417 words starting with S

• sad adjective

  feeling unhappy

  I felt sad when my best friend moved to another town.

  Like unhappy, sorrowful

• safe adjective

  not in danger; not likely to cause harm

  Keep your money in a safe place.

  Like secure, protected

• safety noun

  the state of being free from danger

  Wear a helmet for your safety when riding a bike.

  Like security, protection

• sail verb

  to travel across water in a boat, especially one moved by wind

  We sailed across Phewa Lake in a small wooden boat on Saturday.

  Like cruise

• sake noun

  the benefit or good of someone or something

  Please stop shouting, for the sake of the sleeping baby.

  Like benefit, good

• salary noun

  the fixed amount of money a person is paid for work, usually every month

  My aunt gets her salary at the end of every month.

  Like pay, wages

• sale noun

  the act of selling something; a time when prices are lowered

  The shop is having a sale, so all the shoes are cheaper.

• salt noun

  a white substance used to flavor and preserve food

  Add a pinch of salt to the dal.

• same adjective

  exactly alike; not different

  My friend and I were born on the same day.

  Like identical, alike

• sample noun

  a small part or amount that shows what the whole is like

  The scientist took a sample of river water to test it in the lab.

  Like example, specimen

• sanction noun

  official permission or approval

  The trip went ahead with the sanction of the head teacher.

  Like permission, approval

• sand noun

  tiny grains of rock found on beaches and in deserts

  The children built a castle out of sand by the river.

• satisfaction noun

  the pleased feeling you get when you get what you wanted or finish something well

  She smiled with satisfaction when the bridge she built held all the weights.

  Like contentment, pleasure, fulfillment

• satisfy verb

  to give someone what they want or need

  A glass of cold water satisfied my thirst.

  Like please, fulfill

• save verb

  to keep money for later use; to rescue from danger

  I am saving my pocket money to buy a telescope.

  Like keep, rescue

• say verb

  to speak words out loud; to tell someone something

  Please say your name clearly so everyone in the class can hear it.

  Like speak, state, tell

• scale noun

  a set of marks for measuring; a machine for weighing; the size of something

  The map has a scale showing that one centimeter equals one kilometer.

  Like measure, size

• scan verb

  to look over something quickly to find information

  I scanned the list to find my name.

  Like skim, glance at

• scare verb

  to make someone suddenly afraid

  The loud thunder scared the puppy, and it hid under the bed.

  Like frighten, startle

• scatter verb

  to throw or spread things over a wide area

  The farmer scattered seeds across the field.

  Like spread, sprinkle

• scenario noun

  a description of a possible situation or series of events

  In the worst scenario, the trip will be delayed by a day.

  Like situation, case

• scene noun

  a part of a play or film; a place where something happens

  The best scene in the movie was the chase in the mountains.

  Like view, setting

• schedule noun

  a plan that lists when things will happen

  The schedule shows that the exam starts at ten.

  Like timetable, plan

• scheme noun

  an organized plan for doing something; a clever, secret plan to get something

  The town started a scheme to plant a thousand trees.

  Like plan, program, plot

• scholar noun

  a person who studies a subject deeply and knows a lot about it

  A scholar of history explained how the old temples were built.

  Like academic, expert, researcher

• scholarship noun

  money given to a student to help pay for their studies

  She won a scholarship to study engineering at the university.

  Like grant, award

• school noun

  a place where children go to learn

  Our school has a big playground and a small garden.

• science noun

  the study of the natural world through observation and experiments

  In science class, we learned how plants make food from sunlight.

• scientific adjective

  relating to science, or using its careful methods

  We used a scientific method to test which soil grows the best beans.

• scientist noun

  a person who studies the natural world through experiments and careful observation

  The scientist measured the water in the lake every month to see if it was getting cleaner.

  Like researcher

• scope noun

  the range of things that a subject or activity covers

  That question is outside the scope of today’s lesson.

  Like range, extent, reach

• score noun

  the number of points a person or team gets in a game or test

  The final score was three to one.

  Like result, points, mark

• scream verb

  to give a loud, high cry because of fear, pain, or excitement

  The children screamed with joy as the swing went higher and higher.

  Like shriek, yell, shout

• screen noun

  the flat glass surface of a TV, computer or phone that shows pictures

  Do not sit too close to the screen.

  Like display, monitor

• scripture noun

  the holy writings of a religion

  The priest read from the scripture during the ceremony.

  Like holy book

• scroll verb

  to move text or pictures up or down on a screen

  Scroll down to see the rest of the photos.

• sea noun

  the large area of salt water that covers much of the earth

  We saw the sea for the first time on our trip to India.

  Like ocean

• seal verb

  to close something tightly so nothing can get in or out

  Seal the jar to keep the pickle fresh.

  Like close, shut

• search verb

  to look carefully for someone or something

  We searched the whole house for the missing key.

  Like look for, hunt

• season noun

  one of the four parts of the year; a period when something usually happens

  Monsoon is the rainy season in Nepal.

  Like period, time

• seat noun

  something you sit on, such as a chair or bench

  There were no empty seats on the bus to Pokhara.

  Like chair, place

• second noun

  a very short unit of time; there are sixty in a minute

  Light from the Moon takes just over one second to reach Earth.

• secondary adjective

  less important than something else; (of school) for students after primary school

  My sister goes to a secondary school in Lalitpur.

• secondly adverb

  used to introduce the next point after the first one

  Firstly, wash your hands; secondly, dry them with a clean towel.

• secret noun

  something that is kept hidden and not told to others

  Can you keep a secret about the surprise party?

• secretary noun

  a person who types letters, keeps records, and arranges meetings for others

  The school secretary keeps a list of every student’s address.

  Like assistant, clerk

• secrete verb

  to produce and release a liquid from part of a plant or animal

  The stomach secretes acid that helps digest food.

  Like produce, release

• section noun

  one of the parts that something is divided into

  The science section of the library is on the second floor.

  Like part, division

• sector noun

  one part of a country’s economy or activity

  Tourism is an important sector of Nepal’s economy.

  Like area, field, branch

• secure adjective

  safe and protected from danger or harm

  Keep your passport in a secure place while traveling.

  Like safe, protected

• security noun

  protection from danger or harm

  The guard looks after the security of the school at night.

  Like safety, protection

• sediment noun

  sand, mud or small stones that settle at the bottom of a liquid

  The river carries sediment down from the mountains to the plains.

  Like deposit, silt

• see verb

  to notice something with your eyes; to understand

  On a clear day you can see the Himalaya from Kathmandu.

  Like notice, view, spot

• seed noun

  the small hard part of a plant from which a new plant grows

  We planted sunflower seeds in the school garden.

• seek verb

  to try to find or get something

  Many young people go to the city to seek work.

  Like look for, search for

• seem verb

  to appear to be something, from what you can see or know

  The dog seems hungry because it keeps looking at its bowl.

  Like appear, look

• segment noun

  one of the parts that something is divided into

  An orange is divided into many segments that are easy to pull apart.

  Like section, part, piece

• select verb

  to choose something carefully from a group

  Select the correct answer from the four choices.

  Like choose, pick

• selection noun

  the act of choosing; a group of things chosen

  The shop has a large selection of books for children.

  Like choice, range

• selective adjective

  choosing carefully; affecting only certain things

  She is very selective about which books she reads.

  Like choosy, particular

• self noun

  a person’s own nature or character

  After a good night’s sleep, she felt like her normal, cheerful self again.

• sell verb

  to give something to someone in exchange for money

  The woman sells fresh vegetables at the market every morning.

• semantic adjective

  about the meanings of words and sentences

  “Big” and “large” have a close semantic relationship.

• semester noun

  one of the two main parts of a school or college year

  The new semester starts after the Dashain holidays.

  Like term

• seminar noun

  a class or meeting where a small group discusses a subject

  The teachers attended a seminar on new ways to teach science.

• send verb

  to make something go to a person or place, by mail or message

  I will send you a photo of the rainbow.

  Like mail, dispatch

• senior adjective

  older or higher in rank

  Senior students help the younger ones in the library.

  Like older, higher, elder

• sensation noun

  a feeling in the body; great excitement or interest

  I felt a tingling sensation in my fingers after holding the ice.

  Like feeling

• sense noun

  one of the five natural powers of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch; good judgment

  Dogs have a very strong sense of smell.

  Like judgment

• sensible adjective

  showing good judgment and common sense

  It is sensible to carry an umbrella during the monsoon.

  Like wise, reasonable, practical

• sensitive adjective

  easily hurt or upset; quick to react to small changes

  My eyes are sensitive to bright light, so I wear sunglasses outside.

  Like delicate

• sensitivity noun

  how easily something reacts to a change; understanding of other people’s feelings

  The camera’s sensitivity to light lets it take photos at night.

• sensory adjective

  about the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell

  The garden has a sensory path with soft grass, rough stones and fragrant flowers.

• sentence noun

  a group of words that makes a complete statement or question

  Start every sentence with a capital letter and end it with a period.

  Like statement

• separate adjective

  not joined or connected; different

  The boys and girls have separate changing rooms.

  Like apart, distinct

• separately adverb

  apart from others; one at a time

  Wash the white clothes separately from the colored ones.

  Like individually, apart

• separation noun

  the act of moving or keeping things apart

  Filtering is one method for the separation of sand from water.

  Like division

• sequence noun

  a set of things that come one after another in a particular order

  Put the pictures in the correct sequence to tell the story.

  Like order, series

• series noun

  a number of similar things that come one after another

  The museum held a series of talks about space every Friday.

  Like sequence, set, succession

• serious adjective

  important and needing careful thought; not joking

  Pollution is a serious problem in many cities.

  Like grave, important

• seriously adverb

  in a careful, important way, not as a joke; badly

  She takes her studies seriously and reads every evening.

  Like earnestly, gravely

• servant noun

  a person paid to work in another person’s house

  In old palaces, many servants cooked and cleaned for the king.

  Like helper, attendant

• serve verb

  to give food or drink to someone; to work or do a job for others

  My aunt served tea and biscuits to the guests.

  Like offer, help

• server noun

  a computer that stores information and sends it to other computers

  The school website is down because the server is broken.

• service noun

  work done to help others or the public; help given to customers

  The bus service to the village runs twice a day.

  Like help, assistance

• session noun

  a period of time spent on a particular activity

  Our football training session lasts for two hours.

  Like period

• set verb

  to put something in a place; to decide on a time or rule

  Please set the plates on the table for dinner.

  Like place, put, arrange

• settle verb

  to make a home in a new place; to end an argument

  My grandparents settled in Pokhara many years ago.

  Like make a home, resolve

• settlement noun

  a place where people have come to live, often a small village; an official agreement that ends an argument

  The first settlement in the valley was a small group of houses near the river.

  Like colony

• severe adjective

  very bad, serious or strong

  The severe storm closed the airport for a day.

  Like serious, harsh

• sex noun

  the fact of being male or female

  The form asked for each student’s name, age, and sex.

  Like gender

• sexual adjective

  relating to the way living things reproduce, using a male and a female

  Many flowering plants use sexual reproduction, with pollen carried by bees.

• sexuality noun

  a person’s feelings and identity related to sexual attraction

  The health class covered puberty, the body and sexuality in a respectful way.

• shade noun

  an area out of the sun’s light; a type of a color

  We sat in the shade of a big tree.

  Like tone

• shadow noun

  a dark shape made when something blocks the light

  At noon the sun was overhead, so our shadows on the ground were very short.

• shake verb

  to move something quickly up and down or from side to side

  Shake the bottle well before you pour the juice.

• shallow adjective

  not deep; not showing serious thought

  The children played in the shallow part of the river.

• shape noun

  the outer form of something, such as a circle or square

  The window is in the shape of a circle.

  Like form, outline

• share verb

  to use or have something together with others; to give part of something to others

  Pema shared her lunch with a friend who had forgotten his.

  Like split

• shareholder noun

  a person who owns part of a company

  Every shareholder received a report on the company’s profits.

  Like stockholder

• sharp adjective

  having a thin edge or fine point that can cut or pierce

  Be careful with that knife because it is very sharp.

  Like keen, pointed

• sheep noun

  a farm animal with a thick woolly coat

  The shepherd took his sheep up the hill to eat grass.

• sheet noun

  a thin flat piece of paper; a large cloth put on a bed

  Write your name at the top of the answer sheet.

  Like page

• shelf noun

  a flat board on a wall or in a cupboard for keeping things on

  Put the dictionary back on the top shelf.

  Like ledge

• shell noun

  the hard outer covering of an egg, nut or some animals

  The snail went back into its shell.

  Like casing, covering

• shelter noun

  a place that protects you from bad weather or danger

  We waited in a bus shelter until the rain stopped.

  Like cover, refuge

• shift verb

  to move or change from one place or position to another

  The wind shifted and began blowing from the north.

  Like move, change, switch

• shine verb

  to give out or reflect bright light

  The stars shine brightly on a clear night in the mountains.

  Like glow, gleam, sparkle

• ship noun

  a large boat that carries people or goods across the sea

  The ship carried cars and machines across the ocean.

  Like vessel, boat

• shirt noun

  a piece of clothing for the upper body, usually with a collar and buttons

  He wore a clean white shirt for the school photo.

• shock noun

  a sudden strong feeling of surprise, often unpleasant

  The sudden loud bang from the kitchen gave everyone a shock.

  Like surprise, fright, jolt

• shoe noun

  a covering for the foot, usually with a hard bottom

  I need new shoes because my old ones have a hole.

• shoot verb

  to fire a gun or arrow; to kick or throw a ball at the goal

  He shot the ball into the net.

• shop noun

  a place where you can buy things

  There is a small shop near our house that sells fruit and milk.

  Like store

• shore noun

  the land along the edge of a sea or lake

  We walked along the shore of Phewa Lake.

  Like coast

• short adjective

  small in length or height; lasting only a little time

  We took a short break between the two lessons.

  Like brief, little

• shortly adverb

  soon; in a short time

  The bus will arrive shortly, so please wait here.

  Like soon

• shot noun

  an attempt to score or hit something, as in sport; a photograph

  Her shot hit the net and our team scored a goal.

  Like attempt, photo

• shoulder noun

  the part of the body between the neck and the top of the arm

  She carried her school bag on one shoulder.

• shout verb

  to say something very loudly

  The children shouted with joy when the bus arrived.

  Like yell, cry out

• show verb

  to let someone see something; to explain how to do something

  Can you show me how to tie this knot?

  Like display, reveal, demonstrate

• shower noun

  a device that sprays water to wash your body; a short period of rain

  I took a cold shower after football practice.

• shut verb

  to close something

  Please shut the window because the wind is blowing our papers away.

  Like close

• shuttle noun

  a vehicle that makes short trips back and forth between two places

  A shuttle bus takes visitors from the parking area to the museum.

• sick adjective

  not healthy; ill

  I stayed home from school because I was sick.

  Like ill, unwell

• side noun

  the left or right part of something; one of the flat surfaces of an object

  A cube has six sides of the same size.

  Like face, flank

• sigh verb

  to breathe out slowly and loudly, often from tiredness or relief

  She sighed with relief when the exam was over.

• sight noun

  the ability to see; something that you see

  From the hilltop, the snowy mountains were a wonderful sight.

  Like vision, view

• sign noun

  a board with words or pictures giving information; something that shows something else exists

  The sign at the gate said the park opens at eight.

  Like notice, signal

• signal noun

  a sign, light or sound that gives information or a message

  The traffic light turned green, which is the signal to go.

  Like sign, cue

• significance noun

  importance or meaning

  The teacher explained the significance of the discovery.

  Like importance, meaning

• significant adjective

  important or large enough to be noticed

  There was a significant rise in temperature last summer.

  Like important, notable, considerable

• significantly adverb

  in a way that is large or important enough to notice

  The town’s population has grown significantly in ten years.

  Like greatly, considerably

• silence noun

  complete quiet, with no sound

  There was silence in the hall while everyone waited for the results.

  Like quiet, stillness

• silent adjective

  making no sound at all

  The hall went completely silent when the principal walked in.

  Like quiet, soundless

• silly adjective

  not sensible; foolish in a funny way

  My brother made a silly face to make us laugh.

  Like foolish, goofy

• silver noun

  a shiny gray-white precious metal

  My grandmother wears earrings made of silver that she got from her mother.

• similar adjective

  almost the same but not exactly the same

  My bag is similar to yours, but mine has a red strap.

  Like alike, like

• similarity noun

  the way two or more things are alike

  There is a strong similarity between the two sisters’ handwriting.

  Like likeness, resemblance

• similarly adverb

  in almost the same way

  Bats find their way using sound; similarly, dolphins use echoes underwater.

  Like likewise

• simple adjective

  easy to understand or do; plain

  The instructions were simple enough for young children.

  Like easy, plain

• simplify verb

  to make something easier to understand or do

  The teacher simplified the problem by drawing a picture.

• simply adverb

  in an easy way; just or only

  The teacher explained the idea simply so that everyone understood.

  Like plainly, just

• simulate verb

  to copy how something works or looks, often using a computer or model

  Pilots train in machines that simulate flying a real plane.

  Like imitate, model

• simulation noun

  a model or computer program that copies how something works in real life

  The simulation shows how the planets move around the sun.

  Like model

• simultaneously adverb

  at the same time

  The two runners crossed the finish line simultaneously.

  Like together, concurrently

• sin noun

  an act that breaks a religious or moral law

  In many religions, telling lies is considered a sin.

  Like wrongdoing

• sing verb

  to make music with your voice

  The students sing the national anthem every morning.

• singer noun

  a person who uses their voice to make music, especially as a job

  The singer performed folk songs at the festival.

  Like vocalist

• single adjective

  only one; not married

  Not a single cloud was in the sky.

  Like one, sole

• singular adjective

  showing only one person or thing

  “Mouse” is singular and “mice” is plural.

• sink verb

  to go down below the surface of water

  A stone sinks, but a piece of wood floats.

  Like go under

• sir noun

  a polite way to speak to a man, such as a teacher or customer

  “Excuse me, sir, may I hand in my homework tomorrow?” asked Ram.

• sister noun

  a girl or woman who has the same parents as you

  My older sister helps me with my homework.

• sit verb

  to rest your weight on your bottom, on a chair, a bench or the ground

  Please sit on the bench while we wait for the bus.

• site noun

  a place where something is, was or will be built or happen

  This is the site where the new school library will be built.

  Like place, location

• situate verb

  to put something in a particular place

  The school is situated at the foot of a hill.

  Like place, locate

• situation noun

  everything that is happening at a particular time and place

  The teacher explained the situation to the parents after the storm closed the school.

  Like circumstances, condition

• size noun

  how big or small something is

  These shoes are the wrong size, so I need a bigger pair.

  Like measurements, dimensions

• sketch noun

  a quick, simple drawing

  She made a pencil sketch of the temple before painting it.

  Like drawing, outline

• ski verb

  to move over snow on long narrow boards fixed to your boots

  Tourists come to the mountains to ski in winter.

• skill noun

  the ability to do something well, learned through practice

  Weaving baskets is a skill passed down in many villages.

  Like ability, talent

• skin noun

  the outer covering of the body of a person or animal

  Wear a hat so the sun does not burn your skin.

• skip verb

  to leave out or not do something; to move along with small hops

  You can skip the last question if you run out of time.

  Like omit, miss

• skirt noun

  a piece of clothing worn by women and girls that hangs from the waist

  She wore a blue skirt and white shirt to school.

• sky noun

  the space above the Earth where you see clouds, the sun and stars

  The sky was clear and full of stars.

• slab noun

  a thick, flat piece of stone, concrete or wood

  The old courtyard is paved with large stone slabs.

  Like block

• slash verb

  to cut with a long, quick stroke; to reduce greatly

  The shop slashed its prices during the festival sale.

  Like cut

• slave noun

  a person who is owned by another and forced to work without pay

  In the past, many slaves worked on large farms in America.

• slavery noun

  a system in which people are owned by others and forced to work without pay

  Nepal officially ended slavery in 1924.

• sleep verb

  to rest with your eyes closed and your mind and body not active

  Children need to sleep for about nine hours every night.

  Like slumber

• slice noun

  a thin flat piece cut from something

  Would you like a slice of bread?

  Like piece, sliver

• slide verb

  to move smoothly over a surface while touching it

  The children slid down the snowy hill on a piece of plastic.

  Like glide

• slight adjective

  small in amount or degree

  There was a slight change in the plan, so we left ten minutes later.

  Like small, minor

• slightly adverb

  a little; not very much

  The water was slightly warm after sitting in the sun.

  Like a little, somewhat

• slip verb

  to slide by accident and lose your balance

  Be careful not to slip on the wet floor.

  Like slide, skid

• slope noun

  ground or a surface that goes up or down at an angle

  The children ran down the grassy slope.

  Like incline, slant

• slot noun

  a narrow opening for putting something in; a time set aside in a schedule

  Put the coin in the slot to start the machine.

  Like opening

• slow adjective

  not moving or happening quickly

  The slow bus took six hours to reach Pokhara.

  Like unhurried, gradual

• slowly adverb

  at a low speed, not quickly

  The old bus moved slowly up the steep mountain road.

• small adjective

  little in size or amount

  A small mouse ran across the kitchen floor.

  Like little, tiny

• smart adjective

  clever and quick to learn; neat and well dressed

  She is a smart student who solves puzzles very quickly.

  Like clever, intelligent, bright

• smell noun

  what you notice with your nose

  The smell of fresh bread filled the kitchen.

  Like scent, odor

• smile verb

  to make a happy face by turning up the corners of your mouth

  The baby smiled when she saw her mother.

  Like grin, beam

• smoke noun

  the gray or black cloud that rises from something burning

  Smoke rose from the chimney of the kitchen.

  Like fumes

• smooth adjective

  having an even surface with no rough parts or bumps

  The river stones were smooth from years of flowing water.

  Like even, sleek

• snake noun

  a long reptile with no legs that moves by sliding along the ground

  We saw a green snake resting on a branch in the forest.

  Like serpent

• snap verb

  to break suddenly with a sharp noise

  The dry stick snapped in two.

  Like break, crack

• sneeze verb

  to suddenly blow air out through the nose and mouth because of an itch inside the nose

  Dust and pepper always make me sneeze.

• sniff verb

  to breathe in quickly through the nose, often to smell something

  The dog sniffed the ground looking for its bone.

  Like smell

• snow noun

  soft white flakes of frozen water that fall from the sky

  Fresh snow covered the mountain peaks after the storm.

• social adjective

  having to do with people living and spending time together

  Ants are social insects that live and work in large groups.

  Like communal

• socialize verb

  to spend time with other people in a friendly way

  Students socialize with their friends during the lunch break.

  Like mix, mingle

• socially adverb

  in a way that relates to people and how they live together

  Joining a club helps shy students become more socially confident.

• society noun

  people living together in an organized group

  Libraries are important for a healthy society.

  Like community, public

• sodium noun

  a soft, silver metal element; common salt is made from it and chlorine

  Table salt is a compound of sodium and chlorine.

• soft adjective

  easy to press or bend; not hard or rough

  The kitten’s fur is very soft to touch.

• software noun

  programs that tell a computer what to do

  We installed new drawing software on the school computers.

  Like programs

• soil noun

  the top layer of earth in which plants grow

  Plants grow well in rich, dark soil that holds plenty of water.

  Like earth, dirt

• solar adjective

  relating to or powered by the sun

  Solar panels on the roof heat our water.

• soldier noun

  a person who is a member of an army

  The soldiers marched in the Constitution Day parade.

  Like fighter, trooper

• solid adjective

  hard and firm, not a liquid or gas; having no holes or spaces inside

  When water freezes in the cold, it becomes solid ice.

  Like firm, hard

• soluble adjective

  able to dissolve in a liquid

  Sugar is soluble in water, but sand is not.

  Like dissolvable

• solute noun

  a substance that is dissolved in a liquid to make a solution

  In salt water, salt is the solute and water is the liquid it dissolves in.

• solution noun

  a way to solve a problem; a liquid with something mixed evenly into it

  We found a simple solution to the leaking roof.

  Like answer, fix

• solve verb

  to find the answer to a problem or puzzle

  It took me ten minutes to solve the math problem.

  Like work out, figure out, answer

• solvent noun

  a liquid in which another substance dissolves

  Water is called the universal solvent because so many things dissolve in it.

• somehow adverb

  in a way that is not known or clear

  We somehow finished the project on time despite the power cut.

• sometime adverb

  at an unknown or unstated time

  Let’s visit the zoo sometime next month.

  Like someday

• sometimes adverb

  on some occasions but not always

  Sometimes we walk to school, and sometimes we take the bus.

  Like occasionally, at times

• somewhat adverb

  to some degree, but not very much

  The test was somewhat harder than I expected.

  Like rather, slightly

• somewhere adverb

  in or to a place that is not named or known

  I left my pencil somewhere in the classroom.

• son noun

  a male child of a parent

  Their son is studying physics in Kathmandu.

• song noun

  a short piece of music with words that you sing

  We learned a new song for the school concert.

  Like tune

• soon adverb

  in a short time from now

  The bus will arrive soon, so let’s wait at the stop.

  Like shortly

• sophisticate noun

  a person with refined tastes and knowledge of the world

  The city sophisticate enjoyed fine music and art.

• sorry adjective

  feeling bad about something you did wrong

  I am sorry I forgot to bring your book back.

  Like apologetic, regretful

• sort noun

  a type or kind of something

  What sort of music do you like to listen to on long bus rides?

  Like kind, type, variety

• soul noun

  the part of a person that is believed to be spiritual, not physical, and to live on after death

  Many religions teach that every person has a soul.

  Like spirit

• sound noun

  something that you hear

  Sound travels faster through water than through air.

  Like noise

• source noun

  the place or thing something comes from

  The sun is Earth’s main source of energy.

  Like origin, cause

• south noun

  the direction to your right when you face the rising sun

  India lies to the south of Nepal, and China lies to the north.

• southern adjective

  in or from the south

  The southern part of Nepal is flat and good for farming.

• space noun

  an empty area; the area beyond Earth where the stars and planets are

  There is enough space in the hall for two hundred people.

  Like room, area

• span noun

  the length of time something lasts; the distance between two points

  Mayflies have a very short life span of just a day or two.

  Like length, duration

• spare adjective

  extra, and kept ready in case it is needed

  Always carry a spare pencil to the exam in case one breaks.

  Like extra, additional

• spatial adjective

  about space, size and the position of things

  Building with blocks helps children develop spatial skills.

• speak verb

  to say words with your voice; to know and use a language

  My grandfather speaks Nepali, Newari and English, and he is learning Hindi too.

  Like talk, say

• speaker noun

  a person who gives a talk; a machine that makes sound louder

  The speaker at our assembly talked about saving water.

  Like lecturer, presenter

• special adjective

  different from the usual and often better or more important

  Dashain is a special time when families come together.

  Like unusual, particular

• specialist noun

  a person who knows a lot about one particular subject or job

  The doctor sent my grandmother to an eye specialist.

  Like expert

• specialize verb

  to study or work in one particular area

  My uncle is a doctor who specializes in children’s health.

  Like focus

• specialty noun

  a special skill, subject or product that someone is known for

  Momo is the specialty of the little restaurant near our school.

• species noun

  a group of living things of the same kind that can breed together

  The snow leopard is a rare species found in the Himalaya.

  Like kind, type

• specific adjective

  exact and clear, about one particular thing

  Can you give me a specific time for the meeting?

  Like particular, exact, precise

• specifically adverb

  for a particular reason or purpose; exactly and clearly

  This book was written specifically for young readers.

  Like especially, particularly

• specification noun

  a detailed description of how something must be made or what it must do

  The phone’s specifications show how much memory it has.

  Like requirement, details

• specify verb

  to state something clearly and exactly

  Please specify the size of shoes you need.

  Like state, name

• specimen noun

  a single example of something, collected for study

  The students collected leaf specimens for their science project.

  Like sample, example

• spectrum noun

  the band of colors made when light is split, as in a rainbow; a full range

  A prism splits white light into a spectrum of colors.

  Like range

• speech noun

  a formal talk given to a group of people

  The principal gave a speech on the first day of school.

  Like talk, address

• speed noun

  how fast something moves

  The train traveled at a speed of 100 kilometers an hour.

  Like pace, rate, velocity

• spell verb

  to say or write the letters of a word in the right order

  Can you spell the word “necessary” without making a single mistake?

• spend verb

  to use money to buy things; to use time doing something

  We spend our winter holidays at my uncle’s farm.

  Like use, pass

• sperm noun

  the male cell that joins with an egg to start a new life

  In plants and animals, a sperm cell joins an egg cell to begin a new life.

• sphere noun

  a round, solid shape like a ball

  The earth is shaped almost like a sphere.

  Like ball, globe

• spin verb

  to turn around and around quickly

  The Earth spins once every twenty-four hours, giving us day and night.

  Like rotate, turn, whirl

• spirit noun

  a person’s mind and feelings; a ghost; a feeling of energy and enthusiasm

  The team played with great spirit even when they were losing.

  Like energy, enthusiasm, soul

• splice verb

  to join two pieces of rope, film or wire end to end

  The electrician spliced the two wires together and covered them with tape.

  Like join, connect

• split verb

  to divide into parts or break apart

  We split the pizza into eight equal pieces.

  Like divide

• sponsor verb

  to pay for an event or activity, often for advertising

  A local bank sponsored our school’s football tournament.

  Like fund, support

• sponsorship noun

  money or support given by a company or person to pay for an event or activity

  The football tournament got sponsorship from a local bank.

  Like funding, support

• spontaneous adjective

  happening suddenly without being planned

  The crowd broke into spontaneous applause when the singer appeared.

  Like unplanned

• sport noun

  a game or activity done for exercise, often in competition

  Football is the most popular sport in our school.

  Like game

• spot noun

  a small round mark; a particular place

  A leopard has dark spots all over its fur.

  Like dot, mark, place

• spray verb

  to send out tiny drops of liquid through the air

  Farmers spray water on the seedlings during dry weather.

  Like sprinkle

• spread verb

  to open or stretch something out; to move to cover a bigger area

  News of the holiday spread quickly through the school.

  Like extend, scatter, stretch

• spring noun

  the season after winter when plants begin to grow; a place where water comes out of the ground

  In spring, the days get warmer and rhododendrons bloom in the hills.

• square noun

  a shape with four equal sides and four right angles; an open space in a town

  Draw a square with sides of five centimeters in your notebook.

• stability noun

  the state of being steady and not likely to change or fall

  A wide base gives the tower more stability.

  Like steadiness, balance

• stabilize verb

  to make something steady so it does not change or move

  The doctors worked to stabilize the patient’s temperature.

  Like steady, balance

• stable adjective

  firm and steady, not likely to move, fall or change

  Make sure the ladder is stable before you climb it.

  Like steady, secure

• stack noun

  a neat pile of things placed on top of each other

  There is a stack of books on the teacher’s desk.

  Like pile

• stadium noun

  a large sports ground surrounded by rows of seats

  Thousands of fans filled the stadium for the cricket match.

  Like arena

• staff noun

  all the people who work for a school, company or organization

  The school staff organized a sports day for the students.

  Like workers, employees

• stage noun

  a step or period in a process; a raised floor where people perform

  A caterpillar is one stage in the life of a butterfly.

  Like phase, step

• stain noun

  a dirty mark that is hard to remove

  There was a tea stain on my white shirt.

  Like mark, spot

• stair noun

  one of a series of steps going from one level to another

  The temple has more than a hundred stairs to climb.

  Like step

• stake noun

  a pointed post pushed into the ground; a share in something

  We tied the young tomato plants to wooden stakes.

  Like post, pole; share

• stamp noun

  a small paper sticker you put on a letter to pay for mailing it

  I put a stamp on the envelope and mailed it.

• stance noun

  an opinion or attitude about something; a way of standing

  The school’s stance on mobile phones is clear: no phones in class.

  Like position, view

• stand verb

  to be on your feet in an upright position

  Please stand up when the guest enters the room.

  Like rise

• standard noun

  a level of quality that is expected or measured against

  The school’s science lab meets a high standard.

  Like level, benchmark

• standardize verb

  to make things all the same type or follow the same rules

  The company standardized the size of its boxes to save space.

  Like regularize

• star noun

  a huge ball of burning gas that looks like a point of light in the night sky; a very famous performer

  On a clear night in the mountains, you can see thousands of stars.

• stare verb

  to look at something for a long time without moving your eyes

  The baby stared at the colorful fish in the tank.

  Like gaze

• start verb

  to begin doing something

  The match will start as soon as both teams arrive.

  Like begin, commence

• state noun

  the condition someone or something is in; a part of a country with its own government

  Water can be in a solid, liquid or gas state.

  Like condition, province

• statement noun

  something said or written that gives facts or an opinion

  The school made a statement about the new exam dates.

  Like declaration, announcement

• static adjective

  not moving or changing

  The number of students in the club has stayed static this year.

  Like still, unchanging, fixed

• station noun

  a place where buses or trains stop for passengers

  We waited at the bus station for an hour before the bus to Pokhara left.

  Like terminal

• statistic noun

  a number that gives information about something

  One interesting statistic is that over half of Nepal’s people are under thirty.

  Like figure, number

• statistical adjective

  about numbers and data collected to study something

  The scientists used statistical methods to study the rainfall data.

• statistically adverb

  in a way based on numbers and data

  Statistically, more students pass when they study a little every day.

• statistics noun

  numbers collected to describe or compare things; the science of collecting and studying such numbers

  Statistics show that more girls are going to school in Nepal than ever before.

  Like data, figures

• status noun

  a person’s position in a group or society; the state of something at a time

  The website shows the status of your order.

  Like position, standing, condition

• stay verb

  to remain in a place and not leave

  We stayed at a guesthouse near the lake.

  Like remain

• steady adjective

  firm and not shaking; happening at an even rate

  Hold the camera steady when you take the photo.

  Like stable, firm

• steal verb

  to take something that belongs to someone else without permission

  A monkey stole a banana from the tourist’s bag.

  Like take

• steel noun

  a very strong metal made mostly from iron

  The bridge is built from steel so it can carry heavy trucks.

• stem noun

  the main long, thin part of a plant that holds the leaves and flowers

  The sunflower’s stem was taller than my father.

  Like stalk

• step noun

  one movement of the foot in walking; one stage in a process

  The first step in the experiment is to wash your hands.

  Like stage, pace

• stereotype noun

  a fixed, often unfair idea of what a type of person is like

  It is a stereotype that girls are not good at math.

• stick noun

  a thin piece of wood, often fallen from a tree

  The children used a stick to draw shapes in the sand.

  Like twig, rod

• still adverb

  continuing until now and not yet stopped

  It is ten o’clock, and my sister is still sleeping.

  Like yet

• stimulate verb

  to cause something to become more active or grow

  Sunlight stimulates the seeds to sprout.

  Like encourage, spur, activate

• stimulus noun

  something that causes a reaction or makes something happen

  A bright light is a stimulus that makes your pupils shrink.

  Like trigger, prompt

• stir verb

  to mix a liquid by moving a spoon around in it

  Stir the tea to dissolve the sugar.

  Like mix

• stock noun

  a supply of goods that a shop has for sale

  The shop has a large stock of school notebooks.

  Like supply, store

• stomach noun

  the organ in the body where food goes after it is swallowed

  My stomach was full after the big lunch.

  Like belly

• stone noun

  a hard, solid piece of rock

  The old houses in Bhaktapur have stone steps.

  Like rock, pebble

• stop verb

  to end a movement or action

  The bus stopped to let the passengers off.

  Like halt, end, cease

• storage noun

  keeping things in a place until they are needed

  The basement is used for storage of old furniture.

• store verb

  to keep something in a place to use later

  Squirrels store nuts for the winter.

  Like keep, save

• storm noun

  very bad weather with strong winds and heavy rain or snow

  The storm knocked over a tree near our school.

  Like tempest

• story noun

  a description of real or imagined events, told or written

  Grandmother told us a story about a clever monkey.

  Like tale, account

• straight adjective

  not bending or curving

  Use a ruler to draw a straight line across the page.

  Like direct, unbent

• straightforward adjective

  easy to understand or do; honest

  The instructions were straightforward, so we built the model quickly.

  Like simple, clear, direct

• strain noun

  worry or pressure caused by too much work or effort; an injury from stretching a muscle too far

  Studying late every night put a lot of strain on her.

  Like stress, pressure

• strand noun

  a single thin thread, hair or wire

  She found a strand of gray hair on her head.

  Like thread, fiber

• strange adjective

  unusual or surprising; not known before

  We heard a strange noise coming from the roof.

  Like odd, unusual, weird

• stranger noun

  a person you do not know

  Never get into a car with a stranger.

• strategic adjective

  carefully planned to reach a goal

  Placing the water station halfway along the race route was a strategic choice.

  Like tactical

• strategy noun

  a careful plan for reaching a goal

  Our team made a new strategy to win the next game.

  Like plan, approach

• stream noun

  a small, narrow river

  We crossed a cold mountain stream by jumping from stone to stone.

  Like brook, creek

• street noun

  a road in a town or city with buildings along it

  Our street is busy with shops and bicycles.

  Like road, lane

• strength noun

  how strong someone or something is

  Lifting the heavy bag needed all my strength.

  Like power, might

• strengthen verb

  to make something stronger

  Regular exercise strengthens your muscles.

  Like reinforce, toughen

• stress noun

  worry caused by problems or too much work

  Many students feel stress before exams.

  Like pressure, strain, tension

• stretch verb

  to make something longer or wider by pulling; to straighten your arms or legs

  We stretch our legs before running in the sports class.

  Like extend, lengthen

• strict adjective

  expecting rules to be obeyed exactly

  Our teacher is strict about handing in homework on time.

  Like firm, stern

• strictly adverb

  exactly and completely, with no exceptions

  Talking is strictly not allowed during the exam.

  Like completely, rigidly

• strike verb

  to hit someone or something hard

  The ball struck the window but did not break it.

  Like hit

• string noun

  a thin rope made of twisted threads; a wire on a musical instrument

  Tie the parcel with a piece of string.

  Like cord, twine

• strip noun

  a long, narrow piece of something

  She cut the paper into thin strips to make a paper chain.

  Like band, piece

• stripe noun

  a long, narrow band of color

  A zebra has black and white stripes.

  Like band, line

• stroke noun

  a sudden serious illness in the brain; a single movement of a pen or brush, or in swimming

  She painted the sky with long strokes of blue.

• strong adjective

  having great power in the body; not easy to break

  The rope is strong enough to hold three people.

  Like powerful, sturdy

• strongly adverb

  with great force or deep feeling

  I strongly believe that every child should go to school.

  Like firmly, powerfully

• structural adjective

  relating to the way something is built or arranged

  The engineers checked the bridge for structural damage.

• structure noun

  the way the parts of something are arranged; a building

  The structure of a leaf helps it catch sunlight.

  Like arrangement, building

• struggle verb

  to try very hard to do something difficult

  The little goat struggled to climb the steep rocks.

  Like strive, labor, fight

• student noun

  a person who is learning at a school, college or university

  Every student must bring a notebook to the science lab.

  Like pupil, learner

• studio noun

  a room where an artist works, or where music, films or broadcasts are made

  The singer recorded her new song in a studio in Kathmandu.

• study verb

  to spend time learning about a subject

  I study for an hour every evening before dinner.

  Like learn, examine

• stuff noun

  things or material of any kind, when you do not name them exactly

  Put all your stuff in your bag before the bus comes.

  Like things, belongings

• stupid adjective

  not intelligent or sensible

  It was a stupid mistake to forget my bag at home.

  Like foolish, silly

• style noun

  a particular way of doing, making or designing something

  The temple is built in the traditional Newar style.

  Like manner, fashion, design

• subject noun

  something you study at school, like math or science; the thing being talked about

  Science is my favorite subject because we do experiments.

  Like topic, course

• subjective adjective

  based on personal feelings or opinions rather than facts

  Whether a song is beautiful is a subjective judgment.

  Like personal

• submit verb

  to give something to someone in authority to be checked or judged

  Please submit your science homework to the teacher by Friday afternoon.

  Like hand in

• subsequent adjective

  coming after something else

  The first test was hard, but the subsequent ones were easier.

  Like following, later, next

• subsequently adverb

  afterward; later

  He moved to Pokhara and subsequently opened a bakery there.

  Like afterward, later

• subset noun

  a smaller group that is part of a larger group

  Even numbers are a subset of all whole numbers.

• substance noun

  a particular kind of material, solid, liquid, or gas

  Water is the only substance commonly found as a solid, liquid, and gas on Earth.

  Like material, matter

• substantial adjective

  large in amount or importance

  The new library received a substantial number of donated books.

  Like considerable, large

• substitute noun

  a person or thing used in place of another

  Honey can be a substitute for sugar in this recipe.

  Like replacement, alternative

• substitution noun

  the act of putting one thing or person in place of another

  The coach made a substitution and sent a fresh player onto the field.

  Like replacement, exchange

• substrate noun

  the surface or material on which something grows or lives

  Moss grows well on a damp substrate like rocks or tree bark.

  Like base

• subtle adjective

  small and not easy to notice

  There is a subtle difference between the two shades of blue.

  Like slight, faint

• subtract verb

  to take one number away from another

  If you subtract 4 from 10, you get 6.

  Like deduct, take away

• succeed verb

  to do what you tried to do; to reach your goal

  After three tries, she succeeded in solving the puzzle.

  Like manage, do well

• success noun

  getting the result you wanted

  The science fair was a great success, and many parents came.

  Like achievement, triumph

• successful adjective

  having achieved what you wanted

  The rocket launch was successful, and the satellite reached orbit.

  Like triumphant, effective

• successfully adverb

  in a way that achieves what you wanted

  The team successfully climbed to the top of the mountain.

• sudden adjective

  happening quickly and without warning

  There was a sudden shower of rain, and everyone ran for cover.

  Like unexpected, abrupt

• suddenly adverb

  quickly and without warning

  Suddenly, the lights went out.

  Like unexpectedly, all of a sudden

• suffer verb

  to feel pain or have a hard time

  Many crops suffer when there is no rain for weeks.

  Like struggle, endure

• sufficient adjective

  as much as is needed; enough

  Make sure there is sufficient water for everyone on the hike.

  Like enough, adequate

• sufficiently adverb

  enough for a particular purpose

  Make sure the rice is sufficiently cooked before you serve it.

  Like adequately, enough

• sugar noun

  a sweet substance, usually white crystals, used in food and drinks

  Please don’t put too much sugar in my tea.

• suggest verb

  to give an idea for others to think about

  My friend suggested that we study together for the science exam this weekend.

  Like propose, recommend

• suggestion noun

  an idea or plan that you offer for others to think about

  My suggestion is to start the trip early in the morning.

  Like idea, proposal, advice

• suit noun

  a jacket with pants or a skirt made of the same cloth

  My father wore a dark suit to the wedding.

  Like outfit

• suitable adjective

  right or good enough for a particular purpose

  These boots are suitable for walking in the snow.

  Like appropriate, fit, proper

• sum noun

  the number you get when you add numbers together; an amount of money

  The sum of 5 and 7 is 12.

  Like total, amount

• summarize verb

  to give the main points of something in a short form

  Summarize the story in three sentences.

  Like sum up, outline

• summary noun

  a short statement of the main points

  Write a summary of the chapter in five sentences.

  Like outline, synopsis, overview

• summer noun

  the warmest season of the year

  In summer, the monsoon rains fall over Nepal.

• sun noun

  the star that gives Earth light and heat

  The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

• superior adjective

  better than others in quality or rank

  This new phone has a superior camera to the old one.

  Like better, finer

• supplement noun

  something added to make something else complete or better

  The doctor gave her a vitamin supplement.

  Like addition, extra

• supplier noun

  a person or company that provides goods to others

  The school’s supplier delivers notebooks and pens every term.

  Like provider

• supply noun

  an amount of something available to be used

  The village has a good supply of clean water.

  Like stock, store

• support verb

  to help someone or encourage them; to hold up the weight of something

  The pillars support the heavy roof of the temple.

  Like help, back, hold up

• supporter noun

  a person who likes and encourages a team, idea or person

  Thousands of supporters cheered for Nepal’s cricket team.

  Like fan

• suppose verb

  to think something is probably true

  I suppose the bus is late because of the traffic.

  Like guess, believe

• supposedly adverb

  according to what people say, though it may not be true

  The old house is supposedly over two hundred years old.

  Like apparently, reportedly

• sure adjective

  certain that something is true or will happen

  I am sure that I locked the door before we left.

  Like certain, confident, positive

• surely adverb

  used to show you are confident something is true

  Surely you remember the name of your first teacher!

  Like certainly

• surface noun

  the outside or top layer of something

  Leaves floated on the surface of the pond.

  Like top, outside, face

• surgeon noun

  a doctor who performs operations on the body

  The surgeon carefully fixed the bone in the boy’s broken arm.

• surgery noun

  medical treatment in which a doctor cuts into the body

  After knee surgery, the runner rested for three months.

  Like operation

• surgical adjective

  about operations done on the body by doctors

  The nurse wore surgical gloves during the operation.

• surplus noun

  an amount that is more than what is needed

  The farmers sold their surplus rice at the market.

  Like excess, extra

• surprise noun

  something unexpected

  The party was a surprise for my grandmother.

  Like shock

• surprisingly adverb

  in a way that is unexpected

  The test was surprisingly easy.

  Like unexpectedly

• surround verb

  to be all around something

  High mountains surround the Kathmandu Valley on every side.

  Like encircle, enclose

• survey noun

  a set of questions asked to many people to learn their opinions

  The class did a survey about everyone’s favorite sport.

  Like poll, questionnaire

• survival noun

  the state of continuing to live

  Water is necessary for the survival of all living things.

• survive verb

  to continue to live, especially after danger or difficulty

  Camels can survive for many days in the desert without water.

  Like live on, last, endure

• susceptible adjective

  easily affected or harmed by something

  Young plants are susceptible to frost in winter.

  Like vulnerable, prone

• suspect verb

  to think that something is probably true, without being sure

  I suspect that it will rain, because the clouds are very dark.

  Like suppose, guess

• suspend verb

  to stop something for a time; to hang something

  The bus service was suspended because of heavy snow.

  Like pause, halt; hang

• sustain verb

  to keep something going over a period of time

  Rivers fed by Himalayan snow sustain farms throughout the year.

  Like maintain, support

• sustainable adjective

  able to continue for a long time without harming the environment

  Using solar power is a sustainable way to make electricity.

• swap verb

  to give something and get something else in return

  The two friends swapped stickers at lunch.

  Like exchange, trade, switch

• swear verb

  to promise very seriously; to use rude words

  I swear I will return your book tomorrow.

  Like promise, vow

• sweep verb

  to clean a floor or ground with a brush

  Every morning before class, students take turns sweeping the classroom floor.

  Like brush, clean

• sweet adjective

  tasting of sugar or honey

  These mangoes are so sweet that we don’t need to add any sugar.

  Like sugary

• swell verb

  to become larger or rounder, often because of liquid inside

  My ankle swelled after I twisted it while playing football.

  Like expand, grow

• swim verb

  to move through water using your arms and legs

  Fish swim by moving their tails from side to side.

• swing verb

  to move backward and forward or from side to side while hanging

  The children swung on the rope tied to the tree.

  Like sway

• switch noun

  a small device you press to turn electricity on or off

  Press the switch by the door to turn on the light.

• sword noun

  a weapon with a long, sharp metal blade and a handle

  The museum displays an old sword that belonged to a king.

  Like blade

• syllable noun

  a part of a word with one vowel sound

  The word “banana” has three syllables: ba-na-na.

• syllabus noun

  a list of the topics to be studied in a course

  The teacher gave us the syllabus for the science course on the first day.

  Like curriculum

• symbol noun

  a sign or picture that stands for something else

  In chemistry, O is the symbol for oxygen.

  Like sign, emblem

• symbolic adjective

  standing for an idea or feeling beyond itself

  The red color of the tika is symbolic of good luck.

  Like representative

• symptom noun

  a sign of an illness, such as a fever or cough

  A sore throat is a common symptom of a cold.

  Like sign

• syndrome noun

  a group of signs or symptoms that together show a medical condition

  The doctor explained that the syndrome causes tiredness and joint pain.

  Like condition, disorder

• syntactic adjective

  about the way words are arranged to form sentences

  “Dog the barked” has a syntactic error, because the words are in the wrong order.

  Like grammatical

• syntax noun

  the rules for how words are arranged in sentences or code

  In programming, a small syntax mistake can stop the whole program from working.

  Like grammar

• synthesis noun

  combining separate parts to make something new; making a chemical compound

  Photosynthesis is the synthesis of sugar by plants using sunlight.

  Like combination

• synthetic adjective

  made by people from chemicals, not found in nature

  Nylon is a synthetic material used to make ropes and jackets.

  Like artificial, man-made

• system noun

  a set of connected parts or methods that work together

  The digestive system breaks down the food we eat.

  Like structure, network, method

• systematic adjective

  done using a careful, step-by-step method

  We made a systematic search of the garden for the lost key.

  Like methodical, orderly