EN Vocabulary - 3000 Words

Common words beginning W

/weɪdʒ/
noun
  • A fixed regular payment earned for work or services, typically paid on a daily or weekly basis.
    • example - we were struggling to get better wages
    • synonyms - pay, payment, remuneration, salary, emolument, stipend, fee, allowance, honorarium
verb
  • Carry on (a war or campaign)
    • example - it is necessary to destroy their capacity to wage war
    • synonyms - engage in, carry on, conduct, execute, pursue, undertake, prosecute, practise, proceed with, devote oneself to, go on with
/weɪt/
verb
  1. Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event.
    • example - I rang the bell and waited
    • synonyms - stand by, hold back, be patient, bide one"s time, hang fire, mark time, kill time, waste time, cool one"s heels, kick one"s heels, twiddle one"s thumbs
  2. Used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.
    • example - I can"t wait to tell Nick what happened
noun
  1. A period of waiting.
    • example - we had a long wait
    • synonyms - delay, hold-up, period of waiting, interval, interlude, intermission, pause, break, stay, cessation, suspension, detention, check, stoppage, halt, interruption, lull, respite, recess, postponement, discontinuation, moratorium, hiatus, gap, lapse, rest, entr"acte
  2. Street singers of Christmas carols.
/ˈweɪtə/
noun
  1. A man whose job is to serve customers at their tables in a restaurant.
    • example - Arriving passengers greet their cabin stewards and table waiters like long-lost family friends with smiling handshakes, hugs and much backslapping.
    • synonyms - server, waitress, stewardess, steward, attendant
  2. A person who waits for a time, event, or opportunity.
    • example - Mr McMahon said all of the long waiters in the eastern region should be given an opportunity to be treated under the fund and a record kept of those who don"t wish to be involved in the scheme.
  3. A small tray; a salver.
/weɪk/
verb
  1. Emerge or cause to emerge from sleep; stop sleeping.
    • example - she woke up feeling better
    • synonyms - awake, awaken, waken, waken up, rouse, stir, come to, come around
  2. Hold a vigil beside (someone who has died)
noun
  1. A watch or vigil held beside the body of someone who has died, sometimes accompanied by ritual observances.
    • example - he was attending a friend"s wake
  2. An annual festival and holiday held in some parts of northern England, originally one held in a rural parish on the feast day of the patron saint of the church.
    • example - his workers absented themselves for the local wakes
/wɔːk/
verb
  1. Move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once.
    • example - I walked across the lawn
    • synonyms - stroll, saunter, amble, wend one"s way, trudge, plod, hike, tramp, trek, march, stride, troop, patrol, step out, wander, ramble, tread, prowl, footslog, promenade, roam, traipse
  2. Guide, accompany, or escort (someone) on foot.
    • example - he walked her home to her door
    • synonyms - accompany, escort, guide, show, see, convoy, conduct, usher, marshal, lead, take, attend, chaperone, steer, herd, shepherd
  3. (of a thing) go missing or be stolen.
  4. Abandon or suddenly withdraw from a job or commitment.
  5. (of a batsman) leave the field without waiting to be given out by the umpire.
    • example - Increasingly, it seems, such restraint, like a batsman walking when he nicks it, has gone the way of the dodo.
  6. Reach first base automatically after not hitting at four balls pitched outside the strike zone.
  7. (of a ghost) be visible; appear.
    • example - the ghosts of Bannockburn walked abroad
  8. Live or behave in a particular way.
    • example - walk humbly with your God
noun
  1. An act of travelling or an outing on foot.
    • example - he was too restless to sleep, so he went out for a walk
    • synonyms - stroll, saunter, amble, promenade
  2. A route recommended or marked out for recreational walking.
    • example - there are picnic places and waymarked walks
    • synonyms - route, beat, round, run, circuit
  3. An unhurried rate of movement on foot.
    • example - they crossed the field at a leisurely walk
  4. A part of a forest under one keeper.
    • example - Helen hitches a ride to Ashley Walk with New Forest Verderer Anthony Pasmore.
  5. A farm where a hound puppy is trained.
  6. An instance of reaching first base automatically after not hitting at four balls pitched outside the strike zone.
    • example - It"s still three strikes you"re out and four balls for a walk but so much of the fun is gone.
  7. A flock of snipe.
    • example - A party of hunters could wipe out a walk of snipe in a morning.
/wɔːl/
noun
  1. A continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area of land.
    • example - a garden wall
    • synonyms - barrier, partition, room divider, enclosure, screen, panel, separator
  2. A thing regarded as a protective or restrictive barrier.
    • example - police investigating the murders met a wall of silence from witnesses
    • synonyms - obstacle, barrier, barricade, fence
  3. The membranous outer layer or lining of an organ or cavity.
    • example - the wall of the stomach
  4. The rock enclosing a lode or seam.
  5. another term for wall brown
verb
  • Enclose (an area) within walls, especially for protection or privacy.
    • example - parts of the city"s East End had been walled off with concrete barricades
    • synonyms - enclose, bound, encircle, confine, hem, circumscribe, close, shut, fence
/wɒnt/
verb
  1. Have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for.
    • example - I want an apple
    • synonyms - desire, wish for, hope for, fancy, have a fancy for, take a fancy to, have an inclination for, care for, like, set one"s heart on
  2. Should or need to do something.
    • synonyms - should, ought, need, must
  3. Lack something desirable or essential.
noun
  1. A lack or deficiency of something.
    • example - Victorian houses which are in want of repair
    • synonyms - lack, absence, non-existence, unavailability
  2. A desire for something.
    • example - the expression of our wants and desires
    • synonyms - wish, desire, demand, longing, yearning, fancy, craving, hankering
war
/wɔː/
noun
  • A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country.
    • example - Japan declared war on Germany
    • synonyms - conflict, warfare, combat, fighting, struggle, armed conflict, action, military action, bloodshed, contest, tussle
verb
  • Engage in a war.
    • example - small states warred against each another
    • synonyms - fight, battle, combat, wage war, make war, be at war, be in conflict, conduct a war, do battle, join battle, take the field, take up arms
/wɔːm/
adjective
  1. Of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature.
    • example - a warm September evening
    • synonyms - hot, warming
  2. Having or showing enthusiasm, affection, or kindness.
    • example - they exchanged warm, friendly smiles
    • synonyms - friendly, comradely, affable, amiable, genial, cordial, kindly, kind, pleasant, sympathetic, affectionate, warm-hearted, good-natured, loving, tender, fond
  3. (of a colour) containing red, yellow, or orange tones.
    • example - her fair colouring suited soft, warm shades
  4. (of a scent or trail) fresh; strong.
    • example - Try orange or clove to get a rich, warm scent and lavender for a light, fresh, spring-like aroma.
verb
  • Make or become warm.
    • example - I stamped my feet to warm them up
    • synonyms - heat, heat up, become warm, make warm, become hot, make hot, raise the temperature of, increase in temperature, thaw, thaw out, melt, take the chill off
noun
  • A warm place or area.
    • example - stay in the warm, I"ve made up the fire for you
/wɔːn/
verb
  • Inform someone in advance of a possible danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation.
    • example - his father had warned him of what might happen
    • synonyms - notify, alert, apprise, give notice, inform, tell, let someone know, make someone aware, give a warning to, give fair warning to, forewarn, put someone on guard, put someone on notice, remind
/ˈwɔːnɪŋ/
noun
  • A statement or event that warns of something or that serves as a cautionary example.
    • example - police issued a warning about fake £20 notes
    • synonyms - example, deterrent, lesson, caution, exemplar, message, moral
/wɒʃ/
verb
  1. Clean with water and, typically, soap or detergent.
    • example - Auntie Lou had washed all their clothes
    • synonyms - clean, cleanse, sponge, scrub, wipe, scour
  2. (of flowing water) carry (someone or something) in a particular direction.
    • example - floods washed away the bridges
    • synonyms - sweep, carry, convey, transport, move, deliver, deposit, drive
  3. Brush with a thin coat of dilute paint or ink.
    • example - the walls were washed with shades of umber
    • synonyms - paint, colour, apply paint to, tint, highlight, shade, dye, stain, distemper
  4. Seem convincing or genuine.
    • synonyms - be accepted, be acceptable, be plausible, be convincing, hold up, hold water, stand up, bear scrutiny, stand the test of time, be believable, be credible, pass muster, prove true, make sense
noun
  1. An act of washing something or an instance of being washed.
    • example - her hair needs a wash
    • synonyms - clean, cleaning, cleansing
  2. The water or air disturbed by a moving boat or aircraft.
    • example - the wash of a motorboat
    • synonyms - backwash, backflow, wake, trail, train, path
  3. An inlet of the North Sea on the east coast of England between Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
  4. A medicinal or cleansing solution.
    • example - citrus-scented body wash
    • synonyms - lotion, salve, application, preparation, rinse, liquid, liniment, embrocation, emulsion
  5. A layer of paint or metal spread thinly on a surface.
    • example - the walls were covered with a pale lemon wash
    • synonyms - paint, stain, varnish, coat, layer, film, overlay
  6. Silt or gravel carried by a stream or river and deposited as sediment.
  7. Kitchen slops and other food waste fed to pigs.
    • synonyms - pigswill, hogwash, pigwash, wash, mash
  8. Malt fermenting in preparation for distillation.
  9. A situation or result that is of no benefit to either of two opposing sides.
/ˈwɒʃɪŋ/
noun
  • The action of washing oneself or laundering clothes, bed linen, etc.
    • example - her arms were red to the elbow from doing other people"s washing
    • synonyms - washing, cleansing, bathing, showering, scrubbing, purification
/weɪst/
verb
  1. Use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.
    • example - we can"t afford to waste electricity
    • synonyms - squander, fritter away, misspend, misuse, spend recklessly, throw away, lavish, be wasteful with, dissipate, spend like water, throw around like confetti
  2. (of a person or a part of the body) become progressively weaker and more emaciated.
    • example - she was visibly wasting away
    • synonyms - grow weak, wither, atrophy, become emaciated, shrivel up, shrink, decay
  3. Devastate or ruin (a place)
    • example - he seized their cattle and wasted their country
    • synonyms - destroy, devastate, lay waste, leave in ruins, wreak havoc on, ravage, leave desolate
  4. (of time) pass away.
adjective
  1. (of a material, substance, or by-product) eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after the completion of a process.
    • example - ensure that waste materials are disposed of responsibly
    • synonyms - unwanted, excess, superfluous, left over, scrap, extra, unused, useless, worthless
  2. (of an area of land, typically an urban one) not used, cultivated, or built on.
    • example - a patch of waste ground
    • synonyms - uncultivated, barren, desert, unproductive, infertile, unfruitful, arid, bare
noun
  1. An act or instance of using or expending something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.
    • example - it"s a waste of time trying to argue with him
    • synonyms - squandering, dissipation, frittering away, misspending, misuse, misapplication, misemployment, abuse
  2. Unwanted or unusable material, substances, or by-products.
    • example - nuclear waste
    • synonyms - refuse, litter, debris, dross, junk, detritus, scrap
  3. A large area of barren, typically uninhabited land.
    • example - the icy wastes of the Antarctic
    • synonyms - desert, wasteland, wilderness, barrenness, emptiness, vastness, wilds
  4. Damage to an estate caused by an act or by neglect, especially by a life tenant.
/wɒtʃ/
verb
  1. Look at or observe attentively over a period of time.
    • example - Lucy watched him go
    • synonyms - observe, view, look at, eye, gaze at, stare at, gape at, peer at
  2. Exercise care, caution, or restraint about.
    • example - most women watch their diet during pregnancy
    • synonyms - be careful about, be careful of, exercise care about, exercise caution about, exercise restraint about
  3. Remain awake for the purpose of religious observance.
noun
  1. A small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one"s wrist.
    • example - my watch had stopped
    • synonyms - timepiece, chronometer, small clock, timer
  2. An act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time.
    • example - the security forces have been keeping a close watch on our activities
    • synonyms - guard, vigil, lookout, an eye
  3. A film or programme considered in terms of its appeal to the public.
  4. A flock of nightingales.
    • example - a watch of nightingales began flying south
/ˈwɔːtə/
noun
  1. A colourless, transparent, odourless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms.
    • example - sodium chloride dissolves in water
    • synonyms - aqua
  2. A stretch or area of water, such as a river, sea, or lake.
    • example - the lawns ran down to the water"s edge
    • synonyms - sea, ocean
  3. Urine.
  4. The amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus in the womb, especially as discharged in a flow shortly before birth.
    • example - I think my waters have broken
  5. The quality of transparency and brilliance shown by a diamond or other gem.
  6. Capital stock that represents a book value greater than the true assets of a company.
verb
  1. Pour or sprinkle water over (a plant or area) in order to encourage plant growth.
    • example - I went out to water the geraniums
    • synonyms - sprinkle, moisten, dampen, wet, spray, splash
  2. (of a person"s eyes) fill with tears.
    • example - Rory blinked, his eyes watering
    • synonyms - moisten, exude water, become wet, leak
  3. Dilute or adulterate (a drink, typically an alcoholic one) with water.
    • example - staff at the club had been watering down the drinks
    • synonyms - dilute, water down, add water to, thin, thin out, make thin, make thinner, weaken, make weak, make weaker
  4. Increase (a company"s debt, or nominal capital) by the issue of new shares without a corresponding addition to assets.
/weɪv/
verb
  1. Move one"s hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal.
    • example - he waved to me from the train
    • synonyms - gesture, gesticulate, signal, sign, beckon, indicate, motion, nod, bid
  2. Move to and fro with a swaying motion while remaining fixed to one point.
    • example - the flag waved in the wind
    • synonyms - ripple, flutter, undulate, stir, flap, sway, swing, waft, shake, quiver, oscillate, move
  3. Style (hair) so that it curls slightly.
    • example - her hair had been carefully waved for the evening
noun
  1. A long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore.
    • example - he was swept out to sea by a freak wave
    • synonyms - breaker, billow, roller, comber, ripple, white horse, white cap
  2. A sudden occurrence of or increase in a phenomenon, feeling, or emotion.
    • example - a wave of strikes had paralysed the government
    • synonyms - flow, rush, surge, flood, stream, swell, tide, deluge, torrent, spate, billow
  3. A gesture or signal made by moving one"s hand to and fro.
    • example - he gave a little wave and walked off
    • synonyms - gesture, gesticulation, hand movement
  4. A slightly curling lock of hair.
    • example - his hair was drying in unruly waves
    • synonyms - curl, kink, corkscrew, crimp, twist, twirl, ringlet, frizz, coil, loop, undulation
  5. A periodic disturbance of the particles of a substance which may be propagated without net movement of the particles, such as in the passage of undulating motion, heat, or sound.
    • example - Song production clearly involves some metabolic cost to a bird because energy is transmitted to the surroundings in the form of sound pressure waves.
    • synonyms - ripple, vibration, oscillation, undulation
way
/weɪ/
noun
  1. A method, style, or manner of doing something; an optional or alternative form of action.
    • example - I hated their way of cooking potatoes
    • synonyms - method, course of action, process, procedure, technique, system
  2. A road, track, or path for travelling along.
    • example - No. 3, Church Way
    • synonyms - byroad, byway, path, pathway, footpath, way, towpath, trail, track, road, street, alley, alleyway, roadway, passage, thoroughfare
  3. Parts into which something divides or is divided.
    • example - the national vote split three ways
  4. A person"s occupation or line of business.
    • synonyms - work, line of work, line, occupation, profession, career, employment, job, day job, position, pursuit, vocation, calling, field, sphere, walk of life, trade, craft
  5. Forward motion or momentum of a ship or boat through water.
    • example - the dinghy lost way and drifted towards the shore
  6. A sloping structure down which a new ship is launched.
    • example - It was a favorite vantage point from which many of them had watched many other Bath Iron Works ships slide down the ways.
adverb
  • At or to a considerable distance or extent; far (used before an adverb or preposition for emphasis)
we
/wiː/
pronoun
  1. Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together.
    • example - shall we have a drink?
  2. Used in formal contexts for or by a royal person, or by a writer or editor, to refer to himself or herself.
    • example - in this section we discuss the reasons for this decision
  3. Used condescendingly to refer to the person being addressed.
    • example - how are we today?
/wiːk/
adjective
  1. Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; having little physical strength or energy.
    • example - she was recovering from flu, and was very weak
    • synonyms - frail, feeble, puny, fragile, delicate, weakly
  2. Liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged.
    • example - the salamander"s tail may be broken off at a weak spot near the base
  3. Lacking intensity or brightness.
    • example - a weak light from a single street lamp
    • synonyms - dim, pale, wan, faint, dull, feeble, muted
  4. Denoting a class of verbs in Germanic languages that form the past tense and past participle by addition of a suffix (in English, typically -ed).
    • example - Some phrasal verbs prefer a weak form (contrast The car sped up the hill and The car speeded up).
  5. Relating to or denoting the weakest of the known kinds of force between particles, which acts only at distances less than about 10⁻¹⁵ cm, is very much weaker than the electromagnetic and the strong interactions, and conserves neither strangeness, parity, nor isospin.
    • example - Thus, the strengths of the electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces depend upon the energy at which they are measured.
/ˈwiːknəs/
noun
  1. The state or condition of being weak.
    • example - the country"s weakness in international dealings
    • synonyms - frailty, feebleness, enfeeblement, puniness, fragility, delicateness, delicacy, weakliness
  2. A disadvantage or fault.
    • example - you must recognize your product"s strengths and weaknesses
    • synonyms - fault, flaw, defect, deficiency, weak point, weak spot, failing, foible, shortcoming, imperfection, blemish, Achilles heel, chink in one"s armour
  3. A person or thing that one is unable to resist or likes excessively.
    • example - you"re his one weakness—he should never have met you
/wɛlθ/
noun
  1. An abundance of valuable possessions or money.
    • example - he used his considerable wealth to bribe officials
    • synonyms - affluence, prosperity, opulence, riches, means, substance, luxury, well-being, plenty, deep pockets
  2. A plentiful supply of a particular desirable thing.
    • example - the tables and maps contain a wealth of information
    • synonyms - abundance, profusion, plethora, mine, store, treasury, copiousness, plenitude, amplitude, bounty, cornucopia
  3. Well-being.
/ˈwɛlθi/
adjective
  • Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich.
    • example - the wealthy nations of the world
    • synonyms - rich, affluent, moneyed, cash rich, well off, with deep pockets, well-to-do, prosperous, comfortable, opulent, propertied, of means, of substance, in clover, plutocratic
/ˈwɛp(ə)n/
noun
  • A thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.
    • example - nuclear weapons
/wɛː/
verb
  1. Have (something) on one"s body as clothing, decoration, or protection.
    • example - he was wearing a dark suit
    • synonyms - be dressed in, be clothed in, have on, sport
  2. Damage, erode, or destroy by friction or use.
    • example - the track has been worn down in part to bare rock
    • synonyms - erode, abrade, scour, scratch, scrape, rasp, rub away, rub down, grind away, fret, waste away, wash away, crumble, crumble away, wear down
  3. Pass (a period of time) in some activity.
  4. Tolerate; accept.
    • synonyms - allow, permit, authorize, sanction, condone, indulge, agree to, accede to, approve of
noun
  1. Clothing suitable for a particular purpose or of a particular type.
    • example - evening wear
    • synonyms - clothes, dress, clothing, attire, garb, finery, garments, outfits, wardrobe
  2. Damage or deterioration sustained from continuous use.
    • example - you need to make a deduction for wear and tear on all your belongings
    • synonyms - damage, wear and tear, battering, friction, erosion, attrition, corrosion, abrasion, deterioration, degeneration
/ˈwɛðə/
noun
  • The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
    • example - if the weather"s good we can go for a walk
    • synonyms - meteorological conditions, atmospheric conditions, meteorology, climate
verb
  1. Wear away or change the appearance or texture of (something) by long exposure to the atmosphere.
    • example - his skin was weathered almost black by his long outdoor life
  2. (of a ship) come safely through (a storm)
    • example - the sturdy boat had weathered the storm well
  3. Make (boards or tiles) overlap downwards to keep out rain.
  4. Allow (a hawk) to spend a period perched in the open air.
    • example - I would advise to weather her in her hood
web
/wɛb/
noun
  1. A network of fine threads constructed by a spider from fluid secreted by its spinnerets, used to catch its prey.
    • example - Although many spiders have relatively poor eyesight - those that use webs to trap prey have no need for acute vision, Nelson says; jumping spiders are an exception.
    • synonyms - mesh, netting, net, lattice
  2. A complex system of interconnected elements.
    • example - he found himself caught up in a web of bureaucracy
    • synonyms - network, nexus, tangle, knot, complex, mass, conglomeration, set, series, chain, maze, snare, trap
  3. A membrane between the toes of a swimming bird or other aquatic animal.
    • example - Then, as the duck draws its foot forward and brings the toes together, the web folds up so there is less resistance to the water.
  4. A roll of paper used in a continuous printing process.
    • example - Assume a moving web of paper approximately 6.6 m wide, moving at thousands of feet per minute.
  5. A piece of woven fabric.
    • example - Every woman made her web and bleached it herself, and the price never rose higher than 2 shillings a yard, and with this cloth almost everyone was clothed.
    • synonyms - mesh, netting, net, lattice
verb
  • Cover with or as though with a web.
    • example - she noticed his tanned skin, webbed with fine creases
/ˈwɛbsʌɪt/
noun
  • A set of related web pages located under a single domain name, typically produced by a single person or organization.
    • example - for more information, please visit our website
/ˈwɛdɪŋ/
noun
  • A marriage ceremony, especially considered as including the associated celebrations.
    • example - It is consumed almost exclusively by men in the evening or at celebrations such as weddings.
    • synonyms - marriage, marriage ceremony, wedding ceremony, nuptial ceremony, marriage service, wedding service, marriage rites, wedding rites, matrimony, holy matrimony, nuptials, union
/ˈwɛnzdeɪ/
noun
  • The day of the week before Thursday and following Tuesday.
    • example - a report goes before the councillors on Wednesday
adverb
  • On Wednesday.
    • example - see you Wednesday
/wiːk/
noun
  • A period of seven days.
    • example - the course lasts sixteen weeks
    • synonyms - break, rest, period of leave, day off, week off, month off, recess, school holiday
/wiːkˈɛnd/
noun
  • Saturday and Sunday, especially regarded as a time for leisure.
    • example - she spent the weekend camping
verb
  • Spend a weekend somewhere.
/weɪ/
verb
  1. Find out how heavy (someone or something) is, typically using scales.
    • example - weigh yourself on the day you begin the diet
    • synonyms - measure the weight of, measure how heavy someone is, measure how heavy something is, put someone on the scales, put something on the scales
  2. Assess the nature or importance of, especially with a view to a decision or action.
    • example - the consequences of the move would need to be very carefully weighed
    • synonyms - consider, contemplate, think about, give thought to, entertain the idea of, deliberate about, turn over in one"s mind, mull over, chew over, reflect on, ruminate about, muse on
/weɪt/
noun
  1. A body"s relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing.
    • example - he was at least fifteen stone in weight
    • synonyms - heaviness, mass, load, burden, pressure, force
  2. A piece of metal known to weigh a definite amount and used on scales to determine how heavy an object or quantity of a substance is.
    • example - the herbalist spooned the powder on to scales with tiny brass weights
  3. The ability of someone or something to influence decisions or actions.
    • example - a recommendation by the committee will carry great weight
    • synonyms - influence, force, leverage, sway, muscle, teeth, importance, significance, consequence, value, substance, power, authority, prestige
  4. The surface density of cloth, used as a measure of its quality.
    • example - Keep two weights of press cloths on hand and use them appropriately.
verb
  1. Hold (something) down by placing a heavy object on top of it.
    • example - a mug half filled with coffee weighted down a stack of papers
  2. Attribute importance or value to.
    • example - speaking, reading, and writing should be weighted equally in the assessment
    • synonyms - bring attention to, call attention to, draw attention to, focus attention on, highlight, point up, spotlight, foreground, play up, make a point of
  3. Assign a handicap weight to (a horse).
    • example - A total of 267 entries have been weighted for the Melbourne Cup, and 279 for the Caulfield Cup.
  4. Treat (a fabric) with a mineral to make it seem thicker and heavier.
/ˈwɛlkəm/
noun
  • An instance or manner of greeting someone.
    • example - you will receive a warm welcome
    • synonyms - greeting, salutation, hail, welcoming
exclamation
  • Used to greet someone in a polite or friendly way.
    • example - welcome to the Wildlife Park
verb
  • Greet (someone arriving) in a polite or friendly way.
    • example - hotels should welcome guests in their own language
    • synonyms - greet, say hello to, salute, bid someone welcome, play host to, play hostess to, show hospitality to, receive, meet, embrace, receive with open arms, roll out the red carpet for, fete
adjective
  1. (of a guest or new arrival) gladly received.
    • example - I"m pleased to see you, lad—you"re welcome
    • synonyms - gladly received, wanted, appreciated, popular, desirable, acceptable, accepted
  2. Very pleasing because much needed or desired.
    • example - after your walk, the tea room serves a welcome cuppa
    • synonyms - pleasing, agreeable, encouraging, gratifying, heartening, promising, refreshing, favourable, propitious, cheering, much needed, pleasant, to one"s liking, to one"s taste
  3. Allowed or invited to do a specified thing.
    • example - we arrange a framework of activities which you are welcome to join
/wɛl/
adverb
  1. In a good or satisfactory way.
    • example - the whole team played well
    • synonyms - skilfully, with skill, ably, competently, proficiently, adeptly, adroitly, deftly, dexterously, effectively, expertly, with expertise, admirably, excellently, consummately, professionally
  2. In a thorough manner.
    • example - add the mustard and lemon juice and mix well
    • synonyms - thoroughly, completely, efficiently, rigorously, effectively, conscientiously, industriously, carefully
  3. Very probably; in all likelihood.
    • example - being short of breath may well be the first sign of asthma
    • synonyms - quite possibly, conceivably, quite likely, probably
adjective
  1. In good health; free or recovered from illness.
    • example - I don"t feel very well
    • synonyms - healthy, in good health, all right, fine, fit, fighting fit, as fit as a fiddle, as fit as a flea, robust, strong, vigorous, blooming, thriving, bursting with health, in rude health, hale, hale and hearty, hearty, in good shape, in excellent shape, in good condition, in tip-top condition, in good trim, in fine fettle, sound, sound in body and limb
  2. Sensible; advisable.
    • example - it would be well to know just what this suggestion entails
    • synonyms - advisable, sensible, prudent, politic, commonsensical, wise, canny, judicious, shrewd, expedient, provident, recommended, advantageous, beneficial, profitable, gainful, desirable
exclamation
  • Used to express a range of emotions including surprise, anger, resignation, or relief.
    • example - Well, really! The manners of some people!
/wɛst/
noun
  1. The direction towards the point of the horizon where the sun sets at the equinoxes, on the left-hand side of a person facing north, or the part of the horizon lying in this direction.
    • example - the evening sun glowed from the west
    • synonyms - the Occident
  2. The western part of the world or of a specified country, region, or town.
    • example - it will become windy in the west
  3. The player sitting to the right of North and partnering East.
    • example - West butts in with a bid of three spades
adjective
  1. Lying towards, near, or facing the west.
    • example - the west coast
    • synonyms - western, westerly, westwardly, occidental
  2. Of or denoting the western part of a specified area, city, or country or its inhabitants.
    • example - West Africa
    • synonyms - western, westerly, westwardly, occidental
adverb
  • To or towards the west.
    • example - he faced west and watched the sunset
    • synonyms - to the west, westward, westwards, westwardly
/ˈwɛst(ə)n/
adjective
  1. Situated in the west, or directed towards or facing the west.
    • example - there will be showers in some western areas
    • synonyms - western, westerly, westwardly, occidental
  2. Living in or originating from the West, in particular Europe or the United States.Relating to or characteristic of the West or its inhabitants.Of or originating from the non-Communist states of Europe and North America in contrast to the Eastern bloc.
    • example - Western society
noun
  • A film, television drama, or novel about cowboys in western North America, set especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
    • example - He went to bed early and read westerns or thrillers until the wee hours.
wet
/wɛt/
adjective
  1. Covered or saturated with water or another liquid.
    • example - she followed, slipping on the wet rock
    • synonyms - damp, dampened, moist, moistened
  2. Showing a lack of forcefulness or strength of character; feeble.
    • synonyms - feeble, silly, weak, foolish, inept, ineffective, ineffectual, effete, soft, namby-pamby, timid, timorous, spiritless, cowardly, spineless
  3. (of a country or region or of its legislation) allowing the free sale of alcoholic drink.
verb
  • Cover or touch with liquid; moisten.
    • example - he wetted a finger and flicked through the pages
    • synonyms - dampen, damp, moisten, humidify
noun
  1. Liquid that makes something damp.
    • example - I could feel the wet of his tears
    • synonyms - wetness, damp, dampness, moisture, moistness
  2. A person lacking forcefulness or strength of character.
    • synonyms - weakling, namby-pamby, baby
  3. A person opposed to the prohibition of alcohol.
/wɒt/
pronoun
  1. Asking for information specifying something.
    • example - what is your name?
    • synonyms - what
  2. The thing or things that (used in specifying something)
    • example - what we need is a commitment
  3. (in exclamations) emphasizing something surprising or remarkable.
    • synonyms - what did you say, what, eh, I beg your pardon, beg pardon, sorry, excuse me, say again
determiner
  1. Asking for information specifying something.
    • example - what time is it?
  2. (referring to the whole of an amount) whatever.
    • example - he had been robbed of what little money he had
  3. (in exclamations) how great or remarkable.
    • example - what luck!
interrogative adverb
  1. To what extent?
  2. Used to indicate an estimate or approximation.
  3. Used for emphasis or to invite agreement.
/wɒtˈɛvə/
relative pronoun & determiner
  • Used to emphasize a lack of restriction in referring to any thing or amount, no matter what.
    • example - do whatever you like
interrogative pronoun
  • Used for emphasis instead of ‘what’ in questions, typically expressing surprise or confusion.
adverb
  1. At all; of any kind (used for emphasis)
    • example - they received no help whatever
  2. No matter what happens.
exclamation
  • Said as a response indicating a reluctance to discuss something, often implying indifference.
/wiːl/
noun
  1. A circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move easily over the ground.
    • example - a chair on wheels
    • synonyms - disc, hoop, ring, circle
  2. A machine or structure having a wheel as its essential part.
  3. A car.
    • synonyms - automobile, motor, machine
  4. A thing resembling a wheel, in particular a cheese made in the form of a shallow disc.
    • example - a small wheel of Brie
  5. An instance of wheeling; a turn or rotation.
    • synonyms - turn, rotation, pivot, swivel, gyration
  6. short for big wheel (sense 2)
  7. A set of short lines, typically five in number and rhyming, concluding the stanza of a poem.
verb
  1. Push or pull (a vehicle with wheels)
    • example - Luke was wheeling a barrow
    • synonyms - push, trundle, roll
  2. (of a bird or aircraft) fly in a wide circle or curve.
    • example - the birds wheeled and dived
    • synonyms - turn, turn round, go round, rotate, revolve, circle, orbit
/wɛn/
interrogative adverb
  • At what time.
    • example - when did you last see him?
relative adverb
  • At or on which (referring to a time or circumstance)
    • example - Saturday is the day when I get my hair done
    • synonyms - as soon as, the moment, the instant, the second, once, when, immediately after
conjunction
  1. At or during the time that.
    • example - I loved maths when I was at school
  2. After which; and just then (implying suddenness)
    • example - he had just drifted off to sleep when the phone rang
  3. In view of the fact that; considering that.
    • example - why bother to paint it when you can photograph it with the same effect?
  4. Although; whereas.
    • example - I"m saying it now when I should have told you long ago
/wɛnˈɛvə/
conjunction
  • At whatever time; on whatever occasion (emphasizing a lack of restriction)
    • example - you can ask for help whenever you need it
interrogative adverb
  • Used for emphasis instead of ‘when’ in questions, typically expressing surprise or confusion.
    • example - whenever shall we get there?
/wɛː/
interrogative adverb
  • In or to what place or position.
    • example - where do you live?
relative adverb
  1. At, in, or to which (used after reference to a place or situation)
    • example - I first saw him in Paris, where I lived in the early sixties
  2. The place or situation in which.
    • example - this is where I live
/wɛːrˈaz/
conjunction
  • In contrast or comparison with the fact that.
    • example - you treat the matter lightly, whereas I myself was never more serious
    • synonyms - whereas
/wɛːrˈɛvə/
relative adverb
  • In or to whatever place (emphasizing a lack of restriction)
    • example - meet me wherever you like
interrogative adverb
  • Used for emphasis instead of ‘where’ in questions, typically expressing surprise or confusion.
conjunction
  • In every case when.
    • example - use wholegrain breakfast cereals wherever possible
/ˈwɛðə/
conjunction
  • Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives.
    • example - he seemed undecided whether to go or stay
    • synonyms - whether, whether or not
/wɪtʃ/
interrogative pronoun & determiner
  • Asking for information specifying one or more people or things from a definite set.
    • example - which are the best varieties of grapes for long keeping?
    • synonyms - which, a fact which, something which
relative pronoun & determiner
  • Used referring to something previously mentioned when introducing a clause giving further information.
    • example - a conference in Vienna which ended on Friday
/wʌɪl/
noun
  1. A period of time.
    • example - we chatted for a while
    • synonyms - time, spell, stretch, stint, span, season, interval, period, period of time, length of time, duration, run, phase, stage, term
  2. At the same time; meanwhile.
conjunction
  1. During the time that; at the same time as.
    • example - nothing much changed while he was away
  2. Whereas (indicating a contrast)
    • example - one person wants out, while the other wants the relationship to continue
relative adverb
  • During which.
    • example - the period while the animal remains alive
verb
  • Pass time in a leisurely manner.
    • example - a diversion to while away the long afternoons
    • synonyms - pass, spend, occupy, use up, kill, beguile
preposition
  • Until.
/ˈwɪspə/
verb
  • Speak very softly using one"s breath rather than one"s throat, especially for the sake of secrecy.
    • example - Alison was whispering in his ear
    • synonyms - murmur, mutter, mumble, say softly, speak softly, say in muted tones, speak in muted tones, say in hushed tones, speak in hushed tones, say sotto voce, speak sotto voce
noun
  • A soft or confidential tone of voice; a whispered word or phrase.
    • example - she spoke in a whisper
    • synonyms - murmur, mutter, mumble, low voice, hushed tone, undertone
/wʌɪt/
adjective
  1. Of the colour of milk or fresh snow, due to the reflection of all visible rays of light; the opposite of black.
    • example - a sheet of white paper
    • synonyms - colourless, unpigmented, undyed, bleached, natural
  2. Belonging to or denoting a human group having light-coloured skin (chiefly used of peoples of European extraction)Relating to white people.Reserved by law for those classified as white.
    • example - a white farming community
    • synonyms - Caucasian, European, non-black
  3. Counter-revolutionary or reactionary.
noun
  1. White colour or pigment.
    • example - garnet-red flowers flecked with white
  2. The visible pale part of the eyeball around the iris.
    • example - Viral conjunctivitis can spread to the cornea, the white of the eye.
  3. The outer part (white when cooked) which surrounds the yolk of an egg; the albumen.
    • example - Cook the eggs long enough to solidify the whites, but the yolks remain somewhat runny.
  4. A member of a light-skinned people, especially one of European extraction.
    • example - Wisdom teeth problems are more common among European whites.
  5. A white or cream butterfly which has dark veins or spots on the wings and can be a serious crop pest.
verb
  • Paint or turn (something) white.
    • synonyms - become white, make white, become pale, make pale, bleach, blanch, lighten, fade, wash out, be washed out, etiolate
who
/huː/
/hʊ/
pronoun
  1. What or which person or people.
    • example - who is that woman?
  2. Used to introduce a clause giving further information about a person or people previously mentioned.
    • example - Joan Fontaine plays the mouse who married the playboy
/həʊl/
adjective
  1. All of; entire.
    • example - he spent the whole day walking
    • synonyms - entire, complete, full, total
  2. In an unbroken or undamaged state; in one piece.
    • example - owls usually swallow their prey whole
    • synonyms - intact, in one piece, sound, unbroken
noun
  1. A thing that is complete in itself.
    • example - the subjects of the curriculum form a coherent whole
    • synonyms - entity, unit, body, piece, discrete item, ensemble, combination, package, conglomeration, object
  2. All of something.
    • example - the effects will last for the whole of his life
    • synonyms - all, every part, everything, the lot, the sum, the sum total, the aggregate
adverb
  • Used to emphasize the novelty or distinctness of something.
/huːm/
pronoun
  • Used instead of ‘who’ as the object of a verb or preposition.
    • example - whom did he marry?
/huːz/
possessive determiner & pronoun
  1. Belonging to or associated with which person.
    • example - whose round is it?
  2. Of whom or which (used to indicate that the following noun belongs to or is associated with the person or thing mentioned in the previous clause)
    • example - he"s a man whose opinion I respect
why
/wʌɪ/
interrogative adverb
  • For what reason or purpose.
    • example - why did he do it?
relative adverb
  • (with reference to a reason) on account of which; for which.
    • example - the reason why flu jabs need repeating every year is that the virus changes
exclamation
  1. Expressing surprise or indignation.
    • example - why, that"s absurd!
  2. Used to add emphasis to a response.
    • example - ‘You think so?’ ‘Why, yes.’
noun
  • A reason or explanation.
    • example - the whys and wherefores of these procedures need to be explained to students
/wʌɪd/
adjective
  1. Of great or more than average width.
    • example - a wide road
    • synonyms - broad, extensive, spacious, open, vast, spread out, outspread
  2. Including a great variety of people or things.
    • example - a wide range of opinion
    • synonyms - comprehensive, ample, broad, extensive, large, large-scale, vast, immense, far-ranging, wide-ranging, expansive, sweeping, encyclopedic, exhaustive, general, all-inclusive, all-embracing, universal, catholic, compendious, cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary
  3. At a considerable or specified distance from an intended point or target.
    • example - the ball was wide of the leg stump
    • synonyms - off target, off the mark, wide of the mark, wide of the target, inaccurate, off course, astray, nowhere near, out
adverb
  1. To the full extent.
    • example - his eyes opened wide
    • synonyms - fully open, open wide, gaping, agape, yawning, cavernous
  2. Far from a particular or intended point or target.
    • example - his final touchline conversion drifted wide
    • synonyms - off target, wide of the mark, wide of the target, off course, inaccurately, astray
noun
  • A ball that is judged to be too wide of the stumps for the batsman to play, for which an extra is awarded to the batting side.
    • example - Blignaut lost his cool immediately, the next ball swinging way down the leg side for four wides.
/ˈwʌɪdli/
adverb
  1. Far apart; with a wide space or interval between.
    • example - a tall man with widely spaced eyes
  2. Over a large area or range; extensively.
    • example - Deborah has travelled widely
    • synonyms - everywhere, all over, all around, in all places, in every place, far and wide, far and near, here, there, and everywhere, extensively, exhaustively, thoroughly, widely, broadly, in every nook and cranny
/wʌɪf/
noun
  1. A married woman considered in relation to her spouse.
    • example - he and his wife are keen gardeners
    • synonyms - spouse, partner, mate, consort, woman
  2. A woman, especially an old or uneducated one.
/wʌɪld/
adjective
  1. (of an animal or plant) living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated.
    • example - a herd of wild goats
    • synonyms - untamed, undomesticated, feral
  2. (of a place or region) uninhabited, uncultivated, or inhospitable.
    • example - an expanse of wild moorland
    • synonyms - uninhabited, unpopulated, uncultivated, unfarmed, unmanaged, virgin
  3. Lacking discipline or restraint.
    • example - wild parties were never her scene
    • synonyms - uncontrolled, unrestrained, out of control, undisciplined, unconstrained, uncurbed, unbridled, unchecked, chaotic
  4. Not based on sound reasoning or probability.
    • example - a wild guess
    • synonyms - madcap, ridiculous, ludicrous, foolish, stupid, lunatic, foolhardy, idiotic, absurd, silly, asinine, unwise, ill-advised, ill-considered, ill-conceived, illogical, senseless, nonsensical
  5. (of a playing card) deemed to have any value, suit, colour, or other property in a game at the discretion of the player holding it.
    • example - In some games certain cards are wild - either the deuces or a joker added to the deck - and in some games there is a cumulative jackpot which is won by a high hand such as a royal flush.
noun
  • A natural state or uncultivated or uninhabited region.
    • example - kiwis are virtually extinct in the wild
verb
  • Treat (a person or animal) harshly, so that they become untrusting or nervous.
/ˈwʌɪl(d)lʌɪf/
noun
  • Wild animals collectively; the native fauna (and sometimes flora) of a region.
    • example - you can watch the wildlife
    • synonyms - animals, wild animals, fauna
/wɪl/
modal verb
  1. Expressing the future tense.
    • example - you will regret it when you are older
  2. Expressing inevitable events.
    • example - accidents will happen
    • synonyms - have a tendency to, are bound to, have a habit of, do
  3. Expressing a request.
    • example - will you stop here, please
  4. Expressing facts about ability or capacity.
    • example - a rock so light that it will float on water
  5. Expressing habitual behaviour.
    • example - she will dance for hours
  6. Expressing probability or expectation about something in the present.
    • example - they will be miles away by now
/ˈwɪlɪŋ/
adjective
  • Ready, eager, or prepared to do something.
    • example - he was quite willing to compromise
    • synonyms - ready, prepared, disposed, inclined, nothing loath, of a mind, so minded, minded, in the mood
win
/wɪn/
verb
  1. Be successful or victorious in (a contest or conflict)
    • example - United won four games in a row
    • synonyms - come first in, finish first in, be victorious in, triumph in, take first prize in, achieve success in, be successful in, prevail in
  2. Acquire or secure as a result of a contest, conflict, bet, or other endeavour.
    • example - there are hundreds of prizes to be won
    • synonyms - secure, gain, achieve, attain, earn, obtain, acquire, procure, get, collect, pick up, walk away with, walk off with, come away with, carry off
  3. Dry (hay) by exposure to the air.
noun
  • A successful result in a contest, conflict, bet, or other endeavour; a victory.
    • example - a 3–0 win over Birmingham
    • synonyms - victory, triumph, conquest, success, game, set, and match
/wɪnd/
/wʌɪnd/
noun
  1. The perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction.
    • example - the wind howled about the building
    • synonyms - breeze
  2. Breath as needed in physical exertion, speech, etc., or the power of breathing without difficulty in such situations.
    • example - he waited while Jez got his wind back
    • synonyms - breath
  3. Air swallowed while eating or gas generated in the stomach and intestines by digestion.
    • example - The fruit, its oils and the kernel were traditionally used to treat severe acid stomach, excess wind, fatigue after menstruation and the common cold.
    • synonyms - flatulence, flatus, gas
  4. Wind instruments, or specifically woodwind instruments, forming a band or a section of an orchestra.
    • example - these passages are most suitable for wind alone
    • synonyms - wind instruments.
verb
  1. Cause (someone) to have difficulty breathing because of exertion or a blow to the stomach.
    • example - the fall nearly winded him
    • synonyms - out of breath, breathless, gasping for breath, panting, puffing, huffing and puffing, puffing and blowing
  2. Make (a baby) bring up wind after feeding by patting its back.
    • example - Paddy"s wife handed him their six-month-old daughter to be winded
  3. Detect the presence of (a person or animal) by scent.
  4. Sound (a bugle or call) by blowing.
/ˈwɪndəʊ/
noun
  1. An opening in the wall or roof of a building or vehicle, fitted with glass in a frame to admit light or air and allow people to see out.
    • example - The apartments and penthouses have double-glazed redwood framed windows, fitted kitchens and gas-fired central heating.
    • synonyms - casement, opening, aperture
  2. A transparent panel on an envelope to show an address.
    • example - This results in yellowed envelopes, shrunken address windows, and brittle paper.
  3. A framed area on a display screen for viewing information.
    • example - The viewer gets the video and audio directly into his Internet browser window.
  4. An interval or opportunity for action.
    • example - the parliamentary recess offers a good window for a bid
    • synonyms - opportunity, opportune time, suitable time, right moment, chance, opening, window
  5. A range of electromagnetic wavelengths for which a medium (especially the atmosphere) is transparent.
    • example - All of these windows are in infrared wavelengths, and they are narrow, like the gaps between the slats of a fence.
  6. Strips of metal foil dispersed in the air to obstruct radar detection.
/wʌɪn/
noun
  • An alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice.
    • example - he opened a bottle of red wine
    • synonyms - vin de table, vin ordinaire, vin du pays
verb
  • Entertain someone by offering them drinks and a meal.
    • example - members of Congress have been lavishly wined and dined by lobbyists for years
/wɪŋ/
noun
  1. (in a bird) a modified forelimb that bears large feathers and is used for flying.
    • example - Besides having forelimbs that resemble the wings of modern birds, the animal sported long feathers from thigh to foot on each hind limb.
    • synonyms - pinion, van
  2. A rigid horizontal structure that projects from both sides of an aircraft and supports it in the air.
    • example - The single-seat research aircraft had a monocoque aluminum fuselage with a wood wing.
  3. A raised part of the body of a car or other vehicle above the wheel.
    • example - T1 will see readily identifiable versions of everyday saloon cars visually spectacularly modified with big flared wheel arches, wings and bumpers.
  4. A part of a large building, especially one that projects from the main part.
    • example - a maternity wing
    • synonyms - part, section, side
  5. A group within a political party or other organization having particular views or a particular function.
    • example - a candidate from the liberal wing of the party
    • synonyms - faction, camp, caucus, arm, side, branch, group, grouping, section, set, clique, coterie, cabal
  6. The sides of a theatre stage out of view of the audience.
    • example - He didn"t go on stage, though, but sang from the wings while Beesley mimed onstage.
  7. (in soccer, rugby, and hockey) the part of the field close to the sidelines.
    • example - Saints are set to switch Darren Albert from the wing to full-back to offset the absence of Paul Wellens, but Millward also has the option of Anthony Stewart and Sean Hoppe.
  8. A lateral part or projection of an organ or structure.
    • example - The posterior aspect of the lateral pterygoid plate may be joined to the angular spine of the greater wing by a pterygopetrosal ligament that may calcify.
  9. An air force unit of several squadrons or groups.
    • example - He has commanded a fighter squadron, two fighter wings, a numbered Air Force and two major commands.
  10. A flock of plovers (birds)
    • example - some sportsmen make no scruple about firing into the thick of a wing of plover
verb
  1. Travel on wings or by aircraft; fly.
    • example - George satisfied his keen urge to fly by winging homewards with the Royal Air Force
    • synonyms - fly, glide, soar
  2. Shoot (a bird) in the wing, so as to prevent flight without causing death.
    • example - one bird was winged for every bird killed
  3. Speak or act without preparation; improvise.
    • synonyms - improvise, play it by ear, extemporize, ad lib
/ˈwɪnə/
noun
  • A person or thing that wins something.
    • example - a Nobel Prize winner
    • synonyms - victor, champion, conqueror, vanquisher, defeater, conquering hero, hero
/ˈwɪntə/
noun
  • The coldest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August.
    • example - the tree has a good crop of berries in winter
adjective
  • (of fruit) ripening late in the year.
    • example - a winter apple
verb
  • (especially of a bird) spend the winter in a particular place.
    • example - birds wintering in the Channel Islands
/wʌɪə/
noun
  1. Metal drawn out into the form of a thin flexible thread or rod.
    • example - a coil of copper wire
  2. An electronic listening device that can be concealed on a person.
    • example - an undercover police informer who was wearing a wire
  3. A telegram or cablegram.
verb
  1. Install electric circuits or wires in.
    • example - wiring a plug
  2. Provide, fasten, or reinforce with wires.
    • example - they wired his jaw
  3. Send a telegram or cablegram to.
  4. Snare (an animal) with wire.
  5. Obstruct (a ball, shot, or player) by a hoop.
/wʌɪz/
adjective
  • Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgement.
    • example - she seems kind and wise
    • synonyms - sage, sagacious, intelligent, clever, learned, showing great knowledge, with great knowledge, knowledgeable, informed, enlightened
/wɪʃ/
verb
  1. Feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen.
    • example - we wished for peace
    • synonyms - desire, want, hope for, long for, yearn for, crave, hunger for, thirst for, lust after, covet, sigh for, pine for, dream of
  2. Want to do something.
    • example - they wish to become involved
    • synonyms - want, desire, have an inclination, be inclined, feel inclined, feel like, care
  3. Hope that (someone) has to deal with someone or something undesirable.
    • example - he wouldn"t wish Arthur on anyone
noun
  • A desire or hope for something to happen.
    • example - the union has reiterated its wish for an agreement
    • synonyms - desire, longing, hope, yearning, inclination, urge, whim, craving, hunger, thirst, lust
/wɪð/
preposition
  1. Accompanied by (another person or thing)
    • example - a nice steak with a bottle of red wine
    • synonyms - accompanied by, in the company of, escorted by
  2. Having or possessing (something)
    • example - a flower-sprigged blouse with a white collar
  3. Indicating the instrument used to perform an action.
    • example - cut the fish with a knife
  4. In opposition to.
    • example - a row broke out with another man
  5. Indicating the manner or attitude in which a person does something.
    • example - the people shouted with pleasure
  6. Indicating responsibility.
    • example - leave it with me
  7. In relation to.
    • example - my father will be angry with me
  8. Employed by.
    • example - she"s with the Inland Revenue now
  9. In the same direction as.
    • example - marine mammals generally swim with the current
  10. Indicating separation or removal from something.
    • example - to part with one"s dearest possessions
/wɪðˈɪn/
preposition
  1. Inside (something)
    • example - the spread of fire within the building
    • synonyms - inside, in, within the bounds of, within the confines of, enclosed by, surrounded by
  2. Not further off than (used with distances)
    • example - he lives within a few miles of Oxford
  3. Occurring inside (a particular period of time)
    • example - tickets were sold out within two hours
    • synonyms - in less than, in under, in no more than, after only
adverb
  • Inside; indoors.
    • synonyms - indoors, within, in
/wɪðˈaʊt/
preposition
  1. In the absence of.
    • example - he went to Sweden without her
    • synonyms - unaccompanied by, unescorted by
  2. Outside.
adverb
  • Outside.
conjunction
  • Without it being the case that.
/ˈwɪtnəs/
noun
  1. A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
    • example - police are appealing for witnesses to the accident
    • synonyms - observer, onlooker, looker-on, eyewitness, spectator, viewer, watcher
  2. Evidence; proof.
    • example - the memorial service was witness to the wide circle of his interests
    • synonyms - evidence, indication, proof, testimony
  3. A line or remnant of an original surface on a workpiece to show how much material has been removed or the shape of the original outline.
verb
  1. See (an event, typically a crime or accident) happen.
    • example - staff who witnessed the murder
    • synonyms - see, observe, watch, look on at, be a witness to, view, note, notice, spot
  2. Have knowledge of (a development) from observation or experience.
    • example - what we are witnessing is the birth of a new political entity
  3. Openly profess one"s religious faith.
    • example - one of the purposes of his coming was to nerve the disciples to witness to Jesus
/ˈwʊmən/
noun
  • An adult female human being.
    • example - a drawing of a young woman
    • synonyms - lady, adult female, female
/ˈwʌndə/
noun
  1. A feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar.
    • example - he observed the intricacy of the ironwork with the wonder of a child
    • synonyms - awe, admiration, wonderment, fascination
  2. A person or thing regarded as very good, remarkable, or effective.
    • example - we all eat cakes from Gisella—she"s a wonder
  3. A surprising event or situation.
    • example - it is a wonder that losses are not much greater
verb
  1. Desire to know something; feel curious.
    • example - how many times have I written that, I wonder?
    • synonyms - ponder, ask oneself, think about, meditate on, reflect on, deliberate about, muse on, speculate about, conjecture
  2. Feel doubt.
    • example - even hereditary peers are inclined to wonder about the legitimacy of the place
  3. Feel admiration and amazement; marvel.
    • example - people stood by and wondered at such bravery
    • synonyms - marvel, be amazed, be filled with amazement, be filled with admiration, be astonished, be surprised, be awed, stand in awe, be full of wonder, be lost for words, not believe one"s ears, not believe one"s eyes, not know what to say, be dumbfounded, gape, goggle, gawk
/ˈwʌndəfʊl/
adjective
  • Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvellous.
    • example - they all think she"s wonderful
    • synonyms - marvellous, magnificent, superb, glorious, sublime, lovely, delightful, first-class, first-rate
/wʊd/
noun
  1. The hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub, used for fuel or timber.
    • example - a block of wood
    • synonyms - timber, planks, planking
  2. An area of land, smaller than a forest, that is covered with growing trees.
    • example - a thick hedge divided the wood from the field
    • synonyms - forest, woodland, trees
/ˈwʊd(ə)n/
adjective
  1. Made of wood.
    • example - a wooden toy
    • synonyms - made of wood, wood, timber, woody
  2. Like or characteristic of wood.
    • example - a kind of dull wooden sound
/wʊl/
noun
  • The fine, soft curly or wavy hair forming the coat of a sheep, goat, or similar animal, especially when shorn and prepared for use in making cloth or yarn.
    • example - Harris tweed is made from pure new wool
    • synonyms - fleece, hair, coat
/wəːd/
noun
  1. A single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.
    • example - I don"t like the word ‘unofficial’
    • synonyms - term, name, expression, designation, locution
  2. A command, password, or signal.
    • example - someone gave me the word to start playing
    • synonyms - instruction, order, command
  3. One"s account of the truth, especially when it differs from that of another person.
    • example - in court it would have been his word against mine
  4. The text or spoken part of a play, opera, or other performed piece; a script.
    • example - he had to learn his words
    • synonyms - script, text
  5. A basic unit of data in a computer, typically 16 or 32 bits long.
verb
  • Express (something spoken or written) in particular words.
    • example - he words his request in a particularly ironic way
    • synonyms - phrase, express, put, couch, frame, set forth, formulate, style
exclamation
  • Used to express agreement or affirmation.
/wəːk/
noun
  1. Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
    • example - he was tired after a day"s work
    • synonyms - labour, toil, exertion, effort, slog, drudgery, the sweat of one"s brow
  2. A task or tasks to be undertaken.
    • example - they made sure the work was progressing smoothly
    • synonyms - tasks, jobs, duties, assignments, commissions, projects
  3. A thing or things done or made; the result of an action.
    • example - her work hangs in all the main American collections
    • synonyms - handiwork, doing, act, deed, feat, performance
  4. A place or premises in which industrial or manufacturing processes are carried out.
    • example - he found a job in the locomotive works
    • synonyms - factory, plant, manufacturing complex, mill, foundry, yard, industrial unit, business unit
  5. The operative part of a clock or other machine.
    • example - she could almost hear the tick of its works
    • synonyms - mechanism, machinery, workings, working parts, parts, movement, action
  6. A defensive structure.
    • example - just north of the fort were trenches and the freshly reconstructed patriot siege works
  7. The exertion of force overcoming resistance or producing molecular change.
    • example - The walker"s muscles must do this amount of work, to replace the lost kinetic energy, in every step.
  8. Everything needed, desired, or expected.
    • synonyms - everything, the full treatment
verb
  1. Be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result; do work.
    • example - she has been working so hard
    • synonyms - toil, labour, exert oneself, slave, slave away, plod away
  2. (of a machine or system) function, especially properly or effectively.
    • example - his phone doesn"t work unless he goes to a high point
    • synonyms - function, go, run, operate, perform
  3. (of a plan or method) have the desired result or effect.
    • example - the desperate ploy had worked
    • synonyms - succeed, be successful, work out, turn out well, go as planned, have the desired result, get results
  4. Bring (a material or mixture) to a desired shape or consistency by hammering, kneading, etc.
    • example - work the mixture into a paste with your hands
    • synonyms - knead, squeeze, form, shape, fashion, mould, model
  5. Move or cause to move gradually or with difficulty into another position.
    • example - comb hair from tip to root, working out the knots at the end
    • synonyms - manoeuvre, manipulate, negotiate, guide, edge
  6. Bring into a specified emotional state.
    • example - Harold had worked himself into a minor rage
    • synonyms - stir, stir up, excite, drive, move, spur, rouse, fire, galvanize
/ˈwəːkə/
noun
  1. A person who does a specified type of work or who works in a specified way.
    • example - a farm worker
  2. A person who achieves a specified thing.
    • example - he was a bogus worker of miracles
  3. A neuter or undeveloped female bee, wasp, ant, or other social insect, large numbers of which do the basic work of the colony.
    • example - Polybia occidentalis workers engaged in social biting with nest mates.
/ˈwəːkɪŋ/
adjective
  1. Having paid employment.
    • example - the size of the working population
    • synonyms - employed, in work, in a job, waged, in gainful employment
  2. Functioning or able to function.
    • example - the mill still has a working waterwheel
    • synonyms - functioning, operating, going, running, active
  3. (of a theory, definition, or title) used as the basis for work or argument and likely to be developed or improved later.
    • example - his working title for the book was Why People Are Poor
    • synonyms - temporary, provisional, interim, pro tem, short-term, working, makeshift, improvised, emergency, impromptu, rough and ready
noun
  1. The action of doing work.
    • example - working with animals teaches patience
  2. The way in which a machine, organization, or system operates.
    • example - we will be less secretive about the workings of government
    • synonyms - functioning, operation, running, action, performance
  3. A mine or a part of a mine from which minerals are being extracted.
    • example - a modern mine on the site of old workings
/wəːld/
noun
  1. The earth, together with all of its countries and peoples.
    • example - he was doing his bit to save the world
    • synonyms - earth, globe, planet, sphere
  2. A particular region or group of countries.
    • example - the English-speaking world
  3. Human and social interaction.
    • example - he has almost completely withdrawn from the world
    • synonyms - society, high society
/ˈwəːl(d)wʌɪd/
/wəːl(d)ˈwʌɪd/
adjective
  • Extending or reaching throughout the world.
    • example - worldwide sales of television rights
    • synonyms - global, international, intercontinental, world, universal, planetary, pandemic
adverb
  • Throughout the world.
    • example - she travels worldwide as a consultant
/ˈwʌrɪd/
adjective
  • Anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.
    • example - Michelle knew that her friends were very worried about her
    • synonyms - anxious, disturbed, perturbed, troubled, bothered, distressed, concerned, upset, distraught, worried sick, disquieted, uneasy, ill at ease, fretful, fretting, agitated, in a state of agitation, nervous, edgy, on edge, like a cat on a hot tin roof, tense, overwrought, worked up, keyed up, strung out, jumpy, with one"s stomach in knots, stressed, under stress
/ˈwʌri/
verb
  1. Feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.
    • example - he worried about his soldier sons in the war
    • synonyms - alarming, concerning, worrisome, daunting, perturbing, trying, taxing, vexatious, niggling, bothersome, troublesome, unsettling, harassing, harrying, harrowing, nerve-racking
  2. (of a dog or other carnivorous animal) tear at or pull about with the teeth.
    • example - I found my dog contentedly worrying a bone
    • synonyms - chew, bite, nibble, munch, crunch, champ, chomp, masticate
noun
  • The state of being anxious and troubled over actual or potential problems.
    • example - he"s demented with worry
    • synonyms - anxiety, disturbance, perturbation, trouble, bother, distress, concern, care, upset, uneasiness, unease, disquiet, disquietude, disconcertment, fretfulness, restlessness, nervousness, nerves, agitation, edginess, tension, tenseness, stress, strain
/wəːs/
adjective
  1. Of poorer quality or lower standard; less good or desirable.
    • example - the accommodation was awful and the food was worse
  2. More ill or unhappy.
    • example - he felt worse, and groped his way back to bed
adverb
  • Less well or skilfully.
    • example - the more famous I became the worse I painted
noun
  • A more serious or unpleasant event or situation.
    • example - the small department was already stretched to the limit, but worse was to follow
/wəːst/
adjective
  • Of the poorest quality or the lowest standard; least good or desirable.
    • example - he was the company"s worst driver
adverb
  • Most severely or seriously.
    • example - manufacturing and mining are the industries worst affected by falling employment
noun
  • The most serious or unpleasant thing that could happen.
    • example - when I saw the ambulance outside her front door, I began to fear the worst
verb
  • Get the better of; defeat.
    • example - this was not the time for a deep discussion—she was tired and she would be worsted
    • synonyms - defeat, beat, best, get the better of, gain the advantage over, prevail over, triumph over, gain a victory over, trounce, rout, thrash, drub, vanquish, conquer, master, overcome, overwhelm, overpower, overthrow, crush, subdue, subjugate
/wəːθ/
adjective
  1. Equivalent in value to the sum or item specified.
    • example - jewellery worth £450 was taken
  2. Sufficiently good, important, or interesting to be treated or regarded in the way specified.
    • example - the museums in the district are well worth a visit
noun
  1. The level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated.
    • example - they had to listen to every piece of gossip and judge its worth
  2. The amount that could be achieved or produced in a specified time.
    • example - the companies have debts greater than two years" worth of their sales
/wʊd/
/wəd/
modal verb
  1. past of will, in various senses
    • example - he said he would be away for a couple of days
  2. (expressing the conditional mood) indicating the consequence of an imagined event or situation.
    • example - he would lose his job if he were identified
  3. Expressing a desire or inclination.
    • example - I would love to work in America
  4. Expressing a polite request.
    • example - would you pour the wine, please?
  5. Expressing a conjecture, opinion, or hope.
    • example - I would imagine that they"re home by now
  6. Used to make a comment about behaviour that is typical.
    • example - they would say that, wouldn"t they?
  7. Expressing a wish or regret.
    • example - would that he had lived to finish it
/wuːnd/
noun
  • An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.
    • example - a knife wound
    • synonyms - injury, lesion, cut, gash, laceration, tear, rent, puncture, slash
verb
  • Inflict a wound on.
    • example - the sergeant was seriously wounded
    • synonyms - injure, hurt, damage, harm, maim, mutilate, disable, incapacitate, scar
wow
/waʊ/
exclamation
  • Expressing astonishment or admiration.
noun
  • A sensational success.
    • synonyms - success, box-office success, sell-out, winner, triumph, sensation
verb
  • Impress and excite (someone) greatly.
    • synonyms - entertain, make laugh, delight, divert, gladden, cheer, cheer up, please, charm, tickle, convulse, beguile, enliven, regale
/rap/
verb
  1. Cover or enclose in paper or soft material.
    • example - the candles are wrapped in tissue paper
    • synonyms - swathe, bundle up, swaddle, sheathe, muffle, cloak, enfold, envelop, encase, enclose, cover, fold, wind
  2. Cause (a word or unit of text) to be carried over to a new line automatically as the margin is reached, or to fit around embedded features such as pictures.
    • example - the program can automatically wrap text around irregularly shaped graphics
  3. Finish filming or recording.
noun
  1. A loose outer garment or piece of material.
    • example - beach wraps
    • synonyms - shawl, stole, cloak, cape, mantle, scarf
  2. A tortilla wrapped around a filling, eaten as a sandwich.
    • example - The Point Cafe also offers a variety of breakfast items, as well as soup, salads, sandwiches and wraps.
  3. The end of a session of filming or recording.
/rʌɪt/
verb
  1. Mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement.
    • example - he wrote his name on the paper
    • synonyms - put in writing, write down, put down, put in black and white, commit to paper, jot down, note, note down, make a note of, set down, take down, mark down, record, register, log, list, make a list of, inscribe, sign, scribble, scrawl, pencil
  2. Compose, write, and send (a letter) to someone.
    • example - I wrote a letter to Alison
    • synonyms - correspond, write a letter, communicate, get in touch, keep in touch, keep in contact
  3. Compose (a text or work) for written or printed reproduction or publication; put into literary form and set down in writing.
    • example - she wrote a bestselling novel
    • synonyms - compose, draft, create, invent, think up, draw up, formulate, compile, put together, pen, dash off, produce
  4. Enter (data) into an electronic or magnetic storage device, or into a particular location in a computer’s file system.
    • example - files can be read and written directly into the file system
  5. Underwrite (an insurance policy).
    • example - The doctors found that no established insurer would write them a policy - at any price.
/ˈrʌɪtə/
noun
  1. A person who has written something or who writes in a particular way.
    • example - the writer of the letter
  2. A device that writes data to a storage medium.
    • example - a CD writer
  3. A scribe.
/ˈrʌɪtɪŋ/
noun
  1. The activity or skill of writing.
    • example - parents want schools to concentrate on reading, writing, and arithmetic
  2. The activity or occupation of composing text for publication.
    • example - she made a decent living from writing
/rʌɪt/
verb
  1. Mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement.
    • example - he wrote his name on the paper
    • synonyms - put in writing, write down, put down, put in black and white, commit to paper, jot down, note, note down, make a note of, set down, take down, mark down, record, register, log, list, make a list of, inscribe, sign, scribble, scrawl, pencil
  2. Compose, write, and send (a letter) to someone.
    • example - I wrote a letter to Alison
    • synonyms - correspond, write a letter, communicate, get in touch, keep in touch, keep in contact
  3. Compose (a text or work) for written or printed reproduction or publication; put into literary form and set down in writing.
    • example - she wrote a bestselling novel
    • synonyms - compose, draft, create, invent, think up, draw up, formulate, compile, put together, pen, dash off, produce
  4. Enter (data) into an electronic or magnetic storage device, or into a particular location in a computer’s file system.
    • example - files can be read and written directly into the file system
  5. Underwrite (an insurance policy).
    • example - The doctors found that no established insurer would write them a policy - at any price.
/rɒŋ/
adjective
  1. Not correct or true; incorrect.
    • example - that is the wrong answer
    • synonyms - incorrect, mistaken, in error, erroneous, inaccurate, not accurate, inexact, not exact, imprecise, invalid, untrue, false, fallacious, wide of the mark, off target
  2. Unjust, dishonest, or immoral.
    • example - that was wrong of me
    • synonyms - illegal, against the law, unlawful, illicit, indictable, lawless, lawbreaking, criminal, delinquent, felonious, dishonest, dishonourable, corrupt
adverb
  • In an unsuitable or undesirable manner or direction.
    • example - what am I doing wrong?
noun
  • An unjust, dishonest, or immoral act.
    • example - I have done you a great wrong
    • synonyms - misdeed, bad deed, bad act, bad action, offence, injury, crime, unlawful act, illegal act, violation, infringement, infraction, transgression, peccadillo, sin
verb
  • Act unjustly or dishonestly towards.
    • example - they would kill a man who wronged a family