Vocabulary for Kids

Hey everyone! Today’s word is inning.Inning means one of the sections of a baseball or softball game in which both teams get a turn to bat and try to score points.Imagine you’re watching a baseball game. First, one team gets a chance to bat while the other team plays defense. Then they switch places. That whole section, with both teams taking their turns, is called an inning.A regular professional baseball game usually has nine innings.Here are three examples:Our team scored three runs in the first inning.The game was tied after the fifth inning.The pitcher played especially well during the final inning.So remember: inning = a section of a baseball or softball game when both teams take turns batting and playing defense.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is constant.Constant means something that stays the same or continues without stopping or changing.Imagine a clock ticking every second. It keeps making the same ticking sound over and over without stopping. That ticking is constant.Constant can also describe something that happens repeatedly or very often.Here are three examples:The constant rain kept us inside all afternoon.She made constant progress by practicing every day.The temperature remained constant throughout the experiment.So remember: constant = staying the same or continuing without stopping.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is indentured.Indentured means bound by a legal agreement to work for someone for a certain period of time, often in exchange for something such as money, travel, or training.For example, in history, some people agreed to work for several years in exchange for transportation to a new country. During that time, they were indentured and had to complete the work they had agreed to.It’s important to know that indentured does not mean exactly the same thing as enslaved. Indentured workers were generally bound by a contract for a specific period, although the conditions could still be very difficult and unfair.Here are three examples:The worker was indentured to serve for several years under the agreement.Some people became indentured servants in order to pay for their journey to a new country.The history lesson explained how indentured workers lived and worked under contracts.So remember: indentured = legally required to work for someone for a specific period under an agreement.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is infamous.Infamous means well-known for something bad or unpleasant.Imagine a pirate from a story who became famous because he stole treasure and caused trouble. Everyone knows his name, but not for a good reason. That pirate is infamous.The important thing to remember is that infamous is different from famous.Famous means well-known, while infamous means well-known for something bad.Here are three examples:The villain became infamous for causing trouble throughout the town.The storm was infamous for causing major damage.The thief became infamous because of his many crimes.So remember: infamous = famous for something bad.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is distinct.Distinct means clearly different from something else, so you can easily tell them apart.Imagine you have two dogs. One has black fur and the other has white fur with brown spots. Their appearances are distinct because they are clearly different from each other.Distinct can also mean something is clear and easy to notice. For example, you might hear a distinct sound that stands out from other noises.Here are three examples:The twins have distinct personalities.There was a distinct difference between the two paintings.I heard a distinct ringing sound from the other room.So remember: distinct = clearly different or easy to recognize.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is inadequate.Inadequate means not good enough or not enough to meet a need or requirement.Imagine you’re going on a long hike, but you bring only a tiny bottle of water. That amount of water is inadequate because it isn’t enough for the whole trip.Here are three examples:The small number of chairs was inadequate for the entire class.His preparation was inadequate for such a difficult test.The flashlight’s weak battery was inadequate for the long camping trip.So remember: inadequate = not enough or not good enough for what is needed.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is disclose.Disclose means to reveal or share information that was previously hidden, private, or not known.Imagine your teacher discovers that the class will have a surprise field trip. When the teacher finally tells everyone about it, the teacher discloses the information.Disclose is often used when someone shares information that might be private, important, or secret.Here are three examples:She decided to disclose the truth about what happened.The company must disclose important information to its customers.He disclosed his plans to his parents.So remember: disclose = reveal or make information known.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is forthcoming.Forthcoming means going to happen soon or be available soon. It can also describe someone who is open and willing to share information.Imagine your school is getting ready for its annual talent show. The posters are up, students are practicing, and everyone is excited. The talent show is forthcoming because it will happen soon!Here are three examples:The forthcoming school concert will take place next Friday.The author announced that her forthcoming book will be released next month.He was forthcoming about what happened and honestly answered all the questions.So remember: forthcoming = happening soon, coming up, or being open and honest with information.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is factor.Factor means something that helps cause a result or influences what happens.Imagine you’re deciding whether to play outside. You look at the weather, how much homework you have, and how much time is left before dinner. These are all factors that help you decide what to do.A factor can also mean a number that divides evenly into another number. Here are three examples:The weather was an important factor in deciding whether to have a picnic.Practice is a major factor in improving your basketball skills.The numbers 2 and 5 are factors of 10.So remember: factor = something that influences a result, or a number that divides evenly into another number.

Hey everyone! Today’s word is arrogant.Arrogant means thinking you are better, smarter, or more important than other people.Imagine a student wins a spelling contest and starts telling everyone, “I’m the smartest person here! Nobody else is as good as me!” That student is being arrogant because they act as if they are better than everyone else.Being proud of an achievement is okay, but being arrogant means acting like other people are less important than you.Here are three examples:The arrogant player bragged that nobody could beat him.She sounded arrogant when she refused to listen to anyone else’s ideas.Even after winning the award, he stayed humble instead of becoming arrogant.So remember: arrogant = acting as if you are better than other people.