Book 4 Flashcards
adj
responsible for the effects of his or her
actions.
accountable
/əˈkaʊn.t̬ə.bəl/
Political leaders are accountable to the people they represent.
adj
something that can be difficult to stop using or doing
addictive
/əˈdɪk.tɪv/
I think this game is very addictive.
n
a plan or goal that guides someone’s behavior.
agenda
/əˈdʒen.də/
The man is pushing his questionable agenda on his colleagues.
V
to create a new word or phrase that other people begin to use.
coin
/kɔɪn/
The coach coined the phrase, “There is no ‘l’in team.”
V
to have a close connection to something.
correlate
/ˈkɔːr.ə.leɪt/
Scientists believe that brain size might correlate with intelligence.
n
a medical condition that makes a person very unhappy for long periods of time.
depression
/ˈkɔːr.ə.leɪt/
Ron decided to get help for his depression.
adj
characterized by computer technology.
digital
/ˈdɪdʒ.ə.t̬əl/
Students prefer to take notes on their laptops and other digital devices.
n
the quality or state of being important, valuable, or significant.
importance
/ɪmˈpɔːr.təns/
The professor lectured the students on the importance of communication strategies.
n
it has buttons marked with letters and numbers that are pressed to put information into a computer.
keyboard
/ˈkiː.bɔːrd/
Paul spilled coffee all over his keyboard.
n
the unhappiness that is felt by someone if they do not have any friends.
loneliness
/ˈloʊn.li.nəs/
Many people join social clubs to escape loneliness.
n
the different ways of entertaining and giving information to the public.
media
/ˈmiː.di.ə/
Many people like to express their opinions online using social media.
n
an opportunity to make your ideas or beliefs known publicly
platform
/ˈplæt.fɔːrm/
The band uses their music as a platform to express their political beliefs.
adj
not as good as it could or should be.
poor
/pʊr/
The condition of the sidewalk is very poor.
n
the fact that someone or something is in a place:
presence
/ˈprez.əns/
The researcher discovered the presence of bacteria in the water sample.
V
to cause or force someone or something to experience something harmful or unpleasant.
subject
/ˈsʌb.dʒekt/
The location of the trees will subject them to strong winds from the hurricane.
n
a sudden, large increase in something.
surge
/sɝːdʒ/
All at once, there was a surge of runners at the finish line.
n
a set of questions that are asked to a large number of people in order to find out about opinions.
survey
/ˈsɝː.veɪ/
I filled out a survey about my shopping experience at the department store.
V
to aim an attack at someone or something.
target
/ˈtɑːr.ɡɪt/
Scientists are looking for new drugs to target cancer cells.
n
a general tendency in the way a situation is changing or developing.
trend
/trend/
Lucy likes to think she started this fashion trend.
V
to make someone feel that his or her ideas and feelings are respected.
validate
/ˈvæl.ə.deɪt/
Winning first prize will validate all of Tony’s hard work.
n
a chemical element that exists in its pure form as diamond or graphite, and is an important part of other substances such as coal and oil, as well as being contained in all plants and animals
carbon
/ˈkɑːr.bən/
Carbon is found in coal.
n
a gas made from one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
carbon dioxide
/ˌkɑːr.bən daɪˈɑːk.saɪd/
There is carbon dioxide in the smoke from coal power plants.
n
very small, dry particles of earth or sand
dust
/dʌst/
Some people wear medical face masks to avoid breathing in fine dust and germs.
V
to send out gas, heat, light, sound, etc.
emit
/iˈmɪt/
This iron emits steam.
V
to make it possible for something to happen.
enable
/ɪˈneɪ.bəl/
Studying hard will enable the girl to get a good job.
V
to break something into small pieces or powder.
grind
/ɡraɪnd/
We grind wheat to make flour.
V
to become healthy or well again.
heal
/hiːl/
This ointment will help heal your wounds.
V
to make something a part of another larger thing.
integrate
/ˈɪn.t̬ə.ɡreɪt/
More women are being integrated into the military.
adj
When something is …, it is the most advanced or best.
leading
/ˈliː.dɪŋ/
Teresa is the leading expert on brain surgery for dogs.
adv
used to introduce information that adds to or supports what has previously been said.
moreover
/ˌmɔːrˈoʊ.vɚ/
Marianne likes to walk to work to save money; moreover, it is good exercise.
V
to feel or say that you oppose or disapprove of something.
object
/ˈɑːb.dʒɪkt/
The students object to raising the tuition.
n
a substance that makes the air or water not safe for use.
pollutant
/pəˈluː.t̬ənt/
A pollutant in the water killed this fish.
n
a dry substance in the form of very small grains.
powder
/ˈpaʊ.dɚ/
Tumeric is a yellow powder used in cooking.
V
to cause someone to do something.
prompt
/prɑːmpt/
The tight deadline will prompt the employee to work very hard.
V
to refuse to accept, believe in, or agree with something.
reject
/rɪˈdʒekt/
I’m afraid the teacher will reject my new idea.
adj
a person who disagrees with particular claims that are generally thought to be true.
skeptic
/ˈskep.tɪk/
Kevin is a skeptic because he never believes anyone or anything.
(UK usually sceptic)
n
a particular type of solid, liquid, or gas.
substance
/ˈsʌb.stəns/
Arsenic is a poisonous substance.
adv
If something changes ….., it changes a lot.
substantially
/ˈsʌb.stəns/
The price of the apartment went up substantially.
n
a unit for measuring weight equal to 2000 pounds or 907.2 kilograms.
ton
/tʌn/
This dump truck can carry up to 25 tons.
n
the system or method of carrying passengers or goods from one place to another.
transport
/ˈtræn.spɔːrt/
Cargo ships are used for the transport of manufactured goods.
V
to support a political group, country, or person that you agree with.
align
/əˈlaɪn/
The crowd seemed to align themselves with the protestors.
n
someone who has the power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws.
authority
/əˈθɔːr.ə.t̬i/
The local police department is the authority whenever large crowds gather.
n
a large farm building that houses crops, equipment, and animals.
barn
/bɑːrn/
My grandparents keep hay in their red barn.
V
to be disloyal to someone who trusts you.
betray
/bɪˈtreɪ/
The four friends would never betray each other’s trust.
n
the book of sacred writing in the Christian religion.
Bible
/ˈbaɪ.bəl/
I read the Bible every night before I go to sleep.
Greek (ta) biblia ‘(the) books’, from biblion ‘book’, originally a diminutive of biblos ‘papyrus, scroll’, of Semitic origin.
adj
connected with the Roman Church.
Catholic
/ˈkæθ.əl.ɪk/
Rosanne is Catholic, so she goes to church every Sunday.
from the Greek adjective, katholikos, meaning “universal,” and from the adverbial phrase, kath’ holou, meaning “on the whole.”
V
to work with someone to achieve something that you both want.
cooperate
/koʊˈɑː.pə.reɪt/
The members of the team agreed to cooperate in order to get the project done.
V
to officially prevent someone from leaving a place.
detain
/dɪˈteɪn/
The police had to detain the thief for shoplifting.
n
something that is used as a way to get out of a place.
exit
/ˈek.sɪt/ /ˈeɡ.zɪt/
The green sign shows where the exit is located.
adj
outstanding thing or person
exceptional
/ɪkˈsep.ʃən.əl/
Holly is an exceptional student.
V
to leave somewhere very quickly in order to escape from danger.
flee
/fliː/
When a predator approaches a deer, the deer will flee.
n
a group of people or organizations that are in some way connected to each other.
network
/ˈnet.wɝːk/
Lesley is part of a volunteer network that plants trees in the city.
V
to make someone feel very angry or shocked.
outrage
/ˈaʊt.reɪdʒ/
He was outraged when his proposal was turned down.
n
the area for which a priest in some Christian churches is responsible.
parish
/ˈper.ɪʃ/
Greg’s parish has grown over the past year.
n
a narrow space that people can move through.
passage
/ˈpæs.ɪdʒ/
Follow the passage down the stairs.
n
a minister in charge of a parish or church.
pastor
/ˈpæs.tɚ/
The pastor speaks to the members of the church.
n
a group of people or vehicles that go through an area to make sure that it is free of trouble or danger.
patrol
/pəˈtroʊl/
The military patrol is responsible for keeping the area safe.
V
to attack a place in a short time in order to cause damage.
raid
/reɪd/
The soldiers are looking for the people who continue to raid the jungle villages.
n
a system of tracks on which trains travel.
rail
/reɪl/
I prefer traveling by rail because it’s more convenient than driving through traffic.
n
an underground passage for cars, trains, etc. to go through.
tunnel
/ˈtʌn.əl/
The tunnel will lead you to the next city.
adj
something that makes you feel relaxed, confident, and not worried.
comfortable
/ˈkʌm.fɚ.t̬ə.bəl/
Will loves his comfortable new sofa.
n
process of teaching and learning, usually at a school, college, or university.
education
/ˌedʒ.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/
These students are receiving their education at a private school.
n
something that makes someone more determined, hopeful, or confident.
encouragement
/ɪnˈkɝː.ɪdʒ.mənt/
The mother gives constant encouragement to her son.
V
to express formal support or approval for someone or something.
endorse
/ɪnˈdɔːrs/
The committee will endorse their leader for the upcoming election.
adj
something is the same in size, number, amount, or value as something else.
equal
/ˈiː.kwəl/
The apple and orange are equal in weight.
V
to deal with something in a direct way.
face
/feɪs/
Justin will face many challenges at work.
n
a subject that people study or an area of activity that they are involved in as part of their work.
field
/fiːld/
Jane works in the healthcare field.
V
to help a skill, feeling, or idea develop over a period of time.
foster
/ˈfɑː.stɚ/
The afterschool program is designed to foster a sense of community at school.
n
help and advice that is given to someone about their work, education, or personal life.
guidance
/ˈɡaɪ.dəns/
Ms. Smith provided valuable guidance to all her students.
V
to have a particular degree, title, record, job, or position.
hold
Damian will soon hold a degree in business administration.
n
the act of including someone or something in a larger group or set.
inclusion
/ɪnˈkluː.ʒən/
The school promotes the inclusion of parents in their students’ education.
V
to encourage someone by making them feel confident and eager to do something.
inspire
/ɪnˈspaɪr/
Jim’s father likes to inspire his son by encouraging him to follow his dream.
adj
used to emphasize how small or unimportant something or someone is.
mere
/mɪr/
Scott lost the race by a mere two seconds.
n
a rank or role of someone in an organization or company
position
/pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
Kyle is interviewing for a marketing position.
n
the ability to influence people or give them strong feelings.
power
/ˈpaʊ.ɚ/
The coach has the power to keep the players from playing if they don’t show up to practice.
n
a task or duty that you are expected or required to do.
responsibility
/rɪˌspɑːn.səˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/
Parents have the responsibility to raise their children with love.
V
to increase quickly to a high level.
soar
/sɔːr/
The temperature today will soar to a high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
n
a piece of equipment or a skill that is useful for doing your job.
tool
/tuːl/
Presentation skills are an important tool for communication.
adj
When someone expresses a strong opinion publicly.
vocal
/ˈvoʊ.kəl/
Shawn gets vocal when someone disagrees with his opinions.
n
the room or building where you work.
workplace
/ˈwɝːk.pleɪs/
Diversity is important in the workplace.
adj
related to schools and education.
academic
/ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk/
Alex received an award for his academic achievements.
n
when people agree that an idea, statement, explanation, etc., is right or true.
acceptance
/əkˈsep.təns/
Mr. Song celebrated his acceptance into the political party.
n
a large group or number of things.
array
/əˈreɪ/
The toy cars are available in an array of colors.
V
to make something unclear or difficult to see or remember.
blur
/blɝː/
The photographer can blur the bright lights into the background.
n
a small restaurant where you can buy drinks and simple meals.
café
/kæfˈeɪ/
Monica works part-time at a café.
n
a thick piece of cloth that artists use to paint on.
canvas
/ˈkæn.vəs/
The artist paints bright colors on a canvas.
n
a building in which films are shown.
cinema
My sister enjoys watching movies at the cinema.
n
the way people in society are divided into different social and economic groups.
class
/klæs/
This upper-class family travels on a private jet.
adj
has a special quality, character, or appearance that is different and easy to recognize.
distinctive
/dɪˈstɪŋk.tɪv/
Olives have a distinctive flavor.
adj
extremely important.
key
/kiː/
Marco is a key player on the country’s national team.
n
a series of organized activities in which people work together to do or achieve something.
movement
/ˈmuːv.mənt/
Booker T. Washington was a member of the civil rights movement.
n
something that is done often or regularly.
practice
/ˈpræk.tɪs/
Samuel has made it a practice to read the newspaper every morning.
adj
When something is shown as it is in real life.
realistic
/ˌriː.əˈlɪs.tɪk/
Dorothy is painting realistic images of fish.
n
an image that is seen in a mirror or other shiny surface.
reflection
/rɪˈflek.ʃən/
The man stared at his reflection in the mirror.
n
an official instruction that says how things must be done or what is allowed.
rule
/ruːl/
Wearing a helmet while riding a bicyle is a rule in some cities.
n
a single movement of a pen or brush when you are writing or painting.
stroke
/stroʊk/
The artist began with a yellow stroke on his painting.
n
the natural light that comes from the sun.
sunlight
/ˈsʌn.laɪt/
The sunlight shines through the trees.
adj
based on old-fashioned ideas.
traditional
/trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl/
I prefer traditional furniture.
prep
used in place of “completely different from a particular person or thing.”
unlike
/ʌnˈlaɪk/
Unlike his older brother, Jim is short.
n
the distance from one side of something to the other side.
width
/wɪtθ/ /wɪdθ/
The man is measuring the width of the box.
n
a formal or religious song.
anthem
/ˈæn.θəm/
Everyone sings the national anthem before the baseball game starts.
prep
used to say that one thing is more than another.
beyond
/biˈjɑːnd/
The job is beyond the man’s ability.
n
what you have when you try to do something even when it is difficult.
determination
/dɪˌtɝː.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/
Chris is the youngest competitor, but he has the most determination.
n
physical conflict between people or groups in a war, in the street, etc.
fighting
/ˈfaɪ.t̬ɪŋ/
Heavy fighting continued for days.
adj
When something is …., it is done by or involves two or more people or groups.
joint
/dʒɔɪnt/
Mike and Joanna are joint owners of a coffee shop.
n
when you return to the ground or another surface after a flight or a boat ride.
landing
/ˈlæn.dɪŋ/
The man is in charge of leading the landing in the warzone.
V
to celebrate an important event or time by doing something.
mark
/mɑːrk/
My grandparents are having a party to mark their 50th anniversary.
V
to prepare an army to fight in a war.
mobilize
/ˈmoʊ.bə.laɪz/
Thousands of soldiers were ready to mobilize for the fight.
V
a large area of land that is controlled by its own government
nation
/ˈneɪ.ʃən/
India is a nation that is developing rapidly.
adv
used in place of “in the beginning” or “when something first happened or began.”
originally
/əˈrɪdʒ.ən.əl.i/
This building was originally a bank.
n
is a sudden start or increase of fighting or disease.
outbreak
/ˈaʊt.breɪk/
The scientists prepared for an outbreak of a dangerous virus.
V
to speak to God in order to ask for help or to give thanks.
pray
/preɪ/
The girl likes to pray for world peace.
n
someone who is taken by force and kept somewhere.
prisoner
/ˈprɪz.ən.ɚ/
He has been a prisoner for many years.
V
to give up something in order to get something you want or do something else for someone.
sacrifice
/ˈsæk.rə.faɪs/
Karen has had to sacrifice a lot for her children.
n
the complete absence of sound or noise.
silence
/ˈsaɪ.ləns/
I can only sleep in complete silence.
adv
used in place of “as a result of something that was just mentioned.”
thus
/ðʌs/
Victor wants to lose weight; thus, he’ll go on a diet and start exercising.
n
something that you say, do, or give in order to express respect for someone.
tribute
/ˈtrɪb.juːt/
In some countries, people wear poppies as a tribute to veterans.
n
a situation in which you win a battle, game, election, or dispute.
victory
/ˈvɪk.tɚ.i/
The man was thrilled with his victory.
adv
without control
wild
/waɪld/
Dandelions grow wild in the cracks of the streets.
to injure someone or something by cutting or breaking the skin.
wound
/wuːnd/
The boy knew he might wound his knees if he didn’t wear pads on them.
V
to adopt the ways of a new culture and fully become a part of it.
assimilate
/əˈsɪm.ə.leɪt/
When the family moves to the US they will assimilate into American culture.
n
an act of trying to do something, especially something difficult.
attempt
/əˈtempt/
This is Ben’s second attempt to climb Mt. Everest.
n
an example of a particular situation or of something happening.
case
/keɪs/
A deposit of $1,000 is required, but in this case, we will accept half.
V
to stop doing something or to stop something happening.
cease
/siːs/
The rain will cease in the afternoon.
n
the possibility that someone or something will be harmed, destroyed, or killed.
danger
/ˈdeɪn.dʒɚ/
Smoking cigarettes is a danger to health.
adj
great harm or damage to something or someone.
devastating
/ˈdev.ə.steɪ.t̬ɪŋ/
The tsunami had devastating effects on the seaside village.
n
the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.
diversity
/dɪˈvɝː.sə.t̬i/
My company puts an emphasis on the importance on having cultural diversity.
n
a sudden shaking of a part of the Earth’s surface that often causes a lot of damage.
earthquake
/ˈɝːθ.kweɪk/
The earthquake caused the road to crack in multiple places.
adj
very rare and may eventually die out altogether.
endangered
/ɪnˈdeɪn.dʒɚd/
The whooping crane is an endangered species.
n
when a particular animal, plant, type of person, custom, skill, etc. stops existing.
extinction
/ɪkˈstɪŋk.ʃən/
The extinction of the dodo bird occurred in the 1600s.
adv
for an extremely long time or too much time:
forever
/fɔːˈrev.ɚ/
Michelle and Tanya want to be best friends forever.
adv
We use …… in place of “in most cases” or “to most people.”
generally
/ˈdʒen.ə r.əl.i/
The suburbs are generally viewed as a good place to raise children.
n
the deliberate murder of a whole group or race of people.
genocide
/ˈdʒen.ə.saɪd/
As a result of the genocide, many children have been orphaned.
Greek word genos, meaning race or tribe, with the Latin suffix cide, meaning killing.
V
to affect someone or something in a harmful or dangerous way.
hit
/hɪt/
The ship was hit by a violent storm.
V
to have something that is important or necessary taken from you or destroyed.
lose
/luːz/
The family never thought they’d lose everything to fire.
adj
refers to the place someone was born and raised.
native
/ˈneɪ.t̬ɪv/
Carlos is a hero in his native country of Brazil.
n
an amount that is equal to one one-hundredth of something.
percent
/pɚˈsent/
Liz needs to get 80 percent on her test to pass the course.
from the Latin adverbial phrase per centum, meaning “by the hundred”.
n
a statement or fact that explains why something is the way it is, or why someone does, thinks, or says something.
reason
/ˈriː.zən/
The reason Eric is late for work is that he forgot to set his alarm.
n
the act of referring to something or someone.
reference
/ˈref.ɚ.əns/
My supervisor made a reference to the data I’d collected.
adj
related to towns and cities.
urban
/ˈɝː.bən/
It is common to see tall buildings in urban areas.
V
to use something as a source of energy.
burn
/bɝːn/
Running is good exercise for people who want to burn fat and lose weight.
V
to ask someone whether something is correct, true, or allowed.
check
/tʃek/
Peter wants to check with the teacher to see if he is doing the assignment right.
n
a large brown fruit that has a hard shell and white flesh.
coconut
/ˈkoʊ.kə.nʌt/
A coconut produces a healthy oil.
n
a medical condition that affects the brain and can make someone become unconscious or unable to control their movement for a short time.
epilepsy
/ˈep.ə.lep.si/
The doctor diagnosed the patient with epilepsy.
n
an oily solid or liquid substance in food.
fat
/fæt/
The fat contained in salmon, avocados, and nuts is healthy.
V
to gradually get more and more of a quality, feeling, etc.
gain
/ɡeɪn/
Winning the award will help Steven gain confidence.
n
a natural form of sugar that exists in plants and fruit.
glucose
/ˈɡluː.koʊs/
People with diabetes need to check their glucose levels.
adj
greater than usual in amount, number, or degree.
high
/haɪ/
The thermometer shows a high body temperature.
V
to stay in a particular state, condition, or position.
keep
/kiːp/
Brian needs to keep working in order to finish his project on time.
adj
something that people are aware of or have discovered.
known
/noʊn/
Bob is known throughout the neighborhood as a burglars.
n
a large organ in the body that produces bile and cleans blood.
liver
/ˈlɪv.ɚ/
The professor showed us what the human liver looks like.
adj
smaller than usual in amount, number, or degree.
low
/loʊ/
The temperature gets very low in the winter.
n
the act or process of controlling and dealing with something.
management
/ˈmæn.ədʒ.mənt/
Practing yoga is good for stress management.
adj
relates to the chemical process in which plants or animals use food and water to make energy.
metabolic
/met̬.əˈbɑː.lɪk/
Fish have a very high metabolic rate.
n
a smooth, thick liquid made from plants or some animals, and is especially in cooking.
oil
/ɔɪl/
The chef put the oil in the pan and heated it up.
n
a small egg-shaped black or green fruit.
olive
/ˈɑː.lɪv/
I prepared a bowl of olives for my guests.
n
how well someone or something functions, works, etc.
performance
/pɚˈfɔːr.məns/
Liam’s performance in the race was not his best.
adj
it has a strong effect.
powerful
/ˈpaʊ.ɚ.fəl/
This perfume has a powerful scent.
n
a substance that provides your body with energy and is found in foods such as wheat, potatoes, and rice.
starch
stɑːrtʃ
Pasta is high in starch.
n
a short statement that contains the main information about something.
summary
/ˈsʌm.ɚ.i/
Cindy concluded the meeting with a summary of the project.
((formal summation)
adj
related to logic and reasoning.
analytic
/ˌæn.əˈlɪt̬.ɪk/
The analytic article criticized the new plan and presented one of its own.
n
a reasonably large place.
area
/ˈer.i.ə/
He was very familiar with the local area.
n
an unmarried man.
bachelor
/ˈbætʃ.əl.ɚ/
Since he was a bachelor, Jason did his shopping by himself.
adj
related to learning and knowing things.
cognitive
/ˈkɑːɡ.nə.t̬ɪv/
After her physical examination, her cognitive skills were tested.
n
the act of two things hitting into each another.
collision
/kəˈlɪʒ.ən/
The collision between the two cars created a loud noise.
adj
able to think or act successfully.
competent
/ˈkɑːm.pə.t̬ənt/
Competent employees are much better than unknowledgeable ones.
n
a certificate proving that someone has completed their studies.
diploma
/dɪˈploʊ.mə/
After four years of college, Mary finally had a diploma.
V
to be very good at a subject or activity.
excel
/ɪkˈsel/
Jenny excels at playing the piano.
(excel is related to excellent)
n
the study of the Earth’s natural structures and how they change.
geology
/dʒiˈɑː.lə.dʒi/
Because he studied geology, he knew how the mountains were formed.
adj
an important part of the whole.
integral
/ˈɪn.t̬ə.ɡrəl/
She is an integral member of our team.
n
a person’s ability to understand things easily.
intellect
/ˈɪn.t̬ə.ekt/
She was known for her quick and strong intellect as well as her beauty.
n
the work you do to earn money.
job
/dʒɑːb/
He now has a high-paying job.
adj
eager to work or learn, and enjoys doing it; intelligent
keen
/kiːn/
Only a keen student could have solved that math problem.
adj
the smallest amount.
minimum
/ˈmɪn.ə.məm/
What is the minimum temperature in winter in this area?
plural minimums or specialized minima (written abbreviation min.)
n
the study of how the brain affects our thought and actions.
psychology
/saɪˈkɑː.lə.dʒi/
The psychology of seeing is a fascinating subject.
adj
having or producing powerful and dangerous energy that comes from the breaking up of atoms:
radioactive
/ˌreɪ.di.oʊˈæk.tɪv/
Radioactive states can be very bad for anyone’s health.
n
a set of ideas about time and space developed by Albert Einstein.
relativity
/ˌrel.əˈtɪv.ə.t̬i/
Relativity teaches that light travels at the same speed throughout the universe.
n
the study of human society, its organizations, and problems.
sociology
/ˌsoʊ.siˈɑː.lə.dʒi/
Sociology teaches that people’s problems are a result of their society.
adj
based on theory rather than experience.
theoretical
/ˌθiː.əˈret̬.ə.kəl/
His conclusion was only theoretical and not meant to be publicized.
adj
not strong and healthy.
weak
/wiːk/
She is still weak after the illness.
n
a person who controls a business, company, or organization.
administrator
/ədˈmɪn.ə.streɪ.t̬ɚ/
Everyone in the store did whatever the administrator asked them to do.
adj
having a lot of money or owning a lot of things; wealthy
affluent
/ˈæf.lu.ənt/
People in the city are usually more affluent than people in the country.
V
to inspect financial records from a person or business.
audit
/ˈɑː.dɪt/
The government usually audits companies that report lower than usual incomes.
V
to have machines or computers do the work.
automate
/ˈɑː.t̬ə.meɪt/
When the bank automated, it started installing ATM machines.
V
to illegally persuade someone for a favor with money.
bribe
/braɪb/
The judge was bribed so that she would set the suspect free.
adj
If someone is …., they break the law for money or fame.
corrupt
/kəˈrʌpt/
The corrupt policemen didn’t arrest the man because he gave them money.
V
to get rid of something.
dispose
/dɪˈspoʊz/
He disposed of the can by throwing it into the recycle bin.
n
a building where the bosses of a company work.
headquarters
/ˈhedˌkwɔːr.t̬ɚz/
He took the long route to the headquarters because it was a nice day.
plural headquarters (abbreviation HQ)
n
what makes a person want to do something.
incentive
/ɪnˈsen.t̬ɪv/
The chance of winning a prize was an incentive to get people to play the game.
n
a collection of services needed to run a society or business.
infrastructure
/ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃɚ/
Power lines are important parts of a city’s infrastructure.
V
to make laws
legislate
/ˈledʒ.ə.sleɪt/
Senators have to legislate fairly so most people will enjoy the benefits.
adj
acceptable according to the law.
legitimate
/ləˈdʒɪt̬.ə.mət/
She found a legitimate plan to raise extra funds for her vacation.
V
to skillfully or unfairly control or affect something.
manipulate
/məˈnɪp.jə.leɪt/
The doctor manipulated the data to make it look like the cure was working.
n
goods ready to be purchased or sold.
merchandise
/ˈmɝː.tʃən.daɪs/
The store added more merchandise because there were more shoppers.
n
the activity of selling goods to the public, often for personal use.
retail
/ˈriː.teɪl/
Although cheap to make, once a t-shirt reaches retail, it costs ten times as much.
n
the income made by a company.
revenue
/ˈrev.ə.nuː/
The new products really increased the business’s monthly revenue.
(also revenues)
trash or waste
rubbish
/ˈrʌb.ɪʃ/
The floor around the garbage can was covered with all kinds of rubbish.
n
money given by the government to companies to assist them.
subsidy
/ˈsʌb.sə.di/
The official gave the company a subsidy so it could open two new factories.
n
an act of buying or selling something.
transaction
/trænˈzæk.ʃən/
Because the clerk was new at the job, the simple transaction took a long time.
V
to break a law, rule, or agreement.
violate
/ˈvaɪ.ə.leɪt/
I was given a ticket because the policeman said I violated a traffic law.
V
to judge the structure, purpose, or quality of something.
assess
/əˈses/
She assessed the condition of the toy car before buying it.
V
to greatly surprise someone.
astonish
/əˈstɑː.nɪʃ/
The number of people that came to her party astonished her.
V
to begin something.
commence
/kəˈmens/
His speech commenced with a “thank you” to all who had helped him succeed.
n
important qualities or basic characteristics of something
essence
/ˈes.əns/
The essence of the argument was that both sides felt they had lost money.
V
to remove something
extract
/ɪkˈstrækt/
The dentist extracted the woman’s damaged tooth and put in a fake one.
adj
extremely good
fabulous
/ˈfæb.jə.ləs/
This strawberry is the best I’ve ever had. It’s fabulous.
n
speed in movement or action.
haste
/heɪst/
In order to get to the meeting in time, he proceeded with haste.
n
a sudden thoughtless urge to do something.
impulse
/ˈɪm.pʌls/
Because of the scary noise, she had an impulse to run somewhere and hide.
V
stop something from developing.
inhibit
/ɪnˈhɪb.ɪt/
Poor reading skills will inhibit learning in a wide range of subject areas.
adj
near or towards the end of something:
latter
/ˈlæt̬.ɚ/
In the latter minutes of the game, the visitors scored the winning goal.
n
the smallest basic unit that makes up a physical substance.
molecule
/ˈmɑː.lɪ.kjuːl/
A tiny drop of water is made up of many billions of molecules of water.
adj
If something is still happening or still growing.
ongoing
/ˈɑːnˌɡoʊ.ɪŋ/
The development of plants is ongoing because it takes time for them to mature.
adj
exact and careful about their work.
precise
/prəˈsaɪs/
The builder was very precise about where he placed the nails.
n
closeness in time, space, or relationships.
proximity
/prɑːkˈsɪm.ə.t̬i/
All the trees in the proximity of the beach had been cut down.
n
public attention given to someone or something by the media.
publicity
/pʌbˈlɪs.ə.t̬i/
She received a lot of publicity after her performance in the film.
n
a cure for a disease, argument, or problem..
remedy
/ˈrem.ə.di/
A good remedy for a headache is an aspirin and a glass of water
n
the quality that makes something important.
significance
/sɪɡˈnɪf.ə.kəns/
The significance of the snowy weather was that we didn’t have to go to school.
adj
happening after something else:
subsequent
/ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt/
The flood and the subsequent rescue of those caught in the flood were on TV.
adj
made from artificial substances, often copying a natural product:
synthetic
/sɪnˈθet̬.ɪk/
Clothing made out of synthetic fabrics is very effective at keeping people warm.
adj
If something is …., then it causes or results in death.
terminal
/ˈtɝː.mə.nəl/
Since his condition was not terminal, he felt a great sense of relief.
adj
is very severe and intense.
acute
/əˈkjuːt/
When she fell out of the tree, the girl felt an acute pain in her arm.
n
behavior that is mean or violent to others.
aggression
/əˈɡreʃ.ən/
The problem was only made worse by Mark’s aggression.
n
an account of someone’s life that is written by someone else.
biography
/baɪˈɑː.ɡrə.fi/
We read a biography about Charles Darwin in science class.
V
to increase or improve it.
boost
/buːst/
Lowering prices boosts customers’ interest in shopping.
V
to hit one’s hands together to express pleasure or get attention.
clap
/klæp/
After the speech, everyone in the crowd clapped their hands for the speaker.
adj
more formal and serious than popular music.
classical
/ˈklæs.ɪ.kəl/
Beethoven is a composer of classical music.
V
to force someone to do something:
compel
/kəmˈpel/
Traffic signs compel drivers to drive safely.
n
something original that is made.
creation
/kriˈeɪ.ʃən/
We saw the creation of a new political party.
n
state of being more powerful than others.
dominance
/ˈdɑː.mə.nəns/
Large gorillas hit their chests to express their dominance over others.
adj
very pleasing and attractive.
gorgeous
/ˈɡɔːr.dʒəs/
The girl picked out a gorgeous dress to wear to the dance.
adj
certain to happen or cannot be avoided.
inevitable
/ˌɪnˈev.ə.t̬ə.bəl/
It is inevitable that the days will get longer in the summer.
n
an effect that exists because of a person or thing in the past.
legacy
/ˈleɡ.ə.si/
The legacy of the ancient Egyptians can be seen in their monuments.
n
a very good painting, novel, movie, or other work of art.
masterpiece
/ˈmæs.tɚ.piːs/
The Arc de Triomphe is considered a masterpiece in the world of architecture.
adj
very many of the same type, or of different types:
multiple
/ˈmʌl.tə.pəl/
When the stunt went wrong, the man suffered multiple injuries.
V
to write about a story or read it aloud.
narrate
/ˈner.eɪt/
This story was written by John, but Aaron is narrating it to the crowd.
adj
well known because of something bad.
notorious
/noʊˈtɔːr.i.əs/
This area of town is notorious for gang activity.
adv
in general rather than in particular, or including all the people or things in a particular group or situation:
overall
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɑːl/
Overall, the party was a huge success.
n
a tendency to prefer one thing to another.
partiality
/ˌpɑːr.ʃiˈæl.ə.t̬i/
She has a partiality for walking to school instead of driving.
adjs
When an act is not planned. It happens suddenly.
spontaneous
/spɑːnˈteɪ.ni.əs/
My wife made a spontaneous decision to buy a new sofa while I was at work.
n
a good quality or way of behaving.
virtue
/ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
My best virtue is forgiveness.
n
one part or feature of something.
aspect
/ˈæs.pekt/
I thought about the different aspects of owning two dogs.
n
a skill or quality that is useful or valuable.
asset
/ˈæs.et/
The coach realized the boy’s speed was an asset to the team.
n
a task that is given to you to do.
assignment
/əˈsaɪn.mənt/
He was given a difficult assignment but he felt he could succeed in doing it.
n
knowledge or perception or a situation or fact.
awareness
/əˈwer.nəs/
She has little awareness of what needs to be done.
n
a part of a plant that turns into a flower or a leaf.
bud
/bʌd/
Two weeks after planting the seed, a small bud appeared.
V
to make different parts work together.
coordinate
/koʊˈɔːr.dən.eɪt/
Each skating team had to coordinate their movements for the show.
V
to show that something is not true.
disprove
/dɪˈspruːv/
The scientist disproved the theory that the sun moved around the Earth.
n
something good in your favour.
credit
/ˈkred.ɪt/
His bank account is in credit, so he has money he can spend.
adj
connected to helping people’s lives.
humanitarian
/hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈter.i.ən/
After the flood, several humanitarian organizations offered help.
n
an idea about something that has not been proved yet.
hypothesis
/haɪˈpɑː.θə.sɪs/
The teacher did an experiment to prove whether his hypothesis was right.
plural hypotheses
adj
provides a lot of information.
informative
/ɪnˈfɔːr.mə.t̬ɪv/
The travel guide had a lot of informative facts about the region.
adj
relates to the eyes or light.
optic
Her blindness was caused by a problem with her optic nerve.
n
an idea on which something is based.
premise
/ˈprem.ɪs/
The premise of the movie that Bobbi and I watched was unrealistic.
an object with shelves that holds things.
rack
/ræk/
He stored his tools on a rack.
n
a period between the 14” and 17th centuries.
**Renaissance**
| /ˈren.ə.sɑːns/
## Footnote
Leonardo da Vinci was a popular artist of the **Renaissance**.
adj
relates to the position and size of things.
spatial
/ˈspeɪ.ʃəl/
He was asked where the books were located to test his spatial awareness.
V
to describe something clearly.
specify
/ˈspes.ə.faɪ/
The poster didn’t specify where the concert was taking place.
V
If you …. two things together, you fasten them with rope, string, etc.
tie
The dog is used to being tied up.
V
to take on the responsibility of doing a particular task.
undertake
/ˌʌn.dɚˈteɪk/
We undertook to make sure everybody was well informed of current progress.
undertake / undertook / undertaken
n
a substance that is slightly shiny and melts when heated.
wax
/wæks/
The candles are made of wax.
n
a person who cannot stop doing something.
addict
/ˈæd.ɪkt/
She was a coffee addict. She had more than three cups each day.
adj
involving or relating to archaeology:
archeological
/ˌɑːr.ki.əˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl/
They found archeological evidence of an ancient species of man.
n
the study of ancient people through their artifacts.
archeology
/ˌɑːr.kiˈɑː.lə.dʒi/
He studied archeology to learn more about ancient Egyptian culture.
from Greek arkhaiologia “the study of ancient things;”
V
to have a lot of ideas about a certain topic.
brainstorm
/ˈbreɪn.stɔːrm/
The students met after school to brainstorm ideas for their assignments.
n
the amount of money available to spend on something.
budget
/ˈbʌdʒ.ɪt/
His budget for food was very tight.
adj
crazy, confused, and hectic.
chaotic
/keɪˈɑː.t̬ɪk/
The first day of school can be chaotic for a new student.
V
to mention something as proof for a theory or as a reason why something has happened:
cite
/saɪt/
She cited six reasons that the school needed to build new classrooms.
V
to match or to be similar to something.
correspond
/ˌkɔːr.əˈspɑːnd/
The boy’s story didn’t correspond with his mother’s version.
n
an outdoor area that is surrounded by the walls of a building.
courtyard
/ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
During the summer, the courtyard is a nice place to have lunch.
n
a large area of land owned by a family or organization.
estate
/ɪˈsteɪt/
He lived on his father’s estate in the country.
n
the crime of gaining money by lying or by tricking people.
fraud
/frɑːd/
Experts say that credit card fraud increases around the holidays.
n
a chemical element that is the lightest gas, has no colour, taste, or smell, and combines with oxygen to form water
hydrogen
/ˈhaɪ.drə.dʒən/
Airships used to be filled with hydrogen, but it exploded easily.
(symbol H)
n
honesty and good morals.
integrity
/ɪnˈteɡ.rə.t̬i/
The principal had a lot of integrity.
n
a person’s opinion or way of thinking about something.
outlook
/ˈaʊt.lʊk/
He changed his outlook about rats after he read a book about them.
n
a device that helps people and things fall to the ground safely.
parachute
/ˈper.ə.ʃuːt/
They used parachutes dropped from airplanes to send supplies to the civilians.
adj
from a time before written history.
prehistoric
/ˌpriː.hɪˈstɔːr.ɪk/
The scientists found prehistoric pots used by the people in the area.
n
a person who supports an idea or a plan.
proponent
/prəˈpoʊ.nənt/
He was a proponent of using environmentally-friendly products.
V
to make something better by making changes.
refine
/rɪˈfaɪn/
The principal refined his method of controlling students over the years.
V
to limit it and prevent something from getting bigger.
restrict
/rɪˈstrɪkt/
The club restricted the amount of members.
n
a group of people who work closely together.
team
/tiːm/
The All Blacks are my favorite sports team.
adj
made up of smaller amounts added together.
aggregate
/ˈæɡ.rə.ɡət/
The company totaled its aggregate sales for the entire year.
n
a medical drug used to kill bacteria and treat infections.
antibiotic
/ˌæn.t̬i.baɪˈɑː.t̬ɪk/
The doctor gave me a shot of an antibiotic when I got the flu.
n
a piece of an electronic device that allows electricity to flow.
circuit
/ˈsɝː.kɪt/
Be very careful not to shock yourself when fixing an electrical circuit.
V
to make something or someone better.
complement
/ˈkɑːm.plə.ment/
The wool scarf complemented her lovely eyes.
V
to press or squeeze something so that it takes up less space.
compress
/kəmˈpres/
I compressed my clothes to fit into a single suitcase.
n
a collection of data that is stored in a computer.
database
/ˈdeɪ.t̬ə.beɪs/
The company has a database of all the names and accounts of their customers.
an amount or value that is the same as another amount or value.
equivalent
/ɪˈkwɪv.əl.ənt/
I worked the equivalent of sixty hours this week.
adj
protected against a particular disease by particular substances in the blood:
immune
/ɪˈmjuːn/
Children usually get shots to make them immune to certain diseases
n
information that is put into a computer.
input
/ˈɪn.pʊt/
Type the input into the computer program.
adj
When a relationship is ……., the two things are very closely connected.
intimate
/ˈɪn.tə.mət/
I only tell my secrets to my most intimate friends.
(intimidate: frighten)
n
a piece of iron or other material which attracts iron toward it.
magnet
/ˈmæɡ.nət/
I used a magnet to pick up the nails that were scattered on the floor.
n
the way chemical processes in their body use energy.
metabolism
/məˈtæb.əl.ɪ.zəm/
If you exercise every day, your metabolism speeds up.
from Greek metabolē ‘change’
n
a small device in a computer that holds information.
microchip
/ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.tʃɪp/
I can put more data on my computer if I buy a more powerful microchip.
n
a stage in a process or the gradual development of something.
phase
/feɪz/
The first phase in the recycling project involves finding volunteers to help out.
V
to take a piece of skin between one’s fingers and squeeze.
pinch
/pɪntʃ/
I pinched my nose so I couldn’t smell the odor from the garbage.
adj
common; existing very commonly or happening often
prevalent
/ˈprev.əl.ənt/
Growing a beard is more prevalent in some countries than in others.
n
it relates to the behavior of atomic particles.
quantum
/ˈkwɑːn.t̬əm/
The physics student studied quantum mechanics.
plural quanta
from Latin, neuter of quantus
n
a relationship between two things expressed in numbers or amounts.
ratio
/ˈreɪ.ʃi.oʊ/
The boy-to-girl ratio is one to three.
plural ratios
n
a shape which winds round and round as if around a cylinder.
spiral
/ˈspaɪr.əl/
A strand of DNA looks like two interlocking spirals.
adj
a disease or infection that is caused by a virus.
viral
/ˈvaɪ.rəl/
The girl was in bed for a week when she had a viral infection.
2nd meaninf: “spreading or becoming popular very quickly through communication from one person to another, especially on the internet: Within days the film clip went viral.”
n
a chemical that can burn or dissolve other substances.
acid
/ˈæs.ɪd/
In chemistry class, we mixed two acids together and watched the reaction.
n
the group of people who manage a company or organization.
administration
/ədˌmɪn.əˈstreɪ.ʃən/
She hoped she could be promoted to a job in administration.
adj
related to managing a company or organization.
administrative
/ædˈmɪn.ɪˌstreɪ.t̬ɪv/
I work as an administrative assistant to the owner of the company.
n
the use of living parts, such as cells, in industry and technology.
biotechnology
/ˌbaɪ.oʊ.tekˈnɑː.lə.dʒi/
Researchers at the biotechnology company use bacteria to make medicine.
(informal biotech
n
a substance in fat, tissues, and blood of all animals, thought to be part of the cause of heart disease if there is too much of it.
cholesterol
/kəˈles.tə.rɑːl/
When people have too much cholesterol, they are at a high risk for heart problems.
n
a group of people or organizations working for a common purpose.
coalition
/koʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/
The companies formed a coalition to make trade less expensive.
adj
making you believe something that is not true:
deceptive
/dɪˈsep.t̬ɪv/
The scary-looking man’s appearance is deceptive; he is actually very nice.
n
a medical condition in which a person’s body cannot control the level of sugar in their blood.
diabetes
/ˌdaɪ.əˈbiː.t̬iːz/
Overweight people are more likely to suffer from diabetes than slimmer ones.
V
to completely remove something.
eliminate
/iˈlɪm.ə.neɪt/
Wearing a seatbelt eliminates some of the dangers of driving a car.
n
the destruction of rock or soil due to flowing water or weather
erosion
/ɪˈroʊ.ʒən/
Canyons are formed because rivers of fast-moving water caused erosion.
n
moral beliefs or rules about right or wrong.
ethics
/ˈeθ·ɪks/
The act of stealing certainly doesn’t go against some people’s ethics.
adj
very clear, open, and truthful.
explicit
/ɪkˈsplɪs.ɪt/
The man gave a very explicit account of the car accident.
n
a set of rules or ideas that people use to solve problems.
framework
/ˈfreɪm.wɝːk/
His ideas fit into the framework of a successful business plan.
V
to make something in a factory.
manufacture
/ˌmæn.jəˈfæk.tʃɚ/
My father’s company manufactures steel building materials.
n
a part of a machine that performs a certain function.
mechanism
/ˈmek.ə.nɪ.zəm/
I can’t open my car door because the locking mechanism is broke.
V
to reduce something to the lowest possible level.
minimize
/ˈmɪn.ə.maɪz/
I checked my homework twice to minimize errors I might have made.
(UK usually minimise)
n
a sweet liquid produced by flowers that bees and other insects collect.
nectar
/ˈnek.tɚ/
Bees use nectar to make their honey.
n
an idea or belief about something.
notion
/ˈnoʊ.ʃən/
I had a notion that this route would get us to the beach.
n
a system of government or management.
regime
/reɪˈʒiːm/
He was a member of the old regime that had been overthrown in the election.
adj
it is good because it is easy to understand.
straghtforward
/ˌstreɪtˈfɔːr.wɚd/
The teacher’s grading system was straightforward and fair.
adj
unable to pay their debts.
bankrupt
The store had few customers and soon went bankrupt.
V
to obey rules or laws.
conform
/kənˈfɔːrm/
The new student had to conform to the school’s dress code.
V
to give work to someone.
employ
/ɪmˈplɔɪ/
The bookstore employed two full-time clerks.
V
to force someone to leave a place.
expel
/ɪkˈspel/
Since he would not follow the rules, the principal had to expel the student.
n
a part added to something to give it more time or space.
extension
/ɪkˈsten.ʃən/
My parents decided to add an extension to our house for the new baby.
adj
it is about to happen in the future.
forthcoming
/ˈfɔːrθˌkʌm.ɪŋ/
Some economists predicted that the forthcoming world economy would be
V
to put furniture in a house or room.
furnish
/ˈfɝː.nɪʃ/
Most homes are furnished with tables, chairs, and beds.
n
the conditions or methods needed for health and cleanliness.
hygiene
/ˈhaɪ.dʒiːn/
People who brush their teeth at least twice a day are practicing good hygiene.
adj
clean and unlikely to cause disease.
hygienic
/haɪˈdʒen.ɪk/
My sister works very hard to keep her entire home as hygienic as possible.
n
a man who rents property to a person.
landlord
/ˈlænd.lɔːrd/
The landlord collected everyone’s rent money on the first day of every month.
(landlady: a man who rents property to a person.)
V
to rent property, usually an apartment or land.
lease
/liːs/
When the family first leased the apartment, the rent was very low.
adj
required by law.
mandatory
/ˈmæn.də.tɔːr.i/
It’s mandatory that everyone be at least 16 to drive a car in the US.
V
to fix something when it is broken or damaged.
mend
/mend/
Mother mended the rip in my pants with a piece of cloth.
n
a loan for property, especially a home or a business.
mortgage
/ˈmɔːr.ɡɪdʒ/
When they bought their new home, the married couple had to sign a mortgage.
n
employees in a business.
personnel
/ˌpɝː.sənˈel/
When business increased, we had to hire more personnel.
n
the system of pipes used in a home to supply water.
plumbing
/ˈplʌm.ɪŋ/
When the plumbing stopped working, no one was allowed to use the toilets.
n
what someone has said, including saying how much a piece of work will cost.
quote
/kwoʊt/
His writing was full of quotes from Shakespeare.
n
a person who rents property from a landlord.
tenant
/ˈten.ənt/
The new tenants moved into the house across the street.
n
a business that supplies services such as water or electricity.
utility
/juːˈtɪl.ə.t̬i/
If you don’t pay the utilities, you may have your electricity turned off.
adv
by which way or method:
whereby
/werˈbaɪ/
The mayor had a new bridge built whereby the citizens could cross the river.
V
to change in order to deal with a new situation.
adapt
/əˈdæpt/
When he went to the new town, he had to adapt to all the weather changes.
adj
the process of life and living things.
biological
/ˌbaɪ.əˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl/
In science class, we learned about the biological process of bacterial growth.
adj
relates to the cells of animals or plants.
cellular
/ˈsel.jə.lɚ/
adj
lively and have creative ideas.
dynamic
/daɪˈnæm.ɪk/
The new, dynamic employee came up with a good way to juggle his workload.
n
a pleasant situation that people think about but is unlikely to happen.
fantasy
/ˈfæn.tə.si/
Becoming an astronaut is a fantasy shared by many children.
n
the process of passing on features from parents to children.
heredity
/həˈred.ə.ti/
The boy’s face is similar to his father’s because of heredity.
adj
exists or happens inside a person, object, or place.
internal
/ɪnˈtɝː.nəl/
We removed the outer case to reveal the computer’s internal wires.
adj
very small.
minimal
/ˈmɪn.ə.məl/
My lazy husband does a minimal amount of work around the house.
OPP: maximal
n
a person who is the first to discover or be involved in something.
pioneer
/ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/
He was a pioneer of computer programming.
V
to tell someone to take medicine.
prescribe
/prɪˈskraɪb/
When I was sick, the doctor prescribed flu medicine for me to take.
adj
relate separately to each person just mentioned.
respective
/rɪˈspek.tɪv/
The boxers were told to return to their respective corners.
adj
When rules or systems are …., they are severe because they cannot be changed.
rigid
/ˈrɪdʒ.ɪd/
Societies often have rigid rules about the way that people are supposed to act.
n
a number of events or things that come one after another.
sequence
/ˈsiː.kwəns/
The dominos fell in a sequence of one after another.
adj
Things which are almost the same.
similar
/ˈsɪm.ə.lɚ/
I have had a similar experience to the one you described.
V
to use something or someone instead of another thing or person:
substitute
/ˈsʌb.stə.tuːt/
When I ran out of juice, I had to substitute water to drink in the morning.
a doctor who is trained to do surgery.
surgeon
/ˈsɝː.dʒən/
The surgeon operated on the old man’s heart.
n
treatment for a particular physical or mental illness or condition.
therapy
/ˈθer.ə.pi/
After she broke her legs, she used physical therapy to learn how to walk again.
V
to move something from one place to another.
transfer
/ˈtræns.fɝː/
The family transferred the groceries from the shopping cart to the car.
n
a process where there is a change from one form to another.
transition
/trænˈzɪʃ.ən/
The weather gets colder during the transition from summer to autumn.
n
an operation in which a damaged part of one’s body is replaced.
transplant
/trænˈsplænt/
The sick child needed a heart transplant to live.
n
the study of the stars in the belief that they influence people’s lives.
astrology
/əˈstrɑː.lə.dʒi/
Jack, who studies astrology, believes that the stars can predict the future.
n
made of two things that go together.
couple
/ˈkʌp.əl/
There were a couple of problems I had to solve.
V
to do something that is different from the usual or common way of behaving:
deviate
/ˈdiː.vi.eɪt/
Very few deviate much from the average.
V
to show the difference between things or people.
differentiate
/ˌdɪf.əˈren.ʃi.eɪt/
It was hard to differentiate between the identical twins.
V
to prevent something or someone from working.
disrupt
/dɪsˈrʌpt/
The loud crash disrupted the class lecture.
n
a math operation to determine the value of something.
equation
/ɪˈkweɪ.ʒən/
I used the Pythagorean theorem to solve the equation.
V
to make a mistake.
err
/er/
The pilot erred in his estimate of the time it would take to make the trip.
adj
incorrect or only partly correct.
erroneous
/əˈroʊ.ni.əs/
The child held the erroneous belief that time machines were real.
adj
behave in a wild way because they are frightened.
frantic
/ˈfræn.t̬ɪk/
The cat became frantic when I tried to give it a bath.
adj
When an action is ….., it is done without realizing what you are doing.
inadvertent
/ˌɪn.ədˈvɝː.t̬ənt/
She made an inadvertent error when she knocked over the nail polish.
V
to do something with whatever is available or without planning.
improvise
/ˈɪm.prə.vaɪz/
There was no meat for the pizza, so we improvised with what was in the fridge.
n
a place distance from the equator
latitude
/ˈlæt̬.ə.tuːd/
The device was able to tell the traveler his exact latitude.
longitude: he distance of a place east or west of an imaginary line between the North Pole and the South Pole
n
a sailor
mariner
/ˈmer.ə.nɚ/
The old mariner used his telescope to find the shore.
n
a very large number of things or people
multitude
/ˈmʌl.tə.tuːd/
A multitude of people were waiting at the airport.
n
a person or thing that is annoying or causes a lot of problems.
nuisance
/ˈnuː.səns/
The teenager considered her noisy little brothers to be quite a nuisance.
n
ability to last forever.
permanence
/ˈpɝː.mə.nəns/
Poor results threaten the permanence of the new system.
(formal permanency)
V
To …. around something is to keep it as the main feature or focus.
revolve
/rɪˈvɑːlv/
My life revolves around sports.
V
to calm someone who is angry or upset.
soothe
/suːð/
The mother soothed her crying baby by rocking him in her arms.
adj
If someone is …., they are prevented from leaving a place.
stranded
/ˈstræn.dɪd/
When the plane left, my sister and I were stranded in China.
n
a way of doing something.
technique
/tekˈniːk/
There are a lot of teaching techniques that are well supported by research.
adj
stupid and unreasonable, or silly in a humorous way; ridiculous.
absurd
/əbˈsɝːd/
That group of people making animal noises sounds completely absurd.
n
the highest class of people in certain societies.
aristocracy
/ˌer.əˈstɑː.krə.si/
Most members of the aristocracy were very well fed.
n
a person who is of the highest class in certain societies.
aristocrat
/əˈrɪs.stə.kræt/
The aristocrat did not need a job because his family was wealthy.
n
nice or special clothing.
attire
/əˈtaɪr/
Everyone wore their best attire to the president’s daughter’s wedding.
n
a brief and popular activity or object.
craze
/kreɪz/
Wearing bright red socks was a craze when I was in high school.
V
When one thing …. another, it stands as a sign or substitute for that thing.
denote
/dɪˈnoʊt/
Quotation marks are used to denote speech.
V
to make something bigger.
enlarge
/ɪnˈlɑːrdʒ/
The classrooms were enlarged over the summer to make room for more students.
n
an amount of something that is more than needed or wanted.
excess
/ɪkˈses/
Because it never got cold that winter, many stores had an excess of coats.
adj
it has qualities that are commonly related to women.
feminine
/ˈfem.ə.nɪn/
Many of the older people thought his long hair made him look too feminine.
n
a system of things or people ranked one above the other.
hierarchy
/ˈhaɪ.rɑːr.ki/
Everyone knows where they fit in the hierarchy.
n
a thick piece of soft material used to protect or clean things.
pad
/pæd/
Football players wear shoulder pads to keep them safe.
n
someone who lives or works with you as an equal.
partner
/ˈpɑːrt.nɚ/
Ladies and gentlemen, take your partners for the next dance.
adj
the most important, common, or strongest.
predominant
/prɪˈdɑː.mə.nənt/
Before cars were invented, horses were the predominant method of travel.
n
a system of rules and customs that guides how things are done.
protocol
/ˈproʊ.t̬ə.kɑːl/
The introduction of the guests followed the normal protocol.
adj
have a good reputation.
reputable
/ˈrep.jə.t̬ə.bəl/
The service from the less-than-reputable company made her angry.
V
to be a symbol of something.
signify
/ˈsɪɡ.nə.faɪ/
A red octagon is used to signify a place to stop.
n
a thin long piece of fabric used to fasten, carry, or hold something.
strap
/stræp/
She put the strap of her purse over her shoulder and walked out the door.
n
the way you do things.
style
/staɪl/
Her clothes were all in the latest style.
n
something or many things twisted together.
tangle
/ˈtæŋ.ɡəl/
The laces of his shoes were in such a tangle that he could not untie them.
n
excessive pride or love of one’s own appearance or things one has done.
vanity
/ˈvæn.ə.t̬i/
Her vanity won’t allow her to pass a mirror without looking at herself.
adv
If something goes …., it goes from the water to the land.
ashore
/əˈʃɔːr/
After a long day of fishing, Glen pulled his boat ashore, so it wouldn’t float away.
V
to state the opposite of what someone else has said.
contradict
/ˌkɑːn.trəˈdɪkt/
Ken was always fighting with his little sister because she kept contradicting him.
n
something that is very similar to something else in what it does.
counterpart
/ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚ.pɑːrt/
Our manager will meet our rival company’s counterpart later today.
adj
to lack or be without something that is necessary or usual:
devoid
/dɪˈvɔɪd/
The movie was devoid of any violence, so it was a perfect movie for the family.
V
to become different or to follow a different direction.
diverge
/dɪˈvɝːdʒ/
The road diverged into two paths that led to our houses.
n
a human or animal that is still growing inside its mother.
embryo
/ˈem.bri.oʊ/
Some doctors say that what a mother eats has a big effect on her embryo.
adv
it happens at the end of a series of events.
finally
/ˈfaɪ.nəl.i/
We finally reached our destination.
n
a newspaper.
gazette
/ɡəˈzet/
Alice wants to write for a gazette when she’s older.
(from the Italian gazzetta, a name given to informal news or gossip sheets first published in Venice in the mid-16th century.)
adj
made up of things which are all the same.
homogeneous
ˌhɑː.məˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
All of the houses on Victor’s block were boring and homogenous.
OPP: heterogeneous
n
a single member of a group.
individual
/ˌɪn.dəˈvɪdʒ.u.əl/
Each individual is responsible for themselves.
adj
a very important event.
major
/ˈmeɪ.dʒɚ/
There had been a major shift in government policy.
V
to block a road, passage, entrance, etc.
obstruct
/əbˈstrʌkt/
The car broke down on the road and obstructed traffic for hours.
V
to move down into something very quickly.
plunge
/plʌndʒ/
The water in the pool was very cold, but the boy plunged in anyway.
V
to make something last for a longer time.
prolong
/prəˈlɑːŋ/
Sandy walked slowly across the beach, trying to prolong her lunch break.
V
to make something get a lot of attention.
publicize
/ˈpʌb.lə.saɪz/
The company publicized the job positions in the newspaper.
adj
an extra amount of something.
surplus
/ˈsɝː.pləs/
The store sold their surplus items on sale.
V
to manages to continue to live in spite of difficult circumstances.
survive
/sɚˈvaɪv/
She survived a heart attack.
V
to develop ideas about something.
theorize
/ˈθɪr.aɪz/
They enjoyed theorizing about how things worked.
V
to find out if something is true.
verify
/ˈver.ə.faɪ/
Julian called the movie theater to verify that the movie started at nine.
adj
very forceful or energetic:
vigorous
/ˈvɪɡ.ɚ.əs/
Henry uses vigorous exercise to keep himself in shape.
n
a table used in churches.
altar
/ˈɑːl.tɚ/
The altar had many lit candles on it.
n
an illness causing pain and swelling in a person’s joints.
arthritis
/ɑːrˈθraɪ.t̬əs/
Agatha couldn’t play the piano anymore because of her arthritis.
n
the study of plants.
botany
/ˈbɑː.t̬ən.i/
Gardens are the best places for botany.
adj
can be believed or trusted
credible
/ˈkred.ə.bəl/
Dick gave a credible reason for being late and didn’t get in any trouble.
adj
dead
deceased
/dɪˈsiːst/
We visited the graves of our deceased grandparents.
n
the act of lying or tricking someone.
deception
/dɪˈsep.ʃən/
The magic looked very real, but it was only deception.
n
a written text, usually not in the form of a book.
document
/ˈdɑː.kjə.mənt/
Please scan this document so we have an electronic copy.
n
solid waste material produced by animals.
dung
/dʌŋ/
There was cow dung all over the field.
n
the time in the evening when it begins to get dark.
dusk
/dʌsk/
After dusk, Hannah went to catch fireflies in the park.
V
to please someone
gratify
/ˈɡræt̬.ə.faɪ/
Bonnie was gratified after receiving her gift from her parents.
V
to improve something and make it very good.
hone
/hoʊn/
Lisa honed her chess skills through hours and hours of practice.
V
When you find something meaning, often by changing it into a different language.
interpret
/ɪnˈtɜː.prɪt/
It is difficult to interpret while someone is speaking.
n
your reason for doing something.
motive
/ˈmoʊ.t̬ɪv/
We can show he had a motive to commit the crime, but we cannot show he did it.
n
a dangerous illness causing the lungs to fill with liquid.
pneumonia
/nuːˈmoʊ.njə/
Elaine got pneumonia after playing outside in the rain without a coat.
adj
they know what will happen or what people think.
psychic
/ˈsaɪ.kɪk/
I think my grandmother has psychic abilities because she can predict anything.
adj
suffering from psychosis (= severe mental illness):
psychotic
/saɪˈkɑː.t̬ɪk/
The psychotic patient believed he saw things that weren’t real.
n
the range of a subject covered by a book, programme, discussion, class, etc.:
scope
/skoʊp/
Modern history has a wide scope.
adj
making you feel that something bad or evil might happen:
sinister
/ˈsɪn.ə.stɚ/
Bad guys in most movies have sinister laughs.
n
disagreement or fighting between people or groups.
strife
/straɪf/
There was a lot of strife between Jim and Lisa about what TV show to watch.
n
language used in communicating messages.
text
/tekst/
Spoken text has many features which are different from written text.
n
a tube that takes blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
artery
/ˈɑːr.t̬ɚ.i/
Eating healthily keeps your arteries clean so blood can flow with ease.
n
the act of becoming worse.
deterioration
/dɪˌtɪr.i.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
The lack of care led to the deterioration of the house.
adj
they are hard to find.
elusive
/iˈluː.sɪv/
The elusive fish only came out at night.
V
to make something certain to happen:
ensure
/ɪnˈʃʊr/
Saving now will ensure we have enough money for our retirement.
V
to make something happen.
induce
/ɪnˈduːs/
Running without good shoes may induce leg pain.
adj
can’t be separated.
inseparable
/ɪnˈsep.rə.bəl/
Denise and Diana have been inseparable since they first met.
adj
not correct.
invalid
/ɪnˈvæl.ɪd/
The way to winning debates is to avoid invalid arguments.
V
to make something look bigger than it really is.
magnify
/ˈmæɡ.nə.faɪ/
Astronomers use telescopes to magnify faraway stars.
n
what is considered normal and accepted by most people.
mainstream
/ˈmeɪn.striːm/
Before punk rock music became part of the mainstream, only a few people liked it.
n
a very small living thing that often makes people sick.
microbe
/ˈmaɪ.kroʊb/
The first step in curing a disease is finding the microbe that causes it.
adj
a very small and unimportant problem.
minor
/ˈmaɪ.nɚ/
This is a minor problem.
adj
extremely small and not important.
negligible
/ˈneɡ.lə.dʒə.bəl/
The amount she owed was negligible. It was less than ten cents.
n
the loss of the ability to move all or part of your body.
paralysis
/pəˈræl.ə.sɪs/
His paralysis meant that he had to use a wheelchair to get around.
plural paralyses
n
an animal or insect that hurts plants or food.
pest
/pest/
Many farmers put up scarecrows to keep pests off their corn.
V
to be accepted or very common.
prevail
/prɪˈveɪl/
Unfortunately, injustice still prevails in the country’s court system.
n
When you are in …. of something, you are chasing it.
pursuit
/pɚˈsuːt/
The pursuit of happiness is a basic human right.
V
to tear or burst open.
rupture
/ˈrʌp.tʃɚ/
Sarah put too much water into the balloon, and it ruptured.
adj
very violent or cruel.
savage
/ˈsæv.ɪdʒ/
Wild animals are very savage when defending their babies.
V
to make someone unable to speak due to surprise or shock.
stun
/stʌn/
Tim fell off the swing and was too stunned to cry.
adj
If one is …. to something like a disease, they are easily harmed by it.
susceptible
/səˈsep.tə.bəl/
Not eating enough vegetables makes you more susceptible to getting sick.
v
to support or suggest a plan or idea in public.
advocate
/ˈæd.və.keɪt/
The group advocated increased spending on education and schools.
conj
although.
(It is made of three parts - al(though), be, it.
albeit
/ɑːlˈbiː.ɪt/
She was happy, albeit briefly.
V
to give permission for something.
authorize
/ˈɑː.θɚ.aɪz/
The mayor authorized the construction of a new statue in the park.
n
someone who is not in the military.
civilian
/səˈvɪl.jən/
It was Todd’s job to keep civilians from entering the army facility.
n
something that can be bought or sold.
commodity
/kəˈmɑː.də.t̬i/
Fran’s uncle made most of his money trading commodities.
V
to talk or write to others.
communicate
/kəˈmjuː.nə.keɪt/
He was unable to communicate his feelings clearly.
n
an event by which one country takes over another country.
conquest
/ˈkɑːŋ.kwest/
After the conquest, the people of the small city had no freedom.
V
to tell something to someone else.
disclose
/dɪˈskloʊz/
John came home late, so he had to disclose his activities to his wife.
n
the way that parts of a situation affect each other.
dynamics
/daɪˈnæm.ɪks/
A good psychologist needs to know a lot about the dynamics of brain disorders.
V
to put one’s name on a list as a member of a group.
enroll
/ɪnˈrəʊl/
The students had to enroll in the class one semester in advance.
(UK enrol)
adj
wishing you had what another person has
envious
/ˈen.vi.əs/
They were envious of their neighbor’s front yard.
(Jealousy is fear of losing something, envy is desire for something someone else has.)
adj
happy and related to a party or celebration.
festive
/ˈfes.tɪv/
Dean’s favorite part of Christmas is the festive clothing that people wear.
V
to show or point out our thoughts or plans.
indicate
/ˈɪn.də.keɪt/
They indicated that things would be likely to improve soon.
n
very small beans that people cook and eat.
lentil
/ˈlen.t̬əl/
Danni made her special soup with lentils when her husband was sick.
V
to assemble a group in order.
marshal
/ˈmɑːr.ʃəl/
The students were marshaled outside and put into groups.
n
the amount of hope that people have during a difficult situation.
morale
/məˈræl/
To improve our family’s morale, mom suggested going on a picnic.
n
the way you are feeling.
mood
/muːd/
My boss is in a really bad mood today.
n
a prediction about what will happen in the future.
prophecy
/ˈprɑː.fə.si/
Some people believe that prophecies are actually true.
n
a part of the government in some countries.
senate
/ˈsen.ət/
Everybody liked Caroline and chose her to speak for them in the senate.
n
a state of anger about something among the people in a place.
unrest
/ʌnˈrest/
High taxes caused much of the unrest that led to the Revolutionary War.
V
to say in a formal or official way that something is true or correct:
certify
/ˈsɝː.t̬ə.faɪ/
The photograph on her passport certified that she was indeed Jolene Sawyer.
adj
clear and carefully considered, and each part of it connects or follows in a natural or reasonable way.
coherent
/koʊˈhɪr.ənt/
This was a coherent program for solving the flooding problem.
V
to work together on something.
collaborate
/kəˈlæb.ə.reɪt/
When they collaborated, they managed to finish their chores early.
V
to collect a variety of things into a group.
compile
/kəmˈpaɪl/
She compiled a list of people who she wanted to attend her birthday party.
V
to prevent something from happening or increasing.
curb
/kɝːb/
She curbed her anger by listening to a relaxing song.
V
to identify the medical condition they have.
diagnose
/ˌdaɪ.əɡˈnoʊs/
Several of the children were diagnosed with the flu.
V
to make something into a law.
enact
/ɪˈnækt/
The council enacted a law that would only allow buses to drive downtown.
n
a group of states or businesses working for a common cause.
federation
/ˌfed.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
The United Nations is a federation designed to prevent war, disease, and famine.
adj
disgusting; extremely unpleasant
gross
/ɡroʊs/
The food was so gross that the dog couldn’t eat it without feeling sick.
adj
good and kind towards others, especially those who are suffering:
humane
/hjuːˈmeɪn/
Helping build homes for poor people is very humane.
adj
poor and not having enough food, clothes, etc.:
needy
/ˈniː.di/
After he lost his job, he became very needy.
2nd meaning: wanting too much attention and love: Sybil was very insecure and needy.
n
the moment at which something begins, and especially something uncomfortable or unpleasant:
onset
/ˈɑːn.set/
At the onset of the battle, the enemy wasn’t prepared for such a large attack.
V
to make a promise to do something.
pledge
/pledʒ/
Her mother pledged that she would find her daughter’s lost kitten.
V
to not allow something.
prohibit
/prəˈhɪb.ɪt/
She prohibited the students from speaking until their work was done.
V
to make something become something else.
render
/ˈren.dɚ/
His report was rendered unimportant by the release of new information.
n
a disease that causes tiny bumps on the skin and high fevers.
smallpox
/ˈsmɑːl.pɑːks/
When she saw the tiny bumps, she thought her son might have smallpox.
V
to change something in a very significant way.
transform
/trænsˈfɔːrm/
The education system has been completely transformed.
V
to pass something from one person or place to another.
transmit
/trænsˈmɪt/
The radio tower transmits a signal to all the radios in a 20-kilometer radius.
V
to make a promise to do something.
vow
/vaʊ/
Before they are allowed to work, all senators must vow to never accept bribes.
adj
Something that spread widely across the world.
widespread
/ˌwaɪdˈspred/
It is a widespread belief that colds are caused by cold weather.
V
to act in the way that a rule or agreement says is right.
adhere
/ədˈhɪr/
If the new employees wish to succeed, they must adhere to the boss’s rule.
V
to take responsibility for organizing something.
administer
/ədˈmɪn.ə.stɚ/
The teacher’s assistant will administer the test.
adj. When people are compassionate, they feel pity and sympathy for others.
compassionate
/kəmˈpæʃ.ən.ət/
The compassionate nurse tried to make the sick man feel comfortable.
V
to put dirty or harmful chemicals into something.
contaminate
/kənˈtæm.ə.neɪt/
The lake was contaminated when pollutants entered the water.
n
a lack of something, especially something that is needed.
deficiency
/dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/
Your snack has a deficiency of any real nutrients.
n
the particular importance or attention that is given to something:
emphasis
/ˈem.fə.sɪs/
The government placed a strong emphasis on educational reform.
plural emphases
n
an outbreak of a disease that spreads quickly.
epidemic
/ˌep.əˈdem.ɪk/
It was difficult to stop the flu epidemic.
n
something that is dangerous and likely to cause damage:
hazard
/ˈhæz.ɚd/
Smoking cigarettes poses many health hazards.
adj
extremely important and must be done.
imperative
/ɪmˈper.ə.t̬ɪv/
It was imperative for him to find a job.
n
tubes through which food passes after it leaves the stomach.
intestines
/ɪnˈtes·tənz/
Whatever you eat goes into your intestines.
(also bowels)
V
to make something visible or obvious.
manifest
/ˈmæn.ə.fest/
The joy of the holiday season manifested as bright smiles on the faces of the children.
adj
it has too many people or things in a place.
overcrowded
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈkraʊ.dɪd/
The lobby was overcrowded with people.
n
n. A practitioner is a doctor.
She made an appointment with the practitioner to treat her cough.
practitioner
/prækˈtɪʃ.ən.ɚ/
n
the act of giving something to people in need or want.
provision
/prəˈvɪʒ.ən/
That department is responsible for the provision of emergency supplies.
V
to make something full or complete again.
replenish
/rɪˈplen.ɪʃ/
We planted nearly one hundred seeds to replenish the garden after the fire.
V
When a car goes backwards.
reverse
/rɪˈvɝːs/
We reversed out of the parking place and then drove away.
adj
clean and free from germs
sterile
/ˈster.əl/
The hospital room looked quite sterile.
V
to improve something or make it more efficient.
upgrade
/ʌpˈɡreɪd/
He upgraded to a real fancy car.
adj
capable of doing what it is intended to do.
viable
/ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/
Her method of solving the math problem seemed viable.
adj
done by choice but is not required.
voluntary
/ˈvɑː.lən.ter.i/
Many people attended the voluntary boat safety class.
n
the passage by which air reaches a person’s lungs.
airway
/ˈer.weɪ/
Since he was sick, mucus would occasionally get stuck in his airway.
n
a name for a god in a religion.
Almighty
/ɑːlˈmaɪ.t̬i/
Before eating, they thanked the Almighty for their food.
n
the arrival or beginning of an important person, thing, or event.
advent
/ˈæd.vent/
During the advent of radio, very few programs actually played music.
n
a series of events that go in a circle from the end back to the beginning again.
cycle
/ˈsaɪ.kəl/
They were caught in a cycle of poverty, lack of education, and unemployment.
adj
considered to be the best of its type:
definitive
/dɪˈfɪn.ə.t̬ɪv/
This library has the definitive collection of books on ancient Egypt.
V
to compare one thing with another and consider them very similar.
equate
/ɪˈkweɪt/
She equated the man’s messy appearance with a lack of responsibility.
V
to base a belief, claim, idea, etc. on something:
found
/faʊnd/
This is founded on the belief that all people are created equal.
n
a system of belief.
ideology
/ˌaɪ.diˈɑː.lə.dʒi/
Within the teachers’ ideology, there was a belief in the value of parent participation.
V
to take air or a smell into the lungs.
inhale
/ɪnˈheɪl/
The camper inhaled the cool and fresh mountain air and felt relaxed.
V
to mention something to support an argument or ask for help.
invoke
/ɪnˈvoʊk/
Before going into battle, the soldier invoked the name of his god for protection.
adj
related to the moon.
lunar
/ˈluː.nɚ/
During a lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow darkens the moon’s surface.
n
something that is new, original, or strange.
novelty
/ˈnɑː.vəl.t̬i/
Ice cream was a novelty for him since he rarely had any.
adj
no longer in fashion or use
outmoded
/ˌaʊtˈmoʊ.dɪd/
Black and white television sets are outmoded.
V
to design something to meet a person’s unique needs.
personalize
/ˈpɝː.sən.əl.aɪz/
He personalized the woman’s exercises to give her a better workout.
adj
of or relating to the study of mental illness:
psychiatric
/ˌsaɪ.kiˈæt.rɪk/
The doctor said the patient might have a psychiatric problem.
n
the study and treatment of mental illness.
psychiatry
/saɪˈkaɪə.tri/
Studying psychiatry has taught me a lot about mental illness.
n
an unconscious action in which a body part responds to an event.
reflex
/ˈriː.fleks/
There was a reflex when the doctor hit his knee with a rubber hammer.
n
a sudden condition in which the body loses control and shakes.
seizure
/ˈsiː.ʒɚ/
Bright flashing lights can cause seizures in children.
n
a meeting at a regular time in order to discuss and solve an issue.
session
/ˈseʃ.ən/
Every three months, the managers met in a session to discuss regional sales.
n
a tool with a particular use, especially in a kitchen or house:
utensil
/juːˈten.səl/
It seemed that a fork was the wrong utensil for trying to eat the soup
V
to put something aside for a certain purpose or person.
allocate
/ˈæl.ə.keɪt/
The government allocated $100 million to aid the disaster relief effort.
adj
When food looks and smells very good.
appetizing
/ˈæp.ə.taɪ.zɪŋ/
The appetizing plate of cookies was gone in half an hour.
V
to give a particular job or piece of work to someone:
assign
/əˈsaɪn/
I was assigned the job of making sure everyone had plenty to drink.
n
a hole or space in something.
cavity
/ˈkæv.ə.t̬i/
There was a small cavity in the wall of the cave, where an animal lived.
adv
If something moves in a circle in the same direction as a clock.
clockwise
/ˈklɑːk.waɪz/
Turn the screw clockwise to tighten it.
adj
circles or rings which have the same center.
concentric
/kənˈsen.trɪk/
The target was a series of concentric circles.
n
the excellence of manners or social conduct.
courtesy
/ˈkɝː.t̬ə.si/
Jenna always behaves with great courtesy when people visit her home.
adj.
When food is hard or has a hard surface in a way that is pleasant.
crisp
/krɪsp/
My favorite snack is a bag of crisp, delicious potato chips.
n
disagreement or fighting.
discord
/ˈdɪs.kɔːrd/
There was much discord between the experts on the talk show.
V
to cause something to develop or begin.
generate
/ˈdʒen.ə.reɪt/
The mayor promised to generate new jobs and programs to help the poor.
n
a single separate piece.
item
/ˈaɪ.t̬əm/
There were some items of clothing found at the crime scene.
n
a discussion of each person’s idea.
interchange
/ˌɪn.t̬ɚˈtʃeɪndʒ/
There was an interchange of ideas between the groups.
adj
relates to many different cultures.
multicultural
/ˌmʌl.tiˈkʌl.tʃɚ.əl/
Everyone was welcome to attend the multicultural celebration.
n
something that has been left out or not done.
omission
/oʊˈmɪʃ.ən/
Mike was upset because of the omission of his name during the ceremony.
V
to make sure that something is being done properly.
oversee
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈsiː/
His job was to oversee the progress of the construction project.
past tense oversaw | past participle overseen
V
to make a hole in something using a sharp object.
pierce
/pɪrs/
The arrow pierced the target in the very center.
V
carefully choose something.
select
/səˈlekt/
They had to select textbooks for each class.
n
the shape and organization of the parts of a building or group.
structure
/ˈstrʌk.tʃɚ/
There are big differences in family structure in different cultures.
adj
relates to seeing.
visual
/ˈvɪʒ.u.əl/
The visual displays were very attractive.
adj
not straight but has a series of curves.
wavy
The child drew wavy lines all over the piece of paper.
n
the act of changing something into a different state or form.
conversion
/kənˈvɝː.ʒən/
The city discussed the conversion of the parking lot into a skateboard park.
V
to put something into a place that can barely contain them.
cram
/kræm/
He crammed all of his shirts into the top drawer of the dresser.
V
to arrange for an action to happen at a later time.
defer
/dɪˈfɝː/
The girl was very sleepy, so she chose to defer her bath until morning.
V
to sell products to other countries.
export
/ˈek.spɔːrt/
The United States exports many cereals and grains.
OPP: import
n
unhealthy smoke and gases that are made by fires or chemicals.
fume
/fjuːm/
The engine put unpleasant, black fumes into the air.
adj
behavior that a person usually does or has.
habitual
/həˈbɪtʃ.u.əl/
The man was a habitual liar who was incapable of being honest with anyone.
V
to show or prove that something is necessary.
justify
/ˈdʒʌs.tə.faɪ/
The government tried to justify its decision to bring the country into a war.
prep
We use …. when we want to show that, although something has been done, it is not enough.
A similar term is “in spite of”.
notwithstanding
/ˌnɑːt.wɪðˈstæn.dɪŋ/
Notwithstanding your objections, we have decided to move forward with the project.
n
the amount of something that a person or thing produces.
output
/ˈaʊt.pʊt/
The boss hired more workers to increase the factory’s output of products.
n
the state of having too many people in an area.
overpopulation
/ˌoʊ.vɚˌpɑː.pjəˈleɪ.ʃən/
The organization is concerned with the overpopulation of the world.
n
a right to be the only person allowed to make or sell a new product.
patent
/ˈpæt.ənt/
He quickly established a patent for his brilliant invention.
V
to punish someone
penalize
/ˈpiː.nəl.aɪz/
The team was penalized when they broke the rules.
n
a liquid natural resource from which many fuels are made.
petroleum
/pəˈtroʊ.li.əm/
The petroleum at that factory is used to make gasoline.
n
a large area of land usually based on some common feature.
region
/ˈriː.dʒən/
This is the wheat-growing region of the country.
n
a small amount of something.
scrap
/skræp/
Chris liked to use many scraps of paper when thinking up ideas.
n
a part of a country’s economy in a specific type of industry.
sector
/ˈsek.tɚ/
We learned about just a few of the factories within the manufacturing sector.
V
to agree with something.
subscribe
/səbˈskraɪb/
She subscribed to the view that musical education should be kept in schools.
V
to have the food, water, and money needed to stay alive.
subsist
/səbˈsɪst/
Some people are forced to subsist on only a few dollars a month.
V
to delay or stop something from happening for a while.
suspend
/səˈspend/
The oil company suspended production until it was sure the factory was safe.
n
a combination of different ideas or styles.
synthesis
/ˈsɪn.θə.sɪs/
The band’s music was a synthesis of many different musical genres.
n
a person who entertains people by doing amazing physical things.
acrobat
/ˈæk.rə.bæt/
There were acrobats at the circus that did impressive and complicated jumps.
n
the act of supporting or recommending something.
advocacy
/ˈæd.və.kə.si/
Janine’s strong advocacy for the event made people want to attend.
adj
involves a group of people.
communal
/ˈkɑː.mjə.nəl/ /kəˈmjuː.nəl/
On the weekends, Theo and his son picked up trash in the communal park.
adj
smooth and moves gracefully.
fluid
/ˈfluː.ɪd/
Boris was a famous ballet dancer because people admired his fluid movements.
V
to make different things go well together.
harmonize
/ˈhɑːr.mə.naɪz/
The sweet and sour flavors of the dish harmonized well and tasted great.
adj
An …. person works hard:
industrious
/ɪnˈdʌs.tri.əs/
Dennis was very industrious, so he never had problems finding a job.
adj
good at creating new things.
inventive
/ɪnˈven.t̬ɪv/
The inventive student built a robot to help her with her chores.
n
one of the two main Chinese languages.
Mandarin
/ˈmæn.dɚ.ɪn/
Although John’s parents both spoke Mandarin, he could only speak English.
adj
relates to a large city.
metropolitan
/ˌmet.rəˈpɑː.lə.tən/
After years of living on a farm, Rufu was finally moving to a metropolitan area.
V
to copy the way something sounds, moves, looks, etc.
mimic
/ˈmɪm.ɪk/
The hunter mimicked a duck’s call and shot the two ducks that called back.
past tense and past participle mimicked
adj
based on bad judgment or wrong beliefs.
misguided
/ˌmɪsˈɡaɪ.dɪd/
The snake bit Molly during her misguided attempt to catch it.
V
to practice and prepare for a performance in front of people.
rehearse
/rəˈhɝːs/
Vick’s band rehearsed all week before their first show
adj
clever at using what resources they have.
resourceful
/rɪˈsɔːr.sfəl/
Because he was very resourceful, he could make most of the things he needed rather than buying them.
V
to behave without respect toward them.
scorn
/skɔːrn/
The criminal was scorned by everyone in the community.
adj
related to the senses.
sensory
/ˈsen.sər.i/
Iris and Eric preferred the sensory thrill of watching movies in the theater.
n
a law that is official and has been written down.
statute
/ˈstætʃ.uːt/
The new statute made it illegal to walk dogs in the park.
adj
skill that requires good control of technique.
technical
/ˈtek.nɪ.kəl/
Her technical skill was perfect.
n
someone who has a lot of experience doing something.
veteran
/ˈve.t̬ɚ.ən/
Hank was the team veteran and had completed more races than anyone else.
n
an evil person who breaks the law or hurts others.
villain
/ˈvɪl.ən/
The villain made off with half of my family’s valuables.
n
a plant that has long, twisting stems and climbs upward.
vine
/vaɪn/
The branches of the trees were covered with vines.
