| abalone |
a large sea snail that has several shiny colors on the inside of its shell. Abalone are mollusks. People eat abalone meat and make decorations from the shells. |
| abate |
to make less in amount or intensity. [1/2 definitions] |
| abolitionism |
a movement in the United States in the 1800s whose goal was to free the people who were slaves and make slavery against the law. |
| abridge |
to make shorter. |
| accessory |
an item added on to something else to make it prettier, more complete, or more useful. [1/2 definitions] |
| acoustic |
able to make musical sounds without using electricity. [1/2 definitions] |
| acoustics |
the aspects of a room or space that make sounds easy or difficult to hear (used with a plural verb). |
| acquaint |
to introduce or make familiar (usually followed by "with"). |
| acrylic |
a kind of plastic used to make yarns, paint, and many other things. |
| activate |
to cause action in or make active; start. |
| add |
to put on or with something else to make larger or better. [1/5 definitions] |
| add up |
to bring one to a logical conclusion; to make sense. |
| adenoid |
(usually plural) a mass of tissue that grows behind the nose in the upper part of the throat. When swollen, the adenoids can make breathing difficult. |
| adjust |
to bring to a better state or position; make fit. [1/3 definitions] |
| ad-lib |
to make up as one goes along; say or do something without practice or planning. [1/2 definitions] |
| advance |
to make progress or grow. [1/8 definitions] |
| affirmative action |
a policy to make sure certain groups of people are given a fair chance for jobs and education. In particular, this policy is for minority groups and women who were not given these opportunities in the past. Regulations made by the U.S. government support affirmative action. |
| age |
to make or cause to grow old; mature. [1/8 definitions] |
| aggravate |
to make worse. [1/2 definitions] |
| alabaster |
a hard, white stone that is often translucent. Alabaster is often carved to make statues and ornaments. [1/2 definitions] |
| alarm |
to make afraid. [1/4 definitions] |