Vocabulary Starting with "S"

325 entries

• sad Feeling unhappy or sorrowful
• safe Protected from danger or risk; a secure container
• safety The condition of being protected from danger, risk, or injury
• sail A piece of fabric that catches wind to propel a boat; to travel by boat
• sake For the purpose or benefit of someone or something
• salary A fixed regular payment made by an employer to an employee
• sale The act of selling something; a period when goods are sold at reduced prices
• salt A white crystalline substance used for seasoning and preserving food
• same Identical; not different; unchanged
• sample A small part representing the whole; to try or test
• sanction Penalties imposed to enforce compliance; official permission or approval
• sand Fine loose grains of rock found on beaches and in deserts
• satisfaction The feeling of pleasure when needs or desires are fulfilled
• satisfy To meet someone's needs, expectations, or desires
• save To rescue from danger; to keep money for later; to store data
• say To utter words; to express in words
• scale The size or extent of something, or a device for measuring weight
• scan To look at quickly; to use a device to capture an image or data
• scare To cause fear or alarm; a sudden feeling of fear
• scene A place where an event occurs; a section of a play or film
• schedule A plan that lists when things should happen, or a timetable
• scheme A plan or programme, especially an official one
• scholar A person who studies a subject in great depth; an expert in an academic field
• school An institution for education; a group of fish
• science The systematic study of the physical and natural world through observation an...
• scientific Relating to science or using systematic methods of research
• scientist A person who studies or works in science
• scope The range, extent, or area covered by something
• score The number of points in a game or test; to gain points
• scream To make a loud, high-pitched cry; the sound itself
• screen A flat surface that displays images; to test or examine
• sea The salt water that covers most of the earth; a large body of water
• seal A marine mammal; to close something securely; an official mark
• search To look carefully for something; an act of looking for something
• season One of the four divisions of the year; a period when something occurs
• seat A place to sit, or a position in parliament or on a committee
• second The number two in a sequence; a very short period of time
• secondary Of second rank or importance; relating to education for ages 11-18
• secondly In the second place; used to introduce a second point
• secret Information kept hidden from others; something not revealed
• secretary A person employed to handle correspondence and administrative tasks, or a sen...
• section A distinct part of something larger, such as a document or organisation
• sector A part or division of something, especially of the economy or society
• secure Safe from danger; firmly fixed; to obtain or make safe
• security Protection from danger or harm; a feeling of safety
• see To perceive with the eyes; to understand; to meet
• seed A small object from which a plant grows; the beginning of something
• seek To try to find or obtain something; to look for
• seem To give the impression of being; to appear
• segment A separate part of something; a section or portion
• select To choose something carefully from a group
• selection The act of choosing; a range of things that have been chosen
• self A person's essential being; used as a prefix meaning oneself
• sell To exchange goods or services for money
• send To cause something to go from one place to another
• senior Higher in rank or older in age; relating to the elderly or to final-year stud...
• sense A faculty for perceiving; good judgement; meaning
• sensitive Quick to detect or respond; easily hurt emotionally; requiring careful handling
• sentence A group of words expressing a complete thought; a court punishment
• separate To divide or keep apart; not joined or connected
• sequence A particular order in which things follow each other
• series A number of similar things or events coming one after another
• serious Requiring careful thought; not joking or frivolous
• seriously In a sincere manner; to a significant degree
• servant A person who performs duties for others; a government employee
• serve To work for or help someone; to provide food or drinks
• server A computer that provides data to other computers; a person who serves food
• service Work done for others; a system providing a public need
• session A period of time devoted to a particular activity
• set To put in a specified place or position; a group of things; fixed or rigid
• settle To resolve; to establish a home; to become calm; to pay
• settlement A place where people establish a community; an agreement resolving a dispute
• several More than two but not very many
• severe Very serious or harsh; extremely bad or intense
• sex The biological category of male or female; sexual activity
• sexual Relating to physical intimacy or reproduction; relating to the sexes
• shade An area blocked from direct sunlight; a slight variation
• shadow A dark area created when something blocks light; to follow closely
• shake To move something quickly back and forth or up and down
• shall Used to express the future or to make offers, suggestions, or ask for advice
• shape The external form of something; physical condition; to form or influence
• share To give a portion of something to others; a part or portion of something larger
• shareholder A person who owns shares in a company
• sharp Having a fine edge or point capable of cutting; quick to notice or understand
• she Used to refer to a female person or animal previously mentioned
• sheep A woolly farm animal raised for wool, meat, and milk
• sheet A large rectangular piece of fabric for a bed; a flat piece of paper, glass, ...
• shelf A flat horizontal surface for storing or displaying objects
• shell The hard outer covering of something; an explosive projectile
• shelter A place giving protection from weather or danger
• shift To move or change from one position or direction to another
• shine To give off or reflect light; to excel or stand out
• ship A large boat for sea travel; to send goods by transport
• shirt A piece of clothing worn on the upper body, typically with a collar and buttons
• shock A sudden disturbance or surprise; a serious medical condition
• shoe A covering for the foot, typically with a hard sole
• shoot To fire a weapon; to take photographs or film; a new growth on a plant
• shop A place where goods are sold; to buy things
• shore The land along the edge of water; a coast
• short Not long in length, distance, or time; lacking
• shot Firing of a gun; an attempt; an injection
• should Used to indicate obligation, expectation, or advice
• shoulder The joint connecting the arm to the body; to push with the shoulder or take r...
• shout To speak or call out very loudly
• show To display or demonstrate; a performance or exhibition
• shower A device for washing; a brief period of rain
• shut To close something; to be or become closed
• sick Unwell, ill, or feeling nauseous
• side A surface, edge, or area; a position in a conflict or debate
• sigh A deep audible breath expressing relief or sadness
• sight The ability to see; something seen; a tourist attraction
• sign A notice giving information; an indication; to write one's name
• signal A gesture, sound, or light that conveys information; to indicate
• significance The quality of being important or meaningful
• significant Important or large enough to have an effect or be noticed
• significantly In a way that is important or large enough to have an effect
• silence Complete absence of sound; a period without speaking
• silent Making no sound; not speaking
• silly Lacking common sense; foolish or playfully absurd
• silver A precious white metal; the colour of this metal
• similar Like something else but not exactly the same
• similarly In a similar way; likewise
• simple Easy to understand, do, or use; plain or basic
• simply In a simple way; just; absolutely
• since From a past time until now; because
• sing To produce musical sounds with the voice
• singer A person who sings, especially professionally
• single Only one; individual; not married
• sink A basin for washing; to go down below the surface
• sir A polite form of address for a man; a title used before a knight's name
• sister A female sibling; a woman who shares parents with you
• sit To rest with your body supported by your bottom; to be in a seated position
• site A place where something is located or happens; a website
• situate To place or locate in a particular position
• situation A set of circumstances or conditions; the current state of affairs
• size The overall dimensions, magnitude, or extent of something
• ski Long runners attached to boots for gliding on snow
• skill The ability to do something well, usually acquired through training and exper...
• skin The outer covering of the body; outer layer of fruits
• skirt A women's garment; to go around the edge
• sky The area of atmosphere and space visible from Earth
• slave A person owned by and forced to work for another
• sleep A natural resting state of reduced consciousness; to rest in this state
• slice A thin flat piece cut from something; a portion
• slide To move smoothly along a surface; a playground structure
• slight Small in degree; to treat with disrespect
• slightly By a small amount; a little bit
• slip To slide accidentally and lose balance; to move quietly; a small mistake
• slope A surface at an angle; an incline or gradient
• slow Not moving or happening quickly; to reduce speed
• slowly At a slow speed; gradually
• small Of limited size or extent; minor in importance
• smart Intelligent; well-dressed; capable of independent action
• smell The sense used to detect odours, or an odour itself
• smile A happy expression formed by turning up the corners of the mouth
• smoke The visible suspension of particles in the air produced by burning, or to inh...
• smooth Having an even surface without lumps; happening without problems
• snap To break suddenly; to speak sharply; a quick photo
• snow Frozen water that falls from clouds as white flakes
• so To such a great extent; therefore; in order that
• social Relating to society or its organisation; relating to interaction between people
• society People living together in organised communities; an organisation
• soft Not hard or firm to the touch; gentle sounds
• software Programs and operating systems used by computers
• soil The earth in which plants grow; to make dirty
• soldier A person who serves in an army
• solid Firm, hard, or stable; reliable
• solution A means of solving a problem; a liquid mixture
• solve To find an answer to a problem or a way to deal with a difficult situation
• some An unspecified amount or number of; approximately
• somebody Some person; an important or notable person
• somehow In a way that is not known or specified; by some means
• someone An unspecified or unknown person
• something An unspecified thing; a thing of some importance
• sometimes Occasionally; on some occasions but not always
• somewhat To some degree or extent, but not completely
• somewhere In or to some place; used when the exact place is not specified
• son A male child in relation to their parents
• song A piece of music with words that is sung
• soon In a short time from now; before long
• sorry Feeling regret or sympathy; used to apologise
• sort A type or kind; to arrange or organise
• soul The spiritual part of a person; the essence of something
• sound Something heard; to produce a noise; healthy or reliable
• source The origin or cause of something; a place where something comes from
• south The direction opposite to north, or the southern part of a region
• southern Relating to or situated in the south; coming from the south
• space An area or expanse; room to move or fit; outer space
• spare Extra or reserve; to give or make available; to save from harm
• speak To say words; to communicate in a language; to give a speech
• speaker A person who speaks, especially one giving a speech, or the device that produ...
• special Different from normal; unique or for a particular purpose
• specialist An expert in a particular field; a doctor who focuses on one area of medicine
• specialize To concentrate on a particular area of work or study
• species A group of living organisms that can breed together
• specific Clearly defined or identified; particular
• specifically In a precise manner; particularly or especially
• specify To state something clearly and definitely
• speech The ability to speak; a formal talk given to an audience
• speed How fast something moves or happens; to go quickly
• spell To write or name letters of a word; a magical incantation; a period of time
• spend To use money to buy something; to pass time doing something
• spin To turn round and round quickly
• split To divide into parts; a division or separation
• sponsor A person or organisation that provides financial support; to financially support
• sport A physical activity or game requiring skill, often competitive
• spot A particular place; a small mark; to notice or see
• spread To extend over a larger area, or to apply a thin layer of something
• square A shape with four equal sides; a public open space; to multiply by itself
• stability The state of being steady, secure, and not changing
• stable Firmly established and not likely to change; or a building for horses
• staff The employees of an organisation; a long stick or rod
• stage A phase or step in a process; a platform for performances
• stain A mark or discolouration that is difficult to remove; to leave such a mark
• stair One of a series of steps leading from one floor to another
• stake A share or interest in something; money risked on a bet; a pointed wooden post
• stamp A small piece of paper showing postage has been paid; to mark with an officia...
• stand To be in an upright position; to tolerate; a piece of furniture for holding s...
• standard A level of quality; normal or usual; a principle or value
• star A luminous celestial body, or a famous performer
• stare To look fixedly at someone or something for a long time
• start To begin; the beginning of something
• state A condition or situation; a nation or territory; to express formally
• statement A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing
• station A place where trains or buses stop; a building for a particular service
• statistic A numerical fact or piece of data from a study or survey
• status Position or rank in relation to others; current state or condition
• stay To remain in a place; to continue in a state; a period of staying
• steady Firmly fixed, stable, or regular; not shaking or changing
• steal To take something without permission or right
• steel A strong metal alloy of iron and carbon; to prepare mentally
• stem The main stalk of a plant; to originate from
• step A movement made by lifting the foot and putting it down; a stage in a process
• stick A thin piece of wood; to attach or remain fixed
• still Continuing to happen; not moving; nevertheless
• stimulate To encourage or promote activity, growth, or interest in something
• stir To mix by moving a spoon; to cause excitement
• stock Inventory of goods; shares in a company; liquid used as a base for soups
• stomach The internal organ where food is digested; to tolerate or endure
• stone Hard solid mineral matter; a British unit of weight; a seed inside fruit
• stop To cease movement or action; a place where buses or trains halt
• storage Space or place where things are kept; the act of storing
• store A shop; a supply of something; to keep for future use
• storm Violent weather with strong winds and rain; a sudden outburst
• story A narrative account of events; a news article; a floor of a building
• straight Not curved or bent; directly; honest; in a row
• strain Pressure or tension; an injury; a variety of something
• stranger A person one does not know; an outsider
• strategy A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim
• stream A small river; a continuous flow; to broadcast or watch live online
• street A public road in a city or town with buildings on one or both sides
• strength The quality of being physically or mentally strong
• strengthen To make or become stronger
• stress Mental or emotional pressure; to emphasise
• stretch To extend or pull to full length; a continuous area or period
• strict Demanding complete obedience or exact adherence to rules
• strike To hit forcefully; a work stoppage by employees
• string Thin cord; a series of connected items; to thread onto a line
• strip A long narrow piece; to remove a covering or clothing
• stroke A sudden serious illness affecting the brain; a gentle movement of the hand; ...
• strong Having great physical power or mental resilience; intense
• strongly With great force, intensity, or conviction
• structural Relating to the structure or framework of something
• structure The way in which parts are arranged to form a whole; a building or framework
• struggle To make great efforts to achieve something difficult; a difficult task
• student A person who is studying at a school or university
• studio A room or building for artistic work, recording, or broadcasting
• study To devote time to learning; a piece of research; a room for work
• stuff Things, objects, or matters in a general or unspecified way
• stupid Lacking intelligence or common sense; foolish
• style A distinctive manner of doing something; fashion
• subject A topic or area of study; a person or thing being discussed or examined
• submit To present for consideration; to yield to authority; to send electronically
• subsequent Coming after something in time or order; following
• subsequently After something else; later
• substance A type of matter with particular properties; the real meaning or essence
• substantial Large in size, amount, or importance; solidly built
• substitute A person or thing that takes the place of another
• succeed To achieve a goal; to come after another
• success The achievement of a goal or the favourable outcome of something attempted
• successful Having achieved desired aims or prosperity
• successfully In a way that achieves the desired result
• such Of the type previously mentioned; to so great a degree
• sudden Happening quickly and unexpectedly
• suddenly Quickly and unexpectedly; without warning
• suffer To experience pain, hardship, or something unpleasant
• sufficient Enough to meet a need or purpose; adequate
• sugar A sweet crystalline substance used to sweeten food and drinks
• suggest To propose an idea; to imply or indicate
• suggestion An idea or plan put forward; a slight indication
• suit A set of matching jacket and trousers; to be appropriate for; a legal case
• suitable Right or appropriate for a particular purpose, person, or situation
• sum The total when numbers are added; an amount of money
• summarize To give a brief statement of the main points
• summary A brief statement of the main points
• summer The warmest season of the year, between spring and autumn
• sun The star at the centre of our solar system; sunlight
• supplement Something added to complete or enhance; vitamins
• supplier A person or company that provides goods or services
• supply To provide something needed; a stock of something available for use
• support To help, encourage, or hold something up; assistance
• supporter A person who backs or advocates for a cause, team, or person
• suppose To assume or believe something is true; to be expected to
• sure Certain, confident; yes (informal agreement)
• surely Expressing certainty; used to seek confirmation
• surface The outer or top layer of something
• surgery Medical treatment involving cutting into the body; a doctor's consulting room
• surprise An unexpected event; to cause someone to feel astonishment
• surprisingly In an unexpected or contrary to expectations manner
• surround To be all around something or someone on all sides
• survey A detailed study or examination; a set of questions for gathering information
• survival The state of continuing to live or exist
• survive To continue to live or exist despite danger, hardship, or difficulty
• suspect To believe something is likely or possible; a person thought to have committe...
• suspend To temporarily stop; to hang from above
• sustain To maintain or support over time; to suffer or experience something
• swear To make a solemn promise; to use offensive language
• sweep To clean with a broom; to move quickly and smoothly
• sweet Having a taste like sugar or honey; pleasant or kind
• swim To move through water using arms and legs
• swing To move back and forth; a seat hanging from ropes for children to play on
• switch A device for controlling electricity; to change or exchange
• symbol A mark, sign, or object that represents something else
• symptom A physical or mental sign of illness; an indication of a problem
• system A set of connected parts forming a complex whole; an organised method