Advanced English Vocabulary Flashcards
to make pain or suffering less intense or severe
alleviate
She needed something to alleviate the pain in her back
the study of the stars in the belief that they influence people’s lives
astrology
Jack, who studies astrology, believes that the stars can predict the future
to show the difference between things or people
differentiate
It was hard to differentiate between the identical twins
to prevent something or someone from working
disrupt
The car crash disrupted the class lecture.
a math operation to determine the value of something
equation
I used the Pythagorean theorem to solve the equation
to make a mistake
err
The pilot erred in his estimate of the time it would take to make the trip.
incorrect or only partly correct
erroneous
The child held the erroneous belief that time machines were real.
to behave in a wild way because they are frightened
frantic
The cat became frantic when I tried to give it a bath
he main body of a boat or tank
hull
After the wreck at sea, the ship ‘s hull was the last part to sink.
done without realizing what you are doing
inadvertent
She mode on inadvertent error when she knocked over the nail polish.
do it with whatever is available or without planning
improvise
There was no meat for the pizza, so we improvised with what was in the fridge.
distance from the equator
latitude
The device was able to tel! the traveler his exact latitude
a sailor
mariner
The old mariner used his telescope to find the shore.
a very large number of things or people
multitude
A multitude of people were waiting at the airport.
a person or thing that is annoying or causes a lot of problem
nuisance
The teenager considered her little brothers to be quite a nuisance.
ability of something to last forever
permanence
Poor results will threaten the permanence of the new teaching system.
to be the main feature or focus if sth
revolve
My life revolves around sports.
to calm someone who is angry or upset
soothe
The mother soothed her crying baby by rocking him in her arms.
prevented from leaving a place
Stranded
When the plane left, my sister and I were stranded in China.
likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly
volatile
The volatile volcano might explode at any moment.
demanding great effort or labor
arduous
The explorers began their arduous hike up the steep mountain.
to gain or achieve sth, often after a lot of effort.
attain
In two more years, I will attain my high school diploma.
to exist with it in the same time and place
Coexist
Our pets coexist at our home with tittle or no problems
to be able to imagine or believe sth
conceive
The child could not conceive the actual size of the Earth.
sth or someone not considered honest
dubious
The police thought that the man’s description of the crime was dubious.
a person’s sense of their own worth
ego
Kelly’s ego made her think that she was some kind of a superhero.
sth that stretches when it is pulled
elastic
He attached the elastic bungee to his legs before he jumped off the platform.
an attempt to do something, especially something new or original
endeavor
The company’s new advertising endeavor ended in a horrible failure.
cut a design or words into the surface of something
engrave
The couple engraved their names onto the old pine tree.
to dig on land and remove dirt to look for something
excavate
The team wishes to excavate the site in hopes of finding fossils.
having a tough, uneven shape or edge
jagged
The swimmer was hurt when he fell on the jagged rocks.
a small area or place where something specific happens
locale
The spa was the perfect locale for my mother to relax and enjoy her vacation.
a hollow container that is used to make certain shapes
mold
Using a cupcake mold will ensure that they come out just right.
open and direct
outright
Everyone knew that the boy’s story was an outright lie.
sth that relates to Earth
terrestrial
There are billions of terrestrial life forms.
violent and cruel
vicious
The vicious dog tried to bite the small child.
something or someone that is ridiculous
absurd
That group of people making animal noises sounds completely absurd.
the highest class of people in certain societies
aristocracy
Most members of the aristocracy were very well-fed.
nice or special clothing
attire
Everyone wore their best attire to the president’s daughter’s wedding.
a brief and popular activity or object
craze
Wearing bright red socks was a craze when I was in high school.
a unique characteristic of something
hallmark
Different types of pasta and tomato sauces are hallmarks of Italian food
a thick piece of soft material used to protect or clean things
pad
Football players wear shoulder pads to keep them safe.
having a good reputation
reputable
The service from the less than reputable company made her angry.
to be a symbol of something
signify
A red octagon is used to signify to stop.
a thin long piece of fabric used to fasten, carry, or hold something
Strap
She put the strap of her purse over her shoulder and walked out of the door.
excessive pride or love of one’s own appearance or things one has done
vanity
vanity won’t allow her to pass a mirror without looking at herself.
to compete against others for sth
vie
The three boys vied for the prize in the chemistry contest.
sth or someone rude or lacking in style
vulgar
Her vulgar behavior got her into trouble with her parents.
a thick, solid piece of something
chunk
When they broke open the rockt they saw it was filled with chunks of gold.
related to a town or city, especially its government
Civic
Most of the important civic buildings are located downtown.
a movement downwards.
descent
During the space shuttle’s descent, the Earth became larger and larger.
loud, unpleasant, and extended noise
din
The din of the rusty machinery made the factory a horrible place to work
fail to please someone
dissatisfy
He was dissatisfied with his meal.
excited or annoyed behavior that is not useful in any way
fuss
The child made an awful fuss because she didn’t want to go to bed.
high quality and more expensive than regular food
gourmet
In order to get a gourmet meal, you have to eat at an expensive restaurant.
a bad experience
ordeal
Driving in the snowstorm was an ordeal she’d never forget.
not afraid to say what they think
outspoken
She was an outspoken critic about the new banking laws.
sth that tastes or smells strong and sharp
pungent
The garlic made the soup taste so pungent that the chef wouldn’t serve it.
in the best or most complete way
soundly
The nearest opponent was ten meters behind. She won the race soundly.
to switch back and forth between two things
alternate
The best exercise alternates muscle arid heart strengthening.
to burn something so that it turns black
char
While Frank went inside to get the mustard, he accidentally charred the hotdogs.
to make something easier to understand by explaining it.
clarify
Drew tried to clarify all the functions of Michelle’s new computer.
the feeling of being upset or worried
distress
Failing a class caused the student a lot of distress.
When someone’s actions are …, they try hard to continue something.
dogged
Her dad bought her a new jacket after her dogged requests for one.
to happen after something.
ensue
After a few minutes of lightening, thunder ensued.
to make a noise by quickly breathing in when surprised
gasp
John always gasps when watching a scary movie.
act of making someone do or believe something
Persuasion
The persuasion of his argument convinced the customer to buy the laptop.
a race in which teams of runners or swimmers race against each other.
relay
Jerry was the fastest on his team, so he ran the last part of the relay.
a feeling of not wanting to do something
reluctance
Jesse took out the trash with great reluctance.
to say it again or in a different way
restate
Mrs. Jones restated the test question to the class.
to drink a small amount at a time
Sip
Liza relaxed on the beach, sipping fruit Juice through a straw.
cautious or mistrusting
wary
She was wary of going to school because she hadn’t done her homework.
to be unable to decide between two choices
waver
I wavered between eating the apple or the cake for a snack.
going from water to the land
ashore
After a long day of fishing, Glen pulled his boat ashore, so it wouldn’t float away
to state the opposite of what someone else has
contradict
Ken was always fighting with his little sister because she kept contradicting him.
something that is very similar to something else in what it does
counterpart
Our manager will meet our rival company’s counterpart later today.
When something or someone is … of a thing, they are missing it.
devoid
The movie was devoid of any violence, so it was a perfect movie for the family.
to become different or to follow a different direction
diverge
The road diverged into two paths that led to our houses.
to avoid being caught by something
elude
The rabbit eluded the wolf by hiding in a bush.
to push sth away and avoid it
fend off
Dave spent all night fending off bugs instead of sleeping.
made up and not real
fictitious
The author said that the characters in her book were completely fictitious.
a newspaper
gazette
Alice wants to write for a gazette when she’s older.
to move down into something very quickly
plunge
The water in the pool was very cold, but the boy plunged in anyway.
to make something get a lot of attention
publicize
The company publicized the job positions in the newspaper.
If something is …, there is not very much of it in a big area.
sparse
Rob spent Saturday in his garden, clearing out the sparse weeds.
an extra amount of something
surplus
The store sold their surplus items on sale.
to develop ideas about something
theorize
They enjoyed theorizing about how things worked.
to find out if something is true
verify
Julian called the movie theater to verify that the movie started at nine.
using a lot of energy
vigorous
Henry uses vigorous exercise to keep himself in shape.
a table used in churches
altar
The altar had many lit candles on it.
the study of plants
botany
Gardens are the best places for botany.
sth that can be believed or trusted
credible
Dick gave a credible reason for being late and didn’t get in any trouble.
To … sth is to figure out what it says
decipher
My teacher complained that she couldn’t decipher my essay.
solid waste material produced by animals
dung
There was cow dung all over the field.
the time in the evening when it begins to get dark
dusk
After duskf Hannah would catch fireflies in the park.
to please someone
gratify
Bonnie was gratified after receiving her gift from her parents.
to improve sth and make it very good
hone
Lisa honed her chess skills by hours and hours of practice.
to crush sth so that it is soft
mash
We mashed the hard potatoes and served them for dinner.
decorated with a lot of fancy things
ornate
Kim’s prom dress was very expensive since it was so ornate.
someone who knows what will happen or what people think
psychic
I think my grandmother has psychic abilities because she can predict anything.
The … of something is how many people or things it relates to.
scope
Modern history has a wide scope.
evil
sinister
Bad guys in most movies have sinister laughs.
disagreement or fighting between people or groups
strife
There was a lot of strife between Jim and Lisa about what TV show to watch.
someone who takes and delivers mail or packages
courier
Before trains, most couriers used horses to travel.
the group of rules about how to be polite
etiquette
When in Asian countries, bowing is a form of etiquette.
a set of items carried on a train, boat, or airplane
freight
Trade ships only carried valuable freight like silk and spices.
a piece of clothing
garment
The business man had all of his garments cleaned before the important meeting.
knowing about something without naturally having support or proof.
intuitive
Rhonda had an intuitive feeling that Shane wasn’t coming to school today.
Likely to do or to be something
liable
During the summer months, hikers in the forest are liable to see deer and elk
to think about sth all of the time
obsess
After watching the Star Wars movies, Ike obsessed about becoming a ledi.
When something is …, it is over the side of a boat and in the water.
overboard
Tom and Gary slipped on the wet floor and fell overboard.
a payment that is higher than average
premium
Tony paid for premium gas because it made his car run the best.
to push or move sth somewhere
propel
The strong wind propelled the leaf through the air and across the street.
to have a good time with people
Socialize
I like to socialize with my classmates after school.
to prevent sth from happening
suppress
She suppressed her urge to scream because she didn’t want to be noticed.
make them anxious or worried
unsettle
The dark clouds in the sky unsettled Beth.
to become bent into the wrong shape
warp
The woman put the clock above the fireplace, and the heat warped it.
the act of becoming worse
deterioration
The lack of care led to the deterioration of the house.
something or someone that are hard to find
elusive
The elusive fish only came out at night.
to look around for food
forage
Many animals hide food in the fall since little can be foraged in winter.
to keep sthfrom moving or going forward
impede
The barrier impeded our ability to get closer to the building.
to make sth happen
induce
Running without good shoes may induce leg pain.
sth that is incorrect
invalid
Astronomers use telescopes to magnify far-away stars.
a group of ideas that are considered normal and accepted
mainstream
Before punk rock music became part of the mainstream, only a few people liked it.
a menu having individual dishes listed with separate prices
a la carte
based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment
a priori
“an a priori judgment”
by ordering items listed individually on a menu
a la carte
“we ate a la carte”
by surprise
aback
“taken aback by the caustic remarks”
Behave in a way that belittles or degrades (someone), lower and humble oneself
abase
I watched my colleagues abasing themselves before the board of trustees
derived by logic, without observed facts
a priori
forsake; leave behind
abandon
“We abandoned the old car in the empty parking lot”
give up with the intent of never claiming again
abandon
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
aback
“the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback”
having unlimited choices with a separate price for each item
a la carte
leave behind empty; move out of
abandon
The sites are usually abandoned, leaving the land infertile and the water polluted.
reasoned from a general principle to a necessary effect
a priori
sung without instrumental accompaniment
a cappella
“they sang an a cappella Mass”
without musical accompaniment
a cappella
“they performed a cappella”
cause to be embarrassed
abash
I showed them it was sugar and they looked abashed.
become less in amount or intensity
abate
Still, the storm shows few signs of abating.
make less active or intense
abate
Surgery on the right ear diminished but did not completely abate her symptoms, so she underwent surgery on the left ear.
the act of making less active or intense
abatement
The lawsuit is part of the city’s push to expand its nuisance abatement effort, which targets properties that are sources of drugs and gangs.
an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
abatement
give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors
abdicate
“The King abdicated when he married a divorcee”
take away to an undisclosed location against their will
abduct
‘the millionaire who disappeared may have been abducted’
pull away from the body
abduct
markedly different from an accepted norm
aberrant
This somewhat aberrant behaviour requires an explanationIndeed, it was aberrant of him to accept the job
one whose behavior departs from the norm of a group
aberrant
assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
abet
to abet a crime.
temporary cessation or suspension
abeyance
Let’s hold that problem in abeyance for a while.
find repugnant
abhor
“She abhors cats”
dwell
abide
to abide in a small Scottish village.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
abide
I can’t abide dishonesty!
of the most contemptible kind
abject
“abject cowardice”
most unfortunate or miserable
abject
“the most abject slaves joined in the revolt”
showing utter resignation or hopelessness
abject
“abject surrender”
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
abjure
In a sober ceremony, the Mexica abjured their old religion and embraced Christianity.
wear away through erosion or vaporization
ablate
to ablate a metal surface with intense heat
remove an organ or bodily structure
ablate
the ritual washing of a priest’s hands or of sacred vessels
ablution
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
abode
housing that someone is living in
abode
Their house was more like a small castle than a humble abode.
to do away with; put an end to
abolish
to abolish slavery.
unequivocally detestable
abominable
an abominable crime
exceptionally bad or displeasing
abominable
The weather was abominable last week.
having existed from the beginning
aboriginal
relating to people inhabiting a region from the beginning
aboriginal
an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
aboriginal
failing to accomplish an intended result
abortive
the rebel officers who led the abortive coup were shot
exist in large quantities
abounda
stream in which trout abound.The region abounds in coal.
alongside each other, facing in the same direction
abreast
They walked two abreast down the street.
being up to date in knowledge
abreast
to keep abreast of scientific developments
lessen, diminish, or curtail; to deprive; cut off
abridge
to abridge a visit; to abridge one’s freedom.
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
abridge
to abridge a reference book.
to or in a foreign country
abroad
in a place across an ocean
abroad
far away from home or one’s usual surroundings
abroad
revoke formally, to put aside formally, put an end to
abrogate
to abrogate a law.
exceedingly sudden and unexpected
abrupt
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
abrupt
surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner
abrupt
You were rather abrupt with that young man.
Many of the e-mails that I receive are written in an extremely rude and abrupt tone.
run away, often taking something or somebody along, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution
abscond
The cashier absconded with the money.
grant remission of a sin to
absolve
The first sequence spoke to me of how merciful God is for absolving my transgressions.
excuse or free from blame
absolve
The court absolved her of guilt in his death.
choose not to consume
abstain
to abstain from eating meat.
refrain from voting
abstain
a referendum in which two delegates abstained.
existing only in the mind
abstract
not representing or imitating external reality
abstract
dealing with a subject without a practical purpose
abstract
hard to understand
abstruse
Now, this is not an abstruse philosophical distinction that we are seeking to make.
We are talking about design and visual culture here, after all, not abstruse aspects of philosophy.
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
abut
This piece of land abuts on a street.
resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be immeasurable
abysmal
‘waterfalls that plunge into abysmal depths’
limitless or extremely bad
abysmal
But many schools serving the poor are of such abysmal quality that many children drop out of school in frustration.
a bottomless gulf or pit
abyss
yield to another’s wish or opinion
accede
The authorities did not accede to the strikers’ demand.
agree or express agreement
accede
to accede to a request; to accede to the terms of a contract.
take on duties or office
accede
Her first official visits came before she acceded to the throne.
stress or single out as important
accentuate
put stress on
accentuate
the act of attaining a new office or right or position
accession
accession to the throne.
the right to enter
accession
the right to all of that which your property produces
accession
a supplementary component that improves capability
accessory
an article worn to complement one’s main clothing
accessory
someone who helps another person commit a crime
accessory
enthusiastic approval
acclaim
acclaim the new king.
clap one’s hands or shout to indicate approval
acclaim
to acclaim the conquering heroes.
get used to a certain environment
acclimate
‘He has not yet acclimated to when our days and nights are.’
an upward slope or grade, as in a road
acclivity
‘Here and there, towers were perched high up on acclivities which seemed almost inaccessible.’
have room for; hold without crowding
accommodate
provide with something desired or needed
accommodate
