Very First

OXFORD
fijflVeru First
OXFORD
Dictionary

DORSET COUNTY LIBRARY

100174306 M
 My name is

‘For Rose, Amy and Eleanor’ — C.K.

OXFORD
UNIVERSITY PRESS

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First published 1999

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

Data available

ISBN 0-19-910503-0 (paperback)

ISBN 0-19-910502-2 (hardback)
ISBN 0-19-910562-6 (Big Book)
3-5-7-9-10-8-6-4-2

Typeset in Gill Sans Schoolbook

Printed in China
 OXFORD
Dictionary
Compiled by Clare Kirtley
Illustrated by Georgie Birkett

DORSET COUNTY7 OXFORD

UNIVERSITY PRESS
1999
Contents
Introduction 6

A-Z dictionary 8

Words we write a lot 50

Verbs 52

Colours 56

Shapes 57

Days of the week 58

Months of the year 59

Numbers 60

The alphabet 62
Introduction
My Very First Oxford
Dictionary helps young
children enjoy and discover
the features of a dictionary.
It contains over 300 words in
alphabetical order, each with
a simple definition and a
colourful picture. There are
also additional end sections
with words that children will
find useful when writing. The
words have been chosen to
support and develop speaking,
reading, and writing.
Here are the main features
on the A to Z pages:

alphabet aeroplane
An aeroplane has wings
an engine and can fly.

capital letter

letter
^^rTfial^emore when you
add things together.

picture

address
Your address is the place
where you live.

MHI

6
 My Very First Oxford
Dictionary is an ideal
introduction to dictionaries
and other alphabetically
ordered reference books. It
helps children acquire basic
dictionary and reference skills
in a simple and enjoyable way:
they can learn about the
alphabet and about
alphabetical order; they can
find out how to locate a word
by using the initial letter; they
can check their own spelling;
and they can learn how to use
simple definitions of words.

lbulance
go in an ambulance if
are ill or injured.

beginning letter

arm- word
nimal Your hand is at
i animal is a living thing
uour arm.
at is not a plant.
definition given in
a full sentence

author
ankle You are an author if you
four ankle is where your
write a book. fesr
eg joins your foot.

page number

7
o
b
aeroplane
An aeroplane has wings and
c an engine and can fly.

d
e
f
g
h
8

J add age
k You make more when you Your age is how old
add things together. you are.
l
m
n
o
P

r
s address alphabet
Your address is the place The alphabet is all the
t
letters used in writing.
u
v
w
X

y
z
8
ambulance tipple O
You go in an ambulance if An apple is a round, b
, you are ill or injured. crisp fruit. c
d
e
f
9
h
i I
arm J
An animal is a living thing Your hand is at the end of k
that is not a plant. your arm.
l
m
-n
o
P

r
ankle author s
Your ankle is where your You are an author if you
t
leg joins your foot. write a book.
u
v
w
X

y
z
9
o
a

c
A bear is a big furry animal.

d
e
f
g
h
I

J ball bed
k A ball is round.You can play You sleep in a bed.
l games with it.

m
n
o
P
<1
r
s banana bicycle
t A banana is a long A bicycle has two wheels.
yellow fruit. You ride a bicycle.
u
v
w
X

y
z
10
big bounce ■ a
If something is big it is large. A ball comes back up again
when you bounce it.
oc
d
e
f
g
h
I
bread J
You make bread with flour k
and bake it in the oven. l
m
n
o
P

r
book bus s
A book has pages and A bus can carry lots t
a cover. of people. _
u
V
w
X

y
z
11
a car

o
b

d
A car has wheels and an
(engine.

e
f
9
h
I

J cake cat
k A cake is a sweet food. A cat is a small furry
1 animal.
l
m
n
o
P
9
r
s camera chair
t You take photos with a You sit on a chair.
camera.
u
y
w
x
y
z
' cheese cook ■ a
You make cheese from milk. You cook food by heating it. b
G
d
e
f
9
h
I

clock cow J
A clock tells you the time. A cow is a farm animal that k
gives milk. l
m
n
o
P
4
r
computer cup s
A computer stores You drink things from t
information. a cup. u
v
w
X

y
z
13
o day
b It is light during the day.
c
o

e
f
9
h
I

J dance dinosaur
k You move to music when A dinosaur is an animal that
l you dance. lived a long time ago.

m
n
o
P
<1
r
s date l doctor
t A date is the day A doctor makes you better
something happens.
u
v
w
X

y
z
L.
14
dog dress a
You can keep a dog as A girl sometimes wears b
a pet. a dress. c
oe
f
9
h
I
drink J
You can drink milk. k
l
m
n
o
P
<1
r
duck s
A duck is a bird that likes t
water.
u
v
w
X

y
z
15
a feat™ ■
b You need to eat food to live.
c
d
G
f
g
h
I

J ear I egg
k You use your ears to hear. A bird lives inside an egg
l i before it is born.

m
n
o
P
<1
r
s earth elbow
t You live on the planet Earth. You bend your arm at your
elbow.
u
v
w
X

y
z
electricity envelope a
You use electricity to get You put a letter in an b
envelope. c
d
of
g
h
I
elephant exercise J
An elephant has a long nose You need to exercise to k
keep fit. l
m
n
o

r
eye s
You use your eyes to see. t
u
v
w
X

y
z
17
a farm
b A farm is where food is
c grown.

d
e
o
9
h
I

J I feather
k Birds have feathers instead
l
m
n
o
P
*

r
s fall 1 fish
t You come down quickly ] A fish lives under water
u
v
w
X

y
z
 fox a
A fox is a wild animal with a b
furry tail. c
d
e
o
g
h
I
foot frog J
Your foot is at the end of A frog has wet skin and k
your leg. webbed feet. l
m
n
o
P

r
fork fruit s
You use a fork to eat. You can eat fruit. Apples t
, and oranges are fruit.
u
v
w
X

y
z
19
a garden
b rbu can grow flowers and
c vegetables in a garden.

d
e
f
©
h
I

J game 1 gate
k You play a game. A gate is an outside door.
l
m
n
o
P

r
s garage giant
t A car is kept in a garage. A giant is a very big person.

u
v
w
X

y
z
20
giraffe good a
A giraffe has a If something is good you b
long neck. c
d
e
f
oh
I
glass grow J
A window is made of glass. Things get bigger when k
they grow. l
m
n
o
P

i
r
[glue guitar s
You use glue to stick things A guitar is an instrument t
I together. with strings.
u
V
w
X

y
z
21
a f head
I
b : Your eyes and ears are on
c | your head.

d
e
f
9
o
I

J hand helicopter
k You hold things with your A helicopter has blades that
l | spin round on top.

m
n
o
P
<1
r
s hat hill
t You wear a hat on your A hill is a piece of high land.
u
v
w
X

y
z
22
holiday hot a
A holiday is when you do If something is hot it can b
not go to school or work. burn you. c
d
e
f
g

i
horse house J
You can ride a horse. You can live in a house. k
l
m
n
o
P
<1
r
hospital hungry s
You go to hospital if you If you are hungry you want t
to eat.
u
v
w
X

y
z
23
a information
b You use information to find
c out about things.

d
e
f
9
h
o
J insect
k An insect is a small animal
with six legs.
l
m
n
o
P
*
r
s ill /instrument
t If you are ill you do not \ You use an instrument to
feel well. I make music.
u
v
w
X

y
z
24
 a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
I

jam
You make jam from fruit
juggler
A juggler throws things up
ok
and sugar. and catches them. l
m
n
o
P
*
r
journey jump s
You travel from place to You go up into the air when t
place on a journey. you jump. u
v
w
X

y
z
25
a I kettle
b | You use a kettle to boil
c 1 water.

d
e
f
9
h
I

J kangaroo key
o
l
A kangaroo has big back
legs and jumps.
You use a key to unlock a

m
n
o
P
9
r
s keep ■ I kick ■
t If you keep something you You kick a ball with your
do not give it away. I foot.
u
v
w,
X

9
z
26
kind kite a
You are being kind when A kite flies in the air at the b
you help other people. end of a long string. c
d
e
f
g
h
I
king knee J
Some countries are ruled by Your knee is where your leg
bends.
ol
m
n
o
P

r
kitchen s
You cook in a kitchen. t
u
v
w
X

y
z
27
a leaf
A leaf grows on a plant.

) ladybird eg
A ladybird is a small flying You use your legs to walk.
insect with spots.

n
o
P
<1
r
s letter
You use letters to write
t
words.
u
y
w
x
y
z
28
 library little a
Books are kept in a library. If something is little it is b
not big. c
d
e
f
9
h
I
r like ■ look J
If you like someone you You use your eyes to look. k
\ think they are nice.
o
m
n
o
P

r
loud s
You can hear loud sounds
t
easily.
u
v
w
X

y
z
29
a meat
b We eat meat from animals.
c
d
e
f
9
h
I

I make metal
k You make something by Something made of metal is
putting things together. hn rrl
l

©
n
o
P
9
r
s map microwave
A map shows you how to A microwave oven cooks
t
get to places. food quickly.
u
V
w
X

y
z
30
milk moon a
You can drink cow’s milk. You often see the moon in b
the sky at night. c
d
e
f
9
h
I
money mountain J
You use money to buy A mountain is a high hill. k
things.
l

n
o
P

r
monkey mouth s
A monkey is furry and lives You use your mouth to t
u
v
w
X

y
z
31
a I necklace
b j You wear a necklace around
c 1 your
d
e
f
g
h
I

i 1 nest
k A bird lives in a nest.
y
l

©
o
P
q
r
s neck new
Your neck joins your head Something is new when you
t
to your shoulders. I first get it.
u
V
w
X

y
z
nice [nose a
If something is nice you You use your nose to smell. b
enjoy it. c
d
e
f
9
h
I
night number J
It is dark at night time. You use numbers to count. k
l
m
©
o
P
q
r
noise nurse s
A noise is a loud sound. A nurse looks after you
t
when you are ill.
u
v
w
X

y
z
33
a open
b You can open a door.
c
d
e
f
9
h
I

J octopus orange
k An octopus has eight arms. An orange is a round fruit
with thick peel.
l
m
n
o
p

r
s old
You are old if you were
t
born a long time ago.
u
v
w
x
y
z
34
 a
b
c
d
e
f
9
h
I

page pencil I
A page is part of a book. You use a pencil to write or k
l
m
n
o
©
9
r
paper piano s
You write on paper. A piano is an instrument t
with black and white keys.
u
v
w
X

y
z
35
a
pig
b A pig is a fat farm animal.
c
d
e
f
g
h
I

J plant I pull
k A plant grows out of You can pull with your
the ground. arms.
l
m
n
o
Q
*
r
s plate [push ■
You put food on a plate. You push a wheelbarrow.
t
u
v
w
X

y
z
36
 queue a
You line up in a queue to b
wait for a bus.
c
d
e
f
9
h
I
qjjeen quick J
A queen is a woman who You are quick when you
k
rules a country. move fast.
l
m
n
o
P
©
r
question s
You ask a question to find You are quiet when yoi
make very little noise.
t
out something.
u
V
w
X

y
z
37
a rainbow
b Sun shines through rain to
c make a rainbow.

d
e
f
g
h
I

j rabbit
k A rabbit is a small animal You read books, cards and
with long ears. v\ f\ letters.
l

n
o
P
g
G rain recorder
s
The rain is water falling A recorder is an instrument
t
from the sky. that you blow.
u
V
w
X

y
z
rhinoceros a
A rhinoceros has a horn on b
its nose. c
d
e
f
9
h
I

rocket J
A rocket sends spacecraft k
into space.
l
m
n
o
P

road run
os
Cars and buses travel on a You move your legs quickly t
l road. to run.
u
V
w
X

y
z
I

l school
k You go to school to learn.

n
o
P

r
scissors
t
u
v
w
X

y
z
40
shoe sock a
You wear a shoe on your You wear a sock on b
your foot. c
d
e
f
9
h
I
shop story J
You buy things in a shop. A story tells you about k
something that has
happened.
l

n
o
P
q,
r
snow sun
Snow falls when it is It is warm and bright in the
t
very cold. sun- \ \ si. u
v
w
X

y
z
41
a teeth
b You use your teeth to bite.
c
d
e
f
g
h
I

J table telephone
k You sit at a table. You use a telephone to
sDeak to Deople.
l
m
n
o
P

r
s teacher
A teacher helps you to You watch and listen to
learn. things on television.
u
v
w
x
y
z
42
towel train a
You use a towel to dry A train goes on a track. b
yourself. c
d
e
f
g
h
I
tree j
A tree is a tall plant with k
l
m
n
o
P
g
r
toy trousers s
You play with a toy. You wear trousers on your
ou
V
w
X

y
z
43
a uniform
b The police and nurses wear
c a uniform.

d
e
f
g
h
I

j ugly upset
k If something is ugly it is not You are not happy when
nice to look at. ! you are upset.
l
m
n
o
P
g
r
s umbrella use
You use an umbrella to keep You use tools to make
t
o
V
dry when it rains. things.

w
X

y
z
44
 vegetable a
A vegetable is a plant that b
you can eat. c
d
e
f
9
h
I
video J
A video records sound and k
pictures from the television.
l
m
n
o

vase violin CL Of S- M+) 30^ X 3)N

You put flowers in a vase. You play a violin with a bow.

45
a fwind
b The wind is
c
d
e
f
Ww air moving.

9
h
I

J wall word
k A wall is made of brick or You use words when you
stone. speak or write.
l
m
n
o
P

r
s write
t You write words for other
people to read.
u
V

y
z
46
X-ray yacht
An X-ray shows the inside A yacht is a boat with sails.
of your body

xylophone yawn
A xylophone is You yawn when you
an instrument with 1 are tired.
wooden bars.

47
 a year
b There are twelve months in
c , a year.

d Ii
; S T w T F $
e ji 1 2 3 5 6
f 1 7 8 °i 10 n 12 13
| K 1? is 17 H 20
g I 21 22 zi 2* 2S 2S 27
h 1 z« 2* 3o 3\

J yogurt zebra
k You make yogurt from A zebra has black and white
sour milk.
l
m
n
o
oe x^<crhw-*>p'o

young zigzag
You are young if you were A zigzag line turns sharply.
born a short time ago.

48
zip a
You do some coats up b
with a zip. c
d
e
f
9
h
I

ZOO J
You can see wild animals k
at a zoo. l
m
n
o
P
<1
r
s
t
u
v
w
X

y
o
49
Words we write a lot
a
about
after
again
all
am
an
and
another
are
as
at
away

back
ball
be
because
bed
been
big
boy
brother
but
by

50
name
new saw
next school
night see
no seen
not she
now should
sister want
of sit was
so water
off
old some way
on we
went
once
take were
one
than what
or
thank when
our
that where
out
the who
over
their why
them will
then with
there would
these
they
this
three
time
to
too
took
tree
two

51
Verbs (Th ese are doing words)

52
53
More verbs

54
si' 1

1.

sr
|
IWmLi

1 °
/i ^
throw •

1
mile

t.ake

,
55
Colours

green

orange

black

brown

white

56
Shapes

57
Days of the week

Sunday

Saturday Monday

Tuesday

"" Il-i|,i jij.i.Jhb II ■■■ ■■

{Wednesday

58
Months of the year

January

zSS.
February
XKZ
o

| March g ^September
$gV7^C*7gv7Cv7Sv7<fr7

October
V . • # » # 'Vf •»«♦ * o/
»#o ^ * 9%

f November?
or %/
# # f » »^#o ♦ M » »

June December
oc| i g> o

59
Numbers

zero o
one ia
two 2
three 3
four it

five 5
six

seven

eight

nine
ten

eleven

twelve

thirteen

fourteen

fifteen

sixteen

seventeen

eighteen

nineteen

twenty
61
The alphabet
63
 JJJflVery First
OXFORD
Dictionary
A very first
alphabetical dictionary
for young children
aged four upwards

Over 300 words from add to zoo

simply and clearly explained

Every word accompanied by a colour picture

* *

Special topic words at the back to help

with spelling and extend vocabulary

Ideal for extended word level work

Helps build essential dictionary

and reference skills
Trialled
and tested Also available as a Big Book
(ISBN 0-19-910562-6)
in schonk

ISBN 0-19-910503-0

OXFORD
UNIVERSITY PRESS

9 780199 105038
£3.99 rrp