| Vocabulary Words | Meanings |
|---|---|
| jab | to poke or stab at something suddenly |
| jackal | a wild animal that looks like a dog |
| jacket | a short coat. The same word also means a loose paper cover on a book |
| jagged | having sharp and rough edges |
| jaguar | a fierce wild animal, rather like a leopard |
| jail | another word for prison. Sometimes the word is spelled gaol |
| jalap | a purgative medicine |
| jam | fruit cooked together with sugar until it is thick and soft |
| jar | a pottery or glass container with a wide opening |
| jargon | confused unintelligible talk |
| jaundice | a disease with yellowness in the eye and skin, loss of appetite |
| javelin | a light spear thrown from the hand |
| jaw | one of the two large bones your teeth grow in |
| jealous | wishing you had something someone else has; full of jealousy |
| jeans | trousers made of a strong cotton cloth |
| jeep | a small open motor vehicle used by the army |
| jeer | to make fun of someone in an unkind way |
| jelly | a transparent wobbly food, usually fruit-flavoured |
| jerk | a short sudden movement |
| jersey | a tight-fitting knitted pullover with sleeves |
| jest | to say something to make people laugh; to joke |
| jet | a rush of liquid or gas through a small opening in a pipe or hose. The same word also means a kind of aeroplane without propellers |
| jewel | a valuable stone, like a diamond or emerald |
| jewellery | necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches and other ornaments made of jewels and precious metals, such as gold and silver |
| jig | a jolly dance |
| jigsaw | a fine saw that can cut wood or cardboard into small curved and straight pieces |
| jigsaw puzzle | a puzzle made of odd-shaped pieces cut by a jigsaw. You have to put them together to make a picture |
| jingle | a clinking tinkling sound made by coins or bells |
| job | work done, usually for money |
| jockey | a boy or man who rides a horse in a race |
| jocular | humorous, sportive |
| jog | to move along more quickly than walking, but not so fast as running. The same word also means to give a little push, as when you jog someone’s elbow |
| jogtrot | a slow easy trot, monotonous, a slow routine |
| join | to put together or fasten. The same word also means to become a member of a group, such as a club or a choir |
| joint | the place where two parts of something grow or are joined together |
| jointly | in a joint manner, together, unitedly |
| joke | something a person says or does to make you laugh |
| jollity | mirth, merriment, gaiety, joviality |
| jolly | cheerful; full of fun |
| jolt | to move forward in jerky movements. The same word also means a bump or shaking-up |
| jostle | to push or knock against someone, usually in a crowd |
| journal | another word for a magazine or newspaper. The same word also means a diary |
| journalism | occupation of writing, conducting a journal |
| journey | a trip. When you travel from one place to another you make a journey |
| jovial | cheerful; jolly |
| joy | a feeling of great happiness |
| judge | the person in authority in a court of law who decides how someone who has done wrong should be punished |
| judicial | pertaining to courts of justice |
| jug | a container with a handle, used for pouring milk and other liquids |
| juggler | someone who is very clever at balancing things and keeping them moving in the air |
Abbreviation An abbreviation is a short form of a word or expression. Abbreviations are used for words used frequently.