Preparing usage notes, please check back later
above ground
US /əˈbʌv ɡraʊnd/
UK /əˈbʌv ɡraʊnd/
- Preposition
- Located on or higher than the earth's surface.
B2Moreadditional
US /ə'dɪʃənl/
UK /əˈdɪʃənl/
- Adjective
- Further or added
- Extra to what already exists
A2TOEICMoreas opposed to
US
UK
- Preposition
- In contrast to; rather than.
- Instead of; in place of.
A1Moreat the same time
US
UK
- Phrase
- Simultaneously; at the identical moment.
- Nevertheless; however; used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement.
A1Morebased on
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
- Preposition
- Using something as the main idea or foundation.
- Relying on something as evidence or justification.
A1Morebasically
US /ˈbesɪkəli,-kli/
UK /ˈbeɪsɪkli/
- Adverb
- Used before you explain something simply, clearly
- In essence; when you consider the most important aspects of something.
A2Morebear
US /bɛr/
UK /bɛː/
- Transitive Verb
- To accept (responsibilities or duties)
- To give birth to a child; to produce fruit
- Countable Noun
- Large brown animal with fur that lives in forests
- Someone who expects stock market to fall
A2Morebond
US /bɑnd/
UK /bɒnd/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Rope, chain or other thing used to tie someone up
- Closeness that is shared between people or groups
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To develop a close relationship with
- To become joined or connected, e.g. using glue
A2TOEICMorebring in
US /brɪŋ ɪn/
UK /briŋ in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To earn a certain amount of money or profits
- To add person into existing group, e.g. phone call
A1Morecable
US /ˈkebəl/
UK /ˈkeɪbl/
- Transitive Verb
- To transmit a message over a wire
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Message sent by wireless telegraphy
- Satellite TV distributed by cables
B1Morecement
US /sɪˈmɛnt/
UK /sɪ'ment/
- Uncountable Noun
- Building material made from gray powder, water
- Transitive Verb
- To bind or hold together strongly
- To make something more stable or stronger
B1Morecivil
US /ˈsɪvəl/
UK /ˈsɪvl/
- Adjective
- Of citizens of a country; not military, criminal
- Acting in a polite, but not truly friendly manner
B1Morecivil engineer
US
UK
- Noun
- An engineer who designs and maintains public works, such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings.
A2Morecollapse
US /kəˈlæps/
UK /kə'læps/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To fold (e.g. a stroller) down to make it smaller
- To suddenly fall down or break apart into pieces
- Noun
- The sudden failure of a structure or system.
- The sudden failure of a bodily organ or function.
B1Morecome back
US /kʌm bæk/
UK /kʌm bæk/
- Phrasal Verb
- To reply to someone, often forcefully
- To be remembered
A1Morecompression
US /kəmˈprɛʃən/
UK /kəm'preʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- Act of reducing something in time, size, quantity
B2Moreconcrete
US /kɑnˈkrit, kɑŋ-, ˈkɑnˌkrit, ˈkɑŋ-/
UK /'kɒŋkri:t/
- Uncountable Noun
- Hard building material made of cement, sand, water
- Transitive Verb
- To cover or make with a hard grey building material
- To lay or cover with concrete.
B1Moreconstant
US /ˈkɑnstənt/
UK /'kɒnstənt/
- Adjective
- Happening frequently or without pause
- Remaining the same over time or not changing.
- Noun
- Thing that happens always or at a regular rate
- A physical quantity that is believed to have a fixed value and is used in calculations.
A2TOEICMorecounteract
US /ˌkaʊntɚˈækt/
UK /ˌkaʊntərˈækt/
- Transitive Verb
- To reduce the impact doing something opposite
C1Morecut out
US /kʌt aʊt/
UK /kʌt aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To leave out of something, e.g. a social event
- To cut something from, e.g. a picture from a book
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To stop doing or using something.
- To be naturally suited or fitted for something.
A1Moredeal with
US /dil wɪð/
UK /di:l wið/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To buy or sell goods or services.
- Phrasal Verb
- To take action to solve a problem or manage a situation.
- To be about; concern.
A1Moredeck
US /dɛk/
UK /dek/
- Noun
- Floor built into a ship, bus, plane or home
- Transitive Verb
- To hit someone hard enough to knock them down
B1Moredesert
US /ˈdɛzət/
UK /'dezət/
- Transitive Verb
- To leave a place for ever; abandon
- To leave when one is needed or expected to stay
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Bare area of land, often with few plants and water
- A punishment or reward that is deserved.
A2Moredirection
US /dɪˈrɛkʃən, daɪ-/
UK /də'rekʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- When someone tells people what to do
- Describes the way you are going, e.g. North
A2TOEICMoredown under
US /daʊn ˈʌndɚ/
UK /daun ˈʌndə/
- Proper Noun
- A colloquial term for Australia and New Zealand.
- Adverb
- Below or underneath something.
A1Moreelevate
US /ˈɛləˌvet/
UK /ˈelɪveɪt/
- Transitive Verb
- To make something higher
- To raise something in status, importance, feeling
B2Moreexpose
US /ɪkˈspoʊz/
UK /ɪk'spəʊz/
- Transitive Verb
- To make visible, without covering or protection
- To allow light through a cameras lens onto film
A2TOEICMorefloat away
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To drift or move gently away on water or in the air.
A2Morefootprint
US /ˈfʊtˌprɪnt/
UK /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Mark left by a foot of an animal or human
- The effect a person or community has on the environment, expressed as the amount of carbon dioxide produced.
C1Morefor certain
US /fɔr ˈsɚtn/
UK /fɔ: ˈsə:tn/
- Idiom
- Definitely; without a doubt.
- Phrase
- Without any doubt; definitely.
for the present
US /fɚ ðə ˈprɛzənt/
UK /fə ðə ˈprezənt/
- other
- For now; temporarily or at this time.
B2Morego out
US /ɡo aʊt/
UK /ɡəu aut/
- Phrase
- To leave a building (e.g. a house)
- Phrasal Verb
- (Of a fire) to burn out; be extinguished
- Go out of fashion to stop being fashionable
A1Morehave to
US /hæv tu/
UK /ˈhæv tə/
- Auxiliary Verb
- Must do
A1Morein general
US /ɪn ˈdʒɛnərəl/
UK /in ˈdʒenərəl/
- Phrase
- Typically; usually; on the whole.
- Not specific or detailed; broadly.
- Adjective
- Not detailed or specific; overall.
C2Morein need
US /ɪn nid/
UK /in ni:d/
- Phrase
- Not having the necessary things, such as food
A1Morein other words
US
UK
- Phrase
- Stating something in a different way, often to make it clearer or more understandable.
in terms of
US
UK
- Phrase
- With regard to; concerning a particular aspect.
A1Morein the ground
US
UK
- Phrase
- Located within or beneath the surface of the earth.
- Referring to something placed or growing in soil.
A1Morein the past
US
UK
- Phrase
- During a former period of time; previously.
A1Morein the wind
US /ɪn ðə wɪnd/
UK /ɪn ðə wɪnd/
- other
- Something likely to happen or be revealed soon.
B2Morein the world
US /ɪn ði wɜrld/
UK /in ðə wɜː(r)ld/
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
- Used to indicate the extent or degree of something, often in a superlative sense.
A1Moreinside of
US /ɪnˈsaɪd ʌv/
UK /inˈsaid ɔv/
- Preposition
- Within; in the inner part of.
- Within a certain period of time.
A1Moreinstead of
US /ɪnˈstɛd ʌv/
UK /inˈsted ɔv/
- Preposition
- When one thing is replaced by another
- Adverb
- As a substitute or alternative.
A1Morejam up
US /dʒæm ʌp/
UK /dʒæm ʌp/
- other
- To become stuck or blocked, preventing movement or function.
B2Moreknow about
US /noʊ əˈbaʊt/
UK /nəʊ əˈbaut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To have information or understanding of a subject or situation.
literally
US /ˈlɪtərəli/
UK
- Adverb
- In a literal manner or sense; exactly as stated.
- Used for emphasis to describe something that is actually true, often to highlight surprise or intensity.
B1Morelook at
US /lʊk æt/
UK /luk æt/
- Phrasal Verb
- To use your eyes to focus on something
- To focus your eyes on something carefully
A1Moremakeshift
US /ˈmekˌʃɪft/
UK /ˈmeɪkʃɪft/
- Adjective
- That only serves as something temporarily
- Noun
- A temporary substitute.
B2TOEICMorenarrow
US /ˈnæro/
UK /'nærəʊ/
- Adjective
- Not wide; short from one side to the other
- Limited; not broad in scope
- Intransitive Verb
- To become thinner or less wide
A2TOEICMoreon average
US /ɑn ˈævərɪdʒ/
UK /ɔn ˈævəridʒ/
- Phrase
- Typically; usually; based on an average calculation.
B1Moreon the other side of
US /ɑn ði ˈʌðɚ ˈsaɪd ʌv/
UK /ɒn ði ˈʌðə ˈsaɪd ɒv/
- Preposition
- Located across something from a given point.
A2Moreoptimum
US /ˈɑptəməm/
UK /'ɒptɪməm/
- Adjective
- Best or most desirable, effective
- Noun
- Best or most desirable, effective amount
B2Moreout there
US /aʊt ðɛr/
UK /aut ðɛə/
- Adverb
- In or to a place that is far away
- Existing in the universe
- Adjective
- Unconventional; strange; avant-garde
- Existing or available.
A1Moreoutside of
US /aʊtˈsaɪd ʌv/
UK /ˌautˈsaid ɔv/
- Preposition
- Located or situated beyond the boundaries or confines of something.
- Beyond the scope, range, or limits of something.
A1Moreover time
US /ˈovɚ taɪm/
UK /ˈəuvə taim/
- Phrase
- Gradually; as time passes.
- During a long period.
- Adverb
- Gradually; as time passes.
B1Moreoxygen
US /ˈɑksɪdʒən/
UK /'ɒksɪdʒən/
- Uncountable Noun
- A gas in the air that we need to breathe
- Oxygen administered as a medical treatment.
B1Morepollution
US /pəˈluʃən/
UK /pəˈlu:ʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- Dangerous substances released into an environment
- The action of polluting; the state of being polluted.
B1TOEICMorerefer
US /rɪˈfɚ/
UK /rɪ'fɜ:(r)/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To talk about or write about something
- To give information about something
A2TOEICMorereinforce
US /ˌri:ɪnˈfɔ:rs/
UK /ˌri:ɪnˈfɔ:s/
- Transitive Verb
- To send more troops/resources to support an army
- To encourage or strengthen an idea or feeling
B2TOEICMorereinforced concrete
US /ˌriɪnˈfɔrst, -ˈforst/
UK /ˌri:ɪnˈfɔ:st, -ˈfəʊrst/
- Uncountable Noun
- Concrete in which metal bars or mesh are embedded to increase its tensile strength.
C1Morerepresent
US /ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/
UK /ˌreprɪ'zent/
- Transitive Verb
- To depict art objects, figures, scenes; to portray
- To show or describe something in a particular way
A2TOEICMoreresidential
US /ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl/
UK /ˌrezɪˈdenʃl/
- Adjective
- Concerning patients staying in a hospital
- Being used for private homes
B1TOEICMorerule out
US /rul aʊt/
UK /ru:l aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To eliminate as a possibility; exclude.
A1Moresame time
US
UK
- Phrase
- Occurring simultaneously or at the same point in time.
- At the identical time as before; recurring at a fixed hour.
- Noun
- An equal duration or period.
A1Moresection
US / ˈsɛkʃən/
UK /'sekʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- A part of a whole
- Specific group of people from a larger group
- Transitive Verb
- To divide something into smaller parts
B1TOEICMoreshout out
US /ʃaʊt aʊt/
UK /ʃaut aut/
- Noun
- A public expression of greeting or praise.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To publicly mention or acknowledge someone or something.
- To publicly acknowledge or thank someone.
A2Moresignificant
US /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
UK /sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt/
- Adjective
- Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
- Having meaning; important; noticeable
A2TOEICMoresink
US /sɪŋk/
UK /sɪŋk/
- Transitive Verb
- To push something down into the ground
- To dig (a well)
- Countable Noun
- Large bowl in a kitchen or washroom for washing
A2TOEICMoresink in
US /sɪŋk ɪn/
UK /siŋk in/
- Phrasal Verb
- (Of an idea) to slowly be understood or felt
- To penetrate a surface.
A2Moreskyscraper
US /ˈskaɪˌskrepɚ/
UK /'skaɪskreɪpə(r)/
- Countable Noun
- Very tall building with many stories
B2Moresquare
US /skwɛr/
UK /skweə(r)/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Shape with 4 equal length sides and 4 equal angles
- The result of multiplying Length by the width
- Adjective
- Being fair or honest
- Multiply a number by itself e.g. 2x2 or 6x6
A2TOEICMorestrength
US /strɛŋkθ, strɛŋθ, strɛnθ/
UK /streŋθ/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Condition of being strong
- The quality or state of being physically strong.
A2TOEICMoresuch as
US /sʌtʃ æz/
UK /sʌtʃ æz/
- Preposition
- For example; like
A1Moresuspension
US /səˈspɛnʃən/
UK /səˈspenʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- Liquid in which fine particles are suspended
- Act of temporarily interrupting an activity
B2Moresway
US /swe/
UK /sweɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- Power or influence to control a person or group
- Action of moving slowly from side to side
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To change your opinion or position often
- To influence a person's thoughts/opinion; persuade
B2TOEICMoreswitch up
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To change or alternate something.
A1Moreto do with
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To be about something; concern
A1Moretransportation
US /ˌtrænspɔ:rˈteɪʃn/
UK /ˌtrænspɔ:ˈteɪʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Act of moving people or goods between places
- A system or means of transport, especially public transport.
B1Moretunnel
US /ˈtʌnəl/
UK /'tʌnl/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Passage under the ground, often for cars or trains
- Noun
- As if looking in a long hole
B1Moreunderscore
US //ˌʌndərˈskɔr//
UK
- Transitive Verb
- To highlight or stress
- To provide a musical accompaniment or background to a scene or performance.
- Noun
- A punctuation mark (_) written below the line.
- A line drawn under a word or phrase for emphasis or to indicate a space.
C1Moreurban
US /ˈɚbən/
UK /'ɜ:bən/
- Adjective
- Concerning a city; located in a city
- Relating to the style of dress and music popular in cities.
B1TOEICMorevertical
US /ˈvɜ:rtɪkl/
UK /ˈvɜ:tɪkl/
- Adjective
- (Of a line, etc.) going up and down; not horizontal
- Extending or operating upward from a base.
- Noun
- A vertical line or plane.
- An upright structural member.
B1Morewanna
US /ˈwɑnə/
UK /'wɒnə/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- Shortened form of 'want to'. Used only in speaking
B2Morework on
US /wɚk ɑn/
UK /wə:k ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To devote effort to improve or develop something
- To try to persuade or influence someone.
A1More
