From "cracked" (crazy) + "pot" (head). Often: "crackpot theory", "crackpot conspiracy".
an eccentric person with strange ideas
He's a complete crackpot.
to take pleasure in something
She enjoys reading before bed.
Polite, somewhat mild praise. Stronger: delightful, wonderful. Weaker: pleasant.
giving pleasure
It was an enjoyable evening.
From Old French "engagier" (to pledge). Many uses: hire, occupy, attract, interlock. "Engage with": modern usage for active interaction.
to occupy attention or interest
The story engaged me from the start.
"Engaged": promised in marriage. Also: "engaged tone" (UK) = US "busy signal" on phone.
promised in marriage; busy with
They got engaged in Paris.
"Engagement ring": given when proposing. "Engagement" (military) = battle. "Engagement metrics" (social media) = likes, shares.
a formal agreement to marry; a commitment
They announced their engagement.
charming and attractive
An engaging smile.
"Dump someone" = end a romantic relationship abruptly. "Dumpster fire": disastrous situation. "Brain dump": write down everything you know.
to drop or get rid of carelessly
They dumped the trash in the yard.
a place for unwanted material
They took the old furniture to the dump.
"B" silent. Originally meant "unable to speak" (now considered offensive for disability). Modern usage primarily "stupid". "Deaf and dumb": outdated phrase.
stupid (informal)
That was a dumb idea.
"Rolling countryside": gentle hills, often pastoral. UK strong tradition of countryside walks (Public Rights of Way).
the land outside cities and towns
They drove through the English countryside.
"Feasibility study": business analysis of viability. Stronger than "possible": implies practical achievability.
possible to do
Is it feasible to finish by Friday?
Almost always in "in a nutshell" = briefly. Origin: from notion that the entire Iliad could fit into a walnut shell (Pliny).
the hard shell of a nut
In a nutshell, the plan failed.
Same as glucose. Called dextrose because it rotates polarized light to the right. "Dextrose IV": common medical fluid.
a form of glucose, often used in food and medicine
The drink contains dextrose.
From Latin "dexter" (right hand): historically the favored side. Antonym: clumsy. Also spelled "dextrous". Note: "sinister" originally meant left-handed.
skillful with one's hands
The surgeon was extremely dexterous.
'Manual dexterity' = skill with the hands; 'mental dexterity' = quick thinking.
skill in using one's hands or mind
Playing the piano well requires great dexterity.
From Latin "trajectus" (thrown across). Physics: projectile path. Figurative: "career trajectory", "upward trajectory".
the path of a projectile or development
The missile's trajectory was calculated.
"Drown one's sorrows" = drink alcohol to forget problems. "Drown out" = cover up with louder sound.
to die from being underwater
He nearly drowned in the river.
American term for city center. UK often uses "city centre" or "town centre". "Downtown Manhattan", "Downtown Los Angeles": major US business districts.
in or to the central part of a city
They went downtown for dinner.
"Overdose" = excessive dose. "Dose of reality": figurative for sobering truth. "Lethal dose": fatal amount.
a measured amount of medicine
Take one dose every six hours.
Highly intelligent: second only to humans by some measures. "Dolphin-safe" tuna labeling. Famous: Flipper (TV series), bottlenose dolphins (most common).
an intelligent marine mammal
The dolphins followed the boat.
Past tense: dived or dove (US more often dove). "Dive bar": cheap, low-quality bar. "Take a dive": fake a fall in sports.
to plunge head-first into water
She dived into the pool.
Spelled "disc" in UK (and for CDs/DVDs even in US: "compact disc"). "Slipped disk": back injury. "Disk drive", "floppy disk": computer history.
a flat round object, or a storage device
The hard disk crashed.
More formal than "eat". "Wine and dine" = entertain lavishly. Related: "diner" (1. one who dines; 2. American casual restaurant).
to eat dinner
They dined at a fancy restaurant.
Noun stress on first syllable. Verb stress shifts: /dɪsˈkaʊnt/. "Don't discount that possibility": verb sense = dismiss.
a reduction in price
They offered a 20% discount.
to reduce in price; to dismiss as unimportant
Don't discount his opinion.
From Latin "decimus" (tenth). "A dime a dozen" = very common, low value. "Dime store": old US discount shop. "On a dime": within a small area.
a US coin worth ten cents
He gave her a dime.
"Dim sum": Cantonese small-plate dishes. "Dim view" = pessimistic opinion. "Dimwit": slang for stupid person.
not bright; not clearly seen
The room was dim.
to make less bright
He dimmed the lights.
"Dimmer switch": common collocation. Adjustable lighting standard in modern homes. Also: comparative of "dim".
a device for adjusting electric light brightness
He installed dimmers in the dining room.
"A Streetcar Named Desire": Tennessee Williams. "Heart's desire": what one most wants. More formal than "want".
a strong feeling of wanting something
He has a strong desire to succeed.
to strongly wish for
She desires nothing more than peace.
"Socially desirable": psychological term for what people will pretend to think to fit in. Antonym: undesirable.
worth having or wanting
It's a desirable neighborhood.
not wanted or desirable because harmful, objectionable, or unpleasant
Undesirable side effects.
"Beam of light": directed ray. "Off-beam" = mistaken (UK). "Beam me up, Scotty": Star Trek (apocryphal, never said exactly that on the show).
a long piece of wood or metal; a ray of light
The flashlight beam pierced the darkness.
to smile broadly with pleasure
She beamed when she heard the news.
Distinct from frog: drier, warty skin, broader body, lives more on land. "Toad in the hole": British dish (sausages in batter). "Mr. Toad": Wind in the Willows.
an amphibian similar to a frog but with drier skin
A toad sat by the pond.
Caused by HPV virus. "Warts and all": including the imperfections. Often associated with toads/witches in folklore (not actually caused by toads).
a small hard growth on the skin
He had warts on his hands.
"Political clout", "financial clout": common collocations. Modern internet usage: "clout chasing" = seeking online attention. Originally meant a heavy blow.
influence or power
She has a lot of political clout.
"Trance": also a type of electronic dance music (originated 1990s Germany). "Hypnotic trance". "In a trance": common phrase for distracted state.
a state between sleep and wakefulness
She seemed to be in a trance.
Archaic outside the phrase "bide one's time" = wait patiently for the right moment.
to wait (especially in "bide one's time")
He bided his time until the opportunity came.
British informal, mildly humorous. Often "a load of codswallop". Origin uncertain: possibly from Hiram Codd's bottled drinks (1872), but unverified.
(British) nonsense
That's a load of codswallop!
hair growing on the chin and lower cheeks of a man's face
He grew a beard over the winter.
"Bearded dragon": type of lizard popular as pet. Trend of bearded men ("lumbersexual") in 2010s. Note: pronounced /ˈbɪr-dəd/, two syllables.
having a beard
The bearded man waved hello.
British term. Harder and darker than American taffy. "Sticky toffee pudding": beloved British dessert.
(British) a hard chewy candy made from sugar and butter
She sucked on a toffee.
American: softer and chewier than toffee. "Salt water taffy": classic seaside US candy (originated in Atlantic City).
(American) a soft chewy candy made by pulling sugar
They pulled saltwater taffy at the seaside.
British informal. Similar in feel to "rubbish", "nonsense". Often a dismissive exclamation: "What a load of tosh!".
(British) nonsense
That's complete tosh!
"Foghorn voice": figurative for very loud booming voice. "Foghorn Leghorn": Looney Tunes cartoon rooster.
a loud horn used to warn ships in fog
The foghorn sounded across the harbor.
Mostly British system. Selected for leadership and academic excellence. Harry Potter's Percy was Head Boy.
the senior male student in a British school
He was elected head boy of the school.
the senior female student in a British school
She was the head girl that year.
Female counterpart to wizard. "Witch hunt": historical persecution, now figurative for unfair investigation. Wicca: modern neo-pagan religion.
a woman believed to have magical powers
The witch lived in a cottage in the woods.
"The Wizard of Oz": classic book/film. Harry Potter wizards. Tech: "setup wizard", guided installer.
a man with magical powers
The wizard cast a spell.
Often figurative: "technological wizardry", "financial wizardry", exceptional skill.
magical or remarkable skill
His financial wizardry made him rich.
"Shudder at the thought": figurative. Implies brief involuntary trembling, often from disgust or revulsion.
to tremble briefly from fear or revulsion
She shuddered at the cold.
Often associated with nervousness or surprise ("gulped audibly"). Faster/larger than "sip". "Big Gulp": 7-Eleven's iconic large soft drink.
to swallow quickly in large amounts
He gulped his water and ran out.
From Old French "gargouille" (throat): they originally functioned as water spouts. Notre Dame's gargoyles are famous. Often dragon, demon, or grotesque human shapes.
a stone carving of a grotesque creature on a building
Gargoyles stared from the cathedral roof.
Two distinct senses (different origins): move quickly, or sink a ship deliberately. "Scuttle a plan": figurative for sabotage.
to move with short hurried steps
The mouse scuttled across the floor.
to sink a ship deliberately
They scuttled the boat to prevent capture.
Phrasal verb. Always passive or about giving someone unwanted task.
to give an unwanted task or problem to someone
I was landed with all the paperwork.
"Spawn", also gaming term: respawn (return to game after dying). "Spawn of Satan": pejorative phrase. Frog spawn, fish spawn = eggs.
to produce eggs (of fish); to generate
The protests spawned a movement.
used to express mild annoyance
Drat! I forgot my keys again.
"Drat!": mild exclamation of annoyance. "Dratted" is the adjective form. Old-fashioned, somewhat childish.
used as a mild expression of annoyance
That dratted dog is barking again.
Romantic/atmospheric word. Common in literature and descriptive prose: "by firelight".
light from a fire
They sat by the firelight.
the powdery gray residue left after something has burned
He tapped the ash from his cigarette.
Almost always about faces ("ashen face"). Implies shock or fear so severe the blood drains from the face. From "ash" (gray-white residue).
very pale, like ash
He was ashen with fear.
having a pale shocked face
She emerged from the meeting ashen-faced.
Many uses: comparison (as big as), role (work as a teacher), time (as I left), reason (as it's raining). One of the most polyfunctional English words.
used to compare or to indicate role
He works as a teacher.
Larger than hedgehog. Quills can detach and embed in attackers: they don't actually "shoot" them. From Latin "porcus spinus" (spiny pig).
a rodent with long sharp spines
The porcupine raised its quills.
Famous: Sonic the Hedgehog (video game). Roll into a ball when threatened. Native to Europe, Africa, Asia. Common British garden visitor.
a small spiny mammal
A hedgehog crossed the road.
Used for writing from ~7th to 19th century. Replaced by metal pens, then fountain pens, then ballpoints. Also: "porcupine quills", defensive spines.
a feather used as a pen; a spine of a porcupine
He wrote with a quill.
"K" silent. "Knock-knock joke": joke form starting "Knock knock. Who's there?". "Knock it off!" = stop. "Knock out" = render unconscious; also "a knockout" = beautiful person.
to strike a surface to make a noise
He knocked on the door.
a sound made by hitting something
There was a knock at the door.
From Latin "impedire" (to entangle the feet, "pes"/"pedis"). Same root as "pedestrian". More formal than "block" or "hinder".
to delay or block the progress of
Bad weather impeded the rescue effort.
"Speech impediment": language disorder. Formal contexts ("no impediment to the marriage", wedding ceremony language).
a hindrance or obstruction
He has a slight speech impediment.
Many senses: time period, word, condition ("terms of service"). "In terms of": common formulation. "Long-term" / "short-term".
a word or expression with a specific meaning
"Sustainability" is a common term in business.
a fixed period of time
He served two terms as president.
"Self-service kiosk": automated checkout. "Self-service gas station" (US) vs full-service. Common in cafeterias, buffets.
where customers serve themselves
It's a self-service cafeteria.
Always pejorative. Opposite of altruistic. "Self-serving statement": one that benefits the speaker, often disguised as objective.
acting only for one's own benefit
It was a self-serving statement.
"How dare you!": common expression of outrage. "Truth or dare": popular party game. "I dare say": formal interjection.
to have the courage to do something
He didn't dare ask.
adventurous and bold; willing to take risks
It was a daring rescue.
boldness; willingness to take risks
The stunt took great daring.
a reckless person who enjoys doing dangerous things
A daredevil parachutist.
Homophone of "diary" (where you write daily): common confusion. "Dairy-free": avoiding milk products (vegan or lactose intolerant).
a place producing milk products
The local dairy delivered milk.
"The Crown": UK royal institution, also Netflix series. "Triple Crown": sports honor. "Crown", also: top of head, top of tooth.
a circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch
The king wore the crown.
to make someone a monarch; to top
She was crowned queen in 1953.
"Cash crop": grown for sale. "Crop top": shirt that exposes midriff. "Crop circle": mysterious field pattern.
a plant grown in large quantities
Wheat is a major crop.
to cut something short; to trim a photo
She cropped the photo to fit the frame.
British spelling. American: colorful. Figurative: "colourful character" = interesting eccentric person. "Colourful language": uses profanity.
having many colors; interesting
She wore a colourful dress.
American spelling of colourful.
having many colors; interesting
The parade was full of colorful floats.
"Ant colony", "bee colony". Political: "former British colony". "Penal colony": historical convict settlement (Australia, French Guiana).
a country controlled by another; a group of animals
Australia was once a British colony.
Origin disputed. "Cocktail party": informal gathering. "Cocktail hour": early evening. Figurative: "a cocktail of drugs", combination.
a mixed alcoholic drink
She ordered a martini cocktail.
In US, "rooster" is preferred for the bird (avoiding the vulgar slang for penis). "Cock-a-doodle-doo": rooster's call. "Cockpit": pilot's compartment.
an adult male chicken
The cock crowed at dawn.
Many senses: sports trainer, vehicle, train carriage, low-cost airfare. "Life coach": modern self-improvement profession. UK "coach" = long-distance bus.
a person who trains athletes; a long-distance bus
The coach gave the team a pep talk.
to train or instruct
He coaches the football team.
"Coulrophobia": fear of clowns. "It" (Stephen King) made clowns scary again. "Class clown": student who always jokes around.
a circus performer with comic makeup
The clown made the children laugh.
Note pronunciation: /kloʊð/ (voiced th), but the noun "clothes" is /kloʊz/ (often silent th). "Clothes" rarely pronounced /kloʊðz/ in casual speech.
to dress in clothes
They clothe and feed their children.
wearing clothes
He was fully clothed when he fell in the pool.
Material/fabric (different word from "clothes"). "Cut from the same cloth" = similar in nature. "Man of the cloth": clergyman.
woven or knitted fabric
The table was covered with red cloth.
Always plural: there is no singular "a clothe". Use "a piece of clothing" or "a garment".
items of dress worn on the body
He bought new clothes.
More general and slightly more formal than clothes.
items worn on the body
The charity collects warm clothing for winter.
Archaic past participle of "clothe". Often used in compounds: armor-clad, ivy-clad, leather-clad.
(literary) clothed or dressed in a particular way
The knight was clad in shining armor.
covered or coated with a particular material
The walls were clad in marble.
"Clay court": tennis surface used at French Open. Famous: Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay), Henry Clay (US politician).
a fine-grained earth used in pottery
She shaped the clay on the wheel.
Two main senses: politely formal ("be civil") and relating to citizens/society ("civil rights"). "Civil law" vs criminal law. "Civil war".
relating to citizens; polite
They had a civil conversation.
Coined by Henry David Thoreau (essay, 1849). Practiced by Gandhi and MLK. Refers to nonviolent breaking of unjust laws to provoke change.
nonviolent refusal to obey unjust laws
Gandhi's civil disobedience inspired millions.
the permanent professional branches of a government's administration, excluding military and judicial branches and elected politicians
He works in the Civil Service.
a person not serving in the military or police
The bombing killed several civilians.
Famous: Cirque du Soleil (modern). Traditional circuses with animals controversial. "Circus", also figurative: "this place is a circus!" = chaotic.
a traveling show with performers
The circus came to town.
UK "cinema" = US "movie theater". "Cinema" (as concept) = the art of film. "Cinematography": the craft of filming.
a place where films are shown
They went to the cinema on Friday.
"Cinematic universe" (e.g., MCU = Marvel Cinematic Universe) = a shared fictional world spanning multiple films.
relating to motion pictures
The film has stunning cinematic effects.
Often shortened to "cig" or "fag" (UK, completely innocent in British English). Smoking rates have dropped significantly since 1960s. "E-cigarette": electronic vape device.
a thin tube of tobacco for smoking
He smokes a pack of cigarettes a day.
Larger and thicker than cigarettes. Cuban cigars are famously prized. "Cigar": associated with celebration and wealth. Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal made cigars infamous.
a thick roll of dried tobacco leaves
He lit a Cuban cigar.
"Chop chop!": hurry up (from Chinese pidgin). "Pork chop", "lamb chop": cut of meat. "Chop suey": Chinese-American dish.
to cut into pieces with quick blows
He chopped the wood for the fire.
Of water (rough with small waves) or of style (jerky, disjointed).
(of the sea) rough with small waves; (of style) jerky and disjointed
The ferry crossing was choppy.
"Chopper" can also mean a tooth (slang) or a custom motorcycle with extended front forks.
(informal) a helicopter
The chopper landed on the hospital roof.
a knife or tool with a heavy blade for chopping
He used a meat chopper to cut the bones.
"Keep your chin up" = stay optimistic. "Take it on the chin" = endure criticism stoically. "Double chin": extra fat below jaw.
the part of the face below the mouth
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Chill" (slang) = relaxed ("chill out", "a chill person"). "Chill pill": humorous suggestion to relax. "Spine-chilling": frightening.
a feeling of coldness
There was a chill in the air.
to make cold; to relax (informal)
Chill the wine for an hour.
Less severe than "cold". Also figurative: "chilly reception", unfriendly welcome.
unpleasantly cold
It's a chilly evening.
"Lucky charm": talisman. "Third time's the charm": proverb about success after two failures. "Charm offensive": using personal appeal strategically.
the power to please; a magic spell
She has a lot of charm.
pleasant and attractive; delightful
He's a charming, witty host.
Past tense unchanged: cast. "Cast a spell", "cast a vote", "cast doubt", "cast aside". "Cast iron": iron formed in a mold.
to throw something
He cast the net into the river.
to assign actors to roles
The director cast her as the lead.
the actors in a play or film
The whole cast attended the premiere.
to predict or estimate (a future event or trend)
Rain is forecast for the weekend.
a prediction or estimate of future events, especially coming weather or a financial trend
A weather forecast.
a person who has been rejected by society or a social group
She felt like a social outcast.
rejected or cast out by society or a social group
He lived an outcast existence.
Past tense same as present: recast.
to present or organize in a different form or style
The director recast the play as a modern thriller.
to assign a different actor to a role in a film, play, or TV show
The role was recast after the original actor dropped out.
"Shopping cart" (US) = UK "trolley". "Cart before the horse" = doing things in wrong order. "Go-kart": small recreational racing vehicle.
a small vehicle for carrying things
He pushed the shopping cart down the aisle.
Older US term. UK: "pram" (perambulator). Modern preference: "stroller" (US) or "pushchair" (UK).
a small four-wheeled vehicle for a baby
She pushed the baby carriage through the park.
Implies crouching low in fear. "Cowering puppy". Different from "cringe" (embarrassment).
to crouch in fear
The child cowered in the corner.
Caused by rapidly expanding air heated by lightning. "Thunderstorm". "Steal someone's thunder": take credit for their work.
the loud sound after a flash of lightning
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Onomatopoeic: sounds like food in hot pan. "Sell the sizzle, not the steak": marketing maxim. "Sizzling": hot or exciting.
to make a hissing sound, like frying
The bacon sizzled in the pan.
Often informal, implies casual drinking from a bottle. "Take a swig": common phrase.
to drink in large gulps
He swigged from the bottle.
Also called timpani (Italian plural). Standard orchestra section. Pedal allows pitch changes during performance.
a large drum with a bowl-shaped body
The kettledrum rumbled in the orchestra.
Two unrelated noun senses: a dried plum (fruit), and the verb's gardening sense. "Prune", also software/data: "prune dead branches".
to cut back parts of a plant
He pruned the rose bushes.
a dried plum
Prunes are good for digestion.
Also a tool noun: coarse file. "Raspy voice" = rough hoarse voice (like Tom Waits singer).
to make a rough harsh sound
"Get out!" he rasped.
a coarse metal file with sharp raised points
He smoothed the wood with a rasp.
"Crinkle-cut" fries: wavy-cut chips. Eyes "crinkle" when smiling broadly. Less severe than "crumple".
to form small folds or wrinkles
Her eyes crinkled when she smiled.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon": Ang Lee's 2000 film. Yoga: many crouching poses. Compare "squat" (similar but lower).
to bend down close to the ground
She crouched behind the wall.
Mice squeak. Wheels squeak. "Squeak by" = barely succeed. Higher pitched than "creak".
to make a short high-pitched sound
The mouse squeaked in fear.
"Squeaky clean" = morally pure. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease": proverb about complaining.
making a high-pitched squeaking sound
The door had a squeaky hinge.
"Stoop to" + level/behavior = lower oneself morally. US: "stoop" (noun) = front steps of a building (especially NYC brownstones).
to bend down
He stooped to pick up the coin.
American, especially New York City brownstones.
(US) a small porch or set of steps in front of a building
Neighbors sat talking on the stoop.
Homophone of "main". "Lion's mane": male lion's distinctive feature. "Mane of hair": figurative for thick flowing hair.
long hair on the neck of an animal
The horse tossed its mane.
"Shaggy dog story": long pointless joke. "Shaggy": character in Scooby-Doo. Often refers to unkempt 1970s hair styles.
having long unkempt hair
The shaggy dog ran past.
"Apple crumble": British dessert (apples with crumbly streusel topping). Empires "crumble": gradually collapse.
to break or fall apart in small pieces
The old building crumbled.
British dessert: baked fruit topped with a crumbly mixture of flour, butter, and sugar.
a baked dessert of fruit with a crumbly topping
She served warm apple crumble with custard.
Onomatopoeic. Old wooden floors and stairs creak. Doors with rusty hinges. Different from "squeak" (higher pitched).
to make a long high-pitched sound
The old door creaked open.
Also figurative: "creaky old system", outdated, struggling. "Creaky knees": older joints.
making creaking sounds; old
He sat on the creaky bench.
From Latin "ferox" (fierce). Often used for animals, weather, attacks, criticism. Stronger than "fierce".
savage and violent
A ferocious dog guarded the gate.
savage fierceness
He fought with surprising ferocity.
Onomatopoeic. "Splatter movie": horror with graphic violence. Implies messy spread of liquid in drops/splashes.
to splash with drops of liquid
Paint splattered on the floor.
Onomatopoeic. Also slang/tech: the asterisk symbol "*" is sometimes called "splat" by programmers.
the sound or mark of something wet hitting a surface
The tomato hit the wall with a splat.
Plants "shrivel up" without water. "Shriveled raisin": common simile for aged appearance.
to dry up and shrink
The leaves shriveled in the heat.
Famous: Edward Snowden (NSA), Chelsea Manning, Frances Haugen (Facebook). Whistleblower protection laws exist in many countries: but actual protection is mixed.
a person who exposes wrongdoing
The whistle-blower revealed the corruption.
the act of exposing wrongdoing
Her whistle-blowing led to an investigation.
Rowed with oars (different from canoe, paddles, or motorboat). "Row, row, row your boat": classic children's song.
a small boat propelled by oars
They rented a rowboat for the day.
From the gait of horses: slow and easy. Suggests leisurely strolling. "Preamble" = walks before the main thing (preface).
to walk at a slow relaxed pace
They ambled along the beach.
Often connotes a slightly mischievous or malicious happiness. "Glee": popular TV musical series (2009-2015). "Glee club": singing group.
great delight, especially malicious
He laughed with glee at his rival's failure.
exuberantly or triumphantly joyful
He gave a gleeful laugh when he heard the news.
"Radio Shack": defunct US electronics chain. "Shack up with" = live with romantically (informal). "Love Shack": B-52s song.
a small crudely-built shelter
They lived in a wooden shack.