GLOSSARY
• Academic Vocabulary
contact(kahn-takt) n. Contact is the act of meeting or communicating. The friends stay in contact over the phone because they live so far apart.
contest(kahn-test) n. A contest is a game or test to see who is the best at something. The winner of a contest often gets a prize.
• context(kon-tekst) 1 n. Context is the surrounding text near a word or phrase that helps explain its meaning. 2 adj. A context clue helps you figure out a word’s meaning. Use context clues to help you understand the word.
continue(kun-tin-yū) v. To continue means to keep doing something. The runner continues the race for his team by grabbing the baton from the previous runner.
• contrast(kun-trast) v. When you contrast things, you tell how they are different. Please contrast a desert and a rainforest in your report.
• convince(kun-vints) v. When you convince someone, you make the person agree with you. I convinced my friend to go to the movies with me.
council(kown-sul) n. A council is a group of people who gather together to make decisions. The student council decides where to go for the class trip.
creature(krē-chur) n. A creature is an animal. The platypus is an interesting creature that is found in Australia.
• credit(kred-ut) n. When you are given credit, you are noticed for something you have done well. You want credit from your parents for a good grade.
crop(krop) n. A crop is a type of plant grown in large amounts to eat or use. The farmer has a good crop of corn this year.
cross(kraws) v. When you cross something, you go from one side to another. The hikers crossed the bridge.
(kul-chur) n. A culture is a way of life for a group of people. Dance is part of one’s culture.
custom(kus-tum) n. A custom is something that a certain group of people usually do. In the U.S., it is a custom to shake hands when meeting someone.
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damage
(dam-ij) v. To damage means to cause harm. Wind and water from a storm can damage a building.
dangerous(dān-jur-us) adj. Something dangerous is not safe. The sign warned people that swimming might be dangerous.
(dā-tu) n. Data is factual information. The data in my report was gathered from library books.
decide(di-sīd) v. When you decide, you make a choice about something. He cannot decide what to wear.
defeat(di-fēt) n. A defeat is a loss. He felt responsible for his team’s defeat.
• definition(de-fuh-ni-shun) n. The meaning of a word is its definition. Please look up the definition of five words in the dictionary.
department(di-part-ment) n. A department is a part of a larger group or business. You get a driver’s license at a motor vehicle department.
dependable(di-pen-du-bul) adj. A dependable person can be trusted to do the right thing. Parents want dependable babysitters.
• describe(di-skrīb) v. When you describe something, you tell what it is like. Sandra had to describe her missing coat to the people at the lost-and-found desk.
• design(di-zīn) v. When you design something, you plan how to make it or do it. People design things by making drawings first.
desire(di-zī-ur) v. When you desire something, you really want it. The child desired the bike in the store window.
destination(des-tu-nā-shun) n. A destination is a place you plan to go. The destination for our summer vacation is New York City.
destroy(di-stroi) v. When you destroy something, it cannot be repaired. Our dog destroyed the newspapers.
determined(di-tur-mind) adj. When you are determined, you try very hard to do something. Each runner in the race is determined to win.