Language & Linguistics

Speech sounds, word formation, grammar, meaning, and language varieties.

149 words

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Some words in this topic are A2–C2 — part of Pro. A1 words are always free.

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A1 (8)

/wɜɹd/ A single unit of language that has meaning and can be spoken or written. M S

/ˈnʌmbər/ A word or symbol like 5, 100, or 3.14 that tells you how many or which one. M S

/ˈkwɛʃ.tən/ A sentence asking for information or an answer. M S

/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪd͡ʒ/ A system of words and grammar used by the people of a particular country or community to communicate. M S

/ˈsʌb.d͡ʒɛkt/ The thing being talked or written about. M S

/ˈsɛn.təns/ A group of words that expresses a complete thought, usually starting with a capital letter and ending with a full stop. M S

/ˈɑɹtɪkəl/ A piece of writing in a newspaper, magazine, or website. M S

/ˈɡræmər/ The rules for how words are formed and combined into sentences in a language. M S

A2 (9) Pro

/tɛkst/ The written words of a book, document, or other piece of writing. M S

/ˈɹɪð.m̩/ A regular pattern of strong and weak sounds or beats in music or speech. M S

/ˈkɑn.tɛkst/ The situation or set of facts that surround an event and help you understand it. M S

/voʊˈkæb.jəˌlɛ.ɹi/ The set of words a person knows and uses. M S

/ʌnˈmɑɹkt/ bearing no identifying label, sign, number, or visible mark M S

/vɝb/ A word that describes an action, event, or state, such as 'run' or 'be'. M S

pronunciation A2

/pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃn̩/ The way in which a word or language is spoken. M S

/ˈæd͡ʒ.ɪk.tɪv/ a word that describes a noun, such as 'big' or 'happy' M S

/nɒ(ʊ)n/ A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. M S

B1 (30) Pro

/ˈɑb.d͡ʒɛkt/ A thing that you can see and touch. M S

/əˈɡɹiːmənt/ An arrangement between people or groups about what each will do. M S

/ˈæk.sɛnt/ the way someone pronounces words, showing where they come from M S

/stɹɛs/ Worry or mental pressure caused by a difficult situation. M S

/tɛns/ A form of a verb that shows when an action happens, such as past, present, or future. M S

/ˈɹɛd͡ʒ.ɪ.stɚ/ To put your name on an official list in order to do something. M S

/ˈfɔɹməl/ Following accepted rules of polite or official behaviour, dress, or language. M S

/fɹeɪz/ A group of words that go together and act as a unit, but do not form a full sentence. M S

/kəmˈpɛɹ.ɪ.sən/ The act of looking at how two or more things are similar or different. M S

/stɛm/ The main upright part of a plant that supports the leaves and flowers. M S

/klɔz/ A group of words containing a subject and a verb, which may be a whole sentence or part of one. M S

/ˈæl.fəˌbɛt/ The complete set of letters used to write a language. M S

/ɔɡˈzɪl.(jə).ɹi/ Giving extra help or support to something more important. M S

/ˈpɹɑvɝb/ A short, well-known saying that expresses a piece of common wisdom or advice. M S

[ˈkɑ.mə] The punctuation mark ( , ) used to separate parts of a sentence or items in a list. M S

/pəˈzes.ɪv/ Wanting to control someone and not share them with others. M S

/ˈkɑmpləmənt/ Something that goes well with another thing and makes it better or complete. M S

/ˈvaʊ.əl/ A speech sound made with the mouth open and the air flowing freely, such as the sounds of a, e, i, o, and u. M S

/baɪˈlɪŋ.ɡwəl/ Able to speak two languages well. M S

/ˈɪdiəm/ A fixed expression whose meaning can't be guessed from its individual words. M S

/ˈpɹoʊ.naʊn/ A word used in place of a noun, such as 'he', 'she', or 'it'. M S

/ˈpɹiːfɪks/ A group of letters added to the front of a word to change its meaning, such as "un-" in "unhappy." M S

/ˈkɑn.sə.nənt/ A speech sound made by blocking the airflow, such as b, t, or s; also a letter representing it. M S

/ˌpɹɛpəˈzɪʃən/ A word such as "in," "on," or "at" that shows the relationship between a noun and another word in a sentence. M S

See all 30

B2 (17) Pro

/ˈmɛt.ə.foɹ/ A way of describing something by calling it something else to suggest they are alike, without using 'like' or 'as'. M S

/ˈraɪm/ To have the same ending sound as another word. M S

/ˈpɑɹtɪkəl/ A very small piece of something. M S

/ɪmˈpɛɹ.ə.tɪv/ Extremely important and necessary; something that must be done. M S

/ˈslæŋ/ Very informal words and expressions used in everyday speech rather than formal language. M S

/kənˈd͡ʒʌŋk.ʃn̩/ A word such as 'and', 'but', or 'because' that joins words, phrases, or clauses together. M S

/ˈsɪl.ə.bᵻl/ A single unit of sound in a word, usually one vowel sound with consonants around it. M S

/ˈfoɹmətɪv/ strongly influencing the development of a person, idea, or thing M S

/haɪˈpɝbəli/ Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally. M S

/ˈsɪn.əˌnɪm/ A word or phrase that means the same, or nearly the same, as another. M S

/ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/ the pattern of rising and falling pitch in a person's speech M S

/ˈpɹɛd.ɪ.kɪt/ In grammar, the part of a sentence or clause that says something about the subject, usually containing the verb. M S

/ˈtɹænzɪtɪv/ (of a verb) Needing a direct object to complete its meaning. M S

intransitive B2

/ɪnˈtɹænsətɪv/ Describing a verb that does not take a direct object. M S

/dɪˈtɝ.mɪ.nɚ/ A word used before a noun to show which thing or how much is meant, such as 'the', 'this' or 'some'. M S

/ˈpɹɛ.dɪ.kə.tɪv/ In grammar, describing an adjective that follows a linking verb rather than coming directly before a noun. M S

/ˌkɑl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/ A pair or group of words that are often used together and sound natural to native speakers. M S

C1 (18) Pro

/ˈaɪ.ɹə.ni/ A situation that is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what you expect. M S

/ˈsɑːɹˌkæzəm/ The use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, in order to mock or insult someone. M S

/pʌn/ a humorous or rhetorical play on words that exploits similar sounds or multiple meanings M S

/ˈnæɪ.zəl/ sounding as if the nose were pinched M S

/ˈdɪs.kɔːɹs/ Serious discussion or the exchange of ideas about a subject, in speech or writing. M S

/ɪmˈpɝsənəl/ Cold and unfriendly; not showing warmth or feeling. M S

/ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪt/ Without a fixed or known end; lasting for an unknown length of time. M S

/kənˈdɪʃ.ə.nəl/ Depending on a particular condition being met first. M S

/ˈsɪn.tæks/ A set of rules that govern how words are combined to form phrases and sentences. M S

/lɪŋˈgwɪstɪk/ consisting of or related to language M S

/lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/ the scientific study of human language, including its sounds, structures, meanings, use, acquisition, history, and variation M S

/ˈʌtəɹəns/ An act of, or the process of, uttering. M S

/ɡɹəˈmæt.ɪ.kəl/ conforming to the rules of grammar or usage accepted by native speakers M S

/pəˈrɛnθəsɪs/ a word, phrase, or clause inserted into a sentence as an explanation or aside M S

/ˈkɔɪnɪd͡ʒ/ the act of inventing a word or phrase M S

interjection C1

/ˌɪn.tɚˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/ A word or short phrase used to express sudden emotion, such as "wow" or "ouch." M S

monosyllable C1

/ˌmɑː.noʊˈsɪl.ə.bəl/ a word or utterance consisting of one syllable M S

/ɪnˈflɛkʃən/ a change in the form of a word to show grammatical features M S

C2 (40) Pro

/ɹɪˈtɔɹɪkəl/ Asked only to make a point, without expecting any answer. M S

/ˈjuː.fəˌmɪz.əm/ A mild or indirect word used in place of one that is harsh, blunt, or offensive. M S

/ˈd͡ʒɑɹ.ɡən/ Special words and phrases used by a particular profession or group that others find hard to understand. M S

/ˈkriː.oʊl/ a natural language that developed in a contact community from elements of two or more languages and became a community's first language M S

/dəˈmən.jə.təv/ very small M S

alliteration C2

/əˌlɪtəˈreɪʃən/ the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, especially in a phrase or line of verse M S

articulation C2

/ɑɹˌtɪk.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/ The act of expressing thoughts or feelings clearly in words. M S

/kəˈloʊ.kwi.əl/ Used in ordinary, informal conversation rather than formal speech or writing. M S

/fəˈnɛt.ɪk/ of or relating to the scientific study of speech sounds M S

/sɪˈmæntɪk/ of or relating to meaning or the study of meaning M S

/ˌɛtəˈmɑləd͡ʒi/ the study of the origins and historical development of words M S

/trænˈskraɪ.bɚ/ a person who converts speech, handwriting, or recorded material into written or typed text M S

/fɪˈlɑːlədʒi/ the scholarly study of historical texts through their language, transmission, literary context, and interpretation M S

/ˈpɑlɪˌɡlɑt/ a person who can speak or use several languages M S

rhetorically C2

/rəˈtɔrɪkli/ In a way that asks a question without expecting an answer. M S

/fɪˈlɑːlədʒɪst/ a scholar who studies the historical development, structure, and relationships of languages, especially through written texts M S

/dɪˈklɛn.ʃən/ a class of nouns or pronouns or adjectives in Indo-European languages having the same (or very similar) inflectional forms M S

/ˌɪd.iː.əˈmæt.ɪk/ Using language in a natural way that sounds like a native speaker. M S

/ˈæsənəns/ the repetition of similar vowel sounds in nearby words, especially in poetry M S

/ˈsɪbɪlənt/ having or producing a hissing or hushing sound M S

/ɡɹəˈmɛɹiən/ a scholar or specialist who studies and describes grammar M S

polysyllabic C2

/ˌpɔ.lɪ.sɪˈlæ.bɪk/ Having more than one syllable, or many syllables. M S

/ˈkɑnsənəns/ agreement or compatibility between opinions, principles, qualities, or actions M S

etymological C2

/ˌɛtɪməˈlɑdʒɪkəl/ relating to etymology or the historical origin and development of words M S

See all 40

C2+ (27) Pro

/əˈfɪks/ to attach or fasten; a prefix or suffix added to a word M S

/ɑrˈkeɪɪk/ belonging to an earlier period; old-fashioned or no longer in use M S

/ɪˈlɪpsɪs/ the omission of words, or the mark (…) indicating such omission M S

/ˌɑbsəˈlit/ no longer in use or out of date M S

/vɚˈnækjələr/ the everyday language of ordinary people in a region M S

/ˈlɛmə/ a subsidiary proposition proved as a step toward a theorem; a headword M S

/ˈlɛksɪkɑn/ the vocabulary of a language, person, or field; a dictionary M S

/ˈɑrɡoʊ/ the specialized slang or jargon of a particular group M S

/ˌdɛrɪˈveɪʃən/ the origin or source of something, especially a word's formation M S

/ˈdaɪəˌlɛkt/ a regional or social variety of a language with distinctive features M S

/ˈdʊrətɪv/ in grammar, denoting continuing or ongoing action M S

/ˈsɛmiˌvaʊəl/ a speech sound such as w or y that functions like both vowel and consonant M S

/ˈsɪməli/ a figure of speech comparing two things using 'like' or 'as' M S

transcription C2+

/trænˈskrɪpʃən/ a written or printed representation of something said or recorded M S

ambisyllabic C2+

/ˌæmbɪsɪˈlæbɪk/ of a consonant belonging to two adjacent syllables at once M S

articulatory C2+

/ɑrˈtɪkjələˌtɔri/ relating to the physical production of speech sounds M S

conjugation C2+

/ˌkɑndʒəˈɡeɪʃən/ the set of inflected forms of a verb, or the act of forming them M S

/ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/ expressing the beginning of an action or a change of state, especially in grammar M S

/ˈɪnfɪks/ an affix inserted within a word, or to fix something firmly inside M S

/ˈmoʊdəl/ relating to mode or form; in grammar, expressing possibility or necessity M S

/ˈmɑdəˌfaɪər/ a word or element that qualifies or limits the meaning of another M S

monosyllabic C2+

/ˌmɑnoʊsɪˈlæbɪk/ consisting of one syllable; using few words and uncommunicative M S

/ˈprɑsədi/ the patterns of rhythm, stress, and intonation in speech or verse M S

/rɪˈflɛksɪv/ performed automatically; in grammar, referring back to the subject M S

See all 27

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