist mass of material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation

"The nurse applied a warm poultice to his injured leg."

👝

pouch

noun
/paʊtʃ/

a small bag or pocket, often used to carry small items

"She kept her coins in a small leather pouch."

noun
/ˈpoʊʃən/

a liquid with healing, magical, or poisonous properties

"The witch gave the hero a healing potion."

adverb
/pəˈtɛnʃəli/

with the possibility of becoming something in the future

"This project is potentially a huge success."

verb
/poʊˈtɛnʃiˌeɪt/

To increase the power, effect, or likelihood of something.

"Caffeine can potentiate the effects of some medicines."

😒

pout

verb
/paʊt/

to push one's lips forward as an expression of annoyance or sulkiness

"The child began to pout when he didn’t get the toy."