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

cool
adj.
a little cold, in a pleasant way
Similar:
chilly
Opposite:
hot
coral
noun
a hard, colourful material in warm seas, made from the skeletons of tiny sea creatures
Similar:
reef
correct
verb
to put right a mistake
Similar:
fix
Opposite:
false
cosy
adj.
warm, comfortable and relaxing
Similar:
comfy
Opposite:
chilly
counter
noun
a long flat surface in a shop or kitchen where people are served or work
Similar:
bench
crane
noun
a tall machine with a long arm used to lift and move heavy things
Similar:
derrick
crash
verb
to hit something hard and noisily
Similar:
bump
creak
verb
to make a long, squeaky sound, like an old door or floorboard
Similar:
grate
create
verb
to make something new that did not exist before
Similar:
build
Opposite:
destroy
crisp
adj.
firm, dry and making a snapping sound when broken or bitten
Similar:
brittle
Opposite:
soft
cross
adj.
annoyed or a little angry.
Similar:
angry
Opposite:
calm
crow
noun
a large black bird with a loud, harsh call
Similar:
raven
crowd
noun
a large group of people gathered together in one place
Similar:
horde
cruel
adj.
happy to cause pain or upset to others, or not caring about it.
Similar:
heartless
Opposite:
caring
cure
verb
to make someone who is ill healthy again, or to get rid of an illness or problem.
Similar:
fix
curious
adj.
eager to find out or learn about things
Similar:
inquisitive
Opposite:
apathetic
daft
adj.
silly or not very sensible
Similar:
barmy
Opposite:
sensible
damage
verb
to harm or break something so it is not as good as before
Similar:
break
Opposite:
fix
damp
adj.
slightly wet, often in a way that feels unpleasant
Similar:
clammy
Opposite:
dry
danger
noun
the chance that someone or something could be hurt or harmed
Similar:
hazard
Opposite:
safety
dangerous
adj.
likely to cause harm or injury
Similar:
hazardous
Opposite:
harmless
dark
adj.
with little or no light
Similar:
dim
Opposite:
bright
dash
verb
to run or move somewhere very quickly
Similar:
hurry
Opposite:
amble
date
noun
a particular day of the month or year
Similar:
day
dear
adj.
loved very much and important to you
Similar:
beloved
Opposite:
hated
decide
verb
to make a choice after thinking about it
Similar:
choose
Opposite:
hesitate
deep
adj.
going a long way down from the top or surface
Similar:
bottomless
Opposite:
shallow
delicious
adj.
tasting or smelling very good
Similar:
delectable
Opposite:
disgusting
delighted
adj.
very pleased and happy.
Similar:
glad
Opposite:
disappointed
describe
verb
to say or write what someone or something is like
Similar:
depict
description
noun
words that tell what someone or something is like
Similar:
account
Opposite:
absence
develop
verb
to grow bigger or better step by step
Similar:
grow
Opposite:
decline
diamond
noun
a very hard, clear, sparkling precious stone used in jewellery
Similar:
gem
dictionary
noun
a book that lists words in order and explains their meanings
Similar:
lexicon
different
adj.
not the same as another person or thing
Similar:
dissimilar
Opposite:
alike
difficult
adj.
hard to do, understand or deal with; needing a lot of effort.
Similar:
challenging
Opposite:
easy
dirty
adj.
covered in mud, dust or marks; not clean
Similar:
filthy
Opposite:
clean
disagree
verb
to have a different opinion from someone else
Similar:
argue
Opposite:
agree
disappear
verb
to go out of sight and no longer be seen
Similar:
vanish
Opposite:
appear
disappointed
adj.
sad because something was not as good as you hoped
Similar:
let down
Opposite:
delighted
disconnect
verb
to separate two things that were joined, or to cut off power or a link
Similar:
detach
Opposite:
attach
disobey
verb
to not do what a rule or a person in charge tells you
Similar:
break
Opposite:
follow
distant
adj.
far away in space or time
Similar:
far
Opposite:
adjacent
double
adj.
twice as much or twice as many
Similar:
twice
Opposite:
divide
draft
noun
a first try at a piece of writing or a drawing, which you will improve later
Similar:
outline
drag
verb
to pull something heavy along the ground with effort
Similar:
haul
Opposite:
push
draw
verb
to make a picture using a pencil, pen or crayon
Similar:
doodle
dreadful
adj.
very bad or unpleasant
Similar:
awful
Opposite:
excellent
drift
verb
to be carried slowly along by water or air
Similar:
float
drill
noun
a tool that spins round to make holes in wood, walls or metal
Similar:
borer
drip
verb
to fall in small drops, or to let liquid fall in drops
Similar:
dribble
drizzle
noun
light rain that falls in very fine, small drops
Similar:
light rain
Opposite:
deluge
duck
noun
a water bird with a flat beak, short legs and webbed feet
Similar:
drake
early
adj.
happening before the usual or expected time, or near the start of something
Similar:
initial
Opposite:
late
earth
noun
the soil or ground that plants grow in
Similar:
dirt
easy
adj.
not hard to do or understand
Similar:
effortless
Opposite:
difficult
eerie
adj.
strange and a little scary in a mysterious way
Similar:
creepy
Opposite:
ordinary
empty
adj.
with nothing or nobody inside
Similar:
bare
Opposite:
full
enemy
noun
someone who is against you or wants to fight you
Similar:
foe
Opposite:
ally
enjoy
verb
to like doing something and get pleasure from it
Similar:
appreciate
Opposite:
dislike