Words that start with S

Six slippery snakes sailed southward on a silver ship to Sydney.

Sis forSex

Sex is the set of characteristics that makes people, plants and animals male or female. The picture is of a male and female duck. See also: gender or coitus.

Sis forShack

A shack is a small, simply-built house. Shacks are often seen near the beach or in the wilderness. Another word for shack is hut.

Sis forShade

Shade is what we call a large shadow that you can sit or stand in. It is cooler in the shade than in the sun. If there is no shade, you can make your own by setting up a large umbrella or a tent.

Sis forShadow

When you stand in front of a light like the sun, some of the light hits you and some of the light goes past you. Where you are in the way between the sun and the ground, there will be a shadow. A shadow is just somewhere there is less light than there is around it. Shadows are the same shape as whatever is blocking the light. Shadows change size and shape depending on how high or low the light is. Shadows are darker and clearer when the light is strong and coming from only one direction. You can make shadow puppets with your hands or some cut-out shapes, a light and a wall.

Sis forShady

Shady means that something is fully or partially shielded from the sun.

Sis forShaft

A shaft is a long, straight pole or tunnel that leads from one place to another.

Sis forShaggy

Something is shaggy if it is covered in long, thick, scruffy, untidy hair.

Sis forShake

You shake something when you move it vigorously up and down or from side to side. The dog in the photo is shaking water out of its coat. People shake drinks like milk to make them frothy. Shaking can be used to communciate too. People shake their heads from side to side to mean "no", and two people will shake hands as a greeting.

Sis forShale

Shale is a sedimentary rock formed from layers of clay settling over time. The color of the shale varies depending on the impurities in the clay. Shale can be easily broken into its layers, and is a relatively fragile rock.

Sis forShallot

Scientific name: allium oschaninii
Shallots, also called eschallots, are a type of onion, but with a sweeter and milder flavour. Like garlic, they grow in clusters that can be separated.