Strong vocabulary flashcards
Read each strong word, explain its meaning, then turn the card for a definition and a sentence. Year 5 and Year 6 readers.
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101 teaching cards with answers. Practise here or print the fold-over cards.
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apprehensive
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apprehensive
Slightly afraid and uneasy about something that is coming.
adjective. Similar meanings: nervous, fearful, uneasy. Opposite meanings: confident, unafraid.
Example: The class fell quiet and apprehensive as the rickety rope bridge swayed above the river.
bewildered
Completely confused and unable to understand what is happening.
adjective. Similar meanings: confused, baffled, puzzled. Opposite meanings: certain, clear-headed.
Example: Lost among the identical stalls of the market, the twins looked around, utterly bewildered.
dejected
Feeling low and unhappy because something has gone wrong.
adjective. Similar meanings: downcast, disheartened, glum. Opposite meanings: upbeat, hopeful.
Example: Walking home in the rain after the fete was cancelled, Sam looked thoroughly dejected.
exasperated
Extremely annoyed, usually because a problem keeps happening.
adjective. Similar meanings: annoyed, irritated, infuriated. Opposite meanings: patient, unruffled.
Example: After the printer jammed for the fifth time, the librarian threw up her hands, exasperated.
fret
To keep worrying about something, often over small things.
verb. Similar meanings: worry, agonise, stew. Opposite meanings: relax, unwind.
Example: Auntie Jo tends to fret about the weather every time we plan a picnic on the beach.
mortified
Extremely embarrassed and ashamed about something you have done.
adjective. Similar meanings: humiliated, ashamed, embarrassed. Opposite meanings: proud, unabashed.
Example: Tom was mortified to discover he had spent the whole assembly with paint on his nose.
resentful
Feeling bitter and annoyed about being treated unfairly.
adjective. Similar meanings: bitter, aggrieved, sour. Opposite meanings: forgiving, grateful.
Example: Left to wash up alone while his brothers played football, Jamie grew quietly resentful.
yearn
To long very much for something you cannot easily have.
verb. Similar meanings: long, crave, pine. Opposite meanings: spurn, reject.
Example: Stuck indoors with chickenpox, Ellie began to yearn for the muddy fields and her pony.
candid
Honest and open about what you really think, even if it is awkward.
adjective. Similar meanings: frank, open, outspoken. Opposite meanings: evasive, guarded.
Example: Aunt Ros was candid about the cake: it looked lovely but tasted faintly of soap.
courtesy
Polite behaviour that shows respect and consideration for others.
noun. Similar meanings: politeness, good manners, civility. Opposite meanings: rudeness, discourtesy.
Example: The bus driver waited with great courtesy while the elderly man folded his walking stick.
deliberate
Done on purpose, after thinking about it, rather than by accident.
adjective. Similar meanings: intentional, planned, calculated. Opposite meanings: accidental, unintentional.
Example: Knocking over the paint pot was no accident; it was a deliberate attempt to end the lesson early.
impulsive
Acting suddenly on a feeling, without stopping to think first.
adjective. Similar meanings: rash, hasty, reckless. Opposite meanings: cautious, careful.
Example: One impulsive leap off the harbour wall left the birthday boy soaked and grinning in his party clothes.
meticulous
Paying very close attention to every small detail.
adjective. Similar meanings: thorough, painstaking, exact. Opposite meanings: careless, slapdash.
Example: Being meticulous, Grandad labelled every seed packet and lined them up by the month of sowing.
reluctant
Unwilling to do something and hanging back from it.
adjective. Similar meanings: unwilling, hesitant, loath. Opposite meanings: eager, keen.
Example: The pony was reluctant to cross the stream, planting its hooves firmly on the bank.
resilient
Able to recover quickly after something difficult or upsetting.
adjective. Similar meanings: tough, hardy, strong. Opposite meanings: fragile, vulnerable.
Example: Even after the flood wrecked their shop, the resilient bakers were serving bread again within a week.
sceptical
Doubting whether something is really true or will really work.
adjective. Similar meanings: doubtful, unconvinced, suspicious. Opposite meanings: convinced, trusting.
Example: Kai was sceptical of his sister's claim that a fox had eaten her homework.
vanity
Too much pride in your own looks, cleverness or importance.
noun. Similar meanings: conceit, self-importance, pride. Opposite meanings: modesty, humility.
Example: The peacock in the fable, full of vanity, spent all morning admiring his reflection in the pond.
compassion
Deep sympathy for someone who is suffering, together with a wish to help.
noun. Similar meanings: sympathy, kindness, mercy. Opposite meanings: cruelty, indifference.
Example: Filled with compassion, the children carried the injured hedgehog to the wildlife rescue centre.
console
To try to make someone feel better after a loss or disappointment.
verb. Similar meanings: soothe, cheer, sympathise with. Opposite meanings: upset, torment.
Example: The coach tried to console the goalkeeper, reminding him of the six saves he had made.
hospitable
Friendly and welcoming to guests and strangers.
adjective. Similar meanings: welcoming, friendly, warm. Opposite meanings: unfriendly, cold.
Example: Our hospitable hosts at the farmhouse insisted we stay for a second helping of crumble.
nurture
To care for someone or something young so that it grows well.
verb. Similar meanings: nourish, foster, cultivate. Opposite meanings: neglect, stunt.
Example: Miss Okafor helped nurture the seedlings on the windowsill until they were sturdy enough for the garden.
reassure
To say or do something that takes away someone's worries.
verb. Similar meanings: comfort, calm, encourage. Opposite meanings: alarm, unsettle.
Example: The vet spoke gently to reassure us that the hamster's limp would mend in a few days.
selfless
Caring more about other people's needs than about your own.
adjective. Similar meanings: unselfish, altruistic, generous. Opposite meanings: selfish, self-centred.
Example: In a selfless act, the lifeguard gave her own coat to the shivering boy pulled from the sea.
contradict
To say that the opposite of what someone else has said is true.
verb. Similar meanings: disagree with, deny, dispute. Opposite meanings: agree, confirm, support.
Example: Every time Leo described the match, his sister contradicted him and said the goal was offside.
enquire
To ask someone for information about something.
verb. Similar meanings: ask, query, investigate. Opposite meanings: answer, reply.
Example: Mum rang the library to enquire whether the book about volcanoes had been returned yet.
insist
To say firmly that something must happen or is definitely true.
verb. Similar meanings: demand, stand firm, assert. Opposite meanings: give in, yield.
Example: Even though the sun was shining, Dad insisted that we take our raincoats to the beach.
plead
To beg someone for something in a serious and emotional way.
verb. Similar meanings: beg, implore, appeal. Opposite meanings: demand, order.
Example: The twins pleaded with their mum to let them stay up for the fireworks.
query
A question, especially one asking for something to be checked or explained.
noun. Similar meanings: question, enquiry, doubt. Opposite meanings: answer, reply.
Example: The librarian answered my query about where the graphic novels had been moved to.
retort
A quick, sharp reply, often clever or angry.
noun. Similar meanings: reply, comeback, riposte. Opposite meanings: silence.
Example: "At least my boots match," was Sam's retort when his brother laughed at his hat.
urge
To try hard to persuade someone to do something.
verb. Similar meanings: encourage, press, push. Opposite meanings: discourage, dissuade.
Example: The lifeguard urged the swimmers to come back to the shore before the tide turned.
flinch
To make a small, sudden movement away from something because of pain or fear.
verb. Similar meanings: wince, recoil, shrink back. Opposite meanings: stand firm, hold steady.
Example: The kitten flinched when the hairdryer roared into life next door.
gesture
A movement of the hand or head that shows a feeling or idea.
noun. Similar meanings: signal, sign, motion. Opposite meanings: stillness.
Example: With a quick gesture, the bus driver waved us across the road in front of him.
linger
To stay somewhere longer than needed because you do not want to leave.
verb. Similar meanings: loiter, remain, dawdle. Opposite meanings: hurry away, depart.
Example: Long after the others had gone in, Nadia lingered by the pond watching the dragonflies.
plunge
To fall or jump suddenly and steeply downwards.
verb. Similar meanings: dive, drop, plummet. Opposite meanings: rise, soar.
Example: The otter plunged into the river and came up seconds later with a wriggling fish.
retrieve
To get something back from the place where it was left or lost.
verb. Similar meanings: fetch, recover, get back. Opposite meanings: lose, discard.
Example: Our spaniel loves to retrieve tennis balls from the pond, however muddy the water.
rummage
To search for something by moving things about in an untidy way.
verb. Similar meanings: search, root about, forage. Opposite meanings: tidy, arrange.
Example: The caretaker rummaged through the drawer of old keys, looking for the one to the shed.
anticipate
To expect that something will happen and get ready for it.
verb. Similar meanings: expect, foresee, predict. Opposite meanings: overlook, disregard.
Example: Anticipating a rush on the ice-cream van, Gran had the coins ready before it turned into the street.
assume
To accept that something is true without checking or having proof.
verb. Similar meanings: suppose, presume, take for granted. Opposite meanings: check, verify, doubt.
Example: We assumed the park would be empty on a rainy Tuesday, but the swings were packed.
baffle
To confuse someone so much that they cannot understand or explain something.
verb. Similar meanings: puzzle, bewilder, confuse. Opposite meanings: enlighten, explain.
Example: The disappearing socks baffled the entire household for a month before we discovered the cat's secret nest.
comprehend
To understand something fully, especially something difficult.
verb. Similar meanings: understand, grasp, follow. Opposite meanings: misunderstand, miss.
Example: Even after Dad explained it twice, I still could not comprehend how the tide worked.
deduce
To work something out by thinking carefully about the facts you have.
verb. Similar meanings: work out, infer, reason. Opposite meanings: guess, assume.
Example: From the muddy paw prints on the doormat, Iris deduced that the dog had escaped again.
notion
An idea or belief about something, often one that is not fully formed.
noun. Similar meanings: idea, thought, belief.
Example: Ellie had a notion that the old lighthouse might be a good place for a picnic.
oblivious
Not noticing what is happening around you.
adjective. Similar meanings: unaware, heedless, unmindful. Opposite meanings: aware, alert, conscious.
Example: Lost in his comic, Arun was oblivious to the rain now soaking his trainers.
obscure
Describing something that is hard to understand or not widely known.
adjective. Similar meanings: unknown, little-known, unclear. Opposite meanings: famous, well-known, obvious.
Example: Grandpa collects records by obscure bands that nobody at school has ever heard of.
conceal
To hide something so that it cannot be seen or found.
verb. Similar meanings: hide, cover, disguise. Opposite meanings: reveal, expose, uncover.
Example: The fox concealed itself behind the compost heap until the gardener had gone indoors.
devious
Using sneaky, dishonest methods to get your own way.
adjective. Similar meanings: sly, underhand, scheming. Opposite meanings: honest, straightforward.
Example: Nobody trusted the devious shopkeeper, who kept the best apples hidden and sold the bruised ones first.
gullible
Too ready to believe whatever you are told, and so easy to trick.
adjective. Similar meanings: trusting, naive, easily fooled. Opposite meanings: suspicious, sceptical, wary.
Example: Only a gullible shopper would believe the market trader's promise that the plastic watch was solid gold.
hoax
A trick that makes people believe something false, often as a joke.
noun. Similar meanings: prank, trick, deception. Opposite meanings: truth, fact.
Example: That photo of a shark in the boating lake turned out to be a hoax made with cardboard.
pretence
A way of behaving that is meant to hide what is really true.
noun. Similar meanings: act, sham, show. Opposite meanings: honesty, reality.
Example: Under the pretence of fetching a book, Leo slipped upstairs to wrap his sister's present.
swindle
To cheat someone out of money or goods by tricking them.
verb. Similar meanings: cheat, con, defraud.
Example: The market trader swindled customers by selling glass beads as if they were real pearls.
verify
To check carefully that something is true or correct.
verb. Similar meanings: check, confirm, prove.
Example: Before printing the story, the editor rang the zoo to verify that a penguin really had escaped.
ambush
A surprise attack by people who have been hiding and waiting.
noun. Similar meanings: trap, surprise attack. Opposite meanings: warning, open attack.
Example: Hidden behind the shed, the twins launched their water-balloon ambush the moment Uncle Pete appeared.
confront
To face someone or a problem directly instead of avoiding it.
verb. Similar meanings: face, challenge, tackle. Opposite meanings: avoid, evade.
Example: Rather than hide the broken vase, Ellie decided to confront the problem and tell her aunt.
formidable
Describing something so powerful or difficult that it causes respect or fear.
adjective. Similar meanings: daunting, mighty, intimidating. Opposite meanings: weak, feeble.
Example: With three county champions in their side, the visiting hockey team looked formidable opponents.
hostile
Unfriendly, and ready to fight or argue.
adjective. Similar meanings: unfriendly, aggressive, antagonistic. Opposite meanings: friendly, welcoming.
Example: The farm cat gave the new puppy a hostile glare and refused to leave the doorstep.
menace
Someone or something that threatens harm or keeps causing trouble.
noun. Similar meanings: threat, danger, nuisance. Opposite meanings: blessing, comfort.
Example: Wasps became such a menace at the picnic that we packed up and ate in the car.
perilous
Full of risk and likely to cause harm.
adjective. Similar meanings: dangerous, hazardous, risky. Opposite meanings: safe, secure.
Example: The climb down to the rock pools was perilous, with seaweed making every step slippery.
treacherous
Dangerous in a hidden way that is hard to spot, or ready to betray someone who trusts you.
adjective. Similar meanings: hazardous, risky, unsafe. Opposite meanings: safe, reliable.
Example: Black ice made the lane treacherous, and even the postman's van slid gently into the hedge.
valiant
Describing a brave and determined effort, especially against the odds.
adjective. Similar meanings: brave, heroic, gallant. Opposite meanings: cowardly, feeble.
Example: Despite a valiant effort in the final minutes, the school team lost the cup by one goal.
abundant
Available in very large amounts.
adjective. Similar meanings: plentiful, ample, copious. Opposite meanings: scarce, sparse.
Example: Blackberries were abundant along the lane that autumn, and every bowl in the house was full.
brittle
Hard, but likely to snap or shatter easily.
adjective. Similar meanings: fragile, breakable, crumbly. Opposite meanings: flexible, tough.
Example: Years in the sun had turned the plastic ruler brittle, and it snapped when Kai bent it.
colossal
Of truly enormous size.
adjective. Similar meanings: gigantic, immense, massive. Opposite meanings: tiny, minute.
Example: A colossal wave rose behind the pier, and the fishermen ran for the steps.
dwindle
To become gradually smaller or fewer until little is left.
verb. Similar meanings: shrink, decline, diminish. Opposite meanings: grow, increase.
Example: The queue for the ice-cream van dwindled as the grey clouds rolled in over the beach.
feeble
Weak, and lacking force or energy.
adjective. Similar meanings: weak, frail, faint. Opposite meanings: strong, powerful.
Example: The kitten gave a feeble mew from the box, too tired even to lift its head.
scarce
In short supply and hard to find.
adjective. Similar meanings: rare, sparse, in short supply. Opposite meanings: plentiful, abundant.
Example: Firewood was scarce on the island, so the campers gathered every dry twig they could spot.
sparse
Describing something thinly spread, with only a few in a large space.
adjective. Similar meanings: thin, scanty, scattered. Opposite meanings: dense, thick.
Example: The grass was sparse under the big beech tree, with bare earth showing between the tufts.
transform
To change something completely in form, look or character.
verb. Similar meanings: change, convert, remodel. Opposite meanings: preserve, maintain.
Example: A coat of yellow paint and some bunting transformed the dingy shed into a seaside cafe for the fete.
abrupt
Sudden and unexpected.
adjective. Similar meanings: sudden, sharp, unexpected. Opposite meanings: gradual, gentle.
Example: The film came to an abrupt stop halfway through, and the whole cinema groaned.
brisk
Quick, energetic and lively.
adjective. Similar meanings: quick, lively, energetic. Opposite meanings: sluggish, leisurely.
Example: A brisk walk along the front soon warmed us up after the chilly ferry crossing.
duration
The length of time that something lasts.
noun. Similar meanings: length, span, period.
Example: For the whole duration of the car journey, the twins argued about who had seen the sea first.
interval
A period of time between two events.
noun. Similar meanings: gap, pause, break.
Example: During the interval, the audience queued for choc ices while the stagehands changed the scenery.
precede
To come or go before something else in time or order.
verb. Similar meanings: come before, lead, go ahead of. Opposite meanings: follow, succeed.
Example: A hush always precedes the fireworks, then the first rocket whistles up into the dark.
prompt
Describing an action done at once, without any delay.
adjective. Similar meanings: immediate, speedy, punctual. Opposite meanings: late, delayed.
Example: Thanks to the prompt arrival of the lifeguard, the drifting dinghy was towed back safely.
sluggish
Describing something moving or working far more slowly than usual.
adjective. Similar meanings: slow, lethargic, listless. Opposite meanings: brisk, lively.
Example: The old laptop was so sluggish that the kettle had boiled before the homepage even loaded.
adjacent
Describing something that is next to or right beside another thing.
adjective. Similar meanings: neighbouring, next-door, bordering. Opposite meanings: distant, separate.
Example: Our allotment is adjacent to the railway line, so we hear every train rattle past.
barren
Describing land that is too poor or dry for plants to grow.
adjective. Similar meanings: infertile, bare, unproductive. Opposite meanings: fertile, lush.
Example: Nothing grew on the barren slope except a few grey tufts of grass between the rocks.
erode
To wear something away slowly, as wind, rain or waves do to rock.
verb. Similar meanings: wear away, eat away, wear down. Opposite meanings: build up, deposit.
Example: Winter storms continue to erode the cliff, and each spring the footpath is moved further inland.
fertile
Describing soil or land that is rich and good for growing plants.
adjective. Similar meanings: rich, fruitful, productive. Opposite meanings: barren, infertile.
Example: The valley floor was so fertile that beans, marrows and sunflowers shot up within weeks.
humid
Describing air that contains a lot of moisture and feels damp.
adjective. Similar meanings: muggy, sticky, damp, clammy. Opposite meanings: dry, crisp.
Example: The greenhouse was humid and sticky, and beads of water ran down the glass panes.
rugged
Describing land that is rough, rocky and uneven.
adjective. Similar meanings: rocky, rough, craggy. Opposite meanings: smooth, flat.
Example: The rugged coast path climbed over boulders and dipped into coves where seals lay basking.
thicket
A dense group of bushes or small trees growing closely together.
noun. Similar meanings: copse, undergrowth, scrub. Opposite meanings: clearing, glade.
Example: The rabbit vanished into a thicket of brambles where no dog could follow.
torrent
A fast, powerful rush of water, often after heavy rain.
noun. Similar meanings: flood, deluge, gush. Opposite meanings: trickle, dribble.
Example: By teatime the gentle stream had become a torrent, dragging branches and even a bench downhill.
tranquil
Calm and peaceful.
adjective. Similar meanings: peaceful, calm, still, restful. Opposite meanings: noisy, chaotic.
Example: By early morning the lake was tranquil, its surface flat as glass without a ripple.
elaborate
Describing something with many detailed and complicated parts.
adjective. Similar meanings: intricate, detailed, ornate, fancy. Opposite meanings: simple, plain.
Example: The wedding cake was elaborate, with sugar roses, tiny birds and seven tiers of icing.
fragrant
Having a pleasant, sweet smell.
adjective. Similar meanings: sweet-smelling, perfumed, aromatic. Opposite meanings: smelly, foul.
Example: The lavender bushes by the gate were so fragrant that bees hummed around them all afternoon.
monotonous
Describing a sound or activity that never changes and becomes boring.
adjective. Similar meanings: dull, repetitive, tedious, unvarying. Opposite meanings: varied, lively.
Example: The monotonous hum of the fridge went on all night, the same flat note without a pause.
muffled
Describing a sound made quieter and less clear by something covering it.
adjective. Similar meanings: dulled, deadened, indistinct. Opposite meanings: clear, loud.
Example: Through the thick wall we could hear the muffled thump of next door's drum kit.
shrill
High, sharp and unpleasant to hear.
adjective. Similar meanings: piercing, high-pitched, screeching. Opposite meanings: deep, soft.
Example: A shrill whistle cut across the playground and every game stopped at once.
silhouette
A dark outline of someone or something seen against a brighter background.
noun. Similar meanings: outline, shadow, shape, profile.
Example: At sunset the old oak became a black silhouette against an orange sky.
vivid
Bright, strong and full of life.
adjective. Similar meanings: bright, brilliant, striking, colourful. Opposite meanings: dull, faded.
Example: The parrot's vivid feathers were so bright they seemed to glow against the grey drizzle.
atmosphere
The mood or feeling that a place or piece of writing gives you.
noun. Similar meanings: mood, feeling, ambience.
Example: Fog, a creaking gate and a distant bell gave the opening chapter a spooky atmosphere.
climax
The most exciting or important moment in a story, usually near the end.
noun. Similar meanings: peak, high point, turning point, crisis. Opposite meanings: anticlimax, beginning.
Example: At the climax of the play, the lighthouse lamp finally blazes and the boat turns for shore.
figurative
Describing language that means more than its exact words, using images and comparisons.
adjective. Similar meanings: metaphorical, symbolic, non-literal. Opposite meanings: literal.
Example: When Dad says he has 'a mountain of washing', he is being figurative, not measuring it.
onomatopoeia
A word whose sound copies the noise it describes, such as 'buzz'.
noun. Similar meanings: sound word, echo word, imitative word.
Example: The poet used onomatopoeia, so the rain went 'drip, patter, splash' right across the page.
personification
Giving human feelings or actions to an object, animal or idea.
noun. Similar meanings: humanising, figure of speech, embodiment.
Example: 'The wind howled angrily at the windows' uses personification, because wind cannot really feel angry.
suspense
A feeling of nervous excitement while waiting to find out what happens.
noun. Similar meanings: tension, anticipation, uncertainty. Opposite meanings: relief, resolution.
Example: The author builds suspense by ending each chapter just as the door begins to open.
consequently
As a result of something that happened before.
adverb. Similar meanings: therefore, as a result, hence, so.
Example: Nobody watered the tomatoes all week; consequently, they wilted and the leaves turned yellow.
furthermore
Used to add another point that supports what has been said.
adverb. Similar meanings: moreover, in addition, besides, also.
Example: The tent leaks; furthermore, someone has left the torch switched on all night.
merely
Only; nothing more than what is mentioned.
adverb. Similar meanings: only, simply, just, purely.
Example: The noise was merely the cat knocking a pan off the draining board, not a burglar.
utterly
Completely and totally, with nothing held back.
adverb. Similar meanings: completely, totally, absolutely, entirely. Opposite meanings: slightly, partly.
Example: By the end of the muddy walk her wellies were utterly ruined.
whereas
Used to compare two facts and show how they are different.
conjunction. Similar meanings: while, but, by contrast.
Example: Maya loves the sea, whereas her brother refuses to go past the rock pools.
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