Unit 1 Flashcards
willing to try new or difficult things
adventurous
I’m trying to be more adventurous with my cooking.
A … man is polite, honest, fair, and kind towards women
chivalrous
/ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/
He was polite and chivalrous and never cursed in front of her.
brave and taking risks
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.
extremely brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations
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.
having or showing courage
courageous
/kəˈreɪ.dʒəs/
It was a courageous decision to resign in protest at the company’s pollution record.
showing a willingness to take risks or offend people
audacious
/ɔːˈdeɪ.ʃəs/
He described the plan as ambitious and audacious.
an audacious remark/suggestion
(of a man) polite and kind towards women, especially when in public
gallant
/ˈɡæl.ənt/
That wasn’t very gallant of you, Paul, pushing a young lady out of the way like that!
very brave or bravely determined, especially when things are difficult or the situation gives no cause for hope
valiant
/ˈvæl.i.ənt/
The company has made a valiant effort/attempt in the last two years to make itself more efficient.
(of people) liking to be with other people
gregarious
/ɡrɪˈɡeə.ri.əs/
Emma’s a gregarious, outgoing sort of person.
1) to empty something of its contents, especially the bowels
2) to move people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe
to evacuate
/ɪˈvæk.ju.eɪt/
Forces would be evacuated to the island where they would hold out until relieved by naval reinforcements.
something that blocks you so that movement, going forward, or action is prevented or made more difficult
obstacle
The biggest obstacle in our way was a tree trunk in the road.
to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible
to savour
/ˈseɪ.vər/
It was the first chocolate he’d tasted for over a year, so he savoured every mouthful.
to hate someone or something
to loathe
/ləʊð/
From an early age the brothers have loathed each other.
- a situation in which you have to hurry or move somewhere quickly
- the act of suddenly moving somewhere quickly
- a time when a lot of things are happening or a lot of people are trying to do or get something
rush
- Everyone seemed to be in a rush.
- There was a rush of air as she opened the door.
- There’s been a rush for (= sudden popular demand for) tickets.
(a situation causing) difficulty or trouble
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.
something that makes it more difficult for you to do something or for something to develop
hindrance
I’ve never considered my disability a hindrance, but other people have.
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
handicap
I found that not having a car was quite a handicap while on holiday.
to live, have your home, or stay in a place
reside
/rɪˈzaɪd/
The family now resides in southern France.
to make something last a longer time
to prolong
We were having such a good time that we decided to prolong our stay by another week.
to like or enjoy something
relish
I always relish a challenge.
I don’t relish telling her that her son has been arrested.
(something that causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or an example of this
hardship
The 1930s were a time of high unemployment and economic hardship.
unfriendly and not liking something
hostile (attitude)
/ˈhɒs.taɪl/
a hostile crowd
The president had a hostile reception in Ohio this morning.
famous, well respected, and admired
illustrious (writer)
/ɪˈlʌs.tri.əs/
She comes from an illustrious political family that includes two former Cabinet ministers.
if something happens
in the event of
In the event of a strike, the army will take over responsibility for firefighting.
a short argument;
to argue for a short time
(to) skirmish
/ˈskɜː.mɪʃ/
There was a short skirmish between the two of them over who would pay for the meal.
very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious
intriguing
/ɪnˈtriː.ɡɪŋ/
She has a really intriguing personality.
to refuse to obey a person, decision, law, situation, etc.
defy
/dɪˈfaɪ/
It is rare to see children openly defying their teachers.
not tight; loose; showing little activity; not busy or happening in a positive way
slack (discipline)
Business is always slack at this time of year.
famous, respected, or important
eminent
an eminent historian
to push away or refuse something or someone unwanted, especially to successfully stop a physical attack against you
repulse
/rɪˈpʌls/
The enemy attack was quickly repulsed.
friendly, but formal and polite
cordial
/ˈkɔː.di.əl/
a cordial smile/greeting/welcome/reception
Relations between the two leaders are said to be cordial.
morally offensive, especially in a sexual way
indecent
She accused him of making indecent suggestions to her.
not known to many people;
to prevent something from being seen or heard
(to) obscure
an obscure 12th-century mystic
strongly believing in religion, and living in a way that shows this belief
pious
/ˈpaɪ.əs/
She is a pious follower of the faith, never missing her prayers.
able to change easily from one activity to another or able to be used for many different purposes
versatile
/ˈvɜː.sə.taɪl/
He’s a very versatile young actor who’s as happy in highbrow dramas as he is in TV comedies.
proudly refusing to obey authority; not willing to accept criticism or disapproval
defiant
a defiant attitude/gesture
The protesters blocking the entrance to the offices remained defiant this morning.
The CEO was in a defiant mood as she entered the boardroom.
suffering from a disease
diseased
The bush looked badly diseased, with black marks on all the leaves.
dead
deceased
the recently deceased Member of Parliament
to put or establish something in a particular place
to locate
The company decided to locate its headquarters in Denver.
to limit something to a particular area;
to find the position of something
to localize
Electricians worked through the night to localize the faulty switches.
very comfortable and expensive
luxurious
/lʌɡˈʒʊə.ri.əs/
We spent a luxurious weekend at a country hotel.
growing thickly, strongly, and well; pleasantly thick or full
luxuriant
/lʌɡˈʒʊə.ri.ənt/
We’ve bought a wonderfully luxuriant carpet for our bedroom.
coming or likely to happen very soon
imminent
imminent disaster/danger
A strike is imminent.
(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
Johnny is so ingenious - he can make the most remarkable sculptures from the most ordinary materials.
honest, sincere, and trusting, sometimes in a way that seems silly
ingenuous
/ɪnˈdʒen.ju.əs/
It has to be said it was rather ingenuous of him to ask a complete stranger to take care of his luggage.
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
Rebel forces captured the city after a week-long battle.
to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive
to captivate
With her beauty and charm, she captivated film audiences everywhere.
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
The bomb attacks produced a panic which reigned over the city.
to control something and stop it increasing
to rein sth in/back
Consumers tend to rein in their spending in a recession.
to express an opinion
to comment
The lawyer won’t comment publicly on the case.
to formally praise someone or something
to commend
/kəˈmend/
The judge commended her for her bravery.
It says on the back cover of the book “highly commended”.
not trusted or respected; thought to have a bad character
disreputable
/dɪsˈrep.jə.tə.bəl/
Some of the more disreputable newspapers made false claims about her private life.
famous for something
renowned
/rɪˈnaʊnd/
The region is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.
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/
These comments were provided by reputed experts on the subject.
She is reputed to be 25 years younger than her husband.
1) in a stete of depression, melancholy
2) covered with clouds
overcast
The sky/weather was overcast.
angry and unwilling to smile or be pleasant to people
sullen
/ˈsʌl.ən/
= morose /məˈrəʊs/
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.
refusing to smile or be pleasant to people, usually because you are angry about something
sulky
She brought along a couple of sulky kids who didn’t say a word the whole time.
1) unhappy and without hope
2) not expecting or believing anything good in a situation
gloomy
The cemetery is a gloomy place.
The vet is rather gloomy about my cat’s chances of recovery.
friendly and easy to talk to
affable
He struck me as an affable sort of a man.
disappointed or unhappy, and quiet
glum
He’s very glum about the company’s prospects.
polite and showing respect
courteous
/ˈkɜː.ti.əs/
Although she often disagreed with me, she was always courteous.
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/
If you have any queries about your treatment, the doctor will answer them.
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
We can’t afford to become complacent about any of our products.
able to do something well
Competent
I wouldn’t say he was brilliant but he is competent at his job.
feeling or showing sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others, and wanting to help them
compassionate
He was a wonderful listener and a deeply compassionate man.
1) a difference between two similar things
2) the quality of being special or different
distinction
She has the distinction of being one of the few people to have an honorary degree conferred on her by the university this year.
to make an unpleasantly loud noise; a loud noise
(to) blare
The loudspeakers blared across the square.
a brief description of something, often intended to make it seem attractive when offered for sale
blurb
The blurb on the back of the book says that “it will touch your heart.”
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
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
Japan’s economic bubble.
The candidate liked to talk to ordinary people to get a fix on what was happening outside his bubble.
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
There is a rich vein of literary talent here just waiting to be tapped by publishers.
He suspected that his phone had been tapped.
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
The attendants clucked and fussed over passengers.
She shakes her head, smiles, and clucks her tongue.
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
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.
1) a piece of a solid substance, usually with no particular shape
2) a heavy, awkward, stupid person (inf.)
lump
a lump of coal
a sugar lump
Come on, you great lump - get up from that sofa and do some work!
a roughly cut piece
chunk
a chunk of cheese/meat
pineapple/tuna chunks
to move further away into the distance, or to become less clear
to recede
The painful memories gradually receded in her mind.
to be greater than a number or amount, or to go past an allowed limit
to exceed
The final cost should not exceed $5,000.
1) to not allow something, especially feelings, to be expressed
2) to control what people do, especially by using force
to repress
He repressed a sudden desire to cry.
(of actions) having no effect or achieving nothing
futile
/ˈfjuː.taɪl/
It’s completely futile trying to reason with him - he just won’t listen.
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/
They were intimidated into accepting a pay cut by the threat of losing their jobs.
deserving praise
commendable
commendable efforts/behaviour/bravery
It is commendable that the author draws on qualitative and quantitative measures throughout these chapters.
unhappy, annoyed, and unwilling to speak or smile
morose
/məˈrəʊs/
Why are you so morose these days?
1) friendly and easy to talk to
2) if a place is …, you can reach it or get near to it
approachable
Graham’s always very approachable - why don’t you talk the problem over with him?
an occasion when something is used in an unsuitable way or in a way that was not intended
(to) misuse
This new computer system is completely unnecessary and a misuse of taxpayers’ money.
a subject or question that must be dealt with or answered quickly
burning issue/question
In today’s show, four guests share their opinions on some of the burning issues facing the nation.
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
This research seems to give/lend some validity to the theory that the drug might cause cancer.
(especially of older people) fat and solid-looking, especially around the waist
stout
/staʊt/
Mrs Blower was the stout lady with the glasses.
(especially of people and their behaviour) very energetic
exuberant
/ɪɡˈzjuː.bər.ənt/
Young and exuberant, he symbolizes Italy’s new vitality.
courage or confidence of a kind that other people find shocking or rude
audacity
/ɔːˈdæs.ə.ti/
It took a lot of audacity to stand up and criticize the chairman.
