Children's Storytelling Vocabulary

noun a prolonged complaint or whine

verb to complain or whine persistently

• The child complained of a bellyache after eating too much candy.
• I always get a bellyache if I eat too fast.
• Stop bellyaching about the long wait, we'll get there eventually.
• She always seems to have a bellyache about something, never satisfied with what she has.

noun a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture

verb to take great pleasure or joy in

• The performance of the orchestra was a sheer delight to the audience.
• I was delighted to hear that you got the job!
• Eating that ice cream was a pure delight!
• The sunset painted the sky with colors that were a delight to the eyes.

noun a sudden intense feeling of fear

• The sudden noise caused a great fright among the attendees.
• I nearly jumped out of my skin from the fright!
• That horror movie gave me a major fright last night.
• The thought of failing the exam filled her with fright.

noun a playful action or movement

verb to play and move about cheerfully

• The children frolic in the park under the watchful eye of their parents.
• Let's go frolic in the meadow and enjoy the sunshine.
• We snuck out of the house to frolic on the beach at midnight.
• His mind would often frolic with wild ideas and creative thoughts.

noun a heavy blow or punch

adjective extremely large or powerful

• The boxer delivered a powerful walloping to his opponent in the final round.
• I heard you got a walloping in the game last night.
• That guy got a serious walloping after talking smack to the wrong person.
• The company took a walloping in the stock market after the scandal was revealed.

adjective describing someone or something with a frown or unhappy expression

• The child had a frowny expression on his face during the entire meeting.
• She always looks so frowny when she's in a bad mood.
• Don't be so frowny, cheer up!
• The dark clouds in the sky created a frowny face as if nature was sad.

adverb in a silly or foolish manner

• He goofily tripped over his own feet while trying to impress his boss.
• She goofily danced around the room with a big smile on her face.
• The comedian goofily told jokes that had everyone in stitches.
• The child's imagination ran goofily wild as he played with his toys.