important words Flashcards
advocate (verb)
I certainly would not advocate the use of violence.
to express support for a particular idea or wat of doing things.
I certainly would not advocate the use of violence
advocate (noun)
He has always been an advocate of stricter gun control.
someone who supports a particular idea or wat of doing things
He has always been an advocate of stricter gun control
beneficiary
They were the beneficiaries of free education.
someone who receives money, help, etc from something or someone
They were the beneficiaries of free education
cease
He ordered his men to cease firing.
to stop
He ordered his men to cease firing.
comprehensive
extremely/fully/quite comprehensive
including everything a comprehensive study of the subject
comprehend
I was too young to comprehend what was happening.
to understand
I was too young to comprehend what was happening.
comprehension
How anyone could be so cruel is beyond my comprehension.
the ability to understand something
How anyone could be so cruel is beyond my comprehension.
drawer
She opened the drawer and took out a knife.
a container like a box without a lid that is part of a piece of furniture and that slides in and out
haste
In their haste to escape, they left behind all their belongings.
a situation in which you are in a hurry and do something more quickly than you should
In their haste to escape, they left behind all their belongings.
idle
This is no idle threat
not serious or having no real purpose
idle gossip
immense
extremely big
Health care costs the country an immense amount of money.
implication
This scheme has serious implications for the local economy.
a result or effect that seems likely in the future.
inclusive
Prices are inclusive of flights and accomodation.
an inclusive price or amount includes everything
Prices are inclusive of flights and accomodation.
incorporate
He began to incorporate dance and mime into his plays.
to include something as part of anaother thing
He began to incorporate dance and mime into his plays.
inherent
The desire for freedom is inherent in all people.
existing as a natural and basic part of something
The desire for freedom is inherent in all people.
initiate(start)
The program was initiated by the state government.
to makr something begin
The program was initiated by the state government.
inner
inner feelings, thoughts, etc are ones that you do not show or tell other people
find your inner motivation
likewise(adv)
in the same way
Watch what she does and then do likewise
lessen(v)
Exercise and a healthy diet lessen the chance of heart disease.
to become less or to makr something less
Exercise and a healthy diet lessen the chance of heart disease.
nuisance
Not being able to use my computer is a real nuisance.
a person, thing, or situation that annoys you or causes problems for you
Not being able to use my computer is a real nuisance.
patriotic
showing love for your country and pride in it
patriotic duty
rejoice
to feel very happy because something good has happened
Khalid was rejoiced and pleased with what tgr man had said.
reinforce
to make an existing opinion or idea stronger
to reinforce a view/feeling
sarcasm
to use of remarks in wat that says thr oppositr of ehat you mean in order to insult someone or show them that you are annoyed
Her voice heavy with sarcasm
settle (argument)
if you settle an argument, you solve the problem and stop arguing
to settle a dispute
settle (live)
to start living in a place where you are going to live for a long time
He travelled around Europe for years before finally settling in London
settle (decide)
to decide or arrange something (often passive)
Okay, that’s settled. Wa are going to fire you.
settle (relax)
to relax into a comfortable position
I yawned, and settled back on the sofa.
settle (pay)
if you settle a bill or a debt, you pay the money that you owe.
settlement
an official agreement that finishes an argument
a peace settlement
settlement
a Jewish settlement
a town or village rhat people built to live in after arriving from somewhere else
tackle (deal with)
to try to deal with a problem
new ways to tackle crime
tackle (speak to)
to speak to someone about something bad that they have done
I decided to tackle him abouy his absences
terminate
if something terminates, it ends, and if you terminate something, you make it end.
His conctract has been terminated.
trace
to find someone or something that was lost
Police have so far failed to trace the missing woman.
trace (origin)
to find the origin of something
She’s traced her family back to the sixteenth century.
Thaybwere able to trace the call (= find out the number of the telephone used)
Undertake
To start work om something that will take a long time or be difficult
Mark has undertaken the task of restoring an old house
Vital
Necessary
Tourism iş vital to the country’s economy
Reassure
To say something to stop someone from worrying
He reassured me that I would be paid soon
Prosperous
Succesful, usually by earning a lot of money
Acknowledge
To accept that something iş true or exists
He acknowledged that there was a problem
Adjust(change)
To change something slightly so that it works better, fırsat better, or iş more suitable
She adjusted her hat in the mirror
Assure
To te someone that something is definitely true, especially so that they do not worry
She assured them that she would be all right
Attribute
A quality or characteristic that someone or something has
Her hair is her bezt attribute
Deceive
To make someone believe somethinb that is not true
The company deceived customers by selling old tvs as new ones
Entitle
To give someone the right to do or have something
I am entitled to apply for citizenship
Executive
Someone Who has an important Job in a business
Grab
to take hold of something or someone suddenly and roughly:
A mugger grabbed her handbag as she was walking across the park.
He grabbed (hold of) his child’s arm to stop her from running into the road.
Hinder
To make it difficult to do something or cor something to develop
His performance at the game was hindered by a knee injury
Incentive
Something that encourages you to act in a particular way
Teşvik
Inhibit
To make progress or growth of something slower
This product inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria
abstract
existing as an idea, feeling, or quality, not as a material object:
Truth and beauty are abstract concepts.
accountable
Someone who is accountable is completely responsible for what they do and must be able to give a satisfactory reason for it:
She is accountable only to the managing director.
The recent tax reforms have made government more accountable for its spending.
Politicians should be accountable to the public who elected them.
accumulate
to collect a large number of things over a long period of time:
As people accumulate more wealth, they tend to spend a greater proportion of their incomes.
The company said the debt was accumulated during its acquisition of nine individual businesses.
We’ve accumulated so much rubbish over the years.
accustomed
familiar with something:
She quickly became accustomed to his messy ways.
I’m not accustomed to being treated like this.
additive
a substance that is added to food in order to improve its taste or appearance or to keep it fresh and stop it from decaying:
food additives
This margarine is full of additives - just look at the label!
alter
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.
alteration
a change, usually a slight change, in the appearance, character, or structure of something:
Several police officers are being questioned about the alteration of the documents.
The house needed extensive alterations when we moved in.
Some alterations to our original plans might be necessary.
ambiguity
(an example of) the fact of something having more than one possible meaning and therefore possibly causing confusion:
We wish to remove any ambiguity concerning our demands.
There are some ambiguities in the legislation.
appendix
a small tube-shaped part that is joined to the intestines on the right side of the body and has no use in humans:
She had her appendix out (= medically removed) last summer.
applaud
to show enjoyment or approval of something such as a performance or speech by clapping the hands repeatedly to make a noise:
You should have heard the audience applaud - the noise was fantastic.
She was applauded for a full five minutes after her speech.
arch
a structure, consisting of a curved top on two supports, that holds the weight of something above it:
In many churches the side aisles are separated from the central aisle by a row of arches.
Passing through the arch, you enter an open courtyard.
The vines were trained over an arch, providing shade as well as fruit.
arise
to happen:
Should the opportunity arise, I’d love to go to China.
Could you work on Saturday, should the need arise (= if it were to be necessary)?
Are there any matters arising from (= caused by) the last meeting?
ash
the soft grey or black powder that is left after a substance, especially tobacco, coal, or wood, has burned:
cigarette ash
assert
to behave in a way that expresses your confidence, importance, or power and earns you respect from others:
I really must assert myself more in meetings.
assertion
a statement that you strongly believe is true:
I certainly don’t agree with his assertion that men are better drivers than women.
attain
to reach or succeed in getting something:
He has attained the highest grade in his music exams.
We need to identify the best ways of attaining our objectives/goals.
India attained independence in 1947, after decades of struggle.
axe
a tool that has a heavy iron or steel blade at the end of a long wooden handle, used for cutting wood:
Julian used an axe to chop down the old apple tree.
backbone
the line of bones down the centre of the back that provides support for the body:
She stood with her backbone rigid.
bear
to accept, tolerate, or endure something, especially something unpleasant:
The strain must have been enormous but she bore it well.
Tell me now! I can’t bear the suspense!
It’s your decision - you have to bear the responsibility if things go wrong.
[ + to infinitive ] He couldn’t bear to see the dog in pain.
[ + -ing verb ] I can’t bear being bored.
beast
an animal, especially a large or wild one:
a wild beast
The room wasn’t fit for man or beast.
bet
to risk money on the result of an event or a competition, such as a horse race, in the hope of winning more money:
He regularly goes to the races and bets heavily.
She bet £500,000 on the horse that came in second.
[ + two objects, + (, that, ) ] I bet you $25 (that) I’ll get there before you.
bias
the action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment:
The senator has accused the media of bias.
Reporters must be impartial and not show political bias.
There was clear evidence of a strong bias against her.
blade
the flat part on a knife or similar tool or weapon, with a very thin edge used for cutting:
a sword with a steel blade
a packet of razor blades
bother
to make the effort to do something:
[ + to infinitive ] He hasn’t even bothered to write.
You could have phoned us but you just didn’t bother.
[ + -ing verb ] Don’t bother making the bed - I’ll do it later.
boundary
a real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something:
The Ural mountains mark the boundary between Europe and Asia.
Residents are opposed to the prison being built within the city boundary.
breadth
the distance from one side to another:
The length of this box is twice its breadth.
breadth
the fact of including many different things, features, subjects, or qualities:
The breadth of her knowledge is amazing.
He showed an astonishing breadth of learning for one so young.
breed (V)
to keep animals for the purpose of producing young animals in a controlled way:
Terriers are bred for their fighting instincts.
His main income comes from breeding cattle.
breed (n)
a particular type of animal or plant:
a breed of dog/cat/horse/sheep/cattle
What’s your favourite breed of dog/dog breed?
bribe
to try to make someone do something for you by giving them money, presents, or something else that they want :
He bribed immigration officials and entered the country illegally.
[ + to infinitive ] They bribed the waiter to find them a better table.
broaden
to become wider, or to cause something to become wider:
The track broadens and becomes a road at this point.
They are broadening the bridge to speed up the flow of traffic.
bubble
a ball of gas that appears in a liquid, or a ball formed of air surrounded by liquid that floats in the air:
As water begins to boil, bubbles rise to the surface.
I love champagne - I think it’s the bubbles that make it so good.
bulk
most of something:
In fact, the bulk of the book is taken up with criticizing other works.
bundle
a number of things that have been fastened or are held together:
a bundle of clothes/newspapers/books
a bundle of sticks
We sorted the newsletters into bundles for distribution.
I’ve got a bundle of clothes here to give to charity.
How much asparagus shall I buy - a couple of bundles?
Inside the embroidery kit there should be two different bundles of yarn.
We left out several bundles of old newspapers for recycling.
carriage
a vehicle with four wheels that is usually pulled by horses and was used mainly in the past:
a horse-drawn carriage
casualty
a person injured or killed in a serious accident or war:
The train was derailed but there were no casualties, police said.
The rebels suffered heavy casualties.
cater
to provide, and sometimes serve, food:
I’m catering for twelve on Sunday - the whole family is coming.
Which firm will be catering at the wedding reception?
US Who catered your party?
charge
(of the police) to make a formal statement saying that someone is accused of a crime:
She’s been charged with murder.
She is charged with murdering her husband.
cite
to mention something as proof for a theory or as a reason why something has happened:
She cited three reasons why people get into debt.
The company cited a 13 percent decline in new orders as evidence that overall demand for its products was falling.
cliff
a high area of rock with a very steep side, often on a coast:
Keep away from the edge of the cliff - you might fall.
the cliff edge
coal
a hard, black substance that is dug from the earth in pieces, and can be burned to produce heat or power, or a single piece of this:
How much coal was mined here?
a burning/red hot coal
code
a system of words, letters, or signs used to represent a message in secret form, or a system of numbers, letters, or signals used to represent something in a shorter or more convenient form:
The message was written in code.
She managed to decipher/break/crack (= succeed in understanding) the code.
Each entry in this dictionary has a grammar code.
coincide
I timed my holiday to coincide with the children’s.
If the heavy rain had coincided with an extreme high tide, serious flooding would have resulted.
to happen at or near the same time:
I timed my holiday to coincide with the children’s.
If the heavy rain had coincided with an extreme high tide, serious flooding would have resulted.
collapse
Thousands of buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
The chair collapsed under her weight.
figurative He thought his whole world had collapsed when his wife died.
to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support:
Thousands of buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
The chair collapsed under her weight.
figurative He thought his whole world had collapsed when his wife died.
collaborate
Two writers collaborated on the script for the film.
A German company collaborated with a Swiss firm to develop the product.
The British and Italian police collaborated in catching the terrorists.
to work with someone else for a special purpose:
Two writers collaborated on the script for the film.
A German company collaborated with a Swiss firm to develop the product.
The British and Italian police collaborated in catching the terrorists.
comfort
a pleasant feeling of being relaxed and free from pain:
She evidently dresses for comfort.
It’s a little too hot for comfort.
Now you can watch the latest films in the comfort of your own room.
commerce
the activities involved in buying and selling things:
the world of commerce and industry
commodity
a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold:
The country’s most valuable commodities include tin and diamonds.
the international commodities market
compatible
Such policies are not compatible with democratic government.
able to exist, live, or work successfully with something or someone else:
It was when we started living together that we found we just weren’t compatible.
Such policies are not compatible with democratic government.
Are their two blood groups compatible (= can blood from one person be given to the other person)?
compensate
to pay someone money in exchange for something that has been lost or damaged or for some problem:
Victims of the crash will be compensated for their injuries.
competence
the ability to do something well:
Her competence as a teacher is unquestionable.
He reached a reasonable level of competence in his English.
compile
to collect information from different places and arrange it in a book, report, or list:
We’re compiling some facts and figures for a documentary on the subject.
comprise
to be the parts or members of something; to make up something:
Italian students comprise 60 percent of the class. The class is comprised mainly of Italian and French students. Visible light comprises only a minute fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum.
compromise
The government has said that there will be no compromise with terrorists.
an agreement in an argument in which the people involved reduce their demands or change their opinion in order to agree:
It is hoped that a compromise will be reached in today’s talks.
In a compromise between management and unions, a four percent pay rise was agreed in return for an increase in productivity.
The government has said that there will be no compromise with terrorists.
concrete
a very hard building material made by mixing together cement, sand, small stones, and water:
reinforced concrete
a concrete floor/path
a grey concrete building
concretely
Having this information helps me identify concretely what my goals should be.
in a clear and definite way, or in a form that can be seen or felt:
Having this information helps me identify concretely what my goals should be.
The twin city relationship promotes friendship and, more concretely, business connections.
confidential
secret or private, often in a formal, business, or military situation:
All information will be treated as strictly confidential.
conform
to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society:
At our school, you were required to conform, and there was no place for originality.
confront
As she left the court, she was confronted by angry crowds who tried to block her way.
to face, meet, or deal with a difficult situation or person:
As she left the court, she was confronted by angry crowds who tried to block her way.
It’s an issue we’ll have to confront at some point, no matter how unpleasant it is.
I thought I would stay calm, but when I was confronted with/by the TV camera, I got very nervous.
conscience
the part of you that judges how moral your own actions are and makes you feel guilty
about bad things that you have done or things you feel responsible for:
a guilty conscience
a question/matter of conscience
You didn’t do anything wrong - you should have a clear conscience (= not feel guilty).
My conscience would really bother me if I wore a fur coat.
UK He’s got no conscience at all (= does not feel guilty) about leaving me to do the housework.
constant
happening a lot or all the time:
He’s in constant trouble with the police.
machines that are in constant use
constrain
to control and limit something:
The country’s progress was constrained by a leader who refused to look forward.
contaminate
to make something less pure or make it poisonous:
Much of the coast has been contaminated by nuclear waste.
The food which had been contaminated was destroyed.
contest
a competition to do better than other people, usually in which prizes are given:
a dance/sports contest
She’s won a lot of beauty contests.
contradict
He kept contradicting himself when we were arguing - I think he was a bit confused.
How dare you contradict (me)!
Recent evidence has contradicted established theories on this subject.
(of people) to say the opposite of what someone else has said, or (of one fact or statement) to be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong:
If you’re both going to lie, at least stick to the same story and don’t contradict each other!
He kept contradicting himself when we were arguing - I think he was a bit confused.
How dare you contradict (me)!
Recent evidence has contradicted established theories on this subject.
controversial
causing disagreement or discussion:
a controversial issue/decision/speech/figure
The book was very controversial.
convene
to bring together a group of people for a meeting, or to meet for a meeting:
The prime minister convened (a meeting of) his cabinet to discuss the matter.
The council will be convening on the morning of the 25th.
corporate
relating to a large company:
corporate finance
a corporate merger
corporate executives
correlation
a connection or relationship between two or more facts, numbers, etc.:
There’s a correlation between smoking and cancer.
correspond
The American FBI corresponds to the British MI5.
to match or be similar or equal:
The money I’ve saved corresponds roughly to the amount I need for my plane ticket.
The American FBI corresponds to the British MI5.
His story of what happened that night didn’t correspond with the witness’s version.
coverage
the reporting of a particular important event or subject:
What did you think of the BBC’s election coverage?
crack
to break something so that it does not separate, but very thin lines appear on its surface, or to become broken in this way:
A stone hit the window and cracked the glass.
I cracked my tooth as I fell.
The walls cracked and the roof collapsed in the earthquake.
craft
skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects; a job or activity that needs skill and experience, or something produced using skill and experience:
the craft of furniture making/sewing/glassblowing
political/literary craft
rural/ancient/traditional crafts
craft workers (= skilled workers)
cultivate
to prepare land and grow crops on it, or to grow a particular crop:
Most of the land there is too poor to cultivate.
The villagers cultivate mostly maize and beans.
cyncial
believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere:
She has a pretty cynical view of men.
I’ve always been deeply cynical about politicians.
deed
She’s always helping people and doing good deeds.
an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one:
It seems to me that a lot of evil deeds are done in the name of religion.
She’s always helping people and doing good deeds.
deficiency
a state of not having, or not having enough, of something that is needed:
Pregnant women often suffer from iron deficiency.
Deficiencies in the education system have been much in the news.
deficit
the total amount by which money spent is more than money received:
The country is running a balance-of-payments/budget/trade deficit of $250 million.
The UK’s deficit in manufactured goods fell slightly in the last three months.
delicate
Molly’s health has always been delicate (= she gets sick easily).
needing careful treatment, especially because easily damaged:
Peaches have delicate skins which are easily bruised.
Delicate plants need to be kept in a greenhouse during the winter.
delicate china
Molly’s health has always been delicate (= she gets sick easily).
demolish
to completely destroy a building, especially in order to use the land for something else:
A number of houses were demolished so that the supermarket could be built.
to prove that an argument or theory is wrong:
He completely demolished all her arguments.
derive
to get something from something else:
The institute derives all its money from foreign investments.
She derives great pleasure/satisfaction from playing the violin.
deprive
to take something, especially something necessary or pleasant, away from someone:
He claimed that he had been deprived of his freedom/rights.
You can’t function properly when you’re deprived of sleep.
desert
to leave someone without help or in a difficult situation and not come back:
He deserted his wife and family for another woman.
despair
the feeling that there is no hope and that you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation:
a mood/sense of despair
They’re in (the depths of) despair over/about the money they’ve lost.
To her teacher’s despair, Nicole never does the work that she’s told to do.
Their fourth year without rain drove many farmers to despair.
deter
High prices are deterring many young people from buying houses.
to prevent someone from doing something or to make someone less enthusiastic about doing something by making it difficult for that person to do it or by threatening bad results if they do it:
These measures are designed to deter an enemy attack.
High prices are deterring many young people from buying houses.
deviate
to do something that is different from the usual or common way of behaving:
The recent pattern of weather deviates from the norm for this time of year.
diagnose
to recognize and name the exact character of a disease or a problem, by examining it:
The specialist diagnosed cancer.
His condition was diagnosed as some type of blood disorder.
She was diagnosed with/as having diabetes.
The electrician has diagnosed a fault in the wiring.
disguise
to give a new appearance to a person or thing, especially in order to hide its true form:
He disguised himself by wearing a false beard.
Minor skin imperfections can usually be disguised with a spot of make-up.
We tried to disguise the fact that it was just a school hall by putting up coloured lights and balloons.
devote
to give all of something, especially your time, effort, or love, or yourself, to something you believe in or to a person:
He left the Senate to devote more time to his family.
She has devoted all her energies/life to the care of homeless people.
At the age of 25, he decided to devote himself to God.
discriminate
to treat a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc.:
She felt she had been discriminated against because of her age.
In order to increase the number of female representatives, the selection committee decided to discriminate in favour of women for three years.
distinct
clearly noticeable; that certainly exists:
There’s a distinct smell of cigarettes in here.
dissolve
(of a solid) to be absorbed by a liquid, especially when mixed, or (of a liquid) to absorb a solid:
Dissolve two spoons of powder in warm water.
Nitric acid will dissolve most animal tissue.
ease
to make or become less severe, difficult, unpleasant, painful, etc.:
To ease the problem of overcrowding, new prisons will be built.
These pills should ease the pain.
After the arrival of the United Nations soldiers, tension in the area began to ease.
