abuse
US /əˈbjuz/
UK /ə'bju:s/
- Transitive Verb
- To mistreat or be cruel towards someone
- To use in an inappropriate or excessive way
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Improper/dishonest/excessive use of something
- Insulting someone, e.g. by swearing at them
A2TOEICMoreaccountability
US /əˌkaʊntə'bɪlətɪ/
UK /əˌkaʊntə'bɪlətɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- Responsibility to someone or for some activity
B1Moreaddictive
US /əˈdɪktɪv/
UK /əˈdɪktɪv/
- Adjective
- Being powerless to stop doing or using something
B1Moreaffection
US /əˈfɛkʃən/
UK /əˈfekʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Feeling of liking someone or something
- A gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
B1Morealso known as
US
UK
- Phrase
- Also called; alternatively named.
- Identified by another term; synonymous with.
A1Moreat least
US /æt list/
UK /æt li:st/
- Adverb
- As a minimum
- Not less than
- Phrase
- No less than; at the minimum
- Used to indicate that something is positive in a bad situation.
C2Moreattentive
US /əˈtɛntɪv/
UK /əˈtentɪv/
- Adjective
- Thoughtful and considerate
- Paying attention to; concentrating on
B2TOEICMoreavoid
US /əˈvɔɪd/
UK /ə'vɔɪd/
- Transitive Verb
- To prevent from happening
- To stay away from
A2TOEICMoreblame
US /blem/
UK /bleɪm/
- Transitive Verb
- To say someone is responsible for something bad
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Act of saying someone did something bad
A2TOEICMorebond
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
A2TOEICMorebreaks down
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To forcibly break, destroy or make collapse
- (Machine) to stop working or become weaker
A1Morecalm
US /kɑm/
UK /kɑ:m/
- Adjective
- Without wind or storm; quiet; peaceful
- Relaxed and not worried or angry
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To make or become relaxed and not worried or angry
A2Morecause
US /kɔz/
UK /kɔ:z/
- Noun
- Belief, goal or organization that people support
- Reason for
- Transitive Verb
- To make something happen; create effect or result
A2Moreclarity
US /ˈklærɪti/
UK /'klærətɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- Being easy to be seen through, heard or understood
- The quality of an image being sharp and clear
B1Morecling to
US /klɪŋ tu/
UK /kliŋ tu:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To hold onto something tightly, often for support or safety.
- To adhere strongly to a belief, idea, or principle, even when it may be difficult or unpopular.
C2Morecrack
US /kræk/
UK /kræk/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Attempt to achieve a goal or objective
- Unexpected and hard hit to the body
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To attempt to achieve a goal or objective
- To hit someone or something hard and unexpectedly
B1Morecrave
US /krev/
UK /kreɪv/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To have a very strong desire for something
B2Moreemotional
US /ɪˈmoʃənəl/
UK /ɪˈməʊʃənl/
- Adjective
- Causing, feeling, or appealing to the emotions
- Relating to or characterized by emotion
A2Moreempower
US /ɛmˈpaʊɚ/
UK /ɪm'paʊə(r)/
- Transitive Verb
- To give someone a power or ability
B2Moreerode
US /ɪˈrod/
UK /ɪ'rəʊd/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To destroy something gradually; be destroyed thus
- To wear away gradually by water, ice or wind
B1TOEICMoreescalate
US /ˈɛskəˌlet/
UK /ˈeskəleɪt/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To increase in size, intensity, or scope
- To become much worse or more severe
B2Morefamiliar
US /fəˈmɪljɚ/
UK /fəˈmɪliə(r)/
- Adjective
- Well-known or easily recognized
- Having a good knowledge of something.
- Noun
- A close friend or associate.
- (In folklore) a spirit, often in animal form, believed to attend and serve a witch.
A2TOEICMorefeel like
US
UK
- Intransitive Verb
- To have a desire or inclination for something.
- To have a particular quality or sensation; resemble.
A1Morefinancial
US /faɪˈnænʃ(ə)l/
UK /faɪˈnænʃl/
- Adjective
- Involving money
- Relating to investments.
- Countable Noun
- A person who provides advice on financial matters.
A2TOEICMoregrieve
US /ɡriv/
UK /ɡri:v/
- Intransitive Verb
- To feel great sadness, as when someone dies
B2Moreheal
US /hi:l/
UK /hi:l/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To recover from or forget a bad experience
- To make or become healthy or well again
B1Moreinsight
US /ˈɪnˌsaɪt/
UK /'ɪnsaɪt/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Power to understand people and things very well
- Very good understanding of something
B1Moreintimacy
US /ˈɪntəməsi/
UK /'ɪntɪməsɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- The sharing of private and personal things
B2Moreintuition
US /ˌɪntuˈɪʃən, -tju-/
UK /ˌɪntjuˈɪʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Natural ability to guess or feel things
B2Moreirrational
US /ɪˈræʃənəl/
UK /ɪˈræʃənl/
- Adjective
- Not sensible or reasonable; illogical
- A real number that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers.
B2Moremanipulation
US /məˌnɪpjʊˈleʃən/
UK /məˌnɪpjʊ'leɪʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Act of controlling to gain an advantage
- Act of moving something using your hands
B1Morenavigate
US /ˈnævɪˌɡet/
UK /'nævɪɡeɪt/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To direct (car, plane etc.) in the right direction
- To deal successfully with something complex
B2Moreoften used to
US
UK
- Phrase
- Frequently employed or utilized for a specific purpose or action.
- Commonly applied or implemented in a particular situation or context.
A1Morepatience
US /ˈpeʃəns/
UK /ˈpeɪʃns/
- Uncountable Noun
- Ability to wait without being annoyed
- Perseverance; the ability to continue doing something despite difficulties.
B2TOEICMorepattern
US /ˈpætən/
UK /'pætn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Model to follow in making or doing something
- Colors or shapes which are repeated on objects
- Transitive Verb
- To copy the way something else is made
- To decorate with a pattern.
A2TOEICMorephysical
US /ˈfɪzɪkəl/
UK /ˈfɪzɪkl/
- Countable Noun
- Health check at the doctors' or hospital
- Adjective
- Concerning the body of a person
- Concerning things that can be seen or touched
A2Morepsychological
US /ˌsaɪkəˈlɑdʒɪkəl/
UK /ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkl/
- Adjective
- Concerning the study of the mind
- Relating to or involving the use of propaganda, threats, or other psychological techniques to subdue an opponent.
A2Morepsychologist
US /saɪˈkɑlədʒɪst/
UK /saɪˈkɒlədʒɪst/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- An expert who studies the mind and behavior
- A therapist specializing in mental health.
C2Morereconciliation
US /ˌrɛkənˌsɪliˈeʃən/
UK /ˌrekənsɪliˈeɪʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- Getting two figures/accounts to match financially
B2Morerelationship
US /rɪˈleʃənˌʃɪp/
UK /rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Connection between two or more people or things
- Way people interact or live with each other
A2TOEICMorereset
US /riˈsɛt/
UK /ˌri:'set/
- Transitive Verb
- To return to the original start or formation
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To return to the original start or formation
C1Morereverse
US /rɪˈvɚs/
UK /rɪ'vɜ:s/
- Noun
- Setting that makes the vehicle go backward
- Instance of a significant change, for the worse
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To drive a vehicle backward
- To change to an opposite state, way or condition
B1TOEICMoresarcastic
US /sɑrˈkæstɪk/
UK /sɑ:ˈkæstɪk/
- Adjective
- Being rude and critical
C1Moresee through
US /si θru/
UK /si: θru:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To realize the truth about
- To continue doing something until it is finished, especially something difficult or unpleasant.
A1Moreshow up
US /ʃo ʌp/
UK /ʃəu ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To arrive or be seen at a place, e.g. a party
- To be noticeably better than (someone else)
A1Moreslam
US /slæm/
UK /slæm/
- Transitive Verb
- To criticize sharply
- To shut with a lot of force, making a loud noise
- Noun
- Act or sound of closing a door, etc. violently
B1Morestand up for
US /stænd ʌp fɔr/
UK /stænd ʌp fɔ:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To support someone or an idea, e.g. human rights
A1Morestress
US / strɛs/
UK /stres/
- Transitive Verb
- To emphasize one or more parts of a word, sentence
- To put pressure on something or someone
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Emphasis on part of a word or sentence
- Pressure on something or someone
A2TOEICMoretactic
US /ˈtæktɪk/
UK /'tæktɪk/
- Countable Noun
- One of the ways you attempt to achieve a strategy
B2Moretension
US /ˈtɛnʃən/
UK /'tenʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- Feeling of anxiety and inability to relax
- Degree to which something is stretched tight
A2TOEICMoretrauma
US /ˈtraʊmə/
UK /'trɔ:mə/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- A very severe or upsetting experience
- Serious injury to part of the body
B2Moreused to
US /juzd tu/
UK /ˈju:st tə/
- Adjective
- Did regularly before, but don't do now
- Auxiliary Verb
- Have done before, but do not do now
A1Moreverbal
US /ˈvɚbəl/
UK /ˈvə:bəl/
- Adjective
- Concerning verbs
- Using speech, rather than being written
- Noun
- Word that is made from a verb
B1Moreverbal abuse
US
UK
- Noun
- Insulting or offensive language used to criticize or disparage someone.
C2Morevictim
US /ˈvɪktɪm/
UK /ˈvɪktɪm/
- Noun
- Person/thing affected by an unpleasant event
- Person feeling helpless in times of bad luck
B1TOEICMoreviolence
US /ˈvaɪələns/
UK /ˈvaɪələns/
- Uncountable Noun
- Strong physical force of nature
- Use of physical force to harm someone
B1Morewithdrawal
US /wɪðˈdrɔəl, wɪθ-/
UK /wɪðˈdrɔ:əl/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Action of pulling back or move away or backward
- Pain of coming off drugs
- Adjective
- Feeling pain and suffering when coming off drugs
B1More
Vocabulary
- breaks down: To forcibly break, destroy or make collapse
- show up: To arrive or be seen at a place, e.g. a party
- see through: To realize the truth about
- cling to: To hold onto something tightly, often for support or safety.
- feel like: To have a desire or inclination for something.
- verbal abuse: Insulting or offensive language used to criticize or disparage someone.
- stand up for: To support someone or an idea, e.g. human rights
- also known as: Also called; alternatively named.
- used to: Did regularly before, but don't do now
- often used to: Frequently employed or utilized for a specific purpose or action.
- at least: As a minimum
- physical: Health check at the doctors' or hospital
- intimacy: The sharing of private and personal things
- pattern: Model to follow in making or doing something
- trauma: A very severe or upsetting experience
- crave: To have a very strong desire for something
- psychological: Concerning the study of the mind
- doubt: Not being sure of something; lack of certainty
- intuition: Natural ability to guess or feel things
- familiar: Well-known or easily recognized
- navigate: To direct (car, plane etc.) in the right direction
- emotional: Causing, feeling, or appealing to the emotions
- stress: To emphasize one or more parts of a word, sentence
- crack: Attempt to achieve a goal or objective
- relationship: Connection between two or more people or things
- blame: To say someone is responsible for something bad
- sarcastic: Being rude and critical
- psychologist: An expert who studies the mind and behavior
- calm: Without wind or storm; quiet; peaceful
- financial: Involving money
- bond: Rope, chain or other thing used to tie someone up
- victim: Person/thing affected by an unpleasant event
- insight: Power to understand people and things very well
- reverse: Setting that makes the vehicle go backward
- avoid: To prevent from happening
- abuse: To mistreat or be cruel towards someone
- affection: Feeling of liking someone or something
- behavior: The way a person or thing acts; manner
- cause: Belief, goal or organization that people support
- tactic: One of the ways you attempt to achieve a strategy
- accountability: Responsibility to someone or for some activity
- tension: Feeling of anxiety and inability to relax
- irrational: Not sensible or reasonable; illogical
- clarity: Being easy to be seen through, heard or understood
- break: To create a new record e.g. running the 100m dash
- slam: To criticize sharply
- leave: To go away from; depart
- heal: To recover from or forget a bad experience
- manipulation: Act of controlling to gain an advantage
- violence: Strong physical force of nature
- stage: To organize an event to gain public interest
- erode: To destroy something gradually; be destroyed thus
- verbal: Concerning verbs
- addictive: Being powerless to stop doing or using something
- reconciliation: Getting two figures/accounts to match financially
- escalate: To increase in size, intensity, or scope
- withdrawal: Action of pulling back or move away or backward
- empower: To give someone a power or ability
- offer: Price you say you are willing to pay for something
- hit: To have a negative impact on a person/place/thing
- control: A device designed to operate a machine
- patience: Ability to wait without being annoyed
- attentive: Thoughtful and considerate
- step: Movement done as part of a particular dance
- person: Man, woman or child
- prepare: To make something ready for use
- include: To make someone, something part of a group
- part: Division of a book
- start: First time or place that a thing exists; beginning
- burn: To destroy with fire
- grieve: To feel great sadness, as when someone dies
- reset: To return to the original start or formation
Get the full experience in the app
Learn anywhere with detailed sentence and usage analysis
01:03
She took a brave step forward, leaving behind her comfort zone to chase her dreams.
Vocabulary
- brave
adj. Having courage
- comfort zone
phr. A familiar situation where one feels safe
Explanation
a brave step is a noun phrase, where brave is an adjective modifying the noun step, meaning "a courageous step".
forward is an adverb modifying step, meaning "ahead".
The whole phrase serves as the object, answering the "what" of took (verb) — she took a brave step forward.
Get the full experience in the app
Look up words anytime with pronunciation, part of speech, and usage
brave
US/brev/
UK/breɪv/
adj.Brave
v.t.To bravely face
A2 Elementary
Get the full experience in the app
Practice speaking anytime and get instant pronunciation feedback
Try this speaking exercise.
Try practicing with this sentence.
80
5 Stages of Abuse, 3 Is The Most Dangerous
0
VoiceTube posted on 2025/05/08Ever wondered about the hidden patterns in difficult relationships? This video breaks down the 5 stages of abuse, including the super dangerous third stage, and introduces key terms like 'gaslighting' and 'love bombing' that will seriously boost your vocabulary. It's a fantastic way to gain cultural insight while learning advanced English!
Learn this video on the APP!
The VoiceTube App has more in-depth practice for videos!