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

mist
noun
a thin cloud of tiny water drops in the air near the ground
Similar:
fog
mistake
noun
something that is wrong or done incorrectly
Similar:
blunder
mistaken
adj.
wrong about something you believe or think
Similar:
inaccurate
Opposite:
correct
misty
adj.
full of or covered by thin cloud, so things are hard to see clearly
Similar:
foggy
Opposite:
bright
modern
adj.
new, up to date, or belonging to the present time
Similar:
contemporary
Opposite:
ancient
morning
noun
the early part of the day, from when the sun rises until midday
Similar:
daybreak
Opposite:
evening
mouse
noun
a small furry animal with a pointed nose, round ears and a long tail
Similar:
rodent
mucky
adj.
dirty or covered in mud
Similar:
dirty
Opposite:
clean
nail
noun
a thin, pointed piece of metal you hammer into wood to hold things together
Similar:
pin
narrow
adj.
not wide; with only a small distance from one side to the other
Similar:
slender
Opposite:
broad
nasty
adj.
very unpleasant, or unkind to other people
Similar:
awful
Opposite:
kind
naughty
adj.
behaving badly or not doing what you are told
Similar:
badly behaved
Opposite:
good
neat
adj.
tidy and well organised, with everything in its place
Similar:
tidy
Opposite:
chaotic
necessary
adj.
needed in order to do something or for it to work
Similar:
essential
Opposite:
needless
neighbour
noun
a person who lives next door or very near you
Similar:
local
nervous
adj.
worried or a little afraid about something that might happen
Similar:
anxious
Opposite:
calm
next
adj.
coming straight after this one in time or order
Similar:
following
Opposite:
last
noisy
adj.
making a lot of loud sound
Similar:
clamorous
Opposite:
peaceful
normal
adj.
usual, ordinary and what you would expect
Similar:
ordinary
Opposite:
abnormal
note
noun
a short written message
Similar:
letter
notice
verb
to see or become aware of something
Similar:
observe
Opposite:
ignore
occasion
noun
a special event or a particular time when something happens
Similar:
celebration
occasionally
adv.
sometimes, but not very often
Similar:
now and then
Opposite:
always
occur
verb
to happen or take place
Similar:
happen
ocean
noun
a very large area of salty water that covers much of the Earth
Similar:
sea
often
adv.
many times; again and again
Similar:
frequently
Opposite:
never
open
verb
to move something so that people or things can pass through or get inside
Similar:
undo
Opposite:
close
opposite
adj.
completely different, or on the other side facing something
Similar:
contrary
Opposite:
same
option
noun
something you can choose from several things
Similar:
choice
Opposite:
necessity
orbit
noun
the curved path that a planet, moon or spacecraft follows around something in space
Similar:
circuit
order
noun
the way things are arranged, one after another
Similar:
arrangement
Opposite:
chaos
ordinary
adj.
normal, with nothing special about it
Similar:
normal
Opposite:
extraordinary
outside
adv.
out of a building and in the open air
Similar:
out of doors
Opposite:
indoors
packed
adj.
very full of people or things
Similar:
busy
Opposite:
deserted
pain
noun
the hurting feeling you get when part of your body is injured or ill
Similar:
ache
Opposite:
comfort
pair
noun
two things of the same kind that go together or are used together
Similar:
couple
pane
noun
a single flat sheet of glass in a window or door
Similar:
panel
part
noun
a piece or section of something larger
Similar:
bit
Opposite:
whole
particular
adj.
one special or certain thing, rather than any of them
Similar:
certain
Opposite:
general
past
noun
the time that has already gone by, before now
Similar:
bygone days
Opposite:
future
peace
noun
a time of calm and quiet, or when there is no fighting
Similar:
calm
Opposite:
conflict
pedal
noun
a part you press or push with your foot to make something work or move
Similar:
lever
peek
verb
to take a quick, secret look at something
Similar:
glance
people
noun
men, women and children; more than one person
Similar:
folk
perhaps
adv.
possibly; used when you are not sure about something
Similar:
maybe
Opposite:
certainly
pick
verb
to choose someone or something from a group
Similar:
choose
Opposite:
reject
picture
noun
a drawing, painting or photograph that shows a person, place or thing
Similar:
drawing
piece
noun
a part or bit of something
Similar:
bit
Opposite:
whole
pile
noun
a lot of things placed on top of each other
Similar:
heap
pine
noun
a tall evergreen tree with thin, needle-shaped leaves and cones
Similar:
conifer
plane
noun
a vehicle with wings and engines that flies through the air
Similar:
aeroplane
plant
noun
a living thing that grows in soil, like a flower, tree or bush
Similar:
flower
playground
noun
an outdoor area where children play, especially at school or in a park
Similar:
play area
plead
verb
to ask for something in a very strong, emotional way
Similar:
appeal
pleasant
adj.
nice, enjoyable and making you feel happy
Similar:
delightful
Opposite:
horrible
pleased
adj.
happy and satisfied about something
Similar:
content
Opposite:
annoyed
pleasing
adj.
giving enjoyment or satisfaction
Similar:
pleasant
Opposite:
disagreeable
pool
noun
a large tank or area of water for swimming in
Similar:
baths
poor
adj.
having very little money or few things
Similar:
hard-up
Opposite:
rich
popular
adj.
liked or enjoyed by many people
Similar:
admired
Opposite:
unpopular