146 English words
English vocabulary for communication, media and the arts
Useful English words about speaking, writing, language, news, film, music and art, with meanings, pronunciation and example sentences.
Words
A
- accordingprepositionB1according to: as said or reported by someone or somethingAccording to the weather report, it will rain later.
- addressnounA1the details of where a person lives or where a building isPlease write your address on the form.
- admitverbB1to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true or that you did something wrongHe admitted that he had lied.
- admonishverbC2to tell someone firmly that they have done something wrongThe judge admonished the lawyer for interrupting.
- advocatenounC1a person who publicly supports a cause or speaks for othersShe is a strong advocate of free education.
- answernounA1something you say or write when someone asks a questionI don’t know the answer.
- appealnounB2a serious public request for money, help or informationPolice issued an appeal for witnesses.
- appendverbC1to add something to the end of a document or piece of writingA list of sources is appended to the report.
- argueverbB1to speak angrily to someone because you disagreeMy brothers argue about everything.
- artnounA1paintings, drawings and sculptures, or the activity of making themWe spent the afternoon at an art museum.
- articlenounA2a piece of writing in a newspaper, magazine or websiteI read an interesting article about sleep.
- artistnounA2a person who paints, draws or makes other artThe artist painted the mural in a week.
- askverbA1to say or write a question to get informationCan I ask you a question?
- assertverbC1to state firmly that something is trueThe lawyer asserted that her client was innocent.
- audiencenounA2the people watching or listening to a show, speech or filmThe audience clapped for five minutes.
- authornounA2a person who writes a book, article or reportWho is the author of this novel?
B
- beseechverbC2to ask someone for something in an urgent, emotional wayShe beseeched him to stay.
- boastverbB2to talk too proudly about yourself or what you haveHe’s always boasting about his expensive car.
- booknounA1a set of printed pages fixed together inside a coverI’m reading a great book about Japan.
C
- callverbA1to phone someoneI’ll call you tonight.
- cameranounA1a device for taking photos or making videosMy phone has a great camera.
- candidadjectiveC1honest and direct, even when the truth is not pleasantTo be candid, I don’t think the plan will work.
- canonnounC2a group of works generally accepted as the most important in a fieldThe novel is now part of the literary canon.
- characternounA2a person in a book, film or playThe main character is a young detective.
- chastiseverbC2to criticize someone severely for doing something wrongThe coach chastised the players for their lack of effort.
- citeverbB2to mention something as an example or reason, or to quote a sourceThe author cites several recent studies.
- claimverbB1to say that something is true, although others may not believe itHe claims he saw a UFO last night.
- clearadjectiveA2easy to understand, see or hearThe instructions were short and clear.
- clearlyadverbA2in a way that is easy to see, hear or understandPlease speak clearly into the microphone.
- coaxverbC1to persuade someone gently and patiently to do somethingShe coaxed the frightened cat out from under the bed.
- commercialadjectiveB1connected with buying and selling things or making moneyThe film was a huge commercial success.
- conceitnounC2too much pride in yourself and your abilitiesHis conceit made him hard to work with.
- conferverbC2to discuss something with others before decidingThe judge conferred with both lawyers.
- conferencenounB1a large formal meeting where people discuss a subject, often over several daysShe spoke at a conference on climate change.
- contendverbC2to say firmly that something is true, especially in an argumentThe authors contend that the policy has failed.
- contrivedadjectiveC2seeming false and planned rather than naturalThe ending of the film felt contrived.
- convinceverbB1to make someone believe that something is trueShe convinced me that the story was real.
- culturaladjectiveB1connected with the customs, beliefs and arts of a group of peopleMoving abroad means facing many cultural differences.
- culturenounA2the way of life, customs and beliefs of a group of peopleI love learning about Japanese culture.
D
- debatenounB1a discussion in which people give different opinions on a subjectThere is a lot of debate about the new tax.
- describeverbA1to say or write what someone or something is likeCan you describe the man you saw?
- detailnounA2a small fact or piece of information about somethingPlease send me the details of the trip.
- directornounA2a person who manages a company or organizationShe is the sales director at a large firm.
- discussverbA2to talk about something with other peopleWe need to discuss the budget.
- discussionnounA2a conversation about something, often a serious oneWe had a long discussion about our plans.
- dispatchverbC1to send someone or something to a place for a purposeAn ambulance was dispatched to the scene.
- drawverbA1to make a picture with a pen or pencilMy son loves to draw animals.
E
- elaborateadjectiveC1having many carefully arranged parts or details; complicatedThey made elaborate plans for the wedding.
- enjoinverbC2to order or strongly urge someone to do somethingThe doctor enjoined him to rest for a week.
- entertainverbB1to interest and amuse peopleThe clown entertained the children for an hour.
- entreatverbC2to ask someone very seriously or emotionally to do somethingHe entreated her not to leave.
- exaltverbC2to praise someone or something very highlyThe poem exalts the beauty of nature.
- examplenounA1one thing that shows what a group or idea is likeCan you give me an example of a healthy breakfast?
- explainverbA2to make something clear or easy to understand by giving detailsCan you explain how this machine works?
- explicateverbC2to explain an idea or text in detailThe professor explicated the poem line by line.
F
- filmnounA1a story shown with moving pictures, usually in a theater or on TVHave you seen any good films lately?
- foilverbC1to stop someone from succeeding in a plan, especially a bad onePolice foiled a plot to rob the bank.
- formaladjectiveB1serious and following accepted rules, suitable for official occasionsPlease use formal language in your cover letter.
I
- imagenounB1a picture, photo or shape seen on a screen or in a mirrorThe camera takes sharp images even at night.
- impartverbC2to pass on information or knowledge to someoneGood teachers impart a love of learning.
- impertinentadjectiveC2rude and not showing enough respect, especially to someone older or more importantThe boy was punished for an impertinent remark to his teacher.
- indicateverbB2to show that something is true or existsThe results indicate that the drug works.
- informationnounA1facts or details about someone or somethingFor more information, visit our website.
- insinuateverbC2to suggest something unpleasant indirectly, without saying it clearlyAre you insinuating that I lied?
- insistverbB1to say firmly that something must happen, used with “on” or “that”She insisted on paying for dinner.
- interviewnounA2a formal meeting where someone is asked questions, for example for a jobI have a job interview on Friday.
- issuenounB1an important subject or problem that people discussClimate change is a global issue.
L
- languagenounA1a system of words used by the people of a country or groupShe speaks three languages.
- letternounA1a written message sent to someone, usually by mailI got a letter from my grandmother.
- lieverbA2to be or put yourself in a flat positionI’m going to lie down for a few minutes.
- listnounA1a set of names or things written one below anotherI made a shopping list before going out.
- listenverbA1to pay attention to sounds or to what someone saysI like to listen to music while I cook.
M
- magazinenounA1a thin book with articles and photos, published regularlyI read a fashion magazine on the plane.
- maximnounC1a short saying that expresses a general truth or rule of behaviorShe lives by the maxim “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
- meanverbA2to have a particular meaning or to express a particular ideaWhat does this word mean?
- medianounB1television, radio, newspapers and the internet as ways of giving news and informationThe story got a lot of attention in the media.
- mentionverbB1to speak or write about something brieflyDid she mention when she would be back?
- messagenounA1a short piece of written or spoken information you send to someoneI sent you a message about dinner.
- movienounA1a story shown as moving pictures on a screenWe watched a funny movie last night.
- musicnounA1sounds arranged in a pleasant way by singing or playing instrumentsI listen to music on the way to work.
N
- networknounB1a system of connected lines, roads, computers or peopleThe city has a good bus network.
- newsnounA1new information about recent eventsI have some good news for you!
- newspapernounA1printed or online pages of news and articles published regularlyMy dad reads the newspaper every morning.
- notenounA2a short written message or record to help you rememberI left a note on the kitchen table.
- novelnounB1a long written story about imaginary people and eventsShe is writing her first novel.
P
- pagenounA1one side of a sheet of paper in a book, magazine or documentPlease open your books to page 20.
- paintingnounA2a picture made with paintThere’s a beautiful painting above the fireplace.
- parablenounC1a short, simple story that teaches a moral or religious lessonThe film works as a parable about greed.
- passagenounB2a short section of a book, speech or piece of musicRead the passage and answer the questions below.
- performverbB1to entertain people by acting, singing, dancing or playing musicThe band will perform at the festival.
- performancenounB1the act of performing a play, piece of music or showThe evening performance starts at eight.
- phonenounA1a device you use to talk to people who are far away, or a mobile phoneMy phone is almost out of battery.
- picturenounA1a painting, drawing or photographCan you take a picture of us by the lake?
- pleadverbC1to ask for something in an urgent, emotional wayShe pleaded with him not to leave.
- pointnounA2an idea or fact that someone says in a discussion, or the main meaning of itThat’s a good point, I hadn’t thought of that.
- presentnounA2something you give to someone, for example on their birthdayThanks for the birthday present!
- programnounA2a show on TV or radioWhat’s your favorite TV program?
- purportverbC2to claim to be or do something, especially when this may not be trueThe letter purports to be from the president.
R
- radionounA1a device for listening to programs that are broadcastTurn on the radio for the traffic news.
- raveverbC1to talk about something with great enthusiasmEveryone is raving about the new restaurant.
- readverbA1to look at written words and understand themI read the news on my phone every morning.
- rebukeverbC2to speak angrily to someone because they did something wrongThe teacher rebuked him for being late.
- receiveverbA2to get something that someone gives or sends youDid you receive my email?
- recordnounA2written information kept about something so it can be checked laterThe clinic keeps records of every visit.
- reportnounA2a spoken or written description of an event or situationI have to finish the sales report by Friday.
- respondverbB1to say or write something as an answerShe hasn’t responded to my message yet.
- responsenounB1an answer or replyI’m still waiting for a response from the bank.
- retortverbC2to reply quickly in an angry or clever way“That’s none of your business,” she retorted.
- revealverbB2to make something known that was secret or unknownThe survey revealed some surprising facts.
- rhetoricnounC1speech or writing meant to persuade, often seen as impressive but insincereVoters are tired of empty political rhetoric.
S
- satirenounC1the use of humor or exaggeration to criticize people or ideas, or a work that does thisThe show is a sharp satire of modern politics.
- sayverbA1to speak words, or to express a thought or opinionShe said she was tired.
- scenenounB1the place where something happens, especially something badPolice arrived at the scene of the accident.
- sendverbA1to make something go to a person or place, for example by mail or emailI sent you a message this morning.
- seriesnounB1a number of similar things or events that come one after anotherThere was a series of accidents on the highway.
- showverbA1to let someone see somethingCan you show me your photos?
- signnounA2a board or notice with words or pictures giving informationThe sign said “No parking”.
- singverbA1to make music with your voiceShe sings in a choir every Sunday.
- songnounA1a short piece of music with words that you singThis is my favorite song.
- soundnounA2something that you hearI heard a strange sound outside.
- sourcenounB1the place, person, or thing that something comes fromFruit is a good source of vitamins.
- speakverbA1to say words or talk to someoneCan I speak to the manager, please?
- speechnounB1a formal talk given to a group of peopleThe president gave a speech on TV.
- stagenounA2a part or point in a processThe project is in its early stages.
- starnounA1a bright point of light in the night skyWe could see thousands of stars.
- statementnounB1something that someone says or writes officiallyThe company made a statement to the press.
- storynounA1a description of real or imaginary events, told or written for othersMy dad told us a funny story.
- stylenounA2a particular way of doing, making, or designing somethingI like the style of this building.
- subjectnounA1the thing that people are talking or writing aboutLet’s change the subject.
- suggestverbA2to give an idea or plan for others to think aboutI suggest that we leave early.
- suppliantnounC2a person who humbly begs someone powerful for somethingThe suppliants knelt before the emperor.
T
- talkverbA1to speak with someone and share ideas or informationWe talked for hours.
- televisionnounA1a device with a screen for watching programsWe bought a new television.
- tellverbA1to give information to someone by speaking or writingTell me about your trip.
- termnounB1a word or phrase with a particular meaning“Byte” is a computer term.
- thankverbA1to tell someone you are grateful for somethingI want to thank you for your help.
- toutverbC2to praise or promote something to persuade people it is good or importantThe new drug was touted as a miracle cure.
- truthnounA2the real facts about somethingJust tell me the truth.
- TVnounA1television; the shows on it or the device you watch them onWe watched TV after dinner.