EN Vocabulary - 3000 Words

Common words beginning S

sad
/sad/
adjective
  1. Feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy.
    • example - I was sad and subdued
    • synonyms - unhappy, sorrowful, dejected, regretful, depressed, downcast, miserable, downhearted, down, despondent, despairing, disconsolate, out of sorts, desolate, bowed down, wretched, glum, gloomy, doleful, dismal, blue, melancholy, melancholic, low-spirited, mournful, woeful, woebegone, forlorn, crestfallen, broken-hearted, heartbroken, inconsolable, grief-stricken
  2. Pathetically inadequate or unfashionable.
    • synonyms - substandard, below standard, below par, bad, deficient, defective, faulty, imperfect, inferior, mediocre
  3. (of dough) heavy through having failed to rise.
/ˈsadli/
adverb
  1. In a sad manner.
    • example - he smiled sadly
  2. It is a sad or regrettable fact that; unfortunately.
    • example - sadly, the forests of Sulawesi are now under threat
    • synonyms - distressingly, worryingly, upsettingly, disturbingly, sadly, pitifully, unfortunately, agonizingly, harrowingly, excruciatingly, chillingly, alarmingly, insufferably, unendurably, unbearably, torturously, cruelly, uncomfortably, embarrassingly, disconcertingly, unenviably, unpleasantly
/seɪf/
adjective
  1. Protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed or lost.
    • example - eggs remain in the damp sand, safe from marine predators
    • synonyms - protected from danger, protected from harm, shielded, sheltered, guarded, defended, secure, safe and sound, out of harm"s way, all right
  2. Cautious and unenterprising.
    • synonyms - cautious, circumspect, prudent, chary, attentive
  3. Based on good reasons or evidence and not likely to be proved wrong.
    • example - the verdict is safe and satisfactory
  4. Uninjured; with no harm done.
    • example - they had returned safe and sound
    • synonyms - unharmed, all right, alive and well, well, unhurt, uninjured, unscathed, in one piece, undamaged, out of danger, out of the wood, out of the woods
  5. Excellent (used to express approval or enthusiasm)
noun
  1. A strong fireproof cabinet with a complex lock, used for the storage of valuables.
    • example - Another successful selling point Abrams uses is the discounts many insurance companies give to customers who purchase fireproof safes for their valuables.
    • synonyms - strongbox, safety-deposit box, safe-deposit box, coffer, casket, money chest, cash box, repository, depository, locker
  2. A condom.
/ˈseɪfti/
noun
  1. The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.
    • example - they should leave for their own safety
    • synonyms - welfare, well-being, protection, security
  2. A defensive back who plays in a deep position.
    • example - Moss" presence also helps the running game because defenses often keep safeties deep to account for him.
  3. A condom.
/seɪl/
noun
  1. A piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship or other vessel.
    • example - all the sails were unfurled
    • synonyms - canvas
  2. A wind-catching apparatus attached to the arm of a windmill.
    • example - On either side of her rose hills covered with vineyards and the gently rotating white sails of the windmills used for crushing grapes.
  3. A voyage or excursion in a ship, especially a sailing ship or boat.
    • example - they went for a sail
    • synonyms - journey, trip, expedition, excursion, tour, hike, trek, tramp, safari, pilgrimage, quest, crusade, odyssey
  4. The conning tower of a submarine.
    • example - An active transducer array in the sail of the submarine provides a 30° coverage.
  5. A canvas sheet or tarpaulin.
    • example - the sail covering the load of crates broke loose from the truck
verb
  1. Travel in a boat with sails, especially as a sport or recreation.
    • example - Ian took us out sailing on the lake
    • synonyms - yacht, boat, go sailing
  2. Move smoothly and rapidly or in a stately or confident manner.
    • example - the ball sailed inside the right-hand post
    • synonyms - glide, drift, float, flow, slide, slip, sweep, skim, coast, skate, breeze, flit
/ˈseɪlɪŋ/
noun
  • The action of sailing in a ship or boat.
    • example - a sailing club
/ˈseɪlə/
noun
  • A person whose job it is to work as a member of the crew of a commercial or naval ship or boat, especially one who is below the rank of officer.
    • example - Hawaii was an important stopping point for sailors to restock provisions
    • synonyms - seaman, seafarer, seafaring man, mariner
/ˈsaləd/
noun
  • A cold dish of various mixtures of raw or cooked vegetables, usually seasoned with oil, vinegar, or other dressing and sometimes accompanied by meat, fish, or other ingredients.
    • example - a green salad
/ˈsaləri/
noun
  • A fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly basis but often expressed as an annual sum, made by an employer to an employee, especially a professional or white-collar worker.
    • example - he received a salary of £24,000
    • synonyms - pay, earnings, remuneration, fee, fees, emolument, emoluments, stipend, honorarium, hire, wages, wage, gross pay, payment, earned income
verb
  • Pay a salary to.
    • example - the Chinese system—salary the doctor and stop his pay when you get ill
/seɪl/
noun
  1. The exchange of a commodity for money; the action of selling something.
    • example - we withdrew it from sale
    • synonyms - selling, vending, disposal
  2. A period during which a shop or dealer sells goods at reduced prices.
    • example - the January sales got under way this week
    • synonyms - deal, transaction, bargain, disposal
/sɔːlt/
/sɒlt/
noun
  1. A white crystalline substance that gives seawater its characteristic taste and is used for seasoning or preserving food.Something that adds freshness or piquancy.
    • example - Add the braised chicken and season to taste with salt and pepper sauce.
    • synonyms - sodium chloride
  2. Any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with all or part of the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a metal or other cation.
    • example - Amides are hydrolysed to ammonium salts with catalysis by acids or alkalis.
  3. An experienced sailor.
    • synonyms - seaman, sailor, seafarer, seafaring man, mariner, boatman, hand, crew member, rating
adjective
  1. Impregnated with, treated with, or tasting of salt.
    • example - salt water
    • synonyms - salty, salted, saline, briny, brackish
  2. (of a plant) growing on the coast or in salt marshes.
    • example - the region is rich in salt plant communities and reed beds
verb
  1. Season or preserve with salt.
    • example - after stuffing the fish, I salted and peppered it
  2. Sprinkle (a road or path) with salt in order to melt snow or ice.
    • example - local authorities worked to improve travel conditions by gritting and salting roads
  3. Fraudulently make (a mine) appear to be a profitable one by placing rich ore into it.
/seɪm/
adjective
  1. Identical; not different.
    • example - she was saying the same thing over and over
    • synonyms - the identical, the very same, selfsame, one and the same, the very
  2. Of an identical type; exactly similar.
    • example - they all wore the same clothes
    • synonyms - matching, identical, alike, duplicate, carbon-copy, twin, paired, coupled, double, indistinguishable, interchangeable, corresponding, equivalent, parallel, of a piece, all of a piece, like, like peas in a pod, like two peas in a pod, comparable, similar, correlative, congruent, tallying, agreeing, concordant, consonant
pronoun
  1. The same thing as something previously mentioned.
    • example - I"ll resign and encourage everyone else to do the same
    • synonyms - the same thing, the aforementioned, the aforesaid, the above-mentioned
  2. (chiefly in formal or legal use) the person or thing just mentioned.
    • example - put the tailboard up and secure same with a length of wire
adverb
  • Similarly; in the same way.
    • example - treating women the same as men
/ˈsɑːmp(ə)l/
noun
  1. A small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.
    • example - investigations involved analysing samples of handwriting
    • synonyms - representative, illustrative, selected, specimen, test, trial, typifying, typical
  2. A sound or piece of music created by sampling.
    • example - piano samples
verb
  1. Take a sample or samples of (something) for analysis.
    • example - bone marrow cells were sampled
  2. Ascertain the momentary value of (an analogue signal) many times a second so as to convert the signal to digital form.
    • example - the input signal must be sampled at twice its highest frequency
/sand/
noun
  1. A loose granular substance, typically pale yellowish brown, resulting from the erosion of siliceous and other rocks and forming a major constituent of beaches, river beds, the seabed, and deserts.
    • example - this magical coast boasts mile upon mile of golden sand
    • synonyms - beach, sands, shore, seaside, seashore, foreshore, dunes, sand dunes, sandhills, desert
  2. A light yellow-brown colour like that of sand.
    • example - This newspaper has learned that the poisonous sand coloured Weever fish has arrived in local waters as a result of global warming.
  3. Firmness of purpose.
verb
  1. Smooth or polish with sandpaper or a mechanical sander.
    • example - mask off the area to be painted and sand it down
  2. Sprinkle or overlay with sand, to give better purchase on a surface.
    • example - The heavily sanded Turf Moor surface is a cause for concern ahead of tonight"s big kick-off.
/ˈsan(d)wɪdʒ/
noun
  1. An item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between them, eaten as a light meal.
    • example - a ham sandwich
    • synonyms - light meal, something to eat, sandwich, supper, treat, refreshments, nibbles, canapés, titbit, titbits
  2. Relating to a sandwich course.
    • example - the degree includes a sandwich year
verb
  • Insert or squeeze (someone or something) between two other people or things, typically in a restricted space or so as to be uncomfortable.
    • example - the girl was sandwiched between two burly men in the back of the car
    • synonyms - stuff, shove, force, ram, thrust, wedge, press, push, stick, squeeze, compress, confine, cram, pack, sandwich, insert
/ˈsatəlʌɪt/
noun
  1. An artificial body placed in orbit round the earth or moon or another planet in order to collect information or for communication.Transmitted by satellite; using or relating to satellite technology.Satellite television.
    • example - a communications satellite
    • synonyms - space station, space capsule, spacecraft
  2. A celestial body orbiting the earth or another planet.
    • example - Deep in the outer reaches of the Solar system, a planet, orbited by two moons and several satellites, moved in its orbit around the star known as the Sun by the system"s inhabitants.
    • synonyms - moon, secondary planet
  3. Something that is separated from or on the periphery of something else but is nevertheless dependent on or controlled by it.
    • example - satellite offices in London and New York
    • synonyms - dependent, subordinate, subsidiary, ancillary
  4. A portion of the DNA of a genome with repeating base sequences and of different density from the main sequence.
/ˈsatɪsfʌɪd/
adjective
  • Contented; pleased.
    • example - satisfied customers
    • synonyms - pleased, well pleased, happy, content, contented
/ˈsatɪsfʌɪ/
verb
  1. Meet the expectations, needs, or desires of (someone)
    • example - I have never been satisfied with my job
    • synonyms - please, content, make happy
  2. Provide (someone) with adequate or convincing information or proof about something.
    • example - people need to be satisfied that the environmental assessments are accurate
    • synonyms - convince, persuade, assure, make certain
  3. (of a quantity) make (an equation) true.
    • example - This equation is satisfied by y= cx+ c2- c.
/ˈsatədeɪ/
noun
  • The day of the week before Sunday and following Friday, and (together with Sunday) forming part of the weekend.
    • example - the match will be held on Saturday
adverb
  • On Saturday.
/sɔːs/
noun
  1. A liquid or semi-liquid substance served with food to add moistness and flavour.
    • example - tomato sauce
    • synonyms - relish, dressing, condiment, ketchup, flavouring
  2. Alcoholic drink.
    • synonyms - alcohol, liquor, alcoholic drink, strong drink, intoxicating drink
  3. Impertinence; cheek.
    • synonyms - impudence, impertinence, cheek, cheekiness, effrontery, irreverence, sauciness, pertness, freshness, flippancy, insolence, rudeness, disrespect, disrespectfulness, familiarity, presumption, presumptuousness, audacity, audaciousness, boldness, brazenness, forwardness, cockiness, shamelessness
verb
  1. Provide a sauce for (something); season with a sauce.
    • example - the vegetables were deliciously spiced and sauced
  2. Be rude or impudent to (someone)
/seɪv/
verb
  1. Keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger.
    • example - they brought him in to help save the club from bankruptcy
    • synonyms - rescue, come to someone"s rescue, save someone"s life, come to someone"s aid
  2. Keep and store up (something, especially money) for future use.
    • example - she had never been able to save much from her salary
    • synonyms - put aside, set aside, lay aside, put by, put to one side, lay by, keep, retain, reserve, keep in reserve, conserve, stockpile, store, hoard, save for a rainy day, keep for future use, put in a safe place
  3. Keep (data) by moving a copy to a storage location.
    • example - save the instructions to a new file
  4. Avoid the need to use up or spend (money, time, or other resources)
    • example - save £20 on a new camcorder
    • synonyms - economize, be economical, be more economical, make economies, scrimp, scrimp and scrape
  5. Prevent an opponent from scoring (a goal or point) in a game or from winning (the game)
    • example - the powerful German saved three match points
noun
  1. (in soccer and hockey) an act of preventing an opponent"s scoring.
    • example - the keeper made a great save
  2. An act of saving data to a storage location.
    • example - Repeated saves and reloads in your editing package will produce the same image each time.
/ˈseɪvɪŋ/
noun
  1. An economy of or reduction in money, time, or another resource.
    • example - this resulted in a considerable saving in development costs
    • synonyms - economizing, economy, frugality, thrift, thriftiness, retrenchment, cutting back, belt-tightening, penny-pinching
  2. The money one has saved, especially through a bank or official scheme.
    • example - the agents were cheating them out of their life savings
    • synonyms - nest egg, money put by for a rainy day, life savings
  3. A reservation; an exception.
    • example - Special savings apply to protect chemists and dentists from this prohibition.
adjective
  • Preventing waste of a particular resource.
preposition
  1. With the exception of; except.
    • synonyms - except for, with the exception of, excepting, if there are no, if there is no, bar, discounting, short of, apart from, but for, other than, aside from, excluding, omitting, leaving out, save for, saving
  2. With due respect to.
say
/seɪ/
verb
  1. Utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention, or an instruction.
    • example - ‘Thank you,’ he said
    • synonyms - speak, utter, voice, pronounce, give utterance to, give voice to, vocalize
  2. Assume something in order to work out what its consequences would be; make a hypothesis.
    • synonyms - suppose, assume, imagine, presume, take as a hypothesis, hypothesize, postulate, posit
exclamation
  • Used to express surprise or to draw attention to a remark or question.
noun
  • An opportunity for stating one"s opinion or feelings.
    • example - she let him have his say
    • synonyms - chance to speak, right to speak, turn to speak, chance to express one"s opinion, right to express one"s opinion, turn to express one"s opinion, vote, opinion, view, voice
/skeɪl/
noun
  1. Each of the small, thin horny or bony plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles, typically overlapping one another.
    • example - Use your hands to spread the potato slices out so that they overlap like unruly fish scales, but are not more than 1 or 2 layers thick.
    • synonyms - plate
  2. A thick, dry flake of skin.
    • example - Brushing your baby"s scalp with a soft brush, like a toothbrush, can help loosen scales or flakes.
    • synonyms - flake
  3. A flaky covering or deposit.
    • example - If left untreated, the scale may become thick, yellow and greasy and, occasionally, secondary bacterial infection may occur.
verb
  1. Remove scale or scales from.
    • example - he scales the fish and removes the innards
  2. (especially of the skin) form scales.
    • example - the skin may scale and peel away with itching, stinging, or burning sensations in the infected area
/skan/
verb
  1. Look at all parts of (something) carefully in order to detect some feature.
    • example - he raised his binoculars to scan the coast
    • synonyms - study, examine, scrutinize, inspect, survey, search, scour, sweep, rake
  2. Cause (a surface, object, or part of the body) to be traversed by a detector or an electromagnetic beam.
    • example - their brains are scanned so that researchers can monitor the progress of the disease
  3. Analyse the metre of (a line of verse) by reading with the emphasis on its rhythm or by examining the pattern of feet or syllables.
noun
  1. An act of scanning someone or something.
    • example - a quick scan of the sports page
    • synonyms - inspection, scrutiny, examination, survey, search
  2. A medical examination using a scanner.
    • example - a brain scan
    • synonyms - examination, screening
/skɛːd/
adjective
  • Fearful; frightened.
    • example - I wasn"t scared at all
    • synonyms - frightened, afraid, fearful, nervous, panicky, agitated, alarmed, worried, intimidated
/ˈskɛːri/
adjective
  • Frightening; causing fear.
    • synonyms - frightening, scaring, hair-raising, terrifying, petrifying, spine-chilling, blood-curdling, chilling, horrifying, alarming, appalling, daunting, formidable, fearsome, nerve-racking, unnerving
/siːn/
noun
  1. The place where an incident in real life or fiction occurs or occurred.
    • example - the emergency team were among the first on the scene
    • synonyms - location, site, place, position, point, spot
  2. A sequence of continuous action in a play, film, opera, or book.
    • example - a scene from Tarantino"s latest movie
    • synonyms - section, segment, part, clip, sequence
/ˈʃɛdjuːl/
noun
  1. A plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of intended events and times.
    • example - we have drawn up an engineering schedule
    • synonyms - plan, programme, timetable, scheme
  2. An appendix to a formal document or statute, especially as a list, table, or inventory.
    • example - they need a clear schedule of fixtures and fittings
  3. (with reference to the British system of income tax) any of the forms (named ‘A’, ‘B’, etc.) issued for completion and relating to the various classes into which taxable income is divided.
verb
  1. Arrange or plan (an event) to take place at a particular time.
    • example - the release of the single is scheduled for April
    • synonyms - arrange, organize, plan, programme, timetable, fix a time for, make arrangements for, book, set up, line up, slot in, time
  2. Include (a building or site) in a list for legal preservation or protection.
/skiːm/
noun
  1. A large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting a particular idea into effect.
    • example - the occupational sick pay scheme
    • synonyms - plan, project, plan of action, programme, strategy, stratagem, game plan
  2. An estate of social housing.
verb
  1. Make plans, especially in a devious way or with intent to do something illegal or wrong.
    • example - he schemed to bring about the collapse of the government
    • synonyms - plot, hatch a plot, conspire, take part in a conspiracy, intrigue, connive, manoeuvre, plan, lay plans
  2. Arrange according to a colour scheme.
/skuːl/
noun
  1. An institution for educating children.
    • example - Ryder"s children did not go to school at all
    • synonyms - educational institution, centre of learning
  2. Any institution at which instruction is given in a particular discipline.
    • example - a dancing school
  3. A group of people, particularly writers, artists, or philosophers, sharing similar ideas or methods.
    • example - the Frankfurt school of critical theory
    • synonyms - group, set, circle, clique, faction, sect
  4. (at Oxford University) the hall in which final examinations are held.
  5. A group gambling together.
verb
  1. Send to school; educate.
    • example - Taverier was born in Paris and schooled in Lyon
    • synonyms - educate, teach, instruct
  2. Train (a horse) on the flat or over fences.
adjective
  • (of a Xhosa) educated and westernized.
/ˈsʌɪəns/
noun
  • The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
    • example - the world of science and technology
    • synonyms - branch of knowledge, body of facts, body of information, body of knowledge, area of study, discipline, field
/sʌɪənˈtɪfɪk/
adjective
  1. Based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science.
    • example - the scientific study of earthquakes
    • synonyms - technological, technical
  2. Systematic; methodical.
    • synonyms - systematic, methodical, organized, well organized, ordered, orderly, meticulous, rigorous, exact, precise, accurate, mathematical, regulated, controlled
/ˈsʌɪəntɪst/
noun
  • A person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences.
    • example - a research scientist
    • synonyms - researcher, technologist
/skɔː/
noun
  1. The number of points, goals, runs, etc. achieved in a game or by a team or an individual.
    • example - the final score was 4–3 to Royston
    • synonyms - result, outcome
  2. A group or set of twenty or about twenty.
    • example - a score of men lost their lives in the battle
  3. A written representation of a musical composition showing all the vocal and instrumental parts arranged one below the other.
    • example - Ideally, one might wish for translations to the texts of the vocal examples and a few more musical scores for the CDs, so that one could follow more of the points being made.
  4. A notch or line cut or scratched into a surface.
    • synonyms - scratch, nick, notch, snick, scrape, groove, chip, cut, gouge, incision, slit, gash
verb
  1. Gain (a point, goal, run, etc.) in a competitive game.
    • example - McCartney scored a fine goal
    • synonyms - get, gain, chalk up, win, achieve, attain, make
  2. Orchestrate or arrange (a piece of music), typically for a specified instrument or instruments.
    • example - the Quartet Suite was scored for flute, violin, viola da gamba, and continuo
    • synonyms - orchestrate, arrange, set, adapt
  3. Cut or scratch a notch or line on (a surface)
    • example - score the card until you cut through
    • synonyms - scratch, cut, make a notch in, make a notches in, make a groove in, make a grooves in, notch, incise, scrape, nick, snick, chip, gouge, slit, gash
  4. Examine (experimentally treated cells, bacterial colonies, etc.), making a record of the number showing a particular character.
    • example - the aim should be to score between fifty and one hundred mitotic cells
/skriːm/
verb
  1. Give a long, loud, piercing cry or cries expressing extreme emotion or pain.
    • example - they could hear him screaming in pain
  2. Make a loud, high-pitched sound.
    • example - sirens were screaming from all over the city
  3. Turn informer.
noun
  1. A long, loud, piercing cry expressing extreme emotion or pain.
    • example - they were awakened by screams for help
    • synonyms - shriek, screech, yell, howl, shout, bellow, bawl, cry, yawp, yelp, squeal, wail, squawk, squall, caterwaul, whoop
  2. A loud, piercing sound.
    • example - the scream of a falling bomb
  3. An irresistibly funny person, thing, or situation.
    • synonyms - laugh
/skriːn/
noun
  1. A fixed or movable upright partition used to divide a room, give shelter from draughts, heat, or light, or to provide concealment or privacy.
    • example - the Special Branch man remained hidden behind the screen for prosecution witnesses
    • synonyms - partition, divider, room divider, dividing wall, separator, curtain, arras, blind, awning, shade, shutter, canopy, windbreak
  2. A flat panel or area on an electronic device such as a television, computer, or smartphone, on which images and data are displayed.
    • example - a television screen
    • synonyms - display, monitor, visual display unit, VDU, cathode-ray tube, CRT
  3. A transparent finely ruled plate or film used in half-tone reproduction.
    • example - The halftone screen used to create the greys for the text was terrible, and you could see dots with the naked eye.
  4. A system of checking a person or thing for the presence or absence of something, typically a disease.
    • example - services offered by the centre include a health screen for people who have just joined the company
  5. A detachment of troops or ships detailed to cover the movements of the main body.
    • example - HMS Prince Leopold and HMS Prince Charles sailed for Shetland with a screen of four destroyers
  6. A large sieve or riddle, especially one for sorting substances such as grain or coal into different sizes.
    • example - the material retained on each sieve screen is weighed in turn
    • synonyms - sieve, riddle, sifter, strainer, colander, filter, winnow
verb
  1. Conceal, protect, or shelter (someone or something) with a screen or something forming a screen.
    • example - her hair swung across to screen her face
    • synonyms - conceal, hide, mask, shield, shelter, shade, protect, guard, safeguard, veil, cloak, camouflage, disguise
  2. Show (a film or video) or broadcast (a television programme)
    • example - the show is to be screened by the BBC later this year
    • synonyms - show, present, air, broadcast, transmit, televise, put out, put on the air, telecast, relay
  3. Test (a person or substance) for the presence or absence of a disease.
    • example - outpatients were screened for cervical cancer
  4. Pass (a substance such as grain or coal) through a large sieve or screen, especially so as to sort it into different sizes.
    • example - granulated asphalt—manufactured to 40 mm down or screened to 28 mm & 14 mm down
    • synonyms - sieve, riddle, sift, strain, filter, sort, winnow
  5. Project (a photograph or other image) through a transparent ruled plate so as to be able to reproduce it as a half-tone.
/skrɪpt/
noun
  1. Handwriting as distinct from print; written characters.
    • example - her neat, tidy script
    • synonyms - handwriting, writing, hand, autograph, pen, letters, longhand, penmanship, calligraphy, chirography
  2. The written text of a play, film, or broadcast.
    • example - His repertoire includes movies, too, for which he"s written successful scripts, and novels, one of which won the Booker Prize.
    • synonyms - text, book, screenplay, libretto, lyrics, score, lines, parts, dialogue, words, manuscript
  3. A candidate"s written answers in an examination.
    • example - Each of the unitary awarding bodies addressed the need to modernise the system for marking exam scripts by developing an electronic marking process
verb
  • Write a script for (a play, film, or broadcast)
    • example - it was perfectly scripted and beautifully acted
/ˈskʌlptʃə/
noun
  • The art of making three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster.
    • example - the boundary between painting and sculpture is displaced
verb
  • Make or represent (a form) by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.
    • example - the choir stalls were each carefully sculptured
    • synonyms - sculpt, carve, chisel, model, fashion, form, shape, cast, cut, hew
sea
/siː/
noun
  • The expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth"s surface and surrounds its land masses.
    • example - a ban on dumping radioactive wastes in the sea
    • synonyms - ocean, the ocean, the waves
/ˈsiːz(ə)n/
noun
  1. Each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth"s changing position with regard to the sun.
    • example - Now most places in the world you have four seasons; winter, spring, summer, fall but not so in Barbados.
  2. A set or sequence of related television programmes; a series.
    • example - the first two seasons of the show
  3. A period when a female mammal is ready to mate.
verb
  1. Add salt, herbs, pepper, or other spices to (food)
    • example - season the soup to taste with salt and pepper
    • synonyms - flavour, add flavouring to, add pepper to, add salt to, spice, add herbs to, add spices to
  2. Make (wood) suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content to that of the environment in which it will be used.
    • example - I collect and season most of my wood
    • synonyms - mature, age, mellow, condition, acclimatize, temper, prepare, prime, ripen
/siːt/
noun
  1. A thing made or used for sitting on, such as a chair or stool.
    • example - I sat down in the white chair while Dr. Clark took a seat on a stool that sat to my left.
    • synonyms - chair, place, space
  2. A person"s buttocks.
    • synonyms - buttocks, behind, backside, bottom, rear, rear end, rump, haunches, hindquarters, cheeks
  3. A place in an elected legislative or other body.
    • example - he lost his seat in the 1997 election
    • synonyms - residence, ancestral home, mansion, stately home, abode
  4. A principal site or location.
    • example - Parliament House was the seat of the Scots Parliament until the Union with England
    • synonyms - headquarters, location, site, whereabouts, place, base, centre, nerve centre, nucleus, centre of activity, centre of operations, hub, focus, focal point, heart
  5. A part of a machine that supports or guides another part.
verb
  1. Arrange for (someone) to sit somewhere.
    • example - Owen seated his guests in the draughty baronial hall
    • synonyms - position, put, place, stand, station
  2. Fit in position.
    • example - upper boulders were simply seated in the interstices below
/ˈsɛk(ə)nd/
ordinal number
  1. Constituting number two in a sequence; coming after the first in time or order; 2nd.
    • example - he married for a second time
    • synonyms - next, following, after the first, subsequent, ensuing, succeeding, coming
  2. Subordinate or inferior in position, rank, or importance.
    • example - it was second only to Copenhagen among Baltic ports
    • synonyms - secondary, lower, subordinate, subsidiary, lesser, minor, subservient, supporting, lower-grade, inferior
  3. An attendant assisting a combatant in a duel or boxing match.
    • example - It included a tryst with a young man, who volunteered to be a second in a duel.
verb
  • Formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution or its proposer) as a necessary preliminary to adoption or further discussion.
    • example - Bridgeman seconded Maxwell"s motion calling for the reform
    • synonyms - formally support, give one"s support to, announce one"s support for, vote for, back, back up, approve, give one"s approval to, endorse, promote, commend
/ˈsɛk(ə)nd(ə)ri/
adjective
  1. Coming after, less important than, or resulting from someone or something else that is primary.
    • example - the plot is of secondary importance: what matters most is the relationships between the characters
    • synonyms - subordinate, lesser, lower, lower-level, minor, peripheral, incidental, tangential, marginal, ancillary, subsidiary, subservient, non-essential, inessential, of little account, unimportant, less important
  2. (of an organic compound) having its functional group located on a carbon atom which is bonded to two other carbon atoms.
    • example - Similar to ions, secreted secondary compounds are positioned to be leached to the soil, in some cases for the purpose of contributing to allelopathy.
  3. Denoting or relating to organisms in a particular community that belong to the second trophic level among its consumers, and consume primary consumers.
  4. Relating to or denoting the output side of a device using electromagnetic induction, especially in a transformer.
    • example - the primary and secondary coils of the transformer
  5. former term for Mesozoic
    • example - We learn that there was a time when Cephalopoda were the highest types of animal life; and that during the secondary period they were anatomically raised far above any forms of the reptile class now living in the world.
noun
  1. A secondary school.
    • example - About a third of Kent secondaries are grammar schools, another third secondary moderns and the rest comprehensives.
  2. A secondary coil or winding in an electrical transformer.
  3. A secondary feather.
    • example - One or more additional layers of shorter feathers may overlie the proximal parts of the flight primaries and secondaries.
  4. The Secondary or Mesozoic era.
/ˈsɛk(ə)ndli/
adverb
  • In the second place (used to introduce a second point or reason)
    • example - he was presented first of all as a hopelessly unqualified candidate and secondly as an extremist
    • synonyms - furthermore, also, moreover
/ˈsiːkrɪt/
adjective
  • Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others.
    • example - how did you guess I"d got a secret plan?
    • synonyms - confidential, strictly confidential, top secret, classified, restricted, unrevealed, undisclosed, unpublished, untold, unknown, uncommunicated, behind someone"s back, under wraps, unofficial, off the record, not for circulation, not for publication, not to be made public, not to be disclosed
noun
  • Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
    • example - a state secret
    • synonyms - confidential matter, confidence, private affair
/ˈsɛkrɪt(ə)ri/
noun
  • A person employed by an individual or in an office to assist with correspondence, make appointments, and carry out administrative tasks.
    • example - she was secretary to David Wilby MP
    • synonyms - assistant, personal assistant, PA, administrator, clerk, clerical assistant, amanuensis, girl Friday, man Friday
/ˈsɛkʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. Any of the more or less distinct parts into which something is or may be divided or from which it is made up.
    • example - I unscrewed every section of copper pipe, from the roof tank to the hot-water cylinder
    • synonyms - segment, part, component, division, piece, portion, length, element, module, unit, constituent, bit, slice, fraction, fragment
  2. A distinct group within a larger body of people or things.
    • example - the non-parliamentary section of the party
    • synonyms - department, part, division, branch, sector, wing, compartment
  3. The cutting of a solid by or along a plane.
verb
  1. Divide into sections.
    • example - she began to section the grapefruit
  2. Commit (someone) compulsorily to a psychiatric hospital in accordance with a section of a mental health act.
    • example - should she be sectioned and forced back into hospital?
    • synonyms - commit, certify, section, hospitalize, institutionalize
/ˈsɛktə/
noun
  1. An area or portion that is distinct from others.
    • example - operations in the southern sector of the North Sea
    • synonyms - district, quarter, part, section, zone, precinct, borough, locality, neighbourhood, side
  2. The plane figure enclosed by two radii of a circle or ellipse and the arc between them.
    • example - For example, Figure 4a shows three such rings formed from the sectors and rectangle in Figure 3a.
  3. A mathematical instrument consisting of two arms hinged at one end and marked with sines, tangents, etc. for making diagrams.
/sɪˈkjʊə/
adjective
  1. Fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost.
    • example - check to ensure that all nuts and bolts are secure
    • synonyms - tight, firm, taut, fixed, secured, done up
  2. Certain to remain safe and unthreatened.
    • example - his position as party leader was less than secure
    • synonyms - certain, assured, reliable, dependable, settled, fixed, established, solid, sound
verb
  1. Fix or attach (something) firmly so that it cannot be moved or lost.
    • example - pins secure the handle to the main body
    • synonyms - fix, attach, fasten, affix, link, hitch, join, connect, couple, bond, append, annex, stick, pin, tack, nail, staple, clip
  2. Succeed in obtaining (something), especially with difficulty.
    • example - the division secured a major contract
    • synonyms - obtain, acquire, gain, get, find, come by, pick up, procure, get possession of
  3. Protect against threats; make safe.
    • example - the government is concerned to secure the economy against too much foreign ownership
    • synonyms - protect, make safe, make sound, make invulnerable, make immune, make impregnable, fortify, strengthen, shelter, shield, guard
/sɪˈkjʊərɪti/
noun
  1. The state of being free from danger or threat.
    • example - the system is designed to provide maximum security against toxic spills
    • synonyms - protection, defence, guard, shelter, screen, buffer, preventive, precaution, prophylactic, provision, security, safety measure, surety, cover, insurance, indemnity
  2. A thing deposited or pledged as a guarantee of the fulfilment of an undertaking or the repayment of a loan, to be forfeited in case of default.
    • example - The money was being used as security for costs until the appeal was completed.
    • synonyms - guarantee, collateral, surety, pledge, bond
  3. A certificate attesting credit, the ownership of stocks or bonds, or the right to ownership connected with tradable derivatives.
    • example - The new rules also make donating mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other securities more attractive.
    • synonyms - investments, shares, holdings, securities, equities, bonds
see
/siː/
verb
  1. Perceive with the eyes; discern visually.
    • example - in the distance she could see the blue sea
    • synonyms - discern, perceive, glimpse, catch a glimpse of, get a glimpse of, spot, notice, catch sight of, sight
  2. Discern or deduce after reflection or from information; understand.
    • example - I can"t see any other way to treat it
    • synonyms - understand, grasp, comprehend, follow, take in, realize, appreciate, recognize, work out, get the drift of, make out, conceive, perceive, fathom, fathom out, become cognizant of
  3. Experience or witness (an event or situation)
    • example - I shall not live to see it
  4. Meet (someone one knows) socially or by chance.
    • example - I saw Colin last night
    • synonyms - meet, meet by chance, encounter, run into, run across, stumble across, stumble on, happen on, chance on, come across
  5. Escort or conduct (someone) to a specified place.
    • synonyms - escort, accompany, show, walk, conduct, lead, take, usher, guide, shepherd, attend
  6. Ensure.
    • example - Lucy saw to it that everyone got enough to eat
  7. (in poker or brag) equal the bet of (an opponent) and require them to reveal their cards in order to determine who has won the hand.
/siːd/
noun
  1. The unit of reproduction of a flowering plant, capable of developing into another such plant.
    • example - cut open the peppers and remove the seeds
    • synonyms - pip, stone, pit, nut, kernel, germ
  2. A man"s semen.
    • example - In a similar way, human males feel a biological need to release their seed at frequent intervals.
    • synonyms - semen, sperm, spermatic fluid, seminal fluid, milt, ejaculate, emission
  3. Any of a number of stronger competitors in a sports tournament who have been assigned a specified position in an ordered list with the aim of ensuring that they do not play each other in the early rounds.
    • example - he knocked the top seed out of the championships
  4. A small crystal introduced into a liquid to act as a nucleus for crystallization.
    • example - Spherulites are ideally spherical mineral growths formed by initial crystallization of a seed crystal, or crystallite, within a melt or a solution that grows outward in all directions.
  5. A small container for radioactive material placed in body tissue during radiotherapy.
verb
  1. Sow (land) with seeds.
    • example - the shoreline is seeded with a special grass
  2. (of a plant) produce or drop seeds.
    • example - mulches encourage many plants to seed freely
  3. Remove the seeds from (vegetables or fruit)
    • example - stem and seed the chillies
  4. Give (a competitor) the status of seed in a tournament.
    • example - he was seeded second for the competition
/siːk/
verb
  • Attempt to find (something)
    • example - they came here to seek shelter from biting winter winds
    • synonyms - search for, try to find, look for, look about for, look round for, look around for, cast about for, cast round for, cast around for, be on the lookout for, be after, hunt for, be in quest of, quest, quest after, be in pursuit of
/siːm/
verb
  1. Give the impression of being something or having a particular quality.
    • example - Dawn seemed annoyed
    • synonyms - appear, appear to be, have the air of being, have the appearance of being, give the impression of being, look, look like, look as though one is, look to be, have the look of, show signs of
  2. Be unable to do something, despite having tried.
    • example - he couldn"t seem to remember his lines
/sɪˈlɛkt/
verb
  • Carefully choose as being the best or most suitable.
    • example - children must select their GCSE subjects
    • synonyms - choose, pick, hand-pick, single out, pick out, sort out, take, opt for, decide on, settle on, set, fix, fix on, adopt, determine, designate, name, nominate, appoint, elect, specify, stipulate, prefer, favour
adjective
  • (of a group of people or things) carefully chosen from a larger number as being the best or most valuable.
    • example - he joined his select team of young Intelligence operatives
    • synonyms - choice, hand-picked, carefully chosen, prime, first-rate, first-class, high-grade, grade A, superior, finest, best, high-quality, top-quality, top-class, A-list, supreme, superb, excellent, rare, prize, prize-winning, award-winning
/sɪˈlɛkʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. The action or fact of carefully choosing someone or something as being the best or most suitable.
    • example - such men decided the selection of candidates
  2. A process in which environmental or genetic influences determine which types of organism thrive better than others, regarded as a factor in evolution.
    • example - there has been more than enough time for selection to generate specific DNA sequences of the required length
  3. The action of choosing and acquiring plots of land for small farming on terms favourable to the buyer.
    • example - blocks ranging in area from 158 to 3,102 acres have been thrown open for selection
/sɛlf/
noun
  • A person"s essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action.
    • example - our alienation from our true selves
    • synonyms - ego, I, oneself, persona, person, identity, character, personality, psyche, soul, spirit, mind, intellect, inner man, inner person, inner woman, inner self, one"s innermost feelings, one"s heart of hearts
adjective
  • (of a trimming or cover) of the same material and colour as the rest of the item.
    • example - a button-through style with self belt
verb
  • Self-pollinate; self-fertilize.
    • example - a variety that selfs itself loses lots of vigour in the progeny
/sɛl/
verb
  1. Give or hand over (something) in exchange for money.
    • example - they had sold the car
    • synonyms - vending, selling off, auctioning, trading, trade, trade in
  2. Persuade someone of the merits of.
    • example - he sold the idea of making a film about Tchaikovsky
    • synonyms - persuade someone to accept, convince someone of the merits of, talk someone into, bring someone round to, win someone over to, get acceptance for, win approval for, get support for, get across, promote
  3. Trick or deceive (someone)
    • synonyms - deceive, delude, hoodwink, mislead, take in, dupe, fool, double-cross, cheat, defraud, swindle, outwit, outmanoeuvre, catch out, gull, hoax, bamboozle, beguile
noun
  1. An act of selling or attempting to sell something.
  2. A disappointment, typically one arising from being deceived as to the merits of something.
/sɛnd/
verb
  1. Cause to go or be taken to a particular destination; arrange for the delivery of, especially by post.
    • example - we sent a reminder letter but received no reply
    • synonyms - dispatch, mail, put in the mail, address, get off, convey, consign, direct, forward, redirect, send on, remit, airmail
  2. Cause to be in a specified state.
    • example - while driving in London I was sent crazy by roadworks
    • synonyms - make, drive, cause to be, cause to become
/ˈsiːnɪə/
/ˈsiːnjə/
adjective
  1. Of or for older or more experienced people.
    • example - senior citizens
    • synonyms - older, elder
  2. High or higher in rank or status.
    • example - he is a senior Finance Ministry official
    • synonyms - higher-ranking, highest-ranking, high-ranking, superior, top, chief, more important, most important, high-status
noun
  • A person who is a specified number of years older than someone else.
    • example - she was only two years his senior
/sɛns/
noun
  1. A faculty by which the body perceives an external stimulus; one of the faculties of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.
    • example - the bear has a keen sense of smell which enables it to hunt at dusk
    • synonyms - sensory faculty, feeling, sensation, perception
  2. A feeling that something is the case.
    • example - she had the sense of being a political outsider
    • synonyms - awareness, feeling, sensation, consciousness, perception, recognition
  3. A sane and realistic attitude to situations and problems.
    • example - he earned respect by the good sense he showed at meetings
    • synonyms - wisdom, common sense, good sense, practicality, sagacity, sharpness, discernment, perception
  4. A way in which an expression or a situation can be interpreted; a meaning.
    • example - it is not clear which sense of the word ‘characters’ is intended in this passage
    • synonyms - meaning, definition, import, denotation, signification, significance, purport, implication, intention, nuance, drift, gist, thrust, tenor, burden, theme, message, essence, spirit, substance
  5. A property (e.g. direction of motion) distinguishing a pair of objects, quantities, effects, etc. which differ only in that each is the reverse of the other.
verb
  1. Perceive by a sense or senses.
    • example - with the first frost, they could sense a change in the days
    • synonyms - discern, feel, observe, notice, get the impression of, recognize, pick up, be cognizant of, become cognizant of, be aware of, become aware of, be conscious of, become conscious of, come to know, get to know, tell, distinguish, make out, find, identify, comprehend, apprehend, see, discover, learn, appreciate, realize, suspect, have a funny feeling, have a hunch, just know, divine, intuit, conceive
  2. (of a machine or similar device) detect.
    • example - an optical fibre senses a current flowing in a conductor
/ˈsɛnsɪb(ə)l/
adjective
  1. Done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; likely to be of benefit.
    • example - I cannot believe that it is sensible to spend so much
    • synonyms - practical, realistic, responsible, full of common sense, reasonable, rational, logical, sound, circumspect, balanced, sober, no-nonsense, pragmatic, level-headed, serious-minded, thoughtful, commonsensical, down-to-earth, wise, prudent, mature
  2. (of an object) practical and functional rather than decorative.
    • example - Mum always made me have sensible shoes
    • synonyms - practical, realistic, responsible, full of common sense, reasonable, rational, logical, sound, circumspect, balanced, sober, no-nonsense, pragmatic, level-headed, serious-minded, thoughtful, commonsensical, down-to-earth, wise, prudent, mature
  3. Readily perceived; appreciable.
    • example - it will effect a sensible reduction in these figures
/ˈsɛnsɪtɪv/
adjective
  1. Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.
    • example - the new method of protein detection was more sensitive than earlier ones
    • synonyms - responsive to, quick to respond to, sensitized to, reactive to, sentient of
  2. Having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others" feelings.
    • example - I pay tribute to the Minister for his sensitive handling of the bill
    • synonyms - tactful, careful, thoughtful, diplomatic, delicate, subtle, finely tuned, kid-glove
  3. Kept secret or with restrictions on disclosure to avoid endangering security.
    • example - he was suspected of passing sensitive information to other countries
    • synonyms - private, personal, intimate, privileged, quiet
noun
  • A person who is believed to respond to paranormal influences.
    • example - Thus, the positive results demonstrated by the sensitives do not appear to have resulted from ubiquitous stereotypes regarding ghosts that caused witnesses and sensitives to respond to the locale in a concordant manner.
/ˈsɛnt(ə)ns/
noun
  1. A set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command, and consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.
    • example - Start sentences with subjects and verbs, and let other words branch off to the right.
  2. The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offence.
    • example - her husband is serving a three-year sentence for fraud
    • synonyms - judgement, ruling, pronouncement, decision, determination, decree
verb
  • Declare the punishment decided for (an offender)
    • example - ten army officers were sentenced to life imprisonment
    • synonyms - pass judgement on, impose a sentence on, pronounce sentence on, mete out punishment to, punish, convict
/ˈsɛp(ə)rət/
/ˈsɛpəreɪt/
adjective
  • Forming or viewed as a unit apart or by itself.
    • example - this raises two separate issues
    • synonyms - unconnected, unrelated, different, discrete, distinct, disparate
verb
  1. Cause to move or be apart.
    • example - police were trying to separate two rioting mobs
    • synonyms - part, split, split up, break up, move apart, divide
  2. Divide into constituent or distinct elements.
    • example - the processed milk had separated into curds and whey
    • synonyms - isolate, set apart, put to one side, segregate
plural noun
  1. Individual items of clothing, such as skirts, jackets, or trousers, suitable for wearing in different combinations.
    • example - Day wear consists of angular shaped separates that include wide-neck jumpers and half-mast trousers.
  2. The self-contained, free-standing components of a sound-reproduction system.
  3. Portions into which a soil, sediment, etc. can be sorted according to particle size, mineral composition, or other criteria.
    • example - analysis of mineral separates from six cordierite-bearing strata
/sɛpˈtɛmbə/
noun
  • The ninth month of the year, in the northern hemisphere usually considered the first month of autumn.
    • example - sow the plants in early September
/ˈsiːkw(ə)ns/
noun
  1. A particular order in which related things follow each other.
    • example - the content of the programme should follow a logical sequence
    • synonyms - succession, order, course, series, chain, concatenation, train, string, cycle, progression
  2. A set of related events, movements, or items that follow each other in a particular order.
    • example - a gruelling sequence of exercises
    • synonyms - series, succession, string, sequence, train, trail, run, pattern, progression, course, set, line, row, concatenation
  3. A part of a film dealing with one particular event or topic.
    • example - the famous underwater sequence
    • synonyms - excerpt, clip, scene, extract, episode, section, segment
  4. (in the Eucharist) a hymn said or sung after the Gradual or Alleluia that precedes the Gospel.
    • example - Intended for liturgical use, her verses fall into the familiar categories of antiphon, respond, sequence, and hymn, and cover the cycle of the church year.
verb
  1. Arrange in a particular order.
    • example - trainee librarians decide how a set of misfiled cards could be sequenced
  2. Play or record (music) with a sequencer.
    • example - That was much more to do with electronic / sequenced music with a live edge.
/ˈsɪəriːz/
noun
  1. A number of events, objects, or people of a similar or related kind coming one after another.
    • example - the explosion was the latest in a series of accidents
    • synonyms - sequence, succession, string, chain, concatenation, train, run, chapter, round, progression, procession
  2. A set or sequence of related television or radio programmes.
    • example - a new drama series
    • synonyms - set of programmes, programme, production, serial
  3. another term for tone row
  4. Denoting electrical circuits or components arranged so that the current passes through each successively.
    • example - a series circuit
  5. (in chronostratigraphy) a range of strata corresponding to an epoch in time, being a subdivision of a system and itself subdivided into stages.
    • example - the Pliocene series
  6. A set of elements with common properties or of compounds related in composition or structure.
    • example - the metals of the lanthanide series
  7. A set of quantities constituting a progression or having the several values determined by a common relation.
    • example - The main research topics which Genocchi worked on were number theory, series and the integral calculus.
  8. A group of speech sounds having at least one phonetic feature in common but distinguished in other respects.
/ˈsɪərɪəs/
adjective
  1. Demanding or characterized by careful consideration or application.
    • example - marriage is a serious matter
    • synonyms - important, significant, consequential, of consequence, momentous, of moment, key, grave, weighty, far-reaching, major
  2. Acting or speaking sincerely and in earnest, rather than in a joking or half-hearted manner.
    • example - actors who are serious about their work
    • synonyms - in earnest, earnest, sincere, wholehearted, genuine, meaning what one says
  3. Significant or worrying because of possible danger or risk; not slight or negligible.
    • example - she escaped serious injury
    • synonyms - severe, grave, bad, critical, acute, alarming, worrying, grievous, dreadful, terrible, dire, extreme, dangerous, perilous, precarious
  4. Substantial in terms of size, number, or quality.
    • synonyms - sizeable, substantial, appreciable, significant
/ˈsɪərɪəsli/
adverb
  1. In a solemn or considered manner.
    • example - the doctor looked seriously at him
    • synonyms - solemnly, earnestly, gravely, soberly, sombrely, without smiling, with a poker face, sternly, grimly, dourly, humourlessly
  2. With earnest intent; not lightly or superficially.
    • example - I seriously considered cancelling my subscription
  3. To a degree that is significant or worrying.
    • example - the amount of fat you eat can seriously affect your health
    • synonyms - severely, gravely, badly, critically, acutely, sorely, grievously, desperately, alarmingly, dangerously, perilously
  4. Very; extremely.
    • synonyms - extremely, very, really, dreadfully, terribly, awfully, fearfully, incredibly, amazingly, exceptionally, exceedingly, immensely, uncommonly, remarkably, extraordinarily
/ˈsəːv(ə)nt/
noun
  • A person who performs duties for others, especially a person employed in a house on domestic duties or as a personal attendant.
    • example - Financially they were well enough established to be able to employ a domestic servant.
    • synonyms - attendant, retainer
/səːv/
verb
  1. Perform duties or services for (another person or an organization)
    • example - Malcolm has served the church very faithfully
    • synonyms - work for, be in the service of, perform duties for, be employed by, have a job with
  2. Present (food or drink) to someone.
    • example - they serve wine instead of beer
    • synonyms - dish out, dish up, give out, distribute, set out, plate up, spoon out, ladle out
  3. Deliver (a document such as a summons or writ) in a formal manner to the person to whom it is addressed.
    • example - he said his lawyer would serve a writ to the multinational corporation within a week
  4. Be of use in achieving or satisfying.
    • example - this book will serve a useful purpose
    • synonyms - suffice, be adequate, be good enough, be all right, fill the bill, fit the bill, do, answer
  5. (in tennis and other racket sports) hit the ball or shuttlecock to begin play for each point of a game.
    • example - he tossed the ball up to serve
  6. Bind (a rope) with thin cord to protect or strengthen it.
  7. Operate (a gun)
    • example - before long Lodge was the only man in his section able to serve the guns
noun
  1. (in tennis and other racket sports) an act of hitting the ball or shuttlecock to start play.
    • example - he was let down by an erratic serve
  2. A reprimand.
    • synonyms - reprimand, rebuke, reproof, remonstrance, reproach, admonishment, stricture, lecture, criticism, recrimination, tirade, diatribe, philippic, harangue, attack
/ˈsəːvɪs/
noun
  1. The action of helping or doing work for someone.
    • example - millions are involved in voluntary service
    • synonyms - act of assistance, good turn, favour, kindness, helping hand
  2. A system supplying a public need such as transport, communications, or utilities such as electricity and water.
    • example - a regular bus service
    • synonyms - amenity, facility, resource, utility, solution
  3. A ceremony of religious worship according to a prescribed form.
    • example - a funeral service
    • synonyms - ceremony, ritual, rite, observance, ordinance
  4. A periodic routine inspection and maintenance of a vehicle or other machine.
    • example - he took his car in for a service
    • synonyms - overhaul, servicing, maintenance check, routine check, check
  5. A set of matching crockery used for serving a particular meal.
    • synonyms - service
  6. (in tennis and other racket sports) the action or right of serving to begin play.
  7. The formal delivery of a document such as a writ or summons.
    • example - The claimants issued their writ and effected service in accordance with their undertakings.
verb
  1. Perform routine maintenance or repair work on (a vehicle or machine)
    • example - ensure that gas appliances are serviced regularly
    • synonyms - overhaul, servicing, maintenance check, routine check, check
  2. (of a male animal) mate with (a female animal)
    • example - one dog could presumably service several bitches in a day
/ˈsɛʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. A meeting of an official body, especially a legislature, council, or court of law, to conduct its business.
    • example - the governor called this week"s special session to reconsider the decision
    • synonyms - meeting, sitting, assembly, conclave, plenary
  2. A period devoted to a particular activity.
    • example - gym is followed by a training session
    • synonyms - period, time, spell, stretch, bout
  3. The governing body of a Presbyterian Church.
set
/sɛt/
verb
  1. Put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position.
    • example - Delaney set the mug of tea down
    • synonyms - put, place, put down, lay, lay down, deposit, position, settle, station
  2. Put or bring into a specified state.
    • example - the Home Secretary set in motion a review of the law
    • synonyms - start, begin, activate, institute, initiate, launch, get under way, get going, get in operation, get functioning, get working, get off the ground, get the ball rolling, set the ball rolling, start the ball rolling
  3. Adjust (a clock or watch), typically to show the right time.
    • example - set your watch immediately to local time at your destination
    • synonyms - adjust, regulate, synchronize, coordinate, harmonize
  4. Harden into a solid or semi-solid state.
    • example - cook for a further thirty-five minutes until the filling has set
    • synonyms - solidify, harden, become solid, become hard, stiffen, thicken, gel
  5. (of the sun, moon, or another celestial body) appear to move towards and below the earth"s horizon as the earth rotates.
    • example - the sun was setting and a warm red glow filled the sky
    • synonyms - go down, sink, decline, descend, drop, subside
  6. (of a tide or current) take or have a specified direction or course.
  7. Start (a fire)
    • example - the school had been broken into and the fire had been set
  8. (of blossom or a tree) form into or produce (fruit)
    • example - wait until first flowers have set fruit before planting out the peppers
  9. Sit.
    • example - the rest of them people just set there goggle-eyed for a minute
/ˈsɛtɪŋ/
noun
  1. The place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.
    • example - a romantic house in a wonderful setting beside the River Wye
    • synonyms - surroundings, position, situation, environment, background, backdrop, milieu, environs
  2. A piece of metal in which a precious stone or gem is fixed to form a piece of jewellery.
    • example - a garnet in a heavy gold setting
    • synonyms - mounting, mount, fixture, surround
  3. A piece of vocal or choral music composed for particular words.
    • example - a setting of Yevtushenko"s bleak poem
  4. short for place setting
  5. A speed, height, or temperature at which a machine or device can be adjusted to operate.
    • example - if you find the room getting too hot, check the thermostat setting
/ˈsɛt(ə)l/
verb
  1. Resolve or reach an agreement about (an argument or problem)
    • example - the unions have settled their year-long dispute with Hollywood producers
    • synonyms - resolve, sort out, reach an agreement about, find a solution to, find an answer to, solve, clear up, bring to an end, fix, work out, iron out, smooth over, straighten out, deal with, put right, set right, put to rights, rectify, remedy, reconcile
  2. Pay (a debt or account)
    • example - his bill was settled by charge card
    • synonyms - pay, pay in full, settle up, discharge, square, clear, defray, liquidate, satisfy
  3. Adopt a more steady or secure style of life, especially in a permanent job and home.
    • example - one day I will settle down and raise a family
  4. Sit or come to rest in a comfortable position.
    • example - he settled into an armchair
    • synonyms - sit down, seat oneself, install oneself, plant oneself, ensconce oneself, plump oneself, flump
/ˈsɛv(ə)n/
cardinal number
  • Equivalent to the sum of three and four; one more than six, or three less than ten; 7.A group or unit of seven people or things.Seven years old.Seven o"clock.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by seven.A playing card with seven pips.Seven-a-side rugby.
    • example - two sevens are fourteen
/sɛv(ə)nˈtiːn/
/ˈsɛv(ə)ntiːn/
cardinal number
  • One more than sixteen, or seven more than ten; 17.Seventeen years old.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by seventeen.A set or team of seventeen individuals.
    • example - seventeen years later
/ˈsɛv(ə)nti/
cardinal number
  • The number equivalent to the product of seven and ten; ten less than eighty; 70.The numbers from seventy to seventy-nine, especially the years of a century or of a person"s life.Seventy years old.Seventy miles an hour.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by seventy.
    • example - about seventy people attended
/ˈsɛv(ə)r(ə)l/
determiner & pronoun
  • More than two but not many.
    • example - the author of several books
    • synonyms - some, a number of, a few, not very many, a handful of, a small group of, various, a variety of, assorted, sundry, diverse
adjective
  • Separate or respective.
    • synonyms - respective, individual, own, particular, specific
/sɪˈvɪə/
adjective
  1. (of something bad or undesirable) very great; intense.
    • example - a severe shortage of technicians
    • synonyms - acute, very bad, serious, grave, critical, dire, drastic, grievous, extreme, dreadful, terrible, awful, frightful, appalling, sore
  2. (of punishment of a person) strict or harsh.
    • example - the charges would have warranted a severe sentence
    • synonyms - harsh, hard, bitter, bitterly cold, cold, bleak, freezing, icy, arctic, polar, Siberian, extreme, nasty
  3. Very plain in style or appearance.
    • example - she wore another severe suit, grey this time
    • synonyms - plain, simple, restrained, unadorned, undecorated, unembellished, unornamented, austere, chaste, spare, stark, ultra-plain, unfussy, without frills, spartan, ascetic, monastic, puritanical
sex
/sɛks/
noun
  1. (chiefly with reference to people) sexual activity, including specifically sexual intercourse.
    • example - they enjoyed talking about sex
    • synonyms - sexual intercourse, intercourse, lovemaking, making love, sex act, sexual relations
  2. Either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions.
    • example - adults of both sexes
    • synonyms - gender
verb
  1. Determine the sex of.
    • example - each bird would need to be individually sexed
  2. Present something in a more interesting or lively way.
  3. Arouse or attempt to arouse someone sexually.
/ˈsɛkʃʊəl/
/ˈsɛksjʊəl/
adjective
  1. Relating to the instincts, physiological processes, and activities connected with physical attraction or intimate physical contact between individuals.
    • example - she had felt the thrill of a sexual attraction
    • synonyms - carnal, erotic, coital, venereal
  2. Relating to the two sexes or to gender.
    • example - sensitivity about sexual stereotypes
  3. (of reproduction) involving the fusion of gametes.
/ʃeɪd/
noun
  1. Comparative darkness and coolness caused by shelter from direct sunlight.
    • example - sitting in the shade
    • synonyms - shadow, shadiness, shadows
  2. A colour, especially with regard to how light or dark it is or as distinguished from one nearly like it.
    • example - various shades of blue
    • synonyms - colour, hue
  3. A lampshade.
    • example - a small lamp with a crimson shade
  4. A ghost.
    • example - the ghost is the shade of Lucy Walters, first mistress of Charles II
    • synonyms - ghost, spectre, phantom, apparition, spirit, wraith, phantasm, shadow
verb
  1. Screen from direct light.
    • example - she shaded her eyes against the sun
    • synonyms - cast a shadow over, shadow, shut out the light from, block off the light to
  2. Darken or colour (an illustration or diagram) with parallel pencil lines or a block of colour.
    • example - she shaded in the outline of a chimney
    • synonyms - darken, colour in, pencil in, block in, fill in
  3. Narrowly win or gain an advantage in (a contest)
  4. Make a slight reduction in the amount, rate, or price of.
    • example - banks may shade the margin over base rate they charge customers
/ˈʃadəʊ/
noun
  1. A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
    • example - trees cast long shadows
    • synonyms - silhouette, outline, shape, contour, profile
  2. Used in reference to proximity, ominous oppressiveness, or sadness and gloom.
    • example - the shadow of war fell across Europe
    • synonyms - cloud, black cloud, pall
  3. An inseparable attendant or companion.
    • example - her faithful shadow, a Yorkshire terrier called Heathcliffe
    • synonyms - constant companion, inseparable companion, alter ego, second self, Siamese twin
  4. short for eyeshadow
    • example - Lengthening and thickening mascaras, shimmery lip glosses and shadows often take away the attention of the cheeks.
verb
  1. Envelop in shadow; cast a shadow over.
    • example - the market is shadowed by St Margaret"s church
    • synonyms - overshadow, cast a shadow over, envelop in shadow, shade, block off the light to
  2. Follow and observe (someone) closely and secretly.
    • example - he had been up all night shadowing a team of poachers
    • synonyms - follow, trail, track, dog someone"s footsteps, keep watch on
/ʃeɪk/
verb
  1. (of a structure or area of land) tremble or vibrate.
    • example - buildings shook in Sacramento and tremors were felt in Reno
    • synonyms - vibrate, tremble, quiver, quake, shiver, shudder, judder, jiggle, wobble, rock, sway, swing, roll, oscillate
  2. Move (an object) up and down or from side to side with rapid, forceful, jerky movements.
    • example - she stood in the hall and shook her umbrella
    • synonyms - jiggle, joggle, wave from side to side
  3. Upset the composure or confidence of; shock or astonish.
    • example - rumours of a further loss shook the market
    • synonyms - upset, distress, disturb, unsettle, perturb, disconcert, discompose, disquiet, unnerve, trouble, take aback, throw off balance, agitate, fluster
  4. Successfully deal with or recover from (an illness, injury, or negative feeling)
    • synonyms - give up, break, get out of, abandon, end, escape from
noun
  1. An act of shaking.
    • example - she gave her red curls a shake
    • synonyms - jiggle, joggle, jerk
  2. A fit of trembling or shivering.
    • synonyms - a fit of trembling, delirium tremens, tremors
  3. A milkshake.
    • example - don"t miss the homemade cookies and shakes
  4. An earth tremor.
    • synonyms - earthquake, earth tremor, aftershock, convulsion
  5. A trill.
  6. A kind of rough wooden shingle, used especially on rustic buildings.
    • example - cedar shakes
/ʃal/
/ʃ(ə)l/
modal verb
  1. (in the first person) expressing the future tense.
    • example - this time next week I shall be in Scotland
  2. Expressing a strong assertion or intention.
    • example - they shall succeed
  3. Expressing an instruction, command, or obligation.
    • example - every employer shall take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees
  4. Used in questions indicating offers or suggestions.
    • example - shall I send you the book?
/ˈʃaləʊ/
adjective
  1. Of little depth.
    • example - serve the noodles in a shallow bowl
  2. Not exhibiting, requiring, or capable of serious thought.
    • example - a shallow analysis of contemporary society
    • synonyms - superficial, facile, glib, simplistic, oversimplified, schematic, slight, flimsy, insubstantial, lightweight, empty, trivial, trifling
noun
  • An area of the sea, a lake, or a river where the water is not very deep.
    • example - To see for yourself, inspect the shallows at a pond or pool where the water is clear but also sports some vegetation.
verb
  • (of the sea, a lake, or a river) become less deep over time or in a particular place.
    • example - the boat ground to a halt where the water shallowed
/ʃeɪm/
noun
  1. A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behaviour.
    • example - she was hot with shame
    • synonyms - humiliation, mortification, chagrin, ignominy, loss of face, shamefacedness, embarrassment, indignity, abashment, discomfort, discomfiture, discomposure
  2. A regrettable or unfortunate situation or action.
    • example - what a shame Ellie won"t be here
    • synonyms - pity, misfortune, crying shame, cause for regret, source of regret, sad thing, unfortunate thing
verb
  • Make (someone) feel ashamed.
    • example - I tried to shame him into giving some away
    • synonyms - humiliate, mortify, make someone feel ashamed, chagrin, embarrass, abash, chasten, humble, put someone in their place, take down a peg or two, cut down to size, show up
exclamation
  • Used to express sentimental pleasure, especially at something small and endearing.
/ʃeɪp/
noun
  1. The external form, contours, or outline of someone or something.
    • example - she liked the shape of his nose
    • synonyms - form, appearance, configuration, formation, structure
  2. A geometric figure such as a square, triangle, or rectangle.
    • example - Grouping wall decor in geometric shapes such as rectangles, triangles or circles adds interest.
  3. The correct or original form or contours of something.
    • example - her skirt had lost its shape long ago
  4. The specified condition or state of someone or something.
    • example - the company came through a difficult period in excellent financial shape
    • synonyms - condition, state, health, state of health, trim, fettle, order, repair
verb
  1. Give a particular shape or form to.
    • example - most caves are shaped by the flow of water through limestone
    • synonyms - form, fashion, make, create, mould, model, cast, frame, sculpt, sculpture, block
  2. (of a sports player or athlete) take up a stance or set oneself to perform a particular action.
/ʃɛː/
noun
  1. A part or portion of a larger amount which is divided among a number of people, or to which a number of people contribute.
    • example - under the proposals, investors would pay a greater share of the annual fees required
    • synonyms - portion, part, division, bit, quota, allowance, ration, allocation, allotment, lot, measure, due
  2. One of the equal parts into which a company"s capital is divided, entitling the holder to a proportion of the profits.
    • example - he"s selling his shares in BT
  3. An instance of posting or reposting something on a social media website or application.
    • example - there have been 25,000 shares on Twitter and 117 likes on Facebook as of 7:30 p.m.
verb
  • Have a portion of (something) with another or others.
    • example - he shared the pie with her
    • synonyms - split, divide, go halves in, go halves with
/ʃɑːp/
adjective
  1. (of an object) having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something.
    • example - cut the cake with a very sharp knife
    • synonyms - keen, sharp-edged, razor-sharp, razor-edged
  2. Producing a sudden, piercing physical sensation or effect.
    • example - I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my back
    • synonyms - excruciating, agonizing, intense, violent, piercing, stabbing, shooting, stinging, severe, acute, keen, fierce, searing
  3. Distinct in outline or detail; clearly defined.
    • example - the job was a sharp contrast from her past life
    • synonyms - distinct, clear-cut, clear, well defined, well focused, crisp
  4. (of an action or change) sudden and marked.
    • example - there was a sharp increase in interest rates
    • synonyms - sudden, abrupt, rapid
  5. Having or showing speed of perception, comprehension, or response.
    • example - her sharp eyes missed nothing
    • synonyms - keen, perceptive, observant, acute, sharp-sighted, beady, hawklike
  6. (of musical sound) above true or normal pitch.
    • example - The entire musical burden is shifted to the massive chorus, while fierce sharp chords pronounce the onset of the bloody wounds.
  7. (of clothes or their wearer) smart and stylish.
    • synonyms - smart, stylish, fashionable, chic, modish, elegant, spruce
adverb
  1. Precisely (used after an expression of time)
    • example - the meeting starts at 7.30 sharp
    • synonyms - precisely, exactly, on the dot
  2. In a sudden or abrupt way.
    • example - turn sharp right at the corner
    • synonyms - abruptly, suddenly, sharply, all of a sudden, unexpectedly, without warning
  3. Above the true or normal pitch of musical sound.
noun
  1. A musical note raised a semitone above natural pitch.
    • example - Choices in successive levels expand to all notes, then sharps and flats.
  2. A long, sharply pointed needle used for general sewing.
  3. A swindler or cheat.
verb
  1. Raise the pitch of (a note) by a semitone.
  2. Cheat or swindle (someone), especially at cards.
    • synonyms - swindle, defraud, cheat, fleece, exploit
she
/ʃiː/
pronoun
  • Used to refer to a woman, girl, or female animal previously mentioned or easily identified.
    • example - my sister told me that she was not happy
noun
  • A female; a woman.
    • example - is that a he or a she?
/ʃiːp/
noun
  1. A domesticated ruminant mammal with a thick woolly coat and (typically only in the male) curving horns. It is kept in flocks for its wool or meat, and is proverbial for its tendency to follow others in the flock.
    • example - Chickens and turkeys were kept both for their eggs and meat just as sheep provided wool and meat.
    • synonyms - woollyback
  2. Used with reference to people who are too easily influenced or led.
    • example - party members should not follow their leader like sheep
  3. A person regarded as a protected follower of God.
    • example - And amid all this we are to preach the gospel of salvation, gathering in the lost sheep of Christ till the church is complete.
/ʃiːt/
noun
  1. A large rectangular piece of cotton or other fabric, used on a bed to cover the mattress and as a layer beneath blankets when these are used.
    • example - Sleeping blankets and covers, sheets and quilts have been made - with the children"s assistance.
    • synonyms - bed linen, linen, bedclothes
  2. A rectangular piece of paper, especially one of a standard size produced commercially and used for writing and printing on.
    • example - a sheet of unmarked paper
    • synonyms - piece of paper, leaf, page, folio
  3. A broad flat piece of material such as metal or glass.
    • example - the small pipe has been formed from a flat sheet of bronze
    • synonyms - pane, panel, piece, plate
  4. An extensive unbroken surface area of something.
    • example - Loch Affric is a lovely sheet of water among trees
    • synonyms - layer, stratum
verb
  1. Cover with or wrap in a sheet of cloth.
    • example - lorry drivers don"t sheet their loads
  2. (of rain) fall in large quantities.
    • example - rain sheeted down
/ʃɛlf/
noun
  1. A flat length of wood or other rigid material, attached to a wall or forming part of a piece of furniture, that provides a surface for the storage or display of objects.
    • example - The pieces were displayed on shelves, propped against the wall, emphasizing their three-dimensionality.
    • synonyms - ledge, bracket, sill, rack
  2. A ledge of rock or protruding strip of land.
    • example - There were, broadly speaking, three tracts of relevant land: there is the rock shelf, which was tidal…
/ʃɛl/
noun
  1. The hard protective outer case of a mollusc or crustacean.
    • example - cowrie shells
    • synonyms - carapace, outside, exterior
  2. An explosive artillery projectile or bomb.
    • example - the sound of the shell passing over, followed by the explosion
    • synonyms - projectile, bomb
  3. Something resembling or likened to a shell because of its shape or its function as an outer case.
    • example - pasta shells
  4. The metal framework of a vehicle body.
    • example - As they closed a hatch, a dozen of men appeared on the platform, but their blasters could not do any harm to the metal shell of the vehicle.
    • synonyms - framework, frame, chassis, skeleton, basic structure
  5. A light racing boat.
    • example - The glow from the rising sun reflects off the sleek rowing shells as they glide on the Mississippi River.
  6. An inner or roughly made coffin.
  7. The hand guard of a sword.
  8. Each of a set of orbitals around the nucleus of an atom, occupied or able to be occupied by electrons of similar energies.
    • example - in a multi-electron atom, the lowest energy shells fill up first
  9. short for shell program
    • example - All UNIX / Linux shells support output redirection using the same syntax.
verb
  1. Bombard with shells.
    • example - several villages north of the security zone were shelled
    • synonyms - bombard, fire on, open fire on, shoot at, attack, pound, bomb, blitz, strafe
  2. Remove the shell or pod from (a nut or seed)
    • example - they were shelling peas
    • synonyms - extract
/ˈʃɛltə/
noun
  1. A place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger.
    • example - huts like this are used as a shelter during the winter
  2. A shielded or safe condition; protection.
    • example - he hung back in the shelter of a rock
    • synonyms - protection, shield, cover, a roof, screen, shade
verb
  • Protect or shield from something harmful, especially bad weather.
    • example - the hut sheltered him from the cold wind
    • synonyms - protect, keep safe, shield, cover, screen, shade, keep from harm, afford protection to, provide protection for, save, safeguard, wrap, cover for, preserve, conserve, defend, cushion, secure, guard, hedge
/ʃɪft/
verb
  1. Move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance.
    • example - a team from the power company came to shift the cables away from the house
    • synonyms - move, carry, transfer, transport, convey, take, bring, bear, lug, cart, haul, fetch, switch, move around, transpose, relocate, reposition, rearrange, displace
  2. Change gear in a vehicle.
    • example - she shifted down to fourth
  3. Be evasive or indirect.
    • example - they know not how to shift and rob as the old ones do
noun
  1. A slight change in position, direction, or tendency.
    • example - a shift in public opinion
    • synonyms - movement, move, shifting, transference, transport, conveyance, switch, transposition
  2. Each of two or more recurring periods in which different groups of workers do the same jobs in relay.
    • example - Anne was on the night shift
    • synonyms - work period, stint, spell of work, stretch
  3. A woman"s straight unwaisted dress.A long, loose-fitting undergarment.
    • example - Today she is wearing a simple shift dress and no make-up and the sight of her looking so ordinary and conventional is indeed slightly shocking.
    • synonyms - dress, gown, robe, shift
  4. An ingenious or devious device or stratagem.
    • example - the thousand shifts and devices of which Hannibal was a master
    • synonyms - stratagem, scheme, subterfuge, expedient, dodge, trick, ruse, wile, artifice, deception, strategy, device, plan
/ʃʌɪn/
verb
  1. (of the sun or another source of light) give out a bright light.
    • example - the sun shone through the window
    • synonyms - emit light, give off light, beam, radiate, gleam, glow, glint, glimmer, sparkle, twinkle, flicker, glitter, glisten, shimmer, flash, dazzle, flare, glare, fluoresce
  2. Direct (a torch or other light) somewhere in order to see something in the dark.
    • example - he shone the torch around the room before entering
  3. Be very talented or perform very well.
    • example - a boy who shone at nothing
    • synonyms - excel, be outstanding, be brilliant, be excellent, be very good, be successful, be expert, stand out, be pre-eminent
  4. Make (an object made of leather, metal, or wood) bright by rubbing it; polish.
    • example - his shoes were shined to perfection
    • synonyms - polish, burnish, buff, wax, gloss, brighten, brush, smooth, rub up
noun
  • A quality of brightness produced when light is reflected on something.
    • example - my hair has lost its shine
    • synonyms - light, brightness, gleam, glow, glint, glimmer, sparkle, twinkle, flicker, glitter, glisten, shimmer, flash, dazzle, beam, flare, glare, radiance, illumination, luminescence, luminosity, incandescence, phosphorescence, fluorescence
/ˈʃʌɪni/
adjective
  • (of a smooth surface) reflecting light, typically because very clean or polished.
    • example - shiny hair
    • synonyms - glossy, glassy, bright, polished, burnished, gleaming, satiny, sheeny, lustrous, smooth
/ʃɪp/
noun
  1. A large boat for transporting people or goods by sea.
    • example - the ship left England with a crew of 36
    • synonyms - vessel, craft, boat
  2. A spaceship.
    • example - Fighters will be launched and recovered from space stations and ships.
  3. An aircraft.
    • synonyms - aircraft, craft, flying machine
verb
  1. Transport (goods or people) on a ship.
    • example - the wounded soldiers were shipped home
    • synonyms - convey, carry, take, transfer, move, shift, bring, fetch, send, deliver, bear, conduct, haul, lug, cart, run, ship, ferry
  2. (of a boat) take in (water) over the side.
    • example - He told me afterwards the yacht was believed to be shipping water and the fate of the skipper was not known.
  3. Take (oars) from the rowlocks and lay them inside a boat.
    • example - Once the boat had settled we shipped the oars, got out our lines, baited the hooks and dropped them over the gunwale.
/ʃəːt/
noun
  • A garment for the upper body made of cotton or a similar fabric, with a collar and sleeves, and with buttons down the front.
    • example - tonight he"s smartly dressed in shirt and tie
/ʃɒk/
noun
  1. A sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
    • example - it was a shock to face such hostile attitudes
    • synonyms - blow, upset, disturbance, source of distress, source of amazement, source of consternation
  2. An acute medical condition associated with a fall in blood pressure, caused by such events as loss of blood, severe burns, allergic reaction, or sudden emotional stress, and marked by cold, pallid skin, irregular breathing, rapid pulse, and dilated pupils.
    • example - he died of shock due to massive abdominal haemorrhage
    • synonyms - trauma, a state of shock, traumatism, prostration, stupor, stupefaction, collapse, breakdown
  3. A violent shaking movement caused by an impact, explosion, or tremor.
    • example - earthquake shocks
    • synonyms - vibration, shaking movement, reverberation, shake, jolt, jar, jarring, jerk
  4. short for shock absorber
    • example - We just didn"t have enough in the budget to fix the Charger if an axle broke or the shocks went out.
verb
  1. Cause (someone) to feel surprised and upset.
    • example - they were deeply shocked by the murder
  2. Affect with physiological shock, or with an electric shock.
    • example - if a patient is deeply shocked, measurement of blood pressure may be difficult
  3. Collide violently.
/ʃɒk/
noun
  1. A sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
    • example - it was a shock to face such hostile attitudes
    • synonyms - blow, upset, disturbance, source of distress, source of amazement, source of consternation
  2. An acute medical condition associated with a fall in blood pressure, caused by such events as loss of blood, severe burns, allergic reaction, or sudden emotional stress, and marked by cold, pallid skin, irregular breathing, rapid pulse, and dilated pupils.
    • example - he died of shock due to massive abdominal haemorrhage
    • synonyms - trauma, a state of shock, traumatism, prostration, stupor, stupefaction, collapse, breakdown
  3. A violent shaking movement caused by an impact, explosion, or tremor.
    • example - earthquake shocks
    • synonyms - vibration, shaking movement, reverberation, shake, jolt, jar, jarring, jerk
  4. short for shock absorber
    • example - We just didn"t have enough in the budget to fix the Charger if an axle broke or the shocks went out.
verb
  1. Cause (someone) to feel surprised and upset.
    • example - they were deeply shocked by the murder
  2. Affect with physiological shock, or with an electric shock.
    • example - if a patient is deeply shocked, measurement of blood pressure may be difficult
  3. Collide violently.
/ʃuː/
noun
  1. A covering for the foot, typically made of leather, having a sturdy sole and not reaching above the ankle.
    • example - He wore black tennis shoes with dull white laces, baggy blue slacks and a white long sleeved shirt.
  2. Something resembling a shoe in shape or use.
verb
  1. Fit (a horse) with a shoe or shoes.
    • example - they are waiting to have their horses shod
  2. Protect (the end of an object such as a pole) with a metal shoe.
    • example - the four wooden baulks were each shod with heavy iron heads
/ʃuːt/
verb
  1. Kill or wound (a person or animal) with a bullet or arrow.
    • example - he was shot in the leg during an armed robbery
    • synonyms - gun down, shoot down, mow down, hit, wound, injure, cut down, bring down
  2. Move suddenly and rapidly in a particular direction.
    • example - the car shot forward
    • synonyms - race, hurry, hasten, flash, dash, dart, rush, speed, hurtle, streak, really move, spank along, whirl, whizz, go like lightning, go hell for leather, whoosh, buzz, zoom, swoop, blast, charge
  3. (in soccer, hockey, basketball, etc.) kick, hit, or throw the ball or puck in an attempt to score a goal.
    • example - Williams twice shot wide
  4. Film or photograph (a scene, film, etc.)
    • example - she has just been commissioned to shoot a video
    • synonyms - film, photograph, get a photo of, get a photograph of, take a photo of, take a photograph of, get photographs of, take photographs of, get a picture of, take a picture of, get pictures of, take pictures of, take someone"s photo, take someone"s picture, get a snap of, get a snapshot of, take a snap of, take a snapshot of, take, snap, capture on celluloid, capture on film, record on celluloid, record on film
  5. (of a plant or seed) send out buds or shoots; germinate.
    • example - some years one or other plant fails to shoot
  6. Inject oneself or another person with (a narcotic drug)
    • synonyms - administer, introduce
  7. Plane (the edge of a board) accurately.
    • example - I shot the longer edge down on the planer
noun
  1. A young branch or sucker springing from the main stock of a tree or other plant.
    • example - he nipped off the new shoots that grew where the leaves joined the stems
    • synonyms - sprout, offshoot, scion, sucker, bud, spear, runner, tendril, sprig, cutting
  2. An occasion when a group of people hunt and shoot game for sport.
    • example - a grouse shoot
  3. An occasion when a professional photographer takes photographs or when a film or video is being made.
    • example - a photo shoot
  4. variant spelling of chute
  5. A rapid in a stream.
    • example - follow the portages that skirt all nine shoots of whitewater
exclamation
  • Used as a euphemism for ‘shit’
    • synonyms - damn, damnation, blast, hell, heck, Gordon Bennett
/ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
noun
  1. The action or practice of shooting with a gun.
    • example - the events that led up to the shooting of the man
  2. The action of filming or photographing a scene, film, etc.
adjective
  • Moving or growing quickly.
    • example - shooting beams of light played over the sea
    • synonyms - excruciating, agonizing, violent, intense, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, unbearable, intolerable, unendurable
/ʃɒp/
noun
  1. A building or part of a building where goods or services are sold.
    • example - a video shop
    • synonyms - store, retail store, outlet, retail outlet, reseller, cash and carry
  2. A place where things are manufactured or repaired; a workshop.
    • example - an auto repair shop
    • synonyms - workshop, workroom, plant, factory, works, manufacturing complex, industrial unit, business unit, mill, foundry, yard, garage, atelier, studio
verb
  1. Visit one or more shops or websites to buy goods.
    • example - she shopped for groceries twice a week
    • synonyms - go shopping, do the shopping, buy what one needs, buy what one wants, buy things, go to the shops
  2. Inform on (someone)
    • synonyms - inform against, inform on, betray, sell out, tell tales on, be disloyal to, be unfaithful to, break one"s promise to, break faith with, stab in the back
  3. Alter (a photographic image) digitally using Photoshop image-editing software.
/ˈʃɒpɪŋ/
noun
  • The action or activity of buying goods from shops.
    • example - shopping is so exhausting—all those decisions!
    • synonyms - acquisition, investment, buy, order, deal, bargain, property, asset, possession, holding
/ʃɔːt/
adjective
  1. Measuring a small distance from end to end.
    • example - short dark hair
    • synonyms - small, little, tiny, minuscule
  2. Lasting or taking a small amount of time.
    • example - visiting London for a short break
    • synonyms - brief, momentary, temporary, short-lived, impermanent, short-term, cursory, fleeting, passing, fugitive, flying, lightning, transitory, transient, ephemeral, evanescent, fading, quick, meteoric
  3. Relatively small in extent.
    • example - a short speech
    • synonyms - concise, brief, succinct, to the point, compact, terse, curt, summary, economical, crisp, short and sweet, pithy, epigrammatic, laconic, pointed, thumbnail, abridged, abbreviated, condensed, synoptic, compendious, summarized, contracted, curtailed, truncated
  4. (of a vowel) categorized as short with regard to quality and length (e.g. in standard British English the vowel /ʊ/ in good is short as distinct from the long vowel /uː/ in food).
    • example - Maybe it"s all part of a plan to nullify the threat from the land of the short sharp vowel.
  5. (of a person) terse; uncivil.
    • example - he was often sharp and rather short with her
    • synonyms - curt, sharp, abrupt, blunt, brusque, terse, offhand, gruff, ungracious, graceless, surly, snappy, testy, tart, rude, discourteous, uncivil, impolite, ill-mannered, bad-mannered
  6. (of odds or a chance) reflecting or representing a high level of probability.
    • example - they have been backed at short odds to win thousands of pounds
  7. (of pastry) containing a high proportion of fat to flour and therefore crumbly.
    • example - The easiest way to do this with very short pastry is wrap it lightly around the rolling pin, lift the pastry up on the rolling pin, and lay it on top of the fruit.
    • synonyms - crumbly, crispy, crisp, brittle, friable
adverb
  • (chiefly in sport) at, to, or over a relatively small distance.
    • example - you go deep and you go short
noun
  1. A drink of spirits served in a small measure.
    • example - Nicholas said he had drunk about six shorts and other alcohol and had taken heroin in the hours leading up to the encounter.
  2. A short film as opposed to a feature film.
    • example - Arteta made several well-received shorts and the feature film Star Maps, about a would-be movie star who makes a living selling Hollywood maps - and sex.
  3. A short sound such as a short signal in Morse code or a short vowel or syllable.
    • example - her call was two longs and a short
  4. A short circuit.
    • example - The transformer laminations or coating of shellac, enamel or varnish is to insulate adjacent turns from shorts between winding.
  5. A person who sells short.
    • example - During a downtrend, shorts are selling aggressively while the only participants that are buying are bottom pickers.
  6. A mixture of bran and coarse flour.
verb
  1. Short-circuit or cause to short-circuit.
    • example - the electrical circuit had shorted out
  2. Sell (stocks or other securities or commodities) in advance of acquiring them, with the aim of making a profit when the price falls.
    • example - the rule prevents sellers from shorting a stock unless the last trade resulted in a price increase
/ʃɒt/
noun
  1. The firing of a gun or cannon.
    • example - Mulder killed him with a single shot
    • synonyms - report, crack, bang, blast, explosion, discharge
  2. A hit, stroke, or kick of the ball in sports such as football, tennis, or golf.
    • example - his partner pulled off a winning backhand shot
    • synonyms - stroke, hit, strike
  3. A ball of stone or metal used as a missile shot from a large gun or cannon.
    • synonyms - ball, bullet, cannonball, slug, projectile
  4. A photograph.
    • example - a group shot of all the family
    • synonyms - photograph, photo, snap, snapshot, picture, likeness, image, portrait, study, print, slide, transparency, negative, positive, plate, film, bromide, frame, exposure, still, proof, enprint, enlargement
  5. A small drink of spirits.
    • example - he took a shot of whisky
  6. The launch of a space rocket.
/ʃʊd/
modal verb
  1. Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone"s actions.
    • example - he should have been careful
    • synonyms - ought to, should
  2. Used to indicate what is probable.
    • example - £348 m should be enough to buy him out
  3. (expressing the conditional mood) referring to a possible event or situation.
    • example - if you should change your mind, I"ll be at the hotel
  4. Used in a clause with ‘that’ after a main clause describing feelings.
    • example - it is astonishing that we should find violence here
  5. Used in a clause with ‘that’ expressing purpose.
    • example - in order that training should be effective it must be planned systematically
  6. (in the first person) expressing a polite request or acceptance.
    • example - I should like some more, if I may
  7. (in the first person) expressing a conjecture or hope.
    • example - he"ll have a sore head, I should imagine
  8. Used to emphasize to a listener how striking an event is or was.
    • example - you should have seen Marge"s face
/ˈʃəʊldə/
noun
  1. The upper joint of each of a person"s arms and the part of the body between this and the neck.
    • example - I was carrying a bag over my shoulder
  2. A part of something resembling a shoulder in shape, position, or function.
    • example - the shoulder of a pulley
  3. another term for hard shoulder
    • example - My partner and I had parked on the shoulder of the highway and began to chat.
verb
  1. Put (something heavy) over one"s shoulder or shoulders to carry.
    • example - we shouldered our crippling backpacks and set off slowly up the hill
  2. Push (someone or something) out of one"s way with one"s shoulder.
    • example - she shouldered him brusquely aside
    • synonyms - push, shove, thrust, propel, jostle, elbow, force, crowd, prod, poke, nudge, knock, ram, bulldoze, sweep, bundle, hustle, hurry, rush, manhandle
/ʃaʊt/
verb
  1. (of a person) utter a loud cry, typically as an expression of a strong emotion.
    • example - she shouted for joy
    • synonyms - yell, cry, cry out, call, call out, roar, howl, bellow, bawl, call at the top of one"s voice, clamour, bay, cheer, yawp, yelp, wail, squawk, shriek, scream, screech, squeal, squall, caterwaul, whoop
  2. Treat (someone) to (something, especially a drink)
noun
  1. A loud cry expressing a strong emotion or calling attention.
    • example - his words were interrupted by warning shouts
    • synonyms - yell, cry, call, roar, howl, bellow, bawl, clamour, bay, cheer, yawp, yelp, wail, squawk, shriek, scream, screech, squeal, squall, caterwaul, whoop
  2. One"s turn to buy a round of drinks.
/ʃəʊ/
verb
  1. Allow or cause (something) to be visible.
    • example - a white blouse will show the blood
    • synonyms - be visible, be seen, be in view, manifest
  2. Allow (a quality or emotion) to be perceived; display.
    • example - it was Frank"s turn to show his frustration
    • synonyms - manifest, make manifest, exhibit, reveal, convey, communicate, make known
  3. Demonstrate or prove.
    • example - experts say this shows the benefit of regular inspections
    • synonyms - prove, demonstrate, confirm, show beyond doubt, manifest, produce proof, submit proof, produce evidence, submit evidence, establish evidence, evince
  4. Finish third or in the first three in a race.
noun
  1. A spectacle or display, typically an impressive one.
    • example - spectacular shows of bluebells
    • synonyms - display, array, arrangement, exhibition, presentation, exposition, spectacle
  2. A play or other stage performance, especially a musical.
    • example - Amy will perform songs from the musicals and the stage show will include a date in her home town Bolton this summer.
    • synonyms - performance, public performance, theatrical performance, production, staging
  3. An outward appearance or display of a quality or feeling.
    • example - Joanie was frightened of any show of affection
  4. A discharge of blood and mucus from the vagina at the onset of labour or menstruation.
    • example - How long after having a show did you do into labour?
  5. An opportunity for doing something; a chance.
    • synonyms - chance, lucky chance, good time, golden opportunity, time, occasion, moment, favourable moment, favourable occasion, favourable time, right set of circumstances, appropriate moment, appropriate occasion, appropriate time, suitable moment, suitable occasion, suitable time, opportune moment, opportune occasion, opportune time, opening, option, window, window of opportunity, slot, turn, go, run, clear run, field day
/ˈʃaʊə/
noun
  1. A brief and usually light fall of rain, hail, sleet, or snow.
    • example - a day of sunny spells and scattered showers
    • synonyms - fall, light fall, drizzle, flurry, sprinkling, mizzle
  2. A cubicle or bath in which a person stands under a spray of water to wash.
    • example - all rooms have private shower and WC
  3. A group of people perceived as incompetent or worthless.
  4. A party at which presents are given to someone, typically a woman who is about to get married or have a baby.
    • example - she loved going to baby showers
verb
  1. (of a mass of small things) fall or be thrown in a shower.
    • example - bits of broken glass showered over me
    • synonyms - rain, fall, drizzle, spray, mizzle, hail
  2. Wash oneself in a shower.
    • example - she showered and went down to breakfast
/ʃʌt/
verb
  1. Move (something) into position so as to block an opening; close.
    • example - shut the window, please
    • synonyms - close, draw to, pull to, push to, slam, fasten
  2. Make (something) unavailable for business or service, either permanently or until due to be open again.
    • example - we shut the shop for lunch
shy
/ʃʌɪ/
adjective
  1. Nervous or timid in the company of other people.
    • example - I was pretty shy at school
    • synonyms - bashful, diffident, timid, sheepish, reserved, reticent, introverted, retiring, self-effacing, shrinking, withdrawn, timorous, mousy, fearful, apprehensive, nervous, hesitant, reluctant, doubting, insecure, wary, suspicious, chary, unconfident, inhibited, constrained, repressed, self-conscious, embarrassed, coy, demure, abashed, modest, humble, meek
  2. Less than; short of.
  3. (of a plant) not bearing flowers or fruit well or prolifically.
    • example - A new work by Alan Bennett is like a shy plant that only flowers every now and then, but when it does gives enormous pleasure.
verb
  • (especially of a horse) start suddenly aside in fright at an object, noise, or movement.
    • example - their horses shied at the unfamiliar sight
    • synonyms - wince, start, shy, shy away, recoil, shrink, pull back, back away, shy away, draw back, withdraw, blench, cringe, squirm, quiver, shudder, shiver, tremble, quake, shake, quail, cower, waver, falter, hesitate, get cold feet, blanch
noun
  • A sudden startled movement, especially of a frightened horse.
/sɪk/
adjective
  1. Affected by physical or mental illness.
    • example - nursing very sick children
    • synonyms - ill, unwell, poorly, ailing, indisposed, laid up, bad, out of sorts, not oneself
  2. Feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit.
    • example - he was starting to feel sick
    • synonyms - nauseous, nauseated, queasy, bilious, sick to one"s stomach, green, green around the gills
  3. Intensely annoyed with or bored by (someone or something) as a result of having had too much of them.
    • synonyms - fed up with, bored by, bored with, tired of, weary of, jaded by, jaded with, surfeited by, surfeited with, satiated with, glutted by, glutted with
  4. (especially of humour) having something unpleasant such as death or misfortune as its subject and dealing with it in an offensive way.
    • synonyms - macabre, black, ghoulish, morbid, perverted, gruesome, sadistic, cruel, offensive
  5. Excellent.
noun
  • Vomit.
verb
  • Bring something up by vomiting.
/sʌɪd/
noun
  1. A position to the left or right of an object, place, or central point.
    • example - a town on the other side of the river
  2. An upright or sloping surface of a structure or object that is not the top or bottom and generally not the front or back.
    • example - a car crashed into the side of the house
  3. A part or region near the edge and away from the middle of something.
    • example - a minibus was parked at the side of the road
    • synonyms - edge, border, verge, boundary, margin, fringe, fringes, flank, brink, bank, brim, rim, lip, perimeter, circumference, extremity, periphery, limit, outer limit, limits, bound, bounds
  4. A person or group opposing another or others in a dispute, contest, or debate.
    • example - the two sides agreed to resume border trade
    • synonyms - faction, camp, bloc, clique, caucus, entente, axis, ring, party, wing, splinter group, sect, clan, set
  5. A particular aspect of a situation or a person"s character.
    • example - her ability to put up with his disagreeable side
  6. A television channel considered as one of two or more that are available.
  7. Subsidiary to or less important than something.
    • example - a side dish of fresh vegetables
    • synonyms - subordinate, lesser, lower, lower-level, secondary, minor, peripheral, incidental, tangential, marginal, ancillary, subsidiary, subservient, non-essential, inessential, immaterial, borderline, irrelevant, beside the point, of little account, extraneous, unimportant, less important
  8. Horizontal spinning motion given to a ball.Spin given to the cue ball in snooker and billiards by hitting it on one side.
    • example - The ancillary action of the cue ball, when using side spin to compensate for throw, is an entirely different subject that can not be covered here.
  9. Boastful or pretentious manner or attitude.
    • synonyms - pretension, pretentiousness, affectation, affectedness, ostentation, ostentatiousness, artificiality, attitudinizing, airs, airs and graces, superciliousness, posing, posturing, showing off, boasting, boastfulness, hypocrisy, snobbery, show, flashiness
  10. Either of a pair of things.
verb
  1. Support or oppose in a conflict, dispute, or debate.
    • example - he felt that Max had betrayed him by siding with Beatrice
    • synonyms - support, give one"s support to, take the part of, take the side of, be on the side of, stand by, stand up for, stick up for, be supportive of, encourage, back, back up, give one"s backing to, uphold, take to one"s heart, be loyal to, defend, come to the defence of, champion, ally with, ally oneself with, associate oneself with, sympathize with, favour, prefer, abet, aid and abet
  2. Provide with a side or sides; form the side of.
    • example - the hills that side a long valley
/sʌɪt/
noun
  1. The faculty or power of seeing.
    • example - Joseph lost his sight as a baby
    • synonyms - eyesight, vision, eyes, faculty of sight, power of sight, ability to see, visual perception, observation
  2. A thing that one sees or that can be seen.
    • example - John was a familiar sight in the bar for many years
  3. A device on a gun or optical instrument used for assisting a person"s precise aim or observation.
    • example - there were reports of a man on the roof aiming a rifle and looking through its sights
verb
  1. Manage to see or observe (someone or something); catch an initial glimpse of.
    • example - tell me when you sight London Bridge
    • synonyms - glimpse, catch a glimpse of, get a glimpse of, catch sight of, see, spot, spy, notice, observe, make out, pick out, detect, have sight of
  2. Take aim by looking through the sights of a gun.
    • example - she sighted down the barrel
/sʌɪn/
noun
  1. An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else.
    • example - flowers are often given as a sign of affection
    • synonyms - indication, signal, symptom, hint, pointer, suggestion, intimation, mark, manifestation, demonstration
  2. A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction.
    • example - she gave him the thumbs-up sign
    • synonyms - gesture, signal, wave, gesticulation, cue, nod
  3. A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form.
    • example - I didn"t see the ‘Stop’ sign
    • synonyms - notice, signpost, signboard, warning sign, road sign, traffic sign
  4. Each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic.
    • example - a sign of the Zodiac
  5. The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity.
    • example - the last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number
verb
  1. Write one"s name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender.
    • example - the card was signed by the whole class
    • synonyms - write, inscribe, pen, pencil, scribble, scrawl, dash off, put, add
  2. Use gestures to convey information or instructions.
    • example - she signed to her husband to leave the room
    • synonyms - gesture, signal, give a sign to, indicate, direct, motion, gesticulate
  3. Indicate with signposts or other markers.
    • example - the footpath is signed by the gate
  4. Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross.
    • example - he signed himself with the cross
/ˈsɪɡn(ə)l/
noun
  1. A gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions, typically by prearrangement between the parties concerned.
    • example - the firing of the gun was the signal for a chain of beacons to be lit
    • synonyms - gesture, sign, wave, gesticulation, cue, prompt, indicator, indication, communication, message
  2. An electrical impulse or radio wave transmitted or received.
    • example - equipment for receiving TV signals
  3. An apparatus on a railway, typically a coloured light or a semaphore, giving indications to train drivers of whether or not the line is clear.
    • example - the driver of the mail train overran a signal at danger and ran into the rear of an express
verb
  • Convey information or instructions by means of a gesture, action, or sound.
    • example - hold your fire until I signal
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪk(ə)nt/
adjective
  1. Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy.
    • example - a significant increase in sales
    • synonyms - notable, noteworthy, worthy of attention, remarkable, outstanding, important, of importance, of consequence, consequential
  2. Having a particular meaning; indicative of something.
    • example - in times of stress her dreams seemed to her especially significant
  3. Relating to or having significance.
    • example - Just as for the acentrics, group and radiation dose were statistically significant predictors.
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪk(ə)ntli/
adverb
  1. In a sufficiently great or important way as to be worthy of attention.
    • example - energy bills have increased significantly this year
    • synonyms - notably, remarkably, outstandingly, importantly, seriously, crucially, materially, appreciably
  2. In a way that has a particular meaning.
    • example - significantly, he has refused to give a straight answer to this question
/ˈsʌɪləns/
noun
  • Complete absence of sound.
    • example - sirens pierce the silence of the night
    • synonyms - quietness, quiet, quietude, still, stillness, hush, tranquillity, noiselessness, soundlessness, peace, peacefulness, peace and quiet
verb
  • Prohibit or prevent from speaking.
    • example - she was silenced by the officer"s stern look
    • synonyms - hush, shush, still
/ˈsʌɪlənt/
adjective
  • Not making or accompanied by any sound.
    • example - the wood was still and silent
    • synonyms - completely quiet, still, hushed, inaudible, noiseless, soundless, peaceful, tranquil, so quiet you could hear a pin drop
/sɪlk/
noun
  1. A fine, strong, soft lustrous fibre produced by silkworms in making cocoons and collected to make thread and fabric. Silk is also spun by some insect larvae and by most spiders.
    • example - Laces were typically made from flax, silk, metal wrapped silk and some cotton and wool.
  2. A Queen"s (or King"s) Counsel.
/ˈsɪli/
adjective
  1. Having or showing a lack of common sense or judgement; absurd and foolish.
    • example - another of his silly jokes
    • synonyms - foolish, stupid, unintelligent, idiotic, brainless, mindless, witless, imbecilic, imbecile, doltish
  2. Helpless; defenceless (typically used of a woman, child, or animal).
    • example - In many of the tales the fairies are tiny, silly, helpless creatures.
  3. Denoting fielding positions very close to the batsman.
    • example - silly mid-on
noun
  • A foolish person (often used as a form of address)
    • synonyms - nincompoop, dunce, simpleton
/ˈsɪlvə/
noun
  1. A precious shiny greyish-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 47.
    • example - Beryllium, calcium, silver and antimony have no appreciable effect on mechanical properties.
  2. A shiny grey-white colour or appearance like that of silver.
    • example - the dark hair was now highlighted with silver
  3. Silver dishes, containers, or cutlery.
    • example - thieves stole £5,000 worth of silver
    • synonyms - silverware, plate, silver plate
  4. Coins made from silver or from a metal that resembles silver.
    • example - George dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out some small silver
    • synonyms - coins, coinage, specie
  5. short for silver medal
    • example - she won three silvers
    • synonyms - silver medal, second prize
adjective
  • Made of or coloured like silver.
    • example - a silver necklace
verb
  • Coat or plate with silver.
    • synonyms - plate with silver, coat with silver, overlay with silver, laminate with silver, back with silver
/ˈsɪmɪlə/
adjective
  • Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical.
    • example - a soft cheese similar to Brie
    • synonyms - alike, the same, much the same, indistinguishable, close, near, almost identical, homogeneous, interchangeable
noun
  1. A person or thing similar to another.
    • example - he was one of those whose similar you never meet
  2. A substance that produces effects resembling the symptoms of particular diseases (the basis of homeopathic treatment)
    • example - the principle of treatment by similars
/sɪməˈlarəti/
noun
  • The state or fact of being similar.
    • example - the similarity of symptoms makes them hard to diagnose
    • synonyms - similarity, similar nature, likeness, sameness, comparability, correspondence, agreement, alignment, parallel, parallelism, closeness, affinity
/ˈsɪmələli/
adverb
  • In a similar way.
    • example - a similarly priced property
    • synonyms - likewise, in similar fashion, in like manner, comparably, correspondingly, uniformly, indistinguishably, closely, analogously, homogeneously, in parallel, equivalently, in the same way, the same, identically, by the same token
/ˈsɪmp(ə)l/
adjective
  1. Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.
    • example - a simple solution
    • synonyms - straightforward, easy, uncomplicated, uninvolved, effortless, painless, manageable, undemanding, unexacting, elementary, child"s play, plain sailing, a five-finger exercise, nothing
  2. Plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation.
    • example - a simple white blouse
    • synonyms - plain, unadorned, undecorated, unembellished, unornamented, without ornament, without ornamentation, unelaborate, unpretentious, unostentatious, unfussy, no-nonsense, basic, modest, unsophisticated, penny plain, without frills, honest, homely, homespun, everyday, workaday
  3. Composed of a single element; not compound.
    • example - That way you can upgrade your patient"s break from a simple to a compound fracture and claim more money from the insurance company.
    • synonyms - non-compound, non-complex, uncompounded, uncombined, unmixed, unblended, unalloyed, pure, basic, single, elementary, fundamental
  4. Of very low intelligence.
noun
  • A medicinal herb, or a medicine made from one.
    • example - the gatherers of simples
exclamation
  • Used to convey that something is very straightforward.
    • example - I don"t overanalyse. I listen, I like, I buy. Simple!
/ˈsɪmpli/
adverb
  1. In a straightforward or plain manner.
    • example - she spoke simply and from the heart
    • synonyms - straightforwardly, directly
  2. Merely; just.
    • example - simply complete the application form
    • synonyms - merely, just, purely, solely, only, for no other reason
/sɪns/
preposition
  • In the intervening period between (the time mentioned) and the time under consideration, typically the present.
    • example - she hasn"t spoken to him since last year
conjunction
  1. From a time in the past until the time under consideration, typically the present.
    • example - I"ve felt better since I"ve been here
  2. For the reason that; because.
    • example - delegates were delighted, since better protection of rhino reserves will help protect other rare species
    • synonyms - since, as, for the reason that, in view of the fact that, owing to the fact that, seeing as, seeing that
adverb
  1. Between then and now.
    • example - she ran away on Friday and we haven"t seen her since
  2. Ago.
    • synonyms - in the past, before the present, before, earlier, back, in time gone by, since, formerly, previously
/sɪnˈsɪə/
adjective
  • Free from pretence or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings.
    • example - they offer their sincere thanks to Paul
    • synonyms - heartfelt, wholehearted, profound, deep, from the heart
/sɪŋ/
verb
  1. Make musical sounds with the voice, especially words with a set tune.
    • example - Bella sang to the baby
    • synonyms - chant, intone, croon, carol, chorus, warble, trill, pipe, quaver
  2. Make a high-pitched whistling or buzzing sound.
    • example - the kettle was beginning to sing
  3. Act as an informer to the police.
    • synonyms - inform, inform on someone, tell tales, tell tales on someone
  4. Recount or celebrate in poetry or other literature.
    • example - poetry should sing the variety of the human race
    • synonyms - praise, laud, extol, glorify, eulogize, reverence, honour, pay tribute to, pay homage to, salute, hymn, sing
noun
  • An act or spell of singing.
/ˈsɪŋə/
noun
  • A person who sings, especially professionally.
    • example - a pop singer
    • synonyms - vocalist, soloist, songster, songstress
/ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
noun
  1. The activity of performing songs or tunes by making musical sounds with the voice.
    • example - the singing of hymns in Latin
  2. Melodious whistling and twittering sounds made by a bird or birds.
/ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l/
adjective
  1. Only one; not one of several.
    • example - a single red rose
    • synonyms - one, one only, sole, lone, solitary, isolated, by itself
  2. Unmarried or not involved in a stable sexual relationship.
    • example - a single mother
    • synonyms - unmarried, unattached, free, available, eligible, young, free, and single, footloose and fancy free
  3. Consisting of one part.
    • example - the studio was a single large room
  4. Free from duplicity or deceit; ingenuous.
    • example - a pure and single heart
noun
  1. An individual person or thing rather than part of a pair or a group.
    • example - The end result is a photography of mythical proportions that is camouflaged in paint and operates in singles rather than multiples.
  2. A hit for one run.
    • example - He provided his usual limpet-like support for Lara, working the singles, and being content to feed the strike, as they added 169 in just over 30 overs.
  3. (especially in tennis and badminton) a game or competition for individual players, not pairs or teams.
    • example - The result also keeps Scotland in contention for the coveted Leonard Trophy, awarded to the nation with the best overall-points total from the singles, pairs, triples and fours.
  4. A system of change-ringing in which one pair of bells changes places at each round.
verb
  1. Choose someone or something from a group for special treatment.
    • example - one newspaper was singled out for criticism
    • synonyms - select, pick out, fix on, choose, decide on
  2. Thin out (seedlings or saplings)
    • example - hand hoes are used for singling roots
    • synonyms - prune, cut back, trim
  3. Reduce (a railway track) to a single line.
    • example - the South Western line was singled west of Salisbury
  4. Hit a single.
    • example - Cohen singled to centre
/sɪŋk/
verb
  1. Go down below the surface of something, especially of a liquid; become submerged.
    • example - he saw the coffin sink below the surface of the waves
    • synonyms - become submerged, be engulfed, go down, drop, fall, descend
  2. Descend from a higher to a lower position; drop downwards.
    • example - you can relax on the veranda as the sun sinks low
    • synonyms - descend, drop, go down, go downwards, come down, come downwards, go lower
  3. Gradually decrease or decline in value, amount, quality, or intensity.
    • example - their output sank to a third of the pre-war figure
    • synonyms - fall, drop, become lower, get lower, become quieter, get quieter, become softer, get softer
  4. Insert beneath a surface.
    • example - rails fixed in place with screws sunk below the surface of the wood
    • synonyms - embed, insert
  5. Rapidly consume (an alcoholic drink)
    • synonyms - drink, quaff, gulp down
sir
/səː/
noun
  • Used as a polite or respectful way of addressing a man, especially one in a position of authority.
    • example - excuse me, sir
/ˈsɪstə/
noun
  1. A woman or girl in relation to other daughters and sons of her parents.
    • example - I had nine brothers and sisters
    • synonyms - female sibling
  2. A female friend or associate, especially a female fellow member of a trade union or other organization.
    • example - textile unions are showing solidarity with their brothers and sisters in the developing world
    • synonyms - comrade, friend, partner, associate, colleague
  3. A member of a religious order of women.
    • example - the sisters announced that there would be a special rosary every morning
    • synonyms - nun, novice, abbess, prioress, Mother Superior, Reverend Mother
  4. A senior female nurse, typically in charge of a ward.
    • example - the ward sister needs to be consulted
  5. Denoting an organization or place that bears a relationship to another of common origin or allegiance or mutual association.
    • example - Securicor and its sister company Securicor Services
sit
/sɪt/
verb
  1. Adopt or be in a position in which one"s weight is supported by one"s buttocks rather than one"s feet and one"s back is upright.
    • example - I sat next to him at dinner
    • synonyms - take a seat, seat oneself, settle down, be seated, take a chair
  2. Be or remain in a particular position or state.
    • example - the fridge was sitting in a pool of water
    • synonyms - be situated, be located, be positioned, be sited, be placed, perch, rest, stand
  3. (of a parliament, committee, court of law, etc.) be engaged in its business.
    • example - Parliament continued sitting until March 16
    • synonyms - meet, assemble, convene, be in session
  4. Take (an examination)
    • example - pupils are required to sit nine subjects at GCSE
  5. Live in someone"s house while they are away and look after their pet or pets.
    • example - Kelly had been cat-sitting for me
noun
  1. A period of sitting.
    • example - a sit in the shade
  2. The way in which an item of clothing fits someone.
    • example - the sit of her frock
/sʌɪt/
noun
  1. An area of ground on which a town, building, or monument is constructed.
    • example - the proposed site of a hydroelectric dam
    • synonyms - plot, lot, area
  2. A website.
    • example - the site has no ads and is not being promoted with banners
verb
  • Fix or build (something) in a particular place.
    • example - the rectory is sited behind the church
    • synonyms - place, put, position, situate, locate, set, install
/sɪtjʊˈeɪʃ(ə)n/
/sɪtʃʊˈeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. A set of circumstances in which one finds oneself; a state of affairs.
    • example - the situation between her and Jake had come to a head
    • synonyms - circumstances, set of circumstances, state of affairs, affairs, state, condition, case
  2. The location and surroundings of a place.
    • synonyms - emergency, emergency situation, urgent situation, crisis, potential crisis
  3. A position of employment; a job.
    • synonyms - job, day job, post, position, place, appointment
six
/sɪks/
cardinal number
  • Equivalent to the product of two and three; one more than five, or four less than ten; 6.A group or unit of six people or things.Six years old.Six o"clock.A hit that reaches the boundary without first striking the ground, scoring six runs.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by six.A playing card or domino with six pips.A group of six Brownies or Cubs.
    • example - she"s lived here six months
/sɪksˈtiːn/
/ˈsɪkstiːn/
cardinal number
  • Equivalent to the product of four and four; one more than fifteen, or six more than ten; 16.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by sixteen.Sixteen years old.
    • example - sixteen miles east of Dublin
/ˈsɪksti/
cardinal number
  • The number equivalent to the product of six and ten; ten more than fifty; 60.The numbers from sixty to sixty-nine, especially the years of a century or of a person"s life.Sixty miles an hour.Sixty years old.A size of garment or other merchandise denoted by sixty.
    • example - a crew of sixty
/sʌɪz/
noun
  1. The relative extent of something; a thing"s overall dimensions or magnitude; how big something is.
    • example - the schools varied in size
    • synonyms - dimensions, measurements, proportions, magnitude, largeness, bigness, bulk, area, expanse, square footage, footage, acreage
  2. Each of the classes, typically numbered, into which garments or other articles are divided according to how large they are.
    • example - I can never find anything in my size
verb
  1. Alter or sort in terms of size or according to size.
    • example - twist drills are sized in millimetres
    • synonyms - sort, categorize, classify
  2. Estimate or measure something"s dimensions.
adjective
  • Having a specified size; sized.
ski
/skiː/
noun
  • Each of a pair of long, narrow pieces of hard, flexible material, typically pointed and turned up at the front, fastened under the feet for travelling over snow.
    • example - a pair of skis
verb
  • Travel over snow on skis; take part in the sport or recreation of skiing.
    • example - they skied down the mountain
/ˈskiːɪŋ/
noun
  • The action of travelling over snow on skis, especially as a sport or recreation. Competitive skiing falls into two categories: Nordic (cross-country racing, jumping, and biathlon) and Alpine (downhill or straight racing, and slalom racing round a series of markers).
    • example - Wanderers will play tonight"s game in the shadow of one of the most famous slopes in downhill skiing.
/skɪl/
noun
  • The ability to do something well; expertise.
    • example - difficult work, taking great skill
    • synonyms - expertise, skilfulness, expertness, adeptness, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, ability, prowess, mastery, competence, competency, capability, efficiency, aptitude, artistry, art, finesse, flair, virtuosity, experience, professionalism, talent, cleverness, smartness, ingenuity, versatility, knack, readiness, handiness
verb
  • Train (a worker) to do a particular task.
    • example - training firms are already seeing a boost from companies looking to skill employees in cloud technologies
/skɪn/
noun
  1. The thin layer of tissue forming the natural outer covering of the body of a person or animal.
    • example - I use body lotion to keep my skin supple
    • synonyms - epidermis, dermis
  2. The peel or outer layer of certain fruits or vegetables.
    • example - potatoes roasted in their skins
    • synonyms - peel, rind, outside
  3. A customized graphic user interface for an application or operating system.
    • example - They swapped modding techniques and hundreds of custom skins over the website message board.
  4. A skinhead.
  5. (especially in jazz) a drum or drum head.
  6. Relating to or denoting pornographic literature or films.
  7. A card game in which each player has one card which they bet will not be the first to be matched by a card dealt from the pack.
  8. A unit into which an Aboriginal people is divided, typically on the basis of descent, each skin being associated with a totemic bird, animal, or insect.
    • example - Marriage or sexual relationships with any member of the other seven "skins" are regarded as improper.
verb
  1. Remove the skin from (an animal or a fruit or vegetable)
    • example - scald and skin the tomatoes
    • synonyms - peel, pare, hull
  2. Take money from or swindle (someone)
    • synonyms - swindle, defraud, cheat, fleece, exploit
  3. (of a wound) form new skin.
    • example - the hole in his skull skinned over
  4. (of a player) take the ball past (a defender) with ease.
  5. Make a cannabis cigarette.
/skəːt/
noun
  1. A garment fastened around the waist and hanging down around the legs, worn by women and girls.
    • example - After a swim, put on the wrap skirt over your bikini or swim suit, and go for a drink.
  2. A surface that conceals or protects the wheels or underside of a vehicle or aircraft.
    • example - Sprung armour side skirts protect the wheels and tracks.
  3. An animal"s diaphragm and other membranes as food.
    • example - bits of beef skirt
  4. Women regarded as objects of sexual desire.
  5. A small flap on a saddle, covering the bar from which the stirrup leather hangs.
    • example - I pulled myself slowly into the saddle, arranging the skirts carefully.
verb
  1. Go round or past the edge of.
    • example - he did not go through the city but skirted it
    • synonyms - go round, move round, walk round, circle, circumnavigate
  2. Attempt to ignore; avoid dealing with.
    • example - they are both skirting the issue
    • synonyms - avoid, evade, steer clear of, sidestep, dodge, circumvent, bypass, pass over, fight shy of
sky
/skʌɪ/
noun
  • The region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth.
    • example - hundreds of stars were shining in the sky
    • synonyms - the atmosphere, the stratosphere, the skies, airspace
verb
  • Hit (a ball) high into the air.
/sleɪv/
noun
  1. A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to work for and obey them; an enslaved person.
    • example - they kidnapped entire towns and turned them into slaves
    • synonyms - bondsman, bondswoman, bondservant, bondslave, serf, vassal, thrall
  2. A device, or part of one, directly controlled by another.
    • example - a slave cassette deck
verb
  1. Work excessively hard.
    • example - after slaving away for fourteen years all he gets is two thousand
    • synonyms - toil, labour, grind, sweat, work one"s fingers to the bone, work day and night, work like a dog, work like a Trojan, keep one"s nose to the grindstone, exert oneself, grub, plod, plough
  2. Subject (a device) to control by another.
    • example - should the need arise, the two channels can be slaved together
  3. Make (someone) a slave; enslave.
/sliːp/
noun
  1. A condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is relatively inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.
    • example - I was on the verge of sleep
    • synonyms - nap, doze, rest, siesta, drowse, catnap
  2. A gummy secretion found in the corners of the eyes after sleep.
    • example - she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes
verb
  1. Be in a state of sleep; be asleep.
    • example - she slept for half an hour
    • synonyms - be asleep, doze, rest, take a siesta, nap, take a nap, catnap, drowse
  2. Provide (a specified number of people) with beds, rooms, or places to stay the night.
    • example - studios sleeping two people cost £70 a night
/slʌɪs/
noun
  1. A thin, broad piece of food, such as bread, meat, or cake, cut from a larger portion.
    • example - four slices of bread
    • synonyms - piece, portion, wedge, chunk, hunk, lump, slab, segment
  2. A utensil with a broad, flat blade for lifting foods such as cake and fish.
    • example - I wiped me fingers gently down the rabbit"s flank, then, shutting my eyes, I slid my hand beneath its limp head like a kitchen slice scooping up a burst pasty.
  3. A stroke that makes the ball curve away to the right (for a left-handed player, the left), typically inadvertently.
    • example - It can help players who hit weak fades or slices, enabling them to hit solid draws.
verb
  1. Cut (something, especially food) into slices.
    • example - slice the onion into rings
    • synonyms - cut, cut up, carve, divide, segment, section
  2. Strike (the ball) or play (a stroke) so that the ball curves away to the right (for a left-handed player, the left)
    • example - Duval sliced his ball into the water to the right of the green
/slʌɪd/
verb
  • Move smoothly along a surface while maintaining continuous contact with it.
    • example - she slid down the bank into the water
    • synonyms - glide, move smoothly, slip, slither, skim, skate, glissade, coast, plane
noun
  1. A structure with a smooth sloping surface for children to slide down.
    • example - Anna played on the slide
    • synonyms - water slide, slide, flume, log flume, hydroslide
  2. An act of moving along a smooth surface while maintaining continuous contact with it.
    • example - use an ice axe to halt a slide on ice and snow
  3. A decline in value or quality.
    • example - the current slide in house prices
    • synonyms - fall, decline, drop, slump, tumble, downturn, downswing
  4. A part of a machine or instrument that slides.
    • example - His dark hair fell into his eyes as he looked down the slide of his instrument, inspecting the dent that his fall had put in it the day before.
  5. A rectangular piece of glass on which an object is mounted or placed for examination under a microscope.
    • example - The measurements are performed in vitro, with a DNA construction anchored between a glass microscope slide and a silica bead.
  6. another term for hairslide
    • example - her hair was held back with a tortoiseshell slide
  7. A sandal or light shoe without a back.
/slʌɪt/
adjective
  1. Small in degree; inconsiderable.
    • example - a slight increase
    • synonyms - small, modest, little, tiny, minute, inappreciable, imperceptible, infinitesimal, hardly worth mentioning, negligible, inconsiderable, insignificant, minimal, marginal
  2. (of a person or their build) not sturdy; thin or slender.
    • example - she was slight and delicate-looking
    • synonyms - slim, slender, slightly built, petite, diminutive, small, delicate, dainty, small-boned, elfin
verb
  1. Insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect or attention.
    • example - he was desperate not to slight a guest
    • synonyms - insulting, disparaging, belittling, derogatory, disrespectful, denigratory, uncomplimentary, pejorative, abusive, offensive, defamatory, slanderous, libellous, scurrilous
  2. Raze or destroy (a fortification)
    • example - a Council determined whether the Fort should be kept or slighted
noun
  • An insult caused by a failure to show someone proper respect or attention.
    • example - an unintended slight can create grudges
    • synonyms - insult, affront, slur, disparaging remark
/ˈslʌɪtli/
adverb
  1. To a small degree; not considerably.
    • example - he lowered his voice slightly
    • synonyms - a little, a bit, somewhat, rather, moderately, to some degree, to a certain extent, to a slight extent, faintly, vaguely, obscurely
  2. (with reference to a person"s build) in a slender way.
    • example - a slightly built girl
/slɪp/
verb
  1. Lose one"s footing and slide unintentionally for a short distance.
    • example - I slipped over on the ice
    • synonyms - slide, skid, slither, glide
  2. Go or move quietly or quickly, without attracting notice.
    • example - we slipped out by a back door
    • synonyms - creep, steal, sneak, slide, sidle, slope, slink, pad, tiptoe, pussyfoot, edge, move quietly, move stealthily, insinuate oneself
  3. Pass or change to a lower, worse, or different condition, typically in a gradual or imperceptible way.
    • example - many people feel standards have slipped
    • synonyms - decline, deteriorate, degenerate, worsen, get worse, fall, fall off, drop, decay, backslide, regress
  4. Escape or get loose from (a means of restraint)
    • example - the giant balloon slipped its moorings
noun
  1. An act of sliding unintentionally for a short distance.
    • example - a single slip could send them plummeting down the mountainside
    • synonyms - false step, misstep, slide, skid, fall, trip, tumble
  2. A fall to a lower level or standard.
    • example - a continued slip in house prices
  3. A loose-fitting garment, typically a short petticoat.
    • example - a silk slip
    • synonyms - underskirt, petticoat, underslip, half-slip
  4. A fielding position (often one of two or more in an arc) close behind the batsman on the off side, for catching balls edged by the batsman.
    • example - he was caught in the slips for 32
  5. short for slipway
  6. A leash which enables a dog to be released quickly.
    • example - Tommy bolted off like a greyhound released from the slips
  7. short for slip stitch
/sləʊp/
noun
  1. A surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than another; a rising or falling surface.
    • example - he slithered helplessly down the slope
  2. A person from East Asia, especially Vietnam.
verb
  1. (of a surface or line) be inclined from a horizontal or vertical line; slant up or down.
    • example - the garden sloped down to a stream
    • synonyms - slant, incline, tilt
  2. Move in an idle or aimless manner.
/sləʊ/
adjective
  1. Moving or operating, or designed to do so, only at a low speed; not quick or fast.
    • example - until recently diesel cars were slow and noisy
    • synonyms - unhurried, leisurely, measured, moderate, deliberate, steady, sedate, slow-moving, slow-going, easy, relaxed, unrushed, gentle, undemanding, comfortable
  2. (of a clock or watch) showing a time earlier than the correct time.
    • example - the clock was five minutes slow
  3. Not prompt to understand, think, or learn.
    • example - he"s so slow, so unimaginative
    • synonyms - obtuse, stupid, unperceptive, imperceptive, blind, uncomprehending, unimaginative, insensitive, bovine, stolid, slow-witted, dull-witted, unintelligent, doltish, witless, blockish
  4. Uneventful and rather dull.
    • example - a slow and mostly aimless narrative
    • synonyms - dull, boring, uninteresting, unexciting, uneventful, tedious, tiresome, wearisome, dry, as dry as dust, monotonous, plodding, tame, dreary, lacklustre
  5. (of a film) needing long exposure.
    • example - One of the advantages of animation is that you can use long exposures and slow film stock to reduce grain and capture a lot of fine detail.
  6. (of a fire or oven) burning or giving off heat gently.
    • example - bake the dish in a preheated slow oven
adverb
  • At a slow pace; slowly.
    • example - the train went slower and slower
verb
  • Reduce one"s speed or the speed of a vehicle or process.
    • example - the train slowed to a halt
    • synonyms - reduce speed, go slower, decelerate, lessen one"s speed, brake, put the brakes on, slack off
/ˈsləʊli/
adverb
  • At a slow speed; not quickly.
    • example - they moved forward slowly
    • synonyms - unhurriedly, without hurrying, at a leisurely pace, at a slow pace, leisurely, steadily, taking one"s time, in one"s own good time
/smɔːl/
adjective
  1. Of a size that is less than normal or usual.
    • example - the room was small and quiet
    • synonyms - little, small-scale, compact, bijou
  2. Insignificant; unimportant.
    • example - these are small points
    • synonyms - slight, minor, unimportant, trifling, trivial, insignificant, inconsequential, inappreciable, inconsiderable, negligible, nugatory, paltry, infinitesimal
plural noun
  1. Small items of clothing, especially underwear.
  2. A gratuity or small gift of money.
    • example - Go drop some comment in him box, and you can leave a smalls here as well.
    • synonyms - gratuity, baksheesh, bonus, little extra, bit extra, present, gift, reward, inducement
adverb
  • Into small pieces.
/smɑːt/
adjective
  1. (of a person) clean, tidy, and well dressed.
    • example - you look very smart
    • synonyms - well dressed, well turned out, fashionably dressed, fashionable, stylish, chic, modish, elegant, neat, besuited, spruce, trim, dapper, debonair
  2. Having or showing a quick-witted intelligence.
    • synonyms - clever, bright, intelligent, sharp, sharp-witted, quick-witted, nimble-witted, shrewd, astute, acute, apt, able
  3. (of a device) programmed so as to be capable of some independent action.
    • example - hi-tech smart weapons
  4. Quick; brisk.
    • example - he set off at a smart pace
    • synonyms - brisk, quick, fast, rapid, swift, lively, spanking, energetic, spirited, vigorous, jaunty
verb
  • (of a wound or part of the body) feel or cause a sharp stinging pain.
    • example - her legs were scratched and smarting
    • synonyms - sting, burn, tingle, prickle
noun
  1. Sharp stinging pain.
  2. Intelligence; acumen.
    • synonyms - astuteness, awareness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, brightness, smartness
/ˈsmɑːtfəʊn/
noun
  • A mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded apps.
    • example - Despite this scepticism about mobile apps there"s better news for makers of smartphones and PDAs from the survey.
/smɛl/
noun
  • The faculty or power of perceiving odours or scents by means of the organs in the nose.
    • example - a highly developed sense of smell
verb
  1. Perceive or detect the odour or scent of (something)
    • example - I think I can smell something burning
    • synonyms - get a whiff of, scent, get a sniff of, detect the smell of
  2. Emit an odour or scent of a specified kind.
    • example - it smelled like cough medicine
/smʌɪl/
verb
  • Form one"s features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed.
    • example - she was smiling broadly
    • synonyms - grin, beam, grin like a Cheshire cat, grin from ear to ear, twinkle
noun
  • A pleased, kind, or amused facial expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed.
    • example - he flashed his most winning smile
    • synonyms - grin, beam
/sməʊk/
noun
  1. A visible suspension of carbon or other particles in air, typically one emitted from a burning substance.
    • example - bonfire smoke
    • synonyms - fumes, exhaust, gas, vapour
  2. An act of smoking tobacco.
    • example - I"m dying for a smoke
  3. A big city, especially London.
verb
  1. Emit smoke or visible vapour.
    • example - heat the oil until it just smokes
    • synonyms - smoulder, emit smoke, emit fumes
  2. Suck on the end of a lit cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc. so as to inhale and exhale the smoke produced by the burning tobacco into the mouth.
    • example - she was sitting at the kitchen table smoking
    • synonyms - puff on, draw on, pull on
  3. Treat, fumigate, or cleanse by exposure to smoke.
  4. Kill (someone) by shooting.
  5. Make fun of (someone)
    • synonyms - make fun of, poke fun at, chaff, make jokes about, rag, mock, laugh at, guy, satirize, be sarcastic about
/ˈsməʊkɪŋ/
noun
  • The action or habit of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco by sucking on the end of a lit cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.
    • example - the effect of smoking on health
adjective
  1. Emitting smoke or visible vapour.
    • example - they huddled round his smoking fire in the winter damp
  2. Lively and exciting.
/smuːð/
adjective
  1. Having an even and regular surface; free from perceptible projections, lumps, or indentations.
    • example - smooth flat rocks
    • synonyms - even, level, flat, as flat as a pancake, plane, flush, unwrinkled, featureless
  2. (of movement) without jerks.
    • example - the trucks gave a smooth ride
  3. (of an action, event, or process) without problems or difficulties.
    • example - the group"s expansion into the US market was not quite so smooth
    • synonyms - straightforward, easy, effortless, trouble-free, untroubled, well ordered, simple
  4. (of a person or their manner) suavely charming in a way regarded as possibly insincere.
    • example - his voice was infuriatingly smooth
    • synonyms - suave, urbane, sophisticated, polished, debonair, courteous, gracious, smooth-tongued, glib, media-savvy, persuasive, slick, oily, ingratiating, unctuous
  5. (of food or drink) without harshness or bitterness.
    • example - a lovely, smooth, very fruity wine
    • synonyms - mellow, mild, agreeable, pleasant, bland, soft, soothing
verb
  1. Give (something) a flat, regular surface or appearance.
    • example - she smoothed out the newspaper
    • synonyms - flatten, make flat, level, make level, level out, level off, make even, even off, even out, press, press down, roll, steamroll, iron, plane, make uniform, make regular, regularize
  2. Deal successfully with (a problem or difficulty)
    • example - these doctrinal disputes were smoothed over
    • synonyms - settle, resolve, patch up, sort out, iron out, put to rights, mend, remedy, heal, cure, rectify
adverb
  • In a way that is without difficulties.
    • example - the course of true love never did run smooth
/sneɪk/
noun
  1. A long limbless reptile which has no eyelids, a short tail, and jaws that are capable of considerable extension. Some snakes have a venomous bite.
    • example - The copperhead, a venomous snake, is dangerous, but its bite is rarely life-threatening to healthy adult humans.
    • synonyms - serpent
  2. A treacherous or deceitful person.
    • example - that man is a cold-blooded snake
    • synonyms - traitor, turncoat, betrayer, informer, back-stabber, double-crosser, double-dealer, quisling, Judas
  3. A former system of interconnected exchange rates for the currencies of EC countries.
    • example - the snake did not have any provision for strong currency nations to help the weak
  4. A long flexible wire for clearing obstacles in piping.
    • example - As expected, they encountered the clog much farther down the pipe than the first plumber"s snake could have reached from under the sink.
verb
  • Move or extend with the twisting motion of a snake.
    • example - a rope snaked down
    • synonyms - twist, wind, twist and turn, meander, zigzag
/snəʊ/
noun
  1. Atmospheric water vapour frozen into ice crystals and falling in light white flakes or lying on the ground as a white layer.
    • example - we were trudging through deep snow
    • synonyms - snowflakes, flakes, snowdrift, snowfield, snowpack
  2. A mass of flickering white spots on a television or radar screen, caused by interference or a poor signal.
    • example - all that they could pick up on their screens was snow
  3. A dessert or other dish resembling snow.
    • example - vanilla snow
  4. Cocaine.
verb
  1. Snow falls.
    • example - it"s not snowing so heavily now
  2. Mislead or charm (someone) with elaborate and insincere words.
so
/səʊ/
adverb
  1. To such a great extent.
    • example - the words tumbled out so fast that I could barely hear them
  2. To the same extent (used in comparisons)
    • example - he isn"t so bad as you"d think
  3. Referring back to something previously mentioned.
  4. In the way described or demonstrated; thus.
    • example - hold your arms so
    • synonyms - consequently, as a consequence, in consequence, so, that being so, therefore, accordingly, hence, as a result, for that reason, for this reason, because of that, because of this, on that account, on this account
conjunction
  1. And for this reason; therefore.
    • example - it was still painful so I went to see a specialist
    • synonyms - for that reason, consequently, so, as a result, as a consequence, hence, thus, accordingly, then, that being so, that being the case, on that account
  2. With the aim that; in order that.
    • example - they whisper to each other so that no one else can hear
  3. And then; as the next step.
    • example - and so to the final
  4. Introducing a question.
    • example - so, what did you do today?
  5. Introducing a statement which is followed by a defensive comment.
    • example - so I like keeping track of things—what"s wrong with that?
  6. Introducing a concluding statement.
    • example - so that"s that
  7. In the same way; correspondingly.
    • example - just as bad money drives out good, so does bad art drive out the good
/səʊp/
noun
  1. A substance used with water for washing and cleaning, made of a compound of natural oils or fats with sodium hydroxide or another strong alkali, and typically having perfume and colouring added.
    • example - a bar of soap
  2. A soap opera.
verb
  • Wash with soap.
    • example - she soaped her face
    • synonyms - wash, soak, dip, shower, douche, soaping, sponging, toilet
/ˈsɒkə/
noun
  • A form of football played by two teams of eleven players with a round ball which may not be handled during play except by the goalkeepers.
    • example - Major team sports include rugby, soccer and cricket for boys and hockey and netball for girls.
    • synonyms - Association football
/ˈsəʊʃ(ə)l/
adjective
  1. Relating to society or its organization.
    • example - alcoholism is recognized as a major social problem
    • synonyms - communal, community, community-based, collective, group, general, popular, civil, civic, public, societal
  2. Needing companionship and therefore best suited to living in communities.
    • example - we are social beings as well as individuals
  3. (of a bird) gregarious; breeding or nesting in colonies.
    • example - Waxwings are social birds and where suitable food supplies are found, flocks of several hundred birds have been recorded here.
    • synonyms - gregarious, organized, civilized, interactional
noun
  1. An informal social gathering, especially one organized by the members of a particular club or group.
    • example - a church social
    • synonyms - party, gathering, social gathering, social occasion, social event, social function, function, get-together, celebration, reunion, festivity, jamboree, reception, at-home, soirée
  2. short for social security
/səˈsʌɪɪti/
noun
  1. The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
    • example - drugs, crime, and other dangers to society
    • synonyms - the community, the public, the general public, the people, the population
  2. An organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity.
    • example - the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
    • synonyms - association, club, group, band, circle, fellowship, body, guild, college, lodge, order, fraternity, confraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, sorority, league, federation, union, alliance, affiliation, institution, coterie
  3. The situation of being in the company of other people.
    • example - she shunned the society of others
    • synonyms - company, companionship, fellowship, friendship, comradeship, camaraderie, social intercourse
/sɒk/
noun
  1. A garment for the foot and lower part of the leg, typically knitted from wool, cotton, or nylon.
    • example - In more formal settings, black over-the-calf stretch nylon cotton or wool socks are fitting.
  2. A hard blow.
    • synonyms - blow, thump, punch, knock, bang, thwack, box, cuff, slap, smack, spank, tap, crack, stroke, welt
verb
  • Hit forcefully.
    • synonyms - strike, slap, smack, cuff, punch, beat, thrash, thump, batter, belabour, drub, hook, pound, smash, slam, welt, pummel, hammer, bang, knock, swat, whip, flog, cane, sucker-punch, rain blows on, give someone a beating, give someone a drubbing, give someone a good beating, give someone a good drubbing, box someone"s ears
/sɒft/
adjective
  1. Easy to mould, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch.
    • example - soft margarine
    • synonyms - mushy, squashy, pulpy, pappy, slushy, sloppy, squelchy, squishy, oozy, doughy, semi-liquid
  2. Having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition.
    • example - the soft glow of the lamps
    • synonyms - dim, low, faint, shaded, subdued, muted, mellow
  3. Sympathetic, lenient, or compassionate, especially to a degree perceived as excessive; not strict or sufficiently strict.
    • example - the government is not becoming soft on crime
    • synonyms - lenient, easy-going, tolerant, forgiving, forbearing, indulgent, generous, clement, permissive, liberal, lax
  4. (of a drink) not alcoholic.
    • example - The expedition is sponsored by Mountain Dew, a soft drink of the beverage company, Pepsi.
  5. (of a market, currency, or commodity) falling or likely to fall in value.
    • example - now a new factor looms: soft oil prices
  6. (of water) containing relatively low concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and therefore lathering easily with soap.
    • example - you use only half as much soap when you clean with soft water
  7. Foolish; silly.
    • synonyms - foolish, stupid, simple, brainless, mindless, witless, imbecilic, imbecile, mad
  8. (of a consonant) pronounced as a fricative (as c in ice).
    • example - Still the dominant phonetic presence is of light vowels and soft consonants.
adverb
  1. In a quiet or gentle way.
    • example - I can just speak soft and she"ll hear me
  2. In a weak or foolish way.
/ˈsɒf(t)wɛː/
noun
  • The programs and other operating information used by a computer.
    • example - the software industry
    • synonyms - program, software, routine, use
/sɔɪl/
noun
  • The upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.
    • example - blueberries need very acid soil
    • synonyms - earth, loam, sod, ground, dirt, clay, turf, topsoil, mould, humus, marl, dust
/ˈsəʊlə/
adjective
  • Relating to or determined by the sun.
    • example - solar radiation
/ˈsəʊldʒə/
noun
  1. A person who serves in an army.
    • example - As an enlisted soldier, he served in every leadership position up to the position of First Sergeant.
    • synonyms - fighter, serviceman, servicewoman, fighting man, fighting woman, comrade-in-arms, warrior, trooper
  2. A wingless caste of ant or termite with a large specially modified head and jaws, involved chiefly in defence.
    • example - Soldiers resemble worker termites, except that they have enlarged brownish heads and strong, well-developed jaws.
  3. A strip of bread or toast, used for dipping into a soft-boiled egg.
  4. An upright brick, timber, or other building element.
    • example - Mr. Johnston explained that the detail below the red line remained the same except for Helifix anchors that were put in just above the soldier course of bricks.
verb
  1. Serve as a soldier.
    • example - I soldiered with your father on his last four campaigns
  2. Carry on doggedly; persevere.
    • synonyms - persevere, persist, carry on doggedly, keep on, keep going, not give up, struggle on, hammer away, be persistent, be determined, follow something through, see something through, keep at it, show determination, press ahead, press on, stay with something, not take no for an answer, be tenacious, be pertinacious, stand one"s ground, stand fast, stand firm, hold on, hold out, go the distance, stay the course, plod on, plough on, grind away
/ˈsɒlɪd/
adjective
  1. Firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid.
    • example - the stream was frozen solid
    • synonyms - hard, rock-hard, rigid, firm, solidified, set, frozen, jellied, congealed, concrete
  2. Having three dimensions.
    • example - a solid figure with six plane faces
  3. Not hollow or containing spaces or gaps.
    • example - a sculpture made out of solid rock
  4. Dependable; reliable.
    • example - the defence is solid
    • synonyms - well founded, well grounded, valid, sound, reasonable, logical, weighty, authoritative, convincing, cogent, plausible, credible, reliable
  5. On good terms with.
  6. Severe; unfair.
noun
  1. A substance or object that is solid rather than liquid or fluid.
    • example - I was reminded of high school physics where we learned that solids conduct sound better than both liquids and gases.
  2. A body or geometric figure having three dimensions.
    • example - In particular he identified the five elements, fire, earth, air, water and celestial matter with the five regular solids, the tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, icosahedron and the dodecahedron.
/səˈluːʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
    • example - there are no easy solutions to financial and marital problems
  2. A liquid mixture in which the minor component (the solute) is uniformly distributed within the major component (the solvent)
    • example - a solution of ammonia in water
    • synonyms - mixture, mix, blend, compound, suspension, tincture, infusion, emulsion, colloid, gel, fluid
  3. The action of separating or breaking down; dissolution.
    • example - the solution of British supremacy in South Africa
/sɒlv/
verb
  • Find an answer to, explanation for, or means of effectively dealing with (a problem or mystery)
    • example - the policy could solve the town"s housing crisis
    • synonyms - find an answer to, find the answer to, find a solution to, find the solution to, answer, resolve, work out, puzzle out, fathom, find the key to, decipher, decode, break, clear up, interpret, translate, straighten out, get to the bottom of, make head or tail of, unravel, disentangle, untangle, unfold, piece together, explain, expound, elucidate
/sʌm/
/s(ə)m/
determiner
  1. An unspecified amount or number of.
    • example - I made some money running errands
    • synonyms - some, a piece of, a part of, a bit of
  2. Used to refer to someone or something that is unknown or unspecified.
    • example - I was talking to some journalist the other day
    • synonyms - some, any, a certain
  3. (used with a number) approximately.
    • example - some thirty different languages are spoken
  4. (pronounced stressing ‘some’) a considerable amount or number of.
    • example - he went to some trouble
    • synonyms - moderate, reasonable, a fair degree of, considerable, some
  5. (pronounced stressing ‘some’) at least a small amount or number of.
    • example - he liked some music but generally wasn"t musical
  6. (pronounced stressing ‘some’) expressing admiration of something notable.
    • example - that was some goal
pronoun
  1. An unspecified number or amount of people or things.
    • example - here are some of our suggestions
  2. (pronounced stressing ‘some’) at least a small amount or number of people or things.
    • example - surely some have noticed
    • synonyms - position, place, niche, slot, space
adverb
  • To some extent; quite a lot.
    • synonyms - a little, a bit, a little bit, to a limited degree, to a limited extent, to a certain degree, to some extent, to some degree, to a point, up to a point, in some measure, rather, quite, within limits
/ˈsʌmbədi/
pronoun
  1. Some person; someone.
    • example - Claire decided that she must have fallen asleep at the party, and somebody had taken her home.
    • synonyms - person, individual, human being, somebody, someone
  2. A person of importance or authority.
    • example - I"d like to be somebody
    • synonyms - important person, VIP, personage, public figure, notable, notability, dignitary, pillar of society, pillar of the community, worthy
/ˈsʌmwʌn/
pronoun
  1. An unknown or unspecified person; some person.
    • example - there"s someone at the door
    • synonyms - person, individual, human being, somebody, someone
  2. A person of importance or authority.
    • example - a small-time lawyer keen to be someone
    • synonyms - grandee, important person, VIP, very important person, notable, notability, worthy, personage, luminary, public figure, pillar of society, leading light, leader, panjandrum
/ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
pronoun
  1. A thing that is unspecified or unknown.
    • example - we stopped for something to eat
  2. Used in various expressions indicating that a description or amount being stated is not exact.
    • example - a wry look, something between amusement and regret
adverb
  1. Used for emphasis with a following adjective functioning as an adverb.
  2. To some extent; somewhat.
    • example - the people were something scared
/ˈsʌmtʌɪmz/
adverb
  • Occasionally, rather than all of the time.
    • example - sometimes I want to do things on my own
    • synonyms - occasionally, from time to time, now and again, now and then, every now and again, every now and then, every so often, once in a while, every once in a while, on occasion, on occasions, on the odd occasion, at times, off and on, at intervals, periodically, sporadically, spasmodically, erratically, irregularly, intermittently, by fits and starts, in fits and starts, fitfully, discontinuously, piecemeal
/ˈsʌmwɒt/
adverb
  • To a moderate extent or by a moderate amount; rather.
    • example - matters have improved somewhat since then
    • synonyms - a little, a bit, a little bit, to a limited degree, to a limited extent, to a certain degree, to some extent, to some degree, to a point, up to a point, in some measure, rather, quite, within limits
/ˈsʌmwɛː/
adverb
  • In or to some place.
    • example - I"ve seen you somewhere before
pronoun
  • Some unspecified place.
    • example - in search of somewhere to live
son
/sʌn/
noun
  • A boy or man in relation to either or both of his parents.
    • example - Throughout their relationship, they had been the main parents to four sons, all of whom had been conceived in previous marriages.
    • synonyms - male child, boy, son and heir
/sɒŋ/
noun
  1. A short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung.
    • example - a pop song
    • synonyms - air, strain, ditty, melody, tune, popular song, pop song, number, track
  2. The musical phrases uttered by some birds, whales, and insects, typically forming a recognizable and repeated sequence and used chiefly for territorial defence or for attracting mates.
    • example - Males attract mates using song, iridescent plumage and dramatic display flights.
    • synonyms - call, calls, calling, chirp, chirps, chirping, cheep, cheeps, cheeping, peep, peeps, peeping, chirrup, chirrups, chirruping, warble, warbles, warbling, trill, trills, trilling, twitter, twittering, whistling, piping, birdsong
/suːn/
adverb
  1. In or after a short time.
    • example - everyone will soon know the truth
    • synonyms - in a short time, shortly, presently, in the near future, before long, in a little while, in a minute, in a moment, in an instant, in a twinkling, in the twinkling of an eye, before you know it, any minute, any minute now, any day, any day now, any time, any time now, by and by
  2. Used to indicate one"s preference in a particular matter.
    • example - I"d just as soon Tim did it
    • synonyms - rather, by preference, preferably, by choice, from choice, more willingly, more readily
/ˈsɒri/
adjective
  1. Feeling sad or distressed through sympathy with someone else"s misfortune.
    • example - I was sorry to hear about what happened to your family
    • synonyms - sad, unhappy, sorrowful, distressed, upset, depressed, downcast, miserable, downhearted, disheartened, dejected, down, despondent, despairing, disconsolate, broken-hearted, heartbroken, inconsolable, grief-stricken
  2. Feeling regret or penitence.
    • example - he said he was sorry he had upset me
    • synonyms - regretful, remorseful, contrite, repentant, rueful, penitent, conscience-stricken, apologetic, abject, guilty, guilt-ridden, self-reproachful, bad, ashamed, shamefaced, sheepish, in sackcloth and ashes, afraid
  3. In a poor or pitiful state.
    • example - he looks a sorry sight with his broken jaw
    • synonyms - pitiful, pitiable, heart-rending, distressing
/sɔːt/
noun
  1. A category of things or people with a common feature; a type.
    • example - if only we knew the sort of people she was mixing with
    • synonyms - type, kind, variety, class, category, classification, style
  2. The arrangement of data in a prescribed sequence.
    • example - Both cache size and sort size affect memory usage, so you cannot maximize one without affecting the other.
  3. A manner or way.
    • example - in law also the Judge is in a sort superior to his King
  4. A letter or piece in a font of type.
verb
  1. Arrange systematically in groups; separate according to type.
    • example - the mail was sorted
    • synonyms - classify, class, categorize, catalogue, grade, rank, group, divide, sort out
  2. Resolve (a problem or difficulty)
    • synonyms - resolve, settle, sort out, solve, find a solution to, find an answer to, fix, work out, straighten out, deal with, put right, set right, put to rights, rectify, iron out
/səʊl/
noun
  1. The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.
    • example - It ignores all the empirical evidence for animal awareness while resting on an assumption for which there is no evidence: that human beings but no other animals possess immortal souls.
    • synonyms - soul, psyche, inner self, inner being, essential being
  2. Emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, especially as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance.
    • example - their interpretation lacked soul
    • synonyms - inspiration, feeling, emotion, passion, animation, intensity, fervour, ardour, enthusiasm, eagerness, warmth, energy, vitality, vivacity, spirit, spiritedness, commitment
  3. The essence or embodiment of a specified quality.
    • example - he was the soul of discretion
    • synonyms - embodiment, personification, incarnation, epitome, quintessence, essence
/saʊnd/
noun
  1. Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person"s or animal"s ear.
    • example - light travels faster than sound
  2. Sound produced by continuous and regular vibrations, as opposed to noise.
    • example - The sound produced by drums is short; thus, any continuous sound can be produced only by rapid repetition.
  3. Music, speech, and sound effects when recorded and used to accompany a film, video, or broadcast.
    • example - a sound studio
  4. An idea or impression conveyed by words.
    • example - you"ve had a hard day, by the sound of it
    • synonyms - idea, thought, concept, impression, prospect, description
verb
  1. Emit or cause to emit sound.
    • example - a loud buzzer sounded
    • synonyms - go, go off, resonate, resound, reverberate, blow, blare
  2. Convey a specified impression when heard.
    • example - he sounded worried
/suːp/
noun
  1. A liquid dish, typically savoury and made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables etc. in stock or water.
    • example - a bowl of tomato soup
  2. A substance or mixture regarded as resembling soup in appearance or consistency.
    • example - the waves and the water beyond have become a thick brown soup
  3. Nitroglycerine or gelignite, especially as used for safe-breaking.
verb
  • Increase the power and efficiency of an engine or other machine.
/sɔːs/
noun
  1. A place, person, or thing from which something originates or can be obtained.
    • example - mackerel is a good source of fish oil
    • synonyms - origin, place of origin
  2. A body or process by which energy or a particular component enters a system.
verb
  • Obtain from a particular source.
    • example - each type of coffee is sourced from one country
/saʊθ/
noun
  1. The direction towards the point of the horizon 90° clockwise from east, or the point on the horizon itself.
    • example - the breeze came from the south
  2. The southern part of the world or of a specified country, region, or town.
    • example - he was staying in the south of France
  3. The player sitting opposite and partnering North.
    • example - South"s hand did not look right for a rebid in no trumps
adjective
  1. Lying towards, near, or facing the south.
    • example - the south coast
  2. Of or denoting the southern part of an area, city, or country or its inhabitants.
    • example - South America
    • synonyms - southern, southerly, southwardly, meridional, Antarctic, polar
adverb
  1. To or towards the south.
    • example - they journeyed south along the valley
    • synonyms - to the south, southward, southwards, southwardly
  2. Below (a particular amount, cost, etc.)
verb
  • Move towards the south.
/ˈsʌð(ə)n/
adjective
  1. Situated in the south or directed towards or facing the south.
    • example - the southern hemisphere
    • synonyms - southern, southerly, southwardly, meridional, Antarctic, polar
  2. Living in or originating from the south.
    • example - the southern rural poor
/speɪs/
noun
  1. A continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied.
    • example - a table took up much of the space
    • synonyms - room, expanse, extent, capacity, area, volume, spaciousness, scope, latitude, expansion, margin, leeway, play, clearance
  2. The dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.
    • example - the work gives the sense of a journey in space and time
  3. An interval of time (often used to suggest that the time is short considering what has happened or been achieved in it)
    • example - both their cars were stolen in the space of three days
    • synonyms - period, span, time, duration, stretch, course, interval, season, term
  4. The portion of a text or document available or needed to write about a subject.
    • example - there is no space to give further details
  5. The freedom to live, think, and develop in a way that suits one.
    • example - a teenager needing her own space
    • synonyms - freedom, scope, a free hand, leeway, latitude, elbow room, space, room, flexibility, liberty, independence, play, slack, free play, leisure, licence, room to manoeuvre, scope for initiative, freedom of action, freedom from restriction, indulgence, laxity, margin
  6. One of two possible states of a signal in certain systems.
verb
  • Position (two or more items) at a distance from one another.
    • example - the poles are spaced 3m apart
    • synonyms - place at intervals, separate, place, position, arrange, line up, range, order, array, dispose, lay out, deploy, locate, settle, situate, set, stand, station
/spiːk/
verb
  1. Say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling.
    • example - in his agitation he was unable to speak
    • synonyms - talk, say, say anything, say something
  2. (of behaviour, an object, etc.) serve as evidence for something.
    • example - his frame spoke tiredness
    • synonyms - indicate, mean, suggest, show, denote, display, demonstrate, be evidence of, register, reflect, reveal, betray, evince, disclose, exhibit, manifest
  3. (of a musical instrument or other object) make a sound when functioning.
    • example - the gun spoke again
/ˈspiːkə/
noun
  1. A person who speaks.
    • example - language communication involves the interrelation between speaker and hearer
  2. The presiding officer in a legislative assembly, especially the House of Commons.
    • example - President Delaney, the Speaker of the House, and a bevy of civilian and military officials sat silently as the count slowly approached zero.
  3. short for loudspeaker
    • example - the two speakers let the netbook feature stereo sound
/ˈspɛʃ(ə)l/
adjective
  1. Better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual.
    • example - they always made a special effort at Christmas
    • synonyms - exceptional, particular, extra special, unusual, marked, singular, uncommon, notable, noteworthy, remarkable, outstanding, unique
  2. Belonging specifically to a particular person or place.
    • example - we want to preserve our town"s special character
    • synonyms - distinctive, distinct, individual, particular, specific, certain, peculiar, definite, express, precise
  3. Denoting a group consisting of matrices of unit determinant.
noun
  • A thing, such as a product or broadcast, that is designed or organized for a particular occasion or purpose.
    • example - television"s election night specials
/ˈspɛʃ(ə)lɪst/
noun
  • A person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field.
    • example - he is a specialist in psychometric testing
    • synonyms - expert, authority, pundit, professional, consultant, connoisseur, fancier, master, maestro, adept, virtuoso, old hand, skilled person
adjective
  • Possessing or involving detailed knowledge or study of a restricted topic.
    • example - you may require specialist financial advice
/ˈspiːʃiːz/
noun
  1. A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. The species is the principal natural taxonomic unit, ranking below a genus and denoted by a Latin binomial, e.g. Homo sapiens.A group subordinate to a genus and containing individuals agreeing in some common attributes and called by a common name.
    • example - As in Darwin"s theory of natural selection, a species must adjust to survive.
    • synonyms - type, kind, sort
  2. A kind or sort.
    • example - a species of invective at once tough and suave
    • synonyms - type, kind, sort
  3. The visible form of each of the elements of consecrated bread and wine in the Eucharist.
/spəˈsɪfɪk/
adjective
  1. Clearly defined or identified.
    • example - savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs
    • synonyms - particular, specified, certain, fixed, set, determined, distinct, separate, definite, single, individual, peculiar, discrete, express, precise
  2. Relating to species or a species.
  3. (of a duty or a tax) levied at a fixed rate per physical unit of the thing taxed, regardless of its price.
  4. Of or denoting a number equal to the ratio of the value of some property of a given substance to the value of the same property of some other substance used as a reference, such as water, or of a vacuum, under equivalent conditions.
noun
  1. A medicine or remedy effective in treating a particular disease or part of the body.
    • example - he grasped at the idea as though she had offered him a specific for cancer
  2. A precise detail.
    • example - I wish I"d put more thought into the specifics
    • synonyms - details, niceties, subtleties, finer points, particulars, specifics
/spəˈsɪfɪkli/
adverb
  1. In a way that is exact and clear; precisely.
    • example - a workman called at the time I specifically stated I would not be in
  2. In a way that relates to species.
    • example - there are three genera in common, but these differ specifically
/spiːtʃ/
noun
  1. The expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds.
    • example - he was born deaf and without the power of speech
    • synonyms - speaking, talking, verbal communication, verbal expression, articulation
  2. A formal address or discourse delivered to an audience.
    • example - he gave a speech about the company
    • synonyms - talk, address, lecture, discourse, oration, disquisition, peroration, declamation, deliverance, presentation
/spiːd/
noun
  1. The rate at which someone or something moves or operates or is able to move or operate.
    • example - we turned on to the runway and began to gather speed
    • synonyms - rate, pace, tempo, momentum
  2. Each of the possible gear ratios of a bicycle or motor vehicle.
    • synonyms - gear ratio, speed
  3. The light-gathering power or f-number of a camera lens.
    • example - Lens speed indicates how bright the image in the viewfinder will be.
  4. An amphetamine drug, especially methamphetamine.
  5. Success; prosperity.
verb
  1. Move quickly.
    • example - I got into the car and home we sped
    • synonyms - hurry, race, run, sprint, dash, bolt, dart, rush, hasten, hurtle, career, streak, shoot, whizz, zoom, go like lightning, go hell for leather, spank along, bowl along, rattle along, whirl, whoosh, buzz, swoop, flash, blast, charge, stampede, gallop, sweep, hare, fly, wing, scurry, scud, scutter, scramble
  2. Make prosperous or successful.
    • example - may God speed you
  3. Take or be under the influence of an amphetamine drug.
/spɛl/
verb
  1. Write or name the letters that form (a word) in correct sequence.
    • example - Dolly spelled her name
  2. Be a sign or characteristic of.
/ˈspɛlɪŋ/
noun
  • The process or activity of writing or naming the letters of a word.
    • example - the books and spelling in my class were too simple
/spɛnd/
verb
  1. Give (money) to pay for goods, services, or so as to benefit someone or something.
    • example - the firm has spent £100,000 on hardware
    • synonyms - pay out, lay out, expend, disburse
  2. Pass (time) in a specified way or in a particular place.
    • example - she spent a lot of time travelling
    • synonyms - pass, occupy, fill, take up, while away, use up
noun
  • An amount of money paid out.
/spɛnd/
verb
  1. Give (money) to pay for goods, services, or so as to benefit someone or something.
    • example - the firm has spent £100,000 on hardware
    • synonyms - pay out, lay out, expend, disburse
  2. Pass (time) in a specified way or in a particular place.
    • example - she spent a lot of time travelling
    • synonyms - pass, occupy, fill, take up, while away, use up
noun
  • An amount of money paid out.
/ˈspʌɪsi/
adjective
  • Flavoured with or fragrant with spice.
    • example - pasta in a spicy tomato sauce
    • synonyms - piquant, tangy, peppery, hot, picante
/ˈspʌɪdə/
noun
  1. An eight-legged predatory arachnid with an unsegmented body consisting of a fused head and thorax and a rounded abdomen. Spiders have fangs that inject venom into their prey, and most kinds spin webs in which to capture insects.
    • example - When they reduce pesticide use, they see a lot more beneficial predatory insects: spiders and parasitic wasps and flies.
  2. An object resembling a spider, especially one having numerous or prominent legs or radiating spokes.
    • example - It was crafted in the shape of a spider, so that its minute legs would curl around her index finger, with tiny ruby eyes.
  3. another term for crawler (sense 2)
    • example - This way, your site map will be a valuable resource for anyone who accesses your site, and a useful tool for spiders to find everything that"s within.
verb
  1. Move in a scuttling manner suggestive of a spider.
    • example - a treecreeper spidered head first down the tree trunk
  2. another term for crawl (sense 4 of the verb)
    • example - when the search engines spider your site they"ll find all of the pages
/ˈspɪrɪt/
noun
  1. The non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.
    • example - we seek a harmony between body and spirit
    • synonyms - soul, psyche, inner self, inner being, essential being
  2. The prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude of a person, group, or period of time.
    • example - I hope the team will build on this spirit of confidence
    • synonyms - ethos, prevailing tendency, motivating force, animating principle, dominating characteristic, essence, quintessence
  3. Strong distilled alcoholic drink such as brandy, whisky, gin, or rum.
    • example - The type of alcohol ranged from beers, lagers and cider to spirits, wine and designer drinks such as Hooch, Bacardi Breezers and Maverick Ice.
    • synonyms - strong liquor, liquor, strong drink
  4. A highly refined substance or fluid thought to govern vital phenomena.
    • example - For it, he drew once again on Harvey"s discovery of the circulation of the blood, and proposed that it was one part of a complicated system involving animal and vital spirits.
verb
  • Convey rapidly and secretly.
    • example - stolen cows were spirited away some distance to prevent detection
    • synonyms - abduct, kidnap, make off with, run away with, whisk away, carry off, steal away with, snatch, seize
/ˈspɪrɪtʃʊəl/
adjective
  1. Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.
    • example - I"m responsible for his spiritual welfare
    • synonyms - non-material, inner, psychic, psychical, psychological
  2. Relating to religion or religious belief.
    • example - the country"s spiritual leader
    • synonyms - religious, sacred, divine, holy, non-secular, church, churchly, ecclesiastic, devotional
noun
  • A religious song of a kind associated with black Christians of the southern US, and thought to derive from the combination of European hymns and African musical elements by black slaves.
    • example - The Cwmbach Male Voice Choir entertained with a traditional repertoire of Welsh hymns, spirituals and songs from opera and the shows.
/splɪt/
verb
  1. Break or cause to break forcibly into parts, especially into halves or along the grain.
    • example - the ice cracked and split
    • synonyms - break, chop, cut, hew, lop, cleave
  2. (with reference to a group of people) divide into two or more groups.
    • example - let"s split up and find the other two
  3. (of one"s head) suffer great pain from a headache.
    • synonyms - agonizing, extremely painful, severe, acute, intense, extreme, savage, violent, racking, searing, piercing, stabbing, raging, harrowing, tormenting, grievous
  4. Betray the secrets of or inform on someone.
    • synonyms - inform against, inform on, tell tales on, give away, sell out, stab in the back
  5. Leave a place, especially suddenly.
    • synonyms - leave, depart, go, go away, go off, take one"s leave, take oneself off, withdraw, absent oneself, say one"s goodbyes, quit, make an exit, exit, break camp, decamp, retreat, beat a retreat, retire
noun
  1. A tear, crack, or fissure in something, especially down the middle or along the grain.
    • example - splits appeared in the decaying planks
    • synonyms - crack, fissure, cleft, crevice, break, fracture, breach
  2. (in gymnastics and dance) an act of leaping in the air or sitting down with the legs straight and at right angles to the body, one in front and the other behind, or one at each side.
    • example - I could never do the splits before
  3. A thing that is divided or split.
    • example - Nor do we have all of the split posts, as there are too many half splits with the central pith intact.
  4. The time taken to complete a recognized part of a race, or the point in the race where such a time is measured.
    • example - As a fierce relay anchor, Correia has the fastest 50 and 100-yard freestyle relay splits in history.
/ˈspəʊk(ə)n/
verb
  • past participle of speak
adjective
  • Speaking in a specified way.
    • example - a blunt-spoken man
/spuːn/
noun
  1. An implement consisting of a small, shallow oval or round bowl on a long handle, used for eating, stirring, and serving food.
    • example - Holding a spoon and a bowl, this woman lunches quietly, pensively and, most importantly, alone on the grass.
    • synonyms - spoon, ladle, dipper
  2. A thing resembling a spoon in shape.
verb
  1. Put (food) into or on something with a spoon.
    • example - Rosie spooned sugar into her mug
    • synonyms - scoop, scoop up, spade, dig, excavate, move, shift, heap, spoon, ladle, toss
  2. (of two people) behave in an amorous way; kiss and cuddle.
    • synonyms - embrace, hug, caress, pet, fondle
  3. Hit (a ball) up into the air with a soft or weak stroke.
/spɔːt/
noun
  1. An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
    • example - team sports such as soccer and rugby
    • synonyms - (competitive) game(s), physical recreation, physical activity, physical exercise
  2. A person who behaves in a good or specified way in response to teasing, defeat, or a similarly trying situation.
  3. An animal or plant showing abnormal or striking variation from the parent type, especially in form or colour, as a result of spontaneous mutation.
verb
  1. Wear or display (a distinctive item)
    • example - he was sporting a huge handlebar moustache
    • synonyms - wear, display, exhibit, have on show, show off, flourish, parade, flaunt
  2. Play in a lively, energetic way.
    • example - the children sported in the water
    • synonyms - play, have fun, amuse oneself, entertain oneself, enjoy oneself, divert oneself, frolic, gambol, frisk, romp, cavort, caper
/spɒt/
noun
  1. A small round or roundish mark, differing in colour or texture from the surface around it.
    • example - ladybirds have black spots on their red wing covers
    • synonyms - mark, patch, pop, dot, speck, speckle, fleck, smudge, smear, stain, blotch, blot, splash, daub
  2. A particular place or point.
    • example - a nice secluded spot
    • synonyms - place, location, site, position, point, situation, scene, setting, locale, locality, area, neighbourhood, region
  3. A small amount of something.
    • synonyms - bit, little, some, small amount, morsel, modicum, bite
  4. Denoting a system of trading in which commodities or currencies are delivered and paid for immediately after a sale.
    • example - trading in the spot markets
  5. short for spotlight
  6. A board for working plaster before application.
    • example - Place the hawk alongside the spot board and with the trowel in your working hand scoop some plaster onto the board about the size and shape of a loaf of bread.
  7. A banknote of a specified value.
  8. A bar or other drinking establishment (usually in a private home in a township) that operates without an official permit.
    • example - her father was at the spot with his friends
verb
  1. See, notice, or recognize (someone or something) that is difficult to detect or that one is searching for.
    • example - Andrew spotted the advert in the paper
    • synonyms - notice, see, observe, discern, detect, perceive, make out, pick out, distinguish, recognize, identify, locate
  2. Mark or become marked with spots.
    • synonyms - stain, mark, fleck, speckle, blotch, mottle, smudge, streak, splash, spatter, bespatter
  3. Rain slightly.
    • synonyms - rain lightly, drizzle
  4. Place (a ball) on its designated starting point on a billiard table.
  5. Give or lend (money) to (someone)
/sprɛd/
verb
  1. Open out (something) so as to extend its surface area, width, or length.
    • example - I spread a towel on the sand and sat down
    • synonyms - lay out, open out, unfurl, unroll, roll out, shake out
  2. Extend over a large or increasing area.
    • example - rain over north-west Scotland will spread south-east during the day
    • synonyms - grow, increase, escalate, advance, develop, broaden, expand, widen, proliferate, mushroom
  3. Apply (a substance) to an object or surface in an even layer.
    • example - he sighed, spreading jam on a croissant
    • synonyms - smear, daub, plaster, slather, lather, apply, put
  4. Lay (a table) for a meal.
noun
  1. The fact or process of spreading over an area.
    • example - warmer temperatures could help reduce the spread of the disease
    • synonyms - expansion, proliferation, extension, growth, mushrooming, increase, escalation, buildout, advance, advancement, development
  2. The extent, width, or area covered by something.
    • example - the male"s antlers can attain a spread of six feet
    • synonyms - span, width, extent, stretch, reach
  3. The range or variety of something.
    • example - a wide spread of ages
    • synonyms - range, span, spectrum, sweep
  4. A soft paste that can be applied in a layer to bread or other food.
    • example - low-fat spreads
    • synonyms - spread, pâté
  5. An article or advertisement covering several columns or pages of a newspaper or magazine, especially one on two facing pages.
    • example - a double-page spread
  6. A large and impressively elaborate meal.
    • synonyms - elaborate meal, large meal, feast, banquet, repast
  7. A bedspread.
    • example - a patchwork spread
    • synonyms - bedspread, bedcover, cover, coverlet, throw, afghan
/sprɪŋ/
verb
  1. Move or jump suddenly or rapidly upwards or forwards.
    • example - I sprang out of bed
    • synonyms - leap, jump, bound, vault, hop
  2. Originate or arise from.
    • example - madness and creativity could spring from the same source
    • synonyms - originate from, have its origins in, derive from, arise from, stem from, emanate from, proceed from, start from, issue from, evolve from, come from
  3. (especially of wood) become warped or split.
  4. Pay for.
  5. Come upon (an illicit activity or its perpetrator)
noun
  1. The season after winter and before summer, in which vegetation begins to appear, in the northern hemisphere from March to May and in the southern hemisphere from September to November.
    • example - in spring the garden is a feast of blossom
    • synonyms - springtime, Eastertide
  2. An elastic device, typically a helical metal coil, that can be pressed or pulled but returns to its former shape when released, used chiefly to exert constant tension or absorb movement.
    • example - This apparatus is fitted with ropes and pulleys that are attached to taut springs to create tension.
  3. A sudden jump upwards or forwards.
    • example - with a sudden spring, he leapt on to the table
    • synonyms - leap, jump, bound, vault, hop
  4. A place where water or oil wells up from an underground source, or the basin or flow formed in such a way.
    • example - the well is fed by mountain springs
    • synonyms - well head
  5. An upward curvature of a ship"s deck planking from the horizontal.
  6. A hawser laid out diagonally aft from a ship"s bow or forward from a ship"s stern and secured to a fixed point in order to prevent movement or assist manoeuvring.
  7. A flock of teal.
    • example - a spring of teal follows and we listen as they pass
/skwɛː/
noun
  1. A plane figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles.
    • example - a grid of ruled squares
  2. An open, typically four-sided, area surrounded by buildings in a village, town, or city.
    • example - a market square
    • synonyms - marketplace, close, quadrangle, quad, courtyard
  3. The product of a number multiplied by itself.
    • example - a circle"s area is proportional to the square of its radius
  4. An L-shaped or T-shaped instrument used for obtaining or testing right angles.
    • example - a carpenter"s square
  5. A person considered to be old-fashioned or boringly conventional in attitude or behaviour.
    • synonyms - fogey, old fogey, conservative, traditionalist, conventionalist, diehard, conformist, bourgeois, museum piece, fossil, dinosaur, troglodyte
  6. A square meal.
adjective
  1. Having the shape or approximate shape of a square.
    • example - a square table
    • synonyms - quadrilateral, rectangular, oblong, right-angled, at right angles, perpendicular
  2. Denoting a unit of measurement equal to the area of a square whose side is of the unit specified.
    • example - 30,000 square feet of new gallery space
  3. At right angles; perpendicular.
    • example - these lines must be square to the top and bottom marked edges
    • synonyms - at right angles, at 90 degrees, square
  4. Level or parallel.
    • example - place two pieces of wood one on top of the other, ensuring that they are exactly square
  5. (of two people) owing nothing to each other.
    • example - an acknowledgement that we are square
  6. Old-fashioned or boringly conventional.
    • synonyms - old-fashioned, behind the times, out of date, conservative, traditionalist, conventional, diehard, conformist, bourgeois, strait-laced, fogeyish, stuffy, unadventurous, boring
  7. (of rhythm) simple and straightforward.
    • example - The opening sinfonia for strings and trombones is remarkably like several opera overtures of the time, with square rhythms.
adverb
  1. Directly; straight.
    • example - the ball hit me square in the forehead
    • synonyms - directly, right, straight, squarely, square, just, dead, point-blank
  2. In a direction transversely across the field or pitch.
    • example - the ball bounced almost square to the left
verb
  1. Make square or rectangular; give a square or rectangular cross section to.
    • example - you can square off the other edge
  2. Multiply (a number) by itself.
    • example - 5 squared equals 25
  3. Balance (an account)
    • example - institutions are anxious to square their books before the election
  4. Bring (one"s shoulders) into a position in which they appear square and broad, typically to prepare oneself for a difficult task or event.
    • example - chin up, shoulders squared, she stepped into the room
  5. Secure the help or acquiescence of (someone), especially by offering an inducement.
    • synonyms - bribe, buy off, buy, corrupt, suborn, give an inducement to
  6. Pass (a ball) across the field, especially towards the centre.
    • example - The Norwegian midfielder squared the ball to Viduka, who simply side-footed home what proved to be the winner.
  7. Set (a yard or other part of a ship) at right angles to the keel or other point of reference.
  8. (of a planet) have a square aspect with (another planet or position)
    • example - Saturn squares the Sun on the 17th
/ˈsteɪb(ə)l/
adjective
  • (of an object or structure) not likely to give way or overturn; firmly fixed.
    • example - specially designed dinghies that are very stable
    • synonyms - firm, solid, steady, secure, fixed, strong, fast, stout, sturdy, safe, moored, anchored, stuck down, immovable, well built, well constructed, substantial
/ˈsteɪdɪəm/
noun
  1. An athletic or sports ground with tiers of seats for spectators.
    • example - In fact, it would be a fair point to state that mandatory seating in Premier League stadia has played a role in lessening trouble in the stands.
    • synonyms - arena, field, ground
  2. An ancient Roman or Greek measure of length, about 185 metres (originally the length of a stadium).
    • example - Of course how accurate this value is depends on the length of the stadium and scholars have argued over this for a long time.
/stɑːf/
noun
  1. All the people employed by a particular organization.
    • example - a staff of 600
    • synonyms - employees, workers, workforce, personnel, hands, hired hands, labourers, human resources, manpower, labour
  2. A group of officers assisting an officer in command of an army formation or administration headquarters.
    • example - the Polish General and his staff
  3. A long stick used as a support when walking or climbing or as a weapon.
    • example - a shepherd"s staff
    • synonyms - stick, walking stick, cane, crook, crutch, prop
  4. another term for stave (sense 2)
verb
  • Provide (an organization, business, etc.) with staff.
    • example - legal advice centres are staffed by volunteer lawyers
    • synonyms - man, people, crew, work, operate, occupy
/steɪdʒ/
noun
  1. A point, period, or step in a process or development.
    • example - there is no need at this stage to give explicit details
    • synonyms - phase, period, juncture, step, point, time, moment, instant, division, level
  2. A raised floor or platform, typically in a theatre, on which actors, entertainers, or speakers perform.
    • example - there are only two characters on stage
    • synonyms - platform, dais, stand, grandstand, staging, apron, rostrum, podium, soapbox, stump
  3. A floor or level of a building or structure.
    • example - the upper stage was added in the 17th century
  4. (in chronostratigraphy) a range of strata corresponding to an age in time, forming a subdivision of a series.
    • example - the Oxfordian stage
  5. A stagecoach.
    • example - Besides this there were passengers coming in on the stage and mail from Silver Reef and Pioche.
verb
  1. Present a performance of (a play or other show)
    • example - the show is being staged at the Grand Opera House in Belfast
    • synonyms - put on, put before the public, present, produce, mount, direct
  2. Style or furnish (a property for sale) in such a way as to enhance its attractiveness to potential buyers.
    • example - once we"ve staged the house, we bring in our photographer
  3. Diagnose or classify (a disease or patient) as having reached a particular stage in the expected progression of the disease.
    • example - cancer of the prostate is staged by the way it feels on rectal exam
/stɛː/
noun
  • A set of steps leading from one floor of a building to another, typically inside the building.
    • example - he came up the stairs
/stamp/
verb
  1. Bring down (one"s foot) heavily on the ground or on something on the ground.
    • example - he stamped his foot in frustration
  2. Impress a pattern or mark on (a surface, object, or document) using an engraved or inked block or die.
    • example - the woman stamped my passport
    • synonyms - imprint, print, impress, punch, inscribe, engrave, chase, etch, carve, emboss, deboss, brand, frank, mark, label
  3. Fix a postage stamp or stamps on to (a letter)
    • example - Annie stamped the envelope for her
  4. Crush or pulverize (ore).
    • example - The ore was stamped fine, roasted, and amalgamated in combination pans without grinding.
noun
  1. An instrument for stamping a pattern or mark, in particular an engraved or inked block or die.
    • example - Hathaway used a variety of stamps to mark his tools.
  2. A small adhesive piece of paper stuck to something to show that an amount of money has been paid, in particular a postage stamp.
    • example - a first-class stamp
  3. An act or sound of stamping with the foot.
    • example - the stamp of boots on the bare floor
  4. A block for crushing ore in a stamp mill.
    • example - Work was immediately started, and the 300 additional stamps were dropping in May, 1890, thus making a total of 540 stamps crushing ore from the Treadwell mine.
/stand/
verb
  1. Have or maintain an upright position, supported by one"s feet.
    • example - Lionel stood in the doorway
    • synonyms - be on one"s feet, be upright, be erect, be vertical
  2. (of an object, building, or settlement) be situated in a particular place or position.
    • example - the town stood on a hill
    • synonyms - be, be situated, be located, be positioned, be set, be found, be sited, be established, be perched, sit, perch, nestle
  3. Be in a specified state or condition.
    • example - since mother"s death the house had stood empty
  4. Withstand (an experience or test) without being damaged.
    • example - small, stable boats that could stand the punishment of heavy seas
    • synonyms - withstand, stand up to, stand, put up with, take, cope with, handle, resist, sustain, absorb, accept
  5. Be a candidate in an election.
    • example - he stood for parliament in 1968
  6. Provide (food or drink) for (someone) at one"s own expense.
    • example - somebody in the bar would stand him a beer
  7. Act as umpire in a cricket match.
    • example - He has stood as an on-field umpire in 16 matches.
    • synonyms - referee, adjudicate, arbitrate, judge, moderate, oversee, supervise
noun
  1. An attitude towards a particular issue; a position taken in an argument.
    • example - the party"s tough stand on immigration
    • synonyms - attitude, stance, point of view, viewpoint, opinion, way of thinking, outlook, standpoint, posture, position, angle, perspective, approach, slant, thinking, policy, line, thoughts, ideas, sentiments, feelings
  2. A rack, base, or piece of furniture for holding, supporting, or displaying something.
    • example - a microphone stand
    • synonyms - base, support, mounting, platform, rest, plinth, bottom
  3. The place where someone typically stands or sits.
    • example - she took her stand in front of the desks
  4. A large raised tiered structure for spectators, typically at a sporting venue.
    • example - United"s manager watched from the stands
  5. A cessation from motion or progress.
    • example - the train drew to a stand by the signal box
    • synonyms - stop, halt, standstill, dead stop
  6. A group of growing plants of a specified kind, especially trees.
    • example - a stand of poplars
    • synonyms - copse, spinney, thicket, grove, coppice, wood
  7. A plot of land.
    • example - The first stand of land was rightfully presented to Tom Lambert in 1898.
    • synonyms - piece of ground, patch, area, location, parcel, tract, allotment, acreage
  8. A flock of game birds.
    • example - the stand of pheasants has been better this year than for many years
/ˈstandəd/
noun
  1. A level of quality or attainment.
    • example - their restaurant offers a high standard of service
    • synonyms - quality, level, grade, degree, worth, calibre, merit, excellence
  2. Something used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations.
    • example - the wages are low by today"s standards
    • synonyms - guideline, norm, yardstick, benchmark, gauge, measure, criterion, guide, touchstone, model, pattern, example, exemplar, paradigm, ideal, archetype, specification, requirement, rule, principle, law, canon
  3. (especially with reference to jazz or blues) a tune or song of established popularity.
    • example - A lot of songs go country-western; others take on the form of jazz standards and bossa nova pop.
  4. A military or ceremonial flag carried on a pole or hoisted on a rope.
    • example - Sir Marcus Worsley gave a tribute to the Queen Mother and members of the Malton and Norton branch of the Royal British Legion carried a standard.
    • synonyms - flag, banner, pennant, pennon, streamer, ensign, colour, colours, banderole
  5. A tree or shrub that grows on an erect stem of full height.
  6. An upright water or gas pipe.
adjective
  1. Used or accepted as normal or average.
    • example - the standard rate of income tax
    • synonyms - normal, usual, 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 tree or shrub) growing on an erect stem of full height.
    • example - standard trees are useful for situations where immediate height is needed
/stɑː/
noun
  1. A fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.
    • example - This new heat supply causes the outer layers of the star to expand and cool, and the star becomes a red giant, or a red supergiant if it is very massive.
    • synonyms - celestial body, heavenly body, sun
  2. A conventional or stylized representation of a star, typically having five or more points.
    • example - the walls were painted with silver moons and stars
  3. A very famous or talented entertainer or sports player.
    • example - a sport star
    • synonyms - principal, leading lady, leading man, lead, female lead, male lead, hero, heroine
  4. A planet, constellation, or configuration regarded as influencing a person"s fortunes or personality.
    • example - his golf destiny was written in the stars
    • synonyms - horoscope, forecast, augury
  5. Used in names of starfishes and similar echinoderms with five or more radiating arms, e.g. cushion star, brittlestar.
verb
  1. (of a film, play, or other show) have (someone) as a principal performer.
    • example - a film starring Liza Minnelli
  2. Decorate or cover with star-shaped marks or objects.
    • example - thick grass starred with flowers
/stɛː/
verb
  • Look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something with one"s eyes wide open.
    • example - he stared at her in amazement
    • synonyms - gaze, gape, goggle, gawk, glare, ogle, leer, peer, look fixedly, look vacantly
noun
  • A long fixed or vacant look.
    • example - she gave him a cold stare
/stɑːt/
verb
  1. Begin or be reckoned from a particular point in time or space.
    • example - the season starts in September
    • synonyms - begin, get under way, go ahead, get going
  2. (of event or process) happen or come into being.
    • example - the fire started in the building"s upper floor
    • synonyms - come into being, begin, be born, come into existence, appear, arrive, come forth, emerge, erupt, burst out, arise, originate, break, unfold, develop, crop up, first see the light of day
  3. Jerk or give a small jump from surprise or alarm.
    • example - ‘Oh my!’ she said, starting
    • synonyms - flinch, jerk, jump, twitch, recoil, shrink, blench, wince, shy
noun
  1. The point in time or space at which something has its origin; the beginning.
    • example - he takes over as chief executive at the start of next year
    • synonyms - beginning, inception, onset, emergence, appearance, first appearance, arrival, eruption, dawn, birth
  2. A sudden movement of surprise or alarm.
    • example - she awoke with a start
    • synonyms - jerk, twitch, flinch, wince, spasm, convulsion, jump
/steɪt/
noun
  1. The particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time.
    • example - the state of the company"s finances
    • synonyms - condition, shape, situation, circumstances, state of affairs, position
  2. A nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.
    • example - Germany, Italy, and other European states
    • synonyms - country, nation, land, sovereign state, nation state, kingdom, empire, republic, confederation, federation, body politic, commonwealth, power, world power, superpower, polity, domain, territory
  3. The civil government of a country.
    • example - services provided by the state
    • synonyms - government, parliament, the administration, the regime, the authorities, the council, the Establishment
  4. Pomp and ceremony associated with monarchy or high levels of government.
    • example - he was buried in state
    • synonyms - ceremonial, official, formal, governmental, national, public
  5. A specified impression taken from an etched or engraved plate at a particular stage.
    • example - an oblong plate, dry point, first state of eight
verb
  1. Express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing.
    • example - the report stated that more than 51 per cent of voters failed to participate
    • synonyms - express, voice, utter, say, tell, declare, affirm, assert, aver, announce, make known, communicate, reveal, disclose, divulge, give out, give voice to, pronounce, articulate, enunciate, proclaim, present, expound, preach, promulgate, publish, broadcast
  2. Present or introduce (a theme or melody) in a composition.
    • example - a bold theme is stated at the beginning, driving the entire ten-minute allegro
/ˈsteɪtm(ə)nt/
noun
  1. A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing.
    • example - do you agree with this statement?
    • synonyms - declaration, expression of facts, expression of views, affirmation, assertion, announcement, utterance, communication
  2. A document setting out items of debit and credit between a bank or other organization and a customer.
    • example - you"ll have your own account with a monthly statement
  3. A presentation of a theme or melody within a composition.
    • example - He tended to change the theme in its successive statements, so that the principal subject of a rondo would never appear the same twice.
verb
  • Officially assess (a child) as having special educational needs.
    • example - a reassessment of statemented children
/ˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. A place on a railway line where trains regularly stop so that passengers can get on or off.
    • example - we walked back to the station and caught the train back to Brussels
    • synonyms - stopping place, stop, halt, station stop, stage
  2. A place or building where a specified activity or service is based.
    • example - a research station in the rainforest
    • synonyms - establishment, base, base camp, camp
  3. A company involved in broadcasting of a specified kind.
    • example - a radio station
    • synonyms - channel, broadcasting organization
  4. The place where someone or something stands or is placed on military or other duty.
    • example - the lookout resumed his station in the bow
    • synonyms - assigned position, post, area of duty, place, situation, location
  5. A site at which a particular species, especially an interesting or rare one, grows or is found.
    • example - Thus, the southernmost stations for the plant in natural habitats are on Virginia"s James and Chickahominy Rivers.
  6. short for Stations of the Cross
verb
  • Put in or assign to a specified place for a particular purpose, especially a military one.
    • example - troops were stationed in the town
    • synonyms - put on duty, post, position, place, set, locate, site
/stəˈtɪstɪk/
noun
  • A fact or piece of data obtained from a study of a large quantity of numerical data.
    • example - the statistics show that the crime rate has increased
    • synonyms - statistic, number, integer, quantity, amount, level, total, sum
/ˈstatjuː/
/ˈstatʃuː/
noun
  • A carved or cast figure of a person or animal, especially one that is life-size or larger.
    • example - The sculptor Antonio Canova used classical statues as the basis for his figures of modern men and women.
    • synonyms - sculpture, figure, effigy, statuette, figurine, idol
/ˈsteɪtəs/
noun
  1. Relative social or professional position; standing.
    • example - an improvement in the status of women
    • synonyms - standing, rank, ranking, position, social position, station, level, footing, place
  2. The situation at a particular time during a process.
    • example - an update on the status of the bill
/steɪ/
verb
  1. Remain in the same place.
    • example - you stay here and I"ll be back soon
  2. Remain in a specified state or position.
    • example - her ability to stay calm
    • synonyms - remain, remain behind, stay behind, stay put
  3. (of a person) live somewhere temporarily as a visitor or guest.
    • example - the girls had gone to stay with friends
  4. Stop, delay, or prevent (something), in particular suspend or postpone (judicial proceedings) or refrain from pressing (charges)
    • example - there are some cases the Crown feels so serious they don"t want to stay the charges
    • synonyms - postpone, put off, delay, defer, put back, hold off, hold over, carry over, reschedule, do later, shelve, stand over, pigeonhole, hold in abeyance, put in abeyance, mothball
  5. Support or prop up.
noun
  1. A period of staying somewhere, in particular of living somewhere temporarily as a visitor or guest.
    • example - an overnight stay at a luxury hotel
    • synonyms - visit, stop, stop-off, stopover, break, rest
  2. A curb or check.
  3. A device used as a brace or support.
  4. Power of endurance.
/ˈstɛdi/
adjective
  1. Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.
    • example - the lighter the camera, the harder it is to hold steady
    • synonyms - stable, balanced, firm, fixed, secure, secured, fast, safe, immovable, unshakeable, dependable
  2. Regular, even, and continuous in development, frequency, or intensity.
    • example - a steady decline in the national birth rate
    • synonyms - constant, unchanging, changeless, unvarying, invariable, undeviating
verb
  • Make or become steady.
    • example - I took a deep breath to steady my nerves
    • synonyms - stabilize, make steady, hold steady
exclamation
  • Used as a warning to someone to keep calm or take care.
noun
  1. A person"s regular boyfriend or girlfriend.
    • synonyms - sweetheart, loved one, love, true love, lady love, darling, dearest, dear one, lover, girlfriend, boyfriend, young lady, young man, woman friend, lady friend, man friend, beau, admirer, worshipper, inamorata, inamorato
  2. A strut for stabilizing a caravan or other vehicle when stationary.
/stiːl/
verb
  1. Take (another person"s property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
    • example - thieves stole her bicycle
    • synonyms - theft, thieving, thievery, robbery, larceny, burglary, shoplifting, pilfering, pilferage, looting, appropriation, misappropriation
  2. Move somewhere quietly or surreptitiously.
    • example - he stole down to the kitchen
    • synonyms - creep, sneak, slink, slip, slither, slide, glide, sidle, slope, edge, move furtively, tiptoe, pussyfoot, pad, prowl
noun
  1. A bargain.
    • synonyms - bargain, good buy, cheap buy
  2. An act of stealing something.
    • example - New York"s biggest art steal
    • synonyms - theft, robbery, raid, ram raid, burglary, larceny, thievery, break-in, hold-up
/stiːl/
noun
  • A hard, strong grey or bluish-grey alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used as a structural and fabricating material.
    • example - steel girders
verb
  • Mentally prepare (oneself) to do or face something difficult.
    • example - his team were steeling themselves for disappointment
    • synonyms - brace oneself, nerve 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, make up one"s mind
/stiːp/
adjective
  1. (of a slope, flight of stairs, or angle) rising or falling sharply; almost perpendicular.
    • example - she pushed the bike up the steep hill
    • synonyms - precipitous, sheer, abrupt, sharp, perpendicular, vertical, bluff, vertiginous, dizzy
  2. (of a price or demand) not reasonable; excessive.
    • synonyms - expensive, dear, costly, high, stiff
noun
  • A steep mountain slope.
    • example - hair-raising steeps
/stɛp/
noun
  1. An act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running.
    • example - Ron took a step back
    • synonyms - pace, footstep, stride
  2. A flat surface, especially one in a series, on which to place one"s foot when moving from one level to another.
    • example - the bottom step of the staircase
    • synonyms - stair, tread, tread board
  3. A measure or action, especially one of a series taken in order to deal with or achieve a particular thing.
    • example - the government must take steps to discourage age discrimination
    • synonyms - course of action, measure, move, act, action, procedure, proceeding, initiative
  4. An interval in a scale; a tone (whole step) or semitone (half step).
  5. An abrupt change in the value of a quantity, especially voltage.
    • example - Single channel responses to voltage steps were simulated using the Noise Simulation program.
  6. A block fixed to a boat"s keel in order to take the base of a mast or other fitting.
verb
  1. Lift and set down one"s foot or one foot after the other in order to walk somewhere or move to a new position.
    • example - Claudia tried to step back
    • synonyms - walk, move, tread, pace, stride
  2. Set up (a mast) in its step.
    • example - Gotheborg will remain alongside fitting out and stepping her masts and rigging before starting sea trials in early 2004.
/stɪk/
noun
  1. A thin piece of wood that has fallen or been cut off a tree.
    • example - Hayes picked up a fallen stick and twirled it idly between his fingers.
    • synonyms - piece of wood, twig, small branch
  2. A long, thin piece of something.
    • example - a stick of dynamite
  3. A threat of punishment or unwelcome measures (often contrasted with the offer of reward as a means of persuasion)
    • example - training that relies more on the carrot than on the stick
  4. Rural areas far from cities or civilization.
    • synonyms - the country, the countryside, the provinces, rural districts, the backwoods, the back of beyond, the wilds, the hinterland, a backwater
  5. A person of a specified kind.
  6. A large quantity of unsold stock, especially the proportion of shares which must be taken up by underwriters after an unsuccessful issue.
/ˈstɪki/
adjective
  1. Tending or designed to stick to things on contact.
    • example - sticky cakes and pastries
    • synonyms - adhesive, adherent, gummed
  2. (of the weather) hot and humid; muggy.
    • example - it was an unusually hot and sticky summer
    • synonyms - humid, muggy, close, sultry, sweltering, steamy, oppressive, airless, stifling, suffocating, sweaty, soupy, like a Turkish bath, like a sauna
  3. Involving problems; difficult or awkward.
    • synonyms - awkward, difficult, tricky, ticklish, problematic, delicate, touch-and-go, embarrassing, sensitive, uncomfortable
  4. (of a website or its content) attracting a long visit or repeat visits from users.
    • example - make your site as sticky as possible to keep visitors there longer
noun
  1. A piece of paper with an adhesive strip on one side, used for leaving messages or reminders.
    • example - Perfect pictures of sunny days, birthday parties and proms, of boyfriends, girlfriends and parents all hamming it up for the camera were as abundant as the yellow stickies that plastered his desk back at the precinct.
  2. (in an online forum) a thread containing important information that is set to remain at the top of the other threads regardless of when it was last updated.
    • example - could you put a sticky in the forum for those of us that are confused?
/stɪf/
adjective
  1. Not easily bent or changed in shape; rigid.
    • example - a stiff black collar
    • synonyms - rigid, hard, firm, hardened, inelastic, non-flexible, inflexible, ungiving
  2. Severe or strong.
    • example - they face stiff fines and a possible jail sentence
    • synonyms - harsh, severe, hard, punitive, punishing, stringent, swingeing, crippling, rigorous, drastic, strong, heavy, draconian
  3. Full of.
  4. Having a specified unpleasant feeling to an extreme extent.
noun
  1. A dead body.
    • synonyms - corpse, cadaver, dead body, body, remains, skeleton, relics
  2. A boring, conventional person.
  3. A sports club"s reserve team.
verb
  1. Cheat (someone) out of something, especially money.
    • synonyms - swindle, defraud, deceive, trick, dupe, hoodwink, double-cross, gull
  2. Ignore (someone) deliberately; snub.
    • synonyms - insult, slight, affront, humiliate, treat disrespectfully
  3. Kill (someone)
    • synonyms - murder, cause the death of, end the life of, take the life of, do away with, make away with, assassinate, do to death, eliminate, terminate, dispatch, finish off, put to death, execute
/stɪl/
adjective
  • Not moving or making a sound.
    • example - the still body of the young man
    • synonyms - motionless, unmoving, without moving, without moving a muscle, stock-still, immobile, like a statue, as if turned to stone, as if rooted to the spot, unstirring, stationary
noun
  1. Deep silence and calm; stillness.
    • example - the still of the night
    • synonyms - quietness, quiet, quietude, silence, stillness, hush, soundlessness, noiselessness
  2. An ordinary static photograph as opposed to a motion picture, especially a single shot from a cinema film.
    • example - film stills
adverb
  1. Up to and including the present or the time mentioned; even now (or then) as formerly.
    • example - he still lives with his mother
    • synonyms - up to this time, up to the present time, until now, even now, yet
  2. Nevertheless; all the same.
    • example - I"m afraid he"s crazy. Still, he"s harmless
    • synonyms - nevertheless, however, in spite of that, despite that, notwithstanding, for all that, all the same, even so, be that as it may, having said that, nonetheless, but
  3. Even (used with comparatives for emphasis)
    • example - write, or better still, type, captions for the pictures
verb
  • Make or become still; quieten.
    • example - she raised her hand, stilling Erica"s protests
    • synonyms - silence, hush
/stɒk/
noun
  1. The goods or merchandise kept on the premises of a shop or warehouse and available for sale or distribution.
    • example - the store has a very low turnover of stock
    • synonyms - merchandise, goods, wares, articles for sale, items for sale, commodities
  2. The capital raised by a company or corporation through the issue and subscription of shares.
    • example - between 1982 and 1986 the value of the company"s stock rose by 86%
    • synonyms - capital, funds, assets, property
  3. Liquid made by cooking bones, meat, fish, or vegetables slowly in water, used as a basis for the preparation of soup, gravy, or sauces.
    • example - a pint of chicken stock
    • synonyms - broth
  4. A person"s ancestry or line of descent.
    • example - her mother was of French stock
    • synonyms - descent, ancestry, origin, origins, parentage, pedigree, lineage, line, line of descent, heritage, birth, extraction, background, family, blood, bloodline, genealogy, beginnings
  5. The trunk or woody stem of a living tree or shrub, especially one into which a graft (scion) is inserted.
    • example - Many of the modern roses in commerce today are grafted onto these stocks.
    • synonyms - trunk, tree trunk, stem, stalk
  6. A herbaceous European plant that is cultivated for its fragrant lilac, pink, or white flowers.
    • example - To prolong bloom time on pansies, stock, sweet alyssum, snapdragons and other cool-weather plants, clip off flowers as they fade.
  7. An instrument of punishment consisting of an adjustable wooden structure with holes for securing a person"s feet and hands, in which criminals were locked and exposed to public ridicule or assault.
    • example - Every confinement of the person is an imprisonment, whether it be in a common prison, or in a private house, or in the stocks, or even by forcibly detaining one in the public streets.
    • synonyms - stocks
  8. The part of a rifle or other firearm to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, held against one"s shoulder when firing the gun.
    • example - It halved the rifle where the stock joined the barrel, and two fingers from the weasel"s right paw fell to the forest floor.
    • synonyms - handle, butt, haft, grip, shaft, shank, helve
  9. A band of white material tied like a cravat and worn as a part of formal horse-riding dress.
  10. A frame used to support a ship or boat out of water, especially when under construction.
adjective
  1. (of a product or type of product) usually kept in stock and thus regularly available for sale.
    • example - 25 per cent off stock items
  2. (of a phrase or expression) so regularly used as to be automatic or hackneyed.
    • example - she faltered momentarily and then resorted to the teenager"s favourite stock response ‘whatever’
    • synonyms - usual, routine, predictable, set, standard, staple, customary, familiar, conventional, traditional, stereotyped, clichéd, hackneyed, unoriginal, derivative, formulaic, ready-made, well worn, overused, overworked, worn out, banal, trite, platitudinous, tired, run-of-the-mill, commonplace
verb
  1. Have or keep a supply of (a particular product or type or product) available for sale.
    • example - most supermarkets now stock a range of organic produce
    • synonyms - sell, market
  2. Fit (a rifle or other firearm) with a stock.
    • example - it was a fine gun which he forged, stocked, and completed himself
/ˈstʌmək/
noun
  1. The internal organ in which the major part of the digestion of food occurs, being (in humans and many mammals) a pear-shaped enlargement of the alimentary canal linking the oesophagus to the small intestine.
    • example - severe stomach pains
    • synonyms - abdomen, belly, gut, middle
  2. An appetite for food or drink.
    • example - she doesn"t have the stomach to eat anything
    • synonyms - appetite, taste, hunger
verb
  • Consume (food or drink) without feeling or being sick.
    • example - if you cannot stomach orange juice, try apple juice
    • synonyms - digest, keep down, find palatable, manage to consume, manage to eat, swallow
/stəʊn/
noun
  1. Hard solid non-metallic mineral matter of which rock is made, especially as a building material.
    • example - the houses are built of stone
  2. A piece of stone shaped for a purpose, especially one of commemoration, ceremony, or demarcation.
    • example - a memorial stone
    • synonyms - gravestone, headstone, tombstone
  3. A hard seed in a cherry, plum, peach, and some other fruits.
    • example - The ‘ricin factory’ consisted of castor oil, cherry stones and apple seeds, and some handwritten recipes for ricin.
    • synonyms - kernel, seed, pip, pit
  4. A unit of weight equal to 14 lb (6.35 kg)
    • example - I weighed 10 stone
  5. A natural shade of whitish or brownish-grey.
    • example - stone stretch trousers
    • synonyms - fawn, brownish yellow, pale brown, buff, sand, sandy, oatmeal, wheaten, biscuit, coffee, coffee-coloured, café au lait, camel, kasha, ecru, taupe, stone, stone-coloured, mushroom, putty, greige
verb
  1. Throw stones at.
    • example - policemen were stoned by the crowd
  2. Remove the stone from (a fruit).
    • example - Add grilled cherry tomatoes, stoned black olives, cavello nero and some fresh basil leaves.
  3. Build, face, or pave with stone.
    • example - the honey-stoned, eighteenth-century city
/stɒp/
verb
  1. (of an event, action, or process) come to an end; cease to happen.
    • example - his laughter stopped as quickly as it had begun
    • synonyms - come to an end, come to a stop, cease, end, finish, draw to a close, be over, conclude, terminate, come to a standstill
  2. Cause (an action, process, or event) to come to an end.
    • example - this harassment has got to be stopped
    • synonyms - put an end to, put a stop to, bring to an end, end, bring to a stop, halt, bring to a halt
  3. Block or close up (a hole or leak)
    • example - he tried to stop the hole with the heel of his boot
    • synonyms - block, block up, plug, close, close up, fill, fill up
  4. Be or behave in a particular way.
noun
  1. A cessation of movement or operation.
    • example - all business came to a stop
    • synonyms - halt, end, finish, close, standstill
  2. A set of organ pipes of a particular tone and range of pitch.
  3. The effective diameter of a lens.
/stɔː/
noun
  1. A quantity or supply of something kept for use as needed.
    • example - the squirrel has a store of food
    • synonyms - supply, stock, stockpile, reserve, cache, hoard, accumulation, cumulation, quantity, pile, heap, load
  2. A shop of any size or kind.
    • example - a health-food store
    • synonyms - shop, retail outlet, reseller, department store, chain store, emporium
  3. A sheep, steer, cow, or pig acquired or kept for fattening.
    • example - Dry cows and heifers will suffer no setback through being indoors for a couple of weeks and next in line would be yearling cattle and forward stores.
verb
  • Keep or accumulate (something) for future use.
    • example - a small room used for storing furniture
    • synonyms - keep, keep in reserve, stow, stockpile, lay aside, lay in, set aside, put away, put down, put to one side, deposit, save, hoard, cache
/stɔːm/
noun
  1. A violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.
    • example - These kinds of storms can produce rain, hail snow, thunder and lightning.
    • synonyms - tempest, squall
  2. A tumultuous reaction; an uproar or controversy.
    • example - the book caused a storm in America
    • synonyms - uproar, commotion, furore, brouhaha, trouble, disturbance, hue and cry, upheaval
  3. Storm windows.
  4. A direct assault by troops on a fortified place.
    • synonyms - assault, attack, onslaught, offensive, charge, raid, foray, sortie, rush, descent, incursion, thrust, push, blitz, blitzkrieg, aggression
verb
  1. Move angrily or forcefully in a specified direction.
    • example - she burst into tears and stormed off
    • synonyms - stride angrily, stomp, march, charge, stalk, flounce, stamp, fling
  2. (of troops) suddenly attack and capture (a building or other place) by means of force.
    • example - commandos stormed a hijacked plane early today
    • synonyms - attack, charge, rush, conduct an offensive on, make an onslaught on, make a foray on, make a raid on, make a sortie on, descend on, take by storm, attempt to capture
  3. (of the weather) be violent, with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.
    • example - It was practically dark as we prepared to put the sign onto the posts when a strong wind stormed through bringing an icy rain and hail with it.
/ˈstɔːri/
noun
  1. An account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment.
    • example - an adventure story
    • synonyms - tale, narrative, account, recital
  2. An account of past events in someone"s life or in the development of something.
    • example - the story of modern farming
  3. The commercial prospects or circumstances of a particular company.
/streɪt/
adjective
  1. Extending or moving uniformly in one direction only; without a curve or bend.
    • example - a long, straight road
    • synonyms - unswerving, undeviating, linear, direct, as straight as an arrow, uncurving, unbending
  2. Properly positioned so as to be level, upright, or symmetrical.
    • example - he made sure his tie was straight
    • synonyms - level, even, true, in line, aligned, square, plumb, properly positioned
  3. Not evasive; honest.
    • example - a straight answer
    • synonyms - honest, direct, frank, candid, truthful, sincere, forthright, straightforward, plain-spoken, plain-speaking, plain, blunt, downright, outspoken, straight from the shoulder, no-nonsense, unequivocal, unambiguous, unqualified, unvarnished
  4. In continuous succession.
    • example - he scored his fourth straight win
    • synonyms - successive, in succession, consecutive, in a row, one after the other
  5. (of an alcoholic drink) undiluted; neat.
    • example - straight brandy
    • synonyms - undiluted, neat, unmixed, unadulterated, pure, unblended, uncut
  6. (especially of drama) serious as opposed to comic or musical.
    • example - a straight play
  7. (of a person) conventional or respectable.
    • synonyms - respectable, upright, upstanding, honourable, honest, on the level, decent, right-minded, law-abiding
adverb
  1. In a straight line; directly.
    • example - he was gazing straight at her
    • synonyms - right, directly, squarely, full, plumb
  2. In or into a level, even, or upright position.
    • example - he pulled his clothes straight
  3. Correctly; clearly.
    • example - I"m so tired I can hardly think straight
    • synonyms - logically, rationally, clearly, lucidly, coherently, cogently, unemotionally, dispassionately
  4. Without a break; continuously.
    • example - he remembered working sixteen hours straight
    • synonyms - in succession, in a row, at a time, successively, consecutively, running, straight, on end, one after the other, continuously, without a break, without interruption
noun
  1. A part of something that is not curved or bent, especially a straight section of a racecourse.
    • example - he pulled away in the straight to win by half a second
  2. (in poker) a continuous sequence of five cards.
    • example - The next person with a straight can guess a card.
  3. A conventional person.
  4. (in township slang) a 750 ml bottle of alcoholic drink.
/streɪn(d)ʒ/
adjective
  1. Unusual or surprising; difficult to understand or explain.
    • example - children have some strange ideas
    • synonyms - unusual, odd, curious, peculiar, funny, bizarre, weird, uncanny, queer, unexpected, unfamiliar, abnormal, atypical, anomalous, untypical, different, out of the ordinary, out of the way, extraordinary, remarkable, puzzling, mystifying, mysterious, perplexing, baffling, unaccountable, inexplicable, incongruous, uncommon, irregular, singular, deviant, aberrant, freak, freakish, surreal
  2. Not previously visited, seen, or encountered; unfamiliar or alien.
    • example - she was lost in a strange country
    • synonyms - unfamiliar, unknown, new, alien, previously unencountered
  3. Denoting or involving a flavour (variety) of unstable quark having an electric charge of -1/3. Strange quarks have similar properties to down quarks and bottom quarks, but are distinguished from them by having an intermediate mass.
    • example - The lightest particles containing a strange quark cannot decay by the strong interaction, and must instead decay via the much slower weak interaction.
/ˈstreɪn(d)ʒə/
noun
  • A person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.
    • example - don"t talk to strangers
/ˈstratɪdʒi/
noun
  1. A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.
    • example - time to develop a coherent economic strategy
    • synonyms - master plan, grand design, game plan, plan of action, plan, policy, proposed action, scheme, blueprint, programme, procedure, approach, schedule
  2. The art of planning and directing overall military operations and movements in a war or battle.
    • example - he was a genius when it came to military strategy
    • synonyms - the art of war, military science, military tactics
/striːm/
noun
  1. A small, narrow river.
    • example - a perfect trout stream
    • synonyms - brook, rivulet, rill, runnel, streamlet, freshet
  2. A continuous flow of liquid, air, or gas.
    • example - Frank blew out a stream of smoke
    • synonyms - jet, flow, rush, gush, surge, spurt, spout, torrent, flood, cascade, fountain, outpouring, outflux, outflow, effusion
  3. A continuous flow of data or instructions, typically one having a constant or predictable rate.
    • example - The neat property of this attack is that the capacity of this storage mechanism scales at exactly the same rate as the data stream"s rate does.
  4. A group in which schoolchildren of the same age and ability are taught.
    • example - children in the top streams
verb
  1. (of liquid, air, gas, etc.) run or flow in a continuous current in a specified direction.
    • example - she sat with tears streaming down her face
    • synonyms - flow, pour, course, run, gush, surge, spurt, flood, cascade, sluice
  2. Transmit or receive (data, especially video and audio material) over the internet as a steady, continuous flow.
    • example - During a ground contact event, the payload streams data in real time through a series of software pipes.
  3. Put (schoolchildren) in groups of the same age and ability to be taught together.
    • example - in the coming school year, we were to be streamed
/striːt/
noun
  1. A public road in a city, town, or village, typically with houses and buildings on one or both sides.
    • example - the narrow, winding streets of Edinburgh
    • synonyms - road, thoroughfare, way
  2. Relating to the outlook, values, or lifestyle of those young people who are perceived as composing a fashionable urban subculture.
    • example - London street style
/strɛŋθ/
/strɛŋkθ/
noun
  1. The quality or state of being physically strong.
    • example - cycling can help you build up your strength
    • synonyms - power, brawn, brawniness, muscle, muscularity, burliness, sturdiness, robustness, toughness, hardiness, lustiness
  2. The capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.
    • example - they were taking no chances with the strength of the retaining wall
    • synonyms - robustness, sturdiness, firmness, toughness, soundness, solidity, solidness, durability, stability
  3. The potency or degree of concentration of a drug, chemical, or drink.
    • example - it"s double the strength of your average beer
    • synonyms - strength, powerfulness, power
  4. A good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing.
    • example - the strengths and weaknesses of their sales and marketing operation
    • synonyms - strong point, advantage, asset, forte, strong suit, long suit, aptitude, talent, gift, skill
  5. The number of people comprising a group, typically a team or army.
    • example - the peacetime strength of the army was 415,000
    • synonyms - size, extent, magnitude, largeness, greatness
/strɛs/
noun
  1. Pressure or tension exerted on a material object.
    • example - the distribution of stress is uniform across the bar
    • synonyms - pressure, tension, strain, tightness, tautness
  2. A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
    • example - he"s obviously under a lot of stress
    • synonyms - strain, pressure, tension, nervous tension, worry, anxiety, nervousness
  3. Physiological disturbance or damage caused to an organism by adverse circumstances.
  4. Particular emphasis or importance.
    • example - he has started to lay greater stress on the government"s role in industry
    • synonyms - emphasis, importance, weight, force, insistence
verb
  1. Give particular emphasis or importance to (a point, statement, or idea) made in speech or writing.
    • example - they stressed the need for reform
    • synonyms - emphasize, draw attention to, focus attention on, underline, underscore, point up, place emphasis on, lay stress on, highlight, spotlight, turn the spotlight on, bring to the fore, foreground, accentuate, press home, impress on someone, make a point of, dwell on, harp on, belabour, insist on, rub in
  2. Subject to pressure or tension.
    • example - this type of workout does stress the shoulder and knee joints
  3. Cause mental or emotional strain or tension in.
    • example - I avoid many of the things that used to stress me before
    • synonyms - overstretch, overtax, push to the limit, pressurize, pressure, burden, make tense, cause to feel emotional strain, cause to feel mental strain
/strɛtʃ/
verb
  1. (of something soft or elastic) be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.
    • example - my jumper stretched in the wash
    • synonyms - be elastic, be stretchy, be stretchable, be tensile
  2. Straighten or extend one"s body or a part of one"s body to its full length, typically so as to tighten one"s muscles or in order to reach something.
    • example - the cat yawned and stretched
    • synonyms - extend, straighten, straighten out, unbend
  3. Extend or spread over an area or period of time.
    • example - the beach stretches for over four miles
    • synonyms - extend, spread, continue, range, unfold, unroll, be unbroken
  4. Make great demands on the capacity or resources of.
    • example - the cost of the court case has stretched their finances to the limit
    • synonyms - put a strain on, put great demands on, overtax, overextend, be too much for
noun
  1. An act of stretching one"s limbs or body.
    • example - I got up and had a stretch
    • synonyms - reach out, hold out, put out, extend, outstretch, thrust out, stick out
  2. A continuous area or expanse of land or water.
    • example - a treacherous stretch of road
    • synonyms - expanse, area, tract, belt, sweep, extent, spread, reach
  3. A stretch limo.
/strɪkt/
adjective
  1. Demanding that rules concerning behaviour are obeyed and observed.
    • example - my father was very strict
    • synonyms - stern, severe, harsh, uncompromising, authoritarian, firm, austere, illiberal, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, no-nonsense
  2. (of a person) following rules or beliefs exactly.
    • example - a strict vegetarian
  3. Exact in correspondence or adherence to something; not allowing or admitting deviation or relaxation.
    • example - a strict interpretation of the law
    • synonyms - precise, exact, literal, close, faithful, true, accurate, unerring, scrupulous, careful, meticulous, rigorous, stringent
/strʌɪk/
verb
  1. Hit forcibly and deliberately with one"s hand or a weapon or other implement.
    • example - he raised his hand, as if to strike me
    • synonyms - bang, beat, hit, pound
  2. (of a disaster, disease, or other unwelcome phenomenon) occur suddenly and have harmful or damaging effects on.
    • example - a major earthquake struck the island
    • synonyms - affect, afflict, attack, hit, come upon, smite
  3. (of a thought or idea) come into the mind of (someone) suddenly or unexpectedly.
    • example - a disturbing thought struck Melissa
    • synonyms - occur to, come to, dawn on one, hit
  4. (of a clock) indicate the time by sounding a chime or stroke.
    • example - the church clock struck twelve
  5. Ignite (a match) by rubbing it briskly against an abrasive surface.
    • example - the match went out and he struck another
    • synonyms - ignite, light
  6. (of employees) refuse to work as a form of organized protest, typically in an attempt to obtain a particular concession or concessions from their employer.
    • example - workers may strike over threatened job losses
    • synonyms - go on strike, down tools, walk out
  7. Cancel, remove, or cross out with or as if with a pen.
    • example - I will strike his name from the list
    • synonyms - delete, strike out, strike through, ink out, score out, scratch out, block out, blank out, edit out, blue-pencil, cancel, eliminate, obliterate
  8. Make (a coin or medal) by stamping metal.
    • example - they struck similar medals on behalf of the Normandy veterans
    • synonyms - mint, stamp, stamp out, strike, cast, punch, die, mould, forge, make, manufacture, produce
  9. Reach, achieve, or agree to (something involving agreement, balance, or compromise)
    • example - the team has struck a deal with a sports marketing agency
    • synonyms - achieve, reach, arrive at, find, attain, effect, establish
  10. Discover (gold, minerals, or oil) by drilling or mining.
    • example - if they do strike oil, there will be another test well in a year"s time
    • synonyms - discover, find, come upon, light on, chance on, happen on, stumble across, stumble on, unearth, uncover, turn up
  11. Move or proceed vigorously or purposefully.
    • example - she struck out into the lake with a practised crawl
    • synonyms - go, make one"s way, set out, head, direct one"s footsteps, move towards
  12. Take down (a tent or the tents of an encampment)
    • example - it took ages to strike camp
    • synonyms - take down, pull down, bring down
  13. Insert (a cutting of a plant) in soil to take root.
    • example - best results are obtained from striking them in a propagator
  14. Secure a hook in the mouth of a fish by jerking or tightening the line after it has taken the bait or fly.
    • example - Only when the rod tip pulls hard over and the fish starts to run with the bait should you strike to set the hook.
noun
  1. A refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer.
    • example - dockers voted for an all-out strike
    • synonyms - walkout
  2. A sudden attack, typically a military one.
    • example - the threat of nuclear strikes
    • synonyms - attack, air strike, air attack, assault, bombing, blitz
  3. A discovery of gold, minerals, or oil by drilling or mining.
    • example - the Lena goldfields strike of 1912
    • synonyms - find, discovery, unearthing, uncovering
  4. A batter"s unsuccessful attempt to hit a pitched ball.
    • example - By the time the batter swung, strike three was already in the catcher"s mitt.
  5. The horizontal or compass direction of a stratum, fault, or other geological feature.
    • example - the mine workings follow the strike of the Bonsor Vein
  6. short for fly strike
/strɪŋ/
noun
  1. Material consisting of threads of cotton, hemp, or other material twisted together to form a thin length.
    • example - unwieldy packs tied up with string
    • synonyms - twine, cord, yarn, thread, strand, fibre
  2. A set of things tied or threaded together on a thin cord.
    • example - she wore a string of agates round her throat
    • synonyms - strand, rope, necklace, rosary, chaplet
  3. A tough piece of fibre in vegetables, meat, or other food, such as a tough elongated piece connecting the two halves of a bean pod.
    • example - Cut the melon in halves, spoon out the seeds and strings.
  4. A G-string or thong.
    • example - Beautifully romantic vintage balcony bras and deep sided strings in rich chocolate and plum lace are courtesy of Collette Dinnigan for Wild Hearts.
  5. short for stringboard
  6. A hypothetical one-dimensional subatomic particle having the dynamical properties of a flexible loop.
    • example - String theory is a quantum theory where the fundamental objects are one dimensional strings and not pointlike particles.
verb
  1. Hang (something) so that it stretches in a long line.
    • example - lights were strung across the promenade
    • synonyms - hang, suspend, sling, stretch
  2. Fit a string or strings to (a musical instrument, a racket, or a bow)
    • example - the harp had been newly strung
  3. Remove the strings from (a bean).
  4. Hoax or trick (someone)
  5. Work as a stringer in journalism.
  6. Determine the order of play by striking the cue ball from baulk to rebound off the top cushion, first stroke going to the player whose ball comes to rest nearer the bottom cushion.
/strɒŋ/
adjective
  1. Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
    • example - she cut through the water with her strong arms
    • synonyms - powerful, muscular, brawny, well built, powerfully built, strapping, sturdy, hefty, burly, meaty, robust, fit, athletic, vigorous, tough, rugged
  2. Able to withstand force, pressure, or wear.
    • example - cotton is strong, hard-wearing, and easy to handle
    • synonyms - secure, well built, indestructible, well fortified, well defended, well protected, impregnable, impenetrable, inviolable, unassailable, fortress-like
  3. Very intense.
    • example - a strong smell
    • synonyms - intense, deep, rich, warm, bright, brilliant, vivid, striking, colourful, graphic
  4. Used after a number to indicate the size of a group.
  5. Denoting a class of verbs in Germanic languages that form the past tense and past participle by a change of vowel within the stem rather than by addition of a suffix (e.g. swim, swam, swum).
  6. Relating to or denoting the strongest of the known kinds of force between particles, which acts between nucleons and other hadrons when closer than about 10⁻¹³ cm (so binding protons in a nucleus despite the repulsion due to their charge), and which conserves strangeness, parity, and isospin.
    • example - Protons and neutrons are held together in a nucleus of an atom by the strong force.
/ˈstrɒŋli/
adverb
  1. With great power or strength.
    • example - she started out swimming strongly
  2. In a way that is able to withstand force or wear.
    • example - the wheels are strongly made
/ˈstrʌktʃə/
noun
  1. The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.
    • example - the two sentences have equivalent structures
    • synonyms - construction, form, formation, shape, composition, fabric, anatomy, make-up, constitution
  2. A building or other object constructed from several parts.
    • example - the station is a magnificent structure and should not be demolished
    • synonyms - building, edifice, construction, erection, pile, complex, assembly
verb
  • Construct or arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to.
    • example - services must be structured so as to avoid pitfalls
    • synonyms - arrange, organize, order, design, shape, give structure to, assemble, construct, build, put together
/ˈstrʌɡ(ə)l/
verb
  • Make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction.
    • example - before she could struggle, he lifted her up
    • synonyms - fight, grapple, wrestle, scuffle, brawl, spar, exchange blows, come to blows
noun
  • A forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack.
    • example - there were signs of a struggle and there was a lot of blood around
    • synonyms - fight, scuffle, brawl, tussle, wrestling match, sparring match, wrestling bout, bout, skirmish, fracas, melee, affray, encounter, disturbance, breach of the peace
/ˈstjuːd(ə)nt/
noun
  • A person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education.
    • example - a student of sociology
    • synonyms - undergraduate, postgraduate, scholar, tutee
/ˈstjuːdɪəʊ/
noun
  1. A room where an artist, photographer, sculptor, etc. works.
    • example - mostly the painting is done in the studio, working from drawings
    • synonyms - workshop, workroom, atelier
  2. A film or television production company.
    • example - the big names are being snapped up by major studios in the film capital
  3. A studio flat.
    • example - all apartments and studios have private facilities
/ˈstʌdi/
noun
  1. The devotion of time and attention to gaining knowledge of an academic subject, especially by means of books.
    • example - the study of English
    • synonyms - learning, education, schooling, work, academic work, book work, scholarship, tuition, research
  2. A detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation.
    • example - a study of a sample of 5,000 children
    • synonyms - investigation, inquiry, research, examination, analysis, review, survey, scrutiny, evaluation, interpretation
  3. A room used or designed for reading, writing, or academic work.
    • example - the third bedroom was used as a study
    • synonyms - office, workroom, workplace, place of work, studio, library
  4. A piece of work, especially a drawing, done for practice or as an experiment.
    • example - Among these were about two dozen gouaches that are studies for the larger oil paintings.
    • synonyms - essay, article, piece, work, review, report, paper, dissertation, commentary, discourse, critique, disquisition
  5. A thing or person that is an embodiment or good example of something.
    • example - he perched on the edge of the bed, a study in confusion and misery
verb
  1. Devote time and attention to gaining knowledge of (an academic subject), especially by means of books.
    • example - I studied classics at college
    • synonyms - learn, read, read up on, work at, be taught, be tutored in
  2. Look at closely in order to observe or read.
    • example - she bent her head to study the plans
    • synonyms - scrutinize, examine, inspect, consider, regard, look at, eye, observe, watch, survey, keep an eye on, keep under surveillance
  3. Make an effort to achieve (a result) or take into account (a person or their wishes)
/stʌf/
noun
  1. Matter, material, articles, or activities of a specified or indeterminate kind that are being referred to, indicated, or implied.
    • example - I prefer to buy stuff in sales
    • synonyms - material, fabric, cloth, textile
  2. The basic constituents or characteristics of something or someone.
    • example - Healey was made of sterner stuff
  3. Woollen fabric, especially as distinct from silk, cotton, and linen.
    • example - her dark stuff gown
  4. (in sport) spin given to a ball to make it vary its course.
    • example - I think Greinke"s stuff will get better, it got better as last year went along.
verb
  1. Fill (a receptacle or space) tightly with something.
    • example - an old teapot stuffed full of cash
    • synonyms - fill, pack, pad, line, wad, upholster
  2. Used to express indifference towards or rejection of (something)
  3. Defeat heavily in sport.
    • synonyms - trounce, defeat utterly, beat hollow, win a resounding victory over, annihilate, drub, rout, give someone a drubbing, crush, overwhelm, bring someone to their knees
  4. (of a man) have sex with (someone).
/ˈstjuːpɪd/
adjective
  • Having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense.
    • example - I was stupid enough to think she was perfect
    • synonyms - unintelligent, ignorant, dense, brainless, mindless, foolish, dull-witted, dull, slow-witted, witless, slow, dunce-like, simple-minded, empty-headed, vacuous, vapid, half-witted, idiotic, moronic, imbecilic, imbecile, obtuse, doltish
noun
  • A stupid person (often used as a term of address)
    • synonyms - fool, nincompoop, dunce, dullard, ignoramus
/stʌɪl/
noun
  1. A particular procedure by which something is done; a manner or way.
    • example - different styles of management
    • synonyms - manner, way, technique, method, methodology, approach, system, mode, form, practice
  2. A distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed.
    • example - the pillars are no exception to the general style
  3. Fashionable elegance and sophistication.
    • example - the world-famous hotel attracts guests because of its style and taste
    • synonyms - flair, stylishness, smartness, elegance, grace, gracefulness, poise, polish, suaveness, sophistication, urbanity, chic, dash, finesse, panache, elan, taste
  4. (in a flower) a narrow, typically elongated extension of the ovary, bearing the stigma.
    • example - As the pistil emerged from the bracts, the style elongated and the stigma expanded markedly in size and, finally, became receptive to pollen.
  5. (in an invertebrate) a small, slender pointed appendage; a stylet.
    • example - The posterior midbrain sends 9 nerve cords frontally to the outer oral styles.
  6. archaic term for stylus (sense 2)
verb
  1. Design or make in a particular form.
    • example - the yacht is well proportioned and conservatively styled
    • synonyms - design, fashion, tailor, make, produce
  2. Designate with a particular name, description, or title.
    • example - the official is styled principal and vice chancellor of the university
    • synonyms - call, name, title, entitle, dub, designate, term, address, label, tag
/ˈsʌbdʒɛkt/
/ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/
/səbˈdʒɛkt/
noun
  1. A person or thing that is being discussed, described, or dealt with.
    • example - I"ve said all there is to be said on the subject
    • synonyms - theme, subject matter, topic, issue, question, concern, text, thesis, content, point, motif, thread
  2. A branch of knowledge studied or taught in a school, college, or university.
    • example - maths is not my best subject
    • synonyms - branch of knowledge, branch of study, course of study, course, discipline, field, area, specialism, speciality, specialty
  3. A member of a state other than its ruler, especially one owing allegiance to a monarch or other supreme ruler.
    • example - the legislation is applicable only to British subjects
    • synonyms - citizen, national, native, resident, inhabitant
  4. A noun or noun phrase functioning as one of the main components of a clause, being the element about which the rest of the clause is predicated.
    • example - This style is formal, favouring noun clauses as subjects and objects, and often postponing the main verb, or distancing it from the subject.
  5. A thinking or feeling entity; the conscious mind; the ego, especially as opposed to anything external to the mind.
    • example - In the latter case some go as far as speaking unhesitatingly of the mind as a subject - or a self, ego, or even a soul.
adjective
  1. Likely or prone to be affected by (a particular condition or occurrence, typically an unwelcome or unpleasant one)
    • synonyms - susceptible to, liable to, prone to, vulnerable to, predisposed to, disposed to, apt to suffer from, likely to suffer from, easily affected by, in danger of, at risk of, open to, wide open to
  2. Dependent or conditional upon.
    • example - the proposed merger is subject to the approval of the shareholders
    • synonyms - conditional on, contingent on, dependent on, depending on, controlled by
  3. Under the authority of.
    • example - ministers are subject to the laws of the land
    • synonyms - bound by, constrained by, answerable to, accountable to, liable to, under the control of, at the mercy of
adverb
  • Conditionally upon.
verb
  1. Cause or force someone or something to undergo (a particular experience or form of treatment, typically an unwelcome or unpleasant one)
    • example - he"d subjected her to a terrifying ordeal
    • synonyms - put through, treat with
  2. Bring (a person or country) under one"s control or jurisdiction, typically by using force.
    • example - the city had been subjected to Macedonian rule
/səbˈmɪt/
verb
  1. Accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.
    • example - the original settlers were forced to submit to Bulgarian rule
    • synonyms - give in, yield, give way, back down, cave in, bow, capitulate, relent, defer, agree, consent, accede, conform, acquiesce, comply, accept
  2. Subject to a particular process, treatment, or condition.
    • example - samples submitted to low pressure while being airfreighted
    • synonyms - put through, treat with
  3. Present (a proposal, application, or other document) to a person or body for consideration or judgement.
    • example - the panel"s report was submitted to a parliamentary committee
    • synonyms - put forward, present, set forth, offer, proffer, tender, advance, propose, suggest, volunteer, lodge, introduce, come up with, raise, air, moot
/ˈsʌbst(ə)ns/
noun
  1. A particular kind of matter with uniform properties.
    • example - a steel tube coated with a waxy substance
    • synonyms - material, matter, stuff, medium, fabric
  2. The real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence.
    • example - proteins compose much of the actual substance of the body
    • synonyms - solidity, body, corporeality, reality, actuality, materiality, concreteness, tangibility
  3. The quality of being important, valid, or significant.
    • example - he had yet to accomplish anything of substance
  4. The essential nature underlying phenomena, which is subject to changes and accidents.
    • example - Account allowed the immaterial substance to have a nature over and above the kinds of state we would regard as mental.
/səkˈsiːd/
verb
  1. Achieve the desired aim or result.
    • example - keep trying and you will eventually succeed
    • synonyms - triumph, be victorious, achieve success, be successful, be a success, do well, make good, prosper, flourish, thrive, advance
  2. Take over a throne, office, or other position from.
    • example - he would succeed Hawke as Prime Minister
    • synonyms - replace, take the place of, take over from, come after, follow, supersede, supplant, displace, oust, remove, unseat, usurp
/səkˈsɛs/
noun
  1. The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
    • example - there is a thin line between success and failure
    • synonyms - favourable outcome, successfulness, favourable result, successful outcome, positive result, victory, triumph
  2. The good or bad outcome of an undertaking.
    • example - the good or ill success of their maritime enterprises
    • synonyms - result, end result, consequence, net result, upshot, effect, after-effect, aftermath, conclusion, sequel, follow-up, issue, product, end product, end, development, offshoot, outgrowth, wake, denouement
/səkˈsɛsfʊl/
adjective
  • Accomplishing a desired aim or result.
    • example - a successful attack on the town
    • synonyms - victorious, triumphant
/səkˈsɛsf(ə)li/
adverb
  • In a way that accomplishes a desired aim or result.
    • example - she has successfully completed her mission
/sʌtʃ/
determiner, predeterminer, & pronoun
  1. Of the type previously mentioned.
    • example - I have been involved in many such courses
  2. Of the type about to be mentioned.
    • example - there is no such thing as a free lunch
  3. To so high a degree; so great (often used to emphasize a quality)
    • example - this material is of such importance that it has a powerful bearing on the case
/ˈsʌd(ə)n/
adjective
  • Occurring or done quickly and unexpectedly or without warning.
    • example - a sudden bright flash
    • synonyms - unexpected, unforeseen, unanticipated, unlooked-for, without warning, without notice, not bargained for
adverb
  • Suddenly.
    • synonyms - immediately, instantaneously, instantly, in an instant, straight away, all of a sudden, at once, all at once, promptly, abruptly, in a trice, swiftly
/ˈsʌd(ə)nli/
adverb
  • Quickly and unexpectedly.
    • example - George II died suddenly
    • synonyms - immediately, instantaneously, instantly, in an instant, straight away, all of a sudden, at once, all at once, promptly, abruptly, in a trice, swiftly
/ˈsʌfə/
verb
  1. Experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant)
    • example - he suffered intense pain
    • synonyms - hardship, distress, misery, wretchedness, adversity, tribulation
  2. Tolerate.
    • synonyms - tolerate, put up with, bear, brook, stand, abide, endure, support, accept, weather
/ˈʃʊɡə/
noun
  1. A sweet crystalline substance obtained from various plants, especially sugar cane and sugar beet, consisting essentially of sucrose, and used as a sweetener in food and drink.
    • example - a spoonful of sugar
  2. Any of the class of soluble, crystalline, typically sweet-tasting carbohydrates found in living tissues and exemplified by glucose and sucrose.
    • example - Complex sugars coat almost every cell in the body, as well as microbes that cause disease.
  3. Used as a term of endearment.
    • synonyms - darling, sweetheart, dearest, dear
  4. Used as a euphemism for ‘shit’
    • synonyms - damn, damnation, blast, hell, heck, Gordon Bennett
  5. A narcotic drug, especially heroin or LSD.
verb
  1. Sweeten, sprinkle, or coat with sugar.
    • example - Mother absent-mindedly sugared her tea
  2. Make more agreeable or palatable.
    • example - the novel was preachy but sugared heavily with jokes
/səˈdʒɛst/
verb
  1. Put forward for consideration.
    • example - I suggest that we wait a day or two
    • synonyms - propose, put forward, submit, recommend, advocate
  2. Cause one to think that (something) exists or is the case.
    • example - finds of lead coffins suggested a cemetery north of the river
    • synonyms - indicate, lead to the belief, give the impression, give the idea, argue, point to, demonstrate, show, evince
/səˈdʒɛstʃ(ə)n/
noun
  1. An idea or plan put forward for consideration.
    • example - here are some suggestions for tackling the problem
    • synonyms - proposal, proposition, motion, submission, recommendation
  2. Something that implies or indicates a certain fact or situation.
    • example - there is no suggestion that he was involved in any wrongdoing
    • synonyms - insinuation, hint, implication, intimation, innuendo, imputation
  3. The action of calling up an idea in someone"s mind by associating it with other things.
    • example - the power of suggestion
/suːt/
noun
  1. A set of outer clothes made of the same fabric and designed to be worn together, typically consisting of a jacket and trousers or a jacket and skirt.
    • example - a pinstriped suit
    • synonyms - outfit, set of clothes, costume, ensemble
  2. Any of the sets into which a pack of playing cards is divided (in conventional packs comprising spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs).
    • example - The classic order of suits is hearts above diamonds, and spades above clubs.
  3. A lawsuit.
    • example - Ads designed to assemble litigants for class action suits represent an explosive area of growth in legal advertising.
    • synonyms - legal action, lawsuit, suit at law, case, court case, action, cause, legal proceeding, legal process, proceedings, judicial proceedings, litigation, trial, legal contest, legal dispute, bringing to book, bringing of charges, indictment, prosecution
  4. The process of trying to win a woman"s affection with a view to marriage.
    • example - he could not compete with John in Marian"s eyes and his suit came to nothing
    • synonyms - courtship, wooing, courting, addresses, attentions, homage, pursuit
  5. A complete set of sails required for a ship or for a set of spars.
    • example - they went ashore and changed to another suit of sails
verb
  1. Be convenient for or acceptable to.
    • example - what time would suit you?
    • synonyms - be convenient for, be acceptable to, be suitable for, meet the requirements of, satisfy the demands of, be in line with the wishes of
  2. Enhance the features, figure, or character of (someone)
    • example - the dress didn"t suit her
    • synonyms - look attractive on, enhance the appearance of, look right on, look good on, become, flatter, show to advantage, set off, enhance, ornament, grace
  3. Put on clothes, especially for a particular activity.
    • example - I suited up and entered the water
/ˈsuːtəb(ə)l/
adjective
  • Right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
    • example - these toys are not suitable for children under five
    • synonyms - acceptable, satisfactory, fit, worthy, fitting
sum
/sʌm/
noun
  1. A particular amount of money.
    • example - they could not afford such a sum
    • synonyms - amount, quantity, volume
  2. The total amount resulting from the addition of two or more numbers, amounts, or items.
    • example - the sum of two prime numbers
    • synonyms - total, sum total, grand total, tally, aggregate, summation, gross
  3. An arithmetical problem, especially at an elementary level.
    • example - we did sums at school, Mummy
    • synonyms - arithmetical problem, problem, calculation, reckoning, tally, question
verb
  • Find the sum of (two or more amounts)
    • example - if we sum these equations we obtain X
    • synonyms - calculate, work out, total, sum, reckon, compute, enumerate, determine, evaluate, quantify, assess, count, add up, put a figure on, tally, totalize, gauge
/ˈsʌmərʌɪz/
verb
  • Give a brief statement of the main points of (something)
    • example - these results can be summarized in the following table
    • synonyms - sum up, abridge, condense, encapsulate, outline, give an outline of, put in a nutshell, recap, recapitulate, digest, give a summary of, make a summary of, give a synopsis of, synopsize, precis, give a precis of, give a résumé of, give an abstract of, abstract, sketch, give the main points of, give a rundown of, give the gist of, review
/ˈsʌm(ə)ri/
noun
  • A brief statement or account of the main points of something.
    • example - a summary of Chapter Three
    • synonyms - synopsis, precis, résumé, abstract, abridgement, digest, compendium, condensation, encapsulation, abbreviated version
adjective
  1. Not including needless details or formalities; brief.
    • example - summary financial statements
    • synonyms - abridged, abbreviated, shortened, condensed, concise, succinct, thumbnail, compact, terse, short, compressed, cursory, compendious, synoptic
  2. (of a judicial process) conducted without the customary legal formalities.
    • example - summary arrest
    • synonyms - immediate, instant, instantaneous, on-the-spot, direct, forthwith, prompt
/ˈsʌmə/
noun
  • The warmest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from June to August and in the southern hemisphere from December to February.
    • example - this plant flowers in late summer
verb
  • Spend the summer in a particular place.
    • example - well over 100 birds summered there in 1976
sun
/sʌn/
noun
  1. The star round which the earth orbits.
    • example - the sun shone from a cloudless sky
  2. The light or warmth received from the earth"s sun.
    • example - we sat outside in the sun
    • synonyms - sunshine, sunlight, daylight, light, warmth
  3. A day or a year.
    • example - after going so many suns without food, I was sleeping
verb
  • Sit or lie in the sun.
    • example - Buzz could see Clare sunning herself on the terrace below
    • synonyms - sunbathe, bask, bake, get a tan, tan, brown
/ˈsʌndeɪ/
noun
  • The day of the week before Monday and following Saturday, observed by Christians as a day of rest and religious worship and (together with Saturday) forming part of the weekend.
    • example - they left town on Sunday
    • synonyms - the Lord"s Day, the Sabbath
adverb
  • On Sunday.
    • example - the concert will be held Sunday
/ˈsuːpəmɑːkɪt/
noun
  • A large self-service shop selling foods and household goods.
    • example - Very little food at shops, supermarkets, and restaurants is local or sustainable.
    • synonyms - store, retail store, outlet, retail outlet, reseller, cash and carry
/səˈplʌɪ/
verb
  1. Make (something needed or wanted) available to someone; provide.
    • example - the farm supplies apples to cider makers
    • synonyms - give, contribute, provide, furnish, donate, bestow, grant, endow, afford, impart, lay on, come up with, make available, proffer
  2. Take over (a vacant place or role)
    • example - when she died, no one could supply her place
noun
  1. A stock or amount of something supplied or available for use.
    • example - a farm with good water supply
    • synonyms - stock, store, reserve, reservoir, stockpile, heap, pile, mass, hoard, cache, collection, storehouse, repository
  2. A person, especially a schoolteacher, acting as a temporary substitute for another.
    • example - a supply teacher
    • synonyms - substitute, stand-in, fill-in, locum, temporary, stopgap
/səˈpɔːt/
verb
  1. Bear all or part of the weight of; hold up.
    • example - the dome was supported by a hundred white columns
    • synonyms - hold up, bear, carry, prop up, keep up, bolster up, brace, shore up, underpin, buttress, reinforce
  2. Give assistance to, especially financially.
    • example - the government gives £2,500 million a year to support the voluntary sector
    • synonyms - help, aid, assist
  3. Suggest the truth of; corroborate.
    • example - the studies support our findings
    • synonyms - substantiate, back up, give force to, give weight to, bear out, corroborate, confirm, attest to, verify, prove, validate, authenticate, endorse, ratify, document
  4. (of a computer or operating system) allow the use or operation of (a program, language, or device)
    • example - the new versions do not support the graphical user interface standard
  5. Endure; tolerate.
    • example - at work during the day I could support the grief
    • synonyms - endure, bear, put up with, tolerate, stand, abide, suffer, stomach, brook, sustain, shoulder, weather
noun
  1. A thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright.
    • example - the best support for a camera is a tripod
    • synonyms - pillar, post, prop, underprop, underpinning, base, substructure, foundation
  2. Material assistance.
    • example - the bank provided unstinting financial support
    • synonyms - maintenance, keep, sustenance, subsistence
  3. Evidence that serves to corroborate something.
    • example - the study provides support for both theories
    • synonyms - proof, confirmation, verification, substantiation, corroboration, affirmation, authentication, attestation, documentation
/səˈpɔːtə/
noun
  1. A person who approves of and encourages a public figure, political party, policy, etc.
    • example - Labour supporters
    • synonyms - advocate, backer, adherent, promoter, champion, defender, upholder, votary, partisan, crusader, proponent, campaigner, believer, apologist
  2. A representation of an animal or other figure, typically one of a pair, holding up or standing beside an escutcheon.
/səˈpəʊz/
verb
  1. Think or assume that something is true or probable but lack proof or certain knowledge.
    • example - I suppose I got there about noon
    • synonyms - assume, dare say, take for granted, take as read, presume, expect, take it
  2. Be required to do something because of the position one is in or an agreement one has made.
    • example - I"m supposed to be meeting someone at the airport
    • synonyms - meant, intended, expected
/ʃɔː/
/ʃʊə/
adjective
  1. Completely confident that one is right.
    • example - I"m sure I"ve seen that dress before
    • synonyms - certain, positive, convinced, definite, confident, decided, assured, secure, satisfied, persuaded, easy in one"s mind, free from doubt
  2. Certain to receive, get, or do something.
    • example - United are sure of a UEFA Cup place
    • synonyms - confident, certain, assured
  3. True beyond any doubt.
    • synonyms - unquestionable, indisputable, incontestable, irrefutable, incontrovertible, undeniable, indubitable, beyond question, beyond doubt
  4. Showing confidence or assurance.
    • example - the drawings impress by their sure sense of rhythm
    • synonyms - firm, steady, stable, secure, confident, solid, steadfast, unhesitating, unfaltering, unwavering, unswerving
adverb
  • Certainly (used for emphasis)
    • synonyms - yes, all right, of course, indeed, certainly, absolutely, agreed
/ˈʃʊəli/
/ˈʃɔːli/
adverb
  1. Used to emphasize the speaker"s firm belief that what they are saying is true and often their surprise that there is any doubt of this.
    • example - if there is no will, then surely the house goes automatically to you
    • synonyms - it must be the case that, I believe that, assuredly, without question
  2. With assurance or confidence.
    • example - no one knows how to move the economy quickly and surely in that direction
    • synonyms - firmly, steadily, confidently, solidly, securely, unhesitatingly, unfalteringly, unswervingly, determinedly, doggedly, assuredly
/ˈsəːfɪs/
noun
  1. The outside part or uppermost layer of something.
    • example - the earth"s surface
    • synonyms - outside, exterior
  2. A continuous set of points that has length and breadth but no thickness.
    • example - Among closed surfaces, spherical, flat, and hyperbolic geometry are mutually exclusive.
adjective
  • Relating to or found on the surface of something.
    • example - surface layers
    • synonyms - superficial, external, exterior, outward, seeming, ostensible, apparent, cosmetic, skin deep
verb
  1. Rise or come up to the surface of the water or the ground.
    • example - he surfaced from his dive
    • synonyms - come to the surface, come to the top, come up, rise
  2. Provide (something, especially a road) with a particular surface.
    • example - a small path surfaced with terracotta tiles
/ˈsəːdʒ(ə)ri/
noun
  1. The branch of medical practice that treats injuries, diseases, and deformities by the physical removal, repair, or readjustment of organs and tissues, often involving cutting into the body.
    • example - cardiac surgery
    • synonyms - therapy, surgery, medical attention, medical care, care, ministrations, nursing
  2. A place where a doctor, dentist, or other medical practitioner treats or advises patients.
    • example - Literature will be available from libraries, GP surgeries, hospitals and dentists.
    • synonyms - medical centre, health centre, outpatients" department, surgery, doctor"s, polyclinic
/səˈprʌɪz/
noun
  1. An unexpected or astonishing event, fact, etc.
    • example - the announcement came as a complete surprise
    • synonyms - shock, bolt from of the blue, bolt out of the blue, thunderbolt, bombshell, revelation, source of amazement, rude awakening, eye-opener
  2. Denoting a complex method of change-ringing.
verb
  • (of something unexpected) cause (someone) to feel mild astonishment or shock.
    • example - I was surprised at his statement
    • synonyms - astonish, amaze, nonplus, startle, astound, stun, flabbergast, stagger, shock, stop someone in their tracks, stupefy, leave open-mouthed, take someone"s breath away, dumbfound, daze, benumb, confound, take aback, jolt, shake up
/səˈprʌɪzd/
adjective
  • Feeling or showing surprise.
    • example - there was a surprised silence
/səˈprʌɪzɪŋ/
adjective
  • Causing surprise; unexpected.
    • example - a surprising sequence of events
/səˈraʊnd/
verb
  • Be all round (someone or something)
    • example - the hotel is surrounded by its own gardens
    • synonyms - neighbouring, nearby, near, neighbourhood, local
noun
  • A thing that forms a border or edging round an object.
    • example - an oak fireplace surround
    • synonyms - border, edging, edge, perimeter, boundary, margin, skirting, skirt, fringe
/səˈraʊndɪŋ/
adjective
  • All round a particular place or thing.
    • example - Cardiff and the surrounding area
/səˈveɪ/
/ˈsəːveɪ/
verb
  1. Look closely at or examine (someone or something)
    • example - her green eyes surveyed him coolly
    • synonyms - look at, look over, take a look at, observe, view, contemplate, regard, see, gaze at, stare at, eye, get a bird"s-eye view of
  2. Examine and record the area and features of (an area of land) so as to construct a map, plan, or description.
    • example - he surveyed the coasts of New Zealand
  3. Investigate the opinions or experience of (a group of people) by asking them questions.
    • example - 95 per cent of patients surveyed were satisfied with the health service
noun
  1. A general view, examination, or description of someone or something.
    • example - the author provides a survey of the relevant literature
    • synonyms - study, consideration, review, overview
  2. An act of surveying a building.
    • example - the building society will insist that you have a survey done
    • synonyms - valuation, appraisal, assessment, estimate, estimation, pricing
  3. An act of surveying an area of land.
    • example - the flight involved a detailed aerial survey of military bases
/səˈvʌɪv/
verb
  • Continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.
    • example - against all odds the child survived
    • synonyms - remain alive, live, sustain oneself, cling to life, pull through, get through, hold on, hold out, make it, keep body and soul together
/səˈspɛkt/
/ˈsʌspɛkt/
verb
  1. Have an idea or impression of the existence, presence, or truth of (something) without certain proof.
    • example - if you suspect a gas leak, do not turn on an electric light
    • synonyms - have a suspicion, have a feeling, feel, be inclined to think, fancy, reckon, guess, surmise, conjecture, think, think it likely, think it probable, have a sneaking feeling, have a hunch
  2. Doubt the genuineness or truth of.
    • example - a broker whose honesty he had no reason to suspect
    • synonyms - doubt, distrust, mistrust, have doubts about, harbour suspicions about, have misgivings about, be sceptical about, have qualms about, be suspicious of, be wary of, feel chary about, feel uneasy about, harbour reservations about, have reservations about, have a funny feeling about
noun
  • A person thought to be guilty of a crime or offence.
    • example - the police have arrested a suspect
    • synonyms - suspected person, accused, defendant
adjective
  • Not to be relied on or trusted; possibly dangerous or false.
    • example - a suspect package was found on the platform
    • synonyms - suspicious, dubious, untrustworthy, questionable, doubtful, odd, queer, potentially dangerous, potentially false, under suspicion, not quite right
/swɛː/
verb
  1. Make a solemn statement or promise undertaking to do something or affirming that something is the case.
    • example - Maria made me swear I would never tell anyone
    • synonyms - promise, vow, promise under oath, solemnly promise, pledge oneself, give one"s word, take an oath, swear an oath, swear on the Bible, give an undertaking, undertake, affirm, warrant, state, assert, declare, aver, proclaim, pronounce, profess, attest, guarantee
  2. Use offensive language, especially as an expression of anger.
    • example - Peter swore under his breath
    • synonyms - bad language, foul language, strong language
noun
  • An offensive word, used especially to express anger; a swear word.
/ˈswɛtə/
noun
  1. A knitted garment worn on the upper body, typically with long sleeves, put on over the head.
    • example - a close-knit wool sweater for icy weather
  2. An employer who works employees hard in poor conditions for low pay.
/swiːp/
verb
  1. Clean (an area) by brushing away dirt or litter.
    • example - I"ve swept the floor
    • synonyms - brush, clean, scrub, wipe, mop, dust, scour, scrape, rake, buff
  2. Move swiftly and smoothly.
    • example - a large black car swept past the open windows
    • synonyms - glide, sail, dash, charge, rush, streak, speed, fly, zoom, swoop, whizz, hurtle
  3. Search (an area) for something.
    • example - the detective swept the room for hair and fingerprints
    • synonyms - search, probe, check, explore, hunt through, look through, delve in, go through, sift through, scour, comb, go through with a fine-tooth comb, leave no stone unturned in
noun
  1. An act of sweeping something with a brush.
    • example - I was giving the floor a quick sweep
    • synonyms - clean, sweep, wipe, dust, mop
  2. A long, swift curving movement.
    • example - a grandiose sweep of his hand
    • synonyms - gesture, movement, move, action, stroke, wave
  3. A procedure for inducing labour in a pregnant woman, in which a medical practitioner moves a finger around within the opening of the cervix to detach the amniotic membranes.
    • example - I went in for a sweep at 41 weeks
  4. A comprehensive search or survey of a place or area.
    • example - the police finished their sweep through the woods
    • synonyms - search, hunt, exploration, probe, forage, pursuit, quest
  5. A long, typically curved stretch of road, river, or land.
    • example - we could see a wide sweep of country perhaps a hundred miles across
    • synonyms - expanse, tract, stretch, space, plain, extent, vastness, vista
  6. A sweepstake.
    • synonyms - lottery, draw, prize draw, sweepstake, sweep, tombola, ballot
  7. An instance of winning every event, award, or place in a contest.
    • example - a World Series sweep
  8. A long, heavy oar used to row a barge or other vessel.
    • example - a big, heavy sweep oar
    • synonyms - oar, scull, sweep, blade, spoon, spade
  9. A sail of a windmill.
  10. A long pole mounted as a lever for raising buckets from a well.
/swiːt/
adjective
  1. Having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not salt, sour, or bitter.
    • example - a cup of hot sweet tea
    • synonyms - sugary, sweetened, saccharine
  2. Pleasing in general; delightful.
    • example - it was the sweet life he had always craved
    • synonyms - pleasant, pleasing, agreeable, delightful, nice, satisfying, gratifying, welcome, good, acceptable, to one"s liking, entertaining, charming, inviting, attractive, fine
  3. (of a person or action) pleasant and kind or thoughtful.
    • example - a very sweet nurse came along
    • synonyms - likeable, appealing, engaging, amiable, pleasant, agreeable, genial, friendly, nice, good-natured, kind, kindly, kind-hearted, thoughtful, considerate
  4. Used for emphasis in various phrases and exclamations.
    • example - What had happened? Sweet nothing
noun
  1. A small shaped piece of sweet food made with sugar.
    • example - a bag of sweets
    • synonyms - piece of confectionery, chocolate, bonbon, fondant, toffee
  2. A sweet dish forming a course of a meal; a pudding or dessert.
    • example - Pudding was rose - flavoured chum chum sweetmeats, lachedar rabri, a milk sweet, and tila kulfi - Indian ice cream on a stick, delivered by cart.
    • synonyms - dessert, sweet course, second course, last course
  3. Used as an affectionate form of address.
    • synonyms - dear, darling, dearest, dear one, love, sweetheart, beloved
  4. The sweet part or element of something.
/swɪm/
verb
  1. Propel the body through water by using the limbs, or (in the case of a fish or other aquatic animal) by using fins, tail, or other bodily movement.
    • example - they swam ashore
    • synonyms - bathe, go swimming, take a dip, dip, splash around
  2. Be immersed in or covered with liquid.
    • example - mashed potatoes swimming in gravy
    • synonyms - be saturated in, be drenched in, be soaked in, be steeped in, be immersed in, be covered in, be full of
  3. Appear to reel or whirl before one"s eyes.
    • example - Emily rubbed her eyes as the figures swam before her eyes
    • synonyms - go round, go round and round, whirl, spin, revolve, gyrate, swirl, twirl, turn, wheel, swim
noun
  1. An act or period of swimming.
    • example - we went for a swim in the river
    • synonyms - swim, bathe, dive, plunge, splash, paddle
  2. A pool in a river that is a particularly good spot for fishing.
    • example - he landed two 5 lb chub from the same swim
/ˈswɪmɪŋ/
noun
  • The sport or activity of propelling oneself through water using the limbs.
    • example - Rachel had always loved swimming
/swɪtʃ/
noun
  1. A device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit.
    • example - the guard hit a switch and the gate swung open
    • synonyms - button, handle, lever, key, control, controller, disc, dial, joystick
  2. An act of changing to or adopting one thing in place of another.
    • example - his friends were surprised at his switch from newspaper owner to farmer
    • synonyms - change, change of direction, move, shift, transition, transformation, diversion
  3. A slender, flexible shoot cut from a tree.
    • example - The students are lined up in somewhat orderly rows by their class leaders while a few of the teachers oversee the process, swishing small switches recently torn from nearby eucalyptus trees.
    • synonyms - branch, twig, shoot, stick, rod
  4. A set of points on a railway track.
    • example - In later years private contractors installed the siding while the railway installed the switch.
  5. A tress of false or detached hair tied at one end, used in hairdressing to supplement natural hair.
    • example - On an impulse, Katherine reached up with her other hand and flicked her hood off of her head, revealing her long switch of hair.
verb
  1. Change the position, direction, or focus of.
    • example - the company switched the boats to other routes
    • synonyms - change, shift, convert, divert, redirect
  2. Beat or flick with or as if with a switch.
    • synonyms - hit, beat, flog, whip, horsewhip, scourge, lash, flagellate, flail, strap, birch, cane, belt, leather
/ˈsɪmb(ə)l/
noun
  1. A mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process, e.g. the letter or letters standing for a chemical element or a character in musical notation.
    • example - the symbol r in Figure 5 represents a gene which is ineffective
    • synonyms - sign, character, mark, letter, hieroglyph, ideogram
  2. A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.
    • example - the limousine was another symbol of his wealth and authority
    • synonyms - emblem, token, sign, representation, figure, image, type
verb
  • Symbolize.
    • example - The first was symbol of the atonement the 2nd was to symbol the carrying away of sins.
    • synonyms - represent, be a symbol of, stand for, be a sign of, exemplify
/ˈsɪmpəθi/
noun
  1. Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else"s misfortune.
    • example - they had great sympathy for the flood victims
    • synonyms - commiseration, pity, condolence, consolation, comfort, solace, support, encouragement
  2. Understanding between people; common feeling.
    • example - the special sympathy between the two boys was obvious to all
    • synonyms - rapport, fellow feeling, affinity, empathy, harmony, accord, compatibility
  3. The state or fact of responding in a way similar or corresponding to an action elsewhere.
    • example - the magnetic field oscillates in sympathy
/ˈsɪm(p)təm/
noun
  • A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.
    • example - dental problems may be a symptom of other illness
    • synonyms - manifestation, indication, indicator, sign, mark, feature, trait
/ˈsɪstəm/
noun
  1. A set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network; a complex whole.
    • example - the state railway system
    • synonyms - structure, organization, order, arrangement, complex, apparatus, network
  2. A set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method.
    • example - a multiparty system of government
    • synonyms - method, methodology, technique, process, procedure, approach, practice, line, line of action, line of attack, attack, means, way, manner, mode, framework, modus operandi
  3. The prevailing political or social order, especially when regarded as oppressive and intransigent.
    • example - don"t try bucking the system
    • synonyms - the establishment, the authorities, the powers that be, the ruling class, the regime, bureaucracy, officialdom
  4. A set of staves in a musical score joined by a brace.