170 English words
English vocabulary for actions and change
Useful English words about movement, actions, change, cause and effect, with meanings, pronunciation and example sentences.
Words
A
- actverbA2to do something, especially to deal with a situationThe government must act quickly to stop the flooding.
- actionnounA2the process of doing something to achieve a goal or deal with a problemWe need to take action before it’s too late.
- activitynounA2something you do for fun or for a purposeThe camp offers activities like swimming and hiking.
- adverseadjectiveC1harmful, negative or not helpfulThe drug has few adverse effects.
- affectverbB1to cause a change in someone or somethingLack of sleep can affect your memory.
- allowverbA2to give someone permission to do somethingMy parents don’t allow me to stay out late.
- appearverbB1to seemHe appears to be very tired.
- approachnounB2a way of dealing with somethingWe need a new approach to the problem.
- assailverbC2to attack someone violently or criticize them stronglyThe minister was assailed by reporters with questions.
- asunderadverbC2(literary) into separate parts or pieces, often violentlyThe old ship was torn asunder by the storm.
- avoidverbB1to stay away from someone or somethingI try to avoid driving at rush hour.
B
- beatverbB1to win against someone in a game or competitionWe beat them 3–1.
- becomeverbA2to begin to be somethingShe wants to become a doctor.
- beginverbA1to start doing something or to start happeningThe movie begins at eight.
- boltverbC1to suddenly run away very fast, usually from fearThe horse bolted when it heard the gunshot.
- breakverbA1to make something separate into pieces or stop workingBe careful not to break the glass.
- bringverbA1to take someone or something with you to a placeCan you bring some drinks to the party?
- buildverbA1to make a building or other structure by putting parts togetherThey built a new school in our town.
C
- carryverbA2to hold something and take it with you from one place to anotherCan you help me carry these bags?
- catchverbA2to take hold of something that is moving through the airHe caught the ball with one hand.
- causeverbB1to make something happen, usually something badThe storm caused a lot of damage.
- challengenounB1something new and difficult that tests your skill or strengthLearning a new language is a real challenge.
- changeverbA1to become different, or make someone or something differentThe town has changed a lot since I was a child.
- checkverbA1to look at something to see if it is correct, safe or as it should beCheck your answers before you hand in the test.
- cleaveverbC2to split or cut something apart with forceHe cleaved the log in two with a single blow.
- closeverbA1to shut something, or to stop being openPlease close the window; it’s cold.
- comeverbA1to move toward the speaker or the place being talked aboutCome here and look at this!
- commitverbB2to do something wrong or illegalHe was accused of committing fraud.
- compelverbC1to force someone to do something, or make it necessaryBad weather compelled us to turn back.
- conductverbB2to organize and carry out an activity such as research, a survey or an interviewThe team conducted a survey of 2,000 voters.
- constrainedadjectiveC1limited or restricted by somethingWe are constrained by a very tight budget.
- continueverbA2to keep doing something or keep happening without stoppingThe rain continued all afternoon.
- contriveverbC2to manage to do something difficult, often by being cleverShe contrived to get a ticket for the sold-out show.
- controlnounA2the power to decide what someone or something doesThe driver lost control of the car.
- coververbA2to put something over something else to protect or hide itCover the bowl with a plate.
- createverbA2to make something new existThe new factory will create 500 jobs.
- cutverbA1to divide or make an opening in something with a knife or scissorsCut the cake into eight pieces.
D
- developverbA2to grow or change into something bigger, stronger or more advancedThe town developed into a busy city.
- developmentnounB1the process of growing, changing or becoming more advancedSleep is important for a child’s development.
- driveverbA1to control a car or other vehicleCan you drive a truck?
- dropverbA2to let something fall, or to fallCareful, don’t drop that glass!
E
- ebbverbC2(of the tide) to move away from the landWe walked on the sand as the tide ebbed.
- effectnounB1a change or result that something causesThe new law had a big effect on small businesses.
- effortnounB1the physical or mental energy you use to do somethingLearning a language takes a lot of time and effort.
- eludeverbC1to escape from someone who is chasing you, often by being cleverThe thief eluded the police for weeks.
- engageverbC1to take part in an activity, used with “in”Students are encouraged to engage in class discussion.
- ensueverbC2to happen after or as a result of somethingAn argument ensued, and the police were called.
- enterverbA2to come or go into a placePlease knock before you enter the room.
- establishverbB2to start a company, organization or system that will last a long timeThe school was established in 1890.
- exertverbC1to use power, influence or pressure to affect someone or somethingParents exert a strong influence on their children.
- exertionnounC2great physical or mental effortHis face was red from the exertion of climbing the stairs.
F
- facenounA1the front of your head, where your eyes, nose and mouth areShe had a big smile on her face.
- failverbA2to not succeed in doing somethingTheir first business failed after a year.
- fallverbA1to drop down to the ground by accident or from a higher placeBe careful you don’t fall on the ice.
- fastadjectiveA1moving or happening quicklyHe’s the fastest runner on the team.
- fightverbA2to use physical force against someone, or to take part in a warTwo boys were fighting in the playground.
- fillverbA2to make something full, or to become fullCan you fill this bottle with water?
- findverbA1to discover something you were looking for, or by chanceI can’t find my keys anywhere.
- finishverbA1to complete something, or to come to an endHave you finished your homework yet?
- flourishverbC1to grow or develop well and successfullySmall businesses flourished in the town.
- foilverbC1to stop someone from succeeding in a plan, especially a bad onePolice foiled a plot to rob the bank.
- followverbA1to go behind someone or somethingFollow me, and I’ll show you the way.
- forcenounB1physical strength or violenceThe police had to use force to open the door.
- formnounA2a type or kind of somethingWalking is a great form of exercise.
- forsakeverbC2to leave someone, especially when they need youHe promised never to forsake his friends.
- forwardadverbA2toward the front or the direction you are facingTake one step forward, please.
- fosterverbC1to encourage something to developGood teachers foster a love of reading.
- frayverbC1(of cloth or rope) to become worn so that threads come loose at the edgeThe cuffs of his old shirt had started to fray.
G
- generateverbB2to produce or create something such as energy, income or interestThe wind farm generates enough power for 10,000 homes.
- getverbA1to receive, buy or obtain somethingI got a nice present for my birthday.
- giveverbA1to hand something to someone or let them have itCan you give me that pen, please?
- goverbA1to move or travel from one place to anotherWe’re going to the beach tomorrow.
- grappleverbC1to try hard to deal with or understand a difficult problemScientists are still grappling with the question.
- growverbA2to become bigger or taller over timeChildren grow so fast.
H
- hangverbA2to attach something at the top so it is held above the groundHang your coat on the hook.
- happenverbA1to take place, especially without being plannedWhat happened at the meeting?
- hardadjectiveA1difficult to do or understandThe test was harder than I expected.
- headlongadverbC2with the head firstHe tripped and fell headlong into the pool.
- helpverbA1to make it easier for someone to do somethingCan you help me carry these bags?
- hitverbA2to touch someone or something quickly and with forceThe ball hit the window and broke it.
- holdverbA2to have something in your hand or armsCan you hold my coffee for a second?
I
K
L
- layverbB1to put someone or something down carefully in a flat positionShe laid the baby on the bed.
- leadverbA2to show the way by going in frontThe guide led us through the forest.
- leaveverbA1to go away from a place or personThe train leaves at 8:15.
- lieverbA2to be or put yourself in a flat positionI’m going to lie down for a few minutes.
- lookverbA1to turn your eyes toward something so you can see itLook at that beautiful sunset!
- loseverbA2to be unable to find somethingI lost my keys again.
M
- maintainverbB2to keep something at the same level or in the same stateIt’s hard to maintain a healthy weight.
- makeverbA1to create or produce somethingI made a cake for her birthday.
- manifestverbC2to show something clearly, or to appear, often as a sign or symptomThe illness first manifests itself as a mild fever.
- missverbA2to feel sad because someone or something is not with youI really miss my family when I travel.
- modenounB2a particular way or style of doing somethingCycling is my favorite mode of transportation.
- moveverbA1to change position or put something in a different placeCan you move your bag so I can sit down?
- movementnounB1a change of position or placeThe camera picks up any movement in the garden.
- musterverbC1to find enough of a quality, such as courage or support, in order to do somethingShe mustered the courage to ask for a raise.
O
- obtainverbB2to get something, especially through effort or an official processYou must obtain a visa before you travel.
- occurverbB1to happen, especially without being plannedThe accident occurred at about 8 p.m.
- offerverbA2to ask if someone would like something or would like you to do somethingHe offered me a cup of coffee.
- openverbA1to move something so that it is no longer closedCould you open the window, please?
- orderverbA2to ask for food, drink or goods to be brought or sent to youWe ordered two pizzas for dinner.
P
- passverbA2to succeed in a test or examDid you pass your driving test?
- performverbB1to entertain people by acting, singing, dancing or playing musicThe band will perform at the festival.
- persistverbC1to continue doing something firmly, even when it is difficult or others objectShe persisted with her studies despite many setbacks.
- pervadeverbC1to spread through every part of somethingA feeling of hope pervaded the room.
- pickverbA2to choose someone or something from a groupPick any card you like.
- playverbA1to do things for fun, or to take part in a game or sportThe kids are playing in the yard.
- powernounA2control or influence over people and eventsThe president has the power to veto laws.
- practicenounA2doing something again and again to improve your skillSpeaking a language well takes a lot of practice.
- prepareverbA2to get ready, or to make something ready, for a future eventI need to prepare for my interview.
- preventverbB1to stop something from happening or someone from doing somethingWashing your hands helps prevent illness.
- processnounB1a series of actions or steps that lead to a resultApplying for a visa is a slow process.
- produceverbB1to make or grow something, especially in large amountsThe region produces most of the country’s wine.
- protectverbB1to keep someone or something safe from harm or damageSunscreen protects your skin from the sun.
- provideverbB1to give someone something they need or wantThe hotel provides free breakfast.
- provokeverbC1to cause a reaction, especially a strong or negative oneThe new law provoked widespread protests.
- pullverbA2to move something toward you or along behind you using forcePull the door to open it.
- pushverbA2to move something away from you using forcePush the button to start the machine.
- putverbA1to move something into a particular place or positionPut your keys on the table.
R
- racenounA2a competition to see who is fastestShe won the 100-meter race.
- raiseverbB1to lift or move something to a higher position or levelRaise your hand if you have a question.
- reachverbB1to arrive at a place, level or pointWe reached the hotel after midnight.
- reduceverbB1to make something smaller in size, amount or priceCycling to work reduces pollution.
- remainverbB1to stay in the same place or conditionPlease remain seated until the plane stops.
- removeverbB1to take something away from a placeRemove the cake from the oven after 30 minutes.
- renderverbC1to cause someone or something to be in a particular stateThe injury rendered him unable to walk.
- resultnounA2something that happens because of something elseThe flood was the result of heavy rain.
- returnverbA2to come or go back to a placeHe returned home after ten years abroad.
- ripplenounC1a small wave on the surface of waterThe stone made ripples on the pond.
- riseverbB1to go up, or to increase in amount or levelPrices rose sharply last year.
- risknounB1the chance that something bad will happenSmoking increases the risk of heart disease.
- routnounC2a complete defeat, or a disorderly retreat after a defeatThe match ended in a 6–0 rout.
- runverbA1to move fast on your feetI run three miles every morning.
S
- safeadjectiveA2not in danger, or not likely to cause harmIs it safe to swim here?
- saveverbA2to keep someone or something safe from danger or harmThe firefighter saved a child from the fire.
- seekverbB2to try to find or get somethingMany people seek work in the city.
- setverbA2to put something in a place or positionShe set the plates on the table.
- shakeverbA2to move something quickly up and down or from side to sideShake the bottle before you open it.
- shareverbA2to have or use something together with other peopleI share an apartment with two friends.
- shootverbB1to fire a gun or other weaponThe hunter shot at the deer but missed.
- shotnounB1the act of firing a gun, or the sound it makesWe heard two shots in the distance.
- sitverbA1to rest with your bottom on a chair or the groundPlease sit here next to me.
- standverbA1to be on your feet in an upright positionWe had to stand on the bus.
- startverbA1to begin doing somethingIt started to rain.
- stayverbA1to remain in a place and not leaveStay here until I come back.
- stepnounA2the act of moving one foot in front of the otherThe baby took her first steps.
- stopverbA1to end an action or no longer moveThe bus stopped outside the bank.
- subsideverbC1to become less strong, loud or violentWe waited in the car until the storm subsided.
- supportverbA2to help or encourage someone or somethingMy parents always support my decisions.
T
- takeverbA1to carry or move something or someone from one place to anotherTake an umbrella with you.
- throughprepositionA2from one side or end of something to the otherWe drove through the tunnel.
- throwverbA2to send something through the air with your handThrow me the ball!
- treadverbC1to walk or step on something, often pressing it downTry not to tread on the flowers.
- tryverbA1to make an effort to do somethingI’ll try to finish by five.
- turnverbA1to move or change directionTurn left at the light.
U
W
- walkverbA1to move along on foot at a normal speedI walk to school every morning.
- wanderverbB2to walk slowly around a place without a clear purpose or directionWe spent the afternoon wandering around the old town.
- wantonadjectiveC2(of cruel or harmful acts) done deliberately and for no good reasonThe report condemned the wanton destruction of the forest.
- watchverbA1to look at something for a period of timeWe watched a movie last night.
- winverbA1to be the best or first in a game, race, or competitionOur team won the match.