Pronunciation: pahr-koor
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: an athletic discipline that involves moving rapidly and efficiently through obstacles in an urban environment; to practice the art of parkour
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: parkourist (noun), parkouring (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: pahr-koor
Synonym: free running, urban gymnastics, obstacle course training
Opposite: not practicing parkour, avoiding physical activity, not navigating through obstacles
He’s been training in parkour for years and enjoys the challenge of navigating through different obstacles in the city
Pronunciation: nit
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to make fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with knitting needles or a machine; to create a piece of clothing or other item by knitting
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: knitted (past tense), knitting (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Transitive
Stressmarks: nit
Synonym: crocheting, needlework, weaving
Opposite: not knitting, buying pre-made clothing, not creating items by hand.
She’s been knitting scarves and hats for her family and friends as holiday gifts
Pronunciation: am-uh-tur
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid basis and without formal training; a person inexperienced or unskilled in a particular activity
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: amateurish (adjective), amateurs (plural)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Countable
Stress marks: am-uh-tur
Synonym: novice, beginner, nonprofessional
Opposite: professional, expert, skilled
He’s just an amateur photographer, but his pictures are amazing
Pronunciation: snork-ul
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to swim underwater using a snorkel (a tube for breathing) and usually fins for propulsion; to observe underwater life with the aid of a snorkel
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: snorkeled/snorkelled (past tense), snorkeling/snorkelling (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: snork-ul
Synonym: dive, swim, explore
Opposite: surface, exit, leave
We went snorkeling in the coral reef and saw so many colorful fish
Pronunciation: wayd
Part of speech: verb
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: waded (past tense)
Definition: to walk through water that is not deep; to proceed slowly or laboriously
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: waded (past tense)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: wayd
Synonym: paddle, splash, trudge
Opposite: skip, jump, sprint
We waded through the shallow stream to get to the other side
Pronunciation: bawl-room dan-sing
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a formal social dance, especially one in which couples perform set moves and steps; a style of dance typically performed at ballroom dance competitions
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: ballroom (adjective), ballrooms (plural)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Countable
Transitive or intransitive: N/A
Stress marks: bawl-room dan-sing
Synonym: waltz, tango, foxtrot
Opposite: informal dance, freestyle, unchoreographed movement
They took ballroom dancing lessons to prepare for their wedding reception
Pronunciation: binge watch-ing
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to watch multiple episodes of a TV show or series in rapid succession, often for an extended period of time
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: binge-watched (past tense), binge-watching (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: binge watch-ing
Synonym: marathon watching, excessive viewing, TV binging
Opposite: sporadic watching, limited viewing, controlled consumption
They spent the whole weekend binge-watching their favorite show on Netflix
Pronunciation: boh-ting
Part of speech: noun/verb
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: boated (past tense)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: boh-ting
Synonym: sailing, cruising, yachting
Opposite: staying on land, walking, driving
They went boating on the lake and enjoyed the beautiful scenery
Pronunciation: bod-ee-bil-ding
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the activity of building and developing muscles through exercise and diet; to engage in activities aimed at building and developing muscles
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: bodybuilder (noun), bodybuilding (adjective)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: bod-ee-bil-ding
Synonym: weightlifting, strength training, muscle building
Opposite: cardio exercises, endurance training, flexibility exercises
He’s been bodybuilding for years and has won several competitions
Pronunciation: broo-ing
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the process of making beer or other alcoholic drinks by fermenting malted barley, hops, and other ingredients; to make beer or other alcoholic drinks by fermenting malted barley, hops, and other ingredients
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: brewed (past tense)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Transitive
Stress marks: broo-ing
Synonym: fermenting, distilling, brewing up
Opposite: not brewing, buying pre-made drinks, abstaining from alcohol
He enjoys brewing his own beer and experimenting with different flavors
Pronunciation: bun-jee jump-ing
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the activity of jumping from a high place while attached to a bungee cord that stretches and recoils, allowing the jumper to bounce up and down; to jump from a high place while attached to a bungee cord
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: bungee jumped (past tense), bungee jumping (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: bun-jee jump-ing
Synonym: skydiving, base jumping, extreme sports
Opposite: staying on the ground, avoiding heights, not taking risks
She was scared but excited to try bungee jumping for the first time
Pronunciation: mod-uh-ling
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the activity of posing for photographs or fashion shows; the act of representing something or someone in a particular way
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: modeled (past tense), modeling (present participle)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Transitive
Stress marks: mod-uh-ling
Synonym: posing, catwalk, fashion modeling
Opposite: not modeling, avoiding attention, not representing oneself or others
She’s been modeling since she was a teenager and has appeared in many magazines and advertisements
Pronunciation: pahm ree-ding
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the practice of interpreting a person’s character or future by examining the lines and other features of the palm of their hand; to practice the art of palm reading
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: palm reader (noun), palmistry (adjective)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: pahm ree-ding
Synonym: chiromancy, fortune telling, divination
Opposite: not practicing palm reading, skepticism, disbelief
She visited a palm reader to learn about her future and was surprised by how accurate the reading was
Pronunciation: par-uh-shoot-ing
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the activity of jumping from an aircraft and descending through the air using a parachute; to jump from an aircraft and descend through the air using a parachute
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: parachuted (past tense), parachuting (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: par-uh-shoot-ing
Synonym: skydiving, BASE jumping, extreme sports
Opposite: staying on the ground, avoiding heights, not taking risks
He went parachuting for the first time and loved the feeling of freefalling through the air
Pronunciation: soh-ing
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the activity of sewing fabric together using a needle and thread; to join or repair something by sewing
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: sewed (past tense), sewing (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Transitive
Stress marks: soh-ing
Synonym: stitching, needlework, tailoring
Opposite: not sewing, buying pre-made clothes, not repairing items
She enjoys sewing her own clothes and making unique designs
Pronunciation: wain tay-sting
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the activity of sampling and evaluating different wines, often with the goal of identifying their flavors and aromas; to taste and evaluate different wines
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: wine-tasted (past tense), wine-tasting (present participle)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: wain tay-sting
Synonym: wine sampling, wine appreciation, oenology
Opposite: not wine tasting, abstaining from alcohol, not evaluating flavors and aromas
They went wine tasting in Napa Valley and tried a variety of different wines from local vineyards
Pronunciation: ak-ruh-bat-iks
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility, and coordination, often in a circus or other entertainment setting; to perform acrobatic stunts or maneuvers
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: acrobatic (adjective), acrobats (plural)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: ak-ruh-bat-iks
Synonym: gymnastics, tumbling, aerial arts
Opposite: not performing acrobatics, avoiding physical activity, not demonstrating balance and coordination
The acrobatics in the Cirque du Soleil show were breathtaking and impressive
Pronunciation: uh-strol-uh-jee
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies and their supposed influence on human affairs and natural phenomena; a system of beliefs or practices based on the supposed influence of celestial bodies on human affairs
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: astrological (adjective), astrologer (noun)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: N/A
Stress marks: uh-strol-uh-jee
Synonym: horoscopy, zodiac, star divination
Opposite: not believing in astrology, skepticism, disbelief
She’s interested in astrology and enjoys reading her horoscope every day
Pronunciation: uh-roh-muh-ther-uh-pee
Partof speech: noun
Definition: the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing and relaxation purposes; a form of alternative medicine that uses aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for therapeutic purposes
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: aromatherapist (noun), aromatherapeutic (adjective)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: N/A
Stress marks: uh-roh-muh-ther-uh-pee
Synonym: essential oil therapy, aroma massage, fragrant healing
Opposite: not practicing aromatherapy, skepticism, disbelief
She enjoys using aromatherapy to help her relax and reduce stress
Pronunciation: bel-ee dans
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: a Middle Eastern dance characterized by fluid movements of the torso and hips; to perform a Middle Eastern dance characterized by fluid movements of the torso and hips
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: belly dancer (noun)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: bel-ee dans
Synonym: Middle Eastern dance, oriental dance, Raqs Sharqi
Opposite: not performing belly dance, avoiding physical activity, not demonstrating fluid movements
She’s been taking belly dance classes and loves the way it makes her feel confident and empowered
Pronunciation: bool-fahyt
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: a traditional spectacle in which bulls are fought by humans on foot or horseback; to participate in or watch a bullfight
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: bullfighter (noun), bullfighting (adjective)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: bool-fahyt
Synonym: corrida, tauromachy, tauromachia
Opposite: not participating in bullfighting, animal rights activism, disapproval of animal cruelty
Bullfighting is controversial and has been banned in some countries due to concerns about animal cruelty
Pronunciation: kuh-lig-ruh-fee
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush; to produce decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: calligrapher (noun), calligraphic (adjective)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Transitive
Stress marks: kuh-lig-ruh-fee
Synonym: decorative handwriting, penmanship, lettering
Opposite: not practicing calligraphy, using standard handwriting, not creating decorative designs
She’s been practicing calligraphy and enjoys creating beautiful designs for wedding invitations and other special occasions
Pronunciation: kahs-play
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the practice of dressing up as a character from a book, movie, or video game and acting out scenes or participating in events; to dress up as a character from a book, movie, or video game and act out scenes or participate in events
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: cosplayer (noun)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: kahs-play
Synonym: costume play, role-playing, fandom
Opposite: not participating in cosplay, disinterest in pop culture, not dressing up as fictional characters
She spent months creating her cosplay costume for the comic con and won first place in the competition
Pronunciation: dee-why
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: the activity of creating or repairing things oneself, often using materials that are easily accessible; to create or repair things oneself, often using materials that are easily accessible
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: DIYer (noun), DIYing (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Transitive
Stress marks: dee-why
Synonym: do-it-yourself, crafting, home improvement
Opposite: not doing DIY projects, relying on professionals for repairs, not creating or repairing things oneself
He enjoys DIY projects and has built his own furniture and home decor items
Pronunciation: dres-ahzh
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: a type of horseback riding that emphasizes precise movements and control; to practice the art of dressage
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: dressage rider (noun), dressage arena (noun)
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: dres-ahzh
Synonym: equestrian ballet, horse dancing, haute ecole
Opposite: not practicing dressage, not interested in horseback riding, avoiding precision and control
She’s been training in dressage for years and enjoys the challenge of mastering the precise movements
Pronunciation: peynt-bawl
Part of speech: noun/verb
Definition: a game in which players eliminate opponents by hitting them with pellets filled with paint, using air guns; to play a game in which players eliminate opponents by hitting them with pellets filled with paint, using air guns
Irregular spelling and irregular forms: paintballer (noun), paintballing (present participle)
Formal or informal: Informal
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive
Stress marks: peynt-bawl
Synonym: war games, airsoft, laser tag
Opposite: not playing paintball, disliking competition, avoiding physical activity
He went paintballing with his friends and had a great time strategizing and competing against each other