Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

noun
/ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business or activity of preparing and issuing books, journals, or other material for sale

"He works in the publishing industry as an editor."

verb
/ˈpʌkər/

to tighten or contract into small folds or wrinkles

"She puckered her lips before kissing the child."

adjective
/ˈpʌkɪʃ/

playfully mischievous

"The child gave a puckish grin before hiding the toy."

noun
/ˈpʊdɪŋ/

a sweet or savory dish, often soft and creamy, eaten as dessert

"She made chocolate pudding for dessert."

👶

pudgy

adjective
/ˈpʌdʒi/

slightly fat or chubby in a way that is often cute

"The baby had pudgy cheeks that everyone adored."

adjective
/ˈpjʊəraɪl/

childishly silly or immature

"His puerile jokes annoyed the audience."

noun
/ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪzəm/

The practice or sport of boxing.

"He studied the art of pugilism in his youth."

noun
/ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪst/

A professional or skilled boxer.

"The pugilist entered the ring with confidence."

adjective
/pʌɡˈneɪʃəs/

Having a quarrelsome or combative nature; eager to fight.

"His pugnacious attitude often got him into trouble."

noun
/pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.

"The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field."

noun
/ˈpjuːɪsəns/

Great power, strength, or influence.

"The empire showed its puissance through vast armies."

adjective
/ˈpjuːɪsənt/

having great power or influence; mighty

"The king was a puissant ruler whose word was law."

noun
/ˈpʌlkrɪˌtjuːd/

physical beauty

"The actress was admired for her pulchritude as well as her talent."

pull definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🖐️

pull

verb
/pʊl/

to exert force on something in order to move it toward oneself

"She pulled the door open with all her strength."

noun
/ˈpʊl.oʊ.vər/

a knitted garment worn on the upper body, typically pulled on over the head

"She wore a warm pullover during the cold winter evening."

adjective
/ˈpʌlməˌneri/

relating to the lungs

"The patient suffered from a serious pulmonary infection."

noun
/ˈpʊlpɪt/

a raised platform in a church from which the preacher delivers a sermon

"The pastor stood at the pulpit to address the congregation."

❤️

pulsate

verb
/ˈpʌlseɪt/

to expand and contract rhythmically; to throb or beat

"The neon lights pulsated with a steady rhythm."

💓

Pulse

noun/verb
/pʌls/

A rhythmic beat or vibration, especially the heartbeat; to throb or move with a rhythm.

"The doctor checked her pulse after the long run."

verb
/ˈpʌlvəraɪz/

To crush or grind something into a fine powder; to completely defeat or destroy.

"The machine can pulverize stones into dust."

verb
/ˈpʌməl/

To strike repeatedly with the fists; to beat or hit forcefully.

"The boxer pummeled his opponent in the final round."

💧

pump

verb
/pʌmp/

to force liquid or gas to move in a particular direction using a device

"They pumped water from the well into the tank."

noun
/'pʌmp.kɪn/

a large round orange fruit with thick skin and edible flesh

"We carved a jack-o'-lantern from a big pumpkin."

😄

pun

noun
/pʌn/

A humorous use of words that suggests different meanings or words that sound alike.

"He made a clever pun about the bakery's bread rising."

🥊

Punch

verb
/pʌntʃ/

to hit someone or something hard with your fist

"He punched the wall in frustration."

noun
/ˈpʌntʃ laɪn/

The final part of a joke or story that makes it funny.

"Everyone laughed loudly at the punch line of his joke."

adjective
/pʌŋkˈtɪliəs/

Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.

"She was punctilious in her attention to etiquette."

adjective
/ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/

Happening or doing something at the agreed or proper time; on time.

"He is always punctual for meetings."

punctuality definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˌpʌŋk.tʃuˈæl.ə.ti/

The quality or habit of being on time; arriving or occurring at the scheduled time.

"His punctuality at work is commendable."

adverb
/ˈpʌŋk.tʃu.əl.i/

at the exact time arranged; on time; not late

"She always arrives punctually for meetings."

🚲💨

Puncture

noun
/ˈpʌŋk.tʃər/

a small hole in a tire that causes air to escape

"I had to fix a puncture in my bicycle tire this morning."

👨‍🏫

pundit

noun
/ˈpʌndɪt/

An expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give opinions to the public.

"Political pundits debated the election results on television."

🌶️

pungency

noun
/ˈpʌndʒənsi/

The quality of having a strong, sharp taste or smell.

"The pungency of garlic filled the kitchen."

Pungent definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/ˈpʌndʒənt/

Having a sharply strong taste or smell.

"The pungent aroma of spices made the dish irresistible."

punish definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
⚖️

punish

verb
/ˈpʌnɪʃ/

to make someone suffer for a crime or bad behavior

"The teacher punished the students for cheating on the exam."

Punishment definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

the infliction of a penalty as retribution for an offense or wrongdoing

"The criminal received a harsh punishment for his crime."

⚖️

punitive

adjective
/ˈpjuː.nɪ.tɪv/

Inflicting or intended as punishment.

"The company faced punitive measures for violating the law."

noun
/pʌnˈdʒɑː.bi/

a traditional long shirt worn in South Asia, typically loose-fitting

"He wore a white punjabi for the festival celebration."

🎸

punk

noun
/pʌŋk/

a type of popular music, or the culture associated with it, characterized by loud, fast rhythms and rebellious attitudes

"He’s always been into punk music and fashion."

puzzle definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun, verb
/ˈpʌzl/

a game, toy, or problem designed to test ingenuity; to cause someone to be confused

"The crossword puzzle kept her busy for hours."

⚔️

pyrrhic

adjective
/ˈpɪrɪk/

A victory won at such a great cost that it is almost equivalent to defeat.

"The general declared the battle a pyrrhic victory due to heavy losses."

adjective
/ˌpaɪroʊˈtɛknɪk/

Relating to fireworks or spectacular displays involving fire.

"The city celebrated with a grand pyrotechnic display on New Year's Eve."

noun
/ˌpaɪroʊˈmeɪniæk/

A person with an uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.

"The pyromaniac was arrested for setting several buildings ablaze."

noun
/ˌpaɪrəˈmeɪniə/

An uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.

"The suspect was diagnosed with pyromania after repeated incidents of arson."

🔥

pyre

noun
/paɪər/

A heap of combustible material, especially one used for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.

"The villagers built a pyre to honor the deceased."

adjective
/ˈpʌz.lɪŋ/

confusing; perplexing;

"The scientist found the results puzzling."

put definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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put

verb
/pʊt/

to place something in a particular position

"She put the book on the shelf."

adjective
/ˈpjuːtətɪv/

commonly accepted or supposed; generally regarded as such

"He is the putative father of the child."

verb
/ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/

to decay or rot, producing a foul smell

"The meat began to putrefy in the heat."

adjective
/ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/

showing a lack of courage or determination; timid

"The pusillanimous leader avoided making tough decisions."