A
a or an [(1) one; (2) any; (3) each] Would you give me a sheet of paper? (1) A triangle has three sides. (2) He comes to see his grandmother once a week. (3) able [having the power to do something] Are you able to speak English? about [(1) almost; (2) of or having a relation to] He completed about half of his work. (1) We talk about the weather. (2) above [at a higher place] His head was above the water. accept [to agree to receive] Please accept my thanks.
accident [(1) something that happens by chance or mistake; (2) an unplanned event] She was injured in the accident. (1) We met again by accident after seventeen years had passed. (2) accuse [(1) to say a person is responsible for an act or crime; (2) to make a statement against someone] Her friend accused her of breaking his heart. (1) The lawyer accused the suspect of lying. (2) across [(1) from side to side; (2) to the other side] The box was ten centimeters across. (1) The dog ran across the road. (2) act [to do something] He acted immediately to stop the fight. activist [one who seeks change through action] The activist worked hard to change the law.
actor [someone acting in a play or show] That actor frightened me.
add [(1) to put (something) with another to make it larger; (2) to say more] Please add my name to the list. (1) She told him to leave, but added that she would like to see him again. (2) administration [the executive part of a government, usually headed by a president or prime minister] The new administration starts work in January. admit [(1) to accept; (2) to express one's guilt or responsibility] When was the country admitted to the United Nations? (1) He admitted that what he did was wrong. (2) adult [a grown person] Only an adult can sign the document. advise [to help with information, knowledge or ideas in making a decision] Did you advise him to leave?
affect [(1)to influence；(2)to produce an effect on] A lack of sleep affected the singer's performance. (1) Mr. Nutley's belief in my talent greatly affected my life. (2) afraid [feeling fear] I am afraid of guns. after [(1)later; (2)behind] She arrived after the lesson started. (1) In the alphabet, B is after A. (2) again [(1) another time; (2) as before] Sam played the song again. (1) I found my book in the same place again. (2) against [(1) opposed to; (2) not agreeing with something] They marched against the war. (1) He agreed to most of the plan, but was against starting it now. (2) age [how old a person or thing is] The legal age for voting is eighteen. agency [an organization that is part of a larger group] UNICEF is an agency of the United Nations.
aggression [(1) an attack against a person or country; (2) the violation of a country's borders] The surprise attack was an act of aggression. (1) The country committed aggression when it crossed the border of the other country. (2) ago [(1) of time past; (2) before now] He was my friend long ago. (1) I saw her two years ago. (2) agree [(1) to have the same belief as someone; (2) to be willing to do something] We agree about politics. (1) Both sides agree to meet again next week. (2) agriculture [farming] John studied agriculture because he wanted to be a farmer. aid [(1) to help; (2) to support; (3) help, assistance] He offered to aid the victims of the fire. (1) Did you give money to aid the Democratic or the Republican candidate? (2) Congress voted to provide aid to the flood victims. (3) aim [(1) to point a gun at; (2) a goal or purpose] You cannot hit the target if you do not aim the gun. (1) The aim of the reformers is to improve government. (2) air [the mixture of gases around the earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, that we breathe] The air is clean in the mountains. air force [a military organization using airplanes] The air force wants more airplanes and missiles.
airplane [a vehicle with wings that flies] I flew home on an airplane.
airport [a place where airplanes take off and land] The airplane landed at the airport in Washington.
album [a collection of recorded music] He recorded the song from an old record album.
alcohol [a strong, colorless liquid, usually made from grain, used as a drug or in industrial products] The man fell because he drank too much alcohol.
alive [(1) having life; (2) not dead] The flowers become alive in the spring. (1) The accident victim was seriously injured but is still alive. (2) all [(1) everything; (2) everyone; (3) the complete amount] She ate all that she wanted. (1) All were invited to speak on the proposal. (2) She spent all her money for a new car. (3) ally [a nation or person joined with another for a special purpose] Britain is a military ally of the United States. almost [a little less than completely] My dog is almost five years old.
alone [separated from others] Some people enjoy eating alone.
along [near or on] We walked along the road.
already [(1) before now; (2) even now] She was already there when we arrived. (1) It is already too late to take the train. (2) also [(1) added to; (2) too] Please bring me the fish dinner and coffee, and also some water. (1) She said she also wanted to go home. (2) although [even if it is true that] Although he was tired, he kept walking. always [(1) at all times; (2) every time] This street is always busy. (1) We always study together. (2) ambassador [a nation's highest diplomatic representative (to another government)] Foreign ambassadors live in the capital city. amend [to add to or to change (a proposal or law)] The committee refused to amend its proposal.
ammunition [the bullets or shells fired from guns] They could not fight without ammunition.
among [in or part of (a group)] She was among the students who left the school.
amount [the number, size or weight of anything] The doctor gave him only a small amount of medicine.
anarchy [(1) a lack of order; (2) lawlessness] The peaceful protests blocked the streets and produced anarchy. (1) Anarchy resulted when the city could not stop the riots. (2) ancestor [a family member from the past] My ancestors came from Switzerland in 1742. ancient [(1) very old; (2) long ago] Scientists discovered the ancient knife in a cave. (1) They read the Iliad while studying ancient Greece. (2) and [(1) also; (2) in addition to; (3) with] My dog likes to run and jump. (1) Five and three equal eight. (2) Do you like rice and black beans? (3) anger [a strong emotion against someone or something] The protester's voice was full of anger. animal [a living creature that moves, such as a dog or cat] The kangaroo is a strange animal.
anniversary [a yearly celebration or observance of an event that happened in the past] When is your wedding anniversary?
announce [(1) to make known publicly; (2) to declare officially] Who announced the VOA news last night? (1) The president announced a tax cut. (2) another [(1) one more;（2）a different one] May I have another kiss? (1) Let's do this another way. (2) answer [(1) a statement produced by a question; (2) to make a statement after being asked a question] That was my final answer. (1) She answered the question with a smile. (2) any [one or more of no special kind] I do not have any plans to leave town. apologize [to express regret for a mistake or accident for which one accepts responsibility] Do not apologize for someone else's mistake. appeal [(1) to take to a higher court, person or group for a decision; (2) to call on somebody for help] I have appealed the decision to a higher court. (1) The aid organization appealed for more food and water for flood victims. (2) appear [(1) to show oneself; (2) to come into sight; (3) to seem] The actor appeared on television for the first time. (1) The ship appeared as the fog lifted. (2) The farmer appeared to be very tired. (3) appoint [(1) to name; (2) to choose] The owner appointed John to head the new business. (1) The president can appoint a judge to the new court. (2) approve [(1) to agree with; (2) to agree to support] The bank approved my loan. (1) I approve of your proposal. (2) archeology [the scientific study of past human life and activities] He studied archeology in college. area [any place or part of it] My friend lives in this area.
argue [(1) to offer reasons for or against something; (2) to dispute; (3) to disagree] The President argued for more aid to schools. (1) They argued all day but could not find agreement. (2) George and Al love to argue about politics. (3) arms [(1) military equipment; (2) weapons] The rebels got most of their arms by taking them from soldiers. (1) We are very concerned about the spread of nuclear arms. (2) army [military ground forces] The army fights on the ground. around [on every side (of)] She drove around in her new car.
arrest [(1) to seize a person for legal action; (2) to take as a prisoner] The judge ordered police to arrest him because he refused to come to court. (1) The police arrested the violent demonstrators. (2) arrive [to come to a place, especially at the end of a trip] The president arrived in Tokyo for an official visit. art [expressions or creations by humans, such as paintings, music, writing or statues] Much of the art included paintings stolen during World War II.
artillery [big guns] Artillery destroyed most of the buildings in the town.
as [(1) equally; (2) when; (3) while] The wild fire spread as fast as the wind behind it. (1) As he heard the gunshot, he looked at his watch and saw it was almost five o'clock. (2) He watched the animal as it ran across the field. (3) ash [the part left after something burns] Only ashes were left when the fire passed. ask [(1) to question; (2) to say something is wanted] We ask the teacher questions every day. (1) The candidate asked the people for their votes. (2) assist [to help] The doctor asked the medical student to assist him. astronaut [a person who travels in space] Astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon.
astronomy [the scientific study of stars and the universe] I study astronomy because I like to look at stars.
asylum [political protection given by a government to a person from another country] The refugee asked for political asylum.
at [(1) in or near; (2) where; (3) when] She saw the bear at the edge of the forest. (1) Look at the bear. (2) We must go home at noon. (3) atmosphere [the gases surrounding any star or planet] The atmosphere of Venus is mostly water and carbon dioxide. attach [(1) to tie together; (2) to connect] Please attach this name card to your coat. (1) He attached himself to our group. (2) attack [(1) a violent attempt to damage, injure or kill; (2) to start a fight] The war started with a rebel attack on government troops at Charleston, South Carolina. (1) Several men attacked him on the street. (2) attempt [(1) to work toward something; (2) to try; (3) to make an effort] He attempted to change his life one step at a time. (1) Do not attempt to drive through the flood waters. (2) You will never write your book if you do not attempt it. (3) attend [to be present at] The president will attend the meeting. automobile [(1) a vehicle with wheels used to carry people; (2) a car] Is a bus an automobile? (1) Who invented the automobile? (2) autumn [the time of the year between summer and winter] The trees of autumn are bright red and yellow. average [(1) something (a number) representing the middle; (2) common; (3) normal] The average of daily high temperatures in Washington in January is zero degrees, Celsius. (1) The average amount spent for lunch was two dollars. (2) John is an average student. (3) avoid [to stay away from] Avoid meat and milk products to prevent a heart attack. awake [not sleeping] The storm kept everyone awake for hours.
award [an honor or prize for an act or service] Last night, we saw the movie that won the best picture award.
away [not near] The old man came from far away, but his home is here now.
