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

boulder
noun
a very large rock, usually smooth and rounded
Similar:
rock
bowl
noun
a round, deep dish used for holding food such as soup or cereal
Similar:
basin
brainy
adj.
very clever and quick at learning things
Similar:
bright
Opposite:
dim
branch
noun
a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk and holds leaves
Similar:
bough
brave
adj.
willing to face danger, pain or something scary without showing fear
Similar:
bold
Opposite:
cowardly
breakfast
noun
the first meal you eat in the morning
Similar:
morning meal
breath
noun
the air that you take into your lungs and let out again
Similar:
gasp
breathe
verb
to take air into your lungs and let it out again
Similar:
inhale
bright
adj.
giving out or full of strong light, or having a strong, vivid colour
Similar:
brilliant
Opposite:
dark
bring
verb
to carry or take something or someone with you to a place
Similar:
carry
buddy
noun
a friend, especially a close one
Similar:
chum
Opposite:
enemy
bury
verb
to put something in a hole in the ground and cover it up
Similar:
cover
Opposite:
dig up
busy
adj.
having lots of things to do
Similar:
engaged
Opposite:
free
calendar
noun
a chart showing all the days, weeks and months of a year
Similar:
diary
call
verb
to shout or say something loudly to get someone's attention
Similar:
cry
calm
adj.
peaceful and relaxed, not worried, excited or angry
Similar:
composed
Opposite:
agitated
careful
adj.
paying close attention so that you avoid mistakes, damage or danger
Similar:
attentive
Opposite:
careless
carefully
adv.
in a way that pays close attention to avoid mistakes or harm
Similar:
attentively
Opposite:
carelessly
careless
adj.
not paying enough attention, so that mistakes or accidents happen
Similar:
negligent
Opposite:
attentive
caring
adj.
kind and gentle, and wanting to help and look after other people
Similar:
compassionate
Opposite:
heartless
centre
noun
the middle point or part of something
Similar:
core
Opposite:
edge
century
noun
a period of one hundred years
Similar:
hundred years
change
verb
to make or become different
Similar:
adjust
Opposite:
keep
chat
verb
to talk in a friendly, relaxed way with someone
Similar:
gossip
cheap
adj.
costing only a small amount of money
Similar:
affordable
Opposite:
costly
check
verb
to look at something carefully to make sure it is right or safe
Similar:
examine
Opposite:
ignore
cheeky
adj.
slightly rude or disrespectful, often in a playful or funny way
Similar:
impertinent
Opposite:
polite
cheer
verb
to shout loudly to show you are pleased or to encourage someone
Similar:
applaud
Opposite:
boo
cheerful
adj.
happy and in a good mood, and showing it
Similar:
bright
Opposite:
gloomy
chest
noun
a large, strong box with a lid, used for storing things
Similar:
box
child
noun
a young person who is not yet grown up
Similar:
kid
Opposite:
adult
chilly
adj.
rather cold, enough to make you want a coat
Similar:
brisk
Opposite:
hot
chirp
verb
to make a short, high sound like a small bird
Similar:
cheep
chop
verb
to cut something into pieces with a sharp tool
Similar:
cut
chore
noun
a small, regular job, often done at home
Similar:
duty
chuckle
verb
to laugh quietly, often to yourself
Similar:
chortle
chum
noun
a close friend
Similar:
buddy
Opposite:
enemy
circle
noun
a perfectly round shape, where every point on the edge is the same distance from the middle
Similar:
loop
cite
verb
to mention something, such as a book or a fact, as proof or an example
Similar:
mention
classmates
noun
people who are in the same class as you at school
Similar:
peers
clean
adj.
not dirty, with no marks, mud or mess
Similar:
fresh
Opposite:
dirty
clever
adj.
quick at learning, understanding and thinking of good ideas
Similar:
brainy
Opposite:
foolish
climb
verb
to go up something, often using your hands and feet
Similar:
ascend
Opposite:
descend
close
verb
to shut something so it is no longer open
Similar:
fasten
Opposite:
open
clothes
noun
the things you wear on your body, such as shirts, trousers and jumpers
Similar:
clothing
club
noun
a group of people who meet regularly to share an interest or activity
Similar:
association
clue
noun
a piece of information that helps you solve a puzzle or mystery
Similar:
hint
coach
noun
a person who trains people in a sport or skill
Similar:
instructor
coat
noun
a warm piece of clothing with sleeves that you wear over other clothes outside
Similar:
anorak
collect
verb
to gather things together and keep them
Similar:
accumulate
Opposite:
distribute
college
noun
a place where older students go to study
Similar:
university
Opposite:
academy
comforting
adj.
making you feel calmer and less sad or worried
Similar:
soothing
Opposite:
distressing
comical
adj.
funny and likely to make you laugh
Similar:
funny
Opposite:
dull
communicate
verb
to share ideas or news with other people
Similar:
talk
community
noun
a group of people who live or work in the same area
Similar:
neighbourhood
Opposite:
division
complain
verb
to say that you are unhappy or annoyed about something
Similar:
grumble
Opposite:
praise
completely
adv.
in every way; totally
Similar:
totally
Opposite:
fractionally
confused
adj.
not able to understand something or think clearly about it
Similar:
baffled
Opposite:
certain
consider
verb
to think carefully about something before making a choice
Similar:
contemplate
Opposite:
disregard
continue
verb
to keep going or keep doing something without stopping
Similar:
carry on
Opposite:
cease