“Dad just phoned to say he’ll be home shortly,” I told Mum.
ring
Lisa rang the hospital to see how her brother was doing.
telephone
“If you telephone between twelve and one o’clock, you’ll catch me,” the salesman said.
call off VERB
If something is called off, it is cancelled.
abandon
When the heavy rain turned to snow, the referee decided that the match should be abandoned.
cancel
Owing to lack of support, the dance had to be cancelled.
postpone
Because of building repairs, we had to postpone our bowling until Tuesday.
calm (1) ADJECTIVE
Someone who is calm is quiet and does not show any worry or excitement.
composed
Mrs Yamamoto is a very composed, businesslike woman.
level-headed
Sanjay is a level-headed individual who would never panic in a crisis.
relaxed
Cameron was so relaxed about his exam, he fell asleep on the first page.
unflappable INFORMAL
The lifeboat crew were selected for being unflappable as well as skilled sailors.
ANTONYM: excitable
calm (2) ADJECTIVE
If the sea is calm, the water is not moving very much.
peaceful
The sea was peaceful as we walked along the beach in the early morning.
quiet
After the storm the sea became quiet again.
still
The lake was absolutely still, reflecting the mountains behind.
tranquil
It was a hot, sunny day and the children enjoyed swimming in the tranquil bay.
ANTONYM: rough
calm down VERB
If you calm someone down, you help make them less upset or excited.
quieten
A lollipop helped to quieten the squealing toddler.
soothe
Some farmers turn on the radio to soothe pigs in their pens.
cancel VERB
If you cancel something that has been arranged, you stop it from happening.
abandon
The match was abandoned at half-time when the floodlights failed.
abort
Mission Control decided to abort the mission and bring the shuttle back.
call off
When I caught chickenpox, Mum and Dad called off the party.
scrap INFORMAL
“Let’s scrap the idea of Paris, and go to Rome instead,” Dad suggested.
capable ADJECTIVE
Someone who is capable is able to do something well.
able
My dad is an able businessman.
accomplished
Rajesh is an accomplished violinist.
competent
Sir Winston Churchill was a surprisingly competent artist.
efficient
Mrs Kemp was very efficient; everything was done to a tight schedule.
skilful
My sister is a skilful horsewoman, with several medals to her name.
ANTONYM: incompetent
captain NOUN
A captain is the officer in charge of a ship or aeroplane.
commander
Uncertain what to do, Lieutenant Zarg called the spacecraft commander to the bridge.
master
The master of the oil tanker reluctantly gave the order to abandon ship.
pilot
“It looks as if we’re in for some turbulence,” the pilot announced.
skipper
Trawler skippers and their crews have to endure awful weather conditions.
capture VERB
If someone captures someone or something, they take them prisoner.
arrest
Police arrested the woman on suspicion of blackmail.
kidnap
The villains kidnapped the wealthy businessman’s son and held him hostage.
nab INFORMAL
Sergeant Philpot nabbed the burglar as he tried to make his escape.
take captive
After being taken captive, the explorer was imprisoned in a hut.
ANTONYM: release
car NOUN
A car is a four-wheeled road vehicle with an engine and room to carry a few passengers.
automobile
“This motorcar,” boasted Mr Toad, “is the finest automobile ever built.”
banger INFORMAL
Our new teacher drives a real old banger.
motorcar
