English Words Flashcards
Small; short
Diminutive
A diminutive is a word or affix that indicates something is small or smaller than usual. It is used to express a sense of endearment, affection, or to convey a literal or figurative diminishment in size or importance. For example, in English, we often add “-ie” or “-y” to a word to create a diminutive form, such as “doggy” for a small dog or “bookie” for a small book. Diminutives can be used to create a sense of familiarity or to convey a sense of cuteness or charm. They are commonly used in many languages to express things in a smaller or less significant way.
bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind
Evoking
- The haunting melody of the music evoked memories of a bygone era.
- The artist’s painting successfully evoked a sense of serenity and tranquility.
- The smell of freshly baked bread can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort.
- The movie’s intense climax evoked a range of emotions in the audience, from fear to excitement.
- The author’s descriptive writing evoked vivid images of the bustling cityscape.
Unaffected by
impervious
- The new waterproof material used in this jacket makes it completely impervious to rain.
- Despite the criticism, she remained impervious to their comments and continued pursuing her goals.
- The fortress was designed with thick, reinforced walls to create an impervious barrier against enemy attacks.
- The CEO’s impervious attitude towards employee concerns led to a decrease in morale within the company.
- The scientist developed a special coating that made the glass impervious to scratches and stains.
Tastbaar, voelbaar
Palpable
(Palpabel)
- The tension in the room was palpable as the competitors waited for the results to be announced.
- As the storm approached, the smell of rain in the air became palpable, making everyone eager for the refreshing downfall.
- The sense of excitement was palpable as the crowd cheered for their favorite team during the intense basketball game.
- The artist’s passion for her work was palpable in every brushstroke, creating a powerful and emotional piece of art.
- The teacher’s disappointment was palpable when she noticed the lack of effort and preparation from her students.
Extremely complex
convoluted
- The instructions for setting up a convoluted home theater system can be quite perplexing for beginners.
- The convoluted plot of the mystery novel had readers scratching their heads until the very end.
- Steve had a hard time understanding the convoluted math problem, as it involved multiple steps and complex equations.
- The convoluted bureaucracy of the government made it difficult for citizens to navigate through the various procedures and paperwork.
- Emily’s convoluted explanation of her whereabouts only served to raise more suspicion among her friends.
an adjective that describes something or someone as attractive, interesting, or pleasing. It often refers to things that have qualities that make them desirable or enjoyable.
Appealing
A visually appealing artwork is visually attractive, while an appealing argument is one that is persuasive and convincing.
Shocking, dreadful
Appalling
This is an appalling lack of justice.
- The condition of the dilapidated building was appalling, with cracked walls and a leaking roof.
- The movie depicted scenes of appalling violence, leaving the audience in a state of shock and disbelief.
- The appalling behavior of the politician was widely condemned by the public and resulted in a significant drop in support.
- The company’s decision to ignore safety regulations was deemed appalling, as it put the lives of workers at risk.
- The teacher was appalled by the appalling lack of respect shown by the students towards their classmates and themselves.
Ploeteren, zwoegen
To slog, slogging
- The hiker embarked on a long and tiresome slog up the steep mountain trail.
- The writer experienced a mental slog as they struggled to find inspiration for their next novel.
- Despite the rain, the construction workers continued to slog through their tasks to meet the project deadline.
- The student felt overwhelmed by the endless slog of studying for exams and completing assignments.
- After a long day at work, all I wanted to do was relax and not engage in another slog of house chores.
idiomatic expression used to describe someone who was in a particularly desperate or difficult financial situation
Hard-up
Baanbreker
Trailblazer
- restant; rest; overschot; overblijfsel 2. coupon; lap (stof) 3. (vaak meervoud) overlevende
remnant
- “The remnant of the fabric was perfect for a small patchwork project.”
- “Historians discovered a remnant of an ancient civilization buried beneath the city.”
- “Only a remnant of the original forest remains after years of deforestation.”
- “The shop had a remnant sale, offering leftover pieces of fabric at discounted prices.”
- “The remnant of the old bridge served as a reminder of the town’s rich history.”
opeenvolgend
Consecutive / successive
verlichten
make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe
alleviate
- Applying a cold compress to the affected area can help alleviate swelling and pain after an injury.
- Regular exercise and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can alleviate stress and improve overall well-being.
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication can temporarily alleviate headaches or minor aches and pains.
- Installing soundproofing materials in your home can help alleviate noise pollution from outside sources.
- Proper hydration and a balanced diet can alleviate symptoms of constipation and improve digestive health.
an adjective that describes something or someone as attractive, interesting, or pleasing. It often refers to things that have qualities that make them desirable or enjoyable.
Appealing
A visually appealing artwork is visually attractive, while an appealing argument is one that is persuasive and convincing.
steil, plotseling,
Steep, suddenly
Precipitous
The price of shares dropped precipitously with the news of poor sales figures.
Veelzijdig
Adaptable
Versatile
likely or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something unpleasant or regrettable.
Easily liable to something, sensitive to something
(Vatbaar voor…)
prone | pravn |
adjective
1 (prone to/to do something) likely or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something unpleasant or regrettable: farmed fish are prone to disease | he is prone to jump to conclusions | [in combination] : the player was written off by many as too injury-prone.
2 lying flat, especially face downwards: / was lying prone on a foam mattress | a prone position.
• technical denoting the position of the forearm with the palm of the hand facing downwards.
• archaic with a downward slope or direction.
Lockdown
Confinement
Other word for persistent
Relentless
- The relentless rain battered the roof, causing leaks to develop.
- Despite facing numerous obstacles, she remained relentless in her pursuit of success.
- The detective showed a relentless dedication to solving the case, working day and night.
- The team’s relentless pressure on the opponent forced them to make critical mistakes.
- His relentless criticism of others eventually alienated his friends.
something or someone who is extremely unpleasant, offensive, or irritating. It typically refers to behavior that is disrespectful, rude, or bothersome, causing annoyance or discomfort to others
Obnoxious
Obnoxious is an adjective used to describe something or someone who is extremely unpleasant, offensive, or irritating. It typically refers to behavior that is disrespectful, rude, or bothersome, causing annoyance or discomfort to others. Obnoxious behavior can include being loud, pushy, or deliberately provocative.
Indirect (EN)
oblique
- The politician’s oblique response to the question hinted at his true intentions without directly addressing the issue at hand.
- The detective noticed the suspect’s oblique glance towards the exit, suggesting he may have been involved in the crime.
- The author cleverly wove oblique references to historical events throughout the novel, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
- Rather than giving a straightforward answer, the teacher used oblique examples to encourage critical thinking among the students.
- The comedian’s oblique jokes required the audience to read between the lines and grasp the underlying humor.
Strange, bizarre, odd, weird.
Unusual, unfamiliar, different.
Peculiar
Random
Arbitrary
- The decision to implement the new dress code policy was viewed as arbitrary by many employees, as it seemed to lack any logical reasoning or consistency.
- The allocation of parking spaces in the office was done in an arbitrary manner, with no regard for seniority or proximity to the building.
- The selection of winners for the competition was criticized for being arbitrary, as there appeared to be no objective criteria or fair evaluation process.
- The arbitrary exercise of power by the dictator led to widespread oppression and violation of human rights.
- The pricing strategy of the company seemed arbitrary, with fluctuating prices that did not align with market demand or production costs.