ADJECTIVE
A desktop computer is small enough to be used at a desk.
dessert desserts NOUN
A dessert is a sweet food served after the main course of a meal.
destroy destroys, destroying, destroyed VERB
To destroy something means to damage it so much it cannot be mended.
detail details NOUN
A detail is a small part or thing that you notice when you look at something carefully.
detective detectives NOUN
A detective is a person whose job is to find out who did a crime.
determined ADJECTIVE
If you are determined to do something, nothing will stop you.
develop develops, developing, developed VERB
When something develops, it grows or becomes more advanced.
dew NOUN
Dew is the small drops of water that form on surfaces outdoors at night.
diagonal ADJECTIVE
A diagonal line slants from one corner of something to the opposite corner.
diagram diagrams NOUN
A diagram is a drawing that explains something.
dial dials NOUN
A dial is a numbered disc on an instrument like a clock.
dialogue dialogues NOUN
In a story, play or film, dialogue is conversation.
diameter diameters NOUN
A diameter is a straight line drawn right through the centre of a circle.
diamond diamonds
NOUN 1 A diamond is a very hard, clear jewel which sparkles.
NOUN 2 A diamond is also a shape with four straight sides, like a square but slightly flattened.
See Colours and shapes on page 266
diary diaries NOUN
A diary is a book in which to write about what you have done.
dice NOUN
Dice are small cubes with spots on each of their six sides.
dictionary dictionaries NOUN
A dictionary is a book in which words are listed alphabetically and explained.
did VERB
Did is the past tense of do.
didn’t VERB
Didn’t is a contraction of did not.
die dies, dying, died VERB
When a person, animal or plant dies, they stop living.
diesel diesels NOUN
A diesel is a kind of engine that burns a special oil instead of petrol.
diet diets
NOUN 1 A diet is the food that a person or animal normally eats.
NOUN 2 A diet is also a special range of foods that a doctor tells someone to eat if they have a health or weight problem.
difference differences
NOUN 1 The difference between two things is the way in which they are unlike each other.
NOUN 2 In maths, you can work out the difference between two numbers by taking the smaller number away from the larger number.
different ADJECTIVE
Something that is different from something else is not like it in one or more ways.
difficult ADJECTIVE
Something that is difficult is not easy to do or understand.
difficulty NOUN
dig digs, digging, dug VERB
When people dig, they break up soil or sand with a spade or garden fork.
digest digests, digesting, digested VERB
When you digest food, your body breaks it down so that it can be used.
digestion NOUN
digit digits NOUN
A digit is a written symbol for any of the numbers from 0 to 9. For example, 384 is a three-digit number.
digital
ADJECTIVE 1 Digital instruments such as watches have changing numbers instead of a dial with hands.
See analogue
NOUN 2 Digital television is television in which the picture is sent in digital form.
dim dimmer, dimmest ADJECTIVE
If the light is dim, it is rather dark and it is hard to see things.
din NOUN
A din is a loud, annoying noise.
dining room dining rooms NOUN
A dining room is the room where people have their meals.
dinner dinners NOUN
Dinner is the main meal of the day.
dinosaur dinosaurs NOUN
A dinosaur was a large reptile which lived and became extinct in prehistoric times.
dip dips, dipping, dipped VERB
If you dip something into a liquid, you put it in quickly.
direct directs, directing, directed
VERB 1 If you direct someone, you show them the way to go.
VERB 2 A person who directs something, like a film, is in charge of it.
ADJECTIVE 3 Direct means in a straight line without stopping, for example on a journey. Is there a direct flight to Paris?
direction directions
NOUN 1 A direction is the way in which someone or something is moving or pointing.
NOUN 2 Directions are instructions that tell you what to do or which way to go.
dirt NOUN
Dirt is dust, mud or stains on a surface or fabric.
dirty dirtier, dirtiest ADJECTIVE
Something that is dirty is marked or covered with mud or stains.
disabled ADJECTIVE
A disabled person has a condition or injury that makes it hard or impossible to do some things.
disability NOUN
disagree disagrees, disagreeing, disagreed VERB
If you disagree with someone, you think what they are saying is wrong.
disappear disappears, disappearing, disappeared VERB
If someone disappears, they go out of sight.
disappoint disappoints, disappointing, disappointed VERB
If something disappoints you, it is not as good as you thought it would be.
disappointment