Learn Quickly with Our VOA Vocabulary S-Z AI Learning Tool and Chatbot: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/fa0a3c22-5470-4d8a-bad2-5fb02289d1c4

VOA Learning English Vocabulary Definitions: Letters S-Z

S

1. sabotage – v. to damage or destroy as an act against an organization or nation
2. sacrifice – v. to do without something or to suffer a loss for a belief, idea, goal or another person
3. sad – ad. not happy
4. safe – ad. away from harm or danger
5. sail – v. to travel by boat or ship
6. sailor – n. a person involved in sailing a boat or ship
7. salt – n. a white substance found in sea water and in the ground, used to affect the taste of food
8. same – ad. not different; not changed; like another or others
9. sand – n. extremely small pieces of crushed rock found in large amounts in deserts and on coasts
10. satellite – n. a small object in space that moves around a larger object; an object placed in orbit around the earth
11. satisfy – v. to give or provide what is desired, needed or demanded
12. save – v. to make safe; to remove from harm; to keep for future use
13. say – v. to speak; to express in words
14. school – n. a place for education; a place where people go to learn
15. science – n. the study of nature and the actions of natural things, and the knowledge gained about them
16. sea – n. a large area of salt water, usually part of an ocean
17. search – v. to look for carefully
18. season – n. one of the four periods of the year that is based on the earth’s position toward the sun (spring, summer, autumn, winter); a period of time based on different weather conditions (“dry season”, “rainy season”); a period during the year when something usually happens (“baseball season”)
19. seat – n. a thing to sit on; a place to sit or the right to sit there (“a seat in parliament”)
20. second – ad. the one that comes after the first
21. secret – n. something known only to a few and kept from general knowledge; ad. hidden from others; known only to a few
22. security – n. freedom from danger or harm; protection; measures necessary to protect a person or place (“Security was increased in the city.”)
23. see – v. to know or sense through the eyes; to understand or know
24. seed – n. the part of a plant from which new plants grow
25. seek(ing) – v. to search for (“They are seeking a cure for cancer.”); to try to get (“She is seeking election to public office.”); to plan to do (“Electric power companies are seeking to reduce their use of coal.”)
26. seem – v. to appear to be (“She seems to be in good health.”)
27. seize – v. to take quickly by force; to take control of quickly; to arrest
28. self – n. all that which makes one person different from others
29. sell – v. to give something in exchange for money
30. Senate – n. the smaller of the two groups in the governments of some countries, such as in the United States Congress
31. send – v. to cause to go; to permit to go; to cause to be carried, taken or directed to or away from a place
32. sense – v. to come to know about by feeling, believing or understanding; n. any of the abilities to see, hear, taste, smell or feel
33. sentence – v. to declare the punishment for a crime; n. the punishment for a crime
34. separate – v. to set or keep people, things or ideas away from or independent from others; ad. not together or connected; different
35. series – n. a number of similar things or events that follow one after another in time, position or order
36. serious – ad. important; needing careful consideration; dangerous
37. serve – v. to work as an official; to be employed by the government; to assist or help
38. service – n. an organization or system that provides something for the public (“Schools and roads are services paid for by taxes.”); a job that an organization or business can do for money; military organizations such as an army, navy or air force; a religious ceremony
39. set – v. to put in place or position; to establish a time, price or limit
40. settle – v. to end (a dispute); to agree about (a problem); to make a home in a new place
41. several – ad. three or more, but not many
42. severe – ad. not gentle; causing much pain, sadness or damage
43. sex – n. either the male or the female group into which all people and animals are divided because of their actions in producing young; the physical activity by which humans and animals can produce young
44. shake – v. to move or cause to move in short, quick movements
45. shape – v. to give form to; n. the form of something, especially how it looks
46. share – v. to give part of something to another or others; n. a part belonging to, given to or owned by a single person or a group; any one of the equal parts of ownership of a business or company
47. sharp – ad. having a thin edge or small point that can cut or hurt; causing hurt or pain
48. she – pro. the girl or woman who is being spoken about
49. sheep – n. a farm animal used for its meat and hair
50. shell – v. to fire artillery; n. a metal container that is fired from a large gun and explodes when it reaches its target; a hard outside cover
51. shelter – v. to protect or give protection to; n. something that gives protection; a place of safety
52. shine – v. to aim a light; to give bright light; to be bright; to clean to make bright
53. ship – v. to transport; n. a large boat
54. shock – v. to cause to feel sudden surprise or fear; n. something that greatly affects the mind or emotions; a powerful shake, as from an earthquake
55. shoe – n. a covering for the foot
56. shoot – v. to cause a gun or other weapon to send out an object designed to kill; to use a gun
57. short – ad. lasting only for a small period of time; not long; opposite tall
58. should – v. used with another verb (action word) to show responsibility (“We should study.”), probability (“The talks should begin soon.”), or that something is believed to be a good idea (“Criminals should be punished.”)
59. shout – v. to speak very loudly
60. show – v. to make something be seen; to make known; n. a play or story presented in a theater, or broadcast on radio or television, for enjoyment or education; something organized to be seen by the public
61. shrink – v. to make or become less in size, weight or value
62. sick – ad. suffering physically or mentally with a disease or other problem; not in good health
63. sickness – n. the condition of being in bad health
64. side – n. the outer surfaces of an object that are not the top or bottom; parts away from the middle; either the right or left half of the body
65. sign – v. to write one’s name; n. a mark or shape used to mean something; evidence that something exists or will happen; a flat piece of material with writing that gives information
66. signal – v. to send a message by signs; n. an action or movement that sends a message
67. silence – v. to make quiet; to stop from speaking or making noise; n. a lack of noise or sound
68. silver – n. a valued white metal
69. similar – ad. like something else but not exactly the same
70. simple – ad. easy to understand or do; not difficult or complex
71. since – prep. from a time in the past until now (“I have known her since we went to school together.”)
72. sing – v. to make music sounds with the voice
73. single – ad. one only
74. sink – v. to go down into water or other liquid
75. sister – n. a female with the same father or mother as another person
76. sit – v. to rest on the lower part of the body without the support of the legs; to become seated
77. situation – n. the way things are during a period of time
78. size – n. the space occupied by something; how long, wide or high something is
79. skeleton – n. all the bones of a human or other animal together in their normal positions
80. skill – n. the ability gained from training or experience
81. skin – n. the outer covering of humans and most animals
82. sky – n. the space above the earth
83. slave – n. a person owned or controlled by another
84. sleep – v. to rest the body and mind with the eyes closed
85. slide – v. to move smoothly over a surface
86. slow – v. to reduce the speed of; ad. not fast in moving, talking or other activities
87. small – ad. little in size or amount; few in number; not important; opposite large
88. smash – v. to break or be broken into small pieces by force; to hit or move with force
89. smell – v. to sense through the nose; n. something sensed by the nose (“the smell of food cooking”)
90. smoke – v. to use cigarettes or other tobacco products by burning them and breathing in the smoke; n. that which can be seen rising into the air like a cloud from something burning
91. smooth – ad. having a level surface; opposite rough
92. snow – n. soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky, usually in winter or when the air temperature is very cold
93. so – ad. in such a way that (“He held the flag so all could see it.”); also; too (“She left early, and so did we.”); very (“I am so sick.”); as a result (“They were sick, so they could not come.”); conj. in order that; for the purpose of (“Come early so we can discuss the plans.”)
94. social – ad. of or about people or a group
95. soft – ad. not hard; easily shaped; pleasing to touch; not loud
96. soil – n. earth in which plants grow
97. soldier – n. a person in the army
98. solid – ad. having a hard shape with no empty spaces inside; strong; not in the form of a liquid or gas
99. solve – v. to find an answer; to settle
100. some – ad. of an amount or number or part not stated; not all
101. son – n. a person’s male child
102. soon – ad. not long after the present time; quickly
103. sort – n. any group of people or things that are the same or are similar in some way; a kind of something
104. sound – n. fast–moving waves of energy that affect the ear and result in hearing; that which is heard
105. south – n. the direction to the right of a person facing the rising sun
106. space – n. the area outside the earth’s atmosphere where the sun, moon, planets and stars are; the area between or inside things
107. speak – v. to talk; to say words with the mouth; to express one’s thoughts to others and exchange ideas; to give a speech to a group
108. special – ad. of a different or unusual kind; not for general use; better or more important than others of the same kind
109. speech – n. a talk given to a group of people
110. speed – v. to make something go or move faster; n. the rate at which something moves or travels; the rate at which something happens or is done
111. spend – v. to give as payment; to use (“He spends much time studying.”)
112. spill – v. to cause or permit liquid to flow out, usually by accident
113. spirit – n. the part of a human that is not physical and is connected to thoughts and emotions; the part of a person that is believed to remain alive after death
114. split – v. to separate into two or more parts; to divide or break into parts
115. sport – n. any game or activity of competition involving physical effort or skill
116. spread – v. to become longer or wider; to make or become widely known
117. spring – n. the time of the year between winter and summer
118. spy – v. to steal or get information secretly; n. one who watches others secretly; a person employed by a government to get secret information about another country
119. square – n. a flat shape having four equal sides
120. stab – v. to cut or push into or through with a pointed weapon
121. stand – v. to move into or be in a position in which only the feet are on a surface; to be in one position or place
122. star – n. a mass of gas that usually appears as a small light in the sky at night, but is not a planet; a famous person, usually an actor or singer
123. start – v. to begin; to make something begin
124. starve – v. to suffer or die from a lack of food
125. state – v. to say; to declare; n. a political part of a nation
126. station – n. a place of special work or purpose (“a police station”); a place where passengers get on or off trains or buses; a place for radio or television broadcasts
127. statue – n. a form of a human, animal or other creature usually made of stone, wood or metal
128. stay – v. to continue to be where one is; to remain; to not leave; to live for a time (“They stayed in New York for two years.”)
129. steal – v. to take without permission or paying
130. steam – n. the gas that comes from hot water
131. steel – n. iron made harder and stronger by mixing it with other substances
132. step – v. to move by lifting one foot and placing it in a new position; n. the act of stepping; one of a series of actions designed to reach a goal
133. stick – v. to attach something to another thing using a substance that will hold them together; to become fixed in one position so that movement is difficult (“Something is making the door stick.”); n. a thin piece of wood
134. still – ad. not moving (“The man was standing still.”); until the present or a stated time (“Was he still there?”); even so; although (“The job was difficult, but she still wanted to do it.”)
135. stone – n. a small piece of rock
136. stop – v. to prevent any more movement or action; to come or bring to an end
137. store – v. to keep or put away for future use; n. a place where people buy things
138. storm – n. violent weather, including strong winds and rain or snow
139. story – n. the telling or writing of an event, either real or imagined
140. stove – n. a heating device used for cooking
141. straight – ad. continuing in one direction without turns
142. strange – ad. unusual; not normal; not known
143. street – n. a road in a city, town or village
144. stretch – v. to extend for a distance; to pull on to make longer or wider
145. strike – v. to hit with force; to stop work as a way to seek better conditions, more pay or to make other demands
146. strong – ad. having much power; not easily broken, damaged or destroyed
147. structure – n. the way something is built, made or organized; a system that is formed or organized in a special way; a building
148. struggle – v. to try with much effort; to fight with; n. a great effort; a fight
149. study – v. to make an effort to gain knowledge by using the mind; to examine carefully
150. stupid – ad. not able to learn much; not intelligent
151. subject – n. the person or thing being discussed, studied or written about
152. submarine – n. an underwater ship
153. substance – n. the material of which something is made (a solid, liquid or gas)
154. substitute – v. to put or use in place of another; n. a person or thing put or used in place of another
155. subversion – n. an attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or government, usually secretly
156. succeed – v. to reach a goal or thing desired; to produce a planned result
157. such – ad. of this or that kind; of the same kind as; similar to
158. sudden – ad. not expected; without warning; done or carried out quickly or without preparation
159. suffer – v. to feel pain in the body or mind; to receive or experience hurt or sadness
160. sugar – n. a sweet substance made from liquids taken from plants
161. suggest – v. to offer or propose something to think about or consider
162. suicide – n. the act of killing oneself
163. summer – n. the warmest time of the year, between spring and autumn
164. sun – n. the huge star in the sky that provides heat and light to earth
165. supervise – v. to direct and observe the work of others
166. supply – v. to give; to provide; n. the amount of something that can be given or sold to others
167. support – v. to carry the weight of; to hold up or in position; to agree with others and help them reach a goal; to approve
168. suppose – v. to believe, think or imagine (“I suppose you are right.”); to expect (“It is supposed to rain tonight.”)
169. suppress – v. to put down or to keep down by force; to prevent information from being known publicly
170. sure – ad. very probable; with good reason to believe; true without question
171. surface – n. the outer side or top of something (“The rocket landed on the surface of the moon.”)
172. surplus – n. an amount that is more than is needed; extra; (“That country has a trade surplus. It exports more than it imports.”)
173. surprise – v. to cause a feeling of wonder because something is not expected; n. something not expected; the feeling caused by something not expected
174. surround – v. to form a circle around; to be in positions all around someone or something
175. survive – v. to remain alive during or after a dangerous situation
176. suspect – v. to imagine or believe that a person is guilty of something bad or illegal; n. a person believed to be guilty
177. suspend – v. to cause to stop for a period of time
178. swallow – v. to take into the stomach through the mouth
179. swear in – v. to put an official into office by having him or her promise to carry out the duties of that office (“The chief justice will swear in the president.”)
180. sweet – ad. tasting pleasant, like sugar
181. swim – v. to move through water by making motions with the arms and legs
182. sympathy – n. a sharing of feelings or emotions with another person, usually feelings of sadness
183. system – n. a method of organizing or doing something by following rules or a plan; a group of connected things or parts working together for a common purpose or goal

T

1. take – v. to put a hand or hands around something and hold it, often to move it to another place; to carry something; to seize; to capture; to begin to be in control (“The president takes office tomorrow.”)
2. talk – v. to express thoughts in spoken words; n. a meeting for discussion
3. tall – ad. higher than others; opposite short
4. tank – n. a large container for holding liquids; a heavy military vehicle with guns
5. target – n. any person or object aimed at or fired at
6. taste – v. to sense through the mouth (“The fruit tastes sweet.”)
7. tax – n. the money a person or business must pay to the government so the government can provide services
8. tea – n. a drink made from the plant of the same name
9. teach – v. to show how to do something; to provide knowledge; to cause to understand
10. team – n. a group organized for some purpose, often for sports
11. tear – v. to pull apart, often by force
12. technical – ad. involving machines, processes and materials in industry, transportation and communications; of or about a very special kind of subject or thing (“You need technical knowledge to understand how this system works.”)
13. technology – n. the use of scientific knowledge and methods to produce goods and services
14. telephone – n. a device or system for sending sounds, especially the voice, over distances
15. telescope – n. a device for making objects that are far away appear closer and larger
16. television – n. a device that receives electronic signals and makes them into pictures and sounds; the system of sending pictures and sounds by electronic signals over a distance so others can see and hear them on a receiver
17. tell – v. to give information; to make known by speaking; to order; to command
18. temperature – n. the measurement of heat and cold
19. temporary – ad. lasting only a short time
20. tense – ad. having fear or concern; dangerous; opposite calm
21. term – n. a limited period of time during which someone does a job or carries out a responsibility (“He served two terms in Congress.”); the conditions of an agreement that have been accepted by those involved in it
22. terrible – ad. very bad; causing terror or fear
23. territory – n. a large area of land
24. terror – n. extreme fear; that which causes great fear
25. terrorist – n. a person who carries out acts of extreme violence as a protest or a way to influence a government
26. test – v. to attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing (“The scientists will test the new engine soon.”); n. an attempt to learn or prove what something is like or how it will act by studying or doing (“The test of the new engine takes place today.”); a group of questions or problems used to find out a person’s knowledge (“The students did well on the language test.”)
27. than – conj. connecting word used to link things that may be similar, but are not equal (“My sister is taller than I am.”)
28. thank – v. to say that one has a good feeling toward another because that person did something kind (“I want to thank you for helping me.”)
29. that – ad. showing the person, place or thing being spoken about (“That man is a soldier.”); pro. the person, place or thing being spoken about (“The building that I saw was very large.”)
30. the – pro. used in front of a name word to show that it is a person or thing that is known about or is being spoken about
31. theater – n. a place where movies are shown or plays are performed
32. them – pro. other people being spoken about
33. then – ad. at that time; existing; and so
34. theory – n. a possible explanation of why something exists or how something happens using experiments or ideas, but which is not yet proven (“Other scientists are debating his theory about the disappearance of dinosaurs.”)
35. there – ad. in that place or position; to or toward that place
36. these – pro. of or about the people, places or things nearby that have been spoken about already
37. they – pro. those ones being spoken about
38. thick – ad. having a large distance between two opposite surfaces (“The wall is two meters thick.”); having many parts close together (“The forest is very thick.”); almost solid, such as a liquid that does not flow easily; opposite thin
39. thin – ad. having a small distance between two opposite surfaces; not fat; not wide; opposite thick
40. thing – n. any object
41. think – v. to produce thoughts; to form ideas in the mind; to consider; to believe
42. third – ad. coming after two others
43. this – pro. of or about the person, place or thing nearby that has been spoken about already
44. threaten – v. to warn that one will do harm or cause damage
45. through – prep. in at one end and out at the other; from front to back; from top to bottom; with the help of; by
46. throw – v. to cause to go through the air by a movement of the arm
47. tie – v. to join or hold together with some material; n. anything that joins or unites; links or connections (“The two nations have strong trade ties.”)
48. time – n. that which is measured in minutes, hours, days and years; a period that can be identified in hours and minutes and is shown on a clock; a period when an event should or will take place
49. tired – ad. having less strength because of work or exercise; needing sleep or rest
50. tissue – n. living material; a group of cells that are similar in appearance and do the same thing
51. to – prep. showing the direction of an action; showing the person or place toward which an action is directed; showing a goal or purpose
52. today – n. this day
53. together – ad. in one group; at the same time or place; in cooperation
54. tomorrow – n. the day after today
55. tonight – n. this night
56. too – ad. also; as well as; more than is necessary
57. tool – n. any instrument or device designed to help one do work
58. top – n. the upper edge or surface; the highest part; the cover of something
59. torture – v. to cause severe pain; n. the act of causing severe pain in order to harm, to punish or to get information from
60. total – n. the complete amount
61. touch – v. to put the hand or fingers on
62. toward – prep. in the direction of; leading to
63. town – n. a center where people live, larger than a village but not as large as a city
64. trade – v. to buy and sell or exchange products or services; n. the activity of buying, selling or exchanging products or services
65. tradition – n. a ceremony, activity or belief that has existed for a long time
66. traffic – n. the movement of people, vehicles or ships along a street, road or waterway
67. tragic – ad. extremely sad; terrible
68. train – v. to teach or learn how to do something; to prepare for an activity; n. an engine and the cars connected to it that move along a railroad
69. transport – v. to move goods or people from one place to another
70. transportation – n. the act or business of moving goods or people
71. trap – v. to catch or be caught by being tricked; to be unable to move or escape; n. a device used to catch animals
72. travel – v. to go from one place to another, usually for a long distance
73. treason – n. the act of fighting against one’s own country or of helping its enemies
74. treasure – n. a large collection of money, jewels or other things of great value
75. treat – v. to deal with; to act toward in a special way; to try to cure
76. treatment – n. the act of treating; the use of medicine to try to cure or make better
77. treaty – n. a written agreement between two or more nations
78. tree – n. a very tall plant that is mostly wood, except for its leaves
79. trial – n. an examination in a court of a question or dispute to decide if a charge is true
80. tribe – n. a group of families ruled by a common chief or leader
81. trick – v. to cheat; to fool a person so as to get something or make him or her do something
82. trip – n. a movement from one place to another, usually a long distance
83. troops – n. a number of soldiers in a large controlled group
84. trouble – n. that which causes concern, fear, difficulty or problems
85. truce – n. a temporary halt in fighting agreed to by all sides involved
86. truck – n. a heavy vehicle used to carry goods
87. true – ad. correct; not false
88. trust – v. to believe that someone is honest and will not cause harm
89. try – v. to make an effort; to take court action against a person to decide if he or she is guilty or innocent of a crime
90. tube – n. a long, round structure through which liquids or gases can flow; a long, thin container in which they can be kept
91. turn – v. to change direction; to move into a different position; to change color, form or shape

U

1. under – prep. below; below the surface of; less than; as called for by a law, agreement or system (“The river flows under the bridge.” “Such action is not permitted under the law.”)
2. understand – v. to know what is meant; to have knowledge of
3. unite – v. to join together
4. universe – n. all of space, including planets and stars
5. university – n. a place of education that usually includes several colleges and research organizations
6. unless – conj. except if it happens; on condition that (“I will not go, unless the rain stops.”)
7. until – conj. up to a time; before
8. up – ad. to, in or at a higher position or value
9. urge – v. to advise strongly; to make a great effort to get someone to do something
10. urgent – ad. needing an immediate decision or action
11. us – pro. the form of the word “we” used after a preposition (“He said he would write to us.”) or used as an object of a verb (“They saw us yesterday.”)
12. use – v. to employ for a purpose; to put into action
13. usual – ad. as is normal or common; as is most often done, seen or heard

V

1. vacation – n. a holiday; a period of time for travel, pleasure or rest, especially one with pay given to an employee
2. vaccine – n. a substance containing killed or weakened organisms given to a person or animal to produce protection against a disease
3. valley – n. a long area of land between higher areas of land
4. value – n. the quality of being useful, important or desired; the amount of money that could be received if something is sold
5. vegetable – n. a plant grown for food
6. vehicle – n. anything on or in which a person or thing can travel or be transported, especially anything on wheels; a car or truck
7. version – n. the form of something with different details than earlier or later forms
8. very – ad. extremely (“He was very late.”)
9. veto – v. to reject or refuse to approve
10. victim – n. someone or something that is injured, killed or made to suffer; someone who is tricked
11. victory – n. a success in a fight or competition
12. video – n. a method of recording images and sound without a traditional film camera to be shown on a television, computer or other device
13. village – n. a very small town
14. violate – v. to fail to obey or honor; to break (an agreement)
15. violence – n. the use of force to cause injury, death or damage
16. virus – n. a kind of organism that causes disease
17. visa – n. the official permission given to a person to enter a country where he or she is not a citizen
18. visit – v. to go to or come to a place for a short time for friendly or business reasons
19. voice – n. the sound made by creatures, especially humans, for speaking
20. volcano – n. a hill or mountain around a hole in the earth’s surface that can explode, sending hot, melted rock and ash into the air
21. volunteer – n. a person who chooses to do something without being asked, usually without being paid
22. vote – v. to choose a candidate in an election; n. a choice or decision expressed by the voice, by hand or by writing

W

1. wages – n. money received for work done
2. wait – v. to delay acting; to postpone
3. walk – v. to move by putting one foot in front of the other
4. wall – n. the side of a room or building formed by wood, stone or other material; a structure sometimes used to separate areas of land
5. want – v. to desire; to wish for; to need
6. war – n. fighting between nations, or groups in a nation, using weapons
7. warm – ad. almost hot; having or feeling some heat
8. warn – v. to tell of possible danger; to advise or inform about something bad that may happen
9. wash – v. to make clean, usually with water
10. waste – v. to spend or use without need or care; to make bad use of; n. a spending of money, time or effort with no value gained or returned; something thrown away as having no value; the liquid and solid substances that result from body processes and are passed out of the body
11. watch – v. to look at; to observe closely; to look and wait for
12. water – n. the liquid that falls from the sky as rain or is found in lakes, rivers and oceans
13. wave – v. to move or cause to move one way and the other, as a flag in the wind; to signal by moving the hand one way and the other; n. a large mass of water that forms and moves on the surface of a lake or ocean
14. way – n. a path on land or sea or in the air; how something is done; method
15. we – pro. two or more people, including the speaker or writer (“He and I will go together, and we will return together.”)
16. weak – ad. having little power; easily broken, damaged or destroyed; opposite strong
17. wealth – n. a large amount of possessions, money or other things of value
18. weapon – n. anything used to cause injury or to kill during an attack, fight or war
19. wear – v. to have on the body, as clothes
20. weather – n. the condition of the atmosphere resulting from sun, wind, rain, heat or cold
21. Web site – n. a collection of information prepared by a person or organization on the World Wide Web of the Internet
22. week – n. a period of time equal to seven days
23. weigh – v. to measure how heavy someone or something is
24. welcome – v. to express happiness or pleasure when someone arrives or something develops
25. well – ad. in a way that is good or pleasing; in good health; n. a hole in the ground where water, gas or oil can be found
26. west – n. the direction in which the sun goes down
27. wet – ad. covered with water or other liquid; not dry
28. what – pro. used to ask about something or to ask for information about something (“What is this?”); ad. which or which kind (“He wants to know what you would like to drink.”)
29. wheat – n. a grain used to make bread; the plant that produces the grain
30. wheel – n. a round structure that turns around a center
31. when – ad. at what time; at any time (“When will she come home?”); conj. during or at the time (“I studied hard when I was in school.”)
32. where – ad., conj. at, to or in what place (“Where is his house?” “The house where he lives is in the old part of the city.”)
33. whether – conj. if it be the case or fact that (“He did not know whether he was right or wrong.”)
34. which – pro. used to ask about what one or what ones of a group of things or people (“Which program do you like best?” “Which students will take the test?”)
35. while – n. a space of time (“Please come to my house for a while.”); conj. at or during the same time (“It may not be a good idea to eat while you are running.”)
36. white – ad. having the color like that of milk or snow
37. who – pro. what or which person or persons that (“Who wants to go?”); the person or persons (“They are the ones who want to go.”)
38. whole – ad. the complete amount; all together; not divided; not cut into pieces
39. why – ad. for what cause or reason (“Why did she do it?”); conj. the reason for which (“I do not know why she did it.”)
40. wide – ad. having a great distance from one side to the other; not limited
41. wife – n. a woman who is married
42. wild – ad. living and growing in natural conditions and not organized or supervised by humans; angry; uncontrolled
43. will – v. a word used with action words to show future action (“They will hold talks tomorrow.”)
44. willing – ad. being ready or having a desire to (“They are willing to talk about the problem.”)
45. win – v. to gain a victory; to defeat another or others in a competition, election or battle
46. wind – n. a strong movement of air
47. window – n. an opening in a wall to let in light and air, usually filled with glass
48. winter – n. the coldest time of year, between autumn and spring
49. wire – n. a long, thin piece of metal used to hang objects or to carry electricity or electronic communications from one place to another
50. wise – ad. having much knowledge and understanding; able to use knowledge and understanding to make good or correct decisions
51. wish – v. to want; to express a desire for
52. with – prep. along or by the side of; together; using (“He fixed it with a tool.”); having (“the house with the red door”)
53. withdraw – v. to take or move out, away or back; to remove
54. without – prep. with no; not having or using; free from; not doing
55. witness – n. a person who saw and can tell about an action or event, sometimes in a court of law
56. woman – n. an adult female human
57. wonder – v. to ask oneself; to question (“She wonders if it is true.”); n. a feeling of surprise
58. wonderful – ad. causing wonder; especially good
59. wood – n. the solid material of which trees are made
60. word – n. one or more connected sounds that form a single part of a language
61. work – v. to use physical or mental effort to make or do something; n. the effort used to make or to do something; that which needs effort; the job one does to earn money
62. world – n. the earth; the people who live on the earth
63. worry – v. to be concerned; to continue thinking that something, possibly bad, can happen
64. worse – ad. more bad than
65. worth – n. value measured in money
66. wound – v. to injure; to hurt; to cause physical damage to a person or animal; n. an injury to the body of a human or animal in which the skin is usually cut or broken
67. wreck – v. to damage greatly; to destroy; n. anything that has been badly damaged or broken
68. wreckage – n. what remains of something severely damaged or destroyed
69. write – v. to use an instrument to make words appear on a surface, such as paper
70. wrong – ad. not correct; bad; not legal; opposite right

X

1. x-ray – n. a kind of radiation that can pass through most solid material, often used in medicine

Y

1. year – n. a period of time equal to twelve months
2. yellow – ad. having the color like that of gold or the sun
3. yes – ad. used to express agreement or to permit
4. yesterday – n. the day before today
5. yet – ad. at some time before now (“Have they arrived yet?”); now; at this time (“I cannot tell you about it yet.”); conj. however (“The sun was shining, yet it was cold.”)
6. you – pro. the person or persons being spoken to
7. young – ad. in the early years of life; not old

Z

1. zero – n. the number meaning none or nothing
2. zoo – n. a place where animals are kept for the public to look at and study

VOA Vocabulary S-Z Sentences

VOA Learning English Vocabulary Sentences (S-Z)

Letter S

1. The soldier was willing to sacrifice his life for his country.
2. Maria felt sad when her pet cat died.
3. The children played in the safe area of the playground.
4. We will sail across the ocean in a large boat.
5. The experienced sailor navigated through the storm.
6. Please pass the salt for my soup.
7. All the students wore the same uniform to school.
8. The children built castles in the soft sand at the beach.
9. The weather satellite sends information about storms to Earth.
10. A good meal will satisfy your hunger.
11. We must save money for our vacation.
12. Let me say something important to you.
13. The children go to school every weekday.
14. Science helps us understand how the world works.
15. The ship sailed across the rough sea.
16. The police will search for the missing person.
17. Spring is my favorite season of the year.
18. Please take a seat in the front row.
19. January is the second month after December.
20. The government keeps this information secret.
21. Airport security checks all passengers before flights.
22. I can see the mountains from my window.
23. The farmer planted each seed in the garden.
24. Many people seek happiness in their lives.
25. You seem tired after your long journey.
26. The store will sell fresh vegetables tomorrow.
27. Please send this letter to my grandmother.
28. I can sense that something is wrong.
29. This is a serious problem that needs attention.
30. The waiter will serve dinner at seven o’clock.
31. The postal service delivers mail every day.
32. Set the books on the table carefully.
33. The two countries will settle their dispute peacefully.
34. Several students missed class today.
35. The severe storm caused damage to many houses.
36. The doctor determined the patient’s sex from the medical tests.
37. The earthquake made the building shake violently.
38. The artist will shape the clay into a beautiful vase.
39. Friends share their toys with each other.
40. Be careful with that sharp knife.
41. She is my sister’s best friend.
42. The farmer has many sheep on his land.
43. The soldier loaded the shell into the cannon.
44. The homeless family found shelter under the bridge.
45. The sun will shine brightly tomorrow.
46. The large ship carried goods across the ocean.
47. The loud noise gave me a shock.
48. I need to buy a new shoe for running.
49. The hunter will shoot at the target.
50. The meeting was short and ended quickly.
51. You should study hard for the exam.
52. Don’t shout in the library.
53. Let me show you how to use this machine.
54. The patient is very sick and needs medicine.
55. Please write your name on the side of the paper.
56. Sign your name at the bottom of the document.
57. The traffic light is a signal for drivers to stop.
58. The teacher asked for silence in the classroom.
59. The ring is made of pure silver.
60. These two books are similar but not identical.
61. This math problem is simple to solve.
62. I have lived here since 2010.
63. The birds sing beautiful songs in the morning.
64. There is only a single apple left in the bowl.
65. The heavy stone will sink in the water.
66. My sister is two years older than me.
67. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
68. The current situation is very difficult.
69. What size shoes do you wear?
70. Learning a language requires skill and practice.
71. Humans have skin that protects their bodies.
72. Look up at the blue sky on this beautiful day.
73. In the past, people owned other people as slaves.
74. I need to sleep for eight hours each night.
75. Children love to slide down the playground equipment.
76. Please drive slow through the school zone.
77. The ant is a very small insect.
78. I can smell the flowers in the garden.
79. The baby gave me a sweet smile.
80. Many people smoke cigarettes despite health warnings.
81. The lake has a smooth surface like glass.
82. The snow covered the ground in winter.
83. The weather is so cold that the lake froze.
84. Humans are social animals who live in groups.
85. The pillow feels soft and comfortable.
86. Plants grow in rich soil.
87. The brave soldier fought in the war.
88. Ice is water in solid form.
89. The detective will solve the mystery.
90. Some people like chocolate ice cream.
91. Their son is studying at the university.
92. The train will arrive soon.
93. What sort of music do you enjoy?
94. Thunder makes a loud sound.
95. The birds fly south for the winter.
96. Astronauts travel in space around Earth.
97. The teacher will speak to the students.
98. Today is a special day for our family.
99. The president gave a speech to the nation.
100. The car drives at high speed on the highway.
101. We spend money on food and clothing.
102. Many people believe in the human spirit.
103. Basketball is my favorite sport.
104. The news will spread quickly through the town.
105. Spring comes after winter ends.
106. The park has a square playground for children.
107. Please stand when the judge enters the courtroom.
108. At night we can see each star in the sky.
109. School will start at eight o’clock tomorrow.
110. The governor will state his position on the issue.
111. The train station is two blocks from here.
112. We will stay at the hotel for three nights.
113. Someone will steal your bicycle if you don’t lock it.
114. Take one step forward and then stop.
115. Use glue to stick the pieces together.
116. The water in the pond is still and quiet.
117. I found a smooth stone by the river.
118. The red light means stop your car.
119. The store sells fresh bread every morning.
120. She told me an interesting story about her trip.
121. The road goes straight for ten miles.
122. That strange noise is coming from the basement.
123. The street is busy with cars and people.
124. The strong man lifted the heavy box easily.
125. The structure of the building is very solid.
126. We must struggle to achieve our goals.
127. Students study hard before important exams.
128. Don’t be stupid and drive without a seatbelt.
129. The subject of today’s lesson is mathematics.
130. Hard work will help you succeed in life.
131. Such behavior is not acceptable in school.
132. The sudden rain surprised everyone at the picnic.
133. People suffer when they don’t have enough food.
134. Sugar makes coffee taste sweet.
135. I suggest we leave early to avoid traffic.
136. Summer is the hottest season of the year.
137. The sun provides heat and light for Earth.
138. The store has enough bread to supply all customers.
139. Strong pillars support the weight of the roof.
140. I suppose the meeting will end by five o’clock.
141. I am sure that tomorrow will be sunny.
142. The surface of the lake is covered with ice.
143. The birthday party was a wonderful surprise.
144. Only the strongest animals survive in the wild.
145. The police suspect he committed the crime.
146. The cake tastes sweet because it has sugar.
147. Fish swim in the water using their fins.
148. The computer system controls the entire building.

Letter T

1. Please take this book to the library.
2. We need to talk about your homework.
3. Basketball players are usually tall.
4. The army tank is a powerful weapon.
5. The archer aimed at the target.
6. I can taste salt in this soup.
7. Citizens must pay tax to the government.
8. Would you like some hot tea?
9. Parents teach their children how to read.
10. Our basketball team won the championship.
11. Don’t tear the paper when you open it.
12. She has technical knowledge about computers.
13. Modern technology makes life easier.
14. Answer the telephone when it rings.
15. The astronomer used a telescope to study stars.
16. I watch the news on television every evening.
17. Let me tell you about my vacation.
18. The temperature today is 25 degrees Celsius.
19. This is a temporary solution to the problem.
20. The situation makes everyone feel tense.
21. The school term lasts for three months.
22. The earthquake was terrible and destroyed many buildings.
23. This territory belongs to our country.
24. The movie was full of terror and fear.
25. The terrorist was arrested by police.
26. The doctor will test your blood pressure.
27. Gold is more valuable than silver.
28. I want to thank you for your help.
29. That book belongs to my sister.
30. Put the dishes on the table.
31. We went to see a play at the theater.
32. Give them the keys to the car.
33. We lived in Paris back then.
34. Einstein developed the theory of relativity.
35. Put the box over there by the window.
36. These apples are fresh from the farm.
37. They are coming to visit us tomorrow.
38. The wall is one meter thick.
39. The paper is very thin and might tear.
40. What thing did you forget at home?
41. I think it will rain this afternoon.
42. She finished third in the race.
43. This is my favorite restaurant.
44. The enemy will threaten to attack the city.
45. The train goes through a long tunnel.
46. Throw the ball to your teammate.
47. Tie your shoes before you trip.
48. What time does the movie start?
49. I feel tired after working all day.
50. We are going to the store.
51. Today is Monday, September 15th.
52. Let’s work together on this project.
53. Tomorrow is my birthday.
54. Tonight we will watch a movie.
55. The coffee is too hot to drink.
56. A hammer is a useful tool.
57. The mountain top is covered with snow.
58. Police do not allow torture of prisoners.
59. The total cost is fifty dollars.
60. Don’t touch the hot stove.
61. Walk toward the exit door.
62. Our town has a population of 10,000 people.
63. Many countries trade goods with each other.
64. Eating turkey on Thanksgiving is an American tradition.
65. Heavy traffic makes driving slow.
66. The accident was tragic and many people died.
67. The coach will train the team every day.
68. Trucks transport goods across the country.
69. The mouse was caught in a trap.
70. We travel to different countries each summer.
71. Doctors treat patients with medicine.
72. The old oak tree is 100 years old.
73. The murder trial will begin next week.
74. The tribe lived in the forest for centuries.
75. Don’t trick people by lying to them.
76. Our trip to Europe lasted two weeks.
77. The troops marched through the city.
78. Financial trouble caused the company to close.
79. The truck delivers food to the grocery store.
80. The answer to the math problem is true.
81. You can trust me to keep your secret.
82. Try to finish your homework before dinner.
83. Please turn left at the next street.

Letter U

1. The submarine travels under the water.
2. Do you understand the math lesson?
3. The two countries will unite to fight disease.
4. Scientists study the universe and distant stars.
5. She studies biology at the university.
6. I won’t go to the party unless you come with me.
7. Wait here until I return.
8. The bird flew up to its nest in the tree.
9. I urge you to study hard for the exam.
10. This is an urgent message that needs immediate attention.
11. Please give us the keys to the car.
12. We use computers to do our work.
13. Rain in July is usual in this climate.

Letter V

1. We are going on vacation to the beach.
2. The doctor gave me a vaccine to prevent disease.
3. The river flows through a beautiful valley.
4. Education has great value in modern society.
5. Carrots are a healthy vegetable.
6. The car is a useful vehicle for transportation.
7. This is the latest version of the software.
8. The weather is very cold today.
9. The president will veto the new law.
10. The earthquake had many victims.
11. Our team celebrated victory after winning the game.
12. We watched the concert on video.
13. My grandparents live in a small village.
14. Stealing money will violate the law.
15. Violence never solves problems peacefully.
16. A virus can make people sick.
17. You need a visa to enter most foreign countries.
18. We will visit our relatives next weekend.
19. She has a beautiful singing voice.
20. The volcano erupted and destroyed the village.
21. Many people volunteer to help after disasters.
22. Citizens vote to choose their government leaders.

Letter W

1. Workers earn wages for their labor.
2. Please wait here until the doctor calls you.
3. I walk to school every morning.
4. The wall separates the two rooms.
5. Children want toys for their birthdays.
6. Countries sometimes fight a war against each other.
7. The sun makes the day feel warm.
8. I warn you that the road is dangerous.
9. Wash your hands before eating.
10. Don’t waste food when people are hungry.
11. I watch television every evening.
12. Plants need water to grow.
13. Wave goodbye to your friends.
14. This is the best way to solve the problem.
15. We are going to the store together.
16. The old man is weak and needs help walking.
17. The king has great wealth and many possessions.
18. Soldiers carry weapons to protect themselves.
19. I wear a coat when the weather is cold.
20. The weather is sunny and warm today.
21. There are seven days in a week.
22. How much do you weigh?
23. Welcome to our home!
24. She speaks English very well.
25. The sun sets in the west.
26. My clothes got wet in the rain.
27. What time does the movie start?
28. Farmers grow wheat to make bread.
29. The bicycle has two wheels.
30. When will you finish your homework?
31. Where did you put my keys?
32. I don’t know whether it will rain today.
33. Which book would you like to read?
34. While you cook dinner, I will set the table.
35. Snow is white like milk.
36. Who is knocking at the door?
37. I ate the whole pizza by myself.
38. Why are you crying?
39. The river is wide and deep.
40. The man loves his wife very much.
41. Wild animals live in the forest.
42. Tomorrow will be a sunny day.
43. Are you willing to help me move?
44. Our team will win the championship.
45. The wind is blowing very strong today.
46. Open the window to let fresh air inside.
47. Winter is the coldest season of the year.
48. Electricity travels through wire.
49. The wise old man gave good advice.
50. I wish I could speak five languages.
51. Come with me to the store.
52. The army will withdraw from the city.
53. You cannot live without water.
54. The witness saw the accident happen.
55. An adult female person is a woman.
56. I wonder if it will snow tomorrow.
57. The vacation was wonderful and relaxing.
58. Furniture is made from wood.
59. “Hello” is a word in the English language.
60. People work to earn money.
61. Earth is a planet in our world.
62. Don’t worry about the test results.
63. Today’s weather is worse than yesterday’s.
64. The painting is worth one million dollars.
65. The soldier received a wound in battle.
66. Students write essays for their English class.
67. Two plus two equals four is the wrong answer to “what is two plus three?”

Letter X

1. The doctor took an x-ray of my broken arm.

Letter Y

1. A year has twelve months.
2. The sun is bright yellow.
3. Yes, I would like some coffee.
4. Yesterday was my sister’s birthday.
5. Have you finished your homework yet?
6. You are my best friend.
7. Children are young and full of energy.

Letter Z

1. The number zero means nothing.
2. We visited the zoo to see wild animals.