Word of the Day

diaper

A cloth or plastic cover placed on a baby to hold it’s body waste.

Example:

Some babies use 15-20 diapers a day.

Many people argue that cloth diapers are better than plastic diapers for the environment.

loggerheads

To strongly disagree with someone.

Examples:

Andrew and I are at loggerheads over which car to buy. He wants a Mazda and I want a Honda.

India and Pakistan are at loggerheads over Kashmir.

algae

A green plant with no leaves or stem that lives in warm, shallow water.

Examples:

I am not swimming there! Look at all the algae!

Many people believe algae is good for the skin.

readership

The people who read a newspaper or magazine.

Examples:

‘Cars and Trucks’ is a popular magazine. It has a readership of 400,000 a month.

‘The Sunday Times’ closed because readership dropped by 50% in only one year.

sickening

Examples:

That photo is sickening! The newspaper should not show dead people.

The smell was sickening.  I had to leave the room.

elapse

When a period of time finishes.

Examples:

Only 1 hour has elapsed. The students still have 2 hours to finish the test.

So much time has elapsed since our argument. It is too late to say sorry now.

sketchy

The details of something are not clear or are missing.

Examples:

Your story is sketchy. You need to tell it again with more detail.

The police cannot use sketchy information.

granola

Food you eat at breakfast made from oats and nuts, and seeds.

Examples:

I like my granola with milk and a banana.

Granola is popular in Switzerland and Germany.

coaster

A round or square thing you put under a glass or cup on your table – to protect it.

Examples:

If you do not use a coaster on a wooden table, it gets rings on it.

You do not need to use coasters on a glass table.

moan

To complain about something.

Examples:

Why do you always moan about your life? Be more positive!

Emily hated her job and was moaning all the time. I am happy she finally quit.