Vocabulary (Adj) Flashcards
1
Q
Jarring (adj)
Hint : 3 meanings
A
- a jarring sight, sound, or experience is so different or unexpected that it has a strong and unpleasant effect on something or someone
E.g. a jarring cry/chord
E.g. jarring colours
E.g. a jarring experience
E.g. The telephone struck a jarring note in those Renaissance surroundings. - wrong or unsuitable:
E.g. a jarring contrast - shaking or moving violently:
E.g. a jarring tackle/collision
2
Q
Institutional (adj)
A
relating to an institution:
E.g. The hospital provides typically awful institutional food.
E.g. The report made it plain that institutional racism is deep-rooted in this country.
E.g. The walls are painted a dull, institutional grey.
E.g. The report blamed the incident on institutional failures within the school.
E.g the rooms are rather drab and institutional.
3
Q
High-powered (adj)- people
A
used to describe people who are very successful or in an important position
E.g. a high-powered executive/lawyer/lobbyist
E.g high-powered senior executives.
4
Q
(someone) is an institution
A
That person is long established in a place/position/field
5
Q
Overbearing (adj)
A
too confident and too determined to tell other people what to do, in a way that is unpleasant
E.g. Milligan had a pompous, overbearing father.
E.g. he can’t wait to get away from his overbearing parents.
6
Q
Scholarly (adj)
Hint : 2 meanings
A
- containing a serious, detailed study of a subject
E.g. a scholarly article/book/work/journal - A scholarly person studies a lot and knows a lot about what they study
E.g. a scholarly young woman
7
Q
Rigorous (adj)
Hint : 2 meanings
A
- careful to look at or consider every part of something to make certain it is correct or safe ; detailed and careful:
E.g. I want rigorous financial analysis of the options.
E.g. The selection process is extremely rigorous.
E.g. rigorous testing/checking/methods
E.g. the rigorous testing of consumer products. - controlling behaviour in a severe way; strict or severe
E.g. A rigorous monetary and fiscal policy should encourage efficiency.
E.g. Refrigeration of food, improved hygiene and rigorous standards in the food industry prevent gastro-intestinal infections.
E.g. the rigorous controls governing the sale of shares
8
Q
Rarefied (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
A
- without any of the problems of ordinary life
E.g. the rarefied atmosphere of academia
E.g. She moves in rarefied circles.
E.g. You get a very rarefied view of things living on a college campus.
E.g. rarefied scholarly pursuits. - (of air) with little oxygen
9
Q
Esoteric (adj)
A
very unusual and understood or liked by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge
E.g. He has an esoteric collection of old toys and games.
E.g. disapproving or humorous She has a somewhat esoteric taste in clothes.
E.g. esoteric philosophical debates.
10
Q
Arid (adj)
Hint: 3 meanings
A
- very dry and without enough rain for plants
E.g. The desert is so arid that nothing can grow there.
E.g. the arid plains north of Cape Town. - not interesting and showing no imagination
E.g. I found his writing extremely arid.
E.g. his arid years in suburbia. - unsuccessful
E.g. After several arid years, the company has started to become successful.
11
Q
Outmoded (adj)
A
no longer modern, useful, or necessary
E.g. Outmoded working practices are being phased out.
E.g. an outmoded Victorian building.
12
Q
Polemical (adj)
A
(of a piece of writing or a speech) strongly attacking or defending a particular opinion, person, idea, or set of beliefs
E.g. a polemical essay
E.g. Many philosophical texts have a highly polemical style.
13
Q
Formidable (adj)
A
causing you to have fear or respect for something or someone because that thing or person is large, powerful, or difficult
E.g. a formidable obstacle/task
E.g. a formidable adversary/enemy/opponent
E.g. a formidable intellect
E.g. disapproving the director and his formidable wife
E.g. a formidable opponent
14
Q
Disparaging (adj)
A
to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you do not respect or value him, her, or it
E.h. The actor’s work for charity has recently been disparaged in the press as an attempt to get publicity.
E.g. disparaging remarks about council houses.
15
Q
Unabashed (adj)
A
without any worry about possible criticism or embarrassment
E.g. She is to this day unabashed in her patriotism.
E.g. He is an unabashed capitalist.
E.g. he was unabashed by the furore his words provoked.
16
Q
Perturbed (adj)
A
worried:
E.g. He didn’t seem unduly/overly perturbed by the news.
E.g. she didn’t seem perturbed about the noises around her.
17
Q
Genteel (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
A
- typical of a high social class
E.g. The mansion had an atmosphere of genteel elegance and decay.
E.g. He took elocution lessons to try to make his accent sound more genteel. - being very polite, gentle, or graceful:
E.g. a genteel southern lady
E.g. her genteel upbringing.
18
Q
Eccentric (adj) - of person/behaviour
A
strange or unusual, sometimes in a humorous way:
E.g. eccentric behaviour
E.g. eccentric clothes
E.g. he noted her eccentric appearance
19
Q
Filial (adj)
A
of a son or daughter
E.g. filial duty/respect/affection
E.g. At least Jamie recognised some filial bond.
E.g. a display of filial affection.
20
Q
Miscellaneous (adj)
A
consisting of a mixture of various things that are not usually connected with each other
E.g. miscellaneous household items
E.g. he picked up the miscellaneous papers in his in tray.
21
Q
Torrential (adj)
A
used to refer to very heavy rain
E.g. torrential rain
E.g. a torrential downpour.
22
Q
Copious (adj)
A
in large amounts, or more than enough
E.g. They drank copious amounts of wine.
E.g.He took copious notes during the lecture.
23
Q
Patriarchal (adj)
Hint : 2 meanings
A
- ruled or controlled by men:
E.g. She states that the legal system is essentially patriarchal.
E.g. patriarchal structure
E.g.a patriarchal society
E.g. patriarchal values. - relating to a patriarchy, or to the idea that men are more important than women
E.g. Her morality is not dictated by patriarchal norms, but rather guided by the belief that women’s needs are her sole concern.
E.g. This is an expression of women’s revolt against years of male patriarchal oppression.
24
Q
Sibilant (adj)
A
making a s or sh sound:
E.g. The microphone exaggerates every sibilant.
E.g. his sibilant whisper.
25
Prolific (adj)
producing a great number or amount of something
E.g. He was probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation.
E.g. Rabbits and other rodents are prolific
E.g. mahogany was once prolific in the tropical forests
26
Biennial (adj)
Taking place once every two years
E.g. the first of a series of biennial exhibitions.
27
Biannual (adj)
occurring twice a year
E.g. the biannual meeting of the planning committee.
28
Big-headed (adj)
thinking that you are more important or more intelligent than you really are
E.g. She's so bigheaded!
E.g. I'm trying not to get too big-headed
29
Easy-going (adj)
relaxed and not easily upset or worried
E.g. an easy-going attitude/manner
E.g. a friendly, easy-going type of guy
E.g. a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere.
30
Contemporary (adj)
existing or happening now, and therefore seeming modern:
E.g. contemporary music/literature/art/fashion
E.g. Although the play was written hundreds of years ago, it still has a contemporary feel to it.
E.g. I wanted to update my kitchen and put in something more contemporary.
E.g. the event was recorded by a contemporary historian.
31
Subtle (adj)
Hint: 3 meanings
- achieved in a quiet way that does not attract attention to itself and is therefore good or clever
E.g. a subtle plan/suggestion
E.g. subtle questions
E.g. his language expresses rich and subtle meanings
- small but important:
E.g. There is a subtle difference between these two plans.
- not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious in any way
E.g. The room was painted a subtle shade of pink.
E.g. The play's message is perhaps too subtle to be understood by young children.
32
Psychiatric (adj)
of or relating to the study of mental illness
E.g. psychiatric treatment
E.g. a psychiatric patient
E.g. the hospital's psychiatric unit
E.g. a psychiatric disorder.
33
Chic (adj)
stylish and fashionable
E.g. I like your haircut - it's very chic.
E.g. a chic restaurant
E.g. she looked every inch the chic Frenchwoman.
34
Ravenous (adj)
extremely hungry:
E.g. I'm ravenous - where's supper?
E.g. Growing boys have ravenous appetites.
E.g. I'd been out all day and was ravenous.
35
Brackish (adj)
Brackish water is salty, dirty, and unpleasant.
E.g. Most larvae of the above mentioned bird parasites are found in areas of lower salinity and can complete therefore their life cycle in brackish waters.
E.g. a cup of brackish water
36
Desolate (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- A desolate place is empty and not attractive, with no people or nothing pleasant in it
E.g. The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape.
E.g. a desolate Pennine moor.
- extremely sad and feeling alone
E.g. She felt desolate when her best friend moved away.
37
Abstract (adj)
Hint: 3 meanings
- existing as an idea, feeling, or quality, not as a material object
E.g. Truth and beauty are abstract concepts.
E.g. abstract concepts such as love or beauty.
dealing with ideas rather than events
E.g. the novel was too abstract and esoteric to sustain much attention
- An abstract argument or discussion is general and not based on particular examples
E.g. This debate is becoming too abstract - let's have some hard facts!
- used to refer to a type of painting, drawing, or sculpture that uses shapes, lines, and colour in a way that does not try to represent the appearance of people or things
E.g. abstract art
E.g. an abstract painter
38
Feline (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- belonging or relating to the cat family
E.g. feline leukaemia
- appearing or behaving like a cat
E.g. She had pretty, almost feline features.
39
Ephemeral (adj)
lasting for only a short time
E.g. Fame in the world of rock and pop is largely ephemeral.
E.g. fashions are ephemeral: new ones regularly drive out the old
E.g. works of more than ephemeral interest.
40
Ambivalent (adj)
having two opposing feelings at the same time, or being uncertain about how you feel
E.g. I felt very ambivalent about leaving home.
E.g. He has fairly ambivalent feelings towards his father.
E.g. an ambivalent attitude to exercise
E.g. some loved her, some hated her, few were ambivalent about her
41
Pernicious (adj)
having a very harmful effect or influence
E.g. The cuts in government funding have had a pernicious effect on local health services.
E.g. the pernicious effects of air pollution
E.g. he is one of the most pernicious influences in the party
E.g. this whole line of thinking is pernicious.
42
Ubiquitous (adj)
seeming to be everywhere:
E.g. Leather is very much in fashion this season, as is the ubiquitous denim.
E.g. The Swedes are not alone in finding their language under pressure from the ubiquitous spread of English.
E.g. The mobile phone, that most ubiquitous of consumer-electronic appliances, is about to enter a new age.
E.g. his ubiquitous influence was felt by all the family
E.g. cowboy hats are ubiquitous among the male singers.
43
Eloquent (adj)
giving a clear, strong message
E.g. She made an eloquent appeal for action.
E.g. The pictures were an eloquent reminder of the power of the volcano.
E.g. an eloquent speech.
44
Colloquial (adj)
(of words and expressions) informal and more suitable for use in speech than in writing
E.g. colloquial speech
E.g. colloquial and everyday language
E.g. colloquial phrases.
45
Quintessential (adj)
being the most typical example or most important part of something
E.g. Sheep's milk cheese is the quintessential Corsican cheese.
E.g. he was the quintessential tough guy—strong, silent, and self-contained.
46
Rickety (adj)
in bad condition and therefore weak and likely to break
E.g. Careful! That chair's a bit rickety.
E.g. She slowly climbed the rickety wooden steps.
E.g. The recession put a lot of strain on an already rickety economic system.(figurative)
E.g. we went carefully up the rickety stairs
E.g. a rickety banking system-figurative.
47
Sinister (adj)
making you feel that something bad or evil might happen
E.g. The ruined house had a sinister appearance.
E.g. A sinister-looking man sat in the corner of the room. e.g. there was something sinister about that murmuring voice.
48
Intricate (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- having a lot of small parts that are arranged in a complicated or delicate way
E.g. The watch mechanism is extremely intricate and very difficult to repair.
E.g. The tiled floor is installed in an intricate pattern.
E.g. an intricate network of canals
- with many complicated details that make something difficult to understand
E.g. Police officers uncovered an intricate web of deceit.
49
Endearing (adj)
making someone like you
E.g. She laughs at herself a lot, which is always endearing
E.g. an endearing little grin
50
Palpable (adj)
so obvious that it can easily be seen or known, or (of a feeling) so strong that it seems as if it can be touched or physically felt
E.g. a palpable effect
E.g. Her joy was palpable.
E.g. a palpable sense of loss.
51
Ineffable (adj)
causing so much emotion, especially pleasure, that it cannot be described
E.g. ineffable joy/beauty
E.g. I am caught up in the ineffable, seemingly inexorable event that is out of my hands.
E.g. the ineffable mysteries of the soul.
E.g. As they stood on the mountain's summit, the breathtaking view of the vast valley below left them in an ineffable state of wonder.
E.g. The joy she felt upon reuniting with her childhood friend after years of separation was so profound, it was truly ineffable.
52
Deprived (adj)
not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such as enough money, food, or good living conditions
E.g. She had a deprived childhood/comes from a deprived background.
E.g. a deprived area
E.g. I was so sleep deprived I was bumping into walls
53
Prevalent (adj)
existing very commonly or happening often
E.g. These diseases are more prevalent among young children.
E.g. Trees are dying in areas where acid rain is most prevalent.
E.g. the social ills prevalent in society today.
54
Sublime (adj)
extremely good, beautiful, or enjoyable, and therefore satisfying:
sublime food/scenery
E.g. Mozart's sublime piano concertos
(the sublime as noun)
E.g.experiences that ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous.
55
Prehensile (adj)
(of parts of the body) able to hold on to things, especially by curling around them
E.g. a prehensile tail
E.g. many monkeys have long, prehensile tails which they use in swinging through the trees
56
Adhesive (adj)
a sticky substance that is used for joining things together, usually permanently:
E.g. You'll need a strong adhesive to mend that chair.
E.g. Fill in the gaps with clear silicone adhesive.
E.g. an adhesive label
57
Erratic (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- moving or behaving in a way that is not regular, certain, or expected
E.g. He drove in an erratic course down the road.
E.g. She can be very erratic; one day she is friendly and the next she'll hardly speak to you.
- something that is erratic is not regular, certain, or organized in its movement or behaviour
E.g. The erratic behaviour of the stock market is making investors nervous.
E.g. Stocks closed up slightly after an erratic day of trading.
E.g. her breathing was erratic.
58
Substantive (adj)
important, serious, or related to real facts
E.g. Substantive research on the subject needs to be carried out.
E.g. The documents are the first substantive information obtained by the investigators.
E.g. there is no substantive evidence for the efficacy of these drugs
59
Interrogative (adj)
in the form of a question, or used in questions
E.g. an interrogative adverb
E.g. a hard, interrogative stare
60
Ecstatic (adj)
extremely happy:
E.g. The new president was greeted by an ecstatic crowd.
E.g. The last movement is sheer ecstatic joy: the double subject treatment shows the hand of a master craftsman
E.g. ecstatic fans filled the stadium
61
Integral (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- necessary and important as a part of a whole
E.g. He's an integral part of the team and we can't do without him.
E.g. Bars and terrace cafés are integral to the social life of the city.
E.g. games are an integral part of the school's curriculum
E.g. systematic training should be integral to library management
- contained within something; not separate
E.g. All rooms have a flat-screen TV with integral DVD-player.
E.g. The integral garage had been converted to make another bedroom.
62
Agreeable (adj)- feeling
pleasant or pleasing
E.g. We spent a most agreeable evening by the river.
63
Paramount (adj)
more important than anything else
E.g. There are many priorities, but reducing the budget deficit is paramount/is of paramount importance.
E.g. the interests of the child are of paramount importance.
64
Exploratory (adj)
done in order to discover more about something
E.g. an exploratory expedition to Antarctica
E.g. She's having some exploratory tests done to find out what's causing the illness.
E.g. We're having an exploratory meeting next week to talk about merging the two companies.
E.g. surgeons performed an exploratory operation
E.g. exploratory talks.
65
Vacant (adj) - expression
showing no interest or mental activity
E.g. She had a vacant look/expression on her face.
E.g. a vacant stare.
66
Malicious (adj)
intended to harm or upset other people
E.g. malicious gossip
E.g. a malicious look in his eyes
E.g. He complained that he'd been receiving malicious phone calls.
E.g. He was charged with malicious wounding.
E.g. he was found guilty of malicious damage e.g. a hotbed of rumour and malicious chit-chat
E.g. the transmission of malicious software such as computer viruses.
67
Sadistic (adj)
deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others
E.g. she took a sadistic pleasure in tormenting him
E.g. a sadistic killer.
68
Cladestine (adj)
planned or done in secret, especially describing something that is not officially allowed
E.g. The group held weekly clandestine meetings in a church.
E.g. He has been having a clandestine affair with his secretary for three years.
E.g. She undertook several clandestine operations for the CIA.
E.g. she deserved better than these clandestine meetings.
69
Illicit (adj)
illegal or disapproved of by society
E.g.illicit drugs such as cocaine and cannabis
E.g. the illicit trade in stolen vehicles
E.g. an illicit love affair
E.g. illicit drugs illicit sex.
70
Diabolical (adj)
extremely bad or shocking
E.g. Conditions in the prison were diabolical.
E.g. His driving is diabolical!
E.g. his diabolical cunning.
71
Agile (adj)
Hint:2 meanings
- able to move your body quickly and easily
E.g.Monkeys are very agile climbers.
E.g. You need to have agile fingers to do this kind of work.
E.g. Ruth was remarkably agile and light on her feet
E.g. the changes were needed for the company to become more agile and move faster (figurative)
- able to think quickly and clearly:
E.g. For a man of 80, he has a remarkably agile mind.
72
Sprightly (adj)
(especially of old people) energetic and in good health
E.g. He's a sprightly old man of 75.
E.g. she was quite sprightly for her age.
73
Sapient (adj)
Hint : 3 meanings
- wise:
E.g. his failure to heed my sapient advice
the sapient king
E.g. members of the female quarter were more sapient but no less savage than the others
- intelligent; able to think
E.g. She is sapient, conscious, able to hold an intelligent discussion.
- relating to the human species Homo sapiens:
E.g. We may inherit a universal linguistic blueprint from our sapient ancestors of 40,000 years ago.
74
Juvenile (adj)
relating to a young person who is not yet old enough to be considered an adult
E.g. juvenile crime/offenders
E.g. He was later taken to juvenile detention for violating the terms of his parole.
75
Bleary (adj)
If you have bleary eyes, your eyes are red or have tears in them and you cannot see clearly, because you are tired or have just woken up
E.g. to be bleary-eyed
E.g. Boris opened a bleary eye
E.g. bleary-eyed business travellers.
76
Splayed (adj)
to spread wide apart
E.g. At one point the dancers flipped onto their backs and splayed their legs.
E.g. The petals splay out from the middle of the flower.
E.g. half of the crowd was watching through splayed fingers.
77
Brittle (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- delicate and easily broken
E.g. As you get older your bones become increasingly brittle.
E.g. The pond was covered in a brittle layer of ice.
E.g. her bones became fragile and brittle
E.g. the smooth, brittle material is one of the most common plastics.
- easily destroyed, ended, or made to fail
E.g. The team's confidence is brittle after a poor performance in the World Cup.
E.g. Our support system is becoming increasingly brittle.
E.g. a brittle peace/ceasefire
78
Haughty (adj)
unfriendly and seeming to consider yourself better than other people
E.g. She has a rather haughty manner.
E.g. a look of haughty disdain
E.g. a haughty British aristocrat.
79
Snide (adj)
(especially of remarks) containing unpleasant criticism that is not clearly stated
E.g. She made one or two snide remarks about their house, which I thought was a bit unnecessary.
E.g. snide remarks about my mother.
80
Wistful (adj)
sad and thinking about something that is impossible or in the past:
E.g. I thought about those days in Spain and grew wistful.
E.g. a wistful smile.
81
Skeptical (adj)
doubting that something is true or useful
E.g. Many experts remain skeptical about/of his claims.
E.g. the public were deeply sceptical about some of the proposals.
82
Callous (adj)
unkind, cruel, and without sympathy or feeling for other people
E.g. It might sound callous, but I don't care if he's homeless. He's not living with me!
E.g. his callous comments about the murder made me shiver.
83
Bewildered (adj)
confused and uncertain
E.g. Arriving in a strange city at night, I felt alone and bewildered.
E.g. I came out of the movie a bit bewildered, but I enjoyed it.
E.g. he saw the bewildered look on my face.
84
Unkempt (adj)
untidy; not cared for
E.g. an unkempt lawn
E.g. they were unwashed and unkempt.
85
Exquisite (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- very beautiful and delicate
E.g. an exquisite piece of china
E.g. Look at this exquisite painting.
E.g. She has exquisite taste.
E.g. a vase of exquisite workmanship
E.g. exquisite, jewel-like portraits.
- used to describe feelings such as pleasure or pain that are extremely strong, or qualities that are extremely good; great
E.g. exquisite joy
E.g. The pain was quite exquisite.
E.g. A good comedian needs to have an exquisite sense of timing.
86
Upholstered (adj)
(of a chair or other seat) covered with cloth and filled with a soft substance
E.g. a nicely upholstered sofa
E.g. We were lounging in beautifully upholstered armchairs.
E.g. an upholstered stool.
87
Leering (adj)
looking or behaving in a way that shows sexual interest, especially when this is not wanted
E.g. Young actresses were subjected to leering "lunches" with studio executives.
E.g. Their latest comedy is raucous, leering, crude and, to my mind, largely misjudged
E.g. every leering eye in the room was on her.
88
Lavish (adj)
Hint : 2 meanings
- large in quantity and expensive or impressive
E.g. lavish gifts/promises/praise
E.g. lavish spending
E.g. lavish banquets
E.g. The evening was a lavish affair with glorious food and an endless supply of champagne.
E.g. The lavish production makes this musical truly memorable.
E.g. a lavish banquet.
- very generous
E.g. The critics were lavish in their praise for the paintings.
E.g. he was lavish with his hospitality.
89
Ornate (adj)
Hint: 2 meanings
- having a lot of complicated decoration
E.g. a room with an ornate ceiling and gold mirrors
E.g. an ornate wrought-iron railing.
- Language that is ornate contains too many complicated words or phrases
E.g. Some students are put off studying his work because of the ornate language of the poetry.
90
Crimson (adj)
having a dark, deep red colour-->turn/go crimson
E.g. she blushed/turned crimson with embarrassment.
91
Ludicrous (adj)
stupid or unreasonable and deserving to be laughed at
E.g. a ludicrous idea/suggestion
E.g. He looked ludicrous in that suit!
E.g. it's ludicrous that I have been fined every night
E.g. he wore a ludicrous outfit.
92
Petulant (adj)
easily annoyed and complaining in a rude way like a child
E.g. he was moody and petulant
E.g. a petulant shake of the head.
93
Vivacious (adj)
A vivacious person, especially a woman or girl, is attractively energetic and enthusiastic
E.g. He brought along his wife, a vivacious blonde, some 20 years his junior.
E.g. her vivacious and elegant mother
E.g. she was dark-haired and vivacious.
94
Macabre (adj)
used to describe something that is very strange and unpleasant because it is connected with death or violence
E.g. a macabre series of murders.
E.g. Even the police were horrified at the macabre nature of the killings.
E.g. She has a pretty macabre sense of humour.
95
Improvident (adj)
not planning carefully for the future, especially by spending money in a way that is unwise
E.g. improvident and undisciplined behaviour.
96
Roving (adj)
travelling from place to place
E.g. And now a live report from our roving reporter, Martin Jackson.
E.g. A roving band of performers will tour schools around the country to boost pupils' interest in verse.
E.g. the fragments of pottery were believed to belong to a community of roving hunter-gatherers
E.g. roving bands of armed protesters they lead an unsettled and roving life.
97
Circumspect (adj)
careful not to take risks
E.g. Officials were circumspect about saying what the talks had achieved
E.g. the officials were very circumspect in their statements.
98
Gangling(adj)
(of a person) tall, thin, and awkward in movements or bearing
E.g. a gangling youth with a trace of down on his cheeks.
99
Glum (adj)
looking or feeling dejected; morose
E.g. the princess looked glum but later cheered up.
100
Tumultuous (adj)
making an uproar or loud, confused noise
E.g. tumultuous applause.
101
Radical (adj)
(especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough
E.g. a radical overhaul of the existing regulatory framework.
102
Trivial (adj)
of little value or importance
E.g. huge fines were imposed for trivial offences trivial details.
103
Piddling (adj)
(informal) pathetically trivial; trifling
E.g. piddling little questions.
104
Emollient (adj)- emotion
making people calm and avoiding argument
E.g. an emollient mood/tone
E.g. the president's emollient approach to differences.
105
Averse (adj)
having a strong dislike of or opposition to something
E.g. as a former CIA director, he is not averse to secrecy
E.g. Few people are averse to the idea of a free holiday.
E.g. I'm not averse to the occasional glass of champagne myself.
106
Reciprocal (adj)
given, felt, or done in return
E.g. she was hoping for some reciprocal comment or gesture.
107
Riveting (adj)
completely engrossing; compelling
E.g. the book is a riveting account of the legendary freedom fighter.
108
Adept (adj)
very skilled or proficient at something
E.g. she is adept at cutting through red tape
E.g. an adept negotiator.
109
Lackadaisical (adj)
showing little enthusiasm and effort
E.g. The food was nice enough but the service was somewhat lackadaisical.
E.g. taking a lackadaisical approach can jeopardize the success of a project
E.g. a lackadaisical defence left United adrift in the second half.
110
Grandiloquent (adj)
pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress
E.g. a grandiloquent celebration of Spanish glory
E.g. he described the magnificence of the complex in grandiloquent terms.
111
Aureate (adj)
made of or having the colour of gold
E.g. the aureate dollar.
112
Voluminous (adj)
(of clothes) very loose or full; having much fabric
E.g. a voluminous purple cloak.
113
Flaxen (adj)
(especially of hair) of the pale yellow colour of dressed flax
E.g. her long flaxen hair.
E.g. a flaxen-haired youth
114
Bantering (adj)
characterized by good-humoured teasing
E.g. a bantering tone.
115
Dour (adj)
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance
E.g. a hard, dour, humourless fanatic.
E.g. The normally dour Mr James was photographed smiling and joking with friends.
116
Abyssal (adj)
relating to or denoting the depths or bed of the ocean, especially between about 3000 and 6000 metres down
E.g. the abyssal depths of the Atlantic the genera found in the abyssal North Atlantic.
117
Vocal (adj)
expressing opinions or feelings freely or loudly
E.g.he was vocal in condemning the action.
118
Detrimental (adj)
tending to cause harm
E.g. recent policies have been detrimental to the interests of many old people
E.g. moving her could have a detrimental effect on her health.
119
Afoot (adj)
in preparation or progress; happening or beginning to happen
E.g. plans are afoot for a festival
E.g.something bizarre was afoot.
120
Submissive (adj)
ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive
E.g. a submissive, almost sheeplike people.
121
Materialistic (adj)
excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented
E.g.bwe're living in a highly materialistic society.
122
Manifold (adj)
many and various
E.g. the implications of this decision were manifold
E.g. Despite her manifold faults, she was a strong leader.
123
Unorthodox (adj)
contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; not orthodox
E.g. he frequently upset other scholars with his unorthodox views.
124
Fortified (adj)
Hint : of place and of food
-(of a place) provided with defensive works as protection against attack
E.g. a fortified manor house.
- (of food) having had vitamins or other supplements added so as to increase the nutritional value
E.g. fortified breakfast cereals.
125
Emaciated (adj)
abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food
E.g. she was so emaciated she could hardly stand.
126
Bullheaded (adj)
very determined to do what you want to do, especially without considering other people's feelings
127
Heinous (adj)
(of a person or wrongful act, especially a crime) utterly odious or wicked
E.g. a battery of heinous crimes.
128
Divine (adj)
of or like God or a god
E.g. heroes with divine powers
E.g. paintings of shipwrecks being prevented by divine intervention.
129
Intervening (adj)
extending or occurring between events
E.g. in the intervening years there were several unsuccessful attempts to renovate and reopen the building
E.g. to occupy the intervening months she took a job in a hospital
E.g. intervening events conspired with bureaucracy to delay the transfer.
130
Bashful (adj)
reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy
E.g. everything you need to know but have been too bashful to ask
E.g. suddenly bashful, she could think of nothing to say
E.g. don't be bashful about telling folk how you feel.
131
Versatile (adj)
able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
E.g. a versatile sewing machine
E.g. he was versatile enough to play on either wing.
132
Furtive (adj)
attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive
E.g. they spent a furtive day together he stole a furtive glance at her.
133
Placid (adj)
not easily upset or excited
E.g. a placid, contented man.
134
Radiant (adj)
(of a person or their expression) clearly emanating great joy, love, or health
E.g. she gave him a radiant smile.
135
Semiotic (adj)
relating to signs and symbols
E.g. the gestures, images, and objects notated in his scripts share a semiotic importance equal to the spoken text.
136
Unconventional (adj)
not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed
E.g. his unconventional approach to life.
137
Lecherous (adj)
having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire
E.g. she ignored his lecherous gaze.
138
Derogatory (adj)
showing a critical or disrespectful attitude
E.g. she tells me I'm fat and is always making derogatory remarks.
139
Illict (adj)
forbidden by law, rules, or custom
E.g. illicit drugs illicit sex.
140
Negligible (adj)
so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant
E.g. he said that the risks were negligible.
141
Bizarre (adj)
very strange or unusual
E.g. A bizarre situation his behaviour became more and more bizarre.
142
Philoprogenitive (adj)
having many offspring
E.g. a philoprogenitive ill-paid artisan.
143
Pastoral (adj)
(of land) used for the keeping or grazing of sheep or cattle
E.g. scattered pastoral farms.
144
Compelling (adj)
evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way
E.g. his eyes were strangely compelling a compelling film.
145
Hasty (adj)
done with excessive speed or urgency; hurried
E.g. a hasty attempt to defuse the situation hasty decisions.
146
Unscrupulous (adj)
having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair
E.g. unscrupulous landlords might be tempted to harass existing tenants.
147
Condescending (adj)
having or showing an attitude of patronizing superiority
E.g. she thought the teachers were arrogant and condescending
E.g. a condescending smile.
148
Segregated (adj)
set apart from each other; isolated or divided
E.g. segregated fields of practice each with their own aims
149
Volatile (adj)
liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse
E.g. the political situation was becoming more volatile.
150
Perfunctory (adj)
done quickly, without taking care or interest:
E.g. His smile was perfunctory.
E.g. She asked a few perfunctory questions about my family and then ended the conversation.
151
Elusive (adj)
difficult to find, catch, or achieve
E.g. success will become ever more elusive.
152
Sinuous (adj)
having many curves and turns
E.g. the river follows a sinuous trail through the dale.
153
Ambiguous (adj)
having or expressing more than one possible meaning, sometimes intentionally
E.g. His reply to my question was somewhat ambiguous.
E.g. The wording of the agreement is ambiguous.
E.g.The government has been ambiguous on this issue.
154
Mallifulous (adj)
having a pleasant and flowing sound
E.g. a deep mellifluous voice
E.g. the mellifluous sound of the cello
155
Effervescent (adj)- figurative
active, positive, and full of energy
E.g. She's one of those effervescent personalities that you often see hosting TV game shows.
E.g. Her effervescent personality lit up the room.
156
Languid (adj)
moving or speaking slowly with little energy, often in an attractive way
E.g. a languid manner/voice
E.g. His languid speech and lack of enthusiasm during the presentation failed to capture the audience's attention.
157
Eclectic (adj)
Methods, beliefs, ideas, etc. that are eclectic combine whatever seem the best or most useful things from many different areas or systems, rather than following a single system
E.g.an eclectic style/approach
E.g.an eclectic taste in literature
158
Efficacious (adj)
able to produce the intended result
E.g. We believe that educational or counselling schemes are a more efficacious way of dealing with this problem than harsh sanctions.
159
Insidious (adj)
(of something unpleasant or dangerous) gradually and secretly causing harm
E.g. High blood pressure is an insidious condition which has few symptoms.
160
Serene (adj)
peaceful and calm; worried by nothing
E.g. She has a lovely serene face.
161
Nefarious (adj)
(especially of activities) morally bad
E.g. The company's CEO seems to have been involved in some nefarious practices/activities.
162
Voracious (adj)
very eager for something, especially a lot of food
E.g. He has a voracious appetite (= he eats a lot).
E.g. He's a voracious reader of historical novels (= he reads a lot of them eagerly and quickly).
163
Academic (adj)
relating to schools, colleges, and universities, or connected with studying and thinking, not with practical skills
E.g. academic subjects/qualifications/books
E.g. an academic institution
E.g. academic standards
164
Prosaic (adj)
without interest, imagination, and excitement
E.y. If only she'd been called Camilla or Flavia instead of the prosaic Jane.
E.g. He asked if I'd got my black eye in a fight - I told him the prosaic truth that I'd banged my head on a door.
165
Protuberant (adj)
sticking out
E.g. He stared at me with blue, slightly protuberant eyes.
166
Utilitarian (adj)
designed to be useful rather than decorative:
Like many factories, it's a very ugly utilitarian building.
167
Nuptial (adj)
belonging or relating to a marriage or to the state of being married
E.g. nuptial vows/promises
E.g. the nuptial bed
168
Burgeoning (adj)
developing quickly
E.g. The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning communications industry.
169
Irate (adj)
very angry
E.g. We have received some irate phone calls from customers
170
Jutting (adj)
sticking out, especially above or past the edge or surface of something
E.g. jutting rocks
E.g. He had a large head and jutting jaw.
171
Befuddled (adj)
confused
E.g. I'm so tired, my poor befuddled brain can't absorb any more.
172
Meandering (adj)
moving slowly in no particular direction or with no clear purpose
E.g. a meandering river
E.g. a long meandering speech
173
Pudgy (verb)
slightly fat
E.g. I was a pudgy child.
174
Insatiable (adj)
(especially of a desire or need) too great to be satisfied
E.g. Like so many politicians, he had an insatiable appetite/desire/hunger for power.
E.g. Nothing, it seemed, would satisfy his insatiable curiosity.
175
Raucous (adj)
loud and unpleasant
E.g. I heard the raucous call of the crowd
E.g. Raucous laughter came from the next room.
E.g. The party was becoming rather raucous.
176
Pretentious (adj)
trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are, especially in matters of art and literature
E.g. a pretentious art critic
E.g. The novel deals with grand themes, but is never heavy or pretentious..
177
Scintillating (adj)
funny, exciting, and clever
E.g. scintillating wit/repartee/conversation
E.g. a scintillating personality/speech
178
Pompous (adj)
too serious and full of importance
E.g. He's a pompous old prig who's totally incapable of taking a joke.
E.g. He can sometimes sound a little pompous when he talks about acting.
179
Inexorable (adj)
continuing without any possibility of being stopped
E.g. the inexorable progress of science
180
Perplexed (adj)
confused, because something is difficult to understand or solve
E.g. The students looked perplexed, so the teacher tried to explain once again.
E.g. Police were perplexed by the killing because there didn't seem to be any motive.
181
Ebullient (adj)
very energetic, positive, and happy
E.g. He wasn't his usual ebullient self
E.g. The team's ebullient celebration after winning the championship could be heard from miles away.
E.g. Despite the rainy weather, the children's spirits remained ebullient as they played in the park.
182
Munificent (adj)
very generous with money
E.g. A former student has donated a munificent sum of money to the college.
E.g. The munificent philanthropist donated a substantial amount of money to build a new wing for the local hospital, greatly improving healthcare in the community.
183
Nebulous (adj)
(especially of ideas) not clear and having no form
E.g. She has a few nebulous ideas about what she might want to do in the future, but nothing definite.
184
Benevolent (adj)
kind and helpful
E.g. He was a benevolent old man and wouldn't hurt a fly.
185
Candid (adj)
honest and telling the truth, especially about something difficult or painful
E.g. The two presidents have had candid talks about the current crisis.
E.g. To be candid with you, I think you're making a dreadful mistake.
186
Resplendent (adj)
having a very bright or beautiful appearance
E.g. the queen's resplendent purple robes
E.g. I saw Anna at the other end of the room, resplendent in a red cocktail dress.
187
Quixotic (adj)
having or showing ideas that are different and unusual but not practical or likely to succeed
E.g. This is a vast, exciting and some say quixotic project.
E.g. She embarked on a quixotic quest to visit every country in the world within a year, a goal many deemed impossible.
E.g. Starting a small, independent bookstore in the age of e-books and mega-chains seemed like a quixotic endeavor, but he was determined to keep the love of physical books alive.
188
Aloof (adj)
not friendly or willing to take part in things
E.g. She seemed rather aloof when in fact she was just shy.
189
Rambunctious (adj)
full of energy and difficult to control
E.g. rambunctious children
E.g. a lively and rambunctious puppy
E.g. The rambunctious group of children played tag in the park, laughing and shouting as they chased each other around.
190
Ethereal (adj)
light and delicate, especially in an unnatural way
E.g. an ethereal being
E.g. ethereal beauty
E.g. The ethereal beauty of the sunset over the ocean left everyone in awe.
E.g. The ballet dancer moved across the stage with an ethereal grace that made the audience feel like they were watching a fairy tale come to life.
191
Supercilious (adj)
behaving as if you are better than other people, and that their opinions, beliefs, or ideas are not important
E.g. He spoke in a haughty, supercilious voice.
192
Surreptitious (adj)
done secretly, without anyone seeing or knowing
E.g. She seemed to be listening to what I was saying, but I couldn't help noticing her surreptitious glances at the clock.
