sphinx–spinnaker Vocabulary (S Words) – Meanings & Synonyms

sphinx

ArtsC1

Meaning: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The Sphinx is a famous symbol of ancient Egypt.

Category: Arts › Mythology

spice

FoodA1

Meaning: A substance used to add flavor to food.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Cinnamon is a popular spice in baking.

Category: Food › Cooking

Synonyms: seasoning

spick

ArtsC1

Meaning: Neat and tidy; clean.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: He always keeps his room spick and span.

Category: Arts › Aesthetics

Synonyms: neat

Antonyms: messy

spicy

FoodA2

Meaning: Having a strong flavor due to spices.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: I love spicy food, especially curry.

Category: Food › Cooking

Synonyms: hot

Antonyms: mild

spider

NatureA1

Meaning: An eight-legged arachnid that spins webs.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spider caught a fly in its web.

Category: Nature › Zoology

Synonyms: arachnid

spider monkey

NatureB2

Meaning: A type of monkey known for its long limbs and prehensile tail.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spider monkey swung through the trees.

Category: Nature › Zoology

Synonyms: Atelidae

spiders web

NatureB1

Meaning: A structure made by a spider to catch prey.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spider's web glistened with dew in the morning.

Category: Nature › Zoology

Synonyms: web

spidery

ArtsC1

Meaning: Thin and long, resembling a spider's legs.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: She had spidery fingers that moved gracefully.

Category: Arts › Aesthetics

Synonyms: thin

Antonyms: thick

spied

PoliticsB2

Meaning: The past tense of spy, meaning to watch secretly.

Part of speech: verb

Example: He spied on his neighbors from the window.

Category: Politics › Espionage

Synonyms: observed

spiel

BusinessC1

Meaning: A long or extravagant speech or story.

Part of speech: noun

Example: He gave his sales spiel to the customers.

Category: Business › Sales

Synonyms: pitch

spies

PoliticsB2

Meaning: People who secretly collect information about others.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spies worked undercover to gather intelligence.

Category: Politics › Espionage

Synonyms: agents

spiff

ArtsC2

Meaning: To make something neat or attractive.

Part of speech: verb

Example: She decided to spiff up her outfit for the party.

Category: Arts › Aesthetics

Synonyms: freshen

spiffing

ArtsC2

Meaning: Excellent or splendid.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The party was spiffing and everyone had a great time.

Category: Arts › Aesthetics

Synonyms: fantastic

spiffy

ArtsC1

Meaning: Smart or stylish in appearance.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: He wore a spiffy suit to the meeting.

Category: Arts › Aesthetics

Synonyms: stylish

spigot

TechnologyB2

Meaning: A device for controlling the flow of liquid from a container.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Turn the spigot to fill the bucket with water.

Category: Technology › Plumbing

Synonyms: tap

spike

ScienceB2

Meaning: A sharp point or projection.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spike on the fence prevents animals from entering.

Category: Science › Physics

Synonyms: point

spike heel

FashionB2

Meaning: A high heel that tapers to a sharp point.

Part of speech: noun

Example: She wore spike heels to the party.

Category: Fashion › Footwear

Synonyms: stiletto

spiked

ScienceB2

Meaning: Having sharp points or projections.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The spiked fence is meant to deter intruders.

Category: Science › Physics

Synonyms: pointed

spiky

NatureB2

Meaning: Having sharp points or projections; jagged.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The spiky plant can be dangerous to touch.

Category: Nature › Botany

Synonyms: jagged

spill

Everyday LifeA1

Meaning: To cause a liquid to flow over the edge of a container.

Part of speech: verb

Example: Be careful not to spill your drink.

Category: Everyday Life › Household

Synonyms: overturn

spill over

Everyday LifeB2

Meaning: To flow over the edge of a container or limit.

Part of speech: verb

Example: The water began to spill over the sides of the pot.

Category: Everyday Life › Household

Synonyms: overflow

spill way

EngineeringC2

Meaning: A channel or structure designed to carry excess water away.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spill way prevented flooding during the heavy rains.

Category: Engineering › Water Management

Synonyms: drainage

spillage

Everyday LifeB1

Meaning: The act of spilling or the amount that has been spilled.

Part of speech: noun

Example: There was a spillage of juice on the table.

Category: Everyday Life › Household

Synonyms: overflow

spillikins

GamesC1

Meaning: A game played with small sticks, often involving skill and balance.

Part of speech: noun

Example: They played spillikins during the family gathering.

Category: Games › Traditional Games

Synonyms: pick-up sticks

spin

Everyday LifeA1

Meaning: To turn or rotate quickly.

Part of speech: verb

Example: The child loves to spin in circles.

Category: Everyday Life › Activities

Phrase: spin a tale

Phrase example: He can spin a tale that captivates his audience.

Synonyms: rotate

spin doctor

PoliticsC2

Meaning: A person who tries to influence how an event is perceived by the public.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The politician hired a spin doctor to manage the media.

Category: Politics › Public Relations

Synonyms: public relations expert

spin dryer

TechnologyB2

Meaning: A machine that spins clothes to remove water after washing.

Part of speech: noun

Example: She put the wet clothes in the spin dryer.

Category: Technology › Laundry

Synonyms: centrifuge

spina bifida

MedicineC2

Meaning: A birth defect where the spine does not close properly.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Spina bifida can lead to physical disabilities.

Category: Medicine › Genetics

spinach

FoodA1

Meaning: A leafy green vegetable often used in salads and cooking.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Spinach is rich in iron and vitamins.

Category: Food › Vegetables

Synonyms: leafy green

spinal

MedicineC1

Meaning: Relating to the spine.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: He has a spinal injury from the accident.

Category: Medicine › Anatomy

Synonyms: vertebral

spinal cord

MedicineC2

Meaning: The bundle of nerves that runs down the spine.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spinal cord is crucial for transmitting signals between the brain and body.

Category: Medicine › Anatomy

Synonyms: nerve cord

spinal tap

MedicineC2

Meaning: A medical procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The doctor performed a spinal tap to diagnose the condition.

Category: Medicine › Procedures

Synonyms: lumbar puncture

spindle

ArtsC1

Meaning: A slender rounded rod used in spinning or weaving.

Part of speech: noun

Example: She used a spindle to spin the wool into yarn.

Category: Arts › Textiles

Synonyms: rod

spindly

NatureC2

Meaning: Long and thin, often weak or fragile.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The spindly legs of the insect made it look delicate.

Category: Nature › Zoology

Synonyms: thin

Antonyms: sturdy

spine

MedicineA2

Meaning: The series of vertebrae forming the backbone.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The spine supports the body and protects the spinal cord.

Category: Medicine › Anatomy

Synonyms: backbone

spine-chilling

ArtsC1

Meaning: Causing a feeling of fear or horror.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The spine-chilling story kept everyone on edge.

Category: Arts › Literature

Synonyms: terrifying

spine-less

PoliticsC2

Meaning: Lacking courage or determination.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: He was criticized for being spineless in the face of adversity.

Category: Politics › Character Traits

Synonyms: cowardly

Antonyms: brave

spinet

ArtsC2

Meaning: A small keyboard instrument similar to a piano.

Part of speech: noun

Example: She played a beautiful melody on the spinet.

Category: Arts › Music

Synonyms: keyboard

spine-tingling

ArtsC1

Meaning: Causing a thrilling or exciting sensation.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The spine-tingling performance left the audience in awe.

Category: Arts › Performance

Synonyms: exciting

spinnaker

SportsC2

Meaning: A large triangular sail used when sailing downwind.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The boat's spinnaker billowed in the wind.

Category: Sports › Sailing

Synonyms: sail

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