Word of the Day: slap

The word "slap" is very similar to the word "hit." It's a verb that's often used for the type of hitting that involves punishment. If a person does something wrong, he or she might get slapped.

• Gloria slapped a man who said something mean about her. She slapped him in the face and it surprised everyone who saw her do it.
• When I walked outside the building, the cold air slapped me in the face.
• The judge slapped a fine on the defendant because of his misbehavior in the courtroom.
• To all of us who worked with him on the project, our coworker's criticism felt like a slap in the face.

You can also use the word "slap" for the application of force or sudden, strong movement:

• Tony slapped a hundred dollars down on the bar and ordered drinks for everyone.
• A bricklayer slaps mortar on top of bricks when building a wall.
• A big gust of wind caused the door to suddenly slap shut.
• The members of the team slapped Albert on the back and gave him high fives after his third homeroom of the baseball game.

Word of the Day: slap

The word "slap" is very similar to the word "hit." It's a verb that's often used for the type of hitting that involves punishment. If a person does something wrong, he or she might get slapped.

• Gloria slapped a man who said something mean about her. She slapped him in the face and it surprised everyone who saw her do it.
• When I walked outside the building, the cold air slapped me in the face.
• The judge slapped a fine on the defendant because of his misbehavior in the courtroom.
• To all of us who worked with him on the project, our coworker's criticism felt like a slap in the face.

You can also use the word "slap" for the application of force or sudden, strong movement:

• Tony slapped a hundred dollars down on the bar and ordered drinks for everyone.
• A bricklayer slaps mortar on top of bricks when building a wall.
• A big gust of wind caused the door to suddenly slap shut.
• The members of the team slapped Albert on the back and gave him high fives after his third homeroom of the baseball game.

Word of the Day: soak

This is a great word to use when describing the lasting effects that water has on something.

Here it is as a verb:

• She soaked some black beans overnight.
• You have to let a tea bag soak in water for a few minutes to make tea.
• Hector soaked his shirt in soapy water to get a stain out.
• If you soak in water for a long time, your fingers and toes will get all wrinkled.
• Helen and her friends stayed outside during a rain shower and got soaked.

It's commonly used as an adverb before the word "wet."

• My shoes are soaking wet.
• The ground got soaking wet after the storm.

You can also use it as a noun:

• The ground got a good soaking after the storm.
• It hasn't rained in a long time. Give the garden a good soak.

Word of the Day: soak

This is a great word to use when describing the lasting effects that water has on something.

Here it is as a verb:

• She soaked some black beans overnight.
• You have to let a tea bag soak in water for a few minutes to make tea.
• Hector soaked his shirt in soapy water to get a stain out.
• If you soak in water for a long time, your fingers and toes will get all wrinkled.
• Helen and her friends stayed outside during a rain shower and got soaked.

It's commonly used as an adverb before the word "wet."

• My shoes are soaking wet.
• The ground got soaking wet after the storm.

You can also use it as a noun:

• The ground got a good soaking after the storm.
• It hasn't rained in a long time. Give the garden a good soak.

Word of the Day: wreck

If something is badly damaged, it might be a wreck. This word is usually used as a noun or as a verb.

• My car is a wreck, but it still runs.
• Tony drives a wreck to work.

A wreck can also be a person who is physically or emotionally in bad condition:

• What happened to you? You look like a wreck.
• Tanya was a nervous wreck as she waited to see her test results.

In the next set of sentences, the word "wreck" is a verb:

• Tigist wrecked her car. She has to get it fixed.
• Jorge wrecked his back playing football. He has to see a doctor.
• The girl is wrecking her reputation by hanging out with drug addicts.

The words "wrecked" and "wrecking" can be used as adjectives:

• Wrecked buildings are scattered throughout the city of Detroit.
• A wrecking ball knocked down the house so that a new one could be built.

Word of the Day: wreck

If something is badly damaged, it might be a wreck. This word is usually used as a noun or as a verb.

• My car is a wreck, but it still runs.
• Tony drives a wreck to work.

A wreck can also be a person who is physically or emotionally in bad condition:

• What happened to you? You look like a wreck.
• Tanya was a nervous wreck as she waited to see her test results.

In the next set of sentences, the word "wreck" is a verb:

• Tigist wrecked her car. She has to get it fixed.
• Jorge wrecked his back playing football. He has to see a doctor.
• The girl is wrecking her reputation by hanging out with drug addicts.

The words "wrecked" and "wrecking" can be used as adjectives:

• Wrecked buildings are scattered throughout the city of Detroit.
• A wrecking ball knocked down the house so that a new one could be built.

Word of the day

glimmer
to shine with a weak light or a light that is not continuous

The lights of the village were glimmering in the distance.

The sky glimmered with stars.

a glimmering candle

figurative The first faint signs of an agreement began to glimmer through(= appear)

Word of the day

glimmer
to shine with a weak light or a light that is not continuous

The lights of the village were glimmering in the distance.

The sky glimmered with stars.

a glimmering candle

figurative The first faint signs of an agreement began to glimmer through(= appear)

Word of the Day: awesome

The word "awesome" is an adjective that is similar to "great" or "excellent." It's popular among young people, but you also hear older people using it.

• This summer is going to be awesome.
• Tom and Helen found a house in an awesome neighborhood.
• We have a three-day weekend coming up. Awesome!
• She did an awesome job on her test.

Word of the Day: awesome

The word "awesome" is an adjective that is similar to "great" or "excellent." It's popular among young people, but you also hear older people using it.

• This summer is going to be awesome.
• Tom and Helen found a house in an awesome neighborhood.
• We have a three-day weekend coming up. Awesome!
• She did an awesome job on her test.

Word of the Day: deal

When the word "deal" is used as a noun, it refers to an agreement:

• Joe made a deal with his neighbor to build and share a fence along their property line.
• The U.S. government created a deal to end the war in Iraq.
• We made a deal on a house. (We signed a purchase agreement.)

You can also use "deal" as a noun when there's a good price for something:

• We got a good deal on a car.
• This restaurant is offering two-for-one entrees. That's a pretty good deal.

If you use the word "deal" as a verb, it has many different meanings:

• When playing poker, you deal five cards to each player. (deal = distribute cards)
• She's not dealing very well with the death of her husband. (deal with = cope; manage one's emotions)
• Yasmin has to deal with a lof of customers every day. (deal with = work with; help)
• Okay, deal me in. (This expression is used when a person wants to be included in something.)
• He was caught dealing drugs. (deal = sell illegal drugs)

Word of the Day: deal

When the word "deal" is used as a noun, it refers to an agreement:

• Joe made a deal with his neighbor to build and share a fence along their property line.
• The U.S. government created a deal to end the war in Iraq.
• We made a deal on a house. (We signed a purchase agreement.)

You can also use "deal" as a noun when there's a good price for something:

• We got a good deal on a car.
• This restaurant is offering two-for-one entrees. That's a pretty good deal.

If you use the word "deal" as a verb, it has many different meanings:

• When playing poker, you deal five cards to each player. (deal = distribute cards)
• She's not dealing very well with the death of her husband. (deal with = cope; manage one's emotions)
• Yasmin has to deal with a lof of customers every day. (deal with = work with; help)
• Okay, deal me in. (This expression is used when a person wants to be included in something.)
• He was caught dealing drugs. (deal = sell illegal drugs)

Words of the Day: mumble and nut

Use the word "MUMBLE" when a person speaks softly or unclearly. It's not a good idea to mumble, but some people do it when they don't want another person to hear what they're saying.

• The teacher told the students to stop mumbling and finish their work.
• A lot of people in the office were mumbling about their supervisor, saying she was being unfair. 
• What are you mumbling about?(People mumble when they complain privately about something.)

NUT

This is a nut. It goes onto a bolt or a screw.

This is a nut. It's a pistachio. Do you like to eat nuts?

This is a nut. He works in an office and his job has driven him crazy.

The word "nutty" is an adjective:

• This has a nutty flavor.
• She's kind of a nutty person.
• His job is making him nutty.

The word "nut" is found in some common expressions:

• The store sells everything, from soup to nuts.
• It feels like I got kicked in the nuts. (nuts = testicles. Be careful if you say this. It's kind of vulgar, and only men use it.)
• Aw nuts! (Darn! I'm disappointed.)

Words of the Day: mumble and nut

Use the word "MUMBLE" when a person speaks softly or unclearly. It's not a good idea to mumble, but some people do it when they don't want another person to hear what they're saying.

• The teacher told the students to stop mumbling and finish their work.
• A lot of people in the office were mumbling about their supervisor, saying she was being unfair. 
• What are you mumbling about?(People mumble when they complain privately about something.)

NUT

This is a nut. It goes onto a bolt or a screw.

This is a nut. It's a pistachio. Do you like to eat nuts?

This is a nut. He works in an office and his job has driven him crazy.

The word "nutty" is an adjective:

• This has a nutty flavor.
• She's kind of a nutty person.
• His job is making him nutty.

The word "nut" is found in some common expressions:

• The store sells everything, from soup to nuts.
• It feels like I got kicked in the nuts. (nuts = testicles. Be careful if you say this. It's kind of vulgar, and only men use it.)
• Aw nuts! (Darn! I'm disappointed.)