Destination B1 - Unit 18 (Vocabulary): Inventions and discoveries

artificial

(adj) made by people, often as a copy of something natural. "This plant is artificial, not real."

automatic

(adj) (of a device or process) working by itself with little or no direct human control. "The doors are automatic."

complicated

(adj) made of many different parts or difficult to understand or deal with. "The instructions were too complicated."

decrease

(v) to become smaller or less; (n) a reduction in the size or amount of something. "The number of students decreased this year.", "There was a sharp decrease in sales."

digital

(adj) using an electronic system that changes sounds or images into signals, such as numbers, before sending or storing them. "I prefer digital cameras to film cameras."

discover

(v) to find something out for the first time. "Scientists discovered a new planet."

effect

(n) a change that happens because of something else; a result. "The medicine had a strong effect on him."

equipment

(n) the tools or machines needed for a particular activity or purpose. "The gym has new equipment."

estimate

(v) to guess the size, amount, or cost of something without knowing exact numbers. "Can you estimate the cost of the repairs?"

exact

(adj) completely correct and accurate. "I need the exact time of the meeting."

experiment

(v) to carry out a scientific test to find out what happens; (n) a scientific test done to find out how something works or to check a theory. "We will experiment with different materials.", "They conducted an experiment to test the hypothesis."

gadget

(n) a small, useful machine or device. "My new phone is a cool gadget."

hardware

(n) the physical parts of a computer or other electronic system. "I need to upgrade my computer hardware."

invent

(v) to create something new that has not existed before. "Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone."

involve

(v) to include something as a necessary part or result. "The job involves a lot of travel."

laboratory

(n) a room or building used for scientific research, experiments, or teaching. "Scientists work in a laboratory."

lack

(v) to not have enough of something; (n) the state of not having enough of something. "He lacks confidence.", "There is a lack of funds for the project."

laptop

(n) a small computer that can be carried around and used in different places. "I always take my laptop when I travel."

maximum

(adj) the highest amount or level that is possible. "The maximum speed allowed is 100 km/h."

minimum

(adj) the smallest amount or level that is possible or allowed. "The minimum age for the job is 18."

operate

(v) to control the way a machine or system works. "He knows how to operate the machinery."

plastic

(n) a strong, light material that can be made into different shapes; (adj) made of plastic. "Many toys are made of plastic.", "This is a plastic bottle."

program

(v) to give a computer a set of instructions to make it perform a particular task; (n) a set of instructions that makes a computer perform a particular task. "She is learning to program computers.", "I use a special program for editing photos."

research

(n) a careful study of a subject to discover new facts or information. "She is doing research on climate change."

run

(v) (of a machine) to be working. "Is the washing machine running?"

screen

(v) the flat surface on a television, computer, or phone where pictures or information are shown. "I'm looking at my computer screen all day."

software

(n) the programs used by computers for particular purposes. "I need to install new software on my laptop."

sudden

(adj) happening or done quickly and unexpectedly. "There was a sudden change in the weather."

technology

(n) the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems. "Technology has changed our lives."

unique

(adj) being the only one of its kind; unusual or special. "Each person has a unique fingerprint."

break down

(phr v) (of a machine or vehicle) to stop working. "My car broke down on the way to work."

come across

(phr v) to find or meet something or someone by chance. "I came across an old photo while cleaning."

find out

(phr v) to get information about something or someone. "I need to find out when the train leaves."

make up

(phr v) to invent a story, an excuse, etc. "He made up an excuse for being late."

pull off

(phr v) break by pulling. “The child pulled off the doll’s arm.”

throw away

(phr v) to get rid of something you do not want or need. "Don't throw away old batteries."

turn off

(phr v) to switch off a light, machine, or water supply. "Please turn off the lights when you leave."

turn on

(phr v) to switch on a light, machine, or water supply. "Can you turn on the air conditioning?"

at last

(prep. phr) finally, after a long time. "At last, the train arrived."

by chance

(prep. phr) without planning; accidentally. "I met her by chance at the supermarket."

in my opinion

(prep. phr) used to express what you think about something. "In my opinion, it's a great movie."

in the end

(prep. phr) finally, after everything else has been considered. "We tried everything, and in the end, it worked."

in the future

(prep. phr) at a later time. "I hope to visit Japan in the future."

out of order

(prep. phr) not working correctly. "The lift is out of order."

boil

(v) (of a liquid) to reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to steam. "The water is boiling."

boiler

(n) a large container in which water is heated to provide hot water or steam. "We need to get the boiler repaired."

boiling

(adj) (of a liquid) at or near the boiling point. "Be careful, the water is boiling hot."

chemist

(n) a person who studies chemistry or a person who sells medicines. "She works as a chemist in a lab."

chemical

(n) a substance used in chemistry or produced by a chemical process. "There are many chemicals in this product."

chemistry

(n) the scientific study of substances, how they combine, and how they react. "I enjoyed studying chemistry at school."

conclude

(v) to bring something to an end. "The meeting concluded with a vote."

conclusion

(n) the end or finish of an event or process. "In conclusion, I think we did well."

examine

(v) to look at or consider (something) in detail in order to discover something about it. "The doctor examined the patient."

exam(ination)

(n) a formal test of a person's knowledge or proficiency in a subject or skill. "I have an exam tomorrow."

examiner

(n) a person who supervises and grades a test or examination. "The examiner asked difficult questions."

fascinate

(v) to interest someone greatly. "Science fascinates me."

fascination

(n) the state of being extremely interested in something. "She has a fascination with ancient history."

fascinating

(adj) extremely interesting. "The documentary was fascinating."

history

(n) the study of past events. "I love learning about history."

historic

(adj) famous or important in history. "It was a historic moment."

historian

(n) an expert in history. "A famous historian wrote this book."

identical

(adj) exactly alike. "The two cars are identical."

identically

(adv) in an identical manner; in a way that is exactly alike. "They were dressed identically."

long

(adj) measuring a great distance from end to end. "The river is very long."

length

(n) the measurement or extent of something from end to end. "What is the length of the table?"

measure

(v) to find the size, amount, or extent of something. "Can you measure the room?"

measurement

(n) the act or process of measuring. "The measurements for the new sofa are wrong."

science

(n) the study of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. "She is studying science at university."

scientist

(n) a person who studies or works in science. "Scientists are trying to find a cure."

different from/to

not the same as. "This car is different from/to the old one."

full of

containing a lot of something. "The box was full of old books."

begin with

to start with. "Let's begin with a quick review."

connect sth to/with

to join or bring together. "Can you connect this cable to the TV?", "How do you connect with people online?"

disconnect sth from

to separate something from something else. "Disconnect the phone from the charger."

fill sth with

to make something full. "She filled the glass with water."

result in

to cause a particular situation to happen. "His efforts resulted in success."

a difference between

a way in which two or more things are not alike. "There's a big difference between the two products."

an idea about

a thought or suggestion about a possible course of action. "Do you have an idea about what happened?"

a number of

several. "A number of students were absent."

a reason for

a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event. "What's the reason for your decision?"

a type of

a kind or sort of thing. "This is a type of fruit."