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It's Never Turtles All the Way Down | Fate & Fabled

Original YouTube Video | pbsstoried Published on 2024-03-28 Level：100 Speed：63 maxwordlevel：19

Video vocabulary

claim

US / kleɪm /

•

UK / klem /

noun
Demand for something that is believed to be due
Something said to be true when others don't agree
verb
To demand something that is believed to be due
To cause someone's life to come to an end
To say something is true when others may not agree

cast

US / kɑ:st /

•

UK / kæst /

noun
People who appear in a play or movie
Small amount of a particular color
Shape to pour hot metal in to create objects
Hard covering put around injured arm, leg etc.
verb
To give specific roles to actors in a movie, play
To describe someone's personality or character
To make objects using a mold
To be presented in a certain way
To send out or direct something
To throw something using a line, e.g. when fishing

catch

US / kætʃ /

•

UK / kætʃ, kɛtʃ /

noun
Amount of something that has been caught
Trick or something trying to deceive
verb
To stop something flying and hold it
To stop something and not let it go, e.g. animals
To get sick or get a disease from someone else
To find someone to do something, a task
To get stuck on or in something
To be trapped so you can’t escape
To be able to understand what someone is saying

grab

US / ɡræb /

•

UK / ɡræb /

verb
To take and hold something quickly

endurance

US / ɪn'djʊərəns /

•

UK / ɛnˈdʊrəns, -ˈdjʊr- /

noun
Quality of lasting or of being permanent
Ability to continue through difficulty

nothing

US / 'nʌθɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈnʌθɪŋ /

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

selfless

US / ˈselfləs /

•

UK / ˈsɛlflɪs /

adjecitve
Showing unselfish concern for others

tell

US / tel /

•

UK / tɛl /

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

york

US / jɔ:k /

•

UK / jɔrk /

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

get

US / ɡet /

•

UK / ɡɛt /

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

first

US / fɜ:st /

•

UK / fɚst /

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

obvious

US / ˈɒbviəs /

•

UK / ˈɑbviəs /

adjecitve
Easily understood and clear; plain to see

tortoise

US / ˈtɔ:təs /

•

UK / ˈtɔ:rtəs /

noun
Slow moving animal with a hard protective shell

down

US / daʊn /

•

UK / daʊn /

adjecitve
Being sad, sick, or unhappy
Not operating, working, or functioning as expected
adverb
In a sitting or lying position
Towards or on the ground, floor, or bottom
Written or copied onto a piece of paper or book
noun
A period of play in American Football
The soft, smooth hairs that cover a bird's body
preposition
Along something's path, course, or direction
Going from a higher position to a lower position
verb
To eat or drink very quickly and without stopping

folktale

US / 'fəʊkteɪl /

•

UK / 'foʊkˌteɪl /

other
A tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk

honor

US / 'ɒnə(r) /

•

UK / ˈɑnɚ /

noun
Award you get for doing well; prize, title, etc.
Chance to do something special; privilege
Respect given to someone who is admired
Good standing a person has in a community
verb
To fulfill an agreement
To give an award to someone
To respect someone or something

must

US / məst /

•

UK / mʌst /

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

smear

US / smɪə(r) /

•

UK / smɪr /

noun
A mark or stain from something wet and dirty
verb
To cover a surface with something sticky
To say bad things about (someone's reputation)

step

US / step /

•

UK / stɛp /

noun
Movement done as part of a particular dance
Distance covered by one movement of a leg; stride
One part or stage in a process
Sound made by the feet while walking; footstep
Flat horizontal piece that forms stairs
verb
To raise and moving the foot to put it down

beneath

US / bɪ'ni:θ /

•

UK / bɪˈniθ /

preposition
Not worthy of you; not good enough for you
Under; In or to a lower position; below

place

US / pleɪs /

•

UK / ples /

noun
Particular location, area or region
verb
To put someone in a particular type of situation
To put something in a certain location or position

similar

US / ˈsɪmələ(r) /

•

UK / ˈsɪməlɚ /

adjecitve
Nearly the same; alike

tricky

US / 'trɪkɪ /

•

UK / ˈtrɪki /

adjecitve
Difficult, so needing skill to do or deal with
Likely to use tricks; dishonest or deceptive

bottom

US / 'bɒtəm /

•

UK / ˈbɑtəm /

adjecitve
Concerning the part under something, e.g. a vase
noun
The part of your body you sit on
Lowest position, often in a company or contest
Lowest part of something; part on which it rests
Lowest level, part or point of an object
The part under something, e.g. a vase
verb
To hit the lowest part of something

birth

US / bɜ:θ /

•

UK / bɜ:rθ /

noun
Time when a baby or young animal is born
Beginning of something
Social position based on the family you come from

example

US / ɪgˈzɑ:mpl /

•

UK / ɪɡˈzæmpəl /

noun
Thing, person which represents a category

happen

US / 'hæpən /

•

UK / ˈhæpən /

verb
To take place or occur

ground

US / graʊnd /

•

UK / ɡraʊnd /

noun
Connection of electrical equipment to earth
Place where people play particular sports
Solid surface of the earth that we stand on
verb
To break (coffee, etc.) into tiny bits with machine
To make loud jarring noise by pressing hard
To make sharp or smooth through friction
To press together with force making a sound
To punish someone by not allowing them to go out
To hit the bottom
(Of boat) to hit the bottom so it cannot move
To prevent a plane from taking off
To place the ball over the goal line in rugby

each

US / i:tʃ /

•

UK / itʃ /

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

perspective

US / pə'spektɪv /

•

UK / pɚˈspɛktɪv /

noun
Artistic method of creating a sense of distance
Ability to understand what is important in life

yeah

US / jeə /

•

UK / ˈjɛə, ˈjæə, jɛ- /

exclamation
Another way of saying 'yes'

about

US / ə'baʊt /

•

UK / əˈbaʊt /

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)

again

US / ə'ɡen /

•

UK / əˈɡɛn /

adverb
One more time, once more

even

US / 'i:vn /

•

UK / ˈivən /

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

different

US / ˈdɪfrənt /

•

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

adjecitve
Not of the same kind; unlike other things

hindu

US / ˈhɪnduː /

•

UK / ˈhɪnduː /

adjecitve
Of or relating to or supporting Hinduism

like

US / laɪk /

•

UK / laɪk /

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

US / 'pi:pl /

•

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

sit

US / sɪt /

•

UK / sɪt /

verb
To take an exam
To be in a resting position on a chair
To provide seating for people
To remain in a still position while being painted

poison

US / ˈpɔɪzn /

•

UK / ˈpɔɪzən /

noun
Substance that can kill when eaten/drunk
verb
To affect something in a very negative way
To hurt or kill with a dangerous substance

storey

US / 'stɔ:rɪ /

•

UK / ˈstɔri, ˈstori /

noun
One of many floors or levels in a building

that

US / ðæt /

•

UK / ðæt, ðət /

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’

what

US / wɒt /

•

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

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

excite

US / ɪk'saɪt /

•

UK / ɪkˈsaɪt /

verb
To make something or someone become more active
To make someone feel happy, interested or eager

fun

US / fʌn /

•

UK / fʌn /

adjecitve
Amusing and enjoyable
noun
Enjoyable or amusing quality or feeling

least

US / li:st /

•

UK / list /

adverb
In the smallest or lowest way
noun
Something that is of the lowest or smallest degree

jump

US / dʒʌmp /

•

UK / dʒʌmp /

noun
Large sudden increase
An act of springing into the air
Bar or other thing that is jumped over
A sudden movement due to surprise
verb
To attack someone suddenly
To push your body into the air with your legs
To suddenly decide to do something
To make a sudden movement due to surprise

elsewhere

US / ˌelsˈweə(r) /

•

UK / ˌelsˈwer /

adverb
In, or to, another or different place

right

US / raɪt /

•

UK / raɪt /

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

she

US / ʃɪ /

•

UK / ʃi /

pronoun
Female person or animal mentioned before
(Refers to female person mentioned before)

void

US / vɔɪd /

•

UK / vɔɪd /

noun
Empty feeling because nothing interests you
Empty space; empty place
verb
To remove legal force or obligation

expand

US / ɪk'spænd /

•

UK / ɪkˈspænd /

verb
To make something larger in size, number, amount

find

US / faɪnd /

•

UK / faɪnd /

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

flood

US / flʌd /

•

UK / flʌd /

noun
Large number of people or things arriving at once
Destruction when a river breaks its banks
verb
To quickly appear unexpectedly and in volume
(Of liquid) to fill or cover something completely

foolproof

US / 'fu:lpru:f /

•

UK / 'fu:lpru:f /

adjecitve
Not liable to failure

great

US / ɡreɪt /

•

UK / ɡret /

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

learner

US / 'lɜ:nə(r) /

•

UK / 'lɜ:rnər /

noun
Someone gaining knowledge or skill through study

lesson

US / 'lesn /

•

UK / ˈlɛsən /

noun
Something done to learn or teach something; class
Wisdom or knowledge received from an experience

mean

US / mi:n /

•

UK / min /

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

energy

US / 'enədʒɪ /

•

UK / ˈɛnədʒi /

noun
Physical or mental strength

enough

US / ɪˈnʌf /

•

UK / ɪˈnʌf /

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

misinterpretation

US / ˌmɪsɪntɜ:prɪ'teɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌmɪsɪntɜ:prɪ'teɪʃn /

noun
Putting the wrong interpretation on something

total

US / ˈtəʊtl /

•

UK / ˈtoʊtl /

adjecitve
Complete
noun
Whole number or amount of something
verb
To damage a car beyond repair

call

US / kɔ:l /

•

UK / kɔl /

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

diva

US / 'di:və /

•

UK / 'di:və /

noun
Female operatic star

far

US / fɑ:(r) /

•

UK / fɑr /

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

leave

US / li:v /

•

UK / liv /

noun
Permission to do something
Vacation time; time off work
verb
To go away from; depart
To gift property to someone after you die
To allow something to continue happening
To let something remain unused or available
To let something or someone remain somewhere

pageant

US / 'pædʒənt /

•

UK / ˈpædʒənt /

noun
Rich and spectacular ceremony

vishnu

US / ˈvɪʃnuː /

•

UK / ˈvɪʃnu /

other
The sustainer; a Hindu divinity worshipped as the preserver of worlds

where

US / hwɛə /

•

UK / hwɛr, wɛr /

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

tree

US / tri: /

•

UK / tri /

noun
Tall green plants in a forest

come

US / kʌm /

•

UK / kʌm /

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

dive

US / daɪv /

•

UK / daɪv /

noun
Restaurant, bar or club with a bad reputation
Rapid fall through air
A jump into water head-first from a high place
Rapid fall in the value or price of something
verb
To swim deep under water with an air supply
To rapid fall through air
To jump into water head-first
(Of prices) to rapidly fall

floodwater

US / ˈflʌdwɔ:tə(r) /

•

UK / ˈflʌdˌwɔtɚ, -ˌwɑtɚ /

noun
The water of a flood.

help

US / help /

•

UK / hɛlp /

noun
Something given to enable a person to do something
Assistance given to someone in need
Someone who makes something easier or possible
verb
To act to enable a person to do something; assist
To make something better or less difficult

layer

US / ˈleiə /

•

UK / ˈleɚ /

noun
One of several sheets of a material or object
verb
To put things one on top of another

literally

US / ˈlɪtərəli /

•

UK / ˈlɪtərəli /

adverb
So as to express the exact meaning of something
Used to say something is true, even if unlikely

observe

US / əbˈzɜ:v /

•

UK / əbˈzɜ:rv /

verb
To celebrate a particular holiday/religious event
To obey or follow laws, rules, or customs
To watch carefully; to make a comment

particular

US / pəˈtɪkjələ(r) /

•

UK / pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ, pəˈtɪk- /

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

think

US / θɪŋk /

•

UK / θɪŋk /

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

underneath

US / ˌʌndə'ni:θ /

•

UK / ˌʌndɚˈniθ /

adverb
Hidden beneath the surface of something
On the lower side or bottom of something
preposition
Lower than, as in status; beneath
Located under or below something

ancient

US / 'eɪnʃənt /

•

UK / ˈenʃənt /

adjecitve
Very old; having lived a very long time ago

another

US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

•

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

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

bird

US / bɜ:d /

•

UK / bɜ:rd /

noun
Animal with feathers that uses wings to fly

college

US / 'kɒlɪdʒ /

•

UK / 'kɑːlɪdʒ /

noun
School or educational institution for adults

husband

US / ˈhʌzbənd /

•

UK / ˈhʌzbənd /

noun
Married man

sometimes

US / ˈsʌmtaɪmz /

•

UK / ˈsʌmˌtaɪmz /

adverb
Only at certain times; occasionally

and

US / ənd /

•

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

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

back

US / bæk /

•

UK / bæk /

adjecitve
Farthest from the front e.g. in a classroom
adverb
Have returned to a place you were before
noun
The part of a chair that the upper body leans upon
Location at the rear of something
The reverse of side something
Area on the rear of your body
verb
To bet money on something
To go backwards in a car
To support and encourage someone or some cause

culture

US / 'kʌltʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkʌltʃɚ /

noun
Beliefs and customs of a particular group

flint

US / flɪnt /

•

UK / flɪnt /

noun
Hard rock that sparks when hit with steel

hope

US / həʊp /

•

UK / hop /

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

major

US / 'meɪdʒə(r) /

•

UK / ˈmedʒɚ /

adjecitve
Main league; esp. referring to American baseball
Important, serious, or large in scope, size
noun
High-ranking officer in the army
Main subject you study at university
verb
To study a particular subject at university

stephen

US / 'sti:vən /

•

UK / 'sti:vən /

proper noun
(c.1097–1154), grandson of William the Conqueror; king of England 1135–54. He seized the throne from

underdog

US / 'ʌndədɒɡ /

•

UK / ˈʌndɚˌdɔɡ, -ˌdɑɡ /

noun
One who is not expected to win in a fight/race

furious

US / ˈfjʊəriəs /

•

UK / ˈfjʊriəs /

adjecitve
Extremely angry

hammerhead

US / ˈhæməhed /

•

UK / ˈhæmərhed /

noun
Shark with eyes at either end of a flattened head

muskrat

US / ˈmʌskræt /

•

UK / 'mʌskræt /

noun
Brown fur of a muskrat; beaver-like aquatic rodent of North America with dark glossy brown fur

only

US / ˈəunli /

•

UK / ˈonli /

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

preserver

US / prɪˈzɜ:və(r) /

•

UK / prɪˈzɜ:rvə(r) /

other
Someone who keeps safe from harm or danger

professional

US / prə'feʃənl /

•

UK / prəˈfɛʃənəl /

adjecitve
Of jobs such as doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.
Acting/done properly as a qualified person would
Getting paid for playing a sport/doing an activity
noun
Highly qualified person, e.g. lawyer or doctor
One who plays a sport or similar activity as a job

two

US / tu: /

•

UK / tu /

number
2

ten

US / ten /

•

UK / tɛn /

number
10

from

US / frəm /

•

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

preposition
Starting at a particular place, time or level

form

US / fɔ:m /

•

UK / fɔrm /

noun
Sports team or person's current winning record
Document you complete when making an application
Visible shape or style; type; kind
verb
To organize something such as a club or group
To develop; to come into a shape or substance
To make something into a particular shape

infinite

US / 'ɪnfɪnət /

•

UK / ˈɪnfənɪt /

adjecitve
Being very large in amount
Without an end; limitless; endless

minus

US / ˈmaɪnəs /

•

UK / ˈmaɪnəs /

adjecitve
Being close to the bottom of a letter grade
noun
Negative quality; disadvantage
Sign that indicates subtraction
preposition
Being less than zero in number
Used when subtracting one number from another
verb
To take one number away from another; subtract

out

US / aʊt /

•

UK / aʊt /

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

over

US / 'əʊvə(r) /

•

UK / ˈovɚ /

adverb
Finished; no longer happening
Towards the ground/away from a standing position
noun
A set of six consecutive balls bowled in cricket
other
Finished
preposition
Showing the relation when a thing is above another
On or covering something
Above or across something
More than you need
From one side to the other
In the direction of; toward

deity

US / ˈdeɪəti /

•

UK / ˈdiɪti /

noun
A god or goddess

flat

US / flæt /

•

UK / flæt /

adjecitve
Level; even; without curves or bumps
Lifeless; lacking energy or vitality
adverb
In a certain, direct or absolute manner
Against a surface without lifting or curving away
noun
Apartment; set of rooms for living in
The smooth or level part of something
Musical tone lower than another by a small degree
verb
To share an apartment with someone

elixir

US / ɪˈlɪksə(r) /

•

UK / ɪˈlɪksɚ /

noun
Hypothetical substance supposed to cure all ills

most

US / məʊst /

•

UK / most /

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

primordial

US / praɪˈmɔ:diəl /

•

UK / praɪˈmɔ:rdiəl /

adjecitve
Existing from the beginning of time; primary

magic

US / 'mædʒɪk /

•

UK / ˈmædʒɪk /

adjecitve
Concerning or involving tricks for entertainment
Being able to produce good results or success
noun
Attractive, appealing, and exciting quality
Performance of tricks for entertainment
Special ability or skill that causes success
Use of the supernatural to make things happen

spry

US / spraɪ /

•

UK / spraɪ /

adjecitve
With lots of energy and liveliness

rest

US / rest /

•

UK / rɛst /

noun
Time when one relaxes, sleeps, or is inactive
State in which there is a lack of motion
Part of something remaining after some was used
verb
To stop working or avoid activity to recover
(Of dead person) to lie in a grave
To lean, support or place something against
To not be tired because you had enough sleep

stack

US / stæk /

•

UK / stæk /

noun
A large number or amount of something
Large tube through which smoke exits a building
verb
To arrange cards in a certain order, to cheat
To put one thing on top of another, e.g. boxes

beyond

US / bɪ'jɒnd /

•

UK / biˈɑnd, bɪˈjɑnd /

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

forever

US / fər'evə(r) /

•

UK / fɔrˈɛvɚ, fə- /

adverb
For all future time; in the future

legend

US / 'ledʒənd /

•

UK / ˈlɛdʒənd /

noun
List of explanations of symbols on map, etc.
Person famous for doing something very well
Old story generally believed, although not proven

native

US / ˈneɪtɪv /

•

UK / ˈnetɪv /

adjecitve
Caused by natural ability; innate
noun
Someone from or born in a specific country
Original inhabitant, e.g. before others
Person speaking a language from birth

name

US / neɪm /

•

UK / nem /

noun
What something or someone is called
verb
To state what someone is called, e.g. John

something

US / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

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

version

US / ˈvə:ʃən /

•

UK / ˈvɚʒən, -ʃən /

noun
Different way that someone interprets something
New or different form of something
An updated form of some software

convince

US / kən'vɪns /

•

UK / kənˈvɪns /

verb
To persuade someone, or make them feel sure

foundation

US / faunˈdeiʃən /

•

UK / faʊnˈdeʃən /

noun
Base or important starting point
Underground base on which building is constructed
Institution supported by a private fund
First cosmetic used when putting on makeup
Action of establishing an organization

green

US / gri:n /

•

UK / ɡrin /

adjecitve
Color of young leaves
Covered with vegetation, e.g. grass
Concerned about protecting the environment
The color of young leaves
Lacking in experience/knowledge due to being young
Being not fully grown or ripe, as in fruit
noun
Large grassy area
used as a part of a name of a place (UK)

question

US / 'kwestʃən /

•

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

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

poisonous

US / ˈpɔɪzənəs /

•

UK / ˈpɔɪzənəs /

adjecitve
Harmful; unfriendly; unpleasant
Causing sickness or death when eaten or drunk

rebuild

US / ˌri:'bɪld /

•

UK / riˈbɪld /

verb
To get back something that was lost, e.g. trust
To repair something that was damaged or destroyed

wrap

US / ræp /

•

UK / ræp /

noun
Piece of clothing worn loosely on the shoulders
Thin bread filled with food and rolled
verb
To be or move around something
To cover something with paper or a cloth e.g. gift

begin

US / bɪ'ɡɪn /

•

UK / ˈbeɡɪn /

verb
To do the first part of an action; to start

eight

US / eɪt /

•

UK / et /

number
8

opinion

US / əˈpɪnjən /

•

UK / əˈpɪnjən /

noun
Court judge's statement why a decision was made
A person's thoughts on a topic

sound

US / saʊnd /

•

UK / saʊnd /

adjecitve
Sensible, dependable and reliable
Unbroken or undisturbed, as of sleep
Firm or solid in structure
Sane; not mentally ill
Clearly reasoned; involving sense, good judgment
noun
Unique quality that characterizes a style of music
Waves traveling in air or water that can be heard
verb
To seem or appear to be, from what was said
To say in a clear deliberate manner
To make a noise, e.g. to ring a bell

water

US / 'wɔ:tə(r) /

•

UK / ˈwɔtɚ, ˈwɑtɚ /

noun
Clear liquid that forms the seas, rivers and rain
Large area such as an ocean or sea
verb
(Of the eyes) to produce tears
(Mouth) to become wet at the thought of nice food
To pour liquids onto a plant to keep it alive

ask

US / ɑ:sk /

•

UK / æsk /

verb
To say to someone that you want something

everybody

US / ˈevribɒdi /

•

UK / ˈɛvriˌbɑdi, -ˌbʌdi /

pronoun
Every person; everyone

die

US / daɪ /

•

UK / daɪ /

noun
Cube with dots numbering 1-6 on it used in games
verb
To cease to function or work
(Of a thing) to stop being used or done
(Of a person) to stop living

introduction

US / ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃn /

•

UK / ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən /

noun
A first experience with something
Opening part of a text or piece of music
Explanation of something, e.g. a place
Announcement of a new product or service
Making someone known to another by name

grow

US / ɡrəʊ /

•

UK / ɡro /

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

korma

US / ˈkɔːmə /

•

UK / ˈkɔːrmə /

noun
(Cookery) any of a variety of Indian dishes consisting of meat or vegetables braised with water, sto

lecture

US / 'lektʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈlɛktʃɚ /

noun
Telling someone off for doing something wrong
Talk or speech about a particular subject
verb
To speak to someone to show anger or warn them
To give a talk or speech about a subject

land

US / lænd /

•

UK / lænd /

noun
Region or country
Earth; the ground
verb
To arrive or cause a boat to arrive at the shore
To obtain or get something that you wanted
To (cause to) come down to the ground safely
To cause to arrive in a specific place or state

start

US / stɑ:t /

•

UK / stɑrt /

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

volunteer

US / ˌvɒlən'tɪə(r) /

•

UK / ˌvɑlənˈtɪr /

adjecitve
Working willingly without pay to help others
noun
Person who helps others without being paid
verb
To work willingly without pay to help others

well

US / wel /

•

UK / wɛl /

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

border

US / 'bɔ:də(r) /

•

UK / ˈbɔrdɚ /

noun
Outer part or edge of something
Line separating one country, state from another
verb
To be right next to another country or state
To form the edge of something
To form the edge of (road, etc.)

churn

US / tʃɜ:n /

•

UK / tʃə:n /

verb
To turn milk round and round to make butter
To move round and round, as of stomach when ill
To move with vigorous agitation

classmate

US / ˈklɑ:smeɪt /

•

UK / ˈklæsˌmet /

noun
Someone studying in your class with you

incorporate

US / ɪn'kɔ:pəreɪt /

•

UK / ɪnˈkɔrpəˌret /

verb
To form into a company or business corporation
To include or involve as part of something else

earth

US / ɜ:θ /

•

UK / ɚθ /

noun
Wire connecting an electrical device to the ground
The planet we live on
Soil in which we grow plants

much

US / mʌtʃ /

•

UK / mʌtʃ /

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

ocean

US / 'əʊʃn /

•

UK / ˈoʃən /

noun
Large body of salt water; a large sea

strong

US / strɒŋ /

•

UK / strɔŋ /

adjecitve
(Of tea or beer) dark or thick
Having big muscles; physically powerful

under

US / ˈʌndə(r) /

•

UK / ˈʌndɚ /

adjecitve
In the same place as another thing, but lower
adverb
In a lower quantity or price than expected
preposition
According to the terms of an agreement or law
Managed or controlled by the authority of
Being of a lesser quality or amount than expected
Influenced or affected by something or someone
Less or lower in age, amount, size or number

system

US / 'sɪstəm /

•

UK / ˈsɪstəm /

adjecitve
Working in an organized, logical way
noun
Set of organized, planned ideas that work together

fan

US / fæn /

•

UK / fæn /

noun
Thing you wave in front of your face to stay cool
Someone who admires a famous person, sport etc.
verb
To blow air upon a fire to make it stronger
To use a device to cool yourself, something

destroy

US / dɪ'strɔɪ /

•

UK / dɪˈstrɔɪ /

verb
To damage so badly that something no longer exists
To defeat someone or something easily
To kill a sick or unwanted animal

light

US / laɪt /

•

UK / laɪt /

adjecitve
Being bright making it easy to see; not dark
Being pale and lacking darkness of color
Not heavy; weighing only a little
adverb
Carrying few bags when traveling
noun
A source of energy that makes a room or area bright
Way in which something or someone is understood
verb
To cause something to burn; put a burning match to
To provide a way to see ahead

mount

US / maʊnt /

•

UK / maʊnt /

noun
An attachment used to keep something in place
Title of a specific mountain
Horse that someone is riding
verb
To attach something to something else
To set a picture, jewel etc. in
To sit on a horse or bike in order to ride it
To climb a mountain
To organize an exhibition, race etc.
To start (an attack) against an enemy

stuff

US / stʌf /

•

UK / stʌf /

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

those

US / ðəʊz /

•

UK / ðoz /

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

though

US / ðəu /

•

UK / ðo /

adverb
Although, despite the fact that

trail

US / treɪl /

•

UK / trel /

noun
Series of marks or signs left by something moving
Rough path, as through a forest or field
Following behind someone to see what they're doing
verb
To follow behind someone
To be losing to a competitor
To pull something behind you along the ground
To follow behind someone to see what they're doing

gotcha

US / ˈɡɔtʃə /

•

UK / ˈɡɑtʃə /

verb
Shortened form of 'got you'

for

US / fə(r) /

•

UK / fɔr,fə /

preposition
Used to show the purpose, or need of something

japanese

US / ˌdʒæpəˈniːz /

•

UK / ˌdʒæpəˈniːz /

adjecitve
Concerning the culture and people of Japan

solid

US / 'sɒlɪd /

•

UK / ˈsɑlɪd /

adjecitve
Being able to be trusted; reliable
Substance that is hard or of fixed shape
Being well made and expected to last long
Having no space or emptiness inside
Being made entirely of one material or substance
noun
Something firm or hard; not gas or liquid

spend

US / spend /

•

UK / spɛnd /

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

time

US / taɪm /

•

UK / taɪm /

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

through

US / θru: /

•

UK / θru /

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

why

US / waɪ /

•

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

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

worth

US / wɜ:θ /

•

UK / wɚθ /

other
the financial, practical or moral value of somebody/something
having a particular value, especially in money

animal

US / ˈænɪml /

•

UK / ˈænəməl /

noun
A living creature that is not a plant or person

acceptable

US / əkˈseptəbl /

•

UK / ækˈsɛptəbəl /

adjecitve
Satisfactory; good enough

commemorate

US / kə'meməreɪt /

•

UK / kəˈmɛməˌret /

verb
To celebrate the memory of someone or some event

just

US / dʒʌst /

•

UK / dʒʌst /

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)

motif

US / məʊ'ti:f /

•

UK / moˈtif /

noun
A distinctive form, shape or figure in a design

modern

US / ˈmɔdən /

•

UK / ˈmɑdən /

adjecitve
Of the present time; up to date; contemporary

anyway

US / ˈeniweɪ /

•

UK / ˈɛniˌwe /

adverb
A word used to change the topic of a conversation

french

US / frentʃ /

•

UK / frentʃ /

adjecitve
Concerning the culture and people of France
noun
Person's name

heathen

US / 'hi:ðn /

•

UK / ˈhiðən /

noun
Person of another religion than the speaker's

stable

US / 'steɪbl /

•

UK / ˈstebəl /

adjecitve
In a position where something does not fall over
Having a chemical state that is not easily changed
Reacting in an even way; having good mental health
In good condition, and not likely to deteriorate
noun
Group of racing horses that belong to one owner
verb
To put horses in a stable

deep

US / di:p /

•

UK / dip /

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

creator

US / kriˈeɪtə(r) /

•

UK / kriˈetɚ /

noun
Person who makes something original or new

midwest

US / ˌmɪd'west /

•

UK / ˌmɪd'west /

adjecitve
North central region of the United States

nineteenth

US / ˌnaɪn'ti:nθ /

•

UK / naɪnˈtinθ /

noun
19th

man

US / mæn /

•

UK / mæn /

noun
Humans in general, including male and female
An adult male human being
Male who acts in a masculine way; not like a woman
verb
To control or operate (a machine); be in charge of
To operate a machine (a boat, etc.)

stand

US / stænd /

•

UK / stænd /

noun
Effort to fight against something
Piece of furniture; device to hold or support
Place in a stadium where spectators watch
Table where things are sold at a fair or market
verb
To be a candidate in an election
To be able to accept someone, something; bear
To last for a long time
To be upright; not be sitting or lying down
To place something in a particular position; place
To be (as stated)
To still be valid
To have an opinion about something

sturdy

US / ˈstɜ:di /

•

UK / ˈstɜ:rdi /

adjecitve
Substantially made or built; strong

big

US / bɪɡ /

•

UK / bɪɡ /

adjecitve
Popular
Serious
Large

little

US / 'lɪtl /

•

UK / ˈlɪtl /

adjecitve
Being short in length of time
Not great in size, amount, or degree; small
Being very young or younger than others
adverb
By an amount or degree that is not very much
Not often; rarely
noun
A person's name

indigenous

US / ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs /

•

UK / ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs /

adjecitve
Being naturally from an area, not somewhere else

might

US / maɪt /

•

UK / maɪt /

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

opt

US / ɒpt /

•

UK / ɑ:pt /

verb
To choose one thing rather than other choices

the

US / ðə /

•

UK / ðə /

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

unfortunately

US / ʌnˈfɔ:tʃənətli /

•

UK / ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənətli /

adverb
In a way that is to be regretted; unluckily

across

US / əˈkrɔs /

•

UK / əˈkrɔs,əˈkrɑs /

adverb
Distance from one side to another
(Go) from one side to the other of something

free

US / fri: /

•

UK / fri /

adjecitve
Living, happening without being controlled
Costing no money
Not working; not busy
verb
To release (e.g. bird) from a cage or prison

hitch

US / hɪtʃ /

•

UK / hɪtʃ /

noun
Small problem that makes things more difficult
verb
To ask for and get (a ride in someone's car)
To attach a trailer to a car; tow

may

US / meɪ /

•

UK / me /

noun
5th month of the year
other
Used to express a desire
Expresses permission, possibility or probability
Used to show that a thing could be true

snake

US / sneɪk /

•

UK / snek /

noun
An animal with a long body, no arms or legs
verb
To move like a snake
To wind in a long path like the shape of a snake

this

US / ðɪs /

•

UK / ðɪs /

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

word

US / wɜ:d /

•

UK / wɚd /

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

attempt

US / ə'tempt /

•

UK / əˈtɛmpt /

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

continent

US / ˈkɒntɪnənt /

•

UK / ˈkɑntənənt /

noun
Very large piece of land, e.g. Africa or Asia

also

US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

•

UK / ˈɔlso /

adverb
In addition; too; in a similar way

live

US / lɪv /

•

UK / liv /

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

how

US / haʊ /

•

UK / haʊ /

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)

simply

US / ˈsɪmpli /

•

UK / ˈsɪmpli /

adverb
In an easy or clear manner

year

US / jə: /

•

UK / jɪr /

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

you

US / jʊ /

•

UK / ju /

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

suspend

US / sə'spend /

•

UK / səˈspɛnd /

verb
To hang something or someone from something
To stop something for a period of time; interrupt

woman

US / ˈwʊmən /

•

UK / ˈwʊmən /

noun
Adult female human being

below

US / bɪ'ləʊ /

•

UK / bɪˈlo /

preposition
In a lower position, place, or level

body

US / ˈbɒd.i /

•

UK / ˈbɑdi /

noun
An object distinct from other objects
A group of people involved in an activity together
Main part of something
A person's physical self

inner

US / ˈɪnə(r) /

•

UK / ˈɪnɚ /

adjecitve
Concerning the inside part of something

order

US / 'ɔ:də(r) /

•

UK / ˈɔrdɚ /

noun
Religious or social group, as of nuns
Instructions to others to do what you want
State in which things are neat and organized
What you ask to buy, e.g. food in restaurant
Social or political control of an area
verb
To put things in a sequence, e.g. a, b, c
To give instructions to others to do what you want
To ask for something you want to buy, e.g. a meal

milky

US / ˈmɪlki /

•

UK / ˈmɪlki /

adjecitve
Of a whitish color resembling milk

make

US / meɪk /

•

UK / mek /

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

sixteenth

US / ˌsɪks'ti:nθ /

•

UK / sɪkˈstinθ /

noun
16th

universe

US / ˈju:nɪvɜ:s /

•

UK / ˈjunəˌvɚs /

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

answer

US / 'ɑ:nsə(r) /

•

UK / ˈænsɚ /

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

less

US / les /

•

UK / lɛs /

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

oft

US / ɒft /

•

UK / ɔːft /

adverb
Many times; at short intervals

originally

US / əˈrɪdʒənəli /

•

UK / əˈrɪdʒənəli /

adverb
At first; in the beginning
In a new and unique manner

tattoo

US / tə'tu: /

•

UK / tæˈtu /

noun
Permanent ink drawing on a person's skin
verb
To put a permanent ink drawing on a person's skin

australian

US / ɒˈstreɪliən /

•

UK / ɔˈstreljən /

adjecitve
Concerning the culture and people of Australia
noun
People from Australia

bell

US / bel /

•

UK / bɛl /

noun
Metal object shaped like a cup that rings when hit
Electronic device that makes a ringing sound

fistful

US / ˈfɪstfʊl /

•

UK / ˈfɪstˌfʊl /

noun
Amount of something that can be held in a hand

into

US / 'ɪntə /

•

UK / ˈɪntu /

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

john

US / dʒɔn /

•

UK / dʒɑn /

noun
A toilet.
A prostitute's client.
proper noun
(1165–1216), son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine; king of England 1199–1216; known as John Lack
The name of six kings of Portugal.

one

US / wʌn /

•

UK / wʌn /

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

entire

US / ɪn'taɪə(r) /

•

UK / ɛnˈtaɪr /

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

other

US / 'ʌðə(r) /

•

UK / ˈʌðər /

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

power

US / 'paʊə(r) /

•

UK / ˈpaʊɚ /

noun
Legal or official right to perform certain actions
Ability to move forcefully and quickly
Energy of something (e.g. electricity or fuel)
Mathematical way to multiply a number
Condition of being in political control
Physical force, energy, and strength
verb
To give energy to something, e.g. by electricity
To move something forcefully and quickly

turn

US / tɜ:n /

•

UK / tɚn /

noun
Place where changing of direction happens
Your time or chance to perform a duty
Your chance to play or do in say a game
Unexpected change, as in the weather
verb
To become (a particular age)
To become a different quality, color, etc.
To change the direction of something, e.g. a car
To move in an opposite direction or position
To shape metal with a spinning tool

rock

US / rɒk /

•

UK / rɑk /

noun
Type of popular music with a strong, loud beat
Strong, tough person who can be relied upon
Big stone; hard, solid substance forming mountains
verb
To be greatly upset by something, e.g. a death
To be extremely effective or pleasing
To play, sing along with, or dance to heavy music
To move back and forth or from side to side

root

US / ru:t /

•

UK / rut, rʊt /

noun
Emotional connection with a place, history etc.
The origin or starting place of something
A number that is multiplied by itself
Part of plant growing underground, as to get water
Part of tooth, hair etc. from which the rest grows
Base part of a word to which affixes can be added
verb
To cause a plant to develop or grow roots
(Animals) to search for e.g. food in earth
To stop someone moving, as through fear

than

US / ðən /

•

UK / ðən /

conjunction
Used to compare two things that are not equal

burnett

US / 'bɜ:lɪŋtən /

•

UK / 'bɜ:rlɪŋtən /

restore

US / rɪˈstɔ:(r) /

•

UK / rɪˈstɔr, -ˈstor /

verb
To return a thing to its original condition

season

US / ˈsi:zn /

•

UK / ˈsizən /

noun
One of Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) and Winter
Time of year when something usually happens
verb
To add pepper and salt to something
To prepare wood for use by allowing it to dry

three

US / θri: /

•

UK / θri /

number
Number 3

clearly

US / ˈklɪəlɪ /

•

UK / ˈklɪrlɪ /

adverb
In a way that is easy to understand; obviously

exponentially

US / ˌekspə'nenʃəlɪ /

•

UK / ˌekspə'nenʃəlɪ /

adverb
(Of an increase) at a faster and faster rate

folklore

US / ˈfəʊklɔ:(r) /

•

UK / ˈfoʊklɔ:(r) /

noun
Traditional beliefs and stories of a people

len

US / ˈlemɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈlɛmɪŋ /

mid

US / mɪd /

•

UK / mɪd /

adjecitve
At (or near) the middle point

solar

US / 'səʊlə(r) /

•

UK / ˈsolɚ /

adjecitve
Concerning the sun, or its heat

several

US / ˈsevrəl /

•

UK / ˈsɛvərəl,ˈsɛvrəl /

adjecitve
Many of
pronoun
More than two but not a large amount

paper

US / ˈpeɪpə(r) /

•

UK / ˈpeɪpər /

adjecitve
Not existing in reality, or done infrequently
Made from the material that we use to make books
noun
Academic writing or a talk on a specific topic
Written test
Newspaper
Pages of a book are made from this

common

US / 'kɒmən /

•

UK / ˈkɑmən /

adjecitve
Shared; Belonging to or used by everyone
Typical, normal; not unusual
noun
Area in a city or town that is open to everyone
Field near a village owned by the local community

all

US / ɔ:l /

•

UK / ɔl /

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

its

US / ɪts /

•

UK / ɪts /

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

top

US / tɒp /

•

UK / tɑp /

adjecitve
Being good or great; excellent
Being the most in degree or quality
noun
Item of clothing covering shoulders to waist, hips
A cover or lid
Part (e.g. road) that is the furthest away
Highest or upper part or point of something
Best or highest status or position
Flat upper surface or edge of an object
Child's toy that spins on its point
Upper section or leaves of fruits and vegetables
Winning in a sport or contest
verb
To be higher or larger than a specific value
To arrive at the highest point of something
To put a cover or layer or over something
To kill; murder
To hold the highest position on a list
To be more important, successful or better than
To beat someone or win at a game

who

US / hu: /

•

UK / hu /

pronoun
Which person
Used to introduce information about people

anthropologist

US / ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪst /

•

UK / ˌænθrəˈpɑ:lədʒɪst /

noun
Person who studies human origins and development

feature

US / 'fi:tʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈfitʃɚ /

adjecitve
Main; important
noun
Special report in a magazine or paper
Distinctive or important point of something
verb
To highlight or give special importance to

diver

US / ˈdaɪvə(r) /

•

UK / ˈdaɪvɚ /

noun
Person swimming under water

old

US / əʊld /

•

UK / old /

adjecitve
Having existed for a long time, not young or new
Age of a person since birth

work

US / wɜ:k /

•

UK / wɚk /

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

ago

US / əˈgəʊ /

•

UK / əˈgoʊ /

adverb
At a specified length of time in the past

direction

US / də'rekʃn /

•

UK / dɪˈrɛkʃən, daɪ- /

noun
When someone tells people what to do
Describes the way you are going, e.g. North

elephant

US / ˈelɪfənt /

•

UK / ˈɛləfənt /

noun
Large gray animal with a long nose and two tusks

else

US / els /

•

UK / ɛls /

adverb
Otherwise; if you fail to
(Of person place thing etc.) besides; in addition

move

US / mu:v /

•

UK / muv /

noun
Act of moving a playing piece in chess, etc.
An action; doing something
Step taken to achieve a goal
verb
To cause someone to have certain emotions
To cause something to change to a different place
To change where people live or a business operates
To take action to do or achieve something

their

US / ðɛː /

•

UK / ðer /

determiner
Belonging to them

way

US / weɪ /

•

UK / we /

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

add

US / æd /

•

UK / æd /

verb
To include as well
To put two things or numbers together, e.g. 2+2

conflate

US / kənˈfleɪt /

•

UK / kənˈfleɪt /

verb
To combine two or more things to make a new entity

son

US / sʌn /

•

UK / sʌn /

noun
Male child; friendly way of addressing a boy

take

US / teɪk /

•

UK / tek /

noun
Filming of a single scene for TV or the movies
verb
To accept something that is offered
To use a method of traveling, e.g. a bus or train
To use a camera to make (a photo)
To pick up something and go away with it
To study a subject in school
To attempt to pass (an exam)
To require a certain amount of time, money, space

succeed

US / sək'si:d /

•

UK / səkˈsid /

verb
To have achieved what you were trying to achieve
To take over position of one who has died or left
To come after or replace in a series

cosmos

US / ˈkɒzmɒs /

•

UK / ˈkɑ:zmoʊs /

noun
The universe

fear

US / fɪə(r) /

•

UK / fɪr /

noun
Unpleasant feeling caused by being aware of danger
verb
To be afraid of or nervous about something

everything

US / 'evrɪθɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ /

pronoun
All of the things mentioned

devise

US / dɪ'vaɪz /

•

UK / dɪˈvaɪz /

verb
To think of and plan something

doubly

US / ˈdʌbli /

•

UK / ˈdʌbli /

adverb
Twice as much (in effort or degree)

mountain

US / 'maʊntən /

•

UK / ˈmaʊntən /

noun
Very high piece of land, higher than a hill

toad

US / təʊd /

•

UK / tod /

noun
Small amphibian animal very similar to a frog
A person you don't like or have respect for

they

US / ðeɪ /

•

UK / ðe /

pronoun
Two or more people, animals, or things

reference

US / 'refrəns /

•

UK / ˈrɛfərəns, ˈrɛfrəns /

noun
A letter of recommendation, e.g. for a job
Note in a book, etc. giving source of information
A location on a map
verb
To cite a piece of research in speech or writing

very

US / 'verɪ /

•

UK / ˈvɛri /

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

hold

US / həʊld /

•

UK / hold /

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

simple

US / 'sɪmpl /

•

UK / ˈsɪmpəl /

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

space

US / speɪs /

•

UK / spes /

noun
Empty area kept for a specific reason, like a car
Empty area with nothing in it
Area in the sky where the stars are
Area between written words on a page
verb
To make a certain distance or time between

believe

US / bɪ'li:v /

•

UK / bɪˈliv /

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

bit

US / bɪt /

•

UK / bɪt /

noun
Device put in a horse's mouth to control it
Small piece of something
verb
(E.g. of fish) to take bait and be caught

general

US / 'dʒenrəl /

•

UK / ˈdʒɛnərəl /

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

henry

US / ˈhenri /

•

UK / ˈhenri /

noun
A unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the curren

moon

US / mu:n /

•

UK / mun /

noun
Round object circling the Earth at night
verb
To expose your buttocks as a joke

miss

US / mɪs /

•

UK / mɪs /

noun
Action of not hitting something or someone
Form of address to unmarried girl or woman
verb
To be absent
To fail to hit something e.g. a ball
To do without something
To fail to see or sense something
To fail to understand someone's message
To be too late to ride on something e.g. train
To feel you want to see someone who is not there

twin

US / twɪn /

•

UK / twɪn /

noun
Two children born from same mother at same time
One of two things that closely resemble each other

thank

US / θæŋk /

•

UK / θæŋk /

verb
To tell someone you are grateful to them

yet

US / jet /

•

UK / jɛt /

adverb
At a later time (used after ‘not’)
(Used to emphasize that thing is, will be greater)
Eventually; at a future time
Until now; up to the present
conjunction
Adding to what has been said, often as a contrast

want

US / wɔnt /

•

UK / wɑnt, wɔnt /

noun
Something you desire or wish for
State or condition of poverty
verb
To desire or wish for something; hope for a thing

business

US / ˈbɪznəs /

•

UK / ˈbɪznɪs /

noun
A company formed for making profit
Matter that has to be dealt with; task; situation
Activity of working to make a profit

collect

US / kəˈlekt /

•

UK / kəˈlɛkt /

adverb
By asking the receiver of a call to pay for it
verb
To ask for money, e.g. for a charity
To gather things, people together in one place
To get and keep one type of things as a hobby
To take things and bring them together
To go and receive, e.g. a prize or an award
To take control of your own feelings or thoughts

locke

US / ləʊˈkeɪʃn /

•

UK / loʊˈkeɪʃn /

represent

US / ˌreprɪ'zent /

•

UK / ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt /

verb
To depict art objects, figures, scenes; to portray
To show or describe something in a particular way
To act on behalf of others in government
To act or speak for another person or other people

sense

US / sens /

•

UK / sɛns /

noun
Certain mental feeling or emotion
Normal or clear state of mind
Meaning of a particular word, phrase or text
verb
To perceive using sight, sound, taste touch etc.
To recognize the presence of something

preacher

US / ˈpri:tʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈpritʃər /

noun
One speaking in church, etc. about religious ideas

support

US / səˈpɔ:t /

•

UK / səˈpɔrt, -ˈport /

noun
Assistance or advice given to someone
Evidence that helps prove something is true
A thing to hold up or prevent from falling down
verb
To give assistance or advice to someone
To help prove or show that something is true
To hold up or prevent from falling down

belief

US / bɪˈli:f /

•

UK / bɪˈlif /

noun
Being sure that something exists or is true
Trust in an idea or set of ideas
A particular opinion about something

maybe

US / ˈmeɪbi /

•

UK / ˈmebi /

adverb
Possibly but not certainly; perhaps

mud

US / mʌd /

•

UK / mʌd /

noun
Soft, wet dirt

mythology

US / mɪˈθɒlədʒi /

•

UK / mɪˈθɑ:lədʒi /

noun
Myths of a particular culture or group of people
Popular ideas or beliefs not unsupported by facts

not

US / nɒt /

•

UK / nɑt /

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

our

US / 'aʊə(r) /

•

UK / aʊr /

determiner
Belonging to us

themselves

US / ðəmˈselvz /

•

UK / ðɛmˈsɛlvz, ðəm- /

pronoun
Reflexive form of 'they'

survive

US / sə'vaɪv /

•

UK / sɚˈvaɪv /

verb
To continue to live despite illness or trouble

swerve

US / swɜ:v /

•

UK / swɚv /

noun
A change of direction to avoid hitting something
verb
To change direction to avoid hitting something

against

US / əˈgenst /

•

UK / əˈɡenst /

preposition
In physical contact with, as for support; next to
In opposition to; disagreeing with

ethnography

US / eθˈnɒgrəfi /

•

UK / eθˈnɑ:grəfi /

noun
The scientific study of human cultures and races

fabric

US / ˈfæbrɪk /

•

UK / ˈfæbrɪk /

noun
Cloth or material
Basic structure

now

US / naʊ /

•

UK / naʊ /

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

sickness

US / ˈsɪknəs /

•

UK / ˈsɪknɪs /

noun
State of illness or poor health

but

US / bət /

•

UK / bʌt,bət /

conjunction
Used before you say something different, opposite

finish

US / ˈfɪnɪʃ /

•

UK / ˈfɪnɪʃ /

noun
End of something; completion
Final coat (of paint) applied to a surface
verb
To use or consume all of something
To reach the end; to complete something
To put a final surface (e.g. paint) on something

give

US / ɡɪv /

•

UK / ɡɪv /

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

hatch

US / hætʃ /

•

UK / hætʃ /

noun
Door or covering to an opening in boat's deck
other
To be born or come out from an egg
verb
To be born or come out from an egg
To produce or create an idea or plan secretly

doable

US / ˈdu:əbl /

•

UK / ˈduəbəl /

adjecitve
Able to be done; possible

illustrate

US / ˈɪləstreɪt /

•

UK / ˈɪləˌstret, ɪˈlʌsˌtret /

verb
To supply pictures to go along with words
To be an example that explains or proves something

life

US / laɪf /

•

UK / laɪf /

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

phrase

US / freɪz /

•

UK / frez /

noun
Common expression or saying
Section of musical notes in a piece of music
A set of words used together
verb
To choose words to say what you mean clearly

become

US / bɪ'kʌm /

•

UK / bɪˈkʌm /

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

chaotic

US / keɪ'ɒtɪk /

•

UK / keɪˈɒtɪk /

adjecitve
Utterly confused

creature

US / ˈkri:tʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkritʃɚ /

noun
Animal of any type

helpful

US / ˈhelpfl /

•

UK / ˈhɛlpfəl /

adjecitve
Doing things that help someone

nope

US / nəʊp /

•

UK / noʊp /

noun
A dialect or emphatic way of saying 'No'

same

US / seɪm /

•

UK / sem /

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

contest

US / 'kɒntest /

•

UK / ˈkɑnˌtɛst /

noun
Struggle or competition between rivals
verb
To struggle or compete against other people
To not accept an official or legal judgment

can

US / kæn /

•

UK / kən,kæn /

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

jonathan

US / ˈdʒɔnəθən /

•

UK / ˈdʒɑnəθən /

noun
Red late-ripening apple; primarily eaten raw

mysterious

US / mɪˈstɪəriəs /

•

UK / mɪˈstɪriəs /

adjecitve
Unusual; hard to understand or work out

north

US / nɔ:θ /

•

UK / nɔ:rθ /

adjecitve
Coming from the opposite direction to the south
noun
Direction to your left when facing the rising sun

study

US / 'stʌdɪ /

•

UK / ˈstʌdi /

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

pick

US / pɪk /

•

UK / pɪk /

noun
Sharp tool used for breaking the ground
Item selected from a group of choices
verb
To take fruit or vegetables from a plant or tree
To decide on a thing from various choices; select
To remove (flower, etc.) with your fingers

really

US / ˈri:əli /

•

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

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

understand

US / ˌʌndə'stænd /

•

UK / ˌʌndɚˈstænd /

verb
To know the meaning of language, what someone says

would

US / wʊd /

•

UK / wʊd /

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

art

US / ɑ:t /

•

UK / ɑrt /

noun
Creative skill using the imagination e.g. painting
A skill or talent you have

choice

US / tʃɔɪs /

•

UK / tʃɔɪs /

adjecitve
Of good quality or taste; desirable
noun
Decision between two or more possibilities

enlist

US / ɪnˈlɪst /

•

UK / ɛnˈlɪst /

verb
To obtain support from someone
To become a member of a military group or service

nor

US / nɔ:(r) /

•

UK / nɔr /

conjunction
Not this or that; also not

see

US / si: /

•

UK / si /

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)

scratch

US / skrætʃ /

•

UK / skrætʃ /

noun
Action of rubbing your skin when itchy
A small cut or mark on a surface
verb
To rub your skin with your nails to stop an itch
To make a small cut or mark on a surface

serve

US / sɜ:v /

•

UK / sɚv /

verb
To act in a particular position or office
To hit the first ball to an opponent in tennis etc.
To be used for a particular purpose
To give someone food or drinks
To give a person or group a service that is needed
To spend a particular amount of time in prison
To help customers find products and making sales
To give an official paper to appear in court

pregnant

US / ˈpregnənt /

•

UK / ˈprɛɡnənt /

adjecitve
Carrying your unborn baby inside you

fantastic

US / fænˈtæstɪk /

•

UK / fænˈtæstɪk /

adjecitve
Strange or unusual in design or appearance
Very large, fast or great
Hard to believe; amazing

uproot

US / ˌʌpˈru:t /

•

UK / ʌpˈrut, -ˈrʊt /

verb
To pull or transfer something from where it grows

sun

US / sʌn /

•

UK / sʌn /

noun
Light and heat coming from a large star in the sky
Hot shining star the Earth moves around
verb
To lie in the sunshine and enjoy its warmth

widespread

US / ˈwaɪdspred /

•

UK / ˈwaɪdˈsprɛd /

adjecitve
Happening or existing in many places

careful

US / ˈkeəfl /

•

UK / ˈkerfl /

adjecitve
Trying not to make mistakes; working slowly

century

US / 'sentʃərɪ /

•

UK / ˈsɛntʃəri /

noun
Period of 100 years

have

US / həv /

•

UK / hæv /

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

island

US / ˈaɪlənd /

•

UK / ˈaɪlənd /

noun
Area of land that is surrounded by water

last

US / lɑ:st /

•

UK / læst /

adjecitve
Most recent; the latest
The one before
adverb
Final; with nothing following; after all others
Most recent; the latest
determiner
The one at the end
verb
To remain or continue for a certain period of time

plan

US / plæn /

•

UK / plæn /

noun
Drawing of how something should be done or made

steady

US / 'stedɪ /

•

UK / ˈstɛdi /

adjecitve
Happening or developing at a regular rate
Continuing without stopping or changing over time
Firmly fixed or supported; not likely to fall over
noun
Your boyfriend or girlfriend
verb
To make constant, unchanging or staying the same
To hold something/someone so they stop moving

part

US / pɑ:t /

•

UK / pɑ:rt /

adjecitve
To some degree; half; not fully
noun
Division of a book
Ratio of something, e.g. 3 of gin, 1 of tonic
A line in a person's hair, made with a comb
Character an actor plays on stage, movie, or TV
Some, but not all of a specific thing
Role in causing something to happen
verb
To make a line in a person's hair, by using a comb
To move two things apart creating a space
To leave someone, or to break off a relationship

substance

US / 'sʌbstəns /

•

UK / ˈsʌbstəns /

noun
Essence of; most basic or central qualities
Particular type of material
Having material form; existing
Quality of truth, importance, or meaningfulness

western

US / ˈwestən /

•

UK / ˈwestərn /

adjecitve
Movies often about cowboys in the American West
Coming from, found in, or facing towards the west

handful

US / 'hændfʊl /

•

UK / ˈhændˌfʊl /

noun
an amount of something that can be held in one hand; small quantity or amount of people or things
A thing requiring great effort to control, manage

his

US / hɪz /

•

UK / hɪz /

pronoun
Something belonging to a male person

origin

US / ˈɒrɪdʒɪn /

•

UK / ˈɔrədʒɪn,ˈɑr- /

noun
Point at which something begins or is created
Country or social group that a person comes from

with

US / wɪð /

•

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

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

hawk

US / hɔ:k /

•

UK / hɔk /

noun
Large bird kills smaller birds and animals
Someone wanting to go to war using the military
verb
To remove something from the throat by coughing
To sell goods by going from place to place

mandara

US / /

•

UK / /

other
A Chadic language spoken in the Mandara mountains in Cameroon; has only two vowels

upper

US / ˈʌpə(r) /

•

UK / ˈʌpɚ /

adjecitve
Located above others of the same kind
Being the northern part of a region
Being closer to the source of a river
noun
Drug that improves mood or increases energy
Something happy or encouraging
Top part of a shoe, other than the flat bottom

uncover

US / ʌn'kʌvə(r) /

•

UK / ʌnˈkʌvɚ /

verb
To remove what is on top to show something
(Journalist) to discover some news to be reported

remember

US / rɪ'membə(r) /

•

UK / rɪˈmɛmbɚ /

verb
To give someone a gift, e.g. birthday, wedding
To hold a thought in your mind to not forget it
To bring a previous image or idea to your mind

bear

US / bɛː /

•

UK / bɛr /

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

cosmic

US / 'kɒzmɪk /

•

UK / ˈkɑzmɪk /

adjecitve
Concerning space and the universe
Being so large, it is almost beyond understanding

hand

US / hænd /

•

UK / hænd /

noun
Cards given to a player in a card game
Piece of a clock that points to the time
Someone who performs physical tasks or work
Body part at the end of a person's arm
Help for someone performing a particular action
Condition of having power or influence
Member of the crew of a ship
verb
To give something to someone personally

gather

US / ˈgæðə(r) /

•

UK / ˈɡæðɚ /

noun
Fold in cloth, as in a full skirt
verb
To bring objects together into one place
(Of liquids) To come to a head, as in boil
To collect foods such as wild berries or crops
To increase or accumulate
To bring people, animals together into a group
To activate strength, courage to prepare for task
To understand or believe some information

US / nekst /

•

UK / nɛkst /

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

raise

US / reɪz /

•

UK / rez /

noun
Increase in a bet above another when playing cards
Pay increase
verb
To increase a bet above another when playing cards
To gather donations for a cause or charity
To bring up and educate a child to maturity
To bring a dead person to life
To increase a quantity, size, intensity or price
To lift (e.g. your hand) to a higher position
To mention a topic /issue for discussion; bring up
To increase (salary, etc.)
To grow or care for plants or animals

retrieve

US / rɪˈtri:v /

•

UK / rɪˈtriv /

verb
To find and bring in animals during a hunt
To get information from a computer
To find and get something from somewhere

swear

US / sweə(r) /

•

UK / swɛr /

verb
To say bad or impolite words to someone
To make a serious promise to do something

canada

US / 'kænədə /

•

UK / ˈkænədə /

proper noun
A country in northern North America, the second largest country in the world; population 35,900,000

could

US / kəd /

•

UK / kʊd /

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

deva

US / 'deɪvə /

•

UK / 'deɪvə /

noun
A member of a class of divine beings in the Vedic period, which in Indian religion are benevolent an

know

US / nəʊ /

•

UK / noʊ /

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

hole

US / həʊl /

•

UK / hol /

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

ninety

US / 'naɪntɪ /

•

UK / ˈnaɪnti /

number
90

turtle

US / ˈtɜ:tl /

•

UK / ˈtɜ:rtl /

noun
Animal that lives in water and has a hard shell

giddy

US / ˈgɪdi /

•

UK / ˈɡɪdi /

adjecitve
Feeling dizzy, e.g. due to being spun around

float

US / fləʊt /

•

UK / floʊt /

noun
Object designed to stay on the surface of water
Decorated truck used in a festival
verb
To sell the shares of a company publicly
To move slowly and easily through air
To rest on the surface of water without sinking

group

US / ɡru:p /

•

UK / ɡrup /

noun
Two or more musicians who play music together
Number of people or things gathered together
verb
To combine or collect objects or people together

hundred

US / 'hʌndrəd /

•

UK / ˈhʌndrɪd /

number
100

young

US / jʌŋ /

•

UK / jʌŋ /

adjecitve
At an early stage of existence; not mature
Being recently created or started
noun
Babies in a group or family of animals

utopia

US / ju:'təʊpɪə /

•

UK / juˈtopiə /

noun
Imagined perfect society

world

US / wɜ:ld /

•

UK / wɜrld /

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

always

US / 'ɔ:lweɪz /

•

UK / ˈɔlwez,-wɪz,-wiz /

adverb
For a very long time
At all times; in every situation
For ever

after

US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

•

UK / ˈæftɚ /

adverb
Later than another time, or behind something
conjunction
Following something before
preposition
When an event happened or time has passed

itself

US / ɪtˈself /

•

UK / ɪtˈsɛlf /

pronoun
Referring to it

many

US / 'menɪ /

•

UK / ˈmɛni /

determiner
Used to refer a large number of things

episode

US / 'epɪsəʊd /

•

UK / ˈɛpɪˌsod /

noun
One separate event in a series of events
Show which is part of a larger story

steed

US / sti:d /

•

UK / stid /

noun
A fine horse, e.g. ridden by a knight

thousand

US / ˈθaʊznd /

•

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

number
Number 1,000

will

US / wɪl /

•

UK / wɪl /

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

cosmology

US / kɒzˈmɒlədʒi /

•

UK / kɑzˈmɑlədʒi /

noun
Study of the universe's formation and structure

feel

US / fi:l /

•

UK / fil /

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

importantly

US / ɪmˈpɔːtntli /

•

UK / ɪmˈpɔːrtntli /

adverb
In an important way;

india

US / 'ɪndɪə /

•

UK / ˈɪndɪə /

proper noun
A country in southern Asia that occupies the greater part of the Indian subcontinent; population 1,3

plus

US / plʌs /

•

UK / plʌs /

noun
A benefit or advantage
preposition
In addition; add
In addition to; Indicates a number above
Having a value greater than zero

seaweed

US / ˈsi:wi:d /

•

UK / ˈsiˌwid /

noun
Plant growing in the sea, especially marine algae

reason

US / 'ri:zn /

•

UK / ˈrizən /

noun
Ability to think about facts and form a judgment
Explanation for why something occurred or was done
verb
To think and make conclusions in a logical manner

wee

US / wi: /

•

UK / wi /

adjecitve
Scottish and Northern English small; short
noun
(Used by or to children) act of urination
verb
(Childish use) to urinate; go to the bathroom

new

US / nju: /

•

UK / nu, nju /

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

position

US / pəˈzɪʃn /

•

UK / pəˈzɪʃən /

noun
Person's opinion or attitude about something
Specific location where someone or something is
Where you play or your role on a sports team
Person's job or status level
Set of conditions affecting what you can (not) do
verb
To put in a particular location or direction

swim

US / swɪm /

•

UK / swɪm /

noun
Act of swimming in a pool or ocean
verb
To move through water by moving parts of the body

winner

US / 'wɪnə(r) /

•

UK / ˈwɪnɚ /

noun
Person or thing that wins a contest or race
A hit; something successful

day

US / deɪ /

•

UK / de /

noun
A period of 24 hours beginning at midnight
The period of time when it is light outside
Person's name

explain

US / ɪk'spleɪn /

•

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

verb
To make clear or easy to understand by describing

metaphor

US / ˈmetəfə(r) /

•

UK / ˈmɛtəˌfɔr, -fɚ /

noun
Imaginative use of words to reveal a similarity

point

US / pɔɪnt /

•

UK / pɔɪnt /

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

shorthand

US / ˈʃɔ:thænd /

•

UK / ˈʃɔrtˌhænd /

noun
Abbreviated writing; symbols used by secretary
Short way of saying something

bravely

US / 'breɪvlɪ /

•

UK / ˈbrevlɪ /

adverb
With courage; without being stopped by danger

four

US / fɔ:(r) /

•

UK / fɔr, for /

number
4

imagine

US / ɪ'mædʒɪn /

•

UK / ɪˈmædʒɪn /

verb
To think creatively about; form mental picture of

matter

US / 'mætə(r) /

•

UK / ˈmætɚ /

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

meditation

US / ˌmedɪ'teɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌmɛdɪˈteʃən /

noun
Act of deep and quiet thinking

probably

US / ˈprɒbəbli /

•

UK / ˈprɑbəbli /

adverb
That is likely to happen or be true

pantheon

US / 'pænθɪən /

•

UK / ˈpænθiˌɑn, -ən /

noun
Temple dedicated to all the gods

balance

US / ˈbæləns /

•

UK / ˈbæləns /

noun
Instrument for weighing things
Being stable; having equal weight on both sides
Money remaining after paying costs
verb
To be steady by having equal weight on both sides
To make two or more things equal

age

US / eɪdʒ /

•

UK / edʒ /

verb
To keep food, wine for a long time to improve it
To get older
noun
Period of time in history
Number of years a person or thing has lived

allude

US / əˈlu:d /

•

UK / əˈlud /

verb
To refer to without mentioning it directly

originate

US / ə'rɪdʒɪneɪt /

•

UK / əˈrɪdʒəˌnet /

verb
To first come into existence
To create or start something

race

US / reɪs /

•

UK / res /

noun
Speed contest between people, animals or vehicles
People who share physical features or culture
verb
To take part in a running or swimming competition
To move or go at a very fast pace
To take someone, something to a place very quickly

respond

US / rɪ'spɒnd /

•

UK / rɪˈspɑnd /

verb
To answer something or someone
To have a good reaction to e.g. medical treatment

avatar

US / 'ævətɑ:(r) /

•

UK / 'ævətɑ:r /

noun
An online character that represents who you are

perfectly

US / ˈpɜ:fɪktli /

•

UK / ˈpəfɪktli /

adverb
In a faultless manner; without mistakes

skeptical

US / 'skeptɪkəl /

•

UK / 'skeptɪkəl /

adjecitve
Doubting that something is true/probable/useful

someone

US / ˈsʌmwʌn /

•

UK / ˈsʌmˌwʌn, -wən /

pronoun
Person who is not known or named

story

US / 'stɔ:rɪ /

•

UK / ˈstɔri, ˈstori /

noun
One of many floors or levels in a building
Account or description of how something happened

true

US / tru: /

•

UK / tru: /

adjecitve
Agreeing with the facts; not false; real or actual

actually

US / ˈæktʃuəli /

•

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

adverb
Used to add new (often different) information

deserve

US / dɪ'zɜ:v /

•

UK / dɪˈzɚv /

verb
To be worthy of, e.g. getting praise or attention

immortality

US / ˌɪmɔ:ˈtæləti /

•

UK / ˌɪmɔrˈtælɪti /

noun
State of never dying, e.g. because famous

realize

US / 'ri:əlaɪz /

•

UK / ˈriəˌlaɪz /

verb
To become aware of or understand mentally

walk

US / wɔ:k /

•

UK / wɔk /

noun
Journey on foot done for pleasure or exercise
verb
To move with your legs at a slowish pace

use

US / ju:s /

•

UK / ju:s /

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

write

US / raɪt /

•

UK / raɪt /

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

Subtitles section

I have a tattoo you haven't seen yet.

This is my turtles all the way down tattoo.

No, it does not go all the way down.

That would have been very expensive.

The phrase probably rings a bell if you're a fan of John Green or Stephen Hawking.

Maybe you know the story about the woman who raises her hand after a lecture on the solar system to say that the world actually rests on the back of a turtle.

Skeptical, the lecturer asks, well, what's that turtle standing on?

And the woman swerves his gotcha by saying, it's simply turtles all the way down.

Co opted over and over, this phrase has deep roots in folklore about the cosmic turtle from around the world.

Except none of those myths actually feature an infinite stack of turtles.

So what's the origin of this mysterious phrase?

And more importantly, is my tattoo wrong?

It makes total sense to me that turtles are seen as magical creatures.

They hatch from the ground as if they were created from nothing.

Most of them can walk on land and swim in water, and they move like they have all the time in the universe to finish their business.

Which is basically true, because Jonathan, the world's oldest known tortoise, is a spry, hundred and ninety one years young.

So many cultures saw turtles for the deserved story divas they are, like the Japanese yokai Minogami, so ancient a long trail of seaweed grows from its back, or Wayamba, the first turtle in indigenous Australian lore.

But only a handful took their turtle myths so far as to believe they lived on the back of one.

So where did this idea begin?

In the late nineteenth century, anthropologist Edward Burnett Tyler claimed that stories about these cosmic or world turtles originated in India.

One oft told story, written in the Hindu Puranas, is about the time when the devas, or gods, were poisoned and all life was threatened.

Vishnu the preserver devised a plan to retrieve the elixir of life from the milky primordial ocean.

It was a simple plan, really.

Fear not, for I am Vishnu and I know what we need to do.

Step one, convince our sworn demonic enemies to help us.

I mean, that sounds tricky, but doable.

Fantastic.

Step two, uproot Mount Mandara.

You don't want to start with, like, a tree or a boulder or something?

No?

A mountain it is?

All right, what's step three?

Last, you must find a poisonous snake long enough to wrap around the mountain.

No rope, I have no reasons.

Oh, that one's actually easy.

We'll go get Vasuki.

Clearly, the only hitch in this foolproof giddy up of a plan was that the mountain and its churning snake rope needed something sturdy to rest on.

Vishnu took the form of Korma, a great tortoise strong enough to hold the entire mountain on his back.

Thanks to Vishnu's cunning and Korma's Kilonian endurance, the deva's power and immortality were restored.

But holding up a mountain isn't the same as holding up the world.

Elsewhere in Hindu lore, the Earth is said to be a flat plane held up by four or sometimes eight elephants, representing different directions.

Each of the elephants stood on the shell of a great turtle named Akupara.

Some even believed that the turtle was the cosmos.

Earth was the turtle's bottom shell, people lived in its body, and the upper shell was beyond our atmosphere.

In these Hindu stories, we see turtles supporting mountains and elephants, and though in some art they may be standing on a snake, what we don't see is them standing on other turtles.

Nor do we see them making or becoming the land themselves, which is a common motif in many Native American myths.

To several indigenous groups across the North American continent, the land I'm on right now is known as Turtle Island, because, well, you'll see why.

The Haudenosaunee people, called the Iroquois by the French, lived around what is now the New York Canada border.

In their cosmology, Earth was originally nothing but ocean, and a race of sky people lived on an island in the sky, free from sickness or aging.

No one died, and no one was born, and I need to take some notes for our Utopia episode later this season.

One day, a sky woman realized she was pregnant with twins, no less.

Her husband was furious and cast her down to the ocean below.

Two seabirds caught her and enlisted other animals' help in finding her a more stable place to rest.

Another simple plan was hatched.

Collect a fistful of mud from the bottom of the ocean and use it to make a continent.

The first part, at least, was easier said than done.

Several animals bravely attempted the dive, but it was the toad who succeeded, gathering the mud in the holes on his back.

The strong and steady turtle had the animals smear the mud on its back, and the mud spread as big as a continent, and Sky Woman gave birth to two sons, Sapling and Flint.

Together, they made the sun, moon, and everything else on Earth, all thanks to that selfless turtle.

The Ojibwe or Anishinaabe in the Midwest tell a similar story that incorporates another recurring mytheme, the Great Flood.

In order to rebuild the world after the creator god destroyed it, a man named Nanabuzhu convinced the surviving animals to dive beneath the floodwaters and grab some mud.

All of this mud stuff is a common trope in mythology, by the way.

They're a recognized category of creation stories called the earth diver myths, with examples across the globe.

I know it didn't happen this way, but I like to imagine that long ago, someone really did see an interspecies group of animals jumping into the water one by one, like the swimsuit contest in the Miss Animal Kingdom pageant.

Thank you for your answer, Miss Toad.

Now, Miss Muskrat, if you were going to rebuild the earth from scratch, what would you use?

I'm gonna go with mud.

It can expand exponentially with magic, and it's literally the only solid substance that we have.

And we have our winner for Miss Animal Kingdom for the year minus ten thousand, Miss Muskrat!

In the Ojibwe story, it was the underdog Muskrat who succeeded against all odds.

Again, the turtle volunteered to serve as the foundation for the new land.

Question is, was that turtle resting on a stack of other turtles?

Nope, it was just floating on the water, which is a perfectly acceptable metaphor for the fabric of space time in my professional opinion.

The Hindu turtle Akupara's position isn't so easy to explain, suspended in the cosmic void under her elephants.

From the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries, word about India's world turtle myth spread.

It was well enough known that people like John Locke and Henry David Thoreau referenced it, but importantly, people originally claimed not to know what the turtle stood on.

By the mid nineteenth century, the myth seems to have been conflated with a folktale about some woman who responds to a lecture by claiming that the earth sits on a stack of rocks all the way down.

In the year of the turtle, a preacher wrote about the heathens who believed that earth rested on the back of a turtle, with another turtle underneath that one, and so on all the way down.

He was doubly wrong, because he added turtles and left out the elephants.

But this is the origin of the modern saying, turtles all the way down.

It alludes to a widespread sacred belief, but unfortunately muddies it with a misinterpretation through a Western lens.

So what about my tattoo?

I didn't get it to commemorate a particular myth.

I got it to honor the study of mythology in general.

When I was but a wee folklore major in college, taking an Introduction to Ethnography course, I read a paper from the year of the author, by anthropologist Clifford Geertz, on how to observe and understand other cultures.

He made the point that no matter how much time you spend studying a culture, there will always be deeper layers to uncover.

And he illustrated it with the smeared version of Akupara's legend.

To my classmates and me, turtles all the way down became shorthand for remembering your place as a visitor and learner in someone else's culture.

That felt like a lesson worth remembering forever.

In so many ways, this phrase about folklore has become folklore itself.

So no, my tattoo isn't wrong.

But I might add a little elephant at the top anyway, just for fun.

Now it's time for our next Pantheon pick.

Dr. Z, it is your turn to choose.

This one might seem a little bit obvious for this episode, but I'm actually going to pick Vishnu.

I like that he's protector.

I also think the different avatars could be helpful, but the balancing energy might be something that we need with some of our chaotic deities.

Also really big into meditation, which I think that inner perspective would be great.

Plus I'm hoping he'll come with Garuda, his bird steed.

Oh yeah, okay.

Great choice.

I'm so excited to see how that works out in our Utopia.

Same.

I can see the light.

Yeah, that's why.

I'm like a hammerhead.

Everybody.

But doable, if we're careful.

I can't do this.