A1 Verbs
A1 verb vocabulary in alphabetical order with definitions and example sentences.
add
To put something together with something else so as to increase the size, number, amount, etc.
Example
Next add the flour.
agree
To have the same opinion as somebody; to say that you have the same opinion.
Example
When he said that, I had to agree.
arrive
To get to a place, especially at the end of a journey.
Example
I'll wait until they arrive.
be
Used when you are naming people or things, describing them or giving more information about them.
Example
Today is Monday.
become
To start to be something.
Example
It soon became apparent that no one was going to come.
believe
To feel certain that something is true or that somebody is telling you the truth.
Example
I don't believe you!
born
To come out of your mother’s body at the beginning of your life.
Example
I was born in 1976.
box
To fight an opponent as a sport while wearing thick padded gloves.
Example
He learned to box at a local gym when he was a teenager.
break
To be damaged and separated into two or more parts, as a result of force; to damage something in this way.
Example
All the windows broke with the force of the blast.
bring
To come to a place with somebody/something.
Example
Don't forget to bring your books with you.
build
To make something, especially a building, by putting parts together.
Example
They have permission to build 200 new homes.
call
To give somebody/something a particular name; to use a particular name or title when you are talking to somebody.
Example
They decided to call the baby Mark.
cannot
Used to say that you are not able to do something or that something is not possible.
Example
I cannot believe the price of the tickets!
carry
To support the weight of somebody/something and take them or it from place to place; to take somebody/something from one place to another.
Example
He was carrying a large bag.
change
To become different.
Example
Rick hasn't changed. He looks exactly the same as he did at school.
check
To examine something to see if it is correct, safe or acceptable.
Example
She gave me the minutes of the meeting to read and check.
choose
To decide which thing or person you want out of the ones that are available.
Example
You choose—I can't decide.
clean
To remove the dirt or dust from something.
Example
I spent all day cooking and cleaning.
climb
To go up something towards the top.
Example
The children climbed to the top of the hill.
close
To put something into a position so that it covers an opening; to get into this position.
Example
He closed the door firmly.
come
To move to or towards a person or place.
Example
He left and said he was never coming back.
complete
To finish making or doing something.
Example
to complete a course/project
cook
To prepare food by heating it, for example by boiling, baking or frying it.
Example
Where did you learn to cook?
correct
To make something right or accurate, for example by changing it or removing mistakes.
Example
The teacher corrected my spelling mistakes.
cost
If something costs a particular amount of money, you need to pay that amount in order to buy, make or do it.
Example
How much did it cost?
could
Used as the past tense of ‘can’.
Example
She said that she couldn't come.
create
To make something happen or exist.
Example
Scientists disagree about how the universe was created.
cut
To make an opening or a wound in something, especially with a sharp tool such as a knife or scissors.
Example
She cut her finger on a piece of glass.
dance
To move your body to the sound and rhythm of music.
Example
Do you want to dance?
decide
To think carefully about the different possibilities that are available and choose one of them.
Example
It's up to you to decide.
describe
To say what somebody/something is like.
Example
The next section describes our findings in detail.
design
To decide how something will look, work, etc., by drawing plans, making computer models, etc.
Example
He designed and built his own house.
die
To stop living.
Example
My father died suddenly at the age of 48.
discuss
To talk about something with somebody, especially in order to decide something.
Example
Have you discussed the problem with anyone?
do
Used to refer to actions that you do not mention by name or do not know about.
Example
What are you doing this evening?
draw
To make pictures, or a picture of something, with a pencil, pen or chalk (but not paint).
Example
You draw beautifully.
dress
To put clothes on yourself/somebody.
Example
I dressed quickly.
drink
To take liquid into your mouth and then down your throat into your stomach.
Example
I don't drink coffee.
drive
To operate a vehicle so that it goes in a particular direction.
Example
Can you drive?
eat
To put food in your mouth, bite it and swallow it.
Example
I was too nervous to eat.
To send a message to somebody by email.
Example
Patrick emailed me yesterday.
end
To finish; to reach a point and go no further; to make something finish.
Example
At last the war ended.
enjoy
To get pleasure from something.
Example
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in New York.
exercise
To do sports or other physical activities in order to stay healthy or become stronger; to make an animal do this.
Example
an hour’s class of exercising to music
explain
To tell somebody about something in a way that makes it easy to understand.
Example
He was trying to explain the difference between hip hop and rap.
fall
To drop down from a higher level to a lower level.
Example
The rain was falling steadily.
feel
To experience a particular feeling or emotion.
Example
The bus ride made me feel sick.
fill
To make something full of something; to become full of something.
Example
Please fill this glass for me.
find
To discover somebody/something unexpectedly or by chance.
Example
Look what I've found!
finish
To stop doing something or making something because it is complete.
Example
Haven't you finished your homework yet?
fly
To move through the air, using wings.
Example
Penguins can't fly.
follow
To come or go after or behind somebody/something.
Example
Follow me please.
forget
To not remember to do something that you ought to do, or to bring or buy something that you ought to bring or buy.
Example
‘Why weren't you at the meeting?’ ‘Sorry—I forgot.’
form
To produce something in a particular way or make it have a particular shape.
Example
Bend the wire so that it forms a ‘V’.
get
To receive something.
Example
I got a call from Dave this morning.
give
To hand something to somebody so that they can look at it, use it or keep it for a time.
Example
Give the letter to your mother when you've read it.
go
To move or travel from one place to another.
Example
She went into her room and shut the door behind her.
grow
To increase in size, number, strength or quality.
Example
The sector is growing at a phenomenal rate.
guess
To try and give an answer or make a judgement about something without being sure of all the facts.
Example
I don't really know. I'm just guessing.
happen
To take place, especially without being planned.
Example
You'll never guess what's happened!
hate
To dislike somebody/something very much.
Example
The two boys hated each other.
have
To own, hold or possess something.
Example
He had a new car and a boat.
hear
To be aware of sounds with your ears.
Example
I can't hear very well.
help
To make it easier or possible for somebody to do something by doing something for them or by giving them something that they need.
Example
What can I do to help?
hope
To want something to happen and think that it is possible.
Example
All we can do now is wait and hope.
imagine
To form a picture in your mind of what something might be like.
Example
The house was just as she had imagined it.
improve
To become better than before; to make something/somebody better than before.
Example
Overall the situation has improved dramatically.
include
If one thing includes another, it has the second thing as one of its parts.
Example
The tour included a visit to the Science Museum.
interview
To talk to somebody and ask them questions at a formal meeting to find out if they are suitable for a job, course of study, etc.
Example
The university interviews all potential candidates.
join
To fix or connect two or more things together.
Example
Join one section of pipe to the next.
keep
To continue to have something and not give it back or throw it away.
Example
He kept all her letters.
know
To have information in your mind as a result of experience or because you have learned or been told it.
Example
No one knows the answer.
laugh
To make the sounds and movements of your face that show you think something is funny or silly.
Example
to laugh out loud
learn
To gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etc.
Example
She wants to learn Spanish before her trip to Madrid.
leave
To go away from a person or a place.
Example
Come on, it's time we left (= time for us to leave).
let
Used for making suggestions or as a polite way of telling people what you want them to do.
Example
‘Shall we check it again?’ ‘Yes, let's.’
lie
To be or put yourself in a flat position so that you are not standing or sitting.
Example
He lay on the sofa and watched television.
like
To find somebody/something pleasant, attractive or of a good enough standard; to enjoy something.
Example
She's nice. I like her.
list
To write a list of things in a particular order.
Example
We were asked to list our ten favourite songs.
live
To have your home in a particular place.
Example
to live in a house/a flat/an apartment
look
To turn your eyes in a particular direction.
Example
Look closely and tell me what you see.
lose
To be unable to find something/somebody.
Example
I've lost my keys.
love
To have very strong feelings of liking and caring for somebody.
Example
I love you.
make
To create or prepare something by combining materials or putting parts together.
Example
She made a beautiful dress for her daughter.
meet
To be in the same place as somebody by chance and talk to them.
Example
Maybe we'll meet again some time.
miss
To be or arrive too late for something.
Example
If I don't leave now I'll miss my plane.
move
To change position or make somebody/something change position in a way that can be seen, heard or felt.
Example
Don't move—stay perfectly still.
must
Used to say that something is necessary or very important (sometimes involving a rule or a law).
Example
All visitors must report to reception.
name
To give a name to somebody/something.
Example
He was named after his father (= given his father's first name).
need
To require something/somebody because they are essential or very important, not just because you would like to have them.
Example
Do you need any help?
open
To move a door, window, lid, etc. into a position that is no longer closed; to get into this position.
Example
Mr Chen opened the car door for his wife.
order
To ask for something to eat or drink in a restaurant, bar, etc.
Example
I ordered a coffee and a sandwich.
paint
To cover a surface or object with paint.
Example
Paint the shed with weather-resistant paint.
park
To leave a vehicle that you are driving in a particular place for a period of time.
Example
He parked and went inside.
pay
To give somebody money for work, goods, services, etc.
Example
Who's paying?
phone
To make a phone call to somebody.
Example
I was just phoning up for a chat.
plan
To make detailed arrangements for something you want to do in the future.
Example
We are planning a holiday to Japan next summer.
play
To do things for pleasure, as children do; to enjoy yourself, rather than work.
Example
You'll have to play inside today.
post
To send a letter, etc. to somebody by post.
Example
The cost of posting a letter has gone up again.
practice
Doing an activity or training regularly so that you can improve your skill; the time you spend doing this.
Example
conversation practice
prefer
To like one thing or person better than another; to choose one thing rather than something else because you like it better.
Example
‘Coffee or tea?’ ‘I'd prefer tea, thanks.’
prepare
To make something or somebody ready to be used or to do something.
Example
The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.
put
To move something into a particular place or position.
Example
Put the cases down there, please.
rain
When it rains, water falls from the sky in drops.
Example
Is it raining?
read
To look at and understand the meaning of written or printed words or symbols.
Example
She's still learning to read.
relax
To rest while you are doing something that you enjoy, especially after work or effort.
Example
Just relax and enjoy the movie.
return
To come or go back from one place to another.
Example
I waited a long time for him to return.
ride
To sit on an animal, especially a horse, and control it as it moves.
Example
I learnt to ride as a child.
run
To move using your legs, going faster than when you walk.
Example
Can you run as fast as Mike?
say
To speak or tell somebody something, using words.
Example
‘Hello!’ she said.
see
To become aware of somebody/something by using your eyes.
Example
She looked for him but couldn't see him in the crowd.
sell
To give something to somebody in exchange for money.
Example
I recently sold my bike.
send
To make something go or be taken to a place, especially by post, email, radio, etc.
Example
She sent a letter of support.
share
To have, use or experience something at the same time as somebody else.
Example
There isn't an empty table. Would you mind sharing?
shop
To buy things in shops.
Example
I shop there from time to time.
should
Used to show what is right, appropriate, etc., especially when criticizing somebody’s actions.
Example
You shouldn't drink and drive.
show
To make something clear; to prove something.
Example
The figures clearly show that her claims are false.
sing
To make musical sounds with your voice in the form of a song or tune.
Example
I just can't sing in tune!
sleep
To rest with your eyes closed and your mind and body not active.
Example
Let her sleep—it'll do her good.
snow
When it snows, snow falls from the sky.
Example
It's been snowing heavily all day.
sound
To give a particular impression when heard or read about.
Example
to sound good/great/right/interesting
speak
To talk to somebody about something; to have a conversation with somebody.
Example
The President refused to speak to reporters.
spell
To say or write the letters of a word in the correct order.
Example
How do you spell your surname?
spend
To give money to pay for goods, services, etc.
Example
I've spent all my money already.
start
To begin doing or using something.
Example
I start work at nine.
stay
To continue to be in a particular place for a period of time without moving away.
Example
Stay there and don't move!
stop
To no longer move; to make somebody/something no longer move.
Example
The car stopped at the traffic lights.
study
To spend time learning about a subject by reading, going to college, etc.
Example
He sat up very late that night, studying.
swim
To move through water by moving your arms and legs, without touching the bottom.
Example
I can't swim.
talk
To say things; to speak in order to give information or to express feelings, ideas, etc.
Example
Stop talking and listen!
teach
To give lessons to students in a school, college, university, etc.; to help somebody learn something by giving information about it.
Example
She teaches at our local school.
telephone
To speak to somebody by phone.
Example
Please write or telephone for details.
tell
To give information to somebody by speaking or writing.
Example
He told the news to everybody he saw.
test
To find out how much somebody knows, or what they can do by asking them questions or giving them activities to perform.
Example
Students will be tested at the end of each module.
thank
To tell somebody that you are grateful for something.
Example
I must write and thank Mary for the present.
think
To have a particular idea or opinion about something/somebody; to believe something.
Example
Do you really think (that) he'll win?
travel
To go from one place to another, especially over a long distance.
Example
I go to bed early if I'm travelling the next day.
try
To make an attempt or effort to do or get something.
Example
I don't know if I can come but I'll try.
turn
To move or make something move around a central point.
Example
The wheels of the car began to turn.
understand
To know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what somebody says, etc.
Example
Can you understand French?
use
To do something with a machine, a method, an object, etc. for a particular purpose.
Example
Can I use the photocopier?
visit
To go to see a person or a place for a period of time.
Example
My parents are coming to visit me next week.
wait
To stay where you are or delay doing something until somebody/something comes or something happens.
Example
She rang the bell and waited.
wake
To stop sleeping; to make somebody stop sleeping.
Example
I always wake early in the summer.
walk
To move or go somewhere by putting one foot in front of the other on the ground, but without running.
Example
The baby is just learning to walk.
want
To have a desire or a wish for something/somebody.
Example
Do you want some more tea?
wash
To make something/somebody clean using water and usually soap.
Example
These jeans need washing.
watch
To look at somebody/something for a time, paying attention to what happens.
Example
I was in the living room, watching TV.
welcome
To say hello to somebody in a friendly way when they arrive somewhere.
Example
They were at the door to welcome us.
win
To be the most successful in a competition, race, battle, etc.
Example
Which team won?
work
To do something that involves physical or mental effort, especially as part of a job.
Example
I can't work if I'm cold.
would
Used in polite offers or invitations.
Example
Would you like a sandwich?
write
To make letters or numbers on a surface, especially using a pen or a pencil.
Example
In some countries children don't start learning to read and write until they are six.