O Flashcards
obdurate
(adjective) unwilling to change; stubborn, inflexible.
Despite the many pleas he received, the governor was obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency to the convicted murderer.
objective
(adjective) dealing with observable facts rather than opinions or interpretations.
When a legal case involves a shocking crime, it may be hard for a judge to remain objective in his rulings.
oblivious
(adjective) unaware, unconscious.
Karen practiced her oboe with complete concentration, oblivious to the noise and activity around her.
oblivion (noun)
obliviousness (noun)
obscure
(adjective) little known; hard to understand.
Mendel was an obscure monk until decades after his death when his scientific work was finally discovered. Most people find the writings of James Joyce obscure; hence the popularity of books that explain his books.
obscure (verb)
obscurity (noun)
obsessive
(adjective) haunted or preoccupied by an idea or feeling.
His concern with cleanliness became so obsessive that he washed his hands twenty times every day.
obsess (verb)
obsession (noun)
obsolete
(adjective) no longer current; old-fashioned.
W. H. Auden said that his ideal landscape would include water wheels, wooden grain mills, and other forms of obsolete machinery.
obsolescence (noun)
obstinate
(adjective) stubborn, unyielding.
Despite years of effort, the problem of drug abuse remains obstinate.
obstinacy (noun)
obtrusive
(adjective) overly prominent.
Philip should sing more softly; his bass is so obtrusive that the other singers can barely be heard.
obtrude (verb)
obtrusion (noun)
ominous
(adjective) foretelling evil.
Ominous black clouds gathered on the horizon, for a violent storm was fast approaching.
omen (noun)
onerous
(adjective) heavy, burdensome.
The hero Hercules was ordered to clean the Augean Stables, one of several onerous tasks known as “the labors of Hercules.”
onus (noun)
opportunistic
(adjective) eagerly seizing chances as they arise.
When Princess Diana died suddenly, opportunistic publishers quickly released books about her life and death.
opportunism (noun)
opulent
(adjective) rich, lavish.
The mansion of newspaper tycoon Hearst is famous for its opulent decor.
opulence (noun)
ornate
(adjective) highly decorated, elaborate.
Baroque architecture is often highly ornate, featuring surfaces covered with carving, sinuous curves, and painted scenes.
ostentatious
(adjective) overly showy, pretentious.
To show off his wealth, the millionaire threw an ostentatious party featuring a full orchestra, a famous singer, and tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of food.
ostracize
(verb) to exclude from a group.
In Biblical times, those who suffered from the disease of leprosy were ostracized and forced to live alone.
ostracism (noun)
