Words that start with J

A jack is a device for lifting heavy objects off the ground by pushing them up from underneath. Jacks are used to raise things a short distance only. They are commonly used to lift one corner of a car off the ground while you change a tyre.

Jack is also a variation of the name John.

A jackal is a small to medium sized close relative of the dog. They are found in Africa, Asia and some parts of Europe. Jackals normally live together in pairs, although they will sometimes form small packs to hunt. They hunt small to medium animals, and will eat dead animals they find. Like household dogs they will also eat fruit and other plants as well as meat.

A jacket is a piece of clothing you usually wear over other clothes. The little girl in the picture is wearing a blue patterned jacket with red cuffs.

A jade plant is a succulent with spongy green leaves, thick stems and pink or white flowers.

A jail is another word for a prison. People who have done something wrong are locked in jail as a punishment.

Jam is cooked fruit, preserved with sugar. Jam is delicious spread on toast. In some countries, jam is called jelly.

Japanese is anything relating to Japan, someone from Japan or the language spoken in Japan.

Jarlsberg is a pale yellow, semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a mild, slightly nutty taste and round holes through it. It can be sliced, grated, or melted in cooking.

Jarlsberg originated in Norway in the 1950s. It is often eaten in sandwiches or served with bread and fruit. Its holes and smooth texture are similar to Swiss cheese.

Jasper is an opaque silicate that can be virtually any color. It is often used for making jewelry. Some colours are more valuable than others - the jasper in the picture is red jasper.

A javelin is a kind of spear that is usually used in competitive sport, where the person who throws the javelin the furthest wins.