Australian English dictionary

Browse A–Z

• speed camera

  noun

  A camera that detects vehicles going over the speed limit.

  There is a speed camera near the school.

• spewin'

  adjective

  Very disappointed or upset in colloquial speech.

  I was spewin' when the concert was cancelled.

• spinifex

  noun

  A group of tough grasses common in Australia's dry regions.

  Spinifex grew across the sandy ridge.

• spit the dummy

  phrase

  To react angrily or petulantly when disappointed.

  She spat the dummy after losing the game.

• spruik

  verb

  To promote something enthusiastically, often in public.

  Vendors spruiked their products at the market.

• spruiker

  noun

  A person who promotes or loudly advertises goods or events.

  A spruiker welcomed shoppers at the entrance.

• stamp duty

  noun

  A state or territory tax that may apply to certain transactions, often property transfers.

  Ask about stamp duty before signing the contract.

• station

  noun

  A large cattle or sheep property in rural Australia.

  She worked on a cattle station in the north.

• statutory declaration

  noun

  A written statement that you declare is true, signed in front of an authorised witness.

  He signed a statutory declaration about his relationship.

• steel caps

  noun

  Safety boots with protective toe caps.

  Steel caps are required on site.

• stickybeak

  noun

  A person who pries into other people's business.

  Don't be such a stickybeak.

• stickybeak

  verb

  To pry or look where one is not invited.

  People stopped to stickybeak at the worksite.

• stinger season

  noun

  The months when dangerous jellyfish are present in northern Australian waters.

  Wear a stinger suit during stinger season.

• stoked

  adjective

  Very pleased or excited.

  I'm stoked that I passed the test.

• stormwater drain

  noun

  A drain designed to carry rainwater runoff away from roads or land.

  Do not block the stormwater drain.

• strata

  noun

  Shared property ownership and management arrangement.

  The apartment has quarterly strata fees.

• strewth

  interjection

  An expression of surprise or disbelief.

  Strewth, that storm came quickly!

• Strine

  noun

  A humorous name for broad Australian English speech.

  The comedian performed a sketch in Strine.

• stubby

  noun

  A small glass bottle of beer, commonly 375 ml.

  He opened a stubby after work.

• stubby holder

  noun

  An insulating sleeve that helps keep a drink can or bottle cool.

  He bought a stubby holder at the event.

• student card

  noun

  An ID card showing you are a student, often giving discounts.

  Show your student card for concession fares.

• student visa

  noun

  A visa that allows international students to study full-time in Australia, with conditions.

  Her student visa allows limited work hours during semester.

• study load

  noun

  The amount of study you are enrolled in, such as full-time or part-time.

  A full-time study load is usually four subjects per semester.

• sublet

  verb

  To rent part or all of your rental home to someone else.

  You need the landlord's permission to sublet a room.

• sun smart

  adjective

  Following practices that reduce exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation.

  The childcare centre follows SunSmart policies.