203 words starting with E

• ear noun

  one of the two parts of the head used for hearing

  Elephants have very large ears.

• early adjective

  near the beginning of a period of time; before the usual time

  We caught an early bus to see the sunrise from Nagarkot.

  Like first

• earn verb

  to get money for work you do; to get something because you deserve it

  My brother earns money by teaching guitar on Saturdays.

  Like make, gain

• earth noun

  the planet we live on; soil

  The Earth goes around the sun once a year.

  Like world, globe, soil

• ease noun

  the quality of not being difficult

  She solved the difficult puzzle with ease, in less than a minute.

  Like simplicity

• easily adverb

  without difficulty

  He trained every day, so he easily won the race on sports day.

  Like effortlessly

• east noun

  the direction where the sun comes up

  The sun rises in the east.

• eastern adjective

  in or from the direction where the sun rises

  Ilam is famous for its tea gardens in eastern Nepal.

• easy adjective

  not hard to do or understand

  The first question was easy, but the last one was tricky.

  Like simple, effortless

• eat verb

  to put food in your mouth, chew it and swallow it

  We usually eat dal bhat for dinner.

  Like consume

• ecological adjective

  relating to how plants, animals and their environment affect each other

  Cutting down forests can cause serious ecological damage.

  Like environmental

• ecology noun

  the study of how plants, animals and their surroundings affect each other

  In ecology, we learned how frogs, insects and plants depend on each other in a pond.

• economic adjective

  having to do with money, trade and business in a country

  Tourism brings economic benefits to many mountain villages.

  Like financial

• economically adverb

  in a way that relates to money, trade and industry; in a way that uses little money

  The new road helped the village grow economically by bringing more traders.

  Like financially

• economist noun

  an expert who studies how money, goods and trade work in a society

  The economist explained why the price of rice went up this year.

• economy noun

  the system of money, trade and work in a country

  Farming is an important part of Nepal’s economy.

• edge noun

  the outer line or end of something

  Don’t stand too close to the edge of the cliff.

  Like border, rim, side

• edit verb

  to correct and improve a piece of writing, video, or photo

  She edited her essay to make it shorter and clearer.

  Like revise, correct

• edition noun

  one version of a book, newspaper or magazine printed at a particular time

  The new edition of the dictionary has many more words.

  Like version, issue

• editor noun

  a person who checks and corrects writing before it is printed or published

  The editor of the school magazine fixed the spelling mistakes in my story.

• educate verb

  to teach someone, especially in a school or college

  Schools educate children to read, write and think.

  Like teach, instruct

• education noun

  the process of teaching and learning, especially at school

  Education helps young people build a better future.

  Like schooling, learning

• educational adjective

  helping people learn

  The museum visit was both fun and educational.

  Like instructive

• effect noun

  a change caused by something

  The medicine had a quick effect on his fever.

  Like result, impact, outcome

• effective adjective

  working well and giving the result you want

  Washing hands is an effective way to stop germs.

  Like successful, useful

• effectively adverb

  in a way that gets the result you want

  She explained the problem effectively, and everyone understood it.

  Like successfully

• effectiveness noun

  how well something works or produces the result wanted

  The doctors tested the effectiveness of the new medicine on a small group.

  Like success

• efficiency noun

  the quality of doing something well without wasting time, energy, or materials

  LED bulbs have greater efficiency than old bulbs because they use less electricity.

• efficient adjective

  working well without wasting time, energy or money

  LED bulbs are more efficient than old light bulbs.

  Like economical

• effort noun

  the physical or mental energy needed to do something

  It took a lot of effort to carry the water up the hill.

  Like work, energy

• egg noun

  the round object laid by a female bird, from which a baby bird comes

  The hen laid three eggs in the straw this morning.

• elaborate adjective

  having many parts or details, carefully planned

  The temple has elaborate wood carvings on its windows and doors.

  Like detailed, complex, intricate

• elastic adjective

  able to stretch and then go back to its first shape

  A rubber band is elastic, so it returns to its size after you pull it.

  Like stretchy, springy

• elasticity noun

  the ability of a material to stretch and return to its first shape

  The elasticity of a balloon lets it grow bigger when you blow air into it.

  Like stretchiness, springiness

• elderly adjective

  old (a polite word for people)

  We helped an elderly man cross the busy road.

  Like aged, old

• elect verb

  to choose someone for a position by voting

  Our class elected Ram as captain of the team.

  Like vote for, choose

• election noun

  a time when people vote to choose a leader or representative

  Our class held an election to choose a new class captain.

  Like vote, poll

• electric adjective

  powered by or producing the energy that flows through wires

  Electric buses are much quieter than diesel ones and do not make smoke.

• electricity noun

  a form of energy used for light, heat and power to machines

  The power cut left the whole village without electricity for a day.

  Like power

• electron noun

  a tiny particle with a negative electric charge that moves around the center of an atom

  Electricity is the flow of electrons through a wire.

• electronic adjective

  working by using tiny electric circuits, such as in computers

  Phones, calculators and tablets are electronic devices.

• element noun

  a basic substance made of one kind of atom, like gold or oxygen; one part of something

  Oxygen is an element found in air and water.

  Like component, part

• elementary adjective

  basic and simple; relating to the first years of school

  The book teaches elementary math, such as adding and subtracting.

  Like basic, simple

• elevate verb

  to lift something to a higher position or level

  Elevate your injured foot on a pillow to reduce the swelling.

  Like raise, lift

• elevation noun

  the height of a place above sea level

  Namche Bazaar is at an elevation of about 3,400 meters.

  Like height, altitude

• eliminate verb

  to remove or get rid of something completely

  Washing your hands with soap helps eliminate germs that cause illness.

  Like remove, get rid of

• elimination noun

  the complete removal of something; being knocked out of a competition

  The elimination of plastic bags from the market made the streets cleaner.

  Like removal

• elite noun

  a small group of people who are the best or most powerful in a society or activity

  Only the elite of the country’s runners compete in the national finals.

• else adverb

  other or different; more besides

  Is there anything else you need for the trip?

  Like other, besides

• elsewhere adverb

  in or to another place

  The shop was closed, so we bought our notebooks elsewhere.

• email noun

  a message sent from one computer or phone to another over the internet

  I sent my teacher an email with my homework attached.

  Like e-mail

• embarrass verb

  to make someone feel shy, uncomfortable, or ashamed in front of others

  My dad embarrassed me by singing loudly in the market.

  Like shame

• embed verb

  to fix something firmly inside a surrounding material

  Small stones were embedded in the concrete path.

  Like fix, set, implant

• embrace verb

  to hold someone closely in your arms; to accept an idea gladly

  Our village quickly embraced the idea of using solar panels.

  Like hug; welcome, adopt

• emerge verb

  to come out from somewhere and become seen

  A butterfly emerged from its cocoon this morning.

  Like appear, come out

• emergence noun

  the process of appearing or coming into existence

  The emergence of butterflies from their chrysalises happens in spring.

  Like appearance, arrival

• emergency noun

  a sudden, dangerous situation that needs action at once

  In an emergency, call the police or an ambulance.

  Like crisis

• emission noun

  gas, light, heat or another substance sent out into the air

  Electric buses help reduce the emission of smoke in Kathmandu.

  Like release, discharge

• emit verb

  to send out light, heat, sound or gas

  Fireflies emit a soft yellow light at night.

  Like give off, release, send out

• emotion noun

  a strong feeling such as joy, anger, fear or love

  She could not hide her emotion when she saw her grandparents after a year.

  Like feeling

• emotional adjective

  showing or having strong feelings

  The winner gave an emotional speech, and the audience cheered and clapped.

• emperor noun

  a man who rules a very large group of countries or lands

  The Chinese emperor lived in a palace called the Forbidden City.

  Like ruler

• emphasis noun

  special importance or attention given to something

  Our school puts emphasis on reading and writing.

  Like stress, importance

• emphasize verb

  to show that something is especially important

  The coach emphasized the importance of drinking water during training.

  Like stress, highlight

• empire noun

  a group of countries ruled by one emperor or government

  The Roman Empire once covered much of Europe.

• empirical adjective

  based on what is observed or tested, not just on ideas

  Scientists need empirical evidence from experiments to support their claims.

  Like observed, experimental

• employ verb

  to give someone a paid job

  The hotel employs twenty people from the village.

  Like hire, engage

• employee noun

  a person who is paid to work for a company or organization

  The factory has two hundred employees.

  Like worker, staff member

• employer noun

  a person or company that pays people to work for them

  The factory is the biggest employer in our town.

  Like boss

• employment noun

  work that you are paid to do

  Many young people leave villages to find employment in cities.

  Like work, job

• empty adjective

  having nothing or no one inside

  The classroom was empty after the bell rang.

  Like vacant

• enable verb

  to make it possible for someone to do something

  Glasses enable my grandmother to read small print.

  Like allow, let, permit

• encode verb

  to change information into a code or a form that can be stored or sent

  Computers encode letters as numbers made of zeros and ones.

• encounter verb

  to meet someone or face something, often by chance

  On our trek, we encountered a herd of yaks on the trail.

  Like meet, come across

• encourage verb

  to give someone support and confidence to do something

  My parents encourage me to read every day.

  Like support, inspire

• end noun

  the final part of something; the point where something stops

  At the end of the story, the lost puppy finds its home.

  Like finish, close, conclusion

• enemy noun

  a person or group that hates or fights against another

  In the story, the mouse and the cat were enemies but became friends in the end.

  Like foe

• energy noun

  the power that makes things work or move; the strength to be active

  Solar panels turn sunlight into energy for the school.

  Like power, strength

• enforcement noun

  the act of making sure that laws or rules are obeyed

  Strict enforcement of the speed limit has made the highway safer.

• engage verb

  to take part in something; to hold someone’s interest

  The puzzle engaged the children for an hour.

  Like involve, occupy, take part

• engine noun

  a machine that uses fuel to produce power and make something move

  The bus engine made a loud noise as it climbed the hill.

  Like motor

• engineer noun

  a person who designs or builds machines, roads, or bridges

  The engineer drew plans for a new bridge over the river.

• enhance verb

  to improve something or make it better or stronger

  Adding a little lemon juice enhances the taste of the soup.

  Like improve, boost

• enjoy verb

  to get pleasure from something

  We enjoyed swimming in the river on a hot day.

  Like like, love

• enormous adjective

  extremely large

  An enormous elephant walked slowly across the road in Chitwan.

  Like huge, giant, vast

• enormously adverb

  very much; to a very great degree

  The new library has helped the students enormously with their studies.

  Like hugely, greatly, tremendously

• ensure verb

  to make certain that something happens

  Please ensure that the lights are off when you leave.

  Like make sure, guarantee

• enter verb

  to go or come into a place; to type or put information in

  Please take off your shoes before you enter the temple.

  Like go in, come in

• enterprise noun

  a business or company; a new, bold project

  She started a small enterprise selling handmade paper.

  Like business, venture

• entertain verb

  to keep people interested and enjoying themselves

  The clown entertained the children with funny tricks.

  Like amuse, delight

• entertainment noun

  things like films, music and games that people enjoy watching or doing

  The dance show was the main entertainment at the school party.

  Like amusement, fun

• entire adjective

  whole; with every part included

  We spent the entire day at the zoo.

  Like whole, complete, full

• entirely adverb

  completely, in every way

  The old house is built entirely of stone, even the roof.

  Like completely, totally, wholly

• entitle verb

  to give someone the right to have or do something

  This ticket entitles you to free entry to the museum.

  Like allow, permit

• entity noun

  something that exists as a separate, single thing

  The school and the museum are run as separate entities.

  Like thing, being, unit

• entrance noun

  a door, gate, or opening where you go into a place

  We met our friends at the main entrance of the zoo.

  Like entry, door, way in

• entrant noun

  a person who enters a competition, exam or new job

  Every entrant in the drawing contest received a certificate.

  Like competitor, participant, contestant

• entry noun

  the act of going into a place; something written in a list or competition

  Entry to the museum is free on Saturdays.

  Like entrance, admission

• envelope noun

  a paper cover in which you send a letter

  She wrote the address on the envelope.

• environment noun

  the natural world of land, air, water, plants and animals

  Planting trees is one way to protect the environment.

  Like nature, surroundings

• environmental adjective

  about the natural world of air, land, water, plants, and animals

  Plastic waste in rivers is a big environmental problem.

  Like ecological

• enzyme noun

  a substance made by living cells that speeds up chemical reactions in the body

  An enzyme in saliva starts to break down food while you chew.

• epidemic noun

  a disease that spreads quickly to many people in one area at the same time

  Health workers vaccinated children to stop a measles epidemic.

  Like outbreak

• epidemiology noun

  the scientific study of how diseases spread and how to control them

  Experts in epidemiology track where and how quickly a flu spreads.

• episode noun

  one part of a TV or radio series; a single event

  I watched the final episode of the nature series last night.

  Like installment, part

• equal adjective

  the same in size, number, or value

  Cut the cake into eight equal pieces so everyone gets the same amount.

  Like same, even, identical

• equality noun

  the state in which everyone has the same rights, chances and treatment

  The school believes in equality, giving every student the same chances.

  Like fairness, equal rights

• equally adverb

  in the same amount or to the same degree

  The teacher divided the sweets equally among all the students.

  Like evenly

• equation noun

  a math statement showing that two amounts are equal

  Solve the equation 2x + 3 = 11 to find the value of x.

• equilibrium noun

  a state in which opposing forces or changes are evenly matched

  When the two children weighed the same, the seesaw stayed in equilibrium.

  Like balance

• equipment noun

  the tools and machines needed for an activity

  The science lab has new equipment for experiments.

  Like gear, tools, apparatus

• equivalence noun

  the state of having the same value, amount or meaning

  The teacher showed the equivalence of one half and fifty percent on the board.

  Like sameness, parity

• equivalent adjective

  equal in value, amount or meaning

  One kilometer is equivalent to one thousand meters.

  Like equal, same

• era noun

  a long period of history with a special feature

  The Malla era gave the Kathmandu Valley many beautiful temples.

  Like age, period

• erase verb

  to remove writing, marks or data completely

  Please erase the pencil lines from your drawing before you color it.

  Like delete, rub out

• error noun

  a mistake

  There was an error in my answer, so I checked the sum again.

  Like mistake

• escape verb

  to get away from a place or danger

  The bird escaped from its cage and flew into the garden.

  Like flee, get away

• especially adverb

  more than usual; more than others

  Kathmandu is especially busy during the festival season.

  Like particularly

• essay noun

  a short piece of writing on one subject

  Our homework is to write an essay about our favorite festival.

  Like composition

• essence noun

  the most basic and important quality of something

  The essence of a good experiment is a clear, fair test.

  Like core, heart, nature

• essential adjective

  completely necessary; extremely important

  Water is essential for all living things; without it, they die.

  Like necessary, vital, crucial

• essentially adverb

  in the most basic way; when you consider the main facts

  A bat is essentially a mammal that can fly.

  Like basically, fundamentally

• establish verb

  to start or set up something that will last

  The school was established in 1950.

  Like found, set up

• establishment noun

  the act of starting something; a business or organization

  The establishment of the school library took two years.

  Like founding, setting up

• estate noun

  a large area of land, with farms or buildings, owned by one person or company

  The tea estate in Ilam stretches across green hills for many kilometers.

  Like property

• estimate verb

  to guess an amount, size or value using what you know

  Can you estimate how many people are in the hall?

  Like guess, judge, calculate

• estimation noun

  a rough calculation or judgment of a size, amount or value

  By my estimation, about two hundred people came to the school fair.

  Like estimate, approximation, guess

• ethical adjective

  morally right and fair; relating to right and wrong

  Scientists must follow ethical rules when they study animals.

  Like moral, principled

• ethics noun

  the principles that decide what behavior is right or wrong

  Our debate club discussed the ethics of copying homework from the internet.

  Like morals, morality, principles

• ethnic adjective

  connected with a group of people who share a culture, language, or origin

  Nepal has more than a hundred ethnic groups.

• evaluate verb

  to judge how good, useful, or important something is

  The judges evaluated each science project on its idea and its results.

  Like assess, judge, rate

• evaluation noun

  the act of judging how good or useful something is

  The teacher’s evaluation of my essay was very helpful.

  Like assessment, judgment

• evening noun

  the part of the day between afternoon and night

  In the evening, we watch the sunset from the roof.

• event noun

  something that happens, especially something important

  Sports day is the biggest event of the school year.

  Like occasion, happening

• eventually adverb

  in the end, after a long time

  After hours of walking, we eventually reached the top of the hill.

  Like finally, in the end, at last

• everyday adjective

  ordinary and happening or used every day

  Science helps us understand everyday things like boiling water and rainbows.

  Like ordinary, daily, routine

• everywhere adverb

  in or to every place

  After the festival, there were flowers everywhere in the streets.

• evidence noun

  facts or signs that show something is true

  Fossils give evidence that dinosaurs once lived on Earth.

  Like proof, sign

• evident adjective

  clear to see or understand from the facts

  It was evident from her smile that she had passed the exam.

  Like obvious, clear, plain

• evil adjective

  very bad and morally wrong

  In the story, a brave girl outsmarts an evil witch.

  Like wicked

• evolution noun

  the slow change of living things over many generations; gradual development

  The theory of evolution explains how birds came from dinosaurs.

  Like development

• evolutionary adjective

  relating to the slow change of living things over many generations

  Whales and hippos share an evolutionary history going back millions of years.

• evolve verb

  to develop slowly over a long time

  Birds evolved from small dinosaurs millions of years ago.

  Like develop, change

• exact adjective

  completely correct in every detail

  What is the exact time of sunrise tomorrow?

  Like precise, accurate

• exactly adverb

  with no mistakes; in every detail

  The bus arrived at exactly nine o’clock.

  Like precisely, just

• exam noun

  a formal test of what a student knows

  I studied all week for my math exam.

  Like test, examination

• examination noun

  a formal test of what a student knows; a careful look at something

  Our final examination in science is next Monday.

  Like exam, test

• examine verb

  to look at something closely and carefully

  The doctor examined my throat with a small light.

  Like inspect, check, study

• example noun

  one thing that shows what others of the same kind are like

  A cow is an example of a mammal.

  Like instance, sample, model

• exceed verb

  to be more than a certain amount or limit

  The bus must not exceed the speed limit on this road.

  Like surpass, go beyond

• excellent adjective

  extremely good

  She wrote an excellent essay about the rivers of Nepal.

  Like outstanding, superb, wonderful

• exception noun

  something or someone that does not follow the general rule

  Most birds can fly, but the ostrich is an exception.

• excess noun

  an amount that is more than needed or allowed

  Pour off the excess water after the rice is cooked.

  Like surplus, extra

• exchange verb

  to give something and get something else in return

  Let’s exchange phone numbers so we can keep in touch.

  Like swap, trade

• excite verb

  to make someone feel very happy and eager

  The news of the school trip excited all the students.

  Like thrill, stir

• excitement noun

  a feeling of great eagerness and pleasure

  The children were full of excitement on the first day of the holidays.

  Like thrill, eagerness

• exclude verb

  to keep someone or something out; to leave out

  The ticket price excludes the cost of lunch, so bring some money.

  Like leave out, omit

• excuse noun

  a reason you give to explain why you did something wrong

  His excuse for being late was that the bus broke down.

  Like reason, explanation

• execute verb

  to carry out a plan, order or set of instructions

  The computer executes each line of the program in order.

  Like perform, carry out

• execution noun

  the act of carrying out a plan or task

  The idea for the science fair was good, but its execution needed more care.

  Like performance, implementation

• executive noun

  a person with an important job managing a company or organization

  The executive met with the factory workers to plan next year’s work.

  Like manager, director

• exercise noun

  physical activity done to stay healthy; a task done for practice

  Walking to school is good exercise.

  Like workout, practice

• exhaust verb

  to make someone very tired; to use something up completely

  The long climb to the top exhausted us all.

  Like tire, wear out; use up

• exhibit noun

  an object or collection shown in a museum or other public show

  The most popular exhibit at the science center is the giant mirror.

  Like display

• exhibition noun

  a public show of art, objects or projects

  Our class’s science projects were shown at the school exhibition.

  Like show, display

• exist verb

  to be real; to be present in the world

  Many kinds of insects exist that have never been named.

  Like be, live

• existence noun

  the state of being real or present

  Scientists have found evidence for the existence of frozen water on Mars.

• exit noun

  a door or way out of a place

  Please leave the hall quietly through the exit at the back.

  Like way out

• expand verb

  to become or make bigger

  Metals expand when they are heated and shrink when they cool.

  Like grow, enlarge, swell

• expansion noun

  the act of growing larger in size or amount

  Metal rails have small gaps to allow for their expansion on hot days.

  Like growth, enlargement

• expect verb

  to think that something will happen

  We expect the train to arrive at noon.

  Like anticipate

• expectation noun

  a belief that something will happen or should happen

  The team had high expectations of winning the final.

  Like hope

• expenditure noun

  the total amount of money spent

  The school’s expenditure on books rose this year.

  Like spending, expense, cost

• expense noun

  the money spent on something

  The biggest expense of our trip was the plane ticket.

  Like cost, spending

• expensive adjective

  costing a lot of money

  The new phone was too expensive, so she saved her pocket money for months.

  Like costly, pricey, dear

• experience noun

  knowledge or skill you get from doing something; an event that affects you

  Camping in the forest was a wonderful experience for the whole class.

  Like practice, event, adventure

• experiment noun

  a scientific test done to discover or prove something

  We did an experiment to see if plants grow without light.

  Like test, trial

• experimental adjective

  new and still being tested

  The farm is growing an experimental type of rice.

  Like trial

• expert noun

  a person with special skill or knowledge in a subject

  An expert on birds visited our school to talk about eagles.

  Like specialist, master, authority

• expertise noun

  special skill or knowledge in a particular subject

  The guide’s expertise in birds helped us spot rare species in Chitwan.

  Like skill, know-how, mastery

• explain verb

  to make something clear by describing it in detail

  The teacher explained how rainbows form.

  Like describe, clarify

• explanation noun

  a statement that makes something clear or gives reasons for it

  The teacher’s explanation of how rainbows form was very clear.

  Like account

• explicit adjective

  stated clearly and fully, leaving no doubt

  The teacher gave explicit instructions about how to label the diagram.

  Like clear, direct, specific

• explicitly adverb

  in a clear and direct way, with nothing left unsaid

  The rules explicitly say that phones are not allowed during the test.

  Like clearly, directly, plainly

• exploit verb

  to use something fully to gain a benefit; to use someone unfairly for your own gain

  Farmers in the hills exploit every bit of flat land to grow rice.

  Like use, utilize, take advantage of

• explore verb

  to travel around a place to learn about it

  The children explored the forest and found many kinds of birds.

  Like investigate

• exponential adjective

  growing faster and faster, by repeatedly multiplying

  The bacteria showed exponential growth, doubling in number every twenty minutes.

• export verb

  to send goods to another country to sell them

  Nepal exports tea, carpets and cardamom to other countries.

  Like sell abroad

• expose verb

  to uncover something so it can be seen or affected; to make a hidden fact known

  Do not expose the photo paper to light before it is developed.

  Like reveal, uncover

• exposure noun

  the state of being open to something such as sun, cold, or danger, with nothing to protect you

  Too much exposure to the sun can burn your skin.

• express verb

  to show a feeling or idea in words, actions or pictures

  She expressed her thanks with a handmade card.

  Like show, convey, state

• expression noun

  the look on someone’s face; a word or phrase

  Her happy expression showed that she liked the gift.

  Like look, phrase

• extend verb

  to make something longer or larger

  The city plans to extend the road to the next village.

  Like lengthen, expand, stretch

• extension noun

  an added part that makes something longer or larger; extra time

  Our teacher gave us a one-week extension for the project.

  Like addition, extra time

• extensive adjective

  covering a large area or including a lot

  The library has an extensive collection of science books.

  Like wide, large, broad

• extent noun

  how large, important, or serious something is

  Scientists measured the extent of the flood damage.

  Like size, degree, scope

• external adjective

  on or from the outside of something

  The external walls of the school were painted bright yellow last summer.

  Like outer, outside, exterior

• extra adjective

  more than the usual or needed amount

  Bring an extra pencil to the exam in case your first one breaks.

  Like additional, spare, more

• extract verb

  to take or pull something out

  Oil is extracted from mustard seeds.

  Like remove, draw out

• extraordinary adjective

  very unusual and surprising

  The comet was an extraordinary sight in the night sky.

  Like remarkable, amazing

• extreme adjective

  very great or intense, much more than usual

  Climbers on Everest face extreme cold and strong winds.

  Like intense, severe

• extremely adverb

  very; to a very great degree

  It is extremely cold at the top of Everest.

  Like very, highly

• eye noun

  the part of the body that you see with

  An owl has large eyes that help it see at night.