Advanced English Vocabulary - The Letter "K"

Kindle

Think of starting a fire. When you start a fire you use kindling (those small sticks that burn easily). The kindling helps the bigger logs catch. Soon you have a big fire. 

If something kindles an interest or an emotion within you, it's the same idea: That thing sparks an interest or a certain emotion. 

Ex: In the podcast, Tobiah's love of hockey was kindled when he went to games with his parents when he was a child. 

Knucklehead

Knucklehead is a slang word. If someone is a knucklehead, that person is stupid. Usually you call someone a knucklehead after they've done something stupid. (Most often it's in a friendly, teasing way). 

This word is informal, and I wouldn't recommend using it unless you feel very comfortable with the person you're speaking with. 

Ex: You know, you're a real knucklehead for doing that! 

Kooky

A kooky person is someone who is strange or eccentric in a good way. Think of that person you know in your life who does/says strange things around other people (everyone knows someone who is a little kooky. 

Ex: Yes, she's a little bit kooky--but you can't help but love her. 

Karma

Karma is an idea that comes from Hinduism and Buddhism. People who believe in karma believe that if you do good things, good things are likely to happen to you in the future; and vice-versa--if you do bad things, bad things are likely to happen in the future. 

Ex: Don't throw that on the ground! You'll have bad karma.  

Knack

To have a knack for something means to have a natural skill for that thing. I don't think I've ever heard the word "knack" used outside of the phrase "to have a knack for something".

Ex: She has a knack for saying the right thing at the right time.