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

ice noun

Short meaning: frozen water.

Example: Add some ice to the drink.

ice cream noun

Short meaning: a sweet, frozen dessert made from milk or cream.

Example: She ordered chocolate ice cream.

idea noun

Short meaning: a thought, plan, or suggestion.

Example: That’s a great idea!

ideal adjective / noun

Short meaning (adjective): perfect or most suitable.

Short meaning (noun): a perfect standard or principle.

Example: It’s the ideal place to study.

identify verb

Short meaning: to recognize or say who or what something is.

Example: Can you identify this plant?

identity noun

Short meaning: who someone is, or what makes them different from others.

Example: You need proof of identity to enter.

i.e. abbreviation

Short meaning: that is; used to explain something in other words.

Example: Bring essentials, i.e., things you cannot do without.

if conjunction

Short meaning: used to talk about a condition or possibility.

Example: If it rains, we’ll stay home.

ignore verb

Short meaning: to not pay attention to something or someone.

Example: She ignored the warning signs.

ill adjective

Short meaning: sick or not well.

Example: He felt ill after the meal.

illegal adjective

Short meaning: not allowed by law.

Example: It’s illegal to drive without a license.

illness noun

Short meaning: a state of being sick or having a disease.

Example: She missed work because of an illness.

illustrate verb

Short meaning: to explain or make something clear using examples or pictures.

Example: The teacher illustrated the idea with a diagram.

image noun

Short meaning: a picture or visual representation of something.

Example: The image was displayed on the screen.

imaginary adjective

Short meaning: not real; existing only in the mind.

Example: Children sometimes have imaginary friends.

imagination noun

Short meaning: the ability to form ideas or pictures in your mind.

Example: Her imagination helps her write great stories.

imagine verb

Short meaning: to form a picture or idea of something in your mind.

Example: Imagine living on another planet.

immediate adjective

Short meaning: happening or done at once; without delay.

Example: The patient needs immediate attention.

immediately adverb

Short meaning: at once; right away.

Example: She responded immediately.

immoral adjective

Short meaning: not following accepted standards of right and wrong.

Example: He was fired for immoral behavior.

impact noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a strong effect or influence.

Short meaning (verb): to have an effect on something.

Example: The new law had a big impact on business.

impatient adjective

Short meaning: annoyed or frustrated because you have to wait.

Example: He grew impatient after waiting 20 minutes.

implication noun

Short meaning: a possible effect or result; something suggested but not said directly.

Example: The report has serious implications for safety.

imply verb

Short meaning: to suggest something without saying it directly.

Example: His tone implied that he was angry.

import verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to bring goods into a country from abroad.

Short meaning (noun): a product brought from another country.

Example: The country imports most of its oil.

importance noun

Short meaning: the quality of being significant or valuable.

Example: He stressed the importance of honesty.

important adjective

Short meaning: necessary or of great value.

Example: It’s important to get enough sleep.

impose verb

Short meaning: to force something to be accepted or put in place.

Example: The government imposed new regulations.

impossible adjective

Short meaning: not able to happen or be done.

Example: It’s impossible to finish this in one hour.

impress verb

Short meaning: to make someone admire or respect something.

Example: Her skills really impressed the team.

impressed adjective

Short meaning: feeling admiration for something or someone.

Example: We were impressed by her presentation.

impression noun

Short meaning: an idea or feeling you get about someone or something.

Example: My first impression of him was positive.

impressive adjective

Short meaning: very good or showing great skill, making people admire it.

Example: The building has an impressive design.

improve verb

Short meaning: to make something better or become better.

Example: His English has improved a lot.

improvement noun

Short meaning: a change that makes something better.

Example: There’s been a clear improvement in results.

in preposition

Short meaning: inside or within something; during a period of time.

Example: She is in her office.

inability noun

Short meaning: the fact of not being able to do something.

Example: His inability to focus caused problems.

inch noun

Short meaning: a unit of length equal to 2.54 cm.

Example: The screen is 15 inches wide.

incident noun

Short meaning: an event, especially one that is unusual or unpleasant.

Example: The incident caused a big delay.

include verb

Short meaning: to contain something or make something part of a whole.

Example: The price includes breakfast.

including preposition

Short meaning: containing or involving something as part of a whole.

Example: Four people attended, including the manager.

income noun

Short meaning: money that a person earns from work or investments.

Example: Her monthly income increased this year.

increase verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to become larger in number, amount, or size.

Short meaning (noun): a rise in number, amount, or level.

Example: Prices have increased this year.

increasingly adverb

Short meaning: more and more over time.

Example: It’s becoming increasingly common.

indeed adverb

Short meaning: used to emphasize a statement or confirm something.

Example: It was indeed a great performance.

independence noun

Short meaning: freedom from control or the ability to govern oneself.

Example: The country fought for independence.

independent adjective

Short meaning: not controlled by others; able to make decisions alone.

Example: She’s a very independent thinker.

index noun

Short meaning: an alphabetical list of names or topics at the end of a book; a number showing the level of something.

Example: Check the index for the topic.

indicate verb

Short meaning: to show or point out something.

Example: The results indicate a positive trend.

indication noun

Short meaning: a sign that something may happen or is true.

Example: There was no indication of danger.

indirect adjective

Short meaning: not going in a straight line; not said or done directly.

Example: She made an indirect comment about it.

individual noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): a single person.

Short meaning (adj): separate or unique.

Example: Each individual has different skills.

indoor adjective

Short meaning: happening or used inside a building.

Example: Indoor sports are popular in winter.

indoors adverb

Short meaning: inside a building.

Example: It’s cold, so stay indoors.

industrial adjective

Short meaning: relating to factories, production, or industry.

Example: The city has many industrial zones.

industry noun

Short meaning: the businesses and activities involved in producing goods or services.

Example: Tourism is an important industry.

inevitable adjective

Short meaning: certain to happen; impossible to avoid.

Example: Change is inevitable.

inevitably adverb

Short meaning: in a way that cannot be avoided.

Example: Mistakes will inevitably happen.

infect verb

Short meaning: to pass disease or harmful substances to another person or thing.

Example: The virus can infect humans easily.

infected adjective

Short meaning: containing or affected by harmful bacteria or viruses.

Example: The cut became infected.

infection noun

Short meaning: a disease caused by germs entering the body.

Example: The doctor treated the infection quickly.

infectious adjective

Short meaning: able to spread quickly from one person to another.

Example: The flu is highly infectious.

influence noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): the power to affect how someone thinks or acts.

Short meaning (verb): to affect or change someone’s behavior or decisions.

Example: Her teacher had a big influence on her career.

inform verb

Short meaning: to give someone information or facts.

Example: Please inform me if anything changes.

informal adjective

Short meaning: relaxed, casual, or not official.

Example: The meeting was informal and friendly.

information noun

Short meaning: facts or details about something.

Example: For more information, visit our website.

ingredient noun

Short meaning: one of the parts used to make a food, drink, or product.

Example: Flour is a main ingredient in bread.

initial adjective / noun

Short meaning (adj): happening at the beginning.

Short meaning (noun): the first letter of a name.

Example: Her initial reaction was surprise.

initially adverb

Short meaning: at the beginning; at first.

Example: Initially, I found it difficult.

initiative noun

Short meaning: the ability to act first or make decisions without being told; a new plan or action.

Example: She took the initiative and solved the problem.

injure verb

Short meaning: to hurt someone or damage a part of the body.

Example: He injured his leg during the match.

injured adjective

Short meaning: hurt or physically damaged.

Example: Several passengers were injured.

injury noun

Short meaning: physical harm or damage to the body.

Example: The injury will take weeks to heal.

ink noun

Short meaning: colored liquid used for writing or printing.

Example: The printer is out of ink.

inner adjective

Short meaning: located inside; relating to a person’s private thoughts or emotions.

Example: She explored her inner thoughts.

innocent adjective

Short meaning: not guilty of a crime; not harmful.

Example: The court found him innocent.

inquiry noun

Short meaning: a question or request for information; an official investigation.

Example: The company received many inquiries.

insect noun

Short meaning: a small creature with six legs and often wings.

Example: Bees and ants are insects.

inside preposition / adverb / noun

Short meaning: in or into the inner part of something.

Example: The keys are inside the bag.

insist verb

Short meaning: to demand that something must happen or to refuse to accept anything else.

Example: She insisted on paying the bill.

install verb

Short meaning: to set something up and make it ready for use.

Example: They will install the new system tomorrow.

instance noun

Short meaning: an example or specific situation of something happening.

Example: For instance, this case shows the issue clearly.

instead adverb

Short meaning: in place of something else; as an alternative.

Example: We stayed home instead.

instead of preposition

Short meaning: in the place of something; rather than.

Example: She drank water instead of soda.

institute noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): an organization for education, research, or training.

Short meaning (verb): to start or introduce something formally.

Example: The institute offers advanced courses.

institution noun

Short meaning: a large important organization; a well-established system or practice.

Example: Universities are important institutions.

instruction noun

Short meaning: information that tells you how to do something.

Example: Follow the instructions carefully.

instrument noun

Short meaning: a tool for doing a particular task; a device for making music.

Example: The violin is a musical instrument.

insult noun / verb

Short meaning (verb): to say or do something rude that hurts someone.

Short meaning (noun): a rude or offensive remark.

Example: He felt insulted by her comment.

insulting adjective

Short meaning: rude and likely to upset or offend someone.

Example: His tone was insulting.

insurance noun

Short meaning: protection against possible loss, usually through payment to a company.

Example: She bought travel insurance.

intellectual adjective / noun

Short meaning (adj): relating to the mind, learning, or thinking.

Short meaning (noun): a person who thinks deeply and enjoys ideas.

Example: The debate was highly intellectual.

intelligence noun

Short meaning: the ability to learn, understand, and think well.

Example: Intelligence is not just about exams.

intelligent adjective

Short meaning: able to learn and understand things quickly.

Example: She is one of the most intelligent students.

intend verb

Short meaning: to plan or mean to do something.

Example: I intend to start early.

intended adjective

Short meaning: planned or meant to happen.

Example: The intended result was not achieved.

intense adjective

Short meaning: very strong or extreme.

Example: She felt intense pressure.

intention noun

Short meaning: a plan or purpose behind an action.

Example: His intention was to help.

interest noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): wanting to know or learn about something; also money earned on savings.

Short meaning (verb): to make someone want to know more about something.

Example: That topic really caught my interest.

interested adjective

Short meaning: wanting to know more about something or someone.

Example: She is interested in history.

interesting adjective

Short meaning: enjoyable or exciting to learn or think about.

Example: The documentary was very interesting.

interior noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): the inside part of something.

Short meaning (adj): relating to the inside of something.

Example: The car’s interior is very comfortable.

internal adjective

Short meaning: happening or located inside something.

Example: They investigated internal problems.

international adjective

Short meaning: involving or relating to two or more countries.

Example: She works for an international company.

Internet noun (proper)

Short meaning: the global system that connects millions of computers for communication and information.

Example: The Internet makes learning easier.

interpret verb

Short meaning: to explain or understand the meaning of something.

Example: How do you interpret this poem?

interpretation noun

Short meaning: an explanation or understanding of something’s meaning.

Example: The film allows different interpretations.

interrupt verb

Short meaning: to stop someone or something for a moment.

Example: Please don’t interrupt me.

interruption noun

Short meaning: something that stops an activity for a short time.

Example: There were many interruptions during the meeting.

interval noun

Short meaning: a period of time between two events or activities.

Example: There was a short interval before the next class.

interview noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a formal meeting where someone is asked questions.

Short meaning (verb): to ask someone questions in a formal situation.

Example: She has a job interview tomorrow.

into preposition

Short meaning: to the inside of something; showing movement or change.

Example: She walked into the house.

introduce verb

Short meaning: to present someone or something for the first time.

Example: Let me introduce you to my friend.

invent verb

Short meaning: to create something new that did not exist before.

Example: Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.

invention noun

Short meaning: a new device, idea, or process created by someone.

Example: The smartphone is a major invention of our time.

invest verb

Short meaning: to put money, time, or effort into something to get benefits later.

Example: They invested in a new company.

investigate verb

Short meaning: to examine something carefully to discover the truth.

Example: Police are investigating the case.

investigation noun

Short meaning: the process of examining a situation or crime to find the truth.

Example: The investigation took several weeks.

investment noun

Short meaning: money, time, or effort put into something to gain benefits later.

Example: Education is a great investment.

invitation noun

Short meaning: a request asking someone to join an event or activity.

Example: I received an invitation to the wedding.

invite verb

Short meaning: to ask someone politely to come or join something.

Example: They invited us for dinner.

involve verb

Short meaning: to include someone or something as part of an activity.

Example: The project involves teamwork.

involved adjective

Short meaning: taking part in something; being connected to something.

Example: She was deeply involved in the project.

involvement noun

Short meaning: the act of taking part in something.

Example: Their involvement made the event successful.

iron noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a strong, hard metal.

Short meaning (verb): to make clothes smooth using heat.

Example: She ironed her shirt for the meeting.

irritate verb

Short meaning: to make someone annoyed or slightly angry.

Example: His constant tapping was starting to irritate her.

irritated adjective

Short meaning: annoyed or bothered by something.

Example: She felt irritated by the repeated interruptions.

island noun

Short meaning: a piece of land completely surrounded by water.

Example: They spent their vacation on a beautiful island.

issue noun

Short meaning: an important topic or problem that needs attention.

Example: Climate change is a major global issue.

it pronoun

Short meaning: used to refer to a thing, idea, situation, or animal already known or mentioned.

Example: It is raining outside.

item noun

Short meaning: a single thing in a group or list.

Example: Please check each item before paying.

its determiner

Short meaning: belonging to or associated with a thing, animal, or idea.

Example: The dog wagged its tail.

itself pronoun (reflexive)

Short meaning: the reflexive form of “it”; used when something does an action to itself.

Example: The machine shuts off by itself.