GCSE Vocabulary Flashcards
euphemism
noun
A word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word.
Eg. “Senior citizen” is a euphemism for “old person”.
or
The article made so much use of euphemism that often its meaning was unclear.
ambiguous
adjective
Open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations.
Eg. I wish my professor’s instructions were less ambiguous so that I could better understand them.
aberration
noun
a: a change from what is typical or usual, esp. a temporary change.
Eg. The drop in our school’s test scores was dismissed as an aberration.
b: a temporary change from the typical or usual way of behaving.
Eg. 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.
abhor
verb
to hate, detest
Eg. Because she always wound up getting hit in the head when she tried to play swing ball, Tess began to abhor the sport.)
alacrity
noun
eagerness, speed
Eg. For some reason Simon loved to help his girlfriend whenever he could, so when she asked him to set the table he did so with alacrity.
appease
verb
to calm, satisfy
Eg. She claimed that the government had only changed the law in order to appease their critics.
cajole
verb
to urge, coax
Eg. Mary’s friends cajoled her into drinking too much.
candor
noun
honesty, frankness
Eg. We were surprised by the candour of the politician’s speech because she is usually rather evasive.
coerce
verb
To make someone do something by force or threat.
Eg. The judge decided the man didn’t have to honour his contract as he’d been coerced into it.
complacency
noun
self satisfied ignorance of danger
Eg. Simon tried to shock his friends out of their complacency by painting a frightening picture of what might happen to them.
diligent
adjective
Showing care in doing one’s work.
Eg. The diligent researcher made sure to double check her measurements.
elated
adjective
overjoyed, thrilled
Eg. When he found out he won the lottery, the man was elated.
empathy
noun
sensitivity to another’s feelings as if they were one’s own
Eg. He had empathy with small children.
flabbergasted
adjective
astounded
Eg. When I read an Agatha Christie mystery novel, I am always flabbergasted when I learn the identity of the murderer.
gluttony
noun
overindulgence of food or drink
Eg. Chocolate cake is so good, I don’t know how anyone can call gluttony a sin.
indolent
adjective
lazy
Eg. Why should my indolent children, who can’t even get up off the sofa to help me, be rewarded with a curry.
inhibit
verb
to prevent, restrain, stop
Eg. When I told you I needed the car last night, I certainly never intended to inhibit you from going out.
jubilant
adjective
extremely joyful, happy
Eg. The crowd was jubilant when the firefighter carried the woman from the burning building.
morose
adjective
gloomy or sullen
Eg.Jamie’s morose nature made him quite unpleasant to talk to.
myriad
adjective
consisting of a great number
Eg. It was difficult deciding what to do on Saturday night as the city presented with with a myriad of possibilities for fun.
novice
noun
a beginner, someone without training or experience
Eg. Because we were all novices at archery, our instructor decided to start with the basics.
oblivious
adjective
lacking consciousness or awareness of something
Eg. Oblivious to the burning smell emanating from the kitchen, my father didn’t notice the rolls in the oven were burned until it was much too late.
plethora
noun
an abundance, excess
Eg. The wedding banquet included a plethora of oysters piled almost three feet high.
vex
verb
to confuse or annoy
Eg. My boyfriend vexes me by teasing me for hours on end.
