PD_15/08/20 --> Tc --> 5LB-->76-100 Flashcards
mishmash
SINGULAR NOUN [usu a N of n]
If something is a mishmash, it is a confused mixture of different types of things.
[disapproval]
The letter was a mish-mash of ill-fitting proposals taken from two different reform plans.
…a bizarre mishmash of colours and patterns.
Synonyms: jumble, medley, hash, potpourri
worn
- Worn is the past participle of wear.
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Worn is used to describe something that is damaged or thin because it is old and has been used a lot.
Worn rugs increase the danger of tripping.
Most of the trek is along worn paths.
litter
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Litter is rubbish that is left lying around outside.
If you see litter in the corridor, pick it up.
On Wednesday we cleared a beach and woodland of litter.
Synonyms: rubbish, refuse, waste, fragments - COUNTABLE NOUN
A litter is a group of animals born to the same mother at the same time.
…a litter of pups. [+ of]
unkempt
ADJECTIVE
If you describe something or someone as unkempt, you mean that they are untidy, and not looked after carefully or kept neat.
His hair was unkempt and filthy.
…the unkempt grass.
He looked unkempt.
Synonyms: uncombed, tousled, shaggy, ungroomed
dire
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Dire is used to emphasize how serious or terrible a situation or event is.
[emphasis]
A government split would have dire consequences for domestic peace.
He was in dire need of hospital treatment.
…dire poverty. - ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you describe something as dire, you are emphasizing that it is of very low quality.
[informal, emphasis]
…a book of children’s verse, which ranged from the barely tolerable to the utterly dire.
Synonyms: terrible, awful, appalling, dreadful
clutter
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Clutter is a lot of things in an untidy state, especially things that are not useful or necessary.
Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter.
Synonyms: untidiness, mess, disorder, confusion
herald
- VERB
Something that heralds a future event or situation is a sign that it is going to happen or appear.
[formal]
…the sultry evening that heralded the end of the baking hot summer. [VERB noun]
Their discovery could herald a cure for some forms of impotence. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: indicate, promise, precede, pave the way - VERB [usually passive]
If an important event or action is heralded by people, announcements are made about it so that it is publicly known and expected.
[formal]
Her new album has been heralded by a massive media campaign. [be VERB-ed + by]
Tonight’s big game is being heralded as the match of the season. [be VERB-ed + as]
Synonyms: announce, publish, advertise, proclaim
ratify/ratification
VERB
When national leaders or organizations ratify a treaty or written agreement, they make it official by giving their formal approval to it, usually by signing it or voting for it.
The parliaments of Australia and Indonesia have yet to ratify the treaty. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: approve, sign, establish, confirm
legislature
COUNTABLE NOUN
The legislature of a particular state or country is the group of people in it who have the power to make and pass laws.
[formal]
The Florida state legislature passed new gambling laws.
Synonyms: parliament, house, congress, diet
purported
ADJECTIVE
alleged; supposed; rumoured
a purported two million dollar deal
inquisition
COUNTABLE NOUN
An inquisition is an official investigation, especially one which is very thorough and uses harsh methods of questioning.
Synonyms: investigation, questioning, examination, inquiry
shuttered
- ADJECTIVE
A shuttered window, room, or building has its shutters closed.
I opened a shuttered window.
Schools and government offices have been closed, and many shops remain shuttered.
risqué
ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as risqué, you mean that it is slightly rude because it refers to sex.
The script is incredibly risqué - some marvellously crude lines.
Synonyms: suggestive, blue, daring, naughty
pander
VERB
If you pander to someone or to their wishes, you do everything that they want, often to get some advantage for yourself.
[disapproval]
He has offended the party’s traditional base by pandering to the rich and the middle classes. [VERB + to]
…books which don’t pander to popular taste. [VERB to noun]
decamp
VERB
If you decamp, you go away from somewhere secretly or suddenly.
We all decamped to the pub. [VERB]
fester
verb [ I ]
If an argument or bad feeling festers, it continues so that feelings of hate or lack of satisfaction increase:
It’s better to express your anger than let it fester inside you.
a festering argument/dispute
If a cut or other injury festers, it becomes infected and produces pus:
a festering sore
instantaneous
ADJECTIVE
Something that is instantaneous happens immediately and very quickly.
Death was instantaneous because both bullets hit the heart.
Synonyms: immediate, prompt, instant, direct
porcelain
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Porcelain is a hard, shiny substance made by heating clay. It is used to make delicate cups, plates, and ornaments.
…tall white porcelain vases.
figurine
COUNTABLE NOUN
A figurine is a small ornamental model of a person.
doodad/doodah
COUNTABLE NOUN
You can refer to something, especially an electronic device, as a doodah when you do not know exactly what is called.
[British, informal]
The car has all the latest electronic doodahs.
tacky
dreadful
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something as tacky, you dislike it because it is cheap and badly made or vulgar.
[informal, disapproval]
…a woman in a fake leopard-skin coat and tacky red sunglasses.
The whole thing is dreadfully tacky.
Synonyms: seedy, shabby, shoddy More Synonyms of tacky - ADJECTIVE
If something such as paint or glue is tacky, it is slightly sticky and not yet dry.
Test to see if the finish is tacky, and if it is, leave it to harden.
Synonyms: sticky, wet, adhesive, gummy - ADJECTIVE
If you say that something is dreadful, you mean that it is very bad or unpleasant, or very poor in quality.
They told us the dreadful news.
My financial situation is dreadful.
Synonyms: terrible, shocking [informal], awful, alarming More Synonyms of dreadful
dreadfully ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
You behaved dreadfully.
They treated him dreadfully.
Synonyms: terribly, badly, horribly, awfully More Synonyms of dreadful - ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Dreadful is used to emphasize the degree or extent of something bad.
[emphasis]
We’ve made a dreadful mistake.
I had a dreadful headache.
Synonyms: serious, terrible, awful, appalling More Synonyms of dreadful
dreadfully ADVERB [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB after verb]
He looks dreadfully ill.
His mother must be dreadfully worried.
I miss him dreadfully.
Synonyms: terribly, badly, horribly, awfully More Synonyms of dreadful
Synonyms: extremely, very, terribly, greatly More Synonyms of dreadful
3. ADJECTIVE
If someone looks or feels dreadful, they look or feel very ill, tired, or upset.
Are you all right? You look dreadful.
I feel absolutely dreadful about what has happened.
vitreous
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Vitreous means made of glass or resembling glass.
[technical]
grizzle
verb [ I ] UK disapproving
(especially of a young child) to cry continuously but not very loudly, or to complain all the time:
The baby was cutting a tooth and grizzled all day long.
They’re always grizzling (= complaining) about how nobody invites them anywhere.
discern
verb [ T ] formal
to see, recognize, or understand something that is not clear:
I could just discern a figure in the darkness.
It is difficult to discern any pattern in these figures.
rancorous
ADJECTIVE
A rancorous argument or person is full of bitterness and anger.
[formal]
The deal ended after a series of rancorous disputes.
Synonyms: bitter, hostile, malicious, malign
doting
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you say that someone is, for example, a doting mother, husband, or friend, you mean that they show a lot of love for someone.
His doting parents bought him his first racing bike at 13.
Synonyms: adoring, devoted, fond, foolish
ward off
PHRASAL VERB
To ward off a danger or illness means to prevent it from affecting you or harming you.
She may have put up a fight to try to ward off her assailant. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
Mass burials are now under way in an effort to ward off an outbreak of cholera.
sea change
COUNTABLE NOUN
A sea change in someone’s attitudes or behaviour is a complete change.
A sea change has taken place in young people’s attitudes to their parents.
mutiny
- VARIABLE NOUN
A mutiny is a refusal by people, usually soldiers or sailors, to continue obeying a person in authority.
A series of coup attempts and mutinies within the armed forces destabilized the regime.
Synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising, insurrection
helmsman
COUNTABLE NOUN
The helmsman of a boat is the man who is steering it.
mantis
any carnivorous typically green insect of the family Mantidae, of warm and tropical regions, having a long body and large eyes and resting with the first pair of legs raised as if in prayer: order Dictyoptera
earthy
- ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as earthy, you mean that they are open and direct, and talk about subjects which other people avoid or feel ashamed about.
[approval]
…his extremely earthy humour.
interlocutor
COUNTABLE NOUN [oft poss NOUN]
Your interlocutor is the person with whom you are having a conversation.
[formal]
Owen had the habit of staring motionlessly at his interlocutor.
detractor
COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural, usually with poss]
The detractors of a person or thing are people who criticize that person or thing.
[journalism]
This performance will silence many of his detractors.
The news will have delighted detractors of the scheme.
Synonyms: slanderer, belittler, disparager, defamer
subside
VERB
If a feeling or noise subsides, it becomes less strong or loud.
The pain had subsided during the night. [VERB]
Catherine’s sobs finally subsided. [VERB]
Synonyms: decrease, diminish, lessen, ease
preternatural
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Preternatural abilities, qualities, or events are very unusual in a way that might make you think that unknown forces are involved.
[formal]
Parents had an almost preternatural ability to understand what was going on in their children’s minds.
Synonyms: supernatural, odd, strange, unusual
stereotype
noun [ C ] disapproving
a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong:
racial/sexual stereotypes
He doesn’t conform to/fit/fill the national stereotype of a Frenchman.
The characters in the book are just stereotypes.
maladjusted
ADJECTIVE
If you describe a child as maladjusted, you mean that they have psychological problems and behave in a way which is not acceptable to society.
…a school for maladjusted children.
prodigy
COUNTABLE NOUN
A prodigy is someone young who has a great natural ability for something such as music, mathematics, or sport.
…a Russian tennis prodigy.
crank
noun
C ] informal
a person who has strange or unusual ideas and beliefs
[ C ] US, informal
an unpleasant and easily annoyed person:
She’s always a crank first thing in the morning.
heuristic
- ADJECTIVE
A heuristic method of learning involves discovery and problem-solving, using reasoning and past experience.
[technical] - ADJECTIVE
A heuristic computer program uses rules based on previous experience in order to solve a problem, rather than using a mathematical procedure.
allegory
- COUNTABLE NOUN
An allegory is a story, poem, or painting in which the characters and events are symbols of something else. Allegories are often moral, religious, or political.
The book is a kind of allegory of Latin American history. [+ of]
Synonyms: symbol, story, tale, myth
avant-garde
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Avant-garde art, music, theatre, and literature is very modern and experimental.
…avant-garde concert music.
Synonyms: progressive, pioneering, way-out [informal], experimental More Synonyms of avant-garde
Avant-garde is also a noun.
He was an enthusiast for the avant-garde. - SINGULAR NOUN [the NOUN]
You can refer to the artists, writers, and musicians who introduce new and very modern ideas as the avant-garde.
In Paris he made friends among the avant-garde.
figurehead
- COUNTABLE NOUN
If someone is the figurehead of an organization or movement, they are recognized as being its leader, although they have little real power.
The President will be little more than a figurehead.
Synonyms: nominal head, leader in name only, titular head, frontman or woman or person
scrutinize
VERB
If you scrutinize something, you examine it very carefully, often to find out some information from it or about it.
Her purpose was to scrutinize his features to see if he was an honest man. [VERB noun]
Lloyds’ results were carefully scrutinised as a guide to what to expect from the other banks. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: examine, study, inspect, research
conglomerate
COUNTABLE NOUN [oft adjective NOUN]
A conglomerate is a large business firm consisting of several different companies.
[business]
Fiat is Italy’s largest industrial conglomerate.
Synonyms: corporation, multinational, corporate body, business
imply
verb [ T ]
to communicate an idea or feeling without saying it directly:
[ + (that) ] Are you implying (that) I’m fat?
I’m not implying anything about your cooking, but could we eat out tonight?
I detected an implied criticism of the way he was treated.
proclaim
- VERB
If people proclaim something, they formally make it known to the public.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives. [VERB noun]
Britain proudly proclaims that it is a nation of animal lovers. [VERB that]
He still proclaims himself a believer in the Revolution. [V pron-refl n]
[Also V n n, V n as n] - VERB
If you proclaim something, you state it in an emphatic way.
‘I think we have been heard today,’ he proclaimed. [VERB with quote]
He confidently proclaims that he is offering the best value in the market. [VERB that]
acclaim
- VERB [usually passive]
If someone or something is acclaimed, they are praised enthusiastically.
[formal]
She has been acclaimed for her leading roles in both theatre and film. [beV-ed for n/v-ing]
He was acclaimed as England’s greatest modern painter. [be VERB-ed + as]
The group’s debut album was immediately acclaimed a hip hop classic. [be VERB-ed noun]
Synonyms: praise, celebrate, honour, cheer
dystopia
utopia
NOUN
an imaginary place where everything is as bad as it can be
A utopia is an imaginary community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its citizens.
attest
VERB
To attest something or attest to something means to say, show, or prove that it is true.
[formal]
Police records attest to his long history of violence. [VERB + to]
I can personally attest that the cold and flu season is here. [VERB that]
His beautifully illustrated book well attested his love of the university. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB with quote]
Synonyms: testify, show, prove, confirm
attune
verb [ I or T ]
to make someone able to understand or recognize something:
My ears are beginning to attune to the subtle differences in intonation.
His previous experience attuned him to the limitations and possibilities of government service.
aver
VERB
If you aver that something is the case, you say very firmly that it is true.
[formal]
He avers that chaos will erupt if he loses. [VERB that]
‘Entertaining is something that everyone in the country can enjoy,’ she averred. [VERB with quote]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: state, say, maintain, declare
avert
- VERB
If you avert something unpleasant, you prevent it from happening.
Talks with the teachers’ union over the weekend have averted a strike. [VERB noun]
A fresh tragedy was narrowly averted yesterday.
Synonyms: ward off, avoid, prevent, frustrate More Synonyms of avert - VERB
If you avert your eyes or gaze from someone or something, you look away from them.
He avoids any eye contact, quickly averting his gaze when anyone approaches. [VERB noun]
He kept his eyes averted. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun from noun]
Synonyms: turn away, turn, turn aside
aversion
VARIABLE NOUN
If you have an aversion to someone or something, you dislike them very much.
Many people have a natural and emotional aversion to insects. [+ to/for]
Synonyms: hatred, hate, horror, disgust
imbue
VERB
to fill something or someone with a quality or feeling:
Her poetry was imbued with a love of the outdoors.
contemptuous
ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are contemptuous of someone or something, you do not like or respect them at all.
He was contemptuous of private farmers.
He’s openly contemptuous of all the major political parties. [+ of]
She gave a contemptuous little laugh.
contemptible
ADJECTIVE
If you feel that someone or something is contemptible, you feel strong dislike and disrespect for them.
[formal]
Catherine was ready to explode. ‘I think you’re contemptible!’.
…this contemptible act of violence.
Synonyms: despicable, mean, low, base
omission
noun [ C or U ]
the act of not including something or someone that should have been included, or something or someone that has not been included that should have been:
Measures to control child employment are a glaring (= very obvious) omission from new legislation to protect children.
There are some serious errors and omissions in the book.
The fans believed that the omission of Heacock from the team was a serious mistake.
emission
VARIABLE NOUN
An emission of something such as gas or radiation is the release of it into the atmosphere.
[formal]
The emission of gases such as carbon dioxide should be stabilised at their present level. [+ of]
Sulfur emissions from steel mills become acid rain.
Synonyms: giving off or out, release, shedding, leak
regulate
verb [ T ]
to control something, especially by making it work in a particular way:
You can regulate the temperature in the house by adjusting the thermostat.
[ + question word ] Her mother strictly regulates how much TV she can watch.
compliance
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Compliance with something, for example a law, treaty, or agreement means doing what you are required or expected to do.
[formal]
Inspectors were sent to visit nuclear sites and verify compliance with the treaty.
The company says it is in full compliance with U.S. labor laws. [+ with]
The Security Council aim to ensure compliance by all sides, once an agreement is signed.
Synonyms: conformity, agreement, obedience, assent
draconian
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Draconian laws or measures are extremely harsh and severe.
[formal]
…draconian measures to lower U.S. healthcare costs.
…draconian censorship laws.
fatuous
ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person, action, or remark as fatuous, you think that they are extremely silly, showing a lack of intelligence or thought.
[formal, disapproval]
The Chief was left speechless by this fatuous remark.
Synonyms: foolish, stupid, silly, dull
redeemable
ADJECTIVE
If something is redeemable, it can be exchanged for a particular sum of money or for goods worth a particular sum.
Their full catalogue costs $5, redeemable against a first order. [+ against]
[Also + for]
irredeemable
ADJECTIVE
If someone or something has an irredeemable fault, it cannot be corrected.
[formal]
He is still, in the eyes of some, an irredeemable misogynist.
vineyard
COUNTABLE NOUN
A vineyard is an area of land where grape vines are grown in order to produce wine. You can also use vineyard to refer to the set of buildings in which the wine is produced.
varietal
noun [ C ]
FOOD & DRINK specialized
a type of grape that is used to make wine, or a wine that is made from one type of grape:
Malbec, a red-wine varietal, represents a quarter of Argentina’s wine exports.
Customers can browse wines by price, varietal, region and year.
BIOLOGY, FOOD & DRINK specialized
relating to a variety or to different varieties of a plant :
varietal coffees
varietal differences between the types of wheat grown on the farm
engaging
ADJECTIVE
An engaging person or thing is pleasant, interesting, and entertaining.
…one of her most engaging and least known novels.
He was engaging company.
Synonyms: charming, interesting, pleasing, appealing
affectless
ADJECTIVE
a. showing no emotion or concern for others
b. not giving rise to any emotion or feeling
an affectless novel
delve
- VERB
If you delve into something, you try to discover new information about it.
Tormented by her ignorance, Jenny delves into her mother’s past. [VERB + into]
If you’re interested in a subject, use the Internet to delve deeper. [VERB adverb]
Synonyms: research, investigate, explore, examine More Synonyms of delve - VERB
If you delve into something such as a cupboard or a bag, you search inside it.
[written]
She delved into her rucksack and pulled out a folder. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: rummage, search, look, burrow
gospel
noun
the complete truth:
If Mary tells you something, you can take it as gospel.
any of the four books of the Bible that contain details of the life of Jesus Christ:
St Mark’s Gospel/the Gospel according to St Mark
contention
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually poss NOUN]
Someone’s contention is the idea or opinion that they are expressing in an argument or discussion.
This evidence supports their contention that the outbreak of violence was prearranged.
Sufficient research evidence exists to support this contention.
Synonyms: assertion, claim, stand, idea
rife
ADJECTIVE [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that something, usually something bad, is rife in a place or that the place is rife with it, you mean that it is very common.
Speculation is rife that he will be sacked.
Bribery and corruption were rife in the industry.
Hollywood soon became rife with rumors. [+ with]
Synonyms: widespread, abundant, plentiful, rampant
devoid
ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone or something is devoid of a quality or thing, you are emphasizing that they have none of it.
[formal, emphasis]
I have never looked on a face that was so devoid of feeling. [+ of]
The skies are virtually devoid of birdlife.
Synonyms: lacking in, without, free from, wanting in
substance
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A substance is a solid, powder, liquid, or gas with particular properties.
Ethylene glycol is a poisonous substance found in antifreeze.
The substance that’s causing the problem comes from the barley.
Synonyms: material, body, stuff, element More Synonyms of substance - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Substance is the quality of being important or significant.
[formal]
It’s questionable whether anything of substance has been achieved.
Syria will attend only if the negotiations deal with issues of substance.
Synonyms: importance, significance, moment, meaningfulness - SINGULAR NOUN
The substance of what someone says or writes is the main thing that they are trying to say.
The substance of his discussions doesn’t really matter. [+ of]
Synonyms: meaning, main point, gist, matter More Synonyms of substance - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If you say that something has no substance, you mean that it is not true.
[formal]
There is no substance in any of these allegations.
Synonyms: truth, fact, reality, certainty
teeming
ADJECTIVE
1. abounding in people, fish, insects, etc
The city’s normally teeming streets were virtually deserted.
the streets of Cairo, a teeming city of 13 million people
Boys pulled salmon from a teeming river.
2. dense or bustling
They pushed their way through the teeming crowd.
mead
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
In former times, mead was an alcoholic drink made of honey, spices, and water.
Plunder
- VERB
If someone plunders a place or plunders things from a place, they steal things from it.
[literary]
They plundered and burned the market town of Leominster. [VERB noun]
She faces charges of helping to plunder her country’s treasury of billions of dollars. [VERB noun + of]
This has been done by plundering £4 billion from the Government reserves. [VERB noun + from]
Synonyms: loot, strip, sack, rob More Synonyms of plunder
Plunder is also a noun.
…a guerrilla group infamous for torture and plunder. - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Plunder is property that is stolen.
[literary]
The thieves are often armed and in some cases have killed for their plunder.
depreciate
Deprecate
VERB
If something such as a currency depreciates or if something depreciates it, it loses some of its original value.
Inflation was rising rapidly; the yuan was depreciating. [VERB]
The demand for foreign currency depreciates the real value of local currencies. [VERB noun]
During those five years, the pound depreciated by a quarter. [VERB + by]
We think lower German interest rates in due course will allow European currencies to depreciate against the dollar bloc. [V against n]
Synonyms: decrease, cut, reduce, lessen
VERB
If you deprecate something, you criticize it.
[formal]
He deprecated the low quality of entrants to the profession. [VERB noun]
As a lawyer, I would deprecate any sort of legal control on gene therapy at this stage. [VERB noun]
Dispensation
- VARIABLE NOUN
A dispensation is special permission to do something that is normally not allowed.
A special dispensation may by obtained from the domestic union concerned.
They were promised dispensation from military service. [+ from]
The committee was not prepared to use its discretion and grant special dispensation.
Synonyms: exemption, licence, exception, permission More Synonyms of dispensation - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Dispensation of something is the issuing of it, especially from a position of authority.
[formal]
…our application of consistent standards in the dispensation of justice. [+ of] - COUNTABLE NOUN [usually supplement NOUN]
A dispensation is a religious or political system that has authority at a particular time.
The new dispensation proved a success, certainly with the business community.
Interpolate
to interrupt someone by saying something:
“How very odd to say all that!” I interpolated.
More examples
The film-maker interpolates stills of Marlon Brando during the recital of the poem.
The church has always made practical judgments with respect to its attempt to interpolate Catholic principles into the civil law.
These median values were interpolated by using linear regression.
Yearly mean rainfall was obtained from 20-year data, and interpolated values for each square were used.
VERB
If you interpolate a comment into a conversation or some words into a piece of writing, you put it in as an addition.
[formal]
Williams interpolated much spurious matter. [VERB noun]
These odd assertions were interpolated into the manuscript some time after 1400. [be VERB-ed + into]
Synonyms: insert, add, introduce, intercalate
Populist
someone who tries to be popular with ordinary people and to represent their ideas and opinions:
a political party dominated by populists
He’s a populist who promised to end tax breaks for the rich and break up monopolies.
Spare
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You use spare to describe something that is the same as things that you are already using, but that you do not need yet and are keeping ready in case another one is needed.
If possible keep a spare pair of glasses accessible in case your main pair is broken or lost.
Don’t forget to take a few spare batteries.
He could have taken a spare key.
The wagons carried spare ammunition.
Synonyms: back-up, reserve, second, extra More Synonyms of spare
Spare is also a noun.
Give me the trunk key and I’ll get the spare. - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You use spare to describe something that is not being used by anyone, and is therefore available for someone to use.
They don’t have a lot of spare cash.
The spare bedroom is on the second floor.
There was hardly a spare inch of space to be found.
Synonyms: extra, surplus, leftover, over More Synonyms of spare - VERB [only to-inf]
If you have something such as time, money, or space to spare, you have some extra time, money, or space that you have not used or that you do not need.
You got here with ninety seconds to spare. [VERB]
It’s not as if he has money to spare. [VERB]
The car suddenly darted ahead, squeezing past him with only inches to spare. [VERB]
Miranda has drive and energy to spare and has now taken on an even bigger challenge. [VERB] - VERB
If you spare time or another resource for a particular purpose, you make it available for that purpose.
She said that she could only spare 35 minutes for our meeting. [VERB noun]
He’s a very busy man, and it’s good of him to spare the time to visit. [VERB noun]
He suggested that his country could not spare the troops for such an operation. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: afford, give, grant, do without More Synonyms of spare - VERB [usually passive]
If a person or a place is spared, they are not harmed, even though other people or places have been.
[literary]
We have lost everything, but thank God, our lives have been spared. [be VERB-ed]
Not a man was spared. [be VERB-ed]
The area was largely spared from the famine. [be V-ed from n]
Synonyms: have mercy on, pardon, have pity on, leave More Synonyms of spare - VERB
If you spare someone an unpleasant experience, you prevent them from suffering it.
I wanted to spare Frances the embarrassment of discussing this subject. [VERB noun noun]
Prisoners are spared the indignity of wearing uniforms. [VERB noun noun]
Spare me the gory details. [VERB noun noun]
She’s just trying to spare Shawna’s feelings. [VERB noun]
The policy has not spared the farming community from severe financial pressure. [VERB noun from noun] - GRADED ADJECTIVE
Someone who is described as spare is tall and not at all fat.
[literary]
She was thin and spare, with a sharply intelligent face.
Synonyms: thin, lean, slim, slender More Synonyms of spare - GRADED ADJECTIVE
Something such as a room that is spare is very plain with no unnecessary features.
[literary]
Inside, the two small rooms were spare and neat, stripped bare of ornaments.
Synonyms: meagre, sparing, modest, economical
Incite
VERB
If someone incites people to behave in a violent or illegal way, they encourage people to behave in that way, usually by making them excited or angry.
He incited his fellow citizens to take their revenge. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
The party agreed not to incite its supporters to violence. [VERB noun + to]
They pleaded guilty to possessing material likely to incite racial hatred. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: provoke, encourage, drive, excite
Explicate
VERB
To explicate something means to explain it and make it clear.
[formal]
We shall have to explicate its basic assumptions before we can assess its implications. [VERB noun]
explication (eksplɪkeɪʃən)
Word forms: plural explications
VARIABLE NOUN
The jury listened to his impassioned explication of article 306. [+ of]
McKen criticises the lack of explication of what the term ‘areas’ means. [+ of]
Synonyms: explanation, resolution, demonstration, description
spook
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A spook is a ghost.
[informal] - COUNTABLE NOUN
A spook is a spy.
[US, informal]
…as a U.S. intelligence spook said yesterday.
Synonyms: spy, secret agent, double agent, secret service agent More Synonyms of spook - VERB
If people are spooked, something has scared them or made them nervous.
[mainly US]
But was it the wind that spooked her? [VERB noun]
Investors were spooked by slowing economies. [be VERB-ed]
Synonyms: frighten, alarm, scare, terrify More Synonyms of spook
spooked ADJECTIVE [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
He was so spooked that he began to believe he heard strange clicks on the telephone.
inchoate
ADJECTIVE
If something is inchoate, it is recent or new, and vague or not yet properly developed.
[formal]
His dreams were senseless and inchoate.
…the inchoate mood of dissatisfaction with all politicians.
encumbrances
encumber
COUNTABLE NOUN
An encumbrance is something or someone that encumbers you.
[formal]
Magdalena considered the past an irrelevant encumbrance.
Synonyms: burden, weight, difficulty, load
- VERB
If you are encumbered by something, it prevents you from moving freely or doing what you want.
Lead weights and air cylinders encumbered the divers as they walked to the shore. [VERB noun]
It is still labouring under the debt burden that it was encumbered with in the 1980s. [be VERB-ed + with]
Synonyms: burden, load, embarrass, saddle More Synonyms of encumber
encumbered ADJECTIVE [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
The rest of the world is less encumbered with legislation. [+ with/by]
I’m sure we all wish to be less encumbered by rules which we think unnecessary and restricting. - VERB
If a place is encumbered with things, it contains so many of them that it is difficult to move freely there.
The narrow quay was encumbered by hundreds of carts.
Mainstream
COUNTABLE NOUN [usually singular]
People, activities, or ideas that are part of the mainstream are regarded as the most typical, normal, and conventional because they belong to the same group or system as most others of their kind.
Labyrinth
- COUNTABLE NOUN
If you describe a place as a labyrinth, you mean that it is made up of a complicated series of paths or passages, through which it is difficult to find your way.
[literary]
…the labyrinth of corridors. [+ of] - COUNTABLE NOUN
If you describe a situation, process, or area of knowledge as a labyrinth, you mean that it is very complicated.
[formal]
…a labyrinth of conflicting political and sociological interpretations. [+ of]
Synonyms: intricacy, puzzle, complexity, riddle
Farce
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A farce is a humorous play in which the characters become involved in complicated and unlikely situations. - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Farce is the style of acting and writing that is typical of farces.
The plot often borders on farce.
Synonyms: comedy, satire, slapstick, burlesque More Synonyms of farce - SINGULAR NOUN
If you describe a situation or event as a farce, you mean that it is so disorganized or ridiculous that you cannot take it seriously.
[disapproval]
The elections have been reduced to a farce.
thriving
. VERB
If someone or something thrives, they do well and are successful, healthy, or strong.
Today his company continues to thrive. [VERB]
Lavender thrives in poor soil. [VERB]
…the river’s thriving population of kingfishers. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: prosper, do well, flourish, increase More Synonyms of thrive
2. VERB
If you say that someone thrives on a particular situation, you mean that they enjoy it or that they can deal with it very well, especially when other people find it unpleasant or difficult.
Many people thrive on a stressful lifestyle. [VERB + on]
Creative people are usually very determined and thrive on overcoming obstacles. [V on n/-ing]
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
contrive
If you contrive an event or situation, you succeed in making it happen, often by tricking someone.
[formal]
The oil companies were accused of contriving a shortage of gasoline to justify price increases. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: devise, plan, fabricate, create More Synonyms of contrive
2. VERB
If you contrive something such as a device or piece of equipment, you invent and construct it in a clever or unusual way.
We therefore had to contrive a very large black-out curtain. [VERB noun]
3. VERB
If you contrive to do something difficult, you succeed in doing it.
[formal]
The orchestra contrived to produce some of its best playing for years. [VERB to-infinitive]
4. VERB
When someone has done something dishonestly, you can say that they have contrived to do it.
[disapproval]
They somehow contrived to lose tens of thousands of applications. [VERB to-infinitive]
gainsay
VERB
If there is no gainsaying something, it is true or obvious and everyone would agree with it.
[formal]
Who could possibly gainsay such a judgment? [VERB noun]
There is no gainsaying the fact that they have been responsible for a truly great building. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: deny, dispute, disagree with, contradic
chagrin
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [usually with poss]
Chagrin is a feeling of disappointment, upset, or annoyance, perhaps because of your own failure.
[formal, written]
Much to his father’s chagrin, Al had no taste for further education.
Synonyms: annoyance, embarrassment, humiliation, dissatisfaction
nonplussed
ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are nonplussed, you feel confused and unsure how to react.
He is completely nonplussed by the question.
Synonyms: taken aback, stunned, confused, embarrassed More Synonyms of nonplussed
anathema
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If something is anathema to you, you strongly dislike it.
Violence was anathema to them. [+ to]
Synonyms: abomination, bête noire, enemy, pariah
