Vocabulary - Definitions Flashcards
reprimand
to scold or correct
Ex. Olivia was severely reprimanded by mom and dad for her inappropriate behavior.
competent
capable of doing something in a satisfactory or effective way
Ex. Mommy is competent at cooking but does not like to do it
precede
To go before, as in place, order, rank, importance or time
Ex. In our family, a prayer precedes Thanksgiving dinner.
confide
To tell someone secrets or discuss private feelings with them
Ex. Drew confides his secrets to no one!
conspicuous
Very noticeable or easy to see especially because of being unusual or different
Ex. Dad felt very conspicuous being the only man there.
contaminate
to soil, stain or infect by contact
Ex. The Titanic’s oil contaminated the ocean, making the fish sick.
corroboration
Evidence or information that supports what someone has said
Ex. The police lab provided corroboration to the detective so he could arrest the murderer.
evade
to get away
avoid meeting directly
Ex. Michael Trevor and Frank evaded the police after shooting several people avoiding arrest.
Fatigue
A feeling of being extremely tired either physically or mentally
Ex. After six hockey games in a row Drew was very fatigued.
Initiate
Begin/to start
To introduce someone to a skill, subject or activity and teach them about it
Ex. Nick was initiated into a world of robbery and violence when he played GTA5.
Lament
To mourn aloud/wail
To regret a lot
Ex. People lament the loss of close family members in the earthquake disaster.
Tattered
Wearing ragged clothing
Ex. The homeless man was wearing a tattered and torn coat.
Sincere
Talking and acting in a way that shows you really mean what you say and do.
Ex. Bob gave a sincere apology.
Scrutinize
To examine something very carefully
Ex. The police officer scrutinized the crime scene for clues.
Versatile
Able to be used in many different ways
Having a wide range of different skills and abilities
Ex. This is such a versatile jacket it can be born in summer spring and fall!
Vigilant
Watching a person or situation carefully so that you will notice any problems or signs of danger immediately
Ex. The guards were vigilant in watching the crowd for any signs of unruly behavior which could lead to a riot breaking out.
Woeful
Feeling very sad
Ex. The dog gave a long woeful howl because he missed his owner.
Platoon
A group of soldiers that includes two or more squads usually led by one Lieutenant.
A group of people who are doing something together.
Ex. We will need a platoon of people to help clean the Barbie room.
Famished
Really really hungry.
Ex. I’m so famished. I could eat the whole refrigerator.
Destitute
Extremely poor.
Without something that is needed or wanted.
Ex. Many families were left destitute by hurricane Katrina.
Sterilize
To clean something by destroying germs or bacteria.
Ex. You need to sterilize the thermometer so you don’t pass on germs.
Scour
To rub hard especially with rough material for cleansing.
To dig through or hunt.
Ex. We scoured through the trash trying to find the missing puzzle piece.
Applicant
Someone who applies for something.
Ex. Dad interviewed 30 applicants for the job at New England Casket Company.
Prejudice
A feeling of like or dislike for someone or something when it is not reasonable.
An unfair disliking of a person or group because of race, color ok skin, sex or religion.
Ex. He has a prejudice against fast food restaurants and will not eat at them.
Unbiased
Fair. Equal. Unprejudiced.
Ex. Give me an unbiased opinion on my poem.
Acknowledge
To take notice of.
To recognize as real.
To make known.
Ex. They acknowledged that the decision was a mistake.
She acknowledged his greeting with a smile.
Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.
Adhesive
Sticky clingy.
Designed to stick to something.
Ex. Cover your cut with an adhesive bandage.
Ail
To cause pain or trouble for someone.
To suffer bad health.
Ex. This medicine is good for what ails you.
Aimless
Having no goal, purpose or direction.
Ex. Without a destination, we walked aimlessly on the road for hours.
Alter
To change something.
Ex. This one small event altered the course of history.
Approximate
Almost correct or exact.
Close in value or amount but not exactly.
Ex. This is the approximate location of the old ancient city.
Assert
To say something in a strong and definite way.
Declare. Guarantee.
Ex. He asserted that the car would go 100 mph in 60 seconds.
Assured
Very confident.
Sure that something is certain or true.
Ex. Once the vet came, we were assured that our dog would be fine.
Astonish
Amaze. Surprise. To cause a feeling of great wonder or surprise
Ex. The beaches beauty never fails to astonish me.
Audible
Heard or able to be heard.
Ex. Her voice was barely audible over the noise.
Authentic
Real, genuine, true, accurate.
Not copied or false.
Ex. The building is an authentic reproduction of the colonial farmhouse.
Barrage
A heavy and continuous firing of weapons during a battle.
A great amount of something that comes quickly and continuously
The enemy laid down a barrage of machine gun fire.
He unleashed a barrage of insults.
Barren
Not producing good or useful things ideas etc.
Having very few plants; not suitable for plants.
Not exciting or interesting.
Not able to produce children or offspring
Few creatures can thrive on these barren mountaintops.
Barren woman cannot have children.
Bashful
Nervous or uncomfortable in social situations.
Shy
She was a bashful child nervous to speak in public.
Bastion
A place or system where something continues to survive, such as an old fashion idea.
Benign
Not causing death or serious injury.
Not causing harm or damage.
Mild, pleasant, gentle, kind.
He has a benign habit of biting his fingernails.
She was a friendly, benign teacher.
Bewilder
To confuse very much.
The instructions were bewilderingly complex.
Biased
Having or showing an unfair tendency to believe that some people ideas are better than others.
He is biased against women and minorities.
Blunt
Having a thick edge or point not sharp.
Saying or expressing something in a very direct way that may upset people.
The scissors with the blunt ends did not cut the paper.
To be perfectly blunt I find her annoying.
Brash
Confident and aggressive and usually a rude way.
Very strong or harsh.
She asks such brash questions I don’t want to answer them.
Brazen
Done and a very open and shocking way without shame or embarrassment.
He exhibited a brazen disregard for other people’s feelings.
Brittle
Easily broken or cracked.
Sharp in sound.
The ice was so brittle that it broke as soon as you touched it.
The child’s high brittle voice cut right through me!
Candid
Expressing opinions and feelings in an honest and sincere way.
He stated his opinion candidly.
Cautious
Careful about avoiding danger or risk.
Please be cautious when you’re driving in the snow.
Censor
To remove things that are considered to be offensive immoral or harmful to society.
Someone who censors.
The song was censored to remove all swearwords.
Coerce
To make someone do something by using force or threats.
To get something by using force or threats.
A confession was coerced from the suspect by police beating him.
Commodities
Something that is bought and sold
Something or someone that is useful or valued.
Patience is a rare commodity.
Compassion
A feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick hungry or in trouble.
She had the compassion to offer help when it was needed most.
Compel
To force someone to do something.
To make something happen.
The flu compelled him to stay in bed.
Comprehensive
Including many, most or all things.
Mom made a comprehensive list of all the chores I had to do each week.
Conceal
To hide from sight.
To keep secret.
The sunglasses conceal her eyes.
Concise
Using few words. Not including extra or unnecessary information.
The police asked for a clear and concise account of the accident.
Condescending
Showing that you believe you are more intelligent or better than other people.
His comments were offensive and condescending to us.
Preface
Introduction
Alter
Change
Stoop
Bend down
Candid
Honest
Coarse
Rough
Vain
Self-centered
Serene
Calm
Utilize
Use
Vigorous
Full of life
Prolong
Stretch out
Benefit
Help
Colleague
A coworker or fellow classmate.
The young doctor impressed his colleagues with the difficult diagnosis.
Compatible
Capable of getting along well with other people or things.
George and Larry seem to have compatible personalities as they get along quite well.
Accommodate
To be agreeable acceptable suitable.
To adapt.
This table is meant to accommodate six diners.
Joe worked to accommodate himself to the difficult economic times.
Amiable
Friendly kind likable.
Kelly was an amiable hostess, friendly and welcoming to all of her guests
Congenial
Friendly sociable suited to one’s needs
The college and to create a congenial atmosphere for both professors and students.
Aloof
Emotionally distant.
The grandfather was generally aloof and uninterested in playing with his grandchildren.
Nonchalant
Casual, calm, unconcerned
The mayor’s nonchalant attitude toward the disaster lost him many supporters.
Apathetic
Showing no interest or concern.
Drew is apathetic about studying for the SSAT.
Indifferent
Showing no interest or concern
I really don’t care where we go for dinner tonight I am entirely in different.
Sentimental
Overly emotional
Although he had long outgrown it Neil felt a sentimental attachment to his baby blanket.
Hysterical
Having excessive and uncontrollable emotion
When she heard the news Susan reacted with hysterical sobbing.
Benevolent
Kind generous
Queen Elizabeth was a benevolent ruler, generous and responsive to the needs of her people.
Compassionate
Kind sympathetic
Mrs. White was a firm instructor but also compassionate towards her students.
Empathy
Understanding another’s feelings
Caring and considerate, Liam always expressed a deep empathy towards others.
Charismatic
Charming
With his naturally magnetic and charming personality, he was a charismatic leader
Engaging
Interesting charming attractive
The students found the hands-on activity more engaging than simply reading a textbook.
Gracious
Charming generous polite
Always a good sport, the losing player was still gracious in defeat
Courteous
Polite
The staff was courteous and helpful when asked for advice.
Cordial
Polite friendly
The president extended a cordial invitation to the Chinese and Korean ambassadors.
Tact
Consideration and sensitivity and dealing with others
Diplomats must display tact when dealing with sensitive issues between nations.
Emulate
To copy or imitate, to look up to
And excellent team player, Christine is a role model who everyone should emulate.
Flatter
To praise excessively or dishonestly
At first flattered by his employees complements,!the boss realized that she was only trying for a pay raise.
Fidelity
Faithfulness loyalty
The knight served his king with utmost fidelity.
Steadfast
Determined loyal steady
Maria’s steadfast commitment to the cause won her great recognition.
Fickle
Not reliable or dependable
changing opinions frequently
The fans were fickle, abandoning the team whenever it began to lose.
Headstrong
Stubborn disobedient
Elizabeth showed a headstrong determination to do things her own way.
