| abbreviation |
An abbreviation is a short way of writing a word. "Mon." is an abbreviation for the word "Monday." |
| absorb |
When something absorbs another thing, it takes it into itself. It soaks it up. If something absorbs water or other liquid, it takes it into itself the way a towel or sponge does. [1/2 definitions] |
| abuse |
to use in a way that is wrong or bad; misuse. [2/6 definitions] |
| accent |
a way of speaking a language that is typical of people from a particular area. [1/5 definitions] |
| access |
a way of approaching or coming to a place. [1/4 definitions] |
| accessory |
An accessory is a thing that you add to something else to make it nicer or better in some way. An accessory is a nice thing to have but it is not a necessary thing. [2 definitions] |
| accommodate |
If people accommodate other people, they help them in a way that is different from how they usually do things. They adapt what they are doing so that they can help these particular people. [1/3 definitions] |
| accomplishment |
If you try to do something that is hard, it is an accomplishment when you finish it. An accomplishment is something that a person has done or finished in a successful way. People are often proud of their accomplishments or just happy that they were able to do them. |
| according to |
When you play a game according to the rules, it means that you play the game the way the rules say you should play it. If a project is going according to your plan, it is going the way you planned for it to go. [1/2 definitions] |
| action |
the manner of a mechanism's moving or operating, or the mechanism itself. [1/6 definitions] |
| actively |
in a way that involves making an effort, taking action, or participating. |
| act up |
to behave in a bad or mischievous way; misbehave. [1/2 definitions] |
| acupuncture |
the practice of relieving pain or curing a disease by putting needles into certain parts of the body. Acupuncture is a traditional way to treat disease in China. |
| A.D. |
A.D. is an abbreviation of the Latin words "anno domini." The abbreviation A.D. is used in dates when people are talking about things in history that happened after Jesus Christ was born. The year that Jesus Christ was born is called "1 A.D." The year after that is called "2 A.D." Jesus Christ is considered both God and man in the religion of Christianity, and he is an important figure in the history of the world. The calendar that most people use nowadays was created by Christians. That's why the year of Christ's birth was chosen as a way to divide older times from newer times. This calendar is not the first or only calendar that people in the world have created, but most people nowadays use this particular calendar. Instead of "A.D.," though, people often use "C.E." nowadays, which stands for "Common Era" or "Christian Era." |
| adapt |
When a person adapts to a new situation, they make changes in the way they think or the way they do things. They adapt so that they can live or be happier under new conditions. If a plant or animal adapts, it changes its body or behavior so that it can live under new conditions, such as having to live in a new place or in a different climate. [2 definitions] |
| adaptable |
abed to be changed in order to serve a different purpose or work in a new way. [1/2 definitions] |
| adaptation |
An adaptation is a thing that is created when people make changes in something to make it easier or better, or so they can use it in a new way. [1/3 definitions] |
| administer |
to serve or act in a helpful way; tend (usually followed by "to"). [1/3 definitions] |
| admirer |
An admirer is a person who finds another person attractive in a romantic way. [1/2 definitions] |
| admonish |
to find fault with or correct in a mild but firm way. [1/2 definitions] |
| advance |
If you are advancing in some way, you are making progress or improving. [1/5 definitions] |