Vocabulary.com Blog
Articles from 2024
If someone is described as being venal, it means they are willing to do something corrupt, especially for a bribe. For example, if a judge is willing to take a bribe in exchange for reaching a certain verdict, then the judge would be described as venal. Venial, on the other hand, describes a very minor offense that can be easily forgiven. If your parent says "You can only have two cookies," and you take three, that minor disobedience is something that could be described as venial.
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Vocabulary.com and the science of reading
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Vocabulary is a core part of the science of reading. Vocabulary.com can contribute to building comprehension in your classroom using a robust dictionary, gamified activities, and educator tools to set students up for success.
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Plain and plane get confused all the time. Probably because they sound the same, come from the same Latin word, and spelling them for the correct usage is often tricky. Oh, and they have a couple of similar meanings, which makes things even worse! So, let's start with the basics. Something plain is simple and ordinary. A plane is what you see flying in the sky. It's also a tool to shape and smooth wood.
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Here's our shortlist of books to read with your students before, during, and after Black History Month, each paired with a ready-made vocabulary list.
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A levee is an embankment built to prevent a river or another body of water from overflowing. A levy is a fee or tax collected by the government.
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Spring into the Vocabulary Bowl
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The Vocabulary Bowl is an academic competition that encourages students across the U.S. and Canada to master words and climb the leaderboards.
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A deer is a common four-legged animal that has hooves and eats plants around the forest. Someone dear to you is a special or important loved one, such as a parent, child, or friend. The word dear is also used in interjections like "oh, dear!" or "dear me!" to indicate surprise, pity, or other emotions.
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