Collins Dictionaries - Collins Primary Thesaurus

ANTONYM: ugliness

because CONJUNCTION

Because is used with other words to give a reason for something.

as

As you’ve been so helpful, I’ll treat you to an ice cream.

owing to

Owing to work on the track this Sunday, trains will be delayed.

since

“Since Fred is here, why don’t we build a tree house?” my sister suggested.

thanks to

I got no pocket money, thanks to my brother telling tales on me.

bed NOUN

A bed is a piece of furniture that you lie on when you sleep.

Some types of bed:

bunk beds

cot

cradle

double bed

futon

hammock

inflatable bed

single bed

sofa bed

water bed

Some things that are put on a bed:

bedspread

blanket

duvet

eiderdown

mattress

pillow

pillowcase

quilt

sheet

sleeping bag

before ADVERB

If something happens before, it happens earlier than something else.

formerly

Formerly, Mrs Patterson was a teacher at my dad’s old school.

previously

Previously, Mr Cruickshank had always let us off homework, but not today.

sooner

If I had got the invitation sooner, I would have come to the party.

Something that goes before something else precedes it.

begin VERB

If you begin something, you start it.

commence

The king shouted “Let battle commence!” and the two knights thundered towards each other.

embark on

As soon as we’d embarked on our journey to the park, it started to rain.

set about

We set about digging the vegetable garden.

start

Dad told me to start my homework soon.

ANTONYM: end

beginner NOUN

A beginner is someone who has just started to learn something.

learner

Swimmers use the big pool, while learners use the shallower pool.

novice

Although a complete novice, Britney showed a flair for ski jumping.

ANTONYM: veteran

beginning NOUN

The beginning of something is when or where it starts.

introduction

In the introduction, the author explains how she came to write the book.

opening

The band played at the opening of the fête.

origin

The origin of the universe is still a mystery.

ANTONYM: end

behave VERB

If you behave in a particular way, you act that way.

act

Emir is acting like a spoilt child.

function

“The girls are finally functioning as a team!” exclaimed the coach.

operate

Sally operates in a certain way to get what she wants.

work

Anoup worked methodically in order to get the work done.

believe (1) VERB

If you believe someone, you accept that they are telling the truth.

accept

It took some people a long time to accept that the world was round.

be certain of

“We have to be certain of your story before we can take action,” warned the sergeant.

have faith in

It is important to have faith in your own ability, Grandad says.

trust

I trust my sister, even if she is rotten to me sometimes.

ANTONYMS: disbelieve or doubt

Something that you cannot believe is unbelievable or incredible.

believe (2) VERB

If you believe that something is true, you think that it is true.

feel

“How do you feel the match will go?” asked the interviewer.

presume

Mr Jackson said, “I presume you will all be handing in your homework tomorrow.”

suppose

I suppose that the school sports day will be in July as usual.

bell NOUN

A bell is a cup-shaped metal object with a piece inside it called a clapper that hits the side and makes a ringing sound.

Verbs that express the sound of bells:

chime

clang

jingle

peal

ring

sound

strike

tinkle

toll

belongings NOUN

Your belongings are all the things that you own.

possessions

Almost all their possessions were destroyed in the fire.

property

“Make sure your property is labelled,” insisted Miss Carter.

stuff

The firefighters grabbed their stuff and jumped in the cab.

below PREPOSITION OR ADVERB

If something is below something else, it is in a lower position.

beneath

Beneath the trees, bluebells were waving in the breeze.

under

With the help of a torch, I could read secretly under my duvet.

underneath

Underneath the streets are hundreds of miles of sewers.

ANTONYM: above

bend (1) VERB

When something bends, it becomes curved or crooked.

buckle

The car buckled when the elephant sat on it.

curve

After the village, the road curves to the left.

twist

The ornament was made of glass twisted into patterns.

warp

My DVD warped when I left it in the sun.

ANTONYM: straighten

bend (2) VERB

When you bend, you move your head and shoulders forwards and downwards.

crouch

Lyra crouched behind the bushes, waiting for the policeman to turn away.

duck

Duck, or you’ll hit your head on the beam!

stoop

Farouk stooped to pick up a coin from the path.

beside PREPOSITION

If one thing is beside another, it is next to it.

adjacent to

Adjacent to the station was an old signal box.

alongside

The lifeboat rowed up alongside the stricken yacht, and the crew jumped across.

next to

The boy sitting next to me kept prodding me with a ruler.

besides PREPOSITION

Besides can mean in addition to.

apart from

Apart from some shorts and a T-shirt, I’m taking very little with me.

other than

Other than our family, there was hardly anybody on the beach.

best ADJECTIVE

Best is the superlative of good and well.

finest

Wuffles is the finest dog food money can buy.

foremost

“This is the foremost house in the area,” the agent began.

leading

The operation will be performed by the world’s leading surgeon.

outstanding

Our birthday presents from Grandma are always outstanding.

supreme

The judges thought that our dog Crumpet was the supreme entrant in the competition.

ANTONYM: worst

better (1) ADJECTIVE

Better is the comparative of good and well.

higher quality

Steak is usually higher quality than other cuts of meat.

more suitable

The lightweight tent proved more suitable for the expedition.

preferable

Of the two designs, I think the red is preferable.

superior

Usually, superior products cost more than inferior ones.

ANTONYM: worse

better (2) ADJECTIVE

If you are better after an illness, you are no longer ill.

healed

The doctor told Sheila that her broken leg was completely healed.

improved

Gran was much improved after her operation.

recovered

Ali is now recovered after a bout of flu.

beware VERB

If you tell someone to beware of something, you are warning them that it might be dangerous or harmful.

be careful

“Be careful, child, for there are wolves in the forest!” said Red Riding Hood’s mother.

guard against

With exams, it’s important to guard against being over-confident.

look out

Look out! Here comes another avalanche.

watch out

Watch out, or that sail will hit you when the boat turns!

bicycle NOUN

A bicycle is a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by using your legs to make the wheels turn.