Common English Words: Definitions, Usage Examples, and Meanings

Common English Words and Their Meanings

Astound (to overwhelm with amazement) and assail (to attack vigorously or violently). Blink: to open and close the eye.

Backstage: behind the proscenium. In a theater, especially in the wings or dressing rooms.

Banister: any of various symmetrical supports, as furniture legs or spindles, tending to swell toward the bottom or top.

Bundle: an item wrapped for carrying.

Chore: a small or routine job to do.

Creep: to move slowly with body close to the ground, on hands and knees.

Dizzy: having a sensation of things going round and round; giddy.

Deadline: the time by which something must be finished.

Distress: sharp or strong anxiety, pain, or sorrow.

In earnest: with serious or sincere intentions.

Flattering: praising or complimenting insincerely or excessively.

Flicker: to burn unsteadily; shine with wavering light.

Gasp: catch one's breath.

Jinx: to bring bad luck.

Words Related to Holding and Movement

Grip: the power of grasping or holding fast.

Grope: to feel about with the hands; feel one's way hesitantly.

Groan: to utter a deep, mournful sound that expresses pain or grief; moan.

Hunch: thrust out or up in a hump.

Latch: a device for holding a door, gate, or the like closed, with a bar that falls or slides into a catch, groove, or hole.

Lanky: ungracefully tall and thin.

Mower: a machine used to cut down grass, especially.

Mishap: an unfortunate event.

Muffle: to wrap with something to deaden sound.

Nuisance: a person or thing that is unpleasant, inconvenient, or annoying.

Offhand: without previous thought or preparation; extempore.

Outwardly: as regards appearance; outward manifestation.

Paunch: a large and protruding belly; potbelly.

Quell: to put down; suppress.

Rudder: a vertical blade at the rear of a ship or plane that can be turned to control direction.

Rung: a level or degree, as in a business or organization.

Words for Sensation, Confusion, and Behavior

Sachet: a small bag or pad containing sweet-smelling powder.

At sea: perplexed; uncertain.

Slipshod: careless, untidy, or sloppy; not careful.

Startle: disturb suddenly, as by surprise.

Splutter: talk rapidly and unclearly, as when excited.

Stroll: to walk slowly, easily, without a definite direction, as for pleasure; ramble.

Slide: to (cause to) move in continuous contact with a smooth or slippery surface.

Stumble: to strike the foot against something, as in running, so as to trip or fall.

Smuggle: to convey goods secretly and illegally into or out of a country.

Touchy: likely to take offense for some slight reason; irritable.

Trousseau: an outfit of clothing, household linen, etc., belonging to a bride.

Thaw: to change from a frozen to a liquid state.

Tipsy: slightly intoxicated.

Wrench: to pull, move, or force with or as with a violent twisting motion.