Direct Hits 1 Core Vocabulary I Flashcards
ambivalent
having mixed or opposing feelings at the same time
anomalous
atypical, full of anomalies
sarcastic, sardonic, snide
mocking; derisive; taunting; stinging
dearth, paucity
a scarcity or shortage of something
wry, droll
dry; humorous with a clever twist and a touch of irony
unconventional, unorthodox
not ordinary or typical; characterized by avoiding customary conventions and behaviors
meticulous, painstaking, fastidious
extremely careful; very exacting
audacious
fearlessly, often recklessly daring; very bold
indifferent, apathetic
marked by a lack of interest or concern; nonchalant
diffident, self-effacing
hesitant due to a lack of self-confidence; unassertive; shy; retiring
pragmatic
practical; sensible; not idealistic or romantic
evocation
an imaginative re-creation of something; a calling forth
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant and defiant; obstinate; obdurate; refractory; disobedient
clandestine, surreptitious
secret; covert; not open; not aboveboard
affable, amiable, genial, gregarious
agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; warm and friendly
austere
having no adornment or ornamentation; bare; not ornate
austerity
great self-denial, economy, discipline; lack of adornment
altruism
unselfish concern for the welfare of others
ambiguity
the quality or state of having more than one possible meaning; doubtful; equivocal, ambiguous—unclear; uncertain; open to more than one interpretation; not definitive; dubious
ambiguous
unclear; uncertain; open to more than one interpretation; not definitive; dubious