Everyday vocab Flashcards
These are small pieces or streamers of paper, often thrown during celebrations like weddings or parades. They add a colorful and festive touch to the event. What are these decorative pieces called?
Word: Confetti
Definition: Confetti refers to small pieces or streamers of paper, usually multicolored, thrown or dropped during celebrations to create a festive atmosphere.
Phonetics: /kənˈfet.i/
These are a type of eyeglasses that contain two distinct optical powers. They are used to correct vision for both distance and reading, with one area of the lens optimized for each. What is this type of corrective lens called?
Word: Bifocal
Definition: Bifocal refers to a type of eyeglasses that contain two distinct optical powers in one lens, allowing correction for both distance vision and reading or near vision.
Phonetics: /ˈbaɪˌfoʊ.kəl/
This term refers to a small convenience store often found in urban areas, particularly in Hispanic communities. They typically sell a variety of everyday products including groceries, snacks, and beverages. What is the name of this type of store?
Word: Bodega
Definition: A bodega is a small convenience store, often found in urban areas, particularly within Hispanic communities, selling a variety of everyday products.
Phonetics: /bɒˈdeɪ.ɡə/ or /boʊˈdeɪ.ɡə/
This term refers to a meeting in which people attempt to make contact with the spirit world, typically through a medium who communicates with deceased individuals. What is the name of this gathering?
Word: Séance
Definition: A séance is a meeting where people attempt to communicate with the spirit world, often through a medium.
Phonetics: /ˈseɪ.ɑːns/ or /ˈsiː.ɑːns/
This term refers to a light, gentle rain that falls in fine, misty drops. It’s often encountered during overcast weather and is lighter than a shower but heavier than mist. What is this type of precipitation called?
Word: Drizzle
Definition: Drizzle is a light, gentle rain that falls in fine, misty drops.
Phonetics: /ˈdrɪz.əl/
This term refers to the act of hosting, introducing, or providing commentary at an event, often adding humor or engaging with the audience. It is a common practice for hosts of shows, concerts, and other entertainment events. What is this called?
Word: MC’ing
Definition: MC’ing (short for Master of Ceremonies) is the act of hosting, introducing, or providing commentary at an event, typically in an engaging and entertaining manner.
Phonetics: /ˌem ˈsiː.ɪŋ/
This type of odor is often associated with fermented or spoiled foods, clothes that are left soaking for too long, or milk that has gone bad. It is tangy and can be quite unpleasant. What is this type of smell called?
Word: Sour smell
Definition: A sour smell is an odor that is tangy and often associated with fermented or spoiled substances.
Phonetics: /ˈsaʊər smɛl/
A brand of canvas shoes with rubber soles. These shoes are often associated with casual wear and were one of the first sneakers to become popular in the U.S. What is the name of this brand?
Word: Keds
Definition: Keds is a brand of canvas shoes with rubber soles, known for being one of the first sneaker brands in the U.S.
Phonetics: /kɛdz/
This is a type of knitted sweater that opens down the front and is often worn over other clothing. It can be buttoned or unbuttoned and is named after a British military leader. What is this article of clothing called?
Word: Cardigan
Definition: A cardigan is a type of knitted sweater that opens down the front, often featuring buttons, and is worn over other clothing.
Phonetics: /ˈkɑːr.dɪ.ɡən/
This is a type of corrective lens used to aid one eye. It consists of a single round lens, often attached to a string or wire frame, and was commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries. What is this eyewear called?
Word: Monocle
Definition: A monocle is a single corrective lens that fits over one eye, often held in place by the muscles around the eye or attached to a string or wire frame.
Phonetics: /ˈmɒn.ə.kəl/
This term refers to a small rotating windstorm of limited extent, often appearing in the form of a visible column or funnel. It can move rapidly, causing dust and debris to be pulled into the vortex. What is this phenomenon called?
Word: Whirlwind
Definition: A whirlwind is a small rotating windstorm that appears in the form of a visible column or funnel, moving rapidly and capable of pulling in dust and debris.
Phonetics: /ˈwɜːrlˌwɪnd/
This is a mixture of lime, sand, and water that hardens as it dries. It’s commonly used for coating walls and ceilings and for creating architectural decorations. In medical use, it can also refer to a material used to support broken bones. What is this substance called?
Word: Plaster
Definition: Plaster is a building material made of lime, sand, and water that hardens as it dries, used for coating walls and ceilings. It can also refer to a medical dressing used to support broken or fractured bones.
Phonetics: /ˈplæs.tər/ or /ˈplɑːs.tər/
This term refers to the meat of a game animal, specifically a deer. It is often considered a delicacy and is known for its lean and rich flavor. What is this type of meat called?
Word: Venison
Definition: Venison is the meat of a deer, used as a food source. It’s often considered a delicacy and is known for its lean and flavorful characteristics.
Phonetics: /ˈvɛn.ɪ.sən/
This term refers to the excess fat that accumulates around the sides of a person’s waistline, just above the hips. They can become more noticeable when wearing tight clothing. What is this colloquial term for the fatty area on the sides of the waist?
Word: Love handle
Definition: A love handle is a colloquial term for the excess fat that accumulates around the sides of a person’s waistline, just above the hips.
Phonetics: /ˈlʌv ˈhændl/
This is a small piece of sautéed or rebaked bread, often seasoned, that adds crunch and flavor to salads and soups. They are typically cubed and can be found in various flavors. What is this type of food item called?
Word: Crouton
Definition: A crouton is a small piece of sautéed or rebaked bread, often seasoned, used to add texture and flavor to salads and soups.
Phonetics: /ˈkruː.tɒn/ or /kruːˈtɒn/
This term refers to a small bubble on the skin filled with serum. It’s often caused by burning, friction, or other irritation to the skin. What is this small, fluid-filled elevation of the skin called?
Word: Blister
Definition: A blister is a small bubble on the skin filled with serum, usually caused by burning, friction, or other irritation to the skin.
Phonetics: /ˈblɪs.tər/
In a legal context, this term refers to the person who brings a case against another in a court of law. This individual seeks a legal remedy and is usually the one to initiate the lawsuit. What is the name for this person in a legal case?
Word: Plaintiff
Definition: A plaintiff is a person who brings a case against another in a court of law, seeking a legal remedy, and is usually the one who initiates the lawsuit.
Phonetics: /ˈpleɪn.tɪf/
This term refers to a large, open space within a building, often featuring a glass roof to let in natural light. It serves as a central area that may connect different parts of the building. In a biological context, it can also refer to a chamber of the heart. What is this architectural or anatomical feature called?
Word: Atrium
Definition: In architecture, an atrium is a large, open space within a building, often with a glass roof. In anatomy, it refers to a chamber of the heart where blood enters before being pumped to other parts of the body.
Phonetics: /ˈeɪ.tri.əm/
This item is often used during meals to protect clothing from spills and stains, particularly for babies or young children. It is typically made of cloth or plastic and fastens around the neck. What is this protective garment called?
Word: Bib
Definition: A bib is a piece of cloth or plastic fastened around the neck to protect clothing during a meal. It is often used for babies or young children.
Phonetics: /bɪb/
These are special shoes used in various sports like soccer, football, or baseball. They have protrusions on the sole to provide extra traction on grass or other soft surfaces. What are these sports shoes called?
Word: Cleats
Definition: Cleats are sports shoes with protrusions on the sole, providing extra traction for playing on grass or soft surfaces, commonly used in sports like soccer, football, or baseball.
Phonetics: /kliːts/
This term refers to a type of contest in which participants purchase tickets for a chance to win a prize. The winner is typically selected through a random drawing. Often used as a fundraising method for organizations, what is this type of contest called?
Word: Raffle
Definition: A raffle is a contest where people purchase tickets for a chance to win a prize, with the winner selected at random. It is often used for fundraising by various organizations.
Phonetics: /ˈræf.əl/
This term refers to animal feces that have been used to fertilize land. It is often mixed with other organic matter and used in farming to improve soil quality and promote plant growth. What is this type of natural fertilizer called?
Word: Manure
Definition: Manure is animal feces that have been used to fertilize land, often mixed with other organic matter, to improve soil quality and promote plant growth.
Phonetics: /məˈnjʊr/ or /məˈnʊr/
This is a man-made water feature that specifically houses a certain type of colorful, ornamental carp. Often found in gardens or other peaceful settings, it’s designed to showcase these beautiful fish. What is the name for this type of water feature?
Word: Koi pond
Definition: A koi pond is a specially designed pond or water garden used to keep koi, a colorful variety of carp that are often kept for decorative purposes.
Phonetics: /kɔɪ pɒnd/
This is a culinary herb known for its strong, earthy flavor. It’s often used in cooking to season meats, soups, and stews. A member of the mint family, it has small, aromatic leaves. What is the name of this herb?
Word: Thyme
Definition: Thyme is a culinary herb with a strong, earthy flavor, used to season various dishes. It’s a member of the mint family and is characterized by its small, aromatic leaves.
Phonetics: /taɪm/
This term refers to an official journal or newspaper, often used by governments to publish public or legal notices, announcements, and other information. It can also be a regular newspaper in some contexts. What is this type of publication called?
Word: Gazette
Definition: A gazette is an official journal or newspaper, often used by governments to publish public or legal notices and other information. In some contexts, it may also refer to a regular newspaper.
Phonetics: /ɡəˈzɛt/
This is a type of headwear made from pressed fibers, creating a dense, warm fabric. Often worn for both fashion and function, it can come in various shapes and styles. What is this type of hat called?
Word: Felt hat
Definition: A felt hat is a hat made from felt, which is a dense fabric created by pressing fibers together. It can be shaped into various styles and is often worn for both its appearance and warmth.
Phonetics: /fɛlt hæt/
This is a dairy product formed when milk coagulates, often through the addition of acids or enzymes. It has a soft, lumpy texture and is used in various culinary applications, including the production of cheese. What is this substance called?
Word: Curd
Definition: Curd is a dairy product formed by coagulating milk using acids or enzymes. It has a soft, lumpy texture and is commonly used as a base for cheese or eaten on its own.
Phonetics: /kɜːrd/
This term refers to a relationship or bond between siblings, especially brothers. It can also describe things that are brotherly or related to a brotherhood or social organization. What is this adjective that pertains to brothers or brotherhood?
Word: Fraternal
Definition: Fraternal refers to something related to or involving a relationship between siblings, especially brothers, or something that is brotherly or pertaining to a brotherhood or social organization.
Phonetics: /frəˈtɜːr.nəl/
