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String theory - a simple way to understand the universe | BBC Ideas

Video vocabulary

bang

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US / bæŋ /

UK / bæŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • Sudden loud noise, as when a bomb explodes
  • A loud noise
  • verb
  • To strike something loudly or forcefully

energy

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US / 'enədʒɪ /

UK / ˈɛnədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Physical or mental strength

enough

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US / ɪˈnʌf /

UK / ɪˈnʌf /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Sufficient to answer the need
  • adverb
  • To a satisfactory degree
  • pronoun
  • Equal to what is needed; as much as required
  • Adequate number or amount

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

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

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

proper

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US / 'prɒpə(r) /

UK / ˈprɑpɚ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Correct according to social or moral rules

offer

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US / 'ɒfə(r) /

UK / ˈɔfɚ, ˈɑfɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Price you say you are willing to pay for something
  • Act of making a thing available to be accepted
  • verb
  • To suggest a price you are willing to pay
  • To give the opportunity to accept something
  • To say you are willing to do something
  • To give or say something as an act of worship

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)

current

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US / 'kʌrənt /

UK / ˈkɚrənt, ˈkʌr- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Happening or being in the present time
  • noun
  • Electricity flowing through wires
  • Movement of water in a river, or air in the sky

different

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US / ˈdɪfrənt /

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not of the same kind; unlike other things

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

instrument

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US / 'ɪnstrəmənt /

UK / ˈɪnstrəmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Gauge for measuring something, e.g. temperature
  • Legal document
  • Device that is used for creating music

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

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

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

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’

nothing

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US / 'nʌθɪŋ /

UK / ˈnʌθɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Item of little or no value, importance, interest
  • Number or value of zero
  • pronoun
  • Not anything, not a single thing

pythagoras

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US / paɪ'θæɡərəs /

UK / pɪ'θæɡərəs /

A1
  • other
  • Any of a group of crystalline silicate mineral common in igneous and metamorphic rocks

tantalize

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US / ˈtæntəlaɪz /

UK / ˈtæntəˌlaɪz /

C2
  • verb
  • To promise something but not allow them to have it

first

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US / fɜ:st /

UK / fɚst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 1st; Coming before all others in time or place
  • noun
  • Something that has not happened before
  • Position of the winner of a competition

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

particularly

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US / pəˈtikjuləli /

UK / pɚˈtɪkjələli, pəˈtɪk- /

A2
  • adverb
  • Specially; more than others

musical

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US / ˈmju:zɪkl /

UK / ˈmju:zɪkl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having a pleasant sound like music
  • Having skill or being gifted in music
  • noun
  • Play or movie set to music

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

vibration

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US / vaɪˈbreɪʃn /

UK / vaɪˈbreʃən /

B2
  • noun
  • Shaking motion

understanding

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US / ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ /

UK / ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being sympathetic
  • noun
  • When you get the meaning correctly; comprehension
  • Knowledge about something or someone
  • verb
  • To know the meaning of language, what someone says

closely

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US / 'kləʊslɪ /

UK / ˈkloslɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a careful manner
  • Nearby; just next to

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

diversity

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US / daɪ'vɜ:sətɪ /

UK / dɪˈvə:sɪti, daɪ- /

B1
  • noun
  • Having a range of different races, ideas etc.

happen

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US / 'hæpən /

UK / ˈhæpən /

A1
  • verb
  • To take place or occur

microscope

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US / ˈmaɪkrəskəʊp /

UK / ˈmaɪkrəskoʊp /

B1
  • noun
  • Scientific device making small things look bigger

must

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US / məst /

UK / mʌst /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that is necessary or required
  • other
  • (Used to state that something ought to be true)
  • Used to say something is required or necessary

physicist

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US / ˈfɪzɪsɪst /

UK / ˈfɪzɪsɪst /

B2
  • noun
  • Person who studies and works in physics

search

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US / sɜ:tʃ /

UK / sɜ:rtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Examination of person to find something
  • Action to find an answer to a problem
  • Action of trying to find someone or something
  • verb
  • To examine a person's clothing to find something
  • To look for an answer or explanation to a problem
  • To look carefully for someone or something

then

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US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • A time that is not now
  • Following another thing in time or arrangement
  • Following on reasonably from what was just stated
  • At that time, not now

realize

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US / 'ri:əlaɪz /

UK / ˈriəˌlaɪz /

A1
  • verb
  • To become aware of or understand mentally

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

fail

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US / feɪl /

UK / fel /

A1
  • noun
  • A mark on a test showing you did not pass
  • verb
  • To be unsuccessful in passing a class or exam
  • To not do or provide something that is needed
  • To stop working or functioning; to break down
  • To not achieve a goal, or to go wrong

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

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

truth

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US / tru:θ /

UK / truθ /

A2
  • noun
  • Real facts about something

albert

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US / ˈælbət /

UK / ælˈbɚt /

A1
  • noun
  • Prince consort of Queen Victoria of England

dimension

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US / daɪˈmenʃn /

UK / dɪˈmɛnʃən, daɪ- /

B1
  • noun
  • Number of planes (X, Y, Z axes) an object has
  • Measurement in space, e.g. length or diameter
  • Scope, extent or size of something abstract

itself

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US / ɪtˈself /

UK / ɪtˈsɛlf /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Referring to it

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

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

thousand

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US / ˈθaʊznd /

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1,000

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

himself

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US / hɪmˈself /

UK / hɪmˈsɛlf /

A1
  • pronoun
  • The same (male) person who did the action

pluck

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US / plʌk /

UK / plʌk /

B2
  • noun
  • Quality of bravery or determination
  • verb
  • To pull the feathers or hair off something
  • To pull a string to make sounds on (e.g. a guitar)
  • To pull quickly in order to pick or remove a thing

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

consider

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US / kən'sɪdə(r) /

UK / kənˈsɪdər /

A1
  • verb
  • To think carefully about something

particle

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US / ˈpɑ:tɪkl /

UK / ˈpɑrtɪkəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Adverb or preposition that joins with a verb
  • Tiny piece or quantity of something

perfectly

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US / ˈpɜ:fɪktli /

UK / ˈpəfɪktli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a faultless manner; without mistakes

ever

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US / 'evə(r) /

UK / ˈɛvɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At any time; at all times in the future

explain

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US / ɪk'spleɪn /

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

A1
  • verb
  • To make clear or easy to understand by describing

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

vibrate

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US / vaɪˈbreɪt /

UK / ˈvaɪˌbret /

B2
  • verb
  • To shake side to side quickly in small movements

matter

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US / 'mætə(r) /

UK / ˈmætɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Material all things are made of that fills space
  • Problem or reason for concern
  • verb
  • To be of great importance; to count

here

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

A1
  • adverb
  • In this place; at this location, position or time

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

accelerator

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US / əkˈseləreɪtə(r) /

UK / ækˈsɛləˌretɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Pedal that controls the speed a vehicle moves

finite

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US / ˈfaɪnaɪt /

UK / ˈfaɪˌnaɪt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having limits; lasting for a limited time

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

frequency

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US / 'fri:kwənsɪ /

UK / ˈfrikwənsi /

B1
  • noun
  • Number of repetitions of (radio or sound) wave
  • How often something happens

spend

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US / spend /

UK / spɛnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To use money to pay for something
  • To use time in order to do something
  • To use up something completely

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)

black

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US / blæk /

UK / blæk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Color of the sky on a dark night
  • noun
  • A person with dark skin, often of African origin
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To fill in something to make it a very dark color

invisible

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US / ɪnˈvɪzəbl /

UK / ɪnˈvɪzəbəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being unable to be seen
  • Of money earned from services, instead of products

mystery

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US / ˈmɪstri /

UK / ˈmɪstəri /

A2
  • noun
  • Quality of being strange and not understood
  • Book, play, or film about solving a strange crime
  • Something that is not known

question

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US / 'kwestʃən /

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Issue or problems you are dealing with
  • What you ask about; issue
  • verb
  • To ask for or try to get information
  • To have or express concerns or uncertainty

vast

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US / vɑ:st /

UK / væst /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being very large in size or amount

wonder

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US / 'wʌndə(r) /

UK / ˈwʌndɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Surprise caused by experiencing something amazing
  • verb
  • To feel curious about something
  • To think or consider about something over time

rich

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US / rɪtʃ /

UK / rɪtʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a lot of money or valuable possessions
  • Containing a lot of exciting events or experiences and therefore very interesting
  • (of a color, sound, smell, etc.) Pleasantly deep or strong
  • If food is rich, it contains a large amount of oil, butter, eggs, or cream.

summarize

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US / ˈsʌməraɪz /

UK / ˈsʌməˌraɪz /

A2
  • verb
  • To state the main or most important ideas

fully

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US / 'fʊlɪ /

UK / ˈfʊli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Completely or entirely

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)

quantum

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US / ˈkwɒntəm /

UK / ˈkwɑ:ntəm /

B2
  • noun
  • The smallest unit or amount of energy

proton

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US / ˈprəʊtɒn /

UK / ˈproʊtɑ:n /

B2
  • noun
  • Tiny part of atom with positive electrical charge

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

music

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US / 'mju:zɪk /

UK / ˈmjuzɪk /

A1
  • noun
  • Sounds that are sung or played to give pleasure
  • Academic study of rhythms and sounds
  • Written symbols that represent musical sounds

octave

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US / 'ɒktɪv /

UK / ˈɑktɪv, -ˌtev /

C1
  • noun
  • Range of notes in an 8-note musical scale

greek

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US / gri:k /

UK / ɡrik /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the culture and people of Greece
  • noun
  • Person from Greece

unify

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US / 'ju:nɪfaɪ /

UK / ˈjunəˌfaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • To bring or join together into one

though

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US / ðəu /

UK / ðo /

A1
  • adverb
  • Although, despite the fact that

ask

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US / ɑ:sk /

UK / æsk /

A1
  • verb
  • To say to someone that you want something

piece

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US / pi:s /

UK / pis /

A1
  • noun
  • A counter in a board game
  • Small part of something larger
  • verb
  • To put items together to assemble something

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

test

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US / test /

UK / test /

A1
  • noun
  • A medical examination
  • Action to establish the truth or nature of
  • Examination; questions to measure knowledge
  • verb
  • To be given a medical examination
  • To try to establish the truth or nature of
  • To ask a series of questions to measure knowledge

answer

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US / 'ɑ:nsə(r) /

UK / ˈænsɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Reply to a question someone asks
  • Solution to a problem or test question
  • verb
  • To reply to a question someone asks
  • To solve a test question or a problem

band

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US / bænd /

UK / bænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of people who work together e.g. play music
  • Thin piece of material that wraps around something
  • verb
  • To come together to work on a project
  • To tie things together using string or rope

musing

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US / ˈmju:zɪŋ /

UK / ˈmjuzɪŋ /

B2
  • verb
  • To think about slowly or over a long period

predict

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US / prɪ'dɪkt /

UK / prɪˈdɪkt /

A2
  • verb
  • To guess or estimate what will or might happen

deep

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US / di:p /

UK / dip /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Complex and important
  • Extreme or intense
  • Going far down from the surface
  • Low in pitch, as a sound
  • adverb
  • At a certain distance beneath the surface

level

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US / 'levl /

UK / ˈlɛvəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Sports) equal to another
  • Being steady and determined (e.g. a voice)
  • noun
  • Specific height of something
  • Amount of ability you have compared to others
  • Floor or deck within a building
  • Tool used to determine if something is lying flat
  • verb
  • To aim a gun at someone
  • To destroy a building; flatten an area completely
  • To make things flat or even
  • To make a score equal to another, in sports

big

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US / bɪɡ /

UK / bɪɡ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Popular
  • Serious
  • Large

might

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US / maɪt /

UK / maɪt /

A1
  • other
  • Used to politely request an action
  • Used to express that something could happen
  • Power, strength, force or influence

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

complexity

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US / kəm'pleksətɪ /

UK / kəmˈplɛksɪti /

B1
  • noun
  • State of having many parts and not being simple

entire

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US / ɪn'taɪə(r) /

UK / ɛnˈtaɪr /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Complete or full; with no part left out; whole

into

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US / 'ɪntə /

UK / ˈɪntu /

A1
  • preposition
  • Moving or going inside something
  • In the same direction as; in the direction of
  • So as to become; taking the state of

other

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US / 'ʌðə(r) /

UK / ˈʌðər /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A thing different from that mentioned
  • determiner
  • (Something) else; not the first (one)
  • pronoun
  • Being the one and only thing of that category

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

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to compare two things that are not equal

attempt

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US / ə'tempt /

UK / əˈtɛmpt /

A2
  • noun
  • Effort made to try to do or accomplish something
  • verb
  • To try to do something challenging or difficult

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)

multiverse

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US / 'mʌltɪvɜ:s /

UK / 'mʌltɪvɜ:s /

A1
  • noun
  • Having many universes

peer

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US / pɪə(r) /

UK / pɪr /

B2
  • noun
  • A noble, but not royal, person, e.g. lord or duke
  • Person of the same age, class or situation
  • verb
  • To look closely and carefully, as if hard to see

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

switzerland

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US / 'swɪtsələnd /

UK / 'swɪtsərlənd /

A1
  • other
  • A landlocked federal republic in central Europe

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

year

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US / jə: /

UK / jɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of time equal to 12 months or 365 or 366 days
  • Used to refer to the age of a person

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

universe

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US / ˈju:nɪvɜ:s /

UK / ˈjunəˌvɚs /

B2
  • noun
  • All of space that contains planets and stars
  • Things surrounding a person, affecting their life

theoretical

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US / ˌθɪəˈretɪkl /

UK / ˌθiəˈrɛtɪkəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the unproved aspects of a subject

word

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US / wɜ:d /

UK / wɚd /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of language that has a meaning
  • Promise
  • Short remark or piece of information
  • verb
  • To express something by choosing particular words

believe

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US / bɪ'li:v /

UK / bɪˈliv /

A1
  • verb
  • To think or accept that something is true
  • To have a particular opinion about something

contradict

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US / ˌkɒntrə'dɪkt /

UK / ˌkɑntrəˈdɪkt /

B1
  • verb
  • To say the opposite is so; say something different

general

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US / 'dʒenrəl /

UK / ˈdʒɛnərəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Widespread, normal or usual
  • noun
  • Top ranked officer in the army

human

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US / 'hju:mən /

UK / ˈhjumən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or characteristic of people
  • noun
  • A person; a man, woman or child

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

proponent

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US / prəˈpəʊnənt /

UK / prəˈponənt /

B2
  • noun
  • Person who supports or argues for something

atom

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US / 'ætəm /

UK / ˈætəm /

B1
  • noun
  • Smallest bit that matter can be broken down into

everything

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US / 'evrɪθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • All of the things mentioned

principle

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US / ˈprɪnsəpl /

UK / ˈprɪnsəpəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Moral rule or belief governing a person's behavior
  • Natural law that explains how things work

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

wormhole

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US / ˈwɜ:mhəʊl /

UK / ˈwɜ:rmhoʊl /

A1
  • noun
  • Hole made by a burrowing worm

clearly

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US / ˈklɪəlɪ /

UK / ˈklɪrlɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • In a way that is easy to understand; obviously

movement

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US / ˈmu:vmənt /

UK / ˈmuvmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Part of a piece of classical music
  • Group with a shared interest or goal
  • Group sharing the same idea to change society, art
  • Action you do when exercising, e.g. in a gym
  • Part of a piece of music

possible

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US / ˈpɒsəbl /

UK / ˈpɑsəbəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being able or appropriate for a task or purpose
  • Having a chance of happening, or being true

relativity

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US / ˌreləˈtɪvəti /

UK / ˌrɛləˈtɪvɪti /

C2
  • noun
  • Einstein theory about time, space and position

acknowledge

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US / ək'nɒlɪdʒ /

UK / ækˈnɑlɪdʒ /

A2
  • verb
  • To say you have received a letter, gift, etc.
  • To say you accept the truth or value of something
  • to publicly express appreciation

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

its

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US / ɪts /

UK / ɪts /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Referring to or belonging to ‘it’
  • determiner
  • Of something; belonging or related to something
  • other
  • Possessive form of “it”

super

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US / ˈsu:pə(r) /

UK / ˈsupɚ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Of the highest quality; great; marvelous

hold

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US / həʊld /

UK / hold /

A1
  • noun
  • Section of a ship or plane used for storing things
  • Influence or power held over someone
  • Place of support for hands or feet when climbing
  • verb
  • To agree to keep something for someone
  • To have the capacity to support/contain something
  • To control an area and protect it from attack
  • To not allow someone to leave a place
  • To cause an event to happen at a place or time
  • To use hands or arms to carry or keep something
  • To have a specific quality or property
  • To keep an image, belief or feeling in your mind
  • To have or own something
  • To wait before being able to talk on the phone
  • To limit the movement of someone in a sport

result

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US / rɪ'zʌlt /

UK / rɪˈzʌlt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something produced through tests or experiments
  • Final score of a competition, election or game
  • verb
  • To be the outcome of other causes and effects

subatomic

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US / ˌsʌbəˈtɒmɪk /

UK / ˌsʌbəˈtɑmɪk /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning constituents of the atom

simple

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US / 'sɪmpl /

UK / ˈsɪmpəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not hard to understand or do; not complex
  • Having only a few parts; not complex
  • Being ordinary or normal
  • Being plain; without a lot added for style

theory

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US / ˈθiəri /

UK / ˈθiəri, ˈθɪri /

A2
  • noun
  • Ideas or principles that explain facts or events

ago

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US / əˈgəʊ /

UK / əˈgoʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a specified length of time in the past

huge

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US / hju:dʒ /

UK / hjudʒ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very very large

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

collision

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US / kəˈlɪʒn /

UK / kəˈlɪʒən /

B2
  • noun
  • Act of crashing into someone or something else

entice

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US / ɪn'taɪs /

UK / ɛnˈtaɪs /

B2
  • verb
  • To attract someone by appealing to hope or desire

prove

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US / pru:v /

UK / pruv /

A2
  • verb
  • To demonstrate truth by providing evidence

string

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US / strɪŋ /

UK / strɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • A line of connected objects
  • Thick thread; thin rope
  • verb
  • To tie or connect things together with a thread

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

cern

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US / /

UK / /

A1
  • abbreviation
  • European Organization for Nuclear Research.

study

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US / 'stʌdɪ /

UK / ˈstʌdi /

A1
  • noun
  • Room that a person studies or reads in
  • Piece of research
  • Topic or subject you research or learn about
  • verb
  • To focus on learning something usually at school

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

become

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US / bɪ'kʌm /

UK / bɪˈkʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To begin to be; grow to be; develop into
  • To be suitable for a particular job or role

behaviour

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US / bɪˈheɪvjə(r) /

UK / bɪˈhevjɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • The way a person or thing acts; manner

explanation

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US / ˌekspləˈneɪʃn /

UK / ˌɛkspləˈneʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Details or reasons given to make something clear

physics

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US / ˈfɪzɪks /

UK / ˈfɪzɪks /

A1
  • other
  • The study of heat, light, and energy on objects

same

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US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in quality and amount
  • Identical; not different
  • Not changing; constant

tiny

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US / 'taɪnɪ /

UK / ˈtaɪni /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very, very small

rubber

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US / 'rʌbə(r) /

UK / ˈrʌbɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Material used to make tires, etc.

testing

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US / ˈtestɪŋ /

UK / ˈtestɪŋ /

A1
  • verb
  • To be given a medical examination
  • To try to establish the truth or nature of
  • To ask a series of questions to measure knowledge

pythagorean

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US / paɪˌθægəˈri(ː)ən /

UK / ˌpɪθəˈgɔriən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning Pythagoras or his geometry

prediction

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US / prɪˈdɪkʃn /

UK / prɪˈdɪkʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • A statement of what will happen next

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

gateway

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US / ˈgeɪtweɪ /

UK / ˈɡetˌwe /

B2
  • noun
  • Entrance that can be closed by a gate

untestable

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US / /

UK / /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Not able to be examined

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

apply

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US / ə'plaɪ /

UK / əˈplaɪ /

A1
  • verb
  • To spread a substance or liquid over a surface
  • To commit your time and effort to doing something
  • To make something useful in a certain situation
  • To be relevant for a situation
  • To ask formally for (job, permission etc.)

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

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

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

single

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US / 'sɪŋɡl /

UK / ˈsɪŋɡəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being one only, without others
  • Only; merely
  • Not married or in a relationship
  • noun
  • One run in cricket or a hit baseball
  • An individual song from a CD or album
  • Person who is not married or in a relationship

star

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US / stɑ:(r) /

UK / stɑr /

A1
  • noun
  • Very famous person, usually an entertainer
  • Someone who does something very well
  • Your horoscope
  • A bright planet of hot gas in the night sky
  • A 5-6 sided asterisk-shape
  • verb
  • To perform or play a main role in a movie, play
  • To do something very well
  • To mark with a 5-6 sided asterisk-shape

hadron

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US / 'hædrən /

UK / 'hædrən /

A1
  • noun
  • Any elementary particle that interacts strongly with other particles

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

powerful

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US / ˈpauəful /

UK / ˈpaʊəfəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having control or influence over
  • Having a lot of physical force, energy, strength

whole

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US / həul /

UK / hol /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Complete or full; all of
  • Being in a good condition
  • noun
  • Complete amount or sum; total

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

fundamental

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US / ˌfʌndəˈmentl /

UK / ˌfʌndəˈmɛntl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Forming a necessary part, base, or core
  • noun
  • A basic part of something
  • (Music) the lowest note in a harmony

hundred

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US / 'hʌndrəd /

UK / ˈhʌndrɪd /

A1
  • number
  • 100

blow

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US / bləʊ /

UK / blo /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that causes you difficulty or sadness
  • Act of making air come out of your mouth
  • A hit or strike from an object
  • verb
  • To move something using air
  • To make air come quickly out of your mouth
  • To clear something by forcing air through it

next

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US / nekst /

UK / nɛkst /

A1
  • adverb
  • The one that follows another in time or order
  • At a time or place directly after the present one
  • noun
  • The one that follows after
  • adjecitve
  • Immediately after the previous one
  • First occurrence after the present one

scientist

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US / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

UK / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who is trained in a science

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)

decade

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US / ˈdekeɪd /

UK / ˈdɛkˌed, dɛˈked /

B1
  • noun
  • Period of 10 years

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

hole

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US / həʊl /

UK / hol /

A2
  • noun
  • An empty space, as in the ground, in a sock etc.
  • Fault or weakness in a plan, idea or explanation
  • Opening into or through something
  • An awkward or difficult situation
  • Dirty or unpleasant place with poor facilities
  • verb
  • (Golf) to get the ball into the hole

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

collapse

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US / kə'læps /

UK / kəˈlæps /

B1
  • verb
  • To fold (e.g. a stroller) down to make it smaller
  • To suddenly fall down or break apart into pieces
  • To fall down suddenly due to being ill or tired

collider

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US / kəˈlaɪdə(r) /

UK / kəˈlaɪdər /

A1
  • other
  • An accelerator in which two beams of particles are forced to collide head on

recently

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US / ˈri:sntli /

UK / 'risṇtlɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just a while ago; not long ago

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

before

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US / bɪˈfɔ:(r) /

UK / bɪˈfɔr,-ˈfor /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time earlier than the present; previously
  • conjunction
  • In advance of something happening
  • preposition
  • In front of someone or something

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

port

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US / pɔ:t /

UK / pɔrt, port /

B1
  • noun
  • City where ships can shelter during a storm
  • Left side of a ship when facing forward
  • Opening in a computer where wires can be connected
  • Sweet wine that is produced in Portugal
  • verb
  • To move data from one computer system to another

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

conflict

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US / 'kɒnflɪkt /

UK / ˈkɑnˌflɪkt /

A2
  • noun
  • Argument or struggle between two or more parties
  • verb
  • To have opposite ideas; to disagree; To not match

lie

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US / laɪ /

UK / lai /

A2
  • noun
  • An untrue statement, when you know it is not true
  • verb
  • To be in a horizontal or flat position
  • To say something that you know is not true

rather

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US / 'rɑ:ðə(r) /

UK / ˈræðɚ, ˈrɑðɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Somewhat; fairly; not that much

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

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

mathematic

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US / ˌmæθɪ'mætɪk /

UK / ˌmæθə'mætɪk /

A1
  • other

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

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

mathematician

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US / ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃn /

UK / ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Student of or teacher of mathematics

far

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US / fɑ:(r) /

UK / fɑr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A long way away
  • Being a long way away
  • adverb
  • To a large degree or extent

neutrino

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US / nju:'tri:nəʊ /

UK / nu:'tri:noʊ /

C1
  • noun
  • Tiny particle with no electrical charge

reduce

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US / rɪ'dju:s /

UK / rɪˈdus, -ˈdjus /

A2
  • verb
  • To try to decrease, e.g. your weight if overweight
  • To boil a liquid until it has decreased in amount
  • To make something smaller in size, amount, level

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

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

experiment

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US / ɪk'sperɪmənt /

UK / ɪkˈspɛrəmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Test performed to assess new ideas or theories
  • verb
  • To create and perform tests to research something
  • To try something new that you haven't tried before

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

large

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US / lɑ:dʒ /

UK / lɑ:rdʒ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Big; of great size; broad, tall, wide, or fat

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

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

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

base

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US / beɪs /

UK / bes /

A2
  • noun
  • Place military personnel live, train, and operate
  • Bottom part of an object that touches a surface
  • Unit of counting, e.g. 10 for counting
  • Most important idea or ingredient to add others
  • Origin or start from which something came
  • Main place where an organization or a person works
  • verb
  • To use as the starting point or origin for
  • To have as the main location for (company, etc.)

galaxy

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US / 'ɡæləksɪ /

UK / ˈɡæləksi /

B2
  • noun
  • A group of stars and planets in space

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

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

variety

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US / və'raɪətɪ /

UK / vəˈraɪɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Particular type of thing or person

electron

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US / ɪˈlektrɒn /

UK / ɪˈlektrɑ:n /

B2
  • noun
  • A negatively charged particle

only

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US / ˈəunli /

UK / ˈonli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just one; just that amount or thing; not more than
  • Not very important or serious
  • Just that type of thing, person
  • Short time ago; not before a certain time
  • conjunction
  • Except; but

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

possibility

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US / ˌpɒsə'bɪlətɪ /

UK / ˌpɑsəˈbɪlɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Something with a chance of happening or being true

two

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • number
  • 2

another

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US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One more, but not this
  • determiner
  • One more added
  • pronoun
  • One more (thing)

critic

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US / 'krɪtɪk /

UK / ˈkrɪtɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who judges (e.g. art) and gives opinions

sometimes

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US / ˈsʌmtaɪmz /

UK / ˈsʌmˌtaɪmz /

A1
  • adverb
  • Only at certain times; occasionally
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • For centuries, humans have gazed upon the stars and pondered the mysteries of the universe. How did it come to be? What lies beyond its boundaries? Scientists have dedicated their lives to unraveling these questions, tirelessly searching for a theory of everything, a simple yet comprehensive explanation for the workings of the cosmos. Countless theories have been proposed, but none have been able to fully account for the phenomena observed in our universe. However, one theory holds particular promise - String Theory. This captivating idea has captured the imaginations of many theoretical physicists and offers a potential breakthrough in our understanding of the universe.String Theory stands out because of its finite nature. Unlike other theories that collapse or blow up under close scrutiny, String Theory remains stable and consistent. It has garnered support from renowned physicist Dr. Michio Kaku, who has dedicated decades of his life to grappling with life's big questions. Questions such as what occurred before the Big Bang, the existence of other universes, the nature of black holes, and the possibility of wormholes and higher dimensions have eluded our current understanding of the universe.In fact, our present-day understanding of the universe is a conflicting mess of contradictory theories. Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity successfully predicts the movements of celestial bodies, yet it fails when applied to the microscopic realm. On the other hand, quantum theory excels at describing atomic behavior but predicts a collapse of the entire universe into a black hole, a scenario clearly disproven by our existence. These inconsistencies highlight the urgent need for a unifying theory that encompasses all aspects of the universe.The quest for a theory of everything is not a recent endeavor. Two thousand years ago, Pythagoras contemplated the possibility of a single theory that explains everything. This pursuit has persisted throughout history, driving scientists to push the boundaries of human knowledge.Will String Theory be the long-awaited answer? Only time will tell. But its unique stability and compatibility with known observations make it a compelling candidate. As scientists continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, String Theory offers hope for a breakthrough that could reshape our understanding of existence itself.
  • Subtitles section
  • For as long as humans have looked at the stars, we have wondered how they got there - and what lies beyond them.
  • Scientists have long searched for a simple theory that explains how the universe works, a theory of everything.
  • Many theories have been tested and so far, every one of them has failed to fully explain what we see in our universe.
  • But there is one particularly enticing idea that some theoretical physicists think might just be ‘it', String Theory.
  • String theory is finite.
  • It doesn't blow up.
  • It doesn't collapse on itself.
  • That's why we believe in it.
  • Other theories do collapse. Other theories do blow up.
  • But string theory does not.
  • Dr Michio Kaku has spent decades grappling with - and attempting to answer - some of life's biggest questions.
  • What happened before the Big Bang?
  • Are there other universes?
  • What lies on the other side of creation?
  • The other side of a black hole?
  • Are gateways possible?
  • Wormholes? Higher dimensions?
  • Do we live in a multiverse?
  • All these questions cannot be answered using our present-day understanding.
  • When Dr Kaku talks about our present-day understanding, he means our current best theories about the way the universe works.
  • In truth, they contradict each other.
  • And sometimes even give conflicting results - Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity works perfectly well for predictions about the movements of stars and galaxies, but doesn't work when applied to the behaviour of subatomic particles.
  • Conversely, quantum theory is great with atoms but predicts the whole universe should collapse into a black hole, which it clearly doesn't because we're all still here!
  • So, will we ever find a single theory that explains everything?
  • Two thousand years ago, Pythagoras asked himself that question.
  • The great Greek mathematician said that there must be a unifying principle, a paradigm by which to summarise the vast creation that we see all around us of the universe that we know.
  • And he looked around and saw a lyra string.
  • You pluck a lyra string and you get a note, you pluck another one, you get another note.
  • And then he said, aha, the mathematics of music is rich enough to explain the diversity of everything we see around us.
  • And only recently have we come up with a new idea based on the Pythagorean idea of music.
  • In other words, string theory.
  • So how do we go from Pythagoras' musical musings to proper physics?
  • The first port of call would be a particle accelerator like the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland, where tiny particles are smashed to pieces in high energy collisions and then closely studied.
  • These experiments are our best way of testing theories about how the universe works.
  • So what does string theory predict we would see?
  • We now believe that all these subatomic particles, hundreds of subatomic particles that we get by smashing protons at the Large Hadron Collider, they're nothing but musical notes as Pythagoras believed.
  • If I had a super microscope and I could peer into an electron, what would I see?
  • I would see a rubber band, a vibrating rubber band.
  • Of course, Dr Kaku doesn't mean an actual rubber band.
  • But rather something rubber-band-like.
  • Or to put it another way - the strings in string theory.
  • And just like the strings on a musical instrument, if you put some energy into them, they vibrate.
  • It vibrates one way, we call it an electron.
  • We vibrate it another way, it's called a neutrino.
  • We vibrate it another way, it's called a quark.
  • But it's the same rubber band.
  • So, string theory offers a tantalising possibility - an explanation for the vast variety we see in the universe, from the collisions of stars to the collisions of atoms.
  • Of course, string theory is just that - a theory.
  • Its critics point out that many of its predictions are untestable - something Dr Kaku himself acknowledges.
  • Its proponents though, consider it to be the best hope of unifying physics.
  • Dr Kaku believes string theory could even explain the mystery that is dark matter.
  • Dark matter makes up most of the matter of the universe.
  • It is invisible and it holds the galaxies together, but how do we prove it?
  • We think that dark matter could be the next octave of the string.
  • If you could magnify all the particles you see around us, we would see a lot of rubber bands, a lot of rubber bands vibrating at different frequencies.
  • But the rubber band has higher octaves.
  • That, we think, is dark matter.
  • If Dr Kaku is right, the huge complexity of the entire universe could be reduced to the simple and elegant vibration of strings.
  • I think the one thing that people should realise is that physics, at the fundamental level, gets simpler and simpler the deeper we go, but becomes more powerful, the deeper we go.
  • The universe is simpler than we thought.