Brainscape Bot Deck 4 Flashcards
adjective
of excellent quality; very great:
He is a ______ dancer.
Taylor scored a ______ goal at the end of the first half.
______ seafood
The cast is ______, especially Philip Bosco.
a ______ly illustrated book
superb
adjective
(of places) extremely dirty and unpleasant, often because of lack of money:
Many prisons, even today, are overcrowded and _______ places.
It’s the usual _______ rock star tale of drugs, sex, and overdoses.
The _______ apartment was her first home in the city.
He lived in dreadful _____or despite having a small fortune in the bank.
grimy: Don’t wipe your grimy hands on that clean towel!
messy: Ben’s bedroom is always really messy.
scruffy: He’s the typical scruffy student.
filthy: Wash your hands before dinner - they’re filthy!
dirty: This shirt is dirty.
squalid
adjective
very dry and without enough rain for plants:
The desert is so ____ that nothing can grow there.
After several ____ years, the company has started to become successful.
I found his writing extremely ____.
an ____ region
arid
adjective
(especially of earth or crops) dried out because of too much heat and not enough rain:
_______ earth/fields/corn
It was the height of summer and the land was _______ and brown.
I must get a drink - I’m absolutely _______!
My lips were _______.
parched
adjective
giving you more information and understanding of something:
That was a very ____________ programme.
The instruction manual that came with my new computer wasn’t very ____________ about how to operate it.
enlightening
adjective
very embarrassed:
[ + to infinitive ] She was absolutely _________ to hear her son swearing at the teacher.
embarrassed: I was too embarrassed to admit I was wrong.
abashed: She looked at the floor, abashed.
shamefaced: He stood shamefaced at the door, looking at the vase he had just knocked to the ground.
sheepish: She startled, then gave him a sheepish smile as she picked up her dropped papers.
ashamed: He was ashamed that he had been caught stealing.
mortified
adjective
enthusiastic and eager:
a _______ supporter of the government’s policies
He thought the reporters were too _______ in their attempts to get into the event.
zealous
adjective
very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something very much:
They were very ____ to start work as soon as possible.
Joan wanted to go to a movie but I wasn’t ____ (= I didn’t want to go).
She’s a ____ tennis player.
She’s ____ on (playing) tennis.
UK My son’s mad ____ on cycling.
He’s rather ____ on a girl in his school (= he is very attracted to her).
Many people are taking a ____ interest (= a very great interest) in the result of the vote.
a ____ north wind
a ____ knife/blade
a ____ interest in painting
a ____ eye for detail
a ____ sense of smell
Theresa isn’t too ____ on pets.
Some firms are diversifying their businesses in response to ____ competition.
Superstores may offer ____ prices that small-town shops cannot match.
A ____ member of two local investment clubs, he runs portfolios of shares for both himself and his wife.
a ____ interest in sth Among the foundation’s donors are corporations with a ____ interest in issues before the legislature.
____ on sth Like every banker these days, he is ____ on managing other people’s wealth.
____ to do sth The company is ____ to expand beyond the UK.
a ____ sense of smell
keen
adjective
extremely happy and excited, often because something has happened or been achieved:
The prince was reported to be ______ at/by the birth of his daughter.
He was ______ by the news that he had won a full scholarship.
glad: I was so glad to see her.
pleased: He was pleased that she had come back.
happy: I’m much happier in my new job.
cheerful: She’s always very cheerful.
in a good mood: You’re in a good mood this morning!
elated
adjective
wanting very much to do or have something, especially something interesting or enjoyable:
the children’s _____ faces
[ + to infinitive ] She sounded very _____ to meet you.
They crowded around the spokesperson, _____ for any news.
Lots of _____ volunteers responded to the appeal for help.
_____: She was _____ to help.
excited: The children were very excited to go to the zoo.
avid: He took an avid interest in the project.
enthusiastic: He was very enthusiastic about the idea of moving to Spain.
be dying for/to do: I’m dying for a glass of water
raring to: I’ve bought all the paint and I’m raring to get started on the decorating.
eager
adjective
Exorbitant prices, demands, etc. are much too large:
an __________ price/fee/rate
The bill for dinner was __________.
The hotel charges were __________.
The interest charged on most credit cards is __________.
pricey: The restaurants in town are a bit pricey.
exclusive: They have an apartment in an exclusive part of town.
costly: They made several costly mistakes, including spending $60 million on shoddy machinery.
dear: UK I find the veg too dear in that supermarket.
expensive: He thinks he’s special with his expensive suits and fancy shoes.
exorbitant
adverb
now, very soon, or very recently:
It’s ____ amazing how powerful the new computers are.
I ____ wanted to ask you if you’re free this afternoon.
We arrived at the airport ____ in time to catch the plane.
This dress (only) ____ fits.
“Can you see the stage?” “Yes, only ____/____ about.”
I’ve ____ about finished painting the living room.
It’s ____ possible that we might be going away that weekend.
It’s ____ dreadful what happened to her.
The judge’s sentence was perfectly ____ in the circumstances.
I don’t really think he had ____ cause to complain.
He ____ left – if you run, you can catch him.
It was ____ past (= very soon after) midnight.
a ____ verdict
We got the children off to school ____ as the bus was about to leave.
The doctor will see you in ____ a minute/moment/second (= very soon).
Beth looks ____ like her mother.
[ + question word ] It was ____ what I expected.
I’ll ____ check my e-mail, then we can go for coffee.
I ____ called to wish you a happy birthday.
We’ll ____ have to wait and see what happens.
He ____ won’t listen to me.
We arrived at the airport ____ in time to catch the plane.
Matthew weighed ____ (= slightly) over seven pounds at birth.
“Are you finished yet?” “Just about.”
You look ____ wonderful!
We’re ____ about to begin (= We will begin very soon).
Can I ____ borrow the scissors for a second?
It’s ____ too expensive.
He ____ won’t do as he’s told.
Just because you’re older than me doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.
“Where are you, Jim?” “I’m ____ coming.”
I’ll ____ finish this, then we can go.
He’d ____ got into the bath when the phone rang.
The children arrived at school ____ as (= at the same moment as) the bell was ringing.
The doctor will be with you in ____ a minute/moment/second (= very soon).
It’s ____ after/past (UK also gone) ten o’clock.
Who was that at the door ____ now?
John’s in the bath ____ now - can he call you back?
This carpet would be ____ right for the dining room.
The twins look ____ like each other.
You’ve got ____ as many toys as your brother.
Thank you, it’s ____ what I’ve always wanted.
I can’t help you ____ now/yet.
Just then, the lights went out.
I can ____ imagine Sophie as a police officer.
informal approving That dress is ____ you (= suits you very well).
“Would you like another drink?” “OK, ____ one more.”
It was ____ a joke.
His daughter’s ____ a baby/____ a few weeks old.
We’ll ____ have to (= the only thing we can do is) wait and see what happens.
She lives ____ down the road (= very near).
Things turned out ____ as I expected.
just
adjective
far away:
a _______ relative/cousin
At some point in the _______ future I would like to have my own house.
They plan to have children in the not-too-_______ future.
She seemed cold and _______.
She dreamed of traveling to _______ lands.
We could hear the sound of _______ thunder.
She could hear the _______ sound of fireworks exploding.
a _______ country
unfriendly: The crowd was unfriendly and dangerous.
cool: She was very cool towards his new wife.
cold: She’s a cold, heartless woman.
icy: He gave me an icy stare.
glacial: Her reception of him was glacial.
distant
adjective
happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way:
The police took _____ action against the rioters.
The gazelle is one of the _____est and most graceful of animals.
A _____ current carried him downstream.
Public reaction has been _____ and negative.
The sky was _____ly becoming dark.
Thank you for your _____ reply.
fast: I tried to catch him, but he was too fast for me.
quick: I tried to catch him, but he was too quick for me.
prompt: A prompt reply would be very much appreciated.
speedy: Everyone is hoping for a speedy resolution to the conflict.
_____: The teacher’s _____ action saved his life.
swift
adjective
annoying, worrying, or causing problems :
The shortage of qualified teachers remains a ______ problem.
vexing
adjective
unable to control your feelings or behaviour because you are extremely frightened, angry, excited, etc.:
Calm down, you’re getting __________.
The police were accused of __________ over-reaction.
__________ laughter (= uncontrolled laughter)
His last film was __________.
Calm down, you’re getting __________.
She broke into __________ laughter (= laughter that is uncontrollable).
infml That joke was __________ (= extremely amusing).
Gillian was laughing/crying __________ly.
funny: She told me a funny story about Max.
amusing: I gave her an article that I thought she would find amusing.
humorous: She wrote a humorous account of her teenage years.
hilarious: It’s the most hilarious comedy on television.
__________: I’ve just read his autobiography - it’s absolutely __________.
hysterical
adjective
extremely funny and causing a lot of laughter:
He didn’t like the film at all - I thought it was _________.
Her jokes are absolutely _________.
funny: She told me a funny story about Max.
amusing: I gave her an article that I thought she would find amusing.
humorous: She wrote a humorous account of her teenage years.
_________: It’s the most _________ comedy on television.
hysterical: I’ve just read his autobiography - it’s absolutely hysterical.
hilarious
adjective
very exciting:
an ____________ performance
electrifying
verb
to remove a difficulty, especially so that action to deal with it becomes unnecessary:
A peaceful solution would _______ the need to send a UN military force.
obviate
verb
to sell something, especially a business or a part of a business:
The company is ______ing its less profitable business operations.
She has ______ed herself of (= sold) some of her share-holdings.
He had encouraged the state to ______ such holdings.
The company has ______ed itself of some of its money-losing operations.
The company will be ______ing some assets that no longer fit its profile.
We have made a decision to ______ from the hotel and casinos business to focus more on drinks sales.
sell: Are you selling your car?
retail: The company makes and retails moderately priced sportswear.
deal in: They mainly deal in rare books.
______: US The investors ______ed themselves of the company’s stock.
sell off: The company is selling off the less profitable parts of its business.
divest
verb
to say that something is certainly true:
[ + that ] She ____red that he was guilty.
[ + speech ] “He’s guilty, I tell you,” she ____red.
The lawyer ____red her client’s innocence.
aver
adjective
A ________ sound is loud, unpleasant, and rough:
People are put off by his ________ voice.
a ________ newspaper article
They are becoming increasingly ________ in their criticism of government economic policy.
________ criticism
a ________ voice
strident
verb
If things such as paper or leaves ______, or if you ______ them, they move about and make a soft, dry sound:
We heard the ______ of her dress.
[ U ] the _____ing of papers on the desk
[ T ] A sudden breeze ______d the leaves.
He ______d his papers (= noisily moved them about) to hide his embarrassment.
The leaves ______d in the breeze.
rustle
noun
a statement that you strongly believe is true:
I certainly don’t agree with his _________ that men are better drivers than women.
assertion
noun
a formal and unfriendly way of behaving that suggests that the person thinks they are better than other people
hauteur
verb
to experience something that is unpleasant or something that involves a change:
She _____went an operation on a tumour in her left lung last year.
Playing board games is _______ing a revival in popularity.
He recently _____went heart bypass surgery.
undergo
adjective
very careful to behave correctly or to give attention to details:
He was always ___________ in his manners.
punctilious
verb
to put things that are not similar next to each other:
The exhibition _________s Picasso’s early drawings with some of his later works.
The exhibition _________s architectural drawings with photographs of the buildings as constructed.
[ C ] The ________ition of the original painting with the fake clearly showed up the differences.
juxtapose
noun
arguments and disagreement, especially in an organization, group, political party, etc.:
There are signs of __________ within the ruling political party.
There was a good deal of __________ within women’s rights organizations about setting political goals.
dissension
adjective
naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from another place:
Are there any species of frog __________ to the area?
So who are the __________ people of this land?
The Navajos are among the __________ people of North America.
__________ firms
The most profitable __________ business is cocoa growing.
__________ tourism
Are there any species of frog __________ to the area?
indigenous
verb
to make an unpleasantly loud noise:
The loudspeakers _____d across the square.
The radio was ____ing (out) martial music.
the _____ of trumpets
Music _____d from a radio.
The siren’s _____ was deafening.
blare
verb
to express great pleasure or happiness, especially at someone else’s defeat or failure:
They _____ed at/over their victory.
She seems to _____ in her power.
He _____ed in the publicity he received.
He was _____ant at the news of his team’s victory.
exult
noun
a small part or amount of something larger, stronger, or more important that still exists from something that existed in the past:
These old buildings are the last _______s of a colonial past.
There is now no _______ of hope that the missing children will be found alive.
Vestiges of ancient settlements can be seen in the caves.
vestige
adjective
(of actions and behaviour) deserving praise, even if there is little or no success:
a ________ goal/ambition
The recycling programme is ________, but does it save much money?
laudable
verb
If it _________s that something has happened, this previously secret or unknown fact becomes known:
[ + that ] It may yet _________ that ministers knew more than they are admitting at the moment.
As it later _________d, she had known him at school.
No one is willing to predict what may _________ at the peace conference.
A lot has _________d since we last spoke.
transpire
adjective
seeming attractive but really false or of little value:
He claims that a lot of journalism is ____________ and superficial.
meretricious
adjective
real and not imaginary; able to be shown, touched, or experienced:
We need ________ evidence if we’re going to take legal action.
Other ________ benefits include an increase in salary and shorter working hours.
Drivers will see ________ improvements on major roadways.
________ evidence/proof/signs We can now see ________ evidence of economic renewal and growth.
a ________ achievement/benefit/effect Rewards can include financial payments, promotions, and other ________ benefits.
________ improvement/progress/results They hope the meeting will achieve ________ results.
A key difference between ________ cash and almost any other form of money lies in traceability.
________ goods/products The company buys and sells services as well as ________ goods.
The summit will bring the area some useful publicity and, more _______y, a huge building boom.
Quality standards for ________s like food are easier to assess than for in________s such as service or waiting times.
The price of precious metals and other ________s should appreciate over the following years.
tangible
noun
a container used for storing or putting objects in:
Residents are given four separate __________s for their rubbish.
a trash __________
receptacle
noun
a sudden, short period of noise, confusion, or excited movement:
His arrival caused quite a _________.
He looked up to see what all the _________ was about.
[ C ] There was a _________ outside the embassy.
commotion
adjective
(of a person) friendly and in a good mood, or (of a situation) enjoyable because of being friendly and pleasant:
He seemed a very ______ guy.
a ______ time/evening/chat
a ______ smile
friendly: I like his sister - she’s so friendly.
nice: Her boyfriend is really nice.
amiable: She was perfectly amiable.
genial: Our genial host led us to our room.
congenial: He’s very congenial and so quite likeable.
jovial
adjective
fat:
a _________ gentleman
a _________ man
fat: He’s got fatter as he’s got older.
overweight: She used to be overweight.
obese: More and more children are becoming obese.
plump: He’s got rather plump since I last saw him.
chubby: Look at the baby’s chubby little legs.
corpulent
noun
a feeling of wanting better treatment or an improved situation:
Discontent among junior ranks was rapidly spreading.
There was widespread __________ at/about/over/with the plan.
Mexican-American leaders expressed __________ with the administration.
Discontented with her job, Cassandra often talked of leaving.
discontent
noun
the quality of being able to float:
We tested the boat for ________.
He swam with an inflatable ________ device.
The ________ of the oil market is likely to encourage price growth.
He was a man of remarkable ________.
We tested different materials for ________.
Costs have been pushed up by the ________ of the public sector.
The news failed to give ________ to the company’s shares.
There is continued ________ in the property market.
buoyancy
adjective
easily upset or annoyed, and often complaining:
a _________ child
_________ relationships
the _________ nature of politics
fractious
adjective
sad and thinking about something that is impossible or in the past:
She spoke _______ly of their early years together.
a _______ smile
I thought about those days in Spain and grew _______.
She cast a _______ glance at the bridal gowns in the window.
wistful
verb
to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible:
He wanted to _____ his time with Henrietta and their grown children.
It was the first chocolate he’d tasted for over a year, so he _____ed every mouthful.
enjoy yourself: He’s enjoying himself at his job.
like: I like hiking a lot.
love: After working in the garden, I love a good soak in the tub.
relish: Jonathan always relishes a challenge.
lap up: He lapped up all the attention they gave him.
enjoy: Enjoy your meal!
savor
verb
to exchange ideas on a particular subject, often in order to reach a decision on what action to take:
I need some time to ______ with my lawyer.
An honorary doctorate was ______red on him by Columbia University.
I need to ______ with my lawyer.
The US Constitution ______s certain powers on the president.
______ about sth They were in constant contact, ______ring about every aspect of the construction project.
______ with sb We asked for some time to ______ with our advisers.
talk: A group of men were talking in the street.
say: I couldn’t hear what they were saying.
chat: We were just chatting about the party.
have a chat: We had a little chat over the garden wall.
chatter: They spent the morning chattering away.
give: Give me that dirty plate.
offer: Your doctor should be able to offer advice.
provide: This booklet provides useful information about local services.
supply: The lake supplies the whole town with water.
donate: Four hundred dollars has been donated to the school book fund.
speak: Could I speak to you privately?
confer
noun
a state of extreme happiness or excitement:
There’s a sense of _______ at having completed a race of such length.
elation
adjective
with too much decoration or detail:
a \_\_\_\_\_\_ architectural style \_\_\_\_\_\_ prose/rhetoric a \_\_\_\_\_\_ complexion a \_\_\_\_\_\_ complexion a \_\_\_\_\_\_ architectural style \_\_\_\_\_\_ prose/speech
florid
verb
to hurt or deceive a group of people, especially people who are weak or can easily be hurt or deceived:
It’s particularly contemptible that these sort of people ____ on the elderly.
He would attack at night, ____ing on lone women in their twenties or thirties.
prey
adjective
to be told information that is not told to many people:
Only top management was _____ to (= knew about) the proposed merger.
I was never _____ to conversations between top management.
privy
verb
When small children and animals _______, they run with small quick steps:
The children _______ed off into the garden.
The kitten _______ed around the kitchen, chasing a ball.
run: She saw him running down the street.
sprint: I had to sprint to catch the bus.
jog: “What do you do to keep fit?” “I jog and go swimming.”
race: He raced up the stairs to answer the phone.
rush: Everyone rushed to the door when the alarm went off.
dash: He dashed out the door after the dog.
scamper
adjective
unpleasantly bright in colour or decoration:
_____ plastic flowers
He was wearing a _____ Hawaiian shirt.
gaudy
adjective
wrong or false:
an _________ belief/impression
an _________ assumption
wrong: That’s the wrong answer. Read the question again.
incorrect: The information on the website is incorrect.
_________: No one could explain how the _________ information had got into the report.
inaccurate: Their estimation of the cost was wildly (=extremely) inaccurate.
erroneous
adjective
noisy and possibly violent:
a _____ party
_____ behaviour
The theater was full of _____ teenagers throwing popcorn and yelling.
rowdy
adjective
not expressing or showing intelligent thought or purpose:
a _______ remark/question/expression/smile
To seem real to your readers, your characters must not be _______, but complex human beings with ordinary difficulties and goals.
vacuous
adjective
with many turns and changes of direction; not direct or simple:
He took a ________ route through back streets.
The path to peace seems at last to be clear, although it may be a long and ________ one.
His so-called shortcut turned out to be ________ and slow.
tortuous
noun
humour or lack of seriousness, especially during a serious occasion:
a moment of ______
a brief moment of ______ amid the solemn proceedings
levity
adjective
not noticeable; seeming to fit in well with the things around:
Make-up this season is ___________ and natural-looking.
A good waiter is efficient and ___________.
unobtrusive
adjective
showing that you are happy and confident:
He scampered _____ily down the stairs.
a ______ grin/step
When he came back his hat was at a ______ angle and he was smiling.
jaunty
adjective
extremely worried, nervous, or upset:
We were all __________ over the loss of our homes in the flood.
The missing child’s __________ parents made an emotional appeal for information on TV.
sad: She’s been sad ever since her cat died.
unhappy: She’d had a very unhappy childhood.
miserable: I just woke up feeling miserable.
upset: They’d had an argument and he was still upset about it.
broken-hearted: She was broken-hearted when her partner left.
distraught
verb
to dance, drink, sing, etc. at a party or in public, especially in a noisy way
revel
noun
a feeling of hate:
She denied any personal ______ towards him.
Bitter historical _____ies underlie the present violence.
enmity
noun
very great admiration or respect for someone, often too great:
Newton was revered to the point of ________.
Father Brown considers the notes and flowers left near the statue to be close to ________.
The youngster makes no attempt to conceal his ________ of his team-mate.
idolatry
adjective
suitable or right for a particular situation:
She’s in her eighties now and ___ to be a little forgetful.
We have some particularly ___ students in the class this year.
Chris’s ___ comments summed up our opinions.
This old roof is ___ to leak when it rains.
He was very tall and was ___ly called “Stretch.”
The kitchen roof is ___ to (= likely to) leak when it rains.
an ___ comment/description
suitable: This film contains language that is not suitable for children.
appropriate: Is this film appropriate for young children?
___: “Unusual”, yes, that’s a very ___ description.
fitting: The promotion was a fitting reward for all his hard work.
apt
adjective
extremely unpleasant and shocking, and usually dealing with death or injury:
The newspaper article included a ________ description of the murder.
The movie was pretty ________.
gruesome
verb
to move quickly, with small, short steps:
The mouse _____ied across the floor.
We paused between showers to listen for the flap of wings or the ______ of creatures.
The next few weeks were the usual ______ of activity.
That remark went unnoticed in the ______ of the radio studio.
Mice _____ied around the attic.
The noise of the explosion sent everyone ______ing back into their homes.
run: She saw him running down the street.
sprint: I had to sprint to catch the bus.
jog: “What do you do to keep fit?” “I jog and go swimming.”
race: He raced up the stairs to answer the phone.
rush: Everyone rushed to the door when the alarm went off.
dash: He dashed out the door after the dog.
scurry
adjective
smelling strongly of something or having qualities (especially smells) that make you think of something else:
The album is a heartfelt cry, ________ of a time before radio and television.
The mountain air was ________ with the scent of pine needles.
redolent
noun
a lot of small red spots on the skin:
I’ve got an itchy ____ all over my chest.
If you stay in the sun too long you’ll get (a) heat ____.
UK He came out/up in a ____ after he fell in a patch of nettles.
There has been a ____ of robberies/accidents/complaints in the last two months.
That was a ____ decision - you didn’t think about the costs involved.
[ + to infinitive ] I think it was a bit ____ of them to get married when they’d only known each other for a few weeks.
It was ____ of them to get married so quickly.
an itchy ____
There’s been a ____ of robberies in the valley.
a ____ statement
careless: That was careless of you.
sloppy: Spelling mistakes always look sloppy in a formal letter.
slapdash: His work is always hurried and slapdash.
____: That was a ____ decision - you didn’t think about the costs involved.
thoughtless: The Prime Minister made a thoughtless remark about the environment.
rash
adjective
too serious and trying to be very important:
The problem with the book is that it sometimes descends into __________ philosophizing.
The report contains numerous __________ references to a future environmental calamity.
portentous
verb
to express a quality or feeling through the way that you look and behave:
Her face _______d sadness.
[ I always + adv/prep ] Angry voices _______d from the next room.
emanate
