Aa (#ulink_156686a0-e0e7-5f10-9961-05b0efe8282a)
a or an ADJECTIVE
A and an are used when you talk about one of something. A is used when the next sound is a consonant; an is used when the next sound is a vowel (a, e, i, o or u). a car… an apple
abandon abandons, abandoning, abandoned
VERB 1 If you abandon something, you leave it and do not return. The cub had been abandoned by its mother.
VERB 2 If you abandon a piece of work, you stop doing it before it is finished.
abbreviation abbreviations NOUN
An abbreviation is a short form of a word or phrase. The abbreviation for compact disc is CD.
ability abilities NOUN
If you have the ability to do something, you are able to do it.
able abler, ablest ADJECTIVE
If you are able to do something, you can do it.
aboard PREPOSITION
If you are aboard a ship or plane, you are on or in it.
about
ADVERB 1 You say about in front of a number to show it is not exact. I’ll be home at about five o’clock.
PREPOSITION 2 If you talk or write about something, you say things to do with that subject. He is talking about boats.
above PREPOSITION
If something is above something else, it is over it, or higher up.
He held the ball above his head.
abroad ADVERB
When you go abroad, you go to a different country.
absent ADJECTIVE
If someone is absent, they are not here.
absolutely ADVERB
You can use absolutely to make what you are saying sound stronger. You must stay absolutely still.
absorb absorbs, absorbing, absorbed VERB
If something absorbs a liquid, it soaks it up or takes it in.
absurd ADJECTIVE
Something that is absurd seems silly, because it is quite different from what you would expect. It’s absurd to wear your jumper in this heat.
abuse NOUN
Abuse is cruel treatment of someone.
accelerate accelerates, accelerating, accelerated VERB
When someone accelerates, they speed up.
accept accepts, accepting, accepted VERB
If you accept something you have been offered, you say yes to it.
accident accidents NOUN
An accident is something nasty that happens by chance. He broke his leg in a climbing accident.
accidentally ADVERB
account accounts
NOUN 1 An account is something written or spoken that tells you what has happened.
NOUN 2 An account is also money that you keep at a bank.
accurate ADJECTIVE
An accurate measurement or description is exactly right.
ache aches NOUN
An ache is a dull, lasting pain.
achieve achieves, achieving, achieved VERB
If you achieve something, you usually get it by hard work.
achievement NOUN
acid acids NOUN