Heartland English School – Word of the Day

Theme: Star Wars

Word: strike back (phrasal verb)

Meaning: to attack someone who has attacked you

Examples:

• Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, Darth Vader and the Empire strike back by overpowering the Rebels on the ice planet Hoth.
• When you bully people long enough they are going to strike back.

Theme: Star Wars

Word: empire (n.)

Meaning: A group of countries ruled by a single person, government, or country.

Examples:

• The Galactic Empire (or simply The Empire) was the government formed by Chancellor Palpatine to bring Sith rule to the galaxy.
• The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Western and Central Europe.

Theme: Star Wars

Word: menace (n.)

Meaning: Someone or something that represents danger/a threat

Examples:

• In Episode I – The Phantom Menace (= unknown evil) is Senator Palpatine. He is hiding his true identity as an evil Sith Lord.
• Drunk drivers are a menace to everyone.

Theme: CHRISTMAS WORDS

Word:  sleigh  (n.)

Meaning: a large vehicle pulled by horses or other animals over snow and ice

Examples:

• In the winter, you can go on a sleigh ride pulled by horses.
• There is a legend that Santa Claus’s reindeer pulled a sleigh through the night sky, delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

Theme: CHRISTMAS WORDS

Word:  tinsel  (n.)

Meaning:  long pieces of thin, shiny material used as decoration, usually at Christmas

Examples:

• The Christmas tree covered in tinsel glittered beautifully.
• Tinsel comes in many different colours.

Theme: CHRISTMAS WORDS

Word:  ornament  (n.)

Meaning:  A small ball, figurine, etc., that is hung on a Christmas tree for decoration

Examples:

• The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated with many different ornaments and lights.
• In many homes, it is a tradition to hang the ornaments on the tree with your family.

Theme: CHRISTMAS WORDS

Word:  poinsettia (n.)

Meaning:  A tropical houseplant that is popular during Christmastime

Examples:

• You can buy poinsettias at Costco in November and December.
• A red and green poinsettia makes a festive addition to any home during the holidays.

Theme: CHRISTMAS WORDS

Word:  grinch  (n.)

Meaning:  a character in the 1957 story by Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, who hates Christmas and tries to ruin it for others

Examples:

• He doesn’t enjoy Christmas music, he’s such a grinch!
• In the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch plans to ruin Christmas for the residents of the town of Whoville.

Theme: Neologisms

Word:  Bling (informal noun)

Pronunciation: /blɪŋ/

Meaning: Jewelry or decoration that attracts attention because it is very noticeable and looks expensive.

• She wore a fake-fur coat, big sunglasses and lots of bling.
• A lot of hip hop artists proudly show off their bling.

Theme: Neologisms

Word:  Staycation (noun)

Pronunciation: /steɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

Meaning: a holiday that you take at home or near your home rather than travelling to another place.

• My staycation was full of TV shows and sleeping.
• It’s easy to have a staycation in a place like NYC.