In modern usage, trillion = 10^12 (a thousand billion). The old British "long scale" trillion was 10^18 but is now obsolete.
a million million; the number 10^12
The national debt exceeds a trillion dollars.
"A trifle" can also be used as an adverb meaning "a little": "a trifle disappointed".
a thing of little value or importance
He gave her some trifles as gifts.
(British) a cold dessert made of layered sponge cake, fruit, jelly, custard, and cream
She made a sherry trifle for the dinner party.
From Afrikaans/Dutch. "Star Trek" is the famous sci-fi franchise.
a long arduous journey, especially one made on foot
They went on a trek through the Himalayas.
to go on a long, difficult journey
We trekked across the mountains.
(uncountable) a quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuables
The pirates buried their treasure.
(countable) a very valuable object
This painting is one of the museum's treasures.
to keep carefully because of the value one attaches to it
She treasures her grandmother's necklace.
"The Treasury" (capitalized) = the government department in charge of finance (e.g., US Department of the Treasury).
the funds or revenue of a government, organization, or institution
The treasury was depleted by years of war.
a large strong box or container for holding valuables
The pirates opened the treasure chest to find gold.
From French "treasure found". Originally a legal term for unclaimed buried wealth.
a collection of valuable or delightful things
The library is a treasure trove of historical documents.
a person appointed to administer or manage the financial assets of a society, company, or government
She was elected as the club's treasurer.
Root of diseased.
(uncountable) illness caused by infection, deficiency, or dysfunction
Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes.
(countable) a particular kind of illness with recognizable symptoms
Heart disease is a leading cause of death.
suffering from disease
They removed the diseased tree.
Verb stress on second syllable; noun on first.
to move or transfer (something) to another place
They transplanted the tree to the back yard.
(medicine) to take (living tissue or an organ) and implant it in another part of the body or in another body
They transplanted a kidney.
an operation in which an organ or tissue is transplanted
He's waiting for a heart transplant.
to put (thoughts, speech, or data) into written or printed form
She transcribed the interview from the recording.
"Academic transcript" = an official record of a student's grades.
a written or printed version of material originally presented in another medium
He requested a transcript of the trial.
a written or printed representation of something
The transcription took hours.
Symbols: ™ (trademark) and ® (registered trademark).
a symbol or name representing a company or product, legally registered to prevent others from using it
"Coca-Cola" is a registered trademark.
a distinctive characteristic associated with someone
His trademark smile won her over.
"BitTorrent" file-sharing protocol gave the word a tech meaning: a file shared via P2P.
a strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid
The rain came down in torrents.
(figurative) an overwhelming amount of something
She unleashed a torrent of insults.
characterized by a fast, heavy flow, especially of rain
Torrential rain flooded the streets.
In computing, a token is a piece of data (e.g., authentication token, API token). Cryptocurrency "tokens" are units on blockchain platforms.
a thing serving as a visible or tangible representation of a fact, quality, or feeling
He gave her a small gift as a token of his appreciation.
a voucher exchangeable for goods or services
She bought a book token.
done for the sake of appearances or as a symbolic gesture
He made a token attempt to clean up.
"On tiptoe" or "on tiptoes" = standing on the toes only.
to walk quietly and carefully with one's heels raised
She tiptoed past the sleeping baby.
"Tilt at windmills" = fight imaginary enemies (from Don Quixote).
to move or cause to move into a sloping position
She tilted her head to one side.
a sloping position
The Earth's axis has a tilt of 23.5 degrees.
Formal/legal. Synonyms: afterwards, subsequently.
after that time; afterwards
He retired in 1995 and shortly thereafter moved to Florida.
From Latin textilis ("woven"). Same root as "text" (which originally meant "a thing woven").
a type of cloth or woven fabric
The factory produces textiles for furniture.
British/scientific term; American: corn. Originally cultivated in the Americas. "Maize" was the original word for what most Americans now call "corn".
a tall grain plant grown for its yellow seeds; corn
Maize is a staple crop in Mexico.
Famous: rice terraces in Asia (e.g., Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines).
a level paved area next to a building
They had drinks on the terrace.
each of a series of flat areas made on a slope, used for growing crops
The hillside terraces were used to grow rice.
"Terraced house" (British) = row house (American).
made into or having a series of terraces
The vineyard sat on a terraced hillside.
(British) (of a house) joined to others by shared walls
They live in a Victorian terraced house.
the creation of flat areas on sloping ground
The ancient terracing on the hillside.
not certain or fixed; provisional
They reached a tentative agreement.
done without confidence; hesitant
He gave a tentative smile.
in a hesitant or uncertain way
She tentatively agreed to the proposal.
From Latin "to hold". Same root as "tenure".
a person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord
The tenant pays $1500 a month in rent.
the period during which a tenant occupies a property
Her tenancy ends in June.
Italian musical term. Measured in BPM (beats per minute). Famous tempi: largo (slow), allegro (fast), presto (very fast).
the speed at which a passage of music is or should be played
The conductor set a brisk tempo.
the rate or rhythm of activity or work
The project picked up tempo in the final weeks.
Synonyms: remote worker, telecommuter. Became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic.
a person who works at home or remotely, communicating with the workplace by phone or computer
Many teleworkers prefer the flexibility of working from home.
the practice of working from home, communicating electronically with the office
Teleworking has become much more common.
Often shortened to "telecom".
the technology of sending information over long distances by cable, telephone, satellite, etc.
He works in the telecommunications industry.
too long, slow, or dull; tiresome
The meeting was tedious.
"Tanning bed" = a sunbed used for artificial tanning. "Spray tan" = a sprayed cosmetic tan.
(uncountable) a yellowish-brown color
She wore tan shoes.
(countable) a darker color of skin from exposure to the sun
He got a great tan during his vacation.
(of skin) to become brown from exposure to the sun
She tans easily.
to convert (animal hide) into leather using tannin
They tan the leather using oak bark.
Maple syrup is famous from Canada and the northeastern US.
a thick sweet liquid made by dissolving sugar in water, often with flavorings
She poured maple syrup on her pancakes.
having the consistency or sweetness of syrup
The sauce was thick and syrupy.
(figurative) excessively sentimental
The movie was a bit too syrupy for my taste.
American spelling; British: synthesise.
to combine (parts) into a whole
He synthesized data from multiple studies.
to produce (a substance) by chemical reactions
Plants synthesize sugars from sunlight.
produced by synthesis, especially artificially
The music uses synthesized sounds.
made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product
The shirt is made of synthetic fibers.
synthetic materials or fibers, as opposed to natural ones
The carpet is made of synthetics.
British spelling of synthesize.
British spelling of synthesize
Plants synthesise sugars from sunlight.
Antonym pair: synonym (same meaning). Examples: hot/cold, big/small, happy/sad.
a word opposite in meaning to another
"Big" is an antonym of "small".
The language of Hindu and Buddhist sacred texts (Vedas, Bhagavad Gita). Important in comparative linguistics for its close relation to other Indo-European languages.
an ancient Indic language, the classical language of India and Hinduism
He studied Sanskrit in graduate school.
"Shred" became modern slang for skilled performance, especially in skateboarding/surfing/guitar.
to tear or cut into small pieces
She shredded the documents.
a small strip cut or torn off
His shirt was torn to shreds.
a machine for shredding paper or other materials
The confidential documents were put through the shredder.
Named after the city of Taranto in Italy. Despite their fearsome reputation, most tarantulas are not dangerous to humans.
a large hairy spider found chiefly in tropical and subtropical America
He keeps a pet tarantula.
attractively unusual or old-fashioned
They stayed in a quaint village in the Cotswolds.
Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies; his 9th ("Ode to Joy") is among the most famous.
an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements
They performed Mahler's 5th symphony.
relating to or having the form or character of a symphony
The film has a symphonic soundtrack.
a large orchestra of about 75-100 musicians, capable of performing symphonies
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the most respected in America.
One of the three Baltic states (with Latvia and Estonia). Capital: Vilnius. Joined the EU in 2004.
a country in northern Europe on the Baltic Sea
Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.
Root of European.
a continent comprising the westernmost part of Eurasia
She traveled across Europe by train.
Capitalized.
relating to Europe or its inhabitants
She studied European history.
a native or inhabitant of Europe
Many Europeans speak multiple languages.
From Greek: syn- ("together") + metron ("measure"). Antonym: asymmetry.
the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other
The building has perfect symmetry.
made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis
The two sides of the face are roughly symmetrical.
Antonym of symmetry.
lack of symmetry or equality between parts
The building's design plays with asymmetry.
not symmetrical; lacking balance between parts
The haircut has an asymmetrical style.
One of the oldest independent nations in Africa. Birthplace of coffee. Capital: Addis Ababa.
a country in East Africa
She traveled to Ethiopia to study its ancient churches.
Root of the informal clipping carb.
an organic compound that is a major source of dietary energy, such as sugar or starch
Bread and pasta are high in carbohydrates.
Informal short for carbohydrate. "Low-carb diet" is a popular weight-loss approach.
(informal) a carbohydrate
He's avoiding carbs to lose weight.
Common: fingerprint, iris, and face recognition systems.
relating to or involving the measurement of biological data, especially as a means of identification
The phone unlocks with biometric authentication.
Many glaciers are retreating due to climate change.
a slowly moving mass of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles
They photographed the glacier in Alaska.
relating to or caused by glaciers or ice
The valley was carved out by glacial erosion.
extremely cold
A glacial wind blew across the lake.
(of a process or attitude) very slow or cold and unfriendly
Negotiations are moving at a glacial pace.
In traditional incandescent bulbs, the filament glows when heated by electric current.
a slender threadlike object or fiber
The filament in the light bulb burned out.
Brand name; "sharpie" used genericly. Famously used by Trump in the "Sharpiegate" 2019 hurricane map incident.
a brand of permanent marker with a fine point
He signed the photo with a Sharpie.
not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable
His behavior has been increasingly erratic.
Portmanteau of "web" + "seminar". Became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic.
a seminar conducted over the internet
She attended a webinar on digital marketing.
a mark or character used to represent something
The dove is a symbol of peace.
serving as a symbol
The handshake was symbolic of their reconciliation.
British spelling; American: symbolize.
to be a symbol of
The eagle symbolises freedom.
American spelling of symbolise
The wedding ring symbolizes commitment.
the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
The poem is rich in symbolism.
a large group of flying insects
A swarm of bees flew past.
a large mass of people or things
A swarm of reporters surrounded the celebrity.
(of insects) to move in or as in a swarm
Bees swarmed around the hive.
(of people) to move somewhere in large numbers
Tourists swarmed the museum.
"Drain the swamp" = a phrase used in politics to mean clearing out corruption.
an area of low-lying land flooded in wet seasons or at high tide
They explored the Everglades swamp.
to overwhelm or flood with too much of something
The office was swamped with calls.
land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated land
Wetlands are important habitats for many bird species.
Antonym in finance: bullish. Bears swipe downward; bulls thrust upward.
(finance) characterized by falling share prices or pessimism about the market
Analysts are bearish on the stock.
to temporarily stop or postpone
The trial was suspended pending further evidence.
to hang from somewhere
A chandelier was suspended from the ceiling.
to officially prohibit someone from holding their job for a period
He was suspended from school for a week.
(uncountable) the action of suspending someone or something
The student faces suspension.
(uncountable) the system of springs and shock absorbers supporting a vehicle
The car has an improved suspension.
Famous examples: the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge.
a bridge in which the deck is suspended from cables anchored to towers
The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous suspension bridge.
a state of nervous tension or excitement caused by uncertainty
The film kept us in suspense until the end.
creating excitement or nervous uncertainty
It was a suspenseful thriller.
to exceed; to be greater than
Her performance surpassed all expectations.
Synonym: family name, last name.
a hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinct from a first name
His surname is Smith.
"Fit like a glove" = fit perfectly. "Hand in glove" = working in close cooperation.
a covering for the hand worn for protection against cold or dirt
He pulled on his gloves before going outside.
"Throw down the gauntlet" = issue a challenge (originating from medieval combat). "Run the gauntlet" = endure a series of attacks or criticism.
a strong glove with a long loose wrist, originally part of armor
The knight wore steel gauntlets.
From Greek kheirourgia ("hand-work"). "Surgery" (British) can also mean a doctor's office.
(uncountable) the branch of medicine concerned with treatment by operations
She underwent heart surgery.
a medical practitioner qualified to practice surgery
The surgeon performed the operation.
"Surgical strike" = a precise military attack.
relating to or used in surgery
She wore a surgical mask.
a thing added to something else to complete or enhance it
She takes vitamin supplements daily.
Stress shifts: noun on first syllable, verb on last.
to add something to something else, especially in a limited or moderate way
He supplements his income with freelance work.
American; British: supplementary.
completing or in addition to something
The film has a supplemental commentary track.
completing or enhancing something
There are supplementary materials in the back of the book.
the action of adding something extra
Iron supplementation may be needed during pregnancy.
Famous: "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1789).
a rebellion against legitimate authority, especially by soldiers or sailors
The crew threatened mutiny.
refusing to obey orders or rebellious
The mutinous sailors seized control of the ship.
a person who mutinies
The mutineers were executed.
Antonym: inferior.
higher in rank, status, or quality
This wine is superior to that one.
showing an exaggerated opinion of oneself
He has a superior attitude.
a person of higher rank or status
She reported the issue to her superior.
existing or occurring at or on the surface
The wound was superficial.
appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely
They have only a superficial knowledge of the subject.
a rectangular case with a handle, used for carrying clothes when traveling
She packed her suitcase for the trip.
to die or cause to die from a lack of air or inability to breathe
The fire suffocated several victims.
(figurative) to feel oppressed or restricted
He felt suffocated by their constant attention.
death or distress caused by being unable to breathe
The cause of death was suffocation.
Root of success/successful/succession/successor.
to achieve an aim or purpose
She succeeded in passing the exam.
to come after and take the place of (a person or thing)
He succeeded his father as CEO.
(uncountable) the achievement of an aim or purpose
Hard work was the key to her success.
(countable) a person or thing that succeeds
The film was a huge success.
achieving the desired aim or result
He had a successful career in law.
in a way that achieves the desired result
She successfully completed the marathon.
"In succession" = one after another. The HBO series "Succession" (2018-2023) is about media-family power struggles.
(uncountable) a number of things or people following one another
He won three games in succession.
(uncountable) the action of inheriting a title, office, or property
The royal succession passed to his daughter.
following one another or following others
They lost three successive games.
a person or thing that succeeds another
Schoenberg's most brilliant successor.
Modern: "Subscribe!" became a YouTube cliche; "subscription model" replaced one-time purchases for many products.
to arrange to receive something, especially a newspaper or service, regularly
She subscribes to two magazines.
to express agreement with an idea ("subscribe to")
I don't subscribe to that theory.
a person who receives a publication or service regularly by paying in advance
The channel has a million subscribers.
the action of paying to receive something regularly
He canceled his magazine subscription.
having more applicants or buyers than available places
The course was heavily oversubscribed.
"Subordinate clause" in grammar = a clause that depends on a main clause.
lower in rank or position
She has many subordinate staff.
a person under the authority or control of another within an organization
He treated his subordinates with respect.
Root of stylish.
a distinctive manner of doing, expressing, or performing something
Her writing style is clear and direct.
elegance and sophistication, especially in appearance
She always dresses with style.
to design, arrange, or present in a particular way
She had her hair styled for the wedding.
fashionable; elegant
She always dresses in a stylish way.
to walk in a leisurely way
They strolled through the park.
a short leisurely walk
Let's take a stroll along the beach.
American term. UK: "pushchair" or "buggy". Modern brands: Bugaboo, UPPABaby. Major baby-shower gift category.
(US) a wheeled chair for transporting babies
She pushed the stroller through the park.
to move away from the group or the right course
The sheep had strayed into the road.
not in the right place; separated from the group
A stray dog wandered into the yard.
a domestic animal that has wandered away from home; a stray dog or cat
They adopted a stray from the shelter.
to squeeze the throat of (a person or animal) so as to kill them by cutting off their air supply
The killer strangled his victim.
(of a voice or sound) muted or distorted, especially by emotion
He spoke in a strangled voice.
a grip around the neck that restricts the air supply
He had his opponent in a stranglehold.
(figurative) complete or overwhelming control
The company has a stranglehold on the market.
the act of choking someone by squeezing the throat
The report listed strangulation as the cause of death.
"Sea shanty" = a sailor's traditional song; had a huge TikTok revival in 2021.
a small crudely built shack
He grew up in a shanty on the outskirts of town.
a song sung by sailors while working
They sang an old sea shanty.
a deprived area on the outskirts of a town consisting of large numbers of crude dwellings
The sprawling shantytowns of the capital.
American term for a fire engine.
(American) a large vehicle equipped to fight fires
The fire truck rushed to the scene.
a vehicle that carries firefighters and equipment to fight fires
The fire engine pulled up to the burning building.
British Overseas Territory at Spain's southern tip. The Rock of Gibraltar is iconic. "Solid as the Rock of Gibraltar" = unshakable.
a British territory on the southern coast of Spain, famous for its limestone rock
They visited the apes of Gibraltar.
Homophone of "straight". "Dire straits" = a difficult situation. Famous: Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf entrance), Strait of Gibraltar.
a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or large bodies of water
The Strait of Magellan separates South America from Tierra del Fuego.
Plural: stepchildren.
a child of one's spouse from a previous relationship
He has two stepchildren from his wife's previous marriage.
Stepmothers are often portrayed as villains in fairy tales (e.g., Cinderella, Snow White).
the woman who is married to one's father after the father's previous marriage
She has a good relationship with her stepmother.
the man who is married to one's mother after the mother's previous marriage
He was raised by his stepfather.
"Statute of limitations" = the time limit for prosecuting an offense.
a written law passed by a legislative body
The new statute takes effect next year.
a book or set of books containing the statutes of a country
The law remained on the statute book for decades.
required, permitted, or established by statute (law)
the statutory minimum wage
Sex with a person below the legal age of consent, regardless of apparent willingness.
sexual activity with a person younger than the legal age of consent
He was charged with statutory rape.
Notoriously confused with stationery: "stationary" (with A) = not moving (think of an Auto stopped); "stationery" (with E) = paper.
not moving; standing still
The car was stationary at the traffic light.
writing and other office materials such as paper, pens, and envelopes
She bought elegant stationery for thank-you notes.
Often connotes higher integrity than "politician". "Elder statesman" = a senior respected figure.
a wise, skilled, and respected political leader
He was regarded as a great statesman.
resembling or befitting a statesman
His handling of the crisis was statesmanlike.
the skill or quality of being a statesman
The speech showed remarkable statesmanship.
"I'm starving" is hyperbolic for very hungry.
to suffer or die from hunger
Many people starved during the famine.
to deprive of food
The strikers were starved into submission.
suffering or dying from hunger
The charity helps starving children.
(informal) very hungry
I'm starving - let's eat!
suffering or death caused by lack of food
The prisoners were near starvation.
a small piece of bent metal used to fasten papers together
He removed the staple from the document.
a main or important element or feature
Rice is a staple of the Asian diet.
main or important, especially regarding food
Bread is a staple food in many cultures.
a hand-held device used to drive heavy metal staples into wood
He used a staple gun to attach the fabric to the frame.
a device used to fasten papers together with a staple
Pass me the stapler.
Cartoon staple as a heavy object dropped on characters' heads. Also: the anvil bone (incus) in the middle ear.
a heavy iron block on which a blacksmith hammers and shapes metal
The blacksmith hammered the horseshoe on the anvil.
In medicine, "stable condition" = a patient is not deteriorating.
not likely to change, fail, or give way
The patient is in stable condition.
firmly fixed or not likely to move
Make sure the ladder is stable before climbing.
Different sense from the adjective: etymologically related (both from Latin stare "to stand") but functionally distinct in modern English.
a building in which horses are kept
She mucked out the stable each morning.
the quality of being stable
The country has enjoyed political stability for decades.
British spelling: stabilise.
to make or become stable
His condition stabilized after the surgery.
British spelling of stabilize.
British spelling of stabilize
His condition stabilised overnight.
"In the spotlight" = receiving public attention. "Steal the spotlight" = take attention away from others.
a strong beam of light that illuminates only a small area, used especially on a stage
The dancer stepped into the spotlight.
(figurative) intense public attention
The scandal put the company in the spotlight.
Past tense: spotlighted (preferred) or spotlit.
to direct attention to something
The article spotlights the work of young scientists.
Gender-specific. Gender-neutral alternative: athlete or sportsperson.
a man who plays sports, especially at a professional level
He was one of the great sportsmen of his generation.
a woman who plays sports, especially at a professional level
She was voted sportswoman of the year.
"Good sportsmanship" / "bad sportsmanship" are the standard phrases.
fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in sport
He shook his opponent's hand, showing good sportsmanship.
Root of miscarriage.
(of a pregnancy) to end before the fetus can survive independently
She miscarried in her second trimester.
(formal) to fail to achieve the intended result
The plan miscarried due to poor communication.
Distinguished from "abortion" (which is induced); a miscarriage is unintended. "Miscarriage of justice" = a serious legal error.
the spontaneous ending of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable
She suffered a miscarriage at twelve weeks.
(formal) an unsuccessful outcome of something planned
The trial was a miscarriage of justice.
Adverb: spontaneously. Noun: spontaneity.
happening as a result of a sudden impulse, without planning
They made a spontaneous decision to take a road trip.
(of a process) occurring without external cause
Spontaneous combustion is rare but possible.
in a way that happens naturally, without planning
She spontaneously decided to sing.
the quality of being unplanned or impulsive
The trip was full of spontaneity.
"Downward spiral" = a worsening situation. "Spiral notebook" = one bound with a wire coil.
a curve that winds around a central point, either inward or outward
The shell forms a perfect spiral.
to move in a spiral course
Smoke spiraled up from the chimney.
to increase or decrease continuously and dramatically (often "spiral out of control")
Prices have spiraled in the last year.
"Lifespan" / "attention span" / "wingspan" are common compounds.
the length of time something lasts or covers
Over a span of ten years, the city tripled in size.
the full extent of something from end to end
The bridge has a span of 200 meters.
to extend across or over (an area or period)
The author's career spanned five decades.
Plural same as singular: spacecraft. The neutral/technical term.
a vehicle used for travel or operation in outer space
The spacecraft entered orbit successfully.
More common in science fiction and informal speech than in actual aerospace usage.
a spacecraft, especially one carrying people
The kids drew pictures of spaceships.
The middle "e" is silent: /ˈsɑːvrən/, not /ˈsɑːvərən/. Also: a British gold coin worth one pound.
a supreme ruler, especially a monarch
The sovereign signs all laws.
possessing supreme or ultimate power; (of a state) fully independent
Each member is a sovereign nation.
supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself
The treaty respected the nation's sovereignty.
More formal/literary than "sadness". Often used for grief over loss.
a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune
She spoke with great sorrow about her brother's death.
feeling or showing sorrow
He gave a sorrowful sigh.
Adjective: soothing.
to gently calm a person or their feelings
She soothed the crying baby with a lullaby.
to reduce pain or discomfort
This lotion soothes irritated skin.
having a calming, comforting effect
The soothing sound of rain helped her fall asleep.
Adjective: spasmodic.
a sudden involuntary muscular contraction
He had a back spasm and could barely move.
a brief sudden burst of activity, emotion, or sensation
A spasm of pain crossed her face.
occurring in sudden, irregular bursts rather than continuously
He made spasmodic efforts to tidy his room.
From Latin solus ("alone"). Not necessarily lonely: solitary can be a chosen state.
existing or living alone
He led a solitary life in the mountains.
(of a place) secluded or isolated
They came across a solitary cottage in the forest.
Often called "the hole" or "solitary" in American prison slang. UN considers prolonged solitary confinement a form of torture.
the isolation of a prisoner in a separate cell as a punishment
He spent 30 days in solitary confinement.
Positive connotation, unlike loneliness. "Solitude is the school of genius" (Edward Gibbon).
the state of being alone, often by choice
She enjoyed the solitude of her morning walks.
"Solidarność" (Solidarity) was the famous Polish trade union and political movement of the 1980s.
unity or agreement of feeling or action among individuals with a common interest
Workers showed solidarity by joining the strike.
The "n" is silent. Related noun: solemnity.
formal and dignified, often in a serious or grave way
The funeral was a solemn occasion.
sincere and serious in commitment
He made a solemn promise to return.
the quality of being serious, formal, and dignified
The solemnity of the ceremony moved everyone to silence.
Founded as a discipline in the 19th century by Auguste Comte. Adjective: sociological. Person: sociologist.
the scientific study of the development and functioning of human society
She majored in sociology at university.
relating to the study of society and social behavior
The book offers a sociological analysis of urban poverty.
a person who studies or is an expert in sociology
The sociologist interviewed dozens of families for her study.
Contrast with capitalism (private ownership) and communism (a more radical extension). Definitions vary by political tradition.
a political and economic theory advocating that major industries should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole
He wrote a book on the history of socialism in Europe.
a person who supports socialism
She has been a lifelong socialist.
relating to or supporting socialism
The socialist party won the election.
Less common than "socialist" (adj); often slightly pejorative in American political usage.
having characteristics typical of socialism
Critics called the policy socialistic.
Distinct from "sociable" (= friendly): a social event involves people, a sociable person enjoys people. "Social media" / "social network" / "social distancing" are key modern collocations.
relating to society or its organization
Inequality is a major social issue.
involving meeting and spending time with other people for pleasure
We have a busy social calendar this month.
British spelling; American: socialization.
British spelling of socialization
Early socialisation is important for puppies.
the process by which a person learns the norms and customs of their society
Schools are a key site of childhood socialization.
British spelling; American: socialize.
British spelling of socialize
She doesn't socialise much with her coworkers.
to mix socially with others
He socializes with people from work after hours.
(formal) to make (someone) behave in a way acceptable to their society
Children are socialized through play.
Different sense from "social": describes a person's friendly disposition, not their participation in society.
willing to talk and engage in activities with other people; friendly
He's a sociable guy who makes friends easily.
"Bless you" / "Gesundheit" are common responses after someone sneezes. "Nothing to sneeze at" = not insignificant.
to expel air suddenly and noisily from the nose and mouth as an involuntary reaction
She sneezed three times in a row.
an act of sneezing
He stifled a sneeze.
to move (goods) illegally into or out of a country
They smuggled diamonds across the border.
to convey secretly
She smuggled a note into his pocket.
a person who smuggles goods
The smuggler was arrested at customs.
Two distinct senses: literal (hands/tools) vs. figurative (influencing people, usually pejorative).
to handle or control with skill
The surgeon manipulated the tiny instruments with precision.
to influence (someone) cleverly or unfairly
She felt he had manipulated her into agreeing.
exercising unscrupulous control over someone or something
He had a manipulative streak that drove people away.
a person who controls or influences others to their own advantage
She turned out to be a skilled manipulator.
From Latin "out of the way". Always disapproving.
using indirect or dishonest methods to achieve something
He came up with a devious plan to avoid the rules.
"Grin and bear it" = endure something unpleasant cheerfully. "Grin from ear to ear" = smile very widely.
to smile broadly, often showing the teeth
He grinned when he saw the surprise.
a broad smile
She had a mischievous grin on her face.
"On the sly" = secretly.
deceitful or cunning in a way that intends to gain an advantage
He gave her a sly grin.