What does “career” mean?

“career” means The series of jobs a person does during their working life.. Pronounced /kəˈrɪr/. Close synonyms: profession, line of work, working life. For example: He hopes to have a long career in education.

What does “CV” mean?

“CV” means A document that lists your studies, skills and work history.. Pronounced /ˌsiˈvi/. Close synonyms: resume, curriculum vitae. For example: Please send your CV and a covering letter by Friday.

What does “application” mean?

“application” means A formal written request for a job or a place on a course.. Pronounced /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/. Close synonyms: request, submission. For example: I sent my application for the job last week.

What does “applicant” mean?

“applicant” means A person who asks officially for a job or a place.. Pronounced /ˈæpləkənt/. Close synonyms: candidate. For example: There were over fifty applicants for the position.

What does “candidate” mean?

“candidate” means A person who tries to get a job or pass a selection process.. Pronounced /ˈkændɪdeɪt/. Close synonyms: applicant. For example: The best candidate will get a second interview.

What does “interview” mean?

“interview” means A formal meeting where someone asks you questions to decide about a job.. Pronounced /ˈɪntərvju/. Close synonyms: job meeting, formal questioning. For example: I have an interview at nine o'clock on Monday morning.

← Back to Public Decks · English Decks · English vocabulary test

English B1 — Work & Education Official

Work, study and career English at B1, defined in English. Words covering jobs and applications, the workplace, school and university, qualifications and training, each with an English definition, IPA, synonyms and a usage note on the prepositions and countable/uncountable traps these words carry.

CEFR B1 — Intermediate

At this level you can discuss opinions, travel independently, describe experiences. Vocabulary: ~2,500 words (cumulative).

Words in this deck

What does “career” mean?: “career” means The series of jobs a person does during their working life.. Pronounced /kəˈrɪr/. Close synonyms: profession, line of work, working life. For example: He hopes to have a long career in education.
What does “CV” mean?: “CV” means A document that lists your studies, skills and work history.. Pronounced /ˌsiˈvi/. Close synonyms: resume, curriculum vitae. For example: Please send your CV and a covering letter by Friday.
What does “application” mean?: “application” means A formal written request for a job or a place on a course.. Pronounced /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/. Close synonyms: request, submission. For example: I sent my application for the job last week.
What does “applicant” mean?: “applicant” means A person who asks officially for a job or a place.. Pronounced /ˈæpləkənt/. Close synonyms: candidate. For example: There were over fifty applicants for the position.
What does “candidate” mean?: “candidate” means A person who tries to get a job or pass a selection process.. Pronounced /ˈkændɪdeɪt/. Close synonyms: applicant. For example: The best candidate will get a second interview.
What does “interview” mean?: “interview” means A formal meeting where someone asks you questions to decide about a job.. Pronounced /ˈɪntərvju/. Close synonyms: job meeting, formal questioning. For example: I have an interview at nine o'clock on Monday morning.

English · definitions in English 250 words ~25 days at 10 words/day 0 downloads B1

No ratings No ratings by admin@wordsonrepeat.com Sep 29, 2026

Try studying — no account needed

A real study session, right now. No signup.

Report issue with this deck

Word List — click grammar notes to expand

Word	Translation	Example
careerneutral /kəˈrɪr/ The series of jobs a person does during their working life. Synonyms: profession, line of work, working life	profession; working life	He hopes to have a long career in education.
Frames: a career in medicine, a career as a nurse, a career in the law. You build, pursue, launch or change one, and it sits before nouns too: a career move, a career break, career prospects. One post is not a career, so ten years at one firm is part of yours rather than a career in itself.
CVneutral /ˌsiˈvi/ A document that lists your studies, skills and work history. Synonyms: resume, curriculum vitae	resume; work history document	Please send your CV and a covering letter by Friday.
Said as two letters, see-vee, written in capitals with no periods, and the plural is CVs. American English normally says resume instead, so CV in the United States points to an academic or international application. You send, update or attach one.
applicationneutral /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/ A formal written request for a job or a place on a course. Synonyms: request, submission	formal request; job submission	I sent my application for the job last week.
An application for a job or a place, but an application to a company or university. You submit, send in or fill out an application. Countable here: she made three applications. The verb is apply and the person is an applicant.
applicantneutral /ˈæpləkənt/ A person who asks officially for a job or a place. Synonyms: candidate	person who applied	There were over fifty applicants for the position.
An applicant for a job, a grant or a visa. You are an applicant only until a decision is made; after a shortlist you become a candidate. Slightly official, standard in job ads and hiring writing, while conversation says the people who applied.
candidateneutral /ˈkændɪdeɪt/ A person who tries to get a job or pass a selection process. Synonyms: applicant	person being considered	The best candidate will get a second interview.
A candidate for a position. Use it once someone is in the running, while applicant covers everyone who sent something in. Strong, leading and ideal candidate are common. It also means someone standing in an election.
interviewneutral /ˈɪntərvju/ A formal meeting where someone asks you questions to decide about a job. Synonyms: job meeting, formal questioning	formal job meeting	I have an interview at nine o'clock on Monday morning.
You have, go to or attend an interview; an employer holds or conducts one. An interview for a job, with a manager, and you are at an interview. Also a verb: they interviewed six people. A reporter's interview is the same word.
interviewerneutral /ˈɪntərvjuər/ The person who asks the questions in an interview. Synonyms: questioner, hiring manager	person asking the questions	The interviewer asked me why I wanted the job.
Pairs with interviewee, the person answering; the -er ending marks the one who asks. Several interviewers sitting together make a panel. The verb is interview someone, so the person interviewed is never called an interviewer.
vacancyneutral /ˈveɪkənsi/ A job that is available for someone to do. Synonyms: opening	unfilled job; free room	The school has a vacancy for a maths teacher.
A vacancy for a teacher, or a vacancy in the sales department; companies advertise and fill vacancies. American English more often says opening or open position. The same word appears on hotel signs, where it means a free room.
qualificationneutral /ˌkwɑləfəˈkeɪʃən/ An official certificate or skill that shows you can do something. Synonyms: credential, certificate	certificate; proven ability	You need a teaching qualification to work here.
The verb is qualify for something and the adjective is qualified, so a qualification is the paper that makes you qualified. Countable: she has several qualifications. American English often prefers credentials or degree for the paper and keeps qualifications for what makes someone suitable.
employerneutral /ɛmˈplɔɪər/ The person or company that you work for. Synonyms: company, firm	company you work for	My employer pays for my training courses.
A company counts as an employer, not only a person: the city's largest employer. The -er ending marks the side that pays and -ee the side that is paid, the same split as interviewer and interviewee. A former or previous employer is the one who writes your reference.
employeeneutral /ɛmˈplɔɪi/ A person who works for a company or another person. Synonyms: worker	person who works there	Each employee gets twenty-five days of holiday a year.
Full-time, part-time and former employee are the usual pairings. American speech stresses the second syllable, which keeps it apart from employer. Countable, unlike staff: two hundred employees, but a staff of two hundred.
covering letterneutral /ˈkʌvərɪŋ ˈlɛtər/ A letter you send with your CV when you want a job. Synonyms: cover letter, letter of application	letter sent with a CV	In your covering letter, explain why you want this job.
It goes with the CV, never instead of it, and it is addressed to a named person where possible. You write, send or attach one. American English says cover letter; covering letter is the British form you will meet on UK job ads.
reference (for a job)neutral /ˈrɛfərəns/ A letter about your work and character, written by a previous boss. Synonyms: recommendation, testimonial	written recommendation	My old boss wrote me an excellent reference.
In hiring this covers both the letter and the person who gives it: please supply three references. You ask someone for a reference and they write one for you. American English also says recommendation letter. Keep it apart from reference meaning a mention in a text.
recruitmentneutral /rɪˈkrutmənt/ The process of finding new people to work for a company. Synonyms: hiring	hiring new staff	The company has stopped recruitment until next year.
Recruitment drive, recruitment process and graduate recruitment are the set phrases, and the verb is recruit with a recruiter doing it. It is uncountable: recruitment is slow, never a recruitment. American English often just says hiring.
skillneutral /skɪl/ An ability to do something well, often learned with practice. Synonyms: ability	learned ability	Speaking languages is a very useful skill in tourism.
A skill is learned through practice, while a talent is something you are born with. You have, learn, develop or brush up a skill, and the adjectives are skilled and skillful. Countable, and usually plural on a CV: communication skills, computer skills.
strengthneutral /strɛŋkθ/ Something you are good at; a strong point. Synonyms: strong point, talent, skill	strong point	In interviews, they always ask about your strengths and weaknesses.
The adjective is strong and the verb strengthen works for both senses: strengthen a wall, strengthen an argument. In this sense it is countable and usually plural, my strengths are patience and planning, while the physical-power sense of the same word is uncountable.
weaknessneutral /ˈwiknəs/ Something you are not good at; a weak point. Synonyms: weak point, fault, area for improvement	weak point	My main weakness is that I find it hard to say no.
Interview answers usually soften it to an area for improvement, because weakness sounds blunt about yourself. A weakness for something is a different meaning, that you like it too much to resist. Countable here: one weakness, several weaknesses.
formneutral /fɔrm/ A paper or page with spaces where you write information. Synonyms: application form, questionnaire	printed information sheet	You have to complete this form before the interview.
You fill out a form, or complete one, which is the formal wording printed on the paper itself. Set pairings: an application form, a tax form, submit a form online. Keep it apart from form meaning shape. Fill in is the British verb.
position (job)neutral /pəˈzɪʃən/ A job in a company or organization. Synonyms: post, role	a job; a post	She has applied for a position at the local hospital.
More formal than job and normal in advertisements: apply for a position, hold a position, a position in marketing. Post is the British equivalent. The everyday sense of physical place uses the same word, so context has to decide.
work experienceneutral /ˈwɜrk ɪkˈspɪriəns/ The jobs you have done before, or a short time working to learn. Synonyms: employment history, internship	previous jobs; a placement	He did two weeks of work experience at a garage.
In American English it names what you have already done, not a scheme you sign up for; the British sense of a short unpaid placement is called an internship in the United States. Uncountable either way: plenty of work experience, never a work experience or work experiences.
job advertneutral /ˈdʒɑb ˈædvɜrt/ A public notice that says a company is looking for workers. Synonyms: job ad	job announcement	I saw the job advert in the local newspaper.
Advert is British; American English says ad, job ad or job posting, and advertisement is the full form everywhere. Companies place, post or run one, and you answer or respond to it rather than reply it.
bossinformal /bɔs/ The person who tells you what to do at work. Synonyms: manager	person in charge of you	My boss lets us leave early on Fridays.
Conversational; in writing use manager or supervisor. Almost always possessed: my boss, her boss, not the boss of me. The verb boss someone around means to give orders unpleasantly, so the verb is never neutral.
managerneutral /ˈmænədʒər/ A person whose job is to organize other people's work. Synonyms: boss	supervisor; team leader	If you have a problem, talk to your manager first.
Usually tied to an area: a sales manager, a project manager, the manager of the branch. You report to your manager. The verb manage takes an object directly, manage a team, not manage of a team, and the countable noun needs a or the.
co-workerneutral /ˈkoʊˌwɜrkər/ A person who works with you in the same place. Synonyms: colleague	person you work with	My co-workers organized a party for my birthday.
The standard American word; British English says colleague, which is also a little more formal. Coworker without the hyphen is now just as common. It means someone at the same workplace, not necessarily in your team or at your level.
staffneutral /stæf/ All the people who work for a company or organization. Synonyms: employees, personnel	the people employed	The staff at this hotel are very helpful.
A collective noun with no plural -s, and it takes a plural verb for the people: the staff are helpful. Never a staff for one person; say a member of staff or a staff member. Also a verb: the clinic is staffed by volunteers.
departmentneutral /dɪˈpɑrtmənt/ A part of a company, school or organization with one job area. Synonyms: division, section	section of an organization	She works in the sales department.
You work in a department, not at one; the written short form is Dept. American universities use it for subject divisions, the history department, and stores for sections, the shoe department. The adjective is departmental.
teamneutral /tim/ A group of people who work together. Synonyms: group, crew	group working together	Our team meets every Monday to plan the week.
You are on a team in American English, where British English says in a team. American usage takes a singular verb: the team is meeting. Verbs: lead, join, build or run a team, and team up with someone for a joint effort.
teamworkneutral /ˈtimwɜrk/ Working well together with other people as a group. Synonyms: cooperation, collaboration	cooperation in a group	Good teamwork makes difficult projects easier.
Frames: good teamwork, a spirit of teamwork, it takes teamwork. On a CV the skill is listed as teamwork or as the ability to work in a team. One word, and uncountable, so never a teamwork or teamworks.
workplaceneutral /ˈwɜrkpleɪs/ The place where people work, such as an office or factory. Synonyms: place of work, work environment	where you work	Smoking is not allowed in the workplace.
It names any working environment, while office names only one kind. It also works in front of another noun: workplace safety, workplace culture, a workplace injury. Countable, and often used generally with the: safety in the workplace.
to earn a livingneutral /ˈɜrn ə ˈlɪvɪŋ/ To get the money you need to live by working. Synonyms: make a living, support yourself	support yourself by working	He earns a living by giving private maths lessons.
A fixed phrase: earn a living, not win or gain one. Add by plus an -ing form to say how: he earns a living by teaching. Make a living is equally common, and you can earn a good or a decent living.
receptionneutral /rɪˈsɛpʃən/ The desk near the entrance of a building where visitors go first. Synonyms: front desk, lobby	front desk area	Please wait at reception until someone comes to get you.
The same word also names a formal party after a wedding, and how well a phone or radio signal comes in. American English usually says the front desk or the reception desk, while British English drops the article: wait at reception.
receptionistneutral /rɪˈsɛpʃənɪst/ A person who welcomes visitors and answers the phone at reception. Synonyms: front desk clerk, desk attendant	front-desk worker	The receptionist will tell you where the meeting room is.
Never used as a title in front of a name, so ask the receptionist or leave a message with the receptionist. In American offices the same job is often advertised as front desk clerk or administrative assistant. Countable, with a or the.
to copyneutral /ˈkɑpi/ To write or make something exactly the same as the original. Synonyms: write out, duplicate	write out; reproduce	Copy the new words into your notebook, please.
Copy something down or copy it into a notebook when you write it out; copy something out means the whole text. In a school or exam context, copy from someone means cheating, so that use carries blame. The noun is countable: three copies.
to note downneutral /ˌnoʊt ˈdaʊn/ To write something quickly so you can remember it later. Synonyms: to write down	write quickly	I noted down the date of the exam so I wouldn't forget it.
Jot down is the more common American version. Note on its own can mean notice, so the down is what keeps the writing sense clear. A pronoun must sit in the middle: note it down, never note down it.
to look throughneutral /ˌlʊk ˈθru/ To read or examine something quickly, often to check it. Synonyms: scan, review	read quickly; review	She looked through her notes again before the interview.
It suggests one quick pass, less thorough than go through. Do not confuse it with see through someone, which means notice they are lying. The object always follows both words: look through them, never look them through.
to signneutral /saɪn/ To write your name on a document to make it official. Synonyms: endorse, autograph	write your name on	Read the contract carefully before you sign it.
The g is silent here but comes back in signature and signal. Sign a contract takes a direct object; sign for a delivery means accept it, and sign up for a course means enroll. The noun sign, a public notice, is the same word.
to completeneutral /kəmˈplit/ To finish all of something, like a course or a form. Synonyms: to finish	finish entirely	You must complete all the modules to get the diploma.
Stronger than finish, because it means nothing was left out: a completed form has every box filled. On official paper, complete this form is the formal wording for fill out. The noun is completion and completely is the very common adverb.
carefullyneutral /ˈkɛrfəli/ With a lot of attention; taking care. Synonyms: attentively, thoroughly	with close attention	Listen carefully, because I will only explain this once.
Usually after the verb or its object: read the contract carefully, listen carefully. The opposite carelessly blames someone, while not carefully only describes. Careful with something is a warning about risk: be careful with that.
to hand outneutral /ˌhænd ˈaʊt/ To give one thing to each person in a group. Synonyms: to give out	give to each person	The teacher handed out the exam papers at nine o'clock exactly.
Distribute is the formal equivalent, and the noun handout, one word, is the sheet given to a class or an audience. Either order works with a noun, hand out the papers or hand the papers out, but a pronoun goes in the middle: hand them out.
break (rest)neutral /breɪk/ A short time when you stop working or studying to rest. Synonyms: rest, pause	short rest	We have a short break at eleven o'clock.
You take or have a break and you are on a break; for length say a break of ten minutes or a ten-minute break. Coffee break and lunch break are set. The verb of the same spelling means damage, with broke and broken.
monthlyneutral /ˈmʌnθli/ Happening or done once every month. Synonyms: every month, each month	once a month	We have a monthly meeting to review the team's progress.
It means once each month, not lasting a month, so a monthly report appears every month rather than taking one to write. The same pattern gives daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly. Adjective and adverb with no change of form: a monthly report, we meet monthly.
clearlyneutral /ˈklɪrli/ In a way that is easy to hear, see or understand. Synonyms: distinctly, obviously	in an understandable way	Try to speak clearly during your presentation.
Two jobs. As manner it follows the verb, speak clearly, write clearly. As a comment on a whole sentence it opens it and means obviously: clearly, something went wrong. Same form, and only position tells them apart.
to leadneutral /lid/ To be in charge of a group and show them what to do. Synonyms: head, run	be in charge of	She has led the design team for five years.
Irregular: lead, led, led. The past form is spelled led, with no a, although it rhymes with bed. Lead a team or a project takes a direct object, while lead to something means cause. Related: leader, leadership.
equipmentneutral /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/ The things you need to do a job or an activity. Synonyms: gear, apparatus	tools; gear	All the equipment in the office is quite new.
Uncountable, so never an equipment or equipments; count it as a piece of equipment or two items of equipment. Singular verb: the equipment is new. The verb equip is normally passive, equipped with something.
uniformneutral /ˈjunəfɔrm/ Special clothes that everyone in a job or school wears. Synonyms: work clothes, outfit	required work clothes	Do you have to wear a uniform at work?
You wear a uniform, but the phrase in uniform drops the article. It takes a rather than an, because the first sound is a y-glide. As an adjective it means all the same: uniform thickness. Countable: a uniform, two uniforms.
meeting roomneutral /ˈmitɪŋ ˌrum/ A room in an office where people meet to talk about work. Synonyms: conference room, boardroom	room used for meetings	The meeting room is free from two to four.
Two separate words, with the stress on meeting. You book or reserve one. In American offices conference room is at least as common, and boardroom names the largest one. The place phrase is in the meeting room.
meetingneutral /ˈmitɪŋ/ A time when people come together to talk about something. Synonyms: gathering, session	gathering to discuss something	We're having a meeting to talk about the new timetable.
You have, hold, attend or set up a meeting; a meeting about a topic, with a person. In a meeting is how you say you cannot be interrupted, while at a meeting says where something happened: it was agreed at the meeting.
agendaneutral /əˈdʒɛndə/ A list of things to talk about in a meeting. Synonyms: schedule, program	list of meeting topics	The first item on the agenda is the summer courses.
Items are on the agenda, not in it, and top of the agenda means most urgent. A hidden agenda is a secret motive, so the word carries that suspicious sense in political writing. You draw up an agenda.
minutes (of a meeting)neutral /ˈmɪnəts/ The official written record of what people said in a meeting. Synonyms: record, notes	written meeting record	Sara took the minutes at yesterday's meeting.
Always plural in this sense and never a minute. You take, keep, write up or circulate the minutes. Stress falls on the first syllable, exactly as in the unit of time, so only context separates them.
presentationneutral /ˌprɛzənˈteɪʃən/ A talk that gives information about something to a group. Synonyms: talk	informative talk	I have to give a presentation to the whole department.
You give a presentation to an audience on a topic; make a presentation is also standard in formal writing. Countable: three presentations this week. The verb present stresses the second syllable, unlike the noun present meaning gift.
spreadsheetneutral /ˈsprɛdʃit/ A computer document with rows and columns used for numbers and calculations. Synonyms: worksheet, data table	table of figures on screen	I keep all the sales figures in a spreadsheet on my computer.
Data sits in a spreadsheet, in a cell, in column B, and you set up, build or update one. The saved file itself is also called a spreadsheet. Excel is the usual program, but the word is not a brand name, and the noun is countable: three spreadsheets.
scheduleneutral /ˈskɛdʒul/ A plan that shows when things must happen or be finished. Synonyms: plan, timetable	timetable; plan of times	We are behind schedule with the project.
The first sound is sk in American English and sh in British English, so the same spelling is said two ways. You are on schedule, ahead of schedule or behind schedule, all with no article. Also a verb: schedule a meeting for Tuesday.
taskneutral /tæsk/ A piece of work that someone has to do. Synonyms: job, duty	piece of work to do	My first task every morning is to answer emails.
Normally smaller than a job or a project: a simple task, a daily task. You carry out, perform or complete a task, and someone is given or set one. Task force and multitask are built on it. Countable, with a or the.
contractneutral /ˈkɑntrækt/ A legal written agreement between a worker and an employer. Synonyms: agreement, deal	signed work agreement	She signed a two-year contract with the school.
The noun stresses the first syllable; the verb contract, meaning shrink or catch an illness, stresses the second. You sign, renew or break a contract, and you are on a two-year contract. Also a modifier: contract work.
wageneutral /weɪdʒ/ The money a worker is paid, usually every week or hour. Synonyms: pay, salary	money paid for work	The weekly wage for this job is quite low.
A wage is paid by the hour or the week, typically for hourly or manual work, while a salary is a fixed yearly amount for a professional post. Minimum wage is the set phrase. Often plural for the money actually received: he spends his wages on rent.
pay riseneutral /ˈpeɪ ˌraɪz/ An increase in the money you are paid for your job. Synonyms: raise, pay increase	increase in your pay	I'm going to ask my boss for a pay rise.
You ask for, get or give someone a raise: two raises in three years. Do not turn rise into the verb here. American English says a raise or a pay raise; pay rise is the British form.
working hoursneutral /ˈwɜrkɪŋ ˈaʊərz/ The hours of the day when you have to work. Synonyms: work hours, office hours	hours you have to work	My working hours are from nine to five.
Normally plural; a single working hour is not used this way. Your working hours are from nine to five, and long working hours is a fixed complaint. During working hours means while the workplace is open.
pensionneutral /ˈpɛnʃən/ Money paid regularly to someone who has stopped working because of age. Synonyms: retirement pay, annuity	retirement income	My grandfather receives a small pension from the state.
It is a regular payment, unlike savings, which are a sum you hold. You draw, receive or pay into a pension, and a retired person is on a pension. The person receiving it is a pensioner. Countable: a small pension, two pensions.
retirementneutral /rɪˈtaɪərmənt/ The time of life after you stop working because of your age. Synonyms: end of working life, retiring	life after you stop working	Since his retirement, he has had more time for his hobbies.
You take early retirement or go into retirement, and afterwards you live in retirement. The verb is retire, and retired works as an adjective before a job title: a retired teacher. Uncountable for the period: since her retirement.
bonusneutral /ˈboʊnəs/ Extra money that a company gives workers, often for good results. Synonyms: extra payment, reward	extra payment	Everyone got a bonus at the end of the year.
You get, receive or are paid a bonus, and a company awards one. Annual, performance and signing bonus are the usual types, and it also means any welcome extra: the view was a bonus. Countable, with the plural bonuses.
perkinformal /pɜrk/ Something extra and nice you get from your job, besides money. Synonyms: benefit, advantage	small job benefit	Free lunches are one of the perks of this job.
Informal, and a contract will instead say benefits or fringe benefits. A perk is small and pleasant, like free coffee, while a benefit can be something as large as health insurance. Usually plural: the perks of the job.
sick leaveneutral /ˈsɪk ˌliv/ Time you are allowed away from work because you are ill. Synonyms: sick days, medical leave	time off when ill	He has been on sick leave since March.
You are on sick leave or take sick leave, and paid sick leave is the legal wording. It is uncountable: two weeks of sick leave, never two sick leaves. American workplaces also say sick days, which is countable and does take a plural.
maternity leaveneutral /məˈtɜrnəti ˌliv/ Time a mother is allowed away from work after having a baby. Synonyms: parental leave, family leave	time off after childbirth	She is on maternity leave until October.
The matching term for fathers is paternity leave, and parental leave covers either parent. You take, go on or return from maternity leave. Uncountable and used with no article: she is on maternity leave.
day offneutral /ˈdeɪ ˈɔf/ A day when you do not have to go to work. Synonyms: free day, rest day	free non-working day	I'm taking a day off next Friday to study.
The plural changes the first word: days off, never day offs. You take or have a day off, and it can be a day off work or a day off from work. Your regular free day is a day off, not a holiday.
unemploymentneutral /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪmənt/ The situation when people do not have jobs. Synonyms: joblessness, lack of work	lack of jobs	Unemployment among young people is still high.
It names the condition or the rate, never the people, who are the unemployed. In the United States, on unemployment means receiving state payments. Uncountable and used with no article: unemployment is falling.
to fireneutral /ˈfaɪər/ To make someone leave their job, usually because they did something wrong. Synonyms: to sack	dismiss from a job	He was fired for arriving late every day.
Usually passive from the worker's side: he was fired. Fire someone for something gives the reason. It implies fault, unlike lay off, where the job itself disappeared. Direct but not rude; a formal letter says terminate or dismiss.
to sackinformal /sæk/ To make someone lose their job. Synonyms: to fire	dismiss; informal British	If you keep making mistakes, they will sack you.
Like fire, it implies fault, and it never appears in official letters, which say dismiss or terminate. Often passive, he was sacked, and the noun phrase is get the sack. British and informal; American English says fire.
to quitinformal /kwɪt/ To leave your job or stop doing something. Synonyms: to leave	leave a job voluntarily	She quit her job to travel around the world.
The past tense is also quit in American English, with no -ed. Quit a job, or quit plus an -ing form: quit smoking. It is your own decision, which is what separates it from being fired. Resign is the formal version.
to retireneutral /rɪˈtaɪər/ To stop working because you have reached a certain age. Synonyms: stop working, step down	stop working for good	My father is going to retire next year.
It implies age, not simply leaving, and retire early and retire at sixty-five are common. You retire from a job or a company, and retire as director names the post. It is intransitive here: he retired last year, not he was retired.
to promoteneutral /prəˈmoʊt/ To give someone a more important job in the same company. Synonyms: advance, move up	raise to a higher post	She has been promoted to office manager.
Usually passive for the person: she was promoted to manager. Promote someone to a position, never promote someone as. The noun is promotion, and get a promotion is the everyday phrase. The same verb also means advertise.
to employneutral /ɛmˈplɔɪ/ To pay someone to work for you. Synonyms: to take on	pay someone to work	The factory employs about two hundred people.
Often used with a number: the factory employs two hundred people. From the worker's side use be employed by or work for. It also means use, as in employ a method, which is the more formal sense.
to take on (staff)neutral /ˈteɪk ˈɑn/ To give someone a job. Synonyms: to employ	hire new workers	The hotel takes on extra staff every summer.
In this sense it means hire, usually in numbers rather than one named person: take on staff. Take on also means accept extra work, as in take on a project. A pronoun goes in the middle: take them on, never take on them.
full-timeneutral /ˌfʊl ˈtaɪm/ For all the normal working hours of the week. Synonyms: full hours, regular hours	for all normal hours	She is looking for a full-time job in a school.
Hyphenated in front of a noun, a full-time job, and usually written as two open words after a verb, she works full time. You can also be in full-time education. The opposite is part-time.
part-timeneutral /ˌpɑrt ˈtaɪm/ For only part of the normal working hours. Synonyms: reduced hours, half-time	for fewer than full hours	He works part-time while he studies at university.
Hyphenated in front of a noun, a part-time job, and open after a verb, he works part time. The person is a part-timer. It describes the hours only, saying nothing about the pay rate or the type of contract.
permanentneutral /ˈpɜrmənənt/ Lasting for a long time or for ever; not temporary. Synonyms: lasting, indefinite	lasting; not temporary	After six months, she got a permanent contract.
In employment it is the opposite of temporary and means a contract with no end date. The adverb permanently goes with verbs: permanently closed. Do not swap it for constant, which means happening again and again rather than lasting.
self-employedneutral /ˌsɛlf ɛmˈplɔɪd/ Working for yourself, not for a company. Synonyms: independent, freelance	working for yourself	He has been self-employed since he left the company.
A self-employed person has clients rather than an employer, and the noun for the status is self-employment. There is no verb self-employ. It is an adjective only, always after be or become, and normally hyphenated: she is self-employed.
freelanceneutral /ˈfrilæns/ Working independently for different companies, not as an employee. Synonyms: self-employed, independent	working independently, job by job	She does freelance work for several magazines.
Freelance describes how you are paid, while self-employed is the tax status a freelancer also has. The person is a freelancer and to freelance is a verb. The same form serves as adjective and adverb: freelance work, she works freelance.
payslipneutral /ˈpeɪslɪp/ A piece of paper that shows how much money you earn and pay. Synonyms: pay stub, wage slip	record of your pay	Check your payslip to see how much tax you pay.
It lists gross pay, deductions and net pay, and net pay is the amount that actually reaches your account. One word: keep your payslips. American English says pay stub, so payslip marks British usage.
income taxneutral /ˈɪnkʌm ˌtæks/ Money you must pay to the government from what you earn. Synonyms: tax on earnings, personal tax	tax on what you earn	Income tax is taken directly from my wages.
You pay tax on something, at a rate, and the amount taken from each paycheck is called withholding in the United States. Keep it apart from sales tax, which is paid on purchases. Uncountable and used with no article: I pay income tax.
redundancyneutral /rɪˈdʌndənsi/ The loss of a job because the company no longer needs that position. Synonyms: layoff, job cut	job loss; layoff	There were a lot of redundancies when the two banks joined.
It says the post disappeared, not that you did badly. Countable for each job lost, fifty redundancies, and uncountable for the process. British; American English says layoff, and to be made redundant is to be laid off.
workloadneutral /ˈwɜrkloʊd/ The amount of work a person has to do. Synonyms: amount of work, caseload	amount of work	My workload has increased a lot this term.
One word, countable, and usually with a possessive: my workload, a heavy workload. It increases, grows, eases or gets lighter. Heavy and light are the normal adjectives, while big and small sound wrong with it.
dutyneutral /ˈduti/ Something you must do as part of your job. Synonyms: task	required task; obligation	One of my duties is to open the shop in the morning.
On duty and off duty describe shifts, and duty free is a separate compound about tax. The two senses count differently: plural for a job's tasks, my duties include filing, but no plural for moral obligation, a sense of duty.
employmentneutral /ɛmˈplɔɪmənt/ The situation of having a paid job; work. Synonyms: work, paid job	having a paid job	The new hospital will create employment in the area.
This is the wording of contracts and statistics: in employment, seek employment, create employment, with terms of employment and full-time employment as set phrases. Ordinary speech says work or a job instead, and the noun is uncountable throughout.
annual leaveneutral /ˈænjuəl ˌliv/ The paid holiday days you receive from your job each year. Synonyms: paid vacation, paid time off	paid vacation days	How many days of annual leave do you get a year?
You take, book or carry over annual leave, and it is uncountable: five days of annual leave, never five annual leaves. British and official; American workplaces say vacation days or paid time off, shortened to PTO.
to take time offneutral /ˈteɪk ˈtaɪm ˈɔf/ To spend time away from work or study, with permission. Synonyms: take leave, take a break	be away from work	He took two weeks off to prepare for his final exams.
The amount goes in the middle: take two weeks off, take a day off. Add work or from work to say what from, and for plus a reason. Time off is uncountable, so never times off or a time off.
flexitimeneutral /ˈflɛksitaɪm/ A system that lets workers choose when they start and finish work. Synonyms: flextime, flexible hours	flexible start and finish	We have flexitime, so I can start between eight and ten.
It is about which hours you choose, not about where you work, which is a separate arrangement. Uncountable and used with no article: we have flexitime, I work flexitime. American English spells and says it flextime.
to work from homeneutral /ˈwɜrk frəm ˈhoʊm/ To do your job from your house instead of the office. Synonyms: work remotely, telecommute	do your job remotely	I'm allowed to work from home twice a week.
Home takes no article in this phrase: work from home, never from the home. Work at home is also heard but points to the place rather than the arrangement. The noun is remote work, abbreviated WFH in writing.
trade unionneutral /ˈtreɪd ˈjunjən/ An organization of workers that protects their rights at work. Synonyms: union	workers' organization	The trade union has asked for better working conditions.
You join a union or belong to one, while a workforce that has one is unionized. Union alone is the everyday short form in both varieties. The full phrase is British; American English says labor union.
strike (at work)neutral /straɪk/ A time when workers stop working to protest about pay or conditions. Synonyms: walkout, work stoppage	organized work stoppage	The bus drivers are on strike because of their low pay.
Workers go on strike, call a strike or come out on strike, over pay. In this sense the verb strike is intransitive, with struck as its past form. The noun is countable, but the state takes no article: the drivers are on strike.
health and safetyneutral /ˈhɛlθ ənd ˈseɪfti/ Rules that protect people from accidents and illness at work. Synonyms: workplace safety, safety rules	workplace safety rules	Every new worker must do a health and safety course.
Treated as one uncountable unit with a singular verb: health and safety is everyone's responsibility. It also sits in front of another noun: health and safety rules, a health and safety officer. American English often prefers workplace safety.
job offerneutral /ˈdʒɑb ˌɔfər/ When a company says it wants to give you a job. Synonyms: offer of employment, employment offer	invitation to take a job	If the interview goes well, you might get a job offer.
You get, receive, accept or turn down a job offer, and a company makes or extends one. A spoken offer counts as an offer, but it is normally confirmed in writing before you resign anywhere else.
trial periodneutral /ˈtraɪəl ˌpɪriəd/ A time at the start of a job to see if you are right for it. Synonyms: probation period, probationary period	test time in a new job	New employees have a three-month trial period.
You are on a trial period, and you pass or complete it rather than win it. It is countable and normally carries a length in front: a three-month trial period. American contracts usually say probationary period or probation instead.
referee (for a job)neutral /ˌrɛfəˈri/ A person who agrees to describe your work and character to employers. Synonyms: reference, recommender	person who vouches for you	You should choose a referee who knows your work well.
The same word names the official in a sports match, which is the sense Americans expect. Stress falls on the last syllable. The hiring sense is British usage; American applications call this person a reference and ask for references, not referees.
job huntingneutral /ˈdʒɑb ˌhʌntɪŋ/ The activity of looking for a job. Synonyms: job search, job seeking	looking for work	Job hunting can be tiring, so don't give up.
The person is a job hunter or job seeker, the verb form is job-hunt, and you can simply go job hunting. On a CV, job search is the more neutral wording. Written as two open words and uncountable: job hunting takes time.
to volunteerneutral /ˌvɑlənˈtɪr/ To work without pay because you want to help. Synonyms: help out, offer to help	work unpaid; offer to help	She volunteers at a school for adults two evenings a week.
Volunteer at a place, for an organization, or volunteer to do something with an infinitive. The person is a volunteer and the work is voluntary work. The last syllable carries the stress in both the noun and the verb.
well-paidneutral /ˌwɛl ˈpeɪd/ Giving you a good amount of money for your work. Synonyms: well-rewarded, lucrative	paying good money	Nursing is not a well-paid job, but it is very rewarding.
Hyphenated before a noun, a well-paid job, and often open after the verb, she is well paid. It describes the job or the person, never the money itself. The opposite is badly paid or poorly paid, not bad-paid.
accountantneutral /əˈkaʊntənt/ A person whose job is to keep and check money records. Synonyms: auditor, CPA	specialist in money records	The accountant checks all the company's payments.
Not the same as a bookkeeper, who records but does not audit or advise. A certified public accountant, or CPA, is the licensed rank in the United States. The field is accounting in American English, accountancy in British.
lawyerneutral /ˈlɔjər/ A person whose job is to advise people about the law. Synonyms: attorney, legal adviser	legal professional	You should talk to a lawyer before signing the contract.
The general American word; attorney is used in court and in job titles, while British English splits the job into solicitor and barrister. You see, consult or hire a lawyer, and a lawyer represents a client.
engineerneutral /ˌɛndʒəˈnɪr/ A person who designs or builds machines, roads or bridges. Synonyms: designer, technician	designer of machines or structures	My sister is an engineer who designs bridges.
Almost always used with a type: a civil engineer, a software engineer, and the field is engineering. In American English it also names the driver of a train, a job British English calls a driver. Stress the last syllable.
architectneutral /ˈɑrkətɛkt/ A person who designs buildings. Synonyms: building designer, planner	designer of buildings	The architect showed us the plans for the new school.
The ch is said as k. Countable, with the field architecture and the adjective architectural. It is also used figuratively for the planner of anything large: the architect of the reform.
electricianneutral /ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪʃən/ A person whose job is to repair electrical things. Synonyms: electrical technician, electrical contractor	electrical repair worker	We need an electrician to fix the lights in the office.
Qualified electrician and licensed electrician are the usual pairings, because the trade requires a license. It needs an article: we called an electrician. The -cian ending sounds like shun, and the third syllable takes the stress.
plumberneutral /ˈplʌmər/ A person who repairs water pipes and bathrooms. Synonyms: pipefitter, pipe repairer	water pipe repairer	The plumber is coming tomorrow to repair the pipes.
The b is silent here, but it is heard in plumbing, which names both the trade and the pipes themselves. Countable and takes an article: call a plumber. You get a plumber in, or have one come out, to fix a leak.
independentneutral /ˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/ Able to do things alone, without help from other people. Synonyms: self-reliant, self-sufficient	able to act alone	University students have to be more independent than school pupils.
Independent of something, not independent from it, when you mean not controlled by it. The noun is independence and the adverb independently, as in work independently. The ending is spelled -ent, never -ant.
mechanicneutral /məˈkænɪk/ A person who repairs cars and machines. Synonyms: car technician, repairman	car and machine repairer	The mechanic said the car would be ready on Friday.
The ch is said as k. Keep it apart from mechanical, the adjective, and from mechanics, which means either the branch of physics or the workings of a system. It needs an article: take the car to a mechanic.
organizedneutral /ˈɔrɡənaɪzd/ Able to plan your time and things well. Synonyms: methodical, orderly	good at planning things	You need to be organized to work and study at the same time.
Of a person it praises method, and well-organized is stronger still. Of an event it only means arranged, so an organized trip is planned, not tidy. American English spells it organized with a z; this -ised form is British.
firefighterneutral /ˈfaɪərˌfaɪtər/ A person whose job is to stop fires. Synonyms: fireman, fire officer	person who puts out fires	Firefighters have to be strong and calm.
It has replaced fireman as the neutral job title in American English because it covers women too. The organization is a fire department in American English and a fire brigade in British. One word.
police officerneutral /pəˈlis ˈɔfəsər/ A member of the police. Synonyms: cop, patrol officer	member of the police	A police officer asked me some questions about the accident.
Use this whenever you need a countable singular, because police takes a plural verb and has no -s: the police are here, never a police. Cop is the informal word, and policeman or policewoman now sound dated in job ads.
to motivateneutral /ˈmoʊtəveɪt/ To make someone want to work hard or do something. Synonyms: encourage, inspire	make someone want to act	Good teachers know how to motivate their students.
Motivation is the uncountable noun, while a motive is a reason, usually for a crime, and motivated works as an adjective: a motivated learner. The verb always takes an object: motivate students, or motivate someone to do something with an infinitive.
civil servantneutral /ˈsɪvəl ˈsɜrvənt/ A person who works for the government. Synonyms: government worker, public official	government employee	My uncle is a civil servant and works for the government.
The system they work in is the civil service, and it excludes elected politicians and the military. Two words. Chiefly British in everyday use; American English says federal employee or government worker.
to specializeneutral /ˈspɛʃəlaɪz/ To study or work mainly in one particular subject or area. Synonyms: focus on, concentrate on	focus on one area	After his degree, he wants to specialize in children's medicine.
The preposition is in, never on: specialize in heart surgery. American English spells it with a z. The nouns are a specialist for the person and a specialty, spelled speciality in British English, for the area.
translatorneutral /trænsˈleɪtər/ A person who changes written texts from one language to another. Synonyms: linguist, language specialist	person who translates writing	She works as a translator for a publishing company.
A translator works with written text while an interpreter works with speech, and swapping the two is the usual mistake. Translate something from one language into another, not to another. The result is a translation.
interpreterneutral /ɪnˈtɜrprətər/ A person who changes spoken words into another language. Synonyms: translator of speech, language mediator	person who translates speech	An interpreter repeats what people say in another language.
The verb is interpret and the work is interpreting. Interpreters work live, either at the same time as the speaker or after each stretch of speech. Interpret also means explain a meaning, as in interpret the results.
to qualifyneutral /ˈkwɑləfaɪ/ To pass the exams and training you need to do a particular job. Synonyms: become certified, train	become officially trained	It takes at least five years to qualify as a doctor.
Qualify as plus a job title, qualify for plus a place or a benefit: qualify as a nurse, qualify for a grant. Both are intransitive. In a different sense, qualify a statement means add a limit to it.
to registerneutral /ˈrɛdʒəstər/ To put your name on an official list for a course or service. Synonyms: to sign up	sign up officially	You can register for the evening course until the end of September.
Register for a course, register with a doctor or an agency, register as a voter. American schools usually say enroll for signing up, and registration is the formal noun. A register is also the list of names itself.
qualifiedneutral /ˈkwɑləfaɪd/ Having the official training or certificates needed for a job. Synonyms: trained, certified	officially trained	The school only employs qualified teachers with experience.
Qualified to do something with an infinitive, or qualified for a post. Highly qualified and fully qualified are the set intensifiers. A second sense weakens a statement: qualified support means support with reservations.
cleanerneutral /ˈklinər/ A person whose job is to clean offices or houses. Synonyms: janitor, housekeeper	person who cleans buildings	The cleaners come to the office when everyone has left.
The same word names the product as well as the person: a bathroom cleaner. The dry cleaner's is the shop where clothes are cleaned. American job ads say janitor for a building and housekeeper for a home.
skilledneutral /skɪld/ Having the ability and training to do something well. Synonyms: trained, expert	trained and able	Skilled workers usually earn more than people without training.
Skilled at something, or skilled in a field: skilled at negotiation. Before a noun it marks a category of work, skilled labor and a skilled trade, and the opposite there is unskilled. Highly skilled is the usual intensifier.
flexibleneutral /ˈflɛksəbəl/ Able to change easily when the situation changes. Synonyms: adaptable	able to adapt easily	My timetable is flexible, so I can study in the mornings.
Of people and arrangements it means willing to change; of materials it means easy to bend. Flexible about something: flexible about dates. The noun is flexibility and the opposites are inflexible and rigid.
to succeedneutral /səkˈsid/ To do well and get the result you wanted. Synonyms: do well, achieve	achieve what you wanted	If you keep working hard, you will succeed in your career.
Succeed in doing something, never succeed to do something. A separate sense is to follow someone in a post: she succeeded him as director. The noun is success and the adjective successful.
to reachneutral /ritʃ/ To arrive at a level, place or goal after some effort. Synonyms: to achieve	get to; arrive at	She reached an advanced level of English in only two years.
Takes a direct object with no preposition: reach an agreement, reach an advanced level, reach the airport, never reach to the airport. Reach for something means stretch your arm toward it. You reach a goal but meet a deadline.
builderneutral /ˈbɪldər/ A person who builds or repairs houses. Synonyms: construction worker, contractor	house construction worker	The builders are still working on the new sports hall.
In British use it covers the whole trade, so the builders are in means work is going on. The verb is irregular: build, built, built. American English more often says contractor or construction worker.
head teacherneutral /ˈhɛd ˈtitʃər/ The teacher who leads and manages a school. Synonyms: principal, headmaster	person in charge of a school	The head teacher wants to see you in her office.
Normally with the: the head teacher, and Head alone is the short form in British speech. Headmaster and headmistress belong mostly to private schools. Two words. British; American schools say principal.
lecturerneutral /ˈlɛktʃərər/ A person who teaches at a university. Synonyms: instructor, university teacher	university teacher	Our lecturer explains difficult ideas very clearly.
The verb lecture means give a formal talk, but lecture someone means tell them off at length. As a job title it is chiefly British; American universities say professor, instructor or faculty member for the same work.
professorneutral /prəˈfɛsər/ A university teacher of the highest level. Synonyms: university teacher, academic	senior university teacher	She became a professor after twenty years at the university.
In Britain it names the highest rank only; in the United States it covers most university teachers and is used as a title before a name, Professor Lee. Do not shorten it to prof in writing. The post is a professorship.
tutorneutral /ˈtutər/ A teacher who works with one student or a small group. Synonyms: private teacher, coach	one-to-one teacher	My tutor helps me when I have problems with my essays.
Also a verb: tutor someone in a subject, and the activity is tutoring. In Britain a tutor is a university staff member guiding a few students; in the United States it usually means a private teacher paid for extra help.
to behaveneutral /bɪˈheɪv/ To act in a particular way, especially politely. Synonyms: act, conduct yourself	act in a certain way	The children always behave well when the head teacher is in the classroom.
With an adverb it simply describes conduct: behave well, behave badly. Alone, or as behave yourself, it means act properly, and it is what adults say to children. The noun is behavior, uncountable and spelled without a u.
primary schoolneutral /ˈpraɪmɛri ˌskul/ A school for children from about five to eleven years old. Synonyms: elementary school, grade school	school for young children	My daughter started primary school when she was five.
No article when you talk about attending: she started primary school, at primary school. It also sits before another noun: a primary school teacher. British; American English says elementary school or grade school.
secondary schoolneutral /ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ˌskul/ A school for students from about eleven to sixteen or eighteen. Synonyms: high school, middle school	school for teenagers	Students in England go to secondary school at eleven.
No article for attendance: go to secondary school, leave secondary school, and secondary education is the formal term in official writing. British; the American system splits these years into middle school and high school.
to punishneutral /ˈpʌnɪʃ/ To make someone suffer because they have done something wrong. Synonyms: discipline, penalize	make someone suffer for wrongdoing	The school punishes students who cheat in exams.
Punish someone for something, and punish someone by doing something. Often passive: he was punished for cheating. The noun punishment works either countable or uncountable, and punishable describes an offense, not a person.
state schoolneutral /ˈsteɪt ˌskul/ A school paid for by the government that is free to attend. Synonyms: public school, government school	free government school	Most children in Britain go to state schools.
The usual contrast is state school against private school, and the adjectives are state-funded and state-run. British; American English says public school, which in Britain confusingly names an expensive private one instead.
private schoolneutral /ˈpraɪvət ˌskul/ A school that parents pay for their children to attend. Synonyms: independent school, fee-paying school	fee-paying school	He went to an expensive private school in London.
The fees are what define it. In the United States this is the ordinary term and covers religious and independent schools alike, while British English also uses independent school and public school for the same thing.
academicneutral /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/ Connected with education, studying and school subjects. Synonyms: scholarly, educational	connected with study	Her academic results were good enough to get a scholarship.
As an adjective it pairs with results, year, writing and staff. As a noun it means a university researcher. A third sense means of no practical use: the question is now academic. Stress falls on the third syllable.
pupilneutral /ˈpjupəl/ A child who goes to school. Synonyms: student	schoolchild	There are thirty pupils in each class at my school.
It covers schoolchildren only, never university, and it is normally plural in school talk: thirty pupils in the class, a pupil at my school. American English says student at every age, so pupil sounds dated there. The same spelling also names the dark center of the eye.
classroomneutral /ˈklæsrum/ A room in a school where lessons happen. Synonyms: schoolroom, teaching room	room where lessons happen	Please turn off your phones before entering the classroom.
In the classroom is often used generally to mean in teaching, not only inside one room. It also works before another noun: classroom management, a classroom assistant. One word, countable, and the place phrase is in the classroom.
fairneutral /fɛr/ Treating everyone equally and in a right way. Synonyms: just, even-handed	just; treating people equally	The test wasn't fair because we hadn't studied that unit yet.
Fair to someone, or fair on someone in speech: that is not fair to her. Two other senses share the spelling: fair hair means light, and a fair is a public event. The noun is fairness, but the adverb fairly means rather.
cleverneutral /ˈklɛvər/ Quick at learning and understanding things. Synonyms: intelligent, smart	quick to understand	He's clever, but he doesn't make any effort in class.
Clever at something, or clever with your hands. In American English it often points to ingenuity or even trickery, as in a clever excuse. For plain intelligence it is chiefly British, where American English prefers smart.
termneutral /tɜrm/ One of the three parts of the school year in Britain. Synonyms: semester, school period	division of the school year	The autumn term ends just before Christmas.
No article in the time phrases: this term, next term, last term, though during the term takes one. It also sits before a noun: term time, a term paper. American schools count in semesters instead. Two other senses share the spelling: a technical term, and a president's term in office.
practicalneutral /ˈpræktəkəl/ Connected with doing real things, not only ideas or theory. Synonyms: hands-on, applied	hands-on; not theoretical	The course is very practical, so you learn by doing real tasks.
Of a course or skill it is the opposite of theoretical; of a person or plan it means sensible and workable. Practical experience is a set phrase. Careful: the adverb practically usually means almost, not in a practical way.
subject (at school)neutral /ˈsʌbdʒɛkt/ An area you study at school, like maths or history. Synonyms: school subject, field of study	area of study	My favorite subject at school was history.
The noun stresses the first syllable, while the verb subject someone to something stresses the second. A subject at school, and your best or favorite subject. It also means the topic of a text, a talk or an email.
curriculumneutral /kəˈrɪkjələm/ All the subjects that are taught at a school. Synonyms: syllabus, program	set of subjects taught	Languages are an important part of the school curriculum.
The plural is curricula or curriculums, and the adjective is curricular. Something is on the curriculum in British English and in the curriculum in American English. A syllabus is one course's plan, while a curriculum covers a whole school.
courseneutral /kɔrs/ A set of lessons about one subject. Synonyms: class, program	set of lessons	She's doing a course in computing at the local college.
You do, take, go on or enroll in a course, and it is a course in or on a subject. In American universities a course is one subject, while the whole qualification is a program, which British English calls a course.
bachelor's degreeneutral /ˈbætʃələrz dɪˌɡri/ The qualification you get after finishing university, usually after three years. Synonyms: undergraduate degree, first degree	first university degree	She has a bachelor's degree in economics from Manchester.
Keep the apostrophe and the s: a bachelor's degree, never a bachelor degree. You do, take or earn one, in a subject. The short forms are BA and BS in American English, BSc in British.
master's degreeneutral /ˈmæstərz dɪˌɡri/ A higher university qualification that you study for after your first degree. Synonyms: graduate degree, postgraduate degree	second university degree	He's saving money to do a master's degree next year.
Apostrophe and s again, and often shortened to just a master's. It comes after a bachelor's and before a doctorate. The abbreviations are MA and MS in American English, MSc in British.
graduationneutral /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃən/ The ceremony when you officially finish university or school. Synonyms: degree ceremony, commencement	ceremony ending your studies	Her whole family came to her graduation ceremony.
The verb is graduate and the preposition is from, so graduate from high school in careful writing. Uncountable for the occasion: at graduation, after graduation. American ceremonies are also called commencement.
campusneutral /ˈkæmpəs/ The land and buildings of a university. Synonyms: college grounds, university site	university grounds	Most first-year students live on campus.
The place phrase drops the article: live on campus, an apartment off campus. A university with several sites calls the original one the main campus, and the plural is campuses. Company sites now borrow the word.
seminarneutral /ˈsɛmənɑr/ A class at university where a small group discusses a subject. Synonyms: discussion class, workshop	small discussion class	In seminars, students discuss ideas in small groups.
At university it is a discussion class, much smaller than a lecture; in business it means a short training event. You attend or give a seminar, and it is a seminar on a topic. Stress the first syllable.
to drop outneutral /ˌdrɑp ˈaʊt/ To leave school or university before finishing your studies. Synonyms: quit, leave	leave studies unfinished	He dropped out of university after failing his first-year exams.
Inseparable and used with of: drop out of school, never drop school out. The noun dropout, written as one word, names either the person or the rate. It means leaving before the end, not failing an exam.
gap yearneutral /ˈɡæp ˌjɪr/ A year between school and university when you travel or work. Synonyms: year out, year off	year off before university	She took a gap year to travel before starting university.
The verb is take: she took a gap year. It sits between school and university, so a similar break later in life is a career break instead. Chiefly British, though American English now uses the same phrase.
educationalneutral /ˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃənəl/ Teaching you something useful; connected with education. Synonyms: instructive, informative	instructive; about education	The visit to the museum was fun and educational at the same time.
Set pairs: the educational system, educational needs, educational software, an educational visit. Keep it apart from educated, which describes a person who has been taught rather than a thing that teaches. Of an outing it is mild praise, which is why it so often appears beside fun.
to participateneutral /pɑrˈtɪsəpeɪt/ To take part in an activity with other people. Synonyms: to take part	take part	Students who participate in class usually get better marks.
The preposition is in, never at or on: participate in a discussion. More formal than take part, and it is the wording used in reports and course descriptions. The nouns are participation and a participant.
school reportneutral /ˈskul rɪˌpɔrt/ A written document from school about a student's work and behavior. Synonyms: report card, progress report	written record of progress	His school report says he must talk less in class.
Report alone means any written account, so school is what fixes the sense. The verbs are get, receive or write one. British; American schools send home a report card, which is the phrase to use there.
detentionneutral /dɪˈtɛnʃən/ A punishment where a student stays at school after classes. Synonyms: confinement, being kept in	after-school punishment	He got a detention for arriving late three times.
You get, give or serve a detention: he got a detention, two detentions. In the legal sense of being held by officials it has no plural: held in detention.
bullyingneutral /ˈbʊliɪŋ/ Hurting or frightening a weaker person again and again. Synonyms: intimidation, harassment	repeated cruelty to someone	The school has clear rules against bullying.
It names a pattern over time, not one unkind remark. The verb is bully someone and the person is a bully, with cyberbullying for the online form. Uncountable, so never a bullying or bullyings.
strictneutral /strɪkt/ Making sure that people follow rules and behave correctly. Synonyms: firm, stern	firm about rules	Our maths teacher is strict but fair.
Of a person it is not an insult, and strict but fair is the standard compliment. Strict with someone, strict about something: strict about deadlines. Before some nouns it means exact rather than harsh, as in the strict sense.
to sit an examneutral /ˈsɪt ən ɪɡˈzæm/ To do an official exam or test. Synonyms: to take an exam	take an official exam	The students will sit their final exams at the end of May.
What you sit can be named in between: sit a chemistry exam. Sit for an exam is older and now rare in both varieties. British; American English says take an exam, and sit an exam sounds wrong there.
school holidaysneutral /ˈskul ˈhɑlədeɪz/ The weeks when schools are closed and children do not study. Synonyms: school vacation, school break	weeks when school closes	The children get bored during the long school holidays.
The time phrase is during the school holidays, and you are off for the school holidays. British; American English says school vacation or summer break, because a holiday there means a single public day such as Thanksgiving.
tuition feesneutral /tuˈɪʃən ˌfiz/ The money students pay to study at a university. Synonyms: tuition, course fees	money paid to study	University tuition fees in England are very high.
Fees are charged, paid, waived or raised, and they cover teaching rather than housing. Normally plural in British use; American English says tuition on its own, uncountable, so tuition is expensive with no -s.
student loanneutral /ˈstudənt ˌloʊn/ Money you borrow to pay for university and return later. Synonyms: education loan, study loan	borrowed money for study	Many graduates spend years paying back their student loans.
You take out a loan and pay it off or pay it back, and what is left owing is student debt. You borrow money from a lender but lend money to someone, a pair learners often reverse.
to make a mistakeneutral /ˈmeɪk ə mɪˈsteɪk/ To do or say something wrong without wanting to. Synonyms: slip up, get something wrong	get something wrong	Don't be afraid of making mistakes when you speak English.
The verb is make, never do a mistake. Countable, so mistakes in the plural, and the preposition is in: a mistake in the calculation. By mistake is a separate phrase meaning accidentally.
moduleneutral /ˈmɑdʒul/ One part of a university course, often lasting one term. Synonyms: course unit, unit	one unit of a course	This term I'm taking a module on modern history.
You take or complete a module, and it is a module on a subject, normally carrying a set number of credits. Chiefly British in education; American universities say course or class for the same unit.
courseworkneutral /ˈkɔrswɜrk/ Work students do during the course that counts towards the final result. Synonyms: assignments, assessed work	work graded during a course	Half of the final mark comes from coursework, not exams.
It is set, submitted and marked, and it counts toward the final grade alongside the exams. One word and uncountable, so never courseworks or a coursework. American English more often says assignments, which is countable.
distance learningneutral /ˈdɪstəns ˈlɜrnɪŋ/ Studying from home using the internet or post, not in classes. Synonyms: online learning, remote study	studying away from campus	Thanks to distance learning, she studies while working full-time.
Distance learning also covers mail and broadcast courses, so it is the wider word, and online learning or remote learning are the commoner American terms now. Uncountable and used with no article: study by distance learning.
compulsoryneutral /kəmˈpʌlsəri/ Something you must do because of a rule or law. Synonyms: mandatory, required	required by rule	School is compulsory until the age of sixteen.
Compulsory for someone, and something is made compulsory. It describes subjects, insurance and schooling rather than people. American English usually prefers mandatory or required, as in a required course.
optionalneutral /ˈɑpʃənəl/ Something you can choose to do or not do. Synonyms: voluntary, elective	not required; your choice	German is optional at our school, but French is compulsory.
The opposite of compulsory, and it describes the thing rather than the person: attendance is optional. An optional university subject is called an elective in American English. Related forms are the noun option and opt for.
mark (in an exam)neutral /mɑrk/ A number or letter that shows how well you did. Synonyms: grade	score for your work	I got a good mark in my English exam.
You get, give or lose marks, and full marks means everything correct. The preposition is in or for. British; American English says grade, and mark in this sense will confuse an American reader.
to pass (an exam)neutral /pæs/ To be successful in an exam or test. Synonyms: succeed in, get through	succeed in an exam	If you study every day, you will pass the exam easily.
Pass the exam, never pass in the exam; you can pass with a grade or pass by a few marks. The noun is a pass, and the opposite verb fail takes its object the same way, with no preposition.
to fail (an exam)neutral /feɪl/ To not pass an exam or test. Synonyms: not pass, flunk	not pass an exam	He failed his driving test twice before passing it.
Fail the exam, and note that a teacher can also fail a student, so either side can be the subject. Fail to do something is a separate pattern meaning not manage it. The noun is failure, a failing grade is the American phrase, and the exam sense takes a direct object.
to reviseneutral /rɪˈvaɪz/ To study something again before an exam. Synonyms: review, study	study again before an exam	I'm revising for my history exam next week.
This study sense is British, normally with for: revise for the exam. American English says study or review, because revise there means change a text. Revise a draft is the sense both varieties share.
revisionneutral /rɪˈvɪʒən/ The work of studying again what you have learned before an exam. Synonyms: review, exam preparation	studying again for exams	You should start your revision at least two weeks before the exams.
You do revision or start your revision, and it is uncountable in that study sense, while in the other sense a revision is a countable changed version of a document. British; American English says review or studying.
to cheatneutral /tʃit/ To do something dishonest to get a better result. Synonyms: copy dishonestly, deceive	break rules dishonestly	A student was caught cheating in the final exam.
Cheat someone out of something means swindle them, and cheat on a partner means be unfaithful, so the object changes the sense completely. The person is a cheater. In the exam sense no object follows: cheat on a test in American English, cheat in an exam in British.
to memorizeneutral /ˈmɛməraɪz/ To learn something so you can remember it exactly. Synonyms: learn by heart, commit to memory	learn exactly by memory	You don't have to memorize every word, just the important ones.
It means storing the exact words, which is narrower than learn. Transitive: memorize a list, memorize the lines. The noun is memorization, and American English spells the verb with a z.
by heartneutral /baɪ ˈhɑrt/ From memory, without reading. Synonyms: from memory, word for word	from memory	We had to learn the poem by heart.
A fixed phrase with no article and no plural, used after verbs like learn, know, recite and say: know the poem by heart. It cannot become a noun or an adjective, so never a by heart test.
mock examneutral /ˈmɑk ɪɡˈzæm/ A practice exam you do before the real one. Synonyms: practice test, trial exam	practice exam	We do mock exams in January to prepare for the real ones.
Mock as an adjective means not real, as in a mock interview or a mock trial. British school talk shortens the exams themselves to the mocks. British; American schools say practice test or practice exam.
to resitneutral /riˈsɪt/ To take an exam again after failing it. Synonyms: retake, take again	take an exam again	Students who fail in June can resit the exam in September.
The past form is resat, and the object is the exam rather than the subject. The noun resit names the repeated exam itself. British; American English says retake, which works as both verb and noun.
certificateneutral /sərˈtɪfəkət/ An official paper that shows you have finished a course. Synonyms: diploma, credential	official proof of completion	At the end of the course, you receive a certificate.
You get, receive or are awarded a certificate in or of something. The usual matching verb is certify rather than certificate, and certified describes a qualified person. The last syllable is weak in the countable noun.
diplomaneutral /dəˈploʊmə/ A qualification from a college for finishing a course of study. Synonyms: certificate, qualification	college qualification	He has a diploma in hotel management from a college in Dublin.
The preposition is in: a diploma in hotel management. In Britain it ranks below a degree, while in the United States a high school diploma is the school-leaving certificate, so the level is not the same.
essayneutral /ˈɛseɪ/ A short piece of writing about one subject, done for study. Synonyms: paper, composition	short piece of written work	We have to write an essay about the causes of the war.
You write an essay on or about a topic, and the stress is on the first syllable. American universities usually call the same task a paper, and essay there can suggest a literary piece for publication.
dissertationneutral /ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən/ A long piece of writing done at the end of a university degree. Synonyms: thesis, research paper	long final research paper	She's writing her dissertation on children's language learning.
The preposition is on: a dissertation on language learning. In Britain it belongs to a bachelor's or master's, but in the United States dissertation means the doctoral one and thesis the master's, so the labels swap. Countable.
to markneutral /mɑrk/ To read students' work and give it a mark. Synonyms: grade, correct	grade students' work	Our teacher spent the whole weekend marking our essays.
You mark essays, and you mark them out of twenty. The person doing it is a marker. British in this sense; American teachers grade papers, and marking there would be read as putting a mark on something.
textbookneutral /ˈtɛkstbʊk/ A book used for studying a subject at school. Synonyms: coursebook, study book	book used for study	Open your textbooks at page forty-two.
As an adjective it means typical and perfect of its kind: a textbook example. The noun is one word and countable, usually with a subject in front: a chemistry textbook. Americans open a book to page ten, the British at page ten.
to take notesneutral /ˌteɪk ˈnoʊts/ To write down the important things you hear or read. Synonyms: note down, jot down	write down key points	I always take notes during lectures and read them later.
Take notes means record what is said, while take a note means write one short message, so the plural carries the studying sense. The verb is take or make, never do notes, and the preposition is on: take notes on the lecture.
projectneutral /ˈprɑdʒɛkt/ A piece of work where you study something and present it. Synonyms: assignment, piece of work	extended piece of work	We're doing a project on recycling in our science class.
The noun stresses the first syllable, while the verb project, meaning throw forward or predict, stresses the second. Countable: do a project on recycling. At work it means any planned piece of work with a deadline.
to hand inneutral /ˌhænd ˈɪn/ To give finished work to a teacher or boss. Synonyms: submit, turn in	submit finished work	You must hand in your homework by Friday at the latest.
Separable, and a pronoun must go in the middle: hand it in, never hand in it. The deadline takes by: hand it in by Friday. Submit is the formal equivalent and turn in the common American phrasal verb.
to catch upneutral /ˌkætʃ ˈʌp/ To reach the same level as others after being behind. Synonyms: get level, make up ground	reach the others' level	She missed two weeks of school and now has to catch up.
Catch up on missed work, but catch up with the class: on takes the work and with takes the people. Be caught up means you are level again, and a catch-up as a noun is an informal chat to share news. No direct object follows the verb.
to write downneutral /ˌraɪt ˈdaʊn/ To write something on paper so you can remember it. Synonyms: to note down	put on paper	Write down the new words so you don't forget them.
The down adds no meaning but makes the act feel complete, so dropping it sounds abrupt. Irregular: write, wrote, written. A pronoun must sit in the middle: write it down, never write down it.
to underlineneutral /ˌʌndərˈlaɪn/ To draw a line under a word or sentence. Synonyms: mark, underscore	draw a line under	Underline the verbs in the text before you translate it.
Figuratively it means emphasize: the report underlines the risk. The mark you make is usually called underlining rather than an underline. One word, and it takes a direct object: underline the verbs.
to highlightneutral /ˈhaɪlaɪt/ To mark words with a bright color so you see them easily. Synonyms: mark, pick out in color	mark with bright color	I highlight the most important ideas in yellow.
The figurative sense is more frequent in writing: the study highlights a problem. As a noun a highlight is the best part of an event, and the pen itself is a highlighter.
spellingneutral /ˈspɛlɪŋ/ The way a word is written with letters. Synonyms: orthography, written form	how a word is written	English spelling is difficult because words don't sound as they are written.
It goes before a noun in the usual phrases: a spelling mistake, a spelling test. The verb is spell, with spelled in American English and spelt also used in British. Uncountable for the skill, my spelling is poor, but countable for a particular form: two accepted spellings.
pronunciationneutral /prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/ The way you say the sounds of a language. Synonyms: accent, way of speaking	how words are said	Listening to podcasts has improved my pronunciation a lot.
The noun has no o in the middle, unlike the verb pronounce, and misspelling it as pronounciation is the commonest error. Uncountable for the skill, countable for a variant form. You work on or improve it.
fluentneutral /ˈfluənt/ Able to speak a language easily and well. Synonyms: proficient, able to speak easily	speaking easily and well	After two years in Leeds, she is fluent in English.
Fluent in a language: fluent in Spanish, not fluent at Spanish. It describes ease and speed rather than accuracy, so a fluent speaker can still make errors. The adverb fluently follows the verb: she speaks fluently.
bilingualneutral /baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/ Able to speak two languages very well. Synonyms: two-language, dual-language	speaking two languages well	Their children are bilingual because they speak Spanish at home.
It describes a person, a school or a document, and it also works as a noun for the person. Monolingual, trilingual and multilingual are built on the same pattern. Stress falls on the second syllable.
mother tongueneutral /ˈmʌðər ˈtʌŋ/ The first language you learn as a child. Synonyms: first language	your first language	You learn a foreign language differently from your mother tongue.
Rather bookish: first language is the neutral choice and native language the American preference, and the person is a native speaker. Two words, normally with a possessive: her mother tongue.
to make progressneutral /ˌmeɪk ˈprɑɡrɛs/ To get better at something over time. Synonyms: advance, improve	get better over time	You are making real progress with your English.
Progress is uncountable, so never a progress or progresses; say some progress or real progress. The verb is make, not do. The noun stresses the first syllable while the verb progress stresses the second.
to pay attentionneutral /ˌpeɪ əˈtɛnʃən/ To watch and listen carefully. Synonyms: concentrate, take notice	listen and watch carefully	Pay attention to the spelling of these words.
Attention takes no article in this phrase and the preposition is to: pay attention to the spelling. The verb is pay, never make or give attention. Pay close or careful attention is the usual intensified form.
to concentrateneutral /ˈkɑnsəntreɪt/ To think very carefully about what you are doing. Synonyms: focus	focus your thinking	I can't concentrate when people are talking around me.
Concentrate on the task, never concentrate to and never concentrate the task. The noun is concentration, uncountable. A separate sense means make a liquid stronger, which is where concentrated juice comes from.
resultneutral /rɪˈzʌlt/ The final mark or information you get after an exam or test. Synonyms: outcome, score	outcome; exam score	The exam results come out at the beginning of July.
The verb patterns are result in an outcome and result from a cause, and swapping them reverses the meaning. As a result and as a result of are set connectors. The countable noun is usually plural for exams: the results come out in July.
beginnerneutral /bɪˈɡɪnər/ A person who is starting to learn something. Synonyms: novice, new learner	person just starting out	This course is for beginners, so you don't need any experience.
A complete beginner is the set intensifier, and a course can be for beginners or at beginner level. Beginner's luck keeps the apostrophe. The verb behind it is irregular: begin, began, begun. Countable, with a or the.
advancedneutral /ædˈvænst/ At a high level; not for beginners. Synonyms: high-level, upper-level	at a high level	She's moved up to the advanced class after only one year.
Before a noun it names a level: an advanced class, advanced learners. After a verb it can mean modern or complex: the technology is very advanced. In advanced age it means old, so the context decides.
levelneutral /ˈlɛvəl/ How good someone is at something, from beginner to advanced. Synonyms: standard, stage	stage of ability	You have to do a test so they can check your level.
The preposition is at: at an advanced level, at this level. You reach, raise or check someone's level. As an adjective the same word means flat, and as a verb it means make flat.
trainingneutral /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/ The process of learning the skills you need for a job. Synonyms: instruction, coaching	learning job skills	All new staff receive two weeks of training.
Uncountable, so never a training or trainings; say a training course, a training session or some training. You receive, undergo or provide training, and you are in training. The people are trainees.
apprenticeshipneutral /əˈprɛntəsˌʃɪp/ A period when you learn a job by working with a skilled person. Synonyms: traineeship	paid on-the-job training	He's doing an apprenticeship with a local electrician.
It combines paid work with study, unlike an internship, which is often short and unpaid. You do, serve or complete an apprenticeship, usually with a company or a named tradesperson, and the learner is an apprentice. The countable noun takes a or the.
traineeneutral /ˌtreɪˈni/ A person who is learning how to do a job. Synonyms: apprentice, learner	person learning a job	She joined the company as a trainee and now manages a team.
The -ee ending marks the person receiving the action, as in employee and interviewee; the one giving it is the trainer. It also sits before a noun: a trainee manager. Stress falls on the last syllable.
work placementneutral /ˈwɜrk ˈpleɪsmənt/ A period of work in a company as part of a course. Synonyms: internship	work period within a course	The course includes a three-month work placement in a company.
You do or complete one, usually with a length in front: a three-month work placement, and while it lasts you are on placement. British; American courses call this an internship or a co-op.
workshopneutral /ˈwɜrkʃɑp/ A meeting where people learn about something by doing practical activities. Synonyms: training session, seminar	hands-on training session	I went to a workshop on writing a good CV.
The preposition is on: a workshop on interview skills. You run, lead, attend or go to one. The same word also names a room where things are built or repaired, which is the older sense.
to developneutral /dɪˈvɛləp/ To grow or make something better over time. Synonyms: grow, evolve	grow; improve gradually	This job will help you develop new skills.
The spelling has no final e and no doubled p: developing, developed, development, and the person is a developer. It works with or without an object: develop new skills, or the situation developed.
to gainneutral /ɡeɪn/ To get something useful, like experience or skills. Synonyms: obtain, acquire	get something useful	Working abroad is a great way to gain experience.
Its objects are abstract things that grow: gain experience, gain confidence, gain weight. You cannot gain an object you could hold, so gain a book is wrong. Gain on someone means get closer to them in a race.
emailneutral /ˈimeɪl/ A message sent from one computer or phone to another. Synonyms: message, electronic mail	electronic message	I'll send you an email with all the details this afternoon.
Countable for one message but uncountable for the medium: send an email, yet contact us by email. Also a verb taking two objects: email me the file. Now written as one word, with no hyphen and no capital.
to replyneutral /rɪˈplaɪ/ To answer someone in words or writing. Synonyms: to answer	answer someone	She still hasn't replied to my email from Monday.
The preposition is to: reply to an email, reply to me, never reply me. The noun has the same spelling, a reply to a message. Answer, by contrast, takes a direct object with no to at all.
to forwardneutral /ˈfɔrwərd/ To send a message you received to another person. Synonyms: pass on, send on	send a message onward	Can you forward me the message from the head office?
Two patterns work: forward me the message, or forward the message to me. Stress the first syllable. A forwarded email keeps the original text below, which is what separates it from writing a new one.
attachmentneutral /əˈtætʃmənt/ A file that you send with an email. Synonyms: attached file, enclosure	file sent with an email	I can't open the attachment you sent me yesterday.
You open, download or send an attachment, and a file goes as an attachment or is attached to a message. The verb pattern is attach something to something. A second sense is emotional, an attachment to someone. Countable in both senses.
inboxneutral /ˈɪnbɑks/ The place where you receive emails. Synonyms: mailbox, message folder	where your emails arrive	My inbox is full of messages I haven't read yet.
An inbox is one folder, not the whole email account; outbox and the spam folder are the matching terms. The place phrase is in your inbox. One word and countable, with the plural inboxes.
to call backneutral /ˌkɔl ˈbæk/ To phone someone again who phoned you before. Synonyms: return a call, ring back	return someone's phone call	He's in a meeting; he'll call you back in an hour.
Ring back is the British version, and the noun a callback means either a returned call or an invitation to a second interview. A pronoun must sit in the middle: call you back, never call back you.
to put throughneutral /ˌpʊt ˈθru/ To connect a caller to another person on the phone. Synonyms: connect, transfer	connect a phone caller	One moment, please. I'll put you through to the right department.
Separable, with the person in the middle: put you through, and the destination takes to, put you through to sales. Often passive from the caller's side: I was put through to the wrong department. Transfer is the formal equivalent.
to hang upneutral /ˌhæŋ ˈʌp/ To end a phone call. Synonyms: end the call, ring off	end a phone call	Don't hang up! I need to tell you one more thing.
Hang up on someone means end the call rudely while they are still talking. Hang up your coat is the separate literal sense. Irregular: hang, hung, hung, and no object follows in the phone sense: she hung up.
extension (phone)neutral /ɪkˈstɛnʃən/ A phone number inside a company, connected to one desk. Synonyms: internal line, direct line	internal phone number	You can reach me on extension two four five.
You reach someone at extension 245 in American English, on extension 245 in British, and the short written form is ext. The same word also names a longer deadline or a new part built onto a house. Countable in every sense.
to discussneutral /dɪˈskʌs/ To talk about something with other people. Synonyms: talk over, debate	talk about with others	We'll discuss the new timetable at tomorrow's meeting.
Transitive with no preposition: discuss the plan, never discuss about the plan. The noun is discussion, and there about is correct: a discussion about the plan. Discuss something with someone names the other party.
to interruptneutral /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/ To stop someone while they are speaking or working. Synonyms: cut in, break in	break into someone's speech	Sorry to interrupt, but there's a call for you.
Sorry to interrupt is the set apology, and the noun is an interruption. Watch the two r's in the middle. The object can be the person or the activity, interrupt me or interrupt the meeting, but one of them has to be there.
announcementneutral /əˈnaʊnsmənt/ Important information told officially to a group of people. Synonyms: statement, notice	official public statement	The head teacher made an announcement about the new timetable.
The verb is make, never do an announcement, and the preposition is about or of. The verb announce takes a direct object, announce the results, or announce that plus a clause, but never announce someone something.
to informformal /ɪnˈfɔrm/ To officially tell someone about something. Synonyms: notify, advise	officially tell someone	Please inform the office if you change your address.
Two patterns: inform someone of something, or inform someone that plus a clause. The person always comes first, so inform that on its own is wrong. Inform on someone means report them to the authorities.
to arrangeneutral /əˈreɪndʒ/ To make plans for something to happen. Synonyms: set up, organize	plan and set up	I've arranged a meeting with the new clients for Thursday.
Arrange a meeting, or arrange to do something with an infinitive, and arrange for someone to do something when another person acts. It also means put in order: arrange the chairs. The noun is an arrangement.
to postponeneutral /poʊstˈpoʊn/ To change something to a later time or date. Synonyms: to put off	move to a later time	The exam has been postponed until next month.
Followed by a noun or an -ing form: postpone the meeting, postpone deciding, never postpone to decide. The new time takes until or to. Cancel means it will not happen at all, which is the real difference.
video callneutral /ˈvɪdioʊ ˌkɔl/ A phone call where you can see the other person. Synonyms: video chat, videoconference	phone call with picture	We have a video call with the Madrid office every Friday.
You have a video call and you are on a video call. It works as a verb too, video-call someone, though most people name the platform instead and say call me on Zoom. Two countable words, with the stress on video.
to meet a deadlineneutral /ˈmit ə ˈdɛdlaɪn/ To finish work before the time limit. Synonyms: finish on time, deliver on time	finish work in time	We worked all weekend to meet the deadline.
The verb is meet, not reach or achieve a deadline, and the opposite is miss a deadline. Deadline is countable, and work is finished by a date rather than until it. Tight deadline is the set adjective.
on timeneutral /ˈɑn ˈtaɪm/ At the correct time; not late. Synonyms: punctual	at the agreed time	Please make sure you arrive on time for the meeting.
Fixed, with no article: arrive on time. On time means not late, while in time means early enough for something to happen, as in in time to catch the train. Just in time means barely early enough.
in advanceneutral /ɪn ədˈvæns/ Before something happens; earlier than needed. Synonyms: beforehand, ahead	beforehand	You should book the meeting room two days in advance.
Fixed, with no article, and a period goes in front: two days in advance, well in advance. In advance of something means before it, and pay in advance means paying before you receive anything.
urgentneutral /ˈɜrdʒənt/ Needing action or an answer immediately. Synonyms: pressing, time-critical	needing immediate action	This is urgent, so please answer as soon as possible.
It describes the task or the message, not the person, so never I am urgent when you mean you are in a hurry. Urgent attention and an urgent matter are set pairs. The adverb urgently follows the verb.
punctualneutral /ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/ Arriving at the agreed time; never late. Synonyms: on time, prompt	never late; reliably prompt	Try to be punctual, because the boss hates waiting.
It describes a person or a service and names a habit, while on time describes one occasion. The adverb punctually goes with events: the train left punctually. The noun is punctuality.
to solveneutral /sɑlv/ To find an answer to a problem. Synonyms: work out, resolve	find the answer to	We solved the problem by changing the plan.
Its objects are a problem, a puzzle, a case or a mystery; a question is answered, not solved. The noun is a solution and the preposition is to: a solution to the problem, never a solution of the problem.
to organizeneutral /ˈɔrɡənaɪz/ To plan and prepare something so it works well. Synonyms: arrange, set up	plan and prepare	Who is organizing the training day this year?
You organize an event, your notes, or people into groups. Of workers it means form a union, which is where organized labor comes from. The nouns are organization for the body and an organizer for the person. American English spells it with a z.
priorityneutral /praɪˈɔrəti/ The most important thing that you must do first. Synonyms: main concern, first task	most important thing	Finishing the report is our main priority this week.
The set phrases are a top priority, a high priority and give something priority; take priority over something means come before it. The verb is prioritize. Countable, with the plural priorities.
night shiftneutral /ˈnaɪt ˌʃɪft/ The working hours during the night. Synonyms: graveyard shift, overnight shift	hours worked overnight	Nurses on the night shift finish at seven in the morning.
You work or are on the night shift, with the. The same phrase also names the group of people working then. Day shift is the counterpart, and shift work is the general noun. Countable: two night shifts this week.
notice periodneutral /ˈnoʊtəs ˌpɪriəd/ The time you must keep working after saying you will leave. Synonyms: notice, period of notice	time worked before leaving	My contract says I have a one-month notice period.
You give or hand in your notice to start it, then work or serve it out. The countable noun usually carries a length in front: a one-month notice period. American contracts often just say two weeks' notice instead.
job securityneutral /ˈdʒɑb sɪˌkjʊrəti/ Knowing that you will not easily lose your job. Synonyms: employment stability, steady employment	safety from losing work	People often choose the public sector because of its job security.
You have or lack job security, and a post can offer it. Keep it apart from security meaning guards or safety measures, and from securities, which are financial investments. Uncountable, so never a job security.
unemployedneutral /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪd/ Without a job. Synonyms: out of work, jobless	not currently working	He has been unemployed since the factory closed.
Never an unemployed for one person; say an unemployed teacher or someone out of work. With the it becomes a plural noun for the group: help for the unemployed. As an adjective it sits after be or become, or in front of a noun.
hard-workingneutral /ˌhɑrd ˈwɜrkɪŋ/ Always making a big effort at work or school. Synonyms: diligent, industrious	putting in great effort	She is the most hard-working person in the department.
Hyphenated before a noun and usually kept hyphenated after the verb as well: she is hard-working. It is praise, and standard on a CV. Watch the trap that hardly working means almost not working at all.
experiencedneutral /ɪkˈspɪriənst/ Having done something many times before; skilled from practice. Synonyms: seasoned, practiced	having done it often	We need someone experienced in customer service.
Experienced in a field, or experienced at doing something: experienced in customer service. Highly experienced is the usual intensifier. The related noun experience is uncountable in this sense, so never two experiences of work.
motivatedneutral /ˈmoʊtəveɪtəd/ Wanting very much to do something well. Synonyms: driven, keen	eager to do well	Students learn faster when they feel motivated.
Used after be, feel or seem, and highly motivated and self-motivated are set phrases on a CV. Motivated to do something with an infinitive, or motivated by a reward. The plain opposite is unmotivated.
ambitiousneutral /æmˈbɪʃəs/ Wanting very much to be successful. Synonyms: driven, determined	eager to succeed	He's very ambitious and wants to be a manager before thirty.
Of a person it is usually praise at work, though it can hint at ruthlessness. Of a plan it means large and hard to achieve: an ambitious target. The noun is ambition, countable when it names a particular goal.
sociableneutral /ˈsoʊʃəbəl/ Friendly and enjoying being with other people. Synonyms: friendly, outgoing	enjoying other people's company	You have to be sociable to work in a hotel.
It describes a person's liking for company. Do not swap it for social, which describes things, as in social media or a social event. The noun is sociability and the opposite is unsociable.
demandingneutral /dɪˈmændɪŋ/ Needing a lot of time, effort or attention. Synonyms: taxing, tough	needing much time and effort	Teaching is a demanding job, but I love it.
Of a job it means hard but not necessarily unpleasant; of a person it means hard to satisfy, which is a criticism. Physically demanding and emotionally demanding are set. The verb demand takes a direct object.
rewardingneutral /rɪˈwɔrdɪŋ/ Making you feel happy because you do something useful. Synonyms: satisfying, fulfilling	giving real satisfaction	Working with children is tiring but very rewarding.
It means emotionally satisfying, not well paid, so a rewarding job can pay very little. For money you need well paid or lucrative instead. It is often set against a drawback: tiring but rewarding.
challengingneutral /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ/ Difficult in an interesting way that tests your ability. Synonyms: demanding, tough	difficult but interesting	I wanted a more challenging job, so I changed departments.
The positive way of saying difficult, so a challenging job sounds attractive rather than exhausting. In reports it is also used politely to mean problematic. The noun is a challenge and the verb means question or test.
repetitiveneutral /rɪˈpɛtətɪv/ Done many times in the same way, so it becomes boring. Synonyms: monotonous, routine	boringly repeated	The work in the factory was repetitive and boring.
Almost always negative about work: repetitive tasks, repetitive work. Keep it apart from repeated, which only counts occurrences, and from repetitious, which criticizes writing. The noun is repetition.
enthusiasticneutral /ɪnˌθuziˈæstɪk/ Showing a lot of interest and excitement about something. Synonyms: keen, eager	keen and excited	The new teacher is very enthusiastic about her subject.
Enthusiastic about something, never enthusiastic for: enthusiastic about her subject. The noun is enthusiasm, uncountable, and the adverb enthusiastically. Stress falls on the fourth syllable.
to make an effortneutral /ˈmeɪk ən ˈɛfərt/ To try hard to do something. Synonyms: try hard, put in the work, take the trouble	try hard	If you make an effort, your English will improve quickly.
The verb is make, not do an effort. Effort is countable here, giving efforts in the plural, and the pattern is make an effort to do something. Make no effort and make every effort are the set opposites.
responsibleneutral /rɪˈspɑnsəbəl/ Having the duty to take care of something or someone. Synonyms: accountable, in charge	in charge of; accountable	She is responsible for training the new employees.
Responsible for something or someone, never responsible of. Responsible to a person names who you answer to. It also describes character, as in a responsible adult, and the noun is responsibility.
to acceptneutral /əkˈsɛpt/ To say yes to an offer or invitation. Synonyms: agree to, take	take up an offer	She accepted the job offer without thinking twice.
Do not confuse it with except, which means apart from and sounds almost the same. It takes a direct object: accept an offer, accept an invitation. Accept that plus a clause means admit that something is true.
to rejectneutral /rɪˈdʒɛkt/ To say no to something or someone. Synonyms: to turn down	turn down; refuse	They rejected my application because I didn't have enough experience.
The verb stresses the second syllable, while the noun reject, meaning a faulty item, stresses the first. Transitive: reject an application. Firmer than turn down, and the noun for the act is rejection.
dress codeneutral /ˈdrɛs ˌkoʊd/ The rules about what you can wear at work. Synonyms: clothing rules, uniform policy	rules about what to wear	Our office has a relaxed dress code, so nobody wears a suit.
Business casual and smart casual are the usual labels. A code is strict or relaxed, and companies enforce one rather than obey it. Countable: the office has a relaxed dress code.
first impressionneutral /ˈfɜrst ɪmˈprɛʃən/ The opinion someone forms when they meet you for the first time. Synonyms: initial impression, first opinion	immediate opinion of someone	You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
The verb is make, never do a first impression, and the other pattern is give someone a good impression. The preposition is of: my first impression of her was very positive.

English B1 — Work & Education Official

Rate this Deck

Word List — click grammar notes to expand

More English Decks

English B1

English B1 — Health & Lifestyle

English B1 — Media & Culture

Business English — Meetings & Email

English Phrasal Verbs — Everyday

English B2