Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

Helm definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Helm

noun C1
/hɛlm/

a position of leadership or the steering apparatus of a ship

"After years of service, she finally took the helm of the company."

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hem

noun/verb C1
/hɛm/

the edge of a piece of cloth that is folded and sewn; to fold and sew the edge of cloth

"She hemmed the dress to make it shorter."

noun/verb C1
/ˈhɛmərɪdʒ/

A significant loss of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, or to lose blood heavily.

"The patient suffered a severe brain hemorrhage."

noun/verb C1
/ˈhɛrəld/

A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something; to announce or signal.

"The blooming flowers herald the arrival of spring."

noun C1
/ˈhɜːrbɪsaɪd/

A chemical substance used to kill unwanted plants, especially weeds.

"Farmers used herbicide to protect their crops from invasive weeds."

Herbivorous definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/hɜːrˈbɪvərəs/

Feeding only on plants.

"Cows are herbivorous animals that eat only grass and plants."

adverb/noun C1
/ˌhɪərˈæftər/

from now on; in the future; also refers to life after death.

"Hereafter, all reports must be submitted electronically."

adjective C1
/həˈrɛdəˌtɛri/

passed from parents to their children through genes or by inheritance.

"Diabetes can be a hereditary condition."

noun C1
/ˈhɛrəsi/

belief or opinion that goes against established religious doctrine or accepted beliefs.

"In medieval times, heresy was often punished severely."

noun C1
/ˈhɛrətɪk/

a person who holds beliefs that go against established religious teachings or accepted beliefs.

"The church declared him a heretic for his radical ideas."

noun C1
/ˈhɜːrmɪt/

A person who lives alone and apart from society, often for religious or spiritual reasons.

"The old hermit lived in a cave for decades."

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hernia

noun C1
/ˈhɜːrniə/

A medical condition where an organ pushes through the muscle or tissue holding it in place.

"The doctor diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia."

heroism definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
ˈhɛroʊˌɪzəm

Great bravery; the qualities or attributes of a hero.

"The heroism of freedom fighters inspires the nation."

Heron definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Heron

noun C1
/ˈherən/

large wading bird with long legs and neck that feeds on fish

"The heron stood motionless by the water's edge, waiting for fish."

noun C1
/ˈhɛzɪtəns/

The quality or state of being reluctant or uncertain.

"Her hesitance to speak up delayed the decision."

noun C1
/ˈhɛzɪtənsi/

The tendency to pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear.

"His hesitancy in answering made everyone doubt his confidence."

adjective C1
/ˌhɛtərəˈʤiːniəs/

consisting of different kinds or diverse elements

"The classroom was filled with a heterogeneous group of students."

noun C1
/ˈhɛksəˌɡɒn/

A six-sided polygon.

"A honeycomb cell is shaped like a hexagon."

noun C1
/ˈheɪˌdeɪ/

The period of greatest success, popularity, or power.

"In its heyday, the company dominated the market."

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hiatus

noun C1
/haɪˈeɪtəs/

A pause or break in continuity of a process or activity.

"The show returned after a long hiatus."

verb C1
/ˈhaɪbərˌneɪt/

To spend the winter in a dormant state, as some animals do.

"Bears hibernate in caves during the winter."

noun C1
/ˈhaɪdəweɪ/

A place used as a retreat or a place to hide.

"The cabin in the woods was their secret hideaway."

adjective C1
/ˈhɪd.i.əs/

extremely ugly or unpleasant

"The crime was so hideous that it shocked the whole town."

adjective C1
/ˌhaɪəˈrɑː.kɪ.kəl/

arranged in order of rank or authority

"The company has a strict hierarchical structure."

hieroglyphics definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˌhaɪ.roʊˈɡlɪf.ɪks/

a system of writing using pictures or symbols, used especially by ancient Egyptians

"The tomb walls were covered with Egyptian hieroglyphics."

noun C1
/ˈhaɪ.nəs/

a title given to a person of royal rank; the quality or state of being high or elevated

"Your Highness, the royal carriage is ready to take you to the state banquet this evening."

hijack definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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hijack

verb C1
/ˈhaɪdʒæk/

to take control of a vehicle or situation illegally or by force

"The criminals attempted to hijack the airplane."

hinder definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/ˈhɪndər/

To create difficulties that delay or obstruct progress.

"Heavy traffic can hinder emergency services from arriving quickly."

hindrance definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈhɪndrəns/

Something that delays or obstructs progress or action.

"Lack of funds was a major hindrance to the project."

noun C1
/ˈhaɪndsaɪt/

Understanding of a situation only after it has happened.

"With the benefit of hindsight, we realized the decision was a mistake."

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hinterland

noun C1
/ˈhɪntərlænd/

The remote or less developed areas away from the coast or a city.

"The farmers came from the rural hinterland to sell their produce in the city."

noun (plural) C1
/ˈhɪntərlændz/

Plural of hinterland; remote or less developed regions.

"Explorers traveled deep into the hinterlands of the country."

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hoard

verb C1
/hɔːrd/

to accumulate and hide away a large supply of something, often secretly

"During the crisis, many people began to hoard food and water."

adjective C1
/hɔːrs/

having a rough, harsh, or weak voice, often due to illness or shouting

"After shouting all day at the rally, his voice was hoarse."

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Hoax

noun C1
/hoʊks/

a trick or false story meant to deceive people

"The news about aliens landing turned out to be a hoax."

noun C1
/ˈhɒl.ə.kɔːst/

A large-scale destruction, especially by fire; historically, the genocide of Jews during World War II.

"Millions of people perished during the Holocaust."

Homage definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈhɒm.ɪdʒ/ or /ˈɑː.mɑːʒ/

Special honor, respect, or tribute shown publicly.

"The statue was built as an homage to the national hero."

noun C1
/ˌhoʊmiˈɑːpəθi/

a system of alternative medicine based on treating diseases with highly diluted substances

"He believes in homeopathy for treating common colds."

Homicide definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈhɑːmɪsaɪd/

the killing of one human being by another

"The police are investigating a case of homicide."

homogeneous definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C1
/ˌhoʊ.məˈdʒiː.ni.əs/

Consisting of parts or elements that are all the same kind; uniform in composition.

"The population of the village is fairly homogeneous in culture and tradition."

adjective C1
/həˈmɑː.dʒə.nəs/

Similar or uniform in nature; often used interchangeably with 'homogeneous'.

"The class was made up of a homogenous group of students."

noun C1
/ˈhɑː.mə.nɪm/

A word that is spelled and pronounced like another word but has a different meaning.

"The word 'bat' is a homonym because it can mean an animal or a sports tool."

noun C1
/ˈhɒməˌfoʊn/

A word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning, and often spelling.

"The words 'pair' and 'pear' are homophones."

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hone

verb C1
/hoʊn/

To sharpen a blade or to improve a skill through practice.

"She honed her presentation skills before the big meeting."

Hoof definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Hoof

noun C1
/huːf/

the hard part covering the foot of horses, cattle, sheep, and other animals

"The horse's hoof was injured after stepping on a sharp rock."

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horde

noun C1
/hɔːrd/

A large group or crowd, especially one that is disorderly or difficult to control.

"A horde of fans gathered outside the stadium."

Hornet definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C1
/ˈhɔːr.nət/

a large wasp that can sting and is often aggressive

"The hornet built its nest under the roof."

noun C1
/ˈhɒrəˌskoʊp/

A forecast of a person's future based on the positions of the stars and planets at their birth.

"She read her horoscope every morning to see what the stars predicted."

horrify definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C1
/ˈhɔːrɪfaɪ/

to fill with horror; to shock or disgust greatly

"The violent scene horrified the audience."

adjective C1
/ˌhɔːrtɪˈkʌltʃərəl/

Relating to the art or practice of garden cultivation and management.

"She studied horticultural science at the university."