| a2 |
"A" has a meaning like "any." When you use "a" before a word, you are talking about any one of some group or kind of thing. When you say "a cat," it means any cat of all the cats in the world, or it means any cat of a group of cats. [3 definitions] |
| above |
When something is higher than something else in number, amount, or level, we can say that it is above it. The number ten is above the number nine, for example. [1/4 definitions] |
| abuse |
If someone hurts a dog by treating it in a bad way, we say that they are abusing the dog. [1/4 definitions] |
| accent |
The accent on a word is the stress a speaker gives to one syllable in the word. We say GOLDfish, not goldFISH because the accent is on the first syllable of the word not the second. [2/3 definitions] |
| accept |
to say yes to. [2/5 definitions] |
| according to |
When you play a game according to the rules, it means that you play the game the way the rules say you should play it. If a project is going according to your plan, it is going the way you planned for it to go. [2 definitions] |
| accuse |
When you accuse someone, you say that they have done something wrong or against the law. |
| acknowledge |
to reply to; say that one has received. [1/3 definitions] |
| actually |
We often use "actually" when we are about to say something that is true but surprising. [1/2 definitions] |
| add |
to say or write more than what has been said or written. [1/5 definitions] |
| additional |
If you have an additional thing, you have one more thing than what you had before. If you had two chairs before and somebody gives you an additional chair, it means you have three chairs now. Let's say your dad got only one small pizza for your birthday party but twenty kids came. You would probably need a lot of additional pizza! |
| address |
When you address someone, you say something to them and only them. [1/6 definitions] |
| ad-lib |
to make up as one goes along; say or do something without practice or planning. [1/2 definitions] |
| adorable |
When we think something is very cute and sweet, we often say it is "adorable." |
| adverb |
An adverb is a certain kind of word in a sentence. When a word is an adverb, it often describes how or when or where we do things. Words like "tomorrow," "here," "there," "slowly," and "usually" are adverbs. Adverbs also go in front of other adverbs or adjectives to describe those words. If we say "This is very good cake," "good" is an adjective that tells us about the cake, and "very" is an adverb that tells us how good the cake is. |
| advertise |
When you advertise for something, it means you are looking for a certain thing and you put up a notice somewhere, like in a newspaper or online list. In the notice, you tell people you are looking for this thing. Sometimes people advertise for things they want to buy from other people. Sometimes they advertise for a certain kind of person who they can pay to do some work for them. Let's say you want to buy a good but cheap bicycle, you could advertise for one in the newspaper. If somebody has one they want to sell, they will answer your notice. [1/3 definitions] |
| affectionate |
When a person is affectionate, they do things to show their love or liking for other people or animals. Affectionate people often kiss or hug the people or animals that they care about, and they might also call them by sweet names like "Honey" or "Sweetheart." There are other ways that affectionate people show their love too. Also, we sometimes say that animals are affectionate if they do things that show they feel close to us. |
| affront |
to say or do something mean to on purpose. [1/2 definitions] |
| afraid |
Sometimes people say they are afraid when they feel bad about giving someone bad news or about not being able to do what that person wants. Sometimes people say "I'm afraid" just to be polite. [1/2 definitions] |
| aged |
When we say people are aged, we mean they are very old. [1/2 definitions] |
| agree |
to say yes; consent. [1/5 definitions] |