Lower-frecuency Words Flashcards

Question

thrive

Answer 1

thrive verb 🌗 NAmE /θraɪv / to become, and continue to be, successful, strong, healthy, etc. SYN flourish 👽New businesses thrive in this area. 👽These animals rarely thrive in captivity. thriv•ing NAmE θraɪvɪŋ / adj. 👽a thriving industry

Answer 2

cur•tail verb 🌗 NAmE /kɜːrˈteɪl / (formal) to limit sth or make it last for a shorter time SYN cut 👽The new law will curtail police powers. severely/drastically curtail 👽Budget cuts have drastically curtailed training programs.

Answer 3

dread verb 🌗 NAmE /dred / to be very afraid of sth; to fear that sth bad is going to happen 👽I dread being sick. 👽 She dreads her husband finding out. 👽I dread to think what would happen if there really was a fire here.

Answer 4

un•avoid•able adj. 🌗 NAmE /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbl / impossible to avoid or prevent 👽unavoidable delays 👽Recession at the time seemed unavoidable.

Answer 5

vi•brate verb 🌗 NAmE /ˈvaɪbreɪt / NAmE /vaɪˈbreɪt / to move or make sth move from side to side very quickly and with small movements 👽Every time a train went past the walls vibrated.

Answer 6

glimpse noun 🌗 NAmE /ɡlɪmps / 1 a look at sb/sth for a very short time, when you do not see the person or thing completely 👽He caught a glimpse of her in the crowd. 2 a short experience of sth that helps you to understand it 👽a fascinating glimpse into life in the ocean

Answer 7

sus•cep•tible adj. 🌗 NAmE /səˈseptəbl / 1 very likely to be influenced, harmed or affected by sb/sth 👽He's highly susceptible to flattery. 👽Some of these plants are more susceptible to frost damage than others.

Answer 8

cater verb 🌗 NAmE /ˈkeɪtər / 1 to provide food and drinks for a social event 2 cater to/ to provide the things that a particular type or person wants, especially things that you do not approve of 👽They only publish novels which cater to the mass market.

Answer 9

de·mise noun 🌗 NAmE /dɪˈmaɪz/ formal 1 the end of something that used to exist 2 the end or failure of an institution, an idea, a company, etc. 2 (formal or humorous) death 👽his imminent/sudden/sad demise

Answer 10

strand noun 🌗 NAmE /strænd / 1 a single thin piece of thread, wire, hair, etc. 👽She wore a single strand of pearls around her neck. 2 one of the different parts of an idea, a plan, a story, etc. 👽We heard every strand of political opinion. 👽The author draws the different strands of the plot together in the final chapter.

Answer 11

sup•press verb 🌗 NAmE /səˈpres / 1 (usually disapproving) (of a government, ruler, etc.) to put an end, often by force, to a group or an activity that is believed to threaten authority SYN quash 👽The rebellion was brutally suppressed. 3 to prevent yourself from having or expressing a feeling or 👽She was unable to suppress her anger.

Answer 12

tor•ture verb 🌗 NAmE /ˈtɔːrtʃər / to hurt sb physically or mentally in order to punish them or make them tell you sth 👽Many of the rebels were captured and tortured by secret police. SYN torment 👽He spent his life tortured by the memories of his childhood.

Answer 13

brand verb 🌗 NAmE /brænd / 1 to describe sb as being sth bad or unpleasant, especially unfairly 👽They were branded as liars and cheats. 👽The newspapers branded her a hypocrite.

Answer 14

stake noun 🌗 NAmE /steɪk / the stake: a post to which a person was tied in former times before being killed by burning 👽Suspected witches were burnt at the stake.

Answer 15

``` sever verb 🌗 NAmE /ˈsevər/ (formal) 1 to cut something into two pieces; to cut something off something  a severed artery ``` 2 sever something to completely end a relationship or all communication with somebody ➔ SYNONYM break off  The two countries have severed all diplomatic links.

Answer 16

ma·niac noun 🌗 NAmE /ˈmeɪniæk/ 1 (informal) a person who behaves in an extremely dangerous, wild or stupid way ➔ SYN madman  He was driving like a maniac.

Answer 17

bur·den noun 🌗 NAmE /ˈbɜːrdn/ 1 a duty, responsibility, etc. that causes worry, difficulty or hard work  The main burden of caring for old people falls on the state. 2 (formal) a heavy load that is difficult to carry

Answer 18

seem·ing·ly adverb 🌗 NAmE /ˈsiːmɪŋli/ appearing to have a particular quality, when this may or may not be true SYN apparently 👽a seemingly endless journey 👽 It was a seemingly impossible task.

Answer 19

com•pel•ling adj. 🌗 NAmE /kəmˈpelɪŋ / convincente, persuasivo, cautivador 1 that makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting 👽Her latest book makes compelling reading. 2 so strong that you must do sth about it 👽a compelling need/desire 3 that makes you think it is true 👽There is no compelling reason to believe him.

Answer 20

stun adj 🌗 NAmE /stʌnd / too surprised or shocked to speak 👽He looked completely stunned. 👽The audience sat in stunned silence.

Answer 21

erode verb 🌗 NAmE /ɪˈroʊd / 1 to gradually destroy the surface of sth through the action of wind, rain, etc; to be gradually destroyed in this way SYN wear away 👽The rocks have eroded away over time. 2 to gradually destroy sth or make it weaker over a period of time; to be destroyed or made weaker in this way 👽Her confidence has been slowly eroded by repeated failures.

Answer 22

plain•ly adv. 🌗 NAmE /ˈpleɪnli / 1 in a way that is easy to see, hear, understand or believe SYN clearly 👽The sea was plainly visible in the distance. 👽Plainly (= obviously) something was wrong. 2 using simple words to say sth in a direct and honest way

Answer 23

em•power verb 🌗 NAmE /ɪmˈpaʊər / 1 (formal) to give sb the power or authority to do sth SYN authorize 👽The courts were empowered to impose the death sentence for certain crimes. 2 to give someone more control over their own life or situation

Answer 24

de•cisive adj. 🌗 NAmE /dɪˈsaɪsɪv / 1 very important for the final result of a particular situation 👽a decisive factor/victory/battle 👽Climate was a decisive factor in establishing where the tournament should be held. 👽She has played a decisive role in the peace negotiations.

Answer 25

em•power verb 🌗 NAmE /ɪmˈpaʊər / 1 (formal) to give sb the power or authority to do sth SYN authorize 👽The courts were empowered to impose the death sentence for certain crimes. 2 to give someone more control over their own life or situation

Answer 26

renew verb 🌗 NAmE /rɪˈnuː / to begin sth again after a pause or an interruption SYN resume 👽The army renewed its assault on the capital. 👽We have to renew our efforts to attract young players.

Answer 27

peri•od•ic•al•ly adv. 🌗 NAmE ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkli / adv. happening fairly often and regularly 👽 Periodically, we meet to discuss any problems.

Answer 28

be•nign adj. 🌗 NAmE /bɪˈnaɪn / 1 (formal) (of people) kind and gentle; not hurting anybody 👽You would never have guessed his intentions from the benign expression on his face.

Answer 29

elicit verb NAmE /iˈlɪsɪt / (formal) to get information or a reaction from sb, often with difficulty 👽 I could elicit no response from him. 👽 Her tears elicited great sympathy from her audience.

Answer 30

emerge verb 🌗🌗 NAmE /iˈmɜːrdʒ / to come out of a dark, confined or hidden place. 👽The swimmer emerged from the lake.