Word List
Year 3 Vocabulary List
Year 3 learners are building the vocabulary they need to discuss ideas, form opinions, and write with precision. These words appear across science, humanities, literature, and maths.
Good for
Year 3 students moving into extended reading and essay-style writing.
Focus
Reasoning language, strong adjectives, subject-specific vocabulary, and analytical thinking words.
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001
Word
abbreviation
noun
Meaning
a short form of a word or phrase, like "Dr" for "Doctor"
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002
Word
aboriginal
adjective
Meaning
inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times; relating to the First Nations peoples of Australia
#
003
Word
absorption
noun
Meaning
the process of one substance taking in another, like a sponge taking in water
#
004
Word
accept
verb
Meaning
To agree to receive or take something.
#
005
Word
accurate
adjective
Meaning
correct and exact; free from errors or mistakes
#
006
Word
acronym
noun
Meaning
a word formed from the first letters of other words, like ANZAC
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007
Word
adapt
verb
Meaning
To change to suit different conditions or needs.
#
008
Word
adaptation
noun
Meaning
a feature an animal or plant has developed to help it survive in its environment
#
009
Word
adjective
noun
Meaning
a word that describes a noun, like big, red, or happy
#
010
Word
advantage
noun
Meaning
Something that helps you be more successful than others.
#
011
Word
adverb
noun
Meaning
a word that describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often ending in -ly
#
012
Word
alliteration
noun
Meaning
when words close together begin with the same sound, like "sizzling summer sun"
#
013
Word
analyse
verb
Meaning
to examine something carefully and in detail to understand it
#
014
Word
angle
noun
Meaning
the space between two lines that meet at a point, measured in degrees
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015
Word
apostrophe
noun
Meaning
a punctuation mark (
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016
Word
approximately
adverb
Meaning
close to the actual amount; roughly
#
017
Word
archaeology
noun
Meaning
the study of human history by excavating and analysing objects from the past
#
018
Word
area
noun
Meaning
the amount of space inside a flat shape, measured in square units
#
019
Word
argument
noun
Meaning
a reason or set of reasons given to support an idea or point of view
#
020
Word
arrange
verb
Meaning
To put things in a particular order or position.
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021
Word
astounding
adjective
Meaning
extremely surprising and hard to believe
#
022
Word
atmosphere
noun
Meaning
the layer of gases surrounding the Earth
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023
Word
autobiography
noun
Meaning
the story of a person's own life written by themselves
#
024
Word
average
noun
Meaning
a typical amount found by adding all values and dividing by how many there are
#
025
Word
axis
noun
Meaning
a reference line on a graph used to measure position
#
026
Word
bias
noun
Meaning
a preference for one thing over another that is not based on fair judgement
#
027
Word
biography
noun
Meaning
the story of someone's life written by another person
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028
Word
biome
noun
Meaning
a large geographic area with a distinctive climate and community of plants and animals
#
029
Word
brilliant
adjective
Meaning
very intelligent or talented; exceptionally good
#
030
Word
broad
adjective
Meaning
Wide; covering a large area or many topics.
#
031
Word
calculate
verb
Meaning
to work out the answer to a maths problem using numbers
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032
Word
capacity
noun
Meaning
the maximum amount that something can contain or produce
#
033
Word
caption
noun
Meaning
a short piece of text below a picture that explains what it shows
#
034
Word
capture
verb
Meaning
To catch and hold something or someone.
#
035
Word
challenge
verb
Meaning
to question whether something is right or to test a belief
#
036
Word
chronology
noun
Meaning
the arrangement of events in the order in which they occurred
#
037
Word
circuit
noun
Meaning
a path along which electricity can flow from one place and back again
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038
Word
claim
verb
Meaning
To say that something is true.
#
039
Word
clause
noun
Meaning
a group of words that contains a subject and a verb
#
040
Word
colon
noun
Meaning
a punctuation mark (:) used before a list or explanation
#
041
Word
colossal
adjective
Meaning
extremely large in size
#
042
Word
comparison
noun
Meaning
looking at two or more things to see how they are alike or different
#
043
Word
condensation
noun
Meaning
the process of water vapour turning into liquid when it cools
#
044
Word
confirm
verb
Meaning
to show or state that something is definitely true
#
045
Word
conjunction
noun
Meaning
a word that joins two parts of a sentence together, like "and" or "but"
#
046
Word
connection
noun
Meaning
a link between two ideas or things that shows how they relate
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047
Word
consequently
adverb
Meaning
as a result of something that happened before
#
048
Word
conservation
noun
Meaning
the protection and careful management of the natural environment
#
049
Word
contents
noun
Meaning
a list at the front of a book showing the chapters and page numbers
#
050
Word
contrast
verb
Meaning
to show how two or more things are different from each other
#
051
Word
contribute
verb
Meaning
to give ideas, time, or effort to help a cause or project
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052
Word
cooperate
verb
Meaning
to work together with others toward a shared goal
#
053
Word
coordinate
noun
Meaning
a number or letter used to show an exact position on a grid
#
054
Word
credible
adjective
Meaning
believable and trustworthy because it is based on good evidence
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055
Word
crystal
noun
Meaning
a solid substance with a regular geometric shape formed by natural processes
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056
Word
data
noun
Meaning
facts and figures collected for use in investigations or arguments
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057
Word
database
noun
Meaning
an organised collection of information stored and accessed on a computer
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058
Word
dazzling
adjective
Meaning
so bright or impressive it almost overwhelms your senses
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059
Word
debate
verb
Meaning
to discuss and argue different views on a topic
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060
Word
decimal
noun
Meaning
a number that includes a dot to show amounts less than one
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061
Word
deduce
verb
Meaning
to work out a conclusion from known facts and reasoning
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062
Word
defend
verb
Meaning
to argue in support of a view or to protect something from attack
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063
Word
definition
noun
Meaning
a statement that explains the meaning of a word or idea
#
064
Word
deforestation
noun
Meaning
the cutting down of trees over a large area, destroying forests
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065
Word
democracy
noun
Meaning
a system where people choose their leaders by voting
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066
Word
demonstrate
verb
Meaning
to show clearly how something works or is done
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067
Word
description
noun
Meaning
A spoken or written account of a person or thing.
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068
Word
detail
noun
Meaning
A small individual fact or piece of information.
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069
Word
develop
verb
Meaning
To grow or become more advanced over time.
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070
Word
diary
noun
Meaning
a personal record of thoughts and events written each day
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071
Word
discuss
verb
Meaning
To talk about something in detail.
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072
Word
discussion
noun
Meaning
a conversation where people share and consider different ideas
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073
Word
distinguish
verb
Meaning
to notice or recognise a difference between two things
#
074
Word
drama
noun
Meaning
a story written to be acted out on a stage
#
075
Word
ecosystem
noun
Meaning
all the living things in an area and how they depend on each other
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076
Word
editorial
noun
Meaning
a newspaper or magazine article that gives an opinion on a topic
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077
Word
effective
adjective
Meaning
Working well and producing the intended result.
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078
Word
effort
noun
Meaning
The energy and work needed to do something.
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079
Word
endangered
adjective
Meaning
at risk of becoming extinct because there are very few left in the wild
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080
Word
erosion
noun
Meaning
the wearing away of rock or soil by wind, water, or ice
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081
Word
evaluate
verb
Meaning
to judge how good, useful, or important something is
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082
Word
evaporation
noun
Meaning
when a liquid turns into a gas or vapour because of heat
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083
Word
examine
verb
Meaning
to look at something carefully to understand it better
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084
Word
exclamation
noun
Meaning
a sudden cry or remark expressing strong feeling, ending with an exclamation mark
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085
Word
explanation
noun
Meaning
a description that makes something easier to understand
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086
Word
explorer
noun
Meaning
a person who travels to unknown or unfamiliar places to discover new things
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087
Word
extinct
adjective
Meaning
no longer in existence; every member of the species has died
#
088
Word
feature
noun
Meaning
a distinctive or noticeable quality or part of something
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089
Word
ferocious
adjective
Meaning
very fierce, violent, and intense
#
090
Word
fertiliser
noun
Meaning
a substance added to soil to make plants grow better
#
091
Word
formal
adjective
Meaning
following official or standard rules; not casual
#
092
Word
fortunate
adjective
Meaning
having luck or an advantage; lucky
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093
Word
fossil
noun
Meaning
the hardened remains or imprint of an ancient living thing found in rock
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094
Word
fraction
noun
Meaning
a part of a whole number, written like 1/2 or 3/4
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095
Word
fragile
adjective
Meaning
easily broken or damaged; delicate
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096
Word
frequency
noun
Meaning
how often something happens
#
097
Word
furthermore
adverb
Meaning
in addition; as an extra point that supports what has been said
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098
Word
gather
verb
Meaning
To collect things together in one place.
#
099
Word
generous
adjective
Meaning
willing to give time, money, or help more than is expected
#
100
Word
genre
noun
Meaning
a type or category of book, film, or music — like mystery or fantasy
#
101
Word
geography
noun
Meaning
the study of the Earth's lands, features, peoples, and places
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102
Word
glorious
adjective
Meaning
wonderful and impressive; deserving great admiration
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103
Word
gruesome
adjective
Meaning
extremely unpleasant and often involving violence or horror
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104
Word
hideous
adjective
Meaning
extremely ugly or unpleasant
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105
Word
horizontal
adjective
Meaning
going straight across from side to side, parallel to the ground
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106
Word
humble
adjective
Meaning
not thinking too highly of yourself; modest
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107
Word
hypothesis
noun
Meaning
a prediction about what you think will happen in an experiment
#
108
Word
identify
verb
Meaning
to recognise and name what something is
#
109
Word
immediate
adjective
Meaning
happening right away with no delay
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110
Word
immigration
noun
Meaning
the act of moving from one country to come and live permanently in another
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111
Word
index
noun
Meaning
an alphabetical list at the back of a book showing where topics are discussed
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112
Word
indigenous
adjective
Meaning
originally from and naturally belonging to a particular place
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113
Word
infer
verb
Meaning
to reach a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning rather than being told directly
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114
Word
informal
adjective
Meaning
relaxed and friendly; not following strict rules
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115
Word
interpret
verb
Meaning
to explain the meaning of something
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116
Word
investigate
verb
Meaning
to look into something carefully to find out the truth
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117
Word
irrigation
noun
Meaning
the process of supplying water to land or crops artificially
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118
Word
justify
verb
Meaning
to give good reasons to show that something is right or true
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119
Word
knowledge
noun
Meaning
facts and skills gained through experience, reading, or education
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120
Word
laughter
noun
Meaning
the sound and movement made when someone is amused
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121
Word
legend
noun
Meaning
an old story about heroic people or events that may be based on truth
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122
Word
legible
adjective
Meaning
Clear enough to be read; easy to read.
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123
Word
locate
verb
Meaning
to find the position or place of something
#
124
Word
magnetism
noun
Meaning
the force produced by magnets that attracts iron and some other materials
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125
Word
magnificent
adjective
Meaning
impressively beautiful or excellent
#
126
Word
margin
noun
Meaning
The blank space around the edge of a page of writing.
#
127
Word
memory
noun
Meaning
the ability to remember things; something stored in the mind
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128
Word
metaphor
noun
Meaning
describing something by saying it is something else, to create a vivid picture
#
129
Word
mineral
noun
Meaning
a naturally occurring solid substance found in rocks and the earth
#
130
Word
miniature
adjective
Meaning
much smaller than the usual size
#
131
Word
mysterious
adjective
Meaning
strange and impossible to fully understand or explain
#
132
Word
myth
noun
Meaning
a traditional story that explains natural events or the history of a people
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133
Word
narrative
noun
Meaning
a spoken or written account of events; a story
#
134
Word
negative
adjective
Meaning
not positive; showing a bad or harmful result
#
135
Word
nevertheless
adverb
Meaning
despite what has just been said; however
#
136
Word
noun
noun
Meaning
a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea
#
137
Word
onomatopoeia
noun
Meaning
a word that sounds like the noise it describes, such as buzz or splash
#
138
Word
ordinary
adjective
Meaning
normal; not special or different from others
#
139
Word
organism
noun
Meaning
any living thing, including plants, animals, and tiny microbes
#
140
Word
parallel
adjective
Meaning
lines that are the same distance apart and never meet
#
141
Word
parliament
noun
Meaning
the group of elected people who make laws for a country or state
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142
Word
particle
noun
Meaning
a very tiny piece or part of something
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143
Word
peculiar
adjective
Meaning
strange and unusual; different from what is normal
#
144
Word
perimeter
noun
Meaning
the total distance around the outside of a shape
#
145
Word
perpendicular
adjective
Meaning
meeting at a right angle of 90 degrees
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146
Word
persuade
verb
Meaning
to convince someone to do or believe something using reasons
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147
Word
persuasive
adjective
Meaning
designed to make people believe or do something
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148
Word
pesticide
noun
Meaning
a chemical used to kill insects or other organisms that damage crops
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149
Word
photosynthesis
noun
Meaning
the process plants use to turn sunlight and water into food
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150
Word
positive
adjective
Meaning
good or helpful; looking on the bright side
#
151
Word
preposition
noun
Meaning
a word showing the relationship between one thing and another, like "on" or "under"
#
152
Word
probability
noun
Meaning
how likely it is that something will happen
#
153
Word
product
noun
Meaning
the result you get when you multiply two numbers
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154
Word
pronoun
noun
Meaning
a word used instead of a noun, such as he, she, or they
#
155
Word
purpose
noun
Meaning
the reason why something exists or is done
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156
Word
query
noun
Meaning
A question or doubt raised about something.
#
157
Word
quote
verb
Meaning
to repeat the exact words from a text or from what someone said
#
158
Word
quotient
noun
Meaning
the result you get when you divide one number by another
#
159
Word
realistic
adjective
Meaning
showing things as they actually are; sensible and practical
#
160
Word
recall
verb
Meaning
to bring a memory or piece of information back into your mind
#
161
Word
recognise
verb
Meaning
to know what something is because you have seen or learnt it before
#
162
Word
reflect
verb
Meaning
to think carefully about something that has happened
#
163
Word
reflection
noun
Meaning
the bouncing back of light or sound from a surface
#
164
Word
refraction
noun
Meaning
the bending of light as it passes from one material to another
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165
Word
relentless
adjective
Meaning
never stopping or giving up; constant
#
166
Word
relevant
adjective
Meaning
closely connected to the subject or matter being discussed
#
167
Word
reliable
adjective
Meaning
consistently good in quality; able to be trusted
#
168
Word
remarkable
adjective
Meaning
unusual or striking in a way that deserves attention
#
169
Word
rephrase
verb
Meaning
to express the same idea using different words
#
170
Word
report
noun
Meaning
a piece of factual writing that presents information about a topic
#
171
Word
represent
verb
Meaning
to be a symbol or example of something
#
172
Word
respond
verb
Meaning
To reply or react to something.
#
173
Word
retell
verb
Meaning
To tell a story or event again.
#
174
Word
review
noun
Meaning
a piece of writing that gives an opinion about a book, film, or product
#
175
Word
revise
verb
Meaning
To look at and correct something to make it better.
#
176
Word
rhyme
noun
Meaning
words that end with the same sound, like cat and hat
#
177
Word
rubric
noun
Meaning
A set of rules or instructions for completing a task.
#
178
Word
sediment
noun
Meaning
material such as sand or mud deposited by water, wind, or ice
#
179
Word
serious
adjective
Meaning
thoughtful and concerned; not joking or silly
#
180
Word
settlement
noun
Meaning
a place where people have come to live, especially one that is newly established
#
181
Word
significant
adjective
Meaning
important or having a large effect on something
#
182
Word
significantly
adverb
Meaning
in a way that is important enough to be noticed
#
183
Word
similarly
adverb
Meaning
in the same way; likewise
#
184
Word
simile
noun
Meaning
comparing two things using the words "like" or "as" — for example "as fast as lightning"
#
185
Word
simple
adjective
Meaning
Easy to do or understand; not complicated.
#
186
Word
solve
verb
Meaning
To find an answer to a problem.
#
187
Word
source
noun
Meaning
a place, person, or document that provides information
#
188
Word
stanza
noun
Meaning
a grouped set of lines in a poem, like a paragraph in prose
#
189
Word
structure
noun
Meaning
the way something is built, arranged, or organised
#
190
Word
summary
noun
Meaning
a short version of something that covers the main points
#
191
Word
support
verb
Meaning
To help someone or hold something up.
#
192
Word
survey
noun
Meaning
a method of collecting information by asking people a set of questions
#
193
Word
tally
noun
Meaning
a mark made to count occurrences, usually in groups of five
#
194
Word
tense
noun
Meaning
the form of a verb that shows whether something happens in the past, present, or future
#
195
Word
theme
noun
Meaning
the big central idea or message of a story or text
#
196
Word
tremendous
adjective
Meaning
very great in size, amount, or degree
#
197
Word
trial
noun
Meaning
A test to see how well something works.
#
198
Word
typically
adverb
Meaning
in a way that is normal or usual for a particular group
#
199
Word
useful
adjective
Meaning
Able to be used for a practical purpose; helpful.
#
200
Word
variety
noun
Meaning
A number of different types; a range.
#
201
Word
vertical
adjective
Meaning
going straight up and down, at a right angle to the ground
#
202
Word
vibrant
adjective
Meaning
full of life, colour, and energy
#
203
Word
vibration
noun
Meaning
a rapid back-and-forth movement that can produce sound
#
204
Word
viewpoint
noun
Meaning
a personal way of looking at or thinking about something
#
205
Word
vivid
adjective
Meaning
Producing clear mental images; intensely bright.
#
206
Word
vocabulary
noun
Meaning
all the words a person knows or that belong to a particular subject
#
207
Word
voice
noun
Meaning
The sound produced when speaking; one's point of view in writing.
#
208
Word
volume
noun
Meaning
the amount of space a three-dimensional object takes up
#
209
Word
worth
noun
Meaning
The value or importance of something.
#
210
Word
zone
noun
Meaning
An area with a particular function or characteristic.
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