contract

Type: verb, noun

Definitions: (verb) If you contract a disease, you become sick with it. (verb) If something contracts, it gets smaller. (verb) If you contract someone to do a job, you enter into a contract with them. (noun) A contract is a legal agreement to trade goods, services and/or property. It’s usually written down.

Examples: (verb) Many people risk contracting sexually transmitted diseases. (verb) As the wood dries out, it contracts. (verb) We’ve contracted a cleaning company to take care of the office. (noun) You must look over the contract before you sign it. (noun) My father’s employment contract is for forty years.

Synonyms: nouns: commitment, promise. verbs: commission. narrow, shrink.

Academic Word List Sublist and Group: 1 B