Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

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Aback

adverb
/əˈbæk/

by surprise; unexpectedly

"I was taken aback by his sudden announcement."

abandon definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
/əˈbændən/

to leave behind or give up completely

"He decided to abandon the project due to lack of funds."

noun
/əˈbændənmənt/

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

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

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abase

verb
/əˈbeɪs/

to belittle or degrade someone

"He refused to abase himself before the king."

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abash

verb
/əˈbæʃ/

to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed

"Her sudden question seemed to abash him."

abate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abate

verb
/əˈbeɪt/

to become less intense or widespread

"The storm began to abate after midnight."

noun
/ˈæbɪs/

the woman in charge of a convent of nuns

"The abbess welcomed the visitors to the convent."

noun
/ˈæbi/

A large church building or monastery where monks or nuns live, work, and worship.

"The old abbey on the hill attracts many tourists each year."

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abbot

noun
/ˈæbət/

The head of a monastery for monks.

"The abbot welcomed the visitors to the monastery."

verb
/əˈbriːvieɪt/

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

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

noun
/əˌbriːviˈeɪʃən/

a shortened form of a word or phrase

"NASA is an abbreviation for National Aeronautics and Space Administration."

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

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

"The king decided to abdicate the throne."

noun
/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."

adjective
/æbˈdɑː.mə.nəl/

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

"He complained of severe abdominal pain."

verb
/əbˈdʌkt/

to take someone away illegally by force or deception

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

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abduction

noun
/æbˈdʌk.ʃən/

the act of taking someone away illegally by force; kidnapping

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

noun
/əbˈdʌktər/

a person who kidnaps or forcibly takes someone away

"The police arrested the abductor after a nationwide search."

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abed

adverb
/əˈbɛd/

in bed

"She stayed abed all day due to illness."

aberrant definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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aberrant

adjective
/ˈæb.ə.rənt/

deviating from what is normal or expected; abnormal

"His aberrant behavior shocked everyone at the meeting."

aberration definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˌæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected; an anomaly

"The sudden drop in temperature was an aberration for this season."

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abet

verb
/əˈbɛt/

to encourage or assist someone to commit a crime or wrongdoing

"He was accused of abetting the criminals in their escape."

abeyance definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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abeyance

noun
/əˈbeɪəns/

a state of temporary suspension or inactivity

"The project was held in abeyance until funds became available."

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abhor

verb
/əbˈhɔːr/

to regard with disgust and hatred

"She abhors cruelty to animals."

noun
/əbˈhɒrəns/

a feeling of strong disgust or hatred

"He expressed his abhorrence of racial discrimination."

adjective
/əbˈhɒrənt/

causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred

"Such cruelty is abhorrent to civilized society."

noun
/əˈbaɪdəns/

the act of following, accepting, or complying with something

"Her abidance by the rules impressed the committee."

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abide

verb
/əˈbaɪd/

to accept, tolerate, or remain faithful to something

"Citizens must abide by the laws of their country."

adjective
/əˈbaɪdɪŋ/

lasting for a long time; enduring

"She had an abiding love for her hometown."

noun
/əˈbɪləti/

the power, skill, or capacity to do something

"Her ability to solve problems quickly impressed everyone."

abject definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/ˈæbdʒɛkt/

extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading

"They lived in abject poverty."

abjure definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
/æbˈdʒʊər/

to formally renounce or give up a belief, cause, or claim

"He abjured his allegiance to the old regime."

able

adjective
/ˈeɪbl/

having the power, skill, or means to do something

"She is able to speak three languages fluently."

adjective
/ˌeɪ.bəlˈbɒd.id/

physically strong and healthy, not disabled

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

noun
/əˈbluːʃən/

the act of washing oneself, often for religious purposes

"He performed his morning ablution before the prayer."

verb
/ˈæbnɪˌɡeɪt/

to deny or renounce something, especially a right or desire

"She chose to abnegate her personal interests for the sake of the team."

noun
/ˌæbnɪˈɡeɪʃən/

the act of renouncing or rejecting something, especially self-denial

"The monk’s life was one of complete abnegation of worldly pleasures."

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abnormal

adjective
/æbˈnɔːr.məl/

deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable

"The doctor noticed an abnormal growth in the patient’s lung."

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abode

noun
/əˈboʊd/

a place of residence; a home

"They invited us to their humble abode."

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abolish

verb
/əˈbɑː.lɪʃ/

to formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution

"The government decided to abolish the old tax system."

noun
/ˌæbəˈlɪʃən/

the act of formally ending or eliminating a system, practice, or institution

"The abolition of slavery was a major milestone in human rights history."

adjective
/əˈbɑː.mə.nə.bəl/

causing moral revulsion; extremely unpleasant

"The prisoners were kept in abominable conditions."

verb
/əˈbɑː.mə.neɪt/

to feel hatred or loathing for something

"She abominates cruelty to animals."

noun
/əˌbɑː.məˈneɪ.ʃən/

a thing that causes disgust or hatred

"Slavery was considered an abomination."

adjective
/ˌæbəˈrɪdʒənəl/

Relating to the original inhabitants of a region.

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

noun
/ˌæbəˈrɪdʒəniːz/

The original inhabitants of a land, especially in Australia.

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

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abort

verb
/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."

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abortion

noun
/əˈbɔːrʃən/

The deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, usually performed during the first 28 weeks.

"The debate about abortion continues to divide public opinion."

adjective
/əˈbɔːrtɪv/

Failing to produce the intended result; unsuccessful.

"Their abortive attempt to climb the mountain ended in retreat."

verb
/əˈbaʊnd/

To exist in large numbers or amounts.

"Opportunities abound in the field of technology."

ℹ️

about

preposition, adverb
/əˈbaʊt/

concerning; on the subject of; approximately

"We talked about the new project yesterday."