Nature — English Vocabulary
20 essential words about nature in the live bank, with meanings and examples. Open any word for its full page.
weather /ˈweð.ɚ/ noun A2
What the air is like outside at a time and place: sun, rain, wind, heat, or cold.
Example: The weather in Miami is warm all year.
rain /reɪn/ noun and verb A2
Water that falls from clouds in small drops. As a verb, to fall as rain.
Example: We stayed home because of the heavy rain.
snow /snoʊ/ noun and verb A2
Soft white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky in cold weather and cover the ground.
Example: The children played in the snow all afternoon.
wind /wɪnd/ noun A2
Air that moves quickly outside. Strong wind can move trees and make waves on water.
Example: The wind blew my hat off near the lake.
sunny /ˈsʌn.i/ adjective A2
With a lot of light and heat from the sun and few clouds in the sky.
Example: It’s a sunny day — let’s eat outside.
storm /stɔːrm/ noun A2
Very bad weather with strong wind and rain, and often thunder and lightning. Snow storms are called blizzards.
Example: The storm knocked down trees all over Houston.
beach /biːtʃ/ noun A2
An area of sand or small stones next to the ocean or a lake, where people sit and swim.
Example: We spent the whole day at the beach in Miami.
river /ˈrɪv.ɚ/ noun A2
A long, natural line of water that flows across the land to a lake or the ocean.
Example: The river runs from the mountains down to the ocean near San Diego.
mountain /ˈmaʊn.tən/ noun A2
A very high area of land, much higher than a hill, often with rock and snow at the top.
Example: Denver is close to the Rocky Mountains.
forest /ˈfɔːr.ɪst/ noun A2
A large area of land covered with many trees growing close together.
Example: We walked for hours in the cool, dark forest.
climate /ˈklaɪ.mət/ noun B1
The usual weather of a place over a long time — how hot, cold, wet, or dry it normally is.
Example: San Diego has a warm, sunny climate all year.
pollution /pəˈluː.ʃən/ noun B1
Dirty or harmful substances in the air, water, or land that damage nature and people’s health.
Example: Air pollution is a serious problem in Los Angeles.
environment /ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt/ noun B1
The natural world around us — the air, water, land, plants, and animals — and the conditions we live in.
Example: We should protect the environment for our children.
recycle /ˌriːˈsaɪ.kəl/ verb B1
To collect and treat used materials like paper, glass, and plastic so they can be used again.
Example: Our family recycles cans, bottles, and newspapers every week.
energy /ˈen.ɚ.dʒi/ noun B1
Power from electricity, heat, or fuel that makes machines work and lights shine; also the strength a person feels to be active.
Example: Solar panels turn sunlight into clean energy.
planet /ˈplæn.ɪt/ noun B1
A very large round object in space that moves around a star; Earth is the planet we live on.
Example: Mars is the planet closest to Earth in size and distance.
ocean /ˈoʊ.ʃən/ noun B1
The whole body of salt water that covers most of the Earth; also one of its five large parts, like the Pacific or the Atlantic.
Example: We drove to Miami to swim in the ocean.
desert /ˈdez.ɚt/ noun B1
A large, dry area of land with very little rain and few plants, often covered in sand.
Example: The desert near Phoenix is hot during the day and cold at night.
island /ˈaɪ.lənd/ noun B1
An area of land with water all around it.
Example: Hawaii is a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
wildlife /ˈwaɪld.laɪf/ noun B1
Animals and plants that live and grow in nature, not kept by people.
Example: The national park protects wildlife like bears and deer.