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TOEFL iBT > 500 Words > Flashcards

500 Words Flashcards

1
Q

a myriad of
myriad
/ˈmɪr·i·əd/ n [C usually sing]

A

› a very large number:
@There’s a myriad of insects on the island.
#
/ˈmɪr·i·əd/ adj [not gradable]
@A cloud of dust was raised by their myriad feet.

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2
Q

a plethora of
plethora
/ˈpleθ·ər·ə/ n [U]

A

› a very large amount of something, esp. a larger amount than you need, want, or can deal with:
@a plethora of excuses/agencies/diet books

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3
Q

carnivore

/ˈkɑr·nəˌvɔr/, /-ˌvoʊr/ n [C]

A

› an animal that eats meat
#carnivorous
/kɑrˈnɪv·ə·rəs/ adj [not gradable]
@Lions and tigers are carnivorous.

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4
Q

prey on

phrasal verb

A

› to kill and eat an animal:

@ Lions prey on huge herds of wildebeest and zebra.

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5
Q

accelerate

/ɪkˈsel·əˌreɪt/, /æk-/ v [I]

A

› to move more quickly, or to make something happen faster or sooner:
@ [I] He stepped on the gas and accelerated rapidly to pass a car.

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6
Q

camouflage

/ˈkæm·əˌflɑʒ/, /-ˌflɑdʒ/ n [U]

A

› a condition in which the appearance of someone or something when placed against a background makes the person or thing difficult or impossible to see:
@The leafhopper is a little green insect that uses camouflage to blend in with the colors of the leaves

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7
Q

astound

/əˈstɑʊnd/ v [T]

A

› to surprise and shock someone, esp. with news of something that is completely unexpected:
@Considering how badly they’re paid and what little support they get, the dedication of these teachers astounds me.

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8
Q

resolute

/ˈrez·əˌlut/ adj

A

› determined in character, action, or ideas:
@I admired her resolute optimism in those difficult times.
#resolutely
/ˈrez·əˌlut·li/, /ˌrez·əˈlut-/ adv

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9
Q

diurnal

/ˌdaɪˈɜː.nəl/ adj

A

› happening over a period of a day, or being active or happening during the day rather than at night

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10
Q

species

/ˈspi·ʃiz/, /-siz/ n [C] (plural species)

A

› a set of animals or plants, members of which have similar characteristics to each other and which can breed with each other

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11
Q

attain

/əˈteɪn/ v [T]

A

› to achieve something difficult to do or obtain:
@You need financial security in order to attain emotional well-being.
#attainable
/əˈteɪ·nə·bəl/ adj
@You need to set goals that are clear and attainable.
#attainment
/əˈteɪn·mənt/ n [C/U]
@ [U] Abiola pledged his life to the attainment of justice.

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12
Q

eschew

/ɪsˈtʃu/ v [T] fml

A

› to avoid something intentionally, or to give up something:
@The leaders of the organization eschewed the term “union,” preferring “guild.”

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13
Q

proficient

/prəˈfɪʃ·ənt/ adj

A

› skilled and experienced:
@ a proficient swimmer
@ He studied Chinese and became proficient in the language.
#proficiency
/prəˈfɪʃ·ən·si/ n [U]
@Morgan has great proficiency as a jazz saxophonist.

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14
Q

coherent

/koʊˈhɪər·ənt/ adj

A

› (writing) having its parts related in an organized and reasonable way:
@The president has not presented a coherent plan for dealing with it.
› Coherent also means expressing yourself clearly:
@ I should warn you, she’s not always coherent.
#coherently /koʊˈhɪər·ənt·li/ adv
@ He is able to speak coherently about politics.

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15
Q

rate

/reɪt/ v

A

› to judge the value or worth of something:
@[T] Half of those surveyed rated his work as good.
@ [L] The movie is rated R.
› (disapproving) If you say someone or something doesn’t rate, you mean the person or thing is of poor quality or not worth consideration.

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16
Q

holistic

/hoʊˈlɪs·tɪk/ adj

A

› relating to the whole of something or to the total system instead of just to its parts
› Holistic medicine attempts to treat the whole person, including mind and body, not just the injury or disease.

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17
Q

selective

/səˈlek·tɪv/ adj [not gradable]

A

› careful in choosing:

@The school is very selective and accepts only those students who are extremely motivated

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18
Q

constructive

/kənˈstrʌk·tɪv/ adj

A

› intended to help someone or improve understanding:

@She was my most constructive critic.

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19
Q

thesis

/ˈθi·sɪs/ n [C] (plural theses /ˈθi·siz/)

A

› a piece of writing involving original study of a subject, esp. for a college or university degree:
@a master’s thesis
› A thesis is also the main idea, opinion, or theory of a speaker or writer, who then attempts to prove it:
@His thesis was that World War I could have been avoided.

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20
Q

integral

/ˈɪn·tə·grəl/, /ɪnˈteg·rəl/ adj

A

› necessary and important as a part of a whole, or contained within it:
@Taking a ride on the canals of Venice is an integral part of experiencing that city.

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21
Q

intelligible

/ɪnˈtel·ɪ·dʒə·bəl/ adj

A

› (of speech and writing) clear enough to be understood:

@It was a poor telephone connection, and only some of his words were intelligible.

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22
Q

agrarian

adjective \ə-ˈgrer-ē-ən\

A

› Of or relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land

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23
Q

fertile

/ˈfɜr·t(ə)l/ adj

A

› (of land) able to produce a large number of high-quality crops:
@fertile soil

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24
Q

enervating

/ˈen·ərˌveɪ·t̬ɪŋ/ adj

A

› causing you to feel weak and lacking in energy:

@We found it enervating to work in the humid jungle heat

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25
Q

reliable

/rɪˈlɑɪ·ə·bəl/ adj

A

› deserving trust; dependable:

@My car is old but it’s reliable.

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26
Q

prosper

/ˈprɑs·pər/ v [I]

A

› to be successful, esp. financially:
@ As the company prospered, we prospered.
#prosperity /prɑˈsper·ɪ·t̬i/ n [U]
#prosperous /ˈprɑs·pər·əs/ adj

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27
Q

assiduous

adjective /əˈsɪd.ju.əs/ formal

A

› showing hard work, care, and attention to detail:
@assiduous research/efforts
@ an assiduous student
@ The government has been assiduous in the fight against inflation.
#assiduously /-li/ adverb
#assiduousness /-nəs/ noun [U]

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28
Q

undergo

/ˌʌn·dərˈgoʊ/ v [T]

A

› to experience something that is unpleasant or has a strong effect:
@He recently underwent heart bypass surgery.

29
Q

transformation

/ˌtræns·fərˈmeɪ·ʃən/ n [C/U]

A

› a complete change in the appearance or character of something or someone:
@[C] This plan means a complete transformation of our organization.
› biology Transformation is also a permanent change in a cell that results when DNA comes from a different type of cell.

30
Q

chaos

/ˈkeɪ·ɑs/ n [U]

A

› a state of disorder and confusion:
@Repairs to the major highway this summer will bring chaos to commuters.
#chaotic /keɪˈɑt̬·ɪk/ adj
@The house is a little chaotic right now – we’re in the middle of repainting.

31
Q

emancipated

/ɪˈmæn·səˌpeɪ·t̬əd/ adj

A

› free from another person’s control, or free from social or political limitations:
@an emancipated woman
@emancipated slaves

32
Q

survey

/ˈsɜr·veɪ/ n [C]

A

› a set of questions people are asked to gather information or find out their opinions, or the information gathered by asking many people the same questions:
@A recent survey found that working women want better child care and flexible hours.

33
Q

envision (envisage)

/ɪnˈvɪz·ən/ v [T] (also envisage /ɪnˈvɪʒ·ɪdʒ/)

A

› to imagine or expect that something is a likely or desirable possibility in the future:
@He envisioned a partnership between business and government.
@The company envisions adding at least five stores next year.

34
Q

ponder

/ˈpɑn·dər/ v [I/T]

A

› to consider something carefully for a long time:
@[T] She ponders the reaction she’ll receive.
@[I] The back porch is a quiet place where I can ponder.

35
Q

innovate

/ˈɪn·əˌveɪt/ v [I]

A 
› to introduce changes and new ideas:
@The fashion industry is always desperate to innovate.
#innovator /ˈɪn·əˌveɪ·t̬ər/ n [C]
@A fearless innovator, Ives liked to play music simultaneously in different meters and keys.
36
Q

merge

/mɜrdʒ/ v [I/T]

A

› to combine or join together:

@[I] Route 9A splits off from Route 9, but they merge after 5 more miles.

37
Q

trailblazer

/ˈtreɪlˌbleɪ·zər/ n [C]

A

› a person who is the first to do something that other people do later:
@She was a trailblazer as the only woman in the US Senate.

38
Q

wary

/ˈweər·i/ adj

A

› careful because you do not completely trust someone or something or are not certain about what you should do:
@Teachers are often wary of standardized tests.

39
Q

versatile

/ˈvɜr·sə·t̬əl/ adj

A

› (of people) able to do many different things or to adjust to new conditions, or (of things) able to be used for many different purposes:
@He was a versatile guitarist, and recorded with many leading rock bands.
@It is an especially versatile insecticide known to control a range of insects.
#versatility /ˌvɜr·səˈtɪl·ɪ·t̬i/ n [U]
@Daniels possesses the versatility to play right and left end and tackle.

40
Q

inasmuch as

/ˌɪn·əzˈmʌtʃ əz/ conjunction

A

› used to show why or in what limited way the other part of the sentence is true:
@Inasmuch as funding is not available, building plans have been delayed

41
Q

vulnerable

/ˈvʌl·nər·ə·bəl/ adj

A

› able to be easily hurt, influenced, or attacked:
@Older people are especially vulnerable to cold temperatures even inside their homes.
@He casts himself as a naive, vulnerable young poet.
#vulnerability /ˌvʌl·nər·əˈbɪl·ət̬·i/ n [U]
@You want a doctor who understands the patient’s vulnerability.

42
Q

germinate

/ˈdʒɜr·məˌneɪt/ v [I/T]

A

› to start growing, or to cause a seed to start growing:

@[I] This community is where the seeds of Gandhi’s philosophy germinated.

43
Q

fundamental

/ˌfʌn·dəˈmen·təl/ adj

A

› being the most basic or most important thing on which other things depend:
@fundamental beliefs/principles
@We need to make fundamental changes in the way we treat our environment.
#fundamentals /ˌfʌn·dəˈmen·təlz/ pl n
@In the early grades, children learn the fundamentals of reading.
#fundamentally /ˌfʌn·dəˈmen·təl·i/ adv [not gradable]
@Their economy was fundamentally (= basically) in good shape.

44
Q

awkward

/ˈɔk·wərd/ adj

A

› difficult to use, do, or deal with:
@The computer came in a big box that was awkward to carry.
› causing inconvenience, anxiety, or embarrassment:
@It was an awkward situation, because the restaurant was too expensive for us but we didn’t want to just get up and walk out.
› Someone who feels awkward feels embarrassed or nervous:
@We were the first to arrive at the party and felt a little awkward.
› lacking grace or skill when moving:
@He’s too awkward – he’ll never be a good dancer.
awkwardness /ˈɔ·kwərd·nəs/ n [U]
@His awkwardness with girls disappeared once he got to college.

45
Q

simultaneous

/ˌsɑɪ·məlˈteɪ·ni·əs/, /ˌsɪm·əl-/ adj [not gradable]

A

› happening or existing at exactly the same time:
@The report will be broadcast in Russian with simultaneous English translation.
#simultaneously /ˌsɑɪ·məlˈteɪ·ni·əs·li/, /ˌsɪm·əl-/ adv [not gradable]
@To drive a car, you’ve got to learn to do several things simultaneously.

46
Q

pillar

/ˈpɪl·ər/ n [C]

A

› a strong vertical column made of stone, metal, or wood that supports part of a building or stands alone for decoration
› A pillar is also someone or something that is an important part of a group, place, or activity:
@He’s a pillar of the Dallas business community.

47
Q

allude to someone/something

\ə-ˈlüd\ intransitive verb

A

› to mention someone or something in a brief or indirect way:
@He alluded to problems with the new computers.

48
Q

analogy

/əˈnæl·ə·dʒi/ n [C/U]

A

› (literature) a comparison of the features or qualities of two different things to show their similarities:
@[C] He was explaining that the mind has no form and is invisible, and that a useful analogy is of the mind being like the sky.
#analogous /əˈnæl·ə·gəs/ adj
@The stock market recorded a 0.4% annual increase that was roughly analogous to results in the late 1960s.

49
Q

abundance

/əˈbʌn·dəns/ n [C/U]

A

› an amount that is more than enough:
@[C] We all seem to have an abundance of those plastic grocery bags.
@[U] Grapes and olives grow in abundance in the valley.

50
Q

connotation

/ˌkɒn.əˈteɪ.ʃən/ noun [C]

A

› a feeling or idea that is suggested by a particular word although it need not be a part of the word’s meaning, or something suggested by an object or situation:
@The word ‘lady’ has connotations of refinement and excessive femininity that some women find offensive.
#connote /kəˈnoʊt/ verb [T] formal
@To me, chocolate connotes pleasure and indulgence.

51
Q

domestic

/dəˈmes·tɪk/ adj (OF HOME)

A

› relating to the home, house, or family:

@I’ve never been fond of domestic chores like cooking and cleaning.

52
Q

chore

/tʃɔr/, /tʃoʊr/ n [C]

A

› a job or piece of work that needs to be done regularly:
@By the time he’d finished all the household chores it was mid-afternoon.
› A chore is also something that is difficult and unpleasant:
@It was a real chore trying to give our dog a bath.

53
Q

dissimilar

/dɪsˈsɪm·ə·lər/ adj

A

› not similar; different:

@Her diagnosis was not dissimilar (= was similar) to that of the previous doctor.

54
Q

indeed

/ɪnˈdid/ adv [not gradable]

A

› (used to emphasize something said or about to be said) really; truly:
@If he has indeed quit his job, I asked myself, why is he still here?
@From a medical standpoint, the discovery may turn out to be very big news indeed.
@Indeed (= When you really think about it), why should you follow a doctor’s advice to the letter when you feel like Superman?
› Indeed is also used to make something clear or add to something you have just said:
@It was impossible to find work and, indeed, it became increasingly hard to keep looking for a job.

55
Q

quite

/kwɑɪt/ adv [not gradable] (VERY)

A

› to a large degree:
@School is quite different from what it once was.
#quite a
@ Quite a is used before some nouns to emphasize the large number, amount, or size of the subject referred to:
@We’ve had quite a lot of rain this year.
@There were quite a few (= a lot) of people waiting in line.
@She had quite a bit (= a lot) to say to him when he finally showed up.
@I hadn’t seen Rebecca in quite a while (= for a long time).

56
Q

crave

verb [T] /kreɪv/

A

› to desire something strongly:

@The neglected kids just crave attention.

57
Q

diagnose

verb [T] /ˈdɑɪ·ɪɡˌnoʊs, -ˌnoʊz/

A

› to recognize and name the exact character of a disease or other problem by making an examination:
@He was diagnosed with cancer that year.
@It was not easy to diagnose what was wrong with the business.
#diagnosis noun [C/U] /ˌdɑɪ·ɪɡˈnoʊ·sɪs/ (plural diagnoses /ˌdɑɪ·ɪɡˈnoʊˌsiz/)
@Respiratory therapy involves the diagnosis and treatment of breathing disorders
#diagnostic /ˌdɑɪ·ɪɡˈnɑs·tɪk/ adjective
@The hospital is doing some diagnostic tests to see if they can figure out why she’s running a fever.

58
Q

harbinger

noun [C] /ˈhɑːr.bɪn.dʒɚ/ literary

A

› a person or thing thing that shows that something is going to happen soon, especially something bad:
@a harbinger of doom

59
Q

perch

verb [I/T] /pɜrtʃ/

A

› (of a bird) to rest on a branch or other object, or of a person or thing to sit or be on the edge or top of something:
@[T] A baseball cap, turned backwards, was perched on his head.
#perch /pɜrtʃ/ noun [C]
@From their perches in the towers, the prison guards could see the entire prison yard.

60
Q

offspring

noun [C] /ˈɔf·sprɪŋ/ (plural offspring)

A

the young of an animal, or a person’s children:

@Champion horses have numerous offspring.

61
Q

precarious

adjective /prɪˈkeər·i·əs/

A

› in danger because not firmly fixed; likely to fall or suffer harm:
@I climbed onto a precarious platform to get a better view.
#precariously /prɪˈkeər·i·əs·li/ adverb
@The vase was precariously perched on a narrow shelf next to the door.

62
Q

quest

noun [C] /kwest/

A

› a long search for something that is difficult to find:

@a quest for the meaning of life

63
Q

profuse

adjective /prəˈfjus/

A

› large in amount
#profusion /prəˈfju·ʒən/ noun [U]
@a profusion of beautiful flowers

64
Q

infer

verb [T] /ɪnˈfɜr/ (-rr-)

A

› to reach an opinion from available information or facts:

@[+ that clause] He inferred that she was not interested in a relationship from what she said in her letter.

65
Q

thaw

verb [I] /θɔ/

A

› to cause something frozen and hard to become warmer and often softer or liquid:
@Remove the meat from the freezer and let it thaw.
@It may take a couple of hours to thaw out.

66
Q

keen

adjective [-er/-est only] /kin/

A

› (esp. of emotions and beliefs) strongly felt:

@a keen interest in painting

67
Q

brood

noun [C] (GROUP) /brud/

A

› a group of young birds all born at the same time, or infml a person’s children:
@(infml) I moved in with Annie and her brood.

68
Q

doom

noun [U] /dum/

A

death, destruction, or any very bad situation that cannot be avoided:
@A sense of doom hung over the entire country.

TOEFL iBT (1 decks)

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