A1

a English

Learners of English as a second language usually know the word a once they have reached the level A1 – Beginner. English words by learner level A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2

Meaning a meaning

What does a mean?

Definitions in simple English

a Determinative

— A is used when the following word could be any of a certain type. Compare "A book I saw on the shelf" and "The book I gave you yesterday".

a Noun

— A is the first letter of the alphabet. The letter "a" comes before "b".

— In some schools, an A is a very high grade. Ron got an A on his earth science test.

a

— noun (= A) the 1st letter of the Roman alphabet

A

— noun a metric unit of length equal to one ten billionth of a meter (or 0.0001 micron); used to specify wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation

— noun the 1st letter of the Roman alphabet

— noun the blood group whose red cells carry the A antigen

— noun (= adenine) (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA

— noun one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

— noun (= amp) the basic unit of electric current adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites a typical household circuit carries 15 to 50 amps

— noun (= vitamin A) any of several fat-soluble vitamins essential for normal vision; prevents night blindness or inflammation or dryness of the eyes

Synonyms a synonyms

What other words have the same or similar meaning as a?

a English » English

an

one

in

per

on

into

inside

within

some

any

a-

someone

somebody

some one

anybody

a certain

of

A

the

for

about

towards

toward

to

out

once

give

faeces

at

another

after

a certain one

whip

where

when

watch

upon

up

ultra

trans

tops

topnotch

tongue

swearword

supra

super-

stubbornness

something

snap

single

A English » English

ampere

a

angstrom

vitamin A

type A

la

group A

deoxyadenosine monophosphate

axerophthol

antiophthalmic factor

angstrom unit

amp

adenine

J flag

it

her

atomic weight

artery

arteria

area

anode

annealed

alloyed

air course

addition

add

absorptivity

Y flag

T flag

P flag

N

M

Host

H5N1

Generic All

F

D flag

D

Topics a topics

What do people use a to talk about?

States Quantity Plural

Many, much

• What words indicate that there is a large amount of something?
  a lot of lots of a great deal of a good deal of a fair bit of a fair amount of much loads of tons of masses of scads of piles of heaps of stacks of a mountain of extensive widespread big amount lots and lots
• What words indicate that there are a large number of things or people?
  a lot of lots of many many of a large number of large numbers of plenty of loads of tons of masses of scads of a bunch of dozens of numerous a host of quite a few a wide range of a raft of multi- multiple a multitude of considerable goodly number plethora profuse oodles scores of
• What words indicate that there are a very large number of things or people?
  hundreds of thousands of millions of a great many countless innumerable overwhelming myriad
• What words indicate that many bad things are happening?
  spate of epidemic rash of wave be a hotbed of
• What words indicate that someone does something a lot?
  a lot a good deal a great deal quite a bit plenty heavy

States Quantity Plural

Few, little

• What words indicate that there is a small amount of something?
  a little a bit of a small amount of trace trickle dab an element of a touch of a hint of taste of dearth grain hair inappreciable inconsequential inconsiderable infinitesimal insignificant iota limited minimum minute mite moderate modest modicum ounce particle poor scant scanty scintilla shred slight smidgen some speck spoonful suggestion suspicion tidbit tinge tiny trifle whit
• What words indicate that there is a very small amount of something?
  not much very little to speak of hardly any scarcely any almost no minimal negligible precious little next to nothing a smattering of a scrap of tiny minute
• What words indicate that there are a small number of things or people?
  few a small number of one or two a handful of sparse not many a couple of
• What words refer to a small amount of food?
  a little a drop of pinch dash mouthful in moderation meager
• What words refer to a small amount of money?
  next to nothing nominal a drop in the ocean paltry miserly a pittance peanuts
• What words refer to a small number of people that are part of a larger group?
  a minority of
• What words indicate that few people are doing something?
  a trickle in dribs and drabs in ones and twos

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad

Angry

• What words refer to feeling angry?
  be angry feel angry bristle miffed take offense resent be in a temper pissed off pissed be worked up be up in arms in a huff be disgusted take something personally take exception to be put out feel put out
• What words refer to feeling very angry?
  enraged furious furiously incensed infuriated irate livid full of resentment seething be on the warpath wrathful have a tantrum have a temper tantrum boiling mad
• What words describe a person who gets angry often or easily?
  have a temper irascible bilious cantankerous choleric cranky grouch hot tempered hot headed ill-tempered irascible irritable easily offended quick-tempered prim prude sensitive thin-skinned touchy
• What words refer to feeling angry for a long time?
  boil burn chafe fume fuss mope seethe simmer smolder stew sulk sullen bear a grudge hold a grudge against have something against have it in for hold something against someone there is no love lost between
• What words refer to becoming angry?
  get angry get mad lose your temper fly off the handle blow your top hit the roof go crazy go nuts have a fit go berserk erupt get your dander up
• What words refer to causing someone to feel angry?
  anger (v) make someone angry make someone mad aggravate antagonize chafe cross someone disturb embitter enrage exasperate gall incense infuriate insult (v) irk madden needle nettle offend cause offense peeve perturb pique provoke rankle rile vex make your blood boil make you sick get someone going get someone's back up wind someone up be like a red flag to a bull
• What words refer to acting in an angry manner?
  make a scene huff have a tantrum throw a tantrum outburst shake your fist stamp your foot let off steam rant rave scowl pout

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Like, love

Enjoy doing something

• What words refer to enjoying something?
  like enjoy love be fond of get a lot of pleasure out of savor with relish exhilarate
• What words refer to feeling happy when you are doing something?
  enjoy yourself have a good time have fun have the time of your life have a whale of a time have a blast be in your element live it up let your hair down
• What words describe something that people enjoy doing?
  enjoyable fun good fun great fun pleasurable pleasure be a delight the joys of the delights of be a blast be a good laugh satisfying amusing entertaining treat
• What words describe someone that other people enjoy being with?
  be good company fun be a good laugh
• What words refer to enjoying something bad?
  revel in get a kick out of take delight in relish gloat take pleasure in delight in wallow in
• What words refer to doing something just because you enjoy it?
  for fun for a laugh for the hell of it

States Big Distance

Far

• What words indicate that something is far from something else?
  far far away far off afar far afield far and wide a far cry from far apart far removed distant be distant a long distance in the distance some distance a good distance a ways way off a long way (off) a long ways away a fair way quite a ways nowhere near miles (away) yonder wide of clear off all over asunder at arm's length on the horizon the ends of the earth uttermost parts of the earth
• What words refer to staying far from something?
  not go near not come near stay away from keep away from keep your distance keep off stay back keep back remain at a distance stand off stand aloof steer clear of stand clear of
• What words refer to a long distance?
  long distance long haul long range a fur piece

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Certainly, definitely

• What words indicate that something is certainly true?
  certainly absolutely definitely there is no doubt undoubtedly without a doubt without doubt without a shadow of a doubt unquestionably be beyond dispute there's no denying there are no two ways about it there is no question
• What words indicate that something will certainly happen?
  certainly definitely be bound to be sure to be certain to be assured of be only a matter of time be just a matter of time cut and dried you can bet your life you can bet your bottom dollar be a certainty be a foregone conclusion for sure
• What words indicate that something will certainly succeed?
  can't go wrong be a dead cert it's in the bag it's a safe bet it's a sure bet foolproof

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Afraid

Worried

• What words refer to being a little worried?
  feel a little worried slightly worried a bit anxious not so sure
• What words refer to being worried all the time?
  have a lot on your mind be under a strain preoccupied stressed out
• What words refer to causing someone to feel worried?
  worry someone alarm (v) bother concern (v) cause someone concern disturb trouble (v) bother prey on your mind cause concern be a cause for concern weigh on your mind disquiet
• What words refer to someone who worries a lot?
  be a worrier worrywart neurotic hypochondriac
• What words refer to not being worried?
  not worried unworried not concerned unconcerned unperturbed not lose sleep over don't care without a care in the world carefree philosophical
• What words refer to not being worried about something that you were worried about before?
  relief relieved be a weight off your mind relax
• What do people say when they don't need to worry anymore?
  Thank God! Thank goodness! What a relief!

Language and thought Communication Interpreting messages

Show, indicate

• What words refer to something showing that something is true?
  show be a sign mean indicate reveal make it clear demonstrate betray be evidence reflect illustrate bear witness to tell
• What words refer to something showing that something has a good quality?
  be a tribute to say a lot for reflect well on be a testimony to
• What words refer to something showing that something has a bad quality?
  be a reflection on be a comment on be a symptom of be symptomatic of be an indictment of not say much for reflect badly on make a mockery of sign of the times
• What words refer to a sign that shows that something is true?
  sign indication indicator evidence mark trace manifestation symptom omen telltale be a giveaway

Work and occupation Work Method

Try, attempt

• What words refer to trying to do something?
  try attempt make an attempt experiment test make a stab at it give it a go try it out see if it works make an effort aim to do something assay endeavor essay seek to do something strain struggle undertake venture give it a whirl have a try try and do something see if you can do something
• What words refer to trying to do something, even though you are unlikely to succeed?
  have a go have a stab at give it a go put up a good show
• What words refer to trying hard to get something that you really want?
  try for go for try out for shoot for make a bid for struggle for go all out go after

Person Body condition

Rest

• What words refer to resting?
  rest take a rest have a rest lie down put your feet up relax laze take it easy chill out take a break catch your breath take a breather take a respite take a sabbatical take it easy unwind take a vacation recharge your batteries repose at ease get your breath back sit back
• What words describe a person who has rested?
  (feel) rested energetic have a lot of energy refreshed restored

Person Healthy

Treat disease

• What words refer to treating a disease?
  treat a disease arrest (the spread of a disease)
• What words refer to treating a wound?
  clean/cleanse a wound bandage Band-Aid compress dress (a wound) dressing tourniquet
• What words refer to treating a broken bone?
  set a bone reduce a dislocation cast splint crutches cane plaster sling brace
• What words refer to trying to find out what is wrong with a sick person?
  diagnose prognosis draw/take a sample examine a patient take an x-ray do a test test for lab report take someone's temperature take someone's blood pressure take someone's pulse check-up take a sample specimen

States Quantity Enough

Need

• What words refer to needing something?
  need be in need of require be a need for could do with have a need be in a pinch be in want
• What words describe something that is needed?
  necessary essential vital indispensable be a necessity be a must requisite prerequisite required
• What words refer to providing something that is needed?
  meet a need satisfy a need fulfill requirements meet requirements meet the demand fill a need

Person Sense, perceive

Smell

• What words refer to smelling something?
  smell scent (v) get a whiff of catch a whiff of
• What words refer to the ability to smell?
  sense of smell a good nose
• What words indicate that something smells like another thing or smells a particular way?
  smell like smell of smell (good/bad) have a (good/bad) smell (good/bad) smelling give off a smell
• What words refer to getting rid of a smell?
  get rid of that smell air out a room deodorize mask a scent

Language and thought Emotion Feel good

Like, love

• What words refer to liking something?
  like have a liking for adore enjoy be fond of proud of someone fancy something have a fancy for take a fancy to care for have affection for admire look up to think highly of approve pleased admire appeals to you be to your liking go down well savor (v) luxuriate be happy with feel good toward feel good about
• What words refer to liking someone?
  like be fond of be attached to have a soft spot for see something in someone a man/woman after your own heart
• What words refer to liking something very much?
  love adore delight enthusiastic about enthusiasm for be mad about be crazy about be attached to have a passion for
• What words refer to liking something and wanting to have it?
  aspire hanker for have a hankering for long for relish (n) relish (v) covet crave desire (v) desire (n) fancy (v) pine for want (v) yearn

Social behavior Social activity Entertainment, recreation Sports

Basketball

• What is the leader of a team called?
  coach to coach a team captain to captain a team
• What do the players do?
  play basketball shoot shoot a free throw score a basket three point play assist block a shot dribble pass the ball catch screen set up a play run a play jump rebound hit the boards tip in stuff double dribble walk step out of bounds throw out of bounds foul technical foul charge steal the ball fast break guard play defense play offense substitute huddle up throw the ball in

Social behavior Conflict War

Weapon, shoot

• What words refer to using a weapon?
  archery draw a pistol draw a sword draw a bow fit an arrow raise a gun aim load stab hurl a spear swing an ax drop a bomb stick a knife into someone bludgeon whip (v)

Daily life Fire

Tend a fire

• What words refer to keeping a fire burning?
  tend a fire
• What words refer to adding fuel to a fire?
  feed a fire stoke a fire throw another log on the fire
• What words refer to blowing on a fire to make it bigger?
  fan a fire fan into flames blow on a fire bellows pump bellows
• What words refer to making a fire bigger?
  build up a fire
• What words refer to keeping a fire from going out, such as covering a fire with ashes to keep it from going out during the night?
  bank a fire

Physical actions Move Manner of movement

Walk

• What words refer to walking slowly?
  walk slowly stroll amble ramble take a Sunday stroll meander along saunter inch lumber plod poke slog toddle traipse trudge
• What words refer to walking in various manners?
  walk with a spring in your step walk jauntily swagger flounce mince prance saunter strut
• What words refer to the effect of walking on something?
  trample wear a path
• What words refer to a time when people walk for fun?
  go for a walk take a walk go for a stroll parade procession stretch your legs hike go hiking trek walk around
• What words refer to causing someone to walk?
  take someone for a walk walk the dog

Grammar

Connected with, related

• What words indicate that two things or situations are connected somehow?
  be connected (with) be related (to) be linked (with) be associated (with) there is a link between there is a connection between be bound up with go hand in hand relate relation be a relationship between relationship have something to do with be something to do with be intertwined tied pertain be relative to
• What words refer to showing that there is a connection between two things?
  connect link associate make a connection establish a link establish a connection relate correlate
• What words indicate that something someone says has no connection with the topic being discussed?
  irrelevant be beside the point have nothing to do with be nothing to do with be neither here nor there doesn't come into it be a red herring

Person Sense, perceive See

Look

• What words refer to consciously looking at something?
  look look at view observe eye (v) cast an eye on watch take a look at have a look at
• What words refer to looking at something for a short time?
  glance cursory glance look at briefly (eyes) flicker over take a quick look
• What words describe how you look at something if you are angry or unhappy about it?
  glare scowl frown give a dirty look glower
• What words refer to looking at something secretly?
  peek peep take a peep sneak a look at snoop around spy

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad

Afraid

• What words refer to feeling afraid?
  feel afraid be afraid fear (v) for fear of have a horror of
• What words refer to feeling suddenly afraid because of something that happens?
  get a fright panic (v) go white as a sheet nearly jump out of your skin
• What words refer to feeling afraid for a long time?
  phobia have a phobia about live in fear dread (n) dread (v)
• What words refer to causing someone to feel afraid?
  frighten give someone a fright frighten the life out of someone alarm (v) cow (v) give someone the creeps daunt intimidate petrify rattle (v) scare spook startle terrify terrorize unnerve make your hair stand on end make your blood run cold
• What words describe someone who is easily frightened?
  scare easily timid be of a nervous disposition

Social behavior Behavior Good, moral

Reputation

• What words refer to having a good reputation?
  have a good reputation have a reputation for be of good repute be well thought of have a good name
• What words refer to hurting someone's reputation?
  harm someone's reputation damage someone's reputation give someone a bad name bring someone into disrepute discredit bring discredit on
• What words refer to having a bad reputation?
  have a bad reputation be of evil repute be poorly thought of have a bad name

Social behavior Conflict Fight

Fight against something bad

• What words refer to fighting against something bad?
  fight fight against put up a fight combat wage war on campaign launch a campaign
• What words refer to fighting against someone who is trying to do something bad?
  fight fight against fight back put up a fight resist resistance put up a resistance meet with resistance stand up to make a stand take a stand hold out against hold your ground not be moved be unyielding not give in defend your ground oppose opposing opposition react withstand

States Time Aspectual time Past

Recently

• What words indicate that an event happened a short time ago?
  recently not long ago a short time ago newly freshly a little while back a short while ago a little while ago
• What words indicate that an event happened a very short time ago?
  just only just a moment ago a minute ago just this minute barely scarcely hardly

States Time Speed

Quick

• What words describe an action that is done quickly?
  fast quick quickly quickness speedy speeding speedily speed hasty hastily haste rapid rapidly rapidity hurry hurried hurriedly in a hurry swift swiftly swiftness rush rush into rush through in a rush express
• What words describe an action that is done extremely quickly?
  at light speed faster than a speeding bullet just a blur
• What words describe something that happens quickly?
  happen so fast in the twinkling of an eye came and went so quickly it was all over in a minute
• What do you say to someone when you want him to hurry?
  Hurry up! Move it! Let's go, let's go! Quick! Faster! Speed it up! Get a move on! Giddy up! (horse)

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Probably

• What words indicate that something will probably happen?
  probably likely probable be a strong possibility it looks as if it looks like chances are may well be in the cards as likely as not I wouldn't be surprised if I dare say I should think I guess
• What words indicate that something is probably true?
  probably likely probable it looks as if it's a fair bet may well may easily as likely as not I should think
• What words indicate that something is very probably true
  very probably very likely there is a strong likelihood there is a strong probability almost certain be more than likely in all probability ten to one
• What words indicate that someone or something will probably be successful?
  have a good chance stand a good chance be set to do something be on course

Language and thought Think Opinion

Approve of something

• What words refer to approving of something very much?
  be all for be all in favor of be a great believer in be an advocate of
• What words refer to not approving of something?
  not approve condemn critical critique deprecate disapprove of disapproving disqualify frown on invalidate reject take a dim view of have a low opinion of think badly of
• What words refer to looking at someone in a disapproving way?
  give someone a disapproving look give someone a dirty look frown look askance

Language and thought Want Decide, plan

Cast lots

• What methods are used for making a decision by chance?
  roll a die flip a coin draw straws pick names out of a hat rock-paper-scissors pick a card (out of a deck) count off decide who goes first
• What kind of decisions are made by these methods?
  deciding who goes first in a game deciding who is guilty

Language and thought Communication Say Criticize

Complain

• What words refer to complaining?
  complain beef blame fuss grouch grouse growl murmur mutter object protest squawk wail yap make a complaint lodge a complaint file a complaint take it up with take the matter up with make a fuss kick up a fuss air your grievances yammer

Language and thought Communication

Make speech

• What words refer to making a speech?
  make a speech give a speech preach sermonize teach lecture (v) give a talk on address (v) orate public speaking
• What words refer to the parts of a speech?
  introduction body of a speech point make a point conclusion concluding remarks

Language and thought Communication Sign, symbol

Laugh

• What general words refer to laughing?
  laugh laughter laugh at (something) have a laugh
• What words refer to laughing for a long time?
  can't stop laughing have the giggles fall over/about laughing have a good laugh laugh till the tears roll down your cheeks
• What words refer to trying not to laugh?
  (try to/can't) keep a straight face stifle a laugh
• What words refer to smiling?
  smile smile at grin wide grin big smile half smile slight smile smirk crack a smile beam

Social behavior Behavior Honest

Deceive

• What words refer to acting in such a way that someone is led to believe something false?
  deceive fool take in defraud cheat fleece bilk swindle hustle dupe hoodwink foist upon palm off on outwit outmaneuver finagle slip one over on put something over on con lay a trap for lure beguile delude trick entrap ensnare pull the wool over someone's eyes play a trick on play a practical joke on send on a fool's errand make a fool of mislead

Social behavior Conflict Fight

Attack

• What words refer to attacking someone?
  attack lead an attack the attack fell on assault assail charge come at drive force your way go for lay into make a run on rush sail into set upon strike confront penetrate defenses be on the offense
• What words refer to starting to fight?
  launch an attack mount an attack start a fight pick a fight be spoiling for a fight looking for a fight challenge (someone to fight)

Daily life Food Eat

Manner of eating

• What words refer to eating a little?
  eat a little nibble snack go on a diet to diet diet (n)
• What words refer to eating a lot?
  eat a lot eat too much be a glutton gluttony eat like a pig pig out

Daily life Fire

Light a fire

• What words are used of a person starting a fire?
  light a fire build a fire make a fire start a fire ignite light a match set on fire set fire to something blow into flames kindle

Work and occupation Work Difficult, impossible

Advantage

• What words refer to having an advantage over other people?
  have an advantage be at an advantage have something on your side the odds are stacked in your favor have a head start have everything going for you hold all the cards have the upper hand be in a strong position be in a position of strength
• What words refer to having a disadvantage compared with other people?
  have a disadvantage be at a disadvantage be handicapped the odds are stacked against you disadvantaged

Work and occupation

Occupation

• What words are used of finding a job?
  look for a job find a job find employment job hunting
• What words are used of doing a job?
  do a job make a living perform a task

Physical actions Move Manner of movement Walk

Run

• What words refer to running quickly?
  race gallop dash make a dash tear (along) streak double time sprint charge dart scurry scuttle scamper scoot stampede bound bolt
• What words refer to beginning to run?
  break into a run set off on a run
• What words refer to running faster?
  speed up put on a spurt kick
• What words refer to being in pain because of running?
  be out of breath be winded have a stitch (in your side)

States Quality Type, kind Compare

Like, similar

• What words refer to something being like another thing?
  resemble bear a resemblance to akin to have an affinity with the same sort of
• What words describe two things that are very similar?
  be two of a kind have a lot in common tantamount
• What words refer to something looking very much like another thing?
  be just like look just like be the image of be the spitting image of be the living image of could pass for could be mistaken for be a dead ringer for be the picture of
• What words refer to being like your mother or father?
  be like take after be a chip off the old block

Grammar Name

Name of a person

• What words refer to a name you use for yourself that is not your real name?
  false name pseudonym pen name stage name alias a.k.a. (also known as) under the name of under an assumed name go by the name of
• What words refer to giving someone a name?
  name (v) call be christened give a name to choose a name pick a name call him/her 'name'

Person Healthy Disease

Tooth decay

• What words refer to losing a tooth?
  lose a tooth knock out missing
• What words refer to removing a tooth?
  extract a tooth pull a tooth have a tooth out extraction

Person Healthy

Injure

• What words refer to an injury?
  injury accident bruise cut impairment wound slash puncture stab sprain tear/pull a muscle shock concussion bump break a bone fracture dislocate a bone dislocation sprain put out an eye nose bleed scar sting bite sore blister contusion frostbite heatstroke sunstroke sunburn burn welt drug overdose
• What words describe someone who is not injured?
  unharmed unhurt unscathed come to no harm no harm done without a scratch in one piece walk away from

Person Healthy Symptom of disease

Pain

• What words refer to being in pain?
  be in pain be in agony feel pain have a pain in suffer hurt (vi) bear pain endure agonize feel bad feel miserable suffer
• What words refer to a mild pain?
  discomfort feel uncomfortable mild hurts a little bit itch prickle smart sting stinging tingle tingling stitch twinge dull
• What words refer to a bad pain?
  agony agonize agonizing anguish burn hurts a lot really hurts acute racked with pain horrible excruciating torment raw pain
• What words refer to not causing pain?
  not hurt painless not feel a thing

Person Healthy Symptom of disease

Vision, hallucination

• What words refer to beginning an unusual state of consciousness?
  go into a trance
• What words refer to the state of being in an unusual state of consciousness?
  be in a trance have a vision hallucinate
• What causes someone to be in an unusual state of consciousness?
  be possessed by a spirit drugs

Person

Life

• What words refer to having a particular kind of life?
  a good/bad/hard life a life of crime/poverty a miserable/lonely existence lead a good/bad/hard life live well/happily

Person Life

Birth

• What words refer to a mother giving birth?
  have a baby give birth become a mother bear a child deliver hatch
• What words refer to having your first baby?
  start a family

Person Life Birth

Pregnancy

• What words refer to a man causing a woman to become pregnant?
  beget begetting begotten impregnate get (her) pregnant father (v) a child procreate procreation reproduce sire engender generate
• What words refer to a woman being pregnant?
  be pregnant be going to have a baby be having a baby be expecting bear carry carry to term
• What words describe a woman who is pregnant?
  pregnant big as a house expectant expecting

Language and thought Want Influence

Control

• What words refer to controlling someone or something?
  control be in control manipulate pull strings call the shots be in the driver's seat steer regulate govern dominate monopolize have a monopoly have a stranglehold have a hold over wrap someone around your finger hold sway be the boss be domineering oppress keep someone down repress walk all over
• What words refer to being under someone's control?
  be under someone's control be in someone's power be under someone's spell be at someone's mercy be a doormat

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Sad

Shock

• What words refer to being very shocked or shocked for a long time?
  be in a state of shock traumatized shattered
• What words refer to causing someone to feel shocked?
  shock come as a shock horrify stun shake knock someone for a loop drop a bombshell outrage rock scandalize traumatize

Language and thought Communication Say

Criticize

• What words refer to criticizing someone or something?
  criticize be critical be a critic of critique accuse attack launch into an attack on badmouth belittle blame carp cavil censure cite charge decry denounce deprecate deride disparage gibe harangue judge lay into mock rake someone over the coals recriminate reprehend reproach ridicule scoff speak evil of tear down (someone) voice your disapproval
• What words refer to strongly criticizing someone or something?
  slam pan tear to shreds pillory do a hatchet job on blast castigate condemn damn excoriate execrate
• What words refer to being criticized by someone else?
  receive criticism come in for criticism be under attack come under attack get a lot of flak take a lot of flak be open to criticism

Social behavior

Relationships

• What words refer to beginning a relationship?
  get acquainted get to know start a relationship develop a relationship form an association form a partnership
• What words refer to the process of relating to other people?
  relate to associate with affiliate with participate with partner with fellowship with interact with be acquainted with work with collaborate have a relationship going together going out going steady

Social behavior Social activity

Holiday

• What words refer to going on a holiday?
  go on a holiday take a holiday go on vacation take a vacation go on a trip

Social behavior Behavior Good, moral Patient

Bad-tempered

• What words refer to being bad-tempered for a short time?
  be in a bad mood be in a huff be in one of his bad moods got out of bed on the wrong side got out on the wrong side of the bed
• What words describe someone who refuses to talk because they are angry?
  sullen surly sulky sulk be in a sulk give someone the silent treatment
• What words describe someone who gets angry easily?
  short-tempered quick-tempered have a short fuse temper

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Trouble

Suffer

• What words refer to suffering?
  suffer ache for someone be afflicted with agonize endure feel horrible have a hard time be hurting be in pain feel pain feel rotten undergo go through put up with be subjected to be in the grip of be in the throes of
• What words refer to suffering because of something you have done?
  suffer pay for pay the penalty for count the cost cost someone dearly stew in your own juice know to your cost find out to your cost at a cost to
• What words refer to causing someone to suffer?
  distress (v) give someone a hard time hurt inflict put someone through subject to torment (v) torture (v)
• What words refer to someone who seems to enjoy suffering?
  masochist martyr be a glutton for punishment

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Respond to someone in trouble

Save from trouble

• What words refer to saving someone from trouble?
  save save someone's life rescue (v) come to someone's rescue mount a rescue release come to the aid of preserve life cover defend deliver ensure someone's safety extricate free guard harbor hide insurance insure keep preserve protect ransom recover retrieve safeguard safekeeping safety salvage screen secure someone's safety grant asylum shelter shield spare pick up (a survivor) get someone out of bail out throw someone a lifeline grant safe conduct
• What words describe someone who is safe?
  safe clear found free guarded immune impregnable intact invulnerable protected secure security sheltered unharmed unhurt unscathed untouched welfare be out of danger at a safe distance be in good hands safe and sound with a whole skin

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Chance

Lucky

• What words refer to being lucky all the time?
  lucky fortunate some people have all the luck lead a charmed life not know you're born it's all right for some
• What words describe something good that happens as a result of good luck?
  lucky fortunate miraculous a good thing a good job stroke of luck fluke
• What words refer to something that makes good things happen to someone?
  luck a run of good luck

Social behavior Conflict War

Win

• What words refer to winning a fight or war?
  win a fight win a victory gain the victory be victorious come out on top prevail win the day carry the day emerge victorious
• What words refer to almost losing?
  win by a narrow margin scrape home scrape by squeak by be a close-run thing

Social behavior Religion Miracle, supernatural power

Sorcery

• What words refer to doing something using sorcery?
  practice sorcery do magic work magic cast a spell put a spell on put a curse on bewitch conjure invoke enchant bedevil entrance (v) mesmerize wave a wand jinx

Work and occupation Agriculture

Agricultural tool

• What words are used with each of these tools?
  to prune to hoe to plow to pull a plow to guide a plow to use a shovel to dig with a hoe

Work and occupation Working with buildings Parts of a building

Foundation

• How does someone build a foundation?
  dig a foundation lay a foundation build a foundation pour a (concrete) foundation

Work and occupation Finance Accumulate wealth

Earn

• What words refer to earning enough to pay for what you need?
  earn a living make a living support yourself earn your keep
• What words refer to earning a lot of money?
  make good money be highly paid be well paid make a fortune rake it in
• What words refer to someone who earns money?
  the breadwinner wage-earner salaried on a salary

Physical actions Move Manner of movement Move quickly

Move slowly

• What words refer to moving slowly?
  crawl move at a snail's pace creep along inch forward poke along slowpoke drag mosey along slow motion plod dawdle
• What words refer to moving more slowly?
  slow down slow up decelerate coast to a stop (its) speed fell ease off reduce your speed decrease your speed come to a stop
• What do you say to someone when you want him to slow down?
  Slow down! Whoa! (horse) Wait, wait! Wait for me! Wait a minute! Can we slow down?

Physical actions Move Pursue

Escape

• What words refer to escaping from prison?
  break out make a break for it bust out
• What words refer to escaping from someone who is chasing you?
  get away give someone the slip throw someone off the scent slip through someone's fingers shake off make a clean getaway elude evade avoid capture dodge sidestep cover your trail/tracks
• What words refer to running away from someone?
  run away run off bolt run for it make a run for it take to your heels scatter run for your life
• What words refer to being unable to escape?
  can't escape can't get out trapped be stuck there is no escape be imprisoned be a prisoner

States

Big

• What words describe something that is big?
  big large biggish bulky fair-sized be a fair size good-sized be a good size bulky grand imposing sizable substantial
• What words describe something that is very big?
  huge enormous massive colossal great giant gigantic great big be a whopper be quite a size astronomical elephantine mammoth monstrous monumental prodigious stupendous tremendous vast

States Quality

Type, kind

• What words indicate that something belongs to a class of things?
  be be a kind of be a type of be a member of include
• What words refer to assigning something to a class?
  classify (with, as) classification class assign to a class categorize grade group sort

States Time Take time

A long time

• What words indicate that something happens for a long time?
  take a long time be for a long time go long go over the time allotted take forever last a long time went on forever kept going and going lengthy enduring
• What do people say when they want someone to do something for a long time?
  take your time make it last we want this to last a long time

States Time Relative time

Right time

• What words refer to the right time to do something?
  the right time a good time be the time
• What words refer to the wrong time to do something?
  the wrong time a bad time not a good time be no time not be the time
• What words describe something happening at the wrong time?
  badly-timed ill-timed come at the wrong time at a bad time inopportune

States Time Aspectual time Once

Never

• What words indicate that something that never happens?
  never not ever never once not once never for a moment not for a moment never ever at no time not in a million years never in a million years have never been known to do something

Grammar Part of speech Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns

• What pronouns are used to indicate a particular referent?
  a an the this these that those specific

Grammar Part of speech Affixes

Derivational affixes

• What derivational affixes are there?
  un- a- self- super- -ment -hood -ous -ly -fy

Grammar Very

Partly

• What words indicate that something is done partly?
  partly partially to some extent to a certain extent to a degree to some degree up to a point in part sort of
• What words indicate that something is done one part at a time?
  gradually in stages step by step one step at a time in increments incrementally piecemeal by degrees little by little

Grammar Connected with, related Discourse markers

Prompters of attention

• What words are used to get someone's attention?
  you you there hey you hello excuse me attention attention please may I have your attention please pay attention listen up everybody now hear this and now for an important announcement and now for a word from our sponsor just a moment wait a minute lend me your ears look here ahem
• What words are used to direct someone's attention to something?
  behold look will you look at that get a load of this

Person Body functions

Sweat

• What words refer to sweating?
  sweat (v) perspire be dripping with sweat sweat like a pig
• What words are used to describe a person beginning to sweat?
  break out in a sweat break into a sweat begin to sweat

Person Sense, perceive Hear

Quiet

• What words refer to there not being any sound?
  silent silence you could hear a pin drop
• What words indicate that you do something without making any noise?
  without a sound not make a sound in silence noiseless soundless quietly silently

Person Healthy

Disease

• What words refer to a disease that lasts a short time?
  attack a bout of a touch of
• What words refer to epilepsy?
  epilepsy epileptic epileptic seizure have a seizure fit

Person Life Sexual relations

Attract sexually

• What words refer to being sexually attracted to someone?
  be attracted to fancy be interested in want lust after take a fancy to
• What words describe something someone does to attract someone?
  sexy provocative seductive suggestive sensual be a turn-on erotic
• What words describe someone who is not attractive?
  unattractive be a turn-off sexless

Person Life Die

Funeral

• What words refer to holding a funeral?
  perform a funeral hold a memorial service
• What are the parts or stages of a funeral?
  eulogy dirge fire a salute lower the flag half mast play taps toll the bell

Language and thought Think

Opinion

• What words refer to taking a position toward a question or issue?
  take a position lean toward regard
• What words refer to holding an opinion toward a question or issue?
  hold/have an opinion hold a view have a perspective

Language and thought Want Decide, plan

Purpose, goal

• What words indicate the purpose of something?
  for be for for the sake of serve to so so that to toward with a view to with the aim of
• What words refer to trying to reach a goal?
  to strive toward a goal press on aim for endeavor head for try to accomplish
• What words refer to not having any purpose?
  purposeless without purpose lack a goal aimless drifting no direction

Language and thought Emotion Feel good

Happy

• What words refer to feeling happy?
  rejoice feel good be in a good mood
• What words describe a person who usually feels happy?
  happy cheerful contented jolly jovial have a happy/cheerful/sunny disposition
• What words refer to causing someone to feel happy?
  make someone happy cheer someone up comfort console delight gladden please satisfy put someone in a good mood make someone's day raise someone's spirits lift someone's spirits

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Interested

Excited

• What words refer to causing someone to feel excited?
  excite get someone excited thrill give someone a thrill animate stir up exhilarate
• What words refer to becoming more excited?
  get excited excitement rose go mad go wild go crazy reach a climax reach a fever pitch

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad

Sad

• What words describe someone who feels sad?
  sad crestfallen dejected disappointed discouraged doleful down downcast downhearted fed up forlorn gloomy glum grouchy grumpy with a heavy heart homesick low melancholy morose mournful pensive sober (adj) solemn sorry sorrowful sullen unhappy wistful woeful
• What do people say when something bad happens and they want to say they are sad about it?
  it's a pity it's a shame too bad unfortunately sadly regrettably it's unfortunate it's sad more's the pity unhappily I'm sorry sorry to hear sorry (that) wish that ... not (something hadn't happened) tragically feel sorry for someone

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Sad

Dislike

• What words refer to disliking something?
  don't like dislike (v) take a disliking to take an instant dislike to have a healthy dislike for not be fond of not keen on not be crazy about not think much of not be someone's cup of tea not be to your taste not be to your liking not be your thing not be your type have no time for not take kindly to don't care for look down on turn up your nose at be unhappy with hold in disfavor feel unfavorable toward be displeased with
• What words describe something that people dislike?
  contemptible deplorable despicable displeasing distasteful obnoxious odious offensive unpleasant not very nice leave a bad taste in the mouth morbid

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad

Sorry

• What words refer to feeling sorry?
  feel sorry be sorry regret feel remorse feel convicted conscience stricken feel guilty lament rue rue the day ruefully wish you hadn't done something kick yourself repent be ashamed feel ashamed have a bad conscience have a guilty conscience be on your conscience feel bad about
• What words refer to not feeling sorry?
  impenitent not regret not be sorry have no regrets would do the same thing again remorseless unrepentant not feel guilty a clear conscience have no qualms about have no compunction feel no compunction

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Afraid

Nervous

• What words refer to feeling very nervous?
  agitated be a bundle of nerves excited have the jitters be jittery jumpy nervous wreck panicky be in a state
• What words describe someone who is often nervous?
  nervous high-strung of a nervous disposition

Language and thought Communication Say Criticize

Mock

• What words refer to mocking someone?
  mock mockery make fun of tease taunt ridicule scorn sneer sarcasm deride derision jeer laugh at snicker snigger poke fun at play a trick on satirize satire parody caricature lampoon make a fool of roast
• What words refer to doing something that causes someone to mock you?
  be ridiculous make a fool of yourself

Language and thought Communication Sign, symbol

Facial expression

• What words refer to making an expression on your face?
  make a face get an expression on your face have an expression on your face give someone (an expression)
• What words refer to smiling?
  smile grin beam be all smiles force a smile smirk leer sneer wide grin big smile half smile slight smile
• What words refer to starting to smile?
  break into a smile someone's face lights up

Social behavior Social activity Come together, form a group

Visit

• What words refer to going to someone's place to see them?
  visit pay a visit call call on drop by drop in on go round make the rounds look in on see spend time with stop by
• What words refer to agreeing to visit?
  make an appointment arrange a visit
• What words refer to visiting over a night?
  stay overnight stay with have a sleepover

Social behavior Social activity Entertainment, recreation

Sports

• What is the leader of a team called?
  coach to coach a team call time out captain to captain a team
• What do athletes do?
  play compete competition struggle engage in a sport/contest participate exercise physical exercise train training calisthenics warm up workout break the rules pull ahead

Social behavior Social activity

Humor

• What words refer to something done humorously?
  joke play a joke on prank play a prank on farce clowning fooling around tomfoolery buffoonery horseplay monkey business
• What words are used of joking?
  to joke be witty jest crack a joke make pun to pun make fun of make sport of retort banter kid wisecrack come back at josh clown

Social behavior Behavior Do good to Meddle

Spoil

• What words refer to spoiling someone's work?
  spoil mess up undermine sabotage throw a wrench in the works pour cold water on
• What words refer to spoiling an event?
  spoil mar put a damper on cast a shadow over

Social behavior Behavior Self-controlled

Untidy

• What words refer to making something untidy?
  make a mess mess something up clutter ransack leave something lying about
• What words describe something that is untidy?
  untidy messy be a mess bedraggled careless cluttered disheveled frowzy rumpled slatternly slovenly be all in a muddle

Social behavior Behavior Self-controlled

Mistake

• What words refer to a serious mistake in judgment or planning?
  mistake miscalculation misjudgment error of judgment be a bad move blunder bad tactics muddle confusion mess something up make a mess of something
• What words refer to making a mistake?
  make a mistake make an error mistake something go wrong get something wrong blunder goof goof up slip up misjudge bungle

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Chance

Unlucky

• What words refer to being unlucky on a particular occasion?
  unlucky unfortunate have the misfortune to do something have bad luck be out of luck a run of bad luck it's one of those days it's not my day
• What words describe someone who always has bad luck?
  unlucky with my luck just my luck jinxed born under a bad star cursed
• What words describe something that causes bad luck?
  unlucky be bad luck bring bad luck a jinx on

Social behavior Authority Submit to authority

Rebel against authority

• What is the leader of a rebellion called?
  leader of a rebellion rebel leader revolutionary leader
• What does the leader of a rebellion do?
  lead a rebellion organize a rebellion

Social behavior Conflict War

Lose a fight

• What words refer to the process of losing a fight?
  lose a fight lose a war be defeated suffer defeat be beaten meet your match get the worst of it come off the worst take a beating go down fall fall victim to

Social behavior Religion

Miracle, supernatural power

• What words refer to performing a miracle?
  perform a miracle produce a miracle do a miracle

Social behavior Religion Miracle, supernatural power

Bless

• What words refer to blessing someone?
  bless pronounce a blessing give a blessing bestow a blessing invoke

Daily life Household equipment Furniture

Cabinet

• What do people do with cabinets?
  put things away store open a drawer close a drawer put things on a shelf

Daily life

Sleep

• What words are used of a deep sleep?
  be in a deep sleep be really out sleep deeply sleep soundly sound asleep
• What words are used of sleeping during the day?
  nap take a nap rest take a rest

Work and occupation Hunt and fish

Trap

• What words refer to setting a trap?
  lay a trap set a snare dig a pit

Work and occupation Occupation Working with water

Plumber

• What words refer to working on the plumbing?
  put in plumbing fix a pipe fix a leak to thread a pipe

Work and occupation Finance Dishonest financial practices

Steal

• What do robbers do in order to steal things?
  break in break down the door case a joint crack a safe pick a lock

Work and occupation Finance Dishonest financial practices

Bribe

• What words refer to bribing someone?
  bribe offer a bribe give a bribe take a bribe bribery corrupt corruption kickback money under the table

Physical actions Move Manner of movement

Move quickly

• What words refer to moving quickly?
  move quickly hurry haste hasten rush forge ahead charge barrel along move like a bat out of hell make a beeline for boil bolt bustle move along at a good clip dart double-time fast fire flash flat-out fling flit fly gallop move like greased lightning be really hopping kick lickety-split plunge in quick race rapid rapidly rapidity run rush sail scour scud shoot move like sixty skim snappily speed stampede streak sweep swift swiftly swing tear apace tilt vroom whiz wildfire zip zoom at full speed at top speed express make tracks burn up the track

Physical actions Move Travel Travel by water

Boat

• What words are used of operating a boat?
  row paddle sail push a boat with a pole pole a boat bale out water

Physical actions Move something Move something in a direction

Push

• What words refer to pushing something so that it moves away you?
  push something push away give something a push move something forward advance something thrust nudge give impetus impel
• What words refer to pushing something quickly or suddenly?
  shove give something a shove jog jolt
• What words refer to pushing something with your finger or a stick?
  poke give something a poke prod jab dig someone in the ribs

Physical actions Arrange

Organize

• What words refer to organizing things?
  organize dispose structure get together get it together get your act together chart marshal put in a chart put in a table put in a matrix sort sort out systematize tabulate

States Quantity Number

Numbered group

• What words indicate that something is done in groups of a certain number?
  singly one by one two by two three by three by ones by twos by threes in pairs in threes one at a time two at a time three at a time

States Quantity

More

• What words describe something that is more than another thing in number or amount?
  more greater higher to a greater extent to a greater degree
• What words indicate that there are many more of something?
  many more much more far more far beyond way beyond a lot more

States Quantity All

Some

• What words indicate some of a group of things or people?
  some any several a number of
• What words indicate some of an amount of something?
  some any a certain amount of a measure of

States Time Period of time

Day

• What words refer to a day?
  day whole day day and night a day and a night 24 hour day 'morning noon and night'
• What words refer to an indefinite day?
  someday one day a certain day the other day some day in the future one day long ago

States Time Relative time Right time

On time

• What words indicate that something happens before it is too late?
  in time just in time in the nick of time not a moment too soon at the last minute at the eleventh hour catch cut it fine cut it too close made it in by a whisker just under the wire
• What words refer to finishing something within the time that is allowed?
  meet a deadline on schedule

States Time Aspectual time Future

Soon

• What words indicate that an event will happen soon?
  soon sooner almost approach close directly imminence imminent impending near presently quickly shortly about to in a little while not long won't be long almost here just around the corner in the near future about to happen any minute (now) in a minute in a moment

Grammar Connected with, related Dependency relations

Result

• What words indicate the result of something?
  result outcome end to result in to lead to wages to end up being have as a consequence therefore so then consequently as a result for this reason with the result that so that as a result to cause which caused so that that accordingly then hence and so yield has the effect of

Universe, creation Sky Sun

Planet

• What do meteors do?
  flash across the sky blaze a trail across the sky strike the earth make a crater burn up

Universe, creation World Land

Volcano

• What are the parts of a volcano?
  cone cinder cone core of a volcano crater lava flow
• What do volcanoes do?
  erupt eruption spew (gas, lava, ash) explode blow produce a cloud cause earthquakes bury things (under lava, ash) smoke

Person Body

Skin

• What words describe the color of a person's skin when they are sick or afraid?
  pale anemic ashen bloodless cadaverous deathly flushed ghastly lurid pallid pallor pale-faced pale as death pale as a ghost pasty sallow wan white as a sheet go white turn blue

Person Body Internal organs

Heart

• What words refer to the heart beating in a bad way?
  heart murmur irregular heart beat skip a beat
• What words refer to listening to the heart beating?
  take someone's pulse listen to someone's heartbeat feel for a pulse

Person Body functions

Urinate, urine

• What words refer to urinating?
  urinate pee piss take a piss take a leak

Person Body functions

Defecate, feces

• What words refer to defecating?
  defecate go to the bathroom have a bowel movement void excrete poop take a crap evacuate your bowels purge your bowels void

Person Sense, perceive

See

• What words refer to seeing something for a very short time?
  catch sight of catch a glimpse of get a look at

Person Sense, perceive See

Watch

• What words refer to secretly watching something?
  watch keep a watch on surveillance observation
• What words refer to always watching to see if anything bad happens?
  alert watchful vigilant keep your eyes peeled keep your eyes open look out keep a lookout for

Person Sense, perceive See

Examine

• What words refer to examining something?
  examine look at have a look at take a look at analyze study inspect go through go over look over check check over scrutinize look hard at pore peer at focus on pry

Person Sense, perceive See Appearance

Beautiful

• What words describe a man who is beautiful?
  good-looking handsome attractive cute hunky rugged striking gorgeous be a fine figure of a man dashing

Person Sense, perceive Hear

Sound

• What words indicate that something sounds like another thing or sounds a particular way?
  sound like sound of sound (good/bad) have a (good/bad) sound (good/bad) sounding
• What words refer to something or someone making a sound?
  make a sound make noise emit go (bang/boom) go off sound (v) let out articulate articulation

Person Sense, perceive

Taste

• What words refer to deliberately trying to taste something?
  taste have a taste try sample lick sip
• What words indicate that something tastes like another thing or tastes a particular way?
  taste like taste of taste (good/bad) have a (good/bad) taste (good/bad) tasting flavored

Person Healthy Symptom of disease

Fever

• What words refer to having a fever?
  fever feverish temperature have a fever/temperature run a temperature be hot be burning up

Person Healthy Symptom of disease

Lose consciousness

• What words refer to losing consciousness?
  lose consciousness go unconscious faint pass out swoon be knocked out go into a coma collapse
• What words refer to the state of being unconscious?
  be unconscious fainted passed out coma be in a coma be out insensible

Person Healthy Symptom of disease

Dazed, confused

• What words are used to express a slight case of these conditions?
  slightly disoriented a bit confused a little out of it

Person Healthy Treat disease

Doctor, nurse

• What words refer to going to a doctor?
  go to the doctor see a doctor consult a doctor

Person Healthy Treat disease

Medicine

• What words refer to giving medicine?
  medicate apply medicine/ointment give a shot inject someone with vaccinate immunize inoculate administer prescribe medicine apply a bandage massage rub something in

Person Healthy

Mental illness

• What words refer to becoming mentally ill?
  have a nervous breakdown crack up go mad go insane go crazy go senile develop a psychosis

Person Life Marriage

Arrange a marriage

• What words refer to the process of arranging a marriage?
  arrange a marriage arranged marriage marriage negotiations match espousals marry off
• What words refer to formally agreeing to get married?
  get engaged engagement set a date

Person Life Marriage

Divorce

• What words refer to divorcing your wife or husband?
  get divorced divorce (v) get a divorce end in divorce dissolution dissolve
• What words refer to a judge ending a marriage?
  grant a divorce annul annulment

Person Life Marriage

Romantic love

• What words refer loving someone very much?
  be madly in love be head over heels in love infatuated have a crush on be mad about be crazy about be besotted
• What words refer to doing something with someone you love?
  date go out with see someone ask out ask someone for a date

Person Life Birth

Miscarriage

• What words refer to a baby dying before birth?
  lose the baby miscarry have a miscarriage stillborn stillbirth
• What words refer to killing a baby before birth?
  abortion abort have an abortion terminate a pregnancy

Person Life Stage of life Child

Rear a child

• What general words refer to rearing a child?
  bring up raise rear have custody parent (v) a child mother (v) a child child-rearing

Person Life Die

Kill

• What words refer to killing yourself?
  kill yourself commit suicide take your own life end it all suicide suicidal be a suicide do away with yourself
• What words refer to something such as an accident or disease killing someone?
  kill kill off cause death be a killer destroy decimate wipe out

Person Life Die

Inherit

• What words refer to the process of making a will?
  make a will draw up a will plan your estate estate planning testate intestate

Language and thought Think Mind

Imagine

• What words refer to imagining things?
  imagine conceive of dream up envisage hypothesize invent picture (in your mind) form a picture make up see suppose think of think up visualize
• What words refer to imagining something that you would like to do?
  daydream (v) dream about dream of fantasize live in a fantasy world

Language and thought Think Mind

Intelligent

• What words describe someone who thinks well?
  intelligent brainy bright brilliant capable clever crafty discerning educated ingenious insightful keen knowledgeable learned literate perceptive philosophical profound rational scholarly sharp shrewd sly smart sophisticated sound wily have a lot of sense have a high IQ

Language and thought Think Opinion

Believe

• What words describe something or someone that can be believed?
  believable convincing indubitable undeniable indisputable incontrovertible credible trustworthy faithful dependable to be depended on probable persuasive plausible authoritative reliable have a ring of truth sounds right certain convincing sure
• What words refer to believing something that is not true?
  illusion fallacy myth delusion mistaken belief misconception live in a fantasy world swallow

Language and thought Think Opinion

Agree with someone

• What words refer to two people coming to agreement?
  come to an agreement come together ratify a treaty
• What words refer to changing your thinking so that you agree with someone else?
  accede accession accept acquiesce acquiescence give assent consent yield grant a point

Language and thought Think Remember

Remind

• What words refer to reminding someone of something they must do or something they should know?
  remind jog someone's memory refresh someone's memory prompt be a reminder reminder
• What words refer to reminding someone of a person or something that happened in the past?
  remind be a reminder bring back memories take someone back drag up rake up evoke evocative make someone think of

Language and thought Think

Tendency

• What words indicate that the speaker thinks that something tends to be a certain way?
  tend have a tendency lean a certain way apt to prone to proclivity predilection bent bias leaning penchant inclination propensity susceptibility likelihood liable to trend drift conducive to leads in the direction of dispose incline toward gravitate toward likely

Language and thought Want Influence

Suggest

• What words refer to suggesting something to someone?
  suggest make a suggestion float recommend propose propound submit
• What words do people use when suggesting something?
  I suggest can I suggest can I make a suggestion let's how about what about why don't you you could always we may as well we might as well

Language and thought Want Influence

Advise

• What words refer to giving someone advice?
  advise say someone should do something give advice recommend urge offer advice advocate commend counsel present promote propose recommend a course of action guide instruct submit make a motion exhort

Language and thought

Emotion

• What words describe a person whose emotions are so strong that they lose control?
  hysterical have hysterics go to pieces fall apart break down have an emotional breakdown go berserk snap crack crack up give in to get carried away have a fit
• What words refer to controlling your feelings again after losing control?
  snap out of it get a grip on yourself pull yourself together

Language and thought Emotion Feel good

Interested

• What words describe someone that is interesting?
  interesting colorful a character entertainer
• What words describe a time when something interesting is happening?
  interesting eventful colorful never a dull moment

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Interested

Obsessed

• What words refer to feeling obsessed with something?
  be obsessed with be fascinated by can't get something out of your mind have a thing about have an unhealthy interest in have a one-track mind

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Interested

Indifferent

• What words refer to feeling very indifferent?
  not give a damn couldn't care less be past caring for all I care
• What words indicate that you used to care, but don't anymore because you are hurt or angry?
  be past caring for all I care not give a damn couldn't care less

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Sad

Disappointed

• What words describe something that causes someone to feel disappointed?
  disappointing be a disappointment be an anticlimax be a letdown not live up to expectations not all it's cracked up to be discouraging disheartening frustrating not up to par

Language and thought Communication Say Voice

Speak poorly

• What words refer to not being able to speak correctly?
  slow of speech not fluent poor speaker stutter stammer have a speech impediment
• What words refer to speaking so that people can't understand you?
  speak incoherently speak irrational say nonsense speak gibberish No one could understand him. I can't understand you. I can't understand a word you are saying.

Language and thought Communication Say Talk about a subject

Describe

• What words refer to describing something?
  describe give a description of portray depict paint a picture characterize define redefine represent treat

Language and thought Communication Say True

Tell the truth

• What words refer to telling the truth without caring how other people feel?
  forthright blunt outspoken bald speak your mind not beat about the bush make no bones about not mince your words call a spade a spade pull no punches

Language and thought Communication Say True

Expose falsehood

• What words refer to exposing falsehood?
  testify expose falsehood catch in a lie contradict enlighten substantiate provide evidence call a liar

Language and thought Communication Say Speak with others

Greet

• What gestures typically accompany a greeting?
  shake hands bow salute give a hug give a kiss wave hello

Language and thought Communication Say Criticize

Gossip

• What words refer to gossiping?
  gossip talk about someone behind their back bitch about slag off bad-mouth start a whispering campaign tattle stab in the back tell tales start a rumor spread rumors spread an evil report slander

Language and thought Communication Story

Riddle

• What words are used of telling a riddle?
  tell a riddle give a riddle

Language and thought Communication Reading and writing

List

• What words refer to making a list?
  list (v) make a list compile a list catalog (v)

Language and thought Communication Mass communication

Recorded music

• What words refer to recording music?
  record make a recording cut a record tape

Social behavior Social activity Come together, form a group Organization

Belong to an organization

• What words refer to belonging to a group?
  belong to a group be a member belong in something be on something

Social behavior Social activity Music

Play music

• What words are used of playing music?
  play music/a piece perform hold a concert make music read music play by ear improvise

Social behavior Social activity Music

Sing

• What words describe how well a person sings?
  beautiful singing voice can't carry a tune in a bucket sing on/off key

Social behavior Social activity Entertainment, recreation Sports

Football, soccer

• What is the leader of a team called?
  coach to coach a team captain to captain a team

Social behavior Behavior

Admire someone

• What words refer to admiring a person?
  admire be an admirer of accept approve of esteem (v) hold in someone in high esteem look up to have a high opinion of hold someone in high regard respect respectful think highly of think well of hold in honor
• What words refer to admiring someone very much?
  idolize revere worship put someone on a pedestal hero-worship

Social behavior Behavior

Change behavior

• What words refer to changing your behavior for the better?
  reform grow up mature mend your ways turn over a new leaf shape up improve go straight overcome your past
• What words refer to trying to change someone's behavior?
  change someone discipline train reform someone influence have a good/bad influence on someone turn someone toward/away from something

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble

Prosperity

• What words refer to life going well?
  be fortunate be blessed have it easy have a good life prosper be prosperous everything is going well have a good time have plenty

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Respond to trouble

Cowardice

• What words refer to feeling cowardly?
  be cowardly be a coward act cowardly have a yellow streak

Social behavior Law Trial

Suspect

• What words refer to thinking that someone did something bad?
  suspect (v) suspicious suspicion have a sneaking suspicion smell a rat have your suspicions

Social behavior Law Trial

Defend against accusation

• What words refer to defending someone?
  make defense defend uphold protect fortify excuse apologize plead make a case for represent advocate argue a case prove offer proof

Social behavior Law

Judge, render a verdict

• What words are used of the action of judging a person?
  to judge render a verdict rule on a case

Social behavior Law Judge, render a verdict

Condemn, find guilty

• What words are used of the action of condemning a person?
  recover damages render a guilty verdict hand down a conviction

Social behavior Conflict

Fight

• What words refer to enemies fighting?
  fight have a fight get into a fight fighting battle brawl bully clash come to blows confront duel engage (the enemy) face (an enemy) feud jostle joust oppose scuffle set-to spar skirmish squabble strive struggle tussle war wrestle be in the fray go on the warpath

Social behavior Conflict Fight

Riot

• What words refer to rioting?
  riot (v) loot disturb the peace go on a frenzy go on a rampage be in an uproar run amuck

Social behavior Conflict

War

• What words refer to fighting a war?
  fight a war wage war be at war declare war make war go on the warpath fight clash
• What words refer to strategy in war?
  strategy tactics hunker down keep up the pressure overwhelm concentrate your forces form a line hold the line break the line reform rally morale maintain morale military discipline supply supply lines control the battle battlefield control reconnaissance reconnoiter intelligence propaganda

Social behavior Conflict Peace

Forgive

• What words refer to forgiving someone?
  forgive pardon release restore to favor clear your record have mercy on wipe the slate clean reassure accept accept an apology overlook a wrong cancel a debt

Social behavior Religion Miracle, supernatural power

Demon possession

• What words refer to being influenced or controlled by a demon?
  be possessed be demonized go into a trance
• What words refer to casting out a demon?
  cast out a demon exorcise drive out expel deliver/free/release from demonic power/influence

Social behavior Religion Miracle, supernatural power

Curse

• What words refer to cursing someone?
  curse put/place a curse on be under a curse be cursed

Social behavior Religion Miracle, supernatural power

Omen, divination

• What methods are used to divine secrets?
  interpret dreams read palms read tea leaves read cards read the stars consult your horoscope look into a crystal ball play with a Ouija board examine the entrails of an animal

Daily life Food

Food preparation

• What words refer to preparing food?
  food preparation cook prepare food fix (a meal, dish) make a dish
• What words describe how thoroughly something has been cooked?
  raw rare medium well done under done under cooked over cooked burnt burned to a crisp crispy charred just right

Daily life Food Eat

Bite, chew

• What words refer to biting something?
  bite bite into bite off take a bite chomp down on champ crunch
• What words refer to biting someone?
  give someone a bite sink your teeth into snap at

Daily life Cleaning

Bathe

• What words are used to refer to the action of taking a bath?
  bathe take a bath take a shower wash up

Daily life Sleep

Dream

• What words refer to dreaming?
  to dream (v) a dream (n) have a dream

Work and occupation Work Method

Plan

• What words refer to making plans?
  plan make plans devise a plan come up with a plan contrive mastermind

Work and occupation Agriculture Land preparation

Plow a field

• What words refer to plowing a field?
  plow cultivate dig hoe harrow make a row plow a furrow break up soil

Work and occupation Agriculture

Tend a field

• What words refer to tending a field?
  tend a field cultivate weed hoe pull weeds support a banana stalk spray insecticide

Work and occupation

Working with buildings

• What words refer to constructing a wall?
  frame erect a wall put up siding plaster mud and wattle
• What words refer to constructing a roof?
  to roof a roof roofing material

Work and occupation Working with buildings Infrastructure

Road

• What words are used for making a road?
  build a road lay a new road build up the bed pave

Work and occupation Occupation Working with minerals

Working with clay

• What does a potter do with clay?
  mold shape form throw a pot
• What words refer to heating clay to make it hard?
  fire a pot

Work and occupation Occupation

Working with wood

• What words refer to working with wood?
  carpentry to saw to plane to hammer to nail to chisel sharpen fit carve drive a screw to screw hollow out a log chop in pieces

Work and occupation Occupation Art

Sculpture

• What words refer to carving something?
  carve sculpt carve a sculpture mold a figurine

Work and occupation Finance Accumulate wealth

Make profit

• What words refer to making a profit?
  make a profit profitable make a killing take in gain

Work and occupation Finance Financial transaction

Spend

• What words refer to spending lots of money?
  spend a lot go to great expense spare no expense shell out go through eat up
• What words refer to not spending a lot of money?
  economize scrimp and save budget tighten your belt live on a shoestring

Work and occupation Business organization

Work for someone

• What words refer to working for someone?
  work for be employed have a job be in the employ of
• What words refer to getting a job?
  get a job find work

Physical actions Posture

Sit

• What do you say to someone when you want them to sit down?
  sit down take a seat have a seat please be seated

Physical actions Move Move in a direction Move down

Fall

• What words refer to accidentally falling from a high position?
  fall off take a fall tumble be thrown
• What words refer to falling from a standing position?
  fall down fall over have a fall fall flat on your face collapse topple over keel over go head over heels fall headlong

Physical actions Move

Travel

• What words refer to going on a journey?
  go on a journey journey trip passage tour
• What words refer to moving from place to place and then returning to the first place?
  circulate go on a circuit circumnavigate

Physical actions Move Travel

Map

• What words refer to using a map?
  read a map look for something on the map find something on the map trace a route

Physical actions Move Accompany

Guide

• What words refer to guiding someone?
  guide lead show usher shepherd take the lead lead on lead the way show the way show someone to a place blaze a trail conduct escort precede go before marshal

Physical actions Move Not moving

Wait

• How do you tell someone to wait?
  Wait! Wait up. Just a minute. Just a moment. I'll be right with you. Hold on. Hang on. Please hold.

Physical actions Move something Move something in a direction

Pull

• What words refer to pulling something, but without making it come away from the thing it is connected to?
  pull at pull on give something a pull tug at give something a tug

Physical actions Arrange

Mix

• What words refer to something being a mixture of other things?
  be a mixture of combine blend
• What words refer to something made by mixing things together?
  mix (n) mixture admixture amalgam assortment blend (n) brew (n) combination composite compound conglomerate conglomeration fusion hodgepodge intermixture jumble mess miscellany mishmash patchwork odds and ends solution a cross between

Physical actions Arrange

Tie

• What words refer to tying a knot?
  tie a knot knot a rope braid

Physical actions Divide into pieces

Make hole, opening

• What words refer to making a hole in something?
  make a hole make an opening pierce put a hole in bore drill stab broach

States Quantity

Count

• What words refer to counting the number of something?
  count count up at the last count keep count keep track keep a tally of enumerate enumeration
• What words refer to assigning a number to each thing in a series?
  number assign a number count off

States Quantity More

Less

• What words describe something that is less than another thing in number or amount?
  less fewer not as much not so much not as many not so many lower to a lesser degree to a lesser extent be in the minority fewer and fewer less and less not more than at the most

States Quantity Full

Empty

• What words indicate that no one is in a place?
  nobody present no one here no one there not a soul nary a one

States Big Thick

Thin person

• What words refer to trying to become thin?
  try to lose weight watch your weight watch your figure diet be on a diet go on a diet slim (v)

States Big Distance

Near

• What words indicate that something is near something else?
  near nearby close close to close by not far practically on top of a short distance locally in the vicinity nigh around a stone's throw in the neighborhood

States Big Distance

Deep, shallow

• What words indicate how deep something is?
  how deep be (ten feet) deep (ten feet) in depth at a depth of (ten feet) plunge (ten feet)
• What words refer to measuring how deep something is?
  take a sounding plumb

States Big

Measure

• What words refer to measuring something?
  measure take a measurement assay assess balance calibrate determine fathom gauge grade mete meter pace plumb quantify rank reach read take a reading record rule sound span step off stretch stride survey tape test time

States Big Weigh

Heavy

• What words describe something that is very heavy?
  weigh a ton
• What words refer to something that is heavy?
  a weight

States Quality Shape

Round

• What words refer to making something round?
  round (off) roll into a ball make a ball of loop

States Quality Texture Sharp

Pointed

• What words refer to making something pointed?
  to point give a point to sharpen to a point

States Quality

Hot

• What words describe a time or place that is hot?
  hot boiling be a scorcher sultry sunny sweltering sweltry tropical heat wave
• What words refer to feeling hot because you are sick?
  have a temperature feverish

States Quality Type, kind Compare

Same

• What words describe two things that are the same?
  same identical indistinguishable can't tell the difference can't tell them apart be no different from match be a carbon copy word for word be synonymous with be no better than be nothing more than
• What words describe someone or something that is the same as before?
  be the same unchanged hasn't changed a bit hasn't changed at all unaffected

States Quality Good Right, proper

Convenient

• What words describe something that is convenient?
  convenient handy suit fit in with be good for a good time no trouble no problem
• What words describe something that is not convenient?
  inconvenient not convenient be bad for a bad time

States Quality Good Right, proper

Compatible

• What words refer to people being compatible?
  work well together be well-suited be well-matched be made for each other be a perfect match be a perfect pair be ideally suited be right for

States Time Take time

A short time

• What words indicate that something happens for a short time?
  take a short time be for a short time brief briefly briefness

States Time Telling time

Plan a time

• What words refer to planning the time of an event?
  plan a time set a date schedule something time something

States Time Relative time Right time

Late

• What words indicate that something is too late?
  too late it's a little late in the day leave it a bit late miss

States Location

Be at a place

• What words indicate that something or someone is in a particular place?
  be at a place/location be in a place/location be located be situated be localized attendance be present presence sit lie laid occupy be resting

States Location Area

Space, room

• What words refer to providing space for someone or something?
  make room clear a space make way get out of the way
• What words describe a situation where there is just enough room?
  a tight squeeze barely enough room close fit

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Uncertain

• What words indicate that two things are equally possible?
  could go either way borderline there's a fifty-fifty chance it's a toss-up

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Just, almost not

• What words indicate that you did something, but almost didn't do it?
  just only just barely be a near thing be a close thing by the skin of your teeth

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Impossible

• What words indicate that your situation makes it impossible for you to do something?
  impossible not have a hope not stand a chance can't possibly that's out with the best will in the world do the impossible

Universe, creation Sky

Weather

• What words describe the temperature?
  temperature hot warm heat cold chilly crisp mild unseasonably warm/cold scorching heat wave cold spell cold snap frigid freezing be a chill in the air

Universe, creation Sky Weather

Wind

• What does the wind do?
  blow knock down (things) rip tear off bend puff out billow out (sail) push (boat) raise (waves) fan flames push snow into drifts ventilate a house

Universe, creation World Land

Underground

• What words refer to natural holes in the ground?
  hole cave cavern grotto opening crack depression hollow cavity channel chasm cleft cranny crater crevasse crevice depression dip mud hole pit sinkhole mouth of a cave

Universe, creation Water Movement of water

Drip

• What is a drop of water called?
  drop (of water/blood) droplet a drip

Universe, creation Water Movement of water

Calm, rough

• What words describe the surface of the water when it is calm?
  calm becalmed quiet peaceful tranquil hardly a ripple glassy still stagnant

Universe, creation Water

Wet

• What words describe something that is slightly wet?
  moist damp a little wet clammy dewy

Universe, creation Water Wet

Dry

• What words describe something that is dry?
  dry (adj) dry as a bone bone-dry arid waterless parched dehydrated desiccated dried evaporated sere withered

Universe, creation Water

Solutions of water

• What words refer to a substance dissolving in water?
  dissolve (in water) produce a solution

Universe, creation Animal Animal actions

Animal movement

• What words refer to animals moving in a group?
  herd (v) flock (v) swarm (v) herd instinct fly in formation move as a herd

Person Body Head

Nose

• What do people do to their nose?
  hold your nose pierce (the septum) put a ring in (the nose)

Person Body functions

Breathe, breath

• What words refer to breathing in?
  breathe in take a breath inhale gasp draw breath whiff

Person Body functions

Bleed, blood

• What words refer to stopping bleeding?
  coagulate staunch to stop bleeding to block bleeding apply a tourniquet

Person Sense, perceive See

Show, let someone see

• What words refer to showing something to someone?
  show let someone see let someone have a look present produce flash

Person Sense, perceive See

Visible

• What words refer to being able to see something?
  can see can make out catch a glimpse of

Person Sense, perceive See Visible

Appear

• What words refer to something disappearing?
  disappear vanish disappear without a trace vanish into thin air go missing go out of sight fade away blend into disappear from sight dissolve into nothing be just gone fade from view retire from sight lose sight of

Person Sense, perceive

Sense of touch

• What words indicate that something feels like another thing or feels a particular way?
  feel like feel of feel (good/bad) have a (good/bad) feel (tired) feeling

Person Body condition

Energetic

• What words describe someone who is energetic and happy?
  lively vivacious animated be full of beans bright and breezy be a live wire feel alive

Person

Healthy

• What words describe someone who is healthy and doesn't get sick?
  robust have a strong constitution

Person Healthy

Sick

• What words refer to being sick?
  be sick be ill not be well be in a bad way do poorly

Person Healthy Sick

Recover from sickness

• What words refer to recovering?
  recover get better make a slow/quick/complete recovery get well feel better improve be on the mend respond to treatment regain your health gain strength make good progress

Person Healthy Disease

Stomach illness

• What words refer to being sick in your stomach?
  have an upset stomach have a stomach-ache tummy-ache be sick to your stomach

Person Healthy Injure

Amputate

• What words refer to the event or process that results in losing a limb?
  amputate amputation lose a limb sever mutilate

Person Healthy

Disabled

• What words refer to being disabled?
  be disabled have special needs be crippled be lame be paralyzed have a withered arm

Person Healthy Disabled

Poor eyesight

• What words describe someone who cannot see well?
  near-sighted far-sighted as blind as a bat partially blind have poor eyesight astigmatism color-blind cross-eyed

Person Healthy Disabled

Deaf

• What words describe someone who is totally deaf?
  be stone deaf be as deaf as a post totally deaf profoundly deaf

Person Life Sexual relations

Sexual immorality

• What words refer to tempting someone to have sex outside of marriage?
  seduce get someone into bed seductive seduction make advances make a pass at sexual harassment

Person Life Birth

Fertile, infertile

• What words refer to having many children?
  fertile breed multiply propagate have many children have a big family fecund fecundity prolific

Person Life Stage of life

Old person

• What words refer to being too old to do something?
  be past it be over the hill be a bit long in the tooth

Person Life

Die

• What words describe someone who is dead?
  dead deceased stone-dead dead as a doornail late lifeless

Person Life Die

Life after death

• What words refer to caring for the spirit of a dead person?
  offer a sacrifice pray for the dead keep someone's memory alive

Language and thought Soul, spirit Mental state

Notice

• What words describe someone who is good at noticing things?
  observant perceptive eagle-eyed have eyes like a hawk have eyes in the back of your head powers of observation

Language and thought Soul, spirit Mental state

Attention

• What words refer to trying to prevent people from paying attention to you?
  not want to draw attention to yourself keep a low profile low key

Language and thought Soul, spirit Mental state

Ignore

• What words refer to ignoring something bad that is happening?
  overlook let it pass turn a blind eye shut your eyes to close your eyes bury your head in the sand

Language and thought

Think

• What words refer to thinking something?
  think (that) have a thought come to come to mind enter your mind enter your head cross your mind hit on occur to present itself spring to mind strike wonder

Language and thought Think

Know

• What words refer to knowing something slightly?
  be aware of be acquainted with know a little know about

Language and thought Think Understand

Misunderstand

• What words refer to understanding something differently than someone else?
  understand differently give a different interpretation

Language and thought Think Opinion

Doubt

• What words are used of being unsure of the truth of something?
  doubt doubt the truth of have doubts debate in your mind be skeptical mistrust suspect harbor suspicions take with a grain of salt

Language and thought Think Remember

Forget

• What words refer to not remembering something?
  forget didn't think of it overlook draw a blank escape me slip my mind fly right out of your mind lose your train of thought lose track of

Language and thought Think Remember

Memorize

• What words refer to memorizing something?
  memorize commit to memory make a mental note record remember store

Language and thought

Want

• What words refer to wanting something?
  want desire wish long for yearn crave hunger thirst be attracted to fancy have a fancy for intent on

Language and thought Want Decide, plan

Deliberately

• What words refer to doing something deliberately?
  deliberately on purpose intentionally pointedly make a point of knowingly consciously willfully mean to do something

Language and thought Want Decide, plan

Stubborn

• What words describe someone who is stubborn?
  stubborn adamant bull-headed conservative dogged enduring hardened hardheaded headstrong immovable impenitent incorrigible indomitable inflexible intractable mulish obdurate obstinate persistent pig-headed recalcitrant relentless stiff-necked strong-willed stubborn as stubborn as a mule tenacious unbending uncompromising ungovernable unmanageable unrepentant unyielding willful

Language and thought Want

Request

• What words refer to saying something in order to acquire something from the other person?
  request make a request ask for something ask somebody to do something appeal make an appeal petition requisition solicit apply consult

Language and thought Want Request

Agree to do something

• What words refer to agreeing to do something?
  agree to do something accept approve a plan consent to give your consent grant someone's request jump at the chance jump at the opportunity OK something give your OK say yes give something the thumbs up take on

Language and thought Want

Influence

• What words refer to your ability to change another's mind or decision?
  have influence be influential carry weight have a hold on

Language and thought Want Ask permission

Give permission

• What words refer to allowing someone to do whatever they want?
  give someone complete freedom give someone a free hand give someone carte blanche give someone the run of

Language and thought Want

Offer

• What expressions do people use when they are offering something?
  Would you like...? Can I...? Shall I...? Have a/some... Help yourself to...

Language and thought Want Offer

Reject

• What words refer to rejecting an offer?
  reject not accept refuse decline turn down take a rain check have nothing to do with turn up your nose at throw out say no to veto vote against give something the thumbs down dismiss rebuff

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Like, love

Prefer

• What words refer to preferring something?
  prefer preferably in preference to favor like something better like this more than that have a preference give me something any day! be partial to

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Like, love

Fashionable

• What words refer to something becoming fashionable?
  come into fashion come in make a comeback

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Happy

Calm

• What words refer to remaining calm in a difficult situation?
  keep your cool keep your head keep a stiff upper lip maintain your composure imperturbable untroubled

Language and thought Emotion

Feel bad

• What words refer to feeling bad for a long time?
  bad attitude be in a bad mood

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Sad

Hate, detest

• What words refer to feeling hateful?
  hate abhor have an abhorrence abominate deplore despise detest loathe have a loathing for look down on odium feel unfriendly toward

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Sad

Upset

• What words refer to feeling very upset?
  deeply hurt deeply distressed distraught be in a state be in an uproar emotions in an uproar torment tormented

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Angry

Annoyed

• What words describe something that causes someone to feel annoyed?
  annoying exasperating frustrating irritating galling nettlesome stupid bloody be a drag

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad

Confused

• What words refer to feeling confused?
  be confused be in a muddle

Language and thought Communication

Say

• What words refer to saying something?
  say speak talk tell state express declare proclaim inform pronounce remark on make a remark

Language and thought Communication Say Voice

Shout

• What words refer to speaking loudly?
  shout speak loudly yell scream talk in a loud voice holler call out project your voice aloud exclaim exclamation vociferate

Language and thought Communication Say Voice

Speak a lot

• What words refer to speaking a lot?
  speak a lot talkative loquacious verbose

Language and thought Communication Say Voice

Speak well

• What words refer to speaking well?
  speak well be eloquent be a good speaker be an excellent speaker be fluent speak clearly articulate

Language and thought Communication Say Talk about a subject

Introduce

• What words refer to talking about something for the first time?
  introduce lead into bring up raise broach a subject

Language and thought Communication Say True

Tell a lie

• What words refer to saying something that is not true?
  lie tell a lie pervert truth deceive tell tales perjure make up

Language and thought Communication Say

Speak with others

• What words refer to carrying on a conversation with other people?
  speak with converse carry on a conversation talk with talk to chat discuss

Language and thought Communication Say Speak with others

Say farewell

• What words and expressions are used when saying farewell?
  Goodbye. See you later. Have a good day.

Language and thought Communication Say Ask

Answer

• What words refer to the time it takes to answer?
  take a long time to answer take your time to answer quick reply response time

Language and thought Communication Say Ask

Hide your thoughts

• What words refer to hiding information?
  hide not show conceal keep secret cover up suppress repress disguise mask put on a brave face bottle something up be non-committal sweep something under the rug cover your tracks

Language and thought Communication Say

Promise

• What words refer to allowing someone to not do what he promised?
  release someone from a promise

Language and thought Communication Make speech

Report

• What words refer to reporting about something that has happened?
  to report give a report give an account broadcast claim

Language and thought Communication Language

Word

• What words refer to a new word?
  coin a term coinage neologism

Language and thought Communication

Story

• What words refer to telling a story?
  tell a story relate narrate

Language and thought Communication Story

Saying, proverb

• What words do people use to begin a saying?
  as the saying goes as they say to coin a phrase

Language and thought Communication Story

Verbal tradition

• What words refer to verbal tradition?
  verbal tradition hand down a tradition

Language and thought Communication Foolish talk

Obscenity

• What words are used in an obscene way?
  damn damn it God damn Hell shit screw fuck bastard son of a bitch bitch

Language and thought Communication Sign, symbol

Gesture

• What words refer to gesturing?
  gesture (v) gesticulate sign (v) make a sign signal give the signal beckon indicate motion nod non-verbal shrug nudge wave wink thumb your nose at

Language and thought Communication Sign, symbol

Cry, tear

• What words refer to almost crying?
  be close to tears have a lump in your throat fight back tears choke back the tears

Language and thought Communication Reading and writing

Record

• What words refer to making a record?
  record keep a record put on record chart document register

Language and thought Communication Mass communication

Movie

• What words refer to watching a movie?
  go to the movies watch a movie go to the cinema go to the pictures audience moviegoer ticket

Social behavior Relationships

Friend

• What words are used to describe the formation of a friendship?
  build a friendship become friends befriend be friendly

Social behavior Relationships Types of people

Working relationship

• What words refer to beginning a working relationship?
  form an association form a partnership

Social behavior Relationships

Disunity

• What words refer to dividing a social group or more than one social group?
  divide sow dissention set at odds pit against part company with have a falling out differ clash disagree

Social behavior Relationships

Begin a relationship

• What words refer to beginning a relationship?
  begin a relationship join affiliate associate enlist enroll enter establish fall in with sign up worm your way in hit it off

Social behavior Relationships Kinship

Illegitimate child

• What words refer to a woman having a child when she is not married?
  have a child out of wedlock

Social behavior Social activity Come together, form a group

Invite

• What words are used of causing people to meet together?
  invite extend an invitation invite over ask someone to something assemble bring together call up call together call a meeting collect convene gather mobilize muster rally request someone's presence round up summon bid someone come

Social behavior Social activity Come together, form a group

Meet together

• What words refer to meeting in a group?
  have a meeting attend attendance congregate convene

Social behavior Social activity Come together, form a group Organization

Join an organization

• What words refer to joining a group?
  join a group affiliate associate enlist enroll enter sign up

Social behavior Social activity Come together, form a group Organization

Leave an organization

• What words refer to resigning from a group?
  resign from a group quit

Social behavior Social activity Music

Musician

• What words describe a good or bad musician?
  have an ear for music have a good ear maestro tone deaf

Social behavior Social activity

Drama

• What words refer to performing as a particular character?
  play a part portray role part

Social behavior Social activity Entertainment, recreation Game

Card game

• What events make up the game?
  shuffle cards deal cards play lead follow suit trump call take a trick

Social behavior Social activity Entertainment, recreation Game

Chess

• What events make up the game?
  opening move opening move queen to king's knight 4 advance castle capture take lose a piece check checkmate concede

Social behavior Social activity Entertainment, recreation

Gambling

• What words refer to gambling?
  gamble gambling gaming bet place a bet wager

Social behavior Behavior Good, moral

Meet a standard

• What words refer to being acceptable?
  meet a standard be acceptable be perfect be normal

Social behavior Behavior Good, moral Mature in behavior

Immature in behavior

• What words refer to doing something immature?
  be immature act like a child

Social behavior Behavior Admire someone

Proud

• What words refer to something or someone you are proud of?
  be someone's pride and joy be the pride of be a credit to

Social behavior Behavior Love

Not care

• What words refer to being uncaring?
  don't care not give a damn couldn't care less be past caring shrug off

Social behavior Behavior Do good to

Do evil to

• What words refer to doing evil to someone?
  do evil to harm hurt offend offense hurt someone's feelings damage impair hit hard work against be a serious blow to be detrimental to at the expense of to the detriment of

Social behavior Behavior Do good to

Help

• What words refer to helping someone?
  help be of help help out with someone's help aid (v) come to someone's aid assist be of assistance support lend a hand do your bit rally round

Social behavior Behavior Honest

Hypocrite

• What words refer to saying one thing but doing something else?
  be a hypocrite act hypocritically hypocrisy pretend pretense

Social behavior Behavior

Self-controlled

• What words refer to controlling your eating?
  put a knife to your throat

Social behavior Behavior Culture

Habit

• What words refer to doing something because it is a habit?
  have a habit of doing something out of habit from habit force of habit be accustomed to

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Respond to trouble

Solve a problem

• What words refer to solving a problem?
  solve resolve put right find a solution rectify

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Respond to someone in trouble

Mercy

• What words refer to having mercy on someone?
  have mercy be merciful be compassionate feel sorry for have a heart be kind empathize empathy pity (v) spare

Social behavior Prosperity, trouble Respond to someone in trouble

Risk

• What words refer to risking something?
  risk run a risk expose (oneself to danger) hazard wager dare

Social behavior Authority Submit to authority

Follow, be a disciple

• What words refer to a disciple following someone?
  follow be a disciple

Social behavior Government

Citizen

• What words refer to counting the citizens?
  census take a census number (v)

Social behavior Law

Pass laws

• What words refer to telling people about a law?
  issue an order publish a law proclaim proclamation

Social behavior Law Trial

Take oath

• What words refer to taking an oath?
  take an oath swear solemnly swear promise guarantee invoke a curse vow forswear raise right hand blood oath adjure

Social behavior Law Punish

Pardon, release

• What words are used of not punishing someone who has been found guilty?
  pardon grant a pardon have mercy on release commute sentence reduce sentence let out let off

Social behavior Law Legal contract

Break a contract

• What words refer to breaking a contract?
  break a contract nullify

Social behavior Conflict

Hostility

• What words refer to hostility between people?
  conflict antagonism discord disharmony friction hostility ill feeling rivalry strife tension sit on a powder key cold war phony war

Social behavior Conflict Fight

Fight for something good

• What words refer to fighting for something good?
  fight for work for campaign champion be a champion of

Social behavior Conflict Fight

Defend

• What words refer to defending yourself from attack?
  defend fight back hit back at put up a fight struggle against resist self-defense

Social behavior Conflict War

Defeat

• What words refer to defeating an army or enemy in war?
  defeat annihilate beat conquer crush humble kayo lick master nip outmaneuver overcome overpower overwhelm prevail over rebuff reduce rout seize subdue subject subjugate thrash trample tread triumph vanquish whip bring someone to his knees scatter gain ground give someone a beating

Social behavior Conflict Peace

Repent

• What words indicate that a person has decided to change his behavior?
  repent have a change of heart reverse your behavior reform go straight

Social behavior Religion Practice religion

Religious ceremony

• What words refer to performing a religious ceremony?
  perform a religious ceremony hold communion

Daily life Food Eat

Feast

• What happens at a feast?
  propose a toast

Daily life Food Eat

Satiated, full

• What words refer to being full of food?
  be full have had enough couldn't eat another thing bloated stuffed on a full stomach satisfied satiated no more room

Daily life Food Eat

Drink

• What general words refer to drinking?
  drink drunk take a drink

Daily life Food Eat

Fast, not eat

• What words refer to stopping a fast?
  break a fast

Daily life Adornment

Ritual scar

• What words refer to making the scar?
  tattoo (v) get a tattoo

Daily life

Fire

• What types of fire are there?
  fireball torch firebrand fireworks firecracker burn a field before planting

Daily life Sleep

Go to sleep

• What words refer to going to sleep?
  go to sleep fall asleep drop off sink into a deep sleep

Daily life Sleep

Wake up

• What words refer to waking up?
  wake up come to awaken come out of a deep sleep be startled out of sleep

Work and occupation Work Worker

Expert

• What words refer to an expert?
  expert professional master craftsman specialist old hand old-timer the best we have leader in his field on the cutting edge senior graduate doctor consultant trainer teacher is degreed has a degree

Work and occupation Work Method Work well

Busy

• What words describe a person who is busy and has a lot to do?
  busy have a lot to do have your hands full pressure overburdened

Work and occupation Work Method

Work poorly

• What words refer to working poorly?
  work poorly work slowly do a bad job mess up on the job slipshod sloppy

Work and occupation Work Difficult, impossible

Easy, possible

• What words describe something that is easy to do?
  easy a cinch no problem piece of cake

Work and occupation Agriculture Land preparation

Clear a field

• What words refer to clearing a field?
  clear a field burn grass slash and burn uproot weeds cut the grass

Work and occupation Animal husbandry Poultry raising

Chicken

• What noises do chickens make?
  cluck crow cock-a-doodle-doo cheep

Work and occupation Hunt and fish

Fishing

• What words refer to catching fish?
  to fish to catch (fish) a catch (of fish) fishing boat

Work and occupation Hunt and fish Fishing

Fish with net

• What words refer to the fish that are caught?
  a catch of fish

Work and occupation Occupation Working with wood

Lumbering

• What activities are involved in lumbering?
  harvest lumber cut down chop down to log wood cutting clear cut fell a tree

Work and occupation Occupation Art

Photography

• What words are used of taking a picture?
  to photograph take a picture to film

Work and occupation Finance Have wealth

Own, possess

• What words refer to claiming something as your own?
  call claim have dibs lay claim to stake a claim

Work and occupation Finance Accumulate wealth

Lose wealth

• What words refer to losing wealth?
  lose (wealth) lose your business lose your shirt loss suffer loss fail to make a profit go bankrupt fall behind fall into debt be unprofitable

Work and occupation Finance Accumulate wealth

Frugal

• What words refer to spending less money?
  economize tighten your belt budget scrimp and save on a shoestring skimp by on scrape by

Work and occupation Finance

Share wealth

• What words refer to sharing wealth with others?
  share hand out give out distribute dish out dole out give away give to charity give to the poor donate make a donation

Work and occupation Finance Share wealth

Give, donate

• What words refer to giving something to poor people?
  give give away donate go to make a donation subscribe to

Work and occupation Finance Financial transaction

Bargain

• What words refer to bargaining over a price?
  bargain negotiate a price haggle discount

Work and occupation Finance

Borrow

• What words refer to borrowing money?
  borrow take out a loan

Work and occupation Finance Borrow

Give pledge, bond

• What words refer to giving a pledge to repay a loan?
  give a pledge bond collateral earnest put up collateral promissory note lien credit security surety

Work and occupation Finance Borrow

Owe

• What words refer to owing money?
  owe be in debt have a debt heavily in debt

Physical actions Posture Straight posture

Relaxed posture

• What words refer to a relaxed posture?
  relaxed (posture) (stand/be) at ease be a slouch slouch around lounge sprawl droop sag loll

Physical actions

Move

• What words refer to beginning to move?
  stir make a move

Physical actions Move Manner of movement Graceful

Clumsy

• What words describe someone who is clumsy and often has accidents?
  clumsy klutz be all thumbs accident-prone ham-fisted bungling bumbling bull in a china shop butterfingers

Physical actions Move Manner of movement

Walk with difficulty

• What words refer to limping?
  limp hobble shamble shuffle walk haltingly walk with a cane use crutches get around

Physical actions Move Move in a direction

Move in a circle

• What words refer to moving around in a circle?
  move in a circle curve circulate turn around swing cycle

Physical actions Move Move in a direction

Move straight without turning

• What words refer to moving straight?
  go straight in a straight line direct as the crow flies

Physical actions Move

Move toward something

• What words refer to two things moving toward each other?
  converge be on a collision course

Physical actions Move Accompany

Go first

• What words refer to going ahead of someone?
  go first come first precede lead lead the way blaze a trail be in the van forerun

Physical actions Move Accompany

Follow

• What words refer to following someone at a distance?
  follow at a distance

Physical actions Move something

Carry

• What words refer to carrying something in a particular manner?
  pack carry in the arms carry on the shoulders shoulder (v) carry on a pole cradle

Physical actions Move something Move something in a direction

Lower something

• What words refer to moving something down?
  lower lower away move (something) down drop it down a peg

Physical actions Move something Handle something

Actions of the hand

• What other actions are done with the hands?
  tickle pinch crack a knuckle hug embrace

Physical actions Move something Open

Limit

• What words refer to limiting the movement of something?
  limit impose a limit restrict

Physical actions Arrange Gather

Separate, scatter

• What words refer to a group of things that have been separated?
  a scattering (of something) Diaspora

Physical actions Hide

Search

• What words refer to seeing something that you have been looking for?
  spot locate descry detect discern distinguish espy catch a glimpse of spy sight something

Physical actions Physical impact

Kick

• What words refer to kicking something?
  kick give something a kick kick in (a door) boot punt stamp stomp on stub your toe on something

Physical actions Break, wear out

Damage

• What words refer to a person who damages things?
  vandal saboteur bull in a china shop

States Quantity Number Cardinal numbers

Two

• What words refer to two?
  two second two times two-fold double (v) twins brace dichotomy deuce dual dyad twain yoke in pairs in twos two by two by twos two at a time two apiece two each both either neither

States Quantity

All

• What words refer to all of a group of things?
  all everything the lot every each without exception altogether total a hundred percent whatsoever whichever

States Quantity All

None, nothing

• What words refer to not any of a number of things?
  none not any no not one not a nothing

States Quantity All

Most, almost all

• What words indicate that most of a group is of one kind.
  mostly mainly largely predominantly predominate be in the majority a preponderance

States Quantity All Exact

Approximate

• What words indicate that a particular number or amount is approximate?
  about approximately roughly give or take at a guess somewhere in the region of an estimated some something like in round numbers close to

States Quantity Whole, complete

Part

• What words refer to being a part of something?
  be part of form a part of inherent

States Quantity

Full

• What words describe something that is full?
  full full up bulging be full to the brim be bursting at the seams be full to capacity be chock-a-block be packed out be up to the brim brimful brimming bursting charged chock-full chockablock jam-packed jammed loaded replete saturated soaked stuffed supercharged

States Big

Long

• What words refer to something that is long?
  a length of

States Big

Big area

• What words describe a big area?
  big large extensive fair-sized be a fair size broad expansive wide wide open

States Big

Fit, size

• What words describe something that fits?
  be the right size dovetailed a good fit

States Big Weigh

Light in weight

• What words describe something that is very light?
  light as a feather weightless

States Quality

Shape

• What words describe something like a branch or road that divides into two parts?
  forked bifurcate bifurcated fork branch a Y in the road

States Quality Shape Straight

Flat

• What words describe something that is flat?
  flat flat as a pancake even flush

States Quality Shape Horizontal

Leaning, sloping

• What words describe something in a leaning position?
  leaning at an angle out of plumb angled on a slant aslant slanted inclined oblique tilted crooked list askew out of kilter

States Quality Shape

Bend

• What words refer to bending something?
  bend bow flex curve put a kink in

States Quality Texture

Furrow

• What words refer to making a furrow?
  furrow plow incise score cut seam cut a channel engrave etch bite in

States Quality Light Dark

Shadow

• What words refer to something blocking the light from shining on something?
  shade cast a shadow block the light eclipse overshadowing

States Quality Light

Color

• What words indicate that something is a particular color?
  be red/green be a red/reddish color colored tinted

States Quality Type, kind

Copy

• What words refer to copying something?
  copy (v) make a copy of duplicate photocopy reduplicate reproduce clone replicate triplicate

States Quality Good

Right, proper

• What words refer to something being right for a particular job?
  suit lends itself to be suited to be cut out for be made for fit the bill fit in be right for be the right person for make a good/ideal

States Time Relative time Order, sequence

Series

• What words indicate that someone does things in a series?
  in succession one after the other one after another straight in a row running alternate

States Time Relative time Order, sequence

First

• What words describe something that has never happened before?
  unprecedented a first

States Time Relative time

Before

• What words refer to something happening before something else?
  come before precede predate lead up to come first be before be a prelude to anticipate antedate

States Time Relative time Before

At the same time

• What words refer to two people that lived at the same time?
  contemporary be a contemporary of someone be contemporaries

States Time Aspectual time Start something

Stop something

• What words (intransitive verbs) indicate that something has ended?
  stop come to rest halt come to a screeching halt

States Time Aspectual time Age

Old, not new

• What words describe an organization that has existed for a long time?
  old has a long history

States Time Aspectual time Once

Again

• What words refer to having to start something again from the very beginning?
  back to square one make a fresh start

States Time Aspectual time Once

Sometimes

• What words indicate that an event happens sometimes?
  sometimes occasionally every so often once in a while at times now and again now and then from time to time

States Time Speed

Slow

• What words describe an action that is done extremely slowly?
  excruciatingly slow move at a snail's pace gradual gradually little by little bit-by-bit glacial

States Time Speed

Sudden

• What words are used to indicate that an event is sudden?
  sudden (warning) all of a sudden abrupt

Grammar

Very

• What words indicate that an attribute is not intense?
  not very hardly barely a little fairly

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods Unsure

Maybe

• What words indicate that maybe something may happen or is true?
  maybe perhaps may might it is possible possibly could who knows? there's a chance you never know conceivably

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods Unsure

Seem

• What words indicate that something seems to be a certain way, but you are unsure?
  seem appear look sound give the impression have a (certain) look come across as show signs of strike someone as have all the hallmarks of an air of give the impression

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs

Yes

• What words are used to affirm the truth of something?
  yes yeah yea indeed true that's true it is true verily agreed certainly of course that's right I guess so that is so a-huh nod your head affirmative positive

Grammar Case Primary cases

Way, manner

• What words indicate that something is done in a particular way?
  in a ... way/manner/fashion with like along ... lines as if as though with an air of

Grammar Connected with, related Discourse markers

Markers of emphasis

• What words indicate that a phrase or sentence is important?
  then indeed surely so certainly in fact actually how you know really sure just you know don't you that how much more emphatically absolutely without question no way of course obviously you've got to be kidding it is just that the only thing is one thing that in reality only that as it were just as you can see as you know without a doubt don't you remember I am convinced that

Grammar Connected with, related Discourse markers

Hesitation fillers

• What words are used when a speaker hesitates or pauses to think?
  um uh er hmm yeah let's see hold on a minute let me see let me think

Examples a examples

How do I use a in a sentence?

Simple sentences

I'm at a loss for words.

Is it a recent picture?

I hate it when there are a lot of people.

You'd be surprised what you can learn in a week.

A Japanese would never do such a thing.

If you see a mistake, then please correct it.

I can't live without a TV.

The world is a den of crazies.

I have a headache.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Life is a fatal sexually transmitted disease.

He's sleeping like a baby.

Maybe I'll just give up soon and take a nap instead.

I might give up soon and have a kip instead.

Sometimes he can be a strange guy.

Then there is a problem.

Oh, there's a butterfly!

When I grow up, I want to be a king.

America is a lovely place to be, if you are here to earn money.

I'm not a real fish, I'm just a mere plushy.

It's because you're a girl.

It's a word I'd like to find a substitute for.

It's a word I'd like to find a replacement for.

For once in my life I'm doing a good deed. And it is useless.

Movie subtitles

I'll make a lot of money. And go to Korea.

Is it wrong if you think of love as a game too?

Later when that person betrays you, hurts you.. have a big heart, don't get heartbroken.

In your head.. there's still a bullet there.

Arrange a meeting with my mother.

What a wacko!

This house is a rich person's house, right?

Is it a hella rich house?

What is this. So is he saying that he's a dog? Wha?

That's right. I'm a dog.

Not a human being. A dog!

Your mom was a famous movie star a long time ago. And your brother is one of the top singer in our country. Killer, huh?

I'll get you a change of clothes too.

No, I'm grateful. You pushed my schedule forward a great deal.

I thought that it would be a little while longer before I could make my move.

Even if you say the military, it's only a small portion of it.

It's enough if I just keep a low profile.

Thanks to Zero, Britannia is in a state of confusion!

Now is the time that we, the Japan Liberation Front, should make a stand!

Why. all of a sudden?

I didn't think that a girl would be falling from above either.

At any rate, it's a fact that Sir Jeremiah is guilty.

It was a lie, right?

It appears to be a one-sided love.

Uh, yes. Well then, please come with me for a little bit!

I was a student up until last week.

Well, let me take a look at 'em.

Stuff like that is easy to get because the screws turn a blind eye to those kind of things.

Other stuff is a little trickier.

That's a historical fact.

And, oh, have you ever, like, held a girl's hand while eating a PBJ?

And, like, you know, when you're sitting around with your friends playing video games and it's fun, but if you munch a nice, big PBJ first, it's even awesomer.

And they're willing to pay, so there's a tonne of money to be made smuggling PBJs into the yard.

There's a demand, so I fill that demand.

Well, maybe if I had a bunch of flying reindeer, then maybe it wouldn't be so hard for me to get the product into the yard.

The easiest way is just to use a catcher.

What's a catcher?

A catcher's a kid who catches bags of PBJs that someone throws over the fence into the yard.

News and current affairs

SAN FRANCISCO - It has never been easy to have a rational conversation about the value of gold.

One successful gold investor recently explained to me that stock prices languished for a more than a decade before the Dow Jones index crossed the 1,000 mark in the early 1980's.

One answer, of course, is a complete collapse of the US dollar.

There is probably some slight truth - and also a certain degree of irony - to this argument.

Yes, gold has had a great run, but so, too, did worldwide housing prices until a couple of years ago.

If you are a high-net-worth investor, a sovereign wealth fund, or a central bank, it makes perfect sense to hold a modest proportion of your portfolio in gold as a hedge against extreme events.

Indeed, on the surface it seems to be its perfect antithesis: the collapse of a wall symbolizing oppression and artificial divisions versus the collapse of a seemingly indestructible and reassuring institution of financial capitalism.

Admittedly, getting to a much higher price for gold is not quite the leap of imagination that it seems.

With soaring deficits, and a rudderless fiscal policy, one does wonder whether a populist administration might recklessly turn to the printing press.

Sure, some might argue that inflation-indexed bonds offer a better and more direct inflation hedge than gold.

With the euro looking less appetizing as a diversification play away from the dollar, gold's appeal has naturally grown.

But, despite gold's heightened allure in the wake of an extraordinary run-up in its price, it remains a very risky bet for most of us.