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25 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Avid
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1 [usually before noun]
very enthusiastic about something (often a hobby) SYNONYM keen an avid reader/collector She has taken an avid interest in the project (= she is extremely interested in it). 2 avid for something wanting to get something very much He was avid for more information. |
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Cajole
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to make somebody do something by talking to them and being very nice to them
SYNONYM coax cajole somebody (into something/into doing something) He cajoled me into agreeing to do the work. cajole something out of somebody I managed to cajole his address out of them. (+ speech) ‘Please say yes,’ she cajoled. Her voice was soft and cajoling. |
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Rudimentary
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1 (formal)
dealing with only the most basic matters or ideas SYNONYM basic They were given only rudimentary training in the job. His understanding of the language is very rudimentary. 2 (formal or technical) not highly or fully developed SYNONYM basic Some dinosaurs had only rudimentary teeth. the most rudimentary forms of life |
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Enhance
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enhance something
to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of somebody/something This is an opportunity to enhance the reputation of the company. the skilled use of make-up to enhance your best features |
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Nuance
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a very slight difference in meaning, sound, colour or somebody's feelings that is not usually very obvious
He watched her face intently to catch every nuance of expression. Her singing has both warmth of sound and delicacy of nuance. You need to be able to convey the subtle nuances of meaning of each word. |
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Infamous
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well known for being bad or evil
SYNONYM notorious a general who was infamous for his brutality the most infamous concentration camp (humorous) the infamous British sandwich compare famous |
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Jostle
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to push roughly against somebody in a crowd
The visiting president was jostled by angry demonstrators. People were jostling, arguing and complaining. |
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Incipient
Adj |
just beginning
signs of incipient unrest |
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Inadvertent
Adverb |
by accident; without intending to
SYNONYM unintentionally We had inadvertently left without paying the bill. |
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Dupe
Verb |
to trick or cheat somebody
dupe somebody They soon realized they had been duped. dupe somebody into doing something He was duped into giving them his credit card. |
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Pretext
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pretext (for something/for doing something)| pretext (to do something)
a false reason that you give for doing something, usually something bad, in order to hide the real reason; an excuse The incident was used as a pretext for intervention in the area. He left the party early on the pretext of having work to do. Be careful not to give him a pretext to report you. People were being arrested on the flimsiest of pretexts. |
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Fabricate
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1 fabricate something
to invent false information in order to trick people SYNONYM make up The evidence was totally fabricated. The prisoner claimed the police had fabricated his confession. 2 fabricate something (technical) to make or produce goods, equipment, etc. from various different materials SYNONYM manufacture fabrication ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃn ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃn NOUN [countable, uncountable] (formal) Her story was a complete fabrication from start to finish. |
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Adroit
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skilful and clever, especially in dealing with people
ADVERB He adroitly avoided answering my questions. |
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Gesticulate
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to move your hands and arms about in order to attract attention or make somebody understand what you are saying
He gesticulated wildly at the clock. She was shouting and gesticulating from the other side of the road. |
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Vigilant
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very careful to notice any signs of danger or trouble
SYNONYM alert, watchful A pilot must remain vigilant at all times. The thief was spotted by vigilant neighbours. |
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Laconic
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using only a few words to say something
a laconic comment |
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Throng
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We pushed our way through the throng.
He was met by a throng of journalists and photographers. |
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Intrepid
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very brave; not afraid of danger or difficulties
SYNONYM fearless an intrepid explorer |
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Accost
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accost somebody (formal)
to go up to somebody and speak to them, especially in a way that is rude or threatening She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger. |
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Reticent
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unwilling to tell people about things
SYNONYM reserved, uncommunicative She was shy and reticent. reticent about something He was extremely reticent about his personal life. |
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Furtive
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behaving in a way that shows that you want to keep something secret and do not want to be noticed
SYNONYM stealthy She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder. He looked sly and furtive. |
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Felon
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a person who has committed a felony
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Plethora
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a person who has committed a felony
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Hapless
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not lucky; unfortunate
the hapless victims of exploitation |
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Irate
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very angry,mad, indignant
irate customers an irate phone call |
