General Vocabulary Flashcards
SPEAR
The spear pierced the lion’s heart.
noun
a weapon with a long shaft and a pointed tip, typically of metal, used for thrusting or throwing.
DEPICT
The wall was painted with a large mural depicting famous scenes from American history.
verb
to represent by or as if by a picture
in Portuguese: RETRATAR
SETTLE
Good, that’s all settled - you send out the invitations for the party, and I’ll organize the food.
verb
the example shows the verb conjugated in the simple past
to reach a decision or an agreement about something, or to end a disagreement
- Settle up: to pay someone the money that you owe them>
Would you like to settle up now, sir? - Settle down: to become familiar with a place and to feel happy and confident in it>
She quickly settled down in her new house - Settle for: to accept or agree to something, or to decide to have something, although it is not exactly what you want or it is not the best>
They were hoping to sell their car for $2,000, but settled for $1,500.
REMAINS/TO REMAIN
- The remains of lunch were still on the table.
- The doctor ordered him to remain in bed for a few days.
noun/verb
- as a noun: pieces or parts of something that continue to exist when most of it has been used, destroyed, or taken away.
- as a verb: to stay in the same place or in the same condition.
In portuguese: permanecer
BREEDING
The penguins’ breeding season has begun.
noun
the process in which animals have sex and produce young animals.
SUITABLE
The film is not suitable for children.
adjective
acceptable or right for someone or something.
REACHABLE
- The town is easily reachable on foot.
- Saving 5% of your salary should be a reachable goal.
adjective
- If a place is reachable, it is possible to get to it;
- If a level, especially a high one, is reachable, it is possible to get to it.
IMPETUS
The recent publicity surrounding homelessness has given (a) fresh impetus to the cause.
noun
something that encourages a particular activity or makes that activity more energetic or effective.
LACK
He just lacks a little confidence.
verb
to not have or not have enough of something that is needed or wanted.
FLAW
I returned the material because it had a flaw in it.
noun
plural: flaws
a fault, mistake, or weakness, especially one that happens while something is being planned or made, or that causes something not to be perfect.
GATHER
We gathered blueberries from the bushes.
ver
the example shows the verb conjugated in the simple past
to collect several things, often from different places or people.
TOUGH
These toys are made from tough plastic.
adjective
strong; not easily broken or made weaker.
DIMINISH
I don’t want to diminish her achievements, but she did have a lot of help.
verb
to reduce or be reduced in size or importance
ENHANCED
We continue to create new and enhanced versions of our products.
adjective
better than before.
PUZZLE
Scientists have been trying to solve this puzzle for years.
noun
a situation that is difficult to understand
WASTE
That meeting achieved absolutely nothing - it was a complete waste of time.
noun
an unnecessary or wrong use of money, substances, time, energy, abilities, etc.
in Portuguese: DESPERDÍCIO
NOURISH
Children need plenty of good fresh food to nourish them.
verb
to provide people or living things with food in order to make them grow and keep them healthy.
DORMANT
These investments have remained dormant for several years.
adjective
Something that is dormant is not active or growing but has the ability to be active at a later time.
SPORE
The compost is pasteurized and then inoculated with mushroom spores.
noun
a reproductive cell produced by some plants and simple organisms such as ferns and mushrooms.
related to Biology
UNBIASED
We try to remain as unbiased as we can, but it is difficult.
adjective
able to judge fairly because you are not influenced by your own opinions
SHALLOW
She told her children to stay in the shallow end (of the swimming pool).
adjective
having only a short distance from the top to the bottom
not deep
CLAY
Clay is used for making bricks and pots.
noun
thick, heavy soil that is soft when wet, and hard when dry or baked, used for making bricks and containers
SLIT
He was found the next day with his throat slit.
verb
to make a long, straight, narrow cut in something.
ENROLL
They want to enroll their children in their local school.
verb
to put yourself or someone else onto the official list of members of a course, college, or group