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Measuring the Universe With a 14 Billion Light-Year Ruler

Original YouTube Video | besmart Published on 2024-04-10 Level：72 Speed：47 maxwordlevel：20

Video vocabulary

astonish

US / ə'stɒnɪʃ /

•

UK / əˈstɑnɪʃ /

verb
To cause someone to feel great wonder or surprise

basic

US / 'beɪsɪk /

•

UK / ˈbesɪk /

adjecitve
At the most important or easiest (beginner) level

doppler

US / ˈdɒplə /

•

UK / ˈdɑːplər /

area

US / 'eərɪə /

•

UK / ˈɛriə /

noun
Amount of measured space
A specific section or space; part of a region
A subject or field of study

capture

US / 'kæptʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkæptʃɚ /

verb
To attract and hold e.g. interest, attention
To record, tape, or film something
To catch and prevent from being free
To take control of a place or object by force

importantly

US / ɪmˈpɔːtntli /

•

UK / ɪmˈpɔːrtntli /

adverb
In an important way;

US / ˈpri:viəs /

•

UK / ˈpriviəs /

adjecitve
Existing or happening before the present time

side

US / saɪd /

•

UK / saɪd /

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

too

US / tu: /

•

UK / tu /

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

among

US / əˈmʌŋ /

•

UK / əˈmʌŋ /

preposition
In the center of several things

here

US / hɪə(r) /

•

UK / hɪr /

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

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

perk

US / pɜ:k /

•

UK / pɜ:rk /

noun
An advantage or something extra, such as money or goods, that you are given because of your job
verb
To suddenly get more energy

precisely

US / prɪˈsaɪsli /

•

UK / prɪˈsaɪsli /

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

tool

US / tu:l /

•

UK / tul /

noun
Device used to make things, e.g. a hammer
verb
To provide a workshop with the right equipment

try

US / traɪ /

•

UK / traɪ /

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

certain

US / ˈsə:tn /

•

UK / ˈsɚtn /

adjecitve
Definite, fixed
Referring to an unspecified amount or quantity
Being sure about something; without doubt

ever

US / 'evə(r) /

•

UK / ˈɛvɚ /

adverb
At any time; at all times in the future

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

spectroscopy

US / spekˈtrɒskəpi /

•

UK / spekˈtrɑ:skəpi /

noun
Science that deals with the use of the spectroscope and with spectrum analysis

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

always

US / 'ɔ:lweɪz /

•

UK / ˈɔlwez,-wɪz,-wiz /

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

appear

US / ə'pɪə(r) /

•

UK / əˈpɪr /

verb
To be seen, become visible; come into sight
To seem to be
To act in a play, movie, or be mentioned in media

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

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

thousand

US / ˈθaʊznd /

•

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

number
Number 1,000

geometry

US / dʒiˈɒmətri /

•

UK / dʒiˈɑ:mətri /

noun
Mathematical study of shapes, surfaces, and space
Mathematical shape of something

four

US / fɔ:(r) /

•

UK / fɔr, for /

number
4

gravity

US / ˈgrævəti /

•

UK / ˈɡrævɪti /

noun
(Of a situation) extreme seriousness
Force making things fall towards the ground

imagine

US / ɪ'mædʒɪn /

•

UK / ɪˈmædʒɪn /

verb
To think creatively about; form mental picture of

million

US / ˈmɪljən /

•

UK / ˈmɪljən /

number
1,000,000

once

US / wʌns /

•

UK / wʌns /

adverb
One time; one instance
At a time in the past
conjunction
When; as soon as

tournament

US / 'tʊənəmənt /

•

UK / ˈtʊrnəmənt, ˈtɚ- /

noun
Sports contest with many games to find a winner

greece

US / ɡri:s /

•

UK / ɡri:s /

noun
A republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and

pulse

US / pʌls /

•

UK / pʌls /

noun
Regular beating of a heart
verb
To beat in a rhythm

separate

US / 'sepəreɪt /

•

UK / 'sepəreɪt /

adjecitve
Being different from or unrelated to another
verb
To divide two things by being in between them
To live away from your husband or wife
To move things away from each other

weird

US / wɪəd /

•

UK / wɪrd /

adjecitve
Odd or unusual; surprising; strange

true

US / tru: /

•

UK / tru: /

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

cepheid

US / 'kɪfaɪd /

•

UK / 'kɪfaɪd /

noun

exactly

US / ɪgˈzæktli /

•

UK / ɪɡˈzæktli /

adverb
No more and no less than; precisely

massive

US / ˈmæsɪv /

•

UK / ˈmæsɪv /

adjecitve
Very big; large; too big

shift

US / ʃɪft /

•

UK / ʃɪft /

adjecitve
(Of work) starting at a certain time, as at night
noun
A change in a persons plans, opinions or beliefs
Period of work starting at a certain time
verb
To change in position or direction
To move something from one place to another

actually

US / ˈæktʃuəli /

•

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

adverb
Used to add new (often different) information

debate

US / dɪ'beɪt /

•

UK / dɪˈbet /

noun
General public discussion of a topic
A formal event where two sides discuss a topic
verb
To consider options before making a decision
To take part in a formal discussion

rainbow

US / ˈreɪnbəʊ /

•

UK / ˈreɪnboʊ /

noun
Curved line of colors in the sky during rainfall

realize

US / 'ri:əlaɪz /

•

UK / ˈriəˌlaɪz /

verb
To become aware of or understand mentally

rough

US / rʌf /

•

UK / rʌf /

adjecitve
Causing or involving violence, force, and harm
(Of situations) tough; difficult to get through
Being imprecise, inexact, and not detailed
Not gentle or not soft
Having an uneven or not smooth surface
Raw and natural
(Of sea weather etc.) not calm with strong winds
Involving or causing sudden, forceful movements
adverb
In a manner that is difficult, or violent
noun
Violent, loud, and unpleasant person
Incomplete drawing or draft done lacking detail
verb
To make something less smooth

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

aim

US / eɪm /

•

UK / em /

noun
Act of pointing something at a target
Purpose or goal
verb
To point something at a target
To intend to get a thing or for a thing to happen

channel

US / 'tʃænl /

•

UK / ˈtʃænəl /

noun
Long hole dug in the ground, e.g. to move water
TV or radio station or its programs
Method or way of sending or receiving information
Narrow passage through which water travels
Method or route used for sending or getting things
verb
To dig a long hole for carrying water
To send (e.g. money) to a certain place or person
To direct water or liquid through a passage
To direct energy or feelings into something

distance

US / 'dɪstəns /

•

UK / ˈdɪstəns /

noun
Lack of friendliness toward another person
Amount of space between two places or things
verb
To make it clear that you are not involved

any

US / 'enɪ /

•

UK / ˈɛni /

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

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

game

US / ɡeɪm /

•

UK / ɡem /

noun
Activity with rules that people play to have fun
Birds and animals people hunt to kill and eat
Match between two teams

literally

US / ˈlɪtərəli /

•

UK / ˈlɪtərəli /

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

think

US / θɪŋk /

•

UK / θɪŋk /

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

unthinkable

US / ʌn'θɪŋkəbl /

•

UK / ʌn'θɪŋkəbl /

adjecitve
Impossible to imagine; not to be considered

wave

US / weɪv /

•

UK / wev /

noun
Movement of sound, air or energy
Deep and strong emotion that is suddenly felt
Slightly curved shape in hair
Frequency of movement of objects together
Up and down movement of water in a lake or sea
Signal with your hand to say hello or goodbye
verb
To cause to move side to side or back and forth
To swing back and forth as a result of the wind
To move your hand or arm to say hello or goodbye

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)

hey

US / heɪ /

•

UK / he /

exclamation
What you say when you want someone's attention

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

base

US / beɪs /

•

UK / bes /

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.)

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

certainly

US / ˈsə:tnli /

•

UK / ˈsɚtnli /

adverb
Sure; of course

galaxy

US / 'ɡæləksɪ /

•

UK / ˈɡæləksi /

noun
A group of stars and planets in space

guy

US / ɡaɪ /

•

UK / ɡaɪ /

noun
Man; boy; any person

barcode

US / ˈbɑːkəʊd /

•

UK / ˈbɑːrkoʊd /

noun
Computer code detailing price etc. of a product
verb
To mark with a barcode

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

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

nebula

US / ˈnebjələ /

•

UK / ˈnɛbjələ /

noun
Cloud of dust and gas in outer space

picture

US / 'pɪktʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈpɪktʃɚ /

noun
General situation or state of being
Mental image of what something is or looks like
Movie; film
Painting, drawing or photograph on paper or screen
verb
To understand or imagine something
To imagine someone or something in an image

tree

US / tri: /

•

UK / tri /

noun
Tall green plants in a forest

trick

US / trɪk /

•

UK / trɪk /

adjecitve
Not reliable; likely to deceive you
noun
Act of trying to fool someone
Quick or skillful way of doing something
Something done to make someone laugh
verb
To fool someone in order to obtain a result
To playfully tease or fool to make someone laugh

completely

US / kəmˈpli:tli /

•

UK / kəmˈpliːtli /

adverb
In every way or as much as possible

front

US / frʌnt /

•

UK / frʌnt /

adjecitve
Opposite of back; the forward part of an object
noun
Behavior not showing a person's true feelings
Area where fighting in a war is happening
Place where air of different temperatures meets
verb
To have the forward part facing something
To lead a group of people, usually a band

detect

US / dɪˈtekt /

•

UK / dɪˈtɛkt /

verb
To discover or identify the presence of something

put

US / pʊt /

•

UK / pʊt /

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

perhaps

US / pəˈhæps /

•

UK / pɚˈhæps /

adverb
Possibly, but not certainly; maybe

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

spectrum

US / 'spektrəm /

•

UK / ˈspɛktrəm /

noun
The wavelengths of colors from red to violet
a range of different positions, opinions, etc. between two extreme points

ten

US / ten /

•

UK / tɛn /

number
10

two

US / tu: /

•

UK / tu /

number
2

early

US / ˈɜ:li /

•

UK / ˈɜ:rli /

adjecitve
Happening or appearing before
adverb
Coming/happening before others in a time sequence
Happening sooner than expected

most

US / məʊst /

•

UK / most /

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

rung

US / rʌŋ /

•

UK / rʌŋ /

verb
To draw a circular shape or mark around something
To make a loud, noisy constant sound
To produce a sound from a bell, alarm or telephone
To call someone using a phone

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

along

US / əˈlɒŋ /

•

UK / əˈlɔ:ŋ /

adverb
As a companion; taken with someone
preposition
At a point on a line

from

US / frəm /

•

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

preposition
Starting at a particular place, time or level

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

US / ʃeə(r) /

•

UK / ʃɛr /

noun
Part-ownership in a property, business or company
Part of a company you own, shown by a certificate
verb
To divide something between two or more people
To allow others to use your things equally
To give information, etc. to someone

blast

US / blɑ:st /

•

UK / blæst /

noun
Destructive wave of air from an explosion
Strong current of wind
verb
To attack someone with words
To destroy something with explosives
To make a loud noise on or with something

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

familiar

US / fəˈmɪliə(r) /

•

UK / fəˈmɪljɚ /

adjecitve
Well-known or easily recognized

nineteen

US / ˌnaɪnˈti:n /

•

UK / naɪnˈtin /

number
19

name

US / neɪm /

•

UK / nem /

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

rather

US / 'rɑ:ðə(r) /

•

UK / ˈræðɚ, ˈrɑðɚ /

adverb
Somewhat; fairly; not that much

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

variable

US / ˈveəriəbl /

•

UK / ˈveriəbl /

adjecitve
Having the ability to change or vary
noun
Mathematical quantity with several values

amazing

US / ə'meɪzɪŋ /

•

UK / ə'meɪzɪŋ /

adjecitve
Surprising in a pleasing way
verb
To cause wonder; to surprise completely

cool

US / ku:l /

•

UK / kul /

adjecitve
Steady and calm when facing difficulties
Almost cold; not warm or hot
Smart or stylish in a way (young) people admire
Unfriendly in an indirect way; distant
verb
To make something decrease in temperature
(Of an emotion, etc.) to become less strongly felt

climb

US / klaɪm /

•

UK / klaɪm /

noun
A trip up something, e.g. a mountain
Increase or a rise toward a higher price or point
verb
To rise gradually and steadily to a higher point
To increase or rise toward a higher price or point

definitely

US / ˈdefɪnətli /

•

UK / ˈdefɪnətli /

adverb
Without question; beyond doubt

smart

US / smɑ:t /

•

UK / smɑ:rt /

adjecitve
Fashionable; well-dressed; well-groomed
Looking clean, neat and stylish
(Of phones, weapons) with clever features
Associated with rich, popular and stylish people
Clever; with intelligence
adverb
Energetic or quick in motion or movement
In a clever way; with intelligence
noun
Feeling of being hurt and upset
Sharp, burning pain
verb
To feel hurt or upset
To hurt with an unexpected sharp or burning pain

exact

US / ɪɡ'zækt /

•

UK / ɪɡˈzækt /

adjecitve
Completely correct; accurate; specific
verb
To get something, sometimes using force

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

launch

US / lɔ:ntʃ /

•

UK / lɔntʃ, lɑntʃ /

noun
Starting a new project; introducing new product
Act of firing rockets into the air
verb
To start a new project; start selling a product
To put a rocket into the air
To put a ship into the water for the first time

since

US / sɪns /

•

UK / sɪns /

adverb
At a point before the present time
conjunction
For this reason; because
preposition
From the time in the past that

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

within

US / wɪˈðɪn /

•

UK / wɪðˈɪn, wɪθ- /

adverb
Inside the limits of an area, time or range
preposition
From the inside of something

astronomer

US / əˈstrɒnəmə(r) /

•

UK / əˈstrɑ:nəmə(r) /

noun
Scientist studying stars and other bodies in space

cassini

US / kəˈsini /

•

UK / /

proper noun
A spacecraft launched in 1997 to explore Saturn and Titan, which it reached in 2004.

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

few

US / fju: /

•

UK / fju /

pronoun
Not many, a small number

extremely

US / ɪkˈstri:mli /

•

UK / ɪk'strimlɪ /

adverb
In a way that is much more than usual or expected

inch

US / ɪntʃ /

•

UK / ɪntʃ /

noun
1/12th of a foot (2.54 centimeters)
Very small distance
verb
To move or cause to move a small bit at a time

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

standard

US / 'stændəd /

•

UK / ˈstændəd /

adjecitve
Being the accepted normal level of quality
(Of a language) being the most accepted in a place
noun
Official unit of measuring something
Principle of behaving in a moral way

window

US / ˈwɪndəʊ /

•

UK / ˈwɪndoʊ /

noun
Opening in a wall or door to let in light
Opening in a wall through which people do business

system

US / 'sɪstəm /

•

UK / ˈsɪstəm /

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

fuzzy

US / 'fʌzɪ /

•

UK / ˈfʌzi /

adjecitve
Covered with fur or short hair
Not clear; blurred

depend

US / dɪˈpend /

•

UK / dɪˈpend /

verb
Be controlled or determined by (someone/something)

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

object

US / 'ɒbdʒɪkt /

•

UK / ˈɑbdʒɪkt /

noun
Something you can see or touch, but is not alive
Goal or purpose of a particular plan or activity
The thing that the action of a verb acts upon
verb
To disagree; to protest against an idea or plan

vast

US / vɑ:st /

•

UK / væst /

adjecitve
Being very large in size or amount

greek

US / gri:k /

•

UK / ɡrik /

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

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

math

US / mæθ /

•

UK / mæθ /

noun
Study or science of numbers and shapes

max

US / mæks /

•

UK / mæks /

noun
Person's name
Short for 'maximum'

observer

US / əbˈzɜ:və(r) /

•

UK / əbˈzɜ:rvə(r) /

noun
Someone whose job it is to watch or notice things

split

US / splɪt /

•

UK / splɪt /

adjecitve
No longer married or in a relationship
(Injured) by cutting it open, as in someone's lip
(Of a decision) when people cannot decide a winner
noun
Difference of opinion in a group causing a break
Separation or a break in something
verb
To become divided or broken along a straight line
To cause a cut in (lip, etc.)
To have difference of opinion in a group
To separate into two or more pieces
To divide something in an even or fair way

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

cycle

US / ˈsaɪkl /

•

UK / ˈsaɪkəl /

noun
Series of regular and repeated actions
Bicycle, bike
verb
To go through a series of events repeatedly
To ride on a bicycle

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)

eclipse

US / ɪˈklɪps /

•

UK / ɪˈklɪps /

noun
When moon or other body passes in front of another
Loss of status due to others' increased success
verb
To pass in between and block view of (Sun, etc.)
To reduce the status of someone or something

hubble

US / ˈhʌb(ə)l /

•

UK / ˈpaʊəl /

line

US / laɪn /

•

UK / laɪn /

noun
Border that divides two places or regions
Long crease in the skin, often from age
Mark that is long, straight and very thin
Row of words, letters or numbers that are written
Telephone connection
People waiting one behind the other; queue
Long thin wire, e.g. for electrical signal
verb
To put material along the inside of something

modern

US / ˈmɔdən /

•

UK / ˈmɑdən /

adjecitve
Of the present time; up to date; contemporary

talk

US / tɔ:k /

•

UK / tɔk /

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

technology

US / tek'nɒlədʒɪ /

•

UK / tɛkˈnɑlədʒi /

noun
Use or knowledge of science in industry etc.

parallax

US / ˈpærəlæks /

•

UK / ˈpærəˌlæks /

noun
Displacement of objects seen from different angles

blink

US / blɪŋk /

•

UK / blɪŋk /

verb
To close and open one or both of the eyes rapidly

brighten

US / 'braɪtn /

•

UK / ˈbraɪtn: /

verb
To add more light to; make more colorful

for

US / fə(r) /

•

UK / fɔr,fə /

preposition
Used to show the purpose, or need of something

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

short

US / ʃɔ:t /

•

UK / ʃɔrt /

adverb
Less than what is needed
Suddenly stopping what you are saying or doing
verb
(Of electric circuit) to spark because faulty
adjecitve
Measuring a small distance
Happening for a small amount of time
Unfriendly or rude

why

US / waɪ /

•

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

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

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

head

US / hed /

•

UK / hɛd /

noun
Counter for the number of cattle
Natural mental ability or intelligence
Leader or person with the greatest authority
Mind; mental ability; mental state
Side of a coin with a head on it
Top part of your body with eyes and a mouth
Starting point of something, e.g. a river
verb
To hit a ball with your head in a game
To be first or at the front or top (e.g. a list)
To travel or move toward a particular place; To go in a particular direction
To become the leader of something
To lead or be responsible for something

special

US / 'speʃl /

•

UK / ˈspɛʃəl /

adjecitve
Being additional or extra
Different, better or greater than normal
noun
Heavily discounted sales item

cloud

US / klaʊd /

•

UK / klaʊd /

noun
A mass of smoke or mist hanging in the air
verb
To confuse the mind/judgment of a person
(Of the sky) to get darker and fill with clouds
To make (glass, etc.) difficult to see through
To make an activity less pleasant or enjoyable
(Of person's face, etc.) to show worry/anger

description

US / dɪˈskrɪpʃn /

•

UK / dɪˈskrɪpʃən /

noun
Explanation of what something is like, looks like

effect

US / ɪ'fekt /

•

UK / ɪˈfɛkt /

noun
An advantage, benefit
Change brought about by a cause; result

round

US / raʊnd /

•

UK / raʊnd /

adjecitve
Being in the shape of a circle or ball
Consisting of curved and not straight lines
Somewhat fat or curved in physical appearance
Being a whole number, not a fraction, decimal
adverb
From beginning to end (e.g. of the year)
noun
One of the three-minute periods in boxing
Drinks bought by one person for a group
Series regular visits, routes, or stops at places
Single shot or bullet fired from a gun
An object with a circular shape
One stage in a series of games, e.g. football
One's turn in a game such as cards
preposition
Going around
verb
To cause or make a circular or curved shape
To go or pass around the bend or corner
To change from a fraction to nearest whole number

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

surprising

US / səˈpraɪzɪŋ /

•

UK / sərˈpraɪzɪŋ /

adjecitve
Making you feel a bit shocked because unexpected
verb
To do something that another person didn't expect

color

US / 'kʌlə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkʌlɚ /

noun
Quality of things you can see, e.g. red, blue
Pink or red in your face, e.g. after being ill
The shade of someone's skin e.g. black, or yellow
verb
To change or affect someone's opinion
To make something colorful using colored pencils

incredibly

US / ɪnˈkredəbli /

•

UK / ɪnˈkrɛdəblɪ /

adverb
To a great degree; very; amazingly

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

october

US / ɒkˈtəʊbə(r) /

•

UK / ɑkˈtobɚ /

noun
10th month of the year

powerful

US / ˈpauəful /

•

UK / ˈpaʊəfəl /

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

relationship

US / rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp /

•

UK / rɪˈleʃənˌʃɪp /

noun
Connection between two or more people or things
Way people interact or live with each other
Romantic or loving friendship between two people

whole

US / həul /

•

UK / hol /

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

against

US / əˈgenst /

•

UK / əˈɡenst /

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

angle

US / ˈæŋgl /

•

UK / ˈæŋɡəl /

noun
Place where two lines or surfaces meet

experience

US / ɪk'spɪərɪəns /

•

UK / ɪkˈspɪriəns /

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

host

US / həʊst /

•

UK / host /

noun
Mass; a great number
Person who entertains guests
Plant or animal on or in which parasites live
Presenter on a television or radio program
verb
To be the sponsor of an event, e.g. the Olympics
To lead or start a party, program, or other event
To lead a TV or radio show as the announcer

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

planet

US / 'plænɪt /

•

UK / ˈplænɪt /

noun
One of the bodies that orbit the sun

measure

US / ˈmeʒə(r) /

•

UK / ˈmɛʒɚ /

noun
Plan to achieve a desired result
Tool used to calculate the size of something
verb
To determine the value or importance of something
To calculate size, weight or temperature of

announcement

US / əˈnaʊnsmənt /

•

UK / əˈnaʊnsmənt /

noun
Act of informing people about something publicly

expect

US / ɪk'spekt /

•

UK / ɪkˈspɛkt /

verb
To believe something is probably going to happen

photograph

US / ˈfəʊtəgrɑ:f /

•

UK / ˈfoʊtəgræf /

noun
Picture taken with a camera
verb
To take a picture with a camera

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

video

US / 'vɪdɪəʊ /

•

UK / ˈvɪdiˌo /

adjecitve
Of a moving film, with sound
noun
Recording capturing action with sound
verb
To make a moving film of, with sound

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

but

US / bət /

•

UK / bʌt,bət /

conjunction
Used before you say something different, opposite

expansion

US / ɪkˈspænʃn /

•

UK / ɪkˈspænʃən /

noun
Making or becoming larger

research

US / rɪ'sɜ:tʃ /

•

UK / rɪˈsɚtʃ, ˈriˌsɚtʃ /

noun
Study done to discover new ideas and facts
Work done to find or discover knowledge
verb
To study in order to discover new ideas and facts

tape

US / teɪp /

•

UK / tep /

noun
Narrow strip of magnetic material for recording on
Thin material used to mark an area or seal things
verb
To record some sounds using an electric device
To stick things together using an adhesive strip

spiral

US / 'spaɪrəl /

•

UK / ˈspaɪrəl /

adjecitve
Curved in a continuous circle
noun
A continuous curve round a central point
verb
To move in a continuous curve round a point

star

US / stɑ:(r) /

•

UK / stɑr /

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

fifth

US / fɪfθ /

•

UK / fɪfθ /

noun
5th

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

decent

US / ˈdi:snt /

•

UK / ˈdisənt /

adjecitve
Being fairly good; acceptable

halfway

US / ˌhɑ:fˈweɪ /

•

UK / ˌhæfˈweɪ /

adverb
A middle point between two extremes

telescope

US / ˈtelɪskəʊp /

•

UK / ˈtelɪskoʊp /

noun
Tube-shaped device used to see a great distance
verb
To shorten by compacting tubes inside each other

towards

US / tə'wɔ:dz /

•

UK / 'təuədz, twɔ:dz /

preposition
In the direction of someone or something

war

US / wɔ:(r) /

•

UK / wɔr /

noun
Situation where armies fight each other

angular

US / ˈæŋgjələ(r) /

•

UK / ˈæŋɡjəlɚ /

adjecitve
Having one or more sharp angles

besides

US / bɪˈsaɪdz /

•

UK / bɪˈsaɪdz /

adverb
Other than or in addition to

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

slow

US / sləʊ /

•

UK / sloʊ /

adjecitve
Lacking activity, busyness or excitement
(Clock) showing time earlier than the actual time
Having difficulty understanding simple things
Moving or happening without speed; not fast
verb
To move, with less speed than before
To move or go without much speed

same

US / seɪm /

•

UK / sem /

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

transform

US / træns'fɔ:m /

•

UK / trænsˈfɔrm /

verb
To change the shape completely in a good way

blue

US / blu: /

•

UK / blu /

adjecitve
Color of the clear sky
Feeling sad or down

compare

US / kəm'peə(r) /

•

UK / kəmˈpɛr /

verb
To consider how similar and different things are

mysterious

US / mɪˈstɪəriəs /

•

UK / mɪˈstɪriəs /

adjecitve
Unusual; hard to understand or work out

really

US / ˈri:əli /

•

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

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

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

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

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

chance

US / tʃɑ:ns /

•

UK / tʃæns /

adjecitve
Happening by luck; not planned
Taking a risk to try something
noun
The way something happens without planning
An opportunity; favorable circumstances, situation
The possibility that something will happen
verb
To occur just through luck; happen
To take a risk to try something

all

US / ɔ:l /

•

UK / ɔl /

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

everyone

US / ˈevriwʌn /

•

UK / ˈɛvriˌwʌn /

pronoun
Every person; everybody

fast

US / fɑ:st /

•

UK / fæst /

adjecitve
In a way that is difficult to move or change
Moving or able to move quickly
Showing time that is later than the actual time
adverb
With a great deal of speed
noun
Period of time when a person chooses not to eat
verb
To refuse food for a long time

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”

who

US / hu: /

•

UK / hu /

pronoun
Which person
Used to introduce information about people

super

US / ˈsu:pə(r) /

•

UK / ˈsupɚ /

adjecitve
Of the highest quality; great; marvelous

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

fingerprint

US / 'fɪŋɡəprɪnt /

•

UK / ˈfɪŋɡɚˌprɪnt /

noun
Generic term for any identifying characteristic
Inked impressions of a person's fingerprints

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

bounce

US / baʊns /

•

UK / baʊns /

noun
A person's energy or confidence
Quality causing a person's hair to appear healthy
verb
To move around energetically, playfully
To forcibly remove a person from a bar, nightclub
(Of check) to be rejected due to inadequate funds
To strike a surface and rapidly change direction
To move energetically in an up and down motion

figure

US / ˈfiɡə /

•

UK / ˈfɪɡjɚ /

noun
Your body shape
Numbers in a calculation
Doll-like thing meant to represent a person
Picture or diagram giving information in a text
Person who is very important or famous
Shape of a person seen indistinctly or in outline
Amount that is expressed in numbers
verb
To appear in a game, play or event
To calculate how much something will cost
To understand after thinking; work out

huge

US / hju:dʒ /

•

UK / hjudʒ /

adjecitve
Very very large

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

quiz

US / kwɪz /

•

UK / kwɪz /

noun
A game in which players answer questions on topics
Brief spoken or written test, given to students
verb
To ask a person many questions about 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

length

US / leŋθ /

•

UK / leŋθ /

noun
Distance from one end of a pool to the other
Measurement of distance or of time

mid

US / mɪd /

•

UK / mɪd /

adjecitve
At (or near) the middle point

pretty

US / 'prɪtɪ /

•

UK / ˈprɪti /

adjecitve
Being attractive to the eye in a simple way
adverb
Very; to a great degree

possible

US / ˈpɒsəbl /

•

UK / ˈpɑsəbəl /

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

observation

US / ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌɑbzɚˈveʃən /

noun
Remark or comment on something you noticed
Practice of performing actions required by rules

speed

US / spi:d /

•

UK / spid /

noun
How fast or slow something is or is done
verb
To move quickly when completing an action
To drive a vehicle faster than laws allow

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

add

US / æd /

•

UK / æd /

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

distant

US / 'dɪstənt /

•

UK / ˈdɪstənt /

adjecitve
Unfriendly; cold
Existing or happening far away in place or time
(Of relationships) not being closely related

link

US / lɪŋk /

•

UK / lɪŋk /

noun
Any one of the rings that are part of a chain
Connection between two or more things or people
Webpage item you click to go to another webpage
verb
To join or connect together

movie

US / ˈmu:vi /

•

UK / ˈmuvi /

noun
Motion picture; film

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

spot

US / spɒt /

•

UK / spɑt /

noun
A certain place or area
A difficult time; awkward situation
Place or ranking on a list
A small amount of (substance help hard work etc.)
Mark caused by a drop of liquid, food, etc.
verb
To see someone or something by chance

both

US / bəuθ /

•

UK / boθ /

determiner
Used to refer to two things at the same time
pronoun
Used to refer to two things at the same time

change

US / tʃeɪndʒ /

•

UK / tʃendʒ /

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

candle

US / ˈkændl /

•

UK / ˈkændl /

noun
Stick of wax with a string you light to make light

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

pore

US / pɔ:(r) /

•

UK / pɔr, por /

noun
Small hole on skin, etc. allowing liquid to pass

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

travel

US / ˈtrævl /

•

UK / ˈtrævəl /

noun
Going to other places, esp. distant places
verb
To go to a place that is far away

show

US / ʃəʊ /

•

UK / ʃo /

noun
False display of love, emotion or action
An event for displaying or promoting goods
Play, opera or theater production
Presentation that is broadcast on TV or radio
verb
To be easily seen or displayed
To display your emotions or feelings
To let someone see something; display
To explain or teach how something is done
To lead someone somewhere; point them to something
To prove something to be true, correct
To reveal or allow something to be seen

background

US / ˈbækgraʊnd /

•

UK / ˈbækˌɡraʊnd /

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

between

US / bɪˈtwi:n /

•

UK / bɪˈtwin /

preposition
From one person, thing, or place, to another
In the space that separates two objects
Among two or more people who share something

billion

US / ˈbɪljən /

•

UK / ˈbɪljən /

noun
Number 1,000,000,000

gradually

US / ˈgrædʒuəli /

•

UK / ˈɡrædʒʊəlɪ /

adverb
Occurring in a slow manner over a period of time

mountain

US / 'maʊntən /

•

UK / ˈmaʊntən /

noun
Very high piece of land, higher than a hill

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

they

US / ðeɪ /

•

UK / ðe /

pronoun
Two or more people, animals, or things

watcher

US / 'wɒtʃə(r) /

•

UK / 'wɑ:tʃər /

noun
Someone who watches (TV, birds, etc.)

believe

US / bɪ'li:v /

•

UK / bɪˈliv /

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

bright

US / braɪt /

•

UK / braɪt /

adjecitve
Cheerful and happy (manner)
(Of color) light and easy to see; vivid
Producing a lot of light
Smart; intelligent; clever

country

US / ˈkʌntri /

•

UK / ˈkʌntri /

noun
An area of land that is controlled by a government
Open land that is away from towns and cities

look

US / lʊk /

•

UK / lʊk /

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

kilometre

US / ˈkɪləmi:tə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkɪləmiːtər /

noun
A metric unit of length equal to 1000 metres

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

red

US / red /

•

UK / rɛd /

adjecitve
Being the color of blood

thank

US / θæŋk /

•

UK / θæŋk /

verb
To tell someone you are grateful to them

notice

US / 'nəʊtɪs /

•

UK / ˈnotɪs /

noun
Time by when you must leave, e.g. if you are fired
Paper with an announcement, e.g. pinned to a board
verb
To become aware by sight, touch, or hearing

lunar

US / ˈlu:nə(r) /

•

UK / ˈlunɚ /

adjecitve
Concerning, about, or from the moon

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

century

US / 'sentʃərɪ /

•

UK / ˈsɛntʃəri /

noun
Period of 100 years

almost

US / 'ɔ:lməʊst /

•

UK / ˈɔlˌmost, ɔlˈmost /

adverb
Only a little less than, nearly, not quite

before

US / bɪˈfɔ:(r) /

•

UK / bɪˈfɔr,-ˈfor /

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

flash

US / flæʃ /

•

UK / flæʃ /

noun
Sudden and brief appearance of something
Light used by a camera to brighten the area
Sudden feeling, idea or occurrence
Publicly exposing your genitals to others
Sudden bright light
Showing something very quickly and briefly
Light used in the dark, powered by batteries
verb
To appear suddenly and briefly
To publicly expose your genitals to others
To shine brightly very suddenly and briefly
To show something very quickly and briefly

cover

US / 'kʌvə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkʌvɚ /

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

island

US / ˈaɪlənd /

•

UK / ˈaɪlənd /

noun
Area of land that is surrounded by water

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

without

US / wɪˈðaʊt /

•

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

preposition
Not with; not having

accelerate

US / əkˈseləreɪt /

•

UK / ækˈsɛləˌret /

verb
To cause to occur earlier than expected
To increase the speed or rate of something

doozy

US / ˈdu:zi /

•

UK / ˈduzi /

noun

his

US / hɪz /

•

UK / hɪz /

pronoun
Something belonging to a male person

mirror

US / 'mɪrə(r) /

•

UK / ˈmɪrɚ /

noun
Thing with glass surface used to look at yourself
An accurate impression or picture of something
verb
To reflect (an image)
To have similar qualities to something else

instance

US / 'ɪnstəns /

•

UK / ˈɪnstəns /

noun
An example of something; case
verb
To give as an example of something else

recently

US / ˈri:sntli /

•

UK / 'risṇtlɪ /

adverb
Just a while ago; not long ago

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

apollo

US / ə'pɒləʊ /

•

UK / ə'pɑloʊ /

proper noun
A god, son of Zeus and Leto and brother of Artemis. He is associated with music, poetic inspiration,
The American space program for landing astronauts on the moon. Apollo 8 was the first mission to orb

car

US / kɑ:(r) /

•

UK / kɑr /

noun
A vehicle with wheels and engine to carry people

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)

count

US / kaʊnt /

•

UK / kaʊnt /

noun
Number of things added together, e.g. votes
With the number of crimes, knockouts, as stated
verb
To add things together to find the total number
To matter or be important
To include someone or something in a final number

exist

US / ɪɡ'zɪst /

•

UK / ɪɡˈzɪst /

verb
To be present, alive or real

end

US / end /

•

UK / ɛnd /

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

instant

US / ˈɪnstənt /

•

UK / ˈɪnstənt /

adjecitve
(Food) requiring very little preparation
Occurring immediately
noun
A very short period of time

tug

US / tʌg /

•

UK / tʌɡ /

noun
Pull at something that is hard or sudden
verb
To pull (something) hard or suddenly

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

could

US / kəd /

•

UK / kʊd /

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

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

ninety

US / 'naɪntɪ /

•

UK / ˈnaɪnti /

number
90

precise

US / prɪ'saɪs /

•

UK / prɪˈsaɪs /

adjecitve
(Of language details etc.) Very accurate and exact
(Of a time, place, quality) exact
Being very careful about how you do things

blow

US / bləʊ /

•

UK / blo /

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

curious

US / ˈkjʊəriəs /

•

UK / ˈkjʊriəs /

adjecitve
Wanting to know more about something
Attracting interest by being strange or unusual

cosmic

US / 'kɒzmɪk /

•

UK / ˈkɑzmɪk /

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

location

US / ləʊˈkeɪʃn /

•

UK / loʊˈkeɪʃn /

noun
Particular position or area of place, event, etc.

mind

US / maɪnd /

•

UK / maɪnd /

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

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

scientist

US / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

•

UK / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

noun
Person who is trained in a science

away

US / ə'weɪ /

•

UK / əˈwe /

adjecitve
Not present
adverb
Disappear completely
Doing something with a lot of energy
Not here; far from here; in a different direction
To a different area, location

brightness

US / 'braɪtnəs /

•

UK / ˈbraɪtnɪs /

noun
Amount of light something has

calculate

US / 'kælkjʊleɪt /

•

UK / ˈkælkjəˌlet /

verb
To find an answer using mathematics
To make an educated guess about something

fundamental

US / ˌfʌndəˈmentl /

•

UK / ˌfʌndəˈmɛntl /

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

month

US / mʌnθ /

•

UK / mʌnθ /

noun
One of 12 28-31 day periods in the year

hundred

US / 'hʌndrəd /

•

UK / ˈhʌndrɪd /

number
100

pyramid

US / 'pɪrəmɪd /

•

UK / ˈpɪrəmɪd /

noun
Four-sided structure with sides meeting at the top
With a small management and huge workforce
Deceitful scheme to trick people out of money

spider

US / ˈspaɪdə(r) /

•

UK / ˈspaɪdɚ /

noun
Small creature with 8 legs that spins cobwebs

wavelength

US / 'weɪvleŋθ /

•

UK / ˈwevˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ /

noun
To have similar feelings
The size of a wave

world

US / wɜ:ld /

•

UK / wɜrld /

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

supernova

US / ˌsu:pəˈnəʊvə /

•

UK / ˌsu:pərˈnoʊvə /

noun
Large exploding star that is extremely bright

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

element

US / 'elɪmənt /

•

UK / ˈɛləmənt /

noun
Essential or particular part of something

hint

US / hɪnt /

•

UK / hɪnt /

noun
Helpful piece of information
Tiny quantity or sign of something
verb
To suggest without being direct about it

unbelievable

US / ˌʌnbɪˈli:vəbl /

•

UK / ˌʌnbɪˈlivəbəl /

adjecitve
Being very hard to believe; very great

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

force

US / fɔ:s /

•

UK / fɔrs, fors /

noun
Group of persons trained for military action; army
Pressure; attraction
The use of physical strength/violence to persuade
verb
To use physical strength or violence to persuade

slowly

US / ˈsləʊli /

•

UK / ˈsloʊli /

adverb
In an unhurried or not speedy manner

then

US / ðen /

•

UK / ðɛn /

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

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

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

own

US / əʊn /

•

UK / on /

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

whenever

US / wenˈevə(r) /

•

UK / hwɛnˈɛvɚ /

adverb
At any or every time that

bunch

US / bʌntʃ /

•

UK / bʌntʃ /

noun
A group of things of the same kind
verb
To group people or things closely together
(Cloth) to gather/be gathered together in folds

number

US / ˈnʌmbə(r) /

•

UK / ˈnʌmbɚ /

noun
Symbols such as 1, 2, 56, 793
Particular song or dance performed during a show
Total quantity or amount of things
verb
To put numbers on things
To assign a sequence within a group, series, set
To claim to be part of a larger group, series, set

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

stay

US / steɪ /

•

UK / ste /

noun
Legal order to stop or delay an action
Strong rope or wire that supports a ship's mast
Period of time spent living in or visiting a place
verb
To keep trying without giving up
To remain in the same place and not move away
To spend time visiting a place or someone's home

astronaut

US / ˈæstrənɔ:t /

•

UK / ˈæstrəˌnɔt /

noun
Person who travels in space

happen

US / 'hæpən /

•

UK / ˈhæpən /

verb
To take place or occur

observable

US / əbˈzɜ:vəbl /

•

UK / əbˈzɚvəbəl /

adjecitve
Being able to be seen, noticed, or sensed

perspective

US / pə'spektɪv /

•

UK / pɚˈspɛktɪv /

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

ladder

US / 'lædə(r) /

•

UK / ˈlædɚ /

noun
Series of levels to go up in society or business
Device with a series of steps used for climbing

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

thirty

US / 'θɜ:tɪ /

•

UK / ˈθə:ti /

number
30

again

US / ə'ɡen /

•

UK / əˈɡɛn /

adverb
One more time, once more

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)

backyard

US / ˌbækˈjɑ:d /

•

UK / ˌbækˈjɑ:rd /

adjecitve
Made in an amateurish or non-professional way
noun
Yard or garden behind a house

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

eye

US / aɪ /

•

UK / aɪ /

noun
The part of the body that you see with
The skill to see the good and bad parts of a thing
Hole at the end of a needle
verb
To watch or study something closely

different

US / ˈdɪfrənt /

•

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

adjecitve
Not of the same kind; unlike other things

faraway

US / ˈfɑ:rəweɪ /

•

UK / ˈfɑrəˈwe /

adjecitve
Far removed mentally

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

second

US / 'sekənd /

•

UK / ˈsɛkənd /

adjecitve
2nd; the one following first
noun
Unit of time; one sixtieth of a minute
Short period of time that you wait for someone
(Do) soon

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’

week

US / wi:k /

•

UK / wik /

noun
Period of seven days from Sunday to Saturday

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

bang

US / bæŋ /

•

UK / bæŋ /

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

anyone

US / ˈeniwʌn /

•

UK / ˈɛniˌwʌn, -wən /

pronoun
Any person

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

expand

US / ɪk'spænd /

•

UK / ɪkˈspænd /

verb
To make something larger in size, number, amount

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

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

require

US / rɪ'kwaɪə(r) /

•

UK / rɪˈkwaɪr /

verb
To demand that someone does something
To need to do something, to make it necessary

total

US / ˈtəʊtl /

•

UK / ˈtoʊtl /

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

watch

US / wɒtʃ /

•

UK / wɑtʃ /

noun
Period of time someone is responsible for guarding
Device you wear on your wrist that shows the time
Official warning statement, e.g. of bad weather
verb
To keep in check, manage, or control something
To look at something for entertainment, e.g. TV
To guard a place or people; protect child, etc.
To look at carefully to work out what is happening
To protect and care for someone or something

suddenly

US / ˈsʌdənli /

•

UK / ˈsʌdn:lɪ /

adverb
In an unexpected or very quick manner

type

US / taɪp /

•

UK / taɪp /

noun
Printed letters or blocks used for printing them
Group of things or people sharing common features
verb
To identify something belonging to a group
To write by touching keys on a keyboard

big

US / bɪɡ /

•

UK / bɪɡ /

adjecitve
Popular
Serious
Large

fit

US / fɪt /

•

UK / fɪt /

adjecitve
Good looking; physically attractive
Proper or acceptable; morally or socially correct
noun
Sudden loss of body control; attack (of crying)
verb
To install a machine, equipment etc.
To adjust or change to the right size or shape
To be the right size and shape that you want

lead

US / li:d /

•

UK / lid /

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

emit

US / ɪ'mɪt /

•

UK / ɪˈmɪt /

verb
To release or send out (a gas, etc.)

let

US / let /

•

UK / lɛt /

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

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

might

US / maɪt /

•

UK / maɪt /

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

satellite

US / 'sætəlaɪt /

•

UK / ˈsætlˌaɪt /

noun
Device sent into space that aids communication
Natural object in space that moves around another
Area controlled by another group or country

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

across

US / əˈkrɔs /

•

UK / əˈkrɔs,əˈkrɑs /

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

arm

US / ɑ:m /

•

UK / ɑrm /

noun
Part of your body from your shoulder to your hand
A branch of another object e.g. company
The side part of a chair where your arms go
The influence or power an authority has
verb
To activate a weapon or bomb for use
To give a gun or other weapon to a person or group

play

US / pleɪ /

•

UK / pleɪ /

noun
Loose, free movement between two objects
Single action in a sports game
Performance in which people act in a theater
verb
To act as a character in a movie, or on stage
To perform music on an instrument
To use a device, e.g. a video game
To do something for enjoyment and fun
To do or perform a game or sport

school

US / sku:l /

•

UK / skul /

adjecitve
Being to do with schools and education
noun
Large group of fish that swim together
Education of a child
Building where you learn in classes with a teacher
A particular belief or idea about something
verb
To teach or train someone to know or do something

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

also

US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

•

UK / ˈɔlso /

adverb
In addition; too; in a similar way

construct

US / kənˈstrʌkt /

•

UK / kənˈstrʌkt /

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

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)

peer

US / pɪə(r) /

•

UK / pɪr /

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

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

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

half

US / hɑ:f /

•

UK / hæf, hɑf /

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

level

US / 'levl /

•

UK / ˈlɛvəl /

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

nineteenth

US / ˌnaɪn'ti:nθ /

•

UK / naɪnˈtinθ /

noun
19th

opposite

US / ˈɔpəzit /

•

UK / ˈɑpəzɪt /

adjecitve
Being totally different from
noun
Person, thing that is totally different to another
preposition
Across from or on the side facing something

physical

US / ˈfɪzɪkl /

•

UK / ˈfɪzɪkəl /

adjecitve
Concerning the body of a person
Concerning things that can be seen or touched
noun
Health check at the doctors' or hospital

whose

US / hu:z /

•

UK / huz /

pronoun
Refers to the person who owns something

fate

US / feɪt /

•

UK / fet /

noun
What will happen to you in the future, often bad
Power that determines what happens; destiny

image

US / 'ɪmɪdʒ /

•

UK / ˈɪmɪdʒ /

noun
Picture, sculpture or painting of something
General idea or opinion of something
verb
To obtain pictures by scanning them with a machine

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

outside

US / ˌaʊtˈsaɪd /

•

UK / aʊtˈsaɪd, ˈaʊtˌsaɪd /

adverb
Beyond the limits or edges of some place, thing
noun
Area around or near something, such as a building
preposition
Beyond the limits or edges of some place, thing

phenomenon

US / fə'nɒmɪnən /

•

UK / fɪˈnɑməˌnɑn, -nən /

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

shine

US / ʃaɪn /

•

UK / ʃaɪn /

noun
Act of using a polish to clean shoes
verb
To point a light in a certain direction
To make something clean by using a polish
To make or produce a bright light

universe

US / ˈju:nɪvɜ:s /

•

UK / ˈjunəˌvɚs /

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

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

mar

US / mɑ:(r) /

•

UK / mɑ:r /

noun
3rd month of the year
verb
To spoil the appearance/atmosphere of something

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

pull

US / pʊl /

•

UK / pʊl /

noun
Act of breathing in smoke, as from a pipe
Force something has that draws other things to it
Using your hands to move something to you
verb
To breathe in smoke, as from a pipe
To hold something and move it toward you
To remove something by force

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

patreon

US / 'peɪʃənts /

•

UK / 'peɪʃənts /

open

US / 'əʊpən /

•

UK / ˈopən /

adjecitve
Available for use; accessible
Not being hidden; available for others to see
Being available for customers to enter or use
Allowing everyone to use or take part in
Not secret anymore
Not closed or shut
Willing to accept new ideas and thoughts
noun
Name for a tennis or golf competition
verb
To make accessible or able to be used, e.g. road
To start the activities or services of a business
To make a space or hole appear in something
To move or change so that it is no longer closed
To start something, e.g. a new business

relative

US / ˈrelətɪv /

•

UK / ˈrɛlətɪv /

adjecitve
Measured or considered in comparison to another
(Grammar) referring to words that appear earlier
noun
Members of the family
Humans or animals sharing the same family history

than

US / ðən /

•

UK / ðən /

conjunction
Used to compare two things that are not equal

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

click

US / klɪk /

•

UK / klɪk /

noun
The sound a computer mouse makes when you press it
A short, slight, and sharp sound
verb
To work well with someone or something
To press a computer mouse
To make a short, slight, and sharp sound

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

dim

US / dɪm /

•

UK / dɪm /

adjecitve
Not bright; not being clear
Not intelligent; a bit stupid or slow
Not likely to be good or successful
Unlikely
(Of memories) vague or unclear
verb
To reduce the brightness of a light

map

US / mæp /

•

UK / mæp /

noun
Diagram showing the geography of an area
verb
To draw a diagram to show the geography of an area
To find points of similarity between things

edwin

US / ˈedwəd /

•

UK / ˈɛdwəd /

giovanni

US / ˈdʒɪnseŋ /

•

UK / ˈdʒɪnˌsɛŋ /

term

US / tɜ:m /

•

UK / tɚm /

noun
Conditions applying to an agreement, contract
Length of time something is expected to happen
Fixed period of weeks for learning at school
The (precise) name given to something
verb
To call; give a name to

unthinkably

US / /

•

UK / /

adverb
Inconceivable; unbelievable

visible

US / ˈvɪzəbl /

•

UK / ˈvɪzəbəl /

adjecitve
Can see, easily seen or understood
Being obvious or easy to see

three

US / θri: /

•

UK / θri /

number
Number 3

surface

US / 'sɜ:fɪs /

•

UK / ˈsɚfəs /

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

Subtitles section

Hey smart people, Joe here.

How do we figure out how far away things are?

If you're measuring the distance to an object nearby, it's pretty easy.

We take another object whose length we know, and we use it as a reference to find that distance.

What about an object that's beyond our physical reach?

We can literally walk to that object and count our steps to calculate the distance.

Even something as far away as the Moon, we can shine a beam of light, bounce it off special mirrors left on the lunar surface by Apollo astronauts, count how long that light takes to make the round trip, and calculate distance.

These are all ways of measuring using things, physical objects in the world around us.

But how do we measure how big a universe is?

This is a video about the tools we use to answer that question.

Since the time of the ancient Greeks, scientists have been constructing a cosmic measuring tape to measure the universe from our own backyard all the way to its ever expanding edge, the Cosmic Distance Ladder.

Let's climb it and learn our true place in space.

The first ancient sky watchers knew that our Moon, the planets, and the stars were incredibly far away.

Before they had the technology to even try measuring these distances precisely, early astronomers in ancient Greece figured out one cool trick based on basic geometry that would become the key to measuring thousands of distances in our own galaxy.

It's called parallax.

Parallax is why, when you look out the window of a moving car, things closer to you, like trees, seem to move more than faraway mountains, and things that are super far away don't appear to move at all.

It's also why, when you look at something right in front of you, and then close one eye, then the other, the distance between your eyes makes the object appear in a different place against the background.

Chances are, many of you are doing this right now, holding something up and opening one eye and then the other.

That's parallax.

The key is, the closer an object is, the more its position seems to change as you look at it from a different perspective.

Astronomers use this same trick to measure distances to planets and stars, by looking at things with two different eyes, only the eyes they use are thousands of miles apart.

Way back in the second century BC, the Greek astronomer Hipparchus used this exact trick to figure the distance to the Moon.

He compared observations of a solar eclipse from two separate locations.

At one location, people saw a total eclipse, and the other saw four fifths of the Sun covered.

Hipparchus knew the distance between the two locations, his two eyes, and the angle that the Moon appeared to move.

So he could calculate the distance to the Moon with some basic geometry.

And in the year of the Great Pyramid, Giovanni Cassini used this same trick to calculate the distance to Mars.

What's amazing is Hipparchus and Cassini were both really close to the actual distances we know today, without any of our newfangled modern technology.

great way to measure distances to objects in our solar system, but we can even pick up the parallax of some stars.

To do this, astronomers use Earth's position at different times of year as two different eyes.

By looking at a closer star several months apart, they can measure how the background stars appear to move, do a little math, and calculate distances.

A satellite named after Hipparchus used super precise angular measurements to map the distances to some two and a half million stars.

But parallax only works up to a certain distance.

To go deeper into the universe, we need to add another rung to the ladder.

By the nineteen twenties, astronomers had a pretty decent map of our galaxy.

The distances weren't spot on, but the spiral arms were there, the nearby objects were in place, and astronomers had a rough idea of how big our galaxy was.

The numbers were so huge, we stopped measuring in terms of distance, and started measuring in terms of time.

How long it would take light to travel that far.

But as this vast picture was coming together, there was a hint that there might be way more to the universe than anyone had imagined.

In the nineteenth century, astronomers had started noticing mysterious fuzzy objects they called spiral nebulae.

Some people thought these were just gas clouds within the Milky Way.

But others believed they were so called island universes, whole galaxies outside our own.

This was a huge debate among astronomers.

Could there really be galaxies besides ours?

On the night of October fifth, nineteen twenty three, astronomer Edwin Hubble aimed a hundred inch telescope toward a mysterious fuzzy spot in the sky and captured a photograph.

As he pored over the image, comparing it to others from different nights, he noticed one little speck was changing over time, gradually brightening and then dimming.

This was exactly what he was looking for, a slowly blinking star called a Cepheid variable.

Years earlier, astronomers had learned that the brightness of these stars, along with how fast they pulse, could tell us how far away they are.

The astronomer Henrietta Leavitt had figured out the relationship between a Cepheid's pulsing and its true brightness.

For instance, a star that takes thirty days to go through one cycle of light and dim is going to be bright, around ten thousand times brighter than our Sun.

Meanwhile, a star that goes through one cycle every day or so is going to be on the dimmer side, only a few hundred times as bright as the Sun.

If you know how fast a Cepheid star blinks, now you know how bright it actually is.

But depending on how far away it is, that blinking star will appear dimmer.

So when we measure how much it dims when we actually look at it, we can calculate the distance to that star.

Objects like this are called standard candles.

They're lights that we know how bright they actually are, so that we can reveal the distances between us and them.

Doing that would require a new rung on our cosmic distance measuring ladder.

And for this one, we need to split light into a rainbow.

If you look at any star's light like this, you'll find that a bunch of lines are missing.

Much like a barcode, these missing lines are a fingerprint of the elements that star is made of.

But astronomers noticed that the lines in these barcodes weren't always showing up at the wavelengths that they expected.

Sometimes they were shifted towards the blue end of the spectrum, and sometimes towards the red.

They realized that they were looking at a weird but familiar phenomenon, the Doppler effect.

This is an effect that happens when something that's emitting waves is also moving relative to the observer.

You've almost certainly experienced the Doppler effect here on Earth.

but astronomers can also use it to map our universe.

In the year of the spider, an astronomer named Vesto Slipher started using spectroscopy to study those mysterious spiral nebulae, the ones that turned out to be other galaxies.

And he noticed that most of their color fingerprints were extremely shifted to the red side, or redshifted, meaning these things were moving away from us.

at unbelievable speeds, too.

We're talking hundreds of kilometers a second.

Then, in the year of the Big Bang, Hubble realized something even more mind blowing.

The farthest galaxies seemed to be moving away the fastest.

That could only mean one thing.

The universe was expanding.

Suddenly, the picture of the universe that astronomers had been after for so long wasn't a picture after all.

It was a movie.

But that raised another new question.

Just how fast was it expanding?

And what did this mean for the fate of the universe?

To answer that, astronomers would need to peer even deeper into space, and they'd need to add yet another rung to our cosmic distance ladder.

The key to these questions were supernovae.

Powerful explosions of massive, dying stars that for a short instant flash as bright as an entire galaxy.

A certain supernova called Type Ia's all max out at a similar brightness, which means whenever one goes off, we can use it as a standard candle, just like Cepheid's.

But since supernovae are so bright, we can detect these standard candles halfway across the visible universe.

And that lets us take one more big step on the cosmic distance ladder.

By the mid nineties, astronomers had used this ladder to put together a detailed picture of an unthinkably vast universe, one that seemed to be expanding as far as the eye could see.

When astronomers looked at light from the most distant supernova they could see, they found something completely surprising, something that didn't fit any of their previous ideas.

The expansion of the universe was not slowing down, not even a little.

It was accelerating.

What was pulling our universe apart?

And how had this tug of war between gravity and whatever this mysterious expanding force is shaped the universe over time?

Once again, climbing the highest rung of the cosmic distance ladder had uncovered previously unthinkable questions, and opened up entire areas of research that didn't exist before.

Today, over two thousand years have passed since Hipparchus first measured the distance to the Moon.

Our view of the universe has gone from this to this.

We've figured out that the universe has way more than one galaxy, that the edge of the observable universe is billions of light years away, and that our universe is not a photograph, but rather a movie playing out over time.

But perhaps most importantly, we've learned that sometimes the most fundamental questions, like how far away is that thing, can lead to surprising new questions that transform the way we see the world.

Stay curious.

I've got a really cool announcement to share with you guys.

I am hosting a game show.

It's called High School Quiz Show.

It features some of the smartest high schoolers in the country going head to head to see who knows the most.

Making this show is a blast.

If you want to see how your know how stacks up, definitely head over to the High School Quiz Show YouTube channel to watch this year's tournament.

It is a doozy.

There's a link down in the description or you can click right up there.

And as always, thank you to everyone who supports the show on Patreon.

You make this possible.

We recently just launched some new levels to support the show and some new perks.

So head on over to our Patreon page and you can see a bunch of the cool stuff that we're going to be sharing in the next weeks and months and you know, however long we do this thing.

Thanks again, and I'll see you in the next episode.

Because you couldn't both see Mars if you were on opposite sides of the globe, that's how the sky works.

Not it was, it is a doozy because it's still going on.

Astronomer is astonishing.

The astronomer Henrietta Lovatt.