Everyday English (Unit 5) · New Headway Elementary Vocabulary List

showing good manners and respectful behavior towards others

"He is very polite."

"The polite young man held the door open for the elderly woman who was carrying several heavy bags of groceries."

a liquid with no smell, taste, or color, that falls from the sky as rain, and is used for washing, cooking, drinking, etc.

"The water is very cold."

"The hiker drank the last of his water and knew he had to find a stream soon because he still had five more miles to walk before reaching the campsite."

a list of the different food available for a meal in a restaurant

"The menu looks expensive."

"We studied the menu before ordering dinner."

to give someone money in exchange for goods or services

"Please pay the bill now."

"You must pay your rent on time or the landlord will charge you a late fee."

(of interactions or payments) done without physical touch, often using wireless technology

"The payment is contactless."

"The contactless payment system allows customers to tap their phone or card without swiping or inserting it into a machine."

to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits and how it looks

"Try on this jacket before buying."

"You should try on the jacket before buying it to make sure it fits you properly."

pants made of denim, that is a type of strong cotton cloth, and is used for a casual style

"These jeans are too tight."

"She wears jeans almost every day because they are comfortable."

to give someone what they need

"Can you help me please?"

"Can you help me carry these heavy boxes upstairs because I cannot lift them alone."

in a position very close to someone or something

"Sit next to me."

"The small cafe was located next to the bustling market, attracting many shoppers with its aroma."

a book or electronic resource that gives a list of words in alphabetical order and explains their meanings, or gives the equivalent words in a different language

"Look up this word."

"A bilingual dictionary provides translations and definitions for words between two languages"

a small piece of paper or other material that is affixed to a letter or package to indicate that the appropriate postage fee has been paid for its delivery

"Stamp proves postage paid."

"He licked the stamp and stuck it on the upper right corner of the envelope."

to provide transport for someone by offering them a ride in the vehicle one is driving

"Give me a lift."

"I can give you a lift to the train station if you're heading that way."

a ticket for a journey from one place to another and back again

"She buys a return ticket to Chicago."

"She buys a return ticket to Chicago and plans to come back home in two weeks."

to perform a helpful or kind act for someone, typically without expecting something in return

"Can you do me a favor?"

"I was in a difficult situation, so my neighbor offered to do me a favor by helping me move all the heavy furniture."

a formal application or proposal made to an authority or organization for a particular action or decision

"I made a request."

"The committee reviewed the formal request for funding submitted by the local community group."

used to express that something is possible or may happen, exist, or be true

"It can rain today."

"The new policy can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and productivity."

used as the past tense of ‘can’

"I could go home."

"She thought she could finish the project by tomorrow if she worked diligently."

a container that is used for drinks and is made of glass

"Drink from this glass."

"He poured a generous measure of whiskey into the heavy crystal glass."

to notice a thing or person with our eyes

"I can see the cat."

"From the mountaintop, we could clearly see the entire valley spread out below us."

to hold someone or something and take them from one place to another

"She will carry the bag."

"The porter helped the elderly woman to carry her heavy suitcases up the stairs to her hotel room on the third floor."

to put our bottom on something like a chair or the ground while keeping our back straight

"Please sit on the comfortable chair."

"The elderly man prefers to sit in the front row of the cinema because his eyesight is poor."

to use or take something belonging to someone else, with the idea of returning it

"Students borrow books from the library."

"It is generally not a good idea to borrow money from friends because it can damage your relationship permanently."