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

jacket noun

Short meaning: a short coat worn on the upper body.

Example: She put on a warm jacket before going outside.

jail noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a place where people are kept as punishment for a crime.

Short meaning (verb): to put someone in jail.

Example: He was sent to jail for the crime.

January noun

Short meaning: the first month of the year.

Example: School reopens in January.

jealous adjective

Short meaning: feeling upset or unhappy because someone has something you want.

Example: She felt jealous of her friend’s achievement.

jeans noun (plural)

Short meaning: pants made of denim.

Example: He bought a new pair of jeans.

jelly noun

Short meaning: a sweet, soft food made from fruit juice and sugar.

Example: She likes toast with strawberry jelly.

jewelry noun (US)

Short meaning: objects like rings, necklaces, or bracelets worn as decoration.

Example: She keeps her jewelry in a small box.

job noun

Short meaning: regular work you do to earn money.

Example: He found a new job last month.

join verb

Short meaning: to become part of a group, activity, or event.

Example: She decided to join the team.

join in phrasal verb

Short meaning: to take part in an activity that others are doing.

Example: Everyone was singing, so he joined in.

joint noun / adjective

Short meaning (noun): the place where two parts of the body meet.

Short meaning (adjective): done or shared by two or more people.

Example: They made a joint decision.

joke noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): something said or done to make people laugh.

Short meaning (verb): to say things to make people laugh.

Example: He told a funny joke.

journalist noun

Short meaning: a person whose job is to write or report news.

Example: The journalist interviewed the mayor.

journey noun

Short meaning: an act of traveling from one place to another.

Example: The journey took three hours.

joy noun

Short meaning: a feeling of great happiness and delight.

Example: Their success brought them great joy.

judge noun / verb

Short meaning (noun): a person who decides cases in a court.

Short meaning (verb): to form an opinion about someone or something.

Example: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

judgment noun

Short meaning: a decision or opinion formed after careful thought.

Example: She showed excellent judgment in the situation.

juice noun

Short meaning: the liquid that comes from fruit or vegetables.

Example: She ordered a glass of orange juice.

July noun

Short meaning: the seventh month of the year.

Example: The event will be held in July.

jump verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to push yourself off the ground suddenly and into the air.

Short meaning (noun): the act of jumping.

Example: The cat can jump very high.

June noun

Short meaning: the sixth month of the year.

Example: School closes for vacation in June.

junior adjective / noun

Short meaning (adjective): younger or lower in rank.

Short meaning (noun): a younger person, especially a student.

Example: She mentors junior employees.

jury noun

Short meaning: a group of people who decide the result of a trial in court.

Example: The jury found the man guilty.

just adverb / adjective

Short meaning (adverb): exactly; only; a very short time ago.

Short meaning (adjective): fair and morally right.

Example: I just arrived. / It was a just decision.

justice noun

Short meaning: fairness and the proper treatment of people.

Example: They demanded justice for the victims.

justified adjective

Short meaning: having a good reason; acceptable and reasonable.

Example: Her anger was completely justified.

justify verb

Short meaning: to show or prove that something is right or reasonable.

Example: He tried to justify his mistake.