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English Vocabulary > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

willing to try new or difficult things

A

adventurous

I’m trying to be more adventurous with my cooking.

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2
Q

A … man is polite, honest, fair, and kind towards women

A

chivalrous
/ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/

He was polite and chivalrous and never cursed in front of her.

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3
Q

brave and taking risks

A

daring

This is a daring new film (= one willing to risk criticism) by one of our most original modern directors.

She was wearing a fairly daring (= short) skirt that barely covered her bottom.

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4
Q

extremely brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations

A

intrepid
/ɪnˈtrep.ɪd/

The missing areas can always be filled in by an intrepid researcher, even one not very familiar with some of the fields.

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5
Q

having or showing courage

A

courageous
/kəˈreɪ.dʒəs/

It was a courageous decision to resign in protest at the company’s pollution record.

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6
Q

showing a willingness to take risks or offend people

A

audacious
/ɔːˈdeɪ.ʃəs/

He described the plan as ambitious and audacious.

an audacious remark/suggestion

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7
Q

(of a man) polite and kind towards women, especially when in public

A

gallant
/ˈɡæl.ənt/

That wasn’t very gallant of you, Paul, pushing a young lady out of the way like that!

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8
Q

very brave or bravely determined, especially when things are difficult or the situation gives no cause for hope

A

valiant
/ˈvæl.i.ənt/

The company has made a valiant effort/attempt in the last two years to make itself more efficient.

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9
Q

(of people) liking to be with other people

A

gregarious
/ɡrɪˈɡeə.ri.əs/

Emma’s a gregarious, outgoing sort of person.

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10
Q

1) to empty something of its contents, especially the bowels
2) to move people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe

A

to evacuate
/ɪˈvæk.ju.eɪt/

Forces would be evacuated to the island where they would hold out until relieved by naval reinforcements.

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11
Q

something that blocks you so that movement, going forward, or action is prevented or made more difficult

A

obstacle

The biggest obstacle in our way was a tree trunk in the road.

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12
Q

to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible

A

to savour
/ˈseɪ.vər/

It was the first chocolate he’d tasted for over a year, so he savoured every mouthful.

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13
Q

to hate someone or something

A

to loathe
/ləʊð/

From an early age the brothers have loathed each other.

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14
Q
  1. a situation in which you have to hurry or move somewhere quickly
  2. the act of suddenly moving somewhere quickly
  3. a time when a lot of things are happening or a lot of people are trying to do or get something
A

rush

  1. Everyone seemed to be in a rush.
  2. There was a rush of air as she opened the door.
  3. There’s been a rush for (= sudden popular demand for) tickets.
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15
Q

(a situation causing) difficulty or trouble

A

hassle

My boss has been giving me a lot of hassle this week.
It’s one of the few bars that women can go to and not get any hassle from men.

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16
Q

something that makes it more difficult for you to do something or for something to develop

A

hindrance

I’ve never considered my disability a hindrance, but other people have.

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17
Q

an illness, injury, or condition that makes it difficult for someone to do some things that other people do, and that is usually permanent or lasts for a long time. This word is now considered offensive by many people, who prefer the word disability.

something that makes it difficult for you to do something

A

handicap

I found that not having a car was quite a handicap while on holiday.

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18
Q

to live, have your home, or stay in a place

A

reside
/rɪˈzaɪd/

The family now resides in southern France.

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19
Q

to make something last a longer time

A

to prolong

We were having such a good time that we decided to prolong our stay by another week.

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20
Q

to like or enjoy something

A

relish

I always relish a challenge.

I don’t relish telling her that her son has been arrested.

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21
Q

(something that causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or an example of this

A

hardship

The 1930s were a time of high unemployment and economic hardship.

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22
Q

unfriendly and not liking something

A

hostile (attitude)
/ˈhɒs.taɪl/

a hostile crowd

The president had a hostile reception in Ohio this morning.

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23
Q

famous, well respected, and admired

A

illustrious (writer)
/ɪˈlʌs.tri.əs/

She comes from an illustrious political family that includes two former Cabinet ministers.

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24
Q

if something happens

A

in the event of

In the event of a strike, the army will take over responsibility for firefighting.

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25
a short argument; to argue for a short time
(to) skirmish /ˈskɜː.mɪʃ/ ## Footnote There was a short **skirmish** between the two of them over who would pay for the meal.
26
very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious
intriguing /ɪnˈtriː.ɡɪŋ/ ## Footnote She has a really **intriguing** personality.
27
to refuse to obey a person, decision, law, situation, etc.
defy /dɪˈfaɪ/ ## Footnote It is rare to see children openly **defying** their teachers.
28
not tight; loose; showing little activity; not busy or happening in a positive way
slack (discipline) ## Footnote Business is always **slack** at this time of year.
29
famous, respected, or important
eminent ## Footnote an eminent historian
30
to push away or refuse something or someone unwanted, especially to successfully stop a physical attack against you
repulse /rɪˈpʌls/ ## Footnote The enemy attack was quickly **repulsed**.
31
friendly, but formal and polite
cordial /ˈkɔː.di.əl/ | a cordial smile/greeting/welcome/reception ## Footnote Relations between the two leaders are said to be **cordial**.
32
morally offensive, especially in a sexual way
indecent ## Footnote She accused him of making **indecent** suggestions to her.
33
not known to many people; to prevent something from being seen or heard
(to) obscure ## Footnote an obscure 12th-century mystic
34
strongly believing in religion, and living in a way that shows this belief
pious /ˈpaɪ.əs/ ## Footnote She is a **pious** follower of the faith, never missing her prayers.
35
able to change easily from one activity to another or able to be used for many different purposes
versatile /ˈvɜː.sə.taɪl/ ## Footnote He's a very **versatile** young actor who's as happy in highbrow dramas as he is in TV comedies.
36
proudly refusing to obey authority; not willing to accept criticism or disapproval
defiant | a defiant attitude/gesture ## Footnote The protesters blocking the entrance to the offices remained **defiant** this morning. The CEO was **in a defiant mood** as she entered the boardroom.
37
suffering from a disease
diseased ## Footnote The bush looked badly **diseased**, with black marks on all the leaves.
38
dead
deceased ## Footnote the recently **deceased** Member of Parliament
39
to put or establish something in a particular place
to locate ## Footnote The company decided to **locate** its headquarters in Denver.
40
to limit something to a particular area; to find the position of something
to localize ## Footnote Electricians worked through the night to **localize** the faulty switches.
41
very comfortable and expensive
luxurious /lʌɡˈʒʊə.ri.əs/ ## Footnote We spent a **luxurious** weekend at a country hotel.
42
growing thickly, strongly, and well; pleasantly thick or full
luxuriant /lʌɡˈʒʊə.ri.ənt/ ## Footnote We've bought a wonderfully **luxuriant** carpet for our bedroom.
43
coming or likely to happen very soon
imminent | imminent disaster/danger ## Footnote A strike is **imminent**.
44
(of a person) very intelligent and skilful, or (of a thing) skilfully made or planned and involving new ideas and methods
ingenious /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/ | an ingenious idea/method/solution ## Footnote Johnny is so **ingenious** - he can make the most remarkable sculptures from the most ordinary materials.
45
honest, sincere, and trusting, sometimes in a way that seems silly
ingenuous /ɪnˈdʒen.ju.əs/ ## Footnote It has to be said it was rather **ingenuous** of him to ask a complete stranger to take care of his luggage.
46
1) to take someone as a prisoner, or to take something into your possession, especially by force 2) If something **... your imagination or attention**, you feel very interested and excited by it
to capture ## Footnote Rebel forces **captured** the city after a week-long battle.
47
to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive
to captivate ## Footnote With her beauty and charm, she **captivated** film audiences everywhere.
48
1) to be the king or queen of a country 2) *to be the main feeling or quality in a situation or person*
to reign ## Footnote The bomb attacks produced a panic which **reigned** over the city.
49
to control something and stop it increasing
to rein *sth* in/back ## Footnote Consumers tend to **rein in** their spending in a recession.
50
to express an opinion
to comment ## Footnote The lawyer won’t **comment** publicly on the case.
51
to formally praise someone or something
to commend /kəˈmend/ ## Footnote The judge **commended** her **for** her bravery. It says on the back cover of the book **"highly commended"**.
52
not trusted or respected; thought to have a bad character
disreputable /dɪsˈrep.jə.tə.bəl/ ## Footnote Some of the more **disreputable** newspapers made false claims about her private life.
53
famous for something
renowned /rɪˈnaʊnd/ ## Footnote The region is **renowned for** its outstanding natural beauty.
54
1) famous and with a good reputation 2) said to be the true situation although this is not known to be certain and may not be likely
reputed /rɪˈpjuː.tɪd/ ## Footnote These comments were provided by **reputed** experts on the subject. She **is reputed to be** 25 years younger than her husband.
55
1) in a stete of depression, melancholy 2) covered with clouds
overcast ## Footnote The sky/weather was **overcast**.
56
angry and unwilling to smile or be pleasant to people
sullen /ˈsʌl.ən/ | = morose /məˈrəʊs/ ## Footnote His daughters stared back at him with an expression of **sullen** resentment. *literary*: She looked up at the **sullen** (= dark and unpleasant) sky and shuddered.
57
refusing to smile or be pleasant to people, usually because you are angry about something
sulky ## Footnote She brought along a couple of **sulky** kids who didn't say a word the whole time.
58
1) unhappy and without hope 2) not expecting or believing anything good in a situation
gloomy ## Footnote The cemetery is a **gloomy** place. The vet is rather **gloomy** about my cat's chances of recovery.
59
friendly and easy to talk to
affable ## Footnote He struck me as an **affable** sort of a man.
60
disappointed or unhappy, and quiet
glum ## Footnote He's very **glum about** the company's prospects.
61
polite and showing respect
courteous /ˈkɜː.ti.əs/ ## Footnote Although she often disagreed with me, she was always **courteous**.
62
a question, often expressing doubt about something or looking for an answer from an authority; to ask questions, especially in order to check if something is true or correct
(to) query /ˈkwɪə.ri/ ## Footnote If you have any **queries** about your treatment, the doctor will answer them.
63
feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder
complacent /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/ | = self-satisfied ## Footnote We can't afford to become **complacent** about any of our products.
64
able to do something well
Competent ## Footnote I wouldn't say he was brilliant but he is **competent** at his job.
65
feeling or showing sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others, and wanting to help them
compassionate ## Footnote He was a wonderful listener and a deeply compassionate man.
66
1) a difference between two similar things **2)** **the quality of being special or different**
distinction ## Footnote She **has the distinction of** being one of the few people to have an honorary degree conferred on her by the university this year.
67
to make an unpleasantly loud noise; a loud noise
(to) blare ## Footnote The loudspeakers **blared** across the square.
68
a brief description of something, often intended to make it seem attractive when offered for sale
blurb ## Footnote The **blurb** on the back of the book says that "it will touch your heart."
69
1) a group of people who have a lot of contact with each other but limited contact with people outside the group, for example as a way to avoid spreading disease 2) a temporary period of very successful economic performance in a particular country or sector, often followed by sudden failure ## Footnote a situation in which you only experience things that you expect or find easy to deal with, for example opinions you agree with, or people who are similar to you
bubble ## Footnote Japan's economic **bubble**. The candidate liked to talk to ordinary people to get a fix on what was happening outside his **bubble**.
70
1) to hit something gently, and often repeatedly, especially making short, sharp noises 2)**to get or make use of something** 3) to use a small device attached to a phone in order to listen secretly to what people are saying
tap ## Footnote There is a rich vein of literary talent here just waiting to be **tapped** by publishers. He suspected that his phone had been **tapped**.
71
1) to express an unnecessary amount of sympathy, worry, or approval towards someone 2) to express disapproval or other emotion by making a short, sharp sound with your tongue 3) to make the low, interrupted noise that a chicken make
cluck ## Footnote The attendants **clucked** and fussed **over** passengers. She shakes her head, smiles, and **clucks** her tongue.
72
1) to push something or someone with your finger or with a pointed object 2) to encourage someone to take action, especially when they are being slow or unwilling
prod ## Footnote She **prodded** the cake with her fork to see if it was cooked. He gets things done, but only after I've **prodded** him **into** doing them.
73
1) a piece of a solid substance, usually with no particular shape 2) *a heavy, awkward, stupid person (inf.)*
lump ## Footnote a **lump** of coal a sugar **lump** Come on, you great **lump** - get up from that sofa and do some work!
74
a roughly cut piece
chunk ## Footnote a **chunk** of cheese/meat pineapple/tuna **chunks**
75
to move further away into the distance, or to become less clear
to recede ## Footnote The painful memories gradually **receded** in her mind.
76
to be greater than a number or amount, or to go past an allowed limit
to exceed ## Footnote The final cost should not **exceed** $5,000.
77
1) to not allow something, especially feelings, to be expressed 2) to control what people do, especially by using force
to repress ## Footnote He **repressed** a sudden desire to cry.
78
(of actions) having no effect or achieving nothing
futile /ˈfjuː.taɪl/ ## Footnote It's completely **futile** *trying* to reason with him - he just won't listen.
79
to frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do
to intimidate /ɪnˈtɪm.ɪ.deɪt/ ## Footnote They were **intimidated into** accepting a pay cut by the threat of losing their jobs.
80
deserving praise
commendable | commendable efforts/behaviour/bravery ## Footnote It is **commendable** that the author draws on qualitative and quantitative measures throughout these chapters.
81
unhappy, annoyed, and unwilling to speak or smile
morose /məˈrəʊs/ ## Footnote Why are you so morose these days?
82
1) friendly and easy to talk to 2) if a place is ..., you can reach it or get near to it
approachable ## Footnote Graham's always very **approachable** - why don't you talk the problem over with him?
83
an occasion when something is used in an unsuitable way or in a way that was not intended
(to) misuse ## Footnote This new computer system is completely unnecessary and a **misuse** **of** taxpayers' money.
84
a subject or question that must be dealt with or answered quickly
burning issue/question ## Footnote In today's show, four guests share their opinions on some of the **burning issues** facing the nation.
85
1) the quality of being based on truth or reason, or of being able to be accepted 2) the fact of having legal force, or being legally acceptable
validity ## Footnote This research seems to **give/lend some validity** to the theory that the drug might cause cancer.
86
(especially of older people) fat and solid-looking, especially around the waist
stout /staʊt/ ## Footnote Mrs Blower was the **stout** lady with the glasses.
87
(especially of people and their behaviour) very energetic
exuberant /ɪɡˈzjuː.bər.ənt/ ## Footnote Young and **exuberant**, he symbolizes Italy's new vitality.
88
courage or confidence of a kind that other people find shocking or rude
audacity /ɔːˈdæs.ə.ti/ ## Footnote It **took a lot of audacity to** stand up and criticize the chairman.

English Vocabulary (6 decks)

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