Code Words

Building vocabulary for thinking in code

variable vair-ee-uh-bull
A container with a name. You choose the name. You put something inside. The thing inside can change.
Try: Click the button. The name stays, value changes.
myNumber = 5
velocity vuh-loss-uh-tee
Speed plus direction. Not just how fast, but also which way.
Try: Slider controls speed AND direction.
+2
hue hyoo
The name of a color. Red, orange, green, blue. Just the color itself.
200°
x and y position on screen
x

How far left or right.

y

How far up or down.

Click anywhere on the grid

Words from Spanish

Interactive Vocabulary Cards

🏘️
barrio
BAH-ree-oh
tap to reveal
A neighborhood in a US city where many Spanish-speaking people live.
"We visited a bakery in the barrio to buy fresh pan dulce."
Word Origin Just means "neighborhood" in Spanish!
⚔️
conquistador
kon-KEES-tuh-dor
tap to reveal
A Spanish explorer/conqueror who came to the Americas in the 1500s.
"The conquistadors were searching for gold and glory."
Did you know? Literally translates to "conqueror."
🧗
escapade
ES-kuh-payd
tap to reveal
A wild, exciting adventure, sometimes a little bit risky!
"Their midnight escapade to the kitchen for cookies was a success."
Word Connection Related to the word escape.
🎉
fiesta
fee-ES-tuh
tap for a party
A festival or party, often for a holiday.
"The town square was decorated with flags for the fiesta."
Fun Fact Often involves music, dancing, and food!
🌿
guerrilla
guh-RIL-uh
tap to reveal
A member of a small, unofficial army that uses surprise tactics (hiding, sneaking).
"Guerrilla tactics rely on knowing the land better than the enemy."
Word Origin Means "little war" (Guerra = War).
➰
lariat
LAIR-ee-ut
tap to reveal
A lasso; a long rope with a loop used to catch horses or cattle.
"The cowboy swung his lariat to catch the calf."
Word Origin From Spanish la reata (the rope).
mesa
MAY-suh
tap to reveal
A flat-topped hill with steep sides.
"The mesa looked like a giant table standing in the desert."
Visual Trick Mesa is the Spanish word for Table!
🐎
mustang
MUS-tang
tap to reveal
A wild horse of the American plains.
"A herd of mustangs ran freely across the valley."
Word Origin From mesteño, meaning "stray" or "ownerless."
😴
siesta
see-ES-tuh
tap for a nap
An afternoon nap or rest, usually during the hottest part of the day.
"After lunch, the whole town grew quiet for siesta."
Did you know? Comes from the Latin for "sixth hour" (noon).
🐂
stampede
stam-PEED
tap to startle!
A sudden rush of frightened animals (or people).
"A loud thunderclap caused a stampede of cattle."
Word Origin From estampida (pounding/crash).

Lesson 10

Engaging Vocabulary

🔮
anticipate
an-TIS-uh-payt
To look forward to; to expect something to happen.
"I anticipate getting an A on this test!"
Memory Hook Like anti-cip-ating a sip of a delicious drink!
💸
bankrupt
BANK-rupt
Unable to pay debts; completely out of money.
"The store went bankrupt and had to close."
Origin Story From "banca rotta" (broken bench). In old Italy, money lenders' benches were broken if they ran out of money!
⏱️
brief
breef
Short in time; not lasting long.
"We had a brief break before class started again."
Did you know? A "briefcase" is used by lawyers to hold legal summaries (briefs).
🏃
brisk
brisk
Quick, energetic, and active. Also: cool and fresh weather.
"Grandma takes a brisk walk every morning."
💰
budget
BUJ-it
A plan for spending and saving money.
"We made a budget for the party."
Try it: Spending Plan
NeedsWants
🏆
compete
kum-PEET
To try to win against others.
"Five teams will compete for the championship."
Word Family Competition, Competitor, Competitive.
🧶
complicate
KOM-pluh-kayt
To make something difficult or confusing.
"Don't complicate the instructions; keep them simple!"
Visual Imagine a tangled ball of yarn.
💥
effect
ih-FEKT
A result; what happens because of something else.
"Cause: Rain -> Effect: Wet Grass."
Tip E for Effect, E for End result.
❌
err
ur / air
To make a mistake.
"To err is human." (Everyone makes mistakes).
Word Connection Related to "Error".
🧩
factor
FAK-ter
One part of something that contributes to a result.
"Weather was a factor in cancelling the picnic."
Visual Like one piece of a puzzle.
🛹
fad
fad
Something very popular for a short time.
"Fidget spinners were a huge fad."
Opposite Tradition (something that lasts a long time).
😒
gripe
gryp
To complain; to grumble about something.
"He's always griping about the cafeteria food."
✨
knack
nak
A special talent or skill for doing something easily.
"She has a knack for fixing computers."
Note The 'k' is silent!
🎮
leisure
LEE-zher
Free time not taken up by work.
"I play video games in my leisure time."
Synonyms Relaxation, downtime.
🦄
unique
yoo-NEEK
The only one of its kind.
"Your fingerprint is unique."
Word Origin From Latin unus meaning "one."