General word meaning list

GENERAL VOCABULARY DICTIONARY WORDS

GENERAL VOCABULARY DICTIONARY WORDS | Learn English words below that would definitely enhance your vocabulary words not only but also learn them with their meaning.

journalist | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
writer for newspapers and magazines

judgement | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. decision; appraisal
decision; appraisal

juice | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. liquid
liquid; liquid part that can be extracted from plant or animal tissue

juicy | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a. Syn. succulent
full of juice; lucrative; richly interesting

jumble | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. mix
assemble without order or sense; confused multitude of things; chaos; mess; mixture

junction | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. connection; joint; intersection; crossing
connection; joint; intersection; crossing

jungle | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. jumble
land densely overgrown with tropical vegetation; dense, confused mass

junior | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a.
less advanced in age than another; younger; lower in standing or in rank

jury | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
committee appointed to judge a case

justice | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
quality of being just; practical conformity to human or divine law; equity; uprightness

justifiable | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a.
capable of being justified, or shown to be just

justification | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
good or just reason; condition or fact of being justified
jail | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. prison
building for confinement of persons held in lawful custody

jam | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
crush or bruise; get stuck; press tightly together

jar | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. pitcher; vase
pitcher; vase; small, cylindrical container for food, normally made of glass or clay

jealous | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a. Syn. zealous; solicitous; vigilant
resentful or bitter in rivalry; envious

jealousy | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. envy; covetousness
envy; jealous attitude or disposition

jelly | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
substance having the consistency of semi-solid foods

jeopardize | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. endanger; imperil
endanger; imperil; put at risk

jerk | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
pull, or move with a sudden movement; move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions

jettison | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
throw overboard; eject from boat, submarine, aircraft, or spaceship

jewel | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. gemstone; gem
gemstone; costly ornament of precious metal or gem

jewelry | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
adornment made of precious metals, as a bracelet or ring or necklace

jog | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. run
run or ride at a steady slow trot; give a push or shake to

journal | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. magazine; periodical
magazine; periodical; log; diary; a ledger in which transactions have been recorded as they occurred

journalism | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
profession of reporting or photographing or editing news stories for one of the media
justify | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. vindicate; defend
adjust the spaces between words; show to be reasonable; explain, clear away

juvenile | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. youth; young
youth; adolescent; not fully grown or developed

kangaroo | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
animal that having large powerful hind legs and a long thick tail

keen | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a. Syn. acute; incisive
acute; incisive; sharp ; express grief verbally

kernel | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. nut; core
central or vital part; most material and central part; grain or seed as of corn

kerosene | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters

keyboard | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer

kidnap | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
take by force or fear, and against one’s will; seize and detain unlawfully and usually for ransom

kidney | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
glandular organ which excretes urea and other waste products from the animal body

kindle | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. inspire
build or fuel a fire; cause to glow; light up; inspire

kingdom | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. realm; domain; empire
rank, quality, state, or attributes of a king; royal authority; sovereign power; rule; dominion; monarchy

kneel | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
bend the knee; fall or rest on the knees

knit | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
contract into wrinkles; grow together; form into fabric by intertwining

knob | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
hard protuberance; hard swelling or rising; bunch; lump

knot
n.
fastening together of one or more threads, cords, ropes; lump or loop formed in thread; ornamental tie

label
n.
paper affixed to anything by inscription; slip of ribbon, parchment; writing annexed by way of addition

laborer
n. Syn. worker; toiler
worker; someone who works with their hands

lace
n.
delicate decorative fabric woven in an open web of symmetrical patterns; rope; cord that is drawn through eyelets

lag
v. Syn. delay; drag
delay; drag; the act of slowing down or falling behind

lamb
n.
the young of the sheep; simple, unsophisticated person

lame
a.
moving with pain or difficulty because of injury; disabled so that movement is difficult or impossible

landing
n. Syn. touchdown
touchdown; act of coming down to the earth

landscape
n. Syn. scenery
scenery; expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

lane
n.
passageway between fences which is not traveled as a highroad; narrow country road

lap
v.
take in food or drink with one’s tongue; splash gently

lapse
n.
gliding, slipping, or gradual falling; unobserved or imperceptible progress; slip or error; failing in duty

largely
ad. Syn. mainly
in a large manner; for the most part; mainly

lark
v.
any of various small, singing passerine birds of the family Alaudidae; one who wakes early; one who is up with the larks

laser
n.
optical device that produces an intense monochromatic beam of coherent light

lasting
a. Syn. enduring; durable
continuing or remaining for a long time; enduring; durable

latent
a. Syn. dormant; hidden
present or potential but not evident or active; dormant; hidden

lateral
a. Syn. parallel; side
coming from side; situated at or extending to the side

latitude
n.
freedom from normal restraints; angular distance north or south of the earth’s equator

launch
v. Syn. begin; originate; initiate
begin; originate; initiate; send off; take off

laundry
n. Syn. washing
washing; workplace where clothes are washed and ironed

lawn
n. Syn. landscape; grassland; meadow
landscape; grassland, usually tended or mowed; meadow

lay
v. Syn. deposit
put into a certain place; cause to lie down; spread over a surface

layer
n. Syn. tier; stratum
tier; a relatively thin sheet like expanse or region lying over or under another

legendary
a. Syn. mythical; fabled
mythical; fabled; extremely well known; famous or renowned

legislation
n. Syn. lawmaking
lawmaking; the act of making or enacting laws ; law enacted by a legislative body

legitimate
a.
accordant with law; lawful; based on logical reasoning; reasonable

leisure
n. Syn. convenience; vacancy
convenience; vacancy; freedom to choose a pastime or enjoyable activity

lengthen
v. Syn. extend; elongate
extend; make or become longer

leopard
n.
large feline of African and Asian forests usually having a tawny coat with black spots

lever
n.
simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted on a fixed point and used to transmit force

levy
v. Syn. impose; collect
impose fine or tax; collect payment

liability
n.
something that holds one back; state of being legally obliged and responsible

liable
v. Syn. responsible; answerable
bound or obliged in law or equity
layout
n.
overall design of a page; plan or design of something that is laid out

leadership
n. Syn. guidance; direction; authority
guidance; direction; authority; position or office of a leader

leading
a. Syn. main; principal
chief; principal; having a position in the lead; foremost

leaflet
n.
small leaf; leaf like organ or part

league
n. Syn. association; union
association; union

leak
v. Syn. seep; ooze
escape fluid from container through a hole or crack; tell anonymously; reveal

lean
v.
bend or slant away from the vertical; rely for assistance or support

leap
n. Syn. jump; hop
jump; hop; place jumped over or from

lease
n. Syn. rent; charter
rent; charter; engage for service under a term of contract

lecture
n.
teaching by giving a discourse on some subject; speech that is open to the public

legal
a.
created by, permitted by law; according to the law of works

legend
n.
explanatory list of symbols on a map; unverified story handed down from earlier times
liberal
a. Syn. tolerant
open-minded; tolerant; broad-mindedness; having political views favoring reform and progress

liberate
v. Syn. free; discharge; release
set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control; discharge; release

liberty
n. Syn. freedom
state of free person; exemption from subjection to the will of another; freedom

license
n. Syn. permission
official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing

lick
v.
draw or pass the tongue over; pass or lap quickly and rapidly; beat thoroughly in a competition or fight

lift
v. Syn. hoist; elevate
direct or carry from a lower to a higher position; raise; transport by air

light
n.
brightness; something that admits illumination; source of fire; particular aspect of a situation

likelihood
n.
possibility, strong probability; state of being probable

likewise
ad. Syn. similarly
similarly; as well; too

limb
n. Syn. arm; leg
arm; leg; any of the main branches arising from the trunk or a bough of a tree

limestone
n.
rock consisting chiefly of calcium carbonate or carbonate of lime

limousine
n.
any of various large passenger vehicles, especially a luxurious automobile; van or small bus on regular route

limp
v.
walk lamely, especially with irregularity, as if favoring one leg; move or proceed haltingly or unsteadily

line
n.
thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface; border or boundary

linear
a.
having form of a line; straight; consisting of lines; lineal

linen
n.
fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant; thread made from fibers of the flax plant

liner
n.
vessel belonging to a regular line of packets, as ship or plane

linger
v. Syn. dawdle
be slow in leaving; continue or persist; stay

linguistics
n.
humanistic study of language and literature

link
v.
be or become joined or united; connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

liquid
n. Syn. fluid; juice
fluid; juice; substance in fluid state

liquor
n.
any liquid, as water, milk, blood, sap, juice; alcoholic or spirituous fluid

list
v. Syn. tilt
lean or cause to lean to the side; lean over; itemize

literacy
n.
reading and writing; ability to read and write

literal
a.
according to the letter or verbal expression; exactly as stated

literally
ad.
with meaning; word for word; letter by letter

literary
a.
knowledgeable about literature; of or relating to or characteristic of literature

literate
a. Syn. educated; schooled
educated; schooled; one who can read and write

literature
n.
imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value; art or occupation of a literary writer

lodge
n.
small house on the grounds of an estate or a park, used by a caretaker or gatekeeper

lodging
n. Syn. accommodation
accommodation; lodging

lofty
a.
high, tall, having great height; idealistic, implying over-optimism

log
n. Syn. wood
record of a voyage or flight; record of day to day activities

logic
n.
reasoned and reasonable judgment; a system of reasoning

logical
a. Syn. coherent; reasonable
reasonable; based on known statements or events or conditions

longevity
n.
long life; great duration of life; long duration or continuance, as in an occupation

longitude
n.
an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles

loom
v. Syn. appear; emerge
appear or take shape, usually in enlarged or distorted form

loop
v. Syn. circle; ring
circle; ring; move in loops; make a loop in; join with a loop

loose
a. Syn. unstable; weak
unbound; untied; not attached, fastened, fixed, or confined

loosen
v.
make loose or looser; make less severe or strict

lose
v.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have; be deprived of; fail to win

lottery
n.
scheme for distribution of prizes by chance; gaming in which tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes

lounge
n.
public room with seating where people can wait; living room; lobby

low
v. Syn. moo
utter sound made by cattle; make a low noise

loyal
a.
steadfast in allegiance or duty; faithful to a person, ideal, custom, cause, or duty

lubricate
v.
make smooth or slippery

lumber
v.
move heavily or clumsily; cut down timber of

luminous
a. Syn. shining
shining; emitting light, especially emitting self-generated light

lump
n.
a small mass of matter of irregular shape; irregular or shapeless mass; small cube of sugar

lunar
a.
pertaining to the moon; affecting the moon

luxurious
a. Syn. sumptuous; lavish
rich and superior in quality; lavish

luxury
n. Syn. opulence; extravagance
something that is an indulgence rather than necessity; excessively expensive
litter
v.
make untidy by discarding rubbish carelessly; scatter about

livelihood
n. Syn. subsistence; sustenance
subsistence; financial means whereby one lives

lively
a. Syn. busy; energetic; vigorous
busy; energetic; vigorous

liver
n.
large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in upper right chest

livestock
n.
any animals kept for use or profit

load
n. Syn. burden; duty
burden; something which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way

loaf
n.
any thick lump, mass, or cake, especially, a large regularly shaped or molded mass, as of bread

loan
n.
give temporarily; temporary provision of money

lobby
n. Syn. hall; room
a group of people who try to influence legislation; hall; room; a large entrance or reception room or area

lobster
n.
any large macrurous crustacean used as food

locality
n. Syn. place; district
place; district; surrounding or nearby region; particular neighborhood

locate
v. Syn. find; monitor; settle
find; monitor; settle; determine or specify the position or limits o

location
n. Syn. scene; site; spot
scene; site; place where something is or could be located

lock
n.
strand or cluster of hair; fastening together; a closing of one thing upon another; device operated by a key

locomotive
n.
of or relating to locomotion; a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine

locust
n.
any one of numerous species of long-winged, migratory insects, of the family Acrididae

magnitude
n. Syn. greatness; extent
extent; greatness of rank, size, or position

maintain
v. Syn. support; sustain
keep in any particular state or condition; keep up or carry on; continue

maintenance
n. Syn. preservation
preservation; support; continuance; court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another

maize
n.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears

majesty
n. Syn. nobility
nobility; greatness and dignity of a sovereign; royal personage

major
a.
greater in number, quantity, or extent; more important

majority
n.
greater number or part; a number more than half of the total

malady
n. Syn. illness
disease, disorder, or ailment; unwholesome condition

malaise
n. Syn. uneasiness
general sense of depression or unease; vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at beginning of illness

malice
n.
enmity of heart; malevolence; ill will; spirit delighting in harm or misfortune to another

malicious
a. Syn. spiteful
deliberately harmful; spiteful; proceeding from extreme hatred

manifest
a. Syn. evident; visible; obvious; apparent
clearly apparent to understanding; obvious

manifestation
n. Syn. revelation; indication
revelation; indication of the existence, reality, or presence of something

manifesto
n. Syn. declaration
public declaration of principles; statement of policy

manipulate
v. Syn. maneuver; control
operate with one’s hands; control or play upon people, forces artfully

mansion
n.
dwelling-house of the better class; a large or stately residence

manual
n. Syn. guide book
guide book; hand-operated

manufacture
v.
make products by hand or machinery; make from raw materials

manuscript
n.
written with or by the hand; not printed; literary or musical composition written with the hand

map
v.
depict as if on a map; plan or delineate, especially in detail; arrange

maple
n.
tree of the genus Acer, including about fifty species

marble
n.
hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish

march
n. Syn. parade; advance
walking with regular steps; a procession of people walking together; steady advance

margin
n. Syn. border; rim; room
border; rim; room

marginal
a.
of or pertaining to a margin; written or printed in the margin

marine
a. Syn. maritime; naval
sea-dwelling; maritime; naval

mariner
n.
one whose occupation is to assist in navigating ships; seaman or sailor

marked
a. Syn. noticeable
noticeable or pronounced; having one or more distinguishing marks

marsh
n. Syn. swamp; bog
swamp; bog; low lying wet land with grassy vegetation

marshal
v. Syn. arrange; enlist; organize
put in order; arrange or place something in line

martyr
n.
one who makes great sacrifices or suffers to further belief or principle; one who endures great suffering

marvel
n. Syn. wonder; miracle
wonder; strong surprise; astonishment

masculine
a.
of the male sex; not female; having the qualities of a man

mask
v.
try to conceal something; disguise; hide under a false appearance

massacre
n.
killing of a considerable number of human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty

massive
a. Syn. enormous; colossal; immense
enormous; colossal; consisting of great mass; containing a great quantity of matter

mast
n.
fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns; a pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, set upright in boat to sustain sail

masterpiece
n.
chief excellence or great talent; outstanding work of art or craft

match
n.
something that resembles or harmonizes with

mate
n. Syn. breed
a fellow member of a team

material
a.
of, relating to, or composed of matter; concerned with physical, not from intellectual or spiritual

materialism
n.
philosophical theory that matter is the only reality

mathematics
n.
science dealing with the logic of quantity and shape

mattress
n.
quilted bed; bed stuffed with hair, moss, or other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened

mature
v.
develop and reach maturity; grow old or older

maturity
n.
state or quality of being mature; ripeness; full development; arrival of the time fixed for payment

maximum
n.
the largest possible quantity

meadow
n.
tract of low or level land producing grass; any field on which grass is grown for hay

measure
v.
determine the size of something; mark, lay out, or establish dimensions; estimate by evaluation or comparison

mechanical
a. Syn. automatic; monotonous
automatic; monotonous; relating to or governed by or in accordance with mechanics

mechanics
n.
branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies

mechanism
n. Syn. device; machine
device; machine; the technical aspects of doing something

medal
n.
a piece of metal in form of coin, and intended to preserve remembrance of notable event or person, or to serve as a reward

medieval
a.
very old-fashioned; as if belonging to the Middle Ages

meditate
v.
dwell on anything in thought; think seriously; keep the mind fixed upon; purpose; plan in the mind

meditation
n. Syn. contemplation; consideration
lengthy intent consideration; long and thoughtful observation; contemplation of spiritual matters

medium
n.
state that is intermediate between extremes

meek
a. Syn. spiritless; gentle
quiet and obedient; showing patience and humility

melancholy
a. Syn. gloomy; sad
gloomy; feeling of thoughtful sadness; affected by depression

melody
n. Syn. tune
tune; pleasing succession or arrangement of sounds; poem suitable for setting to music or singing

melon
n.
juicy fruit of certain cucurbitaceous plants, as the muskmelon, watermelon; plant that produces the fruit juicy

melt
v.
changed from a solid to a liquid state especially by the application of heat

memo
n. Syn. note; memorandum
short note; memorandum; written proposal or reminder

memorial
n. Syn. monument
monument; short note or abstract, intended for registry, exhibiting the particulars of a deed

memorize
v. Syn. commemorate
commemorate; commit to memory; learn by heart

memory
n. Syn. recollection; memorial
faculty of mind by which it retains the knowledge of previous thoughts, impressions, or events

menace
n. Syn. danger
danger; a threat or the act of threatening; something that is a source of danger; threaten; intimidate

mend
v. Syn. repair; improve
make repairs or restoration to; fix; improve

mental
a.
involving mind or intellectual process; affected by disorder of mind

mentality
n.
mental action or power; intellectual activity; intellectuality

mention
v. Syn. refer; indicate
speak or notice of anything, usually in a brief or cursory manner

menu
n.
an agenda of things to do

mercantile
a. Syn. trading; commercial
trading; commercial; of or relating to trade or traders

merchandise
n. Syn. goods
objects for sale; goods

merchant
n.
one who traffics on a large scale, especially with foreign countries; trafficker; trader
mackintosh
n.
waterproof long coat made of rubberized cloth

magic
n.
any art that invokes supernatural powers

magician
n.
one who performs magic tricks to amuse an audience; sorcerer; wizard

magistrate
n.
civil officer with power to administer and enforce law

magnetic
a. Syn. captivating; attractive
having the properties of attracting iron or steel; captivating; attractive; being to draw or pull

magnetism
n.
attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets

magnificent
a. Syn. gorgeous; lavish
grand or noble in thought or deed; outstanding of its kind

magnify
v. Syn. intensify; increase; enlarge
intensify; increase; make greater in size; enlarge
mercy
n. Syn. clemency
compassionate treatment of unfortunate and helpless; willingness to spare or to help; disposition to be kind

mere
a.
being nothing more than what is specified; considered apart from anything else; small; slight

merge
v. Syn. combine; unite
combine; unite

merit
n. Syn. virtue; value; credit
virtue; admirable quality or attribute; credit

mermaid
n.
legendary sea creature having the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish

mesh
n. Syn. enclose
opening or space enclosed by the threads of a net between knot and knot; network or net

mess
n.
soft semi liquid food; a quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision of food for one meal

metallic
a.
of or pertaining to metal; of metal nature; resembling metal

method
n. Syn. manner; way; mode
orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything

methodology
n.
system of methods followed in a particular discipline

meticulous
a. Syn. scrupulous; cautious
excessively careful; marked by extreme care in treatment of details

metric
n.
standard of measurement; geometric function that describes the distances between pairs of points in a space

metropolitan
a. Syn. city
city center; one who lives in a city center

microscope
n.
magnifier of the image of small objects

millionaire
n.
one whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars

mince
v.
cut into very small pieces; chop fine; suppress or weaken the force of

mingle
v.
be all mixed up or jumbled together;

miniature
a. Syn. tiny
very small; model that represents something in a greatly reduced size

minimize
v. Syn. diminish
diminish; belittle; make small or insignificant

minimum
a.
the smallest possible quantity

minister
n. Syn. servant; subordinate
one who performs service for another; officer of justice; executive head of a government department

ministry
n.
act of serving; government department, at the administrative level normally headed by a minister

minor
a.
of lesser importance or stature or rank; not of legal age; limited in size or scope

minority
n.
a group of people who differ racially or politically from a larger group

minus
a.
less; requiring to be subtracted; negative

minute
a. Syn. tiny
extremely small; short note

miracle
n. Syn. marvel; wonder
wonderful thing; something that excites admiration or astonishment

miraculous
a. Syn. astonishing; amazing
astonishing; amazing

miscarriage
n.
failure of administration or management; failure to attain a desired result or reach a destination

mischief
n.
behavior that causes discomfiture or annoyance in another; tendency to play pranks or cause embarrassment

miserable
a. Syn. unhappy; wretched
very unhappy; full of misery; wretched

misery
n. Syn. calamity; misfortune
great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind

misfortune
n.
bad fortune or ill luck; bad luck

misgiving
n. Syn. doubt
feeling of doubt, distrust, or apprehension

mishap
n. Syn. accident; misfortune
unfortunate accident; bad luck

mislead
v. Syn. deceive; misguide
deceive; misguide

missile
n.
weapon that is thrown or projected; rocket carrying instruments or warhead

mission
n.
assignment that is given to a person or group; operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters; job; task

mist
n.
visible watery vapor suspended in atmosphere, at or near the surface of the earth; fog; haze before the eyes that blurs the vision

moan
n.
a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not; groan softly and continuously

mobile
a. Syn. movable
movable; not fixed; fluid; unstable

mobilize
v.
assemble, prepare, or put into operation for or as if for war; make mobile or capable of movement

mock
v. Syn. ridicule; mimic; disappoint
treat with ridicule or contempt; mimic; frustrate hopes of

mode
n. Syn. manner; method; style
prevailing style; manner; way of doing something; fashion or style

moderate
a. Syn. temperate; gentle; mild
temperate; gentle; mild; make less fast or intense ; preside over

modest
a. Syn. humble; moderate
humble; less ambitious; moderate

modification
n.
act of modifying, or state of being modified; modified form or condition; a change

modify
v. Syn. alter; change
alter; change

modulate
v.
tone down in intensity; regulate; change from one key to another

module
n.
standard or unit of measurement; self-contained component of a system; unit of education covering a single topic

moist
a. Syn. wet; damp
slightly wet; damp or humid

moisture
n.
wetness caused by water

molecular
a.
of molecules; relating to simple or basic structure or form

molecule
n.
the smallest particle of substance, having all the properties of that substance

momentary
a.
done in a moment; continuing only a moment; lasting a very short time

momentous
a. Syn. grave; serious
very important; of outstanding significance or consequence

monarch
n. Syn. king; ruler
king; sole and absolute ruler; sovereign, such as a king or empress

monastery
n.
house of religious retirement, or of seclusion from ordinary temporal concerns, especially for monks

monetary
a. Syn. fiscal; pecuniary; financial
of or relating to money; nation’s currency; financial

monitor
v. Syn. observe; watch; locate
observe; watch; keep an eye on

monopolize
v. Syn. dominate; occupy
dominate; occupy; have and control fully and exclusively

monopoly
n. Syn. domination
exclusive control or possession of something; domination

monotonous
a. Syn. boring; dull
boring; dull; tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

monotony
n.
uniformity or lack of variation; continual increase, or continual decrease; tedium as a result of repetition

monster
n.
beast; ugly creature; someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful

monstrous
a.
marvelous; strange; extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or wickedness

monument
n. Syn. statue; memorial
structure erected to commemorate persons or events; memorial

monumental
a. Syn. massive
massive; taking a great amount of time and effort to complete; in manner of a monument

moor
n.
dark-colored person generally; broad area of open land, often high but poorly drained

morale
n. Syn. confidence; spirit; mood
confidence; mood or spirit of a group that makes the members wants the group to succeed

morality
n.
set of social rules, customs, traditions, beliefs, or practices which specify proper, acceptable forms of conduct

moreover
ad.
beyond what has been said; further; besides; in addition; furthermore; also; likewise

mortal
n.
man, human being; liable or subject to death; accompanying death

motel
n.
motor hotel; lodging rooms adjacent to a parking lot

motion
n. Syn. movement; action
movement; act of changing location; ability or power to move

motionless
a. Syn. still; immobile; stationary
at rest, stationary, immobile, not moving

motivate
v. Syn. prompt; stimulate; impel
stimulate; impel; provide with an incentive; move to action

motivation
n. Syn. incentive; drive
incentive; psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal

motive
n. Syn. intention; purpose
emotion, desire, physiological need; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

motto
n.
short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; maxim

mould
n.
crumbling, soft, friable earth; soil

mount
v.
go up or advance; fix onto a backing; put up or launch

mourn
v.
express or to feel grief or sorrow; grieve; be sorrowful

mournful
a. Syn. sorrowful; sad; gloomy
feeling or expressing sorrow or grief; sad; gloomy

mourning
n.
expression of deep sorrow because someone has died

moustache
n.
hair growing on the human upper lip, especially when cultivated and groomed

mouth
n. Syn. entrance
opening through which an animal receives food; aperture between jaws or between lips

movement
n.
act of moving; change of place or posture; transference, by any means, from one situation to another

muffle
n.
bare end of nose between nostrils

muffler
n.
heavy scarf worn around the neck for warmth; anything used in muffling; part of the exhaust pipe of a car that dampens the noise

multiple
a.
having, or consisting of more than one part; many

multiply
v. Syn. proliferate; increase
proliferate; increase; combine by multiplication

multitude
n.
a great number; many

municipal
a. Syn. metropolitan; civic
metropolitan; civic; having local self-government

murmur
v.
make low, confused, and indistinct sound, like that of running water

muscular
a. Syn. brawny
having or suggesting great physical power; of or relating to or consisting of muscle

muse
v. Syn. ponder
be absorbed in one’s thoughts; consider or say thoughtfully

mushroom
v.
multiply, grow, or expand rapidly

mute
a.
refraining from producing speech or vocal sound; unable to speak; expressed without speech; unspoken

mutton
n.
sheep; flesh of a sheep; loose woman; prostitute

mutual
a. Syn. interactive; shared
common to or shared by two or more parties; shared

myriad
a. Syn. innumerable; many; countless; numberless
of very large or indefinite number; of ten thousand

mysterious
a.
beyond ordinary understanding

myth
n. Syn. legend; fable
legend; fable; a traditional story accepted as history

mythology
n.
study of myths; collection of myths
naked
a. Syn. nude; bare
bare and pure; completely unclothed
microwave
n.
a short electromagnetic wave; cook or heat in a microwave oven

mighty
a. Syn. powerful; great
having or showing great strength or force or intensity

migrant
a. Syn. wandering
habitually moving from place to place especially in search of seasonal work; wandering

migrate
v.
move from one country or region to another and settle there

migration
n.
movement of persons from one country or locality to another

milestone
n. Syn. landmark; significant development
landmark; significant development

military
a. Syn. soldiery; militia
pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; of whole body of soldiers

milk
n.
white fluid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals for the nourishment of their young

miller
n.
one who keeps or attends a flour mill or gristmill; milling machine
nickel
n.
coin worth one twentieth of a dollar

nightmare
n.
dream arousing feelings of intense fear, horror, and distress; event or experience that is intensely distressing

nitrogen
n.
colorless nonmetallic element, tasteless and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by volume

nobility
n.
quality or state of being noble; superiority of mind or of character; commanding excellence; eminence

noisy
a. Syn. vociferous; clamorous
full of loud and nonmusical sounds; clamorous

nominal
a.
in name only; insignificantly small

nominate
v. Syn. designate; appoint
designate; appoint

nomination
n.
act of naming or nominating; designation of a person as a candidate for office

nonsense
n. Syn. silliness; rubbish
silliness; words or signs having no intelligible meaning

norm
n. Syn. convention; standard; rule
convention; standard; rule

normally
ad. Syn. usually; commonly
usually; as a rule; regularly; according to a rule

notable
a. Syn. conspicuous; distinguished
worthy of note or notice; remarkable; important

notably
ad. Syn. especially; remarkably; particularly
especially; in a notable manner; remarkably; particularly

note
v.
observe carefully; notice; show; indicate

notify
v. Syn. declare; publish
make known; give notice to; inform by notice

notion
n. Syn. idea; conception
general or universal conception; belief or opinion

notorious
a. Syn. disreputable; infamous
disreputable; known widely and usually unfavorably; infamous

notwithstanding
ad.
nevertheless; in spite of; despite anything to the contrary

nought
n. Syn. naught
nonexistence; nothingness; zero

nourish
v. Syn. feed; nurture
provide with nourishment; provide with food or other substances necessary for life and growth

nourishment
n.
a source of materials to nourish the body

novel
a. Syn. original; innovative
previously unknown; strikingly new, unusual, or different; young

novelty
n. Syn. newness; innovation
quality of being novel; newness; something new and unusual

nowadays
ad. Syn. now; presently
during current time; presently

nowhere
ad.
not anywhere; not in any place or state

nuclear
a. Syn. atomic
of, relating to, or forming a nucleus of an atom; pertaining to, or using nuclear weapons

nucleus
n. Syn. hub; core
central or essential part around which other parts are gathered or grouped; core

nuisance
n.
something that annoys or gives trouble and vexation; something that is offensive or noxious

null
a. Syn. invalid; void; nullified
invalid; void; nullified; having no legal force; invalid

nullify
v.
make invalid; make null; invalidate; counteract force or effectiveness of

numerical
a.
belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters

numerous
a. Syn. many; various
many; various; amounting to a large indefinite number

nursery
n.
room for baby; area in a household set apart for the use of children

nylon
n.
any of a family of high-strength, resilient synthetic polymers
namely
ad.
by name; by particular mention; expressly; that is to say

nap
n.
a period of time spent sleeping

narrator
n.
someone who tells a story

nasty
a.
very dirty, foul; disgusting; nauseous

native
a.
being as origin; as found in nature in the elemental form

nausea
n.
feeling of sickness in stomach by an urge to vomit; strong aversion; disgust

naval
a. Syn. maritime
relating to, or adjacent to the sea; relating to marine shipping or navigation

navigable
a.
wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; able to be steered

navigation
n.
guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place

neat
a. Syn. tidy; clean
clean or orderly

necessitate
v.
make necessary or indispensable; render unavoidable

needle
n.
long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing such as sewing, or knitting

needy
a. Syn. poor; indigent
poor; indigent; being in need; impoverished

negate
v. Syn. nullify; deny
cancel out; make ineffective or invalid; deny

negation
n.
act of denying; assertion of the nonrealistic or untruthfulness of anything

negative
a. Syn. adverse; disparaging
adverse; involving disadvantage or harm; pessimistic

neglect
v. Syn. disregard; ignore
disregard; ignore; pay little or no attention to

negligence
n. Syn. neglect
neglect; failure to take reasonable care; state or quality of being negligent

negligent
a. Syn. careless; inattentive
careless; inattentive

negligible
a. Syn. insignificant; tiny
so small, trifling, or unimportant that it may be easily disregarded

negotiable
a.
capable of being negotiated; transferable by assignment or endorsement to another person

negotiation
n.
discussion intended to produce an agreement

nervous
a. Syn. agitated; anxious
agitated; anxious

network
n.
any system of lines or channels crossing like the fabric of a net; complex, interconnected group or system

neutral
a. Syn. impartial
impartial; not supporting one side over another

neutron
n.
elementary particle with 0 charge and mass about equal to a proton

nevertheless
ad.
not the less; notwithstanding; in spite of that; yet

occur
v. Syn. happen
take place; be found to exist ; come to one’s mind

occurrence
n. Syn. incidence; event; happening
an event that happens

odd
a. Syn. bizarre; strange; unusual
not easily explained; beyond from the usual or expected; not divisible by two

odour
a. Syn. odor
any smell, whether fragrant or offensive; scent; perfume

offence
n.
act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront; violation or infraction of moral or social code

offend
v.
strike against; attack; assail; make angry; affront

offensive
a. Syn. attacking; insulting; distasteful
causing anger, displeasure, resentment, or affront

offer
n. Syn. proposal
act of presenting; something, such as a suggestion, proposal, bid, or recommendation

offset
v.
counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for; balance

offspring
n. Syn. descendant
descendant

omen
n.
any indication or action regarded as a foreshowing; phenomenon supposed to portend good or evil

ominous
a. Syn. threatening
threatening; foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

omission
n.
act of omitting; neglect or failure to do something required by propriety or duty

omit
v. Syn. bypass; neglect
leave undone or leave out ; bypass; neglect; fail to include or mention

onset
n. Syn. start; assault
beginning or early stages; offensive against enemy

opaque
a. Syn. nontransparent; obscure
impenetrable by light; not transparent; not reflecting light; having no luster

opera
n.
a drama set to music and consists of singing

operative
a.
having power of acting; exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects

opinion
n.
notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression; favorable estimation

opponent
n. Syn. antagonist; adversary
contestant; someone who offers opposition ; adverse; hostile; opposing

opportune
a. Syn. timely
timely; just in time; suited or right for a particular purpose

opportunity
n. Syn. chance; probability
favorable or advantageous circumstance; chance for progress or advancement
oak
n.
any tree or shrub of the genus Quercus; durable wood of any of these trees or shrubs

oar
n.
long, thin, usually wooden pole with a blade at one end, used to row or steer a boat

oath
n. Syn. vow; pledge
solemn promise; commitment to tell the truth

obedient
a.
subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or command

object
v.
be averse to or express disapproval of

objection
n. Syn. opposition; denial
act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

objective
a. Syn. fair
not influenced by emotions; having actual existence or reality

obligation
n. Syn. duty; commitment
act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie; written promise to repay a debt

oblige
v. Syn. force; compel; coerce
force; bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; do a service or favor for

obliterate
v. Syn. delete; erase; abolish
destroy completely; do away with completely so as to leave no trace

oblong
a.
having greater length than breadth, especially when rectangular

obscure
v. Syn. darken; hide; block
darken; make dim or indistinct; conceal in obscurity

observance
n.
act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; an act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect

observe
v.
be on the watch respecting; pay attention to; notice with care; see; perceive

obstacle
n. Syn. obstruction; impediment; hindrance
one that opposes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress

obstinate
a. Syn. stubborn
stubbornly adhering to an attitude or opinion; hard to control or treat

obstruction
n.
act of obstructing; any structure that makes progress difficult

obtain
v. Syn. acquire; get; procure; derive
get hold of; gain possession of; acquire, in any way

obtainable
a. Syn. available
available; capable of being obtained

obvious
a. Syn. evident; apparent
exposed; easily discovered; plain

occasion
n. Syn. incident
significant event that occurs at a critical time; opportunity to do something; event or happening

occasional
a. Syn. random; incidental
random; occurring from time to time; infrequent

occasionally
ad. Syn. sometimes; infrequently; irregularly
now and then; from time to time; infrequently; irregularly

occupation
n. Syn. job; vocation; business
act of occupying or taking possession; control of a country by military forces of a foreign power

occupy
v. Syn. inhabit
inhabit; live in a certain place; be present in; be inside of
oppose
v.
place in front of, or over against; set opposite; exhibit; confront; resist; withstand

opposite
n.
two words that express opposing concepts; contrariwise; directly facing each other

opposition
n.
condition of being in conflict; act of opposing something

optical
a.
of or relating to or involving light or optics

optimal
a. Syn. optimum; ideal
most advantageous; optimum; ideal

optimism
n.
tendency to expect the best possible outcome; belief that the universe is improving and good will win over evil

optimistic
a. Syn. hopeful; positive
hopeful; positive; expecting the best in all possible ways

optimum
a. Syn. best
most favorable or advantageous

option
n. Syn. alternative; choice; selection
act of choosing; power or freedom to choose

optional
a.
not obligatory; left to choice; not compulsory or automatic

oral
a. Syn. spoken; unwritten
spoken; unwritten; relating to the mouth

orbit
n. Syn. path; circle
path; circle; move in an orbit; encircle

orchard
n. Syn. garden
garden; area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit or nut trees

orchestra
n. Syn. band
band

orderly
a.
conformed to order; in order; regular; well-regulated

ore
n. Syn. mineral
mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined

organ
n.
natural part or structure in animal or plant, capable of performing some special action

organic
a.
simple and healthful and close to nature

organism
n.
living being; system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body

orient
v. Syn. direct; guide; lead
focus toward; determine position with reference to another point; locate to face the east

oriental
a.
of or relating to the countries of the orient or their peoples or cultures; eastern

orientation
n. Syn. direction
act of finding oneself position; position or alignment relative to points of directions; course introducing new situation

origin
n.
the first existence or beginning of anything; birth; fountain

original
a. Syn. first; primary
not second hand; not copied or translated from something else

originality
n. Syn. novelty; creativity
novelty; creativity; capacity to act or think independently

originate
v. Syn. initiate; invent; begin
initiate; invent; bring into being; create

ornament
n. Syn. decoration; adornment
decoration; something used to beautify

ornamental
a. Syn. decorative; embellishing
decorative; any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value

ounce
n.
unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound

outbreak
n. Syn. beginning; eruption; explosion
beginning; eruption; explosion

outcome
n. Syn. result; effect
result; end or consequence; result of a random trial

outdoors
ad.
out of house; out of doors

outermost
a. Syn. utmost
far most; utmost; outmost; most distant from the center or inside

outlandish
a. Syn. strange; bizarre
unconventional; strikingly unfamiliar; located far from civilized areas

outlaw
n.
person excluded from the benefit of the law, or deprived of its protection; fugitive from the law; habitual criminal

outlet
n. Syn. channel
an opening that permits escape or release; activity that releases creative energy or emotion

outline
n.
line that appears to bound an object; shape of an object or figure; summary of a written work or speech

outlook
n. Syn. viewpoint; standpoint
prospect; view; belief about the future ; act of looking out

output
n. Syn. production; product
act or process of producing; production; amount produced during a certain time

outrage
n. Syn. atrocity; barbarity
act of extreme violence or viciousness; offense

outrageous
n. Syn. violent; atrocious
of the nature of an outrage; exceeding the limits of right, reason

outright
ad. Syn. altogether; entirely
altogether; entirely; without reservation or exception

outset
n.
beginning; start; origin; time at which something is supposed to begin

outstanding
a.
distinguished from others in excellence

oval
a. Syn. elliptic
elliptic; rounded like an egg

overall
a. Syn. general; comprehensive
general; comprehensive; from one end to the other; including everything

overcast
a.
covered or obscured, as with clouds or mist; gloomy; melancholy

overcharge
n. Syn. overprice
overprice; a price that is too high

overcome
v. Syn. defeat
defeat another in competition or conflict; conquer; prevail over
owe
v.
be in debt; be obliged to pay or repay

owl
n.
any species of raptorial birds of the family Strigidae

own
a.
belonging to oneself or itself; not foreign; domestic

ownership
n.
having and controlling property

oxide
n.
any compound of oxygen with another element; a binary chemical compound of oxygen

oxygen
n.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas

oyster
n.
marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell
overestimate
v.
make too high an estimate of

overflow
v.
flow over; cover with, or as with, water or other fluid; spread over; flow over the brim of

overhear
v.
hear more of anything than was intended to be heard; hear again

overlap
n.
representation of common ground between two things; extend over and cover a part of

overlapping
a.
covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another

overload
v.
place too much a load on

overlook
v. Syn. ignore; disregard
ignore; disregard; fail to notice ; watch over

overseas
ad.
beyond or across the sea; abroad

oversight
n. Syn. omission; inattention
unintentional omission or mistake; watchful care or management; supervision

overtake
v.
come up with in a course, pursuit, progress, or motion; catch up with; come upon from behind; capture; overcome

overthrow
v.
throw over; overturn; upset; turn upside down; cause to fall or to fail

overtime
n.
beyond the regular time

overwhelm
v.
defeat; cover completely or make imperceptible; overcome by superior force ; charge someone with too many tasks

overwhelming
a.
overpowering in effect or strength; very great or intense; extreme

English Vocabulary List Part 8

Our understanding of words plays a big role in how we use them. It could most likely help us choose which words are appropriate to use with them (singular, plural, pronoun usage, among others). Thus, it is a must to know the basic categories that words may fall under in order for us to know how to use them properly.

General and Specific Words

General Words are words that name a group or a category of a set of things, people, idea, and the likes. These terms are usually used when you want to discuss an idea as a whole. Examples of general words include: furniture, money, equipment, seasoning and shoes.

Specific Words are words that, through the use of modifiers, name a specific idea, thing, person and the likes. These kinds of words are used when you want to limit your discussion to a particular idea. Examples of these words would include rocking chair, dollar, gym equipment, pepper and high-heeled shoes. The degree on how you can be specific on certain terms usually varies. Like, for example, gym equipment. Although it is already specified on what kind of equipment it is, you can still be more specific and make use of a term that names a certain kind of gym equipment.

Concrete and Abstract Words

Concrete words are words that are tangible. Although it may seem easy to point out what things are tangible and what are not, some people would still find it difficult and confusing. You just have to limit concrete words to words that refer to nouns that can be perceived by the senses. Those that can touch, smell, see, hear, taste, and feel by your senses.

Abstract words on the other hand and in opposition to concrete words, are words that can’t be perceived by the senses. Words that you can’t touch, smell, hear, taste and feel by your sense.

Denotation and Connotation

Denotation is the literal meaning of a word. It is the definition that one could get from dictionaries. Thus, for example, when we say poor, its denotation could be “a state of having little or no money.”

Connotation is the association that a word has in reference to other ideas. Poor, with its connotative meaning, could be used to refer to people who do not do excel in their field. If you notice, connotations are also derived from the denotative meaning of words.

Figures of Speech

• Simile – making use of another word to describe something using “like” and “as”
• Metaphor – direct comparison between two ideas
• Personification – describing inanimate objects and animals using actions and descriptions used for people
• Irony  – a clash between appearance and reality, between seems and is, or between ought and is
  • verbal irony – saying something, contrary to what it means
  • dramatic irony – saying or doing something while unaware of its ironic contrast to the whole truth
  • situational irony – events turn to the opposite of what is expected and what should be
• Hyperbole – a way of overstating things
• Understatement – a way of understating things
• Paradox – when a sentence contains contradictory elements in it but after careful consideration would turn out to be logically true
• Pun – making use of two similar sounding words in sentences. Both sentences are still correct yet would have different meanings.

.

Various words can refer to people in general, but they are not always interchangeable

THE VARIETY OF POSSIBILITIES

English has numerous ways of referring to all people in the world. Consider, for example, what might be possible in the blank spaces in the following:

(a) … who lives by the sword dies by the sword.

(b) … can expect to live for around 80 years.

Wording for people in general that could fill the blank space in (a) includes he, one, someone (or somebody), anyone (or anybody), everyone (or everybody) and a person, but not a human (being) or humanity. In addition, who(so)ever could replace who and the blank space together.

With the verb in (a) made plural (live), the possibilities include they, those or people, but not humans, we or you.

In (b), the blank space could have one, people, we, you, everyone or humans, but not he, humanity, a person, those, someone or anyone.

In this post I wish to consider what differentiates the various expressions listed above. As so often with near-equivalent expressions, the differences seem to be determined as much by grammar as by meaning. Key grammatical factors are whether or not the word for people is made into a longer noun phrase by words placed after it, and whether or not it is in the main part of its sentence.

For advice on referring to general subgroups of people, see 6. Adjectives with Noun 1: People-Naming.

.

THE EFFECT OF WORDS ADDED AFTER

The differences between the possibilities in (a) and (b) above may result primarily from the fact that the people-referring expression in (a) is the start of a longer “noun phrase”, while that in (b) is not.

The added words that create the noun phrase in (a) are who lives by the sword. A noun phrase is recognisable because all the words together can replace a single noun in the sentence – the subject of the main verb dies. Added words beginning with who (or which or that) are a common way to expand a noun or pronoun into a noun phrase – but not the only one (see 252. Descriptive Wording after Nouns 1).

Sentence (b), by contrast, has no added words: a people expression like one comes directly before the verb (can expect) of which it is the subject.

The people expressions that are possible in sentences like (a) differ from each other in the following ways. He was common until recently, but is avoided by many English speakers today because they think it gives insufficient recognition to women. They has a poetic feel. One sounds very formal. A person is quite rare and may sound slightly unnatural to some. Anyone, everyone and who(so)ever are emphatic, highlighting a lack of exceptions. Someone can be ambiguous, because it can refer to an individual as well as to everyone. Perhaps the most preferred options today are the plurals people and those.

There are some hidden subtleties within these possibilities. One does not always mean “people”: in appropriate contexts it means “a single unidentified member of a particular group”. For example, if we say one believes… after an earlier mention of London citizens, it would probably mean “a single unidentified London citizen” (see 263. Uses of “One” and “Ones”). This kind of one has to be repeated with he, she or they, not one (see 204. Grammatical Agreement, #4).

Those can only mean “people in general” when it starts a longer noun phrase (see the end of 234. Adjective and Pronoun Uses of “that”). Even there, however, it does not always have that meaning: it can also mean “people of a particular group”, making it replaceable by the ones. The group must be obvious from either the situation where the statement is made, or the surrounding (usually previous) words:

(c) Immigrants can struggle to find work. Those who succeed often have an unusual skill.

Those here refers to the previously-mentioned immigrants rather than people in general.

People meaning “people in general” at the start of a noun phrase cannot have the. Although the is sometimes possible before a generic noun phrase (see 89. Using “the” with General Meaning, #7), before people in this position it changes the meaning from all people (generic) to some (specific).

The people words that are not possible in (a) are ruled out for the following reasons. You excludes the speaker from the general group, and is hence not a way of indicating everyone in the world. We includes the speaker, but in a small subgroup. Humans implies a contrast with non-humans, a meaning that is obviously not relevant. However, this meaning is relevant in some sentences like (a), and humans is then possible. Humanity is not commonly expanded into a noun phrase.

Of the expressions usable without added words, as illustrated in sentence (b), we and you are possible because they no longer exclude anyone. A common fixed expression with you is What can you do? (see 274. Questions with a Hidden Meaning, #18). However, we and you are often considered inappropriate in professional writing (see 46. How to Avoid “I”, “We” and “You”).

One in sentences like (b) is, like its use in (a), quite formal-sounding, and avoided by many for that reason. Everyone is again emphatic. Humans is possible in (b) because its suggested contrast with other living creatures fits there. However, in some sentences like (b), humans will again be unsuitable.

People again seems the most likely choice in sentences like (b). Once more, it does not usually follow the. This is because the people without added words means “people who are not the government” rather than “everyone” (see 235. Special Uses of “the”, #9).

Of the words that are not possible in sentences like (b), someone and a person are ruled out because they lose their general reference, being more indicative of a particular individual. A possible reason why humanity is unlikely in (b) is that it seems typically to make sentences about human actions rather than their characteristics. Since sentences like (b) must sometimes be of this kind, they will sometimes allow humanity.

.

THE DIFFERENCE MADE BY SENTENCE ROLE

In sentence (a) above, the general people word is the subject of the main verb dies (who being the subject of the secondary verb lives). However, the people word can easily be made the subject of the secondary verb by means of a conjunction, like this:

(d) If one lives by the sword, one dies by the sword.

One consequence of this change is that the people word (one) is no longer starting a longer noun phrase – it is more like the use of one in (b), and indeed can similarly also be you but not he or those. However, (d) is not completely like (b) because it also allows someone instead of one. If someone is used, any repetition of it has to be they, not one.

The possibility of using someone between a conjunction and a secondary verb is quite common. Here is another example, this time involving the conjunction before:

(e) Before someone runs a marathon, they should train extensively.

However, there are cases where someone is not an alternative to one in sentences like (d) and (e):

(f) However one looks at it, the future is bleak.

Someone here would be referring to a particular unidentified person rather than people in general. The cause of this change might be that the main part of the sentence (…is bleak) refers to a particular time, not all times. Alternatively, the cause may be the particular conjunction however, a negative word meaning “it does not matter how” (see the end of 199. Importance and Unimportance). Just as negative words usually require some to be changed to any, however in this sense may require someone to be changed to anyone. Certainly anyone is a possible way of referring to people in general in (f).

.

OTHER DIFFERENCES THAT DEPEND ON INHERENT MEANING

As mentioned above, the word humans in any structure suggests a contrast with non-humans. However, it is rarely compulsory where this kind of contrast is possible. In sentence (b) above it is easily replaced by one. Consider, however, the following:

(g) Humans can trace their ancestry to Africa.

Replacing humans here with one (and their with one’s) would sound strange. The reason is perhaps that the typical meaning of one, emphasising the speaker’s inclusion in the general group, is irrelevant to the kind of statement being made (the speaker is probably not the actual person who has done the mentioned tracing). A possible reason why one can go in (b) is that the statement there (about the human life span) more personally involves the speaker.

The word human is sometimes misused because it can be either a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it is countable and hence in generalizations needs either a(n) before it or -s after (see 110. Nouns without “the” or “a”). It is a near-synonym of various other nouns, including countable a human being and uncountable humanity and humankind (plus the increasingly unpopular man and mankind). As an adjective, human needs a partner noun, as in human beings, human history or human remains.

Because human can be either a noun or an adjective, both forms are correct in positions allowing either type of word, such as “complements” after BE: one can say either …is human (adjective) or …is a human (noun). Of course, …is a human being is also possible, the complement there being the noun a…being, with human describing it as an adjective. To use an uncountable form like humanity after is a, you have to insert a countable noun + of: usually …a member of… (see 180. Nouns that Count the Uncountable).

Whereas humans suggests a contrast with non-humans, the literary word mortals (see 166. Appropriacy in Professional English) suggests one with immortals like spirits and gods. Even more specialised is persons, the preferred general people word in legal contexts (see 195. Tricky Word Contrasts 7, #6).

Generic we (and its derivatives, e.g. us) is indicated above to resemble one in all sentence types, but to more strongly emphasise the speaker’s inclusion in the general group. Here is a further example:

(g) Most of us need 8 hours of sleep each night.

This use of we/us differs from the non-generic one not just in being more general but also in representing neither a previously-mentioned noun nor one that is obvious from the surroundings – there is no reference to context at all. There is a similar non-contextual use of they, even though they, in excluding the speaker, does not refer to absolutely all people:

(h) They say that global warming will cause suffering.

(i) They never sell diamonds cheaply.

Vocabulary, as a whole, is known as a collection of words that can be used in a similar context or not. English vocabulary is one of the most difficult aspects to tackle in English especially for second language speakers or learners. Based on where the language is to be used, there are different types of vocabulary that a person may need to know.

One of such types is the academic vocabulary. What is academic vocabulary, its types, uses, examples, and how it is taught? We would look into all that pertains to academic vocabulary as we go on.

What Is Academic Vocabulary?

Academic vocabulary is generally used to refer to words in an academic context. These words are used in academic dialogues and texts and do not usually occur in a day to day conversation. Academic vocabulary words are used in classrooms, tests, examinations, thesis papers and so on. The academic vocabulary definition covers a wide range of words used in a formal environment.

Academic words help build the students’ knowledge of a particular subject or domain. It gives the necessary skills to digest and reproduce the knowledge they have. Academic vocabulary words are used in spoken and written contexts. In teaching academic vocabulary, there are academic writing words and spoken words. Other than this broad classification, academic vocabulary consists of two major types.

Types Of Academic Vocabulary

Academic vocabulary can be divided into two types. They are:

Over time, teachers of languages especially the English language have complied lists of words used in academic context by levels of grade. Students can learn academic vocabulary by grade level. They can use a daily academic vocabulary online to learn more about these words.

Academic Vocabulary Lists

In a bid to help students learn the words in an academic context, various resources have been provided by teachers. Most of these resources are vocabulary lists that students can visit to update their knowledge of these words. Some of these resources provide the meaning and usage of the words in context while in others, you will have to find that out on your own.

Note that these lists are by no means complete, you will have to do personal deeper research to proclaim a sound knowledge of academic vocabulary.

One of the popular compilations is the Academic Word List (AWL). You can use this resource to build your academic vocabulary for the written context. The AWL Highlighter will also help you study the definitions, pronunciation, sentence examples of the words and the appropriate usage of the words in context.

The New Academic Word List (NAWL) is a similar, updated list which can also be used. For Academic English, you can use lists like the Academic Collocation List (ACL) and the Academic Formulas List (AFL). The ACL consists of collocations used in written contexts in English academic texts. AFL consists of formulaic sequences that can be used in English academic writings.

There are also special academic lists created for various courses of study. Users can use them to learn words related to their field. The Economics Academic Word List (EAWL) is one such list and it also has an EAWL Highlighter that can be used to understand the words.

Examples Of Academic Vocabulary By Grade Level

An academic vocabulary list by grade level can be used to teach students at different levels of technical and general words that they can use to excel in academic contexts whether in writing or speech. There are various examples of academic vocabulary on each level. This is very basic, but it might give you a better idea of what to expect if you are, for example, working on English dissertation writing. You can also use some of the examples below to gauge the level at which your students need to start expanding their knowledge of academic words. To be on the safe side, you can consult professional writers, who will answer all the questions you may have.

• Grade 1: odd, minus, equal, noun, city
• Grade 2: fiction, prey, behavior, pound, graph
• Grade 3: agriculture, economy, perimeter, glossary, multiple
• Grade 4: bay, preface, sediment, evidence, stationary
• Grade 5: compromise, religion, slavery, conjunction, onomatopoeia
• Grade 6: appositive, propaganda, membrane, mutualism, niche
• Grade 7: patterns, density, temperature, maneuver, immigration
• Grade 8: elaboration, techniques, dependency, examination, hygiene
• Grade 9: conservation, allegory, implicit, democracy, campaigning
• Grade 10-12: naturalization, jurisdiction, synthetic, aesthetic, ballad

Academic vocabulary is important to learning especially when learning any language as a second language. Second language users of English have adequate resources to make learning academic words in English easy. Based on your grade level, you can dive into the meaning and use of words in an academic context.

Need Help Writing Your Thesis?

You might still feel your knowledge of English academic vocabulary is not up to standards. That is totally fine! You might feel that your papers or thesis need to sound smarter and more academic. Well, there is always our custom thesis writing service that provides high quality expert help. Any teacher or professor will absolutely love our work, and most of all it is all very secure. We uphold security and privacy standards at the highest standard. Enjoy a stress free academic life while our writers work on your thesis.