| 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] |
| abandon |
If you abandon something that you have, you go away from it without any plan to return to get it. If someone abandons an animal or another person, they leave them and don't plan to ever come back. [2/3 definitions] |
| abbreviate |
When you abbreviate something, you make it shorter. [2 definitions] |
| abdomen |
Your abdomen is the part of your body between your chest and your hips. Your abdomen contains your stomach and the other parts of your body that help you digest your food. [1/2 definitions] |
| ability |
An ability is something you are able to do. Humans have the ability to learn different languages. [2 definitions] |
| able |
When you are able to do something, it means that you can do it. If someone is able to walk, it means that they can walk. [2 definitions] |
| aboard |
When you get aboard an airplane, boat, or train, it means that you get onto it to travel somewhere. [2 definitions] |
| about |
If a book is about trains, it means that the book tells you many things on the subject of trains. It might tell you things like where the first trains were built, what fuel trains use, or how fast trains travel. [7/9 definitions] |
| about to |
When you are about to do something, you are ready to do it and almost starting to do it. If you are about to take a bite of a sandwich, you are holding up the sandwich and your mouth is open. |
| above |
When you are above something, it means you will not do it because you think it is bad or stupid and it's something that good people or grown-up people don't do. [1/4 definitions] |
| abroad |
If you live abroad, it means that you live in a country that is not yours. If you travel abroad, it means that you travel outside of your own country. [1/2 definitions] |
| absence |
Absence is being away from a place where you usually are. [1/3 definitions] |
| absent |
When you are absent, you are away. You are not in the usual place. |
| absolutely |
When you are absolutely sure about something, it means that you are completely sure. You have no doubt at all. If you are absolutely finished with something, there is not even one more little thing to do. [1/2 definitions] |
| absorb |
If a story absorbs you, it holds all of your attention. [1/2 definitions] |
| abstract |
When something is abstract, it doesn't have any physical form. Feelings and ideas are abstract things. They are things, but you can't see them or touch them or even smell them! They exist in people's minds only. [2/3 definitions] |
| abuse |
When you abuse something, you use it in a way that is wrong or bad. If people abuse pills, for example, they take them in a different way from how the doctor tells them to take them. This can be dangerous. [1/4 definitions] |
| accelerate |
When you accelerate something, you make it go faster. [2 definitions] |
| accent |
When you accent a syllable in word, you say it in a stronger way than when you say the other syllables. [1/3 definitions] |
| accept |
When you accept something from someone, it means that you take what they want to give you. [4/5 definitions] |
| acceptance |
Acceptance is the act of taking something that someone wants to give to you. Acceptance is also the act of saying "yes" to something like an invitation or offer. [1/2 definitions] |