EN Vocabulary - 3000 Words

Common words beginning N

/neɪl/
noun
  1. A small metal spike with a broadened flat head, driven into wood to join things together or to serve as a hook.
    • example - don"t try and hammer nails into the ceiling joists
    • synonyms - pin, spike, tack, rivet
  2. A horny covering on the upper surface of the tip of the finger and toe in humans and other primates.
    • example - she began to bite her nails
    • synonyms - fingernail, thumbnail, toenail
  3. A medieval measure of length for cloth, equal to 21/4 inches.
  4. A medieval measure of wool, beef, or other commodity, roughly equal to 7 or 8 pounds.
verb
  1. Fasten with a nail or nails.
    • example - the strips are simply nailed to the roof
    • synonyms - fasten, attach, fix, affix, secure, tack, hammer, pin, post
  2. Detect or catch (someone, especially a suspected criminal)
    • synonyms - catch, capture, apprehend, arrest, take into custody, seize, take in, bring in
  3. (of a player) strike (a ball) forcefully and successfully.
  4. Perform (an action or task) perfectly.
  5. (of a man) have sex with (someone).
/neɪm/
noun
  1. A word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to.
    • example - my name is John Parsons
    • synonyms - title, denomination, designation, honorific, tag, epithet, label
  2. A famous person.
    • example - the big race will lure the top names
    • synonyms - celebrity, star, superstar, VIP, famous person, important person, leading light, celebutante, big name, luminary, mogul, person of note, dignitary, personage, worthy
  3. (in the UK) an insurance underwriter belonging to a Lloyd"s syndicate.
verb
  1. Give a name to.
    • example - hundreds of diseases had not yet been isolated or named
    • synonyms - called, by the name of, baptized, christened, known as, under the name of
  2. Specify (a sum, time, or place) as something desired, suggested, or decided on.
    • example - the club have asked United to name their price for the striker
adjective
  • (of a person or product) having a well-known name.
    • example - specialized name brands geared to niche markets
/ˈnarətɪv/
noun
  • A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
    • example - a gripping narrative
    • synonyms - account, story, tale, chronicle, history, description, record, portrayal, sketch, portrait, statement, report, rehearsal, recital, rendering
adjective
  • In the form of or concerned with narration.
    • example - a narrative poem
/ˈnarəʊ/
adjective
  1. Of small width in relation to length.
    • example - he made his way down the narrow road
    • synonyms - small, tapered, tapering, narrowing, narrow-gauged
  2. Limited in extent, amount, or scope.
    • example - they ate a narrow range of foods
    • synonyms - limited, restricted, circumscribed, straitened, small, inadequate, insufficient, deficient, lacking, wanting
  3. Denoting or relating to a contest that is won or lost by only a very small margin.
    • example - the home team just hung on for a narrow victory
    • synonyms - marginal
  4. Denoting a vowel pronounced with the root of the tongue drawn back so as to narrow the pharynx.
    • example - A narrow diphthong has less movement: in RP, the vowel of day, which moves from half-close to close.
verb
  1. Become or make less wide.
    • example - the road narrowed and crossed an old bridge
    • synonyms - become narrower, get narrower, make narrower, become smaller, get smaller, make smaller, taper, diminish, decrease, reduce, contract, shrink, constrict
  2. Become or make more limited in extent or scope.
    • example - the gap between the sexes is narrowing
    • synonyms - reduce, curtail, cut, cut down, cut back, prune, pare down, lessen, lower, decrease, shrink, contract, narrow, constrict, restrict, limit, curb, check, blunt
noun
  • A narrow channel connecting two larger areas of water.
    • example - there was a car ferry across the narrows of Loch Long
    • synonyms - strait, straits, sound, neck, channel, waterway, passage, sea passage
/ˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
  • A large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.
    • example - the world"s leading industrialized nations
    • synonyms - country, state, land, sovereign state, nation state, kingdom, empire, republic, confederation, federation, commonwealth, power, superpower, polity, domain
/ˈnaʃ(ə)n(ə)l/
adjective
  • Relating to or characteristic of a nation; common to a whole nation.
    • example - this policy may have been in the national interest
    • synonyms - state, public, federal, governmental
noun
  1. A citizen of a particular country.
    • example - a German national
    • synonyms - citizen, subject, native, resident, inhabitant
  2. A national newspaper as opposed to a local one.
    • example - the inability of the local press to compete with the nationals for news
  3. A nationwide competition or tournament.
/ˈneɪtɪv/
noun
  • A person born in a specified place or associated with a place by birth, whether subsequently resident there or not.
    • example - a native of Montreal
adjective
  1. Associated with the place or circumstances of a person"s birth.
    • example - he"s a native New Yorker
    • synonyms - mother, vernacular
  2. (of a plant or animal) of indigenous origin or growth.
    • example - eagle owls aren"t native to Britain
    • synonyms - domestic, home-grown, home-made, home, local
  3. (of a quality) belonging to a person"s character from birth; innate.
    • example - some last vestige of native wit prompted Guy to say nothing
    • synonyms - innate, inherent, inborn, intrinsic, instinctive, instinctual, intuitive, natural, natural-born, deep-seated, deep-rooted
  4. (of a metal or other mineral) found in a pure or uncombined state.
    • example - Gold most commonly occurs as a pure metal called native gold or as a natural alloy with silver called electrum.
  5. Designed for or built into a given system, especially denoting the language associated with a given processor, computer, or compiler, and programs written in it.
    • example - Early programmers worked in native computer code or machine language.
/ˈnatʃ(ə)r(ə)l/
adjective
  1. Existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind.
    • example - carrots contain a natural antiseptic
  2. In accordance with the nature of, or circumstances surrounding, someone or something.
    • example - sharks have no natural enemies
  3. (of a parent or child) related by blood.
    • example - such adopted children always knew who their natural parents were
  4. (of a note) not sharp or flat.
    • example - the bassoon plays G natural instead of A flat
  5. Relating to earthly human or physical nature as distinct from the spiritual or supernatural realm.
    • example - From the Renaissance onwards, study of the natural realm was increasingly distinguished from metaphysics.
  6. (of a bid) straightforwardly reflecting one"s holding of cards.
    • example - his bid of one heart was natural and positive
noun
  1. A person having an innate talent for a particular task or activity.
    • example - she was a natural for television work
  2. A sign (♮) denoting a natural note when a previous sign or the key signature would otherwise demand a sharp or a flat.
  3. An off-white colour.
    • example - colour for the summer is defined by the trend towards naturals
  4. (in a gambling game) a combination or score that immediately wins.
    • example - You must have 2 naturals then you can play as many wild cards as you would like.
  5. An insect or other small creature used as bait, rather than an artificial imitation.
    • example - When fishing such waters, under such conditions a better option is to go for smaller baits, either naturals or particles.
  6. A person born with a learning disability.
adverb
  • Naturally.
    • synonyms - normally, in a natural manner, in a natural way, unaffectedly, spontaneously, genuinely, artlessly, unpretentiously
/ˈnatʃ(ə)rəli/
adverb
  1. Without special intervention; in a natural manner.
    • example - naturally curly hair
  2. As may be expected.
    • example - naturally, I hoped for the best
    • synonyms - of course, as might be expected, as one would expect, as you would expect, needless to say, not unexpectedly, as was anticipated, as a matter of course
/ˈneɪtʃə/
noun
  1. The phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations.
    • example - the breathtaking beauty of nature
    • synonyms - the natural world, the living world, Mother Nature, creation, the world, the environment, the earth, Mother Earth, the universe, the cosmos, natural forces
  2. The basic or inherent features, character, or qualities of something.
    • example - helping them to realize the nature of their problems
    • synonyms - essence, basic characteristics, essential characteristics, inherent characteristics, basic qualities, essential qualities, inherent qualities, basic attributes, essential attributes, inherent attributes, basic features, essential features, inherent features, sum and substance, character, identity, complexion
/nɪə/
adverb
  1. At or to a short distance away; nearby.
    • example - a bomb exploded somewhere near
    • synonyms - close by, close, nearby, close at hand, near at hand, not far away, not far off, in the neighbourhood, in the vicinity, at hand, within reach, within close range, on the doorstep, within earshot, within sight, a stone"s throw away, at close quarters, alongside
  2. A short time away in the future.
    • example - his retirement was drawing near
  3. Almost.
    • example - a near perfect fit
    • synonyms - almost, just about, nearly, practically, virtually, all but
  4. Nearly.
    • example - I near fell out of the chair
    • synonyms - almost, just about, nearly, practically, virtually, all but
preposition
  1. At or to a short distance away from (a place)
    • example - the car park near the sawmill
    • synonyms - close to, close by, not far from, not far away from, a short distance from, in the vicinity of, in the neighbourhood of, within reach of, a stone"s throw away from, next to, adjacent to, alongside, bordering on, adjoining, abutting, contiguous with
  2. A short period of time from.
    • example - near the end of the war
  3. Close to (a state); verging on.
    • example - she gave a tiny smile, brave but near tears
  4. Similar to.
    • example - a shape near to the original
adjective
  1. Located a short distance away.
    • example - a large house in the near distance
    • synonyms - close, nearby, not far away, not far off, close at hand, near at hand, at hand, a stone"s throw away, within reach, within range, accessible, handy, convenient, local, neighbouring, adjacent, next-door, adjoining, bordering, abutting, contiguous, proximate
  2. Only a short time ahead.
    • example - the conflict is unlikely to be resolved in the near future
    • synonyms - imminent, forthcoming, in the offing, close at hand, near at hand, at hand, round the corner, just round the corner, approaching, impending, upcoming, coming, looming
  3. Similar.
  4. Located on the nearside of a vehicle.
  5. (of a person) mean; miserly.
    • synonyms - miserly, niggardly, close-fisted, penny-pinching, cheese-paring, ungenerous, penurious, illiberal, close, grasping, Scrooge-like, stinting, sparing, frugal
verb
  • Come near to; approach.
    • example - soon the cab would be nearing Oxford Street
    • synonyms - approach, draw near to, draw nearer to, get near to, get nearer to, get close to, get closer to, come towards, move towards, advance towards, close in on
/ˈnɪəli/
adverb
  1. Very close to; almost.
    • example - David was nearly asleep
    • synonyms - nearly, just about, about, more or less, practically, virtually, all but, as good as, next to, close to, near, nigh on, not far from, not far off, to all intents and purposes, approaching, bordering on, verging on, nearing
  2. Closely.
/niːt/
adjective
  1. Arranged in a tidy way; in good order.
    • example - the books had been stacked up in neat piles
    • synonyms - tidy, neat and tidy, as neat as a new pin, orderly, well ordered, in order, in good order, well kept, shipshape, shipshape and Bristol fashion, in apple-pie order, immaculate, spick and span, uncluttered, straight, trim, spruce
  2. Done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency.
    • example - a neat bit of deduction
    • synonyms - skilful, deft, dexterous, adroit, adept, expert, practised, accurate, precise, nimble, agile, graceful, stylish
  3. (of liquid, especially spirits) not diluted or mixed with anything else.
    • example - he drank neat Scotch
    • synonyms - undiluted, straight, unmixed, unadulterated, unblended, pure, uncut
  4. Very good; excellent.
    • synonyms - excellent, very good, superb, outstanding, magnificent, of high quality, of the highest quality, of the highest standard, exceptional, marvellous, wonderful, sublime, perfect, eminent, pre-eminent, matchless, peerless, supreme, first-rate, first-class, superior, superlative, splendid, admirable, worthy, sterling, fine
/ˈnɛsəs(ə)rɪli/
/ˌnɛsəˈsɛrɪli/
adverb
  • As a necessary result; inevitably.
    • example - the prognosis can necessarily be only an educated guess
    • synonyms - automatically, as a direct consequence, as a direct result, as an automatic consequence, as an automatic result, as a matter of course, by definition, certainly, surely, definitely, incontrovertibly, undoubtedly, axiomatically
/ˈnɛsəs(ə)ri/
adjective
  1. Needed to be done, achieved, or present; essential.
    • example - they granted the necessary planning permission
    • synonyms - obligatory, requisite, required, compulsory, mandatory, imperative, demanded, needed, called for, needful
  2. Determined, existing, or happening by natural laws or predestination; inevitable.
    • example - a necessary consequence
    • synonyms - inevitable, unavoidable, certain, sure, inescapable, inexorable, ineluctable, fated, destined, predetermined, predestined, preordained
noun
  • The basic requirements of life, such as food and warmth.
    • example - not merely luxuries, but also the common necessaries
/nɛk/
noun
  1. The part of a person"s or animal"s body connecting the head to the rest of the body.
    • example - she had a silver crucifix around her neck
    • synonyms - nape, scruff
  2. A narrow connecting or end part of something.
  3. The length of a horse"s head and neck as a measure of its lead in a race.
    • example - Dolpour won by a neck from Wood Dancer
verb
  1. (of two people) kiss and caress amorously.
    • synonyms - kiss, caress, pet
  2. Swallow (something, especially a drink)
    • synonyms - swallow, gulp down, quaff, swill, guzzle, sup
  3. Form a narrowed part at a particular point when subjected to tension.
    • example - the nylon filament necks down to a fraction of its original diameter
/niːd/
verb
  1. Require (something) because it is essential or very important rather than just desirable.
    • example - I need help now
    • synonyms - require, be in need of, stand in need of, have need of, want, be in want of, be crying out for, be desperate for
  2. Expressing necessity or obligation.
    • example - need I say more?
    • synonyms - have to, be under an obligation to, be obliged to, be compelled to, be under a compulsion to
  3. Be necessary.
noun
  1. Circumstances in which something is necessary; necessity.
    • example - the basic human need for food
    • synonyms - necessity, obligation, requirement, call, demand
  2. A thing that is wanted or required.
    • example - his day-to-day needs
    • synonyms - requirement, essential, necessity, want, requisite, prerequisite, wish, demand
  3. The state of requiring help, or of lacking basic necessities such as food.
    • example - help us in our hour of need
    • synonyms - neediness, want, poverty, deprivation, privation, hardship, penury, destitution, indigence, impecuniousness
/ˈniːd(ə)l/
noun
  1. A very fine slender piece of polished metal with a point at one end and a hole or eye for thread at the other, used in sewing.
    • example - a darning needle
  2. The pointed hollow end of a hypodermic syringe.
    • example - He paid a $200 fine for possession of hypodermic syringes, needles, and other paraphernalia.
  3. A thin pointer on a dial, compass, or other instrument.
    • example - the meter needle barely moved
    • synonyms - indicator, pointer, marker, arrow, hand
  4. A stylus used to play records.
    • example - she wound the gramophone and lowered the needle on to the record
    • synonyms - stylus
  5. The sharp, stiff, slender leaf of a fir or pine tree.
    • example - The conifers are a particularly interesting group to study as unlike cereals their leaves or needles are retained for several years.
    • synonyms - frond
  6. A pointed rock or peak.
    • synonyms - top, peak, mountaintop, crest, crown, apex, vertex, apogee, tip, cap
  7. Hostility or antagonism provoked by rivalry.
    • synonyms - hostility, friction, enmity, antipathy, animus, opposition, dissension, rivalry, feud, conflict, discord, contention
  8. A beam used as a temporary support during underpinning.
verb
  1. Prick or pierce with or as if with a needle.
    • example - dust needled his eyes
  2. Provoke or annoy (someone) by continual criticism or questioning.
    • synonyms - goad, provoke, bait, taunt, pester, harass, prick, prod, sting
/ˈnɛɡətɪv/
adjective
  1. Consisting in or characterized by the absence rather than the presence of distinguishing features.
  2. (of a person, attitude, or situation) not desirable or optimistic.
    • example - the new tax was having a negative effect on car sales
    • synonyms - pessimistic, defeatist, gloomy, gloom-ridden, cynical, bleak, fatalistic, dismissive, anti, antipathetic, uncooperative, obstructive
  3. (of a quantity) less than zero.
    • example - The Arabs did not know about the advances of the Hindus so they had neither negative quantities nor abbreviations for their unknowns.
  4. Containing, producing, or denoting the kind of electric charge carried by electrons.
    • example - Each electron carries one unit of negative charge, and there is the same number of electrons as protons, so the atom as a whole is electrically neutral.
  5. (of a photographic image) showing light and shade or colours reversed from those of the original.
    • example - Some monk drew a perfect photographic negative image, is that what you want us to believe?
  6. Relating to or denoting any of the earth or water signs, considered passive in nature.
  7. (in Parliament) relating to or denoting proposed legislation which will come into force after a specified period unless explicitly rejected in a parliamentary vote.
    • example - By its decision taken in 1984 the Commission rejected an application for negative clearance and the association appealed.
noun
  1. A word or statement that expresses denial, disagreement, or refusal.
    • example - she replied in the negative
    • synonyms - no, refusal, rejection, veto
  2. A negative photographic image made on film or specially prepared glass, from which positive prints may be made.
    • example - photographs and negatives should be supplied for enlargement purposes
  3. A result of a test or experiment indicating that a certain substance or condition is not present or does not exist.
    • example - the percentage of false negatives generated by a cancer test was of great concern
  4. The part of an electric circuit that is at a lower electrical potential than another part designated as having zero electrical potential.
  5. A number less than zero.
    • example - Of course the problem which arises when one tries to consider zero and negatives as numbers is how they interact in regard to the operations of arithmetic, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
verb
  1. Refuse to accept; reject.
    • example - the bill was negatived on second reading by 130 votes to 129
    • synonyms - reject, turn down, say ‘no’ to, refuse, veto, squash
  2. Render ineffective; neutralize.
    • example - should criminal law allow consent to negative what would otherwise be a crime?
    • synonyms - cancel out, neutralize, counteract, nullify, negate, render ineffective
/ˈneɪbə/
noun
  • A person living next door to or very near to the speaker or person referred to.
    • example - our garden was the envy of the neighbours
verb
  • (of a place or object) be situated next to or very near (another)
    • example - the square neighbours the old quarter of the town
    • synonyms - adjacent, nearest, closest, next-door, next, adjoining, bordering, connecting, abutting, contiguous, proximate
/ˈneɪbəhʊd/
noun
  1. A district or community within a town or city.
    • example - she lived in a wealthy neighbourhood of Boston
    • synonyms - district, area, locality, locale, quarter, community, part, region, zone
  2. The set of points whose distance from a given point is less than (or less than or equal to) some value.
/ˈnʌɪðə/
adverb
  1. Used before the first of two (or occasionally more) alternatives (the others being introduced by ‘nor’) to indicate that they are each untrue or each does not happen.
    • example - I am neither a liberal nor a conservative
  2. Used to introduce a further negative statement.
determiner
  • Not the one nor the other; not either.
    • example - neither side of the brain is dominant over the other
pronoun
  • Not the one nor the other of two people or things.
    • example - neither of us believes it
/nəːv/
noun
  1. A whitish fibre or bundle of fibres in the body that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs.
    • example - the optic nerve
    • synonyms - nerve fibre
  2. One"s steadiness and courage in a demanding situation.
    • example - an amazing journey which tested her nerves to the full
    • synonyms - self-confidence, confidence, assurance, self-assurance, coolness, cool-headedness, self-possession
  3. Feelings of nervousness.
    • example - his first-night nerves soon disappeared
    • synonyms - anxiety, tension, nervousness, nervous tension, strain, tenseness, stress, worry, cold feet
  4. A prominent unbranched rib in a leaf, especially in the midrib of the leaf of a moss.
verb
  • Brace oneself mentally to face a demanding situation.
    • example - she nerved herself to enter the room
    • synonyms - brace oneself, steel oneself, gather muster one"s courage, gather up one"s courage, screw muster one"s courage, screw up one"s courage, summon muster one"s courage, summon up one"s courage, screw one"s courage to the sticking place, gear oneself up, prepare oneself, get in the right frame of mind
/ˈnəːvəs/
adjective
  1. Easily agitated or alarmed.
    • example - a sensitive, nervous person
    • synonyms - highly strung, easily frightened, easily agitated, anxious, edgy, tense, excitable, jumpy, skittish, brittle, neurotic, hysterical
  2. Relating to or affecting the nerves.
    • example - a nervous disorder
    • synonyms - neurological, neural, neuro-
net
/nɛt/
noun
  1. A piece of open-meshed material made of twine, cord, or something similar, used typically for catching fish or other animals.
    • example - fishermen mending their nets
  2. A structure consisting of a net supported on a frame, forming the goal in games such as soccer and hockey.
    • example - he turned Wilson"s cross into the net
  3. A fine fabric with a very open weave.
    • example - net curtains
    • synonyms - netting, meshwork, mesh, webbing, tulle, fishnet, openwork, lace, lacework, latticework, lattice
  4. A means of catching someone; a trap.
    • example - the search was delayed, allowing the murderers to escape the net
    • synonyms - trap, booby trap, snare
  5. The internet.
    • example - ensuring privacy on the net is an increasingly difficult job
verb
  1. Catch or land (a fish or other animal) with a net.
    • example - damage caused when netting the fish
  2. (in sport) hit (a ball) into the net; score (a goal)
    • example - Butler netted 14 goals
  3. Cover with a net.
/ˈnɛtwəːk/
noun
  1. An arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.
    • example - a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads
    • synonyms - web, criss-cross, grid, lattice, net, matrix, mesh, webbing, tracery, trellis
  2. A group or system of interconnected people or things.
    • example - the company has a network of 326 branches
    • synonyms - system, complex, interconnected structure, interconnected system, complex arrangement, complex system, nexus, web
verb
  1. Connect as or operate with a network.
    • example - compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked
  2. Interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
    • example - it"s so important to network when starting a new business
/ˈnɛvə/
adverb
  1. At no time in the past or future; not ever.
    • example - they had never been camping in their lives
    • synonyms - at no time, not at any time, not ever, not once, on no occasion
  2. Not at all.
    • example - he never turned up
    • synonyms - not at all, certainly not, not for a moment, not in any circumstances, not under any circumstances, in no circumstances, under no circumstances, on no account
/nɛvəðəˈlɛs/
adverb
  • In spite of that; notwithstanding; all the same.
    • example - statements which, although literally true, are nevertheless misleading
    • synonyms - in spite of everything, in spite of that, nonetheless, even so, however, but, still, yet, though, be that as it may, for all that, despite everything, despite that, after everything, having said that, that said, just the same, all the same, at the same time, in any event, come what may, at any rate, notwithstanding, regardless, anyway, anyhow
new
/njuː/
adjective
  1. Produced, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time; not existing before.
    • example - the new Madonna album
    • synonyms - recently developed, newly discovered, brand new, up to the minute, up to date, latest, current, state-of-the-art, contemporary, present-day, advanced, recent, modern
  2. Already existing but seen, experienced, or acquired recently or now for the first time.
    • example - her new bike
  3. Beginning anew and in a transformed way.
    • example - starting a new life
adverb
  • Newly; recently.
    • example - new-mown hay
/njuːz/
noun
  • Newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent events.
    • example - I"ve got some good news for you
/ˈnjuːzpeɪpə/
noun
  • A printed publication (usually issued daily or weekly) consisting of folded unstapled sheets and containing news, articles, advertisements, and correspondence.
    • example - all the newspapers carried the story
    • synonyms - paper
/nʌɪs/
adjective
  1. Giving pleasure or satisfaction; pleasant or attractive.
    • example - we had a very nice time
    • synonyms - enjoyable, pleasant, pleasurable, agreeable, delightful, satisfying, gratifying, acceptable, to one"s liking, entertaining, amusing, diverting, marvellous, good
  2. (especially of a difference) slight or subtle.
    • example - there is a nice distinction between self-sacrifice and martyrdom
    • synonyms - subtle, fine, delicate, minute, precise, exact, accurate, strict, close, careful, meticulous, rigorous, scrupulous, ultra-fine
  3. Fastidious; scrupulous.
    • example - But she is nice and coy.
    • synonyms - scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, meticulous, assiduous, sedulous, perfectionist, fussy, finicky, dainty, over-particular
/nʌɪt/
noun
  1. The period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours.
    • example - a moonless night
    • synonyms - darkness, dark, hours of darkness, night-time, dead of night
  2. The period between afternoon and bedtime; an evening.
    • example - he was not allowed to go out on weekday nights
exclamation
  • short for goodnight
adverb
  • During the night; at night.
/ˈnʌɪtmɛː/
noun
  1. A frightening or unpleasant dream.
    • example - I had nightmares after watching the horror movie
    • synonyms - bad dream, night terrors
  2. A very unpleasant or frightening experience or prospect.
    • example - the nightmare of racial hatred
    • synonyms - ordeal, horror, torment, trial
/nʌɪn/
cardinal number
  • Equivalent to the product of three and three; one more than eight, or one less than ten; 9.A group of nine individuals.Nine years old.Nine o"clock.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by nine.A playing card with nine pips.The nine Muses.
    • example - nine European countries
/nʌɪnˈtiːn/
/ˈnʌɪntiːn/
cardinal number
  • One more than eighteen; nine more than ten; 19.Nineteen years old.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by nineteen.
    • example - nineteen of the interviewees had never worked
/ˈnʌɪnti/
cardinal number
  • Equivalent to the product of nine and ten; ten less than one hundred; 90.The numbers from 90 to 99, especially the years of a century or of a person"s life.Ninety years old.Ninety miles an hour.
    • example - a cheque for ninety pounds
no
/nəʊ/
determiner
  • Not any.
    • example - there is no excuse
exclamation
  • Used to give a negative response.
    • synonyms - no indeed, absolutely not, most certainly not, of course not, under no circumstances, by no means, not at all, negative, never, not really, no thanks
adverb
  1. Not at all; to no extent.
  2. Not.
noun
  • A negative answer or decision, especially in voting.
    • example - he was unable to change his automatic yes to a no
    • synonyms - rejection, refusal, veto, no, negation, rebuff, disapproval, turning down, turndown, non-acceptance, declining, dismissal, spurning, cold shoulder, cold-shouldering, snub, snubbing
/ˈnəʊbədi/
pronoun
  • No person; no one.
    • example - nobody was at home
    • synonyms - nobody, not a soul, not anyone, not a person, not a single person, never a one, no man, none
noun
  • A person of no importance or authority.
    • example - they went from nobodies to superstars
    • synonyms - insignificant person, nobody, nonentity, non-person, gnat, insect, cipher, pygmy
/nɔɪz/
noun
  1. A sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance.
    • example - making a noise like a pig
    • synonyms - sound, loud sound, din, hubbub, clamour, racket, uproar, tumult, commotion, pandemonium, clangour
  2. Irregular fluctuations that accompany a transmitted electrical signal but are not part of it and tend to obscure it.
    • example - the enhancer can improve the video signal quality, reducing noise and increasing image sharpness
verb
  1. Talk about or make known publicly.
    • example - you"ve discovered something that should not be noised about
  2. Make a lot of noise.
/ˈnɔɪzi/
adjective
  1. Making or given to making a lot of noise.
    • example - a noisy, giggling group of children
    • synonyms - rowdy, rackety, clamorous, boisterous, roisterous, obstreperous, turbulent, brash, clattering, chattering, talkative, vociferous, shouting, screaming, shrieking, bawling
  2. Accompanied by or introducing random fluctuations that obscure the real signal or data.
    • example - Although TV snow obscures the main picture, a noisy signal can sometimes improve visual perception.
/nʌn/
pronoun
  • Not any.
    • example - none of you want to work
    • synonyms - not one, not a one
adverb
  • By no amount; not at all.
    • synonyms - not at all, not a bit, not the slightest bit, in no way, to no extent, by no means any, not for a moment
nor
/nɔː/
/nə/
conjunction
  1. Used before the second or further of two or more alternatives (the first being introduced by a negative such as ‘neither’ or ‘not’) to indicate that they are each untrue or each do not happen.
    • example - they were neither cheap nor convenient
  2. Used to introduce a further negative statement.
    • example - ‘I don"t see how.’ ‘Nor do I.’
  3. Than.
adverb
  • literary term for neither
noun
  • A Boolean operator which gives the value one if and only if all operands have a value of zero and otherwise has a value of zero.
/ˈnɔːm(ə)l/
adjective
  1. Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
    • example - it"s quite normal for puppies to bolt their food
    • synonyms - usual, standard, typical, stock, common, ordinary, customary, conventional, habitual, accustomed, expected, wonted, everyday, regular, routine, day-to-day, daily, established, settled, set, fixed, traditional, quotidian, prevailing
  2. (of a line, ray, or other linear feature) intersecting a given line or surface at right angles.
    • example - a single plane of symmetry with a diad axis normal to it
  3. (of a salt solution) containing the same salt concentration as the blood.
    • example - dilute the stock solution with sterile water or normal saline
  4. Denoting a fault or faulting in which a relative downward movement occurred in the strata situated on the upper side of the fault plane.
    • example - As much as 1.3 km of sediment were eroded on the footwall blocks of normal faults at that time.
noun
  1. The usual, typical, or expected state or condition.
    • example - her temperature was above normal
    • synonyms - standard, usual, normal, typical, average, the rule, predictable, unexceptional, par for the course, what one would expect, expected, to be expected, only to be expected
  2. A line at right angles to a given line or surface.
    • example - the view is along the normal to the surface
/ˈnɔːm(ə)li/
adverb
  1. Under normal or usual conditions; as a rule.
    • example - normally, it takes three or four years to complete the training
    • synonyms - usually, ordinarily, commonly, as a rule, as a general rule, generally, in general, in the general run of things, mostly, for the most part, by and large, mainly, most of the time, almost always, more often than not, on the whole
  2. In a normal manner.
    • example - try to breathe normally
    • synonyms - as usual, as normal, ordinarily, naturally, conventionally, regularly
  3. At right angles to a given line or surface.
/nɔːθ/
noun
  1. The direction in which a compass needle normally points, towards the horizon on the left-hand side of a person facing east, or the part of the horizon lying in this direction.
    • example - a bitter wind blew from the north
  2. The northern part of the world or of a specified country, region, or town.
    • example - there will be heavy wintry showers, particularly in the north
  3. The player occupying a designated position at the table, sitting opposite and partnering South.
adjective
  1. Lying towards, near, or facing the north.
    • example - the north bank of the river
  2. Of or denoting the northern part of a specified country, region, or town.
    • example - North Wales
adverb
  1. To or towards the north.
    • example - the town is twenty-five miles north of Newport
    • synonyms - to the north, northward, northwards, northwardly
  2. Above (a particular amount, cost, etc.)
/ˈnɔːð(ə)n/
adjective
  1. Situated in the north, or directed towards or facing the north.
    • example - the northern slopes
    • synonyms - northern, northerly, northwardly, Arctic, polar
  2. Living in or originating from the north.
    • example - northern breeds of cattle
/nəʊz/
noun
  1. The part projecting above the mouth on the face of a person or animal, containing the nostrils and used for breathing and smelling.
    • example - he slowly breathed out the air through his nose
    • synonyms - snout, muzzle, proboscis, trunk
  2. The front end of an aircraft, car, or other vehicle.
    • example - the plane"s nose dipped as it started descending towards the runway
    • synonyms - tip, nose cone
  3. An act of looking around or prying.
    • example - she wanted a good nose round the house
    • synonyms - search, nose, look, prowl, ferret, poke, exploration, investigation
verb
  1. (of an animal) thrust its nose against or into something.
    • example - the pony nosed at the straw
    • synonyms - nuzzle, nudge, push, prod
  2. Look around or pry into something.
    • example - I was anxious to get inside and nose around her house
    • synonyms - pry, inquire impertinently, be inquisitive, inquire
  3. (of a vehicle) move cautiously forward.
    • example - he turned left and nosed into an empty parking space
    • synonyms - move slowly, ease, inch, edge, move, manoeuvre, steer, slip, squeeze, slide
not
/nɒt/
adverb
  1. Used with an auxiliary verb or ‘be’ to form the negative.Used in some constructions with other verbs.
    • example - he would not say
  2. Used as a short substitute for a negative clause.
    • example - maybe I"ll regret it, but I hope not
  3. Used to express the negative of other words.
    • example - not a single attempt was made
  4. Used in understatements to suggest that the opposite of a following word or phrase is true.
    • example - the not too distant future
    • synonyms - disinclined, reluctant, averse, loath, indisposed, not in the mood, slow, not about
noun
  • A Boolean operator with only one variable that has the value one when the variable is zero and vice versa.
adjective
  • (of paper) not hot-pressed, and having a slightly textured surface.
/nəʊt/
noun
  1. A brief record of points or ideas written down as an aid to memory.
    • example - I"ll make a note in my diary
    • synonyms - record, account, entry, item, notation, minute, jotting, inscription
  2. A short informal letter or written message.
    • example - I left her a note explaining where I was going
    • synonyms - message, communication, letter, missive, epistle, line
  3. A banknote.
    • example - a ten-pound note
    • synonyms - banknote
  4. A single tone of definite pitch made by a musical instrument or the human voice.
    • example - the last notes of the symphony died away
  5. A particular quality or tone that reflects or expresses a mood or attitude.
    • example - there was a note of scorn in her voice
    • synonyms - tone, intonation, inflection, sound, hint, indication, sign, element, streak, strain, vein, suggestion, suspicion
verb
  1. Notice or pay particular attention to (something)
    • example - he noted his mother"s unusual gaiety
    • synonyms - bear in mind, be mindful of, consider, observe, take into account, take into consideration, take note of, listen to
  2. Record (something) in writing.
    • example - he noted down her address on a piece of paper
    • synonyms - write down, put down, jot down, take down, set down, mark down, inscribe, enter, mark, record, register, scribble, scrawl, pencil
/ˈnʌθɪŋ/
pronoun
  • Not anything; no single thing.
    • example - I said nothing
    • synonyms - not a thing, not a single thing, not anything, nothing at all, nil, zero
adjective
  • Having no prospect of progress; of no value.
adverb
  • Not at all.
    • example - a man who cared nothing for her
/ˈnəʊtɪs/
noun
  1. The fact of observing or paying attention to something.
    • example - their silence did not escape my notice
    • synonyms - attention, observation, awareness, consciousness, perception, cognizance, heed, note
  2. Notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made.
    • example - interest rates are subject to fluctuation without notice
    • synonyms - notification, warning, advance warning, announcement, apprisal, intimation
  3. A displayed sheet or placard giving news or information.
    • example - the jobs were advertised in a notice posted in the common room
    • synonyms - information sheet, bill, handbill, poster, advertisement, announcement, bulletin, broadsheet, circular, flyer, leaflet, pamphlet, sign, placard
verb
  • Become aware of.
    • example - he noticed the youths behaving suspiciously
    • synonyms - observe, perceive, note, see, become aware of, discern, detect, spot, distinguish, catch sight of, make out, take notice of, mark, remark
/ˈnəʊʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. A conception of or belief about something.
    • example - children have different notions about the roles of their parents
    • synonyms - idea, belief, concept, conception, conviction, opinion, view, thought, impression, image, perception, mental picture
  2. An impulse or desire, especially one of a whimsical kind.
    • example - she had a notion to ring her friend at work
    • synonyms - impulse, inclination, whim, desire, wish, fancy, caprice, whimsy
  3. Items used in sewing, such as buttons, pins, and hooks.
    • example - Store small notions, such as buttons, pins and snaps, in empty film containers, pill bottles or baby food jars.
/ˈnɒv(ə)l/
noun
  • A fictitious prose narrative of book length, typically representing character and action with some degree of realism.
    • example - the novels of Jane Austen
    • synonyms - book, paperback, hardback
/nə(ʊ)ˈvɛmbə/
noun
  1. The eleventh month of the year, in the northern hemisphere usually considered the last month of autumn.
    • example - the shop opened in November
  2. A code word representing the letter N, used in radio communication.
now
/naʊ/
adverb
  1. At the present time or moment.
    • example - where are you living now?
    • synonyms - at the moment, at present, just now, right now, at the present time, at the present moment, at this time, at this moment in time, currently, here and now
  2. Used, especially in conversation, to draw attention to a particular statement or point in a narrative.
    • example - now, my first impulse was to run away
  3. Used in a request, instruction, or question, typically to give a slight emphasis to one"s words.
    • example - we can hardly send her back, now can we?
  4. Used at the end of an ironic question echoing a previous statement.
conjunction
  • As a consequence of the fact.
    • example - they spent a lot of time together now that he had retired
adjective
  • Fashionable or up to date.
/ˈnəʊwɛː/
adverb
  • Not in or to any place; not anywhere.
    • example - plants and animals found nowhere else in the world
pronoun
  1. No place.
    • example - there was nowhere for her to sit
  2. A place that is remote, uninteresting, or nondescript.
    • example - a stretch of road between nowhere and nowhere
adjective
  • Having no prospect of progress or success.
/ˈnjuːklɪə/
adjective
  1. Relating to the nucleus of an atom.
    • example - nuclear chemistry
    • synonyms - central, innermost, mid, middle, interior, nuclear
  2. Relating to the nucleus of a cell.
    • example - nuclear DNA
/ˈnʌmbə/
noun
  1. An arithmetical value, expressed by a word, symbol, or figure, representing a particular quantity and used in counting and making calculations.
    • example - think of a number from one to ten and multiply it by three
    • synonyms - numeral, integer, figure, digit
  2. A quantity or amount.
    • example - the company is seeking to increase the number of women on its staff
    • synonyms - amount, quantity
  3. A single issue of a magazine.
    • synonyms - edition, issue, copy
  4. A grammatical classification of words that consists typically of singular and plural, and, in Greek and certain other languages, dual.
    • example - the form of English pronouns reflects their number and gender
verb
  1. Amount to (a specified figure or quantity); comprise.
    • example - the demonstrators numbered more than 5,000
    • synonyms - add up to, amount to, total, come to
  2. Mark with a number or assign a number to, typically to indicate position in a series.
    • example - each document was numbered consecutively
    • synonyms - assign a number to, categorize by number, specify by number, mark with a number
  3. Include or classify as a member of a group.
    • example - the orchestra numbers Brahms among its past conductors
    • synonyms - include, count
/ˈnjuːm(ə)rəs/
adjective
  • Great in number; many.
    • example - she had complained to the council on numerous occasions
    • synonyms - many, a lot of, a great many, very many, countless, scores of, innumerable
/nəːs/
noun
  1. A person trained to care for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital.
    • example - a team of doctors and nurses
    • synonyms - caregiver, attendant
  2. A worker bee, ant, or other social insect, caring for a young brood.
    • example - Nurse bees are special worker bees that attend the queen and the babies, or larvae, of the hive.
verb
  1. Give medical and other attention to (a sick person)
    • example - he was gradually nursed back to health
    • synonyms - care for, take care of, look after, tend, attend to, minister to
  2. Feed (a baby) at the breast.
    • example - the women nursed their babies
    • synonyms - breastfeed, suckle, wet-nurse, feed
  3. Try to play strokes which keep (the balls) close together.
nut
/nʌt/
noun
  1. A fruit consisting of a hard or tough shell around an edible kernel.
    • example - he was cracking nuts with his teeth
  2. A small flat piece of metal or other material, typically square or hexagonal, with a threaded hole through it for screwing on to a bolt as a fastener.
    • example - fix the new pipe and tighten the nuts
  3. A crazy or eccentric person.
    • synonyms - madman, madwoman, maniac, lunatic
  4. A person"s head.
    • synonyms - head, skull, cranium
  5. A man"s testicles.
  6. The fixed ridge on the neck of a stringed instrument over which the strings pass.
    • example - the positioning allows the strings a straight path over the nut
verb
  1. Butt (someone) with one"s head.
  2. Gather nuts.
    • example - in autumn children would go nutting