Collins Junior Illustrated Dictionary

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Using this dictionary

Aa

Bb

Cc

Dd

Ee

Ff

Gg

Hh

Ii

Jj

Kk

Ll

Mm

Nn

Oo

Pp

Qq

Rr

Ss

Tt

Uu

Vv

Ww

Xx

Yy

Zz

Collins Word Wizard

The body

Clothes

Family

Feelings

Food and drink

School and study

Weather and seasons

Insects

Amphibians

Reptiles

Young animals

Colours and shapes

Solid shapes (3D)

Words we use a lot

Silent letters

Confusable words

Parts of speech

Punctuation

Prefixes

Suffixes

Synonyms

Antonyms

Where words come from

Top tips for tricky words

Plurals

Measures

Numbers

Fractions

Time

Index

Picture Credits

Copyright

About the Publisher

Using this dictionary

A dictionary tells you what a word means and how to spell it. The words in a dictionary are listed in alphabetical order.

How to find a word

Think of the first letter in the word you want to look up. Once you know this, there is more than one way to find your word in the dictionary:

• You can use the Index at the back of the ebook which lists all of the dictionary words in alphabetical order. Scroll through the Index until you find the letter your word begins with, then look down the words until you find the one you are looking for. You can then follow the link to the entry in the dictionary.

• You can use the Contents page at the front of the book, which has a link to every letter in the dictionary. Follow the link to the letter your word begins with, then look through the entries in this letter until you find the word you are looking for.

Finding out about a word

1. The headword is the word you are looking up.

2. On the same line as the headword, you will see how to spell other forms of the word, such as plural nouns, verb tenses or other adjective forms, called comparatives and superlatives.

3. Next you will see the part of speech. This tells you what type of word the headword is, such as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb or pronoun.

4. After the part of speech, you will find the definition. The definition tells you what the word means. The definitions are numbered if there is more than one. Each definition has its own part of speech.

5. Some words have an example sentence in italics. This shows you how the word might be used in speech or writing.

6. Some words have a photo or other illustration to help you read the word and understand its meaning.

7. A phrase may also be included. Under the word front, you will also find the definition of the phrases in front and in front of.

8. An irregular form of a word is a plural noun or verb tense which does not follow the usual spelling rules. You can find many irregular forms in this dictionary.

Other dictionary features

Pronunciation is how you say a word. Some words can be spelled the same, but sound different and mean different things – these words are called homographs. This dictionary gives you pronunciation help for some words, including homographs. For example:

tear tears, tearing, tore, torn

(rhymes with fear) NOUN 1 Tears are the drops of liquid that come out of your eyes when you cry.

(rhymes with fair) VERB 2 If you tear something, such as paper or fabric, you pull it apart.

Some definitions include a label, such as FORMAL, INFORMAL or TRADEMARK. This tells you a little more about the word or how it is used:

Rollerblade Rollerblades

NOUN; TRADEMARK Rollerblades are roller skates which have the wheels set in one straight line on the bottom of the boot.

Related words are given at the end of some entries, with their parts of speech. These tell you other forms of the word, such as the noun or adverb form. For example:

blur blurs

NOUN A blur is a shape that you cannot see clearly. The car went past so fast it was just a blur. blurred ADJECTIVE blurry ADJECTIVE

Some definitions tell you where to look for more information, such as another headword, or the pages at the back of the dictionary.

are VERB

Are is a present tense form of be. They are both in my class.

See be

Collins Word Wizard

Collins Word Wizard gives you extra help with vocabulary, grammar and spelling. It has pages to help you understand parts of speech, punctuation, and prefixes and suffixes, as well as handy hints for learning tricky spellings. Look out for the themed picture pages and games to play with the dictionary.

Online resources

Explore further at www.collins.co.uk/homeworkhelp for games, activities and extra support for parents and children.

Aa

a or an ADJECTIVE

A and an are used when you talk about one of something. A is used when the next sound is a consonant; an is used when the next sound is a vowel (a, e, i, o or u). a car… an apple

abandon abandons, abandoning, abandoned

VERB 1 If you abandon something, you leave it and do not return. The cub had been abandoned by its mother.

VERB 2 If you abandon a piece of work, you stop doing it before it is finished.

abbreviation abbreviations NOUN

An abbreviation is a short form of a word or phrase. The abbreviation for compact disc is CD.

ability abilities NOUN

If you have the ability to do something, you are able to do it.

able abler, ablest ADJECTIVE

If you are able to do something, you can do it.

aboard PREPOSITION

If you are aboard a ship or plane, you are on or in it.

about

ADVERB 1 You say about in front of a number to show it is not exact. I’ll be home at about five o’clock.

PREPOSITION 2 If you talk or write about something, you say things to do with that subject. He is talking about boats.

above PREPOSITION

If something is above something else, it is over it, or higher up.

He held the ball above his head.

abroad ADVERB

When you go abroad, you go to a different country.

absent ADJECTIVE

If someone is absent, they are not here.

absolutely ADVERB

You can use absolutely to make what you are saying sound stronger. You must stay absolutely still.

absorb absorbs, absorbing, absorbed VERB

If something absorbs a liquid, it soaks it up or takes it in.

absurd ADJECTIVE

Something that is absurd seems silly, because it is quite different from what you would expect. It’s absurd to wear your jumper in this heat.

abuse NOUN

Abuse is cruel treatment of someone.

accelerate accelerates, accelerating, accelerated VERB

When someone accelerates, they speed up.

accept accepts, accepting, accepted VERB

If you accept something you have been offered, you say yes to it.

accident accidents NOUN

An accident is something nasty that happens by chance. He broke his leg in a climbing accident.

accidentally ADVERB

account accounts

NOUN 1 An account is something written or spoken that tells you what has happened.

NOUN 2 An account is also money that you keep at a bank.

accurate ADJECTIVE

An accurate measurement or description is exactly right.

ache aches NOUN

An ache is a dull, lasting pain.

achieve achieves, achieving, achieved VERB

If you achieve something, you usually get it by hard work.

achievement NOUN

acid acids NOUN

Some acids give food a sharp, sour taste. Lemons and vinegar contain acid. Strong acid can burn your skin.

acid rain NOUN

Acid rain is rain that is mixed with dirty gases in the air. It can damage buildings, trees and fish.

acrobat acrobats NOUN

An acrobat is someone who does difficult and exciting tricks, like balancing on a high wire.

across PREPOSITION

If you go across something, you go from one side to the other.

act acts, acting, acted

VERB 1 When you act, you do something. He had to act quickly to put out the fire.

VERB 2 If you act in a play or film, you have a part in it.

NOUN 3 An act is something that you do.

action actions NOUN

An action is a movement of part of your body.

active

ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is active moves about a lot, or is very busy.

ADJECTIVE 2 In grammar, a verb in the active voice is one where the subject does the action, rather than having it done to them.

See voice

activity activities NOUN

Activity is when there are a lot of things happening.

actor actors NOUN

An actor is a man or woman whose job is to act in plays or films.

actress actresses NOUN

A female actor is sometimes called an actress.

See actor

actual ADJECTIVE

You describe something as actual when you mean it is real. The shop said the paint was red, but the actual colour was pink.

actually ADVERB

adapt adapts, adapting, adapted

VERB 1 If you adapt to something new, you change in some way that helps you.

VERB 2 If you adapt something, you change it to suit your needs. The book was adapted to make a film.

adaptable ADJECTIVE

Someone who is adaptable can change to deal with new situations.

add adds, adding, added

VERB 1 If you add something, you put it with whatever you have already. Put flour in the bowl and add an egg.

VERB 2 If you add numbers of things together, you find out how many you have. The sign + means add. 2 + 3 = 5. I have two marbles in the bag. If I add these three, it makes five altogether.

addition NOUN

Addition is adding numbers or things together.

address addresses NOUN

Your address is the name or number of your house, and the street and town where you live.

adjective adjectives NOUN

An adjective is a word that describes someone or something. “Beautiful” and “green” are adjectives.

See Adjective on page 269

admire admires, admiring, admired

VERB 1 When you admire someone, you think very highly of them.

VERB 2 When you admire something, you enjoy looking at it. They stopped the car to admire the view.

admit admits, admitting, admitted

VERB 1 If you admit something, you agree that it is true.

VERB 2 If people are admitted to a place, they are allowed to go in.

adopt adopts, adopting, adopted VERB

If a person adopts a child, they make the child their own by law.

adore adores, adoring, adored VERB

If you adore someone, you love them very much.

adult adults NOUN

An adult is a grown-up person or animal.

advance advances, advancing, advanced VERB

If someone advances, they move forward. The army advanced nine miles in one day.

advantage advantages NOUN

An advantage is something that helps you do better than other people. His long legs gave him an advantage in the race.

adventure adventures NOUN

If you are having an adventure, you are doing something exciting.

adverb adverbs NOUN

An adverb is a word that answers questions like how, when, where and why. In the sentence “The girl came quietly into the room”, the word “quietly” is an adverb telling you how the girl came in.

See Adverb on page 269

advertise advertises, advertising, advertised VERB

If you advertise something, you tell people about it through newspapers, posters or TV.

advertisement advertisements NOUN

An advertisement is a notice in the paper, or on a poster or TV, about a job or things for sale.

advice NOUN

If you give someone advice, you say what you think they should do.

advise advises, advising, advised VERB

When you advise someone, you tell them what you think they should do.

aerial aerials NOUN

An aerial is a wire that sends or receives radio or television signals.

aeroplane aeroplanes NOUN

An aeroplane is a flying vehicle with wings and one or more engines.

affect affects, affecting, affected VERB

When something affects someone or something else, it changes them in some way.

affection NOUN

Affection is a feeling of caring for someone.

afford affords, affording, afforded VERB

If you can afford something, you have enough money to buy it or do it.

afraid ADJECTIVE

Someone who is afraid thinks that something nasty might happen.

after PREPOSITION

If something happens after something else, it happens at a later time. We’ll watch television after supper.

afternoon afternoons NOUN

The afternoon is the time of day between 12 o’clock (noon) and about six o’clock in the evening.

afterwards ADVERB

If something happens afterwards, it happens after another event or time. We went swimming, and afterwards we had an ice cream.

again ADVERB

If you do something again, you do it once more.

against

PREPOSITION 1 If you play against someone, you are not on their side.

PREPOSITION 2 If you are against something, you are touching it and leaning on it. She felt tired and leaned against the tree.

age ages

NOUN 1 Your age is how old you are.

NOUN 2 An age is a special period in history, like the Stone Age.

ago ADVERB

If something happened four days ago, it is four days since it happened.

agree agrees, agreeing, agreed

VERB 1 If you agree with someone, you think the same about something.

VERB 2 If you agree to do something, you say you will do it.

agreement NOUN

ahead ADVERB

Something or someone who is ahead of you is in front of you.

My brother ran ahead of us.

aim aims, aiming, aimed

VERB 1 If you aim at something, you point a weapon at it.

VERB 2 If you aim to do something, you plan to do it.

air NOUN

Air is the mixture of gases that we breathe.

aircraft NOUN

An aircraft is a vehicle that flies. Helicopters and aeroplanes are aircraft.

airport airports NOUN

An airport is a place where aircraft land and take off.

alarm alarms

NOUN 1 An alarm is something like a bell or flashing light that warns you of something.

NOUN 2 Alarm is a feeling of fear.

He looked at the hungry bear in alarm.

album albums NOUN

An album is a book that you put things like stamps or photographs in.

alien aliens NOUN

In science fiction, an alien is a creature from outer space.

alight ADJECTIVE

If something is alight, it is burning.

alike ADJECTIVE

If two or more things are alike, they are the same in some way.

alive ADJECTIVE

If a person, animal or plant is alive, they are living now.

all ADJECTIVE

You say all when you mean the whole of a particular group or thing. Put all your toys away.

Allah NOUN

Allah is the Muslim name for God.

allergy allergies NOUN

If you have an allergy to something, it makes you ill. Tom has an allergy to nuts, so he must not eat them.

alley alleys NOUN

An alley is a narrow path with buildings or walls on both sides.

alligator alligators NOUN

An alligator is a reptile. It is of the same family as a crocodile, but smaller.

See Reptiles on page 264

alliteration NOUN

Alliteration is the use of words close together which begin with the same sound, for example “hundreds of huge hairy horses”.

allow allows, allowing, allowed VERB

If someone allows you to do something, they let you do it.

all right

ADJECTIVE 1 If someone is all right, they are well or safe. See if the baby’s all right.

INTERJECTION 2 You say all right if you agree to something.

almost ADVERB

Almost means very nearly, but not quite.

He tripped and almost fell.

alone ADJECTIVE

If you are alone, there is nobody with you.

along PREPOSITION

If you go along something, you move towards the end of it.

aloud ADVERB

If you read something aloud, you read it so that people can hear you.

alphabet alphabets NOUN

An alphabet is all the letters used to write words, written in a special order.

alphabetical ADJECTIVE

Alphabetical means arranged in the order of the letters of the alphabet. She read out the names on the register in alphabetical order.

already ADVERB

If you have done something already, you did it earlier.

also ADVERB

You say also when you want to add to something you have just said.

alter alters, altering, altered VERB

When you alter something, you change it in some way.

alternate alternates, alternating, alternated VERB

When two things alternate, they regularly happen one after the other. He alternates between being friendly and completely ignoring me.

although CONJUNCTION

You say although when you expected something different. Although my dad was cross, he still gave me my pocket money.

altogether ADVERB

If you say there are a number of things altogether, you are counting all of them. I’ve picked four apples and you’ve picked two, so that’s six altogether.

aluminium NOUN

Aluminium is a light, silver-coloured metal. It is used for making rolls of foil and containers like cans and pie dishes.

always

ADVERB 1 If you always do something, you do it every time. He always puts his things away when he has used them.

ADVERB 2 If something has always been so, it has been that way at all times. They have always been good friends.

a.m. ADVERB

a.m. is the time between midnight and noon. I get up at 7 a.m.

See p.m.

am VERB

Am is a present tense form of be used when you are talking about yourself. I am six years old.

See be

amaze amazes, amazing, amazed VERB

If something amazes you, it surprises you very much.

amazement NOUN

amazing ADJECTIVE

Something that is amazing is very surprising or wonderful.

ambition ambitions NOUN

If you have an ambition to do something, you want to do it very much.

ambulance ambulances NOUN

An ambulance is a vehicle that is used to take people to hospital.

among

PREPOSITION 1 If something is among a number of things, it is surrounded by them. He sat among piles of books.

PREPOSITION 2 If something is divided among several people, they all have a share.

amount amounts NOUN

An amount of something is how much there is of it.

amphibian amphibians NOUN

An amphibian is an animal that is able to live on land and in water.

amphibious ADJECTIVE

See Amphibians on page 264

amuse amuses, amusing, amused VERB

If you amuse somebody, you make them smile or stop them feeling bored.

an ADJECTIVE

An is a form of “a” used when the next sound is a vowel.

See a

analogue ADJECTIVE

An analogue watch or clock shows the time with hands that move round a dial.

See digital

anchor anchors NOUN

An anchor is a heavy metal hook on a long chain. It is dropped over the side of a boat to stop it moving.

ancient ADJECTIVE

If something is ancient, it is very old.

and CONJUNCTION

You use and to join two or more words or phrases together. I like chocolate, and my brother does too.

angel angels NOUN

Angels are beings some people believe act as messengers for God.

anger NOUN

Anger is the strong feeling you have about something that is unfair.

angle angles NOUN

An angle is the shape that is made when two lines or surfaces join. The size of an angle is measured in degrees.

angry angrier, angriest ADJECTIVE

If you feel angry, you are very cross.

angrily ADVERB

animal animals NOUN

Animals are living things which are not plants. Humans, dogs, birds, fish, reptiles and insects are all animals.

ankle ankles NOUN

Your ankle is the joint between your foot and your leg.

anniversary anniversaries NOUN

An anniversary is a day when you remember something special which happened on that date in an earlier year.

announce announces, announcing, announced VERB

If you announce something important, you tell people about it publicly. My sister’s engagement was announced last week.

annoy annoys, annoying, annoyed VERB

If you do something which annoys someone, you make them cross.

annual annuals

ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is annual happens once a year, like a birthday.

NOUN 2 An annual is a book that comes out once a year.

another ADJECTIVE

Another means one more. Amy finished her chocolate and took another one immediately.

answer answers, answering, answered

VERB 1 When you answer, you say or write something to someone who has asked you a question.

NOUN 2 Your answer is what you say or write to a question.

ant ants NOUN

Ants are small insects which live in large groups called colonies.

See Insects on page 264

antelope antelopes NOUN

Antelopes are animals that look like deer, but their horns are not branch-shaped. They live in Africa and Asia.

anticlockwise ADVERB

If something goes anticlockwise, it moves in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock.

antique antiques NOUN

An antique is an old object which is valuable because it is beautiful or rare.

antiseptic antiseptics NOUN

An antiseptic is a substance that prevents infection by killing germs.

antonym antonyms NOUN

An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.

See Antonyms on page 273

anxious ADJECTIVE

Someone who is anxious is nervous or worried about something.

any

ADJECTIVE 1 Any means one, some, or several. Do you have any milk?

ADJECTIVE 2 Any can also mean even the smallest amount. I mustn’t eat any nuts.

anybody PRONOUN

Anybody is any person.

anyone PRONOUN

Anyone is any person.

anything PRONOUN

Anything means any object, event, situation or action.

anywhere ADVERB

Anywhere means in, at or to any place. Just put it down anywhere.

apart ADJECTIVE

If something is apart from something else, there is a space between them. He stood with his feet apart.

ape apes NOUN

Apes are like monkeys but are larger and have no tails. Chimpanzees and gorillas are apes.

apologize apologizes, apologizing, apologized; also spelt apologise VERB

When you apologize, you say you are sorry for something you have done.

apology apologies NOUN

An apology is something you say or write to tell someone you are sorry.

apostrophe apostrophes NOUN

An apostrophe is a punctuation mark (‘) used in contractions and to show belonging.

See Punctuation on page 270

apparatus NOUN

The apparatus for a particular task is the equipment you use for it.

appear appears, appearing, appeared

VERB 1 When something appears, it moves into a place where you can see it.

VERB 2 If something appears to be a certain way, that is how it seems.

appearance appearances

NOUN 1 Someone’s appearance in a place is their sudden arrival there.

NOUN 2 Your appearance is the way you look to other people.

appetite appetites NOUN

If you have an appetite, you are looking forward to eating something.

applause NOUN

Applause is clapping your hands to show that you liked something.

apple apples NOUN

An apple is a round crisp fruit which grows on a tree.

See Fruit on page 260

apply applies, applying, applied VERB

If you apply for something, like a job, you usually ask for it in writing.

appreciate appreciates, appreciating, appreciated VERB

If you appreciate something, you feel grateful for it.

approach approaches, approaching, approached VERB

When someone approaches you, they get nearer to you.

approve approves, approving, approved VERB

If you approve of something, you think it is good.

approval NOUN

approximate ADJECTIVE

An approximate answer may not be exactly right. What is the approximate distance between those trees?

approximately ADVERB

If you say approximately, you mean about. It is approximately 5 metres long.

apricot apricots NOUN

An apricot is a small, round yellow-orange fruit with a large stone in the centre.

April NOUN

April is the fourth month of the year. It has 30 days.

apron aprons NOUN

An apron is a piece of material that you wear to keep your clothes clean.

aquarium aquaria or aquariums NOUN

An aquarium is a glass tank for fish and other underwater animals.

arch arches NOUN

An arch is a curved part of a bridge, wall or building.

archery NOUN

Archery is a sport in which people shoot at a target with a bow and arrow.

architect architects NOUN

An architect is a person who designs buildings.

are VERB

Are is a present tense form of be. They are both in my class.

See be

area areas

NOUN 1 The area of something is the size of its surface. To find the area of a rectangle, you multiply the length by the breadth.

NOUN 2 You use the word area to mean in or around a place. There are lots of shops in this area.

argue argues, arguing, argued VERB

If you argue with someone, you say that you do not agree with them, and give your reasons.

argument arguments NOUN

An argument is a talk between people who do not agree. In some arguments, people shout angrily.

arithmetic NOUN

Arithmetic is about adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers.

arm arms NOUN

Your arm is the part of your body between the shoulder and the hand.

armchair armchairs NOUN

An armchair is a chair with a support on each side for your arms.

armour NOUN

Armour is metal clothing that soldiers used to wear in battle.

army armies NOUN

An army is a large organized group of people who are trained to fight in case of war.

around

PREPOSITION 1 You say around when things are in various places. There are lots of cupboards around the house.

PREPOSITION 2 You can use around when something is on all sides of something else. The Earth’s atmosphere is the air around it.

arrange arranges, arranging, arranged

VERB 1 If you arrange something like a party, you make plans and organize it.

VERB 2 If you arrange things like flowers, you group them in a special way.

array arrays

NOUN 1 An array is a group of things set out neatly in columns and rows.

NOUN 2 An array is also a large number of things displayed together. Ben’s mouth watered at the array of cakes.

arrest arrests, arresting, arrested VERB

If the police arrest someone, they take them to the police station.

arrive arrives, arriving, arrived VERB

When you arrive at a place, you reach it at the end of your journey.

arrival NOUN

arrow arrows

NOUN 1 An arrow is a thin stick with a pointed end, which is shot from a bow.

NOUN 2 An arrow can also be a sign which shows people which way to go.

art NOUN

Art is something like painting or sculpture, which is beautiful or has a special meaning.

artery arteries NOUN

An artery is a tube which carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

article articles

NOUN 1 An article is a piece of writing in a magazine or newspaper.

NOUN 2 An article can also be an object.

What is this strange article?

artificial ADJECTIVE

Artificial things are made by people. They do not occur naturally.

artist artists NOUN

An artist is a person who does things like painting or sculpture.

as

CONJUNCTION 1 If one thing happens as something else happens, it happens at the same time as the second thing. We watched television as we ate our sandwiches.

CONJUNCTION 2 You say as when you are going to give a reason for something. As I like school I get there early.

ascend ascends, ascending, ascended VERB

When you ascend, you move upwards. He ascended the stairs to his room.

ascending ADJECTIVE

When things are arranged in ascending order, each thing is higher than the one before it. The numbers 21, 37 and 49 are in ascending order.

ash ashes

NOUN 1 Ash is the dust left after a fire.

NOUN 2 An ash is a large tree.

ashamed ADJECTIVE

If you are ashamed, you feel sorry about something you have done.

ask asks, asking, asked

VERB 1 If you ask someone a question, you are trying to find something out.

VERB 2 If you ask someone for something, you want them to give it to you.

asleep ADJECTIVE

If you are asleep, your eyes are closed and your body is resting.

aspirin aspirins NOUN

Aspirin is a drug which you take to help you if you have a pain, fever or cold. An aspirin is a tablet of this drug.

ass asses NOUN

An ass is an animal like a horse but smaller and with longer ears.

assemble assembles, assembling, assembled

VERB 1 If you assemble something, you fit the parts of it together.

VERB 2 When people assemble, they come together in a group.

assembly assemblies NOUN

Assembly is a gathering of all the teachers and pupils in a school.

assistant assistants

NOUN 1 A person’s assistant is someone whose job is to help them.

NOUN 2 A shop assistant is a person who works in a shop selling things.