vague If something is vague, it’s not clearly explained. This word is used when someone is unsure of what another person means, says, or does. The teacher said the student’s answer was vague. You’re being too vague. What exactly do you mean? She gave kind of a vague answer when I asked her to tell […]
vacuum The most common type of vacuum is the vacuum cleaner that a person uses for cleaning. A “vacuum” is created when air or some other substance is removed from an area. He’s using a vacuum cleaner. or… He’s using a vacuum. He’s vacuuming the house. Vacuuming is one of those household chores that you must do if
vaccine A vaccine is a type of medicine that provides protection from a disease. Each vaccine for a disease is produced from the disease itself, but the vaccine isn’t harmful. Vaccines are an important measure of protection for people around the world. The flue vaccine changes every year. It protects people from getting the flu.
vacation A vacation is a time to relax. It’s a break from work or from school. Vacations often–but not always–involve traveling to another location. They’re in Florida on vacation. Jim’s not in this week. He’s on vacation. Susan is taking a vacation next month. How many vacation days do you get each year? (In this sentence, “vacation” is
vacant The word “vacant” means empty. We use it as an adjective to describe a place that doesn’t have any people or things in it: You can go to your hotel room now if it’s vacant. (The word “vacant” is important to know if you work at a hotel.) The house next door to us is vacant.
oath An oath is a promise. It’s usually part of a formal ceremony, but it can be informal as well. The word “oath” is a noun. It’s often used with the verb “take.” During a wedding ceremony, a man and a woman take an oath. They promise to always be faithful and supportive to each other. People
odor An “odor” is a smell. It’s usually a bad smell: A strange odor is coming from the refrigerator. He has really bad body odor.* Do you smell that odor? Is that gas? What’s that odor? There’s a terrible odor coming from the bathroom. Those flowers have an unusual odor coming from them. The odor
owl An owl is a bird of prey.* It eats small animals such as mice and rabbits. It’s also nocturnal. That means that it’s most active at night. Owls are associated with intelligence and wisdom. This is a hard word to pronounce for some students. Listen carefully: owl Owls go “hoo,” “hoo.” Owls hoot. (hoot = the sound
owe If you borrow money from another person, you will “owe” money to that person until the debt is repaid. If you use a credit card or get a loan from a bank, you “owe” money to those businesses. You can also use the verb “owe” when someone does you a favor which you would
overwhelm Use the word “overwhelm” when a situation becomes too difficult to manage. This is overwhelming. I feel totally overwhelmed. The amount of attention the young man received from the media was overwhelming. (He was happy but also surprised by the attention.) He was overwhelmed by media attention. (This sentence is in the passive voice.) It’s overwhelming
