B1 Nouns
B1 noun vocabulary in alphabetical order with definitions and example sentences.
access
The opportunity or right to use something or to see somebody/something.
Example
High-speed internet access has become a necessity.
accommodation
A place to live, work or stay in.
Example
rented/temporary accommodation
account
An arrangement that somebody has with a bank, etc. to keep money there, take some out, etc.
Example
I don't have a bank account.
achievement
A thing that somebody has done successfully, especially using their own effort and skill.
Example
the greatest scientific achievement of the decade
ad
A notice, picture or film telling people about a product, job or service.
Example
The TV ads were first run last year.
addition
A thing that is added to something else.
Example
All of these technologies are fairly recent additions.
agent
A person whose job is to act for, or manage the affairs of, other people in business, politics, etc.
Example
Our agent in New York deals with all US sales.
agreement
An arrangement, a promise or a contract made with somebody.
Example
an international peace agreement
aim
The purpose of doing something; what somebody is trying to achieve.
Example
the stated aims of the study
alarm
A loud noise or a signal that warns people of danger or of a problem.
Example
She decided to sound the alarm (= warn people that the situation was dangerous).
album
A book in which you keep photographs, stamps, etc.
Example
a photo album
alcohol
Drinks such as beer, wine, etc. that can make people drunk.
Example
He never drinks alcohol.
ambition
Something that you want to do or achieve very much.
Example
She had fulfilled her lifelong ambition.
analysis
The detailed study or examination of something in order to understand more about it; the result of the study.
Example
statistical/data analysis
announcement
A spoken or written statement that informs people about something.
Example
to make an announcement
application
A formal (often written) request for something, such as a job, permission to do something or a place at a college or university.
Example
a planning/patent/visa application
arrival
An act of coming or being brought to a place.
Example
We apologize for the late arrival of the train.
assignment
A task or piece of work that somebody is given to do, usually as part of their job or studies.
Example
Students are required to complete all homework assignments.
assist
In team sports, an action that directly helps a teammate to score a goal or point.
Example
She set up two assists in the second half of the game.
attraction
An interesting or lively place to go or thing to do.
Example
Buckingham Palace is a major tourist attraction.
authority
The power to give orders to people.
Example
in a position of authority
balance
A situation in which different things exist in equal, correct or good amounts.
Example
This newspaper maintains a good balance in its presentation of different opinions.
base
The lowest part of something, especially the part or surface on which it rests or stands.
Example
The lamp has a heavy base.
basis
The way things are organized or arranged; how often something happens.
Example
We are in contact on a regular basis.
battery
A device that is placed inside a car engine, clock, radio, etc. and that produces the electricity that makes it work.
Example
to replace the batteries
battle
A fight between armies, ships or planes, especially during a war; a violent fight between groups of people.
Example
Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.
beauty
The quality of giving pleasure to the senses or to the mind.
Example
the beauty of the sunset/of poetry/of his singing
bee
A black and yellow flying insect that can sting (= touch your skin and make you feel a sharp pain).Bees live in large groups and make honey (= a sweet sticky substance that is good to eat).
Example
Bees were buzzing in the clover.
belief
A strong feeling that something/somebody exists or is true; confidence that something/somebody is good or right.
Example
I admire his passionate belief in what he is doing.
bell
A hollow metal object, often like a cup in shape, that makes a ringing sound when hit by a small piece of metal inside it; the sound that it makes.
Example
A peal of church bells rang out in the distance.
bite
An act of biting.
Example
The dog gave me a playful bite.
block
A large piece of a solid material that is square or rectangular in shape and usually has flat sides.
Example
The houses are made of concrete blocks with tin roofs.
bomb
A weapon designed to explode at a particular time or when it is dropped or thrown.
Example
a bomb goes off/explodes
border
The line that divides two countries or areas; the land near this line.
Example
I live in a small town in the US, near the Canadian border.
branch
A part of a tree that grows out from the main stem and on which leaves, flowers and fruit grow.
Example
She climbed the tree and hid in the branches.
brand
A type of product, service, etc. made or offered by a particular company under a particular name.
Example
a well-known brand of toothpaste
breath
The air that you take into your lungs and send out again.
Example
His breath smelt of garlic.
breathing
The action of taking air into the lungs and sending it out again.
Example
Her breathing became steady and she fell asleep.
bride
A woman on her wedding day, or just before or just after it.
Example
a toast to the bride and groom
bubble
A ball of air or gas in a liquid, or a ball of air inside a solid substance such as glass.
Example
champagne bubbles
calm
A quiet and peaceful time or situation.
Example
The police appealed for calm.
campaign
A series of planned activities that are intended to achieve a particular social, commercial or political aim.
Example
an anti-smoking campaign
campus
The buildings of a university or college and the land around them.
Example
university/college campuses
candidate
A person who is trying to be elected or is applying for a job.
Example
a presidential candidate
cap
A type of soft flat hat with a peak (= a hard curved part sticking out in front). Caps are worn especially by men and boys, often as part of a uniform.
Example
to wear a cap.
captain
The person in charge of a ship or commercial aircraft.
Example
Captain Cook
category
A group of people or things with particular features in common.
Example
These are the nominees from each category.
ceiling
The top inside surface of a room.
Example
a large room with a high ceiling
celebration
A special event that people organize in order to celebrate something.
Example
The occasion was the 40th anniversary celebrations of the orchestra.
ceremony
A public or religious occasion that includes a series of formal or traditional actions.
Example
More than 1 000 people attended the ceremony.
chain
A series of connected metal rings, used for pulling or fastening things; a length of chain used for a particular purpose.
Example
She wore a heavy gold chain around her neck.
champion
A person, team, etc. that has won a competition, especially in a sport.
Example
the world/European/national/Olympic champion
channel
A television station.
Example
a television/TV channel
chapter
A separate section of a book, usually with a number or title.
Example
to read/write a chapter
charge
The amount of money that somebody asks for goods and services.
Example
admission charges
chemical
A substance obtained by or used in a chemical process.
Example
toxic chemicals
childhood
The period of somebody’s life when they are a child.
Example
childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
claim
A statement that something is true although it has not been proved and other people may not agree with or believe it.
Example
The company had made false claims about its products.
cloth
Material made by weaving or knitting cotton, wool, silk, etc.
Example
woollen/cotton/linen cloth
clue
An object, a piece of evidence or some information that helps the police solve a crime.
Example
The burglar left no clues.
coal
A hard black mineral that is found below the ground and burnt to produce heat.
Example
I put more coal on the fire.
coin
A small flat piece of metal used as money.
Example
gold coins
collection
A group of objects, often of the same sort, that have been collected.
Example
He wanted to share his vast art collection with the world.
combine
A large machine used on farms to harvest grain crops; or a group of businesses that work together.
Example
The combine moved slowly across the wheat field at harvest time.
commercial
An advertisement on television, on the radio or on a website.
Example
a TV/television commercial
communication
The activity or process of expressing ideas and feelings or of giving people information.
Example
communication between A and B, Good communication between team leaders and members is essential.
comparison
The process of comparing two or more people or things.
Example
For Durkheim, comparison was the most important method of analysis in sociology.
competitor
A person who takes part in a competition.
Example
Over 200 competitors entered the race.
complaint
A reason for not being satisfied; a statement that somebody makes saying that they are not satisfied.
Example
a formal complaint
concentrate
A substance made stronger by removing water or other liquid, often diluted before use.
Example
Add water to the orange juice concentrate before drinking.
conclusion
Something that you decide when you have thought about all the information connected with the situation.
Example
We can safely draw some conclusions from our discussion.
connection
Something that connects two facts, ideas, etc.
Example
connection between A and B, Scientists have established a connection between cholesterol levels and heart disease.
consequence
A result of something that has happened, especially an unpleasant result.
Example
Remember that actions have consequences.
consumer
A person who buys goods or uses services.
Example
consumer spending/demand
contact
The act of communicating with somebody, especially regularly.
Example
I don't have much contact with my uncle.
container
A box, bottle, etc. in which something can be stored or transported.
Example
a plastic container
content
The things that are contained in something.
Example
He tipped the contents of the bag onto the table.
contrast
A difference between two or more people or things that you can see clearly when they are compared or put close together; the fact of comparing two or more things in order to show the differences between them.
Example
The two cities make an interesting contrast.
cottage
A small house, especially in the country.
Example
a thatched cottage
cotton
A plant grown in warm countries for the soft white hairs around its seeds that are used to make cloth and thread.
Example
From the age of six she worked in the fields, picking cotton.
cough
An act or sound of coughing.
Example
She has a persistent cough.
court
The place where legal trials take place and where crimes, etc. are judged.
Example
the civil/criminal courts
cover
A thing that is put over or on another thing, usually to protect it or to decorate it.
Example
Brighten up your room with some colourful cushion covers.
curtain
A piece of cloth that is hung to cover a window.
Example
to draw/pull/close the curtains (= to pull them across the window so they cover it)
custom
An accepted way of behaving or of doing things in a society or a community.
Example
It's a local custom.
damage
Physical harm caused to something which makes it less attractive, useful or valuable.
Example
serious/severe damage
decade
A period of ten years, especially a continuous period, such as 1910–1919 or 2000–2009.
Example
the early decades of the nineteenth century
departure
An act of leaving a place.
Example
His sudden departure threw the office into chaos.
destination
A place to which somebody/something is going or being sent.
Example
popular tourist/holiday destinations like the Bahamas
development
The steady growth of something so that it becomes more advanced, stronger, etc.
Example
a baby’s development in the womb
diagram
A simple drawing using lines to explain where something is, how something works, etc.
Example
The results are shown in diagram 2.
diamond
A clear precious stone of pure carbon, the hardest substance known. Diamonds are used in jewellery and also in industry, especially for cutting glass.
Example
a diamond ring/necklace
difficulty
A problem; a thing or situation that causes problems.
Example
the difficulties of English syntax
dirt
Any substance that makes something dirty, for example dust, soil or mud.
Example
His clothes were covered in dirt.
disadvantage
Something that causes problems and tends to stop somebody/something from succeeding or making progress.
Example
a serious/severe/significant disadvantage
discount
An amount of money that is taken off the usual cost of something.
Example
to get/offer a discount
dislike
A feeling of not liking somebody/something.
Example
He did not try to hide his dislike of his boss.
documentary
A film or a radio or television programme giving facts about something.
Example
There were some interesting interviews in the documentary.
doubt
A feeling of being uncertain about something or not believing something.
Example
a feeling of doubt and uncertainty
drum
A musical instrument made of a hollow round frame with plastic or skin stretched tightly across one or both ends. You play it by hitting it with sticks or with your hands.
Example
to play the drum
dust
A fine powder that consists of very small pieces of sand, earth, etc.
Example
A cloud of dust rose as the truck drove off.
duty
Something that you feel you have to do because it is your moral or legal responsibility.
Example
It is my duty to report it to the police.
economy
The relationship between production, trade and the supply of money in a particular country or region.
Example
The economy is in recession.
edge
The outside limit of an object, a surface or an area; the part furthest from the centre.
Example
I gripped the edge of my desk to steady myself.
editor
A person who is in charge of a newspaper, magazine, etc., or part of one, and who decides what should be included.
Example
the editor of the Washington Post
effort
An attempt to do something especially when it is difficult to do.
Example
The project was a team effort.
election
The process of choosing a person or a group of people for a position, especially a political position, by voting.
Example
presidential/parliamentary/local elections
element
A necessary or typical part of something; one of several parts that something contains.
Example
There are three important elements to consider.
emergency
A sudden serious and dangerous event or situation that needs immediate action to deal with it.
Example
This is a medical emergency needing urgent treatment with antibiotics.
enemy
A person who hates somebody or who acts or speaks against somebody/something.
Example
She didn't have an enemy in the world.
engineering
The activity of applying scientific knowledge to the design, building and control of machines, roads, bridges, electrical equipment, etc.
Example
The bridge is a triumph of modern engineering.
entertainment
Films, music, etc. used to entertain people; an example of this.
Example
radio, television and other forms of entertainment
entrance
A door, gate, passage, etc. used for entering a room, building or place.
Example
the front/back/side entrance of the house
entry
An act of going into or getting into a place.
Example
She made her entry to the sound of thunderous applause.
episode
One part of a story that is broadcast on television or radio in several parts.
Example
The next episode has not yet been filmed.
escape
The act or a method of escaping from a place or an unpleasant or dangerous situation.
Example
I had a narrow escape (= I was lucky to have escaped).
exchange
An act of giving something to somebody or doing something for somebody and receiving something in return.
Example
The exchange of prisoners took place this morning.
excitement
The state of feeling or showing happiness and enthusiasm.
Example
The news caused great excitement among her friends.
exhibition
A collection of things, for example works of art, that are shown to the public.
Example
Have you seen the Picasso exhibition?
expedition
An organized journey with a particular purpose, especially to find out about a place that is not well known.
Example
to plan/lead/go on an expedition
explosion
The sudden violent bursting and loud noise of something such as a bomb exploding; the act of deliberately causing something to explode.
Example
a bomb/nuclear/gas explosion
export
The selling and transporting of goods to another country.
Example
a ban on the export of live cattle
extra
A thing that is added to something that is not usual, standard or necessary and that costs more.
Example
The monthly fee is fixed and there are no hidden extras (= unexpected costs).
favor
Approval, support, or liking for someone or something. / An act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.
Example
The proposal has found favor with the committee.
fence
A structure made of wood or wire supported with posts that is put between two areas of land as a boundary, or around a garden, field, etc. to keep animals in, or to keep people and animals out.
Example
The two women chatted over the garden fence.
fighting
The activity of being involved in a battle against an enemy.
Example
Fighting broke out in three districts of the city last night.
fitness
The state of being physically healthy and strong.
Example
a magazine on health and fitness
flag
A piece of cloth with a special coloured design on it that may be the symbol of a particular country or organization, may be used to give a signal or may have a particular meaning. A flag can be attached to a pole (= a long thin straight piece of wood or metal) or held in the hand.
Example
the Italian flag
flood
A large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry.
Example
The heavy rain has caused floods in many parts of the country.
flour
A fine white or brown powder made from grain, especially wheat, and used in cooking for making bread, cakes, etc.
Example
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
flow
The steady and continuous movement of something/somebody in one direction.
Example
the flow of an electric current
folk
People in general.
Example
ordinary working-class folk
force
Violent physical action used to obtain or achieve something.
Example
The release of the hostages could not be achieved without the use of force.
forever
Used to say that a particular situation or state will always exist.
Example
I'll love you forever!
frame
A strong border or structure of wood, metal, etc. that holds a picture, door, piece of glass, etc. in position.
Example
a picture/photo frame
friendship
A relationship between friends.
Example
They formed a close friendship at college.
fuel
Any material that produces heat or power, usually when it is burnt.
Example
diesel/jet/rocket fuel
function
A special activity or purpose of a person or thing.
Example
The club serves a useful function as a meeting place.
fur
The soft thick mass of hair that grows on the body of some animals.
Example
The cat carefully licked its fur.
garage
A building for keeping one or more cars or other vehicles in.
Example
a double garage (= one for two cars)
gentleman
A man who is polite and well educated, who has excellent manners and always behaves well.
Example
You acted like a true gentleman.
ghost
The spirit of a dead person that a living person believes they can see or hear.
Example
Do you believe in ghosts (= believe that they exist)?
giant
(in stories) a very large strong person who is often cruel and stupid.
Example
tales of giants and ogres
glove
A piece of clothing for the hand, made of wool, leather, etc. with separate parts for each finger and the thumb.
Example
a pair of gloves
goods
Things that are produced to be sold.
Example
to produce/buy/sell goods
graduate
A person who has a university degree.
Example
job prospects for graduates
grain
The small hard seeds of food plants such as wheat, rice, etc.; a single seed of such a plant.
Example
Russia sold 12 million tons of grain abroad last year.
growth
The process in people, animals or plants of growing physically, mentally or emotionally.
Example
Lack of water will stunt the plant's growth.
guard
A person, such as a soldier, a police officer or a prison officer, who protects a place or people, or prevents prisoners from escaping.
Example
prison/border guards
happiness
The state of feeling or showing pleasure.
Example
to find true happiness
heating
The process of supplying heat to a room or building; a system used to do this.
Example
to put/turn the heating on
helicopter
An aircraft without wings that has large blades (= long flat parts) on top that go round. It can fly straight up from the ground and can also stay in one position in the air.
Example
a police/rescue helicopter
highlight
The best, most interesting or most exciting part of something.
Example
One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the Taj Mahal.
horror
A feeling of great shock or fear.
Example
The thought of being left alone filled her with horror.
host
A person who invites guests to a meal, a party, etc. or who has people staying at their house.
Example
Ian, our host, introduced us to the other guests.
hurricane
A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Example
A powerful hurricane hit the Florida coast.
identity
Who or what somebody/something is.
Example
The police are trying to discover the identity of the killer.
immigrant
A person who has come to live permanently in a different country from the one they were born in.
Example
immigrants from other European countries
impact
The powerful effect that something has on somebody/something.
Example
a positive/a negative/an adverse impact
import
A product or service that is brought into one country from another.
Example
food imports from abroad
importance
The quality of being important.
Example
She stressed the importance of careful preparation.
impression
An idea, a feeling or an opinion that you get about somebody/something, or that somebody/something gives you.
Example
My first impression of him was favourable.
improvement
The act of making something better; the process of something becoming better.
Example
The economy has shown significant improvement over the past 9 months.
influence
The effect that somebody/something has on the way a person thinks or behaves or on the way that something works or develops.
Example
His early work shows the influence of Cézanne and Matisse.
ingredient
One of the things from which something is made, especially one of the foods that are used together to make a particular dish.
Example
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
intelligence
The ability to learn, understand and think in a logical way about things; the ability to do this well.
Example
a person of high/average/low intelligence
intention
What you intend or plan to do; your aim.
Example
I have no intention of going to the wedding.
iron
A chemical element. Iron is a hard strong metal that is used to make steel and is also found in small quantities in blood and food.
Example
iron gates/bars/railings
issue
An important topic that people are discussing or arguing about.
Example
a key/major issue
journal
A newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular subject or profession.
Example
a scientific/an academic journal
judge
A person in a court who has the authority to decide how criminals should be punished or to make legal decisions.
Example
a High Court judge
keyboard
The set of keys for operating a computer or typewriter, or the set of letters that you can touch to write on a smartphone or tablet.
Example
The program locks the keyboard until a password is given.
kick
A movement with the foot or the leg, usually to hit something with the foot.
Example
the first kick of the game
killing
An act of killing somebody deliberately.
Example
Their leader condemned the torture and killing of innocent civilians.
kiss
The act of kissing somebody/something.
Example
Come here and give me a kiss!
label
A piece of paper, etc. that is attached to something and that gives information about it.
Example
Always read the label carefully.
laboratory
A room or building used for scientific research, experiments, testing, etc.
Example
a clinical/research laboratory
lack
The state of not having something or not having enough of something.
Example
a lack of understanding/knowledge
lay
The general way that something is positioned or arranged, especially of land or a situation.
Example
We need to study the lay of the land before deciding where to build.
layer
A quantity or sheet of something that lies over a surface or between surfaces.
Example
A thin layer of dust covered everything.
leaf
A flat green part of a plant, growing from a stem or branch or from the root.
Example
lettuce/cabbage/oak leaves
leather
Material made by removing the hair or fur from animal skins and preserving the skins using special processes.
Example
a leather jacket
leisure
Time when you are not working or studying; free time.
Example
These days we have more money and more leisure to enjoy it.
length
The size or measurement of something from one end to the other.
Example
Measure the length of the line from A to B.
lie
A statement made by somebody knowing that it is not true.
Example
to tell a lie
limit
The greatest or smallest amount of something that is allowed.
Example
They imposed a strict spending limit.
lip
Either of the two soft edges at the opening to the mouth.
Example
The assistant pursed her lips.
liquid
A substance that flows freely and is not a solid or a gas, for example water or oil.
Example
She poured the dark brown liquid down the sink.
literature
Pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays and poems (in contrast to technical books and newspapers, magazines, etc.).
Example
English/American/French literature
living
Money to buy the things that you need in life.
Example
She earns her living as a freelance journalist.
location
A place where something happens or exists; the position of something.
Example
a honeymoon in a secret location
loss
The state of no longer having something or as much of something; the process that leads to this.
Example
I want to report the loss of a package.
luxury
The fact of enjoying special and expensive things, particularly food and drink, clothes and places.
Example
a life of unimaginable luxury
magic
The secret power of appearing to make impossible things happen by saying special words or doing special things.
Example
Do you believe in magic?
management
The activity of running and controlling a business or similar organization.
Example
a career in management
marketing
The activity of presenting, advertising and selling a company’s products or services in the best possible way.
Example
a marketing campaign/strategy
marriage
The legal relationship between two people who are married to each other.
Example
a happy/an unhappy marriage
measure
An official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim.
Example
safety/austerity measures
mess
A dirty or untidy state.
Example
in a mess, The room was in a mess.
mix
A combination of different people or things.
Example
It's a school with a good social and ethnic mix of children.
mixture
A combination of different things.
Example
She was a curious mixture, part grand lady, part wild child.
mood
The way you are feeling at a particular time.
Example
in a … mood, She's in a good mood today (= happy and friendly).
mud
Wet earth that is soft and sticky.
Example
The car wheels got stuck in the mud.
murder
The crime of killing somebody deliberately.
Example
He was found guilty of murder.
muscle
A piece of body tissue that you make tight and relax in order to move a particular part of the body; the tissue that forms the muscles of the body.
Example
a calf/neck/thigh muscle
mystery
Something that is difficult to understand or to explain.
Example
It is one of the great unsolved mysteries of this century.
nail
The thin hard layer covering the outer tip of the fingers or toes.
Example
Stop biting your nails!
nation
A country considered as a group of people with the same language, culture and history, who live in a particular area under one government.
Example
European/Arab/Asian nations
native
A person who was born in a particular country or area.
Example
a native of New York
needle
A small thin piece of steel that you use for sewing, with a point at one end and a hole for the thread at the other.
Example
a needle and thread
net
Material that is made of string, thread or wire twisted or tied together, with small spaces in between; a piece of this material used for a particular purpose.
Example
Unfortunately the animals are often caught in fishing nets.
operation
The process of cutting open a part of a person’s body in order to remove or repair a damaged part.
Example
Will I need to have an operation?
organizer
A person who makes the arrangements for something.
Example
the organizers of the festival
package
Something that is wrapped in paper or put into a thick envelope so that it can be sent by mail, carried easily, or given as a present.
Example
A large package has arrived for you.
pan
A flat metal container with a handle, used for cooking food on top of a stove.
Example
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
passion
A very strong feeling of love, hate, anger, enthusiasm, etc.
Example
I admire the passion and commitment shown by the players.
path
A way or track that is built or is made by the action of people walking.
Example
a dirt/gravel/concrete path
payment
The act of paying somebody/something or of being paid.
Example
What method of payment do you prefer?
percentage
The number, amount or rate of something, expressed as if it is part of a total that is 100; a part or share of a whole.
Example
What percentage of the population is/are overweight?
performance
The act of performing a play, concert or some other form of entertainment.
Example
The performance starts at seven.
photographer
A person who takes photographs, especially as a job.
Example
a wedding/wildlife/fashion photographer
photography
The art, process or job of taking photographs or filming something.
Example
Her hobbies include hiking and photography.
pin
A short thin piece of stiff wire with a sharp point at one end and a round head at the other, used especially for fastening together pieces of cloth when sewing.
Example
Use pins to keep the patch in place while you sew it on.
pipe
A tube through which liquids and gases can flow.
Example
Both hot and cold water pipes should be properly insulated.
pleasure
A state of feeling or being happy or satisfied.
Example
His eyes lit up with pleasure.
plot
The series of events that form the story of a novel, play, film, etc.
Example
It's hard to follow the plot of the film.
poem
A piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their sound and the images they suggest, not just for their obvious meanings. The words are arranged in separate lines, usually with a repeated rhythm, and often the lines rhyme at the end.
Example
His collected poems were published after the war.
poet
A person who writes poems.
Example
an internationally renowned poet
poetry
Poems in general; poems as a genre of literature.
Example
lyric/epic poetry
poison
A substance that causes death or harm if it gets into the body.
Example
Some mushrooms contain a deadly poison.
policy
A plan of action agreed or chosen by a political party, a business, etc.
Example
the present government’s policy on education
politician
A person whose job involves politics, especially as an elected member of parliament, etc.
Example
democratically elected politicians
politics
The activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society.
Example
world/international politics
port
A town or city with a harbour, especially one where ships load and unload goods.
Example
a container/fishing ports
portrait
A painting, drawing or photograph of a person, especially of the head and shoulders.
Example
a portrait of his wife
pot
A deep round container used for cooking things in.
Example
pots and pans
poverty
The state of being poor.
Example
conditions of extreme/abject poverty
powder
A dry mass of very small fine pieces or grains.
Example
milk/chilli/cocoa powder
prayer
Words that you say to God giving thanks or asking for help.
Example
to say your prayers
prediction
A statement that says what you think will happen; the act of making such a statement.
Example
The results of the experiment confirmed our predictions.
presentation
A meeting at which something, especially a new product or idea, or piece of work, is shown to a group of people.
Example
The sales manager will give a presentation on the new products.
press
Newspapers and magazines.
Example
the local/national/foreign press
pressure
The act of trying to persuade or to force somebody to do something.
Example
The pressure for change continued to mount.
previous
Happening or existing before the event or object that you are talking about.
Example
No previous experience is necessary for this job.
priest
A person who is qualified to perform religious duties and ceremonies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches.
Example
a parish priest
primary
Connected with the education of children between the ages of about five and eleven.
Example
primary teachers
prince
A male member of a royal family who is not king, especially the son or grandson of the king or queen.
Example
the royal princes
princess
A female member of a royal family who is not a queen, especially the daughter or granddaughter of the king or queen.
Example
the royal princesses
printing
The act of producing letters, pictures, patterns, etc. on something by pressing a surface covered with ink (= coloured liquid for printing, drawing, etc.) against it.
Example
the invention of printing
prisoner
A person who is kept in prison as a punishment, or while they are waiting for trial.
Example
The number of prisoners serving life sentences has fallen.
producer
A person, a company or a country that grows or makes food, goods or materials.
Example
French wine producers
production
The process of growing or making food, goods or materials, especially large quantities.
Example
food/oil production
profession
A type of job that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education.
Example
the medical/legal/teaching profession
profit
The money that you make in business or by selling things, especially after paying the costs involved.
Example
annual/pre-tax/corporate profits
property
A thing or things that are owned by somebody; a possession or possessions.
Example
personal/stolen property
protest
The expression of strong dislike of or opposition to something; a statement or an action that shows this.
Example
to hold/organize/join a protest
punishment
An act or a way of punishing somebody.
Example
to inflict/impose/mete out punishment
qualification
An exam that you have passed or a course of study that you have successfully completed.
Example
academic/educational/professional/vocational qualifications
quotation
A group of words or a short piece of writing taken from a book, play, speech, etc. and repeated because it is interesting or useful.
Example
a dictionary of quotations
quote
A group of words or a short piece of writing taken from a book, play, speech, etc. and repeated because it is interesting or useful.
Example
The essay was full of quotes.
racing
The sport of racing horses.
Example
He used to watch the racing on TV in the afternoons.
range
A variety of things of a particular type.
Example
The hotel offers a wide range of facilities.
reaction
What you do, say or think as a result of something that has happened.
Example
to provoke/cause/get a reaction
reality
The true situation and the problems that actually exist in life, in contrast to how you would like life to be.
Example
She refuses to face reality.
receipt
A piece of paper or an electronic document that shows that goods or services have been paid for.
Example
Can I have a receipt, please?
recommendation
An official suggestion about the best thing to do.
Example
to accept/reject a recommendation
relative
A person who is in the same family as somebody else.
Example
a close/distant relative
release
The act of setting a person or an animal free; the state of being set free.
Example
The government has been working to secure the release of the hostages.
religion
The belief in the existence of a god or gods, and the activities that are connected with the worship of them, or in the teachings of a spiritual leader.
Example
Is there always a conflict between science and religion?
reservation
An arrangement for a seat on a plane or train, a room in a hotel, etc. to be kept for you.
Example
I'll call the restaurant and make a reservation.
respect
A strong feeling of approval of somebody/something because of their good qualities or achievements.
Example
I have the utmost respect for her and her work.
responsibility
A duty to deal with or take care of somebody/something, so that you may be blamed if something goes wrong.
Example
to be in a position of responsibility
risk
The possibility of something bad happening at some time in the future; a situation that could be dangerous or have a bad result.
Example
The health risks are very low.
roll
A small loaf of bread for one person.
Example
Soup and a roll: £3.50
rope
Very strong thick string made by twisting thinner strings, wires, etc. together.
Example
The rope broke and she fell 50 metres onto the rocks.
row
A line of people or things arranged next to each other.
Example
We sat in the front row at the concert.
safety
The state of being safe and protected from danger or harm.
Example
in safety, a place where children can play in safety
sailor
A person who works on a ship as a member of the crew.
Example
a crew of two officers and 13 sailors
sample
A number of people or things taken from a larger group and used in tests to provide information about the group.
Example
The interviews were given to a random sample of students.
sand
A substance that consists of very small fine grains of rock. Sand is found on beaches, in deserts, etc.
Example
a grain of sand
scan
A medical examination using special equipment to produce an image of the inside of the body.
Example
The doctor ordered a brain scan after the accident.
script
A written text of a play, film, broadcast, talk, etc.
Example
That line isn't in the original script.
sculpture
A work of art that is a solid figure or object made by carving or shaping wood, stone, clay, metal, etc.
Example
a marble sculpture of Venus
secondary
Connected with teaching children of 11–18 years.
Example
secondary teachers
security
The activities involved in protecting a country, building or person against attack, danger, etc.
Example
national/homeland security (= the defence of a country)
seed
The small hard part produced by a plant, from which a new plant can grow.
Example
a packet of wild flower seeds
servant
A person who works in another person’s house, and cooks, cleans, etc. for them.
Example
a domestic servant
setting
An environment where something is located; the place at which something happens.
Example
a rural/an ideal/a beautiful/an idyllic setting
sex
The state of being male or female.
Example
How can you tell what sex a fish is?
shelf
A flat board, made of wood, metal, glass, etc., fixed to the wall or forming part of a cupboard, bookcase, etc., for things to be placed on.
Example
I helped him put up some shelves in his bedroom.
shell
The hard outer part of eggs, nuts, some seeds, and some animals.
Example
We collected shells on the beach.
shift
A period of time worked by a group of workers who start work as another group finishes.
Example
to work a shift
sight
The ability to see.
Example
to lose your sight (= to become blind)
signal
A movement or sound that you make to give somebody information, instructions, a warning, etc.
Example
a danger/warning/distress signal
similarity
The state of being similar to somebody/something but not exactly the same.
Example
similarity between A and B, The report highlights the similarity between the two groups.
sink
A large open basin in a kitchen or bathroom, with a tap, used for washing dishes, hands, or food.
Example
The dirty dishes were piled up in the sink.
slice
A thin flat piece of bread, meat, cheese, etc. that has been cut off a larger piece; a piece of cake that has been cut from a larger cake.
Example
Cut the meat into thin slices.
software
The programs used by a computer for doing particular jobs.
Example
management/editing software
soil
The top layer of the earth in which plants, trees, etc. grow.
Example
instruments for measuring soil moisture
solid
A substance or an object that is solid, not a liquid or a gas.
Example
liquids and solids
spending
The amount of money that is spent by a government, an organization or a person.
Example
to increase/cut/reduce spending
spirit
The part of a person that includes their mind, feelings and character rather than their body.
Example
You are underestimating the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties.
spot
A small round area that has a different colour or feels different from the surface it is on.
Example
Which has spots, the leopard or the tiger?
stadium
A large sports ground surrounded by rows of seats and usually other buildings.
Example
a football/sports stadium
staff
All the workers employed in an organization considered as a group.
Example
medical/nursing/teaching/coaching staff
standard
A level of quality, especially one that people think is acceptable.
Example
There has been a fall in living standards.
statistic
A collection of information shown in numbers.
Example
Analysis of crime statistics showed high levels of violent crime within the area.
stick
A thin piece of wood that has fallen or been broken from a tree.
Example
We collected dry sticks to start a fire.
strength
The quality of being physically strong.
Example
He pushed against the rock with all his strength.
string
Long, thin material used for tying things together, made of several threads that have been twisted together; a piece of string used to fasten or pull something or keep something in place.
Example
a piece/length/ball of string
studio
A room where radio or television programmes are recorded and broadcast from, or where music is recorded.
Example
a television/recording studio
stuff
Used to refer to a substance, material, group of objects, etc. when you do not know the name, when the name is not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about.
Example
What's all that sticky stuff on the carpet?
substance
A type of solid, liquid or gas that has particular qualities.
Example
a sticky substance
summary
A short statement that gives only the main points of something, not the details.
Example
a news summary
supply
An amount of something that is provided or available to be used.
Example
Advances in agriculture increased the food supply.
supporter
A person who supports a political party, an idea, etc.
Example
a strong/loyal/staunch/ardent supporter
surface
The outside or top layer of something.
Example
We need a flat, smooth surface to play the game on.
symptom
A change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy.
Example
Symptoms include a headache and sore throat.
talent
A natural ability to do something well.
Example
The festival showcases the talent of young musicians.
tape
A long, narrow piece of material with a sticky substance on one side that is used for sticking things together.
Example
adhesive/sticky tape
technique
A particular way of doing something, especially one in which you have to learn special skills.
Example
management techniques
tent
A shelter made of a large sheet of canvas, nylon, etc. that is supported by poles and ropes fixed to the ground, and is used especially for camping.
Example
to put up/take down a tent
throat
A passage in the neck through which food and air pass on their way into the body; the front part of the neck.
Example
a sore throat
tire
A rubber covering, typically inflated or surrounding an inflated inner tube, placed around a wheel to form a soft contact with the road.
Example
The car needs new tires.
toe
One of the five small parts that stick out from the foot; any similar part on the foot of an animal or bird.
Example
the big/little toe (= the largest/smallest toe)
total
The amount you get when you add several numbers or amounts together; the final number of people or things when they have all been counted.
Example
You got 47 points on the written examination and 18 on the oral, making a total of 65.
trade
The activity of buying and selling or of exchanging goods or services between people or countries.
Example
international/foreign/global/world trade
translation
The process of changing something that is written or spoken into another language.
Example
an error in translation
treat
Something special and enjoyable that gives pleasure or is given as a reward.
Example
A trip to the seaside is a real treat for the children.
treatment
Something that is done to cure an illness or injury, or to make somebody look and feel good.
Example
The drug is used in the treatment of depression.
trend
A general direction in which a situation is changing or developing.
Example
social/economic/political/demographic trends
trick
Something that you do to make somebody believe something that is not true, or to annoy somebody as a joke.
Example
They had to think of a trick to get past the guards.
truth
The true facts about something, rather than the things that have been invented or guessed.
Example
Do you think she's telling the truth?
tube
A long, hollow pipe made of metal, plastic, rubber, etc., through which liquids or gases move from one place to another.
Example
He had to be fed through a feeding tube for several months.
underwear
Clothes that you wear under other clothes and next to the skin.
Example
I never wear underwear.
unemployment
The fact of a number of people not having a job; the number of people without a job.
Example
an area of high/low unemployment
union
An organization of workers, usually in a particular industry, that exists to protect their interests, improve conditions of work, etc.
Example
I've joined the union.
value
How much something is worth in money or other goods for which it can be exchanged.
Example
to go up/rise/increase in value
version
A form of something that is slightly different from an earlier form or from other forms of the same thing.
Example
the latest version of the software package
victim
A person who has been attacked, injured or killed as the result of a crime, a disease, an accident, etc.
Example
shooting/murder victims
viewer
A person watching television or a video on the internet.
Example
The programme attracted millions of viewers.
volunteer
A person who does a job without being paid for it.
Example
Schools need volunteers to help children to read.
vote
A formal choice that you make in an election or at a meeting in order to choose somebody or decide something.
Example
to win/lose votes
warning
A statement, an event, etc. telling somebody that something bad or unpleasant may happen in the future so that they can try to avoid it.
Example
I had absolutely no warning.
waste
The act of using something in a careless or unnecessary way, causing it to be lost or destroyed.
Example
I hate unnecessary waste.
weapon
An object such as a knife, gun, bomb, etc. that is used for fighting or attacking somebody.
Example
Modern nuclear weapons are much more destructive than either biological or chemical weapons.
wing
One of the parts of the body of a bird, insect or bat that it uses for flying.
Example
The swan flapped its wings noisily.
wonder
A feeling of surprise and pleasure that you have when you see or experience something beautiful, unusual or unexpected.
Example
He retained a childlike sense of wonder.
wool
The soft hair that covers the body of sheep and some other animals.
Example
Sheep were kept for their wool and meat.
yard
A piece of land next to or around your house where you can grow flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc., usually with a lawn (= an area of grass).
Example
They have a gorgeous old oak tree in their front yard.
youth
The time of life when a person is young, especially the time before a child becomes an adult.
Example
He had been a talented musician in his youth.