Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

noun
/ˈpɛnʃən/

A regular payment made during a person's retirement from an investment fund or employer.

"After 30 years of service, he received a monthly pension."

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penology

noun
/pɪˈnɒlədʒi/

The study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation.

"He decided to specialize in penology to help improve the prison system."

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penny

noun
/ˈpɛni/

a small coin of low value; a very small amount of money

"He found a penny on the sidewalk and smiled."

adjective
/ˈpen.ɪ.ləs/

having no money; extremely poor; completely without funds

"After losing his job, he became penniless."

adjective
/ˈpɛneɪt/

Having parts or structures arranged like a feather; feather-shaped.

"The fern has a pennate leaf structure."

noun
/ˈpɛnənt/

A tapering flag used for signaling or as an emblem of victory or achievement.

"The team raised the championship pennant proudly."

adjective
/ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/

Relating to or expressing penitence or penance.

"The priest delivered a penitential sermon on forgiveness."

adjective
/ˈpɛnɪtənt/

Feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong.

"She was penitent after shouting at her friend."

noun
/ˈpɛnɪtəns/

The action or feeling of showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong.

"His eyes were full of penitence after realizing his mistake."

adjective
/pəˈnɪnsjələr/

Relating to or resembling a peninsula.

"The peninsular region is surrounded by water on three sides."

Peninsula definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/pəˈnɪn.sjə.lə/

a piece of land that is almost completely surrounded by water but connected to the mainland

"The Korean Peninsula is located in East Asia."

noun
/ˌpɛnɪˈtreɪʃən/

The act of piercing or entering into something.

"The company's market penetration grew rapidly."

penetrate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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penetrate

verb
/ˈpɛnɪtreɪt/

To pass into or through; to enter or pierce.

"The bullet could not penetrate the armor."

adjective
/ˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

Capable of being passed through or entered.

"The thin wall was easily penetrable."

noun
/ˈpɛndjələm/

A weight suspended from a pivot so that it swings freely, often used to regulate clocks.

"The pendulum swung back and forth inside the clock."

adjective
/ˈpɛndjʊləs/

hanging down loosely; drooping

"The pendulous fruit weighed down the branch."

adjective
/ˈpɛndɪŋ/

awaiting decision or settlement

"The case is still pending in court."

adjective
/ˈpɛndənt/

hanging down or suspended

"The pendent branches touched the ground."

noun
/ˈpɛndənt/

a piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain worn around the neck

"She wore a silver pendant around her neck."

pencil definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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pencil

noun
/ˈpɛnsəl/

an instrument for writing or drawing, typically made of wood with a graphite core

"He drew a picture with a pencil."

penchant definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈpɒ̃ʃɒ̃/

a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something

"She has a penchant for collecting rare books."

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peer

noun, verb
/pɪə(r)/

noun: a person of the same rank or status; verb: to look closely or with difficulty

"He tried to peer through the fog to see his peers on the other side."

pedantic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/pəˈdæntɪk/

Excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overly academic or bookish.

"Her pedantic explanations made the lecture dull."

noun
/ˈpɛd.ən.tri/

Excessive concern with minor details or rules.

"His pedantry made the meeting unnecessarily long."

verb
/ˈpɛdəl/

To sell goods, often by going from place to place; sometimes used negatively to mean promoting an idea or product in a pushy way.

"Street vendors peddle handmade jewelry to tourists."

noun
/ˈpɛdlər/

a person who sells goods, often traveling from place to place

"The peddler walked through the village selling fresh fruits."

noun
/ˈpɛdəstəl/

the base or support on which a statue or object stands

"The statue was placed on a marble pedestal."

noun, adjective
/pəˈdɛstriən/

a person walking on the street; also means dull or ordinary

"The pedestrian crossed the road at the crosswalk."

pedestrianization definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/pɪˌdɛs.tri.ə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

Making areas pedestrian-friendly, closing any area to vehicle traffic and making it open only for pedestrians.

"The pedestrianization of city centers reduces pollution."

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pediatrician

noun
/ˌpiːdiəˈtrɪʃən/

a doctor who specializes in the medical care of children

"The pediatrician examined the child carefully."

noun
/ˌpiːdiˈætrɪks/

the branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of children

"She decided to specialize in pediatrics after medical school."

noun
/ˈpɛdɪɡriː/

the recorded ancestry or lineage of a person, family, or animal; the history or origin of something

"The dog has a pedigree that traces back several generations."

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pediment

noun
/ˈpɛdɪmənt/

a triangular gable found above the horizontal structure of a building, often in classical architecture

"The ancient temple had a pediment decorated with sculptures."

pedology definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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pedology

noun
/pɪˈdɒl.ə.dʒi/

The study of soils in their natural environment.

"Pedology helps scientists understand soil fertility."

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peel

verb
/piːl/

to remove the outer covering or skin from a fruit or vegetable

"She peeled the mango before eating it."

Peeler definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈpiː.lər/

a kitchen tool used to remove the outer skin or peel from fruits and vegetables

"Use a peeler to remove the potato skin."

peep definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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peep

verb
/piːp/

to look quickly or secretly, especially through a narrow opening

"The child tried to peep through the keyhole."

pelagic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/pəˈlædʒ.ɪk/

Relating to the open sea or ocean water column, away from the shore.

"Pelagic fish like tuna are found far from the coast."

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penalty

noun
/ˈpɛnəlti/

A punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract.

"He had to pay a heavy penalty for breaking the traffic rules."

Pen stand definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Pen stand

noun
/pen stænd/

a container or holder designed to keep pens, pencils, and other writing instruments organized

"He organized his pens in the pen stand on his desk."

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Pen-name

noun
/ˈpen neɪm/

a fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name; a pseudonym

"Mark Twain was the pen-name of Samuel Clemens."

pen definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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pen

noun/verb
/pɛn/

A writing instrument using ink; also, to write something.

"She used a pen to sign the document."

adjective
/pəˈluːsɪd/

Transparently clear; easy to understand.

"The lake water was so pellucid that you could see the stones at the bottom."

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pell-mell

adverb
/ˌpɛlˈmɛl/

In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner.

"The children ran pell-mell through the playground."

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pelf

noun
/pɛlf/

Money, especially when gained dishonorably.

"The corrupt official was motivated only by pelf."

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peeve

verb
/piːv/

To annoy or irritate someone.

"His constant interruptions really peeve me."

peer influence definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
pɪər ˈɪnfluəns

The effect that members of a peer group have on each other, especially in terms of behavior, attitudes, and decision-making.

"Peer influence can shape juvenile behavior significantly."

noun
/ˈpɪərɪdʒ/

the title or rank of a peer; the nobility as a group

"He was elevated to the peerage by the king."

adjective
/ˈpɪələs/

Unequaled; without rival or match.

"Her peerless performance earned her a standing ovation."

noun
/pəˈnʌmbrə/

a partially shaded area around the shadow of an object, especially during an eclipse

"The moon’s penumbra created a dim shadow over the Earth."