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Author David Rakoff on Half Empty, Defensive Pessimism

Video vocabulary

find

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US / faɪnd /

UK / faɪnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Object discovered by chance
  • Things that have been discovered from searching
  • verb
  • To become aware of something that is happening
  • To discover or meet by chance
  • To decide if someone is guilty of a crime, or not
  • To learn through study, research, or effort
  • To discover something by looking for it

happen

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US / 'hæpən /

UK / ˈhæpən /

A1
  • verb
  • To take place or occur

each

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US / i:tʃ /

UK / itʃ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Every one of two or more things
  • pronoun
  • Per one person or thing

remind

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US / rɪ'maɪnd /

UK / rɪˈmaɪnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To cause someone to remember what they forgot

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

own

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US / əʊn /

UK / on /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Belong to oneself
  • determiner
  • Yours, his, hers, etc.; not belonging to another
  • pronoun
  • (Something) belong to myself
  • verb
  • To have something as your property

city

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US / 'sɪtɪ /

UK / ˈsɪti /

A1
  • noun
  • Area with many buildings, roads and people

mean

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US / mi:n /

UK / min /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being good at
  • Nasty; unkind
  • Not liking to spend money; cheap; stingy
  • noun
  • Average of a set of numbers
  • verb
  • To express a particular idea or thought
  • To intend to do something in particular
  • To have a particular meaning or value

great

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US / ɡreɪt /

UK / ɡret /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very large in size
  • Very important
  • Very good; fantastic; wonderful
  • adverb
  • Very good; better than before
  • noun
  • Successful and well-admired person

rebecca

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US / rɪˈbɛkə /

UK / rəˈbɛkə /

A1
  • noun
  • The (notional) leader of a movement whose supporters attacked and demolished turnpike toll gates chi

during

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US / ˈdjʊərɪŋ /

UK / ˈdʊrɪŋ, ˈdjʊr- /

A1
  • preposition
  • At some point in the course of an event or thing

hard

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US / hɑ:d /

UK / hɑː(r)d /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Difficult to do; difficult to understand
  • (Of facts) not able to be misunderstood; clear
  • (Of alcohol) strong
  • Involving or requiring lots of work, effort, care
  • Being full of pain, trouble, and problems
  • Strong
  • (Of edge) clear; sharp
  • Difficult to bend, break or cut; solid
  • adverb
  • With lots of force, power, or impact

absolute

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US / ˈæbsəlu:t /

UK / ˈæbsəˌlut /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Complete; total; pure; not limited in any way
  • noun
  • Something that is complete, total, pure, certain

absolutely

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US / ˈæbsəlu:tli /

UK / ˈæbsəˌlutli, ˌæbsəˈlutli /

A2
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally; very

right

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US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Correct or true
  • The south side of you looking at the rising sun
  • adverb
  • Exactly in a place or time
  • Being appropriate for a particular event
  • In a straight or direct manner
  • noun
  • Something you are legally or morally allowed to do
  • Ideal of what is just and good
  • Political view based on conservatism
  • verb
  • To fix something previously wrong or unjust
  • To make upright, as a boat that has turned over

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Persons sharing culture, country, background, etc.
  • Men, Women, Children

spoonful

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US / 'spu:nfʊl /

UK / ˈspunˌfʊl /

B1
  • noun
  • As much as a spoon will hold

york

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US / jɔ:k /

UK / jɔrk /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A city in northern England, on the Ouse River; population 136,900 (est. 2009).
  • A commercial and industrial city in southeastern Pennsylvania; population 40,097 (est. 2008).
  • The southwestern tip of Hayes Peninsula, on Baffin Bay in Greenland. It served as a base for US expl

everywhere

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US / ˈevriweə(r) /

UK / ˈevriwer /

A1
  • adverb
  • Every place

about

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US / ə'baʊt /

UK / əˈbaʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • To be ready to; going to
  • Nearly; approximately; roughly
  • Near; next to; close to
  • In every direction; in the area of
  • preposition
  • Concerning or of (a topic)

element

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US / 'elɪmənt /

UK / ˈɛləmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Essential or particular part of something

even

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US / 'i:vn /

UK / ˈivən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in influence, power, possibility etc.
  • Being divided equally or fairly
  • (Of teams/contest) with similar chances of success
  • Smooth, level, or regular
  • Can be divided by 2; ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0
  • At a regular, equally steady manner
  • Remaining steady and unchanging
  • adverb
  • (When this is surprising) as well; too
  • (Used to compare two things/stress the difference)
  • verb
  • To make something level; to flatten
  • To make something equal

tell

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US / tel /

UK / tɛl /

A1
  • verb
  • To (strongly) advise a person to do something
  • To be able to guess
  • To say or communicate information to someone
  • To inform, but without speaking; indicate
  • To have a negative effect on someone
  • To order someone to do something; command
  • To recognize something based on certain signs
  • To report something to an authority
  • To explain something or teach someone something

like

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US / laɪk /

UK / laɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in status or kind to something else
  • Similar; the same
  • adverb
  • For example
  • preposition
  • Used as a filler; used to ad emphasis
  • In a way similar to the way something is done
  • Such as; for example
  • verb
  • To want to
  • To find something pleasing; to prefer something

advocate

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US / 'ædvəkeɪt /

UK / ˈædvəˌket /

B1
  • noun
  • A lawyer who protects a clients interests
  • Person who supports a movement for changes
  • verb
  • To request change
  • To publicly support a belief

touch

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US / tʌtʃ /

UK / tʌtʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Certain way of doing that makes something special
  • A small amount of something
  • Feeling of a surface
  • verb
  • To affect feelings, especially by causing sympathy
  • To be next to each other with no space between
  • To get involved with (used in negative)
  • To feel an object with your fingers, etc.

example

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US / ɪgˈzɑ:mpl /

UK / ɪɡˈzæmpəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing, person which represents a category

eventually

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US / ɪˈventʃuəli /

UK / ɪˈvɛntʃuəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • After a long time; after many attempts; in the end

sustain

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US / sə'steɪn /

UK / səˈsten /

B2
  • verb
  • To lengthen or continue to do something
  • To support or maintain someone or something
  • To suffer something damaging or bad

get

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US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To become affected by illness or disease
  • To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
  • To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
  • To go somewhere to obtain something
  • To (cause to) do a particular thing
  • To obtain, receive or be given something
  • To currently have
  • To prepare for use
  • To understand something being said or read

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
  • Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
  • adverb
  • To a certain degree
  • determiner
  • Question words used for asking for information
  • exclamation
  • Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
  • Used to ask people to repeat something they said

those

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US / ðəʊz /

UK / ðoz /

A1
  • determiner
  • The people or things we are talking about
  • pronoun
  • The objects far from the speaker

through

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US / θru: /

UK / θru /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • having finished using or doing something
  • adverb
  • From the beginning of something until the end
  • preposition
  • Over, in, across an entire thing or place
  • Allowing you to pass between, or to
  • By a particular way or process; by the use of

well

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US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in a fortunate, good condition or state
  • Healthy and in good condition
  • adverb
  • In an acceptable, proper, or successful manner
  • In a complete, total, or full manner
  • A great and considerable degree
  • In a successful way, in a good or satisfactory way
  • exclamation
  • Used to begin or continue a particular statement
  • Used to show you want to start saying something
  • Used to express that you are waiting for a reply
  • You say this to change the topic of a conversation
  • Used to indicate you are making a final remark
  • noun
  • Long deep hole in the ground to get water
  • verb
  • To cause your eyes to fill with tears

shall

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US / ʃəl /

UK / ʃæl /

A2
  • other
  • Expressing the future tense, to expect to happen
  • (Used to say something is required or commanded)
  • (Used to make a suggestion or ask a question)

fact

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US / fækt /

UK / fækt /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that is known or proved to be true

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

start

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US / stɑ:t /

UK / stɑrt /

A1
  • noun
  • First time or place that a thing exists; beginning
  • First opportunity to achieve something, e.g. a job
  • Sudden action or movement because you are scared
  • other
  • Beginning of something in place or time
  • verb
  • To do, be or happen for the first time; begin
  • To turn something on

stricken

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US / ˈstrɪkən /

UK / ˈstrɪkən /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Affected by an illness, forceful blow, etc.

necessarily

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US / ˌnesəˈserəli /

UK / ˌnɛsɪˈsɛrəli, -ˈsɛr- /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a way that is needed/required/is unavoidable

just

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US / dʒʌst /

UK / dʒʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper or appropriate; as is deserved
  • Doing or being what is right or fair
  • Legally correct; having enough evidence
  • adverb
  • Almost; nearly
  • Exactly at the time of
  • Exactly (the same as, like)

stave

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US / steɪv /

UK / stev /

C2
  • noun
  • Wooden post used in structures and buildings

define

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US / dɪ'faɪn /

UK / dɪˈfaɪn /

A2
  • verb
  • To explain the meaning of words
  • To set or mark the limits of something

stuff

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US / stʌf /

UK / stʌf /

A1
  • noun
  • Generic description for things, materials, objects
  • verb
  • To push material inside something, with force

time

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US / taɪm /

UK / taɪm /

A1
  • noun
  • Speed at which music is played; tempo
  • Point as shown on a clock, e.g. 3 p.m
  • Number of hours, minutes needed to do something
  • Occasion when something happens
  • Period or occasion that something occurred
  • Period in history or the past
  • Something measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
  • How long an event takes; duration
  • verb
  • To check speed at which music is performed
  • To choose a specific moment to do something
  • To measure how long an event takes, e.g. a race
  • To schedule something to occur at a specific moment

grow

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US / ɡrəʊ /

UK / ɡro /

A1
  • verb
  • To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
  • To improve; to develop better skills over time
  • To develop and become bigger or taller over time

much

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US / mʌtʃ /

UK / mʌtʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very; to a high level or degree
  • adverb
  • A lot; large amount; a high degree of
  • Nearly; basically
  • On many occasions; often
  • noun
  • A large amount; a great quantity

why

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US / waɪ /

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Question word to ask for a reason
  • exclamation
  • (Used to express surprise or approval)

talk

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US / tɔ:k /

UK / tɔk /

A1
  • noun
  • Style of speaking
  • Discussion between two countries
  • Giving information in front of people; lecture
  • Saying things or ideas to someone with words
  • verb
  • To make a formal speech about something
  • To say things or ideas to someone with words

content

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US / 'kɒntent /

UK / ˈkɑnˌtɛnt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being happy or satisfied
  • noun
  • Information in something, e.g. book or computer

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

life

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US / laɪf /

UK / laɪf /

A1
  • noun
  • All the living things e.g. animals, plants, humans
  • Period of time things live, from birth to death

pessimistic

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US / ˌpesɪˈmɪstɪk /

UK / ˌpesɪˈmɪstɪk /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having negative feelings about the future

would

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US / wʊd /

UK / wʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate something imagined
  • Used to ask or request something politely
  • Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
  • Used to indicate a preference
  • Used to indicate a reaction
  • Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
  • Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

wherein

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US / weərˈɪn /

UK / werˈɪn /

C1
  • adverb
  • In which place, situation or thing

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

anxiety

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US / æŋ'zaɪətɪ /

UK / æŋˈzaɪɪti /

B1
  • noun
  • Fear about what might happen; worry

automatic

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US / ˌɔ:tə'mætɪk /

UK / ˌɔtəˈmætɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Done without conscious thought
  • Operating by itself, without an operator
  • noun
  • Car that is able to change gears by itself

can

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US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

box

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US / bɒks /

UK / bɑ:ks /

A1
  • noun
  • A marked area of a baseball field
  • A container with four straight sides and a lid
  • Area of seating in a theater separated from others
  • A 4 sided container or shape printed on a page
  • Entire amount of something inside a container
  • verb
  • To strike someone on the side of the head
  • To pack an object in a six-sided container
  • To fight with gloved hands as a sport

book

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US / bʊk /

UK / bʊk /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing made of pages with writing on that you read
  • verb
  • (Police) to officially record someone's crimes
  • To reserve (hotel room, etc.) in advance
  • To produce a red or yellow card to a soccer player

mindset

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US / ˈmaɪndset /

UK / ˈmaɪndset /

A1
  • noun
  • Way someone things about something

cyclic

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US / ˈsaɪklɪk /

UK / ˈsaɪklɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • A series of regular and repeated actions

candy

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US / ˈkændi /

UK / ˈkændi /

B2
  • noun
  • Small sweet foods made mostly of sugar
  • verb
  • To coat food with sugar

give

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US / ɡɪv /

UK / ɡɪv /

A1
  • noun
  • Degree of flexibility in something, a material
  • verb
  • To hand over or present something to someone
  • To cause someone to have or experience something

pride

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US / praɪd /

UK / praɪd /

A2
  • noun
  • Sense of your own importance and worth
  • verb
  • To be proud of something you did

experience

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US / ɪk'spɪərɪəns /

UK / ɪkˈspɪriəns /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing a person has done or that happened to them
  • An event at which you learned something
  • Knowledge gained by living life, doing new things
  • verb
  • To gain knowledge by doing things

good

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US / ɡʊd /

UK / ɡʊd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper, appropriate or right
  • (Of an amount) enough; plenty
  • Excellent; high quality
  • Acting well or properly; of moral character
  • In a positive or happy emotional state
  • noun
  • Advantage or benefit

now

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US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At the present time or moment
  • Right away or in the next possible moment
  • Used to refer to something that just happened
  • Time between the present and a moment in the past
  • conjunction
  • Resulting from or because of something

realist

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US / ˈri:əlɪst /

UK / ˈriəlɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who accepts things as they are

really

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US / ˈri:əli /

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to stress something that is said; definitely
  • In a true or accurate manner
  • Very

mind

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US / maɪnd /

UK / maɪnd /

A1
  • noun
  • One's opinion or way of thinking about something
  • Part of humans that allows us to think or feel
  • verb
  • To be bothered or upset by something
  • To take care of someone e.g. as a bodyguard

see

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US / si: /

UK / si /

A1
  • verb
  • To go on a date with someone
  • To predict whether something is, or will be true
  • To understand what someone says
  • To use your eyes to look at something
  • To visit a place often for sightseeing or pleasure
  • To visit or meet with someone
  • To find out by waiting or looking
  • To watch (a game, movie or TV show)

pessimism

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US / ˈpesɪmɪzəm /

UK / ˈpɛsəˌmɪzəm /

B2
  • noun
  • Inclination to expect negative outcomes

his

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US / hɪz /

UK / hɪz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Something belonging to a male person

public

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US / 'pʌblɪk /

UK / ˈpʌblɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Owned by the government
  • Concerning society in general
  • Being available or accessible to people in general
  • Known or able to be known by all people

cover

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US / 'kʌvə(r) /

UK / ˈkʌvɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • A different version of another song
  • Bed sheets; blankets
  • (Police or military) protection from attack
  • Amount of money to be paid in an insurance claim
  • Thing you put over something to close or hide it
  • Front and back part of a book or magazine
  • Shelter built to protect from the natural elements
  • verb
  • To record a different version of another song
  • To include as part of its area
  • To put something over something to hide it
  • To discuss a subject in a talk or meeting
  • To form a layer over something so it is hidden
  • To have sufficient funds to pay for something
  • To include something within an agreed limit
  • To report news on TV, radio or in a newspaper
  • (Police or military) to protect from attack
  • To travel a certain distance in a given time
  • To wrap something with something, such as a cloth

negative

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US / 'neɡətɪv /

UK / ˈnɛɡətɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being harmful, unwanted or unhelpful
  • In mathematics, being less than zero
  • Focusing on the bad aspects; pessimistic
  • noun
  • The opposite to a positive electrical charge
  • In grammar, containing words such as 'no' or 'not'
  • Reply to a question or statement that means 'no'
  • Image on camera film used to make a photo

dark

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US / dɑ:k /

UK / dɑrk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Of a color that is not light
  • Marked by unhappiness or hopelessness
  • Having little or no light; not light in color
  • noun
  • The time of day when the sky is black

world

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US / wɜ:ld /

UK / wɜrld /

A1
  • noun
  • All the humans, events, activities on the earth
  • Political division due to some kind of similarity

know

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US / nəʊ /

UK / noʊ /

A1
  • verb
  • To be familiar with a person or place, thing
  • To feel sure or be convinced about something
  • To discover or be aware of something
  • To be able to distinguish
  • To have knowledge of things

melancholy

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US / ˈmelənkəli /

UK / ˈmɛlənˌkɑli /

B2
  • adverb
  • Having a sad mood or feeling

end

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US / end /

UK / ɛnd /

A1
  • noun
  • The point where a process or activity stops
  • A point that marks the limit of something; finish
  • Goal or desired result
  • The tip, edge or limit of something
  • verb
  • To be the last part of something

darkness

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US / 'dɑ:knəs /

UK / ˈdɑrknɪs /

A2
  • noun
  • The state or quality of being dark in color

tea

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US / ti: /

UK / ti /

A1
  • noun
  • A full meal eaten around 5-7 p.m (in the UK)
  • Drink made when you put dried leaves in hot water
  • Snack with a hot drink and cake, in the afternoon

bear

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US / bɛː /

UK / bɛr /

A2
  • noun
  • Large brown animal with fur that lives in forests
  • Someone who expects stock market to fall
  • verb
  • To accept (responsibilities or duties)
  • To give birth to a child; to produce fruit
  • To accept or suffer the weight of difficulties
  • To keep moving left or right while going forward
  • To show (sign of something)
  • To support the weight of something, e.g. a bridge

almost

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US / 'ɔ:lməʊst /

UK / ˈɔlˌmost, ɔlˈmost /

A1
  • adverb
  • Only a little less than, nearly, not quite

could

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US / kəd /

UK / kʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Past form of 'can' to mean have ability
  • Used to ask for something politely, or to offer

emotion

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US / iˈməuʃən /

UK / ɪˈmoʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • A feeling such as sadness, anger or love

with

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US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

A1
  • preposition
  • As an employee of a certain company
  • Against something or someone
  • By using something as a means
  • Due to; because of
  • Including
  • Possessing as a feature
  • Related to
  • (Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
  • Used to express that people or things are together

store

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US / stɔ:(r) /

UK / stɔr, stor /

A2
  • noun
  • Place where things are kept for future use
  • Place where you can go to buy things
  • verb
  • To put things in a place for later use

town

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US / taʊn /

UK / taʊn /

A1
  • noun
  • Small city
  • Part of city with shops and entertainments

have

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US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

manage

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US / ˈmænɪdʒ /

UK / ˈmænɪdʒ /

A1
  • verb
  • To survive hardships and difficulties; to cope
  • To run or operate a business by directing others

moment

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US / 'məʊmənt /

UK / 'moʊmənt /

A1
  • noun
  • Very short or brief period of time
  • A particular period in time

background

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US / ˈbækgraʊnd /

UK / ˈbækˌɡraʊnd /

A2
  • noun
  • Images, color, or information behind the main one
  • Someone's personal work and educational history
  • A position not as important as the main event
  • Past events that influence things in the present

cynical

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US / ˈsɪnɪkl /

UK / ˈsɪnɪkəl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Always believing that bad things are the reasons

all

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US / ɔ:l /

UK / ɔl /

A1
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally
  • determiner
  • Being every one of something
  • pronoun
  • 100% of something; the complete amount

pessimist

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US / ˈpesɪmɪst /

UK / ˈpesɪmɪst /

B1
  • noun
  • Person that always thinks the worst will happen

herbal

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US / ˈhɜ:bl /

UK / ˈɜ:rbl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being made of small plants used for food, medicine

empty

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US / 'emptɪ /

UK / ˈɛmpti /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Containing nothing; with no contents
  • Without emotions, feelings, meaning or force
  • noun
  • Item, e.g. a bottle, whose contents have been used
  • verb
  • To remove the contents from something

work

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US / wɜ:k /

UK / wɚk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Activity completed in order to make money
  • noun
  • The product of some artistic or literary endeavor
  • Everything created by an author, artist, musician
  • Activity you do in order to make money
  • Place of employment
  • Final product or result of a some labor or effort
  • verb
  • To bring into a specific state of success
  • To be functioning properly, e.g. a car
  • To do your job in your company or workplace
  • To make an effort to do something
  • To operate a machine or device

loom

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US / lu:m /

UK / lum /

B2
  • noun
  • Device with a frame used to make cloth from thread
  • verb
  • To appear in a large, unclear, or threatening form
  • (Of unpleasant thing) to be close to happening

platitude

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US / ˈplætɪtju:d /

UK / ˈplætɪˌtud, -ˌtjud /

C2
  • noun
  • Often repeated statement that says nothing new

pleasant

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US / 'pleznt /

UK / ˈplɛzənt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Causing a good feeling
  • Being polite or friendly

technique

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US / tekˈni:k /

UK / tɛkˈnik /

A2
  • noun
  • Way of doing by using special knowledge or skill

thank

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US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To tell someone you are grateful to them

look

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US / lʊk /

UK / lʊk /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's beauty or physical attractiveness
  • Particular style of dress, clothes, or appearance
  • The way someone, something appears to be
  • Act of searching for or examining something
  • verb
  • To appear to be; seem

who

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US / hu: /

UK / hu /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Which person
  • Used to introduce information about people

nice

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US / naɪs /

UK / naɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being attractive or of high quality or value
  • Good or enjoyable
  • Being kind or friendly

manifesto

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US / ˌmænɪ'festəʊ /

UK / ˌmænəˈfɛsto /

B2
  • noun
  • Political statement of the beliefs or policies

predate

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US / 'pri:'deɪt /

UK / priˈdet /

C1
  • verb
  • To come from an earlier time than something else

change

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US / tʃeɪndʒ /

UK / tʃendʒ /

A1
  • noun
  • Exchange of one set of clothes for another
  • Money in the form of coins instead of paper
  • Money returned after giving too much
  • Act of making or becoming something else
  • verb
  • To exchange one set of clothes for another
  • To exchange one kind of money for another
  • To replace something with another thing
  • To make or become something else
  • To go from one train, bus, etc. and go to another

medicine

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US / ˈmedsn /

UK / ˈmɛdɪsɪn /

A2
  • noun
  • Something used in treating illness or pain
  • Science of preventing, treating, or curing disease

very

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US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a large degree or amount
  • adverb
  • A lot; much; many
  • Used to stress or emphasize a noun

way

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US / weɪ /

UK / we /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to emphasize the amount of something
  • noun
  • Particular aspect of something being thought about
  • One of various choices that could be made
  • Particular existing condition or state
  • (Often long) distance or length of time
  • How something is done
  • Route to go to a place
  • Small street
  • Usual behavior, emotions or habits of someone

defense

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US / dɪ'fens /

UK / dɪˈfɛns /

B1
  • noun
  • Argument in support of something
  • The process of protecting something from attack
  • Part of a team that prevents others from scoring

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

everything

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US / 'evrɪθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • All of the things mentioned

diagnose

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US / ˈdaɪəgnəʊz /

UK / ˌdaɪəgˈnoʊs /

B1
  • verb
  • To determine the cause of an illness or problem

management

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US / 'mænɪdʒmənt /

UK / ˈmænɪdʒmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • People who are in control of a business or group
  • The process of running an organization

brayton

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US / ˈbreɪtən /

UK / /

A1

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

burst

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US / bɜ:st /

UK / bɚst /

A2
  • noun
  • Brief time period when something happens and ends
  • verb
  • To move (arrive, exit, etc.) suddenly or hurriedly
  • To break apart/open in a sudden and violent way

anybody

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US / ˈenibɒdi /

UK / ˈenibʌdi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Any person; anyone

any

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US / 'enɪ /

UK / ˈɛni /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One, or some, no matter which
  • pronoun
  • One (thing) of many; some

entirely

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US / ɪnˈtaɪəli /

UK / ɪnˈtaɪərli /

A2
  • adverb
  • Wholly; completely

beyond

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US / bɪ'jɒnd /

UK / biˈɑnd, bɪˈjɑnd /

A2
  • adverb
  • On or to the farther side
  • In addition to
  • preposition
  • Later in time than
  • Out of the limits of

vinegar

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US / ˈvɪnɪgə(r) /

UK / ˈvɪnɪɡɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Sharp-tasting liquid made from sour wine, malt etc.

and

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US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

completely

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US / kəmˈpli:tli /

UK / kəmˈpliːtli /

A1
  • adverb
  • In every way or as much as possible

swallow

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US / 'swɒləʊ /

UK / ˈswɑː.loʊ /

A2
  • noun
  • Small northern bird with downward-pointing wings
  • Making food or drink go down to the stomach
  • verb
  • To believe (something that is not true)
  • To make food go from your mouth to your stomach
  • To cover or hide something

brush

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US / brʌʃ /

UK / brʌʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Quick and gentle movement
  • Thing with hairs used to apply paint, etc.
  • Thing used to comb your hair or to clean the floor
  • verb
  • To touch against a thing very lightly when moving
  • To clean, paint, or apply something with a brush
  • To clean using a long stick with stiff hairs

lot

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US / lɒt /

UK / lɑt /

A1
  • noun
  • What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
  • A group of people seen together
  • Item for sale at an auction
  • Small area of land used for a purpose e.g. parking

finally

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US / ˈfaɪnəli /

UK / ˈfaɪnəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • used especially at the beginning of a sentence to introduce the last point or idea
  • After a long time or some difficulty

prescribe

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US / prɪ'skraɪb /

UK / prɪˈskraɪb /

B2
  • verb
  • (Of doctors) to say what medicine should be taken
  • To set down rules or guidelines

inspiration

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US / ˌɪnspə'reɪʃn /

UK / ˌɪnspəˈreʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Force making you feel you can do things, succeed

where

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US / hwɛə /

UK / hwɛr, wɛr /

A1
  • conjunction
  • At or in the place which
  • In whatever place
  • pronoun
  • Word you use to ask the location of something

essay

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US / 'eseɪ /

UK / ˈɛsˌe, ɛˈse /

B1
  • noun
  • Short piece of written opinion on a subject

cancer

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US / 'kænsə(r) /

UK / ˈkænsɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Any growth caused by abnormal cell division

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

A1
  • preposition
  • Starting at a particular place, time or level

meet

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US / mi:t /

UK / mit /

A1
  • noun
  • Sporting competition e.g. swimming
  • verb
  • To provide something that is necessary
  • To come together at a certain time or place

come

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US / kʌm /

UK / kʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To arrive at a place
  • (Of mail) to be delivered
  • To move toward someone; go with someone
  • To reach a certain point or state

anything

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US / ˈeniθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛniˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • A thing of any kind

think

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US / θɪŋk /

UK / θɪŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To have an idea about something without certainty
  • To have an idea, opinion or belief about something

sugar

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US / ˈʃʊgə(r) /

UK / ˈʃʊɡɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Substance which the body stores or uses for energy
  • Amount of sugar contained in a small spoon
  • Used to address someone you like or love
  • White sweet substance used to make foods sweeter
  • verb
  • To add, put on, or mix a food or drink with sugar

out

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US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • No longer stylish (e.g. fashion)
  • Away from home, business, or the usual place
  • In a direction/movement away from inside or center
  • noun
  • Act when a batter cannot continue playing
  • verb
  • To tell people a secret

hope

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US / həʊp /

UK / hop /

A1
  • noun
  • When you wish something will happen; what you wish
  • verb
  • To expect and want something to happen

defensive

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US / dɪˈfensɪv /

UK / dɪˈfɛnsɪv /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Protecting something, yourself from attack

disaster

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US / dɪ'zɑ:stə(r) /

UK / dɪˈzæstɚ, -ˈsæs- /

A2
  • noun
  • State of extreme ruin and misfortune

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

A1
  • adverb
  • Very; extremely
  • Greatest possible degree
  • pronoun
  • Nearly all of something

call

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US / kɔ:l /

UK / kɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • A order or request for action
  • The sound an animal makes, often when in danger
  • A correct prediction, e.g. a decision in a game
  • A short visit to a place or person
  • A decision by a referee or umpire in a game
  • verb
  • To make a request or order for action
  • (Animal) to make sounds to warn of danger
  • To announce the date of an election
  • To make a judgment about something
  • To give someone or something a name
  • To guess in advance the result or outcome
  • To visit a place or person for a short time
  • To phone someone
  • To speak, announce or shout in a loud voice

particular

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US / pəˈtɪkjələ(r) /

UK / pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ, pəˈtɪk- /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • One specific (one)
  • Having firm ideas about what is desirable
  • Being special or more than is typical

writing

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US / ˈraɪtɪŋ /

UK / ˈraɪtɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • The act of composing letters on paper
  • other
  • To invent or create a computer program
  • verb
  • To compose letters and words on paper or a screen
  • To invent or create a computer program
  • To create a song or piece of music

something

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US / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

UK / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

A1
  • adverb
  • In some degree or measure
  • noun
  • a person or thing of some value or consequence
  • pronoun
  • Thing that is not yet known or named
  • Approximately

put

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US / pʊt /

UK / pʊt /

A1
  • phrasal verb
  • to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch
  • verb
  • To move or place a thing in a particular position
  • To rate something in importance or value
  • To write or say something in a certain manner

precisely

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US / prɪˈsaɪsli /

UK / prɪˈsaɪsli /

B1
  • adverb
  • In an exact and accurate manner
  • (Emphasizes that a statement is totally correct)

try

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US / traɪ /

UK / traɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of putting the ball over the rugby goal line
  • verb
  • To make an effort, to attempt to do something
  • To examine someone or something in a court of law
  • To test to see if it is good or you like it
  • To make a person go through hardship; test
  • To examine something to see if it works

stick

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US / stɪk /

UK / stɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • Long thin piece of wood from a tree
  • verb
  • To push a sharp or pointed object into something
  • To join together using glue or paste
  • To remain in one place or position for a long time

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

A1
  • determiner
  • Used to refer a large number of things

point

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US / pɔɪnt /

UK / pɔɪnt /

A1
  • noun
  • An item to be discussed
  • Small spot or dot
  • Fact or detail
  • Feature of something
  • The size of the text on a page or screen
  • A certain time or stage in a process
  • Certain position in time or space
  • Idea or fact you try to convince people about
  • Measurement of scores in a game, sport
  • Sharp end of something, e.g. a pen or pin
  • verb
  • To face a certain direction, e.g. north
  • To indicate something with your finger to others

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate what is proper or reasonable

actually

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US / ˈæktʃuəli /

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to add new (often different) information

sort

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US / sɔ:t /

UK / sɔrt /

A1
  • noun
  • Group or class of similar things or people
  • verb
  • To organize things by putting them into groups
  • To deal with things in an organized way

thereby

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US / ˈðɛəbai /

UK / ðɛrˈbaɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • By that means; because of that

probably

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US / ˈprɒbəbli /

UK / ˈprɑbəbli /

A1
  • adverb
  • That is likely to happen or be true

originate

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US / ə'rɪdʒɪneɪt /

UK / əˈrɪdʒəˌnet /

A2
  • verb
  • To first come into existence
  • To create or start something

reality

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US / rɪ'ælətɪ /

UK / riˈælɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • What is true, as opposed to what is imagined

describe

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US / dɪ'skraɪb /

UK / dɪˈskraɪb /

A1
  • verb
  • To tell the appearance, sound, smell of something

scenario

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US / sɪˈnɑː.ri.əʊ /

UK / səˈner.i.oʊ /

B1
  • noun
  • An imagined sequence of events in a plan/project

wait

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US / weɪt /

UK / wet /

A1
  • verb
  • To delay or not do something until later
  • To spend time until an expected thing happens
  • To remain in a place until a thing happens

side

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US / saɪd /

UK / saɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition to the central or most important thing
  • Next to, or very close to, the right or left of
  • noun
  • Position or opinion that is opposite to another
  • Right or left part of a person's body
  • Feature of someone's personality
  • Straight edge of an object
  • One of two or more groups fighting each other
  • verb
  • To decide to agree with one point, not the other

write

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US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

A1
  • verb
  • To compose letters and words on paper or a screen
  • To invent or create a computer program
  • To create a song or piece of music

speak

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US / spi:k /

UK / spik /

A1
  • verb
  • To be able to use a certain language
  • To use words to tell information, express thoughts

new

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US / nju: /

UK / nu, nju /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not old, recently born, built or made
  • Being or doing something for the first time
  • Not felt, seen or known previously
  • Having been recently bought or obtained

characterize

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US / 'kærəktəraɪz /

UK / ˈkærəktəˌraɪz /

A2
  • verb
  • To describe the qualities of person, place, thing

use

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US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to employ something
  • Need to enable it to work
  • Permission to do something with something
  • Act of spending money
  • Operation of a machine for its function
  • verb
  • To have; to eat, drink, consume etc.
  • To need to operate or work
  • To operate a machine, e.g. a computer
  • To treat a person badly
  • To do something with, for a task or purpose

beautiful

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US / 'bju:tɪfl /

UK / ˈbjutəfəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having dome something well
  • Being very attractive or appealing physically

feel

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US / fi:l /

UK / fil /

A1
  • verb
  • To be aware of or experience an emotion, sensation
  • To sense through direct contact; touch

will

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US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

too

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition, also; with emphasis
  • Say that something is more than you want

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1

state

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US / steɪt /

UK / stet /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning region within a country
  • noun
  • Region within a country, with its own government
  • Situation or condition something is in
  • verb
  • To say; declare as fact

this

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US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

simply

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US / ˈsɪmpli /

UK / ˈsɪmpli /

A1
  • adverb
  • In an easy or clear manner

ready

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US / 'redɪ /

UK / ˈrɛdi /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being likely or about to do something
  • Being willing to do a task
  • verb
  • To prepare something for use or action

live

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US / lɪv /

UK / liv /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being broadcast as events happen, not recorded
  • Carrying electric current; able to give a shock
  • Glowing because burning; hot
  • Not yet killed (for food)
  • adverb
  • (Music, drama) as it is performed
  • verb
  • To be alive
  • To experience a particular type of life
  • To make your home in a house or town

lucky

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US / 'lʌkɪ /

UK / ˈlʌki /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Fortunate; having good things happen by chance

half

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US / hɑ:f /

UK / hæf, hɑf /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not complete
  • adverb
  • Partly; somewhat
  • noun
  • One of two equal periods of game time in a sport
  • The part you get when one is divided into two;

able

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US / 'eɪbl /

UK / ˈebəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Skilled; good at something
  • Having the ability to do something

surface

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US / 'sɜ:fɪs /

UK / ˈsɚfəs /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Of the top layer; not deep or meaningful
  • noun
  • Top layer of the ground or of water
  • Nature or emotions that show, but may not be true
  • Outside or upper layer of something
  • verb
  • To give (road) a top layer
  • To appear after being hidden, unseen, or unknown
  • To come to the top of something; emerge
  • To come to the top level of water, mud, etc.

make

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US / meɪk /

UK / mek /

A1
  • noun
  • Product made by a particular company; brand
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • To get to (a place) on time
  • To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
  • To create something by putting things together
  • To earn a certain amount of money at a job
  • To cause or force a person to do something
  • To cause something to happen or be formed

less

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US / les /

UK / lɛs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Smaller in amount or degree
  • adverb
  • To a smaller degree
  • noun
  • A smaller amount
  • preposition
  • With the subtraction of

treat

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US / tri:t /

UK / trit /

A1
  • noun
  • Something you buy for others as a surprise present
  • something that tastes good and that is not eaten often
  • verb
  • To pay for the food or enjoyment of someone else
  • To use medical methods to try to cure an illness
  • To act in a certain way toward someone

sunny

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US / 'sʌnɪ /

UK / ˈsʌni /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Feeling or being cheerful, happy, and friendly
  • When the sun is bright in the sky

filter

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US / 'fɪltə(r) /

UK / ˈfɪltɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Device to remove certain types of light, sound
  • Device to remove unwanted things from liquid, gas
  • verb
  • To remove certain types of light, sound
  • To remove unwanted substances from a liquid or gas

kind

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US / kaɪnd /

UK / kaɪnd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In a caring and helpful manner
  • friendly and considerate
  • noun
  • One type of thing

construct

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US / kənˈstrʌkt /

UK / kənˈstrʌkt /

A2
  • noun
  • A thought, theory or hypothesis
  • verb
  • To build or create something
  • To create a sentence, story, argument or theory

let

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US / let /

UK / lɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To allow someone to do something
  • Introducing a suggestion to do something together
  • To rent a house, etc. to others

phenomenon

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US / fə'nɒmɪnən /

UK / fɪˈnɑməˌnɑn, -nən /

B1
  • noun
  • Unusual event, fact that can be studied
  • Interesting or unusual person, group
  • something that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially something unusual or interesti

welcome

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US / 'welkəm /

UK / ˈwɛlkəm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being what was wanted or needed
  • noun
  • Friendly greeting to someone who has arrived
  • verb
  • To greet someone who has just arrived
  • To accept or receive something happily and gladly

how

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US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To what degree? in what amount?
  • adverb
  • (Used to explain the way to do something)
  • exclamation
  • For what purpose or reason?
  • (Used to ask someone or something's condition)

the

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US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

lead

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US / li:d /

UK / lid /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being the main part in movies or plays
  • noun
  • Wire for electricity, computer, etc.; cable
  • Information that could help to solve a crime
  • Main part in a play or movie
  • Heavy, gray metal element
  • Rope used to tie something to stop it escaping
  • Act of being at the front in a race or game
  • verb
  • To show the way or guide others
  • To be at the front of a race or game
  • To travel in front of; go in advance of others

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general
  • Subtitles section
  • Instead of a spoonful of sugar, he probably swallowed his medicine with vinegar.
  • Hi, I'm Rebecca Brayton and welcome to WatchMojo.com.
  • And today we're speaking with author David Rakoff about defensive pessimism and his book Half Empty.
  • Why don't we start by having you tell us about the book Half Empty.
  • Half Empty is a collection of essays that are a defense of pessimism and melancholy and a lot of those emotions that get tarred with the negative brush that aren't necessarily negative.
  • For example, just because something feels good doesn't make it good.
  • It's nice to feel pride, but pride can lead you to treat people shabbily.
  • A lot of those things have been simply stricken from the discourse.
  • It's hard to get people to talk about things that are darker or less pleasant on the surface.
  • So it's just a defense of those things to say that they have their uses and can even be just as beautiful as the sunnier states of mind.
  • And where did the idea for the book originate for you?
  • The book was actually my editor's idea.
  • And he was the one who finally touched on the fact that whatever I've written has sort of come through this filter of melancholy.
  • And he said you should write a more sustained look at that particular mindset that seems to be so automatic in you.
  • Would you be able to give us some examples from your own life or even cultural phenomenon that would kind of stick up for your point of view?
  • Well, I mean, examples would be New York City is entirely somewhat pessimistic and not cynical, but a realist town where people sort of see things for how they are, I think.
  • Most of the cultural content that you would characterize as being grown up actually has some element of realism and darkness in it.
  • Have you found that your background has had anything to do with this point of view?
  • I think it predates background, predates upbringing.
  • I think that it's just the way that people are born that way.
  • Let's define the idea of defensive pessimism.
  • Defensive pessimism is an anxiety management technique wherein you, like all pessimists everywhere, think that some looming experience, whatever it is, going to the store, doing a public speech, whatever,
  • Is going to be a disaster.
  • And you construct a worst-case scenario, the ways in which it's going to be a disaster, detail by detail, and you work through each detail and the ways in which you will meet them head-on and stave them off and thereby manage your anxiety.
  • Why do you think pessimism has been stricken from the public discourse?
  • People don't really like being reminded of the reality of the world.
  • It's like prescribing medicine.
  • It's much, much easier to prescribe candy.
  • Would you call this book a manifesto?
  • No, absolutely not.
  • There's even a burst on the cover that said, you know, there is no inspiration, this is not a manifesto.
  • I'm not advocating anything beyond you've got to do whatever's right for you.
  • During the writing of this book, you were diagnosed with cancer.
  • Now, many would describe this as a put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is moment.
  • It's precisely the put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is moment.
  • But it didn't change the way I was living my life.
  • If anything, it confirmed it.
  • Stuff happens.
  • You've just got to get ready for it, you know, and live your life as if it were going to happen almost at any time.
  • And what gives you hope?
  • I think the things that give anybody hope, you know, the fact that everything is cyclical, that, you know, life is long if you're lucky and that things will eventually change and this too shall pass and you'll get through it.
  • I mean, it's an absolute platitude and completely, you know, I could put that on the side of a herbal tea box, but, you know, you've just got to try and wait things out.
  • I think that's a great note to end on.
  • Thank you very much.
  • Thank you very much.