English Vocabulary: Clothes, Buildings, and Transport

Vocabulary practice cards focusing on clothes and appearance, housing and architecture, and vehicles and transport from Units 4, 5, and 6.

blouse

A shirt for women.

waistcoat

A sleeveless piece of clothing (Gilet), traditionally worn by cowboys as shown in westerns.

mac

A raincoat.

fancy dress party

A party where you wear clothes that make you look like a famous person, an animal, etc.

to take in

To make a piece of clothing (such as trousers) narrower.

inside out

With the inside part facing out.

checked

Printed or woven in a pattern of squares.

striped

Designed or made with a pattern of stripes.

roll up

To fold one's sleeves or trousers several times until they are shorter.

let down

To use extra cloth in the hem (bottom fold) of a piece of clothing to make it longer.

give sb away

Telling other people where somebody is hiding.

fall over

To fall to the ground or fall down from an upright position.

get at sb/st

1. To reach somebody or something and attack or harm them; 2. (British English informal) To criticise somebody in an unfair and annoying way.

put aside

To save money.

go in for

To do, use, or have a particular type of thing because you like it or because it seems a good idea.

look around

To try to find something by looking in different places, asking people, etc.

grow out of

Becoming too big to wear your clothes.

get away with

To not be noticed or punished when you have done something wrong.

to suit sb

To be acceptable, suitable, or convenient for a particular person or in a particular situation.

fitted carpet

Carpet built or made to fit a particular space.

cupboard

1. A tall piece of furniture with shelves inside and door(s) at the front; 2. A very small room used for storing things (American English: closet).

mixer tap

A single tap for both hot and cold water.

attic

The room under the roof (British English: loft).

detached house

A house not joined to another house.

drive

1. (British English) A wide path for a car that joins someone's house to a street; 2. A journey in a car; 3. Energy and determination that makes you try hard to achieve something.

landing

1. The area at the top of or between two sections of a set of stairs; 2. When a plane moves down onto the ground at the end of a flight; 3. An attack by soldiers arriving somewhere by boat.

rug

1. A small carpet that covers part of a floor; 2. (British English) A soft cover that keeps you warm and comfortable; 3. Slang for a toupee or wig.

stool

A seat with legs having no support for your back.

settee

A sofa; a long soft comfortable chair for two or three people.

cottage

A small house, most often in a village or the countryside.

multi-storey car park

A car park with several levels or floors.

bungalow

A house that is all on one level (British English) or a small house often all on one level (American English).

semi-detached

Joined to another house by one wall that they share.

terraced house

(British English) A house in a row of similar houses joined together on both sides (American English: row house).

housing estate

A large group of houses (looking all the same) built at the same time.

to knock st down

1. To destroy and remove (e.g., a wall); 2. To reduce (e.g., a price).

to put out

1. Switch or turn off (a lamp); 2. Extinguish (a cigarette or fire); 3. Take something outside the house and leave it there (the washing).

to count on

1. Expect something to happen; 2. Depend on, rely on.

to run out of

1. To have no more of something; 2. To expire (e.g., a passport).

duvet

A warm cover for your bed (American English: comforter).

blind

A piece of cloth that is pulled down to cover a window.

kerb

The edge of the pavement at the side of the road (American English: curb).

kennel

A small building where a dog sleeps.

chauffeur

A person whose job is to drive a VIP around in their car, usually wearing a special uniform.

traffic warden

(British English) An official who checks whether vehicles are parked legally.

roof rack

(British English) A metal frame fixed on the roof of a car (American English: luggage rack).

bonnet

1. The front part of a car that covers the engine (American English: hood); 2. A hat that ties under your chin.

wing

1. The part of the car that covers the wheel (American English: fender); 2. The part of a bird or insect that allows them to fly; 3. The side of a stage; 4. A faction or group of people within a political party.

quay

A hard surface next to a river or sea where boats can stop.

runway

A long road used by planes when they land or take off.

pavement

(British English) A path with a hard surface beside a road (American English: sidewalk).

to skid

To slide uncontrollably across the ground.

gear

The part of the engine that changes speed in your car.

to put up with so/st

To accept someone or something unpleasant in a patient way.

to commute

To travel regularly between home and work.