English Vocabulary List

734 words from podcast episodes. Click any word to see examples, pronunciation, and related episodes.

Level:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

A

A.M.from midnight to noon

absolute beginnersomeone who has just started learning something, with no prior knowledge

accommodationa place to live or stay, especially on holiday or for study

acronymA word formed from the first letters of other words.

action plana list of steps to achieve a goal

active voiceA grammar structure where the person doing the action is the subject. (e.g., 'He hit the ball.')

adrenalinea hormone that makes your heart beat faster and gives you more energy when you are excited, afraid, or angry

adventurean exciting and sometimes dangerous experience or journey

adverba word that describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb

afraidfeeling fear

ahead of the curvebetter or more advanced than others in a particular area

ailmenta minor illness or problem, often not very serious.

alchemya magical process of transformation, creation, or combination

alibiproof that you were somewhere else when a crime happened

alienstrange or unfamiliar

analogya comparison between two things that are similar in some way, often used to explain something

analytical rigora careful and detailed way of thinking or examining something

anniversaryA date on which an event happened in a previous year, celebrated every year.

antagonista person or thing that opposes or competes with another

anticipateto expect something to happen

anymorenot now; no longer (or: from this point on)

apartmentA home that is part of a larger building.

apologizeto say sorry for something you have done.

appetizera small dish before the main meal

applyto use something (like a rule or method) in a particular situation

argumenta disagreement, often with angry words, between two or more people.

articulateto express ideas or feelings clearly

artificial intelligence (AI)computers that can think and learn like humans

ask outto invite someone to go on a date

assureto tell someone confidently that something is true or will happen

astringenthaving a bitter or sharp taste or smell

astutevery smart and quick to understand things well.

asynchronous communicationsending messages without needing an instant reply, like email or text

auditory learnersomeone who learns best by listening

B

back shifta grammar rule where verbs in reported speech move one tense back in time.

bakerya place where bread and cakes are made and sold

baking sheeta flat metal tray used in the oven

baldhaving little or no hair on the head

bandagea piece of material used to cover and protect an injury.

barbariana person who is rude, wild, or uncivilized (often used humorously)

bare minimumthe smallest amount that is possible or necessary

bargainsomething bought for less than its usual price or real value

basicsimple and fundamental; forming the main or essential part

batteryThe power source for electronic devices.

bedrockthe basic facts or principles that something is based on

betto risk money on the result of a game, race, or other uncertain event.

betrayto hurt someone who trusts you, or to fail to be loyal.

billA piece of paper showing how much you have to pay for food or services.

biological hazardsomething dangerous from a living thing, like a sick person or a virus.

blameto say that someone or something is responsible for something bad.

blame oneselfto believe that something bad that happened is your own fault

bleedwhen blood comes out of your body, usually from a cut or wound.

blind to somethingNot noticing or understanding something.

blonde(of hair) light yellow in color

boarding passa card that lets you get on the plane

boils down tothe main or most important point of something

bossyliking to tell other people what to do.

bragTo talk too proudly about what you have or what you can do.

braggingtalking about your achievements or possessions in a way that shows too much pride

breakto separate into pieces or stop working

break downto stop working or functioning correctly

break upto end a romantic relationship

breakfastThe first meal of the day.

breaks downstops working or functioning correctly

bridge worda word that connects a verb to the next part of the sentence (like a preposition)

brotherYour male sibling.

brute forceusing a lot of effort to do something difficult

budgeta plan for how you will spend and save your money.

building blocksthe basic parts of something

builtmade or constructed (past tense of build)

burglara person who breaks into a building (like a house or shop) to steal things

burnto injure someone or something with fire, heat, or a hot liquid.

burnoutA state of being very tired physically and mentally because you have been working too hard.

burntDamaged or spoiled by fire or too much heat.

buzzingmaking a continuous low sound, like an insect

C

calluseshard areas of skin, especially on the hands or feet, caused by repeated rubbing

carelessnessthe quality of not paying enough attention or not being careful

casea problem or mystery that police or detectives need to solve.

cashierThe person in a shop who takes your money.

casualrelaxed and informal

catch a coldto become sick from cold weather

catch-allincluding many different things; general

cautionary talea story told to warn people about a danger or a mistake.

celebrateTo take part in special enjoyable activities to show that you are happy about an important occasion.

celebrationA special event where people enjoy themselves because it is a special day or occasion.

challengea difficult task or problem that tests your ability

championA person who has won a competition or is the best at something.

change the gameto completely change a situation or the way things are done

chaosa state of complete disorder and confusion

chaoticIn a state of complete confusion and disorder.

chargerA device used to recharge batteries.

check into register at a hotel or airport

check outto stop paying attention

check-inThe process of arriving at a hotel or airport and registering your arrival.

chefa person who cooks food, especially in a restaurant

cherry blossomsthe pink or white flowers of a cherry tree, especially in spring

chewto break food into small pieces with your teeth before swallowing

chopto cut into small pieces with a knife

choppynot smooth or continuous; broken into short, separate parts

choresregular tasks that you do around the house

claysoft earth material used to make pots and sculptures

cleanWithout dirt or mess.

clean slatea new start, without any past problems or mistakes

cloudyWhen there are many clouds in the sky.

cluea piece of information that helps you find the answer to a mystery or problem.

clumsymoving in an awkward way and often dropping things or having accidents

coaxto persuade someone gently or patiently to do something

cognitiverelated to thinking and understanding

cognitive loadthe total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory

coldLow temperature

collapseto fall down suddenly

colleaguea person you work with

comfortablefeeling relaxed and pleasant; not having any pain or worry

commandan order or instruction

committo promise to do something or to give your time and energy to something

commitmenta promise or firm decision to do something

communicationsharing information with others

communicativegood at communicating or talking to people

commutethe journey you make to work or school every day

compareTo look at two or more things to see how they are similar or different.

compassa tool that shows directions (north, south, east, west)

compensationsomething, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury

competitionAn event where people try to be the best or win something.

complexdifficult to understand or deal with because it has many different parts

compositionthe way something is made up of different parts

confidentfeeling sure about yourself and your abilities

consistencydoing something regularly

containmentthe act of keeping something harmful under control or within limits

contrasta clear difference between two things

controversialcausing strong opinions or arguments

convenienteasy to use or access

convinceto make someone believe that something is true or to persuade them to do something

corners of the worldeverywhere; from many different places

corridora long passage in a building from which doors lead into rooms

costumeA set of clothes worn by someone to look like a different person or character, or for a special event.

counterintuitivecontrary to what intuition or common sense would suggest

cracklingmaking short, dry sounds, like fire

crashto hit something hard, often causing damage or a loud noise

creativeInvolving new ideas or imagination.

credit carda plastic card used to buy things now and pay later

crime scenethe place where a crime happened.

crowdA large group of people gathered together in one place.

crowdedHaving too many people or things.

crucialextremely important or necessary

crusha secret feeling of love or admiration for someone, often for a short time

crystal clearvery easy to understand

cultivateto develop a skill, quality, or feeling

culturally loadedhaving a lot of meaning related to culture

cultureThe way of life of a group of people, including their beliefs, food, and customs.

curatedcarefully chosen and prepared

curiositythe desire to know or learn something

curiouswanting to know or learn about something

curtainscloth that covers a window

cutto make an opening or wound in something with a sharp object.

CV / resumea document with your education, work experience, and skills

cyber securityprotecting computers and data from illegal access or damage

cynicalbelieving that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere

D

daily grindhard, repetitive, and tiring work that you do every day.

datea specific day in a month

daughterYour female child.

daya period of 24 hours, or the time between sunrise and sunset

daydreamTo think about pleasant things that are not real, especially when you should be doing something else.

deadlinethe latest time something must be finished

debtmoney that you owe to someone

deceptionthe act of misleading someone

deceptively simplelooking easy or straightforward, but actually more difficult or complex than it appears

decibela unit for measuring the loudness of sound

declineto politely say no to an invitation or offer

decodeTo understand the meaning of something difficult or unclear.

deconstructto analyze something by breaking it into its smaller parts to understand its meaning or structure

deconstructingbreaking something down into smaller parts to understand it

decorateTo make something look more attractive by adding things to it.

deep breathto take a lot of air into your lungs, often to relax or prepare

deep divea detailed and thorough study or investigation of a topic

deep divescareful and thorough studies or talks about a topic

deflectto change the direction of something, or to avoid something

deliberatedone slowly and carefully, not quickly or by chance

delicioustasting very good

dependent prepositiona preposition that always goes with a specific verb or adjective

depositmoney paid as a first payment or as security

derailto stop a process or plan from continuing or succeeding

derailedto go wrong; to stop working as planned

desserta sweet food after the main meal

destinythe things that will happen to someone in the future, especially things that cannot be changed.

detectivea person whose job is to investigate crimes and find criminals.

diagnosticschecking how something is working, often for problems.

dietthe food and drink a person usually has

digital detoxA period of time when you do not use electronic devices like phones or computers.

digital literacythe ability to use computers and the internet safely and effectively

dilemmaa situation in which you have to make a difficult choice between two things

directionan instruction about how to get from one place to another

disastera very bad event that causes a lot of damage or problems

disastrousvery bad, terrible, or unsuccessful

disconnectednot connected or related to something else.

disqualifyTo stop someone from being able to do something, often because they have broken a rule or are not suitable.

dissipateto disappear or make something disappear

dissolveTo mix completely with a liquid and become part of it; to disappear slowly.

distinctclearly different or easy to notice

distinctionA difference between two similar things.

distinguishTo recognize the difference between two things.

ditchto get rid of something you no longer want or need. (informal)

doctora person who treats sick people

documentan official paper or file that gives information, like a passport

doorstepthe step or area in front of a door

dougha thick mixture of flour and water for making bread or cookies

dreadedcausing great fear or worry

dream jobThe job you really want to have, often since childhood.

dropto let something fall by accident

dullnot interesting or exciting; boring

the deal withthe reason for a situation or problem

E

earnto get money by working

eat breakfastto eat the first meal of the day

educationthe process of teaching and learning, especially in a school or university

efficiencydoing something well without wasting time or energy

elegantsimple and clever

embodyto represent an idea or quality exactly

embraceto accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically

emphasizeto show that something is very important or to give special attention to it

emptyhaving nothing inside; also feeling like something is missing

energetichaving a lot of energy

energythe power to do things

equipmentThe things you need for a particular activity.

escapeto get away from a place where you are held or a dangerous situation

essentialcompletely necessary or important

etiquetteThe rules for polite behavior in society or in a particular group.

everyday existencenormal daily life

exchangeTo give something to someone and receive something similar from them.

excusea reason you give to explain why you did something wrong, often to avoid blame.

exerciseto do physical activity to stay fit

exhaustedvery, very tired

exhaustingmaking you feel very tired

expensesmoney spent on things you need

explicitlyin a clear and direct way, leaving no doubt

eyesthe parts of the body that you see with

F

fabricationsomething that is invented or made up, not true.

factoryA large building where many things are made using machines.

falls flatto not be successful or effective

familyParents, children, brothers, sisters.

famousknown by many people

fantasticextremely good or great

fascinatingextremely interesting and attractive

fast-pacedmoving or happening very quickly

favoriteliked more than all others

feelingan emotion or sensation

festivalA special day or period when people celebrate something, often with music, food, and dancing.

festivehappy and celebrating, like a party

fevera high body temperature

finaleThe last part of a show, series, or event.

firefightera person whose job is to put out fires

first conditionala grammar structure used to talk about possible future events and their results (If + present simple, will + base verb).

fitto be the correct size or shape for someone or something

fitting rooma room in a shop where you can try on clothes

flexibleable to bend or move easily without breaking

flighta trip on an airplane

fluencythe ability to speak or write a language easily, well, and quickly

fluentable to speak or write a language easily and well

focusto give all your attention to one thing.

foodWhat people and animals eat.

forecasta statement about what is likely to happen in the future, especially about the weather

formidablestrong and difficult to deal with; causing fear or respect

formulaa set of rules or steps to do something.

foundationthe basic principles or structure of something

foundationalforming the base or core of something

franticfeeling or showing a lot of worry and fear, often with a lot of hurried activity

free timeTime when you are not working or studying.

freezeto suddenly stop moving because of fear or surprise

freeze timeTo stop time completely.

friendlykind and pleasant to others

frugalcareful in using money or resources and not wanting to waste them

frustratedfeeling annoyed or upset because you can't do something.

frustratingmaking you feel annoyed or impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want

frustrationthe feeling of being annoyed or impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want

full blastWith maximum power or speed.

fundamentalforming a necessary base or core; of central importance

G

gardeningThe activity of growing plants and flowers.

gatethe place in the airport where you board the plane

genrea particular type or style of art, literature, music, etc.

get along withto have a good, friendly relationship with someone

get lostnot know where you are

get to knowto learn about someone or something

ghostingthe act of suddenly ending all communication with someone without explanation

give upto stop doing something, especially a bad habit or something difficult

glamorousAttractive and exciting, often related to wealth or fame.

glassestwo pieces of special glass in a frame, worn in front of the eyes to help you see better

glaze overto become unfocused or expressionless, often when bored or tired

go straight onto continue moving forward without turning

go to bedto go to a place where you sleep

go to workto travel to your place of employment

go-betweena person or thing that carries messages or connects two parts

go-toused to describe the best choice or the one you usually use

goalsomething you want to achieve in your life; a target.

gossipto talk about other people's private lives, often spreading rumors

GPSa system that shows your location on a map

grammarthe rules for how words are used in a language

grammar trapa common mistake that people often make in grammar

grand finalethe last and most important part of a show or series

grandparentsyour parents' parents

grapevinean informal way of spreading news or rumors from person to person.

gratitudeThe feeling of being thankful.

green fingersa natural talent for growing plants

grow upto develop from a child to an adult

grumpyin a bad mood, unfriendly

guesta person who is invited to a party, event, or someone's home

guinea piga person or animal used in an experiment or test, often without their full consent or knowledge of the risks.

gyma place where people go to do exercises

H

habitsomething you do regularly, often without thinking about it

had betterused to give strong advice or a warning, suggesting that there will be negative consequences if the advice is not followed.

hairthe fine threads that grow on the head

half past30 minutes after the hour

handmadeMade by a person using their hands, not by a machine.

happyFeeling pleasure or contentment.

hardest partthe most difficult aspect

harvest festivalA festival to celebrate the food that has been gathered.

HeadThe top part of your body, where your brain, eyes, and mouth are.

headachea pain in the head

headlinethe title of a newspaper article, printed in large letters at the top.

healththe state of being well and free from illness

heartbreaka feeling of great sadness, often because of problems in a romantic relationship

heavy hitteran important or powerful person or thing

hierarchya system where people or things are arranged in order of importance

highwaya large road for fast travel between cities

hikingwalking long distances in nature for fun

hit a mental wallsuddenly stop being able to think or work because you are too tired or stressed

hit the brakesto slow down or stop an activity; literally, to press the brake pedal in a vehicle

hobbiesactivities you do for fun in your free time

hobbyAn activity you enjoy doing in your free time.

holidayA special day when people do not work or go to school, often for a celebration.

hometownthe place where you lived as a child

homeworkschoolwork done at home

hospitala place where sick or injured people are treated

hostthe person who invites guests and organizes a party or event

hotHigh temperature

hotelA building where people pay to stay, usually for a short time, when they are away from home.

houseA building for one family to live in.

humilitythe quality of not thinking you are better than others; being modest

hungryfeeling you need to eat

hurdleA problem or difficulty that you must deal with before you can achieve something.

I

icebreakersomething you say or do to start a conversation with someone new, especially at a party

imaginativehaving or showing new and clever ideas; creative.

immersionthe state of being completely involved in something

imperativea verb form used for commands or instructions (e.g., "Go!")

imperativesthings that are extremely important or necessary

impulse buyingbuying something suddenly without planning to

in actionhappening or being used in a real situation

indoorHappening or existing inside a building.

infamous trioa group of three things or people that are well-known for being difficult or bad

informationfacts or knowledge about something

ingraineddeeply fixed in a person or thing and difficult to change

injuryharm or damage to the body

instantlyimmediately, without delay

instinctA natural feeling that makes you want to behave in a particular way.

instinctivelydoing something naturally, without thinking or planning

insubordinateNot obeying authority; refusing to follow orders.

intentionwhat you plan to do; a plan or purpose

intentionallyon purpose; not by accident

interruptionsomething that stops an action or activity for a short time

intrudersomeone who enters a place without permission

investingputting money, time, or effort into something to get a benefit later.

invitationa written or spoken request for someone to come to an event

inviteTo ask someone to come to an event or place.

inwardtowards the inside

ironcladvery strong and impossible to break or change

itinerarya plan of a journey, including the route and places you will visit

J

jacketA piece of clothing worn on the upper body, usually with sleeves.

jackpotthe largest prize in a game or lottery.

jarringvery different or unpleasant in a surprising or shocking way

jobthe work that someone does regularly to earn money

job huntthe activity of looking for a job

judgea public official who decides cases and makes decisions in a court of law

jurya group of people (usually 12) who listen to evidence in court and decide if someone is guilty or not guilty

justifyto give a good reason for something

K

key cardA plastic card used to open a door, especially in modern hotels, instead of a traditional key.

kiloA unit of weight, equal to 1000 grams.

kindfriendly and generous

kitchenThe room where you cook food.

L

landedarrived on the ground (past tense of land)

landmarkan easily recognized object or building that helps you know where you are

latearriving after the expected or planned time.

latelyrecently, in the near past

lazinessthe state of not wanting to work or be active

lazy bonesa person who is very lazy

learnera person who is learning something

learningthe process of gaining knowledge or skill

LegsThe long parts of your body that you use to stand and walk.

level upto improve your skills or move to a higher level

lexiconthe vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge

lifelong journeysomething that continues throughout your life

lightninga flash of bright light in the sky during a storm

liminal spacea place or state of transition, being between one stage and the next

loanmoney that is borrowed and must be paid back

lock into your brainto remember something very well and permanently

logicalseeming reasonable and sensible

logisticsthe careful organization of a complicated activity like a trip

lonelyfeeling sad because you are alone

loseTo not win a game, contest, or fight.

lostnot knowing where you are or how to get to where you want to go

lost and founda place where lost items are kept

lotterya game where you can win money by chance

lottery ticketa piece of paper you buy to try and win money in a game of chance.

loyal listenerspeople who have listened to the podcast for a long time

lucksuccess or failure that seems to happen by chance rather than by your own actions.

luggageThe bags and suitcases that you take with you when you travel.

luxurygreat comfort and expensive things.

M

magnifying glassa special tool with a lens that makes small things look bigger.

maintain a positive relationshipkeep a good connection or friendly feeling with someone

make it clickto suddenly understand something clearly

make upto become friends or lovers again after an argument or disagreement

malla large building with many stores

mannerspolite ways of behaving in social situations

mantraA word or phrase that is often repeated and expresses a particular belief.

manufactureTo make goods in large quantities, usually with machines.

mass-producedMade in very large numbers, often by machines, so all items are the same.

masterto learn a skill or subject so well that you have no difficulty with it

materializeto appear suddenly or unexpectedly

MedicineA substance you take to treat an illness.

meditateto think calmly and quietly

meetinga gathering of people to discuss something

meltto change from solid to liquid with heat

memorizeto learn something so you can remember it perfectly.

menua list of food and drinks at a restaurant

messa dirty or untidy situation or place

messyUntidy or dirty.

metaphorA way of describing something by referring to it as something else, without using 'like' or 'as'.

microphoneA device used to record or amplify sounds.

milestoneA very important stage or event in the development of something.

mind your own businessused to tell someone rudely that they should not ask about or interfere in something that does not concern them

mindfulnessthe practice of being aware of the present moment and your feelings without judgment

minefielda situation that contains many hidden dangers or problems

mirrora piece of special glass where you can see yourself.

mirror imagesomething that looks exactly like another thing

missionAn important job or task that someone is given to do.

misunderstandingA failure to understand something correctly.

mixturea combination of different ingredients

monthone of the 12 periods in a year

mortifyingCausing someone to feel very embarrassed or ashamed.

motivated learnerspeople who are eager and enthusiastic to learn

motivationthe reason or desire to do something; the energy that pushes you forward

MouthThe opening on your face that you use to talk and eat.

mundaneNot interesting or exciting; ordinary.

muteto turn off the sound

N

navigateto find your way or direct a vehicle

neighbora person who lives near you

neutralizeto make something ineffective or harmless.

no pain, no gaina saying meaning that you must work hard and experience some difficulty or discomfort to achieve good results.

normalizeto make something normal or stable

nosytoo interested in what other people are doing or saying, often in an annoying way

notebooka book with blank pages for writing notes

nuancea very small difference in meaning, feeling, or sound

nuancedhaving or showing subtle differences in meaning or expression

nuancessmall, subtle differences or shades of meaning

nuggeta small piece of valuable information or advice

nursea person who helps doctors and cares for sick people

O

o'clockused when the hour is exactly on the hour

objectifyto treat an abstract idea or feeling (like an illness) as if it were a physical thing or object.

obligationSomething you must do because it is your duty or because of a law.

obsessedthinking about something all the time, too much

on the surfaceHow something appears at first, before you look deeper.

on timenot late, at the right moment

one up (someone)to do something better than someone else

onlineusing the internet

oppositeon the other side of something, facing it

optimistichoping or believing that good things will happen in the future

ordeala very unpleasant or difficult experience

orderto ask for food or drinks

out of ordernot working correctly

outdoorHappening or existing outside.

outfita set of clothes worn together for a particular occasion or purpose

outwardtowards the outside

overcometo succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty

overwhelmedfeeling like you have too much to do or too many emotions to handle

overwhelmingtoo much to handle; very strong or powerful

ownershipthe state of having something as your property; who something belongs to.

P

P.M.from noon to midnight

package dealtwo or more things that are offered or sold together and must be accepted together

painfulcausing a lot of hurt or difficulty.

panA flat, shallow metal container with a handle, used for cooking food, especially for frying.

panica sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought and action

pantsa piece of clothing that covers the legs separately

paradeA public procession, usually with music and decorated vehicles, moving through a street.

parentsyour mother and father

passionatehaving very strong feelings about something

passive voiceA grammar structure where the action is more important than the person doing it. (e.g., 'The ball was hit.')

passportAn official document with your photo and personal details that you need to travel to other countries.

past continuousa verb tense used to describe actions that were happening over a period of time in the past

past participlethe third form of a verb (eaten, baked, cooked)

patiencethe ability to wait calmly without getting annoyed

patterna design of lines, shapes, or colors that is repeated

pedagogicalrelated to teaching methods

personal growththe process of improving yourself

peskyannoying or troublesome

pessimista person who always expects bad things to happen.

petAn animal that lives with you, like a dog or cat.

pharmacya place where you can buy medicine

phobiaa very strong, unreasonable fear of something

photographa picture taken with a camera

pickpocketa thief who steals from people's pockets or bags, usually without them noticing

platformthe place at a station where you get on a train

playgroundan outdoor area for children to play, often with swings and slides

plot twistan unexpected change in the story or situation

polishedImproved and made more skillful or elegant, especially for language or performance.

politeshowing good manners and respect for others; not rude

politenessthe quality of being kind and respectful to others

potA deep, round container used for cooking, especially for boiling water or making soup.

potterythe art of making objects from clay

practiceto do something regularly to improve your skill

preciseExact and accurate; very careful and correct.

precisionThe quality of being very exact and accurate.

predatoryhunting other animals for food; or trying to harm others for personal gain

preferto like one thing more than another

present continuousa verb tense used to describe actions happening now or around now

present perfect continuousa tense for actions that started in the past and still continue

pricehow much money something costs

pristineperfectly clean, new, or faultless

productivedoing a lot of work or achieving good results

prohibitedNot allowed; forbidden by a rule or law.

prohibitionA rule that stops something from being done or used.

project outwardto direct or send something (like a feeling or action) away from yourself to others or things

pronunciationthe way you say words

punctualArriving, happening, or being done at the exact time that has been arranged.

punctualityThe fact of arriving, doing, or happening at the expected or correct time.

Q

quarter past15 minutes after the hour

quarter to15 minutes before the next hour

questionableDoubtful; not certain or good.

quitea little, a bit, fairly

R

radicallyvery different from the usual way

rainbowan arc of colors in the sky, caused by sunlight shining through rain

rainingwater falling from the sky

rainyWhen it is raining.

rarelyNot often.

razora tool with a sharp blade used for shaving.

readingThe activity of looking at and understanding written words.

reasona fact or explanation that tells why something happened.

reassuringmaking you feel less worried or afraid; comforting

receipta piece of paper that shows that you have paid for something

receptionThe area in a hotel where guests check in and out, and where they can ask for information.

recipeinstructions for cooking a dish

recommendto suggest something good

recruiterspeople whose job is to find and hire new employees for companies

recycleto process used materials so they can be used again

redundantnot needed because something similar is already present or has been said

reflect backto send back an image, light, or sound; in grammar, to show an action returning to the subject

reflexan automatic reaction of the body to something

refunda sum of money that is returned to you, for example, because you are not satisfied with goods or services you have paid for

relatableeasy to understand and feel connected to because it is similar to your own experience

relaxTo rest and stop worrying.

relaxingmaking you feel calm and comfortable

rely onto need or depend on someone or something

remote workworking from home or another location outside the office

rentTo pay money to live in a place that you do not own.

reported speechtelling someone what another person said, but not using their exact words.

requiredSomething that you must do or have; it is mandatory.

reservationAn arrangement to have something, like a hotel room or a table, kept for you at a specific time.

resiliencethe ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness

resolutiona firm decision to do or not to do something, often at the start of a new year

responsibilitythe state of being in charge of something, or having to deal with something.

restauranta place where people pay to eat meals

retail therapyshopping to make yourself feel better

retentionthe ability to remember something

returnto give something back to a store

return ticketa ticket for going and coming back

ridiculousvery silly or unreasonable

robbera person who steals using violence or threats, often face-to-face

robota machine that can do tasks automatically

roleplaya game or exercise where you act out a part or character

routinethings you do regularly in the same order

rudeNot polite; showing a lack of respect for other people.

rugpull momenta sudden, unexpected failure or disappointment after a period of effort or hope

rule breakerspeople or things that do not follow the usual rules

run intoto experience something difficult or unexpected

rushing forwardmoving quickly ahead, often without stopping

S

sadFeeling unhappy.

salarythe money you get for your work, usually paid regularly (e.g., monthly or yearly).

sanctuarya place of safety or protection, or a quiet place

saveto keep money for later use

scanto look quickly over something, often to find specific information

scarymaking you feel afraid

scenarioa possible situation or series of events

schoola place where children go to learn

scrambleto move or act quickly and without planning, often in a hurry

seasonOne of the four parts of the year: spring, summer, autumn, winter

seatbelta belt that keeps you safe in your seat

second naturesomething that you do easily and naturally without thinking

seeping intoslowly moving or flowing into something

self-reflectionthe process of thinking about your own thoughts, feelings, and actions

sensoryrelated to your five senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste)

shatteredbroken into many small pieces

shaveto remove hair from the body, usually with a razor.

shininggiving out light

shippingthe process of sending goods to a place

shopto go to a store to buy things

shopping mallA large building with many shops.

shorthaving less than average height

shortcuta quicker way to get to a place

shuttlea vehicle that travels between two places regularly

siblinga brother or sister

siblingsyour brothers and sisters.

side effectsunwanted or unexpected effects of a medicine or medical treatment, in addition to the intended effects.

side hustleA small business you do in your free time to earn extra money.

sigha long, deep breath that shows sadness, tiredness, or relief

signpostsomething that gives a clear indication of what is going to happen or what should be done

silhouettethe outline of a person or object seen against a lighter background

singlenot married or in a romantic relationship

single ticketa ticket for one trip, one way

sink into be fully understood or realized over time

sizehow big or small something is (e.g., small, medium, large)

skepticalhaving doubts or not easily convinced

slipto slide accidentally and lose your balance

slip upa small mistake

smokeThe gray or black gas that is produced when something burns.

snowFrozen water that falls from the sky in winter

soak into enjoy and absorb something slowly

social mediawebsites and apps for sharing information and connecting with people

socializingSpending time with friends or other people.

solveto find the answer to a problem or mystery.

sometimesOccasionally; not always.

sore loserSomeone who gets angry or upset when they lose, and does not accept defeat gracefully.

sound naturalto speak in a way that seems normal and fluent to native speakers

source materialthe original text, information, or ideas used to create something else.

souvenirsomething you buy or keep to remember a place or an event

space stationa large structure in space where people can live and work

spatial awarenessunderstanding where things are in space around you

spellingthe way a word is written or formed with letters

spiketo increase quickly and strongly

spillto accidentally cause liquid to flow over the edge of a container.

spill the teato share secret or private information, often exciting news.

spoiled(for a child) getting too many gifts or too much attention, making them behave badly.

spottedhaving spots or small round marks

spousea husband or wife

springThe season after winter when plants start to grow

spy onto watch someone secretly, often to discover information about them

staring at a blinking cursorlooking at the computer screen, waiting to type, often because you don't know what to write

sterilevery plain and clean, without anything interesting or exciting.

stirto mix by moving a spoon in circles

StomachThe part of your body where food goes after you eat it.

stopto finish moving or doing something

stormvery bad weather with strong winds and rain, snow, or hail

straightin a direct line, without turning

strangera person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar

stretchingmoving your body to make muscles longer and more relaxed

strip awayto remove something, especially something that is not essential or wanted

stripedhaving lines of different colors or shades

stripped ofto have something completely removed

study habitsthe way you study

stumbling blocka problem or difficulty that stops you from achieving something

subjectan area of knowledge studied in school

subscribeto agree to receive something regularly, like emails or videos

subtleNot obvious or easy to notice.

subwayan underground train system in a city

suddenlyquickly and unexpectedly

suitto look good on someone; to be right or appropriate for someone

summerThe hottest season of the year

sunnyBright with sunshine.

supermarketA large shop that sells food and household goods.

survival responsea natural reaction of the body or mind to protect itself from danger

surviveto continue to live or exist, especially in a difficult situation

suspecta person who the police believe might have committed a crime.

sustainto keep something going or to give support

sweatera warm piece of clothing, usually made of wool, worn on the upper body

swimmingThe activity of moving through water by moving your arms and legs.

symptoma sign that shows you have an illness or problem

T

t-shirtA simple shirt with short sleeves.

tabooA social custom that says you must not do, say, or use something because it is offensive or shocking.

take a deep breathto breathe in a lot of air slowly, often to relax or prepare for something

take apartto separate something into pieces

take for grantedto not appreciate something because you are so used to it

takeawayThe main message or most important point to remember.

takenin a romantic relationship; not available for dating

tallhaving a greater than average height

target audiencethe specific group of people that something is made for.

taxia car with a driver you pay to take you somewhere

technicallyaccording to the exact facts or rules

technologymachines and tools that use science to do things

temporal landmarkan important moment or event that marks time

tentativenot certain or confident; hesitant

terminala large building at an airport where passengers arrive and leave

textbooka book used for studying a subject, especially in school.

thiefa person who steals things.

thrilledvery happy and excited

throw a wrench into your dayto cause a sudden problem or difficulty

thunderthe loud noise that you hear after a flash of lightning

timewhat the clock shows

tipextra money you give to the waiter

tiredfeeling you need to sleep or rest

to stand someone upto not meet someone you have arranged to meet, especially a romantic date

to-do lista list of tasks that need to be done

tongue twistera phrase or sentence that is difficult to say quickly and correctly

toolkita set of tools or skills that you can use to do something

traditionA custom or belief that has existed for a long time in a group of people.

traditionalFollowing old customs or beliefs.

transcendto go past what is normal or expected; to rise above

transportationways of moving from one place to another

trapa difficult situation that you can easily fall into

travelerA person who goes from one place to another, especially on a long journey.

treat someoneto pay for someone's meal, drink, or entertainment as a gift

trickydifficult to deal with or understand

triggerto cause something to start or happen

trip (somebody) upto make someone make a mistake or feel confused

truththe real facts about something, not a lie.

tune into listen to a radio or watch a TV program

tune intoto listen to or watch a broadcast on radio or television

typoa small mistake in typing or printing

U

ubiquitousfound everywhere; very common

unawarenot knowing or realizing something

undergarmenta piece of clothing worn under other clothes

unfortunatehaving bad luck or causing problems

unpackto explain something in detail, often by breaking it down into smaller parts

untamedwild; not controlled or domesticated

urgentneeding immediate attention or action

used todescribes something you did regularly in the past but not now

V

vacationtime away from work for rest and fun

verdictthe final decision made by a jury or judge in a court case

verificationthe process of checking if something is true or correct.

versatileable to be used in many different ways

vibethe atmosphere or feeling of a place or situation

virtual reality (VR)a computer-generated environment that you can interact with

visceralComing from strong emotions and not from careful thought.

visual learnersomeone who learns best by seeing

vocational trainingtraining for a specific job

volunteeringworking to help others without being paid

vulnerabilitythe state of being weak and easy to hurt or attack

vulnerableEasy to hurt or attack, either physically or emotionally.

W

waitera person who serves food in a restaurant

wake upto stop sleeping and become conscious

waspast tense of 'is' for one person or thing

waveto move your hand to say hello

weatherWhat it is like outside (sunny, rainy, cold, etc.)

weekendSaturday and Sunday

werepast tense of 'are' for more than one person or thing

winTo be successful in a game, contest, or fight.

windyWhen there is a lot of wind

witnessa person who saw a crime or an event happen.

workplacea place where you do your job

Y

yesterdaythe day before today

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