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Circumcision | National Geographic

Video vocabulary

animal

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US / ˈænɪml /

UK / ˈænəməl /

A1
  • noun
  • A living creature that is not a plant or person

home

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US / həʊm /

UK / hom /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A sports team's own field or place of play
  • adverb
  • Into the correct or intended position
  • noun
  • House, apartment or building to be rented or sold
  • Institution for sick or elderly people
  • Place where a person or a family lives
  • Country where a person lives or was born
  • Region that is native to peoples, plant or animals
  • verb
  • To move towards a particular target location

load

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US / ləʊd /

UK / lod /

A2
  • noun
  • Large, often heavy, amount of a thing to be moved
  • A burden; heavy responsibility
  • Many or much of something; a lot of
  • Items that fill a truck, machine
  • verb
  • To put in items for use (e.g. bullets in a gun)

modern

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US / ˈmɔdən /

UK / ˈmɑdən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Of the present time; up to date; contemporary

nation

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US / 'neɪʃn /

UK / ˈneʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Area or region controlled by a government and army

face

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US / feɪs /

UK / fes /

A1
  • noun
  • Side or outer surface of something
  • An expression using mouth, nose, eyes etc.
  • Front part of the head where eyes, mouth etc. are
  • Characteristics you show in public
  • verb
  • To cover a surface with something like paint
  • To deal with a problem or responsibilities
  • To look toward; point in a certain direction

initiate

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US / ɪˈnɪʃ.i.eɪt /

UK / ɪˈnɪʃ.i.eɪt /

A2
  • verb
  • To cause something to begin
  • To allow someone into a group by a special ceremony

throng

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US / θrɒŋ /

UK / θrɔ:ŋ /

B2
  • noun
  • Large group of people
  • verb
  • (Of crowds) to go to or fill in great numbers

tribe

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US / traɪb /

UK / traɪb /

B1
  • noun
  • Racial group united by language, religion, customs

difficult

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US / 'dɪfɪkəlt /

UK / ˈdɪfɪˌkʌlt, -kəlt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Hard; not easy; you need to work hard to do it

training

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US / ˈtreɪnɪŋ /

UK / ˈtrenɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of educating someone to get better at
  • verb
  • To teach a pet a behavior or a trick
  • To educate someone in something, e.g. medicine
  • To cause a plant to grow a certain way by cutting
  • To point a certain way or toward something
  • To practice to get better at a thing, e.g. sports

die

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US / daɪ /

UK / daɪ /

A1
  • 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

start

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US / stɑ:t /

UK / stɑrt /

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

well

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US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

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

circumcise

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US / ˈsɜ:kəmsaɪz /

UK / ˈsɜ:rkəmsaɪz /

A1
  • verb
  • To cut the skin of the clitoris or penis

prevail

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US / prɪˈveɪl /

UK / prɪˈvel /

B2
  • verb
  • To be successful against enemy/problem
  • To exist at a certain time; to be common

aid

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US / eɪd /

UK / ed /

A2
  • noun
  • Action of giving help to others
  • Money or help given to those who need it
  • verb
  • To help others and provide things

circumcision

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US / ˌsɜ:kəmˈsɪʒn /

UK / ˌsɚkəmˈsɪʒən /

A1
  • noun
  • Feast day celebrating the circumcision of Jesus

never

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US / 'nevə(r) /

UK / ˈnɛvɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Not ever; not at any time

send

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US / send /

UK / sɛnd /

A1
  • verb
  • To cause to behave or respond in a particular way
  • To cause mail or packages to go to another place
  • To move something quickly in a particular way
  • To give information or greetings to someone

traditional

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US / trəˈdɪʃənl /

UK / trəˈdɪʃənəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Involved in a custom or event common to a people

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

foreskin

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US / ˈfɔ:skɪn /

UK / ˈfɔ:rskɪn /

C2
  • noun
  • Fold of skin covering the clitoris or the penis

spend

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US / spend /

UK / spɛnd /

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

undergo

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US / ˌʌndəˈgəʊ /

UK / ˌʌndərˈgoʊ /

B1
  • verb
  • To experience or endure something (bad)

begin

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US / bɪ'ɡɪn /

UK / ˈbeɡɪn /

A1
  • verb
  • To do the first part of an action; to start

danger

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US / ˈdeɪndʒə(r) /

UK / ˈdendʒɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • The possibility of getting hurt, damaged, killed

kill

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US / kɪl /

UK / kɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Animal killed by a person or other animal
  • verb
  • To cause someone to experience a lot of pain
  • To end the life of a person or other living thing
  • To be very funny
  • To prevent something from continuing or operating
  • To do something unimportant to pass time quickly

such

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US / sʌtʃ /

UK / sʌtʃ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Being similar to
  • (Thing) as previously stated or referred to
  • adverb
  • (Used to emphasize the quality of an adjective)

water

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US / 'wɔ:tə(r) /

UK / ˈwɔtɚ, ˈwɑtɚ /

A1
  • 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

can

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US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

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

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

shout

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US / ʃaʊt /

UK / ʃaʊt /

A2
  • noun
  • Speaking loudly so you get attention
  • verb
  • To speak very loudly to get attention

wound

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US / waʊnd /

UK / waʊnd /

A2
  • noun
  • Sadness or displeasure caused by a bad memory
  • Physical injury, especially that suffered in war
  • verb
  • To rotate a part of say a watch to make it work
  • To hurt someone emotionally
  • To injure someone in a fight with a knife gun etc.

africa

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US / 'æfrɪkə /

UK / ˈæfrɪkə /

A1
  • noun
  • Continent between the Atlantic and Indian oceans

food

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US / fu:d /

UK / fud /

A1
  • noun
  • What people and animals eat to live
  • Things taken in by plants to maintain life
  • A particular style or type of cooking, e.g. Asian

margarine

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US / ˌmɑ:dʒəˈri:n /

UK / ˈmɑ:rdʒərən /

B2
  • noun
  • Butter substitute made from food oils

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

whole

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US / həul /

UK / hol /

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

experience

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US / ɪk'spɪərɪəns /

UK / ɪkˈspɪriəns /

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

gangrene

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US / ˈgæŋgri:n /

UK / ˈɡæŋˌɡrin, ɡæŋˈɡrin /

A1
  • noun
  • Necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass

now

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US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

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

south

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US / saʊθ /

UK / saʊθ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Direction to your right when facing the rising sun
  • Coming from the opposite direction from north
  • noun
  • The direction to your right of the rising sun

bury

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US / 'berɪ /

UK / ˈbɛri /

B1
  • verb
  • To put something into the ground and cover it

clay

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US / kleɪ /

UK / kle /

B1
  • noun
  • Heavy sticky earth used to make pottery
  • Person's name

become

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US / bɪ'kʌm /

UK / bɪˈkʌm /

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

coat

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US / kəʊt /

UK / koʊt /

A2
  • noun
  • Clothing worn outside over your normal clothes
  • verb
  • To cover something thinly with something

disease

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US / dɪˈzi:z /

UK / dɪˈziz /

A2
  • noun
  • Illness that affects a person, animal, or plant

drink

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US / drɪŋk /

UK / drɪŋk /

A1
  • noun
  • A liquid that you put in your mouth
  • verb
  • To put water in your body through your mouth

large

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US / lɑ:dʒ /

UK / lɑ:rdʒ /

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

throughout

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US / θru:ˈaʊt /

UK / θruˈaʊt /

A2
  • adverb
  • From the beginning of something until the end
  • preposition
  • Over/across an entire place/thing; in every part

clean

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US / kli:n /

UK / klin /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not marked in any way; blank
  • Done according to the rules or standards; fair
  • Free from disease or sickness
  • Being free from dirt or marks; washed
  • Behaving well; not breaking any rules; legal
  • adverb
  • Completely; entirely
  • verb
  • To make free from dirt or marks; washed
  • To make neat and orderly e.g. a room
  • To remove the inner parts of an animal

join

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US / dʒɔɪn /

UK / dʒɔɪn /

A1
  • verb
  • To bring something close to another, to become one
  • To become a member of
  • To participate in an activity with others

penis

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US / 'pi:nɪs /

UK / ˈpinɪs /

C2
  • noun
  • Male organ for copulation and urination

only

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US / ˈəunli /

UK / ˈonli /

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

leave

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US / li:v /

UK / liv /

A1
  • 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

reduce

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US / rɪ'dju:s /

UK / rɪˈdus, -ˈdjus /

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

where

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US / hwɛə /

UK / hwɛr, wɛr /

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

ancient

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US / 'eɪnʃənt /

UK / ˈenʃənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very old; having lived a very long time ago

participate

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US / pɑ:ˈtɪsɪpeɪt /

UK / pɑ:rˈtɪsɪpeɪt /

B1
  • verb
  • To take part with others in doing something

real

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US / rɪəl /

UK / ˈriəl, ril /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Actually existing or happening, not imagined
  • Being important or special

sometimes

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US / ˈsʌmtaɪmz /

UK / ˈsʌmˌtaɪmz /

A1
  • adverb
  • Only at certain times; occasionally

and

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US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

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

bush

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US / bʊʃ /

UK / bʊʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • A wooden plant that is smaller than a tree

ignore

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US / ɪɡ'nɔ:(r) /

UK / ɪɡˈnɔr, -ˈnor /

A2
  • verb
  • To not listen to, look at, or pay attention to

hardship

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US / ˈhɑ:dʃɪp /

UK / ˈhɑrdˌʃɪp /

B1
  • noun
  • When life is not easy, e.g. through being poor

poor

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US / pʊə(r) /

UK / pʊr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Inferior; below the normal standard
  • Deserving of pity or sympathy
  • Without money; not rich

pain

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US / peɪn /

UK / pen /

A1
  • noun
  • Strong feeling of hurt or discomfort
  • Something or someone that bothers or upsets you
  • verb
  • To cause someone to feel upset or worry

status

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US / 'steɪtəs /

UK / ˈstetəs, ˈstætəs /

A2
  • noun
  • Position or rank relative to others in a society
  • Legal position of a person or thing
  • Current state or position of a thing

until

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US / ənˈtɪl /

UK / ʌnˈtɪl /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Up to; to a time when something happens
  • preposition
  • Before (a specific time)

keep

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US / ki:p /

UK / kip /

A1
  • noun
  • Large, strong tower in the middle of a castle
  • Money spent on you so you can live in a place
  • verb
  • To continue doing something; not to stop
  • To stop balls going in a goal in sports
  • To not give back or return something
  • (Of food) to not spoil or not rot
  • To take possession of something to own, e.g. a pet
  • To have and continue to hold something
  • To do something that you have promised or agreed
  • To stay in a certain place or condition
  • To maintain the rules

maintain

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US / meɪn'teɪn /

UK / menˈten /

A2
  • verb
  • To keep saying something a certain way
  • To keep (machine) working by checking, repairing
  • To keep, exist or continue without changing

paint

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US / peɪnt /

UK / pent /

A1
  • noun
  • Colored liquid you apply with a brush
  • verb
  • To make a picture with colored liquids
  • To describe as
  • To apply a color, oil or sealant with a brush

supermarket

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US / ˈsju:pəˌmɑ:kit /

UK / ˈsupɚˌmɑrkɪt /

C2
  • noun
  • Self-service store selling groceries etc.

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

healing

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US / ˈhi:lɪŋ /

UK / 'hi:lɪŋ /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of helping others to recover their health
  • verb
  • To recover from or forget a bad experience
  • To make or become healthy or well again

out

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US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

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

outskirt

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US / 'aʊtˌskɜ:t /

UK / ˈaʊtˌskət /

A1
  • other
  • A part of the city far removed from the center

over

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US / 'əʊvə(r) /

UK / ˈovɚ /

A1
  • 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

arrive

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US / əˈraɪv /

UK / əˈraɪv /

A1
  • verb
  • To reach the place you are traveling to

come

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US / kʌm /

UK / kʌm /

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

ambush

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US / ˈæmbʊʃ /

UK / ˈæmbʊʃ /

B2
  • noun
  • Act of lying in wait to attack by surprise
  • verb
  • To lie in wait to attack by surprise

hold

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US / həʊld /

UK / hold /

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

space

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US / speɪs /

UK / spes /

A1
  • 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

severe

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US / sɪ'vɪə(r) /

UK / səˈvɪr /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very bad; harsh
  • Being very serious or extremely bad
  • (Of clothes, etc.) plain; simple; not decorated

fat

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US / fæt /

UK / fæt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having too much weight for the body size
  • Bringing or having a large amount of money
  • noun
  • Amount beyond what is usual or necessary
  • Oily part of meat

neighbour

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US / 'neɪbə(r) /

UK / ˈnebɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Person who lives, or is near, you

speed

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US / spi:d /

UK / spid /

A2
  • 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

build

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US / bɪld /

UK / bɪld /

A1
  • noun
  • Your physical shape; physique
  • verb
  • To establish e.g. a reputation, over time
  • To construct a house, office, factory

prove

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US / pru:v /

UK / pruv /

A2
  • verb
  • To demonstrate truth by providing evidence

rite

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US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

B1
  • noun
  • Act that is part of a religious ceremony

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

anoint

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US / əˈnɔɪnt /

UK / əˈnɔɪnt /

C1
  • verb
  • To apply an oil or an oily liquid in a ceremony

attention

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US / əˈtenʃn /

UK / əˈtɛnʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Taking notice of someone or something
  • (Soldiers) Standing with straight backs

custom

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US / ˈkʌstəm /

UK / ˈkʌstəm /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Specially made to order
  • noun
  • Tradition that most people in a community do

red

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US / red /

UK / rɛd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being the color of blood

achievement

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US / əˈtʃi:vmənt /

UK / əˈtʃivmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something good that you have successfully done

ancestor

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US / 'ænsestə(r) /

UK / ˈænˌsɛstɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • A person from your family that lived in the past

between

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US / bɪˈtwi:n /

UK / bɪˈtwin /

A1
  • preposition
  • From one person, thing, or place, to another
  • In the space that separates two objects
  • Among two or more people who share something

celebrate

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US / 'selɪbreɪt /

UK / ˈsɛləˌbret /

A2
  • verb
  • To observe an event or occasion, e.g. a birthday
  • To lead or participate in a religious ceremony
  • To express praise or thanks for something

crowd

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US / kraʊd /

UK / kraʊd /

A2
  • noun
  • Large group of people together in one place
  • verb
  • To force too many things, people into
  • (Lots of people) to meet together in one place

risk

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US / rɪsk /

UK / rɪsk /

A1
  • noun
  • Actions that cause potential problems
  • verb
  • To do something potentially dangerous or foolish

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

all

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US / ɔ:l /

UK / ɔl /

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

eligible

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US / ˈelɪdʒəbl /

UK / ˈɛlɪdʒəbəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being able to be chosen or selected; suitable

common

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US / 'kɒmən /

UK / ˈkɑmən /

A1
  • 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

everyone

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US / ˈevriwʌn /

UK / ˈɛvriˌwʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Every person; everybody

its

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US / ɪts /

UK / ɪts /

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

journey

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US / 'dʒɜ:nɪ /

UK / ˈdʒɚni /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of traveling from one place to another; trip
  • verb
  • To travel through a place

remove

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US / rɪˈmu:v /

UK / rɪˈmuv /

A1
  • verb
  • To get rid of something completely
  • To make someone leave his or her job or position
  • To move, erase or take away from a place
  • To take something off (e.g. clothing)

return

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US / rɪ'tɜ:n /

UK / rɪ'tɜ:rn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Do again; repeated
  • noun
  • Faulty or unwanted product sent back to a company
  • Enter key; the main key on the computer keyboard
  • Profit made as a result of a business activity
  • Process of going back to a previous way or state
  • verb
  • To hit something back to the other player or team
  • To come back after being away from somewhere
  • To repay someone's actions, kindness etc.
  • To put, bring, take, give, or send something back
  • To occur again

right

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US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

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

city

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US / 'sɪtɪ /

UK / ˈsɪti /

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

province

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US / 'prɒvɪns /

UK / ˈprɑvɪns /

B1
  • noun
  • Subject that a person has a good knowledge of
  • Area a country is divided into outside the capital

family

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US / 'fæməlɪ /

UK / ˈfæmli /

A1
  • noun
  • Close group of people or organizations
  • A group of people who are related through blood
  • Group of related plants or animals

include

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US / ɪnˈklu:d /

UK / ɪnˈklud /

A1
  • verb
  • To make someone, something part of a group

must

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US / məst /

UK / mʌst /

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

respect

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US / rɪ'spekt /

UK / rɪˈspɛkt /

A2
  • noun
  • Behavior that follows the established rules
  • Admiration for someone
  • Regard or admiration for someone or something
  • verb
  • To follow the established rules
  • To think very highly of another person

step

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US / step /

UK / stɛp /

A1
  • 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

witchcraft

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US / ˈwɪtʃkrɑ:ft /

UK / ˈwɪtʃˌkrɑːft /

C2
  • noun
  • Performing magic using spells, often to harm

place

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US / pleɪs /

UK / ples /

A1
  • 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

own

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US / əʊn /

UK / on /

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

enough

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US / ɪˈnʌf /

UK / ɪˈnʌf /

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

isolated

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US / ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd /

UK / ˈaɪsəˌletɪd /

B1
  • verb
  • To identify, consider, or deal with separately
  • To keep in a place or situation apart from others
  • To separate something from another substance

sustain

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US / sə'steɪn /

UK / səˈsten /

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

care

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US / keə(r) /

UK / kɛr /

A1
  • noun
  • Treatment you receive for your health or safety
  • Something that a person worries about
  • verb
  • To feel interest, concern, or worry
  • To look after someone or something

even

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US / 'i:vn /

UK / ˈivən /

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

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

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

week

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US / wi:k /

UK / wik /

A1
  • noun
  • Period of seven days from Sunday to Saturday

site

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US / saɪt /

UK / saɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Place that is reserved for a particular activity
  • Location of building work
  • Location of something
  • Place where something of special interest happened
  • Website
  • verb
  • To place something in a particular position, area

get

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US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

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

entire

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US / ɪn'taɪə(r) /

UK / ɛnˈtaɪr /

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

into

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US / 'ɪntə /

UK / ˈɪntu /

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

forward

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US / 'fɔ:wəd /

UK / ˈfɔrwəd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Toward what is ahead; in front
  • Acting in a socially aggressive manner; pushy
  • adverb
  • Toward the front in place; in front
  • Toward a future time; to a more advanced state
  • verb
  • To send something to another address or person

other

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US / 'ʌðə(r) /

UK / ˈʌðər /

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

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

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

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

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

make

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US / meɪk /

UK / mek /

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

accept

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US / ək'sept /

UK / ækˈsɛpt /

A1
  • verb
  • To agree to receive or take something offered
  • To admit that something is true or correct

man

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US / mæn /

UK / mæn /

A1
  • 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.)

whose

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US / hu:z /

UK / huz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Refers to the person who owns something

ready

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US / 'redɪ /

UK / ˈrɛdi /

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

this

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US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

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

tradition

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US / trəˈdɪʃn /

UK / trəˈdɪʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • An event, custom or way common to a people or race
  • Way of thinking or behaving used for a long time

also

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US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition; too; in a similar way

hygiene

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US / ˈhaɪdʒi:n /

UK / ˈhaɪˌdʒin /

B2
  • noun
  • Cleanliness; being clean

live

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US / lɪv /

UK / liv /

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

adulthood

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US / 'ædʌlthʊd /

UK / 'ædʌlthʊd /

B1
  • noun
  • Time of life when a person is fully grown

distract

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US / dɪ'strækt /

UK / dɪˈstrækt /

B1
  • verb
  • To draw someone's attention away from something

cape

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US / keɪp /

UK / kep /

B1
  • noun
  • Clothing without sleeves worn over the shoulders
  • Large area of land that sticks out into a sea

passage

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US / 'pæsɪdʒ /

UK / ˈpæsɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Process of moving through time
  • Journey by ship from one place to another
  • Narrow opening which things can go through

heal

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US / hi:l /

UK / hi:l /

B1
  • verb
  • To recover from or forget a bad experience
  • To make or become healthy or well again

sorcerer

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US / 'sɔ:sərə(r) /

UK / ˈsɔrsəɚ /

B2
  • noun
  • (In movies or books) person with magic powers

alone

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US / ə'ləʊn /

UK / əˈlon /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Apart from others
  • Without equal
  • adverb
  • Without anyone or anything else

forbid

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US / fəˈbɪd /

UK / fərˈbɪd /

B1
  • verb
  • To order someone not to do something

material

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US / məˈtɪəriəl /

UK / məˈtɪriəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Relevant; (of evidence) important or significant
  • Belonging to the world of physical things
  • noun
  • Cloth; fabric
  • Supplies or data needed to do a certain thing
  • Substance from which a thing is made of

seek

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US / si:k /

UK / sik /

A2
  • verb
  • To ask someone for help
  • To search for; try to find or do; look for
  • To try to achieve something

the

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US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

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

summer

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US / ˈsʌmə(r) /

UK / ˈsʌmɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Part of the year when the weather is hot
  • verb
  • To spend time in a place in the warm months

wet

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US / wet /

UK / wɛt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a bar that serves or sells alcohol
  • Having or experiencing a great deal of rain
  • Containing water or liquid; not dry
  • verb
  • To accidentally pee in clothes or a bed

visit

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US / ˈvɪzɪt /

UK / ˈvɪzɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • Trip to a place for a time, usually for a reason
  • verb
  • To go to a place for a time, usually for a reason

true

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US / tru: /

UK / tru: /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Agreeing with the facts; not false; real or actual

eat

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US / i:t /

UK / it /

A1
  • verb
  • To put food in your mouth

always

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US / 'ɔ:lweɪz /

UK / ˈɔlwez,-wɪz,-wiz /

A1
  • adverb
  • For a very long time
  • At all times; in every situation
  • For ever

after

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US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

UK / ˈæftɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Later than another time, or behind something
  • conjunction
  • Following something before
  • preposition
  • When an event happened or time has passed

fresh

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US / freʃ /

UK / frɛʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Clean; not used or dirty
  • Remaining clear, as in a person's memory
  • Newly made or gathered
  • (Water) not salty, usually from a lake or a river

liquid

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US / ˈlɪkwɪd /

UK / ˈlɪkwɪd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of wealth) being able to be spent as cash
  • In a state of being uncertain
  • Moving in a flowing manner, like water or oil
  • noun
  • Something that is similar to the state of water

marriage

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US / ˈmærɪdʒ /

UK / ˈmærɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Relationship between a husband and a wife
  • A wedding ceremony
  • Close union between two things

warn

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US / wɔ:n /

UK / wɔrn /

A2
  • verb
  • To tell someone about possible danger

will

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US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

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

available

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US / əˈveɪləbl /

UK / əˈveləbəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Present and able to be used
  • Able to be used at a scheduled time

here

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

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

new

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US / nju: /

UK / nu, nju /

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

try

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US / traɪ /

UK / traɪ /

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

day

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US / deɪ /

UK / de /

A1
  • noun
  • A period of 24 hours beginning at midnight
  • The period of time when it is light outside
  • Person's name

strike

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US / straɪk /

UK / straɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • A punch or hit
  • Fact of not hitting the ball when playing baseball
  • Refusal to work to get more pay, protest something
  • verb
  • To hit something
  • To suddenly become (e.g. rich)
  • To have an idea occur to you

skill

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US / skɪl /

UK / skɪl /

A2
  • noun
  • Ability to do something well

escort

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US / ˈeskɔ:t /

UK / ˈeskɔ:rt /

B2
  • noun
  • Person going with you for protection/help/company
  • Person going with someone for protection, help
  • verb
  • To go along with to provide protection, help

use

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US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

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

initiation

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US / ɪˌnɪʃiˈeɪʃn /

UK / ɪˌnɪʃiˈeʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Ritual ceremony to welcome newcomers

medical

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US / ˈmedɪkl /

UK / ˈmɛdɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Of or relating to physical health or medicine
  • noun
  • A health check or test

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

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

white

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US / waɪt /

UK / hwaɪt, waɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Belonging to a race of people with light skin
  • Of the color of fresh snow and milk
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • Lightest color; The color of fresh snow.

corn

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US / kɔ:n /

UK / kɔrn /

B1
  • noun
  • Small, painful hard spot on the foot
  • Plant with many yellow seeds used as food

himself

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US / hɪmˈself /

UK / hɪmˈsɛlf /

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

transmit

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US / trænsˈmɪt /

UK / trænsˈmɪt, trænz- /

B1
  • other
  • To broadcast by using signals to a radio/TV
  • verb
  • To broadcast by using signals to a radio/TV
  • To transfer data from one machine to another
  • To allow the passage of light
  • To transfer money to another person or place
  • To transfer a disease between people
  • To transfer to other people e.g. ownership of car

enjoy

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US / ɪnˈdʒɔɪ /

UK / ɛnˈdʒɔɪ /

A1
  • verb
  • To take pleasure in something

wear

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US / weə(r) /

UK / wer /

A1
  • noun
  • Clothing designed for a purpose e.g. skiing
  • Damage from continual use over a long period
  • verb
  • To have clothes, glasses, shoes etc. on your body
  • To display an expression or emotion on the face
  • To become weaker or damaged from continued use

town

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US / taʊn /

UK / taʊn /

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

mark

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US / mɑ:k /

UK / mɑrk /

A2
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • A dirty spot or line on something
  • Grade or score given for homework
  • Line or symbol made when writing
  • Particular point on a scale of measurement
  • Grade, such as a student receives in school
  • Stain or spot on something
  • Sign or symbol of a quality of feeling
  • Written sign or symbol
  • verb
  • To put a dirty spot or line on something
  • To give a grade for homework
  • To indicate something with a sign or symbol
  • To make or leave a visible sign of (path, etc.)
  • (Animals) to go to the toilet to show your area
  • To write or draw a line on something

boy

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US / bɔɪ /

UK / bɔɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • A young male person

community

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US / kə'mju:nətɪ /

UK / kəˈmjunɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Group of people who share a common idea or area

sicken

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US / ˈsɪkən /

UK / ˈsɪkən /

B2
  • verb
  • To shock, disgust or upset

transition

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US / trænˈzɪʃn /

UK / trænˈzɪʃən, -ˈsɪʃ- /

B1
  • noun
  • Change from one state, movement, place to another
  • verb
  • To change state, movement, place, or subject

construction

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US / kən'strʌkʃn /

UK / kənˈstrʌkʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of building something; thing that is built
  • Something that is made using different parts
  • The way words are organized in a sentence
  • The way something is made or structured

before

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US / bɪˈfɔ:(r) /

UK / bɪˈfɔr,-ˈfor /

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

careful

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US / ˈkeəfl /

UK / ˈkerfl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Trying not to make mistakes; working slowly

have

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US / həv /

UK / hæv /

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

last

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US / lɑ:st /

UK / læst /

A1
  • 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

without

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US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

dangerous

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US / ˈdeɪndʒərəs /

UK / ˈdendʒərəs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Involving the chance of hurt or damage; risky

his

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US / hɪz /

UK / hɪz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Something belonging to a male person

with

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US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

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

ceremony

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US / 'serəmənɪ /

UK / ˈsɛrəˌmoni /

B1
  • noun
  • Special social or religious event
  • Rigidly formal way of behaving

month

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US / mʌnθ /

UK / mʌnθ /

A1
  • noun
  • One of 12 28-31 day periods in the year

properly

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US / ˈprɔpəlɪ /

UK / ˈprɑːpərli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In an appropriate or correct manner

world

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US / wɜ:ld /

UK / wɜrld /

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

gather

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US / ˈgæðə(r) /

UK / ˈɡæðɚ /

A2
  • 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

mind

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US / maɪnd /

UK / maɪnd /

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

remote

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US / rɪ'məʊt /

UK / rɪˈmot /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being far away from people, towns, etc.
  • (Of a possibility) being small or not likely
  • (Of time) far off; long ago; far in the future
  • Not friendly; separating yourself from others
  • noun
  • Radio device designed to operate TV, etc.

notice

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US / 'nəʊtɪs /

UK / ˈnotɪs /

A1
  • 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
  • Subtitles section
  • The Eastern Cape province of South Africa is home to the Xhosa people, one of the nation's largest tribes.
  • The Xhosa live in the modern world, but they maintain ancient customs, including one by which boys become men.
  • It's a rite of passage that starts with pain.
  • Every summer, boys are circumcised, painted white, and isolated in remote huts where they spend weeks healing.
  • Always a difficult and dangerous experience, the tradition has become even more so here in the city.
  • Initiates crowd into all available space.
  • Hygiene is poor and infection is common.
  • Some Xhosa boys die trying to become men.
  • The Mahove family is sending one of its own on the journey to manhood.
  • Tondo is enjoying his last day as a boy.
  • The whole Xhosa community will participate in this rite of passage.
  • The men load up materials to build Tondo a hut in the bush.
  • His family chose an isolated site at the outskirts of town.
  • Distracted by the hut construction, Tondo doesn't notice that the surgeon has arrived.
  • Traditional surgeons have no formal training, but some have more skill than others.
  • There will be no ceremony before the circumcision.
  • It comes with the speed of an ambush.
  • Without warning, the surgeon steps forward to remove Tondo's foreskin.
  • Ignoring the pain, Tondo shouts out, he is now a man.
  • Xhosa tradition holds that foreskins must be buried to keep sorcerers from using them in witchcraft.
  • The surgeon is also careful to clean the blade to reduce the risk of transmitting diseases such as AIDS.
  • When the hut is ready, he'll be left here alone for weeks.
  • Now the real danger of Tondo's initiation begins.
  • In the coming weeks, he faces the risk of infection, even gangrene.
  • And until he's healed, he can eat no fresh food and drink no water.
  • The initiates must not drink water because the water comes out of the penis and makes the wound wet so it doesn't heal properly.
  • Should infection strike, he'll have to choose between getting care and remaining true to his tribe.
  • If he seeks medical attention, the Xhosa will never accept him as a man.
  • The white clay paint marks Tondo as an initiate.
  • He'll wear it throughout his transition.
  • But right now his mind is on water, which he is forbidden to drink.
  • Sometimes initiates face dehydration so severe it can sicken or even kill.
  • Tondo is allowed to sustain himself with only a liquid made from corn.
  • After a week, Tondo is well enough to drink water.
  • And he's allowed to visit with other initiates whose huts are nearby.
  • Their experiences here in the bush will bind them together in the Xhosa community.
  • One month after Tondo left, the men make one last trip to his hut.
  • Gone is the white clay paint of a boy.
  • Now Tondo undergoes a centuries-old custom, a coating of fat.
  • But instead of the animal fat his ancestors used, he's anointed with margarine from the supermarket.
  • The entire community gathers to celebrate his return.
  • Everyone escorts him home.
  • Neighbors join the throng.
  • His achievement is their achievement.
  • By respecting tradition and prevailing over hardship, Tondo has proven himself a man.
  • Red clay marks his new status.
  • He is now eligible for marriage and other rights of adulthood.
  • He has earned his place in the Xhosa Nation.