Spelling Flashcards
Generous
A generous person gives more of something, especially money, than is usual or expected. Dietler is generous with his time and money.
generously [ADV with v] adverb We would like to thank all the judges who gave so generously of their time.
A generous person is friendly, helpful, and willing to see the good qualities in someone or something. He was always generous in sharing his enormous knowledge.
generously [ADV with v] adverb The students generously gave them instruction in social responsibility.
A generous amount of something is much larger than is usual or necessary. He should be able to keep his room tidy with the generous amount of storage space.
generously adverb Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper.
Glamorous
If you describe someone or something as glamorous, you mean that they are more attractive, exciting, or interesting than ordinary people or things. …some of the world’s most beautiful and glamorous women.
Marvellous
If you describe someone or something as marvelous, you are emphasizing that they are very good. It’s the most marvelous piece of music.
marvelously adverb We want people to think he’s doing marvelously.
Mischievous
A mischievous person likes to have fun by playing harmless tricks on people or doing things they are not supposed to do. She rocks back and forth on her chair like a mischievous child.
mischievously adverb Kathryn winked mischievously.
A mischievous act or suggestion is intended to cause trouble. “I have a few mischievous plans,” says Zevon.
mischievously adverb That does not require “massive” military intervention, as some have mischievously claimed.
Mountainous
A mountainous place has a lot of mountains. …the mountainous region of New Mexico.
(To Express Emphasis) You use mountainous to emphasize that something is great in size, quantity, or degree. The plan is designed to reduce some of the company’s mountainous debt.
Ridiculous
If you say that something or someone is ridiculous, you mean that they are very foolish. It is ridiculous to suggest we are having a romance.
Rigorous
A test, system, or procedure that is rigorous is very thorough and strict. The selection process is based on rigorous tests of competence and experience.
rigorously adverb …rigorously conducted research.
If someone is rigorous in the way that they do something, they are very careful and thorough. He is rigorous in his control of expenditure.
Villainous
A villainous person is very bad and willing to harm other people or break the law in order to get what he or she wants. He was branded by the press as “villainous” and “diabolical.”
Acclaim
(Formal) If someone or something is acclaimed, they are praised enthusiastically. The restaurant has been widely acclaimed for its excellent French cuisine. He was acclaimed as America’s greatest filmmaker.
acclaimed adjective She has published six highly acclaimed novels.
uncount noun
(Formal) Acclaim is public praise for someone or something. Angela Bassett has won critical acclaim for her excellent performance.
Challenge
A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination. The new government’s first challenge is the economy.
A challenge to something is a questioning of its truth or value. A challenge to someone is a questioning of their authority. The demonstrators have now made a direct challenge to the authority of the government.
phrase
If someone rises to the challenge, they act in response to a difficult situation which is new to them and are successful. The new Germany must rise to the challenge of its enhanced responsibilities.
transitive verb
If you challenge ideas or people, you question their truth, value, or authority. Democratic leaders have challenged the president to sign the bill. The move was immediately challenged by two of the republics.
If you challenge someone, you invite them to fight or compete with you in some way. Marsyas thought he could play the flute better than Apollo and challenged the god to a contest. He left a note at the scene of the crime, challenging detectives to catch him.
count noun
Challenge is also a noun. A third presidential candidate emerged to mount a serious challenge and throw the campaign wide open.
See also challenging
Professional
Professional means relating to a person’s work, especially work that requires special training. His professional career started at Colgate University.
professionally adverb …a professionally-qualified architect.
Professional people have jobs that require advanced education or training. …highly qualified professional people like doctors and engineers.
You use professional to describe people who do a particular thing to earn money rather than as a hobby. This has been my worst time for injuries since I started as a professional player.
Professional sports are played for money rather than as a hobby. …an art student who had played professional football for a short time.
(To Express Approval) If you say something that someone does or produces is professional, you approve of it because you think that it is of a very high standard. They run it with a truly professional but personal touch.
count noun
Professional is also a noun. My father wanted me to become a professional and have more stability.
Professional is also a noun. He had been a professional since March 1985.
professionally [ADV after v] adverb By age 16 he was playing professionally with bands in Greenwich Village.
Professional is also a noun. …a dedicated professional who worked harmoniously with the cast and crew.
professionally [ADV with v] adverb These tickets have been produced very professionally.
Amateur
An amateur is someone who does something as a hobby and not as a job. Jerry is an amateur who dances because he feels like it.
adjective
Amateur sports or activities are done by people as a hobby and not as a job. …professional athletes and amateur runners.
Champion
A champion is someone who has won the first prize in a competition, contest, or fight. …a former Olympic champion. Kasparov became world champion.
If you are a champion of a person, a cause, or a principle, you support or defend them. He received acclaim as a champion of the oppressed.
transitive verb
If you champion a person, a cause, or a principle, you support or defend them. He passionately championed the poor.
Specialise
If you specialize in a thing, you know a lot about it and concentrate a great deal of your time and energy on it, especially in your work or when you are studying or training. You also use specialize to talk about a restaurant which concentrates on a particular type of food. …a University professor who specializes in the history of the Russian empire.
specialization (spɛʃəlɪzeɪʃən) (plural) specializations variable noun This degree offers a major specialization in social policy alongside a course in sociology.
Arrangement
Arrangements are plans and preparations that you make so that something will happen or be possible. The staff is working frantically on final arrangements for the summit. She telephoned Ellen, but made no arrangements to see her.
An arrangement is an agreement that you make with someone to do something. The caves can be visited only by prior arrangement.
An arrangement of things, for example, flowers or furniture, is a group of them displayed in a particular way. The house was always decorated with imaginative flower arrangements.
If someone makes an arrangement of a piece of music, they change it so that it is suitable for particular voices or instruments, or for a particular performance. …an arrangement of a well-known piece by Mozart.
Circuit
An electrical circuit is a complete route which an electric current can flow around. Any attempts to cut through the cabling will break the electrical circuit.
A circuit is a series of places that are visited regularly by a person or group, especially as a part of their job. It’s a common problem, the one I’m asked about most when I’m on the lecture circuit.
Spectator
A spectator is someone who watches something, especially a sports event. Thirty thousand spectators watched the final game.
Association
An association is an official group of people who have the same job, aim, or interest. …the National Basketball Association.
Your association with a person or a thing such as an organization is the connection that you have with them. …the company’s six-year association with retailer J.C. Penney Co.
If something has particular associations for you, it is connected in your mind with a particular memory, idea, or feeling. He has a shelf full of things, each of which has associations for him.
phrase
If you do something in association with someone else, you do it together. The changes I instigated in association with the board 18 months ago were because I love this company.
Circular
Something that is circular is shaped like a circle. …a circular hole twelve feet wide and two feet deep.
A circular journey or route is one in which you go to a place and return by a different route. Both sides of the river can be explored on this circular walk.
count noun
A circular is an official letter or advertisement that is sent to a large number of people at the same time. The proposal has been widely publicized in press information circulars sent to 1,800 newspapers.
Strength
Your strength is the physical energy that you have, which gives you the ability to perform various actions, such as lifting or moving things. She has always been encouraged to swim to build up the strength of her muscles. He threw it forward with all his strength.
Someone’s strength in a difficult situation is their confidence or courage. Something gave me the strength to overcome the difficulty. He copes incredibly well. His strength is an inspiration to me in my life.
The strength of an object or material is its ability to be treated roughly, or to carry heavy weights, without being damaged or destroyed. He checked the strength of the cables.
The strength of a person, organization, or country is the power or influence that they have. America values its economic leadership, and the political and military strength that goes with it. The alliance, in its first show of strength, drew a hundred thousand-strong crowd to a rally.
If you refer to the strength of a feeling, opinion, or belief, you are talking about how deeply it is felt or believed by people, or how much they are influenced by it. He was surprised at the strength of his own feeling.
If you refer to the strength of a currency, economy, or industry, you mean that its value or success is steady or increasing. …the long-term competitive strength of the economy.
The strength of a group of people is the total number of people in it. …elite forces, comprising about one-tenth of the strength of the army.
The strength of a wind, current, or other force is its power or speed. Its oscillation depends on the strength of the gravitational field.
The strength of a drink, chemical, or drug is the amount of the particular substance in it that gives it its particular effect. It is very alcoholic, sometimes near the strength of port.
variable noun
Someone’s strengths are the qualities and abilities that they have which are an advantage to them, or which make them successful. Take into account your own strengths and weaknesses. Tact was never Mr. Moore’s strength.
phrase
If a person or organization goes from strength to strength, they become more and more successful or confident. A decade later, the company has gone from strength to strength.
If a team or army is at full strength, all the members that it needs or usually has are present. He needed more time to bring U.S. forces there up to full strength.
If one thing is done on the strength of another, it is done because of the influence of that other thing. He was elected to power on the strength of his charisma.
Athletic
Athletic means relating to athletes and athletics. They have been given college scholarships purely on athletic ability.
An athletic person is fit, and able to perform energetic movements easily. Xandra is an athletic 36-year-old with a 21-year-old’s body.
Contestant
A contestant in a competition or game show is a person who takes part in it. Later he applied to be a contestant on the television show.
Supporter
Supporters are people who support someone or something, for example a political leader or a sports team. Attacks against opposition supporters are continuing at levels higher than before the election.
Attempt
If you attempt to do something, especially something difficult, you try to do it. The only time that we attempted to do something like that was in the city of Philadelphia.
count noun
If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it, often without success. …a deliberate attempt to destabilize the defense.
An attempt on someone’s life is an attempt to kill them. …an attempt on the life of the former Iranian prime minister.
Individual
Individual means relating to one person or thing, rather than to a large group. …waiting for the group to decide rather than making individual decisions.
individually adverb …individually crafted tiles.
(To Express Approval) If you describe someone or something as individual, you mean that you admire them because they are very unusual and do not try to imitate other people or things. It was really all part of her very individual personality.
count noun
An individual is a person. …anonymous individuals who are doing good things within our community.
Weariness
If you are weary, you are very tired. Rachel looked pale and weary.
If you are weary of something, you have become tired of it and have lost your enthusiasm for it. They’re getting awfully weary of this silly war.
Attendance
Someone’s attendance at an event or an institution is the fact that they are present at the event or go regularly to the institution. Her attendance in school was sporadic.
variable noun
The attendance at an event is the number of people who are present at it. Rain played a big part in the air show’s drop in attendance.
Presentation
Presentation is the appearance of something, that someone has worked to create. We serve traditional French food cooked in a lighter way, keeping the presentation simple.
count noun
A presentation is a formal event at which someone is given a prize or award. …after receiving his award at a presentation in Kansas City yesterday.
When someone gives a presentation, they give a formal talk, often in order to sell something or get support for a proposal. James Watson, Philip Mayo and I gave a slide and video presentation.
Aghast
(Formal) If you are aghast, you are filled with horror and surprise. While she watched, aghast, his eyes glazed over as his life flowed away.
Ilumination
(Formal) Illumination is the lighting that a place has. The only illumination came from a small window high in the opposite wall.
Puncture
A puncture is a small hole in a car tire or bicycle tire that has been made by a sharp object. Somebody helped me to mend the puncture.
A puncture is a small hole in someone’s skin that has been made by or with a sharp object. An instrument called a trocar makes a puncture in the abdominal wall.
transitive verb
If a sharp object punctures something, it makes a hole in it. The bullet punctured the skull.
transitive verb, intransitive verb
If a car tire or bicycle tire punctures or if something punctures it, a hole is made in the tire. His bike’s rear tire punctured.
Amount
The amount of something is how much there is, or how much you have, need, or get. He needs that amount of money to survive. I still do a certain amount of work for them.
intransitive verb
If something amounts to a particular total, all the parts of it add up to that total. Consumer spending on sports-related items amounted to $9.75 billion.
Instruction
An instruction is something that someone tells you to do. Two lawyers were told not to leave the building but no reason for this instruction was given.
uncount noun
(Formal) If someone gives you instruction in a subject or skill, they teach it to you. Each candidate is given instruction in safety.
plural noun
Instructions are clear and detailed information on how to do something. This book gives instructions for making a wide range of skin and hand creams.
Recognition
Recognition is the act of recognizing someone or identifying something when you see it. He searched for a sign of recognition on her face, but there was none.
Recognitionof something is an understanding and acceptance of it. Recognition of the importance of career development is increasing.
When a government gives diplomatic recognition to another country, they officially accept that its status is valid. His government did not receive full recognition by the United States until July.
When a person receives recognition for the things that they have done, people acknowledge the value or skill of their work. At last, her father’s work has received popular recognition.
phrase
If something is done in recognition of someone’s achievements, it is done as a way of showing official appreciation of them. …a small plaque in recognition of her contribution to the university.
Appointment
The appointment of a person to a particular job is the choice of that person to do it. His appointment to the cabinet would please the right wing.
count noun
An appointment is a job or position of responsibility. Mr. Fay is to take up an appointment as a researcher.
If you have an appointment with someone, you have arranged to see them at a particular time, usually in connection with their work or for a serious purpose. She has an appointment with her accountant.
phrase
If something can be done by appointment, people can arrange in advance to do it at a particular time. Viewing is by appointment only.
Intrusion
If someone disturbs you when you are in a private place or having a private conversation, you can call this event an intrusion. I hope you don’t mind this intrusion, Jon.
An intrusion is something that disturbs your mood or your life in a way you do not like. I felt it was a grotesque intrusion into our lives.
Remuneration
(Formal) Someone’s remuneration is the amount of money that they are paid for the work that they do. …the continuing marked increases in the remuneration of the company’s directors.
Bicycle
A bicycle is a vehicle with two wheels which you ride by sitting on it and pushing two pedals with your feet. You steer it by turning a bar that is connected to the front wheel.
Invasion
If there is an invasion of a country, a foreign army enters it by force. …seven years after the Roman invasion of Britain.
If you refer to the arrival of a large number of people or things as an invasion, you are emphasizing that they are unpleasant or difficult to deal with. …this year’s annual invasion of flies, wasps and ants.
(To Express Disapproval) If you describe an action as an invasion, you disapprove of it because it affects someone or something in a way that is not wanted. Is reading a child’s diary always a gross invasion of privacy?
Revenue
(Business) Revenue is money that a company, organization, or government receives from people. …a boom year at the movies, with record advertising revenue and the highest ticket sales since 1980.
Discussion
If there is discussion about something, people talk about it, often in order to reach a decision. There was a lot of discussion about the wording of the report. Board members are due to have informal discussions later on today.
phrase
If something is under discussion, it is still being talked about and a final decision has not yet been reached.
count noun
A discussion of a subject is a piece of writing or a lecture in which someone talks about it in detail. For a discussion of biology and sexual politics, see chapter 4.
adjective
A discussion document or paper is one that contains information and usually proposals for people to discuss. …a NASA discussion paper on long-duration ballooning.
Number
a numeral or group of numerals.
the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like: A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of homeless children in the city has risen alarmingly.
a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total.
the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series: house number; license number.
one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals.
a certain collection, company, or quantity not precisely reckoned, but usually considerable or large: I’ve gone there a number of times.
the full count of a collection or company.
a collection or company.
a quantity of individuals: Their number was more than 20,000.
numbers.
a considerable amount or quantity; many: Numbers flocked to the city to see the parade.
metrical feet; verse.
musical periods, measures, or groups of notes.
numbers pool (def 1).
Informal. the figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc.: We won’t make a decision until we see the numbers.
Obsolete, arithmetic.
quantity as composed of units: to increase the number of eligible voters.
numerical strength or superiority; complement: The garrison is not up to its full number.
a tune or arrangement for singing or dancing.
a single or distinct performance within a show, as a song or dance: The comic routine followed the dance number.
a single part of a program made up of a group of similar parts: For her third number she played a nocturne.
any of a collection of poems or songs.
a distinct part of an extended musical work or one in a sequence of compositions.
conformity in music or verse to regular beat or measure; rhythm.
a single part of a book published in a series of parts.
a single issue of a periodical: several numbers of a popular magazine.
a code of numerals, letters, or a combination of these assigned to a particular telephone: Did you call the right number?
Grammar. a category of noun, verb, or adjective inflection found in many languages, as English, Latin, and Arabic, used to indicate whether a word has one or more than one referent. There may be a two-way distinction in number, as between singular and plural, three-way, as between singular, dual, and plural, or more.
Informal. person; individual: the attractive number standing at the bar.
Informal. an article of merchandise, especially of wearing apparel, offered for sale: Put those leather numbers in the display window.
mathematics regarded as a science, a basic concept, and a mode of thought: Number is the basis of science.
—verb (used with object)
to mark with or distinguish by numbers: Number each of the definitions.
to amount to or comprise in number; total: The manuscript already numbers 425 pages.
to consider or include in a number: I number myself among his friends.
to count over one by one; tell: to number one’s blessings.
to mention individually or one by one; enumerate: They numbered the highlights of their trip at length.
to set or fix the number of; limit in number; make few in number: The sick old man’s days are numbered.
to live or have lived (a number of years).
to ascertain the number of; count.
to apportion or divide: The players were numbered into two teams.
—verb (used without object)
to make a total; reach an amount: Casualties numbered in the thousands.
to be numbered or included (usually followed by among or with ): Several eminent scientists number among his friends.
to count.
—Idioms
by the numbers,
according to standard procedure, rules, customs, etc.; orthodoxly; by the book: We’re going to run things here by the numbers.
together or in unison to a called-out count: calisthenics by the numbers.
do a number on, Slang.
to undermine, defeat, humiliate, or criticize thoroughly: The committee really did a number on the mayor’s proposal.
to discuss or discourse about, especially in an entertaining way: She could do a number on anything from dentistry to the Bomb.
do one’s number,
to give a performance; perform: It’s time for you to get on stage and do your number.
Slang. to behave in a predictable or customary manner: Whenever I call, he does his number about being too busy to talk.
get / have someone’s number, Informal. to become informed about someone’s real motives, character, intentions, etc.: He was only interested in her fortune, but she got his number fast.
have one’s number on it, Slang. to be thought of as the instrument of fate in the death of a person: That bullet had his number on it.
one’s number is (was, will be) up, Slang.
one is (was, will be) in serious trouble.
one is (was, will be) on the point of death: Convinced that her number was up anyway, she refused to see doctors.
without number, of unknown or countless number; vast: stars without number.
—Related forms
num·ber·a·ble, adjective
num·ber·er, noun
de·num·ber, verb (used with object)
mis·num·ber, verb
pre·num·ber, verb (used with object), noun
re·num·ber, verb (used with object)
sub·num·ber, noun
Can be confused: amount, number (see usage note at amount).
numb2
—adjective, numb·er, numb·est.
deprived of physical sensation or the ability to move: fingers numb with cold.
manifesting or resembling numbness: a numb sensation.
incapable of action or of feeling emotion; enervated; prostrate: numb with grief.
lacking or deficient in emotion or feeling; indifferent: She was numb to their pleas for mercy.
—verb (used with object)
to make numb.
Suspension
The suspension of something is the act of delaying or stopping it for a while or until a decision is made about it. There’s been a temporary suspension of flights out of LA.
variable noun
Someone’s suspension is their removal from a job or position for a period of time or until a decision is made about them. The minister warned that any civil servant not at his desk faced immediate suspension.
A vehicle’s suspension consists of the springs and other devices attached to the wheels, which give a smooth ride over uneven ground. …the only small car with independent front suspension.
Distinguish
If you can distinguish one thing from another or distinguish between two things, you can see or understand how they are different. Could he distinguish right from wrong? Research suggests that babies learn to see by distinguishing between areas of light and dark.
transitive verb
A feature or quality that distinguishes one thing from another causes the two things to be regarded as different, because only the first thing has the feature or quality. There is something about music that distinguishes it from all other art forms.
(Formal) If you can distinguish something, you can see, hear, or taste it although it is very difficult to detect. There were cries, calls. He could distinguish voices.
If you distinguish yourself, you do something that makes you famous or important. Over the next few years he distinguished himself as a leading constitutional scholar