• Shuffle
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Alphabetize
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Front First
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Both Sides
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Read
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
Reading...
Front

Card Range To Study

through

image

Play button

image

Play button

image

Progress

1/241

Click to flip

Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;

Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;

H to show hint;

A reads text to speech;

241 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
DERAIL
If a train derails or is derailed, it comes off the railway tracks.
FACADE
the front of a building, especially a large or attractive building.

the gallery's elegant 18th century facade
PROP/PROPPED
To support something physically, often by leaning it against something else or putting something under it
I propped my bike (up) against the wall.
She was sitting at the desk with her chin propped on her hands.
ANXIOUS
worried and nervous.

My mother always gets a bit anxious if we don't arrive when we say we will.
I saw my sister's anxious face at the window.
SERENE/SERENITY
peaceful and calm; worried by nothing.

She has a lovely serene face.
EXUDED
If you exude love, confidence, pain, etc., you show that you have a lot of that feeling.

She just exudes confidence.
RESENTMENT
to feel angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that you do not like.

She bitterly resented her father's new wife
BERTH
a bed in a boat, train, etc., or a place for a ship or boat to stay in a port

She booked a berth on the train from London to Aberdeen.
ENCORACH
To gradually take away someone else's rights, or to take control of someone's time, work, etc.

What the government is proposing encroaches on the rights of individuals.
SNEER
to talk about or look at someone or something in an unkind way that shows you do not respect or approve of them.

You may sneer, but a lot of people like this kind of music.
ALLEVIATE
to make something bad such as pain or problems less severe.

The drugs did nothing to alleviate her pain/suffering.
TEDIUM
when you feel bored.

Soldiers often say that the worst thing about fighting is not the moments of terror, but all the hours of tedium in between.
INCREDULOUS
not wanting or not able to believe something, and usually showing this.

A few incredulous spectators watched as Paterson, ranked 23rd in the world, beat the champion.
PROXIMITY
the state of being near in space or time.

The best thing about the location of the house is its proximity to the town centre.
MONGREL
a dog of mixed breed
SPECULATIVE
based on a guess and not on information.

The article was dismissed as highly speculative.
HYSTERIA
extreme fear, excitement, anger, etc. which cannot be controlled.

One woman, close to hysteria, grabbed my arm.
Tabloid hysteria about the murders has increased public fears.
CONTORT
to (cause something to) twist or bend violently and unnaturally into a different shape or form

His face contorted with bitterness and rage.
IMPISHY
showing a child's pleasure in being playful and making trouble

At seventy, he still retains his impish grin.
EARNEST
serious or determined, especially too serious and unable to find your own actions funny

He was a very earnest young man
BRAVADO
a show of bravery, especially when unnecessary and dangerous, to make.
people admire you.
It was an act of bravado that made him ask his boss to resign.
RATIONAL
showing clear thought or reason.

He was too upset to be rational.
A rational course of action/argument/explanation.
OMINOUS
suggesting that something unpleasant is likely to happen.

There was an ominous silence when I asked whether my contract was going to be renewed.
SNARLED
describes a long line of traffic that is unable to travel forward because something is blocking the road.

The traffic was snarled up in both directions for two miles because of the incident.
SQUEALED
- to make a long very high sound or cry
- to complain about something loudly

The brakes squealed as the van rounded the corner.
The two children squealed with joy.
GNASHED
To bring your top and bottom teeth together quickly.
EXUBERANCE
(Especially of people and their behaviour) very energetic

Young and exuberant, he symbolises Italy's new vitality.
ILLEGIBLE
(Of writing or print) impossible or almost impossible to read because of being very untidy or not clear

His writing is almost illegible.
MIFFED
annoyed at someone's behaviour towards you

She hadn't phoned for a week and I was getting quite miffed.
SIDETRACKED
to direct a person's attention away from an activity or subject towards another one which is less important.

Ruth was looking for an envelope in a drawer when she was side-tracked by some old letters.
STUMBLE
to step awkwardly while walking or running and fall or begin to fall.

Running along the beach, she stumbled on a log and fell on the sand.
DISCONCERT
To make someone feel suddenly uncertain and worried

The whole experience had disconcerted him.
CHIMED
(Of bells) to make a clear ringing sound

In the square the church bells chimed.
PRONE
Likely to suffer from an illness or show a particular negative characteristic

I've always been prone to headaches.
He was prone to depressions even as a teenager.
CONSENSUS
A generally accepted opinion or decision among a group of people

The general consensus in the office is that he's useless at his job.

Could we reach a consensus on this matter? Let's take a vote.
ANGELICALLY
very beautiful and very good

an angelic voice/face/smile
CRIPPLE
To cause serious damage to someone or something, making them weak and not effective

a country crippled by war
POLARITIES/POLARITY
the quality of being opposite

The film is based on the polarity of the two main characters.
IMPENDING
describes an event, usually something unpleasant or unwanted, that is going to happen soon.

impending disaster/doom
INANIMATE
having none of the characteristics of life that an animal or plant has.

He looks at me as if I'm an inanimate object.
SNAPPED
to suddenly become unable to control a strong feeling, especially anger.

When she asked me to postpone my trip to help her move house, I just snapped (= got angry).
FLUORESCENT
Fluorescent lights are very bright, tube-shaped electric lights, often used in offices.

fluorescent lighting
CAPITALIZE
to write a letter of the alphabet as a capital, or to write the first letter of a word as a capital

The names of political parties are always capitalized, e.g. the Green Party.
SLUMPED
having your head low and shoulders forward

He sat slumped over his desk, the picture of misery.
FORLORN
alone and unhappy; left alone and not cared for

She looked a forlorn figure standing at the bus stop.
FLIER
a small piece of paper with information on it about a product or even
AMBLE
to walk in a slow and relaxed way.

He was ambling along the beach.
She ambled down the street, stopping occasionally to look in the shop windows.
HOSTILITY
when someone is unfriendly or shows that they do not agree with or like something.

They showed open (= obvious) hostility to/towards their new neighbours.
CHAFE
To make or become damaged or sore by rubbing.

The bracelet was so tight that it started to chafe (my wrist).
CRIPPILING
describes something which causes someone serious injuries or harm.

A crippling attack of malaria kept him in bed for months.
crippling debts
TAUNTING
To intentionally annoy and upset someone by making unkind remarks to them, laughing at them, etc.

The other children used to taunt him in the playground because he was fat and wore glasses.
ARROGANT
unpleasantly proud and behaving as if you are more important than, or know more than, other people

I found him arrogant and rude.
SCOFFED
to laugh and speak about a person or idea in a way which shows that you think they are stupid or silly

The critics scoffed at his paintings.
Years ago people would have scoffed at the idea that cars would be built
SCOWL
to look at someone or something with a very annoyed expression.

The boy scowled at her and reluctantly followed her back into school.
SUCCINCT
said in a clear and short way; expressing what needs to be said without unnecessary words.

Keep your letter succinct and to the point.
ENIGMATIC
mysterious and impossible to understand completely

The Mona Lisa has a famously enigmatic smile.
He left an enigmatic message on my answering machine.
GLEE
happiness, excitement or pleasure.

She opened her presents with glee.
ADMIRATION
when you admire someone or something.

My admiration for that woman grows daily.
She gazed in admiration at his broad, muscular shoulders.
THUMPED
To hit someone with your fist or to hit something and cause a noise.

He thumped him in the face.
He thumped on the door but nobody came.

If your heart thumps, it beats more strongly and quickly than usual, because of exercise, fear or excitement
COVEN
a group or meeting of witches
PLUMMET
to fall very quickly and suddenly
House prices have plummeted in recent months.

Several large rocks were sent plummeting down the mountain.
She plummeted to the ground.
PACE
-To establish a speed for someone who is training for a race or running in a race, for example by running with them
-To be careful not to do something too quickly so that you do not get too tired to finish it.

No more soup, thank you. I'm pacing myself so that I have room for a dessert.
STRAIN
to separate liquid food from solid food, especially by pouring it through a utensil with small holes in it
Could you strain the vegetables, please?

I usually strain the juice off the pineapple and use it in another recipe.
INAUDIBLE
unable to be heard

The noise of the machinery made her voice inaudible.
SELF-RIGHTEOUS
believing that your ideas and behaviour are morally better than those of other people.

He's so self-righteous - you'd think he'd never done anything wrong in his life.
JAZZED
to make something more attractive or interesting
Jazz the dress up with some bright accessories.

He jazzed up the food with a spicy sauce.
THUMBLED
-To fall quickly and without control
I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs.

- To move in an uncontrolled way, as if falling or likely to fall
An excited group of children tumbled out of school/the bus.
SWIFT
-Happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way.

The local police took swift action against the squatters.
Thank you for your swift reply.
BLEAKLY
If weather or a place is bleak, it is cold, empty and not welcoming or attractive.

The house stands on a bleak, windswept moor.

If a situation is bleak, there is little or no hope for the future
The economic outlook is bleak.
PACIFIST/PACIFISM
the belief that war is wrong, and therefore that to fight in a war is wrong
SOCIALLY
in or relating to a social situation
I chat to him at work now and then but I've never seen him socially.
Socially, she's a disaster - she's always offending someone or picking a fight
CASUAL
describes clothes that are not formal or not suitable for special occasions

casual clothes
MORALLY
based on principles that you or people in general consider to be right, honest or acceptable.

Morally, you're right, but in practice I don't think it would work.
For a teacher to hit a child is not just morally wrong but also illegal.
FLINCHED
To make a sudden small movement because of pain or fear.

He didn't even flinch when the nurse cleaned the wound.
SMUG
Too pleased or satisfied about something you have achieved or something you know

a smug grin She deserved her promotion, but I wish she wasn't so damned smug about it.
HARBOR
An area of water next to the coast, often protected from the sea by a thick wall, where ships and boats can shelter.

Our hotel room overlooked a pretty little fishing harbour.
ABSENT-MINDEDLY
Describes someone who often forgets things or does not pay attention to what is happening near them because they are thinking about other things
MORONIC
very stupid

a moronic grin
some really moronic suggestions
EAGER
wanting very much to do or have something, especially something interesting or enjoyable.

the children's eager faces
She sounded very eager to meet you.
PARASITE
-an animal or plant that lives on or in another animal or plant of a different type and feeds from it.

The older drugs didn't deal effectively with the malaria parasite.
-a person who is lazy and lives by other people working, giving them money, etc.
VIGOR
strength, energy or enthusiasm

They set about their work with youthful vigour and enthusiasm.
REVULSION
a strong, often sudden, feeling that something is extremely unpleasant.

I turned away in revulsion when they showed a close-up of the operation.
She looked at him with revulsion.
BITTERNESS
an unpleasantly sharp taste
VIRGO
the sixth sign of the zodiac, relating to the period 23 August to 22 September, represented by a young woman, or a person born during this period
SHIMMERED
to shine in such a way that the light seems to shake slightly and quickly.

She could see her reflection in the water, shimmering in the moonlight.
SQUINTED
to partly close your eyes in order to see more clearly.

The sun was shining straight in her eyes which made her squint.
WHIMPERED
(especially of an animal) to make a series of small, weak sounds, expressing pain or unhappiness.

A half-starved dog lay in the corner, whimpering pathetically.
CURB
to control or limit something that is not wanted

The Government should act to curb tax evasion.
STUTTERED
to speak or say something, especially the first part of a word, with difficulty, for example pausing before it or repeating it several times

She stutters a bit, so let her finish what she's saying.
BITTERNESS
an unpleasantly sharp taste
VIRGO
the sixth sign of the zodiac, relating to the period 23 August to 22 September, represented by a young woman, or a person born during this period
SHIMMERED
to shine in such a way that the light seems to shake slightly and quickly.

She could see her reflection in the water, shimmering in the moonlight.
SQUINTED
to partly close your eyes in order to see more clearly.

The sun was shining straight in her eyes which made her squint.
WHIMPERED
(especially of an animal) to make a series of small, weak sounds, expressing pain or unhappiness.

A half-starved dog lay in the corner, whimpering pathetically.
CURB
to control or limit something that is not wanted.

The Government should act to curb tax evasion.
STUTTERED
to speak or say something, especially the first part of a word, with difficulty, for example pausing before it or repeating it several times

She stutters a bit, so let her finish what she's saying.
TENDONITIS
Disease related to tendons: a strong band of tissue in the body connecting a muscle to a bone
WEASLED
a small mammal with reddish brown fur and a long body, which can kill other small animals such as mice and birds for food
PAT
to touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat.

He patted my head/patted me on the head affectionately.
POSTURE
The way in which someone usually holds their shoulders, neck and back, or a particular position in which someone stands, sits, etc.

She's got very good/bad posture.
INTENSIFY/ INTENSIFIED
to become greater, more serious or more extreme, or to make something do this.

Fighting around the capital has intensified in the last few hours.
WRENCH
to pull and twist something suddenly or violently away from a fixed position
The photographer tripped over a lead, wrenching a microphone from its stand.

to suddenly take someone from people they love, causing them great unhappiness

At the age of eight, she was wrenched from her foster parents and sent to live with another family.
ABSURD
-stupid or unreasonable; silly in a humorous way
What an absurd thing to say!

-things that happen that are stupid or unreasonable
The whole situation borders on the absurd.
She has a keen sense of the absurd.
TRILLING
When birds trill, they sing a series of quickly repeated high notes.
•to speak in a very high voice
"Tea is ready," trilled Daphne.
PENITENT
showing that you are sorry for something you have done because you feel it was wrong

"I'm sorry," she said with a penitent smile.
WOUND
a damaged area of the body, such as a cut or hole in the skin or flesh made by a weapon

a gunshot wound
a chest/leg wound
COMPREHENSION
-the ability to understand completely and be familiar with a situation, facts, etc.
He has no comprehension of the size of the problem.

a test to find out how well students understand written or spoken language
a listening/reading comprehension
UNREPENTANT
not repentant ( NOT feeling sorry for something that you have done)
PINNACLE
the most successful or admired part of a system or achievement

By the age of thirty-two she had reached the pinnacle of her career.
POUTED
to push the lower lip forward to show you are annoyed, or to push both lips forward in a sexually attractive way

Vanessa always pouts if she doesn't get what she wants.
DELIBERATED/ DELIBERATE
to think or talk seriously and carefully about something

Done consciously and intentionally: "a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict"

The jury took five days to deliberate on the case.
The committee has deliberated the question at great length.
TOILETRIES
objects and substances that you use in washing yourself and preventing the body from smelling unpleasant
Women's toiletries are at the other end of the shop, madam.
REPENTANT
feeling sorry for something that you have done
SOMBER
serious, sad and without humour or entertainment
a sombre atmosphere/voice/face

dark and plain
He wore a sombre black suit.
THOROUGHLY
Completely, very much

I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
ENVY
to wish that you had something that another person has

I envy her ability to talk to people she's never met before.
ADMIRATION
when you admire someone or something
My admiration for that woman grows daily.

She gazed in admiration at his broad, muscular shoulders.
SHALLOW
having only a short distance from the top to the bottom.

The stream was quite shallow so we were able to walk across it.
She told her children to stay in the shallow end (of the swimming pool).
UNFATHOMABLE
impossible to understand.

For some unfathomable reason they built the toilet next to the kitchen.
LAVISH
more than enough, especially if expensive; very generous.

lavish gifts/promises/praise
lavish spending
lavish banquets
FERVENT
describes beliefs that are strongly and sincerely felt or people who have strong and sincere beliefs
a fervent supporter of the communist party.

It is his fervent hope that a peaceful solution will soon be found.
CROWE
When a baby crows, it makes sudden cries of happiness.
TESTOSTERONE
a male hormone that causes a stage of growth in older boys and change in their reproductive organs
SULKED
to be silent and refuse to smile or be pleasant to people because you are angry about something that they have done.

He's sulking in a corner somewhere because I wouldn't let him have a second bar of chocolate.
COMPLACENT
feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder.

a complacent smile/attitude
We can't afford to become complacent about any of our products.
MINGLE
to mix or combine, or be mixed or combined.

The excitement of starting a new job is always mingled with a certain apprehension.
PERPLEX
to confuse and worry someone slightly by being difficult to understand or solve.

The disease has continued to perplex doctors.
ABASHED
embarrassed.

He said nothing but looked abashed.
VANITY
when you are too interested in your appearance or achievements.

He wants the job purely for reasons of vanity and ambition.
PORCH
a covered structure in front of the entrance to a building
TWITCH
(to cause) to make a sudden small movement with a part of the body, usually without intending to.

He tried to suppress a smile but felt the corner of his mouth twitch.
She twitched her nose like a rabbit.
RESENTFUL
feeling angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that you do not like
a resentful look

She was resentful of anybody's attempts to interfere in her work
SMEARED
to spread a liquid or a thick substance over a surface.

The children had smeared peanut butter all over the sofa.
Can you explain why the front of your car is smeared with blood?
DEPRIVED
not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such as enough money, food or good living conditions.

She had a deprived childhood/comes from a deprived background.
a deprived area
TRUDGED
to walk slowly with a lot of effort, especially over a difficult surface or while carrying something heavy.

We trudged back up the hill.
I'd had to trudge through the snow.
SCANDAL
(an action or event that causes) a public feeling of shock and strong moral disapproval
a financial/political/sex scandal.

a situation that is extremely bad
It's a scandal (that) children could be treated in this way.
HALT
to (cause to) stop moving or doing something or happening.

"Halt!" called the guard. "You can't go any further without a permit."
Production has halted at all of the company's factories because of the pay dispute.
HARROWED
looking as if you have suffered.

His face was harrowed.
HYPOCRITICAL
Saying that you have particular moral beliefs but Behaving in a sincere way.

Their accusations of corruption are hypocritical - they have been just as corrupt themselves

.
APPRAISED
to examine someone or something in order to judge their qualities, success or needs.

At the end of each teaching practice, trainee teachers are asked to appraise their own performance.
VEHEMENT
expressing strong feelings, or shown by strong feelings or great energy or force.

Despite vehement opposition from his family, he quit school and became an actor.
SOBERLY
seriously and reasonably.

She was dressed very soberly in a plain grey suit.
SPLENDOR
great beauty which attracts admiration and attention.

They bought a decaying 16th-century manor house and restored it to its original splendour.
SERVITUDE
the state of being under the control of someone else and of having no freedom.

In the past, the majority of women were consigned to a lifetime of servitude and poverty.
MURKY
dark and dirty or difficult to see through

The river was brown and murky after the storm.
STUBBORN
describes someone who is determined to do what they want and refuses to do anything else

They have massive rows because they're both so stubborn.
MOOT
to suggest something for discussion.

The idea was first mooted as long ago as the 1840s.
His name was mooted as a possible successor.
ANIMOSITY
strong dislike, opposition, or anger.

Of course we're competitive but there's no personal animosity between us.
SQUIRM
to move from side to side in an awkward way because of nervousness, embarrassment or pain.

Nobody spoke for at least five minutes and Rachel squirmed in her chair with embarrassment.
WEDGE
a piece of metal, wood, rubber, etc. with a pointed edge at one end and a wide edge at the other, which is either pushed between two objects to keep them still or forced into something to break pieces off it.

Push a wedge under the door to keep it open while we're carrying the boxes in.
BLEAK
If weather or a place is bleak, it is cold, empty and not welcoming or attractive
The house stands on a bleak, windswept moor.

If a situation is bleak, there is little or no hope for the future
The economic outlook is bleak.
LURCHING
to move in a way that is not regular or normal, especially making sudden movements backwards or forwards or from side to side
The train lurched forward and some of the people standing fell over.

To act or continue in a way that is uncontrolled and not regular, often with sudden changes
We seem to lurch from crisis to crisis.
She just lurches from one bad relationship to another.
IMPRACTICAL
-Impractical people are not naturally good at doing useful jobs such as making or repairing things.
-Impractical arrangements, ideas or methods cannot be done or used easily or effectively.

It's impractical to have so many people all trying to use this equipment at the same time.
GROGGY
weak and unable to think clearly or walk correctly, usually because of tiredness or illness

I felt a bit groggy for a couple of days after the operation.
INFURIATE
to make someone extremely angry

His sexist attitude infuriates me.
HITCH
a temporary difficulty which causes a short delay.

Due to a slight technical hitch the concert will be starting half an hour late.
IRE
Anger.

Petty restrictions easily raised/aroused the ire of such a creative artist.
PREMATURELY
happening or done too soon, especially before the natural or suitable time
premature birth/death
a premature baby
SPONTANEOUSLY
happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced
PETULANT
easily annoyed and complaining in a rude way like a child
SUCCUMB
to lose the determination to oppose something; to accept defeat.

The town finally succumbed last week after being pounded with heavy artillery for more than two months.
HALF-HEARTED
showing no enthusiasm and interest

He made a rather half-hearted attempt to clear up the rubbish.
CROONING
to sing or talk in a sweet low voice full of emotion
COURTEOUS
polite and respectful; well-mannered

Although she often disagreed with me, she was always courteous.
CHARADE
An act or event which is clearly false.

Everyone knew who was going to get the job from the start - the interviews were just a charade.
CONSPICUOUS
very noticeable or attracting attention, often in a way that is not wanted.

In China, her blonde hair was conspicuous.
He tried not to look conspicuous and moved slowly along the back of the room.
EDITORIALIZE
to express a personal opinion, especially when you should be giving a report of the facts only
HAMPER
to prevent someone doing something easily
Fierce storms have been hampering rescue efforts and there is now little chance of finding more survivors.

-The sack where the entire dirty close goes in, and then put in the washing machine.
SLOVENLY
untidy and dirty.

a slovenly appearance
I'll have to improve my slovenly habits - my mother's coming to stay.
STRAIN
a force or influence that stretches, pulls or puts pressure on something, sometimes causing damage
The hurricane put such a strain on the bridge that it collapsed.

when you feel nervous and worried about something
She's a lot better than she was but she's still not ready to face the stresses and strains of a job.
REPROOF
when you tell someone that you disapprove of their bad or silly behaviour.

She got a sharp reproof for being late.
He picked up the broken vase without a word of reproof to his son.
EXASPERATION
a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance:

There is growing exasperation within the government at the failure of these policies to reduce unemployment.
OBLIVIOUS
not conscious of something, especially what is happening around you.

Absorbed in her work, she was totally oblivious of her surroundings.
The government seems oblivious to the likely effects of the new legislation.
SHROUD
to hide something by covering or surrounding it.

Visitors have complained about the scaffolding that shrouds half the castle.
STUDIOUSLY
describes someone who enjoys studying or spends a lot of time studying.

She was a studious child, happiest when reading.
SURVEILLANCE
the careful watching of a person or place, especially by the police or army, because of a crime that has happened or is expected.

The police have kept the nightclub under surveillance because of suspected illegal drug activity.
PETTY
not important and not worth giving attention to.

Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions.
complaining too much about things which are not important

Don't be so petty!
EXUBERANT
(especially of people and their behaviour) very energetic
Young and exuberant, he symbolises Italy's new vitality.
AMENABLE
willing to accept or be influenced by a suggestion.

She might be more amenable to the idea if you explained how much money it would save.
OBJECTIVELY
based on real facts and not influenced by personal beliefs or feelings

an objective and impartial report

I can't really be objective when I'm judging my daughter's work.
ANTAGONISM
hate, extreme unfriendliness or actively opposing someone.

There's a history of antagonism between the two teams.
the antagonism towards neighbouring states
the historic antagonisms between the countries of western Europe
LOPED
(of a person or animal) to run taking long relaxed steps.

The lion loped across the grass.
SLOPPED
to cause a liquid to flow over the edge of a container through not taking care or making a rough movement

Careful, you've just slopped coffee all over the carpet!
AMENDED
to change the words of a text, especially a law or a legal document.

MPs were urged to amend the law to prevent another oil tanker disaster.
In line 20, 'men' should be amended (= changed) to 'people'.
CERAMIC
the objects produced by shaping and heating clay, especially when considered as art
INCOHERENT
expressing yourself in a way that is not clear
He was confused and incoherent and I didn't get much sense out of him.

expressed in a way that is not clear, especially with words or ideas that are joined together badly
The talk she gave was incoherent and badly prepared.
SLEEK
(especially of hair, clothes or shapes) smooth, shiny and lying close to the body, and therefore looking well cared for; not untidy and with no parts sticking out

The cat had sleek fur.
Who owns that sleek black car parked outside your house?
LAMENT
to express sadness and feeling sorry about something.

The poem opens by lamenting (over) the death of a young man.
My grandmother, as usual, lamented the decline in moral standards in today's society.
YARN
thread used for making cloth or for knitting
GASH
a long deep cut, especially in the skin
IRK
to annoy someone

The negative reply to my complaint really irked me.
RIGID
stiff or fixed; not able to be bent, moved, changed or persuaded

a rigid steel and concrete structure

I was rigid with (= stiff and unable to move because of) fear.
TAUNT
To intentionally annoy and upset someone by making unkind remarks to them, laughing at them, etc.

The other children used to taunt him in the playground because he was fat and wore glasses.
WRINKLED
with a lot of wrinkles

a wrinkled face
EXULT/EXULTATION
to express great pleasure or happiness, especially at someone else's defeat or failure

They exulted at/over their victory.
She seems to exult in her power.
PROCRASINATE
to keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.

I know I've got to deal with the problem at some point - I'm just procrastinating.
CONSTERNATION
a feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected:

The prospect of so much work filled him with consternation.
To his consternation, when he got to the airport he found he'd forgotten his passport.
DISMAY
concern and distress caused by something unexpected:
to his dismay, she left him
ANALOGY
a comparison between things which have similar features, often used to help explain a principle or idea.

He drew an analogy between the brain and a vast computer.
UNPRECEDENTED
never having happened or existed in the past.

This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an unprecedented scale.
INDECIPHERABLE
unable to be read or understood

Her handwriting is virtually indecipherable.
DEXTEROUS
the ability to perform a difficult action quickly and skilfully with the hands, or the ability to think quickly and effectively.

He caught the ball with great dexterity.
He answered the journalists' questions with all the dexterity of a politician.
SECRECY
the state of being secret or of keeping something secret.

The content of her report is shrouded in secrecy (= being kept secret).
VIGILANT
always being careful to notice things, especially possible danger.

Following the bomb scare at the airport, the staffs have been warned to be extra vigilant.
EXHILARATING
making you feel very excited and happy

an exhilarating walk in the mountains
prostrate
lying stretched out on the ground with one’s face downwards:
there was a man praying before an idol, lying prostrate
SOLITARY
A solitary person or thing is the only person or thing in a place.

On the hill, a solitary figure was busy chopping down trees.
In the distance was a solitary building.
REJOICED
to feel or show great happiness about something.

Everyone rejoiced at the news of his safe return.
She rejoiced in her good fortune.
DWELT
to live in a place or in a particular way.
She dwelt in remote parts of Asia for many years.
JIBES
an insulting remark that is intended to make someone look stupid.

Unlike many other politicians, he refuses to indulge in cheap jibes at other people's expense.
QUAVER
(of a person's voice) to sound shaky, especially because of emotion

Her voice began to quaver and I thought she was going to cry.
INCOMPREHENSIBLE
impossible or extremely difficult to understand.

These accounts are utterly incomprehensible. Can you explain them to me?
It's incomprehensible to me why he would want to kill himself.
DEFIANCE
when you refuse to obey someone or something.

The demonstration is a pointless act/gesture of defiance against the government.
DECIMATE
to kill a large number of something, or to reduce something severely.

Populations of endangered animals have been decimated.
COVEN
a group or meeting of witches
ADULATION
very great admiration or praise for someone, especially when it is more than is deserved.

Minnelli is a born performer - she loves the excitement and she loves the adulation.
EMBERS
a piece of wood or coal, etc. which continues to burn after a fire has no more flames

We sat by the glowing/dying embers of the fire.
DISORIENTED
confused and not knowing where to go or what to do.

Whales become disoriented in shallow water.
STAGGERED
very shocked or surprised

I was staggered at the prices.
SPRUCE
an evergreen (= never losing its leaves) tree with leaves like needles, or the wood from this tree which is a pale colour
SILHOUETTE
a dark shape seen against a light surface.

The silhouette of the bare tree on the hill was clear against the winter sky.
CONTENTMENT
pleased with your situation and not hoping for change or improvement

He seems fairly content with (his) life.
ENDEAVOR
to try to do something:

I endeavoured to explain the legal consequences of his action.
BOUQUET
a group of flowers that have been fastened together and attractively arranged so that they can be given as a present or carried on formal occasions.

a bouquet of flowers
MUTUALLY
felt or done by two or more people or groups in the same way.

It will be a mutually beneficial project.
EXCLUSIVE
limited to only one person or group of people
This room is for the exclusive use of guests.

expensive and only for people who are rich or of a high social class
an exclusive private club
an exclusive part of town
INCLUSIVE
An inclusive price or amount includes everything
My rent is $700 a month inclusive (of bills).

including the first and last date or number stated
I'll be away from the 20th to the 31st of May inclusive.

describes a group or organization which tries to include many different types of people and treat them all fairly and equally
Our aim is to create a fairer, more inclusive society.
VENDETTA
a long and violent argument between people or families in which one group tries to harm the other in order to punish them for things that have happened in the past.

He saw himself as the victim of a personal vendetta being waged by his political enemies.
BELEAGUERED
troubled by someone or a situation
The arrival of the fresh medical supplies was a welcome sight for the beleaguered doctors working in the refugee camps..

surrounded by an army
The occupants of the beleaguered city had no means of escape.
RELUCTANT
not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it.

I was having such a good time I was reluctant to leave.
Many parents feel reluctant to talk openly with their children.
GAPED
to look in great surprise at someone or something, especially with an open mouth.

They stood gaping at the pig in the kitchen.
PERCHED
to sit on or near the edge of something
We perched on bar stools and had a beer.
A blackbird was perching on the gate.

to be in a high position or in a position near the edge of something, or to put something in this position
The village is perched on top of a high hill.
PESSMISM/ PESSIMIST
emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling that bad things are more likely to happen than good things

There is now a mood of deepening pessimism about/over the economy.
An underlying pessimism infuses all her novels.
PERPETUALLY
continuing forever, or happening all the time:

They lived in perpetual fear of being discovered.
She resented his perpetual complaining about her cooking.
ALABASTER
an almost transparent white stone, often used for making decorative objects
ADORATION
very strong love or worship for someone.

her complete adoration of her brother
VENERATE/VENERATION
to honour or very much respect a person or thing
Robert Burns is Scotland's most venerated poet.
REVERENCE
a feeling of respect or admiration for someone or something
She has/shows/feels great reverence for her professors.
RAVAGE
to cause great damage to something
The area has been ravaged by drought/floods/war.
ILL-CONCEIVED
badly planned and unwise
The whole project was ill-conceived.
RAMBLING
too long and confused.

a long rambling speech