Collins Primary Thesaurus. Collins Dictionaries

      Dry earth is brittle and crumbles easily.

      delicate

      “Handle that antique vase gently. It’s delicate,” the auctioneer shouted.

      easily broken

      Pottery is easily broken.

      flimsy

      In traditional Japanese houses the interior walls are often flimsy, almost see-through.

      fragile

      The label on the box read “Fragile”, but the camera within was damaged beyond repair.

      break down VERB

      When a machine or a vehicle breaks down, it stops working.

      conk out INFORMAL

      The motorcyclist looked helpless. “Give us a push please, mate. My bike’s conked out.”

      fail

      When the steam train failed, a diesel had to tow it back to the depot.

      go wrong

      “I just knew that fancy vacuum cleaner would go wrong,” Mum sighed.

      seize up

      Our lawn mower seized up when a twig got jammed in the blades.

       If someone’s car has a breakdown, it stops working during a journey.

      break up VERB

      If something breaks up, it comes apart.

      disintegrate

      Because of the explosion, the plane disintegrated in midair.

      fall apart

      My wonderful go-kart fell apart during its maiden trip.

       When a married couple break up, they separate or get a divorce.

      breathless ADJECTIVE

      If you are breathless, you are breathing very fast or with difficulty.

      gasping

      By the time we reached the ridge of the hill, we were gasping.

      out of breath

      My gran gets out of breath even when she bends down.

      puffed out INFORMAL

      After running for the train I was puffed out.

      puffing and panting INFORMAL

      By the end of the fathers’ race Dad was puffing and panting.

      wheezing

      The poor asthmatic girl was still wheezing even after using her inhaler.

      bright (1) ADJECTIVE

      Bright colours or things are strong and startling.

      brilliant

      The brilliant diamond glittered in the light.

      dazzling

      We stepped out into dazzling sunshine.

      gleaming

      I polished Dad’s car until it was gleaming.

      glistening

      The glistening dewdrop sat like a jewel on the leaf.

      glittering

      For the show, Mum made me a glittering dress with sequins all over.

      glowing

      The glowing fire lit the old cottage kitchen far into the night.

      shimmering

      The sun rose as the ship sailed out onto the shimmering sea.

      shining

      The shining stars lit up the night.

      twinkling

      From the opposite shore we could see the twinkling lights of the town.

      vivid

      The parrot’s feathers were vivid shades of red, green and blue.

      ANTONYMS: dim or dull

      bright (2) ADJECTIVE

      Someone who is bright is clever.

      clever

      My aunt is clever. At antique fairs, she never misses a bargain.

      intelligent

      Collies are intelligent dogs and can understand many commands.

      quick-witted

      Reginald’s quick-witted action saved his house from burning down.

      smart

      People say I’m smart because I’m as quick as lightning at identifying pop songs.

      bright (3) ADJECTIVE

      Someone who is bright is cheerful.

      cheerful

      A cheerful manner is important if you are dealing with the public.

      jolly

      My grandpa is a jolly man who always seems to be smiling.

      light-hearted

      In our class, discussions are always light-hearted, never too serious.

      lively

      Mrs Fenkle is a lively teacher, who always makes lessons interesting.

      brilliant (1) ADJECTIVE

      A brilliant colour or light is extremely bright.

      bright

      The dentist shone a bright light into my mouth so he could see my teeth clearly.

      dazzling

      The magnificent ruby was a dazzling red.

      sparkling

      As the plane came in to land, we could see the sparkling city lights below.

      brilliant (2) ADJECTIVE

      Someone who is brilliant is extremely clever or skilful.

      exceptional

      Parvinder is an exceptional pupil and is certain to go to university.

      gifted

      The Russian was a gifted pianist before he became a conductor.

      talented

      Nicole is a talented actress who would like to go to stage school.

      bring VERB

      If you bring something with you when you go to a place, you take it with you.

      carry

      A hotel porter’s job is to carry people’s luggage to their rooms.

      convey

      The minibus conveyed people out to the waiting aircraft.

      transport

      Cable cars transport sightseers to the top of the mountain.

      bubbles PLURAL NOUN

      Bubbles are balls of gas in a liquid.

      fizz

      “My cola has lost its fizz,” Wayne complained.

      foam

      As the tap kept running, the foam spilt over the sides of the bath.

      froth

      As we added the lemonade to the orange juice, froth started to appear on top.

      suds

      The washing-up bowl was