Words that start with S

S is for Squeak

A squeak is a short, high-pitched noise. Small animals like mice squeak. Metal surfaces that are not well lubricated will squeak when they rub together, for example a squeaky door.

Danielle Scott / CC BY-SA

S is for Squeeze

Verbs

You squeeze something when you hold it very tightly. The man in the picture is squeezing an orange. People usually squeeze things to force liquid out of them, like squeezing a mop to get rid of the excess water or squeezing fruit to get the juice out.

Keith Williamson / CC BY-SA

S is for Squid

Molluscs

Squid are sea creatures related to the octopus and cuttlefish, which all have eight legs.
Squid move by sucking water into the top part of their body and squirting it out in a jet. They can also squirt ink into the water to confuse anything that is trying to eat it.
The squid in the photo are being cooked on a barbeque.

Toshiyuki IMAI / CC BY-SA

S is for Squint

Verbs

You squint when you look at something with your eyes partly closed. People often squint when they are out in bright sunshine, or are looking at some other bright light.

Bev Sykes / CC BY-SA

S is for Squirrel

Rodents

A squirrel is a medium-sized rodent found in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Squirrels eat nuts, seeds, pine cones, fruit, fungi and young leaves.

Gilles Gonthier / CC BY-SA

Photo of a child squirting their parent with a water gun

S is for Squirt

Verbs

You squirt a liquid like water by forcing it through a small opening so it comes out as a thin, high-pressure stream. Water pistols and hoses can both be used to squirt water.

Paul / CC BY-SA

S is for St Bernard

Dogs

A Saint Bernard is a dog originally bred for rescue in the Swiss Alps. They are a large dog, with a large head, and can weigh anything up to 100kg (220 pounds).
St Bernards are prone to many genetic health conditions, such as hip displaysia and turned eyelids, and have a lifespan of only 8 years.
They are loyal and affectionate, but because they are so big it is essential they are well-trained, as such a large dog can knock children down and hurt them if it is boisterous.

Cassie Jasewicz / CC BY-SA

S is for St John's Wort

Plants, Substances

St John's wort is a small plant that is widely used as an effective treatment for depression. It has escaped in many countries and is listed as a noxious weed. The effects that make it so useful against depression are bad when eaten by livestock, as it affects the nervous system, causes light sensitivity and can cause miscarriage and even death in large enough doses.

John Tann / CC BY-SA

S is for Stab

List of action and motion words, Verbs

You stab something when you quickly thrust something sharp into something else. The man in the picture is stabbing a cake with a knife.

Travis Rigel Lukas Hornung / Inspired By (CC BY)

S is for Stable

List of structures

A stable is a special building that you keep horses in. When there are several horses in a stable, each horse has its own stall.

Ryan Crierie / CC BY-SA

S is for Stack

Collective nouns

A lot of things put on top of one another in a relatively neat way is called a stack.
When you put things on top of each other in a messy way, it is a pile.

See-ming Lee / CC BY-SA

S is for Staff

A staff is a long, straight stick that is used to help you walk with, like a walking stick, or has magical properties and is used by wizards.
Staff might also be a group of people working for the same organization.

Chris Hunkeler / CC BY-SA

S is for Staffordshire bull terrier

Dogs

The Staffordshire bull terrier, or staffy, is a medium sized, stocky dog originally bred for bull baiting. They are friendly, courageous, stubborn and friendly. They are good with children and make good family pets. Staffordshire bull terriers are often confused with bull terriers, which is a more aggressive and difficult breed.

Audrey / CC BY-SA

S is for Stag

Mammals, Male

A stag is a male deer. Stags can grow a very large set of antlers, which they shed each year.

Smudge 9000 / CC BY-SA

S is for Stage

List of structures, Stage & screen

A stage is a platform where people sing or put on some other form of entertainment for the audience watching them.
The stage is usually in the center of a large room or area full of seats where people can sit and watch.

Tony Hisgett / CC BY-SA

S is for Stagecoach

Vehicles

A stagecoach is a type of carriage used to transport people from one town to another.

Long ago, stagecoaches ran on a regular schedule and made stops along the way for passengers and supplies.

Wolfgang Pöppel / Pixabay License

S is for Staghorn

Plants

Staghorns or elkhorns are a group of related ferns that are found in tropical areas, growing on the sides of trees. They have a very interesting shape, and are a popular ornamental garden plant.

K M / CC BY-SA

S is for Stain

Damage

A stain is a mark made on something that is very difficult to remove. Sometimes stains are accidental, like the ink stain on the clothes in the picture, and sometimes stains are put on something to change the color on purpose.
Cheap, light colored wood like pine is often stained to look like a darker, more expensive wood.

J B / CC BY-SA

S is for Staircase

List of structures

A staircase is a set of stairs.

Garry Knight / CC BY-SA

S is for Stairs

List of structures

Stairs are made out of lots of steps that you can climb to get somewhere higher. If you are in a tall building or a double storey house there will be a staircase so you can get to the next floor up.
If a building has too many floors for someone to walk all the way up without getting tired, it will have an elevator or lift to take you to another floor.