Basic Vocabulary Flashcards
(7 cards)
Weather
Definition:
Weather /ˈweð.ɚ/ (noun): The state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, including temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation.
Weather /ˈweð.ɚ/ (verb): To endure or withstand (something difficult or challenging), especially successfully.
Type of Word:
Noun (common usage) Verb (less common usage)
Phonetic Symbols (noun):
/ˈweð.ɚ/
Phonetic Symbols (verb):
/ˈweð.ɚ/
Noun
Synonyms:
Climate /ˈklaɪ.mət/ Atmosphere /ˈæt.məs.fɪr/
Antonyms:
Calm /kɑːm/ Stillness /ˈstɪl.nəs/
Verb
Verb Forms (with US Phonetic Symbols):
Simple Present: weather /ˈweð.ɚ/ Past: weathered /ˈweð.ɚd/ Past Participle: weathered /ˈweð.ɚd/ Gerund: weathering /ˈweð.ɚ.ɪŋ/ Third Person Singular: weathers /ˈweð.ɚz/
Examples of Usage:
(Noun) The weather in the mountains can change rapidly. (Verb) The old bridge weathered the storm and remained intact. (Verb) The company has weathered many economic challenges over the years.
Idiom Using “Weather”:
“Under the weather”
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell. Example: "She couldn't come to work today because she's feeling under the weather."
This idiom metaphorically connects weather conditions to physical or emotional discomfort.
Thirsty
Definition:
Thirsty /ˈθɝː.sti/ (adjective):
Feeling a need to drink something. (Informal) Having a strong desire or craving for something, such as attention or success.
Type of Word:
Adjective
Phonetic Symbols:
/ˈθɝː.sti/
Synonyms:
Parched /pɑːrtʃt/ Dehydrated /ˌdiː.haɪˈdreɪ.t̬ɪd/
Antonyms:
Hydrated /ˈhaɪ.dreɪ.t̬ɪd/ Quenched /kwentʃt/
Examples of Usage:
After the long hike, she was extremely thirsty and drank a whole bottle of water. The team is thirsty for a victory after losing their last three games. His constant posting on social media makes him seem thirsty for attention.
Idiom Using “Thirsty”:
“Thirst for knowledge”
Meaning: A strong desire or eagerness to learn. Example: "She has a thirst for knowledge and spends hours reading every day."
This idiom metaphorically connects the physical sensation of thirst to a deep intellectual or emotional craving.
Color
colour (British English spelling) / color (American English spelling)
Definition:
Colour /ˈkʌl.ɚ/ (noun): The property of an object as seen by the eye, resulting from the way it reflects or emits light (e.g., red, blue, green).
Colour /ˈkʌl.ɚ/ (verb): To give something a particular hue or shade; to influence the way something is perceived.
Type of Word:
Noun (common usage) Verb (less common usage)
Phonetic Symbols (noun and verb):
/ˈkʌl.ɚ/
Noun
Synonyms:
Hue /hjuː/ Shade /ʃeɪd/
Antonyms:
Achromatic /ˌeɪ.kroʊˈmæt.ɪk/ (without colour) Monochrome /ˈmɑː.nə.kroʊm/ (single colour or shades of one colour)
Verb
Verb Forms (with US Phonetic Symbols):
Simple Present: colour /ˈkʌl.ɚ/ Past: coloured /ˈkʌl.ɚd/ Past Participle: coloured /ˈkʌl.ɚd/ Gerund: colouring /ˈkʌl.ɚ.ɪŋ/ Third Person Singular: colours /ˈkʌl.ɚz/
Examples of Usage:
(Noun) The sunset painted the sky in vibrant colours of orange and pink. (Verb) She coloured the drawing with crayons to make it more vibrant. (Verb) His experience in the field coloured his opinion on the subject.
Idiom Using “Colour”:
“Show your true colours”
Meaning: To reveal your real character or intentions, often after hiding them initially. Example: "At first, he seemed kind, but he showed his true colours when he refused to help."
This idiom metaphorically links the idea of colour to a person’s genuine nature, implying that it may only become visible under certain circumstances.
Hungry
Definition:
Hungry /ˈhʌŋ.ɡri/ (adjective):
Feeling the need or desire for food. Having a strong desire or craving for something, such as success, power, or knowledge.
Type of Word:
Adjective
Phonetic Symbols:
/ˈhʌŋ.ɡri/
Synonyms:
Starving /ˈstɑːr.vɪŋ/ Ravenous /ˈræv.ən.əs/
Antonyms:
Full /fʊl/ Satisfied /ˈsæt̬.ɪs.faɪd/
Examples of Usage:
After skipping breakfast, she felt incredibly hungry by lunchtime. He is hungry for success and works tirelessly to achieve his goals. The community is hungry for change and actively participates in local initiatives.
Idiom Using “Hungry”:
“Hungry for power”
Meaning: Having a strong and intense desire for authority or control. Example: "The character in the novel was hungry for power and betrayed his closest allies to gain it."
This idiom metaphorically connects physical hunger to an intense longing for dominance or influence, emphasizing the depth of ambition or greed.
Swim
Definition:
Swim /swɪm/ (verb):
To move through water by moving parts of the body (such as arms and legs) or using fins, tail, etc. To appear to be moving or floating, especially in a dizzying or disorienting way.
Swim /swɪm/ (noun):
The act of moving through water by swimming.
Type of Word:
Verb (common usage) Noun (less common usage)
Phonetic Symbols:
Verb: /swɪm/
Noun: /swɪm/
Verb
Verb Forms (with US Phonetic Symbols):
Simple Present: swim /swɪm/ Past: swam /swæm/ Past Participle: swum /swʌm/ Gerund: swimming /ˈswɪm.ɪŋ/ Third Person Singular: swims /swɪmz/
Synonyms:
Paddle /ˈpæd.əl/ Float /floʊt/
Antonyms:
Sink /sɪŋk/ Drown /draʊn/
Examples of Usage:
(Verb) She loves to swim in the ocean during summer. (Verb) After spinning in circles, his head began to swim with dizziness. (Noun) The athlete took a refreshing swim in the pool after practice.
Idiom Using “Swim”:
“Sink or swim”
Meaning: To succeed or fail based on your own abilities and efforts, especially in a challenging situation. Example: "When she started her new job, it was a sink or swim moment as she had to figure things out quickly."
This idiom metaphorically connects the physical act of swimming to survival and self-reliance, highlighting the importance of adaptability in tough circumstances.
Opposite
Definition:
Opposite /ˈɑː.pə.zɪt/ (adjective):
Completely different; being on the other side of something or someone. (Noun) A person or thing that is totally different from another. (Preposition) Facing or being across from something or someone.
Type of Word:
Adjective Noun Preposition
Phonetic Symbols:
Adjective/Noun/Preposition: /ˈɑː.pə.zɪt/
Synonyms:
Contrary /ˈkɑːn.trer.i/ Reverse /rɪˈvɝːs/
Antonyms:
Similar /ˈsɪm.ə.lɚ/ Equivalent /ɪˈkwɪv.əl.ənt/
Examples of Usage:
(Adjective) They live on opposite sides of the street. (Noun) Love and hate are opposites, yet they are closely related emotions. (Preposition) The park is located opposite the library.
Idiom Using “Opposite”:
“Opposites attract”
Meaning: People who are very different often complement each other and form successful relationships. Example: "They’re so different in personality, but opposites attract, and they’ve been happily married for years."
This idiom reflects the idea that contrasting characteristics can create harmony, often in relationships or partnerships.
Behind
Definition:
Behind /bɪˈhaɪnd/ (preposition, adverb, noun):
(Preposition) At or to the back of something or someone. (Adverb) In a position further back; in the past or lagging in progress. (Noun, informal) The part of the body at the back, especially the buttocks.
Type of Word:
Preposition Adverb Noun (informal usage)
Phonetic Symbols:
/bɪˈhaɪnd/
Synonyms:
After /ˈæf.tɚ/ (preposition/adverb) Beyond /bɪˈjɑːnd/ (preposition/adverb)
Antonyms:
In front /ɪn ˈfrʌnt/ (preposition/adverb) Ahead /əˈhed/ (adverb)
Examples of Usage:
(Preposition) The car is parked behind the building. (Adverb) She stayed behind to finish cleaning the room. (Noun) He slipped and landed on his behind.
Idiom Using “Behind”:
“Leave something behind”
Meaning: To abandon or forget something or to make progress by moving on from it. Example: "As she started her new job, she decided to leave her doubts behind and focus on the future."
This idiom metaphorically connects the physical position of being “behind” with the act of moving forward emotionally or situationally.
