English Deck Flashcards
adjective disapproving
having or showing a wish to harm someone because you think that they harmed you; unwilling to forgive:
In the movie “Cape Fear”, a lawyer’s family is threatened by a _______ former prisoner.
Synonyms
revengeful vengeful
vindictive
verb
to show that you are sorry for bad behavior by doing something or accepting punishment:
to _______ a crime/sin
expiate
feeling or expressing great pleasure or satisfaction because of your own success or good luck, or someone else’s failure or bad luck:
The _______ expression in his eyes had been replaced by curiosity.
He _______ at it, then at Michael, with a _______ expression.
gloating
a large building, especially an impressive one:
The town hall is the only _______ surviving from the 15th century.
Synonyms building construction (BUILDING) erection (BUILDING) structure (BUILDING)
a system that has been established for a long time:
It looks as if the whole political _______ of the country is about to collapse.
edifice
showing no respect for a god or a religion, often through language:
_______ language
Funny, _______, and fearless, she has become one of America’s biggest television celebrities.
profane
extremely loving and loyal: a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_fan/husband Lucy is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to her cats. Synonyms committed dedicated faithful (LOYAL)firm (CERTAIN)loyal (LOYAL)staunch steadfast approving steady true (SINCERE)unfaltering unshakeable unswerving
devoted
believing strongly in a religion and obeying all its rules or principles:
a _______ Buddhist/Christian/churchgoer
devout
behaving as if you are better than other people, and that their opinions, beliefs, or ideas are not important:
He spoke in a haughty, _______ voice.
Synonyms
haughty disapproving imperious sneering
supercilious
the quality of being new and unusual:
The _______ of these toys soon wore off and the children became bored with them.
In Britain in the 1950s, television still had _______ value.
something that has not been experienced before and so is interesting:
Tourists are still a _______ on this remote island.
a cheap unusual object such as a small toy, often given as a present:
The shop sells gifts and other _______.
A Christmas cracker usually contains a paper hat, a joke, and a _______.
a _______ item
novelty
friendly, but and polite:
a _______ smile/greeting/welcome/reception
Relations between the two leaders are said to be _______.
cordial
If behavior or beliefs, etc. are _______, they are very unpleasant, causing a feeling of disgust:
a _______ smell
I find your attitude towards these women quite _______.
The idea of cheating in an exam is morally _______ to me.
Synonyms
abhorrent detestable disgusting repulsive
repugnant
big problems or troubles:
The country has been beset by economic _______s for the past decade.
Unusually poor harvests have added to the country’s _______s.
[ U ] literary
extreme sadness:
Her face was lined and full of _______.
He told me a real tale of _______about how he had lost both his job and his house in the same week.
woe
to laugh or shout insults at someone to show you have no respect for them:
The people at the back of the hall _______ the speaker.
Critics _______ at his moral stance.
“Angry because you don’t like the truth?” he _______.
Synonyms
barrack scoff
jeer
done secretly, without anyone seeing or knowing:
She seemed to be listening to what I was saying, but I couldn’t help noticing her _______ glances at the clock.
Synonyms
clandestine cloak-and-dagger hush-hush undercover
surreptitious
done or said without any preparation or thought:
an _______ speech
Synonyms
impromptu
extemporaneous
strong belief in a religion that is shown in the way someone lives
Synonym
devotion (RELIGION)
piety
unkind, cruel, and without sympathy or feeling for other people:
It might sound _______ , but I don’t care if he’s homeless. He’s not living with me!
Synonyms
barbaric barbarous formal brutal cruel hard (SEVERE)harsh (UNKIND)inhuman sadistic savage tyrannous vicious
callous
adjective
willing to accept or be influenced by a suggestion:
She might be more _______ to the idea if you explained how much money it would save.
Do you think the new manager will prove more _______ to our proposals?
Synonyms
accommodating acquiescent complaisant compliant docile malleable obedient pliant (PERSON)
amenable
pleasant and friendly: He seemed an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ young man. So \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ was the mood of the meeting that a decision was soon reached. Synonyms affable good-humored
amiable
noun
courage over a long period:
I thought she showed remarkable _______ during that period.
fortitude
basic:
Her knowledge is still only _______.
rudimentary
to criticize something or someone strongly, usually for moral reasons:
The terrorist action has been _______ as an act of barbarism and cowardice.
The film was _______ for its sexism.
Synonyms
[attack] (CRITICIZE)[castigate] [censure] [chastise] (CRITICIZE) [criticize] [damn] (BLAME)[decry] [denounce] (CRITICIZE)[excoriate] [rail] [revile] [slam]
condemn
adjective
too obviously showing your money, possessions, or power, in an attempt to make other people notice and admire you:
They criticized the _______ lifestyle of their leaders.
an _______ gesture/manner
ostentatious
the quality of being true, honest, or accurate:
Doubts were cast on the _______ of her alibi.
Synonyms
truth truthfulness
veracity
to increase a lot and suddenly in number:
Small businesses have _______ in the last ten years.
proliferate
behaving politely and in a controlled way:
His manner, as ever, was _______.
Synonyms
formal seemly old-fashioned
decorous
hidden or secret:
_______ actions
The government was accused of _______ military operations against the regime.
covert
Methods, beliefs, ideas, etc. that are _______ combine whatever seem the best or most useful things from many different areas or systems, rather than following a single system:
an _______ style/approach
an _______ taste in literature
eclectic
using few words, sometimes in a way that seems rude or unfriendly:
“Are you feeling any better?” “No!” was the _______ reply.
Synonyms
curt disapproving laconic
terse
the state of having two opposing feelings at the same time, or being uncertain about how you feel:
her _______ towards men
Real social relationships are marked by ambiguity and _______.
ambivalence
bad sexual behavior, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs, etc.:
a life of _______
debauchery
literary
based on deep feeling and emotional reactions rather than on reason or thought:
_______ hatred/excitement
His approach to acting is _______ rather than intellectual.
visceral
(of people) behaving secretly and often dishonestly, or (of actions) done secretly and often dishonestly:
I saw him cast a _______ glance at the woman at the table to his right.
He made one or two _______ phone calls.
There was something _______ about his behavior and I immediately felt suspicious.
furtive
to avoid something, especially cleverly or illegally:
Ships were registered abroad to _______ employment and safety regulations.
circumvent
hard work, especially work that makes you feel physically tired:
Lindy has achieved her comfortable life only after years of hard _______.
humorous Well, after a day’s _______ in the office I like to relax a little.
Synonyms
labor work (ACTIVITY)
toil
an act that shows that you feel sorry about something that you have done, sometimes for religious reasons:
As a _______, she said she would buy them all a box of chocolates.
They are doing _______ for their sins.
penance
to lose strength, determination, or purpose, especially temporarily:
I’m afraid my concentration began to _______ as lunch approached.
He has never _______ in his support for the leader.
If you _______ between two possibilities, you cannot decide which of them to choose or you keep choosing one way and then the other:
“What are you going to have?” “Err, I’m _______ between the soup and the mushroom quiche.”
waver
almost not:
I was _______ able to move my arm after the accident.
I could _______ believe it when she said she wanted to marry me.
used to say that something happened immediately after something else happened:
I had _______ sat down/_______ had I sat down to eat when the phone rang.
Synonyms
barely hardly
scarcely
easily seen or understood:
The full extent of the damage only became _______ the following morning.
From the smell it was _______ that the drains had been blocked for several days.
Harry’s courage during his illness was _______ to everyone.
Her love for him was _______ in all that she did.
Synonyms
manifest obvious
evident
in a dangerous state because of not being safe or not being held in place firmly:
The lorry was lodged in a very _______ way, with its front wheels hanging over the cliff.
A _______ situation is likely to get worse:
Many borrowers now find themselves caught in a _______ financial position.
precarious
careful and avoiding risks:
[ + to infinitive ] It’s always _______ to read a contract carefully before signing it.
Synonym
cautious
prudent
extreme pleasure and happiness or excitement:
He listened to the music with an expression of pure _______ on his face.
The prime minister’s supporters greeted her speech with _______.
rapture
used to describe beliefs that are strongly and sincerely felt or people who have strong and sincere beliefs:
a _______ supporter of the communist party
It is his _______ hope that a peaceful solution will soon be found.
Synonym
impassioned
fervent
the state of showing no real interest or effort:
After a sudden burst of activity, the team lapsed back into _______.
The people feel trapped between the _______ and apathy of the authorities and fear of the criminals.
indolence
to catch and arrest someone who has not obeyed the law:
The police have finally _______ the killer.
apprehend
an official statement that something must happen:
The _______ stopped short of a full declaration of independence.
More than 200 people were freed by military _______.
Synonyms
edict fiat order
decree
to use something such as authority, power, influence, etc. in order to make something happen:
If you were to _______ your influence they might change their decision.
Some managers _______ considerable pressure on their staff to work extra hours without being paid.
exert
to reduce the force of something, or to prevent something from existing or developing:
The fire burned for eight hours before the fire crews could _______ it.
He criticized the school for trying to _______ individual expression.
subdue
thinking in a quiet way, often with a serious expression on your face:
She became withdrawn and _______, hardly speaking to anyone.
Synonyms
ruminative wistful
pensive
deserved and severe punishment:
They fled because they feared _______ for the genocide.
She was asked whether a civilian government should seek _______ against military officers involved in human rights abuses.
Many saw her death as divine _______ (= punishment by God) for her crimes.
retribution
an attempt to persuade someone to do something: She refused to become involved with him despite his passionate \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Synonyms appeal plea (REQUEST) formal prayer request
entreaty
to tell something secret or personal to someone who you trust not to tell anyone else:
[ + that ] He _______ (to her) that his hair was not his own.
[ + speech ] “My husband doesn’t know yet, but I’m going to leave him,” she _______.
confide
rude and not showing respect: an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ child/young man an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ gesture/remark Synonyms cheeky UK disrespectful fresh (TOO CONFIDENT) informal impertinent impudent
insolent
the quality of being rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone who is older or in a more important position:
With a hint of _______ she told him not to talk.
The memoir describes his life with honesty and _______.
impudence
to emphasize a particular feature of something or to make something more noticeable:
Her dress was tightly belted, _______ the slimness of her waist.
The new policy only serves to _______ the inadequacy of help for the homeless.
accentuate
GEOLOGY, ENGINEERING specialized
not allowing liquid to go through:
How does glue bond with _______ substances like glass and metal?
Synonyms
impenetrable impermeable
Compare
waterproof watertight (NO WATER) weatherproof
impervious
behavior that is rude and does not show respect, especially someone older or in a higher position than you: She even had the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to lecture Loretta on the importance of hygiene. He threw me out of his class for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
impertinence
a person who suffers very much or is killed because of their religious or political beliefs, and is often admired because of it:
a Christian/Islamic/religious _______
She fought against racism all her life and died a _______ to the cause.
disapproving
someone who tries to get sympathy from others when he or she has a problem or too much work, usually when that person caused the problem or chose to do the work himself or herself:
She offers to do extra work, then plays the _______!
martyr
angry and unwilling to smile or be pleasant to people:
His daughters stared back at him with an expression of _______ resentment.
literary She looked up at the _______ (= dark and unpleasant) sky and shuddered.
Synonym
morose
sullen
to suggest, without being direct, that something unpleasant is true:
[ + (that) ] Are you _______ (that) I’m losing my nerve?
What are you _______, Daniel?
insinuate
to do something unwillingly and in a way that shows that you think you are too important to do it:
If she _______ to reply to my letter, I’ll be extremely surprised.
Synonym
condescend to do sth usually humorous
deign
containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts:
You want a plain blouse to go with that skirt - nothing too _______.
They’re making the most _______ preparations for the wedding.
He came out with such an _______ excuse that I didn’t quite believe him.
Synonym
detailed
elaborate
to excuse someone or something from a duty, payment, etc.:
Small businesses have been _______ from the tax increase.
exempt
to express to someone your strong official disapproval of them:
She was _______ by her teacher for biting another girl.
Synonyms
berate chide rebuke
reprimand
a violent storm
tempest
a feeling that something very bad is going to happen soon:
There’s a sense of _______ in the capital, as if fighting might at any minute break out.
Her _______ about the future were to prove justified.
[ + (that) ] He had a strange _______ (that) something would go wrong.
Synonym
dread
foreboding
despite the fact or thing mentioned:
_______ some members’ objections, I think we must go ahead with the plan.
Injuries _______, the team won the semifinal.
notwithstanding
the process of taking a case to a court of law so that a judgment can be made:
The company has consistently denied responsibility, but it agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense of lengthy _______.
litigation
unusual or different from what is around or from what is generally happening:
The new computer looked _______ in the dark book-filled library.
It seems _______ to have a woman as the editor of a men’s magazine.
incongruous
to mix or combine, or be mixed or combined:
The excitement of starting a new job is always _______ with a certain apprehension.
The two flavors _______ well.
mingle
A _______ disease or growth is cancer or is related to cancer, and is likely to be harmful:
The process by which _______ cancer cells multiply isn’t fully understood.
Is the tumor _______ or benign?
Compare
benign (DISEASE)
malignant
C1 LAW specialized
having (legal) responsibility for something or someone:
The law holds parents _______ if a child does not attend school.
If we lose the case we may be _______ for (= have to pay) the costs of the whole trial.
liable
(especially of a problem or a difficulty) so great that it cannot be dealt with successfully:
_______ difficulties
This small country is faced with an _______ debt.
insurmountable
a very strong feeling of no respect for someone or something that you think is stupid or has no value:
She has nothing but _______ for the new generation of politicians.
Why do you always pour/heap _______ on (= criticize severely and unfairly) my suggestions?
scorn
one of the parts that a substance or combination is made of:
What are the basic _______ of the mixture?
constituent
something that makes someone who is sad or disappointed feel better:
If it’s (of) any _______ (to you), you’re not the only one he was nasty to.
I didn’t know what to say - I just offered a few words of _______.
consolation
in a way that is very bad and deserves strong disapproval:
He behaved _______.
the _______ low standards of today’s journalists
deplorably
to move away from the main subject you are writing or talking about and to write or talk about something else:
But I _______. To get back to what I was saying, this poem reflects the poet’s love of nature and his religious beliefs.
The lecturer temporarily _______ from her subject to deal with a related theory.
Compare
sidetrack verb
digress
an unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of:
She is hoping to get a loan from her bank to help her out of her financial _______.
I’m in a bit of a _______ because I’ve accidentally accepted two invitations to dinner on the same night.
Synonyms
mess (PROBLEMS)plight
predicament
C2
peaceful and calm; worried by nothing:
She has a lovely _______ face.
serene
to ask for something in a way that shows you need it very much:
Stay a little longer, I _______ you!
Synonyms
adjure beg entreat
beseech
the appearance or expression of someone’s face:
He was of noble _______.
countenance
making you feel uncomfortable or worried, as if something bad is going to happen:
He stood there in the corner of the room, a dark, _______ presence.
feeling sad, worried, or angry for a long time
brooding
to behave in an annoying manner towards someone by doing or asking for something repeatedly:
At the frontier, there were people _______ tourists for cigarettes, food, or alcohol.
[ + to infinitive ] John has been _______ her to go out with him all month.
Synonyms
annoy badger bug (ANNOY) informal
pester
behaving in a silly way and not taking anything seriously:
I think he sees her as a _______ young woman.
A _______ activity or object is silly or not important rather than useful or serious:
I feel like doing something completely _______ today.
frivolous
showing strong feelings: an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ supporter of Manchester United an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ feminist Synonyms impassioned passionate
ardent
to (cause to) gradually disappear or waste:
The heat gradually _______ into the atmosphere.
His anger _______ as the situation became clear.
dissipate
A _______ woman has a soft, curved, sexually attractive body:
a _______ body/mouth/figure
literary
A _______ experience or object gives you a lot of pleasure because it feels extremely soft and comfortable or it sounds or looks extremely beautiful:
such _______ pleasure
I sank into the bed’s _______ warmth.
voluptuous
to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive:
With her beauty and charm, she _______ film audiences everywhere.
Synonyms
beguile literary bewitch capture charm enchant entrance literary fascinate
captivate
a very steep side of a cliff or a mountain:
The film opens with a shot of a climber dangling from a _______.
a dangerous situation that could lead to harm or failure:
This latest tax increase may push many small companies over the financial _______.
precipice
(especially of a problem) so great or severe that it cannot be defeated or dealt with successfully
insuperable
adjective
_______ misery, poverty, failure, etc.
the state of being extremely unhappy, poor, unsuccessful, etc.:
They live in _______ poverty.
This policy has turned out to be an _______ failure.
abject
in a way that involves great care and attention to detail:
I _______ avoid buying imported products.
She cultivated her friends _______ into her old age.
assiduously
If something that you want _______ you, you do not succeed in achieving it:
The gold medal continues to _______ her.
They had minor breakthroughs but real success _______ them.
elude
disapproving
too interested in unpleasant subjects, especially death:
a _______ fascination with death
MEDICAL specialized
relating to or caused by disease:
She had to have gastric bypass surgery to avoid dying from _______ obesity.
Pathological anatomy (or _______ anatomy) is the study of diseased organs.
morbid
serious and without any humor:
a _______ face/voice
_______ music
Everyone looked very _______.
solemn
not having a strong taste or character, or having no interest or energy:
a pale _______ wine
He’s an _______ old bore.
Why anyone buys music with such _______ lyrics is a mystery.
insipid
C2
thought not to be completely true or not able to be trusted:
These claims are _______ and not scientifically proven.
He has been associated with some _______ characters.
Ruth Ellis has the _______ (= bad) distinction of being the last woman to be hanged in Britain.
C2
feeling doubt or not feeling certain:
I’m _______ about his promises to change his ways.
dubious
a twist:
an intricate pattern of endless _______s
something that makes an explanation, story, etc. complicated and difficult to understand:
The movie’s plot twists and _______ demand a lot of concentration from the audience.
convolution
extremely brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations:
a team of _______ explorers
Synonyms
[brave] [courageous] [dauntless] [fearless] [valiant]
intrepid
giving a clear, strong message: She made an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ appeal for action. The pictures were an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ reminder of the power of the volcano. Synonym [silver-tongued] [literary]
eloquent
to think or believe:
I _______ it’s going to rain.
[ + (that) ] How much do you _______ (that) it’s going to cost?
“Can you fix my car today?” “I _______ not/so (= probably not/probably).”
reckon
very excited and happy:
At the end of the race I was _______.
exhilarated
in a way that happens, is done, or exists at the same time:
Records should be updated at most within 24 hours of the consultation, if not _______.
The investigation into the cause of the fire went on _______ with the efforts to fight it.
contemporaneously
to find a way in which two situations or beliefs that are opposed to each other can agree and exist together:
It is sometimes difficult to _______ science and religion.
It’s difficult to _______ such different points of view.
How can you _______ your fur coat and/with your love of animals?
reconcile
continuing for too long and therefore boring or annoying: an \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ delay his \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ stories Synonym endless
interminable
to put seeds in or on the ground so that plants will grow:
_______ the seeds in pots.
We’ll _______ this field with barley.
sow
something that certain people are able or allowed to do or have, but is not possible or allowed for everyone:
Alex makes all the big decisions - that’s his _______ as company director.
Skiing used to be the _______ of the rich, but now a far wider range of people do it.
the Royal _______ (= the special rights of the ruling king or queen)
Synonym
[privilege]
prerogative
famous, well respected, and admired:
She comes from an _______ political family that includes two former Cabinet ministers.
illustrious
to make someone feel worried or angry:
I didn’t want to _______ her by telling her.
agitate
to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time:
She sat back for a minute to _______ her next move in the game.
Synonyms
[contemplate] [meditate] [muse] [reflect] [ruminate] [speculate]
ponder
suggested but not communicated directly:
He interpreted her comments as an _______ criticism of the government.
_______ in the poem’s closing lines are the poet’s own religious doubts.
implicit
determined in character, action, or ideas:
Their _______ opposition to new working methods was difficult to overcome.
She’s utterly _______ in her refusal to apologize.
Synonyms
[determined] [headstrong]
resolute
to criticize someone, especially for not being successful or not doing what is expected:
His mother _______ him for not eating all his dinner.
You have nothing to _______ yourself for/with.
reproach
to discover something:
The police have so far been unable to _______ the cause of the explosion. [ + question word ] Have you _______ whether she’s coming or not?
to make sure of something:
[ + that ] I _______ that no one could overhear us before I told Otto the news.
ascertain
anger about a situation that you think is wrong or not fair
indignation
a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment:
Aid workers were said to have been filled with _______ by the appalling conditions that the refugees were living in.
The fans watched in/with _______ as their team lost 42–11.
She discovered, to her _______, that her exam was a whole month earlier than she’d expected.
Synonym
[consternation]
dismay
C2 [ U ] disapproving
the fact that you are too interested in your appearance or achievements:
He wants the job purely for reasons of _______ and ambition.
vanity
(VERY WORRIED/FRIGHTENED)
C2
almost out of control because of extreme emotion, such as worry:
Where on earth have you been? We’ve been _______ with worry.
frantic
causing or having a very sharp feeling of sadness:
The photograph awakens _______ memories of happier days.
It is especially _______ that he died on the day before the wedding.
Synonyms
affecting touching
poignant
food:
During this freezing weather, the food put out by householders is the only form of _______ that the birds have.
the ability of food to provide people and animals with what they need to make them strong and healthy:
A stick of celery does not provide much _______.
sustenance
not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it:
[ + to infinitive ] I was having such a good time I was _______ to leave.
Many parents feel _______ to talk openly with their children.
She persuaded her _______ husband to take a trip to Florida with her
not wanting to do something
> unwilling > She was unwilling to hand over the money.
loath > I was loath to spend all the money at once.
balk > The MP balked at a proposal to raise council tax.
_______> I was _______to leave because I was having such a good time.
disinclined > I am disinclined to take on the extra work without more pay.
reluctant
an angry disagreement between two or more people or groups:
They had a bitter _______ about/over some money three years ago and they haven’t spoken to each other since.
quarrel
Freedom from punishment or from the unpleasant results of something that has been done:
Criminal gangs are terrorizing the city with apparent _______.
impunity
the ability to behave without causing embarrassment or attracting too much attention, especially by keeping information secret:
“Can you trust him with this?” “Yes, he’s the soul of _______ (= he will not tell other people).”
discretion
to represent something:
The color red is used to _______ passion or danger.
denote
in a way that is hurried (= done very quickly or too quickly):
The party was a rather _______ arranged affair.
Families _______ prepared for the storm, boarding up windows and finding shelter.
hurriedly
strong dislike or disapproval: to feel \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ A look of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ flashed across her face. Synonym disgust
repulsion
decayed and having an unpleasant smell:
the _______ body of a dead fox
What’s that _______ smell?
putrid
to arrange a situation or event, or arrange for something to happen, using clever planning:
Couldn’t you _______ a meeting between them? I think they’d really like each other.
[ + to infinitive ] Somehow she _______ to get tickets for the concert.
to invent and/or make a device or other object in a clever and possibly unusual way:
Do you think you could _______ something for hanging my clothes on until I can get a wardrobe?
contrive
to do something unexpected that surprises and sometimes worries a person or animal:
She was concentrating on her book and his voice _______ her.
The noise of the car _______ the birds and the whole flock flew up into the air.
Her article on diet _______ many people into changing their eating habits.
startle
quiet, private, and not near people, roads, or buildings:
a _______ beach
a _______ house in the forest
secluded
to stop and catch something or someone before that thing or person is able to reach a particular place:
Law enforcement agents _______ a shipment of drugs from Central America.
Barry _______ Naylor’s pass and scored the third goal.
intercept
worry or anger:
After several unsuccessful attempts to start his car, he swore in _______.
[ C ]
something that is worrying or annoying
vexation
formal
honest or lasting support, or loyalty, especially to a sexual partner:
Somerset Maugham’s comedy of marital _______, “The Constant Wife”
How important do you think sexual _______ is in a marriage?
fidelity
not easily or quickly noticed or seen, or not attracting attention:
This type of bird is very _______ because of its dull feathers.
At parties, he always stands in a corner and tries to look _______.
inconspicuous
worried by something and uncertain:
I was a little _______ by his reply.
disconcerted
(especially of dogs) to make a deep, rough sound while showing the teeth, usually in anger or (of people) to speak or say something angrily and forcefully:
The dogs started to _______ at each other so I had to separate them.
[ + speech ] “Go to hell!”, he _______.
snarl
extremely dangerous:
The country roads are quite _______.
Synonyms
dangerous hazardous high-risk risky
perilous
(especially of older people) fat and solid-looking, especially around the waist:
Mrs Blower was the _______ lady with the glasses.
stout
extremely hungry:
Have some dinner with us - you must be _______!
Synonyms
ravenous starved mainly US starving (NO FOOD) informal
famished
extremely good, beautiful, or enjoyable:
_______ beauty
The book has _______ descriptive passages.
very great:
He possesses _______ self-confidence.
sublime
to force someone to do something, or to make it necessary for someone to do something:
The law _______ companies to pay decent wages to their employees.
The law does not _______ sellers to accept the highest offer.
oblige/obligate
to wish very strongly, especially for something that you cannot have or something that is very difficult to have:
Despite his great commercial success he still _______ for critical approval.
[ + to infinitive ] Sometimes I just _______ to be alone.
Synonyms
long for sth; long to do sth; pine
yearn
unable to express feelings or ideas clearly, or expressed in a way that is difficult to understand:
When it comes to expressing their emotions, some people are hopelessly _______.
His speech was _______ and it was obvious he had been drinking.
inarticulate
boring and making you feel unhappy:
a _______ little town
She had spent another _______ day in the office.
Synonyms
boring drab disapproving dry (BORING) dull ho-hum monotonous tedious uninteresting wearisome formal
dreary
the feeling of being unhappy, disappointed, or without hope:
He wandered around in a state of utter _______.
She made no effort to hide her _______.
dejection
polite and showing respect:
Although she often disagreed with me, she was always _______.
Synonym
well mannered
courteous
C2 [ T ]
to limit an activity, person, or problem in some way:
Let’s _______ our discussion to the matter in question, please!
Please _______ your use of the phone to business calls.
By closing the infected farms we’re hoping to _______ the disease to the north of the region (= stop it from spreading to other areas).
C2 [ T usually passive ]
to keep someone closed in a place, often by force:
The hostages had been _______ for so long that they couldn’t cope with the outside world.
confine
polite word for sweat (= a clear liquid passed through the skin):
During the break between games, she had a drink of water and wiped the _______ off her face and arms with a towel.
Beads (= drops) of _______ glistened on his brow.
perspiration
to imagine or expect that something will happen:
We don’t _______ any trouble.
We had one or two difficulties along the way that we didn’t _______ .
Are you _______ a lot of people at the party tonight?
[ + -ing verb ] They _______ having several applicants for the job.
[ + that ] They _______ that they will have several applicants for the job
[ + question word ] At this stage we can’t really _______ what will happen.
The _______ inflation figure is lower than last month’s.
anticipate
not known to many people:
an _______ island in the Pacific
an _______ 12th-century mystic
obscure
to waste money or supplies, or to waste opportunities by not using them to your advantage:
They’ll quite happily _______ a whole year’s savings on two weeks in the sun.
Ireland _______ several chances, including a penalty that cost them the game.
squander
unhappy, annoyed, and unwilling to speak or smile: a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ expression Why are you so \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ these days? Synonyms dour glum moody saturnine sullen
morose
tending not to speak much: He's a reserved, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ person. Synonym quiet Opposites chatty informal garrulous loquacious talkative voluble
taciturn
nervous and without much confidence
Synonyms
fearful timid
timorous
the feeling of being calm, confident, and in control:
I didn’t want to lose my _______ in front of her.
Synonyms
calm calmness cool (CALM) equanimity phlegm (CALMNESS) sangfroid formal
composure
to suggest a theory, idea, etc. as a basic principle from which a further idea is formed or developed:
[ + that ] It was the Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, who _______ that the earth was at the center of the universe.
postulate
a feeling of sadness and being sorry for something you have done:
He felt no _______ for the murders he had committed.
After the argument, she was filled with _______.
Synonyms
compunction regret
remorse
C1
very bad:
_______ weather
The drive home was _______.
C2
shocking and very bad:
_______ injuries
Prisoners were kept in the most _______ conditions.
appalling
to (cause something to) lose value, especially over time:
Our car _______ (by) $1,500 in the first year we owned it.
In the last year our house has _______ in value.
depreciate
to want to have or do something:
Do you _______ a drink this evening?
[ + -ing verb ] I didn’t _______swimming in that water.
B2 [ T ] UK informal
to be sexually attracted to someone:
He could tell she _______ him.
to imagine or think that something is so:
He _______ himself as a bit of a singer.
[ + to infinitive ] Who do you _______ to win the Cup this year?
[ + (that) ] literary I _______ (that) I saw something moving in the corner.
old-fashioned This isn’t the first time this has happened, I _______.
adjective: decorative or complicated
fancy
a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly become conscious of, something that is very important to you
a powerful religious experience
epiphany
to say formally or publicly that you no longer agree with a belief or way of behaving:
He _______ his religion/his life of dissipation.
Synonyms
forswear recant retract formal
abjure
C2 [ before noun ]
not important and not worth giving attention to:
Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many _______ rules and restrictions.
[ after noun ]
complaining too much about things that are not important:
Don’t be so _______!
petty
C1
strongly affecting how a situation will progress or end:
These results could prove _______ in establishing the criminal’s identity.
a _______ role
a _______ victory
decisive
to get something, especially after an effort:
She’s managed somehow to _______ his phone number.
[ + two objects ] He’d _______ us seats in the front row.
procure
an uncomfortable feeling when you doubt if you are doing the right thing:
She had no _______ about lying to the police.
qualm
formal
high:
a _______ ceiling/mountain/wall
_______ ideas, etc. are of a high moral standard:
_______ sentiments/ideals
disapproving
If you have a _______ way of behaving or talking, etc., you act as if you think you are better than other people:
a lofty attitude/air/tone
lofty
to ask someone to do or not do something in a very sincere, emotional, and determined way:
She _______ her parents not to send her away to school.
implore
public embarrassment:
The incumbent party experienced the _______ of total defeat in the last election.
Synonyms
disgrace shame
ignominy
C2
needing or using a lot of physical or mental effort or energy:
He rarely does anything more _______ than changing the channels on the television.
His doctor advised him not to do any _______ exercise.
_______ efforts were made throughout the war to disguise the scale of civilian casualties.
strenuous
to hate someone or something very much:
I _______ any kind of cruelty.
[ + -ing verb ] I _______ having to get up when it’s dark outside.
her _______ older brother
detest
_______ land is not used to grow crops:
The agency has preserved wetland habitat and encouraged farmers to leave some fields _______.
Someone who is _______ has not had a good education and may not know a lot about art, music, painting, etc.:
We must always remember that he was not an ignorant or _______ soldier.
uncultivated
done or said in a strong way and without any doubt:
Poland reached the final of the championship yesterday with an _______ 5–0 victory over Italy.
The minister has issued an _______ rejection of the accusation.
emphatic
someone’s ability to think of clever new ways of doing something:
Drug smugglers constantly use their _______ to find new ways of getting drugs into a country.
ingenuity
C2
Something or someone that is _______ is so good or important that you could not manage without it, him, or her:
This book is an _______ resource for researchers.
His long experience at the United Nations makes him _______ to the talks.
indispensable
to breathe quickly and loudly through your mouth, usually because you have been doing something very energetic:
Matteo arrived at the top of the hill, _______ and covered in sweat.
[ + speech ] “Hurry! They’re almost here,” she _______.
pant
confused, because something is difficult to understand or solve:
The students looked _______, so the teacher tried to explain once again.
Police were _______ by the killing because there didn’t seem to be any motive.
perplexed
repeatedly asking for something, in a forceful and annoying way:
an _______ beggar/crowd
An _______ request or question is repeated and forceful in an annoying way:
_______ demands
importunate
to remove something intentionally:
The whole country had tried to _______ the memory of the old dictatorship.
efface
having a lot of small parts that are arranged in a complicated or delicate way:
The watch mechanism is extremely _______ and very difficult to repair.
The tiled floor is installed in an _______ pattern.
with many complicated details that make something difficult to understand:
Police officers uncovered an _______ web of deceit.
intricate
to announce something publicly or officially, especially something positive:
All the countries have _______ their loyalty to the alliance.
Republican party members were confidently _______ victory even as the first few votes came in.
[ + that ] It was the famous speech in which he _______ that socialism was dead.
[ + two objects ] She was _______ Queen at the age of 13 after the sudden death of her father.
proclaim
to see, recognize, or understand something that is not clear:
I could just _______ a figure in the darkness.
It is difficult to _______ any pattern in these figures.
Synonyms
distinguish recognize spot
discern
the state of being without money, food, a home, or possessions:
_______ has become a major problem in the capital.
They both died in poverty and _______.
destitution
C2
not having a strong taste or character or not showing any interest or energy:
I find chicken a little _______.
Pop music these days is so _______.
bland
respect for or a good opinion of someone:
There has been a drop in public _______ for teachers.
Because of their achievements they were held in (= given) (high) _______.
esteem
a long, angry speech expressing strong disapproval:
She launched into an angry/furious _______ about how she had been unfairly treated.
In a furious _______ of abuse, the opposition spokesperson demanded the minister’s resignation.
Synonym
broadside
tirade
usually disapproving
unreasonably determined, especially to act in a particular way and not to change at all, despite what anyone else says:
He can be very _______ at times.
her _______ refusal to compromise
[ before noun ]
used to describe a problem, situation, or thing that is difficult to deal with, remove, change, or defeat:
_______ weeds
Invading troops met with _______ resistance by guerrilla forces.
obstinate
formal
deserving respect because of age, high position, or religious or historical importance:
a _______ tradition/company/family
She has worked at such _______ institutions as Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York.
venerable
unpleasantly proud and expecting to be obeyed:
an _______ manner/voice
She sent them away with an _______ wave of the hand.
Synonyms
arrogant conceited condescending haughty hubristic lordly overbearing patronizing pompous proud (FEELING IMPORTANT) self-important sneering sniffy snooty supercilious superior (BETTER)
imperious
wanting to discover as much as you can about things, sometimes in a way that annoys people:
an _______ child
an _______ mind
She could see _______ faces looking out from the windows next door.
inquisitive
disappointed and sad because of having failed unexpectedly:
He looked _______ at their decision.
Synonym
deflated
crestfallen
unhappy and without hope:
a _______ person/expression
The cemetery is a _______ place.
not expecting or believing anything good in a situation:
a _______ economic forecast
UK The vet is rather _______ about my cat’s chances of recovery.
gloomy
unable to think or speak clearly because of fever or mental confusion:
She had a high temperature and was _______.
extremely happy or excited:
The team arrived home to a _______ reception from its fans.
delirious
not trusted or respected; thought to have a bad character:
Some of the more _______ newspapers made false claims about her private life.
a _______ young man
disreputable
to stop something:
Whether the protests will _______ remains to be seen.
The company has decided to _______ all UK operations after this year.
[ + to infinitive ] Workplace nurseries will _______ to be liable for tax.
cease
too eager to praise or obey someone:
She is embarrassingly _______ to anyone in authority.
obsequious
very kind and generous towards an enemy or someone you have defeated:
The team’s manager was _______ in victory, and praised the losing team.
magnanimous
seeming to be everywhere:
Leather is very much in fashion this season, as is the _______ denim.
The Swedes are not alone in finding their language under pressure from the _______ spread of English.
The mobile phone, that most _______ of consumer-electronic appliances, is about to enter a new age.
Synonym
omnipresent formal
ubiquitous
to shine by reflecting light from a wet or smooth surface:
The grass _______ in the early-morning dew.
His eyes _______ with tears.
Synonyms
gleam glint shine
glisten
increasing by one addition after another:
The _______ effect of using so many chemicals on the land could be disastrous.
cumulative
C2
unpleasant or of low quality:
a _______ childhood
The people live in _______ conditions, with no running water.
wretched
C1
to show something publicly:
He frequently _______ at the art gallery.
In the summer the academy will _______ several prints that are rarely seen.
He _______ great self-control considering her rudeness.
Synonym
show (MAKE SEEN)
exhibit
a matter or item of little value or importance
trifle
to make someone feel that they must do something:
[ + to infinitive ] She was in such a mess I felt _______ to (= felt I had to) offer your services.
I wonder what it is that _______ him to exercise all the time.
impel
never having happened or existed in the past:
This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an _______ scale.
unprecedented
C2
large in quantity and expensive or impressive:
_______ gifts/promises/praise
_______ spending
_______ banquets
The evening was a _______ affair with glorious food and an endless supply of champagne.
The _______ production makes this musical truly memorable.
very generous:
The critics were _______ in their praise for the paintings.
lavish
C1
very well known and important:
a _______ Democrat
a _______ member of the Saudi royal family
The government should be playing a more _______ role in promoting human rights.
prominent
very simple, with only the things that are absolutely necessary, especially because of severe limits on money or goods:
an _______ childhood during the war
Synonyms
bleak comfortless hard (SEVERE)harsh (UNKIND)inhospitable (PLACE)rough (DIFFICULT)severe (VERY SERIOUS)spartan
austere
showing that you are sorry for something you have done because you feel it was wrong:
“I’m sorry,” she said with a _______ smile.
It was hard to be angry with him when he looked so _______.
Synonym
repentant formal
penitent
to talk about or look at someone or something in an unkind way that shows you do not respect or approve of him, her, or it:
You may _______, but a lot of people like this kind of music.
She’ll probably _______ at my new shoes because they’re not expensive.
[ + speech ] “Is that the best you can do?” he _______.
sneer
to search for something by moving things around carelessly and looking into, under, and behind them:
She _______ in/through all the drawers, looking for a pen.
rummage
C2
to go into a place or situation in which you are not wanted or not expected to be:
I didn’t realize your husband was here, Dr Jones - I hope I’m not _______.
Newspaper editors are being urged not to _______ on/into the grief of the families of missing servicemen.
intrude
annoyed, especially because you can do nothing to solve a problem:
He’s becoming increasingly _______ with the situation.
exasperated
to make a sudden, small movement because of pain or fear:
He didn’t even _______ when the nurse cleaned the wound.
Synonyms
quail wince
flinch
official agreement to or approval of an idea, plan, or request:
Once the directors have given their _______ to the proposal we can begin.
She nodded her _______ to the proposal.
UK Before an Act of Parliament can become law, it needs to receive Royal _______ (= an official signature) from the monarch.
Synonyms
acquiescence agreement (SAME OPINION)approval (PERMISSION)say-so (PERMISSION) informal
assent
expecting to be obeyed immediately and without any questions:
He started issuing _______ instructions.
She was highly critical of the insensitive and _______ way in which the cases had been handled.
peremptory
to confuse and very much surprise someone, so that they are unable to explain or deal with a situation:
An elderly man from Hull has _______ doctors by recovering after he was officially declared dead.
The singer _______ her critics with a remarkable follow-up album.
confound
complete or extreme, or completely or extremely:
He must be a _______ idiot/lunatic.
Her last book was a _______ best-seller/success.
She’s no _______ beauty.
I think you’re (stark) _______ mad to agree to do all that extra work without being paid for it.
raving
to speak in an uncontrolled way, usually because you are upset or angry, or because you are ill:
He’s always _______ (on) about the government.
She was ranting and _______ about some imagined insult.
rave
disapproving
extremely determined to act in a particular way and not to change despite what anyone else says:
The president remains _______ on immigration.
used to describe a person who refuses to change their mind, or someone or something that is difficult to deal with or change:
Union leaders remain _______ that working conditions and pay improve.
Several _______ facts/differences remain, preventing a compromise solution.
obdurate
C1
(of a person, feelings, or behavior) not pretending or lying; honest:
a _______ apology
He seems so _______.
sincere
to take something for your own use, usually without permission:
He lost his job when he was found to have _______ some of the company’s money.
to take something from a culture and use it as part of your own:
As the empire expanded, they eagerly _______ the artistic styles of neighboring provinces.
appropriate
an unwillingness to do something or talk about something, for example because you are nervous or being careful:
His _______ about his past made them very suspicious.
I think my dad had a certain _______ about showing love as he was afraid that people would leave if he did.
reticence
C2
to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster:
Rising consumer sales have the effect of _______ the economy to faster growth.
_______ (on) by her early success, she went on to write four more novels in rapid succession.
spur
noun
C2
an argument or disagreement, especially an official one between, for example, workers and employers or two countries with a common border:
a bitter/long-running _______
a border _______
a pay/legal/trade _______
They have been unable to settle/resolve the _______ over working conditions.
The unions are in _______ with management over pay.
verb
to disagree with something that someone says:
Few would _______ his status as the finest artist of the period.
The circumstances of her death have been hotly _______ .
[ + (that) ] I don’t _______ (that) his movies are entertaining, but they don’t have much depth.
Synonyms
gainsay quarrel
dispute
adjective
_______ motive, reason, purpose, etc.
a secret purpose or reason for doing something:
He claims he just wants to help Lisa but I suspect he has an _______ motive.
ulterior
a statement that says that something is not true:
She issued a point-by-point _______ of the company’s accusations.
rebuttal
— phrasal verb
to say something suddenly, and without thinking of the results:
At one point, Goetz _______ _______, “The subways down there are terrible.”
blurt out something
to put yourself or something between two things, people, or groups, especially in order to stop them doing something:
The teacher _______ herself between the two snarling boys.
interpose
to embarrass someone or make them feel uncomfortable:
Her elder cousins _______ her by commenting on her shyness.
They tried not to be _______ by the unfamiliar luxury.
abash
C2 severe, or showing disapproval: a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ look/warning/voice She is her own \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ critic. Journalists received a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ warning not to go anywhere near the battleship.
If something, such as a job, is _______, it is difficult:
The country’s president is facing the _______ test of his authority since he came to power five years ago.
stern
to answer someone quickly in an angry or funny way:
[ + speech ] “That doesn’t concern you!” she _______.
Synonyms
answer (REACT)rejoin reply
retort
a piece of advice that is also a warning to someone about their behavior:
The most common parental _______ must surely be “Don’t stay out late”.
admonition/admonishment
to get or produce something, especially information or a reaction:
Have you managed to _______ a response from them yet?
The questionnaire was intended to _______ information on eating habits.
They were able to _______ the support of the public.
EDUCATION specialized
to get a student to provide or remember a fact, response, etc. rather than telling them the answer:
The teacher _______ definitions from the students.
In this teaching practice, teachers _______ and build on their students’ mathematical insights.
elicit
to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing something:
His contract _______ him from discussing his work with anyone outside the company.
The fact that your application was not successful this time does not _______ the possibility of you applying again next time.
preclude
C2
to change the words of a text, especially a law or a legal document:
MPs were urged to _______ the law to prevent another oil tanker disaster.
In line 20, “men” should be _______ (= changed) to “people”.
Until the constitution is _______, the power to appoint ministers will remain with the president.
amend
the quality of being often in a bad mood, unfriendly, and not polite:
teenage _______
surliness
to give someone a lot of attention and praise in order to get that person’s approval:
Big movie stars are _______ over by the waiters at the restaurant.
fawn
C2
unsuccessful; of no value:
The doctors gave him more powerful drugs in the _______ hope that he might recover.
It was _______ to pretend to himself that he was not disappointed.
in _______
C1
unsuccessfully:
I tried in _______ to start a conversation.
All the police’s efforts to find him were in _______.
vain
having unlimited power over other people, and often using it unfairly and cruelly:
a _______ government/regime
A handful of corrupt and _______ leaders make the decisions.
Synonyms
brutal callous cruel harsh (UNKIND)tyrannical tyrannous vicious
despotic
(a person or thing that causes) a feeling of strong dislike or of not wishing to do something:
I felt an instant _______ to his parents.
She has a deep _______ to getting up in the morning.
Greed is my pet _______ (= the thing I dislike most of all).
Synonym
distaste
aversion
to walk in an energetic way and with more movement than necessary:
It’s pathetic to see 50-year-old rock stars _______ around on stage as if they were still teenagers.
She _______ into the office and demanded to speak to the manager.
prance
C2
an opinion or decision made after judging the facts that are given, especially one made at the end of a trial:
The jury reached/returned a unanimous _______ of (not) guilty.
Voters gave their _______ on the government’s economic record last night by voting overwhelmingly for the opposition.
verdict
C2
felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way:
His mother’s death when he was aged six had a very _______ effect on him.
The invention of the contraceptive pill brought about _______ changes in the lives of women.
Those two lines of poetry express perfectly the _______ sadness of loss.
My grandfather has a _______ mistrust of anything new or foreign.
There was a note of _______ irritation in his voice.
profound
to defeat an enemy or opponent, especially in war:
Napoleon was _______ at the battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The _______ army surrendered their weapons.
Synonyms
annihilate beat (DEFEAT)conquer crush (BEAT)defeat hammer (DEFEAT) thrash (DEFEAT) trounce
vanquish
unhappy and with no hope or enthusiasm:
He became/grew increasingly _______ when she failed to return his phone calls.
She started to feel _______ about ever finding a job.
Synonyms
blue (SAD) dejected depressed dispirited doleful dolorous down downcast downhearted (down) in the dumps gloomy glum low low-spirited melancholy miserable (UNHAPPY)mournful plaintive sad (NOT HAPPY)sorrowful in unhappy
despondent
a person, especially a child or a man, who does things that you disapprove of, but who you still like:
I caught those little/young _______ dressing up in my clothes.
What’s that old _______ been up to?
old-fashioned
a dishonest person
rascal
to wave something in the air in a threatening or excited way:
She _______ a saucepan at me so I ran out of the kitchen.
brandish
to make a loud complaint or demand:
The children were all _______ for attention.
[ + to infinitive ] She _______ to go home as soon as she gets to school.
clamor
extremely ugly or bad:
They’ve just built some _______ new apartment blocks on the seafront.
She wears the most _______ color combinations you could ever imagine.
Synonyms
ghastly grim (UNPLEASANT) grotesque (UGLY)ugly (NOT ATTRACTIVE)unattractive unprepossessing unsightly
hideous
the feeling of not liking someone or something and thinking that they do not deserve your interest or respect:
He regards the political process with _______.
disdain
to force someone officially to stay in a place:
A suspect has been _______ by the police for questioning.
Several of the injured were _______ overnight in hospital.
to delay someone for a short length of time:
I’m sorry I’m late - I was unavoidably _______.
detain
to suggest a theory, belief, or opinion for other people to consider:
It was Ptolemy who _______ the theory that the earth was at the center of the universe.
propound
making someone like you:
She laughs at herself a lot, which is always _______.
Synonym
adorable
endearing
C2
gentle, loving, or kind:
a _______ look/smile
What you need is some _______ loving care.
tender
to be very sorry for something bad you have done in the past and wish that you had not done it: He \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (of his sins) just hours before he died.
repent
A piece of writing that is _______ contains bad and false statements about a person:
_______ accusations
We reserve the right to edit letters and remove anything potentially _______.
libelous
[ T ]
to make something happen sooner or more quickly:
There is little doubt that poor medical treatment _______ her death.
These recent poor results have _______ the manager’s departure.
[ + to infinitive ]
If you _______ to do something, you quickly do it:
The president _______ to reassure his people that he was in perfect health.
[ + to infinitive ]
If you _______ to say something, you want to make it clear:
It was an unfortunate decision and I _______ to say it had nothing to do with me.
“People around here dress so badly - except you, Justin,” she _______ to add.
hasten
a person who pays rent for the use of land or a building
tenant
someone who is getting better after a serious illness or injury:
Most _______ prefer to be cared for at home rather than in a hospital.
convalescent
to talk or write about past experiences that you remember with pleasure:
My grandfather used to _______ about his years in the navy.
reminisce
sad and without hope:
I thought you were looking a little _______ this morning.
Synonyms
blue (SAD) dejected dolorous dispirited glum gloomy melancholy
downcast
completely unable to think clearly or behave in a controlled way, especially because of mental illness: a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ criminal/mind/personality to be mentally \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Synonym crazed
deranged
very simple, with only the things that are absolutely necessary, especially because of severe limits on money or goods:
an _______ childhood during the war
Synonyms
bleak comfortless hard (SEVERE)harsh (UNKIND)inhospitable (PLACE)rough (DIFFICULT)severe (VERY SERIOUS)spartan
austere
to want to have something very much, especially something that belongs to someone else:
She always _______ power but never quite achieved it.
The Booker Prize is the most _______ British literary award.
covet
a short journey either to take a message or to take or collect something:
I’ll meet you at six, I’ve got some _______ to do/run first
errand
expressing an idea or opinion in a clear and direct way that shows good understanding of what is important:
_______ questions/comments
incisive
complete and including everything that is necessary:
We offer you a _______ training in all aspects of the business.
Is this list _______ or are there some names missing?
He has written a fully _______ guide to Rome.
_______ insurance gives financial protection against most risks, for example including damage to a driver’s own vehicle as well as to other vehicles:
It is a common misconception that car hire insurance is _______.
The trend is towards less _______ health insurance.
comprehensive
[ C or U ] formal
the fact of being stupid, or a stupid action, idea, etc.:
She said that the idea was _______.
[ + to infinitive ] It would be _______ for the country to become involved in the war.
folly
easily upset or shocked by things that you find unpleasant or that you do not approve of:
She’s really _______ and can’t stand the sight of blood.
Many cooks are _______ about putting live shellfish into boiling water.
squeamish
the quality of being shy and not confident of your abilities:
The biggest difficulty is overcoming natural British _______
There was a _______ in her soft voice.
diffidence
to show pain or embarrassment suddenly and for a short time in the face, often moving the head back at the same time:
Did I hurt you? I thought I saw you _______.
It makes me _______ even thinking about eye operations.
Compare
quail(verb) flinch
wince
a person or thing that is perfect or has an extremely large amount of a particular good characteristic:
In the novel, Constanza is a _______ of virtue.
paragon
C2
controlled, serious, and calm, and therefore deserving respect:
a tall, _______ woman
He has maintained a _______ silence about the rumors.
The defeated candidate gave a _______ speech in which he congratulated his rival.
dignified
B2 [ T often passive ]
to officially refuse to allow something:
Motor vehicles are _______ from driving in the town center.
The government introduced a law _______ tobacco advertisements on TV.
Parking is strictly _______ between these gates.
prohibit
a feeling that something, especially something unpleasant, is going to happen:
She had had a _______ of what might lie ahead.
Synonyms
foreboding premonition
presentiment
to criticize someone strongly, or say unpleasant things to or about someone:
The judge was _______ in the newspapers for his opinions on rape.
Synonyms
rail vilify formal
revile
to leave home secretly in order to get married without the permission of your parents:
She _______ with an Army officer.
elope
expressing strong feelings, or shown by strong feelings or great energy or force:
Despite _______ opposition from his family, he quit school and became an actor.
Both men were _______ in their denial of the charges against them.
They launched a _______ attack on the government’s handling of environmental issues.
vehement
to get money dishonestly from someone by deceiving or cheating them:
They _______ local businesses out of thousands of dollars.
The wealthy banker was ultimately convicted of _______ investors.
Synonyms
cheat con defraud diddle (TRICK) gyp US old-fashioned rook old-fashioned
swindle
(especially of people and their behavior) very energetic:
Young and _______, he symbolizes Italy’s new vitality.
exuberant
the fact or quality of not liking other people:
In much of his work there is a sour, disappointed _______.
The only way I can express my _______ is through humor.
misanthropy
A _______ place is empty and not attractive, with no people or nothing pleasant in it:
The house stood in a bleak and _______ landscape.
desolate
unable to produce plants or fruit:
We drove through a _______, rocky landscape.
formal
unable to have children or young animals
not creating or producing anything new:
She became very depressed during the _______ years when she was unable to paint.
barren
to try to do or continue doing something in a determined way, despite having problems:
It looks as if the policy will be a success, providing that the government _______ and does not give in to its critics.
The education director is _______ in his attempt to obtain additional funding for the school.
Despite receiving little support, the women are _______ with their crusade to fight crime.
persevere
to ask someone for money, information, or help:
to _______ donations for a charity
It is illegal for public officials to _______ gifts or money in exchange for favors.
solicit
(especially of old people) healthy and strong:
Her grandfather was _______ and _______, walking five miles each day before breakfast.
hale and hearty
with strong muscles and little fat:
The fighter had a strong, _______ body.
sinewy
easily annoyed:
a _______, bad-tempered person
Synonyms
cranky (BAD-TEMPERED) US fractious irritable petulant testy tetchy
peevish
to guess, based on the appearance of a situation and not on proof:
We’ll never know exactly how she died; we can only _______.
[ + that ] He _______ that the company would soon be in financial trouble.
Synonyms
hypothesize speculate suppose surmise theorize
conjecture
a loud noise, especially that produced by an excited crowd, or a state of confusion, change, or uncertainty:
You couldn’t hear her speak over the _______ from the screaming fans.
From every direction, people were running and shouting and falling over each other in a _______ of confusion.
The financial markets are in _______.
Synonym
ruckus
tumult
often in a bad mood, unfriendly, and not polite:
We were served by a very _______ waiter.
He gave me a _______ look.
surly
more important or better than others:
She is the _______ authority in her subject.
pre-eminent
C2
famous, respected, or important:
an _______ historian
eminent
to mix one thing in with another in a way that is not regular:
The documentary _______ graphical animations with film clips of the actual event.
Her handwritten notes were _______ throughout the text.
intersperse
to value a skill or good quality that you have:
He _______ himself _______ his loyalty to his friends.
phrasal verb
pride yourself on sth
to give something as an honor or present:
The George Cross is a decoration that is _______ upon/on British civilians for acts of great bravery.
bestow
used to emphasize that something is not large or important:
The plane crashed _______ minutes after take-off.
It cost a mere 20 dollars.
used to emphasize how strongly someone feels about something or how extreme a situation is:
The _______ thought of it (= just thinking about it) makes me feel sick.
People became excited at the _______ mention of his name.
the _______ idea/possibility/prospect of something
mere
of or relating to dogs:
The city’s _______ population (= the number of dogs in the city) has grown dramatically over recent years.
canine
understood without being expressed directly:
_______ agreement/approval/support
Synonyms
silent unspoken
tacit
If a condition _______, it becomes less strong or extreme:
The police are hoping that the violence will soon _______.
As the pain in my foot _______, I was able to walk the short distance to the car.
subside
a sudden light fall of snow, blown in different directions by the wind:
We might see a snow _______ or two tonight.
flurry
to be silent and refuse to smile or be pleasant to people because you are angry about something that they have done:
He’s _______ in his room because I wouldn’t let him have any more chocolate.
Compare
pout verb brood verb
sulk
[ I usually + adv/prep, T ] mainly UK
to walk through water or other liquid with some effort, because it is deep enough to come quite high up your legs, or thick :
The river was full but we managed to _______ across.
We _______ a shallow river.
They had to _______ through a swamp.
[ I ] US
(UK paddle)
to walk in water that is not very deep:
We rolled up our trousers and _______ at the edge of the lake.
wade
to see or look at someone or something:
The new bridge is an incredible sight to _______.
behold
calm confidence in a person’s way of behaving, or a quality of grace (= moving in an attractive way) and balance in the way a person holds or moves their body:
He looked embarrassed for a moment, then quickly regained his _______.
Her confidence and _______ show that she is a top model.
Synonyms
aplomb grace (MOVEMENT)
poise
to lack or be without something that is necessary or usual:
Their apartment is _______ of all comforts.
He seems to be _______ of compassion.
Synonym
free
devoid
C2
to consider or judge something in a particular way:
[ + obj + noun/adj ] The area has now been _______ safe.
[ + noun/adj ] We will provide help whenever you _______ it appropriate.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] Anyone not paying the registration fee by 31 March will be _______ to have withdrawn from the offer.
Synonym
hold
deem
B2
If something is _______, it is real and exactly what it appears to be:
_______ leather
If it is a _______ Michelangelo drawing, it will sell for millions.
If people or emotions are _______, they are honest and sincere:
He’s a very _______person.
Machiko looked at me with _______ surprise - “Are you really going?” she said.
genuine
in charge of a formal meeting, ceremony, or trial:
the _______ judge
The role of the _______ officer is to manage meetings.
presiding
a lack of equality or similarity, especially in a way that is not fair:
the growing _______ between rich and poor
disparity
C2
too proud of yourself and your actions and abilities:
Without wishing to sound _______, I am the best salesperson in the company.
Synonyms
arrogant condescending disapproving haughty disapproving hubristic imperious lordly overbearing patronizing pompous proud (FEELING IMPORTANT) self-important sneering sniffy snooty supercilious superior (BETTER)
conceited
to add proof to an account, statement, idea, etc. with new information:
Recent research seems to _______ his theory.
corroborate
to guess something, without having much or any proof:
[ + (that) ] The police _______ (that) the robbers have fled the country.
Synonyms
conjecture hypothesize speculate (GUESS)theorize
surmise
sad and without hope:
a _______ expression
informal
very bad:
The acting was _______, wasn’t it?
What _______weather!
dismal
someone who behaves badly or does not obey rules:
We need to discourage _______.
a criminal
miscreant
to shake slightly, usually because you are cold, frightened, or very emotional:
When he came out of the water, he was _______ with cold.
Her bottom lip _______, and tears welled up in her eyes.
His voice started to _______, and I thought he was going to cry.
Synonyms
shake (MOVE)shiver vibrate
tremble
A _______ disease or poison is dangerous and spreads or affects people very quickly:
A particularly _______ strain of flu has recently claimed a number of lives in the region.
formal
full of hate and violent opposition:
She is a _______ critic of US energy policy.
virulent
in large amounts, or more than enough:
They drank _______ amounts of wine.
He took copious notes during the lecture.
copious
to show sympathy and sadness for the family or friends of a person who has recently died:
We _______ with the families of the deceased.
condole
to show someone where they should go, or to make someone go where you want them to go:
She _______ us into her office and offered us coffee.
Officials quickly _______ the protesters out of the hall.
Synonym
show
usher
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
unable to think clearly, usually because someone is extremely tired or bored, or has taken drugs:
_______ by tiredness, she just sat in front of the fire.
As they slept in a _______ state, someone stole all their belongings.
stupefied
showing no intelligence or imagination:
a _______ reality TV show
He’s attractive, but _______.
vapid
old and in poor condition:
The hotel we stayed in was really _______.
a _______ old car/shed
Synonyms
broken-down decrepit derelict ramshackle rickety run-down tumbledown
dilapidated
to prevent someone from doing something by making them feel nervous or embarrassed :
Some workers were _______ (from speaking) by the presence of their managers.
to slow down a process or the growth of something:
This drug _______ the growth of tumors.
inhibit
C2 formal
to cause something to begin:
Who _______ the violence?
initiate
a group of people who have come together in a religious building for worship and prayer:
The priest asked the _______ to kneel.
congregation
to experience great difficulties or be completely unable to decide what to do or say next:
He lost the next page of his speech and _______ around/about for a few seconds.
Although his business was a success, his marriage was _______.
Richardson resigned as chairman, leaving the company _______.
flounder
the act or process of breaking a law or moral rule, or an example of this:
Who is supposed to have committed these _______?
Adolescence is a period marked by fascination with the _______ of rules.
transgression
a part of a Christian church ceremony in which a priest gives a talk on a religious or moral subject, often based on something written in the Bible:
The Reverend William Cronshaw delivered/preached the _______.
Today’s _______ was on the importance of compassion.
disapproving
a long talk in which someone advises other people how they should behave in order to be better people:
I really don’t think it’s a politician’s job to go delivering _______ on public morality.
sermon
spending money or using something in a way that wastes it and is not wise:
She is well-known for her _______ spending habits.
The _______ use of antibiotics has led to the evolution of resistant bacteria.
Synonyms
spend thrift
Opposites
canny (CLEVER) careful thrifty
profligate
(of or relating to) a type of popular newspaper with small pages that has many pictures and short, simple reports:
the tabloid press
a tabloid newspaper
tabloid
to be very angry, sometimes without expressing it:
I saw her a week after they’d had the argument and she was still fuming.
The whole episode left me fuming at the injustice of it all.
fume
extremely angry:
He was livid when he found out.
Synonyms
angry (EMOTIONAL)apoplectic be beside yourself cross mainly furious (ANGRY) incandescent (QUALITY)incensed irate mad (ANGRY) seething (angry)sore (ANGRY) US wrathful
livid
very surprised or shocked:
[ + to infinitive ] I was astounded to hear that Tina had left.
Synonyms
amazedastonishedstaggeredstunned
astounded
very beautiful and delicate: an exquisite piece of china Look at this exquisite painting. She has exquisite taste. a vase of exquisite workmanship
exquisite
obviously very happy, or very beautiful:
He gave a radiant smile when he heard her news.
producing heat or light:
a radiant heater
the radiant heat of the sun
radiant
A dazzling light is so bright that you cannot see for a short time after looking at it:
a dazzling white light
extremely attractive or exciting:
dazzling good looks
a dazzling smile
a dazzling performance/display
dazzling
extremely boring:
a mind-numbing task
mind-numbing
skilled and experienced: a proficient swimmer She's proficient in two languages. It takes a couple of years of regular driving before you become proficient at it. Synonym adept
proficient
extremely honest:
A scrupulous politician would not lie about her business interests.
scrupulous
very careful and with great attention to every detail:
Many hours of meticulous preparation have gone into writing the book.
Synonyms
careful punctilious thorough (CAREFUL)
meticulous
giving too much attention to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect:
He is very fastidious about how a suitcase should be packed.
having a strong dislike of anything dirty or unpleasant:
They were too fastidious to eat in a fast-food restaurant.
fastidious
listening carefully:
an attentive audience
attentive
perfectly clean or tidy:
dressed in an immaculate white suit
an immaculate garden
immaculate
able to understand a situation quickly and see how to take advantage of it: an astute investor/businesswoman his astute handling of the situation an astute observer of human behavior Synonyms sharp shrewd
astute
energetic, exciting, and full of enthusiasm:
a vibrant young performer
a vibrant personality
a vibrant city
The hope is that this area will develop into a vibrant commercial centre.
vibrant
Vivid descriptions, memories, etc. produce very clear, powerful, and detailed images in the mind:
He gave a very vivid and often shocking account/description of his time in prison.
He’s one of those people with a very vivid imagination - every time he hears a noise he’s convinced it’s someone breaking in.
vivid
Someone who is driven is so determined to achieve something or be successful that all of their behaviour is directed towards this aim:
Like most of the lawyers that I know, Rachel is driven.
driven
competing in a strong and unfair way, without considering any harm caused to others:
a cut-throat business/market/world
Scrapping of price fixing legislation led to a cut-throat battle for supermarket customers.
Many firms have fallen victim to cut-throat competition.
cut-throat
very confused and unable to think clearly:
You’re looking rather dazed - is something wrong?
a dazed expression
Synonym
groggy
dazed
to cause someone to be completely unable to understand or explain something:
She was completely baffled by his strange behavior
Synonym
flummox
baffled
to confuse someone by being or doing something very strange or impossible to explain:
I was mystified by her decision.
Most Americans are totally mystified by the English game of cricket.
Synonyms
baffle bemuse bewilder flummox perplex puzzle
Opposite
demystify
mystify
dishonest and illegal:
A worrying trend for insurers has been a rise in fraudulent claims.
fraudulent
making someone feel less confident and slightly frightened:
Meeting a twin brother I didn’t know I had was an unnerving experience.
He has an unnerving habit of repeatedly glancing over my shoulder and out of the window.
See
unnerve
unnerving
necessary for the success or continued existence of something; extremely important:
A strong opposition is vital to a healthy democracy.
She had found out some information of vital importance.
The kidney plays a vital role/part in the removal of waste products from the blood.
[ + that ] It’s absolutely vital that you do exactly as I say.
[ + to infinitive ] It is vital to get medical supplies to the area as soon as possible.
vital
extremely important or necessary:
a crucial decision/question
Her work has been crucial to the project’s success.
[ + that ] It is crucial that the problem is tackled immediately.
Synonyms
all-important essential vital
crucial
weak or unhealthy, or easily damaged, broken, or harmed:
a frail old lady
I last saw him just last week and thought how old and frail he looked.
the country’s frail economy
frail
very thin, or easily broken or destroyed:
You won’t be warm enough in that flimsy dress.
We spent the night in a flimsy wooden hut.
a flimsy cardboard box
flimsy
difficult, needing a lot of effort and energy:
an arduous climb/task/journey
Synonyms
backbreaking grueling laborious
arduous
dirty:
The child’s face was grimy and streaked with tears.
Synonyms
cruddy dirty (NOT CLEAN)filthy (DIRTY)grubby grungy informal mucky informal soiled squalid (DIRTY) unclean
grimy
(of places) extremely dirty and unpleasant, often because of lack of money:
Many prisons, even today, are overcrowded and squalid places.
squalid
very dry and without enough rain for plants:
The desert is so arid that nothing can grow there.
unsuccessful:
After several arid years, the company has started to become successful.
not interesting and showing no imagination:
I found his writing extremely arid.
arid
(especially of earth or crops) dried out because of too much heat and not enough rain:
parched earth/fields/corn
It was the height of summer and the land was parched and brown.
parched
giving you more information and understanding of something:
That was a very enlightening program.
The instruction manual that came with my new computer wasn’t very enlightening about how to operate it.
Synonyms
edifying illuminating formal
enlightening
very embarrassed:
[ + to infinitive ] She was absolutely mortified to hear her son swearing at the teacher.
mortified
enthusiastic and eager:
a zealous supporter of the government’s policies
Synonyms
avid eager
zealous
very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something very much:
They were very keen to start work as soon as possible.
Joan wanted to go to a movie but I wasn’t keen (= I didn’t want to go).
She’s a keen tennis player.
She’s keen on (playing) tennis.
UK My son’s mad keen on cycling.
He’s rather keen on a girl in his school (= he is very attracted to her).
keen
wanting very much to do or have something, especially something interesting or enjoyable:
the children’s eager faces
[ + to infinitive ] She sounded very eager to meet you.
They crowded around the spokesperson, eager for any news.
eager
very exciting:
an electrifying performance
Synonyms
dramatic (EXCITING)exciting exhilarating gripping thrilling
electrifying
Exorbitant prices, demands, etc. are much too large:
The bill for dinner was exorbitant.
Synonyms
extortionate outrageous steep unconscionable
exorbitant
exactly or equally:
This carpet would be just right for the dining room.
The twins look just like each other.
Things turned out just as I expected.
You’ve got just as many toys as your brother.
Thank you, it’s just what I’ve always wanted.
I can’t help you just now/yet.
Just then, the lights went out.
I can just imagine Sophie as a police officer.
informal approving That dress is just you (= suits you very well).
just
far away:
a distant country
She could hear the distant sound of fireworks exploding.
part of your family but not closely related:
a distant relative/cousin
distant
happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way:
The police took swift action against the rioters.
Thank you for your swift reply.
The gazelle is one of the swiftest and most graceful of animals.
Synonyms
expeditious fast fleet quick rapid speedy
swift
annoying, worrying, or causing problems :
The shortage of qualified teachers remains a vexing problem.
Synonyms
annoying bothersome galling infuriating maddening pesky vexatious
vexing
unable to control your feelings or behaviour because you are extremely frightened, angry, excited, etc.:
Calm down, you’re getting hysterical.
The police were accused of hysterical over-reaction.
hysterical laughter (= uncontrolled laughter)
hysterical
extremely funny and causing a lot of laughter:
He didn’t like the film at all - I thought it was hilarious.
Synonym
uproarious
hilarious
of excellent quality; very great:
He is a superb dancer.
Taylor scored a superb goal at the end of the first half.
superb
extremely happy and excited, often because something has happened or been achieved:
The prince was reported to be elated at/by the birth of his daughter.
Synonym
ecstatic
Opposites
dejected sorrowful
elated
heavy:
I don’t want to carry this bag around all afternoon - it’s pretty weighty.
weighty
large in amount, size, force, etc.:
a hefty bill/fine
Her salary will go up by a hefty 13 percent.
a hefty book containing a lot of information
hefty
honest and telling the truth, especially about something difficult or painful:
The two presidents have had candid talks about the current crisis.
To be candid with you, I think you’re making a dreadful mistake.
Synonym
forthright
candid
honest, sincere, and telling the truth, even when this might be awkward or make other people uncomfortable:
a full and frank discussion
There followed a frank exchange of views.
The magazine, which gives frank advice about sex and romance, is aimed at the teenage market.
To be perfectly frank with you, I don’t think she’s the person for the job.
Synonyms
blunt direct forthright
frank
the act of speaking angrily to someone because you disapprove of their behaviour:
He gave his son a scolding for coming home so late.
scolding
extremely hot:
We went out in the blistering heat.
blistering
very hot:
a scorching summer day
It was scorching hot inside the greenhouse.
scorching
extremely hungry: I'm ravenous - where's supper? Growing boys have ravenous appetites. Synonyms famished hungry starved mainly US starving informal
ravenous
unusual or special and therefore surprising and worth mentioning:
Nelson Mandela was a truly remarkable man.
Meeting you here in Rome is a remarkable coincidence.
The 20th century was remarkable for its inventions.
remarkable
extremely interesting:
It was a riveting story.
Synonyms
absorbing engrossing fascinating gripping
riveting
A vivacious person, especially a woman or girl, is attractively energetic and enthusiastic:
He brought along his wife, a vivacious blonde, some 20 years his junior.
Synonym
vivacious
to make an unpleasantly loud noise:
The loudspeakers blared across the square.
The radio was blaring (out) martial music.
blaring
lucky:
[ + to infinitive ] You’re very fortunate to have found such a nice house.
He was fortunate in his choice of assistant.
[ + that ] It was fortunate that they had set out early because the traffic was terrible.
fortunate
the most modern stage of development in a particular type of work or activity:
a company at the cutting edge of mobile communications technology
cutting edge
easily seen or understood:
The full extent of the damage only became evident the following morning.
From the smell it was evident that the drains had been blocked for several days.
Harry’s courage during his illness was evident to everyone.
Her love for him was evident in all that she did.
Synonyms
manifest obvious
See also
evident
in very bad condition because of being old, or not having been cared for, or having been used a lot:
Most of the buildings were old and decrepit.
A decrepit old man sat on a park bench.
decrepit
extremely painful:
an excruciating pain in the lower back
extremely boring or embarrassing:
excruciating boredom
His confession, when it came, was excruciating.
excruciating
very poor:
an impoverished young actor
made weaker or worse in quality:
He warned that the breakdown of the family unit would lead to an impoverished society.
impoverished
full of hope, happiness, and good feelings:
Live music and a parade set an upbeat mood for the official opening.
Synonym
cheerful
Opposites
depressingdownbeat
upbeat
small in numbers or amount, often spread over a large area:
a sparse population/audience
sparse vegetation/woodland
a sparse beard
Information coming out of the disaster area is sparse.
Synonym
thin (FEW)
sparse
A palatial house is very large and beautiful.
palatial
very happy to talk to people in a friendly way:
He was in an expansive mood on the night of the party.
chatty garrulous loquacious talkative voluble verbose wordy prolix long-winded
expansive
extremely frightened:
I stood petrified as the most enormous dog I’ve ever seen came bounding up to me.
She’s petrified of being on her own in the house at night.
petrified
serious, sad, and without humour or entertainment:
a sombre atmosphere/voice/face
The funeral was a sombre occasion.
I left them in a sombre mood.
sombre
seriously bad: a grave situation Synonym serious (BAD) Compare severe (VERY SERIOUS)life-threatening
grave (adj)
extremely small:
a minute amount/quantity
I’ve never seen a man with such tiny hands - they’re minute!
The documentary showed an eye operation in minute detail (= showing every small detail).
Synonyms
infinitesimal microscopic tiny
minute
extremely small:
All she gave him to eat was two minuscule pieces of toast.
Salaries are a minuscule part of the budget.
minuscule/miniscule
unusual and strange, sometimes in an unpleasant way:
She has the most peculiar ideas.
What a peculiar smell!
It’s peculiar that they didn’t tell us they were going away.
UK The video on road accidents made me feel rather peculiar (= ill).
Synonyms
peculiar
(especially of a business, job, or activity) producing a lot of money: The merger proved to be very lucrative for both companies. Synonyms profitableremunerative formal Opposite unprofitable Compare profitable
lucrative
successful, usually by earning a lot of money:
In a prosperous country like this, no one should go hungry.
Synonyms
flourishingwell-to-do
prosperous
not completely trusting or certain about something or someone:
I’m a little wary of/about giving people my address when I don’t know them very well.
Synonyms
cautiousleery informal
Opposite
unwary
wary
looking or tasting extremely good, and giving great pleasure:
a delectable cheesecake
Synonyms
deliciousdelightfulscrumptious
delectable
tasting extremely good:
scrumptious cakes
Synonyms
delectabled elicious luscious (TASTY)tasty (FOOD)toothsome
scrumptious
attractive or exciting:
I didn’t find the prospect of a house with no electricity very alluring.
She was wearing a most alluring dress at Sam’s dinner party.
Synonyms
beguilingenticingtempting
alluring
to make someone feel excited or attracted by an offer or a suggestion of something that is, in fact, unlikely to happen
Compare
dangle tease verb
tantalising
unpleasantly thin, often with bones showing:
He came home after three months at college looking terribly scrawny.
Synonym
underweight
scrawny
good, pleasing, or effective:
a nifty piece of work/footwork
a nifty little gadget
cracking dandy neat great peachy swell smashing
nifty
extremely wet:
The bottle had leaked in my bag and everything was sopping.
You’re sopping wet - go and get changed.
sopping
when everything about a situation is considered together:
There are a few small things that I don’t like about my job, but by and large it’s very enjoyable.
by and large
If you do something of your own accord, you do it without being asked to do it:
She came of her own accord. No one asked her to come.
If people do something with one accord, they do it together and in complete agreement:
With one accord, the delegates walked out of the conference.
(a formal) agreement:
On 31 May the two leaders signed a peace accord.
UK Before 1987, the accord between the Labor government and the unions was a simple affair.
The project is completely in accord with government policy.
Synonyms
agreement (SAME OPINION)compact (AGREEMENT) concordat covenant pact treaty
accord
to make it more difficult for something to happen or more difficult for someone to do something:
Although he’s shy, it certainly hasn’t impeded his career in any way.
impede
very silly or stupid: The very idea is preposterous! a preposterous suggestion Synonyms absurd cockeyed idiotic laughable ludicrous nonsensical ridiculous
preposterous
to (cause something to) twist or bend violently and unnaturally into a different shape or form:
His face contorted with bitterness and rage.
Compare
deform
contort
the face
Synonyms
countenance (FACE) face (HEAD)physiognomy formal
visage
C1 [ T ] verb
to solve or end a problem or difficulty:
Have you resolved the problem of transport yet?
The couple resolved their differences and made an effort to get along.
resolve
C1 to try to do something: Engineers are endeavouring to locate the source of the problem. Synonyms attemptstrive
endeavour
very sad:
a doleful expression
Synonyms
blue (SAD) dejected depressed despondent dispirited dolorous down downcast downhearted in the dumps gloomy glum low low-spirited melancholy miserable mournful plaintive sad sorrowful in the doldrums
doleful
C2
weak and without energy, strength, or power:
He was a feeble, helpless old man.
The little lamp gave only a feeble light.
Opposition to the plan was rather feeble.
C2
not effective or good:
a feeble joke/excuse
feeble
very forceful or energetic:
a vigorous debate
There has been vigorous opposition to the proposals for a new road.
He takes plenty of vigorous exercise.
healthy and strong:
Cutting the bush back in the autumn will help promote vigorous growth in the spring.
vigorous
C2
to remember something:
Can you recollect his name?
As far as I can recollect, his name is Edward.
[ + (that) ] She suddenly recollected (that) she had left her jacket in the restaurant.
[ + question word ] Do you recollect where she went?
[ + -ing verb ] He does not recollect seeing her at the party.
Synonyms
recall remember
recollect
to read through something, especially in order to find the part you are interested in:
He opened a newspaper and began to peruse the personal ads.
peruse
to stay the same and not grow or develop:
The electronics industry is showing signs of stagnating after 15 years of growth.
My music career had stagnated.
stagnate
[ I or T, usually + adv/prep ]
to move something heavy using a lot of effort:
He heaved the bag onto his shoulder.
He cleared a space, heaving boxes out of the way.
[ T usually + adv/prep ]
to throw something forcefully, especially something large and heavy:
She picked up a heavy book and heaved it at him.
[ I ]
If something heaves, it makes one or more large movements up and down:
As the wind increased, the deck of the ship began to heave beneath his feet.
heave
very respected and praised because of great importance or great age:
hallowed icons such as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean
RELIGION
holy:
Can atheists be buried in hallowed ground?
hallowed
difficult to feel or understand:
an impalpable beauty/quality
impalpable
to have a pause or rest during a formal meeting or trial:
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday.
Shall we adjourn for lunch?
adjourn
to guess or think about what might happen using information that is already known:
You can’t really extrapolate a trend from such a small sample.
extrapolate
C1
to come to an opinion about something, or have a belief about something:
How do the French perceive the British?
Women’s magazines are often perceived to be superficial.
C2
to see something or someone, or to notice something that is obvious:
Bill perceived a tiny figure in the distance.
I perceived a note of unhappiness in her voice.
Perceiving that he wasn’t happy with the arrangements, I tried to book a different hotel.
perceive
a cheap simple food made, especially in the past, by boiling oats with water or milk
gruel
doing only what you want and often changing your behaviour in a way that is difficult to control
Synonyms
contrary perverse
wayward
to take control of a position of power, especially without having the right to:
Local control is being usurped by central government.
usurp
C1 [ before noun ]
almost a particular thing or quality:
Ten years of incompetent government had brought about the virtual collapse of the country’s economy.
virtual
a young woman who is not married
damsel
[ U ]
the process of getting something:
The acquisition of huge amounts of data has helped our research enormously.
Language acquisition (= learning a language without being taught) starts at a very young age.
[ C ]
something that someone buys, often to add to a collection of things:
The museum’s latest acquisition is a four-million-dollar sculpture.
I like your earrings - are they a recent acquisition? (= Did you get them recently?)
[ C or U ]
something such as a building, another company, or a piece of land that is bought by a company, or the act of buying it
acquisition
to listen
hearken
B2 [ I or T ]
to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change:
We’ve had to alter some of our plans.
Although the cost of making phone calls is going up, the charge for connecting to the internet will not alter.
Giving up our car has radically altered our lifestyle.
to change the size of clothes so that they fit better:
I took the coat back to the shop to have it altered.
alter
to be a sign that something bad is likely to happen in the future:
It was a deeply superstitious country, where earthquakes were commonly believed to portend the end of dynasties.
Synonyms
augur formalbetoken old usebode formalforeshadow formalprefigure formalpresage formal
portend
B2
to give a spoken statement of an opinion or thought:
[ + (that) ] Dr Johnson once remarked (that) “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
[ + that ] He remarked that she was looking thin.
remark
experiencing difficulty and problems:
the country’s ailing economy
Ted asked me if I could help him fix his ailing car.
ailing
C2
stiff or fixed; not able to be bent or moved:
a rigid steel and concrete structure
I was rigid with (= stiff and unable to move because of) fear.
not able to be changed or persuaded:
disapproving We were disappointed that they insisted on such a rigid interpretation of the rules.
rigid
an action that insults a person because someone fails to pay attention to them or to treat them with the respect that they deserve:
I regarded her failure to acknowledge my greeting as a slight.
Synonym
insult
slight
someone who becomes involved in an activity or a social group without being asked, or enters a place without permission:
Security did not prevent an interloper from getting onto the stage at the opening ceremony.
Synonym
intruder
interloper
unconscious:
We found her lying on the floor, drunk and insensible.
be insensible of/to sth
to not care about something or be unwilling to react to it:
I think he’s largely insensible to other people’s distress.
insensible
C1
having to do something, because you are forced to or feel it is necessary:
[ + to infinitive ] He felt compelled to report the incident.
compelled
C2
to begin something:
We will commence building work in August of next year.
Shall we let the meeting commence?
[ + -ing verb ] Unfortunately, he commenced speaking before all the guests had finished eating.
commence
to pay attention to something, especially advice or a warning:
The airline has been criticized for failing to heed advice/warnings about lack of safety routines.
Synonyms
pay attention (to sth/sb)listen mind
heed
not giving attention to a risk or possible difficulty:
Heedless destruction of the rainforests is contributing to global warming.
Journalists had insisted on getting to the front line of the battle, heedless of the risks
heedless
to express disagreement or complaint:
Walter expostulated with the waiter about the size of the bill.
expostulate
to walk in a slow and relaxed way, often in no particular direction:
He sauntered by, looking very pleased with himself.
Synonyms
amble mosey stroll
saunter
[ I ]
to feel or express great sadness, especially when someone dies:
He is still grieving for/over his wife.
[ T ] formal
to make you feel sad and angry:
[ + obj + to infinitive ] It grieves me to see all this food going to waste.
grieve
A pliable substance bends easily without breaking or cracking:
Some kinds of plastic become pliable if they’re heated.
often disapproving
A pliable person is easily influenced and controlled by other people:
He wanted a sweet, pliable, obedient wife.
pliable
to start again, or to start something again:
Courses have stopped for the summer, but will recommence in September.
They plan to recommence trading in the next few days.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
recommence
to cause difficulty to someone, or to cause someone to feel angry, annoyed, or upset:
This issue looks likely to continue to vex the government.
Synonym
annoy
vex
an offensive word:
The old woman walked along the street muttering imprecations.
imprecation
to try to change or have an influence on things that are not your responsibility, especially by criticizing in a damaging or annoying way:
My sister’s always meddling in other people’s affairs.
People shouldn’t meddle with things they don’t understand.
convulsion
Vociferous people express their opinions and complaints loudly and repeatedly in speech, and vociferous demands, etc. are made repeatedly and loudly:
Local activist groups have become increasingly vociferous as the volume of traffic passing through the village has increased.
A vociferous opponent of gay rights, he is well-known for his right-wing views.
Synonyms
clamorous strident
vociferous
C1 [ T ]
to officially force a rule, tax, punishment, etc. to be obeyed or received:
Very high taxes have recently been imposed on cigarettes.
Judges are imposing increasingly heavy fines for minor driving offences.
The council has imposed a ban on alcohol in the city parks.
C1 [ T ]
to force someone to accept something, especially a belief or way of living:
I don’t want them to impose their religious beliefs on my children.
We must impose some kind of order on the way this office is run.
impose
to tell someone that you disapprove of their bad or silly behaviour:
The teacher gently reproved the boys for not paying attention.
Synonyms
admonish scold
reprove
to express sadness and feeling sorry about something:
The poem opens by lamenting (over) the death of a young man.
My grandmother, as usual, lamented the decline in moral standards in today’s society.
The late lamented (= dead and remembered with love) Frank Giotto used to live here.
Synonyms
bemoan formalbewail literary
lament
[ after verb ]
knowing or being familiar with a person:
“Do you know Daphne?” “No, I’m afraid we’re not acquainted.”
I am not personally acquainted with the gentleman in question.
be acquainted with sth
to know or be familiar with something, because you have studied it or have experienced it before:
Police said the thieves were obviously well acquainted with the alarm system at the department store.
acquainted
food and drink:
“I can’t bear to see good victuals wasted,” said Martha.
victuals
C1 [ before noun ]
almost a particular thing or quality:
Ten years of incompetent government had brought about the virtual collapse of the country’s economy.
virtual
to pretend to have a particular feeling, problem, etc. :
You know how everyone feigns surprise when you tell them how old you are.
The prosecution claimed that the defendant had feigned the injury.
She responded to his remarks with feigned amusement.
feign
very difficult or impossible to control, manage, or solve:
We are facing an intractable problem.
Synonyms
knotty (COMPLICATED) thorny (PROBLEM/SUBJECT)
Opposites
amenable
intractable
perfect happiness:
Lying on a sunny beach is my idea of sheer bliss.
wedded/domestic bliss
bliss
to stop something from happening or someone from doing something:
Our holiday plans were thwarted by the airline pilots’ strike
Synonyms
foil frustrate scotch spoil
thwart
to please and make calm a god or person who is annoyed with you:
In those days people might sacrifice a goat or sheep to propitiate an angry god.
The radicals in the party were clearly sacked to propitiate the conservative core.
Synonym
appease disapproving
propitiate
C1
to act according to an order, set of rules, or request:
He’s been ordered to have the dog destroyed because it’s dangerous, but he refuses to comply.
There are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.
Synonym
follow
comply
to die, especially in an accident or by being killed, or to be destroyed:
Three hundred people perished in the earthquake.
He believes that Europe must create closer ties or it will perish.
perish
an extremely strong wish to get or keep money or possessions:
Her business empire brought her wealth beyond the dreams of avarice (= an extremely large amount of money).
Synonyms
cupidity greed
avarice
C2
more than is needed or wanted:
The report was marred by a mass of superfluous detail.
superfluous
to give someone special treatment, making that person as comfortable as possible and giving them whatever they want:
She pampers her dog with the finest steak and salmon.
Why not pamper yourself after a hard day with a hot bath scented with oils?
Synonyms
coddle (PROTECT)cosset indulge mollycoddle spoil
pamper
C2 [ I or T ]
to allow yourself or another person to have something enjoyable, especially more than is good for you:
The soccer fans indulged their patriotism, waving flags and singing songs.
I love champagne but I don’t often indulge myself.
We took a deliberate decision to indulge in a little nostalgia.
[ T ]
to give someone anything they want and not to mind if they behave badly:
My aunt indulges the children dreadfully.
Synonyms
coddle (PROTECT) cosset mollycoddle pamper
indulge
lasting for a long time or made to last longer than necessary:
protracted negotiations
a protracted argument/discussion
Synonyms
drawn-out extended lengthy long (TIME)prolonged
protracted
to sell something, especially a business or a part of a business:
The company is divesting its less profitable business operations.
She has divested herself of (= sold) some of her share-holdings.
divest
If a day or period of time dawns, it begins:
He left the house just as the day was dawning.
In the late 1970s, the personal computer era was dawning.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
dawn verb [I] (BECOME KNOWN)
mainly UK
to become known or obvious:
Gradually the truth about him dawned.
[ + that ] It eventually dawned that he wouldn’t be coming back.
dawn
to say that something is certainly true:
The lawyer averred her client’s innocence.
[ + speech ] “He’s guilty, I tell you,” she averred.
[ + that ] She averred that he was guilty.
aver
slow and likely to cause delay:
dilatory behaviour/tactics
British institutions have been dilatory in cutting credit card charges.
dilatory
C2
If a place is bleak, it is empty, and not welcoming or attractive:
The house stands on a bleak, windswept hilltop.
Synonyms
austerecomfortless formalinhospitable (PLACE)severe (VERY SERIOUS)spartan
Bleak weather is cold and unpleasant.
C2
If a situation is bleak, there is little or no hope for the future:
The economic outlook is bleak.
bleak
C2
to refuse to obey a person, decision, law, situation, etc.:
It is rare to see children openly defying their teachers.
A few workers have defied the majority decision and gone into work despite the strike.
The fact that aircraft don’t fall out of the sky always seems to me to defy (= act against) the law of gravity.
A forest fire raging in southern California is defying (= is not changed by) all attempts to control it.
defy
C2
to be or go before something or someone in time or space:
Kofi Annan preceded Ban Ki-moon as the Secretary-General of the UN.
It would be helpful if you were to precede the report with an introduction.
Synonym
preface
precede
a temporary change from the typical or usual way of behaving:
In a moment of aberration, she agreed to go with him.
I’m sorry I’m late - I had a mental aberration and forgot we had a meeting today.
aberration
the state of having or containing a lot of knowledge that is known by few people:
a work of great erudition
She was known for her wit and erudition.
erudition
the situation in which someone or something is laughed at and considered stupid or of no value:
They treated his suggestion with derision.
Her speech was met with hoots/howls of derision.
derision
to spoil something, making it less good or less enjoyable:
Sadly, the text is marred by careless errors.
It was a really nice day, marred only by a little argument in the car on the way home.
I hope the fact that Louise isn’t coming won’t mar your enjoyment of the evening.
mar
always being careful to notice things, especially possible danger:
Following the bomb scare at the airport, the staff have been warned to be extra vigilant.
Synonyms
open-eyedwatchful
vigilant
friendly and easy to talk to: He struck me as an affable sort of a man. She was quite affable at the meeting. Synonyms amiablecordial formalgenial
affable
not worried about something, especially when this is slightly surprising:
He seemed completely unperturbed at the idea of having to sing in a room full of strangers.
Synonym
unruffled
unperturbed
the spirit of a dead person appearing in a form that can be seen
apparition
moving or behaving in a way that is not regular, certain, or expected:
He drove in an erratic course down the road.
She can be very erratic; one day she is friendly and the next she’ll hardly speak to you.
erratic
to cause an event or situation to happen by making a set of actions or a formal process begin:
The government will instigate new measures to combat terrorism.
The revolt in the north is believed to have been instigated by a high-ranking general.
instigate
any of the groups of stars in the sky that seem from earth to form a pattern and have been given names
(often humorous)
a group of famous or admired people all together in one place:
At our annual ceremony we had a whole constellation of movie stars and directors.
constellation
someone who does something very often and cannot stop doing it:
I never trust anything he says - the man’s an inveterate liar.
Synonym
chronic
inveterate
to feel sad or complain about something, especially a bad situation:
She was alone and unloved, but she did not repine.
repine
C1 putting a lot of effort into your work: a conscientious student Synonym painstaking
conscientious
having or showing reason and good judgment in making decisions:
We should make judicious use of the resources available to us.
Synonym
wise approving
judicious
never stopping, especially in an annoying or unpleasant way:
incessant rain/noise/complaints
Synonyms
ceaseless constant never-ending perpetual unceasing unremitting
incessant
to introduce something so that it can be seen or discussed:
The police brought forward some new evidence in the case.
mainly UK
to change the date or time of an event so that it happens earlier than planned:
The elections were brought forward by three months.
phrasal verb
bring sth forward
literary
alone and unhappy; left alone and not cared for:
She looked a forlorn figure standing at the bus stop.
literary
A forlorn place feels empty and sad:
This forlorn industrial town has very high unemployment.
forlorn
to avoid something:
She has shunned publicity since she retired from acting.
shun
to have or show feelings of hate towards someone or something:
I execrate any policy that interferes with the rights and freedoms of others.
execrate
(of someone or someone’s character) positive and hoping for good things:
They are less sanguine about the prospects for peace.
See also
optimistic
sanguine
to express an amount of money in a particular currency (= units of money):
Oil sales were denominated in US dollars.
denominate
a person who is running away or hiding from the police or a dangerous situation:
Thousands of fugitives are fleeing from the war-torn area.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were fugitives from justice (= they ran away to avoid being tried in court).
fugitive
C2
a type of work that you feel you are suited to doing and to which you should give all your time and energy, or the feeling that a type of work suits you in this way:
I feel I’ve found/missed my true vocation.
Most teachers regard their profession as a vocation, not just a job.
To work in medicine, you should have a vocation for it.
Synonym
calling
vocation
a serious accident or bad event causing damage or suffering:
A series of calamities ruined them - floods, a failed harvest, and the death of a son.
Synonyms
cataclysm catastrophe crisis disaster emergency tragedy
calamity
C1
the act of believing that something is true without having any proof:
The presumption of innocence is central to American law.
There is no scientific evidence to support such presumptions.
[ + that ] The decision is based on the presumption that all information must be freely available.
presumption
C2 [ C usually singular ]
the particular type of character that a person naturally has:
She is of a nervous/cheerful/sunny disposition.
[ S + to infinitive ] formal
a natural tendency to do something, or to have or develop something:
a disposition to deceive
disposition
a disease:
All the rose bushes seem to be suffering from the same mysterious malady.
malady
to stay somewhere for longer than expected and delay leaving
tarry
to feel sorry about an event and wish it had not happened
rue
happening again many times:
The patient has a two-month history of recurrent episodes of pancreatitis.
The ‘what ifs’ of history is a recurrent theme in her writing.
Synonyms
perennial repeated
recurrent
C2 [ C or U ]
the act of telling your employer that you are leaving your job:
There have been calls for his resignation.
I handed in/gave in/sent in my resignation this morning.
resignation
too willing to believe what you are told and so easily deceived
Synonym
gullible
credulous
to give up something such as a responsibility or claim:
He has relinquished his claim to the throne.
She relinquished control of the family investments to her son.
to unwillingly stop holding or keeping something:
She relinquished her hold/grip on the steering wheel.
relinquish
to make something obvious or show something clearly:
They have never evinced any readiness or ability to negotiate.
In all the years I knew her, she never evinced any desire to do such a thing.
Synonyms
express show
evince
C2
causing you to have fear or respect for something or someone because that thing or person is large, powerful, or difficult:
a formidable obstacle/task
a formidable adversary/enemy/opponent
a formidable intellect
disapproving the director and his formidable wife
formidable
to persuade someone to do something by offering them something pleasant:
The adverts entice the customer into buying things they don’t really want.
People are being enticed away from the profession by higher salaries elsewhere.
[ + to infinitive ] A smell of coffee in the doorway enticed people to enter the shop.
Synonyms
luretempt
entice
C2
to get control or influence:
I am sure that common sense will prevail in the end.
And did reason prevail over (= become a more powerful influence than) emotion?
to be common among a group of people or area at a particular time:
This attitude still prevails among the middle classes.
prevail
to speak angrily to someone because you disapprove of what they have said or done:
I was rebuked by my manager for being late.
The Justice Department publicly rebuked him over a leaked memorandum.
Synonyms
berate formalchide formallambastelecturereprimand formalscold old-fashioned
rebuke
extremely bad or shocking:
Conditions in the prison were diabolical.
His driving is diabolical!
evil, or caused by the Devil
diabolical
old use
to help or be useful to someone or something:
Our efforts availed us nothing (= did not help).
Indian English
to make use of something:
Over a thousand learners have already availed the opportunity to study at our college.
To avail this offer, please click here.
avail
the ability to understand things quickly and make accurate judgments:
a woman of exceptional perspicacity
perspicacity
speed and eagerness:
She accepted the money with alacrity.
alacrity
small; weak; not effective:
a puny little man
My car only has a puny little engine.
The party’s share of the vote rose from a puny 13 percent in the last election to 21 percent this time.
puny
not wanting or not able to believe something, and usually showing this:
A few incredulous spectators watched on as Paterson, ranked 23rd in the world, beat the champion.
Opposite
credulous formal
incredulous
to include different types of things:
The festival is to encompass everything from music, theatre, and ballet to literature, cinema, and the visual arts.
Synonyms
coverembrace
encompass
When qualities, characteristics, or smells pervade a place or thing, they spread through it and are present in every part of it:
The film movie is a reflection of the violence that pervades our culture.
Synonyms
diffusepenetratepermeate formal
pervade
expensive and luxurious: an opulent lifestyle an opulent hotel Synonyms deluxegrandluxurioussumptuous
opulent
C2
energy and strength:
According to the packet, these vitamin pills will restore lost vitality.
Synonyms
dynamismoomph pizzazz approvingva-va-voom humorousvervevigour UKvim old-fashionedzing
vitality
C2
famous for something:
The region is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.
Marco Polo is a renowned explorer/is renowned as an explorer.
Synonyms
celebratedfamedillustrious formalnotablenoted
renowned
the fact that someone likes something or likes to do something, especially something considered morally wrong:
the sexual proclivities of celebrities
his proclivity for shapely blondes
proclivity
wanting to have something too much, especially something that belongs to someone else:
I can’t help casting covetous looks at my neighbour’s new Porsche.
Synonyms
acquisitive (WANTING THINGS) avaricious formal envious grasping greedy jealous (UNHAPPY)
covetous
extremely unpleasant and causing or deserving hate:
an odious crime
an odious little man
Synonyms
abominabledetestable formalexecrable formal
odious
feeling very sorry and guilty for something bad that you have done:
a contrite apology/expression
Synonyms
remorseful formalrueful literary
contrite
a state of great happiness:
Everything was perfect. She was in Elysium.
Elysium
a calm mental state, especially after a shock or disappointment or in a difficult situation:
He received the news of his mother’s death with remarkable equanimity.
Three years after the tragedy she has only just begun to regain her equanimity.
Synonyms
calm calmness composure cool phlegm sangfroid
equanimity
to laugh at someone or something in a way that shows you think they are stupid or of no value:
He derided my singing as pathetic.
This building, once derided by critics, is now a major tourist attraction.
deride
to act in a less severe way towards someone and allow something that you had refused to allow before:
Her parents eventually relented and let her go to the party.
The security guard relented and let them through.
Synonyms
softenyield
relent
help and comfort when you are feeling sad or worried:
When his wife left him, he found solace in the bottle (= drank alcohol).
Music was a great solace to me.
Synonyms
comfort (FOR SADNESS)consolation
solace
not having a physical body but a spiritual form:
In the film, the house was visited by a strange incorporeal being.
Synonym
immaterial
incorporeal
something that makes you suffer:
Malnutrition is one of the common afflictions of the poor.
affliction
laughter, humour, or happiness:
Her impersonations of our teachers were a source of considerable mirth.
Synonyms
glee hilarity
mirth
C2
to like or enjoy something:
I always relish a challenge.
[ + -ing verb ] I don’t relish telling her that her son has been arrested.
If you relish the idea or thought of something, you feel pleasure that it is going to happen:
She’s relishing the prospect of studying in Bologna for six months.
relish
happiness, excitement, or pleasure:
She opened her presents with glee.
Synonyms
joy (HAPPINESS)pleasure
glee
fear or worry about what is going to happen:
We view future developments with some trepidation.
trepidation
the act of thinking very carefully about a subject, or the thoughts themselves:
After some cogitation, she decided to say nothing.
He was fully occupied with his own cogitations for the remainder of the ride.
cogitation
to delay something until a later time:
My bank has agreed to defer the repayments on my loan.
[ + -ing verb ] Can we defer making a decision until next week?
Synonym
postpone
defer
helpful or useful in a particular situation, but sometimes not morally acceptable:
It might be expedient not to pay him until the work is finished.
The management has taken a series of expedient measures to improve the company’s financial situation.
expedient
a god or goddess:
Ares and Aphrodite were the ancient Greek deities of war and love.
Synonyms
divinity god
deity
[ I or T ]
to become dry, smaller, and covered with lines as if by crushing or folding, or to make something do this:
The lack of rain has shrivelled the crops.
You ought to pick that lettuce before it shrivels (up) and dies.
[ I ]
to become much smaller than is needed or wanted:
Profits are shrivelling as the recession gets worse.
shrivel
to rest or lie:
She reposed on the sofa.
repose
impressive in a way that seems expensive:
The celebrity guests turned up dressed in sumptuous evening gowns.
Synonyms
deluxe grand luxurious opulent
sumptuous
to hurry somewhere or through a place in a rude and forceful way:
They barged through the crowds.
When the doors opened she barged her way to the front of the queue.
The man barged (= pushed) into her and ran on without stopping.
barge
(of a city) covered with buildings across a large area, often ones that have been added gradually over a period of time:
sprawling suburbs
Somewhere in this sprawling metropolis, there is a secret military laboratory.
sprawling
used to describe an action that is done in a relaxed way, without hurrying:
We enjoyed a leisurely picnic lunch on the lawn.
Synonym
unhurried
leisurely
not noticeable; seeming to fit in well with the things around:
Make-up this season is unobtrusive and natural-looking.
Synonyms
discreetinconspicuous
unobtrusive
C1
a feeling of wanting better treatment or an improved situation:
Discontent among junior ranks was rapidly spreading.
There was widespread discontent at/about/over/with the plan.
discontent
the quality of being able to float:
We tested the boat for buoyancy.
He swam with an inflatable buoyancy device.
buoyancy
a fractious child
Synonyms
peevish petulant testy tetchy
fractious
sad and thinking about something that is impossible or in the past:
a wistful smile
I thought about those days in Spain and grew wistful.
Synonym
pensive
wistful
to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible:
It was the first chocolate he’d tasted for over a year, so he savored every mouthful.
savor
[ I ]
to exchange ideas on a particular subject, often in order to reach a decision on what action to take:
I need some time to confer with my lawyer.
confer
a state of extreme happiness or excitement:
There’s a sense of elation at having completed a race of such length.
Synonym
high spirits
elation
Someone who preys on a group of people tries to get something from them illegally or unfairly:
These telemarketers prey on the elderly and call them 5 or 10 times a day.
prey on
humour or lack of seriousness, especially during a serious occasion:
a brief moment of levity amid the solemn proceedings
levity
be privy to sth
to be told information that is not told to many people:
I was never privy to conversations between top management.
privy
When small children and animals scamper, they run with small quick steps:
The children scampered off into the garden.
Synonyms
scurryscuttleskitter
scamper
unpleasantly bright in colour or decoration:
gaudy plastic flowers
Synonyms
flash garish imcrack
gaudy
wrong or false:
an erroneous belief/impression
Synonyms
fallacious formalfalse (NOT CORRECT)incorrectuntruewrong (NOT CORRECT)
erroneous
noisy and possibly violent: a rowdy party rowdy behaviour Synonyms raucousunruly
rowdy
not expressing or showing intelligent thought or purpose:
a vacuous remark/question/expression/smile
Synonyms
asinine formalfatuous formalinane
vacuous
with many turns and changes of direction; not direct or simple:
He took a tortuous route through back streets.
The path to peace seems at last to be clear, although it may be a long and tortuous one.
Synonym
twisty
tortuous
fat:
a corpulent gentleman
Synonym
rotund
corpulent
with too much decoration or detail: a florid architectural style florid prose/rhetoric attired rustle
florid
(of a person) friendly and in a good mood, or (of a situation) enjoyable because of being friendly and pleasant: He seemed a very jovial guy. a jovial time/evening/chat Synonyms jocund literaryjollymerry
jovial
arguments and disagreement, especially in an organization, group, political party, etc.:
There are signs of dissension within the ruling political party.
dissension
never stopping, especially in an annoying or unpleasant way:
incessant rain/noise/complaints
Synonyms
ceaseless constant never-ending perpetual unceasing unremitting
incessant
A strident sound is loud, unpleasant, and rough:
People are put off by his strident voice.
strident
If things such as paper or leaves rustle, or if you rustle them, they move about and make a soft, dry sound:
The leaves rustled in the breeze.
He rustled his papers (= noisily moved them about) to hide his embarrassment.
rustle
a statement that you strongly believe is true:
I certainly don’t agree with his assertion that men are better drivers than women.
assertion
a formal and unfriendly way of behaving that suggests that the person thinks they are better than other people
hauteur
C1
to experience something that is unpleasant or something that involves a change:
She underwent an operation on a tumour in her left lung last year.
Playing board games is undergoing a revival in popularity.
undergo
very careful to behave correctly or to give attention to details:
He was always punctilious in his manners.
Synonym
meticulous approving
punctilious
to put things that are not similar next to each other:
The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso’s early drawings with some of his later works.
juxtapose
naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from another place:
Are there any species of frog indigenous to the area?
So who are the indigenous people of this land?
indigenous
a container used for storing or putting objects in:
Residents are given four separate receptacles for their rubbish.
receptacle
to make an unpleasantly loud noise:
The loudspeakers blared across the square.
The radio was blaring (out) martial music.
blare
to express great pleasure or happiness, especially at someone else’s defeat or failure:
They exulted at/over their victory.
She seems to exult in her power.
exult
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 vestiges of a colonial past.
There is now no vestige of hope that the missing children will be found alive.
Synonym
trace
vestige
(of actions and behaviour) deserving praise, even if there is little or no success:
a laudable goal/ambition
The recycling programme is laudable, but does it save much money?
Synonyms
commendable formalpraiseworthy
laudable
[ I ] formal
If it transpires that something has happened, this previously secret or unknown fact becomes known:
[ + that ] It may yet transpire that ministers knew more than they are admitting at the moment.
As it later transpired, she had known him at school.
transpire
seeming attractive but really false or of little value:
He claims that a lot of journalism is meretricious and superficial.
Synonyms
flash UKgimcrack disapproving
meretricious
C2
real and not imaginary; able to be shown, touched, or experienced:
We need tangible evidence if we’re going to take legal action.
Other tangible benefits include an increase in salary and shorter working hours
tangible
a sudden, short period of noise, confusion, or excited movement:
His arrival caused quite a commotion.
He looked up to see what all the commotion was about.
Synonyms
hoo-ha kerfuffle UK ruckus mainly US to-do
commotion
showing that you are happy and confident:
a jaunty grin/step
When he came back his hat was at a jaunty angle and he was smiling.
Synonym
chipper
jaunty
to imagine or expect that something is a likely or desirable possibility in the future:
He envisioned a partnership between business and government.
The company envisions adding at least five stores next year.
envision
extremely worried, nervous, or upset:
The missing child’s distraught parents made an emotional appeal for information on TV.
Synonym
overwrought
distraught
to play and behave in a happy way:
A group of suntanned children were frolicking on the beach.
Synonyms
cavortdisport yourself old-fashioned or humorousfriskgambol literaryromp
frolic
to play in a rough, excited, and noisy way:
The children romped happily around/about in the garden.
Synonym
frolic
romp
someone who makes, copies, or sells something illegally:
His father was a bootlegger who bought liquor cheap in Nebraska and sold it at twice the price to Indians in South Dakota.
The band has spoken out against merchandise bootleggers currently operating outside their gigs.
bootlegger
a word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word:
“Senior citizen” is a euphemism for “old person”.
The article made so much use of euphemism that often its meaning was unclear.
euphemism
C1
to walk in a slow relaxed way, especially for pleasure:
We could stroll along the beach after dinner.
An elderly couple strolled hand in hand in the park.
Synonyms
saunter
stroll
showing poor mental ability because of old age, especially being unable to think clearly and make decisions:
He spent many years caring for his senile mother.
I’m always losing my keys these days. I think I must be going senile.
senile
formal
someone or something existing or happening before, especially as the cause or origin of something existing or happening later:
Charles Babbage’s mechanical calculating engines were the antecedents of the modern computer.
Many people feel a great curiosity to find out about their antecedents.
LANGUAGE specialized
a word or phrase that a pronoun refers back to:
In the sentence “He picked a book off the shelf and handed it to Sally”, “book” is the antecedent of “it”.
antecedent
to use or spend time, effort, or money:
You expend so much effort for so little return.
Governments expend a lot of resources on war.
expend
showing poor mental ability because of old age, especially being unable to think clearly and make decisions:
He spent many years caring for his senile mother.
I’m always losing my keys these days. I think I must be going senile.
senile
A tangy flavour is pleasantly strong and sharp:
a deliciously tangy lemon tart
Synonym
tart
tangy
something that might possibly happen in the future, usually causing problems or making further arrangements necessary:
You must be able to deal with all possible contingencies.
Have you made any contingency plans?
Synonym
eventuality
contingency
the possible results of an action:
Have you considered all the ramifications of your suggestion?
ramification
to begin to do something or deal with something:
What’s the best way of going about this?
[ + -ing verb ] How can we go about solving this problem?
go about sth
full of something unpleasant or bad:
It is a superstition-ridden community.
She was guilt-ridden when she discovered that the business had failed because of her.
ridden
used to introduce something that is related to or connected with something that has just been said:
I had an email from Sally yesterday - apropos (of) which, did you send her that article?
Apropos what you said yesterday, I think you made the right decision.
apropos
extremely upsetting because connected with suffering:
a harrowing story
For many women, the harrowing prospect of giving evidence in a rape case can be too much to bear.
Synonyms
agonizingexcruciatingtorturous
harrowing
not expected or planned:
an adventitious event/situation
adventitious
formal
a small room just inside the outer door of a public building where you can leave your coat, etc.:
I’ll wait for you in the vestibule.
US
a small closed area on the front of a house
Synonym
porch US
MEDICAL specialized
an empty space in the body that is an entrance to a passage or another space:
the nasal vestibule
vestibule
An indelible mark or substance is impossible to remove by washing or in any other way:
indelible ink
The blood had left an indelible mark on her shirt.
[ before noun ]
Indelible memories or actions are impossible to forget, or have a permanent influence or effect:
I have an indelible memory of that meeting with Anastasia.
In his 20 years working for the company, Joe Pearson made an indelible impression on it.
Synonyms
abidingdurableenduringimperishable literaryindestructibleineradicable formalingrainedlastinglong-lastingpermanentstubborn
indelible
an act of staying awake, especially at night, in order to be with a person who is very ill or dying, or to make a protest, or to pray:
His parents kept vigil beside his bed for weeks before he died.
Supporters of the peace movement held an all-night candlelit vigil outside the cathedral.
vigil
very pale, in a way that looks unhealthy and not attractive:
Next to his tanned face, hers seemed pallid and unhealthy.
showing no enthusiasm or excitement:
This is a pallid production of what should be a great ballet.
pallid
C2
careless or unwise, without thought for what might happen or result:
That was a rash decision - you didn’t think about the costs involved.
[ + to infinitive ] I think it was a bit rash of them to get married when they’d only known each other for a few weeks.
Synonyms
foolhardyreckless
rash
to dance, drink, sing, etc. at a party or in public, especially in a noisy way
revel
a feeling of hate:
She denied any personal enmity towards him.
Bitter historical enmities underlie the present violence.
enmity
very great admiration or respect for someone, often too great:
The youngster makes no attempt to conceal his idolatry of his team-mate.
Newton was revered to the point of idolatry.
the act of praying to a picture or object as part of a religion:
Father Brown considers the notes and flowers left near the statue to be close to idolatry.
idolatry
suitable or right for a particular situation:
an apt comment/description
apt
extremely unpleasant and shocking, and usually dealing with death or injury:
The newspaper article included a gruesome description of the murder.
Synonyms
ghastlygrimgrislymacabre
gruesome
to move quickly, with small, short steps:
The mouse scurried across the floor.
The noise of the explosion sent everyone scurrying back into their homes.
Synonyms
scamperskitter
scurry
smelling strongly of something or having qualities (especially smells) that make you think of something else:
The album is a heartfelt cry, redolent of a time before radio and television.
The mountain air was redolent with the scent of pine needles.
Synonyms
evocativereminiscent of sb/sth formal
redolent
formal disapproving
too serious and trying to be very important:
The problem with the book is that it sometimes descends into portentous philosophizing.
literary
Portentous events, statements, or signs are important because they show that something unpleasant is very likely to happen:
The report contains numerous portentous references to a future environmental calamity.
portentous
(of characteristics or diseases) passed from the genes of a parent to a child, or (of titles and positions in society) passed from parent to a child as a right:
a hereditary disease
Depression is often hereditary.
It is a hereditary title, so Mark Howard will become Sir Mark Howard on his father’s death.
hereditary
1
emanate
2
espouse/d
3
angst
4
culminate
5
promiscuous
6
consort
7
stringent
8
concomitant
asdf
merit
asdf
embellish
a
contend (v.)
