Most Common English Words 4,501–4,600: Meanings & IPA

RankWord Definition PronunciationPart of speech LevelExample

4501 explosive able to blow up violently /ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/ adjective, noun B2 The police found an explosive device.

4502 decides present of decide, for he, she or it /ˌdɪˈsaɪdz/ verb · decide A2 She decides everything herself.

4503 toilet a bowl for getting rid of bodily waste, or the room with it /ˈtɔɪlət/ noun A2 Where is the toilet, please?

4504 switched past of switch /ˈswɪtʃt/ verb · switch B1 She switched off the light.

4505 auction a public sale where people bid against each other /ˈɑkʃən/ noun B2 The painting was sold at auction.

4506 warrior a fighter, especially in old times /ˈwɔɹiɚ/ noun B2 He was a brave warrior.

4507 contributions things given to help a shared aim, more than one /ˌkɑntɹəˈbjuʃənz/ noun · contribution B2 Thank you for your contributions.

4508 occupation a person's job; or control of a country by an army /ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən/ noun B1 Please write your occupation here.

4509 ammunition bullets and shells fired from weapons /ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən/ noun C1 The soldiers ran out of ammunition.

4510 separation being apart, or the act of moving apart /ˌsɛpɚˈeɪʃən/ noun B2 The separation from her family was hard.

4511 martial connected with fighting or war /ˈmɑɹʃəl/ adjective C1 He teaches martial arts.

4512 appearing present participle of appear /əˈpɪɹɪŋ/ verb · appear B1 She is appearing in a new play.

4513 clever quick to learn and understand /ˈklɛvɚ/ adjective A2 She is a very clever girl.

4514 safer comparative of safe /ˈseɪfɚ/ adjective · safe B1 The roads are safer at night.

4515 commerce the buying and selling of goods /ˈkɑmɚs/ noun B2 The city grew rich from commerce.

4516 boards flat pieces of wood, more than one /ˈbɔɹdz/ noun · board B1 They nailed boards across the window.

4517 metro an underground railway in a city /ˈmɛˌtɹoʊ/ noun A2 We took the metro to the museum.

4518 references mentions of something, more than one /ˈɹɛfɚənsɪz/ noun · reference B2 The book has many references to the war.

4519 mall a large building full of shops /ˈmɔl/ noun A2 We went shopping at the mall.

4520 cops police officers, more than one /ˈkɑps/ noun · cop B1 The cops arrived quickly.

4521 twist to turn something round; or an unexpected change /ˈtwɪst/ verb, noun B2 Twist the lid to open it.

4522 rushed past of rush /ˈɹʌʃt/ verb · rush B1 She rushed to the station.

4523 amateur doing something for pleasure, not for pay /ˈæməˌtɝ/ adjective, noun B2 He is an amateur photographer.

4524 muscles body tissues that make parts move, more than one /ˈmʌsəlz/ noun · muscle B1 My muscles ache after the run.

4525 shy nervous and quiet with other people /ˈʃaɪ/ adjective A2 He is too shy to sing.

4526 climbing present participle of climb /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/ verb · climb A2 They are climbing the mountain.

4527 destroying present participle of destroy /dɪˈstɹɔɪɪŋ/ verb · destroy B1 The storm is destroying the crops.

4528 toys objects for children to play with, more than one /ˈtɔɪz/ noun · toy A1 The children shared their toys.

4529 hopefully it is wished that /ˈhoʊpfəli/ adverb B1 Hopefully the rain will stop soon.

4530 figured past of figure /ˈfɪɡjɚd/ verb · figure B2 I figured you would be late.

4531 teenage aged between thirteen and nineteen /ˈtiˌneɪdʒ/ adjective B1 She has two teenage sons.

4532 unclear not easy to understand or know /ənˈklɪɹ/ adjective B2 The reason is still unclear.

4533 medication a drug taken to treat an illness /ˌmɛdəˈkeɪʃən/ noun B2 Are you taking any medication?

4534 dependent needing someone or something for support /dɪˈpɛndənt/ adjective B1 The town is dependent on tourism.

4535 bacteria tiny living things, some causing disease /bækˈtɪɹiə/ noun B2 Wash your hands to kill bacteria.

4536 literary connected with books and writing /ˈlɪtɚˌɛɹi/ adjective C1 She won a literary prize.

4537 anonymous with a name that is not known or given /əˈnɑnəməs/ adjective B2 The letter was anonymous.

4538 venue a place where an event is held /ˈvɛnju/ noun B2 The venue for the concert has changed.

4539 prey an animal hunted and eaten by another /ˈpɹeɪ/ noun C1 The lion watched its prey.

4540 resigned gave up a job or position officially /ɹɪˈzaɪnd/ verb B2 The minister resigned last week.

4541 patch a small piece covering a hole; or a small area /ˈpætʃ/ noun B2 He had a patch on his jacket.

4542 tribal connected with a social group sharing family ties and culture /ˈtɹaɪbəl/ adjective C1 They follow old tribal customs.

4543 nerve a fibre carrying signals in the body; or courage /ˈnɝv/ noun B2 He lost his nerve at the last minute.

4544 innovation a new idea or method, or bringing one in /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ noun B2 The company is famous for innovation.

4545 ambitious wanting very much to succeed /æmˈbɪʃəs/ adjective B1 She is an ambitious young lawyer.

4546 adventures exciting, unusual experiences, more than one /ædˈvɛntʃɚz/ noun · adventure B1 He told us about his adventures.

4547 realised became aware of something /ˈɹiəˌlaɪzd/ verb B1 I realised I had lost my keys.

4548 tremendous very great in amount or degree /tɹəˈmɛndəs/ adjective B2 They made tremendous progress.

4549 swift happening or moving quickly /ˈswɪft/ adjective C1 We need a swift decision.

4550 beast a large or wild animal /ˈbist/ noun B2 A wild beast lived in the forest.

4551 collision a crash between moving things /kəˈlɪʒən/ noun C1 Two cars were involved in the collision.

4552 domain an area of knowledge or control; or a web address /doʊˈmeɪn/ noun C1 This is outside my domain.

4553 beside next to /bɪˈsaɪd/ preposition A2 She sat beside me on the bus.

4554 artillery large guns used by an army /ɑɹˈtɪlɚi/ noun C2 The artillery fired all night.

4555 sealed past of seal /ˈsild/ verb · seal B2 She sealed the envelope.

4556 genre a type of film, book or music /ˈʒɑnɹə/ noun B2 Horror is my favourite genre.

4557 casting choosing actors for the parts in a film or play /ˈkæstɪŋ/ noun C1 The casting for the film took months.

4558 organ a body part with a special job; or a large keyboard instrument /ˈɔɹɡən/ noun B1 The heart is a vital organ.

4559 translated put into another language /tɹænzˈleɪtɪd/ verb B1 The book was translated into French.

4560 lips the two soft edges of the mouth /ˈlɪps/ noun B1 She bit her lips nervously.

4561 halt a stop; or to stop /ˈhɔlt/ noun, verb C1 The train came to a halt.

4562 dominant more powerful or noticeable than others /ˈdɑmənənt/ adjective C1 He was the dominant player in the team.

4563 auto a car /ˈɔtoʊ/ noun B2 He works in the auto industry.

4564 orchestra a large group of musicians playing together /ˈɔɹkəstɹə/ noun B1 She plays the violin in an orchestra.

4565 organised arranged or planned /ˈɔɹɡəˌnaɪzd/ verb, adjective B1 She organised a party for him.

4566 proceedings a legal case; or the events of a formal meeting /pɹoʊˈsidɪŋz/ noun C1 They started legal proceedings against him.

4567 warn to tell someone about a danger /ˈwɔɹn/ verb B1 I must warn you about the dog.

4568 bottles glass or plastic containers for liquids, more than one /ˈbɑtəlz/ noun · bottle A2 We recycle our empty bottles.

4569 locals people living in a particular area, more than one /ˈloʊkəlz/ noun · local B2 The locals are very friendly.

4570 rumors stories passed around that may not be true /ˈɹumɚz/ noun B2 There are rumors about his health.

4571 horizon the line where the earth or sea seems to meet the sky /hɚˈaɪzən/ noun B2 The sun sank below the horizon.

4572 grief deep sadness, especially after a death /ˈɡɹif/ noun C1 She was overcome with grief.

4573 breach the act of going against a law or agreement; or a gap /ˈbɹitʃ/ noun C1 This is a breach of contract.

4574 divorced no longer married, by law /dɪˈvɔɹst/ adjective B1 My parents are divorced.

4575 participation joining in with an activity /pɑɹˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/ noun B2 Thank you for your participation.

4576 characteristics typical features or qualities, more than one /ˌkɛɹəktɚˈɪstɪks/ noun B2 What are the main characteristics of the region?

4577 acceptable good enough to be allowed or agreed to /ækˈsɛptəbəl/ adjective B2 Is this price acceptable to you?

4578 vocal of the voice; or expressing opinions openly /ˈvoʊkəl/ adjective C1 She has been very vocal about the problem.

4579 ruin to spoil or destroy something completely /ˈɹuən/ verb, noun B2 The rain will ruin our picnic.

4580 diversity a wide range of different people or things /dɪˈvɝsɪti/ noun C1 The city is proud of its diversity.

4581 pirates sea robbers who attack ships /ˈpaɪɹəts/ noun B1 The pirates attacked the ship.

4582 responsibilities duties you must take care of, more than one /ɹiˌspɑnsəˈbɪlətiz/ noun · responsibility B2 Parents have many responsibilities.

4583 submit to hand in for judgement; or to give in /səbˈmɪt/ verb B2 Please submit your work by Friday.

4584 narrator the person who tells a story /ˈnɛɹeɪtɚ/ noun C1 The narrator is a young boy.

4585 modest not talking proudly about yourself; or not large /ˈmɑdəst/ adjective B2 He is very modest about his success.

4586 dealer a person who buys and sells goods /ˈdilɚ/ noun B2 He bought the car from a dealer.

4587 realm a kingdom; or an area of activity /ˈɹɛlm/ noun C2 The king ruled the whole realm.

4588 wives married women, more than one /ˈwaɪvz/ noun · wife B1 The men brought their wives.

4589 treasury the government department managing public money /ˈtɹɛʒɚi/ noun C1 The treasury announced new taxes.

4590 quietly making very little noise /ˈkwaɪətli/ adverb A2 She closed the door quietly.

4591 prosecutor a lawyer who tries to prove someone guilty in court /ˈpɹɑsɪˌkjutɚ/ noun C1 The prosecutor asked for a long sentence.

4592 shouting speaking or calling out very loudly /ˈʃaʊtɪŋ/ verb B1 Stop shouting at me!

4593 exploration travelling through a place to learn about it /ˌɛksplɚˈeɪʃən/ noun B2 Space exploration is very expensive.

4594 fancy expensive and decorated; or to want something /ˈfænsi/ adjective, verb B1 We ate at a fancy restaurant.

4595 scholars people who study a subject deeply, more than one /ˈskɑlɚz/ noun C1 Scholars disagree about the date.

4596 dirt soil, mud or dust that makes things unclean /ˈdɝt/ noun B1 His boots were covered in dirt.

4597 rebels people fighting against those in power /ˈɹɛbəlz/ noun B2 The rebels took control of the city.

4598 hunger the feeling or state of needing food /ˈhʌŋɡɚ/ noun B2 Millions of people suffer from hunger.

4599 gaming playing computer or video games /ˈɡeɪmɪŋ/ noun B1 He spends hours on gaming every day.

4600 jets fast planes with special engines, more than one /ˈdʒɛts/ noun · jet B2 Two fighter jets flew overhead.

Most common English words: 4,501–4,600