VOA慢速英语单词手册（R－Z）

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VOA Special English BASIC VOCABULARY R--Z R radar - n. a device that uses radio signals to learn the position or speed of objects that may be too far away to be seen radiation - n. waves of energy from something that produces heat or light; energy from a nuclear substance, which can be dangerous radio - n. the system of sending and receiving signals or sounds through the air without wires raid - v. to make a sudden attack; n. a sudden attack carried out as an act of war, or for the purpose of seizing or stealing something railroad - n. a road for trains; a company that operates such a road and its stations and equipment rain - n. water falling from the sky raise - v. to lift up; to move to a higher position; to cause to grow; to increase rare - ad. not common; not usual; not often rate - n. speed; a measure of how quickly or how often something happens; the price of any thing or service that is bought or sold reach - v. to put a hand toward; to arrive at; to come to react - v. to act as a result of or in answer to read - v. to look at and understand the meaning of written words or numbers ready - ad. prepared; completed; organized; willing real - ad. true; truly existing; not false realistic - ad. in agreement with the way things are reason - n. the cause for a belief or act; purpose; something that explains reasonable - ad. ready to listen to reasons or ideas; not extreme; ready or willing to compromise rebel - v. to act against a government or power, often with force; to refuse to obey; n. one who opposes or fights against the government of his or her country receive - v. to get or accept something given, offered or sent recent - ad. a short time ago recession - n. a temporary reduction in economic activity, when industries produce less and many workers lose their jobs recognize - v. to know or remember something or someone that was known, known about or seen before; to accept another nation as independent and establish diplomatic ties with its government record - v. to write something in order to have it for future use; to put sound or pictures in a form that can be kept and heard or seen again; n. a writing that shows proof or facts about something recover - v. to get again something that was lost, stolen or taken away ("The police recovered the stolen money."); to return to normal health or normal conditions ("She is expected to recover from the operation.") red - ad. having the color like that of blood reduce - v. to make less or smaller in number, size or amount; to cut reform - v. to make better by changing; to improve; n. a change to a better condition refugee - n. a person who has been forced to flee because of unjust treatment, danger or war refuse - v. to reject; to not accept, give or do something regret - n. a feeling of sadness or sorrow about something that is done or that happens reject - v. to refuse to accept, use or believe relations - n. understandings or ties between nations; members of the same family; people connected by marriage or family ties release - v. to free; to permit to go; to permit to be known or made public religion - n. a belief in, or the honoring of, a god or gods remain - v. to stay in a place after others leave; to stay the same remains - n. a dead body remember - v. to think about the past; opposite forget remove - v. to take away or take off; to put an end to; to take out of a position or office repair - n. work done to fix something repeat - v. to say or do again report - v. to tell about; to give the results of a study or investigation; n. the story about an event; the results of a study or investigation; a statement in which the facts may not be confirmed represent - v. to act in the place of someone else; to substitute for; to serve as an example repress - v. to control or to restrict freedoms by force request - v. to ask for; n. the act of asking for require - v. to need or demand as necessary rescue - v. to free from danger or evil research - n. a careful study to discover correct information resign - v. to leave a position, job or office resist - v. to oppose; to fight to prevent resolution - n. an official statement of agreement by a group of people, usually reached by voting resource - n. anything of value that can be used or sold responsible - ad. having a duty or job to do ("He is responsible for preparing the report."); being the cause of ("They were responsible for the accident.") rest - v. to sit, lie down or sleep to regain strength; n. that which remains; the others restrain - v. to keep controlled; to limit action by a person or group restrict - v. to limit; to prevent from increasing or becoming larger result - v. to happen from a cause; n. that which follows or is produced by a cause; effect retire - v. to leave a job or position because one is old or in poor health return - v. to go or come back; to bring, give, take or send back revolt - v. to protest violently; to fight for a change, especially of government rice - n. a food grain rich - ad. having much money or goods; having plenty of something ride - v. to sit on or in and be carried along; to travel by animal, wheeled vehicle, airplane or boat right - n. what a person legally and morally should be able to do or have ("It is their right to vote."); ad. agreeing with the facts; good; correct; opposite wrong; on the side that is toward the east when one is facing north; opposite left riot - v. to act with many others in a violent way in a public place; n. a violent action by a large group of people rise - v. to go up; to go higher; to increase; to go from a position of sitting or lying to a position of standing risk - n. the chance of loss, damage or injury river - n. a large amount of water that flows across land into another river, a lake or an ocean road - n. a long piece of hard ground built between two places so people can walk, drive or ride easily from one place to the other rob - v. to take money or property secretly or by force; to steal rock - n. a hard piece of mineral matter rocket - n. a device shaped like a tube that moves through air or space by burning gases and letting them escape from the back or bottom, sometimes used as a weapon roll - v. to turn over and over; to move like a ball room - n. a separate area within a building with its own walls root - n. the part of a plant that is under the ground and takes nutrients from the soil rope - n. a long, thick piece of material made from thinner pieces of material, used for tying rough - ad. not flat or smooth; having an uneven surface; violent; not made well round - ad. having the shape of a ball or circle rub - v. to move something over the surface of another thing rubber - n. a substance made from the liquid of trees with the same name, or a similar substance made from chemicals ruin - v. to damage severely; to destroy rule - v. to govern or control; to decide; n. a statement or an order that says how something must be done run - v. to move quickly by steps faster than those used for walking ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S sacrifice - v. to do without something or to suffer a loss for a belief, idea, goal or another person sad - ad. not happy safe - ad. away from harm or danger sail - v. to travel by boat or ship sailor - n. a person involved in sailing a boat or ship salt - n. a white substance found in sea water and in the ground, used to affect the taste of food same - ad. not different; not changed; like another or others sand - n. extremely small pieces of crushed rock found in large amounts in deserts and on coasts satellite - n. a small object in space that moves around a larger object; an object placed in orbit around the earth satisfy - v. to give or provide what is desired, needed or demanded save - v. to make safe; to remove from harm; to keep for future use say - v. to speak; to express in words school - n. a place for education; a place where people go to learn science - n. the study of nature and the actions of natural things, and the knowledge gained about them sea - n. a large area of salt water, usually part of an ocean search - v. to look for carefully season - n. one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth's position toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); a period of time based on different weather conditions ("dry season", "rainy season"); a period during the year when something usually happens ("baseball season") seat - n. a thing to sit on; a place to sit or the right to sit there ("a seat in parliament") second - ad. the one that comes after the first secret - n. something known only to a few and kept from general knowledge; ad. hidden from others; known only to a few security - n. freedom from danger or harm; protection; measures necessary to protect a person or place ("Security was increased in the city.") see - v. to know or sense through the eyes; to understand or know seed - n. the part of a plant from which new plants grow seek(ing) - v. to search for ("They are seeking a cure for cancer."); to try to get ("She is seeking election to public office."); to plan to do ("Electric power companies are seeking to reduce their use of coal.") seem - v. to appear to be ("She seems to be in good health.") seize - v. to take quickly by force; to take control of quickly; to arrest self - n. all that which makes one person different from others sell - v. to give something in exchange for money Senate - n. the smaller of the two groups in the governments of some countries, such as in the United States Congress send - v. to cause to go; to permit to go; to cause to be carried, taken or directed to or away from a place sense - v. to come to know about by feeling, believing or understanding; n. any of the abilities to see, hear, taste, smell or feel sentence - v. to declare the punishment for a crime; n. the punishment for a crime separate - v. to set or keep people, things or ideas away from or independent from others; ad. not together or connected; different series - n. a number of similar things or events that follow one after another in time, position or order serious - ad. important; needing careful consideration; dangerous serve - v. to work as an official; to be employed by the government; to assist or help service - n. an organization or system that provides something for the public ("Schools and roads are services paid for by taxes."); a job that an organization or business can do for money; military organizations such as an army, navy or air force; a religious ceremony set - v. to put in place or position; to establish a time, price or limit settle - v. to end (a dispute); to agree about (a problem); to make a home in a new place several - ad. three or more, but not many severe - ad. not gentle; causing much pain, sadness or damage sex - n. either the male or female group into which all people and animals are divided because of their actions in producing young; the physical activity by which humans and animals can produce young shake - v. to move or cause to move in short, quick movements shape - v. to give form to; n. the form of something, especially how it looks share - v. to give part of something to another or others; n. a part belonging to, given to or owned by a single person or a group; any one of the equal parts of ownership of a business or company sharp - ad. having a thin edge or small point that can cut or hurt; causing hurt or pain she - pro. the girl or woman who is being spoken about sheep - n. a farm animal used for its meat and hair shell - v. to fire artillery; n. a metal container that is fired from a large gun and explodes when it reaches its target; a hard outside cover shelter - v. to protect or give protection to; n. something that gives protection; a place of safety shine - v. to aim a light; to give bright light; to be bright; to clean to make bright ship - v. to transport; n. a large boat shock - v. to cause to feel sudden surprise or fear; n. something that greatly affects the mind or emotions; a powerful shake, as from an earthquake shoe - n. a covering for the foot shoot - v. to cause a gun or other weapon to send out an object designed to kill; to use a gun short - ad. lasting only for a small period of time; not long; opposite tall should - v. used with another verb (action word) to show responsibility ("We should study."), probability ("The talks should begin soon."), or that something is believed to be a good idea ("Criminals should be punished.") shout - v. to speak very loudly show - v. to make something be seen; to make known; n. a play or story presented in a theater, or broadcast on radio or television, for enjoyment or education; something organized to be seen by the public shrink - v. to make or become less in size, weight or value sick - ad. suffering physically or mentally with a disease or other problem; not in good health sickness - n. the condition of being in bad health side - n. the outer surfaces of an object that are not the top or bottom; parts away from the middle; either the right or left half of the body sign - v. to write one's name; n. a mark or shape used to mean something; evidence that something exists or will happen; a flat piece of material with writing that gives information signal - v. to send a message by signs; n. an action or movement that sends a message silence - v. to make quiet; to stop from speaking or making noise; n. a lack of noise or sound silver - n. a valued white metal similar - ad. like something else but not exactly the same simple - ad. easy to understand or do; not difficult or complex since - prep. from a time in the past until now ("I have known her since we went to school together.") sing - v. to make music sounds with the voice single - ad. one only sink - v. to go down into water or other liquid sister - n. a female with the same father or mother as another person sit - v. to rest on the lower part of the body without the support of the legs; to become seated situation - n. the way things are during a period of time size - n. the space occupied by something; how long, wide or high something is skeleton - n. all the bones of a human or other animal together in their normal positions skill - n. the ability gained from training or experience skin - n. the outer covering of humans and most animals sky - n. the space above the earth slave - n. a person owned or controlled by another sleep - v. to rest the body and mind with the eyes closed slide - v. to move smoothly over a surface slow - v. to reduce the speed of; ad. not fast in moving, talking or other activities small - ad. little in size or amount; few in number; not important; opposite large smash - v. to break or be broken into small pieces by force; to hit or move with force smell - v. to sense through the nose; n. something sensed by the nose ("the smell of food cooking") smoke - v. to use cigarettes or other tobacco products by burning them and breathing in the smoke; n. that which can be seen rising into the air like a cloud from something burning smooth - ad. having a level surface; opposite rough snow - n. soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky, usually in winter or when the air temperature is very cold so - ad. in such a way that ("He held the flag so all could see it."); also; too ("She left early, and so did we."); very ("I am so sick."); as a result ("They were sick, so they could not come."); conj. in order that; for the purpose of ("Come early so we can discuss the plans.") social - ad. of or about people or a group soft - ad. not hard; easily shaped; pleasing to touch; not loud soil - n. earth in which plants grow soldier - n. a person in the army solid - ad. having a hard shape with no empty spaces inside; strong; not in the form of a liquid or gas solve - v. to find an answer; to settle some - ad. of an amount or number or part not stated; not all son - n. a person's male child soon - ad. not long after the present time; quickly sort - n. any group of people or things that are the same or are similar in some way; a kind of something sound - n. fast-moving waves of energy that affect the ear and result in hearing; that which is heard south - n. the direction to the right of a person facing the rising sun space - n. the area outside the earth's atmosphere where the sun, moon, planets and stars are; the area between or inside things speak - v. to talk; to say words with the mouth; to express one's thoughts to others and exchange ideas; to give a speech to a group special - ad. of a different or unusual kind; not for general use; better or more important than others of the same kind speech - n. a talk given to a group of people speed - v. to make something go or move faster; n. the rate at which something moves or travels; the rate at which something happens or is done spend - v. to give as payment; to use ("He spends much time studying.") spill - v. to cause or permit liquid to flow out, usually by accident spirit - n. the part of a human that is not physical and is connected to thoughts and emotions; the part of a person that is believed to remain alive after death split - v. to separate into two or more parts; to divide or break into parts sport - n. any game or activity of competition involving physical effort or skill spread - v. to become longer or wider; to make or become widely known spring - n. the time of the year between winter and summer spy - v. to steal or get information secretly; n. one who watches others secretly; a person employed by a government to get secret information about another country square - n. a flat shape having four equal sides stab - v. to cut or push into or through with a pointed weapon stand - v. to move into or be in a position in which only the feet are on a surface; to be in one position or place star - n. a mass of gas that usually appears as a small light in the sky at night, but is not a planet; a famous person, usually an actor or singer start - v. to begin; to make something begin starve - v. to suffer or die from a lack of food state - v. to say; to declare; n. a political part of a nation station - v. a place of special work or purpose ("a police station"); a place where passengers get on or off trains or buses; a place for radio or television broadcasts statue - n. a form of a human, animal or other creature usually made of stone, wood or metal stay - v. to continue to be where one is; to remain; to not leave; to live for a time ("They stayed in New York for two years.") steal - v. to take without permission or paying steam - n. the gas that comes from hot water steel - n. iron made harder and stronger by mixing it with other substances step - v. to move by lifting one foot and placing it in a new position; n. the act of stepping; one of a series of actions designed to reach a goal stick - v. to attach something to another thing using a substance that will hold them together; to become fixed in one position so that movement is difficult ("Something is making the door stick."); n. a thin piece of wood still - ad. not moving ("The man was standing still."); until the present or a stated time ("Was he still there?"); even so; although ("The job was difficult, but she still wanted to do it.") stone - n. a small piece of rock stop - v. to prevent any more movement or action; to come or bring to an end store - v. to keep or put away for future use; n. a place where people buy things storm - n. violent weather, including strong winds and rain or snow story - n. the telling or writing of an event, either real or imagined stove - n. a heating device used for cooking straight - ad. continuing in one direction without turns strange - ad. unusual; not normal; not known street - n. a road in a city, town or village stretch - v. to extend for a distance; to pull on to make longer or wider strike - v. to hit with force; to stop work as a way to seek better conditions, more pay or to make other demands strong - ad. having much power; not easily broken, damaged or destroyed structure - n. the way something is built, made or organized; a system that is formed or organized in a special way; a building struggle - v. to try with much effort; to fight with; n. a great effort; a fight study - v. to make an effort to gain knowledge by using the mind; to examine carefully stupid - ad. not able to learn much; not intelligent subject - n. the person or thing being discussed, studied or written about submarine - n. an underwater ship substance - n. the material of which something is made (a solid, liquid or gas) substitute - v. to put or use in place of another; n. a person or thing put or used in place of another subversion - n. an attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or government, usually secretly succeed - v. to reach a goal or thing desired; to produce a planned result such - ad. of this or that kind; of the same kind as; similar to sudden - ad. not expected; without warning; done or carried out quickly or without preparation suffer - v. to feel pain in the body or mind; to receive or experience hurt or sadness sugar - n. a sweet substance made from liquids taken from plants suggest - v. to offer or propose something to think about or consider summer - n. the warmest time of the year, between spring and autumn sun - n. the huge star in the sky that provides heat and light to earth supervise - v. to direct and observe the work of others supply - v. to give; to provide; n. the amount of something that can be given or sold to others support - v. to carry the weight of; to hold up or in position; to agree with others and help them reach a goal; to approve suppose - v. to believe, think or imagine ("I suppose you are right."); to expect ("It is supposed to rain tonight.") suppress - v. to put down or to keep down by force; to prevent information from being known publicly sure - ad. very probable; with good reason to believe; true without question surface - n. the outer side or top of something ("The rocket landed on the surface of the moon.") surplus - n. an amount that is more than is needed; extra; ("That country has a trade surplus. It exports more than it imports.") surprise - v. to cause a feeling of wonder because something is not expected; n. something not expected; the feeling caused by something not expected surrender - v. to give control of oneself or one's property to another or others; to stop fighting and admit defeat surround - v. to form a circle around; to be in positions all around someone or something survive - v. to remain alive during or after a dangerous situation suspect - v. to imagine or believe that a person is guilty of something bad or illegal; n. a person believed to be guilty suspend - v. to cause to stop for a period of time swallow - v. to take into the stomach through the mouth swear in - v. to put an official into office by having him or her promise to carry out the duties of that office ("The chief justice will swear in the president.") sweet - ad. tasting pleasant, like sugar swim - v. to move through water by making motions with the arms and legs sympathy - n. a sharing of feelings or emotions with another person, usually feelings of sadness system - n. a method of organizing or doing something by following rules or a plan; a group of connected things or parts working together for a common purpose or goal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- T talk - v. to express thoughts in spoken words; n. a meeting for discussion tall - ad. higher than others; opposite short tank - n. a large container for holding liquids; a heavy military vehicle with guns target - n. any person or object aimed at or fired at taste - v. to sense through the mouth ("The fruit tastes sweet.") tax - n. the money a person or business must pay to the government so the government can provide services tea - n. a drink made from the plant of the same name teach - v. to show how to do something; to provide knowledge; to cause to understand team - n. a group organized for some purpose, often for sports tear - v. to pull apart, often by force tears - n. the fluid that comes out of the eyes while crying technical - ad. involving machines, processes and materials in industry, transportation and communications; of or about a very special kind of subject or thing ("You need technical knowledge to understand how this system works.") technology - n. the use of scientific knowledge and methods to produce goods and services telephone - n. a device or system for sending sounds, especially the voice, over distances telescope - n. a device for making objects that are far away appear closer and larger television - n. a device that receives electronic signals and makes them into pictures and sounds; the system of sending pictures and sounds by electronic signals over a distance so others can see and hear them on a receiver tell - v. to give information; to make known by speaking; to order; to command temperature - n. the measurement of heat and cold temporary - ad. lasting only a short time tense - ad. having fear or concern; dangerous; opposite calm term - n. a limited period of time during which someone does a job or carries out a responsibility ("He served two terms in Congress."); the conditions of an agreement that have been accepted by those involved in it terrible - ad. very bad; causing terror or fear territory - n. a large area of land terror - n. extreme fear; that which causes great fear terrorist - n. a person who carries out acts of extreme violence as a protest or a way to influence a government test - v. to attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing ("The scientists will test the new engine soon."); n. an attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing ("The test of the new engine takes place today."); a group of questions or problems used to find out a person's knowledge ("The students did well on the language test.") than - conj. connecting word used to link things that may be similar, but are not equal ("My sister is taller than I am.") thank - v. to say that one has a good feeling toward another because that person did something kind ("I want to thank you for helping me.") that - ad. showing the person, place or thing being spoken about ("That man is a soldier."); pro. the person, place or thing being spoken about ("The building that I saw was very large.") the - pro. used in front of a name word to show that it is a person or thing that is known about or is being spoken about theater - n. a place where movies are shown or plays are performed them - pro. other people being spoken about then - ad. at that time; existing; and so theory - n. a possible explanation of why something exists or how something happens using experiments or ideas, but which is not yet proven ("Other scientists are debating his theory about the disappearance of dinosaurs.") there - ad. in that place or position; to or toward that place these - pro. of or about the people, places or things nearby that have been spoken about already they - pro. those ones being spoken about thick - ad. having a large distance between two opposite surfaces ("The wall is two meters thick."); having many parts close together ("The forest is very thick."); almost solid, such as a liquid that does not flow easily; opposite thin thin - ad. having a small distance between two opposite surfaces; not fat; not wide; opposite thick thing - n. any object think - v. to produce thoughts; to form ideas in the mind; to consider; to believe third - ad. coming after two others this - pro. of or about the person, place or thing nearby that has been spoken about already threaten - v. to warn that one will do harm or cause damage through - prep. in at one end and out at the other; from front to back; from top to bottom; with the help of; by throw - v. to cause to go through the air by a movement of the arm tie - v. to join or hold together with some material; n. anything that joins or unites; links or connections ("The two nations have strong trade ties.") time - n. that which is measured in minutes, hours, days and years; a period that can be identified in hours and minutes and is shown on a clock; a period when an event should or will take place tired - ad. having less strength because of work or exercise; needing sleep or rest to - prep. showing the direction of an action; showing the person or place toward which an action is directed; showing a goal or purpose today - n. this day together - ad. in one group; at the same time or place; in cooperation tomorrow - n. the day after today tonight - n. this night too - ad. also; as well as; more than is necessary tool - n. any instrument or device designed to help one do work top - n. the upper edge or surface; the highest part; the cover of something torture - v. to cause severe pain; n. the act of causing severe pain in order to harm, to punish or to get information from total - n. the complete amount touch - v. to put the hand or fingers on toward - prep. in the direction of; leading to town - n. a center where people live, larger than a village but not as large as a city trade - v. to buy and sell or exchange products or services; n. the activity of buying, selling or exchanging products or services tradition - n. a ceremony, activity or belief that has existed for a long time traffic - n. the movement of people, vehicles or ships along a street, road or waterway tragic - ad. extremely sad; terrible train - v. to teach or learn how to do something; to prepare for an activity; n. an engine and the cars connected to it that move along a railroad transport - v. to move goods or people from one place to another transportation - n. the act or business of moving goods or people trap - v. to catch or be caught by being tricked; to be unable to move or escape; n. a device used to catch animals travel - v. to go from one place to another, usually for a long distance treason - n. the act of fighting against one's own country or of helping its enemies treasure - n. a large collection of money, jewels or other things of great value treat - v. to deal with; to act toward in a special way; to try to cure treatment - n. the act of treating; the use of medicine to try to cure or make better treaty - n. a written agreement between two or more nations tree - n. a very tall plant that is mostly wood, except for its leaves trial - n. an examination in a court of a question or dispute to decide if a charge is true tribe - n. a group of families ruled by a common chief or leader trick - v. to cheat; to fool a person so as to get something or make him or her do something trip - n. a movement from one place to another, usually a long distance troops - n. a number of soldiers in a large controlled group trouble - n. that which causes concern, fear, difficulty or problems truce - n. a temporary halt in fighting agreed to by all sides involved truck - n. a heavy vehicle used to carry goods true - ad. correct; not false trust - v. to believe that someone is honest and will not cause harm try - v. to make an effort; to take court action against a person to decide if he or she is guilty or innocent of a crime tube - n. a long, round structure through which liquids or gases can flow; a long, thin container in which they can be kept turn - v. to change direction; to move into a different position; to change color, form or shape ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U understand - v. to know what is meant; to have knowledge of unite - v. to join together universe - n. all of space, including planets and stars university - n. a place of education that usually includes several colleges and research organizations unless - conj. except if it happens; on condition that ("I will not go, unless the rain stops.") until - conj. up to a time; before up - ad. to, in or at a higher position or value urge - v. to advise strongly; to make a great effort to get someone to do something urgent - ad. needing an immediate decision or action us - pro. the form of the word "we" used after a preposition ("He said he would write to us.") or used as an object of a verb ("They saw us yesterday.") use - v. to employ for a purpose; to put into action usual - ad. as is normal or common; as is most often done, seen or heard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V value - n. the quality of being useful, important or desired; the amount of money that could be received if something is sold vegetable - n. a plant grown for food vehicle - n. anything on or in which a person or thing can travel or be transported, especially anything on wheels; a car or truck version - n. the form of something with different details than earlier or later forms very - ad. extremely ("He was very late.") veto - v. to reject or refuse to approve vicious - ad. bad; dangerous; showing harm or hate victim - n. someone or something that is injured, killed or made to suffer; someone who is tricked victory - n. a success in a fight or competition village - n. a very small town violate - v. to fail to obey or honor; to break (an agreement) violence - n. the use of force to cause injury, death or damage visit - v. to go to or come to a place for a short time for friendly or business reasons voice - n. the sound made by creatures, especially humans, for speaking volcano - n. a hill or mountain around a hole in the earth's surface that can explode, sending hot, melted rock and ash into the air vote - v. to choose a candidate in an election; n. a choice or decision expressed by the voice, by hand or by writing ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W wait - v. to delay acting; to postpone walk - v. to move by putting one foot in front of the other wall - n. the side of a room or building formed by wood, stone or other material; a structure sometimes used to separate areas of land want - v. to desire; to wish for; to need war - n. fighting between nations, or groups in a nation, using weapons warm - ad. almost hot; having or feeling some heat warn - v. to tell of possible danger; to advise or inform about something bad that may happen wash - v. to make clean, usually with water waste - v. to spend or use without need or care; to make bad use of; n. a spending of money, time or effort with no value gained or returned; something thrown away as having no value; the liquid and solid substances that result from body processes and are passed out of the body watch - v. to look at; to observe closely; to look and wait for water - n. the liquid that falls from the sky as rain or is found in lakes, rivers and oceans wave - v. to move or cause to move one way and the other, as a flag in the wind; to signal by moving the hand one way and the other; n. a large mass of water that forms and moves on the surface of a lake or ocean way - n. a path on land or sea or in the air; how something is done; method we - pro. two or more people, including the speaker or writer ("He and I will go together, and we will return together.") weak - ad. having little power; easily broken, damaged or destroyed; opposite strong wealth - n. a large amount of possessions, money or other things of value weapon - n. anything used to cause injury or to kill during an attack, fight or war wear - v. to have on the body, as clothes weather - n. the condition of the atmosphere resulting from sun, wind, rain, heat or cold week - n. a period of time equal to seven days weigh - v. to measure how heavy someone or something is welcome - v. to express happiness or pleasure when someone arrives or something develops well - ad. in a way that is good or pleasing; in good health; n. a hole in the ground where water, gas or oil can be found west - n. the direction in which the sun goes down wet - ad. covered with water or other liquid; not dry what - pro. used to ask about something or to ask for information about something ("What is this?"); ad. whichor which kind ("He wants to know what you would like to drink.") wheat - n. a grain used to make bread; the plant that produces the grain wheel - n. a round structure that turns around a center when - ad. at what time; at any time ("When will she come home?"); conj. during or at the time ("I studied hard when I was in school.") where - ad., conj. at, to or in what place ("Where is his house?" "The house where he lives is in the old part of the city.") which - pro. used to ask about what one or what ones of a group of things or people ("Which program do you like best?" "Which students will take the test?") while - n. a space of time ("Please come to my house for a while."); conj. at or during the same time ("It may not be a good idea to eat while you are running.") white - ad. having the color like that of milk or snow who - pro. what or which person or persons that ("Who wants to go?"); the person or persons ("They are the ones who want to go.") whole - ad. the complete amount; all together; not divided; not cut into pieces why - ad. for what cause or reason ("Why did she do it?"); conj. the reason for which ("I do not know why she did it.") wide - ad. having a great distance from one side to the other; not limited wife - n. a woman who is married wild - ad. living and growing in natural conditions and not organized or supervised by humans; angry; uncontrolled will - v. a word used with action words to show future action ("They will hold talks tomorrow.") willing - ad. being ready or having a desire to ("They are willing to talk about the problem.") win - v. to gain a victory; to defeat another or others in a competition, election or battle wind - n. a strong movement of air window - n. an opening in a wall to let in light and air, usually filled with glass winter - n. the coldest time of year, between autumn and spring wire - n. a long, thin piece of metal used to hang objects or to carry electricity or electronic communications from one place to another wise - ad. having much knowledge and understanding; able to use knowledge and understanding to make good or correct decisions wish - v. to want; to express a desire for with - prep. along or by the side of; together; using ("He fixed it with a tool."); having ("the house with the red door") withdraw - v. to take or move out, away or back; to remove without - prep. with no; not having or using; free from; not doing woman - n. an adult female human wonder - v. to ask oneself; to question ("She wonders if it is true."); n. a feeling of surprise wonderful - ad. causing wonder; especially good wood - n. the solid material of which trees are made word - n. one or more connected sounds that form a single part of a language work - v. to use physical or mental effort to make or do something; n. the effort used to make or to do something; that which needs effort; the job one does to earn money world - n. the earth; the people who live on the earth worry - v. to be concerned; to continue thinking that something, possibly bad, can happen worse - ad. more bad than worth - n. value measured in money wound - v. to injure; to hurt; to cause physical damage to a person or animal; n. an injury to the body of a human or animal in which the skin is usually cut or broken wreck - v. to damage greatly; to destroy; n. anything that has been badly damaged or broken wreckage - n. what remains of something severely damaged or destroyed write - v. to use an instrument to make words appear on a surface, such as paper wrong - ad. not correct; bad; not legal; opposite right ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Y yellow - ad. having the color like that of gold or the sun yes - ad. used to express agreement or to permit yesterday - n. the day before today yet - ad. at some time before now ("Have they arrived yet?"); now; at this time ("I cannot tell you about it yet."); conj. however ("The sun was shining, yet it was cold.") you - pro. the person or persons being spoken to young - ad. in the early years of life; not old ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z zoo - n. a place where animals are kept for the public to look at and study ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Prefixes dis - not (dishonest, disobey) pro - for, supporting (pro-labor, pro-government) re - to do again (reorganize, reunite) self - used to show that the person or group acting is the one affected by the action, or to show that the action is done only by its own effort or power (self-declared, self-appointed) un - not (unusual, unhappy) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Expressions carry out - to do; to put into effect ("Please carry out the plan.") pass a bill - approve ("Congress is expected to pass a bill to cut taxes.") take steps - to start to do something ("The government will take steps to halt inflation.") ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Words Used in VOA Special English Science Programs atom - a very small part of all things; the smallest part of an element that can join with parts of other elements bacteria - living things that are one cell and can be seen only through a microscope; some cause disease cell - a small mass of living material that is part of all plants and animals chromosome - a line of genes; most human cells contain 46 chromosomes compound - a substance containing two or more elements dense - close together; thick electron - a small part of an atom that has an electrical force element - one of more than 100 substances known to science that cannot be separated into other substances enzyme - a special kind of protein; it produces changes in other substances without being changed itself fetus - unborn young fission - a splitting; in atomic fission, the nucleus of an atom is split to produce nuclear energy fusion - a joining together; in atomic fusion, atomic particles are joined together to produce nuclear energy genes - parts of cells that control the growth and development of living things; genes from the mother and father are passed to the child; genes contain nucleic acid genetic engineering - the science of changing the genes of a living organism gravity - the force that pulls things toward the center of the earth image - a reproduction of the appearance of a person or thing laser - an instrument that makes a thin, powerful light magnet - a piece of iron or other material that has a pulling force; this pulling force is called magnetism molecule - the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist nerve - a thin piece of tissue that sends information through the body to and from the brain nucleus - the center part of an atom or cell nucleic acid - a molecule that holds the genetic information necessary for life; there are two kinds of nucleic acid: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) nutrient - a food or substance that makes plants, humans or animals grow organ - a part of the body that has a special purpose, such as the heart or brain organism - a living thing, often so small it can be seen only through a microscope particle - a very small piece of matter proteins - substances responsible for the growth of tissue and for fixing damaged tissue robot - a machine that moves and performs tasks tissue - living material; a group of cells that are similar in appearance and do the same thing virus - a kind of organism that causes disease x-rays - a kind of radiation that can pass through most solid materials, often used in medicine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Organs of the Body heart - pumps blood through the body intestines - tubes through which food passes after it is broken down in the stomach; part of the intestines also remove solid wastes from the body kidney - cleans liquid wastes from the body liver - makes some proteins and enzymes; removes poisons from the blood lung - takes in and expels air from the body prostate - a part of the male reproductive system stomach - breaks down food for the body to use uterus - a part of the female reproductive system where a fetus develops