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Tech and Gadgets

Power on and Learn: Essential Vocabulary for Devices, Apps, and Everyday Tech Use

From classrooms to offices to everyday life, technology is everywhere, and so is the language that comes with it. Tech and gadgets vocabulary gives ESL students the essential tools to talk about devices, software, and digital tasks with clarity and confidence.

For many learners, understanding words like device, laptop, desktop, and monitor makes it easier to use and talk about the tools they interact with daily. Whether they’re filling out online forms, attending virtual classes, or working on a computer at their job, this vocabulary bridges the gap between what they use and what they can describe in English.

This pack also introduces essential input and output terms like keyboard, mouse, touchpad, print machine, and scanner. These are the kinds of words that often appear in tech support situations or digital learning instructions, making them extremely practical for both academic and professional settings.

Going deeper, the set helps students talk about what’s inside the machine. Words like software, hardware, operating system, program, and application let learners describe not just what they use, but how it works. This opens up conversations around digital literacy, troubleshooting, and even tech preferences, which is valuable for learners preparing for office or IT-related roles.

It doesn’t stop there: document, spreadsheet, database, file, slide show, and directory give learners the language to work in business environments, manage tasks, and present ideas. These terms are key for students entering higher education or professional training programs, where digital communication and organization are vital.

This is one of the most future-focused sets you can teach. It helps students become not just English users, but confident digital citizens.

If you have not added the “Tech and Gadgets” pack, now is the time to plug it in. This pack supports academic achievement, workplace readiness, and everyday confidence in a digital world. Add it to your curriculum and help your students power up their English, one click at a time.

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PackVocabTypeDefinitionUsageImage
51FileNounA piece of information saved on a computer.She saved the file on her laptop.
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51MouseNounA small device that moves the cursor on a screen.She used the mouse to click the icon.
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51DeviceNounA machine used to do things or get information.He used the device to watch a video.
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51LaptopNounA small, portable computer that folds open and can be carried anywhere.She used her laptop at the café.
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51TabletNounA small, flat computer with a touch screen.I watched a movie on my tablet.
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51CameraNounA device to take pictures or videos.She took a photo with her camera.
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51ChargerNounA device that fills a battery with power.I need a charger for my phone.
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51KeyboardNounA set of keys used to type on a computer.He typed a letter with the keyboard.
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51DesktopNounA computer that stays on a desk.His desktop is used for work.
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51MonitorNounA screen that shows what the computer is doing.She looked at the monitor while working.
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51PrinterNounA machine that puts words or pictures on paper.He used the printer to print his homework.
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51USB DriveNounA small device to store and move files.He saved the photos on a USB drive.
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51Mouse PadNounA flat surface that helps a computer mouse move better.He used a mouse pad for smoother control.
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51Laptop StandNounA tool to raise a laptop to a better height.The laptop stand helped her sit up straight.
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51Charging CableNounA wire used to give power to a device.I forgot my charging cable at home.
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51Digital CameraNounA camera that saves pictures as files.She took photos with her digital camera.
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51StylusNounA pen-shaped tool for drawing or writing on a screen.She used a stylus to draw on her tablet.
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51ScannerNounA machine that copies pictures or documents into the computer.She used the scanner to save a photo.
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51TouchpadNounA flat surface on a laptop used to move the pointer.She moved her finger on the touchpad.
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51HandheldAdjectiveSmall enough to be used with one hand.This is a handheld gaming device.
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51CamcorderNounA device that records video and sound.He filmed the school play with a camcorder.
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51KeycapsNounThe plastic tops of keyboard keys with letters.She replaced her keycaps with colorful ones.
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51Digital PenNounA smart pen for drawing or writing on digital screens.The digital pen let him sketch on his laptop.
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51Docking StationNounA device that connects a laptop to other tools easily.He plugged his laptop into the docking station.
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52SmartphoneNounA mobile phone that connects to the internet.She used her smartphone to send photos.
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52HeadphonesNounThings you wear on your ears to listen to sound.He put on his headphones to hear music.
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52EarbudsNounSmall earphones that fit in your ears.I keep my earbuds in my bag.
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52E-readerNounA device for reading digital books.She read the novel on her e-reader.
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52BluetoothNounA way to send data without wires.My headphones connect by Bluetooth.
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52SmartwatchNounA watch that connects to your phone.My smartwatch shows my steps and messages.
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52Power BankNounA small device to charge your phone when there's no outlet.She used her power bank to charge her phone.
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52Smart SpeakerNounA speaker you talk to that can answer questions.The smart speaker played my favorite song.
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52Fitness TrackerNounA device that tracks your steps and health.Her fitness tracker showed 10,000 steps.
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52Wireless ChargerNounA charger that powers devices without a cable.He placed his phone on the wireless charger.
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52Portable SpeakerNounA small speaker you can carry and use anywhere.They used a portable speaker at the picnic.
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52Bluetooth SpeakerNounA speaker that plays music from a phone wirelessly.He brought a Bluetooth speaker to the picnic.
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52External Hard DriveNounA device to save big files outside your computer.She backed up her files on an external hard drive.
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52DroneNounA small flying machine without a pilot.The drone flew over the field.
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52SmartbandNounA bracelet that tracks activity or sends alerts.His smartband buzzed when he got a message.
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52Smart LockNounA door lock you control with your phone.They unlocked the door using the smart lock.
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52Smart PlugNounA plug you can turn on and off with your phone.The smart plug turned off the coffee maker.
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52Smart ScaleNounA digital scale that tracks weight and health data.She checked her weight using a smart scale.
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52Wearable TechNounGadgets you wear that do smart things.Her wearable tech tracked steps and sleep.
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52Action CameraNounA small camera for filming sports or movement.He wore an action camera while biking.
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52Electric ScooterNounA scooter with a motor that runs on batteries.She rides her electric scooter to school.
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53Smart TVNounA television that connects to the internet.They watched a movie on their smart TV.
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53Electric ToothbrushNounA toothbrush that moves to help clean teeth better.He uses an electric toothbrush every morning.
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53Air FryerNounA cooking machine that makes crispy food with little oil.They made chicken wings in the air fryer.
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53Home AssistantNounA system that controls smart home devices.The home assistant turned on the lights.
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53Robotic VacuumNounA machine that cleans the floor by itself.The robotic vacuum cleaned the living room.
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53Smart DoorbellNounA doorbell with a camera you can see from your phone.She checked her smart doorbell to see who was outside.
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53Smart Home HubNounA tool that connects and controls all smart home devices.The smart home hub turned off all the lights.
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53Voice AssistantNounA helper you talk to that controls devices.She asked the voice assistant to play music.
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53Smart ThermostatNounA heating and cooling control you can change with your phone.The smart thermostat turned down the heat at night.
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53Smart Light BulbNounA light you can control with your phone or voice.The smart bulb changed color when she said "blue."
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53Smart RefrigeratorNounA fridge with a screen and internet features.The smart refrigerator showed what was inside.
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53Home Security CameraNounA camera used to watch and protect your home.The home security camera recorded the front yard.
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54Wi-FiNounA wireless way to connect to the internet.I used the café's Wi-Fi to check my email.
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54WebsiteNounA group of connected pages on the internet.The school has a website for students.
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54InternetNounA global network to find and share information.He used the internet to read the news.
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54DownloadVerbTo get a file from the internet.He downloaded a song from the website.
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54PasswordNounA secret word to get into a system.My password is hard to guess.
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54UsernameNounThe name you use to log in.His username is his email address.
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54InboxNounA folder where new emails arrive.Her inbox was full of new messages.
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54LoginNounThe act of entering your username and password.I forgot my login details.
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54URLNounThe address of a website.She copied the URL to share the video.
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54GPSNounA tool that helps you know where you are.The GPS helped us find the store.
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54SpamNounUnwanted email messages sent to many people.My inbox has too much spam.
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54VirusNounBad software that can harm a computer.The virus deleted all her files.
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54ModemNounA device that brings internet into a home.The modem was unplugged.
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54RouterNounA device that sends internet to computers.The router is in the living room.
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54ServerNounA computer that stores and shares data.The server crashed during the meeting.
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54NetworkNounA group of connected computers.The office has a fast network.
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54Search EngineNounA tool to find information on the internet.He used a search engine to find a recipe.
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54IP AddressNounA number that shows where a computer is online.Each device has a different IP address.
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55DocumentNounA text file you can read or write.She wrote a letter in the document.
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55FolderNounA place where computer files are kept.He put the pictures in a new folder.
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55UpdateNounA new version of a program to fix problems.I installed the latest update today.
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55ProgramNounA set of instructions a computer follows.He wrote a program to play music.
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55BrowserNounA program used to open websites.She used a browser to check the weather.
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55ApplicationNounA program that helps you do something on a device.She opened a photo app to edit her pictures.
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55BackupNounA copy of files kept in case they’re lost.She made a backup of her photos.
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55UploadVerbTo send a file from your computer to the internet.She uploaded the video to YouTube.
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55SoftwareNounThe programs a computer uses to do things.He downloaded software to edit photos.
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55HardwareNounThe physical parts of a computer.She bought new hardware to upgrade her PC.
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55AntivirusNounA program that protects a computer from viruses.He installed antivirus software on his laptop.
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55Slide showNounA series of images or information shown one after another on a screen.She showed her holiday pictures in a slide show.
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55AttachmentNounA file sent with an email.He opened the picture attachment in his email.
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55SpreadsheetNounA file with rows and columns used for numbers.He used a spreadsheet to plan his budget.
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55DatabaseNounA system that stores and organizes information.They keep all customer records in a database.
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55FirewallNounA system that blocks unsafe internet traffic.The firewall stopped the hacker attack.
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55User InterfaceNounThe screen and buttons people use in a program.The app has a simple user interface.
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55Operating SystemNounThe main program that controls a computer.His computer uses a Windows operating system.
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238EncryptionNounA way to change data so only certain people can read it.The website uses encryption to keep data safe.
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2383D PrinterNounA machine that builds objects layer by layer.The 3D printer made a toy model.
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238Virtual SpaceNounAn online area where people can meet or do activities.They met in a virtual space to study together.
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238Cloud ComputingNounUsing internet services to store or use data.Cloud computing lets me work from anywhere.
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238Virtual AssistantNounA computer helper that does tasks by voice or text.The virtual assistant added the meeting to his calendar.
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238Virtual Reality HeadsetNounA device you wear to see and hear a 3D digital world.He used a virtual reality headset to play a game.
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238Augmented Reality GlassesNounGlasses that show computer images over real life.The museum gave us AR glasses for the tour.
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