sabotage [to damage or destroy as an act against an organization or nation] The rebels sabotaged the railroad.
sacrifice [to do without something or to suffer a loss for a belief, idea, goal or another person] She sacrificed her house to pay for medical school for her son.
sad [not happy] He was sad because she left.
safe [away from harm or danger] This is a safe place for you to stay.
sail [to travel by boat or ship] We will sail to Hawaii on Thursday.
sailor [a person involved in sailing a boat or ship] He is a sailor on one of the big oil ships.
salt [a white substance found in seawater and in the ground, used to affect the taste of food] The doctor says eating too much salt can raise my blood pressure.
same [(1) not different; (2) not changed; (3) like another or others] He eats at the same time every day. (1) She looks the same as she did ten years ago. (2) His car is the same as mine. (3) sand [extremely small pieces of crushed rock found in large amounts in deserts and on coasts] The hot sand of the desert burned her feet. satellite [(1) a small object in space that moves around a larger object; (2) an object placed in orbit around the earth] The Earth and other planets are satellites of the sun. (1) A new communications satellite was put in orbit today. (2) satisfy [to give or provide what is desired, needed or demanded] Does this food satisfy your hunger? save [(1) to make safe; (2) to remove from harm; (3) to keep for future use] He saved the building by disarming the bomb. (1) The fireman saved her when he pulled her from the burning house. (2) She saved a little money every week. (3) say [(1) to speak; (2) to express in words] What will you say to her? (1) I will say to her what is in my heart. (2) school [(1) a place for education; (2) a place where people go to learn] Is your son going to public or private school? (1) Her school is testing students to measure how much they have learned. (2) science [the study of nature and the actions of natural things, and the knowledge gained about them] Science has made great changes in our lives in just a few years. sea [a large area of salt water, usually part of an ocean] The rough sea seems angry.
search [to look for carefully] We searched everywhere for her missing book.
season [(1) one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth's position toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); (2) a period of time based on different weather conditions; (3) a period during the year when something usually happens] He says autumn is his favorite season. (1) She likes to visit there during the dry season. (2) He cannot wait for baseball season to start. (3) seat [(1) a thing to sit on; (2) a place to sit or the right to sit there] The boy gave the woman his seat on the bus. (1) He has held his seat in parliament for 40 years. (2) second [the one that comes after the first] This is the second time I have been here. secret [(1) something known only to a few and kept from general knowledge; (2) hidden from others; (3) known only to a few] No member will talk about the secret ceremonies. (1) The nuclear scientist denied giving secret information to foreign spies. (2) Many secret stories of the Cold War are now becoming known. (3) security [(1) freedom from danger or harm; (2) protection; (3) measures necessary to protect a person or place] Security was increased in the city. (1) The store provided its own security. (2) Strong national security kept the country safe. (3) see [(1) to know or sense through the eyes; (2) to understand or know] Did you see her smile? (1) I see what you mean. (2) seed [the part of a plant from which new plants grow] If you plant the seeds now, you can eat vegetables in two months. seek(ing) [(1) to search for; (2) to try to get; (3) to plan to do] They are seeking a cure for cancer. (1) She is seeking election to public office. (2) Electric power companies are seeking to reduce their use of coal. (3) seem [to appear to be] She seems to be in good health. seize [(1) to take quickly by force; (2) to take control of quickly; (3) to arrest] Marines seized the island in three days. (1) The generals seized power after the president fled. (2) The policeman seized the suspect. (3) self [all that which makes one person different from others] He seems to think only of himself. sell [to give something in exchange for money] He will sell his car to me for 2,000 dollars.
Senate [the smaller of the two groups in the governments of some countries, such as in the United States Congress] The Senate has 100 members, two from each state.
send [(1) to cause to go; (2) to permit to go; (3) to cause to be carried, taken or directed to or away from a place] She sent the boy away. (1) To which university did he send his daughter? (2) The government will send supplies immediately to the earthquake area. (3) sense [(1) to come to know about by feeling, believing or understanding; (2) any of the abilities to see, hear, taste, smell or feel] He sensed that the dog would not attack him. (1) The medicine affected his sense of taste. (2) sentence [(1) to declare the punishment for a crime; (2) the punishment for a crime] The judge sentenced him to three years in prison. (1) She received a sentence of 18 months of community service. (2) separate [(1) to set or keep people, things or ideas away from or independent from others; (2) not together or connected] He separated the two boys and told them to stop fighting. (1) They work in separate offices. (2) series [a number of similar things or events that follow one after another in time, position or order] The doctor said the series of tests would show the cause of the pain. serious [(1) important; (2) needing careful consideration; (3) dangerous] The two sides have begun serious negotiations. (1) We have a serious problem to solve. (2) The accident victim is reported to be in serious condition. (3) serve [(1) to work as an official; (2) to be employed by the government; (3) to assist or help] He served as Secretary of State. (1) She has served as a government employee for 30 years. (2) She served us tea and made us feel welcome. (3) service [(1) an organization or system that provides something for the public; (2) a job that an organization or business can do for money; (3) military organizations such as an army, navy or air force; (4) a religious ceremony] Schools and roads are services paid for by taxes. (1) His business provides childcare services for working parents. (2) Two of her sons are in the military services. (3) Our church provides three services every Sunday morning. (4) set [(1) to put in place or position; (2) to establish a time, price or limit] She set food in front of us. (1) Have you set a time for our meeting? (2) settle [(1) to end (a dispute); (2) to agree about (a problem); (3) to make a home in a new place] The long dispute was finally settled. (1) We settled our legal problem without going to court. (2) Her family settled in Dallas many years ago. (3) several [three or more, but not many] I saw them in the office several days ago. severe [(1) not gentle; (2) causing much pain, sadness or damage] The prisoners received severe treatment from their guards. (1) The powerful storm caused severe damage to homes. (2) sex [(1) either the male or female group into which all people and animals are divided because of their actions in producing young; (2) the physical activity by which humans and animals can produce young] What is the sex of your children? (1) The doctor warned them about the dangers of unprotected sex. (2) shake [to move or cause to move in short, quick movements] Do not shake your finger at me. shape [(1) to give form to; (2) the form of something, especially how it looks] He shaped his own version of the truth from the facts that were known. (1) She made him a birthday cake in the shape of a fish. (2) share [(1) to give part of something to another or others; (2) a part belonging to, given to or owned by a single person or a group; (3) any one of the equal parts of ownership of a business or company] They shared the food that remained. (1) Each of the brothers had an equal share of the business. (2) The president owned 100,000 shares of the company's stock. (3) sharp [(1) having a thin edge or small point that can cut or hurt; (2) causing hurt or pain] The sharp knife cut through the vegetable and into his finger. (1) Her sharp, angry voice cut him like a knife. (2) she [the girl or woman who is being spoken about] She is a kind woman. sheep [a farm animal used for its meat and hair] They used the wool from their sheep to make all of their clothes.
shell [(1) to fire artillery; (2) a metal container that is fired from a large gun and explodes when it reaches its target; (3) a hard outside cover] The big guns shelled the town for an hour. (1) The soldiers fired more than 200 artillery shells. (2) The turtle's shell protects it from its enemies. (3) shelter [(1) to protect or give protection to; (2) something that gives protection; (3) a place of safety] She sheltered her son from the evil she saw in the world. (1) Survival in nature requires food, water and shelter. (2) They found shelter under a tree until the rain ended. (3) shine [(1) to aim a light; (2) to give bright light; (3) to be bright; (4) to clean to make bright] He shined the light on them. (1) The sun shined brightly in the clear sky. (2) The faces of the children shined with happiness. (3) She shined the silver lamp until she could see her face in it. (4) ship [(1) to transport; (2) a large boat] He ships his products by truck. (1) The ship seemed to stop at every island in the Caribbean Sea. (2) shock [(1) to cause to feel sudden surprise or fear; (2) something that greatly affects the mind or emotions; (3) a powerful shake, as from an earthquake] She was shocked to find a man hiding in her house. (1) Her father's sudden death was a great shock to her. (2) Many minor shocks followed the earthquake. (3) shoe [a covering for the foot] I cannot find one of my shoes. shoot [(1) to cause a gun or other weapon to send out an object designed to kill; (2)to use a gun] The policewoman will shoot you if you move. (1) He shoots only at targets. (2) short [(1) lasting only for a small period of time; (2) not long; (3) opposite tall] He made a short speech. (1) The missing dog has short legs and a long body. (2) She is short, but her husband is tall. (3) should [(1) used with another verb (action word) to show responsibility, (2) probability, (3) or that something is believed to be a good idea] We should study. (1) The talks should begin soon. (2) Criminals should be punished. (3) shout [to speak very loudly] The protestors shouted at the President. show [(1) to make something be seen; (2) to make known; (3) a play or story presented in a theater, or broadcast on radio or television, for enjoyment or education; (4) something organized to be seen by the public] She showed an anger I did not know she possessed. (1) He showed that he could do it. (2) Did you hear the Morning Show today on VOA radio? (3) The music students played at a free show after school. (4) shrink [to make or become less in size, weight or value] Those wool clothes will shrink if you wash them in hot water. sick [(1) suffering physically or mentally with a disease or other problem; (2) not in good health] She is sick with a fever. (1) He always seems to be sick. (2) sickness [the condition of being in bad health] Doctors do not yet know what is causing her sickness. side [(1) the outer surfaces of an object that are not the top or bottom; (2) parts away from the middle; (3) either the right or left half of the body] The side of my car was damaged in the accident. (1) On which side of the football field does our school sit? (2) He usually sleeps on the left side of his body. (3) sign [(1) to write one's name; (2) a mark or shape used to mean something; (3) evidence that something exists or will happen; (4) a flat piece of material with writing that gives information] The writer signed a copy of his book for me. (1) A white mark on trees is a sign of the mountain trail. (2) Scientists have found no sign yet of life anywhere else in the Universe. (3) That sign tells us how many miles we must drive to get to Chicago. (4) signal [(1) to send a message by signs; (2) an action or movement that sends a message] That traffic light signals when we must stop or go. (1) Paul Revere will make a signal with his light to warn if the British are coming by land or sea. (2) silence [(1) to make quiet; (2) to stop from speaking or making noise; (3) a lack of noise or sound] Silence the television by pushing the mute button on your hand control. (1) The team leader silenced his men with a hand sign. (2) She heard only silence. (3) silver [a valued white metal] That little box is made of silver. similar [like something else but not exactly the same] The President said his proposal was similar to a proposal by Congress.
simple [(1) easy to understand or do; (2) not difficult or complex] Special English is a simple form of spoken English. (1) This book tells us in a simple way how to use a computer to do complex work. (2) since [from a time in the past until now] I have known her since we went to school together. sing [to make music sounds with the voice] He sings in the shower.
single [one only] He gave her a single flower, a red rose, to show his love.
sink [to go down into water or other liquid] He sank deeper into the mud with each step.
sister [a female with the same father or mother as another person] I have only one sister.
sit [(1) to rest on the lower part of the body without the support of the legs; (2) to become seated] Please sit down and rest. (1) She sat down. (2) situation [the way things are during a period of time] The situation in the Middle East is very dangerous. size [(1) the space occupied by something; (2) how long, wide or high something is] Can you imagine the size of the Universe? (1) Geometry can help you measure the size of that big tree. (2) skeleton [all the bones of a human or other animal together in their normal positions] Scientists sometimes find the skeletons of people who lived thousands of years ago. skill [the ability gained from training or experience] He has great baseball skills.
