VOCABULARY LISTS

Health, Fitness, and Nutrition

February 5, 2010 By Michael F. (Brooklyn, NY) Vocabulary.com Moderator
This is a list of vocabulary words for those interested in health and fitness. It's a great list for health classes.
Read more...
3 (24 votes)

Activities for this list:

Add to Learning Program
Assign this list Print this list Copy this list to... Start a new list
441 Words Activities Assignments
definitions & notes only words
  1. abnormal
    not typical or usual or regular
  2. abstinence
    the trait of refraining from something, especially alcohol
  3. accessible
    capable of being reached
  4. accuracy
    the quality of being near to the true value
  5. ache
    a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  6. achievement
    the action of accomplishing something
  7. active
    characterized by energetic movement
  8. activity
    any specific behavior
  9. acupuncture
    treatment of pain or disease by inserting the tips of needles at specific points on the skin
  10. addictive
    causing or characterized by addiction
  11. adulthood
    the period of time in life after physical growth has stopped
  12. advocate
    a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
  13. aerobics
    exercise that increases the need for oxygen
  14. affect
    have an influence upon
  15. AIDS
    a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles
  16. alarm
    a device signaling the occurrence of some undesirable event
  17. alcohol
    a volatile compound made by distillation
  18. allergy
    hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen
  19. ambulatory
    able to walk about
  20. anemia
    a deficiency of red blood cells
  21. anorexia
    a prolonged disorder of eating due to loss of appetite
  22. appetite
    a feeling of craving something
  23. antidote
    a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
  24. anxiety
    a vague unpleasant emotion in anticipation of a misfortune
  25. athlete
    a person trained to compete in sports
  26. athletics
    active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
  27. authentic
    not counterfeit or copied
  28. average
    an intermediate scale value regarded as normal or usual
  29. bacteria
    single-celled organisms that can cause disease
  30. balance
    harmonious arrangement or relation of parts within a whole
  31. beauty
    the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
  32. behavior
    the way a person acts toward other people
  33. bend
    form a curve
  34. benefit
    something that aids or promotes well-being
  35. blood
    the fluid that is pumped through the body by the heart
  36. blood pressure
    the pressure of the circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels; results from the systole of the left ventricle of the heart; sometimes measured for a quick evaluation of a person's health
  37. body
    an individual 3-dimensional object that has mass
  38. bones
    a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
  39. booze
    an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
  40. breath
    the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
  41. breathe
    draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
  42. calcium
    a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light
  43. calorie
    unit of heat raising 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade
  44. cardiac
    of or relating to the heart
  45. cereal
    grass whose starchy grains are used as food: wheat
  46. challenge
    a call to engage in a contest or fight
  47. champion
    someone who has won first place in a competition
  48. change
    become different in some particular way
  49. choice
    the act of selecting
  50. circulation
    the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels
  51. clean
    free from dirt or impurities
  52. coach
    a vehicle carrying many passengers
  53. collapse
    break down, literally or metaphorically
  54. commitment
    the act of binding yourself to a course of action
  55. communication
    the activity of conveying information
  56. competition
    the act of contending with others for rewards or resources
  57. component
    one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
  58. conditioning
    a learning process in which an organism's behavior becomes dependent on the occurrence of a stimulus in its environment
  59. consequence
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  60. contribute
    provide
  61. control
    power to direct or determine
  62. coordination
    regulation of diverse elements into a harmonious operation
  63. cope
    come to terms with
  64. courage
    a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain
  65. crime
    an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
  66. crisp
    tender and brittle
  67. crouch
    the act of bending low with the limbs close to the body
  68. cuisine
    the manner of preparing food or the food so prepared
  69. culinary
    of or relating to or used in cooking
  70. cure
    a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
  71. dangerous
    involving or causing risk; liable to hurt or harm
  72. dating
    use of chemical analysis to estimate the age of geological specimens
  73. deadly
    causing or capable of causing death
  74. decision
    a position or opinion reached after consideration
  75. defect
    a failing or deficiency
  76. dehydration
    the process of extracting moisture
  77. depression
    a sunken or lowered geological formation
  78. development
    a process in which something passes to a different stage
  79. diagnostic
    concerned with identifying the nature or cause of something
  80. diet
    the usual food and drink consumed by an organism
  81. diner
    a person eating a meal (especially in a restaurant)
  82. dinner
    the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
  83. disability
    when one cannot perform due to physical or mental unfitness
  84. disease
    an impairment of health
  85. dish
    a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
  86. discipline
    a system of rules of conduct or method of practice
  87. disorder
    a condition in which things are not in their expected places
  88. doctor
    a person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution
  89. drive
    operate or control a vehicle
  90. drinking
    the act of consuming liquids
  91. drug
    a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic
  92. eatery
    a place where people go to hav a meal
  93. eating
    the act of consuming food
  94. education
    activities that impart knowledge or skill
  95. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  96. emerging
    coming into existence
  97. emotional
    of or pertaining to feelings
  98. endurance
    a state of surviving; remaining alive
  99. energy
    forceful exertion
  100. enforce
    compel to behave in a certain way
  101. epidemic
    a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease
  102. equipment
    an instrumentality needed for an undertaking
  103. erect
    upright in position or posture
  104. establish
    set up or found
  105. excess
    the state of being more than full
  106. exercise
    the activity of exerting muscles to keep fit
  107. exemplary
    worthy of imitation
  108. experience
    the content of observation or participation in an event
  109. factor
    anything that contributes causally to a result
  110. false
    not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
  111. family
    primary social group; parents and children
  112. fast food
    inexpensive food prepared and served quickly
  113. ferment
    cause to undergo the breakdown of sugar into alcohol
  114. fit
    meeting adequate standards for a purpose
  115. flavor
    the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
  116. flex
    cause something to assume a bent or crooked shape
  117. flexible
    able to bend easily
  118. folic acid
    a B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction
  119. fracture
    breaking of hard tissue such as bone
  120. fragrance
    a pleasingly sweet olfactory property
  121. fragrant
    pleasant-smelling
  122. framework
    the underlying structure
  123. freedom
    the condition of being free
  124. frenzy
    state of violent mental agitation
  125. friend
    a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
  126. fruit
    the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
  127. function
    what something is used for
  128. gain
    obtain
  129. generation
    group of genetically related organisms in a line of descent
  130. genetics
    the study of heredity and variation in organisms
  131. gland
    any of various organs that synthesize substances needed by the body and release it through ducts or directly into the bloodstream
  132. goal
    the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve
  133. grayness
    a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
  134. grip
    hold fast or firmly
  135. growth
    changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
  136. guideline
    a rule that provides direction for appropriate behavior
  137. gymnasium
    athletic facility equipped for sports or physical training
  138. habit
    an established custom
  139. handle
    touch, lift, or hold
  140. harmful
    causing or capable of causing damage
  141. headache
    pain in the head
  142. health
    the general condition of body and mind
  143. healthy
    free from infirmity or disease
  144. helpful
    providing assistance or serving a useful function
  145. herb
    a plant lacking a permanent woody stem
  146. high blood pressure
    a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater)
  147. HIV
    the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome
  148. homemade
    made or produced in the home or by yourself
  149. hone
    sharpen with a whetstone
  150. hormone
    the secretion of an endocrine gland transmitted by the blood
  151. hungry
    feeling a need or desire to eat food
  152. hygiene
    a condition promoting sanitary practices
  153. hygienic
    tending to promote or preserve health
  154. image
    a visual representation produced on a surface
  155. immunity
    the condition in which an organism can resist disease
  156. immunization
    the act of making immune (especially by inoculation)
  157. impact
    the striking of one body against another
  158. improve
    to make better
  159. improvement
    the act of making something better
  160. inactivity
    the state of being inactive
  161. increase
    a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous
  162. individual
    being or characteristic of a single thing or person
  163. infancy
    the early stage of growth or development
  164. infection
    the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms
  165. infirm
    lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
  166. influence
    a power to affect persons or events
  167. influenza
    an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
  168. inherent
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
  169. ingredient
    a component of a mixture or compound
  170. injury
    physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident
  171. innovate
    bring something new to an environment
  172. insurance
    protection against future loss
  173. integrity
    an undivided or unbroken completeness with nothing wanting
  174. intimacy
    a feeling of being close and belonging together
  175. iron
    a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element
  176. insulin
    hormone secreted by the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas
  177. interpretation
    the act of expressing something in an artistic performance
  178. involuntary
    not subject to the control of the will
  179. jargon
    technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
  180. joint
    junction by which parts or objects are linked together
  181. jog
    give a slight push to
  182. judge
    an official authorized to decide questions before a court
  183. jump
    move forward by leaps and bounds
  184. kinesis
    a movement that is a response to a stimulus
  185. kinesiology
    the study of the mechanics and anatomy of human movement
  186. kinesthesia
    the perception of body position and movement and muscular tensions etc
  187. kinetic
    relating to the motion of material bodies and their forces
  188. launch
    propel with force
  189. laziness
    inactivity resulting from a dislike of work or exertion
  190. learning
    the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
  191. liability
    the state of being legally obliged and responsible
  192. lifestyle
    a manner of living that reflects one's values and attitudes
  193. limit
    as far as something can go
  194. living
    pertaining to living persons
  195. lose
    fail to keep or to maintain
  196. lose
    fail to keep or to maintain
  197. loss
    the act of losing someone or something
  198. lumbar
    of or relating to or near the part of the back between the ribs and the hipbones
  199. management
    the act of controlling something
  200. manager
    someone who controls resources and expenditures
  201. maneuver
    a military training exercise
  202. margin
    the boundary line or area immediately inside the boundary
  203. massage
    kneading and rubbing parts of the body
  204. masseur
    a male massager
  205. mat
    a small pad of material that is used to protect a surface
  206. maximize
    make as big or large as possible
  207. measure
    determine the dimensions of something or somebody
  208. medical
    relating to the study or practice of medicine
  209. medicine
    the profession devoted to alleviating diseases and injuries
  210. medication
    something that treats or prevents the symptoms of disease
  211. memory
    the cognitive process whereby past experience is remembered
  212. mental health
    the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment
  213. metabolic
    of or relating to metabolism
  214. method
    a way of doing something, especially a systematic way
  215. minimize
    make small or insignificant
  216. miss
    fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
  217. mixture
    a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
  218. moisture
    wetness caused by water
  219. monitor
    someone who observes to ensure fairness or prevent mistakes
  220. mood
    a characteristic state of feeling
  221. motivate
    give an incentive for action
  222. motivation
    psychological feature arousing action toward a desired goal
  223. movement
    change of position that does not entail a change of location
  224. muscle
    animal tissue consisting predominantly of contractile cells
  225. muscular
    having a robust body-build
  226. nauseous
    causing a sick feeling
  227. nemesis
    something causing misery or death
  228. nicotine
    an alkaloid poison that occurs in tobacco
  229. nurse
    one skilled in caring for young children or the sick
  230. nutrient
    any substance that can be metabolized to give energy
  231. nutrition
    the organic process of nourishing or being nourished
  232. obesity
    the condition of being excessively overweight
  233. obstacle
    something that stands in the way and must be surmounted
  234. offensive
    unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses
  235. olfactory
    of or relating to the sense of smell
  236. opportunity
    a possibility from a favorable combination of circumstances
  237. opt
    select as an alternative over another
  238. optimism
    the hopeful feeling that all is going to turn out well
  239. option
    one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
  240. ossification
    the developmental process of bone formation
  241. outbreak
    a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence
  242. outstanding
    of major significance or importance
  243. override
    travel on the back of (a horse) too hard
  244. overweight
    usually describes a large person who is fat but has a large frame to carry it
  245. panacea
    hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases
  246. panic
    an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
  247. paraffin
    from crude petroleum
  248. participation
    the act of sharing in the activities of a group
  249. peer
    look searchingly
  250. percentage
    a proportion in relation to a whole
  251. performance
    the act of doing something successfully
  252. perspiration
    salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
  253. pessimism
    a general disposition to expect the worst in all things
  254. petrify
    change into stone
  255. pharmacy
    a retail shop where medicine and other articles are sold
  256. physiotherapy
    therapy that uses physical agents: exercise and massage and other modalities
  257. Pilate
    the Roman procurator of Judea who ordered that Jesus be crucified (died in AD 36)
  258. play
    engage in recreational activities rather than work
  259. pollution
    contamination of the natural environment
  260. popularity
    the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after
  261. portion
    something determined in relation to a thing that includes it
  262. positioning
    the act of putting something in a certain place
  263. positive
    characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance
  264. possibility
    capability of existing or happening or being true
  265. potent
    having or wielding force or authority
  266. power
    possession of the qualities required to do something
  267. power play
    an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
  268. practice
    a customary way of operation or behavior
  269. pregnancy
    the state of being pregnant
  270. prenatal
    occurring or existing before birth
  271. preserve
    keep in safety and protect from harm, loss, or destruction
  272. pressure
    the exertion of force to a surface
  273. prevention
    the act of hindering
  274. process
    a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
  275. professional
    of or relating to or suitable as an occupation
  276. program
    a series of steps to be carried out
  277. promising
    full or promise
  278. proof
    any evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
  279. proportion
    relation with respect to comparative quantity or magnitude
  280. protect
    shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
  281. protection
    the activity of shielding someone or something
  282. prowess
    a superior skill learned by study and practice
  283. psychology
    the science of mental life
  284. pulley
    a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run
  285. puncture
    pierce with a pointed object; make a hole into
  286. pyramid
    a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides
  287. quad
    a rectangular area surrounded on all sides by buildings
  288. quick
    moving rapidly and lightly
  289. quiver
    shake with fast, tremulous movements
  290. radiation
    the act of spreading outward from a central source
  291. rebound
    spring back; spring away from an impact
  292. recognition
    identifying something or someone by remembering
  293. record
    anything providing permanent evidence about past events
  294. recovery
    return to an original state
  295. recreation
    an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
  296. regimen
    a systematic plan for therapy
  297. rehabilitation
    treatment of physical disabilities by massage and exercises
  298. relationship
    a mutual connection between people
  299. relaxation
    freedom from activity
  300. representative
    serving to typify
  301. research
    a seeking for knowledge
  302. reserve
    hold back or set aside, especially for future use
  303. resilient
    recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
  304. resistance
    any mechanical force that tends to retard or oppose motion
  305. respiration
    a single complete act of breathing in and out
  306. response
    the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
  307. responsibility
    the social force that binds you to a course of action
  308. restoration
    returning something or someone to a satisfactory state
  309. risk
    a source of danger
  310. rivalry
    the act of competing as for profit or a prize
  311. role
    the actions and activities assigned to a person or group
  312. routine
    an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
  313. rush
    act or move at high speed
  314. safety
    being certain that adverse effects will not be caused
  315. sanitary
    free from filth and pathogens
  316. sauce
    flavorful relish or dressing or topping served as an accompaniment to food
  317. savvy
    the ability to shrewdly understand or judge things
  318. scare
    cause fear in
  319. scenario
    a postulated sequence of possible events
  320. scoreboard
    a large board for displaying the score of a contest
  321. scoring
    evaluation of performance by assigning a grade or score
  322. senile
    mentally or physically infirm with age
  323. sensible
    able to feel or perceive
  324. sex
    one of two categories into which most organisms are divided
  325. shape up
    develop in a positive way
  326. shot
    the act of firing a projectile
  327. sibling
    a person's brother or sister
  328. signal
    any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
  329. size
    the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
  330. sizzle
    make a sound like frying fat
  331. skill
    an ability that has been acquired by training
  332. skin
    a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
  333. sleep
    a natural and periodic state of rest
  334. slide
    move smoothly along a surface
  335. smog
    air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
  336. smoking
    the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
  337. smorgasbord
    a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
  338. solo
    any activity that is performed alone without assistance
  339. specialty
    an asset of special worth or utility
  340. speculation
    continuous contemplation on a subject of a deep nature
  341. speed
    a rate at which something happens
  342. spice
    any of a variety of pungent aromatic vegetable substances used for flavoring food
  343. spicy
    having an agreeably pungent taste
  344. spirit
    the vital principle or animating force within living things
  345. sportsmanship
    fairness and courtesy in following the rules of a game
  346. spring
    move forward by leaps and bounds
  347. squad
    the smallest army unit
  348. squat
    sit on one's heels
  349. STD
    a communicable infection transmitted by sexual intercourse or genital contact
  350. stability
    the quality or attribute of being firm and steadfast
  351. stamina
    enduring strength and energy
  352. staple
    material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing
  353. starve
    die of food deprivation
  354. starving
    suffering from lack of food
  355. statistics
    a branch of mathematics concerned with quantitative data
  356. stimulate
    cause to act in a specified manner
  357. strategy
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
  358. streak
    a narrow marking of a different color from the background
  359. strength
    the property of being physically or mentally powerful
  360. stress
    special emphasis attached to something
  361. stretching
    exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent
  362. stride
    walk with long steps
  363. strong
    having strength or power greater than average or expected
  364. struggle
    strenuous effort
  365. substance
    the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
  366. suitability
    the quality of having the properties that are right for a specific purpose
  367. superstition
    an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
  368. supination
    rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face upward
  369. support
    the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
  370. supremacy
    power to dominate or defeat
  371. suspension
    the act of hanging something from above so it moves freely
  372. swimming
    the act of swimming
  373. symptom
    a sensation associated with a particular disease
  374. system
    a group of independent elements comprising a unified whole
  375. tackle
    seize and throw down an opponent player carrying the ball
  376. taunting
    abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
  377. team
    a cooperative unit
  378. teammate
    a fellow member of a team
  379. teasing
    the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously
  380. technical
    of or relating to aptitude in a practical skill
  381. technique
    a practical method or art applied to some particular task
  382. temptation
    the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire
  383. tension
    the action of stretching something tight
  384. terror
    an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
  385. testing
    experimentation to determine how well something works
  386. therapeutic
    tending to cure or restore to health
  387. therapy
    the act of caring for someone
  388. time out
    a pause from doing something (as work)
  389. timing
    the regulation of occurrence, pace, or coordination to achieve a desired effect (as in music, theater, athletics, mechanics)
  390. tobacco
    aromatic annual or perennial herbs and shrubs
  391. tone
    the distinctive property of a complex sound
  392. torso
    the body excluding the head and neck and limbs
  393. tournament
    a competition in which contestants play a series of games
  394. trainer
    one who trains other persons or animals
  395. training
    activity leading to skilled behavior
  396. transformation
    the act of changing in form or shape or appearance
  397. transplant
    transfer from one place or period to another
  398. trauma
    an emotional wound or shock having long-lasting effects
  399. treatment
    the management of someone or something
  400. tremor
    an involuntary vibration, as if from illness or fear
  401. trend
    a general tendency to change, as of opinion
  402. trot
    ride at a gait faster than a walk
  403. ultrasound
    using high-frequency sound waves to construct a sonogram
  404. unhealthy
    not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind
  405. unusual
    not common or ordinary
  406. unbelievable
    beyond understanding
  407. unrestricted
    not subject to or subjected to limiting
  408. vaccination
    taking a substance, usually by injection, against a disease
  409. valiant
    having or showing valor
  410. valor
    courage when facing danger
  411. vault
    a burial chamber (usually underground)
  412. vegetable
    any of various herbaceous plants cultivated for an edible part such as the fruit or the root of the beet or the leaf of spinach or the seeds of bean plants or the flower buds of broccoli or cauliflower
  413. vibration
    a shaky motion
  414. victory
    a successful ending of a struggle or contest
  415. violation
    an act that disregards an agreement or a right
  416. virus
    infectious agent that replicates itself within living hosts
  417. vitamin
    an organic substance essential to normal metabolism
  418. voluntary
    of your own free will or design
  419. vulnerable
    capable of being wounded or hurt
  420. waive
    do without or cease to hold or adhere to
  421. walking
    the act of traveling by foot
  422. warm up
    rise in temperature
  423. watchful
    engaged in or accustomed to close observation
  424. weigh
    have a certain heft
  425. weight
    the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
  426. weight
    the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
  427. win
    a victory (as in a race or other competition)
  428. wince
    draw back, as with fear or pain
  429. winless
    having no wins
  430. winning
    succeeding with great difficulty
  431. wisdom
    accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
  432. witness
    someone who sees an event and reports what happened
  433. work
    activity directed toward making or doing something
  434. work out
    find the solution to or understand the meaning of
  435. x-ray
    take a photograph with a stream of high-energy photons
  436. yoga
    discipline training the consciousness for spiritual insight
  437. yard
    enclosed land around a house or other building
  438. zeal
    a feeling of strong eagerness
  439. zest
    a tart spicy quality
  440. zinc
    a bluish-white lustrous metallic element
  441. zone
    an area or region distinguished from adjacent parts

Sign up, it's free!

Whether you're a student, an educator, or a lifelong learner, Vocabulary.com can put you on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.