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Scientists create robotic hand able to hold objects - BBC News

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

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

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

see

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US / si: /

UK / si /

A1
  • verb
  • To go on a date with someone
  • To predict whether something is, or will be true
  • To understand what someone says
  • To use your eyes to look at something
  • To visit a place often for sightseeing or pleasure
  • To visit or meet with someone
  • To find out by waiting or looking
  • To watch (a game, movie or TV show)

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

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

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

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

here

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US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

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

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

say

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US / seɪ /

UK / se /

A1
  • noun
  • Power to decide or greatly influence something
  • verb
  • To indicate or give information using language
  • To use words to tell your message
  • To ask someone to give information to others

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

these

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US / ði:z /

UK / ðiz /

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

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

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

actually

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US / ˈæktʃuəli /

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

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

give

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US / ɡɪv /

UK / ɡɪv /

A1
  • noun
  • Degree of flexibility in something, a material
  • verb
  • To hand over or present something to someone
  • To cause someone to have or experience something

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

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

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

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

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

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)

tell

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US / tel /

UK / tɛl /

A1
  • verb
  • To (strongly) advise a person to do something
  • To be able to guess
  • To say or communicate information to someone
  • To inform, but without speaking; indicate
  • To have a negative effect on someone
  • To order someone to do something; command
  • To recognize something based on certain signs
  • To report something to an authority
  • To explain something or teach someone something

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

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

feel

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US / fi:l /

UK / fil /

A1
  • verb
  • To be aware of or experience an emotion, sensation
  • To sense through direct contact; touch

why

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US / waɪ /

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Question word to ask for a reason
  • exclamation
  • (Used to express surprise or approval)

next

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US / nekst /

UK / nɛkst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Immediately after the previous one
  • First occurrence after the present one
  • adverb
  • The one that follows another in time or order
  • At a time or place directly after the present one
  • noun
  • The one that follows after

talk

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US / tɔ:k /

UK / tɔk /

A1
  • noun
  • Style of speaking
  • Discussion between two countries
  • Giving information in front of people; lecture
  • Saying things or ideas to someone with words
  • verb
  • To make a formal speech about something
  • To say things or ideas to someone with words

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

leave

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US / li:v /

UK / liv /

A1
  • noun
  • Permission to do something
  • Vacation time; time off work
  • verb
  • To go away from; depart
  • To gift property to someone after you die
  • To allow something to continue happening
  • To let something remain unused or available
  • To let something or someone remain somewhere

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

thank

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US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To tell someone you are grateful to them

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

anything

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US / ˈeniθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛniˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • A thing of any kind

real

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US / rɪəl /

UK / ˈriəl, ril /

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

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

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

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

its

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US / ɪts /

UK / ɪts /

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

break

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US / breɪk /

UK / brek /

A1
  • noun
  • Time you stop an activity before continuing
  • End of a relationship
  • An escape from a place such as a jail
  • (Lucky) advantage or benefit from something
  • Find a solution or answer to a problem or crime
  • Change in the weather
  • verb
  • To create a new record e.g. running the 100m dash
  • To form a crack in something
  • To burst or become damaged
  • To end a relationship
  • To escape from a place such as a jail
  • To train a wild animal e.g. a horse
  • To separate into pieces by force, or by dropping
  • To act against a law, rule, or promise
  • To become known suddenly, as in the news
  • To not do what you promised e.g. not keep promises
  • To solve a crime, or answer a problem
  • To stop functioning properly
  • To suddenly start, open or commence
  • To change in pitch suddenly, as in a voice
  • To fall on the shore, as in waves
  • To begin or change suddenly; the dawn or weather
  • To defeat by causing the person to lose their will

hold

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US / həʊld /

UK / hold /

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

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

seem

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US / si:m /

UK / sim /

A1
  • verb
  • To appear to be something

without

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US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

face

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US / feɪs /

UK / fes /

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

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

quite

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US / kwaɪt /

UK / kwaɪt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Not very; fairly
  • Very; In a complete or total manner

else

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US / els /

UK / ɛls /

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

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

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

learn

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US / lɜ:n /

UK / lɚn /

A1
  • verb
  • To get knowledge or skills by study or experience

moment

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US / 'məʊmənt /

UK / 'moʊmənt /

A1
  • noun
  • Very short or brief period of time
  • A particular period in time

job

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US / dʒɒb /

UK / dʒɑ:b /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that must be done
  • Regular work at which you earn money

create

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US / krɪ'eɪt /

UK / kriˈet /

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

understand

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US / ˌʌndə'stænd /

UK / ˌʌndɚˈstænd /

A1
  • verb
  • To know the meaning of language, what someone says

absolutely

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US / ˈæbsəlu:tli /

UK / ˈæbsəˌlutli, ˌæbsəˈlutli /

A2
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally; very

team

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US / ti:m /

UK / tim /

A1
  • noun
  • Group of people working on a task together
  • Group of people playing a sport together

speak

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US / spi:k /

UK / spik /

A1
  • verb
  • To be able to use a certain language
  • To use words to tell information, express thoughts

story

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US / 'stɔ:rɪ /

UK / ˈstɔri, ˈstori /

A1
  • noun
  • One of many floors or levels in a building
  • Account or description of how something happened

drop

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US / drɒp /

UK / drɑp /

A1
  • noun
  • Distance between a higher and a lower level
  • Act of letting something fall (from your hand)
  • A decrease in quantity or quality; reduction
  • Tiny amount of liquid, with rounded bottom
  • verb
  • To drive someone to a place and then drive away
  • To let something fall from your hand
  • To fall or lie down quickly, as when shot
  • To decide to stop something e.g. a course)
  • To (cause to) reduce in quantity or quality

catch

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US / kætʃ /

UK / kætʃ, kɛtʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Amount of something that has been caught
  • Trick or something trying to deceive
  • verb
  • To stop something flying and hold it
  • To stop something and not let it go, e.g. animals
  • To get sick or get a disease from someone else
  • To find someone to do something, a task
  • To get stuck on or in something
  • To be trapped so you can’t escape
  • To be able to understand what someone is saying

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

sense

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US / sens /

UK / sɛns /

A1
  • noun
  • Certain mental feeling or emotion
  • Normal or clear state of mind
  • Meaning of a particular word, phrase or text
  • verb
  • To perceive using sight, sound, taste touch etc.
  • To recognize the presence of something

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

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

join

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US / dʒɔɪn /

UK / dʒɔɪn /

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

term

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US / tɜ:m /

UK / tɚm /

A1
  • noun
  • Conditions applying to an agreement, contract
  • Length of time something is expected to happen
  • Fixed period of weeks for learning at school
  • The (precise) name given to something
  • verb
  • To call; give a name to

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

yes

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US / jes /

UK / jɛs /

A1
  • adverb
  • Way to say you agree or will do something

mention

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US / 'menʃn /

UK / ˈmɛnʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of referring to or talking about something
  • verb
  • To refer to or talk or write about something

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

touch

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US / tʌtʃ /

UK / tʌtʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Certain way of doing that makes something special
  • A small amount of something
  • Feeling of a surface
  • verb
  • To affect feelings, especially by causing sympathy
  • To be next to each other with no space between
  • To get involved with (used in negative)
  • To feel an object with your fingers, etc.

human

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US / 'hju:mən /

UK / ˈhjumən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or characteristic of people
  • noun
  • A person; a man, woman or child

picture

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US / 'pɪktʃə(r) /

UK / ˈpɪktʃɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • General situation or state of being
  • Mental image of what something is or looks like
  • Movie; film
  • Painting, drawing or photograph on paper or screen
  • verb
  • To understand or imagine something
  • To imagine someone or something in an image

difficult

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US / 'dɪfɪkəlt /

UK / ˈdɪfɪˌkʌlt, -kəlt /

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

quickly

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US / ˈkwɪkli /

UK / ˈkwɪklɪ /

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

difference

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US / 'dɪfrəns /

UK / ˈdɪfərəns, ˈdɪfrəns /

A1
  • noun
  • A thing or issue that people do not agree about
  • Not of the same kind; unlike other things

towards

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US / tə'wɔ:dz /

UK / 'təuədz, twɔ:dz /

A1
  • preposition
  • In the direction of someone or something

rather

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US / 'rɑ:ðə(r) /

UK / ˈræðɚ, ˈrɑðɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Somewhat; fairly; not that much

explain

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US / ɪk'spleɪn /

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

A1
  • verb
  • To make clear or easy to understand by describing

hang

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US / hæŋ /

UK / hæŋ /

A2
  • verb
  • To attach a picture, photograph etc. onto a wall
  • To float, move softly, or remain in the air
  • To kill by putting a rope around neck and dropping
  • To remain undecided, unsolved or unclear

thousand

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US / ˈθaʊznd /

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1,000

description

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US / dɪˈskrɪpʃn /

UK / dɪˈskrɪpʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Explanation of what something is like, looks like

report

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US / rɪ'pɔ:t /

UK / rɪˈpɔrt, ˈport /

A1
  • noun
  • Account of the necessary facts and information
  • The telling of news in the media
  • Official statement about something
  • verb
  • To submit a report or bill to the government
  • To write in a newspaper or speak on a news program
  • To state something officially
  • To officially present yourself to an authority
  • To describe something by telling it to others

near

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US / nɪə(r) /

UK / nɪr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being close in time; happening soon
  • Being similar to something
  • adverb
  • Closely related or associated
  • preposition
  • With a small distance between things
  • verb
  • To move closer in time or space

manage

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US / ˈmænɪdʒ /

UK / ˈmænɪdʒ /

A1
  • verb
  • To survive hardships and difficulties; to cope
  • To run or operate a business by directing others

hopefully

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US / ˈhəʊpfəli /

UK / ˈhopfəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a manner wishing something to happen

develop

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US / dɪ'veləp /

UK / dɪˈvɛləp /

A1
  • verb
  • To explain something in steps and in detail
  • To create or think of something
  • To grow bigger, more complex, or more advanced
  • To make a photograph from film

particular

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US / pəˈtɪkjələ(r) /

UK / pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ, pəˈtɪk- /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • One specific (one)
  • Having firm ideas about what is desirable
  • Being special or more than is typical

quality

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US / 'kwɒlətɪ /

UK / ˈkwɑlɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Feature associated with someone or something
  • High level of worth or excellence

easily

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US / ˈi:zəli /

UK / ˈizəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Clearly; without doubt; certainly
  • Without difficulty

struggle

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US / 'strʌɡl /

UK / ˈstrʌɡəl /

A2
  • noun
  • Strong efforts made to do something difficult
  • verb
  • To try very hard to do something difficult

pressure

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US / 'preʃə(r) /

UK / ˈprɛʃɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Anxiety caused by difficult problems
  • Force, weight when pressing against a thing
  • Strong persuasion to do something
  • verb
  • To apply force to something
  • To persuade or force someone to do something

recently

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US / ˈri:sntli /

UK / 'risṇtlɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just a while ago; not long ago

arm

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US / ɑ:m /

UK / ɑrm /

A1
  • noun
  • Part of your body from your shoulder to your hand
  • A branch of another object e.g. company
  • The side part of a chair where your arms go
  • The influence or power an authority has
  • verb
  • To activate a weapon or bomb for use
  • To give a gun or other weapon to a person or group

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

project

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US / prəˈdʒekt /

UK / prəˈdʒɛkt /

A1
  • noun
  • A planned piece of work for specific purpose
  • Group of homes built by government for poor people
  • verb
  • To predict what will happen in the future
  • To show something on a screen using light
  • To stick out past the edge of something

interested

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US / ˈɪntrəstɪd /

UK / ˈɪntrɪstɪd, -tərɪstɪd, -təˌrɛstɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having had your attention taken; curious
  • verb
  • To make someone want to know about something
  • To persuade to do, become involved with something

current

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US / 'kʌrənt /

UK / ˈkɚrənt, ˈkʌr- /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Happening or being in the present time
  • noun
  • Electricity flowing through wires
  • Movement of water in a river, or air in the sky

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

potential

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US / pəˈtenʃl /

UK / pəˈtɛnʃəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Capable of happening or becoming reality

machine

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US / mə'ʃi:n /

UK / məˈʃin /

A1
  • noun
  • Piece of equipment used to do work
  • Powerful group who control and organize things
  • verb
  • To shape, work on something, using a device

apply

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US / ə'plaɪ /

UK / əˈplaɪ /

A1
  • verb
  • To spread a substance or liquid over a surface
  • To commit your time and effort to doing something
  • To make something useful in a certain situation
  • To be relevant for a situation
  • To ask formally for (job, permission etc.)

skin

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US / skɪn /

UK / skɪn /

A2
  • noun
  • Outer covering of an animal used for leather; hide
  • Outer covering of a fruit or vegetable
  • Outer layer of an animal or human
  • Outer part of an object, such as a plane
  • verb
  • To defeat someone easily and completely
  • To hurt yourself, accidentally cutting yourself
  • To remove the outer covering from an animal

technology

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US / tek'nɒlədʒɪ /

UK / tɛkˈnɑlədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Use or knowledge of science in industry etc.

finger

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US / ˈfɪŋgə(r) /

UK / ˈfɪŋɡɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • One of the five long parts of the hand
  • verb
  • To touch something with the ends of the hands
  • To identify the person guilty of a crime

datum

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US / ˈdeɪtəm /

UK / ˈdetəm, ˈdætəm, ˈdɑtəm /

B1
  • noun
  • Item of factual information

contact

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US / 'kɒntækt /

UK / ˈkɑnˌtækt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Touching or feeling something
  • noun
  • Touching or feeling something
  • Object that allows electricity to run through it
  • Communication with someone or something
  • People who can give you information, introductions
  • verb
  • To get in touch with someone

achieve

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US / ə'tʃi:v /

UK / əˈtʃiv /

A2
  • verb
  • To succeed in doing good, usually by working hard

replace

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US / rɪ'pleɪs /

UK / rɪˈples /

A2
  • verb
  • To use instead of something else
  • To return an item to its original location

movement

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US / ˈmu:vmənt /

UK / ˈmuvmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Part of a piece of classical music
  • Group with a shared interest or goal
  • Group sharing the same idea to change society, art
  • Action you do when exercising, e.g. in a gym
  • Part of a piece of music

doctor

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US / ˈdɒktə(r) /

UK / ˈdɑːktɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Person paid to help people become or stay healthy
  • Person awarded the highest university degree
  • verb
  • To treat someone's illness
  • To change something in order to trick someone

industry

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US / 'ɪndəstrɪ /

UK / ˈɪndəstri /

A1
  • noun
  • Hard work; being busy working
  • Factories or businesses that make certain products

egg

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US / eg /

UK / ɛɡ /

A2
  • noun
  • Hard-shelled thing from which a young bird is born

potentially

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US / pə'tenʃəlɪ /

UK / pəˈtɛnʃəlɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • That could happen or become reality

soft

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US / sɒft /

UK / sɔft, sɑft /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having flowing curves rather than sharp edges
  • Easy to press, bend or cut; not hard or firm
  • Showing a sympathetic and gentle heart
  • Not rough to the touch; light in feel
  • (Of lights, music) not too bright; not too loud

hospital

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US / ˈhɒspɪtl /

UK / ˈhɑ:spɪtl /

A1
  • noun
  • Building for sick people, with doctors and nurses

scientist

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US / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

UK / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who is trained in a science

progress

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US / 'prəʊɡres /

UK / ˈprɑɡˌrɛs, -rəs, ˈproˌɡrɛs /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of moving forward
  • Improvement or development
  • verb
  • To move forward or toward a place or goal

task

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US / tɑ:sk /

UK / tæsk /

A2
  • noun
  • Big or small piece of work someone has to do
  • verb
  • To be given something to do, e.g. wash dishes

society

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US / sə'saɪətɪ /

UK / səˈsaɪɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • A group who meet to share values or interests
  • Group of people living together
  • Upper class of a community

complex

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US / 'kɒmpleks /

UK / kəmˈplɛks, ˈkɑmˌplɛks /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not being simple; having many parts or aspects
  • noun
  • Group of buildings all used for the same purpose
  • Psychological issue regarding self-image

behaviour

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US / bɪˈheɪvjə(r) /

UK / bɪˈhevjɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • The way a person or thing acts; manner

object

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US / 'ɒbdʒɪkt /

UK / ˈɑbdʒɪkt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something you can see or touch, but is not alive
  • Goal or purpose of a particular plan or activity
  • The thing that the action of a verb acts upon
  • verb
  • To disagree; to protest against an idea or plan

critical

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US / ˈkrɪtɪkl /

UK / ˈkrɪtɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Making a negative judgment of something
  • Being important or serious; vital; dangerous
  • Most important part

worker

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US / ˈwɜ:kə(r) /

UK / ˈwɜ:rkə(r) /

A1
  • noun
  • Person who works

chain

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US / tʃeɪn /

UK / tʃen /

A2
  • noun
  • Series of events or things that are connected
  • Series of (metal) connected links or rings
  • verb
  • To feel to be bound or tied to
  • To connect or tie with a rope made of metal links

capable

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US / 'keɪpəbl /

UK / ˈkepəbəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being able to do something very well; proficient

adjust

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US / əˈdʒʌst /

UK / əˈdʒʌst /

A2
  • verb
  • To change; to attain a desired state or function
  • To change so as to fit in with new conditions

technique

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US / tekˈni:k /

UK / tɛkˈnik /

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

university

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US / ˌju:nɪ'vɜ:sətɪ /

UK / ˌjunɪˈvɜrsəti /

A1
  • noun
  • High-level educational institution; college

fruit

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US / fru:t /

UK / frut /

A1
  • noun
  • Result or product of something
  • Food that grows on a tree or bush, usually sweet
  • verb
  • To grow e.g. apples, bananas, as a plant or a tree

whereas

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US / ˌweərˈæz /

UK / hwɛrˈæz, wɛr- /

A2
  • conjunction
  • Taking into consideration the fact that

application

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US / ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃn /

UK / ˌæplɪˈkeʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Software program, e.g. for smart phone
  • Process of spreading a substance over a surface
  • The specific use of a machine, idea, or discovery
  • Request for job, building permission etc.

robot

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US / ˈrəʊbɒt /

UK / ˈroʊbɑ:t /

B1
  • noun
  • Machine able perform more tasks that people can

grip

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US / ɡrɪp /

UK / ɡrɪp /

A2
  • noun
  • Strong understanding of an idea
  • Control over something or someone
  • Part of an object to help you hold onto it
  • Act of holding something firmly
  • other
  • Control over something or someone
  • verb
  • To hold someone's interest
  • To hold something in your hand very firmly

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

ones

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US / wʌnz /

UK / wʌnz /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1, a single person or thing

congrat

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US / /

UK / /

A1

bbc

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US / ˌbiː biː ˈsiː /

UK / ˌbiː biː ˈsiː /

A1
  • abbreviation
  • short for British Broadcasting Corporation

sensor

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US / ˈsensə(r) /

UK / ˈsɛnsɚ, -ˌsɔr /

B2
  • noun
  • Device that detects movement or physical stimuli

practical

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US / ˈpræktɪkl /

UK / ˈpræktɪkəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Relating to what is sensible, real or useful

professor

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US / prəˈfesə(r) /

UK / prəˈfɛsɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Teacher who teaches at a college or university

ongoing

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US / ˈɒngəʊɪŋ /

UK / ˈɑ:ngoʊɪŋ /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Continuing to exist or be in progress

achievement

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US / əˈtʃi:vmənt /

UK / əˈtʃivmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something good that you have successfully done

op

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US / ɒp /

UK / ɑːp /

B2
  • noun
  • Shortened form of of 'medical operation'

capability

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US / ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti /

UK / ˌkeɪpə'bɪləti /

B1
  • noun
  • Means, ability, or potential to do something

manual

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US / ˈmænjuəl /

UK / ˈmænjuəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Done by hand (not machine)
  • (Of a car) using individual gears ( not automatic)
  • noun
  • Book explaining how to use a machine

variation

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US / ˌveəriˈeɪʃn /

UK / ˌvɛriˈeʃən, ˈvær- /

A2
  • noun
  • Something almost the same as another but different
  • Music played with a different tune from another

wrist

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US / rɪst /

UK / rɪst /

A2
  • noun
  • Part where your hand joins your arm

manufacturing

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US / ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərɪŋ /

UK / ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərɪŋ /

A2
  • noun
  • The act of making things in factories
  • verb
  • To produce large numbers of products in a factory
  • To create a story or explanation that is not true

mimic

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US / 'mɪmɪk /

UK / ˈmɪmɪk /

B2
  • noun
  • Someone who tries to act like another person
  • verb
  • To copy a person's words/actions to amuse people
  • To look or act like something else

grasp

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US / ɡrɑ:sp /

UK / ɡræsp /

B1
  • noun
  • Person's control over something
  • Act of holding something strongly in your hands
  • Understanding of a complex idea
  • Reach of a person's arms
  • verb
  • To hold something in your hand very tightly
  • To understand or make sense of a complex idea

lower

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US / 'ləʊə(r) /

UK / ˈlaʊɚ, laʊr /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • In a position more near the bottom
  • verb
  • To move something downward to the ground

conventional

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US / kən'venʃənl /

UK / kənˈvɛnʃənəl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Following the common attitudes and practices

programme

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US / ˈprəʊgræm /

UK / ˈproˌɡræm, -ɡrəm /

A1
  • noun
  • A plan or schedule of events
  • TV show
  • verb
  • To write computer code for a piece of software

robotic

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US / rəʊˈbɒtɪk /

UK / roʊˈbɑ:tɪk /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning mechanical robots

unhealthy

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US / ʌn'helθɪ /

UK / ʌnˈhɛlθi /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in poor health; sickly
  • Not healthy; that might make you sick

retailer

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US / ˈri:teɪlə(r) /

UK / ˈritelɚ /

B2
  • noun
  • Merchant/store who sells goods at retail

invitation

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US / ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃn /

UK / ˌɪnvɪˈteʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • When someone asks another to attend an event, etc.

rigid

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US / ˈrɪdʒɪd /

UK / ˈrɪdʒɪd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Stiff rather than flexible
  • Very fixed in your opinion or habits

logistic

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US / lə'dʒɪstɪkl /

UK / loˈdʒɪstɪk /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning planning and organizing a large project

revolutionize

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US / ˌrevə'lu:ʃənaɪz /

UK / revəˈluːʃəˌnaɪz /

B1
  • verb
  • To completely change so that it is much better

agriculture

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US / ˈægrɪkʌltʃə(r) /

UK / ˈæɡrɪˌkʌltʃɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • The science of farming

manipulation

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US / məˌnɪpjʊ'leɪʃn /

UK / məˌnɪpjʊˈleʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of controlling to gain an advantage
  • Act of moving something using your hands

tedious

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US / ˈti:diəs /

UK / ˈtidiəs /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Being uninteresting and taking a long time; boring

cambridge

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US / 'kæmbrɪdʒ /

UK / 'kæmbrɪdʒ /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A city in eastern England; population 116,900 (est. 2009). Cambridge University is located here.
  • A city in eastern Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Boston; population 105,596 (est. 2008

automation

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US / ˌɔ:təˈmeɪʃn /

UK / ˌɔtəˈmeʃən /

B2
  • noun
  • Use of machines to do tasks once done by people

instinctively

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US / ɪn'stɪŋktɪvlɪ /

UK / ɪn'stɪŋktɪvlɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • Through intuition, not thought

dexterous

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US / ˈdekstrəs /

UK / ˈdɛkstərəs, -strəs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Skillful in physical movements especially of hands

gripper

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US / 'grɪpə /

UK / 'grɪpə /

B2
  • noun
  • Part of an object to help you hold onto it

aida

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US / /

UK / /

A1
  • noun
  • A material consisting of a mesh of small holes, used in cross-stitch embroidery.
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • Scientists at Cambridge University have developed a low-cost, energy-efficient robotic hand capable of holding a range of objects. The 3D-printed hand adjusts its grip and has sensors so it can pick up an egg without breaking it. This technology is expected to revolutionize industries. Femiha Aida, Professor of Robotics at Cambridge, explains that the team is interested in bio-inspired robotics, which involves understanding why machines are not able to do things that humans can do easily, such as manipulating different objects. One challenge they have faced is giving robotic grippers a sense of touch, and they have recently made progress in this area. The sensors in the robotic hand mimic the soft contact that human hands have with objects, which allows them to apply the right amount of pressure and prevent breakage or dropping of delicate items.
  • Subtitles section
  • Now, scientists at Cambridge University have developed a low-cost, energy-efficient, robotic hand capable of holding a range of objects.
  • The 3D-printed hand adjusts its grip and has sensors so it can pick up an egg without breaking it.
  • It's hoped the technology will revolutionise industries.
  • Well, let's talk now to Femiha Aida, who's Professor of Robotics at Cambridge, one of the team that's developed this robotic hand.
  • Thank you so much for being here on the programme.
  • Congratulations with all of this.
  • Explain a little more about what you've achieved here.
  • Yes.
  • Thank you for the invitation.
  • So what we're interested in is the so-called bio-inspired robotics, looking at the difference between animals and machines, trying to understand why machines are not able to do those things that the human can do very easily,
  • Such as manipulation of different kinds of objects.
  • And one of the challenges that we have been facing so far is putting some sensors, giving a sense of touch to the robotic grippers.
  • And that's something we developed recently and make quite a good achievement about how the robots can feel about what they're touching.
  • And that's the things that we reported recently.
  • That seems to be the critical bit.
  • We're looking at the pictures of this robotic arm as we're speaking.
  • Now, humans instinctively know how much pressure to apply so that the egg that I mentioned doesn't break or get dropped.
  • Tell me how these sensors actually work, how they mimic human behaviour.
  • Yes.
  • So one of the difficult things is that our hands in humans have a very soft contact with the variation of objects, whereas most of the conventional robots have the rigid fingers, rigid hands.
  • And the real challenge is how we can put sensors in the soft skins that we can create now in the robotic systems.
  • And putting some sensors in the fingers is really critical because now we use a lot of AI machine learning techniques that you can make use of a lot of data.
  • But getting high quality data about the contact with the object is really a challenge.
  • And that's something we achieved in this project.
  • I'll talk about the practical uses of it in a moment.
  • But I think I'm right in saying that you tried 14 different objects.
  • It managed to grasp 11 of them.
  • What in particular did it seem to struggle with?
  • So one of the really difficult things is that you need a very dexterous manipulation and a very soft touch.
  • Some of the things are really difficult to feel the touch.
  • Whereas if you put a good sensor, you can actually have a good contact with the object.
  • And that's something we're trying to figure out.
  • And our sensor capability is not as good as humans, but that's something we were trying to catch up with.
  • So it's ongoing work.
  • But in terms of the potential here, what do you see as the potential for industries or anything else?
  • Yes.
  • So there are lots of manual workers in our society.
  • They're still being away from the automation.
  • Looking at something like in agriculture, manufacturing and retailer, pick and place operations, logistic chain, hospital operations.
  • There are actually thousands and thousands of people still working in rather tedious tasks that they have to do because the robots are not capable of replacing their manipulation tasks.
  • And we're interested in all of these applications.
  • We could potentially replace human workers from tedious and unhealthy ones.
  • I mean, the human hand is so complex, isn't it?
  • I know with this one, what you've developed, it has wrist movement, but not particular finger movement.
  • In terms of the next stages, how quickly do you think you can get those sensors working around the fingers and make even more progress?
  • Yes, we cannot replace all of the human manual tasks with the current technologies.
  • But we are trying to figure out what can be a lower hanging fruit for robots, for this kind of robots to do the human jobs.
  • And in the future, we can go more and more towards human capability.
  • We're still far away from what humans can do, but hopefully in the near future, we can catch up with the human capabilities.
  • Well, it's absolutely fascinating, both looking at the pictures and talking to you and having that description.
  • Doctor, we'll leave it there.
  • But thank you so much for joining us on BBC News.
  • An absolutely fascinating story.
  • Thank you very much.