Year 4 · free for everyone

Foundation vocabulary

Everyday words used well: the solid base every 11+ child needs before the harder lists. Each word has a meaning written for children, a similar word and an opposite. Every word on this list is free.

Quick quiz

Ten questions from the Foundation level in the 11+ styles: closest meaning, opposites, odd one out, words in context and missing words. Marked straight away, with explanations. No account needed.

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Printables

A word list (word, meaning, similar word and example) and a matching worksheet with answers. Free account needed: it takes a minute.

Word list (PDF) Matching worksheet (PDF)

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687 words

thoughtful
adj.
kind and caring, thinking about what other people need or feel
Similar:
caring
Opposite:
inconsiderate
thrilled
adj.
extremely pleased and excited
Similar:
delighted
Opposite:
apathetic
through
prep.
in at one side or end and out at the other
Similar:
across
thump
verb
to hit something hard, making a dull, heavy sound
Similar:
bang
thunderstorm
noun
a storm with thunder, lightning and usually heavy rain
Similar:
storm
tick
noun
a small mark shaped like a V, used to show something is correct
Similar:
check
Opposite:
cross
tide
noun
the regular rising and falling of the sea, which happens twice each day
Similar:
current
tidy
adj.
neat, with everything in its proper place
Similar:
neat
Opposite:
cluttered
tight
adj.
fitting very closely, or held firmly so it cannot move easily
Similar:
firm
Opposite:
loose
timid
adj.
shy and easily frightened; not brave or confident
Similar:
bashful
Opposite:
bold
tiny
adj.
very, very small
Similar:
little
Opposite:
enormous
tire
verb
to become weary or to make someone need rest
Similar:
drain
Opposite:
energise
toss
verb
to throw something lightly or gently
Similar:
chuck
Opposite:
catch
track
noun
a rough path, or a course for racing on
Similar:
course
train
noun
a line of carriages pulled along a railway track by an engine
Similar:
locomotive
trek
noun
a long, tiring journey, usually on foot
Similar:
hike
tricky
adj.
difficult and needing care or skill to do
Similar:
awkward
Opposite:
easy
tricycle
noun
a small bike with three wheels, often ridden by young children
Similar:
trike
trip
noun
a journey to a place and back again, often for fun or to learn
Similar:
excursion
tripod
noun
a stand with three legs used to hold something steady, like a camera
Similar:
stand
trunk
noun
the thick main stem of a tree, from which the branches grow
Similar:
bole
tyre
noun
a thick rubber ring filled with air that fits round a wheel
Similar:
wheel cover
ugly
adj.
not nice to look at
Similar:
hideous
Opposite:
attractive
unbutton
verb
to open clothing by pushing the buttons out of their holes
Similar:
open
Opposite:
button
uncertain
adj.
not sure or not known for definite
Similar:
doubtful
Opposite:
certain
unclear
adj.
not easy to understand, see or hear
Similar:
confusing
Opposite:
clear
undo
verb
to open or loosen something that is tied or fastened
Similar:
loosen
Opposite:
do up
undress
verb
to take off your clothes
Similar:
disrobe
Opposite:
dress
uneven
adj.
not flat, smooth or level
Similar:
bumpy
Opposite:
even
unfair
adj.
not treating people equally or in the right way
Similar:
biased
Opposite:
fair
unfold
verb
to open out something that was folded
Similar:
open
Opposite:
fold
unfriendly
adj.
not kind or welcoming towards other people
Similar:
cold
Opposite:
friendly
unhappy
adj.
sad and not feeling cheerful
Similar:
glum
Opposite:
cheerful
unhealthy
adj.
not good for your body, or not well
Similar:
harmful
Opposite:
healthy
unkind
adj.
not nice or caring, and likely to upset other people
Similar:
cruel
Opposite:
caring
unknown
adj.
not known about or not familiar
Similar:
mysterious
Opposite:
familiar
unload
verb
to take things out of a car, lorry or container
Similar:
empty
Opposite:
load
unlock
verb
to open something that is fastened, usually with a key or code
Similar:
open
Opposite:
fasten
unlucky
adj.
having bad things happen to you by chance
Similar:
hapless
Opposite:
fortunate
unpack
verb
to take things out of a bag, box or suitcase
Similar:
empty
Opposite:
load
unseen
adj.
not noticed or looked at by anyone
Similar:
hidden
Opposite:
noticed
untidy
adj.
messy and not neat or in order
Similar:
cluttered
Opposite:
neat
untie
verb
to undo a knot or bow, or set free something tied up
Similar:
loosen
Opposite:
fasten
until
prep.
up to a certain time, and then stopping
Similar:
till
untrue
adj.
false or not correct
Similar:
false
Opposite:
accurate
unusual
adj.
not normal or common; different from what you expect
Similar:
odd
Opposite:
common
unwanted
adj.
not needed or wished for by anyone
Similar:
surplus
Opposite:
needed
unwell
adj.
feeling ill or not healthy
Similar:
ill
Opposite:
healthy
unwise
adj.
not sensible; likely to cause problems
Similar:
foolish
Opposite:
sensible
unzip
verb
to open something by pulling its zip apart
Similar:
open
Opposite:
fasten
upset
adj.
unhappy, worried or disappointed about something
Similar:
distressed
Opposite:
calm
usual
adj.
normal, or what happens most of the time
Similar:
normal
Opposite:
rare
vane
noun
a flat pointer on top of a building that turns to show the wind direction
Similar:
weathercock
various
adj.
of several different kinds
Similar:
assorted
Opposite:
identical
vehicle
noun
a machine such as a car or bus that carries people or goods
Similar:
car
Opposite:
fixed
vein
noun
a thin tube in your body that carries blood back to your heart
Similar:
blood vessel
Opposite:
artery
wade
verb
to walk slowly through water
Similar:
paddle
waist
noun
the narrow middle part of your body, between your chest and hips
Similar:
middle
wait
verb
to stay where you are until something happens or someone comes
Similar:
hang on
Opposite:
go
waive
verb
to choose not to use a rule, right or charge
Similar:
cancel
Opposite:
enforce