119 English words
English vocabulary for thinking and opinions
Useful English words about thinking, believing, deciding, ideas and giving your opinion, with meanings, pronunciation and example sentences.
Words
A
- abilitynounB1the power or skill to do somethingShe has the ability to explain hard ideas simply.
- ableadjectiveA2having the skill, time or chance to do somethingWill you be able to come to the meeting tomorrow?
- acceptverbA2to take or agree to something that is offeredShe accepted the job offer right away.
- acquiesceverbC2to accept or agree to something quietly, often without really wanting toAfter a long argument, she acquiesced to their plan.
- againstprepositionA2not agreeing with or supporting somethingMost people voted against the plan.
- agreeverbA1to have the same opinion as someoneI agree with you about the movie.
- analysisnounB2the careful study of something to understand it or explain itTheir analysis of the data showed a clear trend.
- apparentadjectiveB2clear and easy to noticeIt soon became apparent that the plan would fail.
- approachnounB2a way of dealing with somethingWe need a new approach to the problem.
- arbitraryadjectiveC1based on chance or personal choice rather than on a reason or systemThe cut-off date seems completely arbitrary.
- ascertainverbC2to find out for certain whether something is true or what the facts arePolice are trying to ascertain the cause of the fire.
- assentnounC2official agreement or approvalThe plan cannot go ahead without the board’s assent.
- assumeverbB2to believe something is true without proofI assumed you knew about the meeting.
- attentionnounA2careful thought, listening or lookingPlease pay attention to the instructions.
- attitudenounB1the way you think and feel about something, shown in how you behaveHe has a very positive attitude toward work.
- attributeverbC1to say or believe that something is caused by or belongs to someone or somethingShe attributes her success to hard work.
B
C
- capricenounC2a sudden change of mind or behavior that has no good reasonThe staff were tired of the manager’s caprices.
- certainadjectiveA2completely sure about somethingI’m certain I locked the door.
- certainlyadverbA2without any doubtIt will certainly rain later today.
- chancenounA2the possibility that something will happenThere’s a good chance it will snow tonight.
- choicenounA2the act of choosing between two or more thingsYou have to make a choice between the two jobs.
- chooseverbA1to decide which one you want from a group of things or peopleIt took her ages to choose a dress.
- cohereverbC2to fit together in a logical, clear way that makes sense as a wholeThe different parts of his argument don’t really cohere.
- compareverbA2to look at two or more things to see how they are alike or differentCompare the prices before you buy.
- conceptnounB2a general idea or principle about what something is or how it worksThe concept of time is hard to explain to young children.
- conjureverbC1to make a picture or memory appear in someone’s mindThe smell of pine conjures up memories of childhood holidays.
- considerverbB1to think carefully about something before decidingWe’re considering moving to the coast.
- convinceverbB1to make someone believe that something is trueShe convinced me that the story was real.
- credibleadjectiveC1able to be believed or trustedThe witness gave a credible account of events.
D
- decideverbA2to choose something after thinking about itWe decided to stay home tonight.
- decisionnounA2a choice you make after thinking about itMoving abroad was a big decision.
- determineverbB2to find out the facts about somethingPolice are trying to determine the cause of the crash.
- distinctionnounC1a clear difference between two similar thingsChildren must learn the distinction between right and wrong.
- dreamnounA2pictures and events you see in your mind while you sleepI had a strange dream last night.
- dwellverbC1to keep thinking or talking about something, especially something unpleasant, used with “on”Try not to dwell on your mistakes.
E
- edificenounC2a large, impressive buildingThe cathedral is the oldest edifice in the city.
- entertainverbB1to interest and amuse peopleThe clown entertained the children for an hour.
- evidentadjectiveB2easy to see or understand; clear from the factsIt was evident from her face that she was disappointed.
- existverbB1to be real or present in the worldDo you think life exists on other planets?
- expectverbA2to think that something will probably happenWe expect the package to arrive on Monday.
F
- facileadjectiveC2too simple and not showing careful thoughtHe offered a facile answer to a very complex problem.
- factnounA2something that is known to be trueIt’s a fact that water boils at 100°C.
- factornounB2one of the things that cause or influence a resultPrice is an important factor when choosing a phone.
- fathomverbC2to understand something difficult after thinking hard about itI can’t fathom why he would quit.
- figurenounB1a number, especially an official oneSales figures for this year look good.
- focusverbB1to give all your attention to one thingI can’t focus on my work with all this noise.
- forgetverbA1to not remember somethingI forgot her name as soon as she said it.
G
H
I
- ideanounA1a thought or plan about what to doGoing to the beach was a great idea.
- identifyverbB1to recognize and name who or what someone or something isThe police identified the driver from the video.
- imagineverbA2to form a picture or idea of something in your mindImagine you’re lying on a warm beach.
- impelverbC2to make someone feel they must do somethingCuriosity impelled her to open the box.
- importantadjectiveA1having great value, effect or meaningIt’s important to drink enough water.
- inclinedadjectiveC1wanting to do something, or likely to behave in a certain wayI’m inclined to agree with you.
- indicationnounB2a sign that shows something is true or is likely to happenThere is every indication that prices will rise.
- infallibleadjectiveC2never wrong or never making mistakesDoctors are not infallible.
- intendverbB1to plan or mean to do somethingI intend to finish the report before Friday.
- interestnounA2the feeling of wanting to know more about somethingHe has a strong interest in history.
- intrigueverbC1to make someone very interested and curiousThe idea really intrigued me.
K
M
- manifestationnounC1a sign that shows something exists or is happeningThe protests were a manifestation of public anger.
- maybeadverbA1used to show that something is possible but you are not sureMaybe we can meet next week instead.
- memorynounB1the ability to remember thingsMy grandfather has an amazing memory for names.
- meritnounC1a good quality that deserves praise or rewardEach proposal will be judged on its merits.
- mindnounA2the part of a person that thinks, feels and remembersI can’t get that song out of my mind.
- museverbC2to think carefully about something for a long timeShe mused on what might have happened.
N
O
P
- perhapsadverbA2used to say something is possible but not certainPerhaps she missed the bus.
- philosophicaladjectiveB2relating to the study of the nature of life, truth and knowledgeThey had a long philosophical discussion about free will.
- pickverbA2to choose someone or something from a groupPick any card you like.
- plannounA1an idea or set of steps for doing something in the futureWhat are your plans for the weekend?
- possibleadjectiveA2able to happen, exist or be doneIs it possible to change my flight?
- preceptnounC2a general rule that tells you how to behave or thinkThe school is run on the precept that every child can learn.
- premisenounC1an idea that is accepted as true and used as the basis for an argumentThe theory is based on a false premise.
- probablyadverbA2very likely; used when you are almost sure something is true or will happenIt will probably rain this afternoon.
- problemnounA1a situation or thing that causes difficulty and needs to be dealt withWe have a problem with the heating.
- proveverbB1to show that something is true using facts or evidenceCan you prove that you were at home?
- purposenounB1the reason why something is done, made or usedWhat is the purpose of your visit?
R
- realitynounB1the true situation, not what people imagine or hopeWe need to face reality and cut costs.
- realizeverbB1to understand or become aware of somethingI didn’t realize it was so late.
- reasonnounA2a cause or explanation for somethingWhat was the reason for the delay?
- recognizeverbB1to know someone or something because you have seen or heard them beforeI didn’t recognize you with short hair!
- reflectverbB2to show or be a sign of somethingHis grades reflect how hard he worked.
- relateverbB1to be connected with something, or to show a connectionThe questions relate to last week’s lesson.
- rememberverbA1to keep or bring back information or an experience in your mindI remember my first day at school.
S
- schemenounC1a clever, often dishonest plan to get somethingHe lost his savings in a get-rich-quick scheme.
- seeverbA1to notice people and things with your eyesCan you see the mountains from here?
- seemverbA2to give the impression of being or doing somethingYou seem tired today.
- semblancenounC2an appearance or small amount of something, often when the reality is missingThe city slowly returned to some semblance of normality.
- sensenounB1one of the natural abilities of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touchDogs have a very good sense of smell.
- simpleadjectiveA2easy to understand or doThe instructions are very simple.
- specificadjectiveB1relating to one particular thingDo you have a specific date in mind?
- strategynounB2a careful plan for reaching a goal, usually over a long timeThe company needs a new marketing strategy.
- stumpnounC2the part of a tree left in the ground after it has been cut downHe sat on an old tree stump.
- suggestverbA2to give an idea or plan for others to think aboutI suggest that we leave early.
- sureadjectiveA1certain that something is true or correctAre you sure you locked the door?
T
- tendverbB1to usually do or be somethingI tend to wake up early.
- theorynounB1a set of ideas that tries to explain why something happensDarwin’s theory of evolution changed science.
- thinkverbA1to have an opinion or believe somethingI think this movie is great.
- thoughtnounA2an idea or opinion that comes into your mindI had a sudden thought about the problem.
- trueadjectiveA1correct and based on factsIs it true that you’re moving?
- truthnounA2the real facts about somethingJust tell me the truth.