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Voice of America Broadcast Dictionary - U

This Special English Dictionary contains about 1,500 words and makes an excellent vocabulary goal for intermediate level learners.

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Parts of Speech Key

n. (noun) - a name word
v. (verb) - an action word
ad. (adjective/adverb) - a describing word
prep. (preposition) - a word used to show a relation
pro. (pronoun) - a word used in place of a noun
conj. (conjunction) - a joining word

To hear the correct pronunciation, click on the audio symbol next to the word. To return to this page, click on "back" in your browser.

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.")

understand - v. to know what is meant; to have knowledge of

unite - v. to join together

universe - n. all of space, including planets and stars

university - n. a place of education that usually includes several colleges and research organizations

unless - conj. except if it happens; on condition that ("I will not go, unless the rain stops.")

until - conj. up to a time; before

up - ad. to, in or at a higher position or value

urge - v. to advise strongly; to make a great effort to get someone to do something

urgent - ad. needing an immediate decision or action

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.")

use - v. to employ for a purpose; to put into action

usual - ad. as is normal or common; as is most often done, seen or heard

This dictionary was created by the VOA (Voice of English) Special English and Voice of America. It makes an excellent starting vocabulary selection for intermediate level learners. This dictionary is used as the basis on which listening selections vocabulary is chosen and can help you understand VOA broadcasts which can be found at the Voice of America Special English site.

Special English Dictionary Pages

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