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I'm A Genetic Engineer. I'm Also a Fish.

Original YouTube Video | SciShow Published on 2024-04-18 Level：96 Speed：56 maxwordlevel：17

Video vocabulary

pointless

US / 'pɔɪntləs /

•

UK / ˈpɔɪntlɪs /

adjecitve
Being without a purpose or meaning

tobacco

US / tə'bækəʊ /

•

UK / təˈbæko /

noun
Cigars and cigarettes
Plant used to make cigars and cigarettes

use

US / ju:s /

•

UK / ju:s /

noun
Ability to employ something
Need to enable it to work
Permission to do something with something
Act of spending money
Operation of a machine for its function
verb
To have; to eat, drink, consume etc.
To need to operate or work
To operate a machine, e.g. a computer
To treat a person badly
To do something with, for a task or purpose

write

US / raɪt /

•

UK / raɪt /

verb
To compose letters and words on paper or a screen
To invent or create a computer program
To create a song or piece of music

certain

US / ˈsə:tn /

•

UK / ˈsɚtn /

adjecitve
Definite, fixed
Referring to an unspecified amount or quantity
Being sure about something; without doubt

day

US / deɪ /

•

UK / de /

noun
A period of 24 hours beginning at midnight
The period of time when it is light outside
Person's name

combine

US / kəmˈbaɪn /

•

UK / kəmˈbaɪn /

verb
To mix several things together to form one thing

develop

US / dɪ'veləp /

•

UK / dɪˈvɛləp /

verb
To explain something in steps and in detail
To create or think of something
To grow bigger, more complex, or more advanced
To make a photograph from film

grad

US / græd /

•

UK / ɡræd /

other
One-hundredth of a right angle

lock

US / lɒk /

•

UK / lɑ:k /

noun
Small portion of your hair that hangs together
Place on a door, etc. that you close with a key
verb
To become fixed in place and hard to move
To use a key, code so others can't open something

gene

US / dʒi:n /

•

UK / dʒin /

noun
Part of cell controlling development of a thing

point

US / pɔɪnt /

•

UK / pɔɪnt /

noun
An item to be discussed
Small spot or dot
Fact or detail
Feature of something
The size of the text on a page or screen
A certain time or stage in a process
Certain position in time or space
Idea or fact you try to convince people about
Measurement of scores in a game, sport
Sharp end of something, e.g. a pen or pin
verb
To face a certain direction, e.g. north
To indicate something with your finger to others

strike

US / straɪk /

•

UK / straɪk /

noun
A punch or hit
Fact of not hitting the ball when playing baseball
Refusal to work to get more pay, protest something
verb
To hit something
To suddenly become (e.g. rich)
To have an idea occur to you

sure

US / ʃʊə(r) /

•

UK / ʃʊr /

adjecitve
Having no doubts about something
Have confidence in your own words or actions
Firmly established or held; being firm or stable
Being correct or true
adverb
What you say to agree willingly

appear

US / ə'pɪə(r) /

•

UK / əˈpɪr /

verb
To be seen, become visible; come into sight
To seem to be
To act in a play, movie, or be mentioned in media

after

US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

•

UK / ˈæftɚ /

adverb
Later than another time, or behind something
conjunction
Following something before
preposition
When an event happened or time has passed

already

US / ɔ:lˈredi /

•

UK / ɔlˈrɛdi /

adverb
Having happened or been done before this time

frog

US / frɒg /

•

UK / frɔ:g /

noun
Small hopping amphibian

draft

US / drɑ:ft /

•

UK / dræft /

noun
Withdrawal of money from the bank
System for selecting people to join the military
Method of selecting players for sports teams
Cold wind coming through a door or window
First attempt at a piece of writing
verb
To order people to join the army in time of war
To select people for a task or team
To write something that will be edited later

episode

US / 'epɪsəʊd /

•

UK / ˈɛpɪˌsod /

noun
One separate event in a series of events
Show which is part of a larger story

many

US / 'menɪ /

•

UK / ˈmɛni /

determiner
Used to refer a large number of things

team

US / ti:m /

•

UK / tim /

noun
Group of people working on a task together
Group of people playing a sport together

wild

US / waɪld /

•

UK / waɪld /

adjecitve
Living in nature; not tame
(Of land) not developed by people
adverb
In a manner which lacks control
noun
A natural environment e.g. jungle, forest

will

US / wɪl /

•

UK / wɪl /

noun
Desire or choice of someone
Document saying who gets your money when you die
Strong desire to do something; determination
Desire to do something; strong wish to do
other
Used with verbs to express the future
verb
To leave property to someone after your death
To use mental effort to make something happen
Am (is, are) likely to do
To influence someone to do something
To make something happen by strongly wanting it

absence

US / ˈæbsəns /

•

UK / ˈæbsəns /

noun
State of not being present, or not existing

separate

US / 'sepəreɪt /

•

UK / 'sepəreɪt /

adjecitve
Being different from or unrelated to another
verb
To divide two things by being in between them
To live away from your husband or wife
To move things away from each other

ripe

US / raɪp /

•

UK / raɪp /

adjecitve
(Of a smell) disgusting
Fully grown or mature; ready to eat
Being ready, mature or appropriate for something

afp

US / /

•

UK / /

either

US / ˈaɪðə(r) /

•

UK / ˈiðɚ, ˈaɪðɚ /

adjecitve
One of two (used when there is a choice of two)
adverb
(After negative statements) likewise, in addition
conjunction
Used as the first of two connected things
determiner
Used as the first of two connected things
pronoun
The one or the other

here

US / hɪə(r) /

•

UK / hɪr /

adverb
In this place; at this location, position or time

hijacking

US / 'haɪdʒækɪŋ /

•

UK / 'haɪdʒækɪŋ /

verb
To take control of a plane, etc. by force

new

US / nju: /

•

UK / nu, nju /

adjecitve
Not old, recently born, built or made
Being or doing something for the first time
Not felt, seen or known previously
Having been recently bought or obtained

genomic

US / dʒi:'ŋəʊmɪk /

•

UK / dʒi:'ŋoʊmɪk /

adjecitve
Concerning the set of genetic material in a cell

kiddo

US / 'kɪdəʊ /

•

UK / ˈkɪdo /

noun
Used as a friendly or slightly condescending form of address.

actually

US / ˈæktʃuəli /

•

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

adverb
Used to add new (often different) information

shock

US / ʃɒk /

•

UK / ʃɑ:k /

noun
The passage of an electricity through the body
Sudden bad feeling caused by something unexpected
verb
To affect someone with an electrical current
To cause great surprise, horror, or anger

too

US / tu: /

•

UK / tu /

adverb
In addition, also; with emphasis
Say that something is more than you want

plus

US / plʌs /

•

UK / plʌs /

noun
A benefit or advantage
preposition
In addition; add
In addition to; Indicates a number above
Having a value greater than zero

formally

US / 'fɔ:məlɪ /

•

UK / ˈfɔrml:ɪ /

adverb
In a formal manner; officially
In your best clothes, e.g. for a prom

wind

US / wɪnd /

•

UK / wɪnd /

adjecitve
(Musical instruments) that you blow into to play
noun
A current of air moving approximately horizontally, especially one strong enough to be felt
Something that has influence
verb
If a road, path, or river winds, it follows a route that turns repeatedly in different directions
To turn or cause something to turn
To twist around something

why

US / waɪ /

•

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

adverb
Question word to ask for a reason
exclamation
(Used to express surprise or approval)

solid

US / 'sɒlɪd /

•

UK / ˈsɑlɪd /

adjecitve
Being able to be trusted; reliable
Substance that is hard or of fixed shape
Being well made and expected to last long
Having no space or emptiness inside
Being made entirely of one material or substance
noun
Something firm or hard; not gas or liquid

through

US / θru: /

•

UK / θru /

adjecitve
having finished using or doing something
adverb
From the beginning of something until the end
preposition
Over, in, across an entire thing or place
Allowing you to pass between, or to
By a particular way or process; by the use of

mobility

US / məʊˈbɪləti /

•

UK / moˈbɪliti /

noun
Ability to move
Ability to move with ease

for

US / fə(r) /

•

UK / fɔr,fə /

preposition
Used to show the purpose, or need of something

treasure

US / 'treʒə(r) /

•

UK / ˈtrɛʒɚ /

noun
Valuable things collected, and often hidden
Someone or something that is worth a lot
verb
To value something you keep very much
To take great care of because you love/value it

those

US / ðəʊz /

•

UK / ðoz /

determiner
The people or things we are talking about
pronoun
The objects far from the speaker

pop

US / pɒp /

•

UK / pɑp /

adjecitve
Type of music or art popular with many people
noun
Sweet soda drink
verb
To cause something to open or burst suddenly
To go to or in a place for a brief period of time

generation

US / ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌdʒɛnəˈreʃən /

noun
Act or process of producing or causing something
People born and living at about the same time

occur

US / əˈkɜ:(r) /

•

UK / əˈkɚ /

verb
To come to pass or to happen

mouse

US / maʊs /

•

UK / maʊs /

noun
Small animal that has fur and a long tail
Computer device to control movement on a screen
Quiet, shy person

face

US / feɪs /

•

UK / fes /

noun
Side or outer surface of something
An expression using mouth, nose, eyes etc.
Front part of the head where eyes, mouth etc. are
Characteristics you show in public
verb
To cover a surface with something like paint
To deal with a problem or responsibilities
To look toward; point in a certain direction

control

US / kən'trəʊl /

•

UK / kənˈtrol /

noun
A device designed to operate a machine
Participant in experiment that is left untouched
Act to dominate or command; make manageable
A law limiting the growth or spread of something
A place which overseas or manages e.g. a factory
verb
To direct or influence the behavior of something

well

US / wel /

•

UK / wɛl /

adjecitve
Being in a fortunate, good condition or state
Healthy and in good condition
adverb
In an acceptable, proper, or successful manner
In a complete, total, or full manner
A great and considerable degree
In a successful way, in a good or satisfactory way
exclamation
Used to begin or continue a particular statement
Used to show you want to start saying something
Used to express that you are waiting for a reply
You say this to change the topic of a conversation
Used to indicate you are making a final remark
noun
Long deep hole in the ground to get water
verb
To cause your eyes to fill with tears

start

US / stɑ:t /

•

UK / stɑrt /

noun
First time or place that a thing exists; beginning
First opportunity to achieve something, e.g. a job
Sudden action or movement because you are scared
other
Beginning of something in place or time
verb
To do, be or happen for the first time; begin
To turn something on

slovenia

US / slə'vi:nɪə /

•

UK / sloʊ'vi:nɪr /

other
A mountainous republic in central Europe; formerly part of the Habsburg monarchy and Yugoslavia; ach

set

US / set /

•

UK / sɛt /

adjecitve
Prepared for something; ready
noun
Complete group of something
Place where a television show or movie is filmed
Group of games in a tennis match
Device that receives radio or television signals
verb
To make a clock state or ring at a particular time
To decide upon or choose something
To make something ready for use (e.g. table)
To decide on a price for something
To become hard (of glue, concrete etc.)
To be located in a specific place or time
To put (e.g. a vase) down carefully in a place
To put someone in a certain condition or state
(Of the sun) to go lower than the horizon

test

US / test /

•

UK / test /

noun
A medical examination
Action to establish the truth or nature of
Examination; questions to measure knowledge
verb
To be given a medical examination
To try to establish the truth or nature of
To ask a series of questions to measure knowledge

since

US / sɪns /

•

UK / sɪns /

adverb
At a point before the present time
conjunction
For this reason; because
preposition
From the time in the past that

land

US / lænd /

•

UK / lænd /

noun
Region or country
Earth; the ground
verb
To arrive or cause a boat to arrive at the shore
To obtain or get something that you wanted
To (cause to) come down to the ground safely
To cause to arrive in a specific place or state

hornwort

US / ˈhɔːnˌwɜːt /

•

UK / /

other
Any aquatic plant of the genus Ceratophyllum; forms submerged masses in ponds and slow-flowing strea
Liverworts with slender hornlike capsules

grow

US / ɡrəʊ /

•

UK / ɡro /

verb
To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
To improve; to develop better skills over time
To develop and become bigger or taller over time

exact

US / ɪɡ'zækt /

•

UK / ɪɡˈzækt /

adjecitve
Completely correct; accurate; specific
verb
To get something, sometimes using force

die

US / daɪ /

•

UK / daɪ /

noun
Cube with dots numbering 1-6 on it used in games
verb
To cease to function or work
(Of a thing) to stop being used or done
(Of a person) to stop living

shade

US / ʃeɪd /

•

UK / ʃed /

noun
Area of darkness when something blocks the light
Something that blocks or reduces light
Color that is a little darker or brighter than
verb
To shelter something from direct light
To change the truth to deceive or influence
To make one part of a picture darker or lighter

talk

US / tɔ:k /

•

UK / tɔk /

noun
Style of speaking
Discussion between two countries
Giving information in front of people; lecture
Saying things or ideas to someone with words
verb
To make a formal speech about something
To say things or ideas to someone with words

purpose

US / 'pɜ:pəs /

•

UK / ˈpɚpəs /

noun
Reason for which something is done; aim; goal

modern

US / ˈmɔdən /

•

UK / ˈmɑdən /

adjecitve
Of the present time; up to date; contemporary

just

US / dʒʌst /

•

UK / dʒʌst /

adjecitve
Proper or appropriate; as is deserved
Doing or being what is right or fair
Legally correct; having enough evidence
adverb
Almost; nearly
Exactly at the time of
Exactly (the same as, like)

exchange

US / ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ /

•

UK / ɪksˈtʃendʒ /

noun
Sharing/directing a look, etc. at someone else
Short discussion or talk
The place you can change money to another currency
Place where things or services are exchanged
Act of returning something to a store
Act of giving a thing in return for another thing
verb
To share (a look, a few words etc.)
To sell one currency to get another
To return something to a store
To give things of similar value to each other

card

US / kɑ:d /

•

UK / kɑ:rd /

noun
One of 54 pieces of paper used in a game of cards
Small piece of paper or plastic used as ID
verb
(Golf) to record how many hits you took

cycle

US / ˈsaɪkl /

•

UK / ˈsaɪkəl /

noun
Series of regular and repeated actions
Bicycle, bike
verb
To go through a series of events repeatedly
To ride on a bicycle

animal

US / ˈænɪml /

•

UK / ˈænəməl /

noun
A living creature that is not a plant or person

stumble

US / 'stʌmbl /

•

UK / ˈstʌmbəl /

noun
Failing to do something well, e.g. giving a speech
Act of tripping and almost falling
verb
To fail to perform, e.g. when giving a speech
To trip and almost fall

street

US / stri:t /

•

UK / strit /

noun
Road in a city with buildings and places to walk

situation

US / ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌsɪtʃuˈeʃən /

noun
Place, position or area that something is in
Circumstance or condition surrounding an event
An unexpected problem or difficulty

prokaryotic

US / prəʊkærɪ'ɒtɪk /

•

UK / proʊˌkærɪ'ɒtɪk /

other
Having cells that lack membrane-bound nuclei

question

US / 'kwestʃən /

•

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

noun
Issue or problems you are dealing with
What you ask about; issue
verb
To ask for or try to get information
To have or express concerns or uncertainty

hybridization

US / ˌhaɪbrɪdaɪ'zeɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌhaɪbrɪdaɪ'zeɪʃn /

noun
Act of mixing different species or varieties

green

US / gri:n /

•

UK / ɡrin /

adjecitve
Color of young leaves
Covered with vegetation, e.g. grass
Concerned about protecting the environment
The color of young leaves
Lacking in experience/knowledge due to being young
Being not fully grown or ripe, as in fruit
noun
Large grassy area
used as a part of a name of a place (UK)

difficult

US / 'dɪfɪkəlt /

•

UK / ˈdɪfɪˌkʌlt, -kəlt /

adjecitve
Hard; not easy; you need to work hard to do it

antifreeze

US / ˈæntifri:z /

•

UK / ˈæntɪˌfriz /

other
A liquid added to the water in a cooling system to lower its freezing point

under

US / ˈʌndə(r) /

•

UK / ˈʌndɚ /

adjecitve
In the same place as another thing, but lower
adverb
In a lower quantity or price than expected
preposition
According to the terms of an agreement or law
Managed or controlled by the authority of
Being of a lesser quality or amount than expected
Influenced or affected by something or someone
Less or lower in age, amount, size or number

system

US / 'sɪstəm /

•

UK / ˈsɪstəm /

adjecitve
Working in an organized, logical way
noun
Set of organized, planned ideas that work together

positive

US / ˈpɒzətɪv /

•

UK / ˈpɑzɪtɪv /

adjecitve
Showing agreement or support for something
Being sure about something; knowing the truth
Having the charge produced by electrons
Being good or useful
Showing that a chemical is present in a test

ocean

US / 'əʊʃn /

•

UK / ˈoʃən /

noun
Large body of salt water; a large sea

much

US / mʌtʃ /

•

UK / mʌtʃ /

adjecitve
Very; to a high level or degree
adverb
A lot; large amount; a high degree of
Nearly; basically
On many occasions; often
noun
A large amount; a great quantity

incorporate

US / ɪn'kɔ:pəreɪt /

•

UK / ɪnˈkɔrpəˌret /

verb
To form into a company or business corporation
To include or involve as part of something else

fact

US / fækt /

•

UK / fækt /

noun
Something that is known or proved to be true

evolve

US / ɪ'vɒlv /

•

UK / ɪˈvɑlv /

verb
To develop certain features
To develop or change slowly over time
To slowly change or develop into something better

few

US / fju: /

•

UK / fju /

pronoun
Not many, a small number

combination

US / ˌkɒmbɪ'neɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌkɑmbəˈneʃən /

noun
Series of letters or numbers needed to open a lock
Act or result of mixing things together

cold

US / kəʊld /

•

UK / kold /

adjecitve
Having a very low temperature
Being unfriendly or lacking emotion
noun
Illness of sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat

watery

US / 'wɔ:tərɪ /

•

UK / ˈwɔtəri, ˈwɑtə- /

adjecitve
Having a lot (maybe too much) water
Filled with water

success

US / sək'ses /

•

UK / səkˈsɛs /

noun
Achievement of a desired purpose or goal
A successful person; one who achieved their aims

special

US / 'speʃl /

•

UK / ˈspɛʃəl /

adjecitve
Being additional or extra
Different, better or greater than normal
noun
Heavily discounted sales item

send

US / send /

•

UK / sɛnd /

verb
To cause to behave or respond in a particular way
To cause mail or packages to go to another place
To move something quickly in a particular way
To give information or greetings to someone

quality

US / 'kwɒlətɪ /

•

UK / ˈkwɑlɪti /

noun
Feature associated with someone or something
High level of worth or excellence

benefit

US / 'benɪfɪt /

•

UK / ˈbɛnəfɪt /

noun
Good result or effect, something advantageous
verb
To have a good effect or be helpful

water

US / 'wɔ:tə(r) /

•

UK / ˈwɔtɚ, ˈwɑtɚ /

noun
Clear liquid that forms the seas, rivers and rain
Large area such as an ocean or sea
verb
(Of the eyes) to produce tears
(Mouth) to become wet at the thought of nice food
To pour liquids onto a plant to keep it alive

such

US / sʌtʃ /

•

UK / sʌtʃ /

determiner
Being similar to
(Thing) as previously stated or referred to
adverb
(Used to emphasize the quality of an adjective)

subject

US / 'sʌbdʒɪkt /

•

UK / ˈsʌbdʒekt /

noun
Citizen of an area or country
The person or thing that does the action of a verb
People who take part in experiments or tests
An area of study at school, e.g. math, history
What a book, article etc. is about; theme
verb
To cause to suffer or experience something

sound

US / saʊnd /

•

UK / saʊnd /

adjecitve
Sensible, dependable and reliable
Unbroken or undisturbed, as of sleep
Firm or solid in structure
Sane; not mentally ill
Clearly reasoned; involving sense, good judgment
noun
Unique quality that characterizes a style of music
Waves traveling in air or water that can be heard
verb
To seem or appear to be, from what was said
To say in a clear deliberate manner
To make a noise, e.g. to ring a bell

predator

US / 'predətə(r) /

•

UK / ˈprɛdətɚ, -ˌtɔr /

noun
An animal that hunts and kills other animals
Person preying on the weak to gain advantage

replicate

US / 'replɪkeɪt /

•

UK / ˈrɛplɪˌket /

verb
To make one or more exact copies of itself
To repeat something (e.g. experiment, process)

kill

US / kɪl /

•

UK / kɪl /

noun
Animal killed by a person or other animal
verb
To cause someone to experience a lot of pain
To end the life of a person or other living thing
To be very funny
To prevent something from continuing or operating
To do something unimportant to pass time quickly

job

US / dʒɒb /

•

UK / dʒɑ:b /

noun
Something that must be done
Regular work at which you earn money

doubt

US / daʊt /

•

UK / daʊt /

noun
Not being sure of something; lack of certainty
verb
To question the truth or certainty of something

defend

US / dɪ'fend /

•

UK / dɪˈfɛnd /

verb
To protect and explain your position in court
To protect against an attack
To try to prevent another team from scoring

eight

US / eɪt /

•

UK / et /

number
8

cool

US / ku:l /

•

UK / kul /

adjecitve
Steady and calm when facing difficulties
Almost cold; not warm or hot
Smart or stylish in a way (young) people admire
Unfriendly in an indirect way; distant
verb
To make something decrease in temperature
(Of an emotion, etc.) to become less strongly felt

definitely

US / ˈdefɪnətli /

•

UK / ˈdefɪnətli /

adverb
Without question; beyond doubt

tiny

US / 'taɪnɪ /

•

UK / ˈtaɪni /

adjecitve
Very, very small

same

US / seɪm /

•

UK / sem /

adjecitve
Being equal in quality and amount
Identical; not different
Not changing; constant

flower

US / ˈflaʊə(r) /

•

UK / ˈflaʊɚ /

noun
Plant with a pretty head, e.g. a rose
verb
(Of flowers) to emerge into full shape; to bloom
To develop successfully or fully

child

US / tʃaɪld /

•

UK / tʃaɪld /

noun
A very young person, between about 2 and 15

become

US / bɪ'kʌm /

•

UK / bɪˈkʌm /

verb
To begin to be; grow to be; develop into
To be suitable for a particular job or role

wound

US / waʊnd /

•

UK / waʊnd /

noun
Sadness or displeasure caused by a bad memory
Physical injury, especially that suffered in war
verb
To rotate a part of say a watch to make it work
To hurt someone emotionally
To injure someone in a fight with a knife gun etc.

vector

US / 'vektə(r) /

•

UK / ˈvɛktɚ /

noun
Math a quantity that has both size and direction

single

US / 'sɪŋɡl /

•

UK / ˈsɪŋɡəl /

adjecitve
Being one only, without others
Only; merely
Not married or in a relationship
noun
One run in cricket or a hit baseball
An individual song from a CD or album
Person who is not married or in a relationship

research

US / rɪ'sɜ:tʃ /

•

UK / rɪˈsɚtʃ, ˈriˌsɚtʃ /

noun
Study done to discover new ideas and facts
Work done to find or discover knowledge
verb
To study in order to discover new ideas and facts

life

US / laɪf /

•

UK / laɪf /

noun
All the living things e.g. animals, plants, humans
Period of time things live, from birth to death

good

US / ɡʊd /

•

UK / ɡʊd /

adjecitve
Proper, appropriate or right
(Of an amount) enough; plenty
Excellent; high quality
Acting well or properly; of moral character
In a positive or happy emotional state
noun
Advantage or benefit

give

US / ɡɪv /

•

UK / ɡɪv /

noun
Degree of flexibility in something, a material
verb
To hand over or present something to someone
To cause someone to have or experience something

but

US / bət /

•

UK / bʌt,bət /

conjunction
Used before you say something different, opposite

survive

US / sə'vaɪv /

•

UK / sɚˈvaɪv /

verb
To continue to live despite illness or trouble

seventy

US / ˈsevnti /

•

UK / ˈsɛvənti /

number
70

themselves

US / ðəmˈselvz /

•

UK / ðɛmˈsɛlvz, ðəm- /

pronoun
Reflexive form of 'they'

reasonable

US / ˈri:znəbl /

•

UK / ˈrizənəbəl /

adjecitve
Being somewhat good, but not great
Fair and sensible; appropriate

our

US / 'aʊə(r) /

•

UK / aʊr /

determiner
Belonging to us

quite

US / kwaɪt /

•

UK / kwaɪt /

adverb
Not very; fairly
Very; In a complete or total manner

reproduce

US / ˌri:prə'dju:s /

•

UK / ˌriprəˈdus, -ˈdjus /

verb
To make a copy of something
To have children/young; grow roots/new plants

not

US / nɒt /

•

UK / nɑt /

adverb
Word indicating the negative
(Used to form the negative of verbs)

maybe

US / ˈmeɪbi /

•

UK / ˈmebi /

adverb
Possibly but not certainly; perhaps

email

US / 'i:meɪl /

•

UK / 'i:meɪl /

noun
A message like a letter sent by computer or phone
verb
To send an electronic letter via computer or phone

record

US / 'rekɔ:d /

•

UK / ˈrekərd /

noun
Highest or most extreme level achieved
Round plastic disc on which music has been stored
History of a person's past actions or achievements
verb
To indicate a temperature, speed, etc.; register
To write down or say what happened
To put music, sounds onto a device to store it

copy

US / ˈkɒpi /

•

UK / ˈkɑ:pi /

noun
A counter for items that are the same
Fake product pretending to be an original
An imitation of an original
A duplicate of a paper printed in a photocopier
Written text for printing, use in ads, etc.
verb
To make something look the same as the original
To act in the exact same way as someone else
To read and then write down what you read

can

US / kæn /

•

UK / kən,kæn /

noun
A metal container for storing food
other
Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
verb
To have permission to
To be possible to do
To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

angiosperm

US / ˌændʒɪəˌspɜ:m /

•

UK / ˌændʒɪrˌspɜ:m /

noun
Plants having seeds in a closed ovary

achieve

US / ə'tʃi:v /

•

UK / əˈtʃiv /

verb
To succeed in doing good, usually by working hard

want

US / wɔnt /

•

UK / wɑnt, wɔnt /

noun
Something you desire or wish for
State or condition of poverty
verb
To desire or wish for something; hope for a thing

usually

US / ˈju:ʒuəli /

•

UK / ˈjuːʒuəli /

adverb
Normally; regularly

sew

US / səʊ /

•

UK / so /

verb
To make something using a needle and thread

moist

US / mɔɪst /

•

UK / mɔɪst /

adjecitve
Being a little bit wet, often in a pleasing way

hybrid

US / ˈhaɪbrɪd /

•

UK / ˈhaɪbrɪd /

adjecitve
Formed from combining different things
noun
Something formed from combining different things

horizontal

US / ˌhɒrɪˈzɒntl /

•

UK / ˌhɔ:rəˈzɑ:ntl /

adjecitve
Concerning the horizon
A level and flat position

crazy

US / 'kreɪzɪ /

•

UK / ˈkrezi /

adjecitve
Mentally ill; mad
Not being sensible or practical
Really like someone or something very much
noun
Person acting in a manner that is strange and odd

advantageous

US / ˌædvənˈteɪdʒəs /

•

UK / ˌædvænˈtedʒəs, -vən- /

adjecitve
Being likely to benefit a person

genome

US / ˈdʒi:nəʊm /

•

UK / ˈdʒi:noʊm /

noun
Complete set of genetic material in an organism

protein

US / ˈprəʊti:n /

•

UK / ˈprəʊˌtiːn /

noun
Group of molecules made from amino acids

now

US / naʊ /

•

UK / naʊ /

adverb
At the present time or moment
Right away or in the next possible moment
Used to refer to something that just happened
Time between the present and a moment in the past
conjunction
Resulting from or because of something

frequent

US / ˈfri:kwənt /

•

UK / ˈfrikwənt /

adjecitve
Happening often
verb
To go to a place regularly

alongside

US / əˌlɒŋˈsaɪd /

•

UK / əˌlɔ:ŋˈsaɪd /

preposition
Side by side with something

would

US / wʊd /

•

UK / wʊd /

other
Used to indicate something imagined
Used to ask or request something politely
Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
Used to indicate a preference
Used to indicate a reaction
Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

understand

US / ˌʌndə'stænd /

•

UK / ˌʌndɚˈstænd /

verb
To know the meaning of language, what someone says

pollination

US / ˌpɒlə'neɪʃn /

•

UK / ˈpɑləneʃən /

noun
Putting pollen on a plant so it makes seeds

poland

US / 'pəʊlənd /

•

UK / 'poʊlənd /

other
A republic in central Europe; the invasion of Poland by Germany in started World War II

really

US / ˈri:əli /

•

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

adverb
Used to stress something that is said; definitely
In a true or accurate manner
Very

involve

US / ɪn'vɒlv /

•

UK / ɪnˈvɑlv /

verb
To have or be included as a part of something

compare

US / kəm'peə(r) /

•

UK / kəmˈpɛr /

verb
To consider how similar and different things are

surprising

US / səˈpraɪzɪŋ /

•

UK / sərˈpraɪzɪŋ /

adjecitve
Making you feel a bit shocked because unexpected
verb
To do something that another person didn't expect

surprise

US / səˈpraɪz /

•

UK / sərˈpraɪz /

adjecitve
That surprises you; not expected
noun
Something unexpected that slightly shocks you
verb
To do something that another person didn't expect

support

US / səˈpɔ:t /

•

UK / səˈpɔrt, -ˈport /

noun
Assistance or advice given to someone
Evidence that helps prove something is true
A thing to hold up or prevent from falling down
verb
To give assistance or advice to someone
To help prove or show that something is true
To hold up or prevent from falling down

smell

US / smel /

•

UK / smɛl /

noun
Ability to notice a particular odor
A particular odor
verb
To have a particular odor
To sense that something is not right
To notice a particular odor
To use the nose to sense something

scale

US / skeɪl /

•

UK / skel /

noun
Size, level, or amount when compared
Small hard plates that cover the body of fish
Device that is used to weigh a person or thing
Range of numbers from the lowest to the highest
Dimensions or size of something
verb
To change the size of but keep the proportions
To climb something large (e.g. a mountain)
To remove the scales of a fish

conjugation

US / ˌkɒndʒuˈgeɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌkɑ:ndʒəˈgeɪʃn /

noun
Tech being joined or paired together

business

US / ˈbɪznəs /

•

UK / ˈbɪznɪs /

noun
A company formed for making profit
Matter that has to be dealt with; task; situation
Activity of working to make a profit

metaphorical

US / ˌmetəˈfɒrɪkl /

•

UK / ˌmetəˈfɔ:rɪkl /

adjecitve
Using words imaginatively to reveal a similarity

dna

US / ˌdiː en ˈeɪ /

•

UK / ˌdiː en ˈeɪ /

noun
Chemical in living cells with genetic information

witness

US / 'wɪtnəs /

•

UK / ˈwɪtnɪs /

noun
Person who was present to see an event take place
Evidence or proof of something
verb
To see the signing of an official document
To see an event take place (usually a crime)
To serve as an example or evidence of something

what

US / wɒt /

•

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

pronoun
Thing or things that; the same kind as
Used to emphasize something you are about to say
adjecitve
Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
adverb
To a certain degree
determiner
Question words used for asking for information
exclamation
Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
Used to ask people to repeat something they said

site

US / saɪt /

•

UK / saɪt /

noun
Place that is reserved for a particular activity
Location of building work
Location of something
Place where something of special interest happened
Website
verb
To place something in a particular position, area

thrive

US / θraɪv /

•

UK / θraɪv /

verb
To be or become healthy or successful

that

US / ðæt /

•

UK / ðæt, ðət /

adjecitve
The person or thing being talked about
Used to identify something both the speakers know
adverb
Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
To such a degree
conjunction
Used to connect a noun clause
Used to introduce an adverbial clause
Used to introduce a noun clause
determiner
Used as a noun to refer to something
pronoun
Referring an object far away
Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

like

US / laɪk /

•

UK / laɪk /

adjecitve
Being equal in status or kind to something else
Similar; the same
adverb
For example
preposition
Used as a filler; used to ad emphasis
In a way similar to the way something is done
Such as; for example
verb
To want to
To find something pleasing; to prefer something

mosey

US / ˈməʊzi /

•

UK / ˈmoʊzi /

verb
To walk in a leisurely way

health

US / helθ /

•

UK / hɛlθ /

noun
(Person, company) being in a good condition; well

index

US / ˈɪndeks /

•

UK / ˈɪnˌdɛks /

noun
Number showing how prices, wages changed over time
Written or printed (usually alphabetical) list
verb
To adjust a value/wages as other things change
To make a list of things in alphabetical order

even

US / 'i:vn /

•

UK / ˈivən /

adjecitve
Being equal in influence, power, possibility etc.
Being divided equally or fairly
(Of teams/contest) with similar chances of success
Smooth, level, or regular
Can be divided by 2; ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0
At a regular, equally steady manner
Remaining steady and unchanging
adverb
(When this is surprising) as well; too
(Used to compare two things/stress the difference)
verb
To make something level; to flatten
To make something equal

different

US / ˈdɪfrənt /

•

UK / ˈdɪfrənt /

adjecitve
Not of the same kind; unlike other things

about

US / ə'baʊt /

•

UK / əˈbaʊt /

adverb
To be ready to; going to
Nearly; approximately; roughly
Near; next to; close to
In every direction; in the area of
preposition
Concerning or of (a topic)

snippet

US / ˈsnɪpɪt /

•

UK / ˈsnɪpɪt /

noun
A small piece, as of information

remarkable

US / rɪˈmɑ:kəbl /

•

UK / rɪˈmɑrkəbəl /

adjecitve
Interesting and unexpected, worthy of notice

kiss

US / kɪs /

•

UK / kɪs /

verb
To touch something in a light or gentle way
To put your lips against another's to show love

nuzzle

US / ˈnʌzl /

•

UK / ˈnʌzəl /

verb
To move into a comfortable and cozy position

method

US / 'meθəd /

•

UK / ˈmɛθəd /

noun
(Organized and planned) way of doing something

each

US / i:tʃ /

•

UK / itʃ /

determiner
Every one of two or more things
pronoun
Per one person or thing

happen

US / 'hæpən /

•

UK / ˈhæpən /

verb
To take place or occur

example

US / ɪgˈzɑ:mpl /

•

UK / ɪɡˈzæmpəl /

noun
Thing, person which represents a category

cell

US / sel /

•

UK / sɛl /

noun
Smallest unit of living things in biology
Group of people - often from a secret organization
Prisoner's room in a jail
Shortened form of 'cellphone'

step

US / step /

•

UK / stɛp /

noun
Movement done as part of a particular dance
Distance covered by one movement of a leg; stride
One part or stage in a process
Sound made by the feet while walking; footstep
Flat horizontal piece that forms stairs
verb
To raise and moving the foot to put it down

then

US / ðen /

•

UK / ðɛn /

adverb
A time that is not now
Following another thing in time or arrangement
Following on reasonably from what was just stated
At that time, not now

practice

US / 'præktɪs /

•

UK / ˈpræktɪs /

noun
The office and place for legal or medical work
Doing something many times to become better at it
verb
To work as a doctor or lawyer
To live according to the teachings of a religion
To do something many times to improve a skill

include

US / ɪnˈklu:d /

•

UK / ɪnˈklud /

verb
To make someone, something part of a group

down

US / daʊn /

•

UK / daʊn /

adjecitve
Being sad, sick, or unhappy
Not operating, working, or functioning as expected
adverb
In a sitting or lying position
Towards or on the ground, floor, or bottom
Written or copied onto a piece of paper or book
noun
A period of play in American Football
The soft, smooth hairs that cover a bird's body
preposition
Along something's path, course, or direction
Going from a higher position to a lower position
verb
To eat or drink very quickly and without stopping

egg

US / eg /

•

UK / ɛɡ /

noun
Hard-shelled thing from which a young bird is born

block

US / blɒk /

•

UK / blɑk /

noun
Solid piece of material used for building
A piece of wood, chocolate etc.
Hard piece of wood, stone etc. with straight edges
Building made up of offices or apartments
Area of a city divided by four streets
verb
To stop from going forward or making progress

value

US / 'vælju: /

•

UK / ˈvælju /

noun
Importance you attach to something
Some information expressed as a number
Stated price of something; worth
verb
To place a high importance on something
To say how much money something is worth

she

US / ʃɪ /

•

UK / ʃi /

pronoun
Female person or animal mentioned before
(Refers to female person mentioned before)

right

US / raɪt /

•

UK / raɪt /

adjecitve
Correct or true
The south side of you looking at the rising sun
adverb
Exactly in a place or time
Being appropriate for a particular event
In a straight or direct manner
noun
Something you are legally or morally allowed to do
Ideal of what is just and good
Political view based on conservatism
verb
To fix something previously wrong or unjust
To make upright, as a boat that has turned over

sequel

US / 'si:kwəl /

•

UK / ˈsikwəl /

noun
Story, movie etc. that follows another similar one

resistance

US / rɪ'zɪstəns /

•

UK / rɪˈzɪstəns /

noun
Force that stops or slows movement of something
Refusal to accept something new or different

house

US / haʊs /

•

UK / haʊs /

noun
Place where a specific activity or business occurs
Building in which a family, person lives
verb
To give someone a place to live
To contain or store something

jump

US / dʒʌmp /

•

UK / dʒʌmp /

noun
Large sudden increase
An act of springing into the air
Bar or other thing that is jumped over
A sudden movement due to surprise
verb
To attack someone suddenly
To push your body into the air with your legs
To suddenly decide to do something
To make a sudden movement due to surprise

least

US / li:st /

•

UK / list /

adverb
In the smallest or lowest way
noun
Something that is of the lowest or smallest degree

dig

US / dɪg /

•

UK / dɪɡ /

verb
To move material to create a hole

cousin

US / 'kʌzn /

•

UK / 'kʌzn /

noun
Child of your uncle or aunt
Something similar to or related to something else

baby

US / ˈbeɪbi /

•

UK / ˈbeɪbi /

adjecitve
Small in size; smaller than usual
noun
A very young child, who cannot yet speak
verb
To treat someone as if they were newly born

stay

US / steɪ /

•

UK / ste /

noun
Legal order to stop or delay an action
Strong rope or wire that supports a ship's mast
Period of time spent living in or visiting a place
verb
To keep trying without giving up
To remain in the same place and not move away
To spend time visiting a place or someone's home

stanley

US / ˈstænli /

•

UK / ˈstænli /

other
Welsh journalist and explorer who led an expedition to Africa in search of David Livingstone and fou

tell

US / tel /

•

UK / tɛl /

verb
To (strongly) advise a person to do something
To be able to guess
To say or communicate information to someone
To inform, but without speaking; indicate
To have a negative effect on someone
To order someone to do something; command
To recognize something based on certain signs
To report something to an authority
To explain something or teach someone something

specie

US / 'spi:ʃi: /

•

UK / 'spi:ʃɪ /

noun
Singular of species

bunch

US / bʌntʃ /

•

UK / bʌntʃ /

noun
A group of things of the same kind
verb
To group people or things closely together
(Cloth) to gather/be gathered together in folds

bill

US / bɪl /

•

UK / bɪl /

noun
Plan for a new law being discussed by a government
Sign or poster advertising something
Paper money; a bank note
Piece of paper showing what you have to pay
Hard, often pointed part of a bird's mouth
Person's name
verb
To request payment by handing over an invoice

tricky

US / 'trɪkɪ /

•

UK / ˈtrɪki /

adjecitve
Difficult, so needing skill to do or deal with
Likely to use tricks; dishonest or deceptive

similar

US / ˈsɪmələ(r) /

•

UK / ˈsɪməlɚ /

adjecitve
Nearly the same; alike

sequence

US / 'si:kwəns /

•

UK / ˈsikwəns, -ˌkwɛns /

noun
Part of a movie showing one part of the story
verb
To arrange things in an order they should happen

own

US / əʊn /

•

UK / on /

adjecitve
Belong to oneself
determiner
Yours, his, hers, etc.; not belonging to another
pronoun
(Something) belong to myself
verb
To have something as your property

place

US / pleɪs /

•

UK / ples /

noun
Particular location, area or region
verb
To put someone in a particular type of situation
To put something in a certain location or position

watch

US / wɒtʃ /

•

UK / wɑtʃ /

noun
Period of time someone is responsible for guarding
Device you wear on your wrist that shows the time
Official warning statement, e.g. of bad weather
verb
To keep in check, manage, or control something
To look at something for entertainment, e.g. TV
To guard a place or people; protect child, etc.
To look at carefully to work out what is happening
To protect and care for someone or something

mix

US / mɪks /

•

UK / mɪks /

noun
A combination of more than two things
verb
To combine two or more things to make one
To meet and get along with others, e.g. at a party

mean

US / mi:n /

•

UK / min /

adjecitve
Being good at
Nasty; unkind
Not liking to spend money; cheap; stingy
noun
Average of a set of numbers
verb
To express a particular idea or thought
To intend to do something in particular
To have a particular meaning or value

lab

US / læb /

•

UK / læb /

noun
Short for 'laboratory'

japan

US / dʒəˈpæn /

•

UK / dʒəˈpæn /

noun
A string of more than islands to the east of Asia
Lacquer with a durable glossy black finish, originally from the orient
Lacquerware decorated and varnished in the Japanese manner with a glossy durable black lacquer
verb
Coat with a lacquer, as done in Japan

enough

US / ɪˈnʌf /

•

UK / ɪˈnʌf /

adjecitve
Sufficient to answer the need
adverb
To a satisfactory degree
pronoun
Equal to what is needed; as much as required
Adequate number or amount

find

US / faɪnd /

•

UK / faɪnd /

noun
Object discovered by chance
Things that have been discovered from searching
verb
To become aware of something that is happening
To discover or meet by chance
To decide if someone is guilty of a crime, or not
To learn through study, research, or effort
To discover something by looking for it

cue

US / kju: /

•

UK / kju /

noun
Word or action in a play to tell an actor to speak
Signal telling when you have to do something
verb
To give a signal telling someone when to act/speak

roughly

US / ˈrʌfli /

•

UK / ˈrʌflɪ /

adverb
Approximately; (of numbers) about; around
In a manner that is violent or not careful
In an inexact, imprecise or violent way
In a basic, simple manner

pool

US / pu:l /

•

UK / pul /

noun
Amount collected, e.g. money, for some purpose
Small body of still water
Game of hitting balls on a table with long sticks
Small area of water for swimming bound by walls
verb
(Of a liquid) to collect into a small area
To make a collection of (resources, money etc.)

president

US / ˈprezɪdənt /

•

UK / ˈprɛzɪdənt,-ˌdɛnt /

noun
Person in charge of a country, or organization

hypothetically

US / ˌhaɪpə'θetɪklɪ /

•

UK / ˌhaɪpə'θetɪklɪ /

adverb
In a hypothetical way; as an example

first

US / fɜ:st /

•

UK / fɚst /

adjecitve
1st; Coming before all others in time or place
noun
Something that has not happened before
Position of the winner of a competition

get

US / ɡet /

•

UK / ɡɛt /

verb
To become affected by illness or disease
To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
To go somewhere to obtain something
To (cause to) do a particular thing
To obtain, receive or be given something
To currently have
To prepare for use
To understand something being said or read

directly

US / dəˈrektli /

•

UK / dɪˈrɛktli, daɪ- /

adverb
In a frank and honest way
Right away; immediately

bacteria

US / bæk'tɪərɪə /

•

UK / bækˈtɪriə /

noun
The very small creatures that can cause disease

scientist

US / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

•

UK / ˈsaɪəntɪst /

noun
Person who is trained in a science

US / nekst /

•

UK / nɛkst /

adverb
The one that follows another in time or order
At a time or place directly after the present one
noun
The one that follows after
adjecitve
Immediately after the previous one
First occurrence after the present one

mind

US / maɪnd /

•

UK / maɪnd /

noun
One's opinion or way of thinking about something
Part of humans that allows us to think or feel
verb
To be bothered or upset by something
To take care of someone e.g. as a bodyguard

sentient

US / ˈsentiənt /

•

UK / ˈsenʃnt /

adjecitve
Having feelings and consciousness

location

US / ləʊˈkeɪʃn /

•

UK / loʊˈkeɪʃn /

noun
Particular position or area of place, event, etc.

hand

US / hænd /

•

UK / hænd /

noun
Cards given to a player in a card game
Piece of a clock that points to the time
Someone who performs physical tasks or work
Body part at the end of a person's arm
Help for someone performing a particular action
Condition of having power or influence
Member of the crew of a ship
verb
To give something to someone personally

clear

US / klɪə(r) /

•

UK / klɪr /

adjecitve
Empty; without anything in it or on it
Being certain and without doubt
Being without any streaks, spots, or cracks
Easy to understand; well-explained; obvious
adverb
Completely; entirely; through the whole of
Away from; free from
verb
To recover from or remove a problem
To get rid of the entire contents of
To give permission for something to happen
To make a place or surface empty by removing
To prove that someone is not guilty or to blame

blow

US / bləʊ /

•

UK / blo /

noun
Something that causes you difficulty or sadness
Act of making air come out of your mouth
A hit or strike from an object
verb
To move something using air
To make air come quickly out of your mouth
To clear something by forcing air through it

remember

US / rɪ'membə(r) /

•

UK / rɪˈmɛmbɚ /

verb
To give someone a gift, e.g. birthday, wedding
To hold a thought in your mind to not forget it
To bring a previous image or idea to your mind

pollinate

US / ˈpɒləneɪt /

•

UK / ˈpɑ:ləneɪt /

verb
(Of bees) to put pollen on plant so it makes seed

resistant

US / rɪˈzɪstənt /

•

UK / rɪˈzɪstənt /

adjecitve
Not affected by something
Being opposed to or wanting to prevent something

manage

US / ˈmænɪdʒ /

•

UK / ˈmænɪdʒ /

verb
To survive hardships and difficulties; to cope
To run or operate a business by directing others

peasy

US / /

•

UK / /

adjective
Resembling or reminiscent of peas or peasemeal. Chiefly in "peasy whin".
Very simple, easy. Also as interjection Compare "easy-peasy [interjection, adverb]".
noun
Lead ore in the form of small grains.

ice

US / aɪs /

•

UK / aɪs /

noun
Frozen gas or liquid, esp. water
Sweet food made of frozen cream, or juices
verb
To make something cold by putting on frozen water
To spread a sweet and creamy substance on a cake

engineer

US / ˌendʒɪ'nɪə(r) /

•

UK / ˌɛndʒəˈnɪr /

noun
Someone whose job is designing machines, buildings
Someone whose job is to repair or maintain engines

antibiotic

US / ˌæntibaɪˈɒtɪk /

•

UK / ˌæntibaɪˈɑ:tɪk /

adjecitve
(Drug) used to fight certain kinds of diseases
noun
Medicine that kills bacteria to fight infections

without

US / wɪˈðaʊt /

•

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

preposition
Not with; not having

unsuspecting

US / ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ /

•

UK / ˌʌnsəˈspɛktɪŋ /

adjecitve
Not feeling doubts or suspicions

transfer

US / træns'fɜ:(r) /

•

UK / trænsˈfɚ /

noun
Moving to a different place, job, or school
Act of giving the right to a property to another
Picture that is pressed to copy it onto something
Use of ideas or skills in a different situation
Ticket allowing you to get on another plane, bus
verb
To move to a different place, job or school
To give someone an illness through contact
To give someone your right to a property
To move something from one place to another
To use ideas or skills in a different situation
To get off a plane, bus etc. and get on another

last

US / lɑ:st /

•

UK / læst /

adjecitve
Most recent; the latest
The one before
adverb
Final; with nothing following; after all others
Most recent; the latest
determiner
The one at the end
verb
To remain or continue for a certain period of time

extra

US / 'ekstrə /

•

UK / 'ekstrə /

adjecitve
More than necessary; additional
noun
Items more than you need; additional items
Person who has a small part in a movie
Special version of a newspaper

have

US / həv /

•

UK / hæv /

verb
To drink, smoke, eat or use something
To experience the effects of something
To organize an event, or join in an activity
To own, possess, or hold something
To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

almost

US / 'ɔ:lməʊst /

•

UK / ˈɔlˌmost, ɔlˈmost /

adverb
Only a little less than, nearly, not quite

parasitic

US / ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk /

•

UK / ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk /

adjecitve
Living on larger plant/animal and dependent on it
Concerning or caused by a parasite
Living off someone else, and not working

slightly

US / ˈslaɪtli /

•

UK / ˈslaɪtli /

adverb
Only a little

know

US / nəʊ /

•

UK / noʊ /

verb
To be familiar with a person or place, thing
To feel sure or be convinced about something
To discover or be aware of something
To be able to distinguish
To have knowledge of things

could

US / kəd /

•

UK / kʊd /

other
Past form of 'can' to mean have ability
Used to ask for something politely, or to offer

bench

US / bentʃ /

•

UK / bɛntʃ /

noun
Part of the room in court where the judge sits
Long (wooden) seat 2 people often found in a park
Seating area for teams at a sports events
verb
To prevent a player from playing in a game

waste

US / weɪst /

•

UK / west /

noun
Materials left over after a process has finished
verb
To kill or severely harm someone
To use valuable things ineffectively

see

US / si: /

•

UK / si /

verb
To go on a date with someone
To predict whether something is, or will be true
To understand what someone says
To use your eyes to look at something
To visit a place often for sightseeing or pleasure
To visit or meet with someone
To find out by waiting or looking
To watch (a game, movie or TV show)

choice

US / tʃɔɪs /

•

UK / tʃɔɪs /

adjecitve
Of good quality or taste; desirable
noun
Decision between two or more possibilities

with

US / wɪð /

•

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

preposition
As an employee of a certain company
Against something or someone
By using something as a means
Due to; because of
Including
Possessing as a feature
Related to
(Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
Used to express that people or things are together

via

US / ˈvaɪə /

•

UK / ˈvaɪə, ˈviə /

preposition
By the means of using something
By going through, by way of

upon

US / əˈpɔn, əpən /

•

UK / əˈpɑn, əˈpɔn /

preposition
More formal term for 'on'

spore

US / spɔ:(r) /

•

UK / spɔr, spor /

noun
Tiny cell like dust that can reproduce itself

recently

US / ˈri:sntli /

•

UK / 'risṇtlɪ /

adverb
Just a while ago; not long ago

process

US / prə'ses /

•

UK / ˈprɑsˌɛs, ˈproˌsɛs /

noun
Dealing with official forms in the way required
Set of changes that occur slowly and naturally
verb
To organize and use data in a computer
To deal with official forms in the way required
To prepare by treating something in a certain way
To adopt a set of actions that produce a result
To convert by putting something through a machine

his

US / hɪz /

•

UK / hɪz /

pronoun
Something belonging to a male person

eel

US / i:l /

•

UK / il /

noun
Long thin fish that looks like a snake

spider

US / ˈspaɪdə(r) /

•

UK / ˈspaɪdɚ /

noun
Small creature with 8 legs that spins cobwebs

mouth

US / maʊθ /

•

UK / maʊθ /

noun
Hole in the face used for eating and talking
Opening of a container such as a bottle
Area where a river enters a large body of water
verb
To say words without speaking

hundred

US / 'hʌndrəd /

•

UK / ˈhʌndrɪd /

number
100

group

US / ɡru:p /

•

UK / ɡrup /

noun
Two or more musicians who play music together
Number of people or things gathered together
verb
To combine or collect objects or people together

float

US / fləʊt /

•

UK / floʊt /

noun
Object designed to stay on the surface of water
Decorated truck used in a festival
verb
To sell the shares of a company publicly
To move slowly and easily through air
To rest on the surface of water without sinking

sun

US / sʌn /

•

UK / sʌn /

noun
Light and heat coming from a large star in the sky
Hot shining star the Earth moves around
verb
To lie in the sunshine and enjoy its warmth

notice

US / 'nəʊtɪs /

•

UK / ˈnotɪs /

noun
Time by when you must leave, e.g. if you are fired
Paper with an announcement, e.g. pinned to a board
verb
To become aware by sight, touch, or hearing

hear

US / hɪə(r) /

•

UK / hɪr /

verb
To be aware of sound; to perceive with the ear
To be told or find out information or facts
To consider or listen to a court case

equip

US / ɪ'kwɪp /

•

UK / ɪˈkwɪp /

verb
To provide with necessary materials or skills

full

US / fʊl /

•

UK / fʊl /

adjecitve
Containing all the parts; complete
Containing or holding as much as possible
Having had enough food
adverb
In a direct manner; completely

challenge

US / 'tʃælɪndʒ /

•

UK / ˈtʃæləndʒ /

noun
An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
Act of formally inviting someone to compete
A question to determine correctness of something
verb
To formally invite someone to compete at something
To question the correctness of something

break

US / breɪk /

•

UK / brek /

noun
Time you stop an activity before continuing
End of a relationship
An escape from a place such as a jail
(Lucky) advantage or benefit from something
Find a solution or answer to a problem or crime
Change in the weather
verb
To create a new record e.g. running the 100m dash
To form a crack in something
To burst or become damaged
To end a relationship
To escape from a place such as a jail
To train a wild animal e.g. a horse
To separate into pieces by force, or by dropping
To act against a law, rule, or promise
To become known suddenly, as in the news
To not do what you promised e.g. not keep promises
To solve a crime, or answer a problem
To stop functioning properly
To suddenly start, open or commence
To change in pitch suddenly, as in a voice
To fall on the shore, as in waves
To begin or change suddenly; the dawn or weather
To defeat by causing the person to lose their will

occupy

US / 'ɒkjʊpaɪ /

•

UK / ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ /

verb
To enter and take control of land/property
To fill a time, a space, or an area
To live in a particular building
To fill someone's thoughts or make a person busy

prometheus

US / prəˈmi:Qju:s /

•

UK / proˈmiQɪəs /

proper noun
A demigod, one of the Titans, who was worshiped by craftsmen. When Zeus hid fire from man, Prometheu

swim

US / swɪm /

•

UK / swɪm /

noun
Act of swimming in a pool or ocean
verb
To move through water by moving parts of the body

antarctic

US / ænˈtɑːktɪk /

•

UK / ænˈtɑːrktɪk /

noun
The region around the south pole: Antarctica and surrounding waters

try

US / traɪ /

•

UK / traɪ /

noun
Act of putting the ball over the rugby goal line
verb
To make an effort, to attempt to do something
To examine someone or something in a court of law
To test to see if it is good or you like it
To make a person go through hardship; test
To examine something to see if it works

conjure

US / ˈkʌndʒə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkɑndʒɚ, kənˈdʒʊr /

verb
To make an image/idea to come into the imagination
To make something appear through a magic trick

handedly

US / /

•

UK / /

adverb
Ability to do something with your hand

horizontally

US / ˌhɒrɪˈzɒntəli /

•

UK / ˌhɔːrɪˈzɑːntəli /

adverb
In a flat or level direction

million

US / ˈmɪljən /

•

UK / ˈmɪljən /

number
1,000,000

probably

US / ˈprɒbəbli /

•

UK / ˈprɑbəbli /

adverb
That is likely to happen or be true

once

US / wʌns /

•

UK / wʌns /

adverb
One time; one instance
At a time in the past
conjunction
When; as soon as

publish

US / 'pʌblɪʃ /

•

UK / ˈpʌblɪʃ /

verb
To prepare and make available a book magazine etc.
To release information to the general public

while

US / waɪl /

•

UK / hwaɪl, waɪl /

conjunction
In spite of the fact that; although
During the time that; at the same time
noun
Short amount of time

goldfish

US / 'ɡəʊldfɪʃ /

•

UK / ˈɡoldˌfɪʃ /

noun
Orange or orange and white freshwater fish

exactly

US / ɪgˈzæktli /

•

UK / ɪɡˈzæktli /

adverb
No more and no less than; precisely

psst

US / pst /

•

UK / pst /

exclamation
Sound people make when whispering

science

US / 'saɪəns /

•

UK / ˈsaɪəns /

noun
Study of the physical world, based on facts

temporary

US / ˈtemprəri /

•

UK / 'tempəreri /

adjecitve
Continuing for a limited time; not permanent

biology

US / baɪˈɒlədʒi /

•

UK / baɪˈɑlədʒi /

noun
The study of living things

all

US / ɔ:l /

•

UK / ɔl /

adverb
Completely; totally
determiner
Being every one of something
pronoun
100% of something; the complete amount

everyone

US / ˈevriwʌn /

•

UK / ˈɛvriˌwʌn /

pronoun
Every person; everybody

its

US / ɪts /

•

UK / ɪts /

adjecitve
Referring to or belonging to ‘it’
determiner
Of something; belonging or related to something
other
Possessive form of “it”

produce

US / prə'dju:s /

•

UK / prəˈdus, -ˈdjus, pro- /

noun
Fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables
verb
To grow something naturally
To make something appear
To manufacture something using machines
To control the making a movie or television show

remove

US / rɪˈmu:v /

•

UK / rɪˈmuv /

verb
To get rid of something completely
To make someone leave his or her job or position
To move, erase or take away from a place
To take something off (e.g. clothing)

pocket

US / 'pɒkɪt /

•

UK / ˈpɑkɪt /

adjecitve
(As if) small enough to fit in your pocket
noun
Small cloth bag sewn into clothing to hold things
Area of space
verb
To put something into your pocket
To take or hide something illegally

super

US / ˈsu:pə(r) /

•

UK / ˈsupɚ /

adjecitve
Of the highest quality; great; marvelous

transformation

US / ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃn /

•

UK / ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃn /

noun
A complete change in shape or form of something

transposon

US / trænsˈpəʊsɒn /

•

UK / trænsˈpoʊzɒn /

noun
Segment of DNthat can become integrated at many different sites along a chromosome (especially a seg

who

US / hu: /

•

UK / hu /

pronoun
Which person
Used to introduce information about people

literal

US / ˈlɪtərəl /

•

UK / ˈlɪtərəl /

adjecitve
Being the basic exact meaning of a word/expression
Being real and true and without exaggerating

monopoly

US / mə'nɒpəlɪ /

•

UK / məˈnɑpəli /

noun
Complete market control for a service or product

look

US / lʊk /

•

UK / lʊk /

noun
Person's beauty or physical attractiveness
Particular style of dress, clothes, or appearance
The way someone, something appears to be
Act of searching for or examining something
verb
To appear to be; seem

human

US / 'hju:mən /

•

UK / ˈhjumən /

adjecitve
Concerning or characteristic of people
noun
A person; a man, woman or child

prey

US / preɪ /

•

UK / pre /

noun
The victim of another person's aggression
other
The victim of another person's aggression
verb
To hunt (other animals) in order to eat them
To cause another to be a victim

modify

US / ˈmɒdɪfaɪ /

•

UK / ˈmɑ:dɪfaɪ /

verb
To make minor change to something

nice

US / naɪs /

•

UK / naɪs /

adjecitve
Being attractive or of high quality or value
Good or enjoyable
Being kind or friendly

regular

US / ˈregjələ(r) /

•

UK / ˈrɛɡjəlɚ /

adjecitve
Having an equal amount of space or time in between
Occurring or being done frequently
Being normal, usual, or average
noun
Customers who frequently visit a place
Soldier who has a permanent job in the army

thank

US / θæŋk /

•

UK / θæŋk /

verb
To tell someone you are grateful to them

bet

US / bet /

•

UK / bet /

noun
Act of gambling money on the result of a race etc.
verb
To gamble money to win more money, e.g. on horses

design

US / dɪˈzaɪn /

•

UK / dɪˈzaɪn /

noun
The way something is planned, to fulfill a purpose
verb
To plan in a particular way to fulfill a purpose
To think of a plan

figure

US / ˈfiɡə /

•

UK / ˈfɪɡjɚ /

noun
Your body shape
Numbers in a calculation
Doll-like thing meant to represent a person
Picture or diagram giving information in a text
Person who is very important or famous
Shape of a person seen indistinctly or in outline
Amount that is expressed in numbers
verb
To appear in a game, play or event
To calculate how much something will cost
To understand after thinking; work out

ago

US / əˈgəʊ /

•

UK / əˈgoʊ /

adverb
At a specified length of time in the past

nowhere

US / 'nəʊweə(r) /

•

UK / ˈnoˌhwɛr, -ˌwɛr /

adverb
Not in or at any place; no place

move

US / mu:v /

•

UK / muv /

noun
Act of moving a playing piece in chess, etc.
An action; doing something
Step taken to achieve a goal
verb
To cause someone to have certain emotions
To cause something to change to a different place
To change where people live or a business operates
To take action to do or achieve something

scishow

US / ə'lɜ:tnəs /

•

UK / ə'lɜ:tnəs /

their

US / ðɛː /

•

UK / ðer /

determiner
Belonging to them

shocking

US / ˈʃɒkɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈʃɑkɪŋ /

adjecitve
Very upsetting due to some unexpected event
verb
To affect someone with an electrical current
To cause great surprise, horror, or anger

way

US / weɪ /

•

UK / we /

adverb
Used to emphasize the amount of something
noun
Particular aspect of something being thought about
One of various choices that could be made
Particular existing condition or state
(Often long) distance or length of time
How something is done
Route to go to a place
Small street
Usual behavior, emotions or habits of someone

yes

US / jes /

•

UK / jɛs /

adverb
Way to say you agree or will do something

evidence

US / 'evɪdəns /

•

UK / ˈɛvɪdəns /

noun
Factual proof that helps to establish the truth

grave

US / ɡreɪv /

•

UK / ɡrev /

adjecitve
Having a serious, worried expression on your face
noun
Hole in the ground in which you place a dead body
Poetic death; being dead

pretty

US / 'prɪtɪ /

•

UK / ˈprɪti /

adjecitve
Being attractive to the eye in a simple way
adverb
Very; to a great degree

several

US / ˈsevrəl /

•

UK / ˈsɛvərəl,ˈsɛvrəl /

adjecitve
Many of
pronoun
More than two but not a large amount

both

US / bəuθ /

•

UK / boθ /

determiner
Used to refer to two things at the same time
pronoun
Used to refer to two things at the same time

akin

US / əˈkɪn /

•

UK / əˈkɪn /

adjecitve
Similar to; like; almost the same as

frankenstein

US / ˈfræŋkənstain /

•

UK / ˈfræŋkənˌstaɪn /

other
An agency that escapes control and destroys its creator
Monster created by Frankenstein in a gothic novel by the mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (the creator's

result

US / rɪ'zʌlt /

•

UK / rɪˈzʌlt /

noun
Something produced through tests or experiments
Final score of a competition, election or game
verb
To be the outcome of other causes and effects

pore

US / pɔ:(r) /

•

UK / pɔr, por /

noun
Small hole on skin, etc. allowing liquid to pass

simple

US / 'sɪmpl /

•

UK / ˈsɪmpəl /

adjecitve
Not hard to understand or do; not complex
Having only a few parts; not complex
Being ordinary or normal
Being plain; without a lot added for style

show

US / ʃəʊ /

•

UK / ʃo /

noun
False display of love, emotion or action
An event for displaying or promoting goods
Play, opera or theater production
Presentation that is broadcast on TV or radio
verb
To be easily seen or displayed
To display your emotions or feelings
To let someone see something; display
To explain or teach how something is done
To lead someone somewhere; point them to something
To prove something to be true, correct
To reveal or allow something to be seen

arctic

US / 'ɑ:ktɪk /

•

UK / ˈɑrktɪk, ˈɑrtɪk /

adjecitve
The regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
Region 66.3 degrees latitude north of the equator

feature

US / 'fi:tʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈfitʃɚ /

adjecitve
Main; important
noun
Special report in a magazine or paper
Distinctive or important point of something
verb
To highlight or give special importance to

critter

US / ˈkrɪtə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkrɪtɚ /

noun
Regional term for 'creature' (especially for domestic animals)

old

US / əʊld /

•

UK / old /

adjecitve
Having existed for a long time, not young or new
Age of a person since birth

work

US / wɜ:k /

•

UK / wɚk /

adjecitve
Activity completed in order to make money
noun
The product of some artistic or literary endeavor
Everything created by an author, artist, musician
Activity you do in order to make money
Place of employment
Final product or result of a some labor or effort
verb
To bring into a specific state of success
To be functioning properly, e.g. a car
To do your job in your company or workplace
To make an effort to do something
To operate a machine or device

add

US / æd /

•

UK / æd /

verb
To include as well
To put two things or numbers together, e.g. 2+2

article

US / 'ɑ:tɪkl /

•

UK / ˈɑrtɪkəl /

noun
Word such as 'a', 'an', or 'the' used before nouns
Piece of writing about a particular subject
Piece of something, e.g. clothing
Section of a business contract or law

distant

US / 'dɪstənt /

•

UK / ˈdɪstənt /

adjecitve
Unfriendly; cold
Existing or happening far away in place or time
(Of relationships) not being closely related

germinate

US / ˈdʒɜ:mɪneɪt /

•

UK / ˈdʒɜ:rmɪneɪt /

verb
To start to grow, develop, or come into existence

glow

US / ɡləʊ /

•

UK / ɡlo /

noun
Pink color in the face, e.g. from exercise/emotion
Pleasant feeling, as of happiness or satisfaction
Soft, steady light given off without a flame
verb
To look very healthy and contented
To emit a steady even light

gentle

US / 'dʒentl /

•

UK / ˈdʒɛntl /

adjecitve
Kind and quiet in nature; not harsh or violent

take

US / teɪk /

•

UK / tek /

noun
Filming of a single scene for TV or the movies
verb
To accept something that is offered
To use a method of traveling, e.g. a bus or train
To use a camera to make (a photo)
To pick up something and go away with it
To study a subject in school
To attempt to pass (an exam)
To require a certain amount of time, money, space

spot

US / spɒt /

•

UK / spɑt /

noun
A certain place or area
A difficult time; awkward situation
Place or ranking on a list
A small amount of (substance help hard work etc.)
Mark caused by a drop of liquid, food, etc.
verb
To see someone or something by chance

between

US / bɪˈtwi:n /

•

UK / bɪˈtwin /

preposition
From one person, thing, or place, to another
In the space that separates two objects
Among two or more people who share something

bump

US / bʌmp /

•

UK / bʌmp /

noun
Act or sound of one solid object hitting another
Raised area on any smooth surface
verb
To bounce along over a rough surface
To knock against with force or violence
To move someone to a different group, time or area

electric

US / ɪˈlektrɪk /

•

UK / ɪˈlɛktrɪk /

adjecitve
Creating a feeling of excitement
Using electricity

gametophyte

US / gəˈmitəˌfaɪt /

•

UK / /

noun
Gamete-bearing individual or phase in the life cycle of a plant having alternation of generations

dollar

US / ˈdɒlə(r) /

•

UK / ˈdɑ:lə(r) /

noun
A basic unit of money equal to 100 cent

everything

US / 'evrɪθɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ /

pronoun
All of the things mentioned

they

US / ðeɪ /

•

UK / ðe /

pronoun
Two or more people, animals, or things

very

US / 'verɪ /

•

UK / ˈvɛri /

adjecitve
Concerning a large degree or amount
adverb
A lot; much; many
Used to stress or emphasize a noun

any

US / 'enɪ /

•

UK / ˈɛni /

adjecitve
One, or some, no matter which
pronoun
One (thing) of many; some

attend

US / əˈtend /

•

UK / əˈtɛnd /

verb
To take care of someone in need
To listen or watch carefully; to concentrate
To be present at an event
To go to a place regularly

come

US / kʌm /

•

UK / kʌm /

verb
To arrive at a place
(Of mail) to be delivered
To move toward someone; go with someone
To reach a certain point or state

help

US / help /

•

UK / hɛlp /

noun
Something given to enable a person to do something
Assistance given to someone in need
Someone who makes something easier or possible
verb
To act to enable a person to do something; assist
To make something better or less difficult

experiment

US / ɪk'sperɪmənt /

•

UK / ɪkˈspɛrəmənt /

noun
Test performed to assess new ideas or theories
verb
To create and perform tests to research something
To try something new that you haven't tried before

literally

US / ˈlɪtərəli /

•

UK / ˈlɪtərəli /

adverb
So as to express the exact meaning of something
Used to say something is true, even if unlikely

think

US / θɪŋk /

•

UK / θɪŋk /

verb
To have an idea about something without certainty
To have an idea, opinion or belief about something

bee

US / bi: /

•

UK / bi /

noun
Gathering to perform activities and tasks together
Black and yellow insect that makes honey

doctor

US / ˈdɒktə(r) /

•

UK / ˈdɑːktɚ /

noun
Person paid to help people become or stay healthy
Person awarded the highest university degree
verb
To treat someone's illness
To change something in order to trick someone

forty

US / 'fɔ:tɪ /

•

UK / ˈfɔrti /

number
40

familiar

US / fəˈmɪliə(r) /

•

UK / fəˈmɪljɚ /

adjecitve
Well-known or easily recognized

keep

US / ki:p /

•

UK / kip /

noun
Large, strong tower in the middle of a castle
Money spent on you so you can live in a place
verb
To continue doing something; not to stop
To stop balls going in a goal in sports
To not give back or return something
(Of food) to not spoil or not rot
To take possession of something to own, e.g. a pet
To have and continue to hold something
To do something that you have promised or agreed
To stay in a certain place or condition
To maintain the rules

larva

US / ˈlɑ:və /

•

UK / ˈlɑ:rvə /

noun
Wormlike young form of some insects

name

US / neɪm /

•

UK / nem /

noun
What something or someone is called
verb
To state what someone is called, e.g. John

rather

US / 'rɑ:ðə(r) /

•

UK / ˈræðɚ, ˈrɑðɚ /

adverb
Somewhat; fairly; not that much

typically

US / ˈtɪpɪkli /

•

UK / ˈtɪpɪklɪ /

adverb
In a normal or usual way

version

US / ˈvə:ʃən /

•

UK / ˈvɚʒən, -ʃən /

noun
Different way that someone interprets something
New or different form of something
An updated form of some software

solely

US / ˈsəʊlli:, ˈsəʊli: /

•

UK / ˈsolli, ˈsoli /

adverb
With no one or nothing else

something

US / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈsʌmθɪŋ /

adverb
In some degree or measure
noun
a person or thing of some value or consequence
pronoun
Thing that is not yet known or named
Approximately

and

US / ənd /

•

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

conjunction
Used to refer to two or more things
Plus; in addition; on top of that
Used to introduce an action that follows another

culture

US / 'kʌltʃə(r) /

•

UK / ˈkʌltʃɚ /

noun
Beliefs and customs of a particular group

journal

US / ˈdʒə:nl /

•

UK / ˈdʒɚnəl /

noun
A diary; record of what you do every day
Magazine of academic papers

lot

US / lɒt /

•

UK / lɑt /

noun
What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
A group of people seen together
Item for sale at an auction
Small area of land used for a purpose e.g. parking

mad

US / mæd /

•

UK / mæd /

adjecitve
Very angry
Enthusiastic about something
Being or acting wildly and uncontrollably

seed

US / si:d /

•

UK / sid /

noun
A person's children; offspring
Part of a plant used to grow more on them
Source of a feeling or thought
Top-ranked person in a competition, e.g. in tennis
verb
(Of plants) to produce seeds for the future
To produce seeds, as a plant
To remove the center part from a fruit or vegetable
To be the source of a feeling or thought
To plant seeds in the ground

stroll

US / strəʊl /

•

UK / strol /

verb
To walk slowly and in a relaxed manner

sunshine

US / ˈsʌnʃaɪn /

•

UK / ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn /

noun
Feeling of happiness or cheerfulness
Rays of light coming from the sun

until

US / ənˈtɪl /

•

UK / ʌnˈtɪl /

conjunction
Up to; to a time when something happens
preposition
Before (a specific time)

appropriate

US / ə'prəʊprɪət /

•

UK / əˈpropriɪt /

adjecitve
Right or suitable for some situation or purpose
verb
To set aside money for a specific later purpose
To take (money or goods) without permission

call

US / kɔ:l /

•

UK / kɔl /

noun
A order or request for action
The sound an animal makes, often when in danger
A correct prediction, e.g. a decision in a game
A short visit to a place or person
A decision by a referee or umpire in a game
verb
To make a request or order for action
(Animal) to make sounds to warn of danger
To announce the date of an election
To make a judgment about something
To give someone or something a name
To guess in advance the result or outcome
To visit a place or person for a short time
To phone someone
To speak, announce or shout in a loud voice

cross

US / krɒs /

•

UK / krɔs, krɑs /

adjecitve
Angry and upset
From one side of something to the other
noun
(Of animals) mixture of breeds in one animal
Person's name
verb
To put one thing over another e.g. arms
To breed one type of animal or plant with another
To not to agree with someone; oppose
To go from one side of something to the other
To meet at one point

far

US / fɑ:(r) /

•

UK / fɑr /

adjecitve
A long way away
Being a long way away
adverb
To a large degree or extent

nucleus

US / ˈnju:kliəs /

•

UK / ˈnu:kliəs /

noun
Center of an atom
Control center of a cell
Most important part of something larger

lemon

US / 'lemən /

•

UK / ˈlɛmən /

noun
Badly made or poorly functioning product
Small yellow fruit with sour juice

tree

US / tri: /

•

UK / tri /

noun
Tall green plants in a forest

where

US / hwɛə /

•

UK / hwɛr, wɛr /

conjunction
At or in the place which
In whatever place
pronoun
Word you use to ask the location of something

early

US / ˈɜ:li /

•

UK / ˈɜ:rli /

adjecitve
Happening or appearing before
adverb
Coming/happening before others in a time sequence
Happening sooner than expected

most

US / məʊst /

•

UK / most /

adverb
Very; extremely
Greatest possible degree
pronoun
Nearly all of something

recipe

US / 'resəpɪ /

•

UK / ˈrɛsəˌpi /

noun
Conditions likely to create a particular result
Directions for making a dish, with the ingredients

another

US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

•

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

adjecitve
One more, but not this
determiner
One more added
pronoun
One more (thing)

complex

US / 'kɒmpleks /

•

UK / kəmˈplɛks, ˈkɑmˌplɛks /

adjecitve
Not being simple; having many parts or aspects
noun
Group of buildings all used for the same purpose
Psychological issue regarding self-image

inevitably

US / ɪnˈevɪtəbli /

•

UK / ɪnˈevɪtəbli /

adverb
(Happening) with complete certainty

issue

US / 'ɪʃu: /

•

UK / ˈɪʃu /

noun
Important topic discussed, debated or argued over
Single edition of a magazine
verb
To make something available to be used or sold
To deliver a statement, etc. in an official manner

participate

US / pɑ:ˈtɪsɪpeɪt /

•

UK / pɑ:rˈtɪsɪpeɪt /

verb
To take part with others in doing something

prone

US / prəʊn /

•

UK / proʊn /

adjecitve
Lying flat with your head facing the ground
Likely to have, do or be (usually something bad)

real

US / rɪəl /

•

UK / ˈriəl, ril /

adjecitve
Actually existing or happening, not imagined
Being important or special

ton

US / tʌn /

•

UK / tʌn /

noun
Unit of weight; 907 kilograms (US); 1016 (UK)

shelley

US / ˈdrɔ:ɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈdrɔɪŋ /

sometimes

US / ˈsʌmtaɪmz /

•

UK / ˈsʌmˌtaɪmz /

adverb
Only at certain times; occasionally

clean

US / kli:n /

•

UK / klin /

adjecitve
Not marked in any way; blank
Done according to the rules or standards; fair
Free from disease or sickness
Being free from dirt or marks; washed
Behaving well; not breaking any rules; legal
adverb
Completely; entirely
verb
To make free from dirt or marks; washed
To make neat and orderly e.g. a room
To remove the inner parts of an animal

crystal

US / 'krɪstl /

•

UK / ˈkrɪstəl /

noun
A solid formed by the solidification of a chemical
Rock with regularly repeating internal structure
Person's name

only

US / ˈəunli /

•

UK / ˈonli /

adverb
Just one; just that amount or thing; not more than
Not very important or serious
Just that type of thing, person
Short time ago; not before a certain time
conjunction
Except; but

nine

US / naɪn /

•

UK / naɪn /

number
9

mutant

US / ˈmju:tənt /

•

UK / ˈmjutn:t /

noun
Organism derived from a change in genes

rare

US / reə(r) /

•

UK / rɛr /

adjecitve
(Of meat) cooked, but still red and juicy
Unusual or out of the ordinary; not common

put

US / pʊt /

•

UK / pʊt /

phrasal verb
to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch
verb
To move or place a thing in a particular position
To rate something in importance or value
To write or say something in a certain manner

release

US / rɪ'li:s /

•

UK / rɪ'li:s /

noun
Act of freeing someone from a duty or burden
Introduction of a new product, film, book, etc.
Relief from sadness, suffering or trouble
Act of freeing from a jail, cage, prison, etc.
verb
To free someone from a responsibility or burden
To allow a film, music etc. to be sold/distributed
To allow to leave a jail, cage, etc.; let out
To let go of something you are holding

two

US / tu: /

•

UK / tu /

number
2

copycat

US / 'kɒpɪkæt /

•

UK / 'kɑ:pɪkæt /

noun
Someone who copies the words/behavior of another

concept

US / 'kɒnsept /

•

UK / ˈkɑnˌsɛpt /

noun
Abstract idea of something or how it works

from

US / frəm /

•

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

preposition
Starting at a particular place, time or level

fish

US / fɪʃ /

•

UK / fɪʃ /

noun
Animal that swims and lives in water
verb
To go fishing with a net or hook

form

US / fɔ:m /

•

UK / fɔrm /

noun
Sports team or person's current winning record
Document you complete when making an application
Visible shape or style; type; kind
verb
To organize something such as a club or group
To develop; to come into a shape or substance
To make something into a particular shape

noticeably

US / 'nəʊtɪsəblɪ /

•

UK / ˈnotɪsəblɪ /

adverb
Being easy or likely to be sensed or noticed

plenty

US / 'plentɪ /

•

UK / ˈplɛnti /

pronoun
When there is not too little of something; a lot

over

US / 'əʊvə(r) /

•

UK / ˈovɚ /

adverb
Finished; no longer happening
Towards the ground/away from a standing position
noun
A set of six consecutive balls bowled in cricket
other
Finished
preposition
Showing the relation when a thing is above another
On or covering something
Above or across something
More than you need
From one side to the other
In the direction of; toward

US / ʃeə(r) /

•

UK / ʃɛr /

noun
Part-ownership in a property, business or company
Part of a company you own, shown by a certificate
verb
To divide something between two or more people
To allow others to use your things equally
To give information, etc. to someone

big

US / bɪɡ /

•

UK / bɪɡ /

adjecitve
Popular
Serious
Large

colon

US / 'kəʊlən /

•

UK / ˈkolən /

noun
Lower part of intestine turning food into waste
Symbol: used in writing e.g. before lists

electricity

US / ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti /

•

UK / ɪlɛkˈtrɪsɪti,ˌilɛk- /

noun
Energy generated positive and negative charges

easily

US / ˈi:zəli /

•

UK / ˈizəli /

adverb
Clearly; without doubt; certainly
Without difficulty

little

US / 'lɪtl /

•

UK / ˈlɪtl /

adjecitve
Being short in length of time
Not great in size, amount, or degree; small
Being very young or younger than others
adverb
By an amount or degree that is not very much
Not often; rarely
noun
A person's name

material

US / məˈtɪəriəl /

•

UK / məˈtɪriəl /

adjecitve
Relevant; (of evidence) important or significant
Belonging to the world of physical things
noun
Cloth; fabric
Supplies or data needed to do a certain thing
Substance from which a thing is made of

might

US / maɪt /

•

UK / maɪt /

other
Used to politely request an action
Used to express that something could happen
Power, strength, force or influence

natural

US / ˈnætʃərəl /

•

UK / ˈnætʃərəl, ˈnætʃrəl /

adjecitve
Being as one would expect; being usual or normal
Not made by humans; without human intervention

let

US / let /

•

UK / lɛt /

verb
To allow someone to do something
Introducing a suggestion to do something together
To rent a house, etc. to others

proverbial

US / prəˈvɜ:biəl /

•

UK / prəˈvɜ:rbiəl /

adjecitve
As commonly spoken of; well-known

molecular

US / mə'lekjələ(r) /

•

UK / məˈlɛkjəlɚ /

adjecitve
About or caused by molecules

researcher

US / rɪ'sɜ:tʃə(r) /

•

UK / rɪˈsətʃɚ /

noun
Someone who works to find new facts and ideas

the

US / ðə /

•

UK / ðə /

article
Used to refer to something already mentioned
Used to show there is only one of something
determiner
Used to describe all of a family

wall

US / wɔ:l /

•

UK / wɔl /

noun
High, flat side of a room or building

unfortunately

US / ʌnˈfɔ:tʃənətli /

•

UK / ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənətli /

adverb
In a way that is to be regretted; unluckily

contact

US / 'kɒntækt /

•

UK / ˈkɑnˌtækt /

adjecitve
Touching or feeling something
noun
Touching or feeling something
Object that allows electricity to run through it
Communication with someone or something
People who can give you information, introductions
verb
To get in touch with someone

ecosystem

US / ˈi:kəʊsɪstəm /

•

UK / ˈɛkoˌsɪstəm, ˈiko- /

noun
Types of plants and animals in an specific area

fern

US / fɜ:n /

•

UK / fɜ:rn /

noun
Type of plant with long, thin leaves

fertilize

US / ˈfɜ:təlaɪz /

•

UK / ˈfɜ:rtəlaɪz /

verb
To make pregnant; to put sperm in an egg
To add chemicals to produce larger, better plants

equally

US / ˈi:kwəli /

•

UK / ˈiːkwəli /

adverb
In an equal, even, or identical manner

houseplant

US / ˈhaʊsplɑːnt /

•

UK / ˈhaʊsplænt /

noun
A plant that is meant to be grown indoors

mclaren

US / ˈpʊʃpɪn /

•

UK / ˈpʊʃˌpɪn /

term

US / tɜ:m /

•

UK / tɚm /

noun
Conditions applying to an agreement, contract
Length of time something is expected to happen
Fixed period of weeks for learning at school
The (precise) name given to something
verb
To call; give a name to

also

US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

•

UK / ˈɔlso /

adverb
In addition; too; in a similar way

goat

US / gəʊt /

•

UK / goʊt /

noun
Small animal with beard and horns

five

US / faɪv /

•

UK / faɪv /

number
5

live

US / lɪv /

•

UK / liv /

adjecitve
Being broadcast as events happen, not recorded
Carrying electric current; able to give a shock
Glowing because burning; hot
Not yet killed (for food)
adverb
(Music, drama) as it is performed
verb
To be alive
To experience a particular type of life
To make your home in a house or town

kind

US / kaɪnd /

•

UK / kaɪnd /

adjecitve
In a caring and helpful manner
friendly and considerate
noun
One type of thing

how

US / haʊ /

•

UK / haʊ /

adjecitve
To what degree? in what amount?
adverb
(Used to explain the way to do something)
exclamation
For what purpose or reason?
(Used to ask someone or something's condition)

mutation

US / mju:'teɪʃn /

•

UK / mjuˈteʃən /

noun
Change that changes genetic structure

technical

US / ˈteknɪkl /

•

UK / ˈtɛknɪkəl /

adjecitve
Complex; difficult to understand
Of practical use of machine/science in industry

trash

US / træʃ /

•

UK / træʃ /

noun
Garbage or anything that is worthless
verb
To throw away in the garbage
To criticize; claim person/thing is inferior

vertical

US / ˈvɜ:tɪkl /

•

UK / ˈvɜ:rtɪkl /

adjecitve
(Of a line, etc.) going up and down; not horizontal

year

US / jə: /

•

UK / jɪr /

noun
Unit of time equal to 12 months or 365 or 366 days
Used to refer to the age of a person

deep

US / di:p /

•

UK / dip /

adjecitve
Complex and important
Extreme or intense
Going far down from the surface
Low in pitch, as a sound
adverb
At a certain distance beneath the surface

fungus

US / ˈfʌŋgəs /

•

UK / ˈfʌŋɡəs /

other
Plant, e.g. mushroom/mold, growing in damp places

fuse

US / fju:z /

•

UK / fjuz /

noun
Device connected to and making a bomb explode
Electrical safety device
verb
(Metal) to become one through heat contact

merry

US / 'merɪ /

•

UK / ˈmɛri /

adjecitve
Feeling a little drunk from alcohol
Causing happiness or joy

instruction

US / ɪn'strʌkʃn /

•

UK / ɪnˈstrʌkʃən /

noun
A command for someone formally to do something
Act of teaching or explaining to others
Information about how to do or use something

plant

US / plɑ:nt /

•

UK / plænt /

noun
Factory or a place where things are made
Living thing with leaves and roots growing in soil
verb
To firmly position something (in the ground)
To put seeds, flowers, trees in the ground

genetic

US / dʒəˈnetɪk /

•

UK / dʒəˈnɛtɪk /

adjecitve
Of, relating to, or controlled by genes

parent

US / 'peərənt /

•

UK / ˈpɛrənt, ˈpær- /

noun
Person's, animal's mother or father
Something creating other things of the same kind

zebrafish

US / zi:l /

•

UK / zil /

whose

US / hu:z /

•

UK / huz /

pronoun
Refers to the person who owns something

cigarette

US / ˌsɪgəˈret /

•

UK / ˈsɪgəret /

noun
White paper tube filled with tobacco

feast

US / fi:st /

•

UK / fist /

noun
Religious celebration
Special meal with large amounts of food and drink
verb
To eat a large special meal often in celebration

into

US / 'ɪntə /

•

UK / ˈɪntu /

preposition
Moving or going inside something
In the same direction as; in the direction of
So as to become; taking the state of

love

US / lʌv /

•

UK / lʌv /

noun
Person's name
A very strong feeling of affection
The person you care very deeply about
Strong, deep emotional and sexual attraction
verb
To care for and like someone very strongly, deeply
To like doing very much; enjoy greatly
To feel a strong emotional and romantic attraction

hug

US / hʌɡ /

•

UK / hʌɡ /

verb
To hold someone in your arms as sign of affection
To keep very close to something

lifeform

US / wəʊd /

•

UK / woʊd /

one

US / wʌn /

•

UK / wʌn /

pronoun
You; we; people in general; someone
The thing or person previously referred to
adjecitve
Used to refer to people generally
Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
number
Number 1

open

US / 'əʊpən /

•

UK / ˈopən /

adjecitve
Available for use; accessible
Not being hidden; available for others to see
Being available for customers to enter or use
Allowing everyone to use or take part in
Not secret anymore
Not closed or shut
Willing to accept new ideas and thoughts
noun
Name for a tennis or golf competition
verb
To make accessible or able to be used, e.g. road
To start the activities or services of a business
To make a space or hole appear in something
To move or change so that it is no longer closed
To start something, e.g. a new business

other

US / 'ʌðə(r) /

•

UK / ˈʌðər /

adjecitve
A thing different from that mentioned
determiner
(Something) else; not the first (one)
pronoun
Being the one and only thing of that category

puddle

US / ˈpʌdl /

•

UK / ˈpʌdl /

noun
Small pool of water or liquid on the ground
verb
To collect into a small pool

relative

US / ˈrelətɪv /

•

UK / ˈrɛlətɪv /

adjecitve
Measured or considered in comparison to another
(Grammar) referring to words that appear earlier
noun
Members of the family
Humans or animals sharing the same family history

than

US / ðən /

•

UK / ðən /

conjunction
Used to compare two things that are not equal

across

US / əˈkrɔs /

•

UK / əˈkrɔs,əˈkrɑs /

adverb
Distance from one side to another
(Go) from one side to the other of something

free

US / fri: /

•

UK / fri /

adjecitve
Living, happening without being controlled
Costing no money
Not working; not busy
verb
To release (e.g. bird) from a cage or prison

discuss

US / dɪˈskʌs /

•

UK / dɪˈskʌs /

verb
To talk about seriously or in great detail

conclude

US / kənˈklu:d /

•

UK / kənˈklud /

verb
To finish or cause to finish; end
To arrive at a judgment or opinion

happy

US / ˈhæpi /

•

UK / ˈhæpi /

adjecitve
Feeling pleasure or joy; glad

may

US / meɪ /

•

UK / me /

noun
5th month of the year
other
Used to express a desire
Expresses permission, possibility or probability
Used to show that a thing could be true

school

US / sku:l /

•

UK / skul /

adjecitve
Being to do with schools and education
noun
Large group of fish that swim together
Education of a child
Building where you learn in classes with a teacher
A particular belief or idea about something
verb
To teach or train someone to know or do something

play

US / pleɪ /

•

UK / pleɪ /

noun
Loose, free movement between two objects
Single action in a sports game
Performance in which people act in a theater
verb
To act as a character in a movie, or on stage
To perform music on an instrument
To use a device, e.g. a video game
To do something for enjoyment and fun
To do or perform a game or sport

stranger

US / 'streɪndʒə(r) /

•

UK / ˈstrendʒɚ /

noun
Someone you do not know

this

US / ðɪs /

•

UK / ðɪs /

adjecitve
Used to indicate something already been discussed
Used to indicate something happening around now
adverb
An indication by a physical motion or gesture
A specific amount of
determiner
Person, thing, or idea near you
pronoun
Person, thing that has already been discussed

snake

US / sneɪk /

•

UK / snek /

noun
An animal with a long body, no arms or legs
verb
To move like a snake
To wind in a long path like the shape of a snake

word

US / wɜ:d /

•

UK / wɚd /

noun
Unit of language that has a meaning
Promise
Short remark or piece of information
verb
To express something by choosing particular words

body

US / ˈbɒd.i /

•

UK / ˈbɑdi /

noun
An object distinct from other objects
A group of people involved in an activity together
Main part of something
A person's physical self

bridge

US / brɪdʒ /

•

UK / brɪdʒ /

noun
Structure built over river, road so you can cross
verb
To make a link between; bring together

inner

US / ˈɪnə(r) /

•

UK / ˈɪnɚ /

adjecitve
Concerning the inside part of something

loose

US / lu:s /

•

UK / lus /

adjecitve
(Idea, thought, or work) unclear or imprecise
Not tightly attached or held
Not being attached to or contained within anything
Not tightly controlled, organized, or governed
verb
To shoot or fire something from a gun

make

US / meɪk /

•

UK / mek /

noun
Product made by a particular company; brand
verb
To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
To get to (a place) on time
To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
To create something by putting things together
To earn a certain amount of money at a job
To cause or force a person to do something
To cause something to happen or be formed

suggest

US / səˈdʒest /

•

UK / səɡˈdʒɛst, səˈdʒɛst /

verb
To mention something that could be done; propose

giant

US / 'dʒaɪənt /

•

UK / ˈdʒaɪənt /

adjecitve
Very large, or much bigger than other things
noun
Tall, large, and powerful human-like creatures
Very successful, powerful person or organization

less

US / les /

•

UK / lɛs /

adjecitve
Smaller in amount or degree
adverb
To a smaller degree
noun
A smaller amount
preposition
With the subtraction of

lightning

US / ˈlaɪtnɪŋ /

•

UK / ˈlaɪtnɪŋ /

adjecitve
Moving very fast or occurring suddenly
noun
Flashes of light in the sky caused by a storm

specific

US / spəˈsɪfɪk /

•

UK / spɪˈsɪfɪk /

adjecitve
Precise; particular; just about that thing
Concerning one particular thing or kind of thing

sperm

US / spɜ:m /

•

UK / spə:m /

noun
Cell produced by men and needed for reproduction

Subtitles section

Humans aren't the only genetic engineers out there.

I mean, they might not understand either the concepts of genetics or engineering, but plenty of other lifeforms can take a gene from the DNA of one organism and get it into the DNA of another.

Sometimes they even do it on purpose.

But maybe it's more appropriate for me to call it by its more technical name, horizontal gene transfer.

It's why bacteria keep becoming resistant to the antibiotics we're using to kill them.

It's why ferns survived the literal rise of sun blocking trees.

And it may be why there's a fish swimming around in the ocean right now, conjuring its inner Dr. Frankenstein.

Okay, first off, let's remember what a gene even is.

It's basically a set of instructions in your DNA, or any creature's DNA, that tells the body to do a very specific thing, like make this exact protein that goes on to do that exact job.

And many of you might be familiar with vertical gene transfer, which is when genes are passed down to the next generation via offspring.

This is how genes are typically transferred in plants, fungi, animals, and yes, even your parents.

But if vertical gene transfer is like giving your child an index card with grandma's recipe for shepherd's pie, then horizontal gene transfer would be like handing that card to a stranger that you bumped into on the street.

And in prokaryotes, our

distant, usually single celled cousins whose cells don't have nuclei to house their DNA, it almost is that simple.

For example, in a process known as transformation, a prokaryote may just stumble upon some loose genetic material and incorporate it, pocketing it like a five dollar bill from the street.

Or, in conjugation, two prokaryotes may do something akin to open mouth kissing, which allows them to exchange genetic material.

And sometimes that genetic material is extra good at transferring from one organism to another because it's a jumping gene, more formally called a transposon.

These genes can actually move around in a cell, like just up and take a stroll down the genome to find a new spot for themselves.

And because of this mobility, transposons can mosey right across that open mouthed kiss bridge and nuzzle into another prokaryotic genome.

So horizontal gene transfer is easy peasy lemon squeezy for prokaryotes.

It's why antibiotic resistance is such an issue these days.

But that doesn't mean prokaryotes have a monopoly on the practice.

Prokaryotes can also transfer genes to eukaryotes, better known as life whose cells have nuclei.

The group includes everything from single celled amoebas to you to your overwatered health plant.

But eukaryotes can also transfer genes between each other.

Yes, even your overwatered houseplant.

Hundreds of millions of years ago, ferns found themselves in a tricky situation.

Angiosperms, or flowering plants, had recently evolved and were popping up all over the place and blocking out quality sunshine.

So the ferns were faced with a challenge — make do with what little sunshine they got from the shade, or die.

But seemingly out of nowhere, a gene appeared in their DNA that let them thrive even without a ton of sunshine.

It single handedly enabled ferns to live in the shade.

And once they had this advantageous gene, you can bet they passed it down to their kiddos through regular old vertical gene transfer.

But ferns didn't start with this gene, and given how key it was to their success, researchers wanted to know where it came from.

After analyzing forty plant genomes, the scientists found the shade thriving gene in one other plant, hornworts.

And when they dug a little deeper, they found that the ferns didn't just happen to evolve a similar version of the hornworts gene, they took a copy for themselves roughly one hundred and seventy nine million years ago.

This was the first evidence of plant to plant horizontal gene transfer, but the big question was how it happened.

Luckily, the researchers have pretty solid ideas.

See, ferns and hornworts aren't like seeding plants, which make little armored seeds and send them on their merry way to break open and grow.

Instead, they produce spores, which inevitably blow off and land in a moist location to germinate into gametophytes, which then release their own sperm and or eggs into nearby puddles.

The sperm then swim around until they find an egg to fertilize to then grow into a new fern or hornwort.

So it's a happy little pool of fern and hornwort sperm and eggs.

But like a high school co ed lock in, the researchers doubt everyone stayed nice and separated.

In fact, this is the place where the genomes of the hornwort and fern are least defended and most prone to contact one another.

No cell wall chaperones around.

So they hypothesized that one of these love puddles was the site of a little horizontal gene transfer between the two.

If prokaryotes participate in horizontal gene transfer through metaphorical kisses, and ferns did it through slightly less metaphorical love puddles, then some other plants do it through hugs.

Really, really close hugs.

The kind where you, like, literally fuse together.

Now, plants mixing genes together isn't really a surprise on its own.

It happens a lot with hybridization, where the species are close enough relatives to cross pollinate and make baby plants that feature genes from both parents.

But that's noticeably different from the hijacking of a single gene like we saw with the ferns and hornworts.

So witnessing a genetic exchange in the absence of cross pollination would be quite the surprise.

But one team of researchers out of Germany and Poland figured out a way to achieve this, the aforementioned plant hugs.

Okay, they didn't call them plant hugs.

The more appropriate term is grafting.

So they grafted together two species of tobacco plants, tree tobacco and cigarette tobacco.

And to see if the genomes combined, they made sure that the plants each had a different gene that made them resistant to a different antibiotic.

If the resulting plant and its offspring were resistant to both antibiotics, then that would be evidence that the genomes did combine via horizontal gene transfer.

And that's exactly what they found.

But plants, you may have noticed, don't play by the same rules animals do.

Because while human genetic engineers can take a single gene from a spider and put it into a goat's genome, you can't sew a spider and a goat together to get a spoat genome.

As cool as that would be.

So you might think it's impossible for one animal species to horizontally transfer a gene without human intervention.

But surprise!

It's already happened thanks to those jumping genes we discussed earlier.

For example, one transposon called Bovine B managed to snake its way into certain frog genomes from their natural predators.

In an article published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution, researchers sequenced the DNA of several snakes, frogs, and other species to see how the snake bovine bee gene was getting into frogs.

And they concluded that while it may start in snakes, the gene likely didn't go directly into their prey.

Instead, it probably jumped first into something like a parasitic mite and then into frogs.

That means that not only can horizontal gene transfer occur in animals, but it can even occur with a two step process, from animal to animal vector to animal.

And the crazy thing is that unlike most genes, bovine B doesn't even seem to have any genetic benefit.

Rather than being a positive mutation those first frogs kept around because it helped them survive, scientists think bovine B is popular solely because of how good it is at replicating and jumping.

But if you're looking for something closer to that fern and hornwort example, we can talk about a jumping antifreeze protein, or AFP gene.

Antifreeze proteins are exactly what they sound like, proteins designed to stop ice crystals from forming in the body when it's super cold.

So if you're a fish who frequents Arctic or Antarctic ocean waters,

that would be a pretty good gene to have.

That means it isn't too surprising to hear that both herring and smelts have this antifreeze protein, but like the fern and the hornwort, they're both using the same gene.

It's a clear example of horizontal gene transfer, and since the herring has eight copies of the gene while the smelt only has one, it's pretty easy to figure out who was the copycat here.

Psst, it's the one with fewer copies.

And the fish kinda reproduce like ferns in that they get it on by releasing all their eggs and sperm into one shared watery ecosystem.

So it's reasonable to think this AFP gene was horizontally transferred from the herring to the smelt at this point in their life cycle.

Unfortunately, it's much easier to show that the horizontal gene transfer happened at all rather than figure out how it happened.

And given how rare horizontal gene transfer appears in life as complex as frogs or fishes, it can be difficult to set up experiments that can test what's going on.

But that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Compared to proverbial hugs and kisses, our last method of horizontal gene transfer sounds a lot less gentle, because it involves a literal shock to the system.

The method is called electroporation, and as the name suggests, it involves using electricity to create tiny pores in a cell.

Those temporary pores can then let material pass through them, including DNA.

So electroporation is a choice method for scientists who need to do things like add or remove genes from their mice or cell culture test subjects to figure out what exactly certain genes do.

But if you think about it, the combination of stray DNA, developing cells, and electricity doesn't only occur in the lab.

In fact, at this point, we know that ocean water is full of sperm and egg cells ripe for the modifying.

Plus, since fish don't clean up their scales or waste while swimming around,

it's equally well equipped with DNA, too.

Now, while human mad scientists aren't going around shocking the ocean to create a bunch of mutant animals, you know what might be?

Electric eels!

Which, for the record, are as much eels as they are mad scientists.

But knowing this, researchers from Japan wanted to see if electric eels could cosplay as genetic engineers.

To test their hypothesis, they put a bunch of zebrafish larvae into some water alongside snippets of DNA that provided a recipe for a specific protein

that glows green under a blacklight.

In other words, if the larvae managed to incorporate the gene into their own DNA, they'd wind up glowing.

Then, the team let their electric eel feast upon a nearby goldfish.

In trying to shock its prey, the eel also wound up shocking the larvae.

And they found that the electricity did cause electroporation in the zebrafish larvae, and compared to the control groups, more of those larvae did wind up glowing green.

This means that, hypothetically, wild electric eels that are just swimming around minding their own business and trying to survive could also be zapping free floating DNA into unsuspecting ocean critters.

which is a remarkable feat for organisms who can't attend grad school or occupy a lab bench.

In addition to that research, a separate scientist from Slovenia took this idea a step further by suggesting that lightning strikes could also facilitate horizontal gene transfer.

Cue Mary Shelley rolling in her grave.

And cue me off to write a sequel to Frankenstein.

where the doctor is a giant sentient electric eel and he's making pointless animal hybrids using his own body.

And while I work on that, real scientists can work out the actual practical applications, because thanks to horizontal gene transfer, one species' genomic trash or treasure could easily become another species' genomic trash or treasure, too.

Thanks for watching this episode of SciShow, and an extra special thanks to our President of Science, McLaren Stanley.

I will definitely not be emailing you my first draft of Frankenstein II colon The Real Modern Prometheus is a Giant Eel, because we all value your support too much.