English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
a unit of linear measure equal to three feet or 0.9144 meters
"The garden is 50 yards long."
spun thread used for knitting, weaving, or sewing; a long or rambling story
"She bought colorful yarn for knitting a sweater."
an involuntary opening of the mouth and inhalation of air due to tiredness or boredom
"She couldn't suppress a yawn during the boring lecture."
used to express agreement or affirmation
"Yeah, I’ll go to the store with you."
a period of 365 or 366 days, divided into 12 months
"This year, we are planning a trip to the mountains."
an animal that is one year old, especially a horse
"The farmer sold the yearling at the livestock market."
to have a strong desire or longing for something
"She yearns for a peaceful life in the countryside."
microorganisms used in baking and brewing to cause fermentation
"Add yeast to the flour to make the bread rise."
to shout loudly, usually out of anger or excitement
"The coach yelled instructions to the players."
a color like that of ripe lemons or the sun
"The yellow flowers brightened up the whole garden."
a tropical flowering shrub with bright yellow flowers; also known as lucky nut
"The yellow oleander blooms throughout the year in warm climates."
A farmer who cultivates his own land; also used to describe someone performing loyal, useful service.
"He did yeoman service in completing the project on time."
used to express affirmation, agreement, or consent
"Yes, I will be there at 5 o'clock."
up until the present time, or a point in the past
"I haven’t finished my homework yet."
To produce or provide something; to give way or surrender.
"The farm yields good crops every year."
The process of maximizing the productivity or efficiency of crop production through various agricultural techniques and practices.
"Yield optimization techniques can significantly improve crop production."
The amount of agricultural produce harvested per unit of land area.
"Crop yields have declined due to extreme weather."
A wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of animals; symbolically, a burden or oppression.
"The oxen were bound together by a heavy yoke."
An uneducated and unsophisticated person from the countryside; a bumpkin.
"The city folks laughed at the yokel's simple ways."
juvenile or small fish; fish that has not reached maturity
"Young fish need protection from predators."
a young person or child, especially a teenager or adolescent
"The park was full of youngsters playing football."
belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing
"This pen is yours."
used to refer to the person being addressed, often for emphasis or reflection
"You should look after yourself."
the period of life when a person is young, often associated with energy and vitality
"The youth are the future of the country."
having the qualities of youth; energetic and fresh
"Her youthful energy impressed everyone at work."
to make a sharp change in direction, especially in a zigzag pattern
"The rabbit zagged quickly to escape the fox."
Amusingly unconventional and peculiar.
"The comedian's zany style kept the audience laughing."
Great energy or enthusiasm for a cause or goal.
"She worked with great zeal to finish the project."
A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their ideals.
"He was considered a zealot for his strict political views."
Showing great energy and enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.
"The team was zealous in their efforts to win the championship."
an African animal like a horse with black and white stripes
"The zebra ran across the African savanna with its herd."
The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
"The novel perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the 1960s."
the part of a house reserved for women; women's quarters in Muslim households; harem
"The zenanna was beautifully decorated with intricate patterns."
The time at which something is most powerful or successful; the highest point.
"Her career reached its zenith in the late 1990s."
Great enthusiasm and energy; also the outer colored part of citrus fruit used for flavor.
"She tackled the project with zest."
Having a strong, pleasant, and somewhat spicy flavor; full of energy and enthusiasm.
"The dish had a zesty flavor that everyone loved."
a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns; a pattern of sharp turns
"The road follows a zigzag pattern up the mountain."
A colorful garden flower with daisy-like blooms, popular for its vibrant colors and long-lasting nature
"The garden was filled with bright zinnias in various colors."
A device consisting of two flexible strips of metal or plastic with interlocking projections closed or opened by pulling a slide along them.
"Zippers are used to fasten the opening of the jacket."
a belt of the heavens divided into twelve equal divisions or signs, each named after a constellation; used in astronomy and astrology
"She checked her zodiac sign to read her daily horoscope."
relating to or arranged in zones; of, relating to, or having the form of a zone
"The city implemented a zonal parking system to manage traffic congestion."
an area or division with specific characteristics or activities
"The city is divided into several zones."