Vocabulary:Turn off the TV

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
a commercial	N. an advertisement on TV
a couch potato	N. a lazy person who sits around all day watching TV
a documentary	N. an educational TV program or movie usually describing nature or history
a drama	N. a serious TV program, movie or play that involves all the emotions
to kick back	V. to sit in a big comfortable chair or lie on a couch and relax
nope	this is an informal way of saying "no"
prime-time	A. between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM every night This expression is used when referring to the television schedule.
prime time	N. the time between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM every night The most popular shows are shown during prime time.
a sitcom	N. a half-hour comedy show
trials and tribulations	N. problems and difficulties of life
trivia	N. unimportant or useless information

Vocabulary:Presidential Elections

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to abandon	V. to leave something behind; to give something up
to back	V. to give support to
a ballot	N. the piece of paper you write your vote on
to campaign	V. to advertise oneself (or someone else) as a candidate in an upcoming election; to work towards getting oneself (or someone else) elected
a campaign	N. 1) the process of trying to get oneself (or someone else) elected 2) an attempt or series of attempts to achieve a goal
to cast (a ballot)	V. to put (your ballot) in the ballot box
connections	N. social relationships which allow you certain opportunities; the people you know who can help you (get a job, raise money, gain power, etc.)
to debate	V. to have a structured, formal argument about a controversial topic
a debate	N. a structured, formal argument on a controversial topic
to elect	V. to choose someone to be a leader through a democratic vote
an election	N. the process of choosing a leader through a democratic vote
to run for president	V. to campaign to be president, to try to become president
to vote	V. to formally express one's choice in writing or by raising one's hand; to make one's choice in an election
a vote	N. the act of formally expressing one's choice in writing or by raising one's hand

Vocabulary:E-commerce

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
a cell phone	N. a wireless telephone based on cellular technology
to converge	V. to come together, to become one thing
a device	N. a small mechanical machine or instrument
to distribute	V. to divide among many people or places; to pass out, to hand out
distribution	N. the process of distributing among many people or places; the passing out or handing out of something
e-commerce	N. buying and selling things on the Internet
high bandwidth	N. fast connections (to the Internet)
high-bandwidth	A. related to fast connections (to the Internet)
a modem	N. a device which transfers information from your computer to a telephone or cable line
a network	N. an interconnected set of computers
portable	A. can be carried or moved
wireless communications	N. forms of electronic communication which do not use wires (such as cellular technology)

Vocabulary:Coffee Houses

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to appeal to	V. to attract or interest (a certain group of people)
to blend	V. to combine, mix together
a blend	N. a combination, a mixture "Blend" is often used to refer to a special mixture of coffee beans.
to chat	V. to talk in a friendly, informal way; to discuss things for fun
a chat	N. an informal discussion
decaf	A. without caffeine, with reduced caffeine This is the short form of "decaffeinated."
a fad	N. a fashion, a trend, a short-term interest
to hang out	V. to spend time at a place (just relaxing or being with friends)
a hangout	N. a place where you spend much of your time
overpriced	A. costing too much money
to pop up	V. to suddenly appear
to sip	V. to slowly drink
trendy	A. 1) very fashionable, too fashionable 2) interested in extremely fashionable things This word is sometimes used in a negative way to express that something has become ridiculously fashionable.

Vocabulary:Hiking / Trekking

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
altitude sickness	N. an illness caused from being at high elevations
a canteen	N. a container used for carrying drinking water
dehydration	N. a physical condition caused by not drinking enough water; having the water removed from something
gear	N. equipment used for a particular purpose (camping, sports, fishing, etc.)
to hike	V. to go on a walk through nature for pleasure or exercise
a hike	N. a walk through nature for pleasure or exercise
a permit	N. written permission from a government office or other organization to do something
a porter	N. a person who carries gear and supplies on a trek
a ranger	N. a person who is employed to take care of a state park or a national park
a trail	N. a path (through forest, grass, sand) created when many people or animals walk back and forth over the same area Marked paths in natural parks and reserves are usually called trails.
to trek	V. to travel by foot over a great distance
a trek	N. a journey over a great distance We often use the word "trek" when a trip lasts several days and is quite challenging.

Vocabulary:Telecommunications

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
a carrier	N. a company which provides telephone service
competition	N. when several companies in an industry sell the same product or service resulting in lower prices and better customer support
deregulation	N. the act of taking a government-controlled industry and opening it up to private companies for the purpose of introducing competition
a fee	N. a charge for a professional service
to hook up	V. to make the electrical connections required for a machine or information service
to install	V. 1) to put in or add a piece of equipment or hardware 2) to add (new software or hardware) to a computer
a monopoly	N. when one company (or the government) has control over an industry and does not allow competition
to place a call	V. to make a telephone call
the suburbs	N. an area outside a city where people live rather than work
telecommunications	N. the industry or technology of sending and receiving messages by telephone (or other electronic devices)

Vocabulary:Humor

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to crack up	V. to laugh uncontrollably, to laugh a lot
dry	A. not obvious, subtle (sense of humor)
to giggle	V. to laugh a little without opening your mouth very much
humorous	A. funny, amusing
an impression	N. the act of speaking or singing like a famous person
to kid	V. to make jokes, to joke with someone; to not be serious about something
a stand-up comedian	N. a person who entertains by telling humorous stories and jokes; a professional comedian who performs live
silly	A. funny in a slightly stupid way; funny in a way which is not really intelligent or sophisticated
twisted	A. 1) sick, disgusting, abnormal 2) using sick or disgusting things in a humorous way
witty	A. 1) funny in an intelligent way 2) full of fast, humorous responses

Vocabulary:Aerospace Industry

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
aerospace	N. 1) the science and technology of flying in the air and in outer space 2) the area including earth's atmosphere and outer space
aerospace	A. 1) related to the science and technology of flying in the air and in outer space 2) related to the area including earth's atmosphere and outer space
ambitious	A. having a strong desire for success
controversy	N. argument or debate about something
to coordinate	V. to bring people together so they can work more efficiently or effectively
to foster	V. to encourage (something) to grow or develop
a liaison	N. a person who works as a representative or connection between two or more companies, agencies, groups, countries, etc.
a mission	N. the purpose for which a person or thing is sent; a special military or technical project
a probe	N. a machine sent to explore or check an area
to probe	V. to search or explore with a probe
a stepping-stone	N. a way to get ahead, a way to advance
a venture	N. a project or course of action which involves risk or danger

Vocabulary:Santa Fe, New Mexico

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to carve	V. to cut something into a special shape, to cut special designs or patterns into something
a craft	N. something handmade; a handmade piece of art
to devote	V. to focus something totally on a particular subject
to inhabit	V. to live in a place
locals	N. the people who have grown up in and continue to live in a particular area For example, if you are in Santa Fe and you refer to the locals, you are referring to the people who have grown up in and continue to live in Santa Fe.
Native American	A. the politically correct term for American Indian people
to resemble	V. to be like, to be similar to
a reservation	N. a piece of land given to an American Indian tribe
synonymous	A. being so strongly associated with something that it almost has the same meaning
a tribe	N. a distinct group of native people The Sioux, Apache, Maasai and Zulu are all famous tribes.

Vocabulary:Returns and Refunds

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to carry	V. to offer a particular item for sale; to have an item in the store
a defect	N. a technical problem, a flaw, a mistake in construction
to exchange	V. to change one item for another
irritating	A. annoying, upsetting, bothersome
a model	N. a particular type of a mechanical product
a policy	N. a plan or course of action in business or government which is regularly followed
to refund	V. to return money which a person paid for a product or service
to ship	V. to send something large through the mail
store credit	N. a credit given to a customer which can be used to buy a new product When customers return a product to a store, sometimes instead of cash, they are given a store credit which allows them to buy another product of equal or lesser value.
a warranty	N. This is a guarantee given by a company which ensures that the product they sell is well made. If it breaks too soon, they agree to repair it or replace it free of charge.

Vocabulary:Entertaining Films

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
alternative	A. something which is done in a different way, not done in the normal way In the U.S., alternative films are usually artistic films or foreign language films.
artsy	A. extremely artistic, overly artistic, too artistic This often suggests that someone tried too hard to make something artistic.
entertaining	A. something which entertains; amusing and interesting
hilarious	A. something which is very funny; something which makes you laugh
intense	A. 1) containing strong emotions or feelings 2) extreme An intense film is one which emotionally drains you or makes you tired. Intense is not necessarily negative, it just means that a movie is not light or relaxing.
light	A. relaxing, amusing, not too intense This is the opposite of "intense."
mainstream	A. something which is usual, or commonly done Mainstream films are those which are usually high-budget, popular, and made for entertainment. "Mainstream" is the opposite of "alternative."
superficial	A. 1) not deep or profound; lacking real content 2) only on the surface
suspenseful	A. something which makes you keep guessing or makes you question how something will end
thought-provoking	A. something which

Vocabulary:Grocery Store Choice

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to bill	V. to send a request for payment
a bill	N. a request for payment
to come to	V. to equal (an amount of money), to add up to, to total
to deduct	V. to take away, subtract (an amount of money)
to discount	V. to reduce or lower the cost of a product
a discount	N. a reduction in the cost of a product
discount	A. costing less money
to enter	V. 1) to put in information electronically 2) to write in information
to issue	V. to officially give out or print
to pack	V. 1) to put things into a grocery bag 2) to put things into a box to move 3) to put things into a suitcase to take with you
pressed for time	IDM. in a hurry
to swipe	V. to put a card through a computerized machine quickly so it can scan the information We usually use this word with ATM cards, credit cards, debit cards, identification cards, etc.
to verify	V. to make sure that something is true

Vocabulary:A Unique Circus

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
an act	N. 1) a short performance or skit in a circus 2) a part of a theater play
the audience	N. the people watching or listening to a performance
to celebrate	V. to recognize a special occasion or event with a fun activity or party
a costume	N. 1) clothes worn in a play, movie, circus, or other performance 2) clothes worn during a special holiday such as Halloween, Carnival or Mardi Gras
cruel	A. enjoying the pain and suffering of others, intentionally causing pain and suffering
to distinguish	V. 1) to set apart, to make the difference, to mark the difference 2) to see, hear, taste or smell the difference (between two or more things)
to juggle	V. 1) to keep many things in the air at the same time by throwing and catching them quickly 2) to do many jobs or activities at the same time This usually indicates that because you are doing many things at the same time, you are tired and overworked.
a magician	N. a person who performs magic tricks
mesmerizing	A. to be so beautiful or amazing that one becomes speechless and lost in a trance

Vocabulary:States and Territories

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to be classified	V. to be put into a category, to be arranged in classes or groups
a district	N. an area of land or political division used for official purposes
geographical	A. relating to geography
geographically	ADV. done in a way which is related to geography
New England	N. a cultural region in the United States known for its small towns, traditional culture, countryside and colored leaves in autumn
a region	N. a large area or part
self-governing	A. independently run, not controlled from the outside
a state	N. a smaller, partly self-governing division of certain countries
to stretch	V. to spread out, extend
tied	A. 1) connected with rope or string 2) connected (historically, politically, economically, etc.)
a territory (territories)	N. an area of land ruled by a government

Vocabulary:Getting an Apartment

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
an application	N. a written request for an apartment, a job or entrance into a school or an organization
a credit report	N. a complete history of a person's paying habits In the United States, detailed credit histories are kept on all Americans describing how they pay their credit card bills, rent payments, electricity bills, car payments, telephone bills, etc. People are given grades called "credit ratings" for how well they pay off their debt. When a person moves into an apartment, landlords often request credit reports to find out if a person regularly pays on time.
to deposit	V. to put money in a bank
a deposit	N. 1) money which is put in a bank 2) money which is given to ensure that something will be returned or remain in good condition For example, if you want to rent a bicycle, you might have to leave a deposit to ensure that you bring the bike back.
to fill out	V. to complete (a form) by writing in the information
furnished	A. having furniture used with apartments or rental properties
a landlord	N. the man who runs an apartment building or property
a landlady	N. the woman who runs an apartment building or property
non-refundable	A. cannot be returned (money)
a reference	N. 1) a person who will provide information about your character or ability 2) a written letter which will provide information about your character or ability When looking for an apartment in the United States, it is common to provide a landlord with references who will say that you are a good person who will not cause problems.
to sublet	V. to rent your apartment temporarily to someone else
a tenant	N. a person who is renting a room or apartment

Vocabulary:Getting an Apartment

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
an application	N. a written request for an apartment, a job or entrance into a school or an organization
a credit report	N. a complete history of a person's paying habits In the United States, detailed credit histories are kept on all Americans describing how they pay their credit card bills, rent payments, electricity bills, car payments, telephone bills, etc. People are given grades called "credit ratings" for how well they pay off their debt. When a person moves into an apartment, landlords often request credit reports to find out if a person regularly pays on time.
to deposit	V. to put money in a bank
a deposit	N. 1) money which is put in a bank 2) money which is given to ensure that something will be returned or remain in good condition For example, if you want to rent a bicycle, you might have to leave a deposit to ensure that you bring the bike back.
to fill out	V. to complete (a form) by writing in the information
furnished	A. having furniture used with apartments or rental properties
a landlord	N. the man who runs an apartment building or property
a landlady	N. the woman who runs an apartment building or property
non-refundable	A. cannot be returned (money)
a reference	N. 1) a person who will provide information about your character or ability 2) a written letter which will provide information about your character or ability When looking for an apartment in the United States, it is common to provide a landlord with references who will say that you are a good person who will not cause problems.
to sublet	V. to rent your apartment temporarily to someone else
a tenant	N. a person who is renting a room or apartment

Vocabulary:Changing Job

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
to be bought out	V. to be purchased, taken over by another company
to be laid off	V. to lose your job because the company wants to reduce the number of employees
competitive	A. 1) liking competition, always competing with other people used to describe personalities 2) having intense competition used to describe markets, industries or businesses
dedicated	A. 1) very loyal 2) working hard for a person, company or idea
to downsize	V. to reduce the number of employees in a company in order to lower costs
to get rid of	V. to throw away, remove, eliminate something or someone
outdated	A. too old, antiquated
to retrain	V. to reeducate someone for a job, train again
to streamline	V. 1) to form into a smooth shape which can easily move through air or water 2) to improve the performance of something 3) to simplify a process
to update	V. to make more modern
an update	N. the latest information or news

Vocabulary:Ordering in a Restaurant

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
an appetizer	N. a small dish at the beginning of a meal, a starter
a chef	N. a skilled cook
chives	N. a small onion-like herb commonly added to potatoes
chowder	N. a kind of soup usually containing fish and vegetables
to come with	V. to include (in a meal)
dressing	N. a sauce added to salads
an entree	N. a main dish
a menu	N. a list of dishes available in a restaurant
salmon	N. a large fish with silvery skin and pinkish meat
rare	A. very pink adjective used to describe a way of cooking meat
medium-rare	A. slightly pink adjective used to describe a way of cooking meat
medium	A. normally cooked adjective used to describe a way of cooking meat
well-done	A. fully cooked adjective used to describe a way of cooking meat

Vocabulary:Internet

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
a browser	N. a program used to view the Internet Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox are examples of popular Internet browsers.
to click	V. 1) to press the button on a computer mouse 2) to make a small, sharp sound
a click	N. 1) the pressing of the mouse button 2) a small, sharp sound
content	N. subject matter; the main idea of a book, a paper or a web page
to copyright	V. to legally protect content with a copyright
a copyright	N. the right in law to be the only producer, seller or distributor of a book, a play or a web page
to design	V. to artistically arrange the shape or layout of something
a design	N. 1) the artistic shape or layout of something 2) an architectural or technical plan for something
to format	V. to determine the size, shape and form of a written document
a format	N. the size, shape and form of a written document
infringement	N. breaking a law or rule, disregarding a legal protection
Internet (Net)	N. a series of interconnected computers and databases around the world
to lay out	V. to design the technical arrangement of a web page, building, garden, etc.
a layout	N. the technical arrangement of a web page, building, garden, etc.
World Wide Web (Web)	N. a series of commercial, educational and governmental web pages on the Internet

Vocabulary:Higher Education

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
apprenticeship	N. training in an art or a trade This word is also sometimes used to describe educational training programs, common in Europe and much of the world, in which young people learn their profession through on-the-job training in companies and organizations. Often this includes one or two days a week of in-class training. This kind of education is uncommon in the United States.
to be funded	V. to be paid for, to supply the money for
a degree	N. a title given by a university
facilities	N. services or conveniences
to major	V. to specialize in (a particular academic field)
a major	N. the main field of study in which a university student specializes
to minor	V. to have a secondary specialization in (a particular academic field)
a minor	N. the secondary field of study in which a student specializes
to stand for	V. to be the short form of, to represent, to mean
terminology	N. specialized words or expressions used in a particular field, activity, job, science, etc.
to transfer	V. 1) to change schools 2) to move from one place to another said of people or things
B.A.	N. Bachelor of Arts, an undergraduate degree in a humanities-related subject
B.S.	N. Bachelor of Science, an undergraduate degree in a science-related subject
master's	N. the graduate degree after a bachelor's and before a Ph.D. There are also different kinds of master's, including M.A. (Master of Arts), M.S. (Master of Science), M.B.A. (Master in Business Administration), etc.
Ph.D.	N. doctorate, highest graduate degree Although Ph.D. stands for Doctor of Philosophy, it is commonly used to refer to a doctorate in any field.

Vocabulary:Unique Personalities

A. = Adjective ADV. = Adverb IDM. = Idiom N. = Noun V. = Verb
cynical	A. seeing little or no good in other people, believing that people do good things for bad reasons
eccentric	A. having strange, unusual or abnormal habits or tastes This term is less insulting than strange, weird or bizarre.
egotistical	A. thinking too highly of oneself, considering oneself better than others
imaginative	A. creative, having much imagination
indecisive	A. unable to decide quickly, not knowing what choice to make
picky	A. hard to please, too careful in choosing something
sensible	A. practical, reasonable, something that makes sense
sensitive	A. easily feels emotion, easily hurt emotionally can be positive or negative
sophisticated	A. representing high culture, very experienced in life
thoughtful	A. often doing things to make other people feel good

American and English Today

THE TWO VOCABULARIES (article from Bartleby)

By way of preliminary to an examination of the American of today, here is a list of terms in everyday use that differ in American and English: American English ash-can dust-bin ash-cart dust-cart ashman dustman backyard garden baggage luggage baggage-car luggage-van ballast (railroad) metal barbershop barber’s-shop bath-robe dressing-gown bath-tub bath beet beet-root bid (noun) tender bill-board hoarding boarder paying-guest boardwalk (seaside) promenade boot high-boot brakeman brakesman bumper (car) buffer bureau chest of drawers calendar (court) cause-list campaign (political) canvass can (noun) tin candy sweets cane stick canned-goods tinned-goods car (railroad) carriage, van or waggon checkers (game) draughts chicken-yard fowl-run chief-clerk head-clerk chief-of-police chief-constable city-editor chief-reporter city-ordinance by-law clipping (newspaper) cutting closed-season close-season coal coals coal-oil paraffin collar-button stud commission-merchant factor, or commission-agent commutation-ticket season-ticket conductor (of a train) guard corn maize, or Indian corn corner (of a street) crossing corn-meal Indian meal counterfeiter coiner cow-catcher plough cracker biscuit crazy-bone funny-bone cross-tie sleeper crystal (watch) watch-glass department-store stores derby (hat) bowler dime-novel penny-dreadful district (political) division druggist chemist drug-store chemist’s shop drummer bagman dry-goods-store draper’s-shop editorial (noun) leader, or leading-article elevator lift elevator-boy lift-man enlisted-man private-soldier excursionist tripper ferns bracken filing-cabinet nest-of-drawers fire-department fire-brigade fish-dealer fishmonger floor-walker shop-walker fraternal-order friendly-society freight goods freight-agent goods-manager freight-car goods-waggon freight-elevator hoist frog (railway) crossing-plate garters (men’s) sock-suspenders gasoline petrol grade (railroad) gradient grain corn grain-broker corn-factor groceries stores hardware-dealer ironmonger headliner topliner hod-carrier hodman hog-pen piggery hood (automobile) bonnet hospital (private) nursing-home huckster coster (monger) hunting shooting Indian Red Indian Indian Summer St. Martin’s Summer instalment-business credit-trade instalment-plan hire-purchase plan internal-revenue inland-revenue janitor caretaker, or porter laborer navvy legal-holiday bank-holiday letter-box pillar-box letter-carrier postman locomotive engineer engine-driver long-distance-call trunk-call lumber deals lumber-yard timber-yard mad angry mantelpiece chimney-piece Methodist Wesleyan molasses treacle monkey-wrench spanner moving-picture-theatre cinema, or picture-palace necktie tie news-dealer news-agent newspaper-man pressman, or journalist notions small-wares oatmeal porridge officeholder public-servant orchestra (seats in a theatre) stalls outbuildings (farm) offices overcoat great-coat package parcel parlor drawing-room parlor-car saloon-carriage patrolman (police) constable pay-day wage-day peanut monkey-nut pen-point nib period (punctuation) full-stop pitcher jug plant (industrial) works poorhouse workhouse post-paid post-free potpie pie prepaid carriage-paid press (printing) machine program (of a meeting) agenda public-school board-school quotation-marks inverted-commas railroad railway 1 railroad-man railway-servant rails line rare (of meat) underdone receipts (in business) takings Rhine-wine Hock road-bed (railroad) permanent-way road-repairer road-mender roast joint roll (of films) spool roll-call division rooster cock round-trip-ticket return-ticket saleswoman shop-assistant saloon public-house scarf-pin tie-pin scow lighter sewerage drains shirtwaist blouse shoe boot shoemaker bootmaker shoe-shine boot-polish shoestring bootlace shoe-tree boot-tree sick ill sidewalk footpath, or pavement silver (collectively) plate sled sledge sleigh sledge soft-drinks minerals smoking-room smoke-room spigot (or faucet) tap sponge (surgical) tap stem-winder keyless-watch stockholder shareholder stocks shares store-fixtures shop-fittings street-cleaner crossing-sweeper street-railway tramway subway tube, or underground suspenders (men’s) braces sweater jersey switch (noun, railway) points switch (verb, railway) shunt taxes (municipal) rates taxpayer (local) ratepayer tenderloin (of beef) under-cut, or fillet ten-pins nine-pins terminal (railroad) terminus thumb-tack drawing-office ticket-office booking-office tinner tinker tin-roof leads track (railroad) line trained-nurse hospital-nurse transom (of door) fanlight trolley-car tramcar truck (vehicle) lorry truck (of a railroad car) bogie typewriter (operator) typist typhoid-fever enteric undershirt vest vaudeville-theatre music-hall vest waistcoat warden (of a prison) governor warehouse stores wash-rag face-cloth wash-stand wash-hand-stand waste-basket waste-paper-basket whippletree splinter-bar witness-stand witness-box