5th Grade Vocabulary - The Complete Vocabulary List

abandon: 1. a lack of control or restraint 2. loss of inhibitions 3. exuberance 4. surrender to one's natural impulses

abbreviation: 1. a shortened form of a name, phrase or word 2. the act of shortening something

ability: 1. the capacity to do something 2. a skill or talent in a specific area

abnormal: 1. strange 2. not usual or typical 3. not what is considered to be normal

abolish: 1. to get rid of in an official way 2. to put an end to 3. to completely destroy

abrupt: 1. brusque or curt in behavior or speech 2. unexpected or sudden, most often in an unpleasant or shocking way 3. steep

absence: 1. the state or condition of someone or something not being present or not existing 2. a failure to appear

absent: 1. not present in a certain time or location 2. non-existent 3. missing

absorb: 1. to incorporate something 2. to soak up or suck up something 3. to gradually take something in

abstruse: difficult to understand, especially because of being extremely complex

absurd: 1. silly or ridiculous, especially in a laughable way 2. illogical or totally untrue 3. difficult or impossible to believe

abundant: 1. great in number 2. available in a large number 3. more than enough; plenty

abuse: 1. misuse of something 2. unfair or hurtful treatment of a person or an animal 3. improper use

acceleration: 1. an increase in speed or rate 2. the ability of something to go faster

access: 1. a way of entering or exiting a place 2. the right or permission to use, approach, or enter something or somewhere 3. the act of approaching

accident: 1. an unforeseen event that causes harm, damage, injury or even death 2. a sudden and unplanned event

accommodate: 1. to do a favor or oblige someone 2. to supply 3. to provide space for people to stay or to be 4. to adapt or to make suitable

accommodation: 1. lodgings used for travelers 2. a place to stay or live

accompaniment: 1. something that accompanies something or someone else 2. music that accompanies a singer or the main tune

accompany: 1. to go along with 2. to be associated with 3. to go somewhere with someone

accomplish: 1. to carry something out; to finish something 2. to be successful in doing something 3. to complete or fulfill

account: 1. an explanation or description of a specific event or situation 2. a narrative 3. the reasons behind a specific event or action

accumulate: 1. to collect or gather 2. to amass 3. to increase in quantity or amount

accurate: 1. meticulous or giving careful consideration to the details 2. exact 3. free from errors and mistakes

adapt: 1. to make changes in order to fit a specific situation or purpose 2. to modify 3. to alter something

adaptation: 1. the act of modifying something so that it better fits one's needs 2. change; adjustment

adequate: 1. sufficient to fit the requirements or needs 2. good enough, but not excessively good 3. satisfactory

adjacent: 1. near 2. close to 3. neighboring 4. touching

adjust: 1. to make changes to 2. to settle or adapt to a situation

adroit: very clever or skillful in a physical or mental way

adult: 1. a person or animal that is fully developed or fully grown 2. a mature person or animal

advocate: 1. publicly speak, write, plead, recommend, support or argue for a cause, particular policy or way of doing things 2. a person who publicly speaks, writes, pleads, recommends, supports or argues for a cause, particular policy or way of doing things

affect: 1. to impact someone emotionally or mentally 2. to produce a change in

aid: 1. help; assistance 2. a person who helps someone or something 3. a helpful device

alacrity: a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something

aloof: 1. unfriendly or unwilling to interact with others 2. distant 3. uninvolved

alternative: 1. not traditional or usual 2. being a choice; offering a choice 3. existing outside traditional society

amass: 1. to gather or collect goods of any kind over a long period of time 2. to accumulate

ambiguity: 1. the state of being unclear, inexact and open to more than one possible interpretation 2. doubtfulness

ambiguous: 1. not expressed or understood clearly 2. open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations

amiable: pleasant and friendly; good-natured and likable

amicable: characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill, often despite a difficult situation

anachronism: a person or a thing that is mistakenly placed in a time where it does not belong to, especially a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time

analogy: 1. a comparison designed to show that two or more things are similar 2. partial resemblance 3. comparability

analysis: 1. the study or examination of something in an attempt to define it or understand it 2. investigation 3. the act of breaking a subject down into parts to study it

animosity: 1. clear negativity or hatred of someone or something 2. strong opposition 3. open hostility

annual: 1. occurring each year 2. payable on a yearly basis or calculated over a year 3. yearly

antagonist: a person who opposes to, struggles against, or competes with someone or something, especially in combat; adversary; opponent

anticipate: 1. to predict or foresee 2. to look forward to something 3. to prepare for something or deal with something before it happens

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antiquated: 1. so old that it is no longer fashionable 2. old-fashioned 3. obsolete 4. out-dated

apparent: 1. clear and able to be seen 2. obvious; evident 3. easily understood

appendix: 1. additional material that is found at the end of a book, an essay or another written piece 2. added information

appreciate: 1. to become more valuable or increase in worth 2. to be grateful or thankful for 3. to understand the true meaning of a situation

apprehensive: 1. worried about something that is going to occur in the future 2. quick to understand

approach: to move nearer

appropriate: 1. to take possession or control of something 2. to steal 3. to set aside or to devote to a specific purpose

approximate: 1. to come close to something 2. to be similar to something 3. to get near

area: 1. a geographical region 2. part of a surface or space 3. a subject or field of study

arid: 1. very dry, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or plants 2. lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning

articulate: 1. capable of expressing oneself in a clear and coherent manner 2. clear and well formulated language

artisan: 1. a craftsman 2. a worker who has a specific skill and is able to make things by hand 3. a company or person that produces small batches of high quality goods

aspect: 1. a part or quality of something 2. one part of a situation 3. exposure; the way in which a structure is facing

assemble: 1. to put something together by joining its parts 2. to bring people together into one single group

assembly: 1. a gathering of people that takes place because the people share a common goal or interest; a meeting 2. a gathering of teachers and students where information is shared

assume: 1. to believe that something is true without proof 2. to take on a role or responsibility 3. to adopt an idea

attain: 1. to succeed at something 2. to achieve 3. to reach or arrive at

attribute: 1. a trait or quality 2. a characteristic

author: 1. the creator of something 2. the person who writes a document 3. the person responsible for an action

authority: 1. power; the ability and right to control 2. the person or group that is in charge of a person, group or region 3. an expert on a specific subject 4. jurisdiction 5. official permission

available: 1. free and ready to be used; not busy 2. accessible 3. at someone's disposal

benefit: 1. an advantage 2. a gift or payment from an employer to an employee 3. a payment from an insurance company or social welfare program 4. something intended to help 5. an event designed to raise money for someone or for a cause

benevolent: kind, generous, and helpful; charitable

bequeath: 1. leave or give (personal property) by will 2. pass (something) on to another; hand down

bias: supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, especially in a way considered to be unfair

blandishment: a flattering or pleasing statement, speech, or action intended to flatter, coax, entice someone gently into doing something

blatant: 1. obvious, easily detectable, or blunt 2. noisy in a vulgar way 3. obtrusive

boisterous: 1. noisy, energetic, and lacking in restraint or discipline 2. (of waves, weather, wind, etc.) wild or stormy

bond: 1. the link or connection between people or things 2. a written promise 3. a force that unites or pushes people together 4. a certificate of debt issued by a government or company, promising to pay borrowed money back over a specified period of time

bourgeois: 1. middle class and acting in a way that is consistent with what is expected of the middle class 2. materialistic 3. typical, conventional

brief: 1. concise 2. short in duration 3. curt 4. scanty

bulwark: 1. something or someone which protects one from negative, dangerous or unpleasant things or gives support and encouragement in bad situations 2. a wall built for defense

candor: 1. the quality or state of being honest or frank, especially when the truth is painful or difficult 2. fairness; impartiality

capable: 1. able to do something 2. quite good at a certain task; skilled

capacious: capable of containing a large quantity easily; spacious; roomy

capacity: 1. the ability to do something 2. the maximum number of things that a place or object can hold

capitulate: 1. surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms 2. give up all resistance, usually because they are stronger than you

cartographer: 1. a person who designs, draws or otherwise makes charts and maps

cease: 1. to stop doing something; to quit 2. to discontinue 3. to come to an end

challenge: 1. to question or express objection to 2. to test someone 3. to invite someone to take part in a debate or competition; to dare

channel: 1. a route through which water flows or can flow 2. a television or radio station 3. a course of direction through which actions or ideas pass

chapter: 1. a section of a book or a written work 2. a branch of a society or group 3. a stage in a person's life

chart: 1. a drawing or illustration which displays information in an easy to understand way; a graph 2. a detailed map used for navigation of the sea or air

circumstance: 1. the conditions surrounding an event 2. a factor which influences something

circumvent: 1. surround or circle around (an enemy, for example); enclose or entrap 2. avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.), especially cleverly or illegally 3. go around or bypass

cite: 1. to use information or exact words from another source; to quote 2. to use as an example

civil: 1. not related to the church or military, but rather the ordinary people of a country 2. secular 3. polite or courteous

clamor: 1. a loud outcry, uproar, demand, complaint or shouting 2. a loud noise that continues for a long time

clarify: 1. to make something clearer or easier to understand 2. to remove ambiguity

clarity: 1. clearness of expression or thought 2. the ability to be understood 3. the ability to think in a clear way

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classical: 1. relating to ancient cultures 2. respecting tradition or the original way of doing things 3. traditional

clause: 1. a provision or stipulation in a contract or another formal document 2. a phrase containing a subject and a verb that is part of a larger sentence

coddle: 1. to overprotect someone or something 2. to treat someone tenderly or with great care 3. to cook something in water that is just below the boiling point

cogent: 1. an argument that is structured in such a way that makes it easily believable 2. something convincing 3. a logical argument

coherent: 1. consistent or logical 2. understandable 3. capable of explaining one's thoughts or ideas in a way that is easily understood 4. unified; sticking together

collaborate: 1. work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort 2. cooperate with an enemy who has invaded your country during a war

collapse: 1. to cave in due to pressure or lack of support 2. to fall down 3. to break down 4. to fold into a smaller or more compact shape, allowing something to be more easily stored

collate: 1. to put pages into a logical or correct order 2. to examine and compare two or more written works

colloquial: 1. not formal 2. familiar and conversational 3. informal

collusion: 1. a conspiracy 2. secret cooperation or activities for illegal or fraudulent purposes

commandeer: 1. to seize control of something via force 2. to take control of something for military purposes 3. to confiscate

commission: 1. a fee or payment for goods or services rendered 2. a request to create a specific work for someone 3. a group which studies a certain issue

communicate: 1. to transmit something, such as energy or an illness 2. to transmit information to others through written, verbal or non verbal words or signals

communication: 1. the act of transmitting information from one person to another 2. the message that is transmitted

community: 1. a group of people living in the same area or region 2. a group of people who share common interests 3. the greater public

compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for the sufferings or misfortunes of others and a wish to help them

compatible: 1. able to exist in harmony 2. well-suited 3. capable of being mixed

compensate: 1. to pay someone for something that has been lost, damaged, or taken away 2. to make up for something negative 3. to pay someone for their services

compile: 1. to gather things together 2. to put things together in a logical or orderly form

complacency: a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like

complex: 1. complicated and not easy to understand 2. involving or made from many different parts

compliant: 1. complying, obliging, or yielding, especially to an excessive degree 2. meeting or in accordance with a set of rules, standards, or requirements

component: 1. one specific part of something 2. an ingredient or element

compound: 1. to increase 2. to combine 3. to make something worse 4. to pay interest

comprehensive: 1. all-encompassing 2. thorough 3. extensive 4. dealing with most or all aspects of a certain issue

compromise: 1. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions 2. reduce the quality, value, or degree of something 3. endanger the interests or reputation of

concentrate: 1. to focus on something 2. to strengthen something 3. to bring things or people together in a common location

concept: 1. an idea or a notion 2. a plan 3. an experimental model for a future product

concern: A matter of interest or importance

concise: 1. expressed in few words 2. clear and succinct 3. brief yet clear

conclude: 1. to finish 2. to terminate or cause something to come to an end 3. to deduce or to infer based on what one has seen or heard

conduct: to lead or guide

confer: 1. to grant something, like a title, to someone 2. to discuss or exchange opinions

conference: 1. a meeting of people who share a similar interest attend a variety of talks or sessions about a specific subject or topic 2. a meeting

conflict: 1. a fight or a disagreement between two or more parties 2. a struggle 3. an incompatibility

conform: 1. to meet (standards) 2. to comply with 3. to be similar to 4. to behave in a way that is expected and acceptable

consensus: 1. majority opinion 2. an opinion or decision reached by all, or nearly all, members of a group 3. a general agreement

consent: 1. to allow or agree with 2. to grant permission 3. to approve

consider: to think carefully

considerable: 1. quite large; substantial 2. worthy of recognition or consideration 3. noteworthy

consist: 1. to be composed of 2. to be inherent 3. to be compatible

conspicuous: 1. obvious; easily noticed 2. attracting attention, especially because it is strange or unusual

constant: 1. unchanging 2. firm or resolute 3. persistent; continuing over a long period of time 4. loyal

consternation: a feeling of worry, shock, or confusion, often caused when something unexpected happens

constitutional: 1. permitted by the constitution of a country, group or business 2. related to the constitution of a country, group or business

construction: 1. the act or business of building things, especially structures

consult: 1. to get advice from someone or something; to ask someone their opinion 2. to consider; to take into account

consume: 1. to eat 2. to use; to use up 3. to totally destroy

consumer: 1. a person who purchases goods or services

contact: 1. to communicate with someone over the phone or by writing a letter, e-mail or text message

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contemporary: 1. from or existing in the same time period 2. modern

context: 1. the circumstances surrounding something 2. the words before and after something that help explain what it means 3. the circumstances or situation in which something happens, which help to explain it

contract: 1. to get smaller; to shrink 2. to make smaller 3. to hire someone to work under a contract 4. to get

contrary: 1. opposite or completely different 2. obstinate 3. unfavorable

contrast: 1. the act of finding differences between two or more things 2. a difference between two or more things

contribute: 1. to write for a newspaper or a magazine 2. to give goods, money or time and effort to a person or group in order to help them

controversy: 1. a disagreement or dispute over a specific subject about which people have differing opinions 2. a heated discussion or argument

convention: 1. a formal political agreement 2. a gathering or meeting of people or professionals with a shared interest 3. a social custom

convert: 1. to change something; to transform 2. to undergo a change 3. to change to another religion

convince: 1. to make someone believe what you are saying; to persuade

cooperate: 1. to work together with one or more other people in order to reach a shared or mutually beneficial goal

core: 1. the center of something 2. the most important or essential part of something

corporate: 1. belonging or pertaining to a large company or corporation 2. common or shared between people or a group of people

corresponding: 1. related to 2. comparable 3. matching 4. directly related

counterfeit: 1. to forge a copy of something, often for illegal or dishonest reasons 2. to create a high-quality copy of something with the intention of defrauding someone

covert: 1. secretive or not openly shown 2. hidden; concealed 3. veiled

create: 1. to invent something; to develop something new 2. to cause or bring about

credible: 1. trustworthy 2. easy to believe or convincing 3. reliable

credit: 1. money that is given to someone with the understanding that it will be paid back with interest 2. recognition or praise

culture: 1. behaviors, beliefs, and standards that are shared between one large group of people or a society 2. art, such as music, literature, dance, theater, etc.

cumulative: 1. increasing due to the constant addition of other elements 2. gradually increasing 3. snowballing

currency: 1. money; any other medium of exchange

cycle: 1. an extended period of time 2. a bi- or tri- cycle 3. a series of events which repeat over time

data: 1. information, facts or figures about a specific subject that is often used to make a decision 2. information used by a computer

debate: 1. a civil or controlled argument between two or more people or groups with opposing viewpoints 2. a formal discussion before a vote 3. discussion

debunk: expose or ridicule (an idea, belief, claim, etc.) as being pretentious, false, or exaggerated

decade: 1. a period of ten years 2. any series or group of ten

decline: 1. a fall in the number of something; a reduction 2. the act of reducing in number 3. a downward slope

definition: 1. a clear outline of something 2. the meaning of a word or phrase

defunct: 1. no longer in existence 2. dead 3. extinct

deliberate: 1. to carefully debate or think about something serious 2. to thoughtfully weigh the available options

demonstrate: 1. to deliberately show or prove 2. to make clear

denote: 1. to be a name or symbol for 2. to indicate 3. to mean; to symbolize

deny: 1. to say that something is not true 2. to claim one is not guilty of something; to not admit 3. to not let someone have something

depict: 1. show (someone or something) in a picture, drawing, painting, photograph, etc. 2. describe (someone or something) using words, a story, etc.

deplete: 1. to cause a great reduction in the fullness or size of 2. to use up 3. to decrease the number of something

derive: 1. to get something from a source 2. to deduce 3. to show or trace the origin of

design: 1. a sketch or a plan that shows what something will be like when it is produced or constructed 2. a pattern or plan

despite: 1. hatred or malice 2. injury

detect: 1. to note or to feel something 2. to discover or catch 3. to note the presence of

deter: 1. to discourage or keep someone from doing something 2. to make someone decide not to do something by making them fear the consequences or repercussions

deteriorate: 1. to get or become worse 2. to depreciate 3. to disintegrate over time

device: 1. a contraption used to perform specific tasks 2. an explosive, like a bomb 3. a method used to do something

differentiate: 1. to determine or recognize the difference between two or more things; to distinguish 2. to make one thing unlike another

digression: a temporary departure from the main subject, especially in speech or writing

diligent: steady, hard-working, and careful in one's work or duties; industrious; painstaking

dimension: 1. a property or way of measuring space 2. a part or aspect of something larger

diminish: 1. to reduce or make smaller 2. to become smaller or less

discord: 1. disagreement among people or things 2. dispute or strife 3. a lack of harmony

discount: a reduction in the usual price of something

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discrepancy: 1. a difference or variation between things that should be identical 2. inconsistency 3. disagreement

discrete: 1. distinct 2. separate 3. not continuous

discretion: 1. the ability to judge people or situations wisely and make the right choices 2. the ability to behave in a way that does not cause offense

disputatious: inclined to dispute; fond of arguing; argumentative; contentious

distinct: 1. different or separate 2. unmistakable; obvious

distribute: 1. to give out or hand out 2. to spread something out over a surface 3. to deliver products

diverse: 1. possessing various characteristics 2. distinct 3. diversified

diversity: 1. difference or variety 2. the state of having people from different races and cultures gathered together in one space or organization

divert: 1. to distract 2. to make something move in a different direction or on a different course 3. to use for a different purpose than the original 4. to amuse or entertain

document: 1. to record something on paper or in digital format 2. to provide written evidence

dogmatic: an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or unprovable principles as if they are certainly correct and cannot be doubted

domestic: 1. related to house, home or family 2. from one's own country

dominate: 1. to be very good at something 2. to command; to have power over 3. to be the most important or largest thing in a group

dormant: 1. sleeping, lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive 2. not active or developing now, but it may become active or develop in the future 3. in a state of rest or inactivity; inoperative

draft: 1. the first draft or copy of something 2. a sketch 3. a rush of air through a building or space

drama: 1. a play that is performed in a theater, on television or on the radio 2. a literary work that deals with a serious subject 3. the art of performing

drawl: 1. slow or lazy speech that is marked by the prolongation of vowel sounds

duration: 1. the amount of time that something lasts

dynamic: 1. full of energy; enthusiastic 2. constantly changing 3. relating to energy or physical forces

economy: 1. the money and production of goods and services of a specific political region 2. thriftiness or careful management when spending money

edit: 1. to revise a document and change whatever errors one sees 2. to produce a book or document by gathering different works together

element: 1. a specific part of something tangible 2. a characteristic of something abstract or intangible 3. the most basic information about a certain subject

elicit: 1. evoke or draw out (a response, information, etc.) from someone 2. draw out or entice forth; bring to light

eliminate: 1. to get rid of 2. to abolish 3. to remove

elude: 1. avoid or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer) by quickness, cunning, etc.; evade 2. fail to be understood or remembered by (someone) 3. fail to be achieved by (someone)

elusive: 1. difficult to describe, find, catch, achieve, understand, or remember 2. cleverly or skillfully evasive

emerge: 1. to appear 2. to come into view 3. to become known 4. to come into existence

emphasis: 1. the importance that is specifically placed on something 2. stress

emulate: try to equal or excel (someone or something you admire), typically by imitation

encounter: 1. to find someone or something unexpectedly 2. to stumble across 3. to face

endurance: 1. the ability or power to withstand stress or an unpleasant situation 2. the act of persevering 3. duration

energy: 1. the effort or power needed to do something 2. heat, electricity, light or the resources used to produce power

enfranchise: 1. to give a group of people or a person specific rights, especially the right to vote 2. to free from bondage

engender: produce, cause, or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition)

enhance: intensify, increase, or improve the quality, amount, extent, or strength of something, as in cost, value, attractiveness, effectiveness, etc.

enmity: 1. animosity 2. hatred 3. ill-will towards others 4. a deep-seated dislike of another person

enormous: 1. extremely large in size or quantity 2. massive

ensconce: 1. to make oneself comfortable or safe; to settle 2. to conceal something

environment: 1. all of the conditions and circumstances that surround a specific person, animal or thing 2. the surroundings

epistle: 1. a missive; a long and formal letter 2. a literary work, such as a novel or a poem, that takes the form of a series of many letters

equate: 1. to equalize 2. to make two or more things equal 3. to consider things equal

equation: 1. a math problem 2. the act of considering one thing to be the same as another

equipment: 1. supplies or tools needed to complete a task

equivalent: 1. equal to 2. of the same amount, size, value, meaning

erode: 1. to eat away or wear away something 2. to slowly deteriorate 3. to reduce something

erosion: 1. the gradual corroding or eating away of a subject 2. deterioration

establish: to set up

estate: 1. a rather large piece of property 2. all of one's possessions at death

estimate: 1. to make a guess or calculate the amount or value of something 2. to judge

ethnic: 1. of or relating to a specific group of people who share a common race, heritage, set of customs or traditions

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evaluate: 1. to judge 2. to closely examine something before determining its value

eventually: 1. in the end 2. at an unspecified time in the future 3. finally

evidence: 1. material that shows someone is innocent or guilty of something 2. material that proves something

evolution: 1. gradual development or change, especially over long periods of time

evolve: 1. to grow 2. to develop gradually over an extended period of time 3. to go through evolutionary changes

excavate: 1. dig a large hole or channel in the ground, especially with a machine 2. uncover or expose by digging; unearth 3. dig out and remove (earth, soil, etc.) 4. form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging

exclude: 1. to leave someone or something out 2. to eject 3. to deliberately not include 4. to prevent

exhibit: 1. to display or show 2. to present to the public 3. to reveal

expand: 1. to add details or information 2. to grow larger 3. to cause growth or to make larger

expansion: 1. growth 2. the act or process of getting larger 3. an increase in size or number

expedient: helpful or useful in a particular situation and produces an immediate result or solution to a problem, even though possibly improper or immoral

expedite: 1. to hasten; to make something happen more quickly 2. to speed up 3. to do something efficiently as well as quickly

expert: 1. a person who has a great deal of knowledge about or skill in a specific subject

explicit: fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated, leaving no room for confusion or doubt

exploit: 1. to take advantage of 2. to make use of

export: 1. to sell or send abroad 2. to introduce or transmit an idea from one country into another

expose: 1. make (something) visible by uncovering it 2. lay open to danger, attack, harm, etc.; leave unprotected or without covering 3. make known, disclose, or reveal (something hidden, dishonest, etc.) 4. (expose oneself) display one's sexual organs in public

expunge: 1. to get rid of or cancel 2. to get rid of something written by erasing it or striking it out

extract: 1. to remove or pull something out of another source 2. to convince a person to give you something they don't want to give you, often through the use of force

extricate: free or remove (someone or something) from a difficult or unpleasant situation (such as a trap, net, debt, peril, etc.); set free

factor: 1. a variable or an element 2. something that influences a result

fallacious: 1. based on false information or ideas; erroneous; illogical 2. deceptive; misleading

fallacy: 1. a mistaken belief that a lot of people think is true but is in fact false 2. (logic) a mistake or failure in reasoning that makes an argument or idea invalid 3. a misleading or unsound argument 4. deceptive, misleading, or false nature

feature: 1. a part or aspect of something 2. a quality

federal: 1. related to the central or national government 2. related to the system of federalism, a system in which states or provinces and central governments share power

finance: 1. money that is used to pay for a large and expensive project 2. the money that a person, company or nation has 3. the management of money

financial: 1. related to money or finance

flexibility: 1. the ability or willingness to make changes 2. easily bent 3. adaptability

flounder: stagger or struggle helplessly or clumsily to move or regain one's balance, as in deep mud or snow

focus: 1. the center point of something 2. the center of attention 3. the main point

foolhardy: bold or daring in a foolish way; foolishly ignoring obvious dangers; rash; reckless

format: 1. to arrange a document in a specific way 2. to prepare a computer disk to save specific files

formula: 1. a fixed or standard way of doing something 2. mathematical symbols that express a rule or a fact

framework: 1. the basic structure for something 2. something's skeleton 3. a set of rules around which something is done

function: 1. a duty or an activity that one must perform 2. a formal event 3. a purpose

furtive: done quietly, quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed

futile: 1. incapable of producing any result; unsuccessful, or useless; ineffective 2. of no importance; worthless

gait: 1. a particular way or manner of walking, stepping, or running; manner of moving on foot; way of walking or running 2. the particular way a horse or dog walks or runs

garish: too bright or colorful (clothes or decoration) in an ugly way; tastelessly colorful, showy, or elaborate

gaunt: 1. extremely thin due to illness or hunger 2. empty or barren 3. dreary

gender: 1. one's sex or sexual identity 2. all members of a specific sex

generate: 1. to create or bring about 2. to produce 3. to produce energy, like electricity

generation: 1. a group of people in a society or in a family that were born in the same general age 2. a period of around thirty years in which people are born, grow up, and have babies of their own

genre: 1. a category or class 2. a specific style used in works of art that share common features

germinate: 1. sprout or cause to sprout, as from a seed, spore, bulb, or bud 2. start developing or growing 3. come into existence; begin

global: 1. world-wide 2. found around the world 3. comprehensive

globe: 1. a spherical shape; a ball 2. a map of the world which is printed on a sphere 3. the earth

goal: 1. an aim, target or objective 2. the area where players must put a ball or puck in order to receive points in various sporting events

grant: 1. to give something to someone 2. to allow someone to have something 3. to bestow

gravity: 1. the force that pulls matter toward a center of attraction; the force that pulls matter to the ground 2. seriousness or solemnity

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guarantee: 1. the promise that something will happen or that something is true 2. an assurance

guideline: 1. a rule or benchmark 2. information tells people how something should be done

gullible: 1. easily tricked because one is too trusting 2. quick to believe something, even if it's not true 3. naive

gustatory: 1. pertaining to the sense of taste

hamper: slow or prevent the free movement, progress, or action of (someone or something); hold back; hinder; impede

hangar: 1. a large building where airplanes or aircraft are stored or repaired

haughty: having or showing irrational pride in oneself and irrational disdain for others

hyperbole: 1. a figure of speech in which the speaker or writer exaggerates for emphasis 2. an exaggerated statement that is not intended to be taken literally

hypothesis: an unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. that is made on the basis of limited evidence and not proven but that leads to further study, discussion, or investigation, etc.

iconoclast: 1. a person who attacks widely accepted ideas, beliefs, traditional institutions, etc. 2. a person who destroys sacred images used in religious worship or opposes to the religious use of images

identical: 1. exactly alike 2. the same as something else 3. extraordinarily similar

identify: 1. to discover 2. to equate 3. to recognize a person or a problem

ignorant: 1. not aware 2. possessing little knowledge or training 3. uneducated; uninformed

illuminate: 1. to make something brighter; to brighten 2. to explain something in a way that makes it understandable; to instruct

illustrate: 1. to show something or explain, especially by giving examples 2. to draw pictures that are to be used in a book or other written document 3. to represent

image: 1. a picture or a visual representation of something 2. a mental picture of something

immigration: 1. the act of moving into a new country in order to live there

impervious: 1. (scientific) impenetrable 2. incapable of being affected or harmed

implicit: 1. not explicitly said or explained; implied 2. suggested

incentive: 1. something that motivates people to do something or take action 2. a reward or the threat of punishment that inspires people to act

incline: 1. to be in favor of something or have a preference 2. to bend or slant 3. to slope

income: 1. money that one receives in exchange for one's work or smart investing 2. revenue 3. a company's profits

indelible: 1. impossible to remove or forget 2. producing marks that cannot be erased or removed 3. permanent

index: 1. an alphabetical list showing all that is included in a book or a larger document 2. an alphabetical list of the documents in a collection 3. an indication

indicate: 1. to show 2. to be a sign of 3. to signal 4. to suggest

indifferent: 1. not caring about something; apathetic or indifferent 2. impartial 3. unremarkable or average

indignant: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at unfair, mean, or ungrateful action or treatment

individual: 1. a single human being 2. a person

inept: 1. not effective 2. unfit or wrong in an inappropriate way 3. awkward or clumsy

inevitable: 1. impossible to avoid, evade, escape, or prevent 2. sure to happen

ingenious: clever, resourceful, original, and inventive

initial: 1. first 2. occurring at the beginning of something 3. incipient

injury: 1. physical harm caused by violence or an accident

innovation: 1. the use of something new; a change to a particular process

innuendo: an indirect or subtle hint, remark, gesture, or reference, especially of a disparaging or a derogatory nature

insipid: 1. without flavor; tasteless 2. not interesting or exciting; dull; boring

inspect: 1. to carefully examine something, especially in search of problems or flaws 2. to make an official visit to ensure that rules are being followed or complied with

inspection: 1. the act of examining something by an official or a person who has been specially trained 2. an official or formal review

instruct: 1. to teach someone 2. to show someone how to do something 3. to direct or give orders

intelligence: 1. the ability to learn or to acquire knowledge or skills 2. classified or secret information about an organization or a country

intense: 1. acute 2. very strong; extreme 3. profound

interact: 1. to communicate with and react to another human 2. to act on

interaction: 1. the act of communicating and acting with other individuals

intermediate: 1. in the middle of two things, places, etc. 2. between two levels; between basic and advanced

interpret: 1. to understand something in a certain way 2. to explain something or make it possible to understand 3. to convert someone's spoken words into another language

interpretation: 1. explanation 2. definition 3. the act of orally translating from one language to another

intervene: 1. to get involved or become involved in a situation in order to change its suspected outcome 2. to interrupt 3. to be situated between two things

intrinsic: 1. inherent 2. relating to the basic nature of something 3. fundamental

inure: 1. to make someone or something used to something unpleasant 2. to harden 3. to take effect

investigate: 1. to thoroughly examine something 2. to explore a topic in order to learn the truth about it 3. to try to get information about something

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investigation: 1. research or inquiry 2. the act of trying to find information about something in order to better understand it

involve: 1. to engage 2. to include something as necessary 3. to cause a person to participate or get involved

irksome: 1. annoying and tedious 2. irritating

irony: a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words is different from and often opposite to their literal meaning

isolate: 1. to seclude someone or something 2. to place something in quarantine 3. to separate something or someone

issue: topic

item: 1. a single object 2. a piece of news 3. a subject to be discussed or dealt with

journal: 1. a newspaper or magazine 2. a magazine that contains articles about a specific subject 3. a written record of the day 4. a logbook

jovial: 1. (of a person ) cheerful, friendly, and good-humored 2. (of a situation ) enjoyable because of being friendly and pleasant

jubilation: great happiness or joy because something good has happened

label: 1. a piece of material on an object that gives information about the object 2. a name or phrase assigned to a person to classify them, often in an unfair manner 3. a company that produces music

laceration: 1. a wound or a cut in flesh which is often deep or severe

lackadaisical: feeling or showing a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or determination; carelessly lazy

laggard: someone or something that is very slow or late in doing things and always falling behind others

lampoon: 1. to criticize a person or a group through a humorous piece of writing or art

lax: 1. not as strict or strong 2. loose 3. not careful

layer: 1. different tiers that make something up 2. a thin sheet of a certain substance 3. a substance that is above or under another substance

lecture: 1. a speech or lesson about a specific subject 2. a speech that is open to to the public 3. a long and serious scolding

legal: 1. allowed or permitted by law 2. related or connected to law

legend: 1. the part of a map or a chart where each symbol or color are explained 2. a story that has been told over generations that may or may not be true; myth

legislation: 1. laws 2. the act of lawmaking

lethargic: 1. sluggish or drowsy; tired or slightly tired 2. apathetic

lithe: young, healthy, attractive, and able to move and bend in an easy and graceful way

locate: 1. to find 2. to situate 3. to be in a certain place 4. to discover the exact position

location: 1. the place where someone or something can be found 2. place

luscious: 1. sweet 2. pleasant to taste or smell 3. delightful for any of the senses 4. exceptionally physically attractive

major: 1. quite important 2. serious 3. large 4. more important

manipulate: 1. to change or modify, especially to suit one's purposes 2. to handle 3. to influence or control someone

manual: 1. a guide book that tells one how to operate or use something 2. an instruction book

margin: 1. a border or edge 2. the difference between the cost of production of a good and the amount at which it is sold

maximum: 1. the highest possible amount or largest quantity

meager: 1. meek or feeble 2. inadequate 3. deficient in quantity; less than is needed or necessary

meander: 1. to walk slowly and without purpose or without direction 2. to follow a winding path 3. to randomly wander

medium: 1. a way of expressing something, such as photography or print 2. something in a middle position 3. surrounding objects; environment

mental: 1. related to or involving the mind 2. existing in the mind

merge: 1. to put two or more things together; to unite; to combine

method: 1. a way of doing something 2. an approach 3. a technique

mettle: 1. resilience; stamina 2. fortitude and courage 3. the ability to deal with situations that are considered difficult 4. temperament

migrate: 1. to move from one region or country to another

migration: 1. the movement of people or animals from one reason to another, based on a variety of different reasons

military: 1. related to soldiers, the army, or armed conflict 2. done or made by soldiers

minimum: 1. the smallest or least amount of something possible 2. the smallest size possible

minor: 1. of little importance 2. small or secondary 3. not valuable 4. not serious

minute: extremely small

mode: 1. a fashion 2. a way of doing something or performing a task

monitor: 1. to watch someone or something 2. to check on something or someone in order to detect changes 3. to supervise

monotonous: 1. repetitive and boring 2. lacking variety 3. dull 4. wearisome

motivation: 1. the enthusiasm, interest or reason for doing something

motive: 1. one of the reasons behind someone's behavior 2. something that inspires someone to behave in a certain way 3. a motif

mundane: 1. ordinary and not interesting or exciting 2. relating to the world and practical matters instead of heavenly or spiritual ones; worldly; earthly

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navigable: 1. safe, wide, and deep enough to allow the passage or transit of ships 2. able to be directed or steered

negative: 1. pessimistic 2. harmful or bad 3. expressing or showing "no" 4. expressing disapproval

neutral: 1. impartial 2. not supporting either side involved in a conflict

nonchalant: coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; relaxed, calm, and not worried about anything; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm

norm: 1. a rule or standard 2. a pattern or something that is expected 3. a model

novel: 1. new 2. different from anything that has previously existed 3. surprisingly new or unusual

novice: a person who is new and not experienced in a job or situation

noxious: 1. detrimental to living beings 2. something that is dangerous for one's physical health

nuclear: 1. related to or employing nuclear weapons or energy 2. related to the nucleus of an atom

objective: 1. fair and impartial 2. unbiased 3. based on facts and not affected by feelings 4. actual

obliterate: 1. to totally destroy 2. to make something disappear completely 3. to get rid of, erase or cover completely

obsequious: 1. overly attentive or eager to flatter others 2. excessive obedience or flattery, often in order to gain favors from people of influence

obsolete: 1. outdated or old-fashioned 2. no longer in use 3. antiquated

obviate: anticipate and prevent or remove (a need, problem, difficulty, disadvantage, etc.) by effective measures so that action to deal with it becomes unnecessary

occupy: 1. to be inside something 2. to dwell in 3. to fill 4. to keep someone busy

occur: 1. to take place 2. to happen 3. to exist

omniscient: 1. possessing unlimited knowledge 2. knowing, or seemingly knowing, everything

opaque: 1. not letting light pass through; not transparent or translucent 2. difficult to understand or explain

option: 1. the ability or right to choose 2. a choice or something that can be chosen

orientation: 1. the act of finding or determining one's position 2. a person or group's interests or beliefs 3. training for a job

ostentatious: 1. pretentious or showy display, as of wealth, knowledge, etc., in an attempt to attract attention, admiration, or envy 2. designed to impress

outcome: 1. the result or consequence 2. the effect

painstaking: 1. performing or characterized by diligent and careful work, in which much attention is paid to detail 2. trying very hard to do something

palpable: 1. so strong or so obvious that it can be felt 2. easily noticed 3. tangible

paragraph: 1. a portion of a text that centers around one specific idea

parallel: 1. not intersecting 2. occurring at the same time 3. extending in the same direction

parasite: 1. any animal or plant that lives on and feeds on another animal or plant

pariah: 1. a person who is looked down upon or rejected by society, often because they are not trusted or respected 2. an outcast

parochial: 1. showing interest only in matters that directly affect you; narrow in scope 2. related to a parish

parody: 1. a work of art such as a text or a play which is created to poke fun at or ridicule another work 2. to poke fun at someone or something

participate: 1. to be involved in something 2. to take part

partner: 1. someone you are closely involved with 2. a person you are involved in a relationship with 3. one of the owners of a company

passive: 1. inactive 2. complacent 3. submissive 4. inert

pedantic: 1. giving too much importance to formal rules or small details 2. making an excessive display of one's own learning

pedestrian: 1. ordinary; dull 2. commonplace 3. undistinguished

percent: 1. out of one hundred 2. a part of one hundred

perfidy: 1. treachery or unfaithfulness 2. betrayal of trust 3. behavior or an event that shows that someone cannot be trusted 4. deceitfulness

period: 1. an interval or length of time 2. a full stop

perspective: 1. a vista or view 2. a way of looking at or examining something 3. an outlook

petrify: 1. to make something become hard or stone like 2. to freeze with horror or fear 3. to make hard or inflexible

phase: 1. a stage (of time) 2. a period of time in a person's life

phenomenon: 1. an extraordinary person or thing 2. an observable fact or occurrence 3. something remarkable

philosophy: 1. the study of human morals and behavior 2. ideas and theories about something 3. the way someone thinks about life 4. a theory or belief that guides someone's behavior

physical: 1. related to the body 2. related to something one can see and touch; tangible

placid: 1. peaceful and undisturbed 2. serene, with a lack of movement or activity 3. showing calm

plastic: (of substances or materials) capable of being molded or shaped

plausible: something that is credible and possibly true

plummet: 1. to fall suddenly or drastically 2. to plunge

policy: 1. a course of action decided upon by an organization, a group of people, a government or a political party 2. guidelines

positive: 1. extremely certain, without any doubt 2. more than zero 3. hopeful or giving reasons to be so

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practice: the expected procedure or way of doing something

precede: 1. to exist before something 2. to come before 3. to have a higher rank than someone

precinct: 1. a division of a city for policing or political reasons 2. a specific area which is enclosed or limited, most often by walls

precipice: 1. a very steep side of a mountain or cliff, typically a tall one 2. a dangerous situation that could lead to harm or failure 3. a very dangerous situation

precise: 1. accurate; exact 2. meticulous or exacting

precursor: a person or thing that goes before another person or something else and that often leads to or influences its development; forerunner; harbinger

predicament: 1. a difficult, uncomfortable, embarrassing or dangerous situation that is often difficult to get out of

predict: 1. to say that something is going to happen before it actually does 2. to foretell 3. to announce in advance

predilection: 1. a personal preference towards something 2. a special liking of something

preliminary: 1. introductory 2. leading up to the main event or thing

presumptuous: going beyond what is right or proper and not showing enough respect, especially because of an excess of self-confidence or arrogance

previous: 1. anterior 2. something coming or occurring before another event 3. prior

primary: 1. fundamental; principal 2. basic 3. essential 4. happening first

prime: 1. chief 2. most important 3. of the highest quality

priority: 1. something that is considered to be extremely important and has the ability to take place before other things 2. possessing the right to come before others

procedure: 1. a way of doing something 2. a medical treatment 3. course of action

proceed: 1. to continue onward 2. to advance 3. to begin something

process: 1. a series of happenings or actions that lead to a specific result 2. a naturally occurring series of changes

profane: 1. to defile 2. to show a lack of respect for objects considered to be sacred or holy 3. to violate

professional: 1. relating to or suitable for a specific profession 2. performing an activity to earn money instead of to relax or have fun 3. possessing the necessary qualities

prohibit: 1. to forbid or ban 2. to not allow or permit 3. to officially ban

project: 1. a scheme or a plan 2. a proposal 3. a task which requires work to be done

promote: 1. to raise in rank 2. to encourage or support 3. to encourage people to buy something 4. to give publicity to

protagonist: 1. one of the main characters of a story 2. a leader of a cause or movement

publish: 1. to make a document available in digital or print format 2. to make something public or known

purchase: 1. an object that has been bought 2. the act of buying something

pursue: 1. to follow someone or something 2. to hunt for or look for

quagmire: 1. a soft and wet piece of land which yields if stepped on 2. a complicated, dangerous or awkward situation

quaint: 1. picturesque 2. old-fashioned 3. interesting or appealing yet quirky in an old-fashioned way

quarantine: 1. forced isolation in which a person or an item is kept away from the public in order to avoid the spread of an infection

quarry: 1. an open-air pit from which rock is excavated 2. a person or animal being hunted or searched for

querulous: often complaining, especially in a way that annoys other people

quotation: 1. specific words that have been directly taken from a certain source 2. the act of using someone else's words

quote: 1. to repeat someone else's words 2. to say something that has previously been said or written

radical: 1. extreme; drastic 2. supporting drastic changes 3. very important 4. new and different

range: 1. a set of things that are similar 2. the upper and lower limits 3. the period of time in which something can happen

rash: 1. not cautious 2. acting without pausing to think 3. reckless

ratify: (especially of governments or organizations) make (a treaty, contract, or agreement) official by signing it or formally accepting it

receptacle: 1. any container or device for holding substances or objects 2. a vessel used to hold things

recover: 1. to get something back 2. to reclaim 3. to recuperate from an injury or illness

rectify: 1. correct (something that is wrong) or make something right or better 2. correct by calculation or adjustment

redress: 1. compensation or remedy for some wrong that was done against someone; retribution 2. rectification

redundant: 1. superfluous 2. unnecessarily wordy 3. not needed

region: 1. a specific part of the world; a large area of land where the people or land possesses similar characteristics 2. a district 3. a part of the body

register: 1. to record something in writing 2. to enroll a student in a school 3. to express or show 4. to convey

reinforce: 1. to make something stronger 2. to enhance something 3. to support an idea by giving evidence or reasons

reject: 1. to refuse something 2. to turn something down 3. to decline

relax: 1. to stop doing something in order to rest 2. to slacken or make less rigid 3. to make less severe 4. to calm

relevant: 1. related to the issue being discussed or debated 2. pertinent 3. connected to an issue

reluctant: 1. unwilling to do something 2. uneager to do something

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rely: 1. to depend on 2. to trust 3. to have confidence in

remorse: 1. strong pain or sadness about something you have done and feel guilty about 2. regret

remove: 1. to get rid of 2. to take away 3. to take off 4. to send away

reproach: express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in (someone), especially for not being successful or not doing what is expected

reprove: 1. to find fault with 2. to condemn, criticize or express disapproval of bad behavior 3. to rebuke

require: 1. to make something obligatory 2. to expect 3. to need something

research: 1. to investigate 2. to make inquiries in order to find out information 3. to carefully study something in order to find out new information

reside: 1. to inhabit 2. to live in a certain place 3. to exist

resignation: 1. the act of leaving a job or position by formally resigning 2. the formal, often written, declaration that one is leaving a job or post

resilient: (of a substance or object) bouncing or springing back into shape, position, etc. after being pulled, stretched, pressed, bent, etc. 2. able to quickly become strong, healthy, happy, or successful again after an illness, disappointment, or other problem

resolution: 1. a decision that is made by a group through a voting process 2. a personal promise to oneself 3. a formal statement of intent or opinion

resolve: 1. firm or strong determination 2. a resolution made by a legislative body; a ruling

resource: 1. material used to do or make something 2. a supply of something that can be used when required 3. a country's tools for generating wealth

restore: 1. to bring something back to its original condition 2. to make something new again

restrain: 1. to hold back or put limits on someone or something 2. to curb 3. to keep under control

retain: 1. to remember information 2. to hold or keep someone or something 3. to hire someone by paying them an initial fee

reveal: 1. to show or disclose 2. to divulge 3. to make known

revenue: 1. income 2. money that an organization, government or company receives from different sources

revere: 1. to honor or respect someone very much 2. to venerate or worship

revise: 1. to check something and make changes to make sure that it is acceptable 2. to change or amend 3. to alter

revolution: 1. a huge change in something, such as a political organization or country 2. the circular movement around a certain celestial body 3. a complete cycle 4. a very important change in the way people act

rhetorical: of, relating to, or concerned with the art of speaking or writing that is effective or intended to influence, persuade, or impress people and that may not be honest or reasonable

rigid: 1. stiff 2. hard 3. unyielding or not able to be bent 4. unable to be changed or modified

rigor: 1. strictness, harshness, or severity 2. exactitude 3. inflexibility

role: 1. the part that a performer in theater acts out 2. one's proper function in society 3. a person's function

route: 1. a course or path of travel 2. a course that certain forms of transport follow habitually 3. a way of achieving something

ruse: 1. a trick with is used with the intent of confusing or deceiving someone 2. a plan used to hide one's own intentions

satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize someone or something and make them seem foolish, weak, bad, etc.

scale: 1. to climb a surface that is steep 2. to set something according to a scale or measure something by a scale 3. to remove something in layers or scales

scheme: 1. an elaborate plan that is devised in order to gain something and, often, trick people 2. an official plan

section: 1. a piece of something 2. a part of a whole object 3. a smaller part of a book or a newspaper

secure: 1. safe 2. free from danger or worry 3. strong or stable

seek: 1. to look for 2. to try and discover 3. to search for 4. to try to obtain (permission, etc.)

select: 1. preferred 2. of a special value or importance 3. exclusive 4. discriminating 5. only the best

sequence: 1. the order or pattern in which things happen or take place 2. a set of things that is put in a specific order

series: 1. a sequence of things 2. a set of related objects 3. a collection of episodes of a television show that use the same characters in different situations

shift: 1. a slight change in something 2. a change 3. a period of approximately eight hours during which workers perform their jobs

shrewd: having or showing sharp powers to understand things and to make good judgments in practical affairs; astute

significant: 1. quite important 2. suggesting or showing a meaning 3. noticeable or detectable 4. noteworthy

similar: 1. related to something else 2. nearly the same, but not exactly the same 3. comparable

simile: (the use of) a phrase that describes something by comparing it to something else, always including the words 'as' or 'like'

simulate: 1. to reproduce a situation 2. to feign 3. to do something that looks as if it is real when it truly is not

site: 1. a place where something can be found or where something is located

skirmish: 1. a short or small battle 2. a minor fight in a much larger conflict 3. a squabble or a short argument

slight: 1. small in size, degree, or amount 2. treat with disrespect or indifference; treat as unimportant

source: 1. the place in which something originates or which someone comes from 2. a point or place of origin 3. a person who provides information

sparse: 1. not dense or thick 2. small in amount and not dense or crowded 3. scanty

specific: 1. clear and precise 2. special 3. particular; relating to one specific person, group or thing 4. unique

sphere: 1. a globe; a ball shaped object 2. an area of knowledge, study or expertise

spontaneous: 1. happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without being planned or thought about 2. growing without cultivation or human labor, as plants and fruits

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spurn: refuse or reject with contempt or disdain, especially because you feel that something or someone does not deserve your respect, attention, affection, etc.

squander: spend or use (money, time, supplies, or an opportunity) wastefully or extravagantly

stability: 1. balance 2. firmness of position 2. being unlikely to change

stable: 1. constant 2. unwavering 3. strongly fixed 4. firmly established

stanza: 1. a part of a poem that is presented in paragraph form

stereotype: 1. an oversimplified way of looking at something 2. a simple and unwavering idea about what a certain person or group of people are like

stifle: 1. to hide or conceal something 2. to repress 3. to suffocate or smother 4. to prevent something from happening

strategy: 1. a detailed plan of action 2. a way to approach a specific goal

stress: 1. the pressure exerted on a physical object 2. emotional stress or anxiety caused by a difficult situation 3. emphasis placed on something

strident: 1. (of a sound) loud, unpleasant, and rough 2. presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in a way that offends some people

structure: 1. a free-standing building made from different parts 2. the way in which something is organized 3. the quality of being organized

style: 1. a way of doing or expressing something 2. fashion 3. quality or attractiveness in design

submissive: inclined, ready, or willing to obey someone else without arguing, resistance, etc.; docile; yielding

submit: 1. to hand in or present something to a teacher, boss or other other person 2. to permit someone to exercise control over you 3. to surrender to authority

subordinate: 1. from a lower rank or position 2. inferior 3. less important

subsequent: 1. following 2. succeeding 3. happening after something else

substitute: 1. to temporarily replace someone or something with something else 2. to exchange one thing for another

sum: 1. the total of a calculation 2. an amount of money 3. the total amount of something in existence

summary: 1. an explanation of something giving the main points or ideas of the original document or argument 2. a recapitulation

supplement: 1. to add to something, especially in order to make up for a deficiency 2. an addition 3. something added to make something complete

survey: 1. a poll used to measure public opinion or the incidence of something in a society 2. an examination of a subject or a situation 3. a careful examination of land in order to map it

suspect: 1. to distrust someone or something 2. to think that someone or something is responsible for a specific action or something bad

suspend: 1. to delay something 2. to postpone 3. to stop something temporarily or permanently 4. to hang something in the air

symbol: 1. a sign 2. a shape, object or picture which is used to represent something 3. something used to represent or show an idea

taciturn: tending not to speak much; not liking to talk; uncommunicative

tactile: 1. tangible 2. related to the sense of touch 3. perceptible or detectable through touch

tangential: 1. slightly or indirectly related to what you are doing, discussing, or thinking about; not closely connected to something 2. merely touching; slightly connected; peripheral

tangible: 1. palpable 2. able to be felt or touched 3. real

task: 1. to assign a job to someone 2. to place a burden on someone

team: 1. a group of people that work toward a common goal 2. two or more animals that work together to pull something

technical: 1. mechanical 2. specialized 3. having or requiring specialized knowledge

technique: 1. a way of performing a specific task 2. a method of doing something or carrying out a task 3. a technical skill

technology: 1. the use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, with special reference to its use in industry 2. applied sciences

tenacious: 1. holding firmly 2. that clings; adhesive; sticky 3. holding together firmly; cohesive 4. very determined to do something; persistent; stubborn

tense: 1. tight 2. pulled to its limit 3. nervous or stressed 4. rigid

tension: 1. a feeling of nervousness before something 2. a feeling of anger or hostility between two or more people 3. the degree to which a string, rope or wire is tensed

tentative: 1. provisional 2. not fixed or positive 3. experimental 4. hesitant or without confidence; uncertain

terminate: 1. to stop 2. to put an end to 3. to sack or fire 4. to conclude

terse: 1. short or curt, often in a way that is interpreted as unfriendly 2. concise and to the point

text: 1. a piece of writing such as a book 2. all the words that were said in a speech 3. written words

theme: 1. the topic or subject discussed in a book, essay, conversation, debate, etc. 2. a subject that is brought up frequently 3. the style upon which something is based

theory: 1. a hypothesis 2. an idea that tries to explain something 3. an idea used to justify or explain something

thesis: 1. the subject to be written about or debated in an essay 2. a long study written while one is studying one's doctoral degree 3. the main idea of a written work

topic: 1. a subject that is currently being examined or discussed in a conversation, book, essay, article, etc. 2. a theme

trace: 1. to follow or to track 2. to find the starting point of something 3. to copy a drawing by placing a piece of paper over the original and following the lines one can see through the paper

tradition: 1. heritage 2. behavior and customs that are passed from one generation to the next 3. an old custom

tranquil: 1. calm 2. relaxed 3. free from disturbances 4. quiet

transfer: 1. moving something from one place to another 2. an exchange 3. giving property or financial holdings to another person

transform: 1. to change something 2. to convert 3. to totally change something in an attempt to make it more attractive or improve it

transformation: 1. a major change in something or someone 2. a change into something entirely different 3. the process of changing into something totally different

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transition: 1. the conversion from one state to another 2. to cause someone or something to convert from one state to another

transport: 1. to carry something 2. to bring something from one point to another 3. to move goods or people using vehicles

uniform: 1. a set of clothes that must be worn to be in a specific school or do a specific job 2. an outfit worn by people from a same school or doing the same job

unify: 1. to join two or more units together in order to create a newer, larger unit 2. to combine 3. to consolidate

unique: 1. special 2. being the only one of its kind 3. unparalleled 4. extraordinary

unruly: difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule

vagrant: 1. a homeless person that does not have a job; a rover 2. a bird that is no longer on its proper migratory route

valid: 1. sound 2. binding 3. well-grounded 4. effective 5. possessing legal force

vanquish: completely defeat in a contest, conflict, or competition

vehicle: 1. any device which is used to transport one or more people around 2. a means or way of expressing a certain idea

version: 1. an individual's view about something that happened 2. an adaptation 3. a form of a book or other object that is slightly different from other books or objects

vindictive: having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge

virtually: 1. essentially 2. almost 3. just about

visible: 1. able to be seen 2. frequently seen in public; conspicuous 3. obvious

visual: 1. capable of being seen with one's naked eye 2. related to sight 3. relating to things that can be seen

vital: 1. necessary for life 2. related to life 3. showing great energy or liveliness 4. of great importance; crucial

volume: 1. the amount of space taken up by something 2. an amount of something 3. the sound level

voluntary: 1. not obligatory 2. unenforced 3. given or done by choice

wanton: 1. a cruel, malicious or violent action done, shown, used deliberately, unprovokedly and unjustifiably 2. careless; reckless

welfare: 1. the well-being of a person or people 2. financial aid from a government to a person in need

zeal: great energy, effort, and enthusiasm, as in working for a person, cause, or object

 

 

 

The following simple English grammar tips and tricks will help you to learn and memorize English grammar rules and speak correctly. If you are on this site for English grammar practice, these tips will really help you. Let's start.

Invest your time in learning

It surely takes some time to learn English. There is no shortcut way to learn it. Some websites may say that they will teach you English in seven days or one month. These are false offers. Invest some time in learning and practicing. Your English skills will surely improve.

Speak, speak, and speak!

Try to speak English the same way you write it. Do not worry about grammatical mistakes. The more you practice, the less mistakes you will make and the more fluent you will be. So, practice daily and do not be afraid of grammatical errors.

Slow down your speaking speed

Your confidence will go down if you try to speak fluently from the very beginning. Give yourself some time. Start with slow speaking speed and increase your speed over time as you make more progress day by day. Slowing down speaking speed has another benefit — you will get enough time to make sentences in your mind before you speak.

The more you practice speaking, the more confident you will be.

Use Mobile apps

Luckily, there are many English learning apps available. Some are free and some are paid apps. If you are a smartphone user, you should install some of these apps in your mobile phone. You can at least install one app and start practicing. A mobile app is a very handy and useful thing to learn at your convenient time. You can start with free apps.

Install and use a dictionary app in your mobile

There are several free dictionary apps that will help you to learn proper pronunciation and new words. It is highly possible that your smartphone already has a dictionary installed. Use it or install a better one.

Try to get a good bilingual dictionary for better understanding. Besides using a mobile app, you can buy and use a good bilingual dictionary. A good bilingual dictionary is always a good investment for personal improvement.

Learn English idioms and phrasal verbs

Idioms and phrasal verbs are very common in everyday English conversation. If you do not know them, you may fail to understand the correct meaning of what the other person is saying. So, do not ignore them. Try to learn the most common English idioms and phrasal verbs.

Listen to news bulletins

Almost every radio and television channel broadcasts news bulletins. If you have a smartphone, radio or television, you can listen to these English news bulletins. Besides learning the correct pronunciation, you can learn correct English. Listening to these bulletins will also improve your fluency. This is a common technique used by English learners.

Read out loud

How does your English sound? The pronunciation style of some people is very bad. But there is a simple and easy way to fix improve pronunciation. Take a newspaper or any other script written in English and read out loud. This way you can hear and test your own pronunciation. If you are not happy with your own pronunciation, keep practicing and your English pronunciation will surely improve.

Learn new words daily

The more words you learn, the better you can understand English and express yourself. You may be surprised to know that learning only the basic words can help you to speak English that is used in communication everyday.

Learn sentences

Besides learning common words, try learning common sentences used in everyday English communication. This will give you a huge boost in your learning efforts.

Write every day

When you write, do not be shy of your mistakes. Try to write at least a few paragraphs, ideally at least one page. It is a great practice to use your newly learned words and practice grammar. This will also improve your writing skills.

Watch English movies

These movies will help you to learn proper pronunciation and improve your understanding of English. When you see how native English speakers speak English, your mind will automatically start copying the style. You can try to speak like them at home to understand the quality of your pronunciation and fluency.

Language swap

There are several websites where you can find people who are native English speakers and want to help your learn English if you teach them your language. This is free and can be a great way to learn from native speakers. Many learners are using this method and you should give a try.

Go to a mentor

A mentor can help you to guide in the right direction. She can measure your progress and suggest whatever you need to improve. You can regularly discuss about your improvement and weakness with your mentor. Oftentimes, she can help you. Your mentor can be someone who is good at English. She can be your school / college / university teacher, your friend or any person good at English.

Try to correct your mistakes

It is common to make mistakes. Every time you make a mistake, write it in a separate piece of paper. Make a list of mistakes. Check your mistakes from time to time and try not to make these mistakes again when you practice. These mistakes are clear and good indications of your weakness in English.

Give yourself time to think

Whenever you make a mistake, you should think how you can avoid this mistake from next time. Take time and assess your progress and weakness.

Be an advance learner

Try to learn advance English grammatical rules and vocabulary. Never be happy with your progress. The more you learn and practice, the better English skills you achieve.

Start with "Tense"

There are mainly three types of tense - past, present and future. Usually, verbs indicate the correct form of each tense. Besides learning tense, you should memorize some verbs too. Do not worry. It is interesting and easy to learn the necessary verbs.

Learn common pronoun usage

Do you know the difference between the common subject pronouns and object pronouns such as I/me, we/us, he/him, she/her, they/them?

We use subject pronouns such as I, we, he she, they when the subject is doing an action. Usually, we use subject pronouns at the beginning of a sentence. Example: I cannot remember the story.

But we do not start a sentence with object pronouns such as me, us, him, her, them. Example: Call him.

Active voice and passive voice

Many English learning students get confused here. In active voice, the subject performs an action. In passive voice, the subject and the object of a sentence swap to form the correct sentence.

Incorrect: The cinema was gone to by me.

Correct: The cinema was enjoyed by me.

Prepositions

A preposition defines the relationship between an object and its surroundings. Without the proper use of prepositions, your English will sound weird. Luckily, there are only a handful of prepositions and these are easy to learn.

Learning new words can be a matter of fun but you need to follow some effective methods to learn new words faster. Read them all in the list below.

Read, read, and read

You will find many new words that you need to learn in novels and literary works. You will be most benefited if you read classic literary books. You should also read magazines and newspapers because these are also good sources of new words that you need to learn. These sources often use high quality English that often contain both common and advance words.

Vocabulary wordbooks

In the bookshops, you will find vocabulary wordbooks that range from beginner to advance levels. You can buy one or more depending on your requirements. These books make it a lot easier to learn because these books come with a complete list of words that is suitable for your level.

Use a journal

During your learning time, you will surely find new words. Add them in your journal. This list will slowly grow. But this journal will help you to measure your progress and show where you need to improve. The journal can inspire you to learn more and faster if you find that you are going slow.

Learn some new words everyday

It is easier and more realistic to digest some new words everyday. If you are determined to learn some new words everyday, you will be surprised and happy to see your progress after a month. The progress will surely motivate you to keep using this learning method.

Use flashcards

Using flashcards is a common way to learn new words. You maybe know that you can buy flashcards from bookshops. Some learners find it easier to learn new words with flashcards. You should give a try too.

Set a target

Set a target that is achievable and realistic. Whatever happens, try to achieve your target at any cost.

Look up new words

Have you found a new word? Get in the habit of looking up words you do not know and immediately do this. If you leave it for later, you may completely forget about it and miss the chance to learn it. A quick way is to look the words in the dictionary installed or available in your smartphone. Another alternative is — look up the word on a search engine like Google.com and you will find the meaning of your desired word in several high quality websites.

Play some word games

If you search online, you can find several word learning games. Some of these games are developed in such a fun and entertaining way that you will not get bored even if you use them hours after hours. These games are not hard to find out. Vocabulary learners usually learn using crossword puzzles, anagrams, word jumble, Scrabble, and Boggle. You can try one of them or all of them.

Use your newly learned words

Take a piece of paper and make one or more sentences for every word you just learned. This way every word will be more memorable. It can take some time but it definitely has its benefits.

Engage in conversations

When you engage in conversation, use your newly learned vocabulary. It can be interesting because the other person will be surprised to see your improved vocabulary power / skills. Besides, you will be able to express / communicate in a better way.

Take vocabulary tests

There are several websites that give you free access to their website so that you can test your vocabulary. This website also helps you to test your SAT vocabulary, GRE vocabulary, IELTS vocabulary, TOEFL vocabulary, ACT vocabulary, TOEIC vocabulary, GMAT vocabulary, PTE vocabulary, ECPE vocabulary, MELAB vocabulary, MCAT vocabulary, and PCAT vocabulary.