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How Fish Get Away With Being Colorful

Video vocabulary

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

be

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US / bɪ /

UK / bi /

A1
  • verb
  • Being

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

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’

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

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

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

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

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

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

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

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

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

about

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US / ə'baʊt /

UK / əˈbaʊt /

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

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

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

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

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

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

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

just

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US / dʒʌst /

UK / dʒʌst /

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

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

do

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US / du: /

UK / du /

A1
  • other
  • Question words for 'do' verbs
  • verb
  • To act; to perform actions
  • To be enough; to be acceptable
  • To have a certain effect on something or someone

like

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US / laɪk /

UK / laɪk /

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

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

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

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

there

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US / ðɛə /

UK / ðɛr /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to illustrate the existence of something
  • In a particular respect
  • In that place or position, at that location

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

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

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

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

know

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US / nəʊ /

UK / noʊ /

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

more

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US / mɔ:(r) /

UK / mɔr, mor /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition; extra
  • Greater in amount, number, or size
  • adverb
  • To a greater degree; in greater quantity
  • For a longer period of time
  • determiner
  • Additional quantity
  • pronoun
  • A greater or additional number

some

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US / səm /

UK / sʌm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Remarkable; very good (or very bad) in a way
  • Concerning a certain unclear degree, quantity
  • determiner
  • Used to refer to an unspecified amount or number
  • pronoun
  • Number of persons, things in a group, but not all

because

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US / bɪ'kɒz /

UK / bɪˈkɔz, -ˈkʌz /

A1
  • conjunction
  • For a reason

look

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US / lʊk /

UK / lʊk /

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

good

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US / ɡʊd /

UK / ɡʊd /

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

how

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US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

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

really

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US / ˈri:əli /

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

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

thing

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US / θɪŋ /

UK / θɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • (Used to introduce the reason for something)
  • Something you cannot remember the name of

then

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US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

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

way

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US / weɪ /

UK / we /

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

these

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US / ði:z /

UK / ðiz /

A1
  • determiner
  • People, things, or ideas near you
  • pronoun
  • The objects near the speaker

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

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

very

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US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

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

could

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US / kəd /

UK / kʊd /

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

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

much

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US / mʌtʃ /

UK / mʌtʃ /

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

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

first

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US / fɜ:st /

UK / fɚst /

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

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

who

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US / hu: /

UK / hu /

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

little

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US / 'lɪtl /

UK / ˈlɪtl /

A1
  • 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

need

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US / ni:d /

UK / nid /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing you must have and cannot not have e.g. air
  • Thing you must have and cannot manage without
  • verb
  • To be unable to manage without something; require

which

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US / wɪtʃ /

UK / hwɪtʃ,wɪtʃ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Question word to ask about a person's choice
  • pronoun
  • (Used to describe something previously mentioned)
  • Question word to decide either, or

lot

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US / lɒt /

UK / lɑt /

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

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

also

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US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

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

something

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US / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

UK / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

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

than

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US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

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

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

off

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US / ɒf /

UK / ɔ:f /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of event) canceled; no longer occurring
  • Not having on; not wearing
  • Being somewhat wrong
  • adverb
  • Separated, removed, or away from a place or route
  • (Of a machine) no longer turned on or operating
  • (Of light, computer) no longer attached/connected
  • Far away in terms of time or space
  • preposition
  • Away or free from work
  • (Of foods, drink) old and bad to eat, drink
  • Extending or leading from something
  • No longer in or on some transport or vehicle

those

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US / ðəʊz /

UK / ðoz /

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

still

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US / stɪl /

UK / stɪl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Quiet; without sound
  • adverb
  • (Used of an action or condition that is ongoing)
  • noun
  • Machine or device for making alcohol
  • Photograph (not a video or moving image)

kind

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US / kaɪnd /

UK / kaɪnd /

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

big

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US / bɪɡ /

UK / bɪɡ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Popular
  • Serious
  • Large

mean

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US / mi:n /

UK / min /

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

most

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US / məʊst /

UK / most /

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

should

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US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

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

show

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US / ʃəʊ /

UK / ʃo /

A1
  • 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

great

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US / ɡreɪt /

UK / ɡret /

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

bit

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US / bɪt /

UK / bɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • Device put in a horse's mouth to control it
  • Small piece of something
  • verb
  • (E.g. of fish) to take bait and be caught

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

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

end

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US / end /

UK / ɛnd /

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

same

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US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

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

pretty

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US / 'prɪtɪ /

UK / ˈprɪti /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being attractive to the eye in a simple way
  • adverb
  • Very; to a great degree

play

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US / pleɪ /

UK / pleɪ /

A1
  • 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

different

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US / ˈdɪfrənt /

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

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

able

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US / 'eɪbl /

UK / ˈebəl /

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

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

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

while

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US / waɪl /

UK / hwaɪl, waɪl /

A1
  • conjunction
  • In spite of the fact that; although
  • During the time that; at the same time
  • noun
  • Short amount of time

away

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US / ə'weɪ /

UK / əˈwe /

A1
  • 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

already

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US / ɔ:lˈredi /

UK / ɔlˈrɛdi /

A1
  • adverb
  • Having happened or been done before this time

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

few

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US / fju: /

UK / fju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Not many, a small number

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

change

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US / tʃeɪndʒ /

UK / tʃendʒ /

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

far

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US / fɑ:(r) /

UK / fɑr /

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

though

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US / ðəu /

UK / ðo /

A1
  • adverb
  • Although, despite the fact that

both

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US / bəuθ /

UK / boθ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time
  • pronoun
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time

close

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US / kləʊz /

UK / kloʊz /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Almost; near
  • (Of a friend) well-known; liked by others
  • Being near or related
  • Similar; nearly the same
  • verb
  • To come progressively nearer to something
  • To end; to bring to an end
  • To make something shut; stop from being open

high

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US / haɪ /

UK / haɪ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Excited or relaxed from taking drugs
  • Being of excellent quality or excellent standards
  • Larger than usual in number, amount or degree
  • Holding an important or powerful position
  • With a sound close to the top of the musical scale
  • Rising upward a great distance
  • adverb
  • At or to a place far above the ground
  • At a great value, amount or price
  • In a way that shows a lot of wealth
  • noun
  • (Weather) area of increased pressure

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

each

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US / i:tʃ /

UK / itʃ /

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

since

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US / sɪns /

UK / sɪns /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a point before the present time
  • conjunction
  • For this reason; because
  • preposition
  • From the time in the past that

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

easy

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US / ˈi:zi /

UK / ˈizi /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not hard to do; not difficult

else

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US / els /

UK / ɛls /

A1
  • adverb
  • Otherwise; if you fail to
  • (Of person place thing etc.) besides; in addition

such

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US / sʌtʃ /

UK / sʌtʃ /

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

add

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US / æd /

UK / æd /

A1
  • verb
  • To include as well
  • To put two things or numbers together, e.g. 2+2

reason

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US / 'ri:zn /

UK / ˈrizən /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to think about facts and form a judgment
  • Explanation for why something occurred or was done
  • verb
  • To think and make conclusions in a logical manner

least

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US / li:st /

UK / list /

A1
  • adverb
  • In the smallest or lowest way
  • noun
  • Something that is of the lowest or smallest degree

yet

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US / jet /

UK / jɛt /

A1
  • 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

full

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US / fʊl /

UK / fʊl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Containing all the parts; complete
  • Containing or holding as much as possible
  • Having had enough food
  • adverb
  • In a direct manner; completely

create

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US / krɪ'eɪt /

UK / kriˈet /

A1
  • verb
  • To make, cause, or bring into existence

less

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US / les /

UK / lɛs /

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

word

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US / wɜ:d /

UK / wɚd /

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

eat

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US / i:t /

UK / it /

A1
  • verb
  • To put food in your mouth

super

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US / ˈsu:pə(r) /

UK / ˈsupɚ /

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

light

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US / laɪt /

UK / laɪt /

A1
  • 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

especially

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US / ɪˈspeʃəli /

UK / ɛˈspɛʃəli, ɪˈspɛʃ- /

A1
  • adverb
  • More than usual; extremely

basically

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US / ˈbeɪsɪkli /

UK / ˈbesɪkəli,-kli /

A2
  • adverb
  • Used before you explain something simply, clearly

huge

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US / hju:dʒ /

UK / hjudʒ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very very large

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

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

weird

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US / wɪəd /

UK / wɪrd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Odd or unusual; surprising; strange

area

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US / 'eərɪə /

UK / ˈɛriə /

A1
  • noun
  • Amount of measured space
  • A specific section or space; part of a region
  • A subject or field of study

sign

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US / saɪn /

UK / saɪn /

A1
  • noun
  • Indication that something exists or will happen
  • Motion or movement that expresses your thoughts
  • A board in the street that conveys information
  • Mark or symbol with an understood meaning
  • verb
  • To communicate by using ones hands and gestures
  • To write your signature on a document

force

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US / fɔ:s /

UK / fɔrs, fors /

A1
  • 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

form

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US / fɔ:m /

UK / fɔrm /

A1
  • noun
  • Sports team or person's current winning record
  • Document you complete when making an application
  • Visible shape or style; type; kind
  • verb
  • To organize something such as a club or group
  • To develop; to come into a shape or substance
  • To make something into a particular shape

within

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US / wɪˈðɪn /

UK / wɪðˈɪn, wɪθ- /

A1
  • adverb
  • Inside the limits of an area, time or range
  • preposition
  • From the inside of something

quickly

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US / ˈkwɪkli /

UK / ˈkwɪklɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Without taking a lot of time; fast

example

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US / ɪgˈzɑ:mpl /

UK / ɪɡˈzæmpəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing, person which represents a category

air

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US / eə(r) /

UK / er /

A1
  • noun
  • Mixture of gases around the earth that we breathe
  • A person's manner intended to impress others
  • verb
  • To expose to the outside, to dry or freshen
  • To broadcast a TV or radio show
  • To open a subject to discussion and debate

color

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US / 'kʌlə(r) /

UK / ˈkʌlɚ /

A1
  • 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

deep

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US / di:p /

UK / dip /

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

spot

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US / spɒt /

UK / spɑt /

A2
  • 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

land

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US / lænd /

UK / lænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Region or country
  • Earth; the ground
  • verb
  • To arrive or cause a boat to arrive at the shore
  • To obtain or get something that you wanted
  • To (cause to) come down to the ground safely
  • To cause to arrive in a specific place or state

totally

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US / ˈtəʊtəli /

UK / ˈtotl:ɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • In a complete way; completely; absolutely

ton

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US / tʌn /

UK / tʌn /

A2
  • noun
  • Unit of weight; 907 kilograms (US); 1016 (UK)

blue

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US / blu: /

UK / blu /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Color of the clear sky
  • Feeling sad or down

although

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US / ɔ:lˈðəu /

UK / ɔlˈðo /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Despite the fact that; however

anywhere

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US / ˈeniweə(r) /

UK / ˈeniwer /

A1
  • adverb
  • To any extent or degree (often used with not)
  • In, at or to any place
  • other
  • Use to indicate limits or variation

pack

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US / pæk /

UK / pæk /

A1
  • noun
  • Bag carried on the back of donkey, etc.
  • Group of people, animals, or objects
  • verb
  • To put things in a suitcase to go on a trip
  • To crowd a place with a large amount of things
  • To put something into a container to store it

risk

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US / rɪsk /

UK / rɪsk /

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

among

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US / əˈmʌŋ /

UK / əˈmʌŋ /

A1
  • preposition
  • In the center of several things

tiny

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US / 'taɪnɪ /

UK / ˈtaɪni /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very, very small

range

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US / reɪndʒ /

UK / rendʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Cooking stove with multiple burners
  • Given distance from a point; how far plane can fly
  • Large grassy area where cattle wander and feed
  • Group or chain of mountains
  • Set of things with something in common
  • Limits within which something extends or varies
  • A set of products, e.g. so that people can choose
  • verb
  • To cover an area from one point to another
  • To extend to or vary within given limits
  • To put things in a row or in line
  • To wander or explore

animal

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US / ˈænɪml /

UK / ˈænəməl /

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

surprise

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US / səˈpraɪz /

UK / sərˈpraɪz /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • That surprises you; not expected
  • noun
  • Something unexpected that slightly shocks you
  • verb
  • To do something that another person didn't expect

potential

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US / pəˈtenʃl /

UK / pəˈtɛnʃəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Capable of happening or becoming reality

sport

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US / spɔ:t /

UK / spɔː(r)t /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that is done for fun, e.g. football
  • Something that is done for fun, e.g. football
  • Game or physical exercise with rules
  • Someone with a good attitude when things go badly
  • verb
  • To do something for fun, e.g. playing with animals
  • To wear, or show something off by wearing it

benefit

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US / 'benɪfɪt /

UK / ˈbɛnəfɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Good result or effect, something advantageous
  • verb
  • To have a good effect or be helpful

warm

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US / wɔ:m /

UK / wɔrm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Friendly, sincere and kind to others
  • Being friendly or sincere
  • Slightly hot; not very hot
  • verb
  • To become more friendly or to like something
  • To make something hotter

tool

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US / tu:l /

UK / tul /

A2
  • noun
  • Device used to make things, e.g. a hammer
  • verb
  • To provide a workshop with the right equipment

tend

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US / tend /

UK / tɛnd /

A2
  • verb
  • To move or act in a certain manner
  • To take care of
  • To regularly behave in a certain way

wild

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US / waɪld /

UK / waɪld /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Living in nature; not tame
  • (Of land) not developed by people
  • adverb
  • In a manner which lacks control
  • noun
  • A natural environment e.g. jungle, forest

condition

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US / kənˈdɪʃn /

UK / kənˈdɪʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Disease or other medical problem
  • The state of living you are in, e.g. good health
  • Something required in a business contract; term
  • verb
  • To improve something to make it better
  • To cause to behave automatically in a certain way

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

distance

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US / 'dɪstəns /

UK / ˈdɪstəns /

A2
  • 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

background

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US / ˈbækgraʊnd /

UK / ˈbækˌɡraʊnd /

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

earth

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US / ɜ:θ /

UK / ɚθ /

A1
  • noun
  • Wire connecting an electrical device to the ground
  • The planet we live on
  • Soil in which we grow plants

nature

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US / 'neɪtʃə(r) /

UK / ˈnetʃɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's character or particular way of behaving
  • Basic look, feel or function of something
  • Physical world, including plants, animals, rocks

bright

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US / braɪt /

UK / braɪt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Cheerful and happy (manner)
  • (Of color) light and easy to see; vivid
  • Producing a lot of light
  • Smart; intelligent; clever

fish

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US / fɪʃ /

UK / fɪʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Animal that swims and lives in water
  • verb
  • To go fishing with a net or hook

generally

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US / ˈdʒenrəli /

UK / ˈdʒɛnərəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • Usually; as a rule; by, to or for most people

scientist

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US / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

UK / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who is trained in a science

rare

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US / reə(r) /

UK / rɛr /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of meat) cooked, but still red and juicy
  • Unusual or out of the ordinary; not common

temperature

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US / ˈtemprətʃə(r) /

UK / ˈtɛmpərəˌtʃʊr,-tʃɚ,ˈtɛmprə- /

A2
  • noun
  • When you your body heat is above normal
  • How hot or cold something is, e.g. the weather

meal

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US / mi:l /

UK / mil /

A1
  • noun
  • Food for eating at a particular time, e.g. dinner
  • Grain that has been ground into a powder

mate

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US / meɪt /

UK / met /

B1
  • noun
  • A friend who you work, live, or go to school with
  • Partner in a (sexual) relationship
  • One of a matched pair e.g. a shoe or glove
  • A kind of officer on a ship
  • other
  • Person your wish to, or are married to
  • verb
  • To pair a male and female so they have children
  • To join or fit two things together

brilliant

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US / 'brɪlɪənt /

UK / ˈbrɪljənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having a great amount of intelligence or talent
  • Being very bright, like a diamond; shining

pattern

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US / 'pætn /

UK / ˈpætən /

A2
  • noun
  • Model to follow in making or doing something
  • Colors or shapes which are repeated on objects
  • Regular repeated behavior
  • verb
  • To copy the way something else is made

helpful

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US / ˈhelpfl /

UK / ˈhɛlpfəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Doing things that help someone

disappear

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US / ˌdɪsəˈpɪə(r) /

UK / ˌdɪsəˈpɪr /

A1
  • verb
  • To no longer see because it's not there any more

relatively

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US / ˈrelətɪvli /

UK / ˈrɛlətɪvlɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a manner comparing something to something else

associate

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US / ə'səʊʃɪeɪt /

UK / əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Part of a job title indicating a junior position
  • noun
  • Partner in professional work, e.g. in law
  • verb
  • To spend time with other people; mix with
  • To form a connection in your mind between things

evolve

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US / ɪ'vɒlv /

UK / ɪˈvɑlv /

B1
  • verb
  • To develop certain features
  • To develop or change slowly over time
  • To slowly change or develop into something better

communicate

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US / kə'mju:nɪkeɪt /

UK / kəˈmjunɪˌket /

A2
  • verb
  • To give and exchange information

visual

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US / 'vɪʒʊəl /

UK / ˈvɪʒuəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Of or relating to vision
  • noun
  • Pictures/images used to help audience understand

document

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US / 'dɒkjʊmənt /

UK / ˈdɑkjəmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Official (printed) record that gives information
  • verb
  • To support an opinion with recorded evidence

interact

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US / ˌɪntər'ækt /

UK / ˌɪntɚˈækt /

A2
  • verb
  • To talk or do things with each other

shadow

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US / 'ʃædəʊ /

UK / ˈʃædo /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who follows another person to observe them
  • Area of darkness that is caused by blocked light
  • verb
  • To cover something with shade
  • To secretly follow a person

meter

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US / ˈmi:tə(r) /

UK / ˈmitɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of length equal to 100 cm or about 39 inches
  • Device for measuring things e.g. gas
  • Device to put money into to rent a parking place
  • Rhythm of a poem
  • verb
  • To measure water, etc. when it has to be paid for

flash

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US / flæʃ /

UK / flæʃ /

B1
  • 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

communication

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US / kəˌmju:nɪ'keɪʃn /

UK / kəˌmjunɪˈkeʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Talking to people; giving information to people

specie

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US / 'spi:ʃi: /

UK / 'spi:ʃɪ /

B1
  • noun
  • Singular of species

absorb

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US / əb'sɔ:b /

UK / əbˈsɔrb, -ˈzɔrb /

B1
  • verb
  • To take up all attention / energy of something
  • To take in a liquid; soak up

resolution

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US / ˌrezə'lu:ʃn /

UK / ˌrɛzəˈluʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • End part of a story resolving the conflict
  • Ability of a screen or camera to display pixels
  • Statement of the decisions of a group
  • Answer to a problem or conflict
  • Promise made to accomplish something

fade

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US / feɪd /

UK / fed /

A2
  • verb
  • To cause to lose brightness of color
  • To lose strength or freshness

exception

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US / ɪkˈsepʃn /

UK / ɪkˈsɛpʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Something different or not included

rival

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US / 'raɪvl /

UK / 'raɪvl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Matching the quality, skill, et. of others
  • Opposing; being the team you compete against
  • noun
  • Someone you are competing against/trying to beat
  • verb
  • To be nearly as good as others in quality, skill
  • To be in opposition often as competitors

barrier

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US / 'bærɪə(r) /

UK / ˈbæriɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Difficult situation preventing something happening
  • Structure or object that stops free movement

invisible

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US / ɪnˈvɪzəbl /

UK / ɪnˈvɪzəbəl /

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

kingdom

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US / 'kɪŋdəm /

UK / ˈkɪŋdəm /

A2
  • noun
  • Category of the natural world
  • Country e.g. United Kingdom

visible

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US / ˈvɪzəbl /

UK / ˈvɪzəbəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Can see, easily seen or understood
  • Being obvious or easy to see

underwater

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US / ˌʌndəˈwɔ:tə(r) /

UK / ˈʌndɚˌwɔtɚ, -ˌwɑtɚ /

C2
  • adjecitve
  • (Moving or existing) beneath the surface of water

diverse

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US / daɪˈvɜ:s /

UK / dɪˈvɚs, daɪ-, ˈdaɪˌvɚs /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being varied or different from each other
  • Very different from each other

advertising

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US / ˈædvətaɪzɪŋ /

UK / ˈædvɚˌtaɪzɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • The business of making companies and products well-known
  • other
  • Poster, TV, film showing advantages of new product
  • verb
  • To show how good a product is, to make people buy

particle

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US / ˈpɑ:tɪkl /

UK / ˈpɑrtɪkəl /

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

colorful

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US / 'kʌləfəl /

UK / 'kʌləfəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being exciting or interesting; lively
  • Having a lot of color or colors

risky

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US / ˈrɪski /

UK / ˈrɪski /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • With the chance it may be dangerous, unsuccessful

predator

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US / 'predətə(r) /

UK / ˈprɛdətɚ, -ˌtɔr /

B1
  • noun
  • An animal that hunts and kills other animals
  • Person preying on the weak to gain advantage

ecosystem

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US / ˈi:kəʊsɪstəm /

UK / ˈɛkoˌsɪstəm, ˈiko- /

B1
  • noun
  • Types of plants and animals in an specific area

spectrum

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US / 'spektrəm /

UK / ˈspɛktrəm /

B1
  • noun
  • The wavelengths of colors from red to violet
  • a range of different positions, opinions, etc. between two extreme points

scatter

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US / 'skætə(r) /

UK / ˈskætɚ /

B2
  • other
  • To place or leave things in various places
  • verb
  • To throw or move into various different directions

roam

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US / rəʊm /

UK / rom /

B1
  • verb
  • To move about freely without a set destination

arrangement

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US / əˈreɪndʒmənt /

UK / əˈrendʒmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Particular design of a device
  • Piece of music written for a particular instrument
  • Group of things organized in a particular way
  • Organized plan, event for a time and place
  • Action done in order for something to happen

sporting

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US / ˈspɔ:tɪŋ, ˈspəʊr- /

UK / ˈspɔrtɪŋ, ˈspor- /

C1
  • verb
  • to wear or be decorated with something
  • To wear, or show something off by wearing it
  • Generoursly

catherine

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US / kəˈθi:drəl /

UK / kəˈθidrəl /

A1

dull

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US / dʌl /

UK / dʌl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not exciting or interesting; boring; lifeless
  • Being dim, not so bright and hard to see
  • Not sharp
  • Lacking sharpness or an edge
  • Not shiny and bright
  • Being mentally slow
  • Being quiet or not clear
  • verb
  • To cause a thing to become less sharp/less bright

neon

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US / ˈni:ɒn /

UK / ˈni:ɑ:n /

B2
  • noun
  • Gaseous element used in electric lamps and signs

brilliantly

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US / 'brɪlɪəntlɪ /

UK / ˈbrɪljəntlɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a very skilled, intelligent or good way

coral

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US / 'kɒrəl /

UK / ˈkɑrəl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Color that is a combination of pink and orange
  • noun
  • Marine substance made from bones of sea creatures

deter

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US / dɪˈtɜ:(r) /

UK / dɪˈtə: /

B2
  • verb
  • To stop people doing a thing; stop from happening

stash

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US / stæʃ /

UK / stæʃ /

C1
  • noun
  • Supply of something that is hidden or stored
  • verb
  • To hide something in a secret place

degrade

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US / dɪ'ɡreɪd /

UK / dɪˈɡred /

B2
  • verb
  • To reduce in amount or strength
  • To treat something poorly or without respect

quirk

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US / kwɜ:k /

UK / kwə:k /

B2
  • noun
  • Strange aspect (of nature); strange habit
  • Something unusual or strange that occurs by chance

reef

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US / ri:f /

UK / rif /

B2
  • noun
  • Line of rocks or sand at the surface of the ocean
  • Rolling up sail to make it smaller in strong winds
  • verb
  • To roll up sail to make it smaller in strong winds

brightly

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US / 'braɪtlɪ /

UK / ˈbraɪtlɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a happy manner
  • With a lot of light

haze

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US / heɪz /

UK / hez /

B2
  • noun
  • Dust, smoke, or gas that darkens or clouds the air
  • State of confusion about thoughts, or meanings
  • verb
  • To initiate members who perform dangerous acts

bluish

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US / ˈblu:ɪʃ /

UK / ˈbluɪʃ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • With a blue color to it

sardine

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US / ˌsɑ:ˈdi:n /

UK / ˌsɑ:rˈdi:n /

B2
  • noun
  • Small fish similar to a herring

dweller

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US / ˈdwelə(r) /

UK / ˈdwɛlɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Person or animal that lives in a certain place

drab

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US / dræb /

UK / dræb /

C1
  • adjecitve
  • Dull; without much color; plain

conspicuous

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US / kənˈspɪkjuəs /

UK / kənˈspɪkjuəs /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Very noticeable; clearly seen; obvious

mottle

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US / ˈmɒt(ə)l /

UK / ˈmɑtl /

A1
  • verb
  • To mark or diversify with spots or blotches of a different color or shade

landlubber

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US / ˈlændlʌbə(r) /

UK / ˈlændlʌbər /

A1
  • noun
  • An inexperienced sailor

triggerfish

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US / 'trɪgəfɪʃ /

UK / 'trɪgəfɪʃ /

A1
  • other
  • Any of numerous compressed deep-bodied tropical fishes with sandpapery skin and erectile spines in t
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • How Fish Get Away With Being Colorful
    In the animal world, being brightly colored is basically like sporting a big neon 'eat me' sign, so it's no surprise that colorful animals are relatively rare in nature. But there's one big exception, the animals that live on coral reefs. They sport more colors and more different arrangements of those colors than anywhere else on Earth. How do reef dwellers get away with being so brilliantly bright? Hi, I'm Kate and this is MinuteEarth.
    For the very same reason that bright colors are risky, they make you easy to spot, they're a brilliant way for animals to communicate with each other, like showing off for a potential mate, or deterring a potential rival, or even advertising to a predator that they aren't good to eat. But because of the risks associated with being conspicuous, a lot of animals that do use bright colors to communicate flash those colors quickly, then stash them away. At least, this is how things play out on land. Since air doesn't absorb or scatter much light, bright colors can generally be spotted from pretty far away. In other words, the risks of being brightly colored tend to be pretty high for landlubbers.
    Water though interacts with light in very different ways than air does. First, it absorbs more light, especially at the ends of the visible light spectrum. So although up close this triggerfish is super colorful, from just a few meters away, about the distance most predators roam reefs looking for a meal, many of those bright colors totally disappear. The whole fish ends up looking bluish. Water is also full of particles that scatter light, which creates a kind of visual haze that dulls colors even further.
  • Subtitles section
  • In the animal world, being brightly colored is basically like sporting a big neon eat me sign, so it's no surprise that colorful animals are relatively rare in nature.
  • But there's one big exception, the animals that live on coral reefs.
  • They sport more colors and more different arrangements of those colors than anywhere else on Earth.
  • How do reef dwellers get away with being so brilliantly bright?
  • Hi, I'm Kate and this is MinuteEarth.
  • For the very same reason that bright colors are risky, they make you easy to spot, they're a brilliant way for animals to communicate with each other, like showing off for a potential mate, or deterring a potential rival,
  • Or even advertising to a predator that they aren't good to eat.
  • But because of the risks associated with being conspicuous, a lot of animals that do use bright colors to communicate flash those colors quickly, then stash them away.
  • At least, this is how things play out on land.
  • Since air doesn't absorb or scatter much light, bright colors can generally be spotted from pretty far away.
  • In other words, the risks of being brightly colored tend to be pretty high for landlubbers.
  • Water though interacts with light in very different ways than air does.
  • First, it absorbs more light, especially at the ends of the visible light spectrum.
  • So although up close this triggerfish is super colorful, from just a few meters away, about the distance most predators roam reefs looking for a meal, many of those bright colors totally disappear.
  • The whole fish ends up looking bluish.
  • Water is also full of particles that scatter light, which creates a kind of visual haze that dulls colors even further.
  • Add in a background of mottled coral, some flickery underwater shadows, and the pretty poor visual resolution of most underwater predators, and that brightly colored fish has become basically invisible.
  • So on a coral reef, the risks of being conspicuous aren't as big as they are on land, yet the benefits are huge.
  • Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, where tons of tiny fish are packed in like, well, sardines, and need to be able to know who's who, both within a species and among species.
  • Bright colors and wild patterns are great tools for this, and because these little fish are interacting at such a close range, the tiny bit of water between them doesn't scatter or absorb much light.
  • Bright colors still look really bright.
  • In other words, brightly colored reef fish get the best of both worlds.
  • They can be super conspicuous to each other, while also being well-camouflaged from predators.
  • It's this weird quirk that makes coral reefs some of the most colorful places in the animal kingdom.
  • But if conditions on a reef change, the benefits of bright colors could disappear.
  • For example, if warming temperatures force fish deeper, where less light means color fades even at close range.
  • Or if corals start dying off and can't pack in as many species, bright colors won't be as helpful for communication, and reefs could become much more drab.
  • In some areas, like the Great Barrier Reef, where corals are degrading quickly, scientists have already started to document fish evolving into less colorful forms.
  • And that's something that should make all of us a little blue.