Oxford 3000 Words Starting with G – Complete List with Meanings & Quizzes

g letter

Short meaning: the seventh letter of the English alphabet.

Example: “Go,” “garden,” and “game” all begin with the letter g.

gain verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to get or obtain something useful or positive.

Short meaning (noun): an increase or improvement.

Example: She gained experience from the project.

gallon noun

Short meaning: a unit for measuring liquid (about 3.8 liters in the US).

Example: The tank holds five gallons of water.

gamble verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to risk money or something valuable in the hope of winning.

Short meaning (noun): an action involving risk.

Example: Investing in the company was a big gamble.

gambling noun

Short meaning: the activity of betting money on games, races, or other risky events.

Example: Gambling is illegal in some countries.

game noun

Short meaning: an activity you play for fun or competition.

Example: They played a game of chess.

gap noun

Short meaning: an empty space or a difference between two things.

Example: There is a big gap between rich and poor.

garage noun

Short meaning: a building where you keep a car or where cars are repaired.

Example: She parked the car in the garage.

garbage noun (US)

Short meaning: waste material; things you throw away.

Example: Take the garbage out before it smells.

garden noun

Short meaning: an area where flowers, vegetables, or plants are grown.

Example: They planted roses in the garden.

gas noun (US)

Short meaning: a common fuel used for cars, heating, and cooking.

Example: The car is low on gas.

gasoline noun (US)

Short meaning: a liquid fuel used to power vehicles; petrol.

Example: Gasoline prices increased last month.

gate noun

Short meaning: an entrance or barrier that opens and closes.

Example: The school gate closes at 4 p.m.

gather verb

Short meaning: to bring things or people together.

Example: They gathered around the table.

gay adjective / noun

Short meaning: a person who is attracted to people of the same sex; also used to describe cheerful or bright things in older usage.

Example: He identifies as gay.

gear noun

Short meaning: equipment or special clothing used for a particular activity.

Example: He packed his camping gear.

gene noun

Short meaning: a part of DNA that controls the development of traits.

Example: Eye color is influenced by genes.

general adjective / noun

Short meaning (adj): affecting most people or things; not specific. Short meaning (noun): a high-ranking military officer.

Example: In general, the weather is warm here.

generally adverb

Short meaning: in most cases; usually.

Example: People generally eat three meals a day.

generate verb

Short meaning: to produce or create something.

Example: Solar panels generate electricity.

generation noun

Short meaning: all people born around the same period; also the act of producing something.

Example: This generation uses smartphones daily.

generous adjective

Short meaning: willing to give or share more than usual.

Example: She was generous with her time.

gentle adjective

Short meaning: calm, kind, and not rough.

Example: Be gentle with the baby.

gentleman noun

Short meaning: a polite and well-mannered man.

Example: He acted like a true gentleman.

gently adverb

Short meaning: in a soft, calm, or careful way.

Example: She gently closed the door.

genuine adjective

Short meaning: real, true, or sincere; not fake.

Example: She gave a genuine apology.

geography noun

Short meaning: the study of the Earth’s land, climate, and places.

Example: Geography teaches us about different countries.

get verb

Short meaning: to obtain, receive, become, or reach somewhere.

Example: I need to get a new phone.

get along with phrasal verb

Short meaning: to have a good relationship with someone.

Example: She gets along with her coworkers.

get off phrasal verb

Short meaning: to leave a bus, train, or other vehicle.

Example: We get off at the next stop.

giant noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): a very large person, creature, or thing. Short meaning (adj): extremely big.

Example: The company is a giant in the tech industry.

gift noun

Short meaning: something you give to someone without expecting payment.

Example: She received a birthday gift.

girl noun

Short meaning: a female child or young woman.

Example: The girl is learning to swim.

girlfriend noun

Short meaning: a woman or girl who is someone’s romantic partner.

Example: He introduced his girlfriend to his family.

give verb

Short meaning: to provide or hand something to someone.

Example: Please give me the keys.

glad adjective

Short meaning: happy or pleased about something.

Example: I’m glad you came.

glass noun

Short meaning: a hard, clear material; also a container used for drinking.

Example: She poured water into a glass.

global adjective

Short meaning: relating to or affecting the whole world.

Example: Climate change is a global problem.

glove noun

Short meaning: a piece of clothing worn on the hand.

Example: She wore gloves to keep warm.

glue noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a sticky substance used to join things.

Short meaning (verb): to stick things together.

Example: Use glue to fix the broken piece.

gm abbreviation

Short meaning: short form for “gram”, a unit of weight.

Example: The packet contains 200 gm of sugar.

go verb

Short meaning: to move or travel from one place to another.

Example: I go to school every morning.

goal noun

Short meaning: something you aim to achieve; also a point scored in sports.

Example: Her goal is to become a doctor.

god noun

Short meaning: a being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or life.

Example: Many cultures have stories about gods.

gold noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): a valuable yellow metal.

Short meaning (adj): made of gold or yellow like gold.

Example: She wore a gold necklace.

good adjective

Short meaning: of high quality, pleasant, or morally right.

Example: That was a good idea.

goodbye exclamation / noun

Short meaning: something you say when leaving someone.

Example: She waved goodbye before leaving.

goods noun (plural)

Short meaning: items that are made, bought, or sold.

Example: The store sells household goods.

govern verb

Short meaning: to rule or manage a country or group.

Example: The country is governed by elected leaders.

government noun

Short meaning: the group of people who officially control a country.

Example: The government announced new policies.

governor noun

Short meaning: the elected leader of a state or region.

Example: The governor spoke at the event.

grab verb

Short meaning: to take or seize something quickly.

Example: He grabbed his bag and ran.

grade noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a mark or score in school.

Short meaning (verb): to give a mark or score.

Example: She got a high grade on the test.

gradual adjective

Short meaning: happening slowly over time.

Example: There has been a gradual improvement.

gradually adverb

Short meaning: slowly, little by little.

Example: She gradually gained confidence.

graduate verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to complete a course of study.

Short meaning (noun): a person who has completed studies.

Example: She will graduate this year.

grain noun

Short meaning: a small hard seed, especially from crops like wheat and rice.

Example: Grain is used to make bread.

gram noun

Short meaning: a unit for measuring weight in the metric system.

Example: The recipe needs 50 grams of sugar.

grammar noun

Short meaning: the rules for how words are used to form sentences.

Example: Good grammar helps you write clearly.

grand adjective

Short meaning: large, impressive, or important.

Example: They stayed in a grand hotel.

grandchild noun

Short meaning: the child of your son or daughter.

Example: She has three grandchildren.

granddaughter noun

Short meaning: the daughter of your son or daughter.

Example: His granddaughter is five years old.

grandfather noun

Short meaning: the father of your mother or father.

Example: Her grandfather lives with them.

grandmother noun

Short meaning: the mother of your mother or father.

Example: My grandmother taught me to cook.

grandparent noun

Short meaning: the parent of your mother or father.

Example: Many children spend holidays with their grandparents.

grandson noun

Short meaning: the son of your son or daughter.

Example: Their grandson started school this year.

grant verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to give or allow something officially.

Short meaning (noun): money given for a purpose (e.g., education, research).

Example: She received a research grant.

grass noun

Short meaning: short green plants that cover the ground.

Example: The children played on the grass.

grateful adjective

Short meaning: feeling thankful for something.

Example: I am grateful for your help.

grave noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): a place where someone is buried.

Short meaning (adjective): very serious.

Example: The illness is quite grave.

great adjective

Short meaning: very good or very large/important.

Example: She did a great job.

greatly adverb

Short meaning: very much; to a large degree.

Example: Your support is greatly appreciated.

green adjective / noun

Short meaning: the color of grass; also used to mean eco-friendly or inexperienced.

Example: The room was painted green.

grocery noun

Short meaning: food and household items sold in a store.

Example: She bought groceries for the week.

ground noun

Short meaning: the solid surface of the earth.

Example: She fell to the ground.

group noun

Short meaning: several people or things considered together.

Example: They worked in a group.

grow verb

Short meaning: to increase in size or develop.

Example: Children grow quickly.

growth noun

Short meaning: the process of becoming larger or developing.

Example: The company saw strong growth.

guarantee verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to promise that something will happen or be true.

Short meaning (noun): a written promise that a product will work properly.

Example: This phone comes with a one-year guarantee.

guard noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a person who protects something or someone.

Short meaning (verb): to protect or watch over.

Example: A guard stood at the entrance.

guess verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to give an answer when you are not completely sure.

Short meaning (noun): an answer based on limited information.

Example: Can you guess the meaning?

guest noun

Short meaning: a person invited to a place or event; someone staying at a hotel.

Example: We had ten guests at the party.

guide noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a person or book that shows the way or explains things.

Short meaning (verb): to lead or help someone move in the right direction.

Example: The tour guide explained everything clearly.

guilty adjective

Short meaning: responsible for doing something wrong; feeling bad for something.

Example: He felt guilty after lying.

guitar noun

Short meaning: a musical instrument with strings played by hand.

Example: She plays the guitar beautifully.

gun noun

Short meaning: a weapon that fires bullets.

Example: The police found a gun at the scene.

guy noun (informal)

Short meaning: an informal word for a man or person.

Example: He’s a nice guy.