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Basic Vocab 500words
Basic Vocabulary 500 words
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abandon - A good friend will not abandon you when you need help. | to leave without intending to return, desert |
| abbreviate - The students learned how to abbreviate the names of the states. | to shorten-to make shorter by leaving out certain points or letters |
| abdomen - Mary had a pain in her abdomen from eating too much candy. | The part of an animal's body that contains its digestive and reproductive organs. |
| abduct - The man tried to abduct the child, but she screamed and got away. | To take against one's will, usually by force. |
| abolish - Most people would support a plan to abolish weapons of mass destruction. | To stop a particular thing from ever happening again, such as slavery. |
| absence - Her absence from school was due to her illness. | To be away from someone or away from a place. |
| absorb - We depend on plants and trees to absorb carbon dioxide. | To take in; to soak up. |
| academy - I studied dance at the North Pointe Academy. | Usually a private learning institution or a school for instruction in some special subject. |
| accuracy - You must always complete your math work with accuracy. | The quality of being exactly right or correct. |
| acoustic - Aerospace engineers work on new acoustic technologies. | The properties of an enclosed space that affect sound quality. |
| acrobat - The acrobat fell off the trapeze and landed in the net. | A person who shows balance, strength, and body control in acts on a tightrope or a trapeze. |
| actor - The famous actor did not sign autographs after the show. | A person who plays the role of a character. |
| addition - Subtraction is harder to do than addition. | calculating the sum of two or more numbers. |
| adjacent - The kitchen is adjacent to the family room. | Having a common boundary or edge; touching. |
| advice - She is following the doctor's advice to improve her health. | Ideas or suggestions offered to help someone with a problem or situation. |
| against - Joseph left the shovel leaning against the fence. | to oppose or disagree with; to come into contact with an object. |
| agenda - I need to use my agenda everyday. | a plan of things to be considered or done |
| ahead - James was ahead in the race. | 1.before, in front 2.forward; toward a further time or position Trouble lies ahead. |
| alcohol - Drugs and alcohol can have a bad effect on the body. | a drug found in beer, wine, and other kinds of liquor |
| alert - The lost campers used a fire to alert any possible rescuers. | Listening and watching very carefully. |
| alien - A person without a visa in a foreign country is an alien. | 1. a citizen of another country 2. A creature from another planet. |
| amount - A significant amount of rain fell yesterday. | a quantity or number of something |
| angry - Sean liked to punch his pillow when he got angry. | To get upset with someone and show strong feeling; to get mad at someone. |
| annual - This is the Fourth annual Spelling Bee! | Something that happens once a year. |
| answer - Raise your hand if you know the answer. | Something written, said, or done in reply; Solution to a problem. |
| apron - My mom wears an apron when she cooks. | A garment of cloth, leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing. |
| archive - Every student has an archive in the main office of the school. | A collection of important records about a place, person, or organization. |
| argue - It is more fun to agree with someone than to argue. | To disagree with someone and to speak angrily with them as a result. |
| atmosphere - Pollution is being released into our atmosphere every day. | The mixture of gases that surrounds a planet. |
| author - The author wrote a surprise ending for her novel. | a person who writes books, reports, or papers |
| avenue - The address of the White House is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. | An unusually wide street or road. |
| avocado - We used an avocado to make guacamole dip. | A pear-shaped tropical fruit with green or blackish skin and yellowish pulp enclosing a single large seed. |
| avoid - The Titanic could not alter its course in time to avoid the iceberg. | Stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something. |
| award - I won an award for having perfect attendance. | A gift or prize that is given to someone, usually for achieving something. |
| aware - We are well aware of the classroom rules. | Being concious or mindful of something. |
| bacteria - We looked at bacteria under a microscope. | These things are all around us, but we cannot see them. Some of these are helpful and help your body digest food. However, many of these are harmful. |
| banister - It was fun to slide down the banister. | A railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling. |
| basic - Everyone has the right to their basic needs. | The simplest form and/or the beginning of something |
| battery - Dad had to buy a new battery for our car. | A portable cell that provides electrical power. These can be used to power portable devices, such as a radio. |
| battle - We saw the Army practicing for a battle. | A fight against someone or something. |
| beast - They read a story about a beautiful girl and a beast. | A cruel or savage person or animal. |
| benefit - We can benefit from the lessons we learned in school. | Something useful, helpful or good; sometimes as part of a job contract. |
| beverage - Coffee is a very popular breakfast beverage. | Any liquid suitable for drinking. |
| board - The students copied the words from the board. | The large rectangular object in the front of the room on which we enjoy writing and drawing. |
| bombard - The paparazzi bombard the actress everywhere she goes. | to attack physically or verbally without stopping |
| borrow - May I borrow your book, Samuel? | to take or receive something with the promise of returning it. |
| bouquet - Dad sent mom a bouquet of flowers. | An arrangement of flowers usually given as a gift. |
| bravery - The police commended the boy on his bravery. | A quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain without showing fear. |
| brief - Our professor is known for his brief quizzes. | short amount of time or amount of words |
| cactus - Cactus plants do not blossom very often. | A spiny plant that grows in the desert. |
| cafeteria - Please do not talk loudly in the cafeteria. | The room in your school where you may go to eat lunch. They may also serve food here. |
| calculator - We used a calculator to add up our purchases. | A small machine with little buttons that is used for doing math quickly. |
| calm - The Pacific Ocean was so-named because it seemed to be so calm and peaceful. | Not excited or nervous; quiet |
| campaign - William McKinley was the first candidate to use campaign buttons. | an organized set of activities performed to win an election |
| cavity - A cavity is a hole in a tooth that a dentist fills. | A small hole; a hollow. |
| ceiling - Dad is trying to fix the crack in the ceiling. | The overhead surface of a room. |
| cemetery - President Kennedy was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. | A place where the dead are buried. |
| census - A census is conducted to count U.S. citizens every 10 years. | a government count of the population of a country |
| central - Many people from Central and South America have come to California. | Used in the description of a place that is in the middle of another place. |
| challenge - The new spelling words are a challenge. | A demanding or stimulating situation. |
| charge - The students charge to the buses during dismissal. | Move quickly and violently. |
| chase - My dog likes to chase a ball. | To run after something. |
| cheat - No one likes to play games with someone who likes to cheat all the time. | To do something that is not fair during a game or a test. |
| chimney - You should have a chimney cleaned once a year. | The pathway that smoke is carried from a fire through a wall to the outside of the building |
| clothing - Most clothing is machine washable. | clothes; garments worn to cover the body |
| collar - The dog's collar was missing. | The part of a shirt that goes around your neck. |
| committee - An agreement was reached by the students on the Senior Dance committee. | A special group delegated to consider some matter. |
| competition - The swimming team won first place in the competition and received a trophy. | An occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants. |
| courteous - The courteous boy gave his seat on the bus to an elderly man with a cane. | Characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners. |
| crawl - We watched the turtle slowly crawl across the road. | To move slowly on the ground using your hands and knees. |
| creation - James won first place with his beautiful butterfly garden creation. | The act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new. |
| crowd - The boisterous crowd at the concert was jumping up and down and dancing. | A large number of things or people gathered together in the same place. |
| cycle - The rock cycle takes many years. | A periodically repeated sequence of events. |
| daughter - The boss's daughter worked in the office over the summer. | A female human offspring. |
| dawn - The rooster crows at the crack of dawn. | The start of the day when the Sun is just starting to rise. |
| deaf - Some deaf people use their hands to communicate. | Someone who cannot hear or has great trouble hearing. |
| decide - The football players huddled together to decide their next play. | to make a choice between two or more things |
| defy - It is not wise to defy your parents when they ask you to do something. | to go against authority or rules. |
| diaper - The disposable diaper was a wonderful invention. | Garment consisting of a folded cloth drawn up between the legs and fastened at the waist; worn by infants to catch excrement. |
| disappear - The magician made the rabbit disappear. | To go out of sight so that you are no longer seen. |
| disguise - A lot of actors wear a disguise so that fans will not stop them on the street. | Something that changes your looks so that other people will not know who you are. |
| dishonest - A liar is a dishonest person. | Lacking honesty and truthfulness. |
| dormant - Volcanoes are described as active, dormant, or extinct. | Not active but capable of becoming active. |
| dusk - The farmer worked in the fields from dawn to dusk. | Late in the day when it begins to get dark outside. |
| earthquake - They had to reconstruct their home after the earthquake. | 1. A sudden shift or movement of the earth's crust. These often occur along faults. 2. a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden release of energy in Earth's crust. |
| ebony - The dark ebony marble on the floor was expensive. | A very dark black. |
| education - A college education enables a person to get a better job. | The gradual process of acquiring knowledge. |
| eight - Doctors say that people should drink eight glasses of water a day. | The cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one. |
| electricity - Benjamin Franklin is credited with "inventing" electricity. | This is the energy that runs your TV and computer! |
| emergency - An emergency might deplete the supply of blood at the hospital. | A sudden or dangerous situation that must be dealt with quickly. |
| empty - The bottle of apple juice was almost empty. | Make vacant or empty of contents, having nothing inside. |
| enough - Brian began to yawn because he didn't get enough sleep last night. | An adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose. |
| entertain - The author's purpose was to entertain the reader. | To amuse people or provide a pleasant way to pass time. |
| enzyme - Tears contain an enzyme that breaks down the cell wall of many bacteria. | A chemical substance that helps digest food. |
| equal - All angles and sides of a square are equal. | Well matched; having the same quantity, value, or measure as another. |
| esophagus - The esophagus is part of the human body's digestive system. | This is a tube made of muscles that allows food to move from the mouth to the stomach. |
| everything - I throw everything in the closet when I clean my room. | All things included in a group. |
| excuse - Do you have an excuse for being late to my class? | Serve as a reason, cause or justification of something. |
| exhale - Humans exhale carbon dioxide in the process of respiration. | to breathe out |
| experiment - I used an aquarium for my water experiment. | To conduct a test or an investigation. |
| famine - People can starve to death during a famine. | A widespread and longlasting shortage of food that may cause starvation. |
| famous - The Egyptians are famous for building the Pyramids. | Someone or something that is well-known by lots of people. |
| faucet - We called a plumber to fix our leaky faucet. | A device that controls the flow of a liquid from a sink, tub, or spigot. |
| fauna - When I walked in the rain forest, I spotted many interesting fauna. | All the animal life in a particular region. |
| fraction - The fraction told us how much of the pie was eaten. | A small part or item forming a piece of a whole. |
| fragile - Those dishes are very fragile and will break easily. | Lacking solidity or strength, delicate. |
| fuel - Gasoline is one type of fuel. | Something that can be burned to provide heat or power. |
| function - The function of a knife is to cut. | Serve a purpose, role, or duty. |
| furniture - We decided to rearrange our furniture. | Large items in a room used for resting or doing work. This includes chairs, beds, tables, desks, and sofas. |
| genius - The teachers thought the clever child was a genius. | Someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality. |
| glacier - The sailor tried to steer the ship away from the glacier. | A large mass of ice that moves very slowly through a valley or down a mountain. |
| graph - I will organize the information by using a graph. | A kind of diagram with lines, bars, or curves that show how certain facts or numbers relate to each other. |
| grateful - We are grateful for your help on this project. | Feeling thankful towards someone because they have done something nice for you. |
| gravity - Some planets do not have gravity. | 1. The force by which a planet or other body tends to draw objects toward its center. 2. A force that pulls objects towards each other. |
| growl - The dog started to growl when we got too close. | A low, deep, angry sound, as the one made by a dog. |
| guess - Can you guess how many beans are in the jar? | To make an estimate or to try to answer some question without knowing the answer. |
| guest - The friendly host greeted each guest with a smile. | Someone who is invited(asked to go) to a place. |
| guilty - Charles felt guilty after teasing his sister about her new hair cut. | Feeling badly for having done something wrong. |
| haiku - The poem was written using the structure of a haiku. | Japanese poetry that is always about nature and its pattern is 5 syllables,7 syllables and 5 syllables. |
| handkerchief - He used a red handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his forehead. | a small piece of cloth used for wiping the face, nose or mouth |
| hazard - Careless drivers are a hazard to everyone else on the road. | something that creates a dangerous situation or risk of harm. |
| health - Vitamins and minerals are beneficial for good health. | The general condition of body and mind. |
| height - The nurse will measure everyone's height today. | a measurement of how high something is |
| helmet - Bike riders should always be outfitted with a helmet for safety. | a hard hat that protects your head when riding a bike or playing other sports. |
| herbivore - A rabbit is an herbivore and loves to eat carrots. | Animals that feed exclusively on plants. Giraffes are such animals. |
| hollow - Chocolate Easter bunnies are usually hollow inside. | Something that has empty space or air inside of it. |
| humane - Mother Theresa was a very humane person. | Showing compassion, concern or consideration of others. |
| identical - Our sweaters are identical. | Exactly alike, the same or equal. |
| igloo - I do not think I would want to live in an igloo. | A small, rounded arctic house made of blocks of hard snow. |
| ignore - If someone bothers you, try to ignore him or her. | Fail to notice. |
| impact - The book had an emotional impact on the people who read it. | Have an effect upon. Influence strongly. |
| impolite - It is impolite to interupt while others are talking. | Not polite. |
| inch - Dean is one inch taller than Jacob. | A unit of measurement. Twelve of these is equal to one foot. |
| include - My hobbies include gardening, bike riding, and reading. | to add something or someone into a group. |
| insect - The insect crawled into the hole. | A group of small animals that have six legs and a body that is divided into three sections. Bees, ants, beetles, butterflies, ladybugs, and crickets are all examples of this animal group. |
| invention - The invention of the telescope has revolutionized the way we see the stars. | A creation (a new device or process) resulting from study and experimentation. |
| island - Hawaii is a very famous and beautiful island. | a body of land surrounded on all sides by water. |
| issue - The senator changed his mind on the issue. | An important matter to be handled or discussed. |
| ivory - Terry wore an ivory dress at her wedding. | a shade of the color white; a hard white substance |
| jaguar - He saw a jaguar running into the trees. | A wild cat with brownish-yellow fur and black spots, similar to a leopard. |
| janitor - The janitor has a bucket of water and soap. | Someone employed to clean and maintain a building. |
| jealous - Everyone was jealous of Jessica's new shoes. | feeling unhappy because of what someone else has; wanting what someone has |
| jewelry - I keep my jewelry in a box on a table in my room. | An adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems). |
| journal - Please write 15 positive sentences in your journal. | writing that expresses an author's feelings or first impressions about a subject. |
| jumble - The notes in his binder were all jumbled together. | to be assembled without order or sense. |
| jury - The county clerk had to find people to serve on a jury. | a group of citizens who hear evidence and decide the guilt or innocence of an accused party |
| justice - In our country we believe in justice for all people. | The idea of being fair or right. |
| kayak - I tipped over in my kayak. | light canoe used for leisure or sport on rivers, lakes, or sea |
| ketchup - I put pickles, mayonnaise, and ketchup on my hamburger. | Thick spicy sauce made from tomatoes. |
| khaki - Old Navy is having a sale on khaki cargo pants. | A green beige color of clothing seen in military or casual wear. |
| kilometer - A kilometer is shorter than a mile. | A metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters (or 0.621371 miles). |
| kindness - His popularity is the result of his kindness to others. | The quality of being warm-hearted, considerate, humane, and sympathetic. |
| kinetic - An object that is moving is said to have kinetic energy. | The energy of a moving body. |
| kitchen - Cody and his father put black and white tiles in the kitchen. | A room where food is stored and meals are prepared. You may have a stove, an oven, and a refrigerator in this room. |
| knit - My grandmother likes to knit blankets. | To make clothes or blankets by using yarn and long needles. |
| knob - A door knob is an example of a wheel and axle. | A round handle found on a door or a drawer. |
| koala - The koala bear is known for its love of eucalyptus leaves. | An Australian marsupial that resembles a small bear and has gray fur, a round face, and large ears. |
| lagoon - The water in the lagoon was very calm. | A shallow body of seawater located along a coast surrounded by a narrow strip of land. Past this narrow strip of land is the ocean. |
| language - Some deaf people use sign language to communicate. | Human speech, spoken or written. The particular speech of a large group of people. |
| latitude - Latitude lines run east and west on a map. | Distance on the Earth's surface as measured by degrees north or south from the equator. |
| launch - The airline will launch its new transatlantic service next month. | Take off or begin. |
| lawn - David mowed the lawn and trimmed the hedges yesterday. | An area of grass grown in the front or back of your home. |
| lawyer - My lawyer has a small practice in downtown Chicago. | A professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice. |
| league - Many teams belong to the National Football League. | a number of persons, groups, nations joined together for some purpose |
| leisure - My leisure time includes reading books, and listening to music. | time free from work or duties |
| leopard - The class saw a beautiful leopard at the zoo. | A wild cat that lives in Africa and Asia. This mammal usually has black dots on its coat. |
| lettuce - I had a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich for lunch today. | A plant with large green leaves that is popular in salads. |
| library - You should whisper in a library so people can read without disruptions. | A place where books are kept for people to borrow. |
| liquid - The sponge will absorb all of the liquid. | A state of matter that has no fixed shape but that has a definite volume. |
| literature - We studied literature in English class. | The books, poetry, stories and plays written by people to share ideas. |
| litter - Do not throw litter in the ocean. | Small garbage, such as little pieces of paper, thrown about carelessly. |
| longitude - Look on the map to find the longitude. | imaginary lines on the globe that run north and south |
| lousy - Sue said that she felt lousy. | very painful or unpleasant; inferior or worthless |
| luggage - We had the hotel porter take our luggage up to our room. | A bag or suitcase that is used to store and carry things while traveling. |
| lullaby - The mother sang a lullaby to put her baby to sleep. | A quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep. |
| lunar - Last night we watched a lunar eclipse. | Of or relating to or associated with the moon. |
| machine - My mother uses her sewing machine every day. | A piece of equipment that can do a particular job. |
| magnet - A magnet can pick up paper clips. | An object that attracts iron and steel. |
| magnificent - The Grand Canyon is a magnificent place to visit. | Beautiful in a grand or stately way. |
| magnitude - The great magnitude of the whale shocked the divers. | greatness, especially in size or extent |
| majesty - The explorers quietly viewed the majesty of the mountains. | the combined qualities of greatness, beauty, and dignity |
| majority - The majority of the students voted for Paul. | More than half; the greater in number of two parts |
| malaria - Many people died from malaria when the Panama Canal was being built. | A disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito marked by chills and fever. |
| mammal - The blue whale is the largest aquatic mammal in the world, but it is also the largest mammal of any kind! | Vertebrate animals that have hair and nourish their young with milk. Humans are such animals. |
| mandatory - Your attendance during this four-day workshop is mandatory. | required; something a person has to do |
| mandible - His mandible was broken in the bicycle accident. | The lower jawbone that is used to open the mouth. |
| manicure - Does she manicure her nails often? | Professional care for the hands and fingernails. |
| mantle - The mantle of the earth is next to the core. | The thickest layer of Earth. This layer is below the crust. |
| manure - Cow manure is often used to help plants grow. | Animal waste used to fertilize land. |
| marmalade - I love orange marmalade with biscuits for breakfast. | A preserve made of the pulp and rind of citrus fruits. |
| marvelous - Everyone had a marvelous time at the party. | Causing wonder or amazement; outstanding; excellent |
| matriarch - The matriarch of our family is going to be 100 years old in August. | The female leader or head of a group, family, or organization. |
| mattress - I slept on an air mattress during the camping trip. | The thick, soft pad that is a part of a bed. |
| mature - A kitten becomes a cat when it is mature. | Having reached full natural growth or development. |
| mayonnaise - I put pickles, mayonnaise, and ketchup on my hamburger. | A sandwich spread made of Egg yolks, oil and vinegar. |
| mayor - The volunteers received a citation from the mayor for their good deeds. | The person who is the elected leader in a city. |
| measure - Danielle used a ruler to measure the top of her desk. | To find out the size, weight, and capacity of something. |
| mechanic - The mechanic is fixing the motor in my mom's car. | Someone whose occupation is repairing and maintaining automobiles and other machines. |
| mellow - At times the organ music sounds mellow, sweet, or nostalgic. | Unhurried and relaxed. |
| memorable - The wedding was a memorable occasion. | Worth remembering. |
| metamorphosis - A caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis to become a beautiful butterfly. | A striking change in appearance, character or circumstances. |
| metaphor - To say that 'the girl showered her rabbit with love' is a metaphor. | A comparison in which one thing is said to be another. |
| meteor - A meteor is sometimes called a shooting star. | A fragment of solid matter that enters the earth's atmosphere and burns, leaving a bright streak in the sky. |
| microphone - We couldn't hear the speaker without a microphone. | A device for picking up sounds and making them louder. |
| microscope - A microscope is a visual aid that enables scientists to study bacteria. | An optical instrument that magnifies the image of small objects. |
| military - Military service is voluntary. | The entire body of people whose job is to protect a country or prepare for war. |
| miniature - Jason and Daniel play miniature golf every month. | Something that is made to look like something else, but that is much smaller. |
| minority - The Irish people were a minority when they first came to America. | A group that is less than half. |
| mischief - Bart Simpson always makes trouble and mischief. | Reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others. |
| misery - I felt only misery when my dad told me we were moving. | A feeling of intense unhappiness. |
| missile - The first missile launched in the attack was successful. | A weapon that is thrown or projected. |
| modern - With the modern day use of internet and telephone, telegraphs are becoming obsolete. | Characteristic of present-day art and music and literature and architecture. |
| moisture - The moisture on the grass made my shoes wet. | Water vapor content that is in the air. |
| molecule - There are two atoms of hydrogen in a molecule of water. | the simplest structural unit of an element or compound. |
| monarchy - The government of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. | A system of government ruled by a royal family. |
| monopoly - The telephone company used to have a monopoly on telephone service. | Exclusive control or possession of something. |
| mosquito - The mosquito invasion made the camping trip a little uncomfortable. | This insect belongs to the fly family. It spreads diseases, such as malaria, when it sucks blood on our skin. |
| muffin - I like to put butter on my blueberry muffin. | A sweet little cake baked in a cup-shaped pan. |
| multiply - In order to find the area of a room, you must multiply length times width. | When a number is added to itself several times. |
| muscle - A tendon attaches a muscle to a bone. | A part of the body that can be stretched or tightened to make the body move. |
| musician - She is a versatile musician who can play many instruments. | Artist who composes, conducts or plays music as a profession. |
| mysterious - The Bermuda Triangle is a mysterious place. | Strange, beyond normal understanding. |
| myth - There is a myth about a creature with a man's head and horse's body. | A traditional story of anonymous origin that explains the beliefs and practices of a people. |
| naive - Jennifer was naive to believe that smoking was harmless. | simple in nature; child like; lacking sophistication |
| naked - The baby was naked in the bath tub. | Having no protecting or concealing cover. |
| narrow - The strait was too narrow for the ocean liner to pass through it. | Not wide or broad. |
| naughty - The naughty young puppy liked to eat shoes and socks. | To be badly behaved or mischievous. |
| nausea - She suffered from nausea after the boat left the dock. | A feeling of discomfort in the stomach; a feeling that you need to vomit. |
| necessary - We took only the necessary supplies on our camping trip. | Something that is absolutely essential or needed. |
| nectar - The butterfly drinks nectar from flowers. | A sweet liquid that bees collect and use from flowers to make honey. |
| negative - A negative attitude carries with it the likelihood of disappointment and loneliness. | Expressing an attitude against someone or something. A refusal or resistance to cooperate. |
| neighbor - I am very fond of our new neighbor. | Someone who lives in a house or an apartment that is close to where you live. |
| nephew - My nephew has a black belt in karate. | A son of your brother or sister. |
| nibble - Sarah felt the fish nibble at the hook. | to eat or chew in small, quick bites |
| niece - My niece goes to preschool. | A daughter of your brother or sister. |
| nimble - All athletes must be nimble in order to compete. | Mentally quick; physically quick and light-footed. |
| nitrogen - The nitrogen cycle is important to all life forms because nitrogen is needed to make protein. | A colorless odorless tasteless gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere; All living things must have it. |
| noise - It's hard to concentrate with all the noise in the classroom. | A sound, especially a loud or unpleasant one. |
| nomad - He had lived all his life as a nomad, traveling from place to place. | A member of a people who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons. |
| notable - Jennifer Lopez is a notable dancer, singer, and actress. | Important and deserving attention, because it's very good or interesting. |
| novice - She was a novice playwrite just beginning her career. | Someone new to a field or activity. |
| nucleus - Each cell is surrounded by a membrane and contains a nucleus. | The largest part of the cell, the control center of the cell. |
| numb - It was so cold my fingers were numb. | Lacking sensation. |
| oasis - An oasis is a welcome sight in the desert. | A place in the desert with water, plants, and trees. |
| oath - A serious promise to speak the truth. | You swear under oath in court when you put your hand on the Bible. |
| obey - It is important to obey the safety rules when swimming in the pool. | Follow the commands, laws or directions given. |
| object - The floor has a crack where the heavy object was dropped. | something that can be seen or touched; thing |
| obligation - It is our obligation to pay taxes to our government. | A personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor. |
| oboe - I played the oboe in the band. | This woodwind instrument has a double reed. |
| obstacle - The deep hole in the road is an obstacle to cars. | An object in the way of something else. |
| Officer - The cadet was training to become an officer at West Point. | A leader in the armed forces or the police department. |
| omnivore - A bear is a perfect example of an omnivore. | Animals that feed on both plants and animals. |
| ooze - Hawaiians watched the lava ooze slowly down the sides of the volcano. | Pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings. |
| opera - In an opera the actors sing all or most of their lines instead of saying them. | A play where most of the words are sung. Music is played in the background. |
| option - You have the option of either going to the movies or going bowling. | An alternative action. |
| orphan - The orphan felt alone on Christmas morning. | A child who has lost both parents. |
| oxygen - A red blood cell carries oxygen around the body. | A colorless gas that you breathe in. You need it to stay alive. |
| oyster - An oyster shell may contain a pearl. | Marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters. |
| paddle - Each person in the canoe had a paddle. | A small, wooden pole with a short handle on one end and a flat blade on the other end. This can be used for moving a canoe or a small boat. |
| pageant - The pageant will take place in November. | A contest between people or animals to show their best qualities. |
| palm - I burned the palm of my hand when I grabbed the hot skillet. | The inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers. |
| paragraph - Circle any misspelled words in your paragraph. | One of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line. |
| parallel - If lines are parallel, they never meet or cross each other. | Lines that could go on forever but never touch; equal distance apart from each other. |
| Patience - The Biblical character known for his great patience was Job. | Being able to put up with hardship, pain, trouble, or delay without getting angry or upset. |
| pebble - The pebble was stuck in the sole of my shoe. | A small smooth rounded rock. |
| peculiar - I saw a woman wearing a peculiar hat. | Characteristic of one only; distinctive or special. |
| pedestrian - Traffic stops at the crosswalk if there is a pedestrian waiting to cross. | A person who is walking. |
| peninsula - The state of Florida is a peninsula. | Land surrounded by water on three sides. |
| perfect - The Russian figure skater's performance was almost perfect. | Being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish. |
| perhaps - If the team practices some more, perhaps we will win more games. | Possibly, but not certainly; maybe. |
| perspiration - After exercising, he wiped the perspiration off of his forehead. | Salty fluid secreted by sweat glands. |
| petite - She is so very petite that she has to buy clothes in the childrens' department. | Very small and slender; little |
| pewter - The candle holders were made of pewter. | Silver metal, often used for tableware and decoration. |
| pheasant - Dinner consisted of pheasant, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. | Any of several long tailed, often brightly colored birds. |
| phony - The counterfeiter was arrested for making phony money. | Fake; not genuine or real. |
| physical - They worked the oblique stomach muscles in physical education class. | Pertaing to the body, rather than to the mind or emotions. |
| piano - We will need several strong men to carry the piano. | A musical instrument with black and white keys. This instrument is played by pressing the keys, which cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds. |
| pickle - I ate a pickle with my sandwich. | Vegetables (especially cucumbers) preserved in a salt solution or vinegar. |
| pity - The crowd felt pity for the team when they lost the championship game. | A feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others. |
| plasma - The red and white blood cells float around in the plasma. | This is the clear, liquid part of the blood that holds proteins, digested foods, wastes, and other substances. |
| plateau - Most of the population of Mexico lives on the Central Plateau. | A flat area of land that is higher than the surrounding land. |
| pledge - The children recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag | To make an important promise, or vow |
| plumber - The plumber used a wrench to fix the pipes. | Someone whose job is to fix water and heating pipes. |
| poetry - Free verse poetry does not need to have rhythm or rhyme. | A piece of writing in which the words are arranged in separate lines, often ending in rhyme, and are chosen for their sound and for the images and ideas they suggest. |
| pollution - Our science teacher talked to our class about pollution. | Harmful substances that are released in the air, and make our planet dirty, noisy, or unhealthy. |
| pompous - Jordan brags, bosses other around, and is very pompous. | Showing arrogance or conceit. |
| posse - The posse found the criminals hiding in a cave. | A group of people called together by a sheriff to help capture an outlaw. |
| precipitation - The temperature and precipitation amounts are abiotic parts of an environment. | The rain, snow, sleet, and hail that falls from clouds to Earth. This is an important part of the water cycle. |
| precise - It is important to make precise measurements when building a house. | Exact in performance or amount; strictly correct. |
| prejudice - I pray for a world without prejudice of any kind. | An opinion about someone based on his or her skin color, religion, or other characteristics. |
| presume - I presume that you did all of your homework last night. | Believe something to be true without being sure. |
| prevent - Disinfectant is used on surgical instruments to help prevent infections. | To stop something from happening before it occurs. |
| prism - We saw many colors of the rainbow when we looked through the prism. | A triangular, three-dimensional object made of clear glass that breaks up white light into its different colors. |
| privilege - I had the privilege of being introduced to the prince when I was in London. | A special right or honor given to someone. |
| prize - Jaime received a prize for winning the marathon. | Something given for winning a contest or competition. |
| prohibit - The principal prohibits anyone from smoking in our school. | To forbid or not allow something to be done |
| promise - I made a promise to my teacher to follow the classroom rules. | A verbal commitment by one person to another to do (or not to do) something in the future. |
| protein - Vegetarians don't eat meat, but get protein from beans, nuts and grains. | This is the part of our diet which helps our body to grow and to repair itself. Protein comes from meat, fish, eggs, dairy produce and nuts. |
| proud - You should be proud of your excellent grades. | Feeling good about who you are or something you have done. |
| provoke - Her little brother knows just how to provoke her. | to make angry; to stir up on purpose |
| pulp - Guava has very sweet pulp on the inside. | Something soft or ground up, like wood pulp or tomato pulp. |
| pumpkin - Christina baked a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. | A large orange or yellow-orange fruit having a soft pulp containing many seeds and a firm outer rind. |
| puzzle - My uncle gave me a 1,000-piece puzzle for Christmas! | A game, activity, or problem in which you have to think or work hard at in order to solve. |
| quack - The duck began to quack as we moved closer. | A sharp, loud sound made by a duck. |
| quaint - The quaint country inn has fireplaces and quilts in every room. | Strange, in an interesting or pleasing way. |
| quarrel - They had a quarrel about money. | Angry disagreement or fight with words; an argument. |
| queasy - Our airplane faced turbulent winds that caused us to feel queasy. | Feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit. |
| quest - He went on a quest for hidden treasure. | A journey to search for something. |
| quota - The sales manager set a sales quota for his team. | A limited number assigned to a group. |
| radiant - Susan looked radiant in her wedding gown. | Expressing joy, energy, or good health. |
| raffle - I will announce the winner of the raffle tomorrow. | A lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money. |
| random - A random act of kindness is a good deed. | By chance, with no plan or purpose. |
| raspberry - Hannah likes raspberry ice cream. | A juicy, sweet red berry. These taste wonderful in pies! |
| receipt - You need a receipt in order to return the merchandise to the store. | A paper showing money or goods received. |
| recipe - The recipe called for one egg yolk, two egg whites and 1/2 cup of milk. | Instructions that tell you how to make and cook something. |
| reckless - A reckless driver is a menace to others. | Marked by unthinking boldness; with defiant disregard for danger or consequences. |
| recognize - We try to recognize patterns in math class. | To know or identify from past experience or knowledge. |
| recommend - I recommend that you spend at least 30 minutes a night reading. | To praise or speak in favor of; advise or suggest. |
| reconcile - We can reconcile this disagreement with just a little compromise from both sides. | Settle a disargeement or difference; make peace. |
| recreation - Boating is a type of recreation. | Relaxing of the mind or body through amusing or enjoyable activities; play |
| recuperate - Seth will need five days to recuperate after surgery. | Recover from sickness, exhaustion, loss. |
| referee - It is a hard job to be a referee. | An official that enforces the rules of a game. |
| reflex - It is an automatic reflex to blink when something comes near your eyes. | An automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus. |
| refrigerate - You need to refrigerate milk to keep it from spoiling. | Preserve by chilling, as of food. |
| refugee - The refugee was looking for a safe place to stay. | A person who flees to another country to escape persecution or disaster. |
| region - New York is in the northeastern region of the United States. | A geographical area with common natural features that set it apart from other areas. |
| regret - Sometimes when we're mad we say things that we regret later. | Sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment. |
| reject - Members of a clique usually reject outsiders. | To say no to something or someone. |
| religion - Judaism is a much older religion than Islam. | A belief in or worship of God or gods. |
| reptile - A turtle is a good reptile to have as a pet. | A cold-blooded vertebrate with dry, scaly skin. |
| require - Children require relatively larger amounts of nutrients and calories because of their rapid growth. | Have need of. Something you have to have to go on. |
| resolve - Can the Israelis and the Palestinians resolve their problems? | 1. Bring to an end; settle conclusively, as of a conflict. Reach a decision. 2. Reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation. |
| responsible - Our stomach is responsible for the digestion of our food. | trustworthy; reliable / required to answer for something / deserving credit or blame for something |
| reunion - Family from all across the country came together at our reunion. | When a group of people come together again. |
| rhyme - Do the words boat and goat rhyme? | Words that end with the same sounds, usually found at the end of lines of poetry. |
| ridiculous - Her pink hair looked ridiculous! | absurd, laughable, or silly |
| rough - This block of wood still has rough edges. | Things that are uneven or not smooth. |
| rubbish - The rubbish on the highway is from people throwing trash out of their cars. | Worthless material that is discarded. |
| rumor - It is not polite to spread a rumor about someone. | Facts that are told about someone or something, that are not proven to be true. |
| sabotage - A virus on the internet can sabotage a computer. | An action taken to destroy something or to prevent it from working properly; |
| sacred - Hindus believe that cows are sacred. | Worthy of respect or dedication. |
| safari - Friends of ours went on Safari in Africa to help with endangered species. | A trip to watch or hunt for animals that are usually found in other countries. |
| safety - For your own safety, make sure you look both ways before crossing the street. | Freedom from danger, injury, or damage. |
| saliva - Saliva helps you to swallow your food. | The digestive juice made by glands in the mouth. |
| salmon - Salmon swim many miles every year and even swim upstream | A large, silver colored fish that is hatched in fresh water but lives in the ocean as an adult. |
| samurai - The samurai trained for many years to become a master of his sword. | Japanese warriors who protected wealthy land-owning lords. |
| sandal - Taylor took her sandal to a shoe shop to have the broken strap repaired. | A shoe consisting of a sole strapped to the foot. |
| sandwich - I had a turkey and cheese sandwich for lunch. | Two (or more) slices of bread with a filling between them. These are good to take on a picnic! |
| satellite - The rocket was used to send the satellite into orbit. | An artificial object that was sent into space to orbit another object. |
| sauna - The best thing to get rid of a cold is to spend an hour or two in a sauna. | A steam bath; hot steam is produced by pouring water over heated rocks. |
| scalp - Your scalp gets itchy when your hair is not clean. | The skin that covers the top of the head. |
| scandal - Joe was involved in a scandal that was in all the newspapers. | A shameful action that brings disgrace or shocks people |
| scavenger - The hyena is a scavenger, because it eats meat left behind by other animals. | Animals that eat dead or rotting animal flesh. |
| schedule - I have the schedule for my classes this week. | An organized plan for with dates and information for completing tasks |
| scholarship - The hard working student won a scholarship to ICESE. | Financial aid given to a student on the basis of academic merit. |
| scorch - The sun will scorch you if you don't use a high quality sunscreen. | To burn slightly or dry up with an intense heat |
| scowl - I dread seeing my parents scowl when they receive my report card. | A facial expression of dislike or displeasure. |
| scratch - Don't scratch your mosquito bites. | A minor mark or injury on the skin caused by something. |
| scuba - SCUBA is an acronym meaning self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. | A device worn by a free-swimming diver to provide a supply of air while swimming under water. |
| secretary - A good executive secretary is very hard to find. | An assistant who handles correspondence and office work for a boss or an organization. |
| severe - The naughty boy received a severe punishment from his parents. | Strict, or stern; also something serious |
| shabby - The old man was wearing an old shabby coat. | Worn or faded from use or from wear; to be dressed in worn-out clothes; |
| shepherd - The shepherd protected the sheep from the wolf. | Someone who watches and protects a flock of sheep. |
| shrink - I hate it when my clothes shrink and fade. | Decrease in size, range, or extent. |
| sibling - The young boy tried to help his sibling stay out of trouble with their mother. | A person's brother or sister. |
| signature - I can't read my father's signature. | Your name, written in your own handwriting. |
| simile - "She slept like a baby" is an example of a simile. | A figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as'). |
| sizzle - Bacon sizzles in the frying pan. | To make a hissing or crackling sound: |
| skeleton - Do you know how many bones are in a human skeleton? | All of the bones that support a person's or an animal's body. |
| sleeve - Cindy rolled up the long sleeve on her shirt because she was hot. | The part of a garment that is attached at armhole and provides a cloth covering for the arm. |
| sleigh - There is a beautiful old wooden sleigh in the barn. | A vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs, for transportation over snow. |
| sloppy - His handwriting was very sloppy. | Lacking neatness or order. |
| sneeze - Bob's cat makes him sneeze. | To blow air out of your nose and mouth with a sudden and loud involuntary noise. |
| sniff - The puppy sniffed my shoes with its nose. | To quickly and noisily take a deep breath of air with your nose. Some people do this when they cry. |
| snore - When I have a cold, I snore very loudly. | Sometimes when you sleep, the soft palate relaxes and vibrates when you breathe, producing this noise. |
| snuggle - A mother likes to snuggle with her baby. | A close and affectionate embrace. |
| soldier - A soldier is a person who defends his country. | A person who serves in the army. |
| sorrow - The death of her kitten filled Emma with sorrow. | Feeling much sadness or unhappiness. |
| souvenir - He wanted to keep the ticket to the concert as a souvenir. | Something that is kept as a reminder of a person, place or event; memento. |
| spaghetti - We are having spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread for lunch. | Pasta in the shape of long, thin strings. |
| speech - She bored everyone with her very long speech. | The ability to speak; a talk given to a group of people. |
| spooky - The old graveyard looked spooky in the moonlight. | Something that is scary or supernatural. |
| sprain - You can sprain your ankle if you are not careful when hiking up the mountain. | An injury to a joint that causes soreness and swelling. |
| squad - The rescue squad arrived promptly. | A small group of people organized for an activity. |
| squeeze - Jerry likes to squeeze lemon juice on grilled fish. | The act of gripping and pressing firmly. |
| squid - A squid can sting you with its tentacles. | Fast-moving ten-armed mollusk having a long body. It is usually smaller than an octopus. |
| stagger - I saw the man stagger and almost fall in the street. | To walk unsteadily as though about to fall, to arrange in such a way as to avoid overcrowding, to shock or amaze. |
| staple - Meat and potatoes are considered staple foods in Canada. | Most important basic food; The principle article grown or manufactured in a place. |
| starve - The baby seal will starve without milk from its mother. | To die from hunger. |
| statue - There is a tall statue in the center of town. | A sculpture that is made to look like a person, an animal, or an object. This piece of art may be made from stone, wood, or metal. |
| steam - The steam in the bathroom made my mirror foggy. | Water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere. |
| stomach - My stomach was full after eating the pie. | This is the baglike digestive organ in which food is churned and mixed. This also secretes juices that help to break up food particles. |
| straight - I had to walk straight to keep from falling off the board. | Having no bends, curves, or twists. |
| strange - We saw a very strange bird in our apple tree. | When something is different from what people are used to. |
| stray - We try not to stray off the path when we walk in the woods. | Wander from a direct or straight course. |
| stretch - I stretch every morning when I first get up. | To extend your arms, legs, or body to full length. |
| strict - The school dress code is very strict for students and teachers. | Rigid; allowing no flexibility. Harsh or stiff; stringently enforced. |
| struggle - Sometimes I struggle to get all of my homework done on time. | Make a strenuous or labored effort. |
| stubborn - A mule is often a very stubborn animal. | Unwilling to change, move or yield. |
| stupid - It is stupid to get drunk and then drive home. | Not having the capacity to think well or not using common sense. |
| Subject - You can find information on any subject using the internet. | A person or thing discussed or treated; the matters taught at school |
| suburb - Pance is a suburb of Cali. | A residential district located close to a large city. |
| success - I had great success with my science experiment. | Impressive achievement, especially the attainment of fame, wealth, or power. |
| summary - The teacher asked the students to write a summary of their library books. | A brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form. |
| superb - His lyric poems are superb in their beauty, grandeur, and mastery of language. | splendid; excellent; beyond the expected |
| supreme - The Supreme Court is a part of the judicial branch of the government. | Highest in excellence or achievement. |
| surgeon - The surgeon made the incision to start the operation. | A medical doctor who performs operations on people. |
| survey - We took a survey of people in our neighborhood to see if the majority wanted speed bumps on our street. | A poll or questionaire used to gather information. |
| survive - The men were lost in the jungle, but survived by eating plants. | To stay alive in difficult conditions, where there is danger of dying or being killed. |
| swab - The baby cried when I tried to clean his ear with the cotton swab. | A small piece of cotton on a stick that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound. |
| swallow - Chew your food well before you swallow it. | Pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking. |
| sweep - Before you wax the floor, make sure you sweep it very well. | To clean a room or place with a broom. |
| swift - A lion is not as swift as a cheetah. | Able to move at quick speed; quick to respond. |
| sword - The gallant knight drew his sword and killed the enormous dragon. | A cutting or thrusting weapon with a long blade. |
| syllable - It is easier to spell a word if you sound out each syllable clearly. | Words are broken down into these single sound parts. |
| sympathy - The children showed sympathy to the teacher when her dog died. | Feeling sorry for and wanting to help another person. |
| symphony - The symphony will perform at Pace University on Friday evening. | A composition for an orchestra to play. |
| tacky - The girl looked tacky in her polka dotted green skirt and plaid purple shirt. | Tasteless; something that is too showy. |
| tangle - It hurts when I tangle my hair. | To mix something up so that it becomes twisted into an unorganized mess. |
| tardy - You will be marked tardy if you arrive after the second bell rings. | Late, not on time, delayed |
| tedious - Doing the same job over and over again can become tedious. | Seeming to go on for a long time; boring. |
| temperature - The freezer was set to maintain a constant temperature of 32 degrees. | A physical property that tells you how hot or cold matter is. |
| terrace - I like to sit out on the terrace in the early morning and drink my coffee. | Usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence. |
| terrain - The rugged terrain required special footwear. | The ground, whether it is sandy, mountainous, rocky, etc. |
| terrific - The Spring Dance was a wonderful affair and all of the 5th and 6th grade students had a terrific time. | Extraordinary; remarkable, very great. |
| texture - The texture of the sandpaper felt rough on my fingers. | How things feel, or look as though they might feel, if touched. |
| thaw - Allow the meat to thaw properly before cooking it. | to melt, unfreeze, or defrost |
| thesaurus - I looked up the word in the thesaurus to find a synonym I could use. | A dictionary of synonyms and antonyms. |
| thread - I had a hard time getting the thread to go through the eye of the needle. | A very thin piece of cotton or silk string used to stitch cloth. |
| tickle - Don't tickle anyone unless they want you to do it. | To keep touching or poking gently, often causing someone to laugh. |
| tidy - After I was done cleaning, my room looked neat and tidy. | To keep everything neat and organized. |
| timid - My sister is very timid at times. | shy, with lack of confidence. |
| tomato - This tomato does not look ripe because it is still a little green. | A soft, juicy red fruit. This is eaten in salads. Sauces are also made from this and used to give flavor to pasta! |
| tongue - Your taste buds are on your tongue. | A long, pink muscle that is inside of your mouth. It is used to help eat and chew our food, for tasting, and making certain sounds. |
| traffic - Expect heavy traffic in September and October. | People, automobiles, trucks, airplanes, ships as they come and go along their way of travel. |
| tragedy - The death of his father proved to be a tragedy for the whole family. | An event resulting in great loss and misfortune. |
| treasurer - It was agreed that the treasurer should disburse the funds for a new brochure. | The person in charge of the money in a government or any other organization. |
| tremble - We felt the earth tremble as the volcano began erupting. | Reflex shaking caused by cold, fear or excitement. |
| trinket - All of the girls received golden trinkets from the boys on Valentine's Day. | A small item that has very little value. |
| triumph - Winning the game was a great triumph! | A great victory, success, or achievement. |
| trophy - Kyle won a trophy for winning the spelling contest. | Something given as a token of victory. |
| turmoil - There was turmoil in the cafeteria after several students started a food fight. | Disturbance usually in protest. |
| twinge - He felt a twinge of pain in his leg. | Feel a sudden sharp, local pain. |
| twinkle - We watched the stars twinkle in the dark sky. | To reflect light in a flickering manner; of stars. |
| uncle - My uncle Robert is a policeman. | The brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt. |
| unemployed - I was feeling depressed after being unemployed for over a year. | A person who does not have a job or work of any kind. |
| unique - There are no two students alike, each one is quite unique. | Having no like or equal; being th only one of its kind. |
| unruly - An unruly child in a restaurant can be very annoying. | Noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline. |
| urban - New Orleans, Louisiana is an urban community. | Relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area. |
| urgent - There is an urgent announcement coming over the radio now! | Requiring immediate action; needing attention at once. |
| utensil - The fork is a very functional utensil. | An instrument or tool used for some special purpose. |
| vacant - The apartment had been vacant for a long time before we moved in. | Containing no one or nothing; empty. |
| vaccine - There is a vaccine to prevent polio. | Special substances used to protect a person or animal from a disease. |
| vanilla - The meal ended with hot apple pie, coffee and vanilla ice cream. | A flavoring that is made from vanilla beans. |
| variable - Spring weather can be extremely variable. | Something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation. |
| vault - He kept his valuable coin collection in a vault to keep it safe. | A strongroom or compartment (often made of steel) for safekeeping of valuables. |
| Venison - Laura and Mary had venison for supper . | Deer meat, used as food. |
| versatile - Her recipe for pizza is very versatile because it can be changed easily. | Someone or something that is able to change easily from one activity to another or able to be used for many different purposes. |
| victim - The victim was barely concious after being hit by the other car. | 1. An unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstances. 2. A person who suffers death, injury, hardship or loss. |
| villain - The villain in the Wizard of Oz is the wicked witch of the West. | A wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately. |
| vinegar - We combine oil and vinegar to make the salad dressing. | A sour liquid used to flavor and preserve food. |
| virus - Scientists are now trying to eradicate the HIV virus. | A tiny organism that can reproduce only in living cells. Viruses cause disease in humans, animals, and plants. |
| volunteer - People sometimes volunteer to help others because it is the right thing to do. | A person who helps or offers to do something without getting paid. |
| vowel - Every word has a vowel. | The speech sounds made by the letters a, e, i, o, and u. |
| wafer - The small wafer did not satisfy my hunger. | A small thin crisp cake or cookie. |
| waltz - My grandmother used to waltz in a ballroom with my grandfather. | A ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat. |
| warehouse - The warehouse was loaded with supplies waiting to be shipped to Europe. | A storehouse for goods and merchandise. |
| weakness - A box of chocolates is her greatest weakness. | To like something even though it might not be good for you. |
| weapon - The police discovered a weapon hidden in the house. | Something that is used for fighting or hunting. |
| weary - The weary runner collapsed at the end of the race. | Exhaust or tire though overuse, great strain, or stress. |
| wedding - My sister had her wedding in New York City. | A social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed. |
| weekend - Dad and Mom took us to the circus last weekend. | The end of the week; Saturday and Sunday. |
| wharf - The boat stopped at the wharf only long enough to pick up the cargo. | A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats. |
| wheeze - Her asthma caused her to wheeze after long periods of exercise. | Breathing with a husky or whistling sound. |
| whim - Experts advise parents not to indulge in a child's every whim. | A sudden desire. |
| whirl - The wind caused the leaves to whirl and spin around and around on the lawn. | To spin around very quickly, or to make something do this. |
| whisk - I like to use a whisk to beat eggs. | To move, brush,whip, etc., with a quick sweeping motion. |
| whistle - The teacher blew the whistle when recess was over. | 1. A high, shrill sound that you can make when you blow through your lips. 2. A high pitched sound. Some people can make this sound with their mouth. |
| whole - Our whole family gets together on Thanksgiving. | The complete amount or sum of something. |
| whopper - That was a whopper of a fish; it was nearly as long as the fishing pole. | Something especially big or impressive of its kind. |
| widow - All of his personal effects were left to his widow. | A woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried. |
| wisdom - In addition to being a powerful ruler, Solomon had a reputation for wisdom. | The trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight. |
| witness - The jury listened while each witness gave their testimony. | Someone who sees an event and reports what happened. |
| wolf - The wolf looked ferocious when it bared its teeth. | A mammal that is a part of the dog family. This mammal lives in cold areas and likes to hunt in packs. |
| worship - The pilgrims desired the freedom to worship God in any way that they wanted to. | A feeling of profound love and admiration. |
| wrestle - Karl thinks he can wrestle alligators. | To struggle or fight with someone or something. |
| wrinkle - A hot iron will get the wrinkle out of my dress. | A small fold usually on cloth or skin. |
| wrist - I wear my watch on my left wrist. | The joint, or the region of the joint, between the hand and the arm. |
| xylophone - Using two wooden mallets, Karen played a simple tune on the xylophone. | A musical instrument with a row of wooden or metal bars of different lengths. You play this instrument by hitting the bars with small mallets. |
| yacht - The guests went for a sunset sail on the yacht. | A large, expensive boat; This type of boat may be used in boat races. |
| yawn - Isaac began to yawn because he didn't get enough sleep last night. | To open your mouth wide and breathe in deeply. You may do this when you are tired or if you are bored. |
| yearn - I yearn to travel to Australia someday. | To feel a strong desire or affection for something or someone - to want something. |
| yield - The car did not yield to the truck at the exit ramp and caused an accident. | Be flexible under stress of physical force. |
| yodel - The Swiss mountaineers are known for how they yodel. | A way of singing where the voice goes up and down rapidly. |
| yogurt - A wise alternative to ice cream is frozen yogurt. | A custard-like food made from curdled milk. |
| zany - My mom's best friend is zany when it comes to having fun. | Funny in a clownish or foolish way. |
| zealous - Rick was zealous about practicing soccer moves. | To be passionate about or extremely interested in pursuing something. |
| zilch - We found zilch in the kitchen cupboards and were forced to go to the supermarket. | A quantity of no importance. Nothing. |
| zinc - Brass is an mixture of zinc and copper. | A metallic element used in alloys, batteries, paint and medicine. |