B220 words · Upper-intermediate

Housework & Repairs vocabulary — B2

Housework & Repairs vocabulary for deep cleaning and home maintenance, including clutter, grime, damp and rust — the kind of upkeep that turns up on a survey rather than on a chore list.

20 questions

Words in this set

clutter
/ˈklʌtər/
A lot of things left lying around in an untidy mess.
Example: I can't think straight with all this clutter on my desk.
scrub
/skrʌb/
To clean something by rubbing it hard, usually with a brush and water.
Example: I had to scrub the pan for ages to get it clean.
spotless
/ˈspɑtləs/
Completely clean, with no dirt or marks anywhere.
Example: She keeps that kitchen absolutely spotless.
grime
/ɡraɪm/
Thick, greasy dirt that has slowly built up on a surface.
Example: Years of grime had turned the cooker hood yellow.
streak
/strik/
A long, thin, uneven mark left on a surface.
Example: The window had streaks from the old cloth.
smear
/smɪr/
A mark made by something soft or wet being spread across a surface.
Example: There was a greasy smear across the worktop.
buildup
/ˈbɪlˌdʌp/
A gradual increase in the amount of something, such as dirt.
Example: There was a buildup of grease behind the cooker.
musty
/ˈmʌsti/
Having an unpleasant, stale smell, often from damp or lack of fresh air.
Example: The old cupboard smelled musty when we opened it.
grimy
/ˈɡraɪmi/
Covered with a layer of dirt, especially from grease or pollution.
Example: The oven hood was grimy with old grease.
soiled
/sɔɪld/
Made dirty, especially by everyday use.
Example: She put the soiled towels straight in the wash.
damp
/dæmp/
Slightly wet in a cold, unpleasant way, especially the walls of a building.
Example: There's a damp patch spreading across the bedroom ceiling.
peel
/pil/
When paint or wallpaper comes away from a wall in small pieces.
Example: The paint is starting to peel in the bathroom.
seal
/sil/
To close a gap or crack so that air or water cannot get through.
Example: We need to seal the gap around the window frame.
rust
/rʌst/
The reddish-brown substance that forms on metal exposed to moisture.
Example: The old gate was covered in rust.
warped
/wɔrpt/
Bent or twisted out of its original shape, especially because of damp or heat.
Example: The door had warped and no longer closed properly.
crack
/kræk/
A thin line where something has broken without fully separating.
Example: There's a crack running across the ceiling.
rot
/rɑt/
To slowly decay and become weak, especially wood.
Example: The wooden fence had started to rot.
patch up
To repair something quickly, often not permanently.
Example: We patched up the roof until we could afford proper repairs.
DIY
Do-it-yourself; repairing or building things yourself instead of hiring someone.
Example: He's a big fan of weekend DIY projects.
malfunction
/mælˈfʌŋkʃən/
To fail to work correctly.
Example: The alarm malfunctioned and went off at 3am.