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Environment and climate – English vocabulary

57 words · English vocabulary · Created by Openquiz Team

57 English words with meanings: acclimatise, acid rain, alternative, arid, biofuel… Study them with flashcards, quizzes and AI speaking practice on OpenQuiz.

Part of the learning path: Vocabulary for IELTS

Word list

  1. acclimatise /ə'klaɪmətaɪz/ (verb) — to get used to a new climate or situation
    Example: It takes time for new employees to acclimatise to the office environment.
    Synonyms: adapt, adjust, get used to
  2. acid rain /'æsɪd reɪn/ (noun) — rain with harmful chemicals
    Example: Acid rain can damage forests and pollute lakes.
  3. alternative /ɔ:l'tɜ:nətɪv/ (adjective) — different and available instead of something else
    Example: We need an alternative plan in case this one fails.
    Synonyms: substitute, replacement, option
  4. arid /'ærɪd/ (adjective) — very dry and empty
    Example: Few plants can survive in the arid desert climate.
    Synonyms: dry, parched, barren
  5. biofuel /'baɪəʊfjuəl/ (noun) — fuel made from plants or waste
    Example: Biofuel is made from plant materials and animal waste.
    Synonyms: biogas, renewable fuel
  6. carbon /'kɑ:bən/ (noun) — a common element in nature
    Example: Carbon is an essential element found in all living things.
    Synonyms: graphite, charcoal
  7. catastrophic /,kætə'strɒfɪk/ (adjective) — causing great damage
    Example: The earthquake had catastrophic effects on the city.
    Synonyms: disastrous, devastating, ruinous
  8. climate /'klaɪmət/ (noun) — the usual weather of a place
    Example: The climate in this region is warm and humid.
    Synonyms: weather, atmosphere
  9. climate change /'klaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ (noun) — long-term changes in weather
    Example: Climate change is causing more extreme weather around the world.
    Synonyms: global warming, climate crisis, environmental change
  10. conserve /kən'sɜ:v/ (verb) — protect and save
    Example: We must conserve water during the dry season.
    Synonyms: save, preserve, protect
  11. contaminate /kən'tæmɪneɪt/ (verb) — to make dirty or unsafe
    Example: Industrial waste can contaminate the river and harm wildlife.
    Synonyms: pollute, taint, infect
  12. contaminated /kən'tæmɪneɪtɪd/ (adj) — made dirty or polluted
    Example: The river water was contaminated by industrial waste.
    Synonyms: polluted, tainted, impure
  13. contamination /kən,tæmɪ'neɪʃən/ (noun) — harmful dirt or chemicals in the environment
    Example: The contamination of the river made the water unsafe to drink.
    Synonyms: pollution, impurity, taint
  14. deforestation /di:,fɒrɪ'steɪʃən/ (noun) — cutting down forests
    Example: Deforestation is destroying the natural habitat of many animals.
    Synonyms: forest clearing, tree cutting, logging
  15. deplete /dɪ'pli:t/ (verb) — to use up
    Example: Overfishing can deplete the ocean’s resources.
    Synonyms: drain, exhaust, reduce
  16. devastating /'devəsteɪtɪŋ/ (adj) — causing great damage
    Example: The earthquake had a devastating impact on the city.
    Synonyms: destructive, ruinous, catastrophic
  17. disaster /dɪ'zɑ:stə/ (noun) — a very bad event
    Example: The earthquake was a major disaster for the entire region.
    Synonyms: catastrophe, tragedy, calamity
  18. disastrous /dɪ'zɑ:strəs/ (adjective) — causing harm
    Example: The storm caused disastrous flooding in the valley.
    Synonyms: catastrophic, ruinous, devastating
  19. disposal /dɪ'spəʊzəl/ (noun) — the act of throwing away or getting rid of something
    Example: Proper waste disposal helps keep the city clean.
    Synonyms: elimination, removal, discarding
  20. dispose of /dɪ'spəʊz əv/ (verb) — to get rid of
    Example: You should dispose of old batteries properly to avoid pollution.
    Synonyms: get rid of, discard, eliminate
  21. drought /draʊt/ (noun) — a long time with little rain
    Example: The severe drought caused crops to fail across the region.
    Synonyms: dry spell, aridity, lack of rain
  22. dump /dʌmp/ (verb) — throw away
    Example: People often dump their garbage in unauthorized areas.
    Synonyms: discard, throw away, dispose of
  23. eco-friendly /,i:kəʊ 'frendli/ (adjective) — good for the environment
    Example: They prefer to buy eco-friendly products made from recycled materials.
    Synonyms: environmentally friendly, green, sustainable
  24. ecology /i:'kɒlədʒi/ (noun) — the study of nature
    Example: She decided to study ecology to understand how organisms interact with their environment.
    Synonyms: environmental science, biology
  25. emission /ɪ'mɪʃən/ (noun) — release of gases
    Example: Car emission levels must be reduced to protect the air quality.
    Synonyms: discharge, release, output
  26. emissions /ɪ'mɪʃənz/ (noun) — waste gases
    Example: The factory reduced its carbon emissions to protect the environment.
    Synonyms: discharge, pollution, output
  27. environmental /ɪn,vaɪrən'mentl/ (adj) — related to nature or surroundings
    Example: The company follows strict environmental regulations to protect nature.
    Synonyms: ecological, green, natural
  28. environmentally friendly /ɪn,vaɪrən'mentəli 'frendli/ (adj) — not harmful to the environment
    Example: We should use environmentally friendly products to reduce pollution.
    Synonyms: eco-friendly, sustainable, green
  29. erode /ɪ'rəʊd/ (verb) — wear away
    Example: The river gradually erodes the rocks along its banks.
    Synonyms: wear away, corrode, deteriorate
  30. erosion /ɪ'rəʊʒən/ (noun) — soil being worn away
    Example: Soil erosion can be prevented by planting more trees.
    Synonyms: wearing away, degradation, weathering

…and 27 more words in this set.

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