UK:^* /ˈfɪnɪki/

US:/ˈfɪnɪki/

difficult to please

e.g

He's terribly finicky about his food.

UK: /ˈʃʌt^əl/

US: /ˈʃʌtəl/

a vehicle or aircraft that travels regularly between two places

e.g

To get across town, you can take the shuttle from Times Square to Grand Central

UK: /ˈnæg/

US: /næg/

to criticize or complain often in an annoying way, especially in order to try and make someone do something

e.g

If you stop nagging at me, I might actually do it.

I'm always nagging him about his diet.

UK: /ˈstraɪd/

US: /straɪd/

As in the way of walking (gait)

e.g

Linda walked with a determined stride

UK: /ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊnst/

without a particular person knowing

e.g

Unbeknownst to me, he had rented out the apartment while I was away.

UK: /ˈdʒiːn/

US: /dʒin/

a part of the DNA in a cell that controls the physical development, behaviour, etc. of an individual plant or animal and is passed on from its parents

e.g

The illness is believed to be caused by a defective gene.

UK: /nɒkˈtɜː^rn^əl/

US: /nɑkˈtɝnəl/

being active or happening at night rather than during the day

e.g

Most bats are nocturnal.

UK: /ˈtɪk/

US: /tɪk/

the sound a clock makes

e.g

the tick of the clock

UK: /ˌhɒməʊˈdʒiːniəs/

consisting of parts or people that are similar to each other or are of the same type

e.g

The population of the village has remained remarkably homogeneous

UK: /ˈmeɪtrən/

US: /ˈmeɪtrən/

a senior nurse in charge of a hospital.

UK: /ˈrɪp/

US: /rɪp/

to pull apart; to tear or be torn violently and quickly

e.g

His new trousers ripped when he bent down.

UK: /ˈkrɑːft/

US: /kræft/

a boat, ship, or airplane

e.g

warning for small craft

UK: /ˈləʊn/

US: /loʊn/

alone

e.g

a lone survivor

UK: /ˈɛdʒ/

US: /ɛdʒ/

the outer or furthest point of something

e.g

They built the church on the edge of the village

UK: /səˈsteɪn/

US: /səˈsteɪn/

to cause or allow something to continue for a period of time

e.g

The economy looks set to sustain its growth into next year.

He seems to find it difficult to sustain relationships with women.

UK: /ˈtæktaɪl/

US: /ˈtæktɪl, -taɪl/

related to the sense of touch

e.g

My phone has a tactile screen

UK: /ˈpeɪv/

US: /peɪv/

to cover an area of ground with a hard, flat surface of pieces of stone, concrete, or bricks

e.g

The area near the beach is paved with bricks set in patterns.

UK: /ˈdʒɛm/

US: /dʒɛm/

a valuable stone, cut for use in jewelry

e.g

a necklace covered in gems

UK: /ˈæŋst/

US: /ɑŋkst/

strong worry and unhappiness, especially about personal problems

e.g

All my children went through a period of late-adolescent angst.

UK: /ˈspiːtʃ/

US: /spitʃ/

a set of words spoken in a play

e.g

Do you know the words to Hamlet's famous speech at the beginning of Act III?

UK: /ˈθiːɪst/

someone who believes in the existence of a god or gods

e.g

My mother was a strong theist, she believed in many gods

UK: /ˈæʃ/

US: /æʃ/

the soft grey or black powder that is left after a substance, especially tobacco, coal, or wood, has burned

e.g

As we sat around the campfire, the wind picked up and blew ash into our eyes.

UK: /ˈpɒpi/

US: /ˈpɑpi/

a plant with large, delicate flowers that are typically red and have small, black seeds

e.g

Many poppies are red.

UK: /ˈgæmb^əl/

US: /ˈgæmbəl/

to risk money, for example in a game or on a horse race

e.g

I like to gamble when I play cards - it makes it more interesting.

He gambled away all of our savings.

UK: /kɑː^rˈtɒgrəfi/

US:/kɑrˈtɑgrəfi/

the science or art of making or drawing maps

e.g

He drew our map, this man is an expert on cartography

UK: /ˈɡləʊbˌtrɒtə/

US: /ˈgloʊbˌtrɑtɚ/

someone who often travels to a lot of different countries

e.g

Japan last month, New York next month - you've become a regular globetrotter, haven't you?

UK: /ˈniːʃ/

US: /nɪtʃ/

a suitable place in life

e.g

He found his niche in engineering.

UK: /ˈfriːk/

US: /frik/

a thing, person, animal, or event that is extremely unusual or unlikely, and not like any other of its type

e.g

At my school you were considered to be a freak if you weren't interested in sport.

UK: /ˈswæŋki/

US: /ˈswæŋki/

fashionable and expensive

e.g

a swanky restaurant.

UK: /naɪˈiːv/

US: /nɑˈiv/

too willing to believe that someone is telling the truth, that people's intentions in general are good, or that life is simple and fair. People are often naive because they are young and/or have not had much experience of life

e.g

She was very naive to believe that he'd stay with her.

UK: /ˈswɪft/

US: /swɪft/

very fast

e.g

a swift movement of his hand

We went aboard a swift boat

UK: /ˈsnɪtʃ/

US: /snɪtʃ/

to secretly tell someone in authority that someone else has done something bad, often in order to cause trouble

e.g

He snitched to my boss that I'd been making long-distance calls at work!

UK: /ˈɒptɪk/

US: /ˈɑptɪk/

relating to light or the eyes

e.g

a fibre optic cable

UK: /ˈsɛntɪn^əl/

US: /ˈsɛntənəl/

a person that guards a place or an object

e.g

Two sentinels were assigned to guard the checkpoint at all times.

UK: /grəʊˈtɛsk/

US: /groʊˈtɛsk/

strange and unpleasant, especially in a silly or slightly frightening way

e.g

Gothic churches are full of devils and grotesque figures.

UK: /ˈdɪm/

US: /dɪm/

not giving or having much light

e.g

The lamp gave out a dim light.

UK: /ˈvænɪʃ/

US: /ˈvænɪʃ/

to disappear or stop being present or existing, especially in a sudden, surprising way

e.g

We ran out after the thief, but he had vanished into thin air

UK: /ˈbæn/

US: /bæn/

to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially

e.g

The film was banned (= the government prevented it from being shown) in several countries.

UK: /ˈniːt/

US: /nit/

good

e.g

That video game is really neat!

UK: /ˈɪtʃ/

US: /ɪtʃ/

to have or cause an uncomfortable feeling on the skin that makes you want to rub it with your nails

e.g

I can't wear wool - it makes me itch.

UK: /ˈsaɪprəs/

US: /ˈsaɪprəs/

a type of evergreen tree.

e.g

My favourite tree is the cypress

UK: /ˈɔː^rb/

US: /ɔrb/

something in the shape of a ball

e.g

the glowing orb of the sun

UK:^*/ˈfɛtɪd/, /ˈfiːtɪd/

smelling extremely bad and stale

e.g

fetid air/breath

UK: /ˈwɒndərə^r/

US: (won′dər ər)

drifter, itinerant. someone who roams around, not going to a specific place

e.g

The hotel's used mostly by wanderers and drunks.

UK: /ˈwaɪp/

US: /waɪp/

to slide something, especially a piece of cloth, over the surface of something else, in order to remove dirt, food, or liquid

e.g

Do you have some paper towels that I can wipe the floor with?

UK: /rɪˈgɑː^rd/

US: /rɪˈgɑrd/

respect or admiration for someone or something

e.g

The company holds her in high regard.

UK: /ˈkaɪnd/

US: /kaɪnd/

a group with similar characteristics, or a particular type

e.g

Today's vehicles use two kinds of fuel - petrol and diesel.

UK: /tʌkˈsiːdəʊ/

US: /tʌkˈsidoʊ/

a man's black or white jacket worn at formal social events, usually in the evening, with matching trousers and a bow tie

e.g

His signature appearance is his foot-tall natural red hair, flashy tuxedo or zoot suit with bow tie, white gloves and saddle shoes.

UK: /ˈskiːm/

US: /skim/

an officially organized plan or system

e.g

There's a new scheme in our town for recycling plastic bottles.

UK:^*/kaɪˈnɛtɪk/, /kɪˈnɛtɪk/

involving or producing movement

e.g

kinetic energy

UK: /ˈeɪp/

US: /eɪp/

an animal like a large monkey with no tail, that uses its arms to move through trees

e.g

Chimpanzees and gorillas are both apes.

UK: /ˈluːs/

US: /lus/

not firmly held or fastened in place

e.g

There were some loose wires hanging out of the wall.

UK: /ˈmɑːtʃ/

an event in which a large number of people walk through a public place to express their support for something, or their disagreement with or disapproval of something

e.g

She's going on a march on Saturday in protest over the closure of the hospital.

UK: /ˈhəʊmə/

short for home run: a point scored in baseball when you hit the ball, usually out of the playing field, and are able to run around all the bases at one time to the starting base

e.g

That season he hit 43 homers.

UK: /ˈbræt/

US: /bræt/

a child, especially one who behaves badly

e.g

She's behaving like a spoilt brat.

UK: /ˈsʌbweɪ/

US: /ˈsʌbˌweɪ/

a railway system in which electric trains travel through tunnels below ground

e.g

We took the subway uptown to Yankee Stadium.

UK: /ˈnɜː^rd/

US: /nɝd/

a person who is extremely interested in one subject, especially computers, and knows a lot of facts about it

e.g

I'm a real grammar nerd.

UK: /ˌmæriəˈnɛt/

US: /ˌmæriəˈnɛt/

a small model of a person or animal with parts of the body that are moved with strings

UK: /ˈseɪlə^r/

US: /ˈseɪlɚ/

a person who works on a ship, especially one who is not an officer

e.g

He was a young sailor on his first sea voyage.

UK: /ˈteɪm/

US: /teɪm/

to make a wild animal tame

e.g

the way they used to tame wild horses

UK: /ˈpæl/

US: /pæl/

a friend

e.g

It's my old pal Pete!

UK: /ˈpiːp/

US: /pip/

to secretly look at something for a short time, usually through a hole

e.g

I saw her peeping through the curtains/into the room.

UK: /ˈbeɪt/

US: /beɪt/

a small amount of food on a hook (= curved piece of wire) or in a special device used to attract and catch a fish or animal

e.g

They were digging up worms to use for bait

UK: /ˈtreɪsə/

US: (trā′sər)

a bullet that leaves a line of flame or smoke behind it when it is fired, so that you can see the direction it has taken

e.g

Tracer bullets streaked through the sky.

The sky was bright with tracer fire

UK: /ˈsəʊk/

US: /soʊk/

to make something very wet, or (of liquid) to be absorbed in large amounts

e.g

The wind had blown the rain in and soaked the carpet.

UK: /ˈfæntəm/

US: /ˈfæntəm/

a spirit of a dead person believed by some to visit the living as a pale, almost transparent form of a person, animal, or other object

UK: /dɪˈvəʊʃ^ən/

US: /dɪˈvoʊʃən/

loyalty and love or care for someone or something

e.g

He inspired respect and devotion from his pupils

UK: /dɪˈvaʊə^r

/US: /dɪˈvaʊr/

to eat something eagerly and in large amounts so that nothing is left

e.g

The young cubs hungrily devoured the deer

UK: /ˈpɒnd/

US: /pɑnd/

an area of water smaller than a lake, often artificially made

e.g

a duck pond

UK: 'bill', 'Bill': /ˈbɪl/

US: /bɪl/

a request for payment of money owed, or the piece of paper on which it is written

e.g

an electricity/gas/phone bill

UK: /ˈtʃɒp/

US: /tʃɑp/

to cut something into pieces with an axe, knife, or other sharp instrument

e.g

He was chopping wood in the yard

UK: /ˈtʃɒpə^r/

US: /ˈtʃɑpɚ/

informal for helicopter

UK:^*/drɒp/

a small round-shaped amount of liquid

e.g

drop of I thought I felt a drop of rain

UK: /ˈdʌv/

US: /dʌv/

a white or grey bird, often used as a symbol of peace

UK: /ˈraʊndəbaʊt/

a place where three or more roads join and traffic must go around a circular area in the middle, rather than straight across

UK: /ˈʃiːk/

US: /ʃik/

stylish and fashionable

e.g

I like your haircut - it's very chic

UK: /ˈgəʊgəʊ/

US: (gō′gō′)

used to describe a financial period or business in which there is especially fast and active development

e.g

They made a fortune during the go-go years of the 1980s

UK:^*/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/

US:/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/

artificial; made by combining chemical substances rather than being produced naturally by plants or animals

e.g

shoes with synthetic soles

UK:^*/ˈiːz/

US: /iz/

lack of difficulty

e.g

The ease with which she learns languages is astonishing.

UK:^*/ˈvɛs^əl/

US:/ˈvɛsəl/

a tube that carries blood through the body of a person or an animal, or liquid through the parts of a plant

e.g

to burst/rupture a blood vessel

UK:^*/prɛˈstiːʒ/

the respect and value that somebody/something has because of their social position, or what they have done

e.g

There is a lot of prestige attached to owning a car like this.

UK:^*/ˈpəʊɪtes/

US: (pō′i tis)

a female poet

e.g

Gabriela Mistral was a Chilean poetess

UK:^*/ˈpɒd/

US: /pɑd/

a long thin case filled with seeds that develops from the flowers of some plants, especially peas and beans

e.g

a pea pod

UK:^*/ˈpɒkɪtsaɪzd/

small enough to fit into your pocket or to be carried easily; smaller than the standard size

UK:^*/ˈpriːtʃ/

US:/pritʃ/

to give a religious talk in a public place, especially in a church during a service

e.g

She preached to the congregation about forgiveness.

UK:^*/rɪˈvəʊlt/

US: /rɪˈvoʊlt/

a protest against authority, especially that of a government, often involving violence; the action of protesting against authority

e.g

The Peasants Revolt of 1381 was the first popular uprising in England

UK:^*/ˈhaɪpə^r/

US: /ˈhaɪpɚ/

excited and nervous; having too much nervous energy

UK:^*/ˈdʒaɪrəskəʊp/

US: /ˈdʒaɪrəˌskoʊp/

a device consisting of a wheel that turns rapidly inside a frame and does not change position when the frame is moved. Gyroscopes are often used to keep ships and aircraft steady.

UK:^*/ˈɪŋk/

US: /ɪŋk/

coloured liquid for writing, drawing and printing

e.g

a pen and ink drawing

UK:^*/ˈkɪndə^rgɑː^rt^ən/

a school or class to prepare children aged five for school

e.g

his first day at kindergarten

US:/ˈfɝstˈbɔrn/

a person’s first child

UK:^*/kənˌdʒɔɪndˈtwɪn/

one of two people who are born with their bodies joined together in some way, sometimes sharing the same organs

UK:^*/ˈhjuː/

US: /hju/

a colour; a particular shade of a colour

e.g

Her paintings capture the subtle hues of the countryside in autumn.

UK:^*/ˈkɒfɪn/

US: /ˈkɔfɪn, ˈkɑfɪn/

a box in which a dead body is buried or cremated

e.g

A procession of mourners slowly followed the coffin.

US:/ˈmɑrvələs/

extremely good; wonderful

e.g

This will be a marvellous opportunity for her.

UK:^*/ˈmɑː^rksɪst/

US: (märk′sist)

a person who follows the political and economic theories of Karl Marx

UK:^*/ˈhærəsmənt/

the act of annoying or worrying somebody by putting pressure on them or saying or doing unpleasant things to them

e.g

sexual/racial harassment

UK - US: /ˈhʌski/

(of a person or their voice) sounding deep, quiet and rough, sometimes in an attractive way

e.g

Sorry, I’m a bit husky today—I’ve got a sore throat.

UK:^*/ˈswuːn/

US: /swun/

(old-fashioned) to become unconscious

UK:^*/ˈpɪntʃ/

US: /pɪntʃ/

pinch somebody/something/yourself to take a piece of somebody’s skin and press it together hard with your thumb and the finger next to it

e.g

He pinched the baby's cheek playfully.

UK:^*/ɛkˈstætɪk/

US: /ɛkˈstætɪk/

very happy, excited and enthusiastic; feeling or showing great enthusiasm

e.g

ecstatic applause/praise/reviews

UK:^*'yap': /jæp/

incessant chattering

e.g

Ben was yapping on about his new phone

UK: /ˈblʌr.i/

US: /ˈblɝː.i/

Not clear or sharp; lacking definition.

e.g.

The image on the screen was blurry and hard to see.

UK: /ˈfɔː.nɪŋ/

US: /ˈfɑː.nɪŋ/

Giving someone excessive praise or attention, often to gain their favor.

e.g.

The fawning assistant complimented her boss on every decision.

UK: /ˈfɒr.ən/

US: /ˈfɔːr.ən/

From a country that is not your own.

e.g.

She loves learning about foreign cultures and languages.

UK: /stʌnd/

US: /stʌnd/

So shocked or surprised that you cannot react.

e.g.

He was stunned by the news of his promotion.

UK: /ˈfer.əl/

US: /ˈfer.əl/

Existing in a wild state, especially after being domesticated.

e.g.

The feral cat lived on the outskirts of the town.

UK: /ˈdiː.vi.əs/

US: /ˈdiː.vi.əs/

Using indirect or deceitful methods to achieve something.

e.g.

The devious plan was designed to deceive his competitors.

UK: /ˈɑː.sən/

US: /ˈɑːr.sən/

The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

e.g.

The building was destroyed by an act of arson.

UK: /ˈæs.ɪ.naɪn/

US: /ˈæs.ɪ.naɪn/

Extremely stupid or foolish.

e.g.

He made an asinine comment during the meeting.

UK: /hɔːs/

US: /hɔːrs/

Having a rough or harsh voice, typically due to a sore throat or shouting.

e.g.

She was hoarse after cheering loudly at the game.

UK: /ˈblæk.meɪl/

US: /ˈblæk.meɪl/

The act of demanding money or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them.

e.g.

The politician was a victim of blackmail.

UK: /ˈseɪlz.mən/

US: /ˈseɪlz.mən/

A person whose job is to sell products or services.

e.g.

The salesman convinced her to buy the new car.

UK: /ˈwɪt.nəs/

US: /ˈwɪt.nəs/

A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.

e.g.

The witness gave a detailed account of the robbery.

UK: /həʊks/

US: /hoʊks/

A humorous or malicious deception.

e.g.

The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax.

UK: /mʌd/

US: /mʌd/

Soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixing of earth and water.

e.g.

The children were playing in the mud.

UK: /ˈreɪ.tɪŋ/

US: /ˈreɪ.tɪŋ/

A classification or ranking of someone or something based on a comparative assessment of their quality, standard, or performance.

e.g.

The movie received a high rating from critics.

UK: /ˈkæb.ɪn/

US: /ˈkæb.ɪn/

A small, simple house or shelter, typically made of wood and situated in a remote area.

e.g.

They spent the weekend in a cozy cabin in the woods.

UK: /paʊtʃ/

US: /paʊtʃ/

A small bag or soft container for carrying items.

e.g.

She kept her coins in a small leather pouch.

UK: /dɪˈspeər/

US: /dɪˈsper/

The complete loss or absence of hope.

e.g.

He was filled with despair after losing his job.

UK: /ˈhəʊm.ləs/

US: /ˈhoʊm.ləs/

Without a home, and therefore typically living on the streets.

e.g.

The city has several shelters for homeless people.

UK: /ˈwɪl.də.nəs/

US: /ˈwɪl.dɚ.nəs/

An uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region.

e.g.

They went on an expedition into the wilderness.

UK: /ˈfel.ə.ni/

US: /ˈfel.ə.ni/

A serious crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor.

e.g.

He was charged with a felony for armed robbery

UK: /ˌmɪs.dɪˈmiː.nər/

US: /ˌmɪs.dɪˈmiː.nɚ/

A minor wrongdoing or criminal offense that is less serious than a felony.

e.g.

She was fined for a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication.

UK: /əˈtrəʊ.ʃəs/

US: /əˈtroʊ.ʃəs/

Horrifyingly wicked or of very poor quality.

e.g.

The conditions in the prison were atrocious.

UK: /ˈfel.ə/

US: /ˈfel.ə/

Informal term for a man or a fellow.

e.g.

He's a good fella, always willing to lend a hand

UK: /ˈrəʊ.di/

US: /ˈroʊ.di/

A person who travels with a band or musical group on tour, setting up and maintaining equipment.

e.g.

The roadie helped set up the stage before the concert.

UK: /ˈɡruː.mɪŋ/

US: /ˈɡruː.mɪŋ/

The process of cleaning and tidying oneself, especially in order to look well-groomed.

e.g.

His grooming routine included shaving and styling his hair.

UK: /ˈwel.θi/

US: /ˈwɛl.θi/

Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich.

e.g.

She comes from a wealthy family.

UK: /ˈnɒn.səns/

US: /ˈnɑːn.sɛns/

Words or ideas that are foolish or absurd; meaningless or irrelevant talk.

e.g.

Don't listen to his nonsense.

UK: /ˈtrɪk.i/

US: /ˈtrɪk.i/

Involving difficulties or complexities; requiring skill or caution to perform successfully.

e.g.

The puzzle proved to be quite tricky.

UK: /təʊl/

US: /toʊl/

A charge payable to use a particular road or bridge, or for a long-distance telephone call.

e.g.

They had to pay a toll to cross the bridge.

UK: /dəʊ/

US: /doʊ/

Used to express frustration, regret, or dismay, especially when something has gone wrong or not as planned.

e.g.

Doh! I forgot to buy milk