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How to fix clean energy's storage problem

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)

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
  • Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
  • adverb
  • To a certain degree
  • determiner
  • Question words used for asking for information
  • exclamation
  • Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
  • Used to ask people to repeat something they said
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say

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

go

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US / ɡəʊ /

UK / ɡo /

A1
  • noun
  • A turn in a game
  • verb
  • To attend or be at a place
  • To do an activity
  • To function properly
  • To move or travel to another place

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

think

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US / θɪŋk /

UK / θɪŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To have an idea about something without certainty
  • To have an idea, opinion or belief about something

your

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US / jɔ: /

UK / jʊr, jɔr, jor,jə /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to you; belonging to the other person

time

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US / taɪm /

UK / taɪm /

A1
  • noun
  • Speed at which music is played; tempo
  • Point as shown on a clock, e.g. 3 p.m
  • Number of hours, minutes needed to do something
  • Occasion when something happens
  • Period or occasion that something occurred
  • Period in history or the past
  • Something measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
  • How long an event takes; duration
  • verb
  • To check speed at which music is performed
  • To choose a specific moment to do something
  • To measure how long an event takes, e.g. a race
  • To schedule something to occur at a specific moment

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

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

when

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US / wen /

UK / wɛn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or during the time something happens
  • adverb
  • Word you use to ask about the time, or day
  • conjunction
  • Although
  • In the event that; if
  • pronoun
  • Which time

would

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US / wʊd /

UK / wʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate something imagined
  • Used to ask or request something politely
  • Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
  • Used to indicate a preference
  • Used to indicate a reaction
  • Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
  • Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

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

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

take

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US / teɪk /

UK / tek /

A1
  • noun
  • Filming of a single scene for TV or the movies
  • verb
  • To accept something that is offered
  • To use a method of traveling, e.g. a bus or train
  • To use a camera to make (a photo)
  • To pick up something and go away with it
  • To study a subject in school
  • To attempt to pass (an exam)
  • To require a certain amount of time, money, space

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)

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

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

back

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US / bæk /

UK / bæk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Farthest from the front e.g. in a classroom
  • adverb
  • Have returned to a place you were before
  • noun
  • The part of a chair that the upper body leans upon
  • Location at the rear of something
  • The reverse of side something
  • Area on the rear of your body
  • verb
  • To bet money on something
  • To go backwards in a car
  • To support and encourage someone or some cause

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

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

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

actually

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US / ˈæktʃuəli /

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to add new (often different) information

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

people

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US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

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

let

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US / let /

UK / lɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To allow someone to do something
  • Introducing a suggestion to do something together
  • To rent a house, etc. to others

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

down

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US / daʊn /

UK / daʊn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being sad, sick, or unhappy
  • Not operating, working, or functioning as expected
  • adverb
  • In a sitting or lying position
  • Towards or on the ground, floor, or bottom
  • Written or copied onto a piece of paper or book
  • noun
  • A period of play in American Football
  • The soft, smooth hairs that cover a bird's body
  • preposition
  • Along something's path, course, or direction
  • Going from a higher position to a lower position
  • verb
  • To eat or drink very quickly and without stopping

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

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

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

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

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

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

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

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

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

work

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US / wɜ:k /

UK / wɚk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Activity completed in order to make money
  • noun
  • The product of some artistic or literary endeavor
  • Everything created by an author, artist, musician
  • Activity you do in order to make money
  • Place of employment
  • Final product or result of a some labor or effort
  • verb
  • To bring into a specific state of success
  • To be functioning properly, e.g. a car
  • To do your job in your company or workplace
  • To make an effort to do something
  • To operate a machine or device

put

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US / pʊt /

UK / pʊt /

A1
  • phrasal verb
  • to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch
  • verb
  • To move or place a thing in a particular position
  • To rate something in importance or value
  • To write or say something in a certain manner

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

find

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US / faɪnd /

UK / faɪnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Object discovered by chance
  • Things that have been discovered from searching
  • verb
  • To become aware of something that is happening
  • To discover or meet by chance
  • To decide if someone is guilty of a crime, or not
  • To learn through study, research, or effort
  • To discover something by looking for it

big

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US / bɪɡ /

UK / bɪɡ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Popular
  • Serious
  • Large

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

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

around

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US / ə'raʊnd /

UK / əˈraʊnd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Close to someone or something
  • adverb
  • Located on every side, or along something
  • With a motion that moves in a circle or a curve
  • Going here and there within (a place)
  • Turned or turning in the opposite direction
  • preposition
  • Roughly; approximately

call

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US / kɔ:l /

UK / kɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • A order or request for action
  • The sound an animal makes, often when in danger
  • A correct prediction, e.g. a decision in a game
  • A short visit to a place or person
  • A decision by a referee or umpire in a game
  • verb
  • To make a request or order for action
  • (Animal) to make sounds to warn of danger
  • To announce the date of an election
  • To make a judgment about something
  • To give someone or something a name
  • To guess in advance the result or outcome
  • To visit a place or person for a short time
  • To phone someone
  • To speak, announce or shout in a loud voice

year

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US / jə: /

UK / jɪr /

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

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

many

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US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

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

another

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US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

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

every

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US / 'evrɪ /

UK / ˈɛvri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening at equal specified intervals/distance
  • determiner
  • Including each person or thing in a group

long

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US / lɒŋ /

UK / lɔŋ, lɑŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Large distance from one end to the other
  • Having many parts, e.g. a book with many chapters
  • adverb
  • For a large amount of time
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To have a strong desire for something or someone

same

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US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

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

might

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US / maɪt /

UK / maɪt /

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

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

different

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US / ˈdɪfrənt /

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

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

today

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US / tə'deɪ /

UK / təˈde /

A1
  • adverb
  • On this day; at the time that is happening now
  • noun
  • This day; day that is happening now

again

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US / ə'ɡen /

UK / əˈɡɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • One more time, once more

part

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US / pɑ:t /

UK / pɑ:rt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To some degree; half; not fully
  • noun
  • Division of a book
  • Ratio of something, e.g. 3 of gin, 1 of tonic
  • A line in a person's hair, made with a comb
  • Character an actor plays on stage, movie, or TV
  • Some, but not all of a specific thing
  • Role in causing something to happen
  • verb
  • To make a line in a person's hair, by using a comb
  • To move two things apart creating a space
  • To leave someone, or to break off a relationship

turn

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US / tɜ:n /

UK / tɚn /

A1
  • noun
  • Place where changing of direction happens
  • Your time or chance to perform a duty
  • Your chance to play or do in say a game
  • Unexpected change, as in the weather
  • verb
  • To become (a particular age)
  • To become a different quality, color, etc.
  • To change the direction of something, e.g. a car
  • To move in an opposite direction or position
  • To shape metal with a spinning tool

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

move

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US / mu:v /

UK / muv /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of moving a playing piece in chess, etc.
  • An action; doing something
  • Step taken to achieve a goal
  • verb
  • To cause someone to have certain emotions
  • To cause something to change to a different place
  • To change where people live or a business operates
  • To take action to do or achieve something

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

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

hope

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US / həʊp /

UK / hop /

A1
  • noun
  • When you wish something will happen; what you wish
  • verb
  • To expect and want something to happen

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

set

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US / set /

UK / sɛt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Prepared for something; ready
  • noun
  • Complete group of something
  • Place where a television show or movie is filmed
  • Group of games in a tennis match
  • Device that receives radio or television signals
  • verb
  • To make a clock state or ring at a particular time
  • To decide upon or choose something
  • To make something ready for use (e.g. table)
  • To decide on a price for something
  • To become hard (of glue, concrete etc.)
  • To be located in a specific place or time
  • To put (e.g. a vase) down carefully in a place
  • To put someone in a certain condition or state
  • (Of the sun) to go lower than the horizon

stuff

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US / stʌf /

UK / stʌf /

A1
  • noun
  • Generic description for things, materials, objects
  • verb
  • To push material inside something, with force

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

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

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

idea

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US / aɪ'dɪə /

UK / aɪˈdiə /

A1
  • noun
  • Belief, thought, suggestion, opinion or plan

side

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US / saɪd /

UK / saɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition to the central or most important thing
  • Next to, or very close to, the right or left of
  • noun
  • Position or opinion that is opposite to another
  • Right or left part of a person's body
  • Feature of someone's personality
  • Straight edge of an object
  • One of two or more groups fighting each other
  • verb
  • To decide to agree with one point, not the other

without

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US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

lose

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US / lu:z /

UK / luz /

A1
  • verb
  • To be unable to keep in check or control something
  • To decrease in value or quantity (e.g. weight)
  • To stop having certain qualities or abilities
  • To stop having or being entitled to
  • To fail to win something that is being contested
  • To be unable to find something you once had
  • To be dependent on someone (used with 'not')

pick

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US / pɪk /

UK / pɪk /

A1
  • noun
  • Sharp tool used for breaking the ground
  • Item selected from a group of choices
  • verb
  • To take fruit or vegetables from a plant or tree
  • To decide on a thing from various choices; select
  • To remove (flower, etc.) with your fingers

hand

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US / hænd /

UK / hænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Cards given to a player in a card game
  • Piece of a clock that points to the time
  • Someone who performs physical tasks or work
  • Body part at the end of a person's arm
  • Help for someone performing a particular action
  • Condition of having power or influence
  • Member of the crew of a ship
  • verb
  • To give something to someone personally

stay

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US / steɪ /

UK / ste /

A1
  • noun
  • Legal order to stop or delay an action
  • Strong rope or wire that supports a ship's mast
  • Period of time spent living in or visiting a place
  • verb
  • To keep trying without giving up
  • To remain in the same place and not move away
  • To spend time visiting a place or someone's home

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

until

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US / ənˈtɪl /

UK / ʌnˈtɪl /

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

remember

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US / rɪ'membə(r) /

UK / rɪˈmɛmbɚ /

A1
  • verb
  • To give someone a gift, e.g. birthday, wedding
  • To hold a thought in your mind to not forget it
  • To bring a previous image or idea to your mind

small

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US / smɔ:l /

UK / smɔl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Little in size; not big
  • (Of letters) not written in capital letters
  • Being insignificant or minor
  • (Of a business) with few people or things; local
  • (Of voice) being soft and quiet
  • (Of a child) being young

sort

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US / sɔ:t /

UK / sɔrt /

A1
  • noun
  • Group or class of similar things or people
  • verb
  • To organize things by putting them into groups
  • To deal with things in an organized way

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

exactly

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US / ɪgˈzæktli /

UK / ɪɡˈzæktli /

A1
  • adverb
  • No more and no less than; precisely

create

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US / krɪ'eɪt /

UK / kriˈet /

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

line

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US / laɪn /

UK / laɪn /

A1
  • noun
  • Border that divides two places or regions
  • Long crease in the skin, often from age
  • Mark that is long, straight and very thin
  • Row of words, letters or numbers that are written
  • Telephone connection
  • People waiting one behind the other; queue
  • Long thin wire, e.g. for electrical signal
  • verb
  • To put material along the inside of something

inside

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US / ˌɪn'saɪd /

UK / ɪnˈsaɪd, ˈɪnˌsaɪd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being in something
  • Being in a building
  • adverb
  • Into a house; indoors
  • noun
  • Inner part or surface of something

money

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US / 'mʌnɪ /

UK / ˈmʌni /

A1
  • noun
  • Coins or notes we use to pay for things

night

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US / naɪt /

UK / naɪt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Working during the very early morning
  • noun
  • Time when sun does not shine

super

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US / ˈsu:pə(r) /

UK / ˈsupɚ /

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

wrong

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US / rɒŋ /

UK / rɔŋ, rɑŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not morally or socially acceptable
  • Not right, incorrect; not true; bad
  • Being inappropriate or unsuitable
  • noun
  • Action that is harmful, unjust or illegal
  • verb
  • To harm someone or treat someone unfairly

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

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

later

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US / ˈleɪtə(r) /

UK / ˈletɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Happening after now

power

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US / 'paʊə(r) /

UK / ˈpaʊɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Legal or official right to perform certain actions
  • Ability to move forcefully and quickly
  • Energy of something (e.g. electricity or fuel)
  • Mathematical way to multiply a number
  • Condition of being in political control
  • Physical force, energy, and strength
  • verb
  • To give energy to something, e.g. by electricity
  • To move something forcefully and quickly

basically

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US / ˈbeɪsɪkli /

UK / ˈbesɪkəli,-kli /

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

level

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US / 'levl /

UK / ˈlɛvəl /

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

past

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US / pɑ:st /

UK / pæst /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • No longer current or new
  • adverb
  • So as to go beyond, or further than something
  • noun
  • Time that existed before now, e.g. long ago
  • preposition
  • After a particular time
  • At a later point in distance; beyond

type

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US / taɪp /

UK / taɪp /

A1
  • noun
  • Printed letters or blocks used for printing them
  • Group of things or people sharing common features
  • verb
  • To identify something belonging to a group
  • To write by touching keys on a keyboard

grow

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US / ɡrəʊ /

UK / ɡro /

A1
  • verb
  • To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
  • To improve; to develop better skills over time
  • To develop and become bigger or taller over time

figure

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US / ˈfiɡə /

UK / ˈfɪɡjɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Your body shape
  • Numbers in a calculation
  • Doll-like thing meant to represent a person
  • Picture or diagram giving information in a text
  • Person who is very important or famous
  • Shape of a person seen indistinctly or in outline
  • Amount that is expressed in numbers
  • verb
  • To appear in a game, play or event
  • To calculate how much something will cost
  • To understand after thinking; work out

drive

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US / draɪv /

UK / draɪv /

A1
  • noun
  • A person's ambition and motivation to do something
  • Action of moving cattle from one place to another
  • A part of a computer which stores the data
  • A trip by car
  • Power to move or operate an engine, car, etc.
  • Action of hitting a golf ball
  • Hard area where cars are parked leading to a house
  • verb
  • To move cattle from one place to another
  • To control a vehicle so that it moves somewhere
  • To force to go somewhere, or do or be something
  • To give power to move or operate an engine, etc.
  • To hit a golf ball
  • To push or hit an object into something else

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

chance

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US / tʃɑ:ns /

UK / tʃæns /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening by luck; not planned
  • Taking a risk to try something
  • noun
  • The way something happens without planning
  • An opportunity; favorable circumstances, situation
  • The possibility that something will happen
  • verb
  • To occur just through luck; happen
  • To take a risk to try something

write

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US / raɪt /

UK / raɪt /

A1
  • verb
  • To compose letters and words on paper or a screen
  • To invent or create a computer program
  • To create a song or piece of music

perfect

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US / 'pɜ:fɪkt /

UK / ˈpɚfɪkt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • So good it cannot be improved
  • verb
  • To do something so well, it cannot be done better

low

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US / ləʊ /

UK / lo /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a small quantity, supply, or amount
  • Being unhappy or unpleasant in attitude
  • Not high; being near the ground, or bottom
  • (Of a voice, sound) being soft; quiet
  • noun
  • Situation of not having a lot of something

possible

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US / ˈpɒsəbl /

UK / ˈpɑsəbəl /

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

car

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US / kɑ:(r) /

UK / kɑr /

A1
  • noun
  • A vehicle with wheels and engine to carry people

beautiful

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US / 'bju:tɪfl /

UK / ˈbjutəfəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having dome something well
  • Being very attractive or appealing physically

often

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US / ˈɔfən /

UK / ˈɔfən,ˈɑfən,ˈɔftən,ˈɑf- /

A1
  • adverb
  • Many times; frequently; on many occasions

instead

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US / ɪnˈsted /

UK / ɪnˈstɛd /

A1
  • adverb
  • When one thing is replaced by another

system

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US / 'sɪstəm /

UK / ˈsɪstəm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Working in an organized, logical way
  • noun
  • Set of organized, planned ideas that work together

future

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US / ˈfju:tʃə(r) /

UK / ˈfjutʃɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Time that is to come after the present

school

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US / sku:l /

UK / skul /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being to do with schools and education
  • noun
  • Large group of fish that swim together
  • Education of a child
  • Building where you learn in classes with a teacher
  • A particular belief or idea about something
  • verb
  • To teach or train someone to know or do something

news

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US / nju:z /

UK / nu:z /

A1
  • noun
  • Broadcast on radio or TV about recent events
  • Information about recent events

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

hot

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US / hɒt /

UK / hɑ:t /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Angry or excited
  • Being very good at something
  • Having a high temperature
  • Popular and causing a great deal of excitement
  • Attractive in a sexually exciting way
  • (Of food) very spicy
  • Stolen; dangerous to buy or trade in

challenge

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US / 'tʃælɪndʒ /

UK / ˈtʃæləndʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
  • Act of formally inviting someone to compete
  • A question to determine correctness of something
  • verb
  • To formally invite someone to compete at something
  • To question the correctness of something

test

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US / test /

UK / test /

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

simple

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US / 'sɪmpl /

UK / ˈsɪmpəl /

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

difficult

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US / 'dɪfɪkəlt /

UK / ˈdɪfɪˌkʌlt, -kəlt /

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

company

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US / 'kʌmpənɪ /

UK / ˈkʌmpəni /

A1
  • noun
  • Good feeling from being with someone else
  • A business that sells things or provides services
  • Guests, especially in your home
  • Being with another person rather than alone

release

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US / rɪ'li:s /

UK / rɪ'li:s /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of freeing someone from a duty or burden
  • Introduction of a new product, film, book, etc.
  • Relief from sadness, suffering or trouble
  • Act of freeing from a jail, cage, prison, etc.
  • verb
  • To free someone from a responsibility or burden
  • To allow a film, music etc. to be sold/distributed
  • To allow to leave a jail, cage, etc.; let out
  • To let go of something you are holding

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

process

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US / prə'ses /

UK / ˈprɑsˌɛs, ˈproˌsɛs /

A2
  • noun
  • Dealing with official forms in the way required
  • Set of changes that occur slowly and naturally
  • verb
  • To organize and use data in a computer
  • To deal with official forms in the way required
  • To prepare by treating something in a certain way
  • To adopt a set of actions that produce a result
  • To convert by putting something through a machine

itself

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US / ɪtˈself /

UK / ɪtˈsɛlf /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Referring to it

fit

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US / fɪt /

UK / fɪt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Good looking; physically attractive
  • Having good physical health and strength
  • Proper or acceptable; morally or socially correct
  • noun
  • Sudden loss of body control; attack (of crying)
  • verb
  • To install a machine, equipment etc.
  • To adjust or change to the right size or shape
  • To be the right size and shape that you want

version

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US / ˈvə:ʃən /

UK / ˈvɚʒən, -ʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Different way that someone interprets something
  • New or different form of something
  • An updated form of some software

store

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US / stɔ:(r) /

UK / stɔr, stor /

A2
  • noun
  • Place where things are kept for future use
  • Place where you can go to buy things
  • verb
  • To put things in a place for later use

several

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US / ˈsevrəl /

UK / ˈsɛvərəl,ˈsɛvrəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Many of
  • pronoun
  • More than two but not a large amount

massive

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US / ˈmæsɪv /

UK / ˈmæsɪv /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Very big; large; too big

block

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US / blɒk /

UK / blɑk /

A2
  • noun
  • Solid piece of material used for building
  • A piece of wood, chocolate etc.
  • Hard piece of wood, stone etc. with straight edges
  • Building made up of offices or apartments
  • Area of a city divided by four streets
  • verb
  • To stop from going forward or making progress

kick

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US / kɪk /

UK / kɪk /

A2
  • noun
  • Feeling of enjoyment or excitement
  • verb
  • To hit or move something with the foot

energy

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US / 'enədʒɪ /

UK / ˈɛnədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Physical or mental strength

rise

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US / raɪz /

UK / raɪz /

A1
  • noun
  • Act or process of achieving a higher rank, status
  • Ground higher than the areas next to or around it
  • Movement from lower to greater heights
  • verb
  • To wake up and get out of bed after sleeping
  • (Of bread) to get larger due to air being created
  • To achieve greater success and power or rank
  • To increase in quantity, degree, strength, value
  • To move from a lower position to a higher one
  • (Sun, etc.) to appear over the horizon, in the sky

claim

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US / kleɪm /

UK / klem /

A2
  • noun
  • Demand for something that is believed to be due
  • Something said to be true when others don't agree
  • verb
  • To demand something that is believed to be due
  • To cause someone's life to come to an end
  • To say something is true when others may not agree

improve

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US / ɪm'pru:v /

UK / ɪmˈpruv /

A1
  • verb
  • To make, or become, something better

heavy

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US / 'hevɪ /

UK / ˈhɛvi /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Greater in amount, degree, or severity than usual
  • Involving serious or strong emotions
  • Having a lot of weight

stage

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US / steɪdʒ /

UK / stedʒ /

A1
  • noun
  • Place where actors or musicians perform for others
  • Particular point during development or growth
  • verb
  • To organize an event to gain public interest
  • To be fake or not real
  • To produce and perform a play or concert

hole

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US / həʊl /

UK / hol /

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

natural

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US / ˈnætʃərəl /

UK / ˈnætʃərəl, ˈnætʃrəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being as one would expect; being usual or normal
  • Not made by humans; without human intervention

everywhere

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US / ˈevriweə(r) /

UK / ˈevriwer /

A1
  • adverb
  • Every place

individual

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US / ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl /

UK / ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒuəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Made for use by one single person
  • Having a distinct manner different from others
  • noun
  • Single person, looked at separately from others

feed

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US / fi:d /

UK / fid /

A2
  • noun
  • Food given to animals
  • verb
  • To give food, e.g. to animals or a baby
  • To push something through an opening
  • To provide necessary supplies to

particularly

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US / pəˈtikjuləli /

UK / pɚˈtɪkjələli, pəˈtɪk- /

A2
  • adverb
  • Specially; more than others

potential

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US / pəˈtenʃl /

UK / pəˈtɛnʃəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Capable of happening or becoming reality

heat

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US / hi:t /

UK / hit /

A2
  • noun
  • State of anger, excitement, or arguing
  • Particular temperature at which to cook something
  • High temperature
  • One of series of races to find the finalists
  • Hot temperature, conditions, or weather
  • verb
  • To make hot or hotter

mix

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US / mɪks /

UK / mɪks /

A2
  • noun
  • A combination of more than two things
  • verb
  • To combine two or more things to make one
  • To meet and get along with others, e.g. at a party

meeting

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US / ˈmi:tɪŋ /

UK / ˈmitɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Gathering of people to discuss something
  • verb
  • To provide something that is necessary
  • To come together at a certain time or place

bet

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US / bet /

UK / bet /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of gambling money on the result of a race etc.
  • verb
  • To gamble money to win more money, e.g. on horses

overall

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US / ˌəʊvər'ɔ:l /

UK / ˈovɚˌrɔl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Viewed as a whole; in general, not as details

cheap

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US / tʃi:p /

UK / tʃip /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not costing a lot of money
  • Having a low quality or value
  • Not liking to spend money; mean; stingy

reaction

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US / rɪ'ækʃn /

UK / riˈækʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Bodily response to a drug or something eaten
  • Feeling or action in response to something

combine

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US / kəmˈbaɪn /

UK / kəmˈbaɪn /

A2
  • verb
  • To mix several things together to form one thing

various

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US / ˈveəriəs /

UK / ˈvɛriəs, ˈvær- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Several; consisting of different things or types

lift

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US / lɪft /

UK / lɪft /

A2
  • noun
  • Picking someone up in a car and taking to a place
  • Machine carrying people up or down to other floors
  • Movement of something to higher position
  • verb
  • To stop or cancel something, such as a rule
  • To move something to higher position
  • To make something increase in amount
  • To make something disappear often by stealing it

useful

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US / ˈju:sfl /

UK / ˈjusfəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • That can help with a particular task

wind

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US / wɪnd /

UK / wɪnd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Musical instruments) that you blow into to play
  • noun
  • A current of air moving approximately horizontally, especially one strong enough to be felt
  • Something that has influence
  • verb
  • If a road, path, or river winds, it follows a route that turns repeatedly in different directions
  • To turn or cause something to turn
  • To twist around something

surface

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US / 'sɜ:fɪs /

UK / ˈsɚfəs /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Of the top layer; not deep or meaningful
  • noun
  • Top layer of the ground or of water
  • Nature or emotions that show, but may not be true
  • Outside or upper layer of something
  • verb
  • To give (road) a top layer
  • To appear after being hidden, unseen, or unknown
  • To come to the top of something; emerge
  • To come to the top level of water, mud, etc.

solution

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US / səˈlu:ʃn /

UK / səˈluʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Mix of a liquid and a solid or a gas
  • Way to solve or deal with a problem

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

demand

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US / dɪ'mɑ:nd /

UK / dɪˈmænd /

A2
  • noun
  • Desire customers have to buy product, service
  • A strong request for someone to do something
  • verb
  • To strongly request someone to do something

gas

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US / ɡæs /

UK / ɡæs /

A2
  • noun
  • Elements in our air, like oxygen or nitrogen
  • Fuel used for cooking, heating houses etc.
  • Liquid you put in your car to drive the engine
  • Air produced by stomach during digestion of food
  • verb
  • To kill or disable someone with poisoned air

scale

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US / skeɪl /

UK / skel /

A2
  • noun
  • Size, level, or amount when compared
  • Small hard plates that cover the body of fish
  • Device that is used to weigh a person or thing
  • Range of numbers from the lowest to the highest
  • Dimensions or size of something
  • verb
  • To change the size of but keep the proportions
  • To climb something large (e.g. a mountain)
  • To remove the scales of a fish

suit

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US / su:t /

UK / sut /

A1
  • noun
  • Set of clothes including jacket and pants or skirt
  • Law case involving a claim of some kind
  • Set of playing cards such as hearts or diamonds
  • verb
  • To be appropriate for a given situation
  • (Of clothes) to look good on someone

plant

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US / plɑ:nt /

UK / plænt /

A2
  • noun
  • Factory or a place where things are made
  • Living thing with leaves and roots growing in soil
  • verb
  • To firmly position something (in the ground)
  • To put seeds, flowers, trees in the ground

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

sun

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US / sʌn /

UK / sʌn /

A1
  • noun
  • Light and heat coming from a large star in the sky
  • Hot shining star the Earth moves around
  • verb
  • To lie in the sunshine and enjoy its warmth

spin

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US / spɪn /

UK / spɪn /

B1
  • noun
  • A dizzy feeling your head is turning around
  • A slant or hidden purpose, as in politicians' talk
  • A movement in a rapid turning motion
  • verb
  • To make a ball rotate when throwing it
  • To feel dizzy/confused, as in my head is spinning
  • To convert material such as cotton into thread
  • To move something in a rapid turning motion

battery

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US / ˈbætri /

UK / ˈbætəri /

B1
  • noun
  • Portable device that stores electricity
  • Large group of similar things functioning together

development

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US / dɪ'veləpmənt /

UK / dɪˈvɛləpmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Act or process of growing bigger or more advanced
  • A new event related to a previous event

unit

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US / ˈju:nɪt /

UK / ˈjunɪt /

B2
  • noun
  • One apartment in a building
  • Group of people, e.g. soldiers, that work together
  • A chapter of a textbook
  • A standard of measurement of something
  • Single item made by a company

rely

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US / rɪ'laɪ /

UK / rɪˈlaɪ /

B2
  • verb
  • Depend on with full trust or confidence

station

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US / 'steɪʃn /

UK / ˈsteʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Building, area, place used for a specific reason
  • A person's place in society
  • Place where you can catch a train or a bus
  • Company that broadcasts radio or TV programs
  • verb
  • (Army) to be posted to a place to perform duties
  • To put a person in a certain place or position

pump

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US / pʌmp /

UK / pʌmp /

B1
  • noun
  • A device more moving liquids
  • Light woman's shoe
  • verb
  • To make liquid or gas flow in a particular direction
  • To make water/other liquid move using a machine
  • To move in or out, or up and down quickly
  • asking for information in an indirect way

gear

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US / ɡɪə(r) /

UK / ɡɪr /

B1
  • noun
  • A speed selector connected to an engine
  • Special clothes you use for a purpose
  • Toothed wheel shifting power from engine to wheels
  • verb
  • To aim at or prepare yourself for something

mountain

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US / 'maʊntən /

UK / ˈmaʊntən /

A1
  • noun
  • Very high piece of land, higher than a hill

relatively

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US / ˈrelətɪvli /

UK / ˈrɛlətɪvlɪ /

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

fuel

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US / 'fju:əl /

UK / ˈfjuəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Material used to produce heat or power when burned
  • verb
  • To give power to (a mob, anger, etc.); incite
  • To provide gas or petrol for something

technique

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US / tekˈni:k /

UK / tɛkˈnik /

A2
  • noun
  • Way of doing by using special knowledge or skill

height

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US / haɪt /

UK / haɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Distance of something from the bottom to the top

salt

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US / sɔ:lt /

UK / sɔlt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being preserved or seasoned with salt
  • noun
  • Natural white crystal used to flavor food
  • verb
  • To add salt to food in order to improve its taste
  • To add salt to ice in order to melt it
  • To preserve food by adding salt

spring

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US / sprɪŋ /

UK / sprɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Coil of metal that lessens impact, e.g. on cars
  • Sudden jump from one place to another
  • The time when plants start growing after winter
  • Place where water flows from beneath the ground
  • verb
  • To lessen the impact of something under pressure
  • To jump into the air

tank

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US / tæŋk /

UK / tæŋk /

B1
  • noun
  • Container for holding liquid or gas
  • Military vehicle that can go over rough areas
  • verb
  • To fail completely or badly
  • To deliberately lose a game or contest

typical

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US / ˈtɪpɪkl /

UK / ˈtɪpɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Normal; usual; expected

gap

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US / ɡæp /

UK / ɡæp /

A2
  • noun
  • Distance between two objects

generate

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US / ˈdʒenəreɪt /

UK / ˈdʒɛnəˌret /

A2
  • verb
  • To create or be produced or bring into existence
  • To create electricity, heat, energy and power

iron

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US / ˈaɪən /

UK / ˈaɪərn /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being very tough, strong, and determined
  • noun
  • Heavy metal device heated to smooth clothes
  • Golf club with a metal head
  • Strong hard metal used to make steel
  • verb
  • To use a hot flat-based machine to smooth clothes

neither

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US / ˈnaɪðə(r) /

UK / ˈniðɚ, ˈnaɪ- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not one or the other not either none of two things
  • adverb
  • Similarly not, also not
  • conjunction
  • Not in either case
  • determiner
  • Not one or the other
  • pronoun
  • Not either one

roughly

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US / ˈrʌfli /

UK / ˈrʌflɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • Approximately; (of numbers) about; around
  • In a manner that is violent or not careful
  • In an inexact, imprecise or violent way
  • In a basic, simple manner

panel

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US / 'pænl /

UK / ˈpænəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Group who answer questions or give opinions
  • Flat surface with controls and switches
  • Flat, thin piece of material, often made of wood
  • verb
  • To cover a wall with thin pieces of wood

storage

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US / ˈstɔ:rɪdʒ /

UK / ˈstɔrɪdʒ, ˈstor- /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of storing something; a depository for goods

electric

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US / ɪˈlektrɪk /

UK / ɪˈlɛktrɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Creating a feeling of excitement
  • Using electricity

climate

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US / ˈklaɪmət /

UK / ˈklaɪmɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Typical weather conditions in a particular place

ideal

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US / aɪˈdi:əl /

UK / aɪˈdiəl, aɪˈdil /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Exactly right; could not be better
  • Which is thought of as being perfect

river

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US / ˈrɪvə(r) /

UK / ˈrɪvɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Flowing water that runs from mountains to the sea

attract

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US / ə'trækt /

UK / əˈtrækt /

A2
  • verb
  • To make something move closer using magnetic force
  • To make someone notice and become interested in

meaning

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US / ˈmi:nɪŋ /

UK / ˈminɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Idea or thing represented by words or sentences
  • verb
  • To express a particular idea or thought
  • To intend to do something in particular
  • To have a particular intention or value

significantly

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US / sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli /

UK / sɪɡˈnɪfəkəntlɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a way that is important or noticeable
  • In a way that is meaningful

peak

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US / pi:k /

UK / pik /

B1
  • noun
  • Part of a cap that sticks out over your eyes
  • The very top of a mountain
  • State when something is at its best
  • Time or point when the highest level occurs
  • verb
  • To reach the highest or best point

writer

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US / ˈraɪtə(r) /

UK / ˈraɪtɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Professional who writes books, articles etc.

chemical

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US / ˈkemɪkl /

UK / ˈkɛmɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Made of various elements
  • noun
  • Basic substance produced by mixing elements

efficient

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US / ɪˈfɪʃnt /

UK / ɪˈfɪʃənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Able to produce results without waste

fascinating

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US / ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ /

UK / ˈfæsəˌnetɪŋ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having your attention fixated as though by a spell
  • Very interesting
  • verb
  • To attract or interest greatly

facility

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US / fəˈsɪləti /

UK / fəˈsɪlɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Piece of equipment or buildings with a special use
  • Skill to do something with ease

convert

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US / kən'vɜ:t /

UK / kənˈvɚt /

A2
  • noun
  • Person switching from one belief system to another
  • verb
  • To switch from a religion, belief etc. to another
  • To change form, character, or function to another

nuclear

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US / ˈnju:kliə(r) /

UK / ˈnukliɚ, ˈnju- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or involving the center of an atom

electronic

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US / ɪˌlek'trɒnɪk /

UK / ɪlɛkˈtrɑnɪk, ˌilɛk- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Operating by use of electricity; digital

southern

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US / ˈsʌðən /

UK / ˈsʌðərn /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a region in the south
  • Being in or toward the south

utilize

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US / ˈju:təlaɪz /

UK / ˈjutlˌaɪz /

B1
  • verb
  • To use something for a particular purpose

principle

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US / ˈprɪnsəpl /

UK / ˈprɪnsəpəl /

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

europe

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US / ˈjʊərəp /

UK / ˈjʊrəp /

A1
  • noun
  • A continent including Germany, France and Spain
  • other
  • The second smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use 'Europe' to re

solar

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US / 'səʊlə(r) /

UK / ˈsolɚ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the sun, or its heat

steam

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US / sti:m /

UK / stim /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Train, engine) powered by boiling water
  • noun
  • Mist collecting on a surface when wet air cools
  • Source of stamina, strength or energy
  • Mist of water in the air formed when water boils
  • verb
  • To cover a surface with steam, so as to clean it
  • To cook in mist of tiny drops from boiling water
  • To produce or give off a hot gas by boiling liquid
  • To travel or move using steam as a force

underground

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US / ˈʌndəgraʊnd /

UK / ˈʌndərgraʊnd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • (Being or living) under the surface of the earth
  • noun
  • Secret group organized to overthrow a government
  • Subway system, e.g. in London

gravity

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US / ˈgrævəti /

UK / ˈɡrævɪti /

B1
  • noun
  • (Of a situation) extreme seriousness
  • Force making things fall towards the ground

electricity

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US / ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti /

UK / ɪlɛkˈtrɪsɪti,ˌilɛk- /

A2
  • noun
  • Energy generated positive and negative charges

concrete

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US / 'kɒŋkri:t /

UK / kɑnˈkrit, kɑŋ-, ˈkɑnˌkrit, ˈkɑŋ- /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning something that is physical or real
  • noun
  • Hard building material made of cement, sand, water
  • verb
  • To cover or make with a hard grey building material

barrel

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US / 'bærəl /

UK / ˈbærəl /

B1
  • noun
  • A round container with curved sides and flat ends
  • Straight tube from which a bullet exits a gun
  • verb
  • To travel at high speed

investor

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US / ɪnˈvestə(r) /

UK / ɪnˈvɛstɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who spends money to help businesses grow

california

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US / ˌkælɪ'fɔ:njə, -'fɔ:ni:ə /

UK / ˌkælɪ'fɔ:rnjəˌ -'fɔ:rni:ə /

A1
  • noun
  • A state in the western United States on the Pacific; the rd largest state; known for earthquakes

starter

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US / ˈstɑ:tə(r) /

UK / ˈstɑ:rtə(r) /

A2
  • noun
  • Electric motor for starting an engine
  • First part of a big meal, e.g. soup or salad

spinning

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US / ˈspɪnɪŋ /

UK / ˈspɪnɪŋ /

B1
  • verb
  • To make a ball rotate when throwing it
  • To feel dizzy / confused / light headed
  • To convert material such as cotton into thread
  • To move something in a rapid turning motion

luckily

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US / 'lʌkɪlɪ /

UK / ˈlʌkɪli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a good way; by good fortune

variable

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US / ˈveəriəbl /

UK / ˈveriəbl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having the ability to change or vary
  • noun
  • Mathematical quantity with several values

dependent

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US / dɪˈpendənt /

UK / dɪˈpɛndənt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Someone who relies on (financial) support

partly

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US / ˈpɑ:tli /

UK / ˈpɑ:rtli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In part; not completely

portable

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US / ˈpɔ:təbl /

UK / ˈpɔ:rtəbl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Light enough to be moved around with ease
  • noun
  • A computer etc. that can be moved around easily

thermal

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US / ˈθɜ:ml /

UK / ˈθɜ:rml /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Of or relating to heat or a source of heat
  • noun
  • Item of warm clothing for cold weather use
  • Rising body of warm air, e.g. in gliding

importantly

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US / ɪmˈpɔːtntli /

UK / ɪmˈpɔːrtntli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In an important way;

fossil

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US / 'fɒsl /

UK / ˈfɑsəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Plant or animal that became rock after many years

grid

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US / ɡrɪd /

UK / ɡrɪd /

B2
  • noun
  • Electrical network supplying electricity to area
  • Metal structure with bars used to cover a hole
  • Pattern made up of lines and small squares

physic

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US / 'fɪzɪk /

UK / 'fɪzɪk /

A1
  • noun
  • (Archaic) medicine causing evacuation of the bowels

vault

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US / vɔ:lt /

UK / vɔlt /

A1
  • noun
  • Curved structure that is part of the ceiling
  • Special locked room to keep things of value
  • verb
  • To jump over something, e.g. a wall, often upward

hollow

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US / ˈhɒləʊ /

UK / ˈhɑ:loʊ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of objects) having nothing inside; not solid
  • Lacking value, sincerity, or meaning
  • (E.g. of a laugh) lacking strength and emotion
  • (Sound) produced when something empty is hit
  • Appearing sunken or curved down
  • noun
  • Gap or indented surface
  • Area of land a little deeper than the surface
  • verb
  • To make a solid object have a large hole inside it

rust

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US / rʌst /

UK / rʌst /

B1
  • noun
  • Reddish brown color
  • Disease causing red and brown spots on leaves
  • A red crust on old iron and steel objects
  • verb
  • To form a red crust on old iron and steel objects

immensely

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US / ɪˈmensli /

UK / ɪˈmensli /

B1
  • adverb
  • Very much; greatly; a lot

realistically

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US / ˌri:əˈlɪstɪkli /

UK / ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪklɪ /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a practical manner; taking context into account

renewable

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US / rɪˈnju:əbl /

UK / rɪˈnu: /

C1
  • adjecitve
  • Being able to be replaced naturally
  • noun
  • A resource that can be used again many times

discharge

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US / dɪsˈtʃɑ:dʒ /

UK / dɪsˈtʃɑ:rdʒ /

B1
  • noun
  • A substance that has been released
  • The retirement of someone from service e.g. army
  • Act of firing a weapon
  • Substance that is released
  • verb
  • To complete a task that has been assigned
  • To produce or release a substance
  • To deliver an electric charge
  • To let someone leave the army or other service
  • To fire or shoot (a gun)
  • To release a person or thing from jail, hospital

kinetic

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US / kɪˈnetɪk /

UK / kɪˈnɛtɪk, kaɪ- /

C1
  • adjecitve
  • Of or relating to movement

reservoir

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US / ˈrezəvwɑ:(r) /

UK / ˈrezərvwɑ:(r) /

B1
  • noun
  • A lake storing water for use by the community
  • Large, extra supply of something future use

widen

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US / 'waɪdn /

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A2
  • verb
  • To make something broader; increase

inconvenience

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US / ˌɪnkənˈvi:niəns /

UK / ˌɪnkənˈvinjəns /

B1
  • noun
  • Quality of being difficult or annoying to do

insulate

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US / 'ɪnsjʊleɪt /

UK / ˈɪnsəˌlet, ˈɪnsjə- /

B2
  • verb
  • To prevent heat, electricity, sound from passing
  • To protect from a particular influence or danger

turbine

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US / ˈtɜ:baɪn /

UK / ˈtɜ:rbaɪn /

C1
  • noun
  • Engine or motor that operates from fluid pressure

pressurize

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US / 'preʃəraɪz /

UK / ˈprɛʃəˌraɪz /

A2
  • verb
  • To add pressure to something (e.g. a diving suit)

lithium

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US / ˈlɪθiəm /

UK / ˈlɪθiəm /

A1
  • noun
  • Soft silver-white univalent element of the alkali metal group; the lightest metal known; occurs in s

hydro

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US / 'haɪdrəʊ /

UK / 'haɪdroʊ /

A1
  • noun
  • A hydroelectric power plant.
  • A hotel or clinic originally providing hydropathic treatment.

patchwork

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US / ˈpætʃwɜ:k /

UK / ˈpætʃwɜ:rk /

A1
  • noun
  • Quilt made by sewing different materials together

hydroelectric

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US / ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˈlektrɪk /

UK / ˌhaɪdroʊɪˈlektrɪk /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Using water-power to produce electricity

vox

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US / vɒks /

UK / vɒks /

A1
  • noun
  • (especially in music journalism) vocals; voice.

neel

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UK / 'ni:dlɪŋ /

A1
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • How to fix clean energy's storage problem
    The demand for electricity varies throughout the day, with peak usage occurring in the morning and evening. California's power grid relies on a combination of wind power, solar energy, and fossil fuels to meet this demand. However, the inability to store solar and wind energy poses a significant challenge in transitioning to a fully renewable energy system.
    The current solution to store energy is through the use of batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have seen significant advancements in recent years and are commonly used by individual homes with solar panels. However, when it comes to the scale required for grid-level storage, lithium-ion batteries face limitations.
    According to Neel Dhanesha, a founding writer at Heatmap and a contributor to Vox, the main challenges with lithium-ion batteries are the scale of production and the availability of lithium. Producing a sufficient number of batteries to meet the grid's storage needs is currently unfeasible due to the limited availability of lithium on Earth.
    Despite these limitations, lithium-ion batteries are also in high demand for other industries, further complicating the availability of the resource. Therefore, alternative solutions are needed to address the storage problem in clean energy systems.
  • Subtitles section
  • This is the typical demand for electricity on a spring day in California.
  • It starts growing around 6 AM, then rises again around 6 PM.
  • Now, this line shows when wind power feeds the California power grid.
  • Wind is variable but often picks up at night.
  • Solar panels, on the other hand kick into gear around 7 AM generate a lot of electricity until the sun sets around 7 PM.
  • On most days neither comes close to meeting the peak demands of the day so the power company relies on fossil fuels like natural gas to make up for the gap which widens significantly when people use electricity the most.
  • Since the power company can't store the solar and wind energy it has to use fossil fuels at these times which can be stored in barrels and tanks.
  • It's kind of the big gap in our renewable energy system right now.
  • If we don't figure out a way storing energy, there's a chance that we're going to be still dependent on fossil fuels.
  • So how do we store some of the solar and wind energy for later?
  • Right now, you might be thinking "Just use a battery." and you're not wrong.
  • Batteries have improved immensely over the past few years particularly lithium-ion batteries which use a chemical reaction to store energy.
  • Individual homes that have solar panels often use lithium-ion batteries to store energy.
  • But there's a few reasons lithium-ion isn't perfect for the grid.
  • This is Neel Dhanesha a founding writer at Heatmap, a climate news site.
  • And he wrote about this for Vox in 2022.
  • One is just the scale that's needed.
  • We would need a lot at a level that we just don't really have right now.
  • That's a challenge because lithium is only found in a few places on Earth.
  • But more importantly like we need lithium-ion batteries for other things.
  • Lithium-ion batteries are really good for stuff that moves because it's relatively light.
  • Meaning it's better suited for things like electric cars and portable electronics.
  • Not power grids that stay still.
  • Luckily, there's another energy storage solution that's actually been around for a long time.
  • "This is the site for the first pump storage hydroelectric station in southern Ireland." This is a type of energy storage called "Pumped storage hydro".
  • They were first built in Europe.
  • The US built one in 1929 and many more were built in the 1970s and 80s as a way to stored nuclear power.
  • Today, these facilities are all over the world.
  • There are 39 of them in the US.
  • And they store energy in a really fascinating yet simple way.
  • When energy demand is low, renewable or fossil fuel energy is used to pump water from a reservoir or river up a mountain into a higher reservoir.
  • Basically converting this energy into what's called potential energy.
  • So potential energy you might kind of remember from high school physics.
  • When a thing is up at a height, it has stored potential energy.
  • When it's let go, it turns into kinetic energy.
  • When that energy is needed the water is released down the mountain where it's converted into kinetic energy that spins a turbine and generates electricity for the grid.
  • It's a way of combining water, a mountain, and gravity into a battery and it can be about 90% efficient meaning only 10% of this energy is lost in the process.
  • Pumped torage hydro works really well but it's difficult to build more.
  • Well, for starters, you need a mountain and you need to hollow out a mountain to put pumps inside it.
  • And it takes a lot of money and we don't have mountains everywhere.
  • So the ideal way to store renewable energy would be something that's cheaper and smaller than a pumped storage hydro plant...
  • but works in roughly the same way.
  • One company, Energy Vault is also using gravity to store renewable energy.
  • But without the water or mountain.
  • Instead, renewable energy is used to lift heavy block of concrete up into the air where it becomes potential energy.
  • Then, when it's needed he blocks are released, spinning a turbine which converts the potential energy back into electricity.
  • Energy Vault calls this "gravity energy storage".
  • And while it's still being tested, the company claims it could be more than 80% efficient.
  • A company called Quidnet is working on a different version of the same principle.
  • Their "geomechanical pumped storage" unit uses renewable energy to pump water underground into a pressurized hole...
  • where it can be stored as potential energy.
  • Then released back up to the surface to spin a turbine and generate electricity.
  • Both techniques are betting on potential energy as a solution for storing renewable energy for the grid.
  • I think this partly because potential energy has shown itself to be pretty efficient.
  • Also, realistically, fewer moving parts.
  • If all you're doing basically is letting— is using gravity to work with you...
  • you have a pretty massive force of nature on your side right there.
  • But potential energy isn't the only possible solution.
  • Other companies are using renewable energy to super heat salt...
  • insulating it, then releasing that heat to create steam or hot air to drive a turbine.
  • Basically storing renewables by converting them to thermal energy.
  • Then there's a company that's betting on... rusted iron.
  • The they're called iron air batteries.
  • And what they do is they utilize the chemical reaction that creates rust to store and discharge energy.
  • The thing that we all sort of think of as an inconvenience could be really useful is just kind of beautiful to me.
  • Right now these ideas are all in various stages of development.
  • But they are attracting investors.
  • And the hope is that several will work because one might not fit every power grid.
  • The grid, like renewable energy overall is going to be a sort of patchwork solution.
  • And so the more we try these solutions the closer we get to figuring out exactly what the right mix is for what we need for the grid of the future.