400 Must Have Words For The Toefl (Cram) Flashcards
To leave; to give up
- abandon v. To save their lives, the sailors had to abandon the sinking ship. Parts of speech: abandonment n
In a harmful way; negatively
- adversely adv. Excessive rainfall early in the spring can adversely affect the plant– ing of crops. Usage tips: Adversely is often followed by affect. Parts of speech: adversity n, adverse adj
Gathered into or amounting to a whole
- aggregate adj. It is impossible to judge last year’s performance without knowing the aggregate sales numbers. Usage tips Aggregate is often followed by a term like sum, total, or numbers. Parts of speech: aggregate v, aggregate n
Preparing the land to grow crops; improvement for agricultural purposes
- cultivation n. With the development of land cultivation, hunters and gatherers were able to settle in one place. Parts of speech: cultivate vFarmers use various methods of land __________.
To supply with nourishment for plants by adding helpful substances to the soil
- fertilize v. This farm fertilizes tomatoes more than any other crop. Parts of speech: fertilizer n, fertilization nInexperienced gardeners may not realize how important it is that they __________ their plants.
To increase in power; to act with increased strength
- intensify v. Jacob’s long absence intensified his certainty that he should marry Rose. Parts of speech: intensification n, intense adj
The supplying of water to dry land
- irrigation n. In dry areas of the country, you can see ditches all over the farm– land for irrigation. Parts of speech: irrigate v
To gain possession of; to get
- obtain v. After a series of difficult interviews, he finally was able to obtain the job.
The process by which green plants make their own food by combining water, salts, and carbon dioxide in the pres– ence of light.
- photosynthesis n. Oxygen is a by–product of the process of photosynthesis. Parts of speech: photosynthesize v
Water that falls to the Earth’s surface
- precipitation n. In the Pacific Northwest, the high level of precipitation ensures rich, green plant life.
To expect; to sense something before it happens
- anticipate v. By placing sensors in earthquake–prone areas, scientists can antici– pate some tremors in time to warn the public. Parts of speech: anticipation n, anticipatory adj
Extremely harmful; causing financial or physical ruin
- catastrophic adj. The architect died in a catastrophic elevator accident. Parts of speech: catastrophe n, catastrophically adv
To come together with great or violent force
- collide v. As usual, their holiday was ruined when their in–laws’ views on poli– tics collided with their own. Parts of speech: collision n
A sudden, often violent, outburst
- eruption n. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 caused 57 deaths and immeasurable change to the face of the mountain. Usage tips: Eruption is often followed by an of phrase. Parts of speech: erupt v
Severe hunger; a drastic food shortage
- famine n. The potato famine in Ireland in the mid–nineteenth century caused large numbers of Irish people to emigrate to America.
An overflowing of water; an excessive amount
- flood n. The constant rain and poor drainage system caused a flood in town. The political party sent out a flood of letters criticizing their opponents. Parts of speech: flood v
A strong influence
- impact n. The speech about the importance of education made an impact on me. Usage tips: Impact is usually followed by on or of. Parts of speech: impact v
To keep going, despite obstacles or discouragement; to maintain a purpose
- persevere v. The hikers persevered despite the bad weather and the icy trail. Parts of speech: persist v, persistent adj
To go down suddenly; to decrease by a great amount in a short time
- plunge v. He jumped off the diving board and plunged into the pool. The value of the company’s stock plunged after its chief executive was arrested. Usage tips: Plunge is often followed by an into phrase. Parts of speech: plunge n
To release a thing or an emotion
- unleash v. When they saw the strange man on their property, they unleashed their dogs. He is from such an unemotional family, he will never learn to un–leash his feelings.
To adjust to the circumstances; to make suitable
- adapt v. to make suitable Dinosaurs could not adapt to the warmer temperatures. The teacher adapted the exercises for his more advanced students. Usage tips: Adapt is often followed by to. Parts of speech: adaptation n, adapter n, adaptable adj
Various; showing a lot of differences within a group
- diverse n. India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Usage tips: An –ly adverb (e.g., linguistically) often comes before diverse. Parts of speech: diversify v, diversity n, diversification n
To develop; to come forth
- evolve v. 2Modern–day sharks evolved from their ancestor Eryops, which lived more than 200 million years ago. Usage tips: Evolve is often followed by into or from. Parts of speech: evolution n, evolutionist n
Part, characteristic
- feature n. The best feature of this car is its heated seats. Usage tips: Feature is often followed by of. Parts of speech feature v
A group of people born at about the same time
- generation n. As older managers retired, a new generation of leaders took control of the company. Usage tips: Before generation, an adjective like new, next, earlier, or older is common. Generation is often followed by of. Parts of speech generational adj
Naturally characteristic; always found within something, because it’s a basic part of that thing
- inherent adj. No job can be interesting all the time. Boredom is inherent in any kind of work. Usage tips: Inherent is often followed by in. Parts of speech: inherently adv
Movement from one place to another by a group of peo– ple or animals
- migration n. The migration of farm workers from one state to the next depends primarily on the harvest. Usage tips: Migration is often followed by to or from. Parts of speech: migrate v, migrant n, migratory adj
Related to the body; related to materials that can be seen or felt
- physical adj. Because of the shape of its throat, an ape does not have the physical ability to speak. The mountains form a physical barrier between the west and the east. Usage tips: Physical usually comes before the noun it describes. Parts of speech: physically adv
A series of steps leading to a result
- process n. To get a good job, most people go through a long process of letter– writing and interviews. Usage tips: Process is often followed by of plus the –ing form of a verb. Parts of speech: proceed v, process v
To continue living (despite some danger or illness)
- survive v. After getting lost in the mountains, Gordon survived by eating wild plants and catching fish. Usage tips: Survive is often followed by a phrase with by. Parts of speech: survivor n, survival n
Something that restricts thought or action
- constraint n. The constraints of military life kept Eileen from seeing Private Mor– ris more than once a month. constrain v
4Being made less clean by a germ or hazardous substance
- contamination n. The contamination in the river came from the factory located just upstream. contaminate v, contaminant n
To greatly decrease the supply of a resource or material
- deplete v. The prolonged war depleted the country’s national treasury. depletion n
To throw away; to get rid of; to kill
- dispose of v. She disposed of her unwanted possessions before moving. The tyrant cruelly disposed of all his enemies. Usage tips Dispose of should be learned as a unit. In this meaning, dispose does not occur without of. disposal n, disposable adj
In terms of elements; basically
- elementally adv. Elementally, coal and diamonds are the same. element n, elemental adj
Sending out from a small space into the general environment; a substance discharged into the air
- emission n. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the emission of pollutants into the air. Usage tips Emission is usually followed by an of phrase. emit v
Complete disappearance; the end of existence
- extinction n. Human beings have caused the extinction of many other species. Usage tips Extinction implies an absolute end; an extinct thing cannot be brought back into existence. extinct adj
A place where a liquid is collected and stored
- reservoir n. Cult members threatened to poison the town’s water reservoir. reserve v
To become reduced in size, amount, or value
- shrink v. If you dry your clothing on the “high heat” setting, they may shrink. shrinkage n, shrinkable adj
Firm and dependable; showing little change
- stable adj. He fell because the ladder wasn’t stable. stability n, stably adv
To change; to get accustomed to something
- adjust v. Travelers are advised to adjust their watches before arriving in the new time zone. adjustment n, adjustable adj
Chosen simply by whim or chance, not for any specific reason
- arbitrary adj The decision to build a school in Blackberry Township was arbitrary, without any thought to future housing patterns. arbitrate v, arbitrator n, arbitrarily adv
The number written below the line in a fraction In the fraction 1⁄2, the number 2 is the denominator.
- denominator n. Usage tips The phrase lowest common denominator means “the most basic and unsophisticated things that most people share.” denominate v, denomination n, denominational adj
At a very fast rate
- exponentially adv. In Turkey, the value of the lira has decreased exponentially in the last several decades. Usage tips Exponentially is taken from mathematics, where an exponent is a number indicating how many times something is multiplied by itself. For example, 43 contains the exponent “3,” indicating 4 × 4 × 4. exponent n, exponential adj
Immeasurably small
- infinitesimal adj. The number of contaminants in the water was infinitesimal, so the water was safe to drink. Parts of speech infinitesimally adv
To increase or make as great as possible
- maximize v. A coach helps each athlete maximize his or her potential. maximum n, maximum adj
Being an equal distance apart everywhere
- parallel adj. The street where I live runs parallel to the main road through town. Usage tips Parallel is often followed by to. parallel n, parallel adv
A part in relation to the whole
- proportion n. The average employee spends a large proportion of each workday answering e–mails. Usage tips Proportion is often followed by of. proportionate adj, proportionally adv
The cost per unit of a good or service; the motion or change that happens in a certain time.
- rate n. Postal rates in Japan are among the highest in the world. Some grasses grow at the rate of one inch per day. rate v, rating n
To organize or arrange in succession
- sequence v. Volunteers have been asked to sequence the files and organize the boxes. sequence n, sequentially adv
Precision; exactness
- accuracy n. The research department checks all our articles for accuracy of facts before we print them. Usage tips Accuracy is often followed by of. Parts of speech accurate adj, accurately adv
Next to
- adjacent adj Even though the villages are adjacent to each other, their residents speak different languages. Usage tips Adjacent is often followed by to. Parts of speech adjacency n
To press together
- compress v. To make the foundation stronger, they compressed the soil before pouring the concrete. compression n, compressed adj
Practically; in a way that can work
- feasibly adv. Scientists can’t feasibly bring energy from deep ocean currents to where it is needed—on land. feasibility n, feasible adj
To empty or hollow out
- gut v. In order to remodel the house, we must first gut it and throw away all the old fixtures. Usage tips Gut also means “the stomach of an animal”; this verb makes an image, that the inside of a building is like the inside of an animal. gut n, gutted adj
In a whole or complete manner
- integrally adv. Writing and spelling are taught integrally as part of the reading program. integrate v, integrity n, integral n, integral adj
To lie over part of something; to have elements in common
- overlap v. One of the two assistants will likely get fired, since most of their du– ties in the office overlap. overlap n
To keep or hold
- retain v. The rain fell so heavily that the banks of the river could not retain all the water. retainer n, retention n
To pass slowly for a long time, as a liquid or gas might
- seep v. As the containers rusted, the toxic waste seeped into the ground. Usage tips Seep is often followed by into or through.
Something constructed, such as a building
- structure n. Most companies have a social structure that can’t be understood by outsiders. structure v, structural adj, structurally adv
To move throughout an area or group; to move along a somewhat circular route
- circulate v. somewhat circular route The gossip circulated quickly through the small town. Blood circulates more quickly during physical exercise. Usage tips Circulate is often followed by through. Parts of speech circulation n
To be slowly weakened by chemical reactions
- corrode v. Sitting in salt water, the old coins corroded and became very easy to break. Usage tips A familiar kind of corrosion produces rust, the reddish coating on iron or steel that has been exposed to air and water. Parts of speech corrosion n
To come from, usually through a long, slow process
- derive v. The Cyrillic alphabet was derived from the Greek alphabet. Usage tips Derive is often followed by from. Parts of speech derivation n, derivative adj
Discovering something that cannot easily be found
- detection n. With new medical technology, the detection of cancer is much easier nowadays. Usage tips Detection is often followed by an of phrase. Parts of speech detect v, detectable adj
Quickly and efficiently
- expeditiously adv Using carrier pigeons, the military commanders exchanged mes– sages expeditiously. Parts of speech expedite v, expedition n, expeditious adj
To make use of; to carry out
- implement v. Not until after the new software was installed could we implement the new filing system. Parts of speech implement n, implementation n
Setting something into position for use
- installation n. Installation of the new software takes only four minutes. Parts of speech install v
The act of keeping something in good condition
- maintenance n. The only problem with living in such a big house is that it requires a lot of maintenance. Parts of speech maintain v
An imitation or representation
- simulation n. To test car safety, automobile makers study crash simulations. Parts of speech simulate v, simulator n
Ahead of the times; novel
- innovative adj. The innovative use of props and lighting drew many favorable comments. Parts of speech innovation n nov=new
The process of burning
- combustion n. When air quality is poor, combustion of materials in a fireplace is prohibited. Usage tips Combustion is often followed by of. Parts of speech combust v, combustible adj
One part of a system or whole
- component n. Their home theater system has a number of separate components. Usage tips Component is often followed or preceded by of.
To transport from one place to another; to transmit or make known
- convey v. A messenger conveyed the prince’s letter to the commander of the army. The worst part about being a doctor was when she had to convey bad news to a family. conveyance n, conveyor n
Separately; distinctly
- discretely adv. In order to understand how the engine worked, each component needed to be studied discretely. discrete adj
A central or essential part around which other parts are gathered; a core
- nucleus n. The nucleus of many European cities is the town square. Usage tips Nucleus is often followed by of. Parts of speech nuclear adj
To spread or flow through out ; to pass through or penetrate
6.permeate v The smell of cooking permeated the entire apartment building. permeation n
To turn around; to take turns in sequence
- rotate v. The planet rotates on its axis once every 14 Earth days. The children rotate classroom responsibilities on a weekly basis. rotation n
Of, or relating to, the sun
- solar adj. The ancient society kept time with a solar calendar.
The point of origin or creation
- source n. The reporter was unable to identify the source of the information for his story. source v
To set off or initiate
- trigger v. I was certain any mention of politics would trigger a big argument. trigger n
The act of taking possession of something
- acquisition n. Our recent acquisition of over 2,000 books makes ours the biggest library in the region.
Something unusual
- anomaly n. White tigers get their beautiful coloring from a genetic anomaly.
With awareness of one’s actions
- consciously adv. He may have hurt her feelings, but he never would have done so consciously.
To reduce in value or strength
- degrade v. The roads in cold or wet areas of the United States degrade faster than those in warm, sunny regions.
Opening; a big difference in amount or quality
- gap n. The small gap between the walls in the old house caused cold drafts to come in.
Beyond doubt; unquestionable
- indisputable adj. The members of the jury found her guilty because they found the facts of the case indisputable.
To come between
- intervene v. A good mediator intervenes only as much as necessary to settle a dispute between other parties.
By means of a natural sense about things that are hard to observe
- intuitively adv. Many mothers know intuitively when something is wrong with their children.
To move back or away from
- recede v. After the age of 30, his hairline began to recede further back from his forehead.
To bring or get back
- retrieve v. Most dogs can be trained to retrieve objects that their owners have thrown.
Believing that humans cannot know whether there is a god
- agnostic His devoutly Christian parents had problems with his agnostic beliefs.
The belief that natural objects, such as trees, have souls
- animism n. Desert cultures that practice animism often believe that winds con– tain spirits.
One who does not believe in the existence of a supreme being
- atheist n. He argued that his scientific training made it impossible for him to be anything but an atheist.
To favor an opinion or a course of action
- be inclined to v. He couldn’t say which candidate he favored, but he had always been inclined to vote Republican.
To consider thoughtfully
- contemplate v. If you contemplate each step for so long, we will never complete this project on time.
To worship as a god
- deify v. When people deify the leader of their country, the leader is able to abuse power more easily.
Relating to a church
- ecclesiastical adj. He was looking specifically for a university where he could study ecclesiastical history.
To praise or honor
- exalt v. To praise or honor He would often exalt the virtues of his new wife.
Having or exhibiting religious reverence
- pious adj. Sometimes she was so pious that the rest of us felt like heathens.
Anything offered to a deity as a religious thanksgiving; giving up something in order to have something more valuable later on
- sacrifice v. Every harvest time, the Fadeloni people sacrificed vegetables to their gods as a show of thanks. In order to succeed in his career, he had to sacrifice his private life and his leisure time.
To make worse; to anger or intensify
- aggravate v. Running will aggravate your sore knees.
Weakened or worn out because of age, illness, or exces– sive use
- decrepit adj. The once–beautiful building was now dirty, decrepit, and roofless.
An unhealthful condition caused by an infection or a long– term physical problem
- disease n. Thanks to developments in medicine, many once–fatal diseases can now be cured.
Causing death or disaster
- fatally adv. The soldier was fatally wounded in the battle.
The use of science and technology to investigate facts in criminal cases
- forensics n. Advances in the study of forensics have made it much easier to identify criminals from very small traces of evidence.
To continue to exist; to hold to a purpose, despite any obstacle
- persist v. If your symptoms persist, you should go see a doctor. Lola persisted in her efforts to become a lawyer.
An educated guess of how something will develop, es– pecially a disease
- prognosis n. The room fell silent when the doctor gave Senator Grebe a grim prognosis of months of treatment.
Located at an end; approaching death
- terminal adj. The cancer ward at the hospital held both terminal and recovering patients.
Any of the tubes that form a branching system, especially those that carry blood to the heart
- vein n. She became fascinated with human anatomy, especially when she learned how veins transport oxygen.
To inflict an injury on
- wound v. Sometimes he didn’t realize his sharp humor could wound as well as entertain.
Techniques for reducing sensation and feeling, especially to control pain
- anesthesia n. The Civil War was the first American war when anesthesia was widely used in surgery on soldiers.
To make bigger or better by adding to
- augment v. In some types of popular cosmetic surgery people augment parts of their bodies. The college augmented its course offerings because students com– plained that there were too few choices.
In a manner that is officially recognized
- certifiably adv. He couldn’t be institutionalized until he was declared certifiably insane.
A factor that makes something more difficult or complex
- complication n. The surgeons could not easily stop the bleeding because of complications related to the patient’s diabetes.
To restore to health
- cure v. They say laughter can help cure many illnesses.
To set in firmly; to insert in the body surgically
- implant v. The actress had cheek implants to make her face look fuller.
To insert a liquid by means of a syringe
- inject v. The doctor used a needle to inject the medicine slowly into her arm.
Excessively overweight
- obese adj. More Americans are obese now because U.S. culture encourages overeating and discourages exercise.
A specific way of performing or doing something
- procedure n. The flight attendant explained the emergency evacuation procedure.
A mark on the skin left after a wound has healed; a lasting sign of damage, either mental or physical
- scar n. The surgery was successful, but it left a large scar across her abdomen.
Related to the study of the position of stars, the sun, and the planets in the belief that they influence earthly events
- astrological adj. Every day, Mona read her astrological forecast in the newspaper, and she was careful if the horoscope predicted trouble.
Foretelling the future by finding patterns in physical objects
- divination n. In Turkey, women offer divinations by reading the dregs from a cof– fee cup.
To continually appear (in the form of a ghost) in the same place or to the same person
- haunt v. *Some say the ghost of Princess Hilda haunts this castle, appearing as a headless form while she plays the piano. *The pictures of children dying in war have haunted me for a long time.
Strong fear mixed with disgust
- horror n. On Halloween night, all the horror movies were rented out. horrify v, horrific adj
Acting as an agent between people or things
- intermediary n. The plaintiff’s lawyer suggested that they hire an intermediary to help them discuss their case.
To call on for support
- invoke v. In many religions, believers invoke their god by holding out their hands. invocation n
To reflect; to think quietly and deeply for a long time
- meditate v. Every morning, the monks meditated for three hours in complete silence.
A dimly visible form, usually thought to be the spirit of a dead person, a sunken ship, etc.
- phantom n. Many visitors reported seeing a phantom who appeared around the lake.
Relating to the supposed ability of the human mind to sense things that cannot be observed
- psychic adj. The governor’s assistant claimed to have unique psychic abilities enabling him to read people’s minds.
Having the power to renew oneself for an in– definite period of time
- self–perpetuating adj. It is difficult to escape from a lie, as they are often self–perpetuating.
To consume and incorporate; to become similar
- assimilate v. (fit into) Not all of the overseas students could assimilate into the rigidly controlled school.
The act of burning the dead
- cremation n. Cremation is particularly common in Japan, where land for burial is very limited.
To make something suitable for being in a home(usually a plant or animal)
- domesticate v. The Barnes family hoped to domesticate the tiger, but their neighbors were skeptical. =tame
Traditional myths of a people( beliefs, customs, and stories of a community) transmitted orally
- folklore n.Through folklore, archaeologists have learned about the migration of Native Americans in North America. *folkloric adj
Tobecomepreservedinclayorstoneorashafterdeath,so that a natural record is left of the original organism; to become rigid and stuck in old ways
5.fossilize v. The dinosaur eggs had fossilized over thousands of years.
Something left from a long–ago culture, time period, or person
- relic n. Relics of the war can still be found in the sand dunes along this shore.
A ceremony meant to achieve a certain purpose
- rite n. Many cultures have fertility rites that supposedly make it more likely for women to bear children.
As part of a traditional ceremony or habit
- ritually adv. The children ritually kissed their parents on the cheek before bed.
A long story about important events long ago; a long story of heroic achievement
- saga n. Many American families tell sagas about their ancestors’ arrival in the United States.
A visible trace that something once existed
- vestige n. The wilted flowers were the only vestige of their romantic weekend.
To change for the better
- amend v. The residents voted to amend their neighborhood policy on fences. amendment n
Leaning unfairly in one direction
- biased adj. Her newspaper article was criticized for being heavily biased toward the mayor’s proposal.
Something that is carried; a source of stress or worry
- burden n. The donkey walked slowly under the burden of its heavy load. The failing company faced the burden of bad debts and a poor reputation.
To act in opposition to; to offer in response
- counter v. The hockey player countered the punch with a smashing blow from his hockey stick. Jane countered every accusation with a specific example of her achievements.
Truly doing a job, even if not officially
- de facto adj. Popular support established the Citizens Party as the de facto government.
To choose carefully among options; make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of different categories of people or things, esp. on the grounds of race, sex, or age
- discriminate The governor wisely discriminated between urgent issues and those that could wait.
A belief; a fanciful impulse, a conception of or belief about something; an impulse or desire, esp. one of a whimsical kind
- notion n. The notion that older office equipment is unreliable is inaccurate. One morning, she suddenly took the notion to paint her kitchen red. Usage tips Notion can be followed by a that clause or a to phrase.
To keep down by force; to weigh heavily on, by the unjust exercise of authority:
- oppress v. Factory management oppressed workers through intimidation.
A pattern or model; a set of assumptions
- paradigm n. The usual paradigm for economic growth in developed countries does not apply to some poor nations.
Causing to judge prematurely and unfairly
- prejudiced adj. Many consumers are prejudiced against commercial goods made in third–world countries. prejudice v, prejudice n
The courses of study offered by an educational institution
- curriculum n. The teachers met to design a new curriculum for the Intensive English Program.
in a way that is readily distinguishable by the senses; clearly:
- distinctly adv. I distinctly remember saying that we would meet at noon.
Highly educated; having or showing great knowledge or learning.
- erudite adj. Even though Stella was only a freshman, she was considered erudite by both her classmates and her professors.
To strengthen; protect against attack
- fortify v. To The high–priced drink had extra vitamins and minerals to fortify the body. fortification n
Without being stated; unquestioningly; in a way that is not directly expressed;
- implicitly adv. By joining the competition, she agreed implicitly to the rules.
Restricted in outlook; relating to the local parish; small–minded, provincial, narrow, small–town
- parochial adj. Marla moved from her rural community to get away from its parochial thinking. Sending your children to a parochial school can cost as much as sending them to college.
Strictness; difficult situations that come from following rules strictly
- rigor n. The wrestler followed his diet with rigor. The rigors of military life toughened the young men quickly. rigorous adj
A list, especially of names
- roster n. Two of the names on the roster were misspelled.
Worldly rather than spiritual; not related to religion
- secular adj. Few private schools in the United States are secular.
To cause to stop for a period; to hang as to allow free movement
- suspend v. The trial was suspended when the judge learned that one of the jury members knew the defense lawyer. The circus acrobat was suspended in midair.
Loyalty, commitment
- allegiance n. My allegiance to my country is based on respect for its principles.
Large guns that shoot powerful shells; army units that han– dle such guns
- artillery n. An artillery barrage broke down the city’s thick walls within seconds. The 47th Artillery fired on rebels camped in the city center.
To fight against
- battle v. TheViet Minh battled French forces at Dien Bien Phu for nearly two months in 1954.
Stop (found in official statements, not usually in everyday speech.)
- cease v. (cessation n) The lightning continued even after the thunder had ceased.
A system of levels that places people high or low accord– ing to their importance
- hierarchy n. (hierarchical adj) Starting as a lowly private, Burt Jones gradually rose through the hierarchy of the army.
In the middle of the hardest fighting or work
- in the trenches adv’l. With their unrealistic view of this war, our generals don’t know what things are like out in the trenches.
To put members of a group into motion; (of a country or its government) prepare and organize (troops) for active service:
- mobilize v. After a terrible storm, the governor mobilized the National Guard to rescue victims.
To put into a many–leveled order, depending on importance or achievement
- rank v. The Marines ranked Jim Hurst highest among all their officer can– didates.
The relationship of one number or amount to another
- ratio n. Military analysts say that the ratio of attackers to defenders in a battle should be about three to one for the attackers to win.
Related to long–term plans for achieving a goal
- strategic adj. United States has formed strategic friendships with Tajikistan and Mongolia to have Central Asian bases in the future.
To make something (usually land) part of another unit
- annex v. Bardstown grew by annexing several farms at the north edge of town.
The highest point
- apex n. Gregory knew that his running skills had to be at their apex during the tournament. Usage tips Apex is often used to describe the high point of someone’s abilities.
To fall down, usually because of weakness
- collapse v. the roof collapsed on top of me.
A takeover by force or continued effort
- conquest n. The first recorded conquest of Mt. Everest was by Tensing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hilary.
To find an original way to make an object or a plan
- devise v. The soldiers devised a way to cross the river into enemy territory without being seen.
Aggressively entering into someone else’s territory
- invasive adj. (invader n) Surgery with a laser is less invasive than surgery with a knife or scalpel.
Strongest or most common
- prevailing adj. (prevalence n) The prevailing attitude among our neighbors is to be friendly but not too friendly.
To refuse to give in to a strong force or desire
- resist v. Although many native nations resisted, the U.S. government eventually took over almost all Indian land.
Harshly; extremely
- severely adv. Commanders severely punished any soldier who criticized the battle plan.
An action that breaks a law or agreement; mistreatment of something that deserves respect
- violation n. (violator n) The army’s testing of new weapons was a violation of the cease–fire agreement. The sculptures at Mt. Rushmore may be a violation of sacred Indian land.
In order according to time
- chronologically adv. Allen’s book is arranged chronologically, from the First Crusade in 1095 to the fall of Granada in 1492. Usage tips Chronologically is often used with arranged, organized, listed, or some other word for order.
Happen or exist at the same time
- coincide v. TheViking attacks on western Europe coincided with an abnor– mally warm period in the Earth’s climate.
A result, often one much later in time than the cause
- consequence n. One consequence of global warming may be the flooding of low lying islands. Usage tips Consequence usually implies something negative or serious about the result.
an area or object at the center
- core n. The core of India’s film industry is in Bombay, where all but a few film studios are located.
Say that something is not true
- deny v. Movie star Allen Butcher denied that he and the Princess of Den– mark were getting married.
Make something smaller or weaker; become smaller or weaker
- diminish v. The Protestant Reformation diminished the power of the Roman Catholic Pope. Mr. Partridge’s influence in the company diminished after he relo– cated to a branch office.
A system of imaginary lines running from north to south along the Earth’s surface, where each line is numbered from 0o to 180° west or east
- longitude n. The prime meridian, a line running through Greenwich, England, is marked as 0° longitude.
General environment or surroundings
- milieu n. ManyVietnam veterans did not feel comfortable in the antiwar so– cial milieu of the 1970s.
Frightening and overcontrolled by a government that interferes in nearly every aspect of personal life
- Orwellian adj. Biometric devices like eye–scanners allow an Orwellian level of gov– ernment knowledge about everyone’s location.
Coming back together peacefully after having been enemies
- reconciliation n. South Africa avoided a bloodbath after apartheid by setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
To give out different amounts for different purposes
- allocate v. The budget allocates $58 billion to the military and only about $2 billion to education. Usage tips Things that can be allocated are things that can be “spent”—money, time, energy, etc.
A thing that can be bought and sold, such as grain, oil, or wood
- commodity n. Tulip bulbs were one of the most valuable commodities in seventeenth–century Holland. Usage tips A thing is called a commodity only in the context of buying or selling it.
To decrease in power or amount; politely refuse
- decline v. America’s railroads declined because the automobile dominated American life.
The value of one’s share in an investment
- equity n. Barnard’s equity in the business was one–third, or about $350,000.
A situation in which prices for many items rise quite fast
- inflation n. During the rapid inflation of the 1970s, prices for food and fuel sometimes rose 20 percent in a single month.
After all costs have been subtracted from an amount
- net adj. My gross salary is around $35,000, but my net pay is closer to $29,000.
For each person
- per capita adv. Research shows we’re likely to sell 15 light bulbs per capita per year in medium–sized cities.
Control according to a set of rules
- regulate v. Trading on the NewYork Stock Exchange is regulated by officials of the exchange and by federal law.
Money given by a government or other organization to sup– port an activity
- subsidy n. Federal subsidies to grain farmers have helped them stay in business despite three years of bad weather.
Obviously real because it can be seen, touched, or oth– erwise observed
- tangible adj. One tangible benefit of putting electrical cables underground is a clearer view of the sky.
To build up a large amount of something
- accumulate v. Over several generations, the Hardington family accumulated vast wealth by buying and selling land.
Wealth and the style of life that goes with it
- affluence n. Mohadzir grew up amid affluence, which poorly prepared him for his grad student days in crowded apartments with no servants.
Belonging to a special, honored group; a group of people considered (by others or themselves) to be the best in a particular society or category, esp. because of their power, talent, or wealth:
- elite adj. Messner is an elite climber who recently ascended an 8,000–meter mountain without extra oxygen.
To make a person or group poor
- impoverish v. The collapse of the steel industry impoverished several counties in eastern Ohio.
Extreme comfort, beyond what anyone needs
- luxury n. Automakers try to give their cars an image of luxury by including extras like heated seats and satellite tracking systems.
A group of socially prominent people with special titles given by a king or queen, such as “duke” or “countess”
- nobility n. In the Middle Ages, the nobility supposedly followed a code that required them to take care of poorer people who lived near their estates. *Usage tips Nobility is used as a name for a group of distinguished people; it can also mean “a highly dignified form of behavior.”
Honor and respect for being better than the average
- prestige n. The Grassleys enjoyed the prestige of living in the historic town, but they did not feel at home there.
Able to enjoy special advantages because of one’s position (usually because of being born into a wealthy or powerful family); having special rights, advantages, or immunities:
- privileged adj. Despite his privileged position in one of America’s most powerful families, the politician tried to portray himself as an ordinary person.
To do very well in one’s business or personal life
- prosper v.(prosperous adj) Vargas prospered after finally patenting his new inventions. *Usage tips A person can prosper; so can a group, a company, or an area.
People with low–paying (often unskilled) jobs who are not poor but who are not securely in the middle class
- working class n. The Farrelly family, like other members of the working class, were proud of their jobs and did not want any handouts from charity or the government.
To get something, usually something with special value or meaning
- acquire v. Bart hoped to acquire the 1898 D Indian Head penny, which would make his collection complete. Usage tips Unlike get, acquire implies that a possession has special value or meaning.
To estimate the value of something
- assess v. The Barnes building was assessed at $1.3 million, but it can proba– bly sell for much more than that.
A possession that has positive value
- asset n. Usage tips Some examples of assets are real estate, cash, and stock shares. the school is an asset to the community.
Dangerous
- hazardous adj. Parents have to be careful not to buy children’s clothes and toys made of hazardous materials.
Together with one or more other parties
- jointly adv. In most states, a husband and wife are assumed to own all their possessions jointly.
To rent something for a long time (several months or years)
- lease v. (lessor n, lessee n) Some drivers prefer to lease a car rather than buy one.
Legal responsibility for harming a person or property; a person or thing whose presence or behavior is likely to cause embarrassment or put one at a disadvantage: advantage
- liability n. Before you go river rafting, you sign a document releasing the trip leaders from liability in case of injury. Henderson is just a liability to our work team, because he never finishes anything on time.
Owner, usually of a business or a building
- proprietor n. The proprietor of Hekman’s Windows is Nels Hekman, grandson of the people who established the factory. Usage tips Very often, proprietor is followed by an of phrase.
To protect ; protect from harm or damage with an appropriate measure:
- safeguard v. A burglar–alarm system safeguards our house when we go away on vacation. Usage tips Safeguard implies continuous protection over a long time.
Only
- sole adj. Many people have wanted to invest in Harry’s publishing business, but he remains the sole owner. Usage tips Sole almost always appears before the noun it modifies. It does not come after a linking verb like be.
To give an employee money or other things in exchange for the work he or she does
- compensate v. My pay doesn’t properly compensate me for my efforts, but my other benefits, like health insurance, fill in the gap. Usage tips Compensate is often followed by a for phrase.
Full of energy,activity, or progress
- dynamic adj. This job requires a dynamic person, someone who will look for opportunities instead of just waiting around for them.
Creative in thinking of ways to make money
- enterprising adj. Immigrants are often among the most enterprising members of soci– ety, partly because anyone brave enough to make an overseas move is likely to be a risk–taker. (Note:Thereisnoverb“toenterprise.”)
To take advantage of; to treat inconsiderately in order to profit; make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource)
- exploit v. The company tried to exploit the low interest rates to expand oper– ations. The foreign mining company exploited our copper resources and then simply left.
A possible benefit that motivates a person to do a certain thing
- incentive n. This city’s willingness to support its public schools gave us an incentive to move here with our two young children. Usage tips Incentive is usually followed by a to phrase.
Willing to work hard
- industrious adj. The Dutch settlements in Ottawa County were founded by industrious farmers who objected to frivolous behavior such as dancing. Usage tips Only people can be industrious; companies cannot.
Not very significant or effective
- marginal adj. Our new advertising campaign had only marginal success, raising sales by a mere 3 percent.
Value; success based on one’s work, not on luck
- merit n. (meritorious adj) Pay raises at our company are based on merit, as determined by a committee of managers. Usage tips Merit is uncountable.
To move someone to a higher position in a company
- promote v. Because of his excellent handling of the Vredeman account, Jim Harris was promoted to vice president.
To quit one’s job
- resign v. (resignation n) Because of controversy over his leadership style, Morton resigned from his job as president.
to remove one liquid from a mixture of liquids by boiling; to get something valuable from a confusing mix of ideas
- distill v. The forest peoples of Southeast Asia distill an alcoholic drink called arak from a paste of palm berries. Most students are confused by her lectures, but Joe can always distill her main idea. distillation n, distillery n
Able to create business opportunities from a wide variety of circumstances
- entrepreneurial adj. Many engineers of the 1970s made great computers, but only a few were entrepreneurial enough to see the business possibilities in the new machines.
To take out
- extract v. International mining companies came to the Malay Peninsula to extract the region’s massive tin deposits.
To argue back and forth about a price
- haggle v. The customer and the shopkeeper haggled over the silver plate for more than an hour. Usage tips Haggle is often followed by a phrase with over or about.
Fearless
- intrepid adj. For nearly 200 years, only the most intrepid colonists would cross the Appalachian Mountains.
A person who makes a living by selling things
- merchant n. The spice merchants of the eastern markets charged top prices to the Dutch and British sailors, who had come too far to sail away without buying. Usage tips The word merchant might be preceded by another noun telling what the merchant sells (e.g., spice merchant or wine merchant).
In an amount appropriate to each of several recipients
- proportionately adv. The food aid was distributed proportionately per family, with larger families receiving more.
The first one made of a machine or system
- prototype n. The airplane manufacturer uses robots to test every prototype, just in case there is a problem with the design.
Something one gets for having done well
- reward n. The greatest reward of being a parent is to see your child make a wise decision.
To move back and forth often between two places
- shuttle v. The small jet shuttles between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore nearly every two hours.
To speak out in favor of something; publicly recommend or support
- advocate v. Some environmentalists advocate removing large dams from the Columbia River. Usage tips Advocate is usually followed by a term for a process or action, very often the –ing form of a verb
The power to make decisions, to tell others what to do.
- authority n. The governor has the authority to call the legislature together for emergency sessions.
Strongly and with a lot of bad feelings
- bitterly adv. Senator Thomas bitterly opposed the movement to design a new state flag.
Someone who wants to be chosen, especially in an elec– tion, for a position
- candidate n. (candidacy n) In most U.S. elections, there are only two major–party candidates for president.
A group of several different groups or countries that are working together to achieve a certain goal.
- coalition n. Several local churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples formed a coalition to promote understanding among people of different religions.
To challenge; oppose (an action, decision, or theory) as mistaken or wrong
- contest v. Dave Roper, who narrowly lost the mayor’s race, contested the results, demanding a recount of the votes.
A process in which people choose officials
- election n. Because of problems with vote–counting four years ago, inter– national observers monitored this year’s election to make sure it was fair.
To bring into public office; to start formally
- inaugurate v. The U.S. president is elected in November but is not inaugurated until the following January. An effort to bring electric service to farms and small towns was inaugurated with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. Usage tips When it means “bring into public office,” inaugurate is usually in the passive voice.
An approved way for approaching a certain kind of situation
- policy n. The policy said that government money could not be given to any private hospital.
To find out a small group’s opinion so that you can guess what a much larger group thinks
- poll v. The newspaper polled 500 registered voters and found that only 27 percent were in favor of expanding the city zoo.
To say that someone did something wrong (e.g., committed a crime) متهم کردن
- accuse v. Jordan was accused of using a stolen credit card to buy about $300 worth of electronic equipment. Usage tips Accuse is often used in the passive voice.
According to what people say, although there is no proof:
- allegedly adv. The chief financial officer of the company allegedly took company money for his personal use.
Involving a dispute between two citizens, not a criminal charge
- civil adj. in a civil suit against his neighbor, Barney claimed that the neigh– bor’s dog had bitten him. Usage tips In a court context, civil almost always appears in one of the following phrases: civil suit, civil action, civil court, civil proceedings, and civil penalties.
To decide that someone is guilty of a crime; declare (someone) to be guilty of a criminal offense محكوم كردن، مقصر دانستن
- convict v. Dean was convicted of assault after the jury saw a video of him striking another man. Usage tips Convict is often used in the passive voice.
Responsible for doing something bad گناهکار
- guilty adj. The jury found that the director was guilty of embezzlement.
A specific act that breaks the law تجاوز
- offense n. Convicted twice of reckless driving,Victor will lose his license if he commits another serious traffic offense.
A person who is one’s social equal; a person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person همتا
- peer n. In requiring judgment by “a jury of one’s peers,” U.S. law meant to protect lower–class defendants from the possibly biased judgment of upper–class juries.
Someone who, in the opinion of the police, might have com– mitted a certain crime
- suspect n. The police were investigating the activities of five suspects in the liquor–store robbery.
A judgment in a court case
- verdict n. It took the jury only 30 minutes to reach a verdict of “guilty.” Usage tips Verdict is often the object of the verbs reach or arrive at.
To see something, especially a crime, happen
- witness v. After witnessing the car theft, Rodney called the police.
To capture; understand or perceive:
- apprehend v. The police apprehended the robbery suspect as he tried to get on a bus to Chicago. apprehension n
To make sure of
- ascertain v. The police failed to ascertain that the man they arrested was the Gregory Brown they were really looking for. Usage tips Ascertain is often followed by a that clause. Notice that the root of the word is the adjective certain, meaning “sure.”
Related to a large organization with a lot of complicated procedures
- bureaucratic adj. Before I could speak with the chief, I had to go through a bureaucratic runaround of identity checks and written requests. Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw–Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use. Usage tips Bureaucratic implies that something is inefficient and unnecessarily complicated. bureaucracy n
To speak out against something in very strong terms; express complete disapproval of,
- condemn v. Religious radicals condemned the government for allowing alcohol to be sold in restaurants. condemnation n
Something that makes the truth of a statement seem more likely
- evidence n. The most convincing evidence that Garner robbed the store was a videotape from surveillance cameras.
To suggest that someone was involved in a crime or other wrong behavior; convey (a meaning or intention) indirectly through what one says
- implicate v. No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the type of explosive used implicates the Heartland Freedom Militia. Usage tips Implicate is often followed by in. implication n
An investigation; an act of asking for information
- inquiry n. The FBI launched an inquiry into the relationship between organized crime and the trucking company.
In a way that brings an unwanted person or thing into someone else’s affairs
- intrusively adv. The new consultant from company headquarters appeared intrusively at meetings, staff parties, and other functions where he was not wanted. intrusion n, intruder n, intrusive adj
To take something against its owner’s will
- seize v. Federal agents can seize private homes and other property possibly used in the production or sale of illegal drugs. seizure n
A process of watching something or someone for a long time, usually because the person is suspected of something
- surveillance n. Police surveillance of one suspected car thief resulted in the arrest of a whole gang of carjackers.
To examine something by looking at its parts
- analyze v. Chemists analyzed the white powder and found it to be only a mix– ture of sugar and salt.
To attack or criticize forcefully
- assail v. With DNA evidence from the crime scene, the defense lawyer assailed the police for falsely arresting his client. assault n, assailant n
Opposite
- contrary adj. Contrary to most studies, Dr. Ito’s work shows the world’s climate is not getting warmer. Usage tips Common phrases are contrary to and on the contrary.
To make a guess, the correctness of which will eventually be investigated systematically.
- hypothesize v. Scientists hypothesize that planets capable of supporting life exist beyond our solar system, but they have not yet seen any. hypothesis n, hypothetical adj
To make something less effective than usual
- impair v. The snow impaired John’s ability to hear anyone’s footsteps. Usage tips The object of impair is often [someone’s] ability to.
A conclusion drawn from evidence
- inference n. Inspector Dowd’s inference that Ms. Miller was South African was based on her accent. infer v
Based on unbiased standards, not on personal opinion
- objectively adv. I don’t like Mr. Rowan, but looking objectively at his sales numbers, I saw that he was a very valuable employee.
Believing that something is wrong; acting in a way that makes people believe you have done something wrong
- suspicious adj. The neighbors became suspicious of Jim when he bought a big new car and some fancy clothes. Jim’s suspicious purchases made his neighbors think he might be getting money illegally. suspicion n, suspiciously adv
To avoid getting upset about something
- tolerate v. My math teacher tolerates a lot of talking in her class, but my his– tory teacher tells us to be quiet.
Against (esp. in sports and legal use)
- versus prep. In the debate, it was pro–war senators versus antiwar senators.
Giving money or other gifts to a government official or other person in authority in order to get special privileges
- bribery n. Bribery of police officers is common in countries where police salaries are very low.
Disrespectfully; emphasizing the weaknesses of otherwise respected things
- cynically adv. Employees of the Roadways Department cynically referred to their boss as “the banker” because he took so many bribes. cynic n, cynicism n, cynical adj
To wear away and become smaller
- erode v. People’s respect for the government eroded as more officials were arrested for corruption.
To get away from something that tries to catch you
- evade v. The robbery suspects tried to evade the police by fleeing to Canada.
Extremely unattractive, in a way that catches a lot of attention; comically or repulsively ugly or distorted
- grotesque adj. Spending $3.5 million to redecorate the governor’s house is a grotesque misuse of public money.
Personal honesty and good character
- integrity n. We don’t have a problem with our employees stealing from the store because we hire only people with a lot of integrity.
Common; easy to find because it exists in great amounts
- prevalent adj. Distrust of elected officials was prevalent in our county because many of them were friends with certain candidates.
To make big improvements (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice)
- reform v. The new law was an attempt to reform the system of giving money to political candidates.
A case of wrongdoing that hurts someone’s reputation
- scandal n. In the Watergate scandal, some of the president’s top advisors were revealed to be criminals.
Reveal; expose something that is hidden
- unmask v. The Forge Trucking Company was eventually unmasked as a front for organized crime.
Kidnapping; the action or an instance of forcibly taking someone away against their will:
- abduction n. Pirates got many crew members by abduction, snatching unlucky citizens from seaport towns.
To force; to put pressure on someone to do something
- coerce v. A criminal’s confession is not usable in court if the police coerce him or her into giving it. coercion n, coercive adj
To prevent someone, for a relatively short time, from going on their way
3.detain v. The police detained at least 20 men for questioning, but charged none of them with a crime. detention n, detainee n
In a style that is not normal and is offensive to many
- deviant adj. The artist based his reputation on creating deviant works of art that disgusted most of the public. Usage tips Deviant always implies a bad opinion of someone or something.
To twist or misrepresent; to make something seem different from what it really is
- distort v. If you hold a pencil in a glass of water, the water distorts the appearance of the pencil.
On purpose, not by accident
- intentionally adv. Danny intentionally lost his last golf ball because he was tired of playing.
Stealing a ship or taking the ship’s cargo; the unlawful copy– ing of books, CDs, etc.
- piracy n. Modern–day piracy occurs mostly near groups of small, uninhabited islands where pirates can hide. The software company constantly battled piracy.
A difficult situation, one that is hard to get out of
- predicament n. College basketball stars face the predicament of wanting to gradu– ate but being tempted by high professional salaries.
To illegally bring things into a country
- smuggle v. The pirate Ben Dewar smuggled guns to British and Indian fighters in North America.
Exceptional badness, as demonstrated by many serious evil deeds
- villainy n. Fred was not a natural criminal, but he learned all kinds of villainy while being jailed for a minor crime. villain n, villainous adj
Making someone want it so much that the person feels ill without it
- addictive adj. Some drugs, like heroin or methamphetamines, are addictive to almost everyone who tries them.
A small group controlling a certain area of business
- cartel n. The world’s major oil producers formed a cartel to control the price and supply of petroleum.
Strong because large amounts are in a certain space
- concentrated adj. Concentrated lemon juice is very sour, so I mix it with water when I make lemonade.
To keep something from reaching a certain place; prohibit or forbid
- interdict v. With faster patrol boats, the Coast Guard can more easily interdict drugs being smuggled by sea.
Place next to one another
- juxtapose v. If you juxtapose these two similar flowers, you can see clear differences between them.
A mistaken belief; a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding
- misconception n. A common misconception about rabbits is that they are a kind of rodent.
Make small changes in order to get a certain result
- modify v. People who live in high mountains often modify their car engines to run well in the thinner air.
Powerful; having great power, influence, or effect
- potent adj. A very potent type of marijuana with surprisingly strong effects be– came available in Burrytown.
Left behind after most of a thing has gone
- residual adj. In the airplane, agents found residual traces of heroin. Usage tips Residual is often followed by trace, amount, or some other word referring to “quantity.”
In a quiet, hard–to–notice way
- subtly adv. By subtly changing the soft drink’s formula, we improved its taste and made production cheaper.
Relating to family members from earlier generations
- ancestral adj. Sweden is my ancestral homeland, from which my great– grandfather emigrated in 1922. ancestor n, ancestry n
Ability to stay together as a unit
- cohesion n. Family cohesion is difficult if young people have to go far away to find work. Usage tips Cohesion can also be used to describe forces that keep materials or structures together.
A direct relative in a later generation (such as one’s son, daughter, or grandchild)
- descendant n. Billy Sobieski claimed to be a descendant of Jan Sobieski, a former king of Poland.
Things passed down to you from your ancestors
- inheritance n. My inheritance from my grandmother included her favorite necklace.
Relatives
- kin n. Even though my uncle didn’t really like me, he was kind to me because we were kin. Usage tips A common phrase is next of kin, meaning “closest relative.” kinship n
True and respectable; in the context of family, born of a mother and father who were married to each other
- legitimate adj. You can skip the meeting if you have a legitimate reason. Harcourt had two legitimate children with his wife Hannah and one illegitimate son with a woman whom he met while traveling legitimize v, legitimacy n.
Relating to a father
- paternal adj. My mother’s parents have both died, but my paternal grandparents are still alive. Usage tips Paternal may appear with maternal, meaning “relating to a mother.”
Nearness
- proximity n. The house was comfortable, except for its proximity to a busy road. Usage tips Proximity can be followed by an of phrase or a to phrase.
Feelings; opinion based on feelings
- sentiment n. I share your sentiments about air travel, but I disagree that cars are safer. Usage tips Sentiments (the plural) is more common than sentiment. sentimentality n, sentimental adj
Brother or sister
- sibling n. My siblings and I got together to buy our parents a gift for their anniversary. Usage tips Sibling is often preceded by a possessive noun or pronoun.
An emotional closeness or warmth
- affection n. I show affection for my girlfriend by spending time with her, not by spending money on her. affectionate adj
To regularly spend time together
- associate v. Carol doesn’t associate with people who smoke.
A close connection
- bond n. Some researchers say that there is an especially strong emotional bond between twins.
A small group of friends who are unfriendly to people outside the group
- clique n. High–schoolers form cliques to gain security and acceptance. Usage tips Clique indicates a negative feeling toward a group. cliquish adj
To tell very personal things; tell someone about a secret or private matter while trusting them not to repeat it to others:
- confide v. Teenagers are more willing to confide in a friend than in a parent. Usage tips almost always followed by an in phrase.
Keeping out all but a few people
- exclusive adj. The most exclusive universities accept only a small percentage of people who want to attend. Usage tips Exclusive can indicate a positive opinion, but in the context of friendship, it can mean “attached only to one person.”
To change often, from one condition to another
- fluctuate v. Earth’s climate fluctuates between warm periods and cold periods. Usage tips Fluctuate is usually followed by a between phrase (or by a from . . . to structure).
As a shared characteristic
- in common adv. Billy and Heather have a lot in common—basketball, a love of pizza, and an interest in snakes. Usage tips In common very often appears with the verb to have.
Standing together despite pressure to move apart
- solidarity n. Many student groups declared solidarity with the Latino Student Association in their effort to get a Spanish–speaking principal. Usage tips Solidarity is usually used in political contexts.
Agreeable and ready to do something
- willing adj. Because of their long friendship, Professor Gardner was willing to say a few words at Jones’s birthday celebration.
Not simple; involving many parts that work together
- complex adj. A modern car engine is too complex for most car owners to repair by themselves. complexity n
Extremely sad and without hope for the future
- despondent adj. After his girlfriend left him, Johnson was despondent and wouldn’t talk to anyone.
A willingness to keep supporting someone you admire
- devotion n. Grant showed great devotion to his wife, supporting her during her long illness. devote v, devotee n
A difficult choice between two things(equally undesirable ones)
- dilemma n. I was caught in a dilemma between traveling by airplane and taking a train, which is slower but more comfortable.
To bring into being; to cause to exist
- engender v. The government’s warnings about terrorism engendered fear throughout the nation. Usage tips Engender is often followed by a noun for an emotion.
Faithful; giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution
- loyal adj. Carter was loyal to his girlfriend and would not date anyone else.
An extremely strong emotion, like love or anger
- passion n. Debbie complained that there was no passion in her marriage.
An increase in the number of something and in the number of places it can be found
- proliferation n. The proliferation of fast–food restaurants has made it harder for Americans to eat healthy lunches.
Doing as much for another as he or she has done for you; the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit
- reciprocity n. Dan was giving a lot of attention to Kelly, but he felt no reciprocity in their relationship. reciprocate v, reciprocal adj
To disappear suddenly
- vanish v. When the sun came out, last night’s light snowfall vanished.
A strong, long–lasting negative feeling تنفر
- antipathy n. My antipathy toward telemarketers is so strong that I am often rude to them.
In a way that shows a high opinion of oneself and a low opinion of others
- arrogantly adv. Jenny told us about her party only one day in advance, arrogantly thinking we had nothing else to do.
To say insulting and disrespectful things
- berate v. The teacher lost his job because he cruelly berated students who made mistakes. Usage tips You can only berate someone directly—only when he or she can hear you.
Having no respect اهانت آمیز
- contemptuous n. Most scientists are contemptuous of reports that aliens from outer space have landed on the Earth. Usage tips A very common structure is be contemptuous of. contempt n, contemptible adj, contemptuously adv
Hate very much
- despise v. Tom grew to despise his greedy and unfriendly boss.
An event that causes someone to feel that she or he has lost the respect of others
- humiliation n. Losing the chess tournament was a great humiliation for Marie, and she never played chess again.
Bothersome; doing small things that others don’t like
- obnoxious adj. My obnoxious neighbor keeps talking to me while I’m trying to read in my backyard. obnoxiously adv
Dishonor because one has done something wrong
- shame n. Feeling deep shame because of their son’s crimes, the Ford family moved to a different town. shameful adj, ashamed adj, shamefully adv
To mark with a visible feature that makes other people think, perhaps incorrectly, that someone or something is wrong; describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval:
- stigmatize v. Cadbury’s beard and tattoos stigmatized him as a bad match for Wall Street, so he couldn’t find work as a financial analyst. stigma n
Showing an extreme, hateful anger
- vitriolic adj. The mayor’s vitriolic attacks against the city council only made him sound unreasonable.
Characteristic of a teenager; not fully grown up
- adolescent adj. In policy meetings, George refuses to reason with anyone and just scowls in an adolescent way.
A political or social goal that one believes is right and works to achieve
- cause n. Our river cleanup effort would be more effective if someone famous spoke out for the cause.
to fit so poorly together that the differences cause a problem
- conflict v. A teenager’s need for security can conflict with his desire for inde– pendence from his family.
Serious misbehavior; not doing what one should do; minor crime, esp. that committed by young people
- delinquency n. Because of his laziness and delinquency, Lefty was an unreliable friend. Usage tips A common combination is juvenile delinquency, meaning “criminal behavior by a teenager.”
Edge; in social contexts, parts of society that look or act very different from most people
- fringe n. Punk music got its start at the fringe of London’s rock music culture. Usage tips Fringe implies an edge that is uneven and not very solid.
Excessively interested in seeking pleasure
- hedonistic adj.Suddenly wealthy, Allen fell into a hedonistic life of parties, expen– sive dinners, and heavy drinking. Usage tips Hedonistic usually implies that the pleasures are wrong. hedonist n, hedonism n, hedonistically adv
In a way that accuses other people of weaknesses that the speaker also possesses
- hypocritically adv. Henry spent $2,500 on a new suit and then hypocritically accused me of spending too much on clothes. hypocrite n, hypocrisy n
Quietly moving or influencing people or things in order to get what you want
- manipulation n. Bob’s manipulation of the boss’s feelings led to his promotion.
To go against an established system or authority
- rebel v. The people of Ghurdia rebelled against the dictator and set up a new government. Usage tips Rebel works well in political contexts and in contexts of personal relationships.
The systems and conditions that exist now
- status quo n. Let’s just maintain the status quo until we can think of a better way.
Not concrete and realistic; not obviously related to every– day experience
- abstract adj. Abstract painting became popular partly because early photogra– phy was very realistic.
A larger environment that something fits into
- context n. In the context of Soviet Russia, public art had to be about the tri– umph of communism and its leaders. Usage tips The preposition in often comes before context, and an of phrase often comes after it. contextualize v, contextual adj
To show in pictures
- depict v. Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel depicts nine scenes from the Bible.
A direction or surface along which something can be measured; an aspect
- dimension n. The three dimensions of physical objects are length, width, and depth. One dimension of the problem is their long history of competition.
In a way that relates to beauty or appearance
- esthetically adv. The outside of the office building is esthetically pleasing, but the inside is dark and unpleasant.
Being part of the basic nature of something
- intrinsic adj. Frequent elections are intrinsic to a democratic system.
A way of seeing from a particular location; a way of thinking about something
- perspective n. From my perspective, the entire town can be seen through a set of large windows. They held different perspectives on how to care for their aging parents.
A description or drawing that reflects a certain point of view نمایش ، تشریح
- portrayal n. Most portrayals of Abraham Lincoln emphasize his sense of humor and his honesty.
A technique that tries to picture something as it really looks
- realism n. Realism was popular among seventeenth–century Flemish painters like Rembrandt van Rijn.
A range of different things, usually colors
- spectrum n. Bart’s colorful designs include every color of the spectrum, from deep blue to vibrant red.
Coming; arrival; the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event
- advent n. The advent of the automobile greatly increased the demand for petroleum.
Having more than one possible meaning
- ambiguous adj. The sentence It’s hard to say is ambiguous, with different meanings in different contexts.
A meaning implied, not stated directly
- connotation n. When my boss says,“Thank you,”the connotation is that she’s done talking and I should leave.
To figure out the meaning, even though it is written in a code or an unknown language
- decipher v. The Rosetta Stone helped archaeologists decipher ancient Egyptian writing. Usage tips A cipher is a code or puzzle; decipher means “solve a puzzle written in code.”
To mean something clearly and directly
- denote v. T An “X” next to a name on this list denotes a person who has been chosen for the soccer team.
Unable to read
- illiterate adj. In many villages nearly everyone was illiterate and unschooled, and the few who could read held great power.
Very clever and imaginative
- ingenious adj. Ann thought up an ingenious way to keep other people from accidentally taking her pens. ingenuity n,
Something written into a piece of rock or metal
- inscription n. The inscription on my ring says “August 1,” because that was the day of our wedding.
Related to the sounds in a language
- phonetic adj. Children learning to write often make up phonetic spellings, based on the way a word sounds.
Acting as a sign for some other thing or idea
- symbolic adj. Since the 1970s, yellow ribbons have been symbolic of hope that someone will return from a dangerous situation. Usage tips Symbolic is often followed by an of phrase indicating the meaning of a symbol.
Not good enough to be the work of professionals
- amateurish adj. Whoever painted this room did an amateurish job, with all sorts of uneven edges.
The group of actors in a play, movie, television show, etc.
- cast n. Some viewers mistakenly start thinking that a TV show’s cast members are really the characters they play. cast v
Extremely attractive and charming
- charismatic adj. Because of the sparkle in his eye and his confident style, John F. Kennedy was a charismatic leader.
Expensive, elaborately arranged, and full of celebration
- gala adj. A college graduation party should be a gala affair, not a backyard barbecue. Usage tips Gala is somewhat old–fashioned, far more common in print than in speech.
Very funny
- hilarious adj. In my opinion, the most hilarious character on television was Basil Fawlty.
Inventing a solution to an unexpected problem
- improvisation n. Boy Scouts take pride in their improvisation when faced with trou– ble during a camping trip. improvise v, improvisational adj
Unskilled; lacking the ability to perform a task
- incompetent adj. Because we hired an incompetent builder to replace our roof, we now have leaks everywhere. Usage tips Usually, incompetent implies that someone tries to do something but fails.
A channel or way for a meaning to be expressed
- medium n. Watercolor art is often considered childish, but some artists have achieved great things working in that medium. Usage tips The plural of medium is media.
A short, informal play
- skit n. Marnie and Chris spent a long time practicing their skit for the school show.
Enthusiasm; a deep determination to do well
- zeal n. Unfortunately,Tom’s zeal to become a rock star distracted him from his studies. Usage tips Zeal is often followed by to plus a verb or by a for phrase. zealot n, zealous adj
Largeness and a heavy appearance
- bulk n. The bulk of Kevin’s athletic body was too great for one small chair, so he sat on a bench. bulky adj
Moving unpredictably from one thing to another
- capricious adj. Your college studies will go on too long if you make capricious jumps from one major to another. capriciousness n, capriciously adv
Difficult to wear or carry because of weight or shape
- cumbersome adj. To make it to the top of the mountain before dark, the hikers dumped their cumbersome tent.
Interesting or unusual because of coming from a faraway place
- exotic adj. I walked into the restaurant and smelled the exotic aromas of Malaysian spices. exoticism n, exotically adv
To discourage or to slow down
- inhibit v. This lotion will inhibit the itching caused by mosquito bites.
The smallest possible amount or level
- minimum n. The minimum for being accepted to Cavill University is a score of 60 on the test.
Very noticeable; easily attracting attention
- striking adj. Gordon had a striking new attitude after he learned self–discipline at the army academy.
A movement in one direction or a widespread change in fashion
- trend n. The trend among some young men is to wear their caps with the bill off to one side.
An excessive concern for one’s appearance; excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements
- vanity n. Mark’s vanity led him to spend far too much money on haircuts and new clothes.
Exposed to possible harm
- vulnerable adj. Babies and very old people are especially vulnerable to the new disease. vulnerability n, vulnerably adv
