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.