Advanced English Vocabulary Set 1 Flashcards
Democrats _______ the President’s budget plan for being ‘inadequate’.
to criticize someone or something very strongly， usually in public
lambasted
the black ______ water of the lake
stinking
fetid
Even a ______ glance at the figures will tell you that sales are down.
done very quickly without much attention to details
cursory
On-line instruction is a useful _______ to the real thing.
something that is added or joined to something that is bigger or more important
adjunct
a ________ argument for banning the drug
reasonable and correct
cogent
the desperate _____ of the flood victims
a very bad situation
plight
He’s a reserved， ________ person.
saying little， especially habitually
taciturn
someone who is _______ is fat and has a red face
rubicund
He _______ the letter from my grasp.
to violently pull something away from someone
wrested
She was confronted by a man ________ a knife.
to hold a weapon or tool and look as if you are going to use it
wielding
made of or looking like glass
vitreous
I was never _______ ___ conversations between top management.
to be told information that is not told to many people
privy to
relating to or happening in the spring
vernal
The book contains _______ descriptive passages.
extremely good， beautiful or enjoyable
sublime
These salesmen are a _______ lot.
thinking quickly and cleverly， especially in business or financial matters
canny
His contract _________ him ___ discussing his work with anyone outside the company.
prevent someone from doing something
precludes from
Despite his kindly， sometimes _______ air， he was a shrewd observer of people.
unusual and strange in a way that might be amusing or annoying
whimsical
It was a _____ move to buy your house just before property prices started to rise.
well judged and likely to be right
shrewd
Other economists are more ________ about the possibility of inflation.
happy and hopeful about the future
sanguine
Can atheists be buried in _________ ground?
holy
hallowed
________ icons such as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean
very respected and praised because of great importance or great age
hallowed
Stop pestering me with your _______ theories!
difficult to understand
abstruse
The year 1969 was a _______ in her life - she changed her career and changed her partner.
an event or period which is important because it represents a big change in how people do or think about something
watershed
It is unlikely that his forces could withstand an allied __________ for very long.
a powerful attack
onslaught
He simply _________ the same story.
to use the same ideas again in a new form that is not really different or better
rehashed
This issue has been ________ so many times already.
to repeat something that was discussed earlier， especially in an annoying way
rehashed
Despite her ________ about leaving the baby， she decided to accompany her husband.
a feeling of doubt or fear
misgivings
Despite my _______， I took the job.
a feeling of slight worry or doubt because you are not sure that what you are doing is right
qualms
a ______ little village in Yorkshire
unusual and attractive， especially in an old-fashioned way
quaint
if a crowd of people _______ someone， they kill them， especially by hanging them， without using the usual legal process
lynches
She made a sharp ________
a quick and clever remark， often made in answer to a criticism
riposte
an amount of money paid regularly to someone， especially a priest， as a salary or as money to live on
stipend
It will be my first ______ ____ local government.
a short attempt at doing a particular job or activity， especially one that is very different from what you usually do
foray into
The soldiers were _______ ____ by machine gun fire.
to kill large numbers of people at the same time， especially by shooting them
mown down
He was sentenced to two years in prison for _______ _____ a nine-year old girl.
to kill someone by driving into them fast
mowing down
He was attacked and _______ by a bull.
wounded by an animal with its horns or tusks
gored
He likes movies with plenty of blood and _______
thick dark blood that has flowed from a wound
gore
Come on， I want to hear all the _____ details.
all the details about an unpleasant or interesting event
gory
She was feeling very _____
horny
randy
He was totally _______ by his father.
to make someone feel respect or fear， so that they are nervous or unable to say or do anything
overawed
The terrible experience seemed to have _________ him slightly.
to make someone become very upset or mentally ill
unhinged
Perl and Unix are __________ to the computing world
an action which harms something or someone
disservices
She _________ the cause of religious freedom.
publicly fight for and defend an aim or principle
championed
The large raise that he gave himself _________ his motives for running the charity.
to lower the quality or esteem of something
debased
a child who has a key to his or her home and is often alone at home after school has finished for the day because his or her parents are out at work
latchkey kid
sad because the person you love does not love you
lovelorn
a picture of the sea
seascape
Her fear of dogs is a _______ from her childhood.
an action， feeling， or idea that has continued from the past into the present
holdover
The twins were identical but their personalities were ______
unconnected， separate
discrete
When things are all jumbled up together， they’re said to be ________， which means not separated or sorted
indiscrete
After you’ve been in a relationship for a while all sorts of little secrets start to come out of the __________
to appear after having been hidden or not active for a long time
woodwork
the usual _______ romantic comedy
which lacks new ideas and sincerity， or is too often repeated and therefore not amusing or interesting
cornball
someone who lacks experience of something
greenhorn
Lindows is an operating system for Microsoft haters and _________. Its flaws make Windows seem like a genuine bargain.
someone who spends as little money as possible - used to show disapproval
cheapskates
a spirit of perfect _______
friendship， especially between countries
amity
He sued the police after they ________ his car.
confiscate
impounded
She shows a ______ disregard for danger.
happy， without worry
blithe
There’s been a steady decline in _________ industries such as shipbuilding and steel.
traditional industries that produce large machines and lot of pollution
smokestack
All this may sound a bit _________， but companies are already developing ‘intelligent’ homes.
extremely unlikely to be true or to happen
far-fetched
The task of proving Fermat’s “last” theorem remains _________.
hard to deal with
nettlesome
I hope the people we couldn’t invite don’t see it as a ______.
deliberate affront
snub
describes a nose which is short and turns up at the end
snub nose
Smoking is a particular _________ of his.
a particular thing that annoys or upsets you
bugbear
a person who influences the choice of people for powerful positions within an organization
kingmaker
Describing a person as being thin and bony， having prominent bones， rugged but not necessarily handsome.
rawboned
I’ve known this material for a long time， so the test on it should be a ________.
something that is easy or simple， or does not present any great challenge
cakewalk
He went to work on Saturday to try to work through the ________ of papers on his desk.
a large amount of things that you should have done before and must do now
backlog
a factory where coal is made into gas for use as fuel for heating and cooking
gasworks
A cocktail made from spirit plus soda water etc.
highball
Time will tell whether he is a ________ or a genius for promoting that sort of idea.
An eccentric， crazy or foolish person.
crackpot
The papers had some ________ version of the story.
very unclear and confusing
garbled
_______ animals used to live with humans but have become wild
feral
The normally _____ Mr James was photographed smiling and joking with friends.
unfriendly， unhappy and very serious
dour
After a sudden burst of activity， the team lapsed back into _______.
laziness
indolence
The ______ girl resisted doing her homework.
lazy
indolent
The author’s ______ style has done nothing to encourage sales of the book.
using too many words and therefore boring or difficult to read
prolix
Now that you’ve_______ doubts in my mind， I’ll never again be sure I can trust him.
to cause a bad emotion or condition to begin somewhere， which will grow or continue
sown
He had a few _______ of hair on his chin， but you could hardly call it a beard.
a number of short pieces of especially hair or grass which closely grow together or are held together near the base
tufts
She was trying to be friendly， but she just seemed ______ and insincere.
polite in an insincere way - used to show disapproval
smarmy
He’s got that lovely Irish ______ in his voice.
a gentle and pleasant rising and falling sound in a person’s voice
lilt
The NT interface is great for its ______ properties
causing vomiting
emetic
Members of the Irish delegation staged a __________
an occasion when people stop working or leave a meeting as a protest
walk-out.
Abraham was able to act as interpreter and _________ for our group.
someone who is involved in a conversation and who is representing someone else
interlocutor
to put someone or something into a high rank or position
exalt
I felt shy in such ________ company.
having a very high rank and highly respected
exalted
a ________ study of eighteenth-century France
important， and influences the way things develop in the future
seminal
The confession was obtained under _______.
illegal or unfair threats
duress
She ______ all offers of help.
to refuse to accept something or someone， especially because you are too proud
spurned
The book includes some memorably seedy characters and ________ descriptions.
offensive or shocking， because describing or showing sex
scabrous
He didn’t like the look of the ______ characters who were hanging around outside the bar.
looking dirty or in bad condition and likely to be involved in immoral activities
seedy
Anthony will be in the VIP lounge where he doesn’t have to mix with the ___ _____
ordinary people
hoi polloi
You kind of lose whatever ____ __ _____ you were supposed to be getting from your runner’s high.
a feeling of great happiness and enjoyment of life
joie de vivre
We deal with problems on an ___ ____ basis
not planned， but arranged or done only when necessary
ad hoc
in its original position or place
in situ
She leant forward to _______ the document more closely.
to read something， especially in a careful way
peruse
Pop music these days is so ______.
lacking a strong taste or character
bland
The lack of rain has _________ the crops.
to become dry， smaller and covered with lines as if by crushing or folding， or to make something do this
shrivelled
A couple of boys were ________ over the table reading magazines.
to stand， sit or walk with the shoulders hanging forward and the head bent slightly over so that you look tired and bored
slouched
The fighting in the area shows no sign of _______.
to become less strong
abating
the _______ talents of this comedian
easily and continually changing; variable
protean
He was silent all through the meal and then had the ________ to complain that I looked bored!
extreme rudeness
effrontery
She’s a ________ of knowledge about our family history.
a person who has， or a book that contains， a lot of information or detailed knowledge
repository
The General and his _______ are now awaiting trial for drug-smuggling.
a friend， or a person who works for someone in authority， especially one who is willing to give and receive dishonest help
cronies
She ________ him and he fell against the bar.
to hit someone hard with the fist
slugged
a class of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ five year olds someone who makes a lot of noise and has a lot of energy
boisterous
We’d been up __________ till the early hours and were exhausted.
to enjoy yourself by drinking alcohol and speaking and laughing loudly in a group of people
carousing
She’s inherited from her father a __________ ___ talk too much.
a tendency towards a particular way of behaving， especially a bad one
propensity to
I saw Anna at the other end of the room， _____________ in a red sequined cocktail dress.
having a very bright or splendid appearance
resplendent
He wasn’t his usual _______ self.
very energetic， positive and happy
ebullient
His prison sentence was ___________ to two years.
to reduce a period of time that someone must spend in prison
remitted
He was given three months’ __________ for good behaviour.
a reduction of the time that a person has to stay in prison
remission
I ________ at the prospect of spending four hours on a train with him.
to be unwilling to do something or to allow something to happen
balked
Having narrow views on moral matters; prudish.
straitlaced
offensive slang: an institution for the mentally ill.
bughouse
Unfortunately， everything is being done __________.
not done according to a plan but done at different times in different ways
piecemeal
Her mother， who couldn’t have been much more than thirty， looked old and _________.
appearing tired， worried and unhappy
careworn
She _________ her achievements.
to make something seem less important or less serious than it really is
underplays
You can’t _________ around when it comes to keeping kids safe.
to be too careful and frightened to do something
pussyfoot
someone who makes insurance contracts
underwriter
I could tell from his ________ look that things had gone badly.
an expression that shows you feel sorry or ashamed about something
hangdog
The number of _________ has risen alarmingly this year.
to take control of a flying aircraft by force， usually in order to make political demands
skyjackings
a low wide container used as a toilet by someone who is too ill to get out of bed
bedpan
Most of the money is spent on the __________ of the building.
the process of keeping something in good condition
upkeep
photographs of sexually attractive young women wearing very few clothes， or the women who appear in such photographs
cheesecake
The strike was _________ by the ambitious union president， who wanted to get his name into newspapers.
provoke
instigated
Smoking is a _________ habit in every sense.
harmful， offensive
noxious
When we gave Jenny our house， our car， and all our clothes， her gratitude was ___________
flowing， extravagant
profuse
Terrorists commit _________ acts on a helpless populace to make point.
malicious， unjustifiable
wanton
He found it very hard teaching a class full of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ teenagers. not caring about or interested in someone or something
indifferent
an ________ island in the Pacific
not known to many people
obscure
A trial must be fair and ________.
not supporting any of the sides involved in an argument
impartial
Nelson Mandela is __________ for his brave fight against apartheid.
to greatly respect and admire someone or something
revered
The government’s economic policy has been __________ on all sides.
to criticize something or someone strongly and publicly
denounced
The fashion industry is always desperate to ________.
to introduce changes and new ideas
innovate
The two presidents have had _________ talks about the current crisis.
truthful and honest， especially about something difficult or painful
candid
It’s quite _________ trying to reason with him - he just won’t listen.
having no effect or achieving nothing; unsuccessful
futile
He would have to find work to ________ his income.
to increase the size or value of something by adding something to it
augment
There have been rumours that he has been _______ with company funds.
wasteful with money
prodigal
She gave a clear and _______ account of her plans for the company’s future.
clearly expressed and easy to understand
lucid
At school she had complete __________ for all her teachers.
a strong feeling of combined dislike and lack of respect
contempt
Their lawyer was extremely ______ in preparing their case.
careful and using a lot of effort
diligent
A note of _______ has crept into relations between the two countries.
a lack of agreement or shared opinions
discord
As a waiter you want to be pleasant to people without appearing totally _______.
too eager to serve and please someone else in a way that shows a lack of respect for yourself
servile
Quit the ______ apologies - I know you don’t really care.
pretending to have sincere feelings
pious
If only she’d been called ‘Camilla’ or ‘Flavia’ instead of the _______ ‘Jane’.
lacking interest， imagination and variety; boring
prosaic
an ______ observer of human behaviour
clever and quick to see how to take advantage of a situation
astute
It is illegal for public officials to ________ gifts or money in exchange for favours.
to ask someone for money， information or help
solicit
There is only _______ evidence of his involvement.
not enough
scanty
As in so many offices that you see， the walls and furniture are a _______ grey.
the same; not varying or different in any way
uniform
The organization _________ promotes the use of violence.
shocking because of being so obvious
flagrantly
With a little _____ she might get what she wanted.
the use of clever but dishonest methods to deceive someone
guile
The home team ____________ a number of chances in the first half.
to carelessly waste money， time， opportunities etc
squandered
a killer’s ________ mind
completely evil or morally unacceptable
depraved
conversations about the most ________ subjects
ordinary and not interesting
banal
strategies to ________ the decision-making process
speed up
expedite
a speech _________ the merits of free enterprise
to praise something very much
extolling
Measures need to be taken to ___________ the environmental effects of burning more coal.
to make a situation or the effects of something less unpleasant， harmful， or serious
mitigate
These voices of _________ grew louder.
refusal to agree with an official decision or accepted opinion
dissent
a meeting covering many _________ subjects
consisting of things or people that are very different and not related to each other
disparate
therapy to prevent the leg muscles from ____________
become weak because of lack of use or lack of blood
atrophying
Your summary should be as clear and _______ as possible.
short， with no unnecessary words
concise
The company has been _____ in carrying out its duties.
not strict or careful enough about standards of behaviour， work， safety etc
lax
Quinn charmed _________ investors out of millions of dollars.
always believing what you are told， and therefore easily deceived
credulous
Gradually the different groups of people __________ into one dominant racial group.
combine to form one single group
coalesced
This decision should not be seen as _________.
never changing or impossible to change
immutable
a ______ note at the end of the letter
having a meaning that is mysterious or not easily understood
cryptic
a brief moment of _______ amid the solemn proceedings
amusement or lack of seriousness， especially during a serious occasion
levity
Oil prices have remained ________ for the last few months.
staying in one place without moving， or not changing for a long time
static
Children have an _______ ability to learn language.
something you are born with
innate
The work was tiring and ________.
continues for a long time and is not interesting
tedious
Eliot appreciated Pound’s _________ wit
criticizes someone in a way that is unkind but often cleverly humorous
caustic
The driver was an _________ young man.
friendly and easy to like
amiable
For 25 years， Darwin __________ evidence to support his theories.
gradually collect a large amount
amassed
It might be ________ to get a virus detector for the network.
sensible and careful， especially by trying to avoid unnecessary risks
prudent
Salmon populations have been severely ________.
to reduce the amount of something that is present or available
depleted
The present crisis is the result of years of ______ neglect by the council.
done intentionally or (of a person) determined to do exactly as you want， even if you know it is wrong
wilful
British public schools are regarded as one of the last \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of upper-class privilege. something which maintains or defends especially a belief or a way of life that is disappearing or threatened
bastions
Local people were ________ about the damage caused by the hurricane.
determined not to complain or show your feelings， especially when something bad happens to you
stoical
a _______ apology
feeling guilty and sorry for something bad that you have done
contrite
Good lighting will ________ any room.
to improve something
enhance
There was something _________ about his actions.
behaving as if you want to keep something secret
furtive
He confessed to the murder but later _________ his statement.
say that you did not mean it
retracted
Nothing could_________ his guilt.
to make an unpleasant feeling less painful or severe
assuage
Despite __________ opposition， the Act became law.
showing very strong feelings or opinions
vehement
She tried to rouse him from the ________ into which he had sunk.
a state of being not active because you are lazy or sleepy
torpor
an unpredictable and ______ lover
always changing their mind about people or things that they like， so that you cannot depend on them
fickle
The building ________ the style of architecture which was popular at the time.
to be a very typical example of something
exemplifies
The dish had a ________ hint of ginger.
not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention
subtle
He shook his head in _______ amusement.
kind and gentle
benign
a ________ of information
less than is needed of something
paucity
The policy of charging air travellers for vegetarian meals proved unpopular and has already been ________.
to make a law， agreement， order or decision no longer have any (legal) power
rescinded
Outside the tent I could hear the constant _______ of insects.
a low continuous noise which does not change its note
drone
Sadly， the text is _______ by careless errors.
to spoil something， making it less perfect or less enjoyable
marred
The baby took my finger in its __________ little fist.
holding tightly onto something， or keeping an opinion in a determined way
tenacious
Traffic will be _________ through the side streets while the main road is resurfaced.
to cause something or someone to change direction
diverted
a ________ infection
caused or spread by sexual activity with another person
venereal
The _________ of these two companies would create the world’s biggest accounting firm.
when two or more companies join together
merger
I’ve never considered my disability a _________， but other people have.
something which makes it more difficult for you to do something or for something to develop
hindrance
She’s too ________ to heat the house properly.
not willing to spend money or give something
parsimonious
The audience was very _________， and refused to listen to the her speech.
strongly supporting a person， principle or political party， often without considering or judging the matter very carefully
partisan
