envy Use the word “envy” when somebody wants what another person has. This word is similar to “jealous,” but “jealous” is an adjective and “envy” can be used as a verb and as a noun. (The word “jealousy” is a noun.) In these sentences, “envy” is a verb: All the girls envy Rhonda’s long, silky […]
entertain A group or a person who entertains provides some form of mental relaxation. Entertainment can be amusing, humorous, shocking, scary, sad, interesting, thought-provoking, etcetera. (A note about pronunciation: Some people don’t really emphasize the first “t” sound in this word.) A performer entertains an audience. Musicians entertain concert-goers. A host entertains guests. Television has entertained audiences for
empty Use the adjective “empty” when there is nothing in a container, in a box, on a shelf, in a store, etc. (Notice that the “p” in this word is silent.) My pockets are empty. There’s nothing in them. Laura’s refrigerator is empty. She has to go shopping. John’s gas tank is empty. He needs
employ To give a person some kind of work or a job is to employ. The company employs over 200 workers. That store needs to employ more cashiers. The city employed dozens of new staff members last year as it continues to expand its workforce. The word “employer” is a noun. This word is used to
emergency When there’s an emergency, there’s a big problem that needs immediate attention. This is an emergency. I have an emergency. There’s an emergency. This is becoming an emergency. What’s the emergency? Who’s having an emergency? Many emergencies involve trained professionals who know how to respond to a difficult situation in which people might be
embarrass This is a good choice for Word of the Day because it’s such a common feeling among human beings. When you feel embarrassed, you feel shame, humiliation, discomfort, or shyness. In the form of a verb, you can use it like this: The mistakes he made in the assignment embarrassed him. Her father embarrasses her whenever he
mood The word “mood” is a noun that refers to the way a person feels or a person’s outlook. How do you feel today? Are you in a good mood or a bad mood? I’m usually in a good mood early in the morning. Our supervisor is in a bad mood today. Jenny’s mood is
lurk To lurk is to watch someone from a secret location or to observe people from a place that’s dark or hidden. There’s an alligator lurking in the water. There’s a cat lurking in the grass. Two men are lurking beneath a bridge. The police caught a man lurking outside of someone’s window. A lurker is a
resolution A resolution is a decision to achieve an important goal. This is usually a personal goal. People often make resolutions at the beginning of each new year or before New Year’s Eve. Typical resolutions involve doing something that improves one’s health, such as losing weight or giving up smoking. Other resolutions are related to career or
risk Use the word “risk” when a situation is dangerous or when the outcome is not certain. You can use this word as a verb: simple past past participle risk risked risked A man risked his life to save his son from drowning. The family across the street risks losing their house to foreclosure. Jim
