200 words of intermediate level

Question 1

Adorn

UK /əˈdɔːn/ US /əˈdɔːrn/

Answer 1

*verb (adorns, adorning, adorned)

embellish, garnish, ornament, trim

to add something decorative to a person or thing
to make something more attractive by putting something on it

For example, if someone adorns a place, he puts decorations on it. His watercolor designs adorn a wide range of books.

*adornment
noun [ C/U ] US /əˈdɔrn·mənt/

Her only adornment was a ruby necklace.

Question 2

Magnificent

UK /mæɡˈnɪf.ɪ.sənt/ US /mæɡˈnɪf.ə.sənt/

Answer 2

adjective (magnificently, magnificence)

extraordinary, glorious, grand, splendid, superb, wonderful

For example, if you say that something or someone is magnificent, you mean that you think it is extremely good. It is a magnificent country house in wooded grounds.

Question 3

Impressive

UK /ɪmˈpres.ɪv/ US /ɪmˈpres.ɪv/

Answer 3

adjective (impressively, impress, impression)

awe-inspiring, grand, moving, thrilling; something that is impressive impresses you.

For example, it is great in size or in degree or is done with a great deal of skill. It is an impressive achievement.

Question 4

Impress

UK /ɪmˈpres/ US /ɪmˈpres/

Answer 4

verb (impresses, impressed, impressing)

affect, influence, persuade, sway

For example, if something impresses you, you feel great admiration for it. What impressed him most was their speed.

Question 5

Deal

UK /diːl/ US /diːl/

Answer 5

noun (dealer, dealings, dealt, dealing)

agreement, arrangement, bargain, contract, understanding

For example, if you say that you need or have a great deal of or a good deal of a particular thing, you are emphasizing that you need or have a lot of it. I’m able to save you a good deal of time.

Question 6

Throughout

UK /θruːˈaʊt/ US /θruːˈaʊt/

Answer 6

preposition

in every part, or during the whole period of time

For example, if you say that something happens throughout a time, you mean
that it happens during the whole of that period. The national tragedy of rival groups killing each other continued throughout 1990.

Question 7

Tragedy

UK /ˈtrædʒ.ə.di/ US /ˈtrædʒ.ə.di/

Answer 7

noun (tragic, tragically)

calamity, catastrophe, disaster, misadventure

For example, a tragedy is an extremely sad event or situation. They have suffered an enormous personal tragedy.

Question 8

Involve

UK /ɪnˈvɒlv/ US /ɪnˈvɑːlv/

Answer 8

verb (involved, involves, involving, involvement)

comprise, consist of, contain, entail, include

For example, if a situation or activity involves something, that thing is a necessary part or consequence of it. Running a kitchen involves a great deal of discipline and speed.

Question 9

Run

UK /rʌn/ US /rʌn/

Answer 9

verb (runs, ran, running)

function, operate, administer, control, govern, and manage

For example, if you run something such as a business or an activity, you oversee it
or you organize it. His stepfather ran a prosperous paint business.

Question 10

Discipline

UK /ˈdɪs.ə.plɪn/ US /ˈdɪs.ə.plɪn/

Answer 10

noun (disciplines, disciplining, disciplined)

chastisement, correction, punishment, control, moderation, restraint

Order and discipline have been placed in the hands of headmasters and governing bodies.

Question 11

Consequence

UK /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/ US /ˈkɑːn.sə.kwəns/

Answer 11

noun (consequences, consequently)

aftermath, effect, price, repercussion, result

For example, the consequences of something are the results or effects of it. Her lawyer said she understood the consequence of her actions and was prepared to go to jail.

Question 12

Stepfather

UK /ˈstepˌfɑː.ðər/ US /ˈstepˌfɑː.ðɚ/

Answer 12

Someone’s stepfather is the man who has married a child’s mother after the death or
divorce of his father. Her stepfather has been married to her mother for five years.

Question 13

Enormous

UK /ɪˈnɔː.məs/ US /əˈnɔːr.məs/

Answer 13

adj (enormously) big, giant, huge, immense, jumbo, tremendous

For example, something that is enormous is extremely large in size or amount. The main bedroom is enormous.

Question 14

Rival

UK /ˈraɪ.vəl/ US /ˈraɪ.vəl/

Answer 14

noun, verb (rivals, rivaling, rivaled)

challenger, competitor, contender, adversary, enemy

For example, your rival is a person, business, or organization against whom you are competing or fighting in the same area or for the same things. He eliminated his rival in brutal struggle for power.

Question 15

Compete

UK /kəmˈpiːt/ US /kəmˈpiːt/

Answer 15

verb (competes, competing, competed, competition, competitive, competitively)

contend, contest, rival, vie, combat, fight, strive, oppose;

For example, when one firm or country competes with another, it tries to get people to buy its own goods in preference to those of the other firms or countries. You can also say that two firms or countries compete. The banks have long competed with American Express’s charge cards and various store cards.

For example, if you compete with someone for something, you try to get it for yourself and stop the other person from getting it. You can also say that two people compete for something. Kangaroos compete with sheep and cattle for sparse supplies of food and water.

Question 16

Preference

UK /ˈpref.ər.əns/ US /ˈpref.ər.əns/

Answer 16

noun (preferences prefer, preferred, preferably)

choice, desire, favorite, option, selection

For example, if you prefer something, you would like to have or do that thing rather than something else. Many or these products were bought because customers preferred them.

Question 17

In preference to

Answer 17

noun phrase

If you choose one thing in preference to another, you choose it instead because it is better. Many people choose the train in preference to driving.

Question 18

Engrave

UK /ɪnˈɡreɪv/ US /ɪnˈɡreɪv/

Answer 18

verb (engraves, engraving, engraved)

For example, if you engrave something with a design of words, or if you engrave a design or words on it, you cut the design or words onto its surface. Your wedding ring can be engraved with a
personal inscription at no extra cost.

Question 19

Inscription

UK /ɪnˈskraɪb/ US /ɪnˈskraɪb/

Answer 19

noun (inscriptions, inscribe)

carving, engraving, epitaph, etching

For example, an inscription is writing carved into something made of stone or metal, for example a gravestone or metal. Above its doors was a Latin inscription

Question 20

Brutal

UK /ˈbruː.təl/ US /ˈbruː.t̬əl/

Answer 20

adj (brutalize, brutality, brutally)

vicious, savage, cruel, fierce, harsh, inhuman, ruthless, unmerciful, unforgiving

For example, a brutal act or person is cruel and violent. He was the victim of a very brutal murder.

Question 21

Struggle

UK /ˈstrʌɡ.əl/ US /ˈstrʌɡ.əl/

Answer 21

verb (struggles, struggling, struggled)

attempt, endeavor, offer, seek, strive, undertake

For example, if you struggle to do something, you try hard to do it, even though other people or things may be making it difficult for you to succeed. They had to struggle against all kinds of adversity.

For example, if two people struggle with each other, they fight. She screamed at him to ‘stop it’ as they struggled on the ground. (noun) He died in a struggle with prison officers less than two months after
coming.

Question 22

Adversity

UK /ədˈvɜː.sə.ti/ US /ədˈvɝː.sə.t̬i/

Answer 22

noun (adversities, adversary, adversely)

misfortune, mischance, mishap, tragedy

For example, adversity is a very difficult or unfavorable situation. He showed courage in adversity.

Question 23

Awkward

UK /ˈɔː.kwəd/ US /ˈɑː.kwɚd/

Answer 23

adjective (awkwardness, awkwardly)

bumbling, clumsy, halting, heavy-handed, inept, lumbering, uncomfortable

For example, a situation in which you feel so embarrassed that you are not sure what to do or say. The more she tried to get out of the situation, the more awkward it became.

Question 24

Make things awkward

Answer 24

verb phrase

For example, to cause trouble and make a situation very difficult She could make things very awkward if she wanted to.

Question 25

Prison

UK /ˈprɪz.ən/ US /ˈprɪz.ən/

Answer 25

noun (prisons, imprison, imprisoned)

can, cooler, lockup, pen, penitentiary, reformatory, stockade

For example, a prison is a building where criminals are kept as punishment or where people accused of crime are kept before their trial. After being convicted of bank robbery, she was sent to prison.

Question 26

Favorable

UK /ˈfeɪ.vər.ə.bəl/ US /ˈfeɪ.vər.ə.bəl/

Answer 26

adjective (favors, favorably, favorite)

agreeable, good, grateful, gratifying, nice, pleasing, pleasurable, welcome

For example, if your opinion or your reaction is favorable to something, you agree with it and approve of it. If something makes a favorable impression on you or is a favorable to you, you like it and approve of it. His ability to talk while eating fast made a favorable impression on his dining companions

Question 27

Accuse

UK /əˈkjuːz/ US /əˈkjuːz/

Answer 27

verb (accuses, accusing, accused, accusation)

arraign, charge, criminalize, impeach, incriminate, inculpate, indict

For example, if you accuse someone of doing something wrong or dishonest, you say or tell them that you believe that they did. My mom was really upset because he was accusing her of having an affair with another man.

Question 28

Approve

UK /əˈpruːv/ US /əˈpruːv/

Answer 28

verb (approves, approving, approved, approval) accept favor, go for, accredit, certify, endorse, OK (or okay), sanction

For example, if you approve of an action, event, or suggestion, you like it or are pleased. Not everyone approved of the festival.

Question 29

Upset

UK /ʌpˈset/ US /ʌpˈset/

Answer 29

adj (upsets, upsetting, and upset)

agitate, bother, discombobulate, disquiet, disturb, flurry, fluster, perturb, unhinge

For example, if you are upset, you are unhappy or disappointed because something unpleasant has happened to you. After she died, I felt very, very upset.

For example, if something upsets you, it makes you feel worried or unhappy. The whole incident had upset me and my fiancée terribly.

Question 30

Incident

UK /ˈɪn.sɪ.dənt/ US /ˈɪn.sɪ.dənt/

Answer 30

noun (incidents, incidentally)

occurrence, circumstance, episode, event, happening, occasion, things

For example, an incident is something that happens, especially something that is unusual. These incidents were the latest in a series of disputes between two nations.

Question 31

Dispute

UK /dɪˈspjuːt/ /ˈdɪs.pjuːt/ US /dɪˈspjuːt/ /ˈdɪs.pjuːt/

Answer 31

noun (disputes, disputing, disputed)

argue, bicker, hassle, quibble, squabble, wrangle

For example, a dispute is an argument or disagreement between people or groups. They have won previous pay disputes with the government.

(verb) If you dispute a fact, statement, or theory, you say that it is incorrect or untrue. He disputed the allegations.

Question 32

Allegation

UK /ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/ US /ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

Answer 32

noun (allegations allege, alleged, allegedly)

For example, an allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong. The company denied the allegation.

Question 33

Affair

UK /əˈfeər/ US /əˈfer/

Answer 33

noun (affairs)

business, concern, matter, shooting match, thing

For example, if an event or series of events has been mentioned and you want to talk about it again, you can refer to it as the affair. The government has mishandled the whole affair.

Question 34

Mishandle

UK /ˌmɪsˈhæn.dəl/ US /ˌmɪsˈhæn.dəl/

Answer 34

verb (mishandles, mishandling, mishandled)

abuse, misapply, disapprove, misuse, pervert, prostitute

For example, if you say that someone has mishandled something, you are critical of them because you think they have dealt with it badly. She completely mishandled an important project purely through lack of attention.

Question 35

Critical

UK /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl/ US /ˈkrɪt̬.ɪ.kəl/

Answer 35

adjective (criticism, criticize, critique)

acute, climacteric, crucial, desperate, dire

For example, a critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important. The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign. For example, a critical situation is very serious and dangerous. The German authorities are considering an airlift if the situation becomes critical. He is in critical condition after the auto accident. For example, to be critical of someone or something means to criticize them. His report is highly critical of the trial judge.

Question 36

Campaign

UK /kæmˈpeɪn/ US /kæmˈpeɪn/

Answer 36

noun (campaign, campaigning, campaigned)

For example, a campaign is a planned set of activities that people carry out over a period of time in order to achieve something such as social or political change. During his election campaign he promised to put the economy back on its feet.

(verb) If someone campaigns for something, they carry out a planned set of activities over a period in order to achieve their aim. We are campaigning to improve the legal status of woman.

Question 37

Carry out

UK /ˈkær.i/ US /ˈker.i/

Answer 37

administer, administrate, execute, govern, render

For example, if you carry out a threat, task, or instruction, you do it or act according to it. Police say that they believe the attacks were carried out by nationalists. Commitments have been made with little intention of carrying them out.

Question 38

Election

UK /iˈlek.ʃən/ US /iˈlek.ʃən/

Answer 38

noun (elections, elect, electioneer, elective)

choice, alternative, option, preference, selection

For example, an election is a process in which people vote to choose a person or group of people to hold an official position. The final election results will be announced on Friday.

Question 39

Legal

UK /ˈliː.ɡəl/ US /ˈliː.ɡəl/

Answer 39

adjective (legalize, legality, legally)

lawful, innocent, legitimate, licit

For example, legal is used to describe things that relate to the law.
He vowed to take legal action. I sought legal advice on this.

Question 40

Threat

UK /θret/ US /θret/

Answer 40

noun (threaten, threatened, threatening)

danger, menace, liability

For example, a threat to a person or things is a danger that something unpleasant might happen to them. A threat is also the cause of this danger.
Some couples see single women as a threat to their relationships.

Question 41

Secure

UK /sɪˈkjʊər/ US /səˈkjʊr/

Answer 41

verb (secures, securing, secured)

cover, fend, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, shield

For example, if you secure something that you want or need, you obtain it, often after a lot of effort.
Secure is used in a formal context.
Federal leaders continued their efforts to secure a ceasefire.

Question 42

Obtain

UK /əbˈteɪn/ US /əbˈteɪn/

Answer 42

(obtains, obtaining, obtained)

acquire, annex, chalk up, gain, have, pick up, procure, secure, win

For example, to obtain something means to get it or achieve it.
The perfect body has always been difficult to obtain.

Question 43

Cease-fire

UK /ˈsiːs.faɪər/ US /ˈsiːs.faɪr/

Answer 43

noun (cease-fires) truce, armistice

For example, a cease-fire is an agreement in which countries or groups of people that are fighting each other agree to stop fighting.
They have agreed to a cease-fire after three years of conflict.

Question 44

Investigate

UK /ɪnˈves.tɪ.ɡeɪt/ US /ɪnˈves.tə.ɡeɪt/

Answer 44

noun (investigates, investigating, investigated, investigation)

explore, delve (into), dig (into), go (into), inquire (into), look (into), probe, prospect, sift
For example, if someone, especially an official, investigates an event, situation, or claim, he tries to find
out what happened or what the truth is.
Police are still investigating how the accident happened.

Question 45

Dispatch

UK /dɪˈspætʃ/ US /dɪˈspætʃ/

Answer 45

verb (dispatches, dispatching, dispatched)

address, consign, forward, remit, route, ship, transmit
For example, if you dispatch someone to a place, you send him there for a particular reason. The Italian government was preparing to dispatch 4,000 soldiers to search the island.

Question 46

Replacement

UK /rɪˈpleɪs.mənt/ US /rɪˈpleɪs.mənt/

Answer 46

noun (replace, replaced)

alternate, backup, fill-in, pinch hitter, stand-in, sub, surrogate

For example, if you refer to the replacement of one thing by another, you mean that second thing takes the place of the first.
Let’s investigate the problem before we dispatch replacements….the replacement of damaged or lost
books.

Question 47

Substitute

UK /ˈsʌb.stɪ.tʃuːt/ US /ˈsʌb.stə.tuːt/

Answer 47

verb (substitutes, substituting, substituted)

exchange, change, swap, switch, trade
For example, if you substitute one thing for another, or if one thing substitutes for another, it takes the place or performs the function of the other thing.
They were substituting violence for dialog.

Question 48

Vague

UK /veɪɡ/ US /veɪɡ/

Answer 48

adjective (vaguer, vaguest)

ambiguous, equivocal, opaque, uncertain, unclear, inexplicit, unintelligible
For example, if something written or spoken is vague, it does not explain or express things clearly.
A lot of talk was apparently vague and general.

Question 49

Apparently

UK /əˈpær.ənt.li/ US /əˈper.ənt.li/

Answer 49

adverb (apparent)

ostensibly, evidently, officially, outwardly, professedly, seemingly

For example, you use apparently to indicate that the information you are giving is something that you have heard, but you are not certain that it is true. Apparently, the girls are not amused by the whole business.

Question 50

Amuse

UK /əˈmjuːz/ US /əˈmjuːz/

Answer 50

verb (amuses, amusing, amused)

divert, entertain, recreate

For example, if something amuses you, it makes you want to laugh and smile. The thought seemed to amuse him.

Question 51

Municipal

UK /mjuːˈnɪs.ɪ.pəl/ US /mjuːˈnɪs.ə.pəl/

Answer 51

adjective (municipality) urban, city

For example, municipal means associated with or belonging to a city or town. A new mayor will be elected in the upcoming municipal election.

Question 52

Upcoming

UK /ˈʌpˌkʌm.ɪŋ/ US /ˈʌpˌkʌm.ɪŋ/
UK usually forthcoming

Answer 52

adjective

approaching, coming, nearing, oncoming, forthcoming

For example, upcoming events will happen soon. We’ll face a tough fight in the upcoming election.

Question 53

Vintage

UK /ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ/ US /ˈvɪn.t̬ɪdʒ/

Answer 53

adjective (vintages)

old fashioned, antiquated, antique, archaic, dated, old, outdated, outmoded
For example, you can use vintage to describe something which is the best and most typical of its kind. Are you interested in vintage automobiles?

Question 54

Veritable

UK /ˈver.ɪ.tə.bəl/ US /ˈver.ə.t̬ə.bəl/

Answer 54

adjective

authentic, bona fide, genuine, indubitable, real, sure-enough, true, undoubted

For example, you can use veritable to emphasize the size, amount, or nature of something. There was a
veritable army of security guards.

Question 55

Anthropology

UK /ˌæn.θrəˈpɒl.ə.dʒi/ US /ˌæn.θrəˈpɑː.lə.dʒi/

Answer 55

noun (anthropological)

For example, anthropology is the scientific study of people, society, and culture. My major is Anthropology.

Question 56

Fascinate

UK /ˈfæs.ən.eɪt/ US /ˈfæs.ən.eɪt/

Answer 56

verb (fascinates, fascinating, fascinated, fascination)

grip, hold, mesmerize, spellbind, enthrall

For example, if something fascinates you, it interests and delights you so much that your thoughts tend to concentrate on it. Politics fascinated Franklin’s father.

Question 57

Belongings

UK /bɪˈlɒŋ.ɪŋz/ US /bɪˈlɑːŋ.ɪŋz/

Answer 57

effects, goods, movables, things, possessions

For example, your belongings are the things that you own, especially things that are small enough to be carried. I collected my belongings and left.

Question 58

Lease

UK /liːs/ US /liːs/

Answer 58

noun (leases, leasing, leased)

hire, charter, let, rent

For example, a lease is a legal agreement by which the owner of a building, a piece of land, or a car allows someone else to use it for a period in return for money. We’ve taken out a lease on an office building. (take out a lease = sign a lease so that you can rent something)

Question 59

Eviction

UK /ɪˈvɪkt/ US /ɪˈvɪkt/

Answer 59

noun (evictions)

kicks out

For example, eviction is the act or process of officially forcing someone to leave a house or
piece of land. He was facing eviction, along with his wife and family.

Question 60

Along with

Answer 60

preposition

For example, you use along with to mention someone or something else that is also involved in an action or situation. He was facing eviction, along with his wife and family.