Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

Petal definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Petal

noun
/ˈpetəl/

One of the colored segments of a flower that forms the corolla

"Each petal of the daisy was white with a yellow center."

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peter

verb
/ˈpiːtər/

to diminish gradually and come to an end; to fade or dwindle away

"The excitement of the event began to peter out after a few hours."

noun
/pəˈtɪʃən/

a formal written request, typically signed by many people, appealing to authority about a cause

"They signed a petition to improve road safety in the area."

verb
/ˈpɛtrɪfaɪ/

to make someone so frightened that they are unable to move or think; to turn into stone

"The loud noise petrified the little child."

noun
/ˈpɛtrəˌɡræf/

a description or representation of rocks, especially in detailed scientific writing

"The scientist studied the petrograph to understand the rock composition."

Petti-coat definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈpetɪkoʊt/

an undergarment worn by women under a dress or skirt

"She wore a white petticoat under her dress."

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pettifog

verb
/ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices

"The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue."

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petty

adjective
/ˈpɛti/

Of little importance or trivial; also describes a person overly concerned with small or unimportant matters.

"She often gets upset over the most petty things."

noun
/ˈpɛtjʊləns/

The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

"His petulance during the meeting annoyed everyone."

adjective
/ˈpɛtjʊlənt/

Childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

"The child became petulant when denied more candy."

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phalanx

noun
/ˈfeɪlæŋks/

A group of people or things arranged in a compact, close formation; also an ancient Greek military formation.

"A phalanx of reporters waited outside the courthouse."

noun
/ˈfænˌtæzəm/

an illusion, ghost, or figment of the imagination

"The child claimed to see a phantasm in the old house."

adjective
/ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪkəl/

Having a fantastic, dreamlike, or surreal appearance, often shifting or illusory.

"The movie created a phantasmagorical vision of another world."

adjective
/ˌfærɪˈseɪɪkəl/

Excessively concerned with formal rules or outward show of morality, often in a hypocritical way.

"His pharisaical behavior made people doubt his sincerity."

noun
/ˈfærɪsiː/

A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.

"He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults."

noun
/ˌfɑːrməkəˈpiːə/

An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.

"The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage."

noun
/ˈfɑːrməsi/

A place where medicinal drugs are prepared and sold.

"I went to the pharmacy to buy antibiotics."

Phase definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Phase

noun
/feɪz/

a distinct period or stage in a process of development

"We are in the final phase of the project."

phase-out definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
ˈfeɪz.aʊt

A gradual reduction and eventual elimination of something.

"A phase-out of fossil fuels was agreed upon."

phenomena definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun (plural)
/fəˈnɒmɪnə/

Observable events or occurrences, especially remarkable ones.

"Auroras are natural phenomena seen near the polar regions."

adjective
/fəˈnɒmɪnəl/

extraordinary, remarkable, or exceptional in a way that is very impressive

"The team achieved phenomenal success in the tournament."

noun
/fəˈnɒmɪnən/

an observable event, fact, or occurrence, often unusual or remarkable

"The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon."

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phial

noun
/ˈfaɪəl/

a small glass container for liquids, especially medicines

"The doctor gave her a phial of medicine."

verb
/fɪˈlændər/

to engage in casual or frivolous romantic or sexual relationships

"He was known to philander with many women in town."

noun
/fɪˈlændərər/

a man who habitually engages in casual romantic or sexual affairs

"The politician was exposed as a notorious philanderer."

adjective
/ˌfɪl.ænˈθrɒp.ɪk/

showing concern for the welfare of others; generous and charitable

"She is known for her philanthropic activities in the city."

noun
/fɪˈlæn.θrə.pɪst/

a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good causes

"The philanthropist donated millions to build schools in rural areas."

noun
/fɪˈlæn.θrə.pi/

the desire to promote the welfare of others, often expressed by the generous donation of money to good causes

"Philanthropy has helped improve healthcare in many developing countries."

noun
/fɪˈlæt.əl.ɪst/

a person who collects or studies postage stamps

"The philatelist spent years building a rare stamp collection."

noun
/fɪˈlæt.əl.i/

the collection and study of postage stamps

"Philately is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages."

adjective
/ˌfɪl.hɑːrˈmɒn.ɪk/

relating to a symphony orchestra or its music

"The philharmonic orchestra performed a stunning rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony."

noun
/ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts

"He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art."

noun
/ˈfɪl.ə.dʒɪ.nɪst/

a person who loves or admires women

"As a known philogynist, he advocated for women's education."

noun
/fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

a person who studies languages and their history

"The philologist analyzed ancient texts to understand language evolution."

noun
/fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒi/

the study of language in written historical sources; linguistics

"She devoted her career to philology, researching ancient manuscripts."

noun
/fɪˈlɒsəfə/

a person engaged in the study of philosophy or in serious thinking about fundamental questions

"Socrates was a famous philosopher of ancient Greece."

adjective
/ˌfɪl.əˈsɒf.ɪ.kəl/

relating to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence

"She maintained a calm and philosophical attitude during the crisis."

verb
/fɪˈlɒs.ə.faɪz/

to think or talk about the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence

"He likes to philosophize about life and its meaning."

noun
/fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/

the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence

"Her philosophy emphasizes kindness and empathy."

phishing definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ/

Deceptive technique for stealing personal information unauthorized

"Phishing emails trick users into revealing passwords."

phlegmatic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/flɛgˈmæt.ɪk/

having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition

"Despite the chaos, he remained phlegmatic and composed."

noun
/ˈfəʊ.bi.ə/

an extreme or irrational fear of something

"She has a phobia of heights and avoids tall buildings."

phrasal verb
/pɪk ʌp/

to lift something; to collect or receive someone or something; to learn or acquire gradually; to improve or increase

"She picked up the book from the floor."

noun
/ˈpɪkəloʊ/

a small flute, higher in pitch than the regular flute

"She played a lively tune on the piccolo during the concert."

pick definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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pick

verb
/pɪk/

to choose, select, or gather something from a group

"He picked the red apple from the tree."

Pick-axe definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Pick-axe

noun
/ˈpɪk.æks/

a tool with a heavy metal head and long handle used for breaking up hard ground or rock

"The miner used a pick-axe to break through the rocky surface."

Picture definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Picture

noun
/ˈpɪktʃər/

a visual representation made by painting, drawing, or photography

"The picture on the wall was painted by a famous artist."

adjective
/ˈpɪdlɪŋ/

trivial or insignificant; very small

"He made a piddling amount of money from that deal."

adjective
/ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/

of little value or importance; trivial

"He complained about the picayune details of the contract."

noun
/ˈpɪkʌp/

a small truck with an open back; the act of collecting or improving something

"The company scheduled a pickup for the returned goods."