Open Mind

BEGINNER WORD LIST

UNIT FOUR
Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence
after preposition /ˈɑːftə(r)/ at a later time The afternoon is after the
morning.
April noun [count./ /ˈeɪprəl/ the fourth month of the year, Easter is often in April.
uncount.] between March and May
arm noun [count.] /ɑː(r)m/ one of the two long parts of Your arm is between your
your body with your hands at shoulder and hand.
the end
artist noun [count.] /ˈɑː(r)tɪst/ someone who makes paintings Esref Armagan is an artist.
athlete noun [count.] /ˈæθliːt/ someone who is good at sports Usain Bolt and Cadel Evans are
athletes.
August noun [count./ /ˈɔːɡəst/ the eighth month of the year, I go to the beach in August.
uncount.] between July and September
be an phrase /ˌbi ən to be so successful, or to deal Paralympic® athletes are
inspiration to ɪnspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n tə/ with a difficult situation so well, an inspiration to people
that other people admire you everywhere.
and want to be like you
before preposition /bɪˈfɔː(r)/ earlier than something The morning is before the
afternoon.
begin verb /bɪˈɡɪn/ if a sentence, book etc begins A sentence begins with a
with a particular letter, word capital letter.
etc, that is the first one in it
better adjective /ˈbetə(r)/ more satisfactory, suitable, When I practise speaking
pleasant, effective, or of higher English with a friend it helps
quality etc me to remember better.
big adjective /bɪɡ/ large in size Elephants are big animals.
bike noun [count.] /baɪk/ a bicycle He can ride a bike.
biography noun [count.] /baɪˈɒɡrəfi/ a book that someone writes The biography of the famous
about someone else’s life painter was interesting.
birthday noun [count.] /ˈbɜː(r)θdeɪ/ the day each year that has the It’s my birthday tomorrow.
same date as the one on which I’m going to be 19.
you were born
blind adjective /blaɪnd/ unable to see A blind man can’t see.
body noun [count.] /ˈbɒdi/ the whole of a person or Your arms are part of your
animal including the head, body.
arms and legs
can modal verb /kæn/ or /kən/ have the ability or means to do I can ride a bike.
something
Canada noun /ˈkanədə/ a country in North America My teacher is from Toronto
in Canada.
can’t modal verb /kɑːnt/ not have the ability to do They can’t dance the tango.
something
captain noun [count.] /ˈkæptɪn/ the player who leads a sports He is the captain of the
team football team.
child noun [count.] /tʃaɪld/ someone’s son or daughter of My parents have got three
any age children including me.

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

clear adjective /klɪə(r)/ easy to understand I make tables in my notebook
so the grammar is clear.
coach noun [count.] /kəʊtʃ/ someone who trains a sports Jim is the coach of the local
player or team football team.
colour noun [count.] /ˈkʌlə(r)/ red, blue, yellow etc ‘Does he use lots of colours in
his paintings?’ ‘No, he paints in
black and white.’
contraction noun [count.] /kənˈtrækʃ(ə)n/ a word made by leaving out Using contractions, like ‘it’s’,
a letter or letters of a word or makes your English sound
words more natural.
cook verb /kʊk/ to prepare food and heat it so My mother can cook a meal.
that it is ready to eat
count verb /kaʊnt/ to say numbers one after I can count from one to ten in
another in order English.
dance verb /dɑːns/ to move your feet and your She dances the tango with her
body to music boyfriend.
December noun [count./ /dɪˈsembə(r)/ the twelfth and last month of Christmas Day is on 25th
uncount.] the year, between November December.
and January
difference noun [count./ /ˈdɪfrəns/ something that makes one Can you hear the difference
uncount.] thing or person not the same between it and eat?
as another thing or person
do verb /duː/ to take part in an activity They can do yoga.
draw verb /drɔː/ to create a picture by making He can draw a picture.
lines with a pen or pencil
drive verb /draɪv/ to control a vehicle so that it He drives a car.
moves somewhere
each other pronoun /iːtʃ ˈʌðə(r)/ used for saying that each My friend and I test each other
person or thing does on grammar.
something to the other or
others
ear noun [count.] /ɪə(r)/ one of the two parts at the Your ears are on your head.
sides of your head that you
hear with
elbow noun [count.] /ˈelbəʊ/ the part in the middle of your Your elbow is in the middle of
arm where it bends your arm.
example noun [count.] /ɪɡˈzɑːmp(ə)l/ something that you mention in I write examples with new
order to show the type of thing grammar in my notebook.
that you are talking about and
to help to explain what you
mean
explanation noun [count.] /ˌekspləˈneɪʃ(ə)n/ a description of how The textbook gives an
something works or of how to explanation of the grammar
do something point.
eye noun [count.] /aɪ/ one of the two body parts in Your eyes are in your head.
your face that you use to see
famous adjective /ˈfeɪməs/ if someone or something is Johnny Depp is a famous
famous, a lot of people know actor.
their name or have heard
about them
February noun [count./ /ˈfebruəri/ the second month of the year, Valentine’s Day is on 14th
uncount.] between January and March February.
finger noun [count.] /ˈfɪŋɡə(r)/ your fingers are the long thin Your fingers are on your hands.
parts on the end of your hands

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

foot noun [count.] /fʊt/ the part of your body at the These shoes are hurting my
end of your leg, on which you feet.
stand
form verb /fɔː(r)m/ to make something exist or To form a question use a
develop question word and a question
mark.
Friday noun [count./ /ˈfraɪdeɪ/ the day after Thursday and Friday is the day after
uncount.] before Saturday Thursday.
grammar noun [uncount.] /ˈɡræmə(r)/ the set of rules that describe Studying grammar is important
the structure of a language and when learning a language.
control the way that sentences
are formed
guitar noun [count.] /ɡɪˈtɑː(r)/ a musical instrument with six He can play the guitar.
strings
hair noun [uncount.] /heə(r)/ the mass of thin fibres that She has got very long hair.
grows on your head
hand noun [count.] /hænd/ the part of your body at the You use your hand to paint a
end of each arm that you use picture.
for picking up and holding
things
head noun [count.] /hed/ the top part of your body that You think with your head.
has your brain, eyes, mouth
etc in it
here adverb /hɪə(r)/ in or to this place Is Alex here?
house noun [count.] /haʊs/ a building for living in, usually Our house is on this street.
where only one family lives
interested adjective /ˈɪntrəstɪd/ wanting to know about or take I am very interested in salsa
part in something music.
January noun [count./ /ˈdʒænjuəri/ the first month of the year New Year’s Day is on 1st
uncount.] January.
Japan noun /dʒəˈpan/ a country in East Asia Sushi is a popular dish in
Japan.
Japanese noun [uncount.] /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/ the language that people People in Japan speak
speak in Japan Japanese.
July noun [count./ /dʒʊˈlaɪ/ the seventh month of the year, July is one of the hottest
uncount.] between June and August months of the year.
June noun [count./ /dʒuːn/ the sixth month of the year, I have exams in June.
uncount.] between May and July
knee noun [count.] /niː/ the part in the middle of your Your knee is in the middle of
leg where it bends your leg.
leg noun [count.] /leɡ/ one of the two parts of your You walk with your legs.
body to which your feet are
attached
March noun [count./ /mɑː(r)tʃ/ the third month of the year, Spring starts in March.
uncount.] between February and April
married adjective /ˈmærid/ someone who is married My sister is married to an actor.
has been formally joined in
marriage with another person
May noun [count./ /meɪ/ the fifth month of the year, May is a good time to visit
uncount.] between April and June England as the weather is
often warm.
meal noun [count.] /miːl/ the food that you serve or eat My father can cook a meal.
at one time

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

method noun [count./ /ˈmeθəd/ a way of doing something, He has an unusual method of
uncount.] especially a planned or cooking pasta.
established way
Monday noun [count./ /ˈmʌndeɪ/ the day after Sunday and On Mondays, I have singing
uncount.] before Tuesday lessons.
month noun [count.] /mʌnθ/ one of the 12 periods that a There are 12 months in a year.
year is divided into, such as
January, February etc
mouth noun [count.] /maʊθ/ the part of your face below You eat and speak with your
your nose that you use to eat mouth.
and speak
neck noun [count.] /nek/ the part of the body that joins Your neck is under your head.
the head to the rest of the
body
negative adjective /ˈneɡətɪv/ a negative form or word To make a sentence negative
expresses ‘no’ or ‘not’, for use ‘not’.
example ‘don’t’ or ‘won’t’
nose noun [count.] /nəʊz/ the part of your face above Your nose is under your eyes.
your mouth that you use for
smelling and breathing
November noun [count./ /nəʊˈvembə(r)/ the eleventh month of the In England Bonfire Night is on
uncount.] year, between October and 5th November.
December
object noun [count.] /ˈɒbdʒekt/ a thing that you can see and There are lots of strange
touch that is not alive and is objects in the modern art
usually solid gallery.
October noun [count./ /ɒkˈtəʊbə(r)/ the tenth month of the year, It is often cold and wet in
uncount.] between September and October.
November
paint verb /peɪnt/ to create a picture of An artist paints pictures.
something using paints
painter noun [count.] /ˈpeɪntə(r)/ an artist who paints pictures The painter is exhibiting his
works at the gallery.
painting noun [count.] /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/ a picture made using paint Monet’s paintings are famous
all over the world.
part noun [count.] /pɑː(r)t/ one of the pieces or sections Your legs are part of your body.
that something consists of
picture noun [count.] /ˈpɪktʃə(r)/ a drawing, painting, or Esref Armagan paints pictures.
photograph
play verb /pleɪ/ to take part in a sport or game Can you play the guitar?
or use a musical instrument
plural adjective /ˈplʊərəl/ a plural word or form is used Many words in English can be
for referring to more than one made plural by adding an ‘s’.
person or thing
pronoun noun [count.] /ˈprəʊnaʊn/ a word used instead of a noun ‘He’ is a pronoun.
for referring to a person or
thing that has been mentioned
earlier, for example ‘she’,
‘they’, ‘that’, and ‘yourself’
remember verb /rɪˈmembə(r)/ to keep a particular fact in your I say new grammar again and
mind because it is relevant to again. Then I remember it.
what is being discussed
ride verb /raɪd/ to sit on a bicycle and control it She can ride a bike.
as it moves along

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

right adjective /raɪt/ if something is right, it is This way of studying is right
correct according to the facts for me.
Saturday noun [count./ /ˈsætə(r)deɪ/ the day after Friday and before Saturday is the day after Friday.
uncount.] Sunday
September noun [count./ /sepˈtembə(r)/ the ninth month of the year, September is at the end of
uncount.] between August and October summer.
share verb /ʃeə(r)/ to tell someone something Share your ideas with your
classmates.
shoulder noun [count.] /ˈʃəʊldə(r)/ one of the two parts of your Your shoulder is at the top of
body between your neck and your arm.
the top of your arms
similarity noun [count.] /ˌsɪməˈlærəti/ something that makes one Are there similarities between
thing seem like another English grammar and grammar
in your language?
small adjective /smɔːl/ not large in size, amount, or It’s a small town in Canada.
number
soccer noun [uncount.] /ˈsɒkə(r)/ (British English=football) a Soccer is a very popular game
American English game in which two teams of in Europe.
eleven players kick a round ball
and try to score goals
sore adjective /sɔː(r)/ painful and uncomfortable, I fell over and now my knee is
usually as a result of an injury, sore.
infection, or too much exercise
special adjective /ˈspeʃ(ə)l/ different from and usually Van Gogh had a talent that was
better than what is normal or special.
ordinary
sport noun [count.] /spɔː(r)t/ an activity in which players or Tennis is a sport.
teams compete against each
other
stomach noun [count.] /ˈstʌmək/ the soft part at the front of This short T-shirt won’t cover
your body between your chest my stomach.
and your legs
Sunday noun [count./ /ˈsʌndeɪ/ the day after Saturday and Sunday is the day after
uncount.] before Monday Saturday.
survey noun [count.] /ˈsɜː(r)veɪ/ a set of questions that you ask The woman was doing a survey
a large number of people or on eating habits in our town.
organisations
table noun [count.] /ˈteɪb(ə)l/ a way of showing detailed The grammar is listed in
pieces of information, a table.
especially facts or numbers,
by arranging them in rows and
lines across and down a page
team noun [count.] /tiːm/ a group of people who play My brother plays for his
a sport or a game against university rugby team.
another group
Thursday noun [count./ /ˈθɜː(r)zdeɪ/ the day after Wednesday and Thursday is the day after
uncount.] before Friday Wednesday.
today noun [uncount.] /təˈdeɪ/ this day Today is Friday and tomorrow
will be Saturday.
toe noun [count.] /təʊ/ one of the five individual parts A horse stood on my foot and
at the end of your foot now my big toe is sore.
tomorrow noun [uncount.] /təˈmɒrəʊ/ the day after today Let’s do the exercise at home
tonight and meet tomorrow to
compare our answers.

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Word / Phrase Part of Speech Phonetic Spelling Definition Sample Sentence

Tuesday noun [count./ /ˈtjuːzdeɪ/ the day after Monday and Tuesday is the day after
uncount.] before Wednesday Monday.
Turkey noun /ˈtəːki/ a country in western Asia and He is from Istanbul in Turkey.
south-eastern Europe
Turkish adjective /ˈtɜː(r)kɪʃ/ from Turkey A person from Turkey is
Turkish.
unique adjective /juːˈniːk/ very special, unusual, or good Picasso had a unique method
of painting.
unusual adjective /ʌnˈjuːʒʊəl/ different from other people He is left-handed and has an
or things in a way that is unusual way of playing the
interesting, attractive, or guitar.
impressive
useful adjective /ˈjuːsf(ə)l/ helpful for doing or achieving I read the textbook
something explanation. I think it’s useful.
verb noun [count.] /vɜː(r)b/ a type of word or phrase that ‘Go’ and ‘do’ are verbs.
shows an action or a state, for
example ‘run’ and ‘remain’
walk verb /wɔːk/ to move forwards by putting I broke my leg and now I can’t
one foot in front of the other walk.
Wednesday noun [count./ /ˈwenzdeɪ/ the day after Tuesday and Wednesday is the day after
uncount.] before Thursday Tuesday.
weekend noun [count.] /ˌwiːkˈend/ Saturday and Sunday There is no school at the
weekend.
year noun [count.] /jɪə(r)/ used about a particular period My year of birth was 1987.
of time, beginning on 1st
January and ending on 31st
December, or between the first
and last dates on some other
calendar
yoga noun [uncount.] /ˈjəʊɡə/ an activity that involves They do yoga on Mondays.
doing physical and breathing
exercises

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Useful Expressions Topic / Category Sample Sentence
Are you ...? Personal information Are you an artist?
What’s your favourite day of the week? Personal information A: What’s your favourite day of
the week?
B: Friday.
What’s your wife’s name? Personal information A: What’s your wife’s name?
B: It’s Maria.
Where is your home? Personal information A: Where is your home?
B: It’s in Florence, Italy.
Can you ...? Talking about abilities Can you ride a bike?
I can ... Talking about abilities I can play the guitar.
I can’t ... Talking about abilities I can’t drive a car.
No, I can’t. Talking about abilities A: Can you swim?
B: No, I can’t.
Yes, I can. Talking about abilities A: Can you play the piano?
B: Yes, I can.

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