Vocabulary Quiz on Word Meanings

Word List

automaton (noun): a person who acts in a mechanical way, without thinking for themselves
authentic (adjective): genuine; real; not false or copied
audaciously (adverb): boldly; daringly; recklessly
awe-inspiring (adjective): causing feelings of wonder and amazement
blunder (noun): a mistake, especially a stupid one
buoyant (adjective): able to float; cheerful and optimistic
biannually (adverb): twice a year
brainwash (verb): to force someone to accept new beliefs, often by using propaganda or other methods of manipulation
breathtaking (adjective): extremely beautiful or impressive
cacophony (noun): a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds
credible (adjective): believable; trustworthy
chaotically (adverb): in a confused and disordered way
conquer (verb): to defeat or overcome something or someone
claustrophobia (noun): a fear of enclosed spaces
chronologist (noun): a person who studies and arranges historical events in order
churlish (adjective): rude and bad-tempered
channelling (verb): to direct something into a particular course or channel
chaperoning (verb): to act as a companion or protector, especially for a young person
dictator (noun): a ruler who has complete power and authority
desirable (adjective): wanted or wished for
deceptively (adverb): in a way that makes something seem different from what it really is
deduce (verb): to reach a conclusion by reasoning
deconstruct (verb): to analyze something in order to understand its components and how they work together
empathy (noun): the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person
exquisite (adjective): extremely beautiful and delicate
effortlessly (adverb): easily; without any effort
exhale (verb): to breathe out
fiasco (noun): a complete failure
fiendishly (adverb): in a cruel or wicked way
fruitless (adjective): unsuccessful; producing no results
faint-hearted (adjective): cowardly; lacking courage
gargantuan (adjective): extremely large
galvanise (verb): to stimulate or excite someone into action
gutturally (adverb): in a deep, harsh voice
hiatus (noun): a pause or break in activity
haphazardly (adverb): in a way that is not planned or organized
honed (verb): to make something sharper or more effective
incoherently (adverb): in a way that is not clear or logical
immaterial (adjective): not important; irrelevant
interspersed (verb): to place something among other things
jetsam (noun): goods or materials thrown overboard from a ship to lighten its load
jaded (adjective): bored or weary from too much of something
jauntily (adverb): in a cheerful and lively way
judgemental (adjective): tending to criticize people
knowingly (adverb): in a way that shows you are aware of something
kindle (verb): to set fire to something; to ignite
karma (noun): the belief that actions have consequences, and that what goes around comes around
kooky (adjective): eccentric; strange; unusual
laboriously (adverb): in a way that requires a lot of effort
leverage (noun): power or influence
lugubrious (adjective): mournful; gloomy
lollygag (verb): to waste time; to dawdle
loquaciousness (noun): the quality of being talkative
maternally (adverb): in a motherly way
maximised (verb): to make something as large or great as possible
masterminded (verb): to plan and direct something, especially a crime or scheme
monotonous (adjective): dull; tedious; unchanging
neglectfully (adverb): in a way that is not paying attention or taking care
nightmarish (adjective): like a nightmare; terrifying
nostalgia (noun): a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past
non-competitive (adjective): not involving competition
officiously (adverb): in a way that is too eager to give unwanted advice or help
optimistic (adjective): hopeful and confident about the future
orchestrated (verb): to plan and arrange an event or situation
ostentatious (adjective): trying to attract attention by being showy
paleontologist (noun): a scientist who studies fossils
practicality (noun): the quality of being useful and sensible
predictably (adverb): in a way that is expected
pussyfooting (verb): to act cautiously or timidly
quenelle (noun): a small, oval-shaped dumpling made from poached meat, fish, or vegetables
quadrennial (adjective): occurring every four years
quirky (adjective): unusual; eccentric
raucous (adjective): loud and harsh
razzmatazz (noun): excitement and glamour
realistically (adverb): in a way that is based on facts and possibilities
remorse (noun): a deep feeling of regret or guilt
radiates (verb): to spread out from a central point
salvation (noun): the act of saving someone from danger or destruction
salvaging (verb): to rescue something from a disaster or dangerous situation
schmaltzy (adjective): emotionally overdone; sentimental
sheepishly (adverb): in an embarrassed or timid way
shimmying (verb): to shake or move rhythmically
shilly-shally (verb): to hesitate; to delay making a decision
shapeless (adjective): without a definite shape
sheen (noun): a soft, smooth, glossy appearance
standardise (verb): to make something conform to a standard
stalwart (adjective): strong; brave; loyal
starstruck (adjective): feeling great admiration for someone, especially a famous person
staggeringly (adverb): in a way that is astonishing or overwhelming
subconscious (adjective): relating to the part of the mind that is not conscious but still influences behavior and thought
synonymously (adverb): in a way that is the same in meaning
taskmaster (noun): a person who makes others work very hard
teeming (adjective): abundant; full of people or things
tentatively (adverb): in a way that is uncertain or hesitant
thespian (noun): an actor or actress
thriftily (adverb): in a way that is careful with money
thunderstruck (adjective): shocked and surprised
throbbing (adjective): beating or pulsating strongly
thalassophobia (noun): fear of the sea
taradiddle (noun): a lie; a fib
unobtrusive (adjective): not attracting attention
unconsciously (adverb): without being aware of it
underdog (noun): a person or group that is expected to lose in a competition or situation
ultra-modern (adjective): extremely up-to-date
ushered (verb): to guide or lead someone to a place
valiantly (adverb): courageously; bravely
varmint (noun): a small, wild animal, especially one that is considered to be unpleasant or harmful
vermilion (adjective): a bright red color
verify (verb): to check if something is true or accurate
voluminous (adjective): large in amount or volume
widespread (adjective): extending over a large area; common
whodunnit (noun): a mystery story or play about a crime in which the identity of the criminal is not revealed until the end
woefully (adverb): in a way that is extremely sad or unfortunate
warranted (adjective): justified; necessary
whimsically (adverb): in a way that is unpredictable or fanciful
xenophobia (noun): fear of foreigners or strangers
xanthic (adjective): yellow; golden
xerically (adverb): in a dry environment
xeric (adjective): adapted to survive with little water
xeriscape (noun): a type of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants
xylophagous (adjective): eating wood
year-long (adjective): lasting for a whole year
yearning (noun): a deep longing or desire for something
youthfully (adverb): in a way that is typical of a young person
youthquake (noun): a cultural shift or rebellion initiated by young people
zany (adjective): crazy; funny; silly
zestily (adverb): in a lively and enthusiastic way
negociate (verb): to discuss something in order to reach an agreement
neglectfully (adverb): in a way that is not paying attention or taking care
nostalgia (noun): a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past
non-competitive (adjective): not involving competition
optimistic (adjective): hopeful and confident about the future
officiously (adverb): in a way that is too eager to give unwanted advice or help
orchestrated (verb): to plan and arrange an event or situation
ostentatious (adjective): trying to attract attention by being showy
paleontologist (noun): a scientist who studies fossils
practicality (noun): the quality of being useful and sensible
predictably (adverb): in a way that is expected
pussyfooting (verb): to act cautiously or timidly
quenelle (noun): a small, oval-shaped dumpling made from poached meat, fish, or vegetables
quadrennial (adjective): occurring every four years
quirky (adjective): unusual; eccentric
raucous (adjective): loud and harsh
razzmatazz (noun): excitement and glamour
realistically (adverb): in a way that is based on facts and possibilities
remorse (noun): a deep feeling of regret or guilt
radiates (verb): to spread out from a central point
salvation (noun): the act of saving someone from danger or destruction
salvaging (verb): to rescue something from a disaster or dangerous situation
schmaltzy (adjective): emotionally overdone; sentimental
sheepishly (adverb): in an embarrassed or timid way
shimmying (verb): to shake or move rhythmically
shilly-shally (verb): to hesitate; to delay making a decision
shapeless (adjective): without a definite shape
sheen (noun): a soft, smooth, glossy appearance
standardise (verb): to make something conform to a standard
stalwart (adjective): strong; brave; loyal
starstruck (adjective): feeling great admiration for someone, especially a famous person
staggeringly (adverb): in a way that is astonishing or overwhelming
subconscious (adjective): relating to the part of the mind that is not conscious but still influences behavior and thought
synonymously (adverb): in a way that is the same in meaning
taskmaster (noun): a person who makes others work very hard
teeming (adjective): abundant; full of people or things
tentatively (adverb): in a way that is uncertain or hesitant
thespian (noun): an actor or actress
thriftily (adverb): in a way that is careful with money
thunderstruck (adjective): shocked and surprised
throbbing (adjective): beating or pulsating strongly
thalassophobia (noun): fear of the sea
taradiddle (noun): a lie; a fib
unobtrusive (adjective): not attracting attention
unconsciously (adverb): without being aware of it
underdog (noun): a person or group that is expected to lose in a competition or situation
ultra-modern (adjective): extremely up-to-date
ushered (verb): to guide or lead someone to a place
valiantly (adverb): courageously; bravely
varmint (noun): a small, wild animal, especially one that is considered to be unpleasant or harmful
vermilion (adjective): a bright red color
verify (verb): to check if something is true or accurate
voluminous (adjective): large in amount or volume
widespread (adjective): extending over a large area; common
whodunnit (noun): a mystery story or play about a crime in which the identity of the criminal is not revealed until the end
woefully (adverb): in a way that is extremely sad or unfortunate
warranted (adjective): justified; necessary
whimsically (adverb): in a way that is unpredictable or fanciful
xenophobia (noun): fear of foreigners or strangers
xanthic (adjective): yellow; golden
xerically (adverb): in a dry environment
xeric (adjective): adapted to survive with little water
xeriscape (noun): a type of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants
xylophagous (adjective): eating wood
year-long (adjective): lasting for a whole year
yearning (noun): a deep longing or desire for something
youthfully (adverb): in a way that is typical of a young person
youthquake (noun): a cultural shift or rebellion initiated by young people
zany (adjective): crazy; funny; silly
zestily (adverb): in a lively and enthusiastic way

Year 5 Word of the Day List

automaton: a machine or person that operates automatically, without thinking for itself
authentic: genuine; real; not fake
audaciously: boldly; daringly; bravely
agonise: to worry or suffer over something
awe-inspiring: something that fills one with wonder and amazement
blunder: a careless mistake; a clumsy mistake
buoyant: light and able to float easily
biannually: happening twice a year
brainwash: to force someone to believe something that is untrue
breathtaking: extremely beautiful or impressive
cacophony: a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds
credible: believable; trustworthy
chaotically: in a confused and disorganized way
conquer: to defeat or overcome something
claustrophobia: fear of enclosed spaces
chronologist: a person who studies and arranges historical events in order of time
churlish: rude; uncourteous; bad-tempered
channeling: directing something through a specific path
chaperoning: to accompany and supervise someone, especially a young person
dictator: a ruler who has absolute power and authority
desirable: worth having or wanting; attractive
deceptively: in a way that makes something seem different from what it really is
deduce: to reach a conclusion by reasoning
deconstruct: to break down something into its component parts
empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person
exquisite: extremely beautiful and delicate
effortlessly: without any effort; easily
exhale: to breathe out
fiasco: a complete failure; a disaster
fiendishly: in a way that is very cruel or evil
fruitless: producing no useful results; unsuccessful
faint-hearted: lacking courage; timid
gargantuan: extremely large; gigantic
galvanise: to stimulate or excite someone into action
gutturally: in a way that is produced in the throat
hiatus: a pause or interruption in something
haphazardly: in a random or unplanned way
honed: sharpened or perfected
incoherently: in a way that is unclear or rambling
immaterial: not important or relevant
interspersed: scattered or placed at intervals among other things
jetsam: goods that are thrown overboard from a ship to lighten the load
jaded: tired and bored from having too much of something
jauntily: in a cheerful and lively way
judgemental: disapproving of others; quick to criticize
knowingly: in a way that shows you are aware of something
karma: the idea that what you do in this life will affect your fate in the next
kindle: to start a fire; to ignite
kinematics: the study of motion and how forces affect objects
kooky: eccentric; strange
laboriously: in a hard and tiring way
lollygag: to waste time; to dawdle
loquaciousness: the state of being talkative
lugubrious: mournful; sad; gloomy
microclimate: a small area with a different climate from that of the surrounding area
monotonous: boring; dull; unchanging
nightmarish: terrifying; like a nightmare
neglectfully: carelessly; without paying enough attention
non-competitive: not involving competition
nostalgia: a feeling of longing for the past
optimistic: hopeful; positive; expecting good things
officiously: in a way that is too eager to help or give orders
orchestrated: carefully planned or arranged
ostentatious: trying to attract attention; showy
paleontologist: a scientist who studies fossils
practicality: the quality of being practical and useful
predictably: in a way that is expected; in a way that can be foreseen
pussyfooting: moving cautiously; trying to avoid an issue
quenelle: a small, egg-shaped dumpling made of meat or fish
quirky: unusual; eccentric; strange
raucous: loud and noisy; harsh-sounding
razzmatazz: excitement and glamour
radiates: to give out heat or light; to spread out from a central point
realistically: in a way that is true to life; in a way that takes into account what is possible
remorse: deep regret or guilt for a wrong act
salvation: the act of being saved from danger or destruction
salvaging: saving something from being lost or destroyed
schmaltzy: overly sentimental or emotional
sheepishly: shyly; timidly; embarrassed
shimmying: to move with a shaking movement from side to side
shilly-shally: to hesitate or delay; to be indecisive
shapeless: without a definite or clear form
sheen: a soft, gentle shine
standardise: to make something uniform or consistent
stalwart: strong and reliable; dependable
staggeringly: in an astonishing or overwhelming way
starstruck: overwhelmed with admiration for a famous person
subconscious: the part of the mind that is unaware of what is happening
synonymously: being the same in meaning; synonymous
taskmaster: a person who demands a lot of work from others
teeming: full of people or animals
tentatively: uncertainly; hesitantly
thalassophobia: fear of the sea
thespian: an actor
thunderstruck: shocked; surprised
thriftily: carefully; without wasting money
throbbing: beating or pulsing strongly
taradiddle: a lie; a fib
underdog: a person who is not expected to win
ultra-modern: very modern and stylish
unconsciously: without realizing; involuntarily
unobtrusive: not attracting attention; discreet
ushered: shown the way to a place; guided
valiantly: bravely; courageously
varmint: a small wild animal that is considered to be a pest
vermilion: a bright red color
verify: to check if something is true or accurate
voluminous: large in size; having a lot of space
widespread: existing or happening in many places
whodunnit: a mystery story about a murder
woefully: sadly; disappointingly
warranted: justified; necessary
whimsically: in a playful and unpredictable way
xanthic: having yellow hair or a yellow complexion
xerically: in a dry climate
xeriscape: a type of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants
xylophagous: eating wood
year-long: lasting for a whole year
youthfully: in a way that is typical of young people
yearning: a strong feeling of wanting something; a longing
youthquake: a cultural trend or phenomenon that is started by young people
zany: crazy; silly; unpredictable
zestily: in a lively and enthusiastic way