English Vocabulary – The VMA’s

Put your hands up for Beyoncé!

Last Sunday was the VMA ceremony, did you watch it? The ABA English way of celebrating is by creating a fun blog post full of vocabulary words related to the ceremony.

In case you have no idea what the VMA is; the MTV Video Music Award (commonly abbreviated as a VMA) is an award presented by MTV to honor the best in the music video medium.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the speech given by a man named Jesse, who Miley Cirus asked give her acceptance speech. He is a homeless man and he did it to raise awareness for the homeless community (homeless means to live on the streets).

VMA Vocabulary

Acceptance speech – a speech is a spoken expression of ideas, opinions, etc., that is made by someone who is speaking in front of a group of people. The acceptance speech is the one given to accept an award or prize.

For example:
“She gave such a beautiful acceptance speech thanking her mother!”

Accolade – an award or an expression of praise.

For example:
“Did you see the accolade they gave Robin Williams? It was lovely”

Achievement – something that has been done or achieved through effort : a result of hard work.

For example:
“It’s a big achievement for an artist to be nominated for an award”

Anticipation – to expect or look ahead to (something) with pleasure : to look forward to (something).

For example:
“Everyone was anticipating Beyoncé’s performance”

Audience – a group of people who gather together to listen to something (such as a concert) or watch something (such as a movie or play) : the people who attend a performance.

For example:
“The audience clapped and clapped when Jay Z took to the stage with his daughter Blue”

Award – to give (a reward or prize) to someone or something.

For example:
“I think that Xavier Rudd should have received an award”

Buzz – excited talk about something.

For example:
“There’s a lot of buzz about what dress Selena Gomez is going to wear”

Costume – the clothes that are worn by someone (such as an actor) who is trying to look like a different person or thing.

For example:
“Oh wow! Did you see JLo’s costume? So beautiful!”

Debut – the first time an actor, musician, athlete, etc., does something in public or for the public.

For example:
“It was his debut and I think it was a great first concert, don’t you?”

Gown – a long, formal dress that a woman wears especially during a special event.

For example: 
“I’d kill to own Cat Deeley’s gown, it’s perfect”

Host (and hostess) – a person who is entertaining guests socially or as a job. A host is a man and a hostess is a woman.

For example: 
“Ricky Gervais was not invited to be a host again”

Knockout – a very attractive or appealing person or thing.

For example: 
“Kim Kardashian was a knockout in that red dress”

Nomination – the act of formally choosing someone as a candidate for a job, position, office, etc.

For example:
“Who got a nomination for best video?”

Pinnacle – the best or most important part of something : the point of greatest success or achievement.

For example: 
“Performing at the VMA’s was the pinnacle of his career”

Ratings – numbers that show how many people watch or listen to a particular television or radio program.

For example: 
“He is not a very popular musician, his ratings are pretty bad”

Recognition – special attention or notice especially by the public for someone’s work or actions.

For example: 
“Finally! She got the recognition she deserved!”

Record – a musical recording on a record, CD, etc.

For example: 
“I absolutely love his new record! Every single song is brilliant”

Release – the act of making something available to the public, such as a music video.

For example:
“I really hope he releases his album soon”

Rendition – a performance of something.

For example:
“I prefer her modern rendition of the song”

Revival – a period in which something becomes popular again after a long period of time.

For example:
“There has been a revival of 80s pop”

Spotlight – public attention or notice.

For example: 
“The spotlight was suddenly on Katy Perry”

Talent – a special ability that allows someone to do something well.

For example: 
“That Pharrell Williams has so much talent…”

Tribute – something that you say, give, or do to show respect or affection for someone.

For example:
“They sang that song as a tribute to Bob Marley”

Upstage – to take attention away from (someone or something else, such as another performer).

For example:
“Bran Pitt always looks good but he’s upstaged by the incredible Angelina Jolie”

Venue – the place where an event takes place.

For example:
“The venue for the VMA’s was in LA”

Versatile – able to do many different things.

For example: 
“Leonardo diCaprio is my favourite actor; he’s so versatile!”

Vivid – seeming like real life because it is very clear, bright, or detailed.
For example:
“He always wears such vivid colours!”