English vocabulary

Question 1

Enticement

Answer 1

The act of persuading someone to do something by offering them something pleasant.

One of the enticements of the job is the company car.
Foreign investors were offered every imaginable free-market enticement.

Question 2

Lingering

Answer 2

Lasting a long time

She gave him a long, lingering kiss.
She says she stopped seeing him, but I still have lingering doubts.
The defeat ends any lingering hopes she might have had of winning the championship.

Question 3

By all means

Answer 3

Used to give permission - Yes, certainly

May I borrow this book?, By all means
Could I have a glass of water, please?. By all means, I’ll get it for you.

Question 4

Honourable

Answer 4

honest and fair, or deserving praise and respect:

an honourable person

Question 5

Comprise

Answer 5

To have things or people as parts or members. To consist of.

The course comprises a class book, a practice book, and a CD.
To be the parts or members of something.
Italian students comprise 60 percent of the class.
The class is comprised mainly of Italian and French students.
Visible light comprises only a minute fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Question 6

Symtom

Answer 6

Any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease
or
Any single problem that is caused by and shows a more serious and general problem.

He’s complaining of all the usual flu symptons, a high temperature, headache, and so on.
It’s her feeling that the recent outbreaks of violence are a sympton of the dissatisfaction that is currently affecting our society.

Question 7

The never never - informal

Answer 7

On the never-never using a system of payment in which part of the cost of something is paid immediately and then small regular payments are made until the debt is reduced to nothing.

I do not like buying things on the never-never because they charge you such a lot in interest.
They dont like to pay in the never-never

Question 8

Surge

Answer 8

A sudden and great increase
An unexpected surge in electrical power caused the computer to crash.
There has been a surge in house prices recently.

Question 9

Copious

Answer 9

in large amounts, or more than enough:

They drank copious amounts of wine.
He took copious notes during the lecture.

Question 10

Mislay

Answer 10

To lose something temporarily by forgetting where you have put it

Could I borrow a pen? I seem to have mislaid mine.
I was sure He had mislaid the check.

Question 11

Resumption

Answer 11

The start of something again after it has stopped.

The president called for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations between two sides.

Question 12

shore something up

Answer 12

to stop a wall or a building from falling down by supporting it with building materials such as wood or metal:

Boundary walls have had to be shored up.
to support or improve an organization, agreement, or system that is not working effectively or that is likely to fail:
The new public relations manager has the difficult task of shoring up the company’s troubled image.

Question 13

stump up - informal

Answer 13

to pay an amount or type of money for something, especially unwillingly:

It can be cheaper to stump up for a new washing machine than to get your old one repaired.
Chissano said Western governments should stump up the cash to fund land redistribution.

Question 14

overhaul

Answer 14

to repair an engine, machine, etc. so that every part of it works as it should:

I got the engine overhauled. to completely change a system so that it works more effectively:
The government has recently overhauled the healthcare system.
The school chose to overhaul its curriculum by equipping classrooms with new technology.

Question 15

draw the line

Answer 15

idiom to put a limit on what you will do or allow to happen, esp. because you feel something is wrong:

I’ll do whatever my company asks me to, but I draw the line when someone asks me to lie for them.

Question 16

hike

Answer 16

a long walk, especially in the countryside.
an increase in the cost of something, especially a large or unwanted increase:

The recent hike in train fares came as a shock to commuters.
a long walk, especially in the countryside

Question 17

on track

Answer 17

making progress and likely to succeed in doing something or in achieving a particular result:

I’m on track.
They’re on track to make record profits.
The theme park is on track for a record yeard with more thatn 4 million visitors.
With the help of ther parents, she’s finally back on track.

Question 18

Signpost

Answer 18

A pole at the side of a road, especially at a point where two or more roads meet, that gives information about routes and distances.
Something that shows what is going to happen, or what should happen, in the future.
To show clearly how something is going to develop.

This upturn in the country’s economy is a spendid signpost to the future.
The signpost said “London 18 miles”
The road wasn’t very well signposted.
The early chapters of the book signpost what is goingt to happen further on.

Question 19

Rampant

Answer 19

adjective (INCREASING) (of something bad) getting worse quickly and in an uncontrolled way.

rampant corruption.
Rampant inflation means that our wage increases soon become worth nothing.
He said that he had encountered rampant prejudice in his attempts to get a job.

Question 20

Roll smt out

Answer 20

to make a new product, service, or system available for the first time. (implies that is gradual)

The government plans to roll out a series of tax cuts over the next few years.

Question 21

Universally

Answer 21

in a way that exists everywhere, or involves everyone.

It is universally acknowledged as one of the best new cars to be produced in recent years.
He is universally recognised as the world’s greatest living guitarist.

Question 22

Tinker

Answer 22

To make small changes to something, especially in an attempt to repair or improve it.

He spends every weekend tinkering with his car.
I wish the government would stop tinkering with healthcare.

Question 23

Weed sth/smone out

Answer 23

To get rid of unwanted things or people from a group.
The first round of interviews only really serves to weed out the very weakest of applicants.

Question 24

Ditch

Answer 24

To get rid of something or someone that is no longer wanted.
The gateway car had been ditched a couple of miles away from the scene of the robbery.
It’s time to ditch this old, torn sweater.

Question 25

Chatter

Answer 25

To talk for a long time about things that are not important. She spent the morning chattering away to her friends. He chattered happily about nothing in particular.

Question 26

Resume

Answer 26

If an activity resumes, or if you resume it, it starts again after a pause. Normal services will be resumed in the sprint. The talks are due to resume today. The director hopes to resume filming next week.

Question 27

Seesaw.

Answer 27

A long board that children play on. The board is balanced on a central place point. Changing repeatedly from one emotion, situation, etc. to another and then back again. The stock market's recent seesaw movements have made many investors nervous.

Question 28

Maxim.

Answer 28

A brief statement of a general truth, principle, or rule for behaviour. Se lived by the maxim, "Do right, risk consequences." This maxim als holds true at microscopic scales.

Question 29

Pat

Answer 29

To touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat. He patted my head. I bent down to pat the little puppy. She patted him lightly on the bottom.

Question 30

Dubious

Answer 30

Thoght not to be completely true or not able to be trusted. Feeling doubt or not feeling certain. These claims are dubious and not scientifically proven. He has been associated with some dubious characters. I'am dubious about his promises to change his ways.

Question 31

Cue

Answer 31

To give someone a signal to do something. Wit a nod of his head, the drummer cued the lead singer in.

Question 32

Binge.

Answer 32

An occasion when an activity is done in an extreme way, especially eating, drinking, or spending money. To eat too much of something. A drinking/eating/spending binge. He went on a five day drinking binge. I tend to binge on chocolate when I'm watching TV.

Question 33

Foster

Answer 33

To encourage the development or growth of ideas or feelings. They were discussing the best way to foster democracy and prosperity in the former communist countries.

Question 34

Clog

Answer 34

To become blocked or filled so that movement or activity is difficult. The roads ar clogged with holiday traffic. Eating too much fat causes your arteries to clog up. Toilet paper had clogged the toilet.

Question 35

Crate

Answer 35

An large box made of wood, plastic, or metal, used for storing or transporting things: To put a dog in a crate. Do you crate her at night? A crate of empty bottles The wooden shipping crates were unloaded at the dock.

Question 36

Dock

Answer 36

A long structure built over water where passengers can get on or off a boat or where goods can be put on and taken off. The ship sailed into the dock to be refitted. We are currently in dock waiting to disembark.

Question 37

Goose bumps

Answer 37

A temporary condition in which small raised swelling appear on the skin because of cold, fear, or excitement. Let's move out into the sun, I'm getting goose bumps

Question 38

Short-tempered

Answer 38

If someone is short-tempered, they get angry easily, often for no good reason. He admits to being short-tempered and not treating her well.

Question 39

Sprout

Answer 39

To produce leaves, hair, or other new developing parts or to begin to grow. It takes about three days for the seeds to sprout. New factories have sprouted up everywhere. A bean sprout.

Question 40

Habitual

Answer 40

Usual or repeated. A habitual thief. Habitual drug use.

Question 41

Soar

Answer 41

To rise very quickly to high level. All nigh long fireworks soared into the sky. House prices soared a further 20%. Temperatures/prices soared.

Question 42

Foreboding

Answer 42

A feeling that something very bad is going to happen soon. There is a sense of foreboding in the capital, as if fighting might at any minute break out. Her foreboding about the future were to prove justified. The gloomy weather gave a sense of foreboding.

Question 43

Bode/augur

Answer 43

The company augur well for the rest of the year.

Question 44

Escalate

Answer 44

To become or make something become greater or more serious. His financial problems escalated after her became unemployed. The row could escalate into full-blown conflict. The customer is threatening to escalate his complaint. Sending more troops will escalate the war.

Question 45

Worrisome

Answer 45

Alcohol and tobacco consumption by young people is especially worrisome because habits formed early and likely to persist.

Question 46

Snowball

Answer 46

If a plan, problem, idea, etc. snowballs, it quickly grows bigger and more important I suggested a few drinks after work, and the whole thing snowballed into a company party. Public support for military action has snowballed.

Question 47

Rumination

Answer 47

The act of thinking carefully and for a long peior about something.

Question 48

Lopsided

Answer 48

With one side bigger, higher, etc. Than the other. Not equally balanced in amount, importance... The comparison is not as lopsided as it seems at first.

Question 49

Boastful

Answer 49

Prasing yourself and what you have done. It's easy to see why he's so boastful.

Question 50

Knit

Answer 50

To make clothes, etc. by using two long needles to connect yarn or another type of thread into joined rows. To join together. She's busy knitting baby clothes. The broken bone should begin to knit in a few days.

Question 51

Grooming

Answer 51

The things that you do to make your appearance clean and neat, for example brushing your hair, or the things that you do to keep an animal's hair or fur clean and neat. She pays great attention to make-up, grooming and clothes. The constant grooming cats do is likely to make them swallow a lot of hair. One of the things that binds groups of monkeys together is grooming.

Question 52

Overhaul

Answer 52

To repair an engine, machine, etc. So that every part of it works as it should The governement has recently overhauled the healthcare system. The restaurant has overhauled its menu, cutting portions and eliminating items with lots of calories.

Question 53

Foraging

Answer 53

To go from place to place searching for things that you can eat or use. The pigs foraged in the woods for acorns. Wild dogs roam the streets, foraging for food.

Question 54

Ruse

Answer 54

A trick intended to deceive someone. It was just a ruse to distract her while his partner took the money. You didn't fall for my ruse.

Question 55

Lather

Answer 55

A pale, usually white, mass of bubbles produced especially when soap is mixed with water. Wet the hair, apply shampoo, and massage into a rich lather. I lathered and shaved quickly

Question 56

Escalate

Answer 56

To become or make something become greater or serious. His financial problems escalated after he became unemployed. The customer is threatening to escalate his complaint.

Question 57

Inversion

Answer 57

A situation in which something is changed so that it is the opposite of what it was before, or in which something is turned upside down. Her account of the case was an inversion of the facts. The inversion of the 4th law is make it unsatisfying

Question 58

Hindrance

Answer 58

Something that makes if more difficult for you to do something or for something to develop. I've never considered my disability a hindrance, but other people have.

Question 59

Progress (verb)

Answer 59

To improve or develop in skills, knowledge, etc. To continue gradually. (C2) My spanish never really progressed beyond the stage of being able to order drinks at the bar. As the war pregressed, more and more countries became involved. We started of talking about the weather, and gradually the conversation progressed to politics. I decided to do a master's degree because it's a good way to progress your career. As you progress up the valley, views open up.

Question 60

Fair-weather

Answer 60

Someone who is there in a good situation, when it is easy to be and who stops being one when you are having problems.

Question 61

Tally

Answer 61

To match or agree with something else. (Verb) A record or count of a number of things (Noun) The numbers on you spreadsheet don't tally with ours. Make sure to keep a tally of the number of customers going in and out.

Question 62

Poised

Answer 62

If an object or part of your body is poised, it is completely still but ready to move at any moment. Me pencil was poised over the page, ready to take down her words. The military forces are poised for attack.

Question 63

Grit

Answer 63

Courage and determination despite difficulty. Very small pieces of stone or sand. It takes true grit to stand up to a bully. I cleaned the grit off my bike. She teaches us about honor, integrity, and grit.

Question 64

Be taken aback

Answer 64

To be very shocked or surprised. I was somewhat take aback by her honesty. She's also a little taken aback by her global frame

Question 65

Apron

Answer 65

A piece of clothing worn over the from of other clothes to keep them clean when doing a dirty or messy job, espcially cooking.

Question 66

Afloat

Answer 66

Floating on water. Having enough money to pay what you owe. The business had to sell off some of its assets to keep afloat.

Question 67

Wane

Answer 67

To become weaker in strength or influence. By the late 70s the band's popularity was beginning to wane.

Question 68

Swell

Answer 68

To become larger and rounder than usual; to increase in size or amount. It was obvious she had broken her toe, because it immediately started to swell.

Question 69

Intervening

Answer 69

Happening between two times aor between other events or activities. It was a long time since my last visit to Berlin, and it had changed dramatically in the intervining period/years.

Question 70

Poke

Answer 70

To push a finger or other pointed object quickly into someone or something. Two kids were poking a stick into the gopher hole. Poke someone in the eye.

Question 71

Groove

Answer 71

A long, narrow, hollow space cut into a surface. The window slides along a deep metal groove to open and close.

Question 72

Watershed

Answer 72

An event or period that is important because it represents a big change in how people do or think about something. The year 1969 was a watershed in her life, she changed her career ena remarried.

Question 73

Advent

Answer 73

The fact of an event happening, an invention being made, or a person arriving. Life was transformed by the advent of the steam engine.

Question 74

Prevalence

Answer 74

The fact that something is very common ro happens often. The prevalence of smoking among teenegers. The prevalence of the desease is higher in some families.

Question 75

Blunder

Answer 75

A serious mistake, usually caused by not taking care or thinking. He said that the tax was a major political blunder. I made a blunder by getting his name wrong.

Question 76

Heuristics

Answer 76

A way of solving problems by discovering things yourself and learning from your own experiences.

Question 77

Recede

Answer 77

To move further away into the distance, or to become less clear or less bright. To get lower in value, amount, or number. The painful memories graudally receded in her mind. Although oil prices receded somewhat in June, they rose again this week.

Question 78

Meanwhile

Answer 78

Until something expected happens, or while something else is happening. Carl's starting college in September. Meanwhile, he's travaling around Europe.

Question 79

Whim

Answer 79

Capricho

Question 80

Substantive

Answer 80

Important, serious, or related to real facts: Substantive research on the subject needs to be carried out.

Question 81

Mainstream

Answer 81

Considered normal, and having or usign ideas, beliefs, etc. That are accepted by most people: This is the director's first mainstream Hollywood film. The new law should allow more disabled people to enter the mainstream of American life.

Question 82

Blue-chip

Answer 82

A blue-chip company or investment is one that can be trusted and is not likely to fail. After years of restructuring, Japanese blue chips were posting record profits.

Question 83

Sitting on a perch

Question 84

Hop/Walk

Question 85

Their enclosure

Question 86

Turtle's shell

Question 87

They withdraw the head under the shell

Question 88

Enliven

Answer 88

To make something more interesting. The game was much enlivened when both teams scored withing five minutes of each other.

Question 89

Equanimity

Answer 89

A calm mental state, especially after a shock or disappointment or in difficul situation. He received the news of his mother's death with remarkable equanimity. Three years after the tragedy she has only just begun to regain her equanimity.

Question 90

Evict

Answer 90

To force someone to leave somewhere. Tenants who fall behind in their rent risk being evicted. He was evicted from the bar for drunken and disorderly behaviour.

Question 91

Discharche

Answer 91

To allow someone officially to leave somewhere, especially a hospital or a law court. Patients were discharged from the hospital because the beds were needed by other people. More than half of all prisioners discharged are reconvicted within two years.

Question 92

Startle

Answer 92

To do something unexpected that surprises and sometimes worries a person or animal. She was concentrating on her book and his voice startled her. The noise of the car startled the birds and the whole flock flew up into the air.

Question 93

Further (verb)

Answer 93

To develop or make progress in something. He has probably done more to further the cause of interracial harmony than any other person. Additional traning is probably the best way to further your career these days.

Question 94

Buoy (verb and noun)

Answer 94

A floating object on the top of the ocean, used for directing ships and warning them of possible danger. To prevent someone or something from sinking. To make someone feel happier or more confident about a situation. She was buoyed by the warm reception her audience gave her.

Question 95

Oblivious

Answer 95

Not conscious of something, especially what is happening around you. Absorbed in her work, she was totally oblivious of her surroundings. The mayor seems oblivious to the likely effects of the new legislation.

Question 96

Restrospect

Answer 96

Thinking now about something in the past: In restrospect, I think my marriage was doomed from the beginning. I'm sure my university days seem happier in retrospect that they really were.

Question 97

Elation

Answer 97

A state of extreme happiness or excitement - Synonym of hight spirits There's a sense of elation at having completed a race of such length.

Question 98

Snub

Answer 98

To insult someone by not giving them any attention or treating them as if they are not important. I think she felt snubbed because Anthony hadn't bothered to introduce himself.

Question 99

Bleak

Answer 99

If a place is bleak, it is empty, and not welcoming or attractive. The house stands on a bleak, windswept hilltop.

Question 100

Longing

Answer 100

A feeling of wanting something or someone very much. He gazed at her, his eyes full of longing. A longing look. A longing for his homeland. A longing for peace and quiet.

Question 101

Fraught

Answer 101

Full of unpleasant things such as problems or dangers: Fraught with. Fraught with difficulties.

Question 102

Revulsion

Answer 102

A strong, often sudden, feeling that something is extremely unpleasant. She looke at him with revulsion. HE expressed his revulsion at/against/toward the whale hunting.

Question 103

Omen

Answer 103

Something that is considered to be a sign of how a future event will take place. A bad omen. Many people believe that a broken mirror is an omen of bad luck.

Question 104

Indulgence

Answer 104

An ocassion when you allow yourself to have something enjoyabvle, especially something that is not good for you, or something enjoyable. Chocolate is my only indulgence. He was well-known for his indulgence in dring and gambling.

Question 105

Longing

Answer 105

A feeling of wanting something or someone very much. He gazed at her, his eyes full of longing. A longing look.

Question 106

Suffuse

Answer 106

To spread through or over something completely. His voice was low and suffused with passion.

Question 107

Haven

Answer 107

A safe or peaceful place. The garden was a haven from the noise and bustle of the city. They wanted to provide safe havens for the refugees.

Question 108

Butt

Answer 108

The part of a finished cigarette that has not been smoked. Slang for bottom - get off his but and do something useful.

Question 109

Stranded

Answer 109

Unable to leave somewhere because of a problem such as not having any transportation or money. Lacking what is necessary to leave a place or to get out of a situation. He left me stranded downtown with no car and no money for a bus. If the tide comes in, we'll be stranded on these rocks. During the storm, stranded passenger slept at the airport.

Question 110

Scoured

Answer 110

To remove dirt from something by rubbing it hard with something rough. A search. You'll have to scour out those old cooking pots before you use them. The police are scouring the area for the missing child.

Question 111

Escorting

Answer 111

To go with a person or vehicle, especially to make certain that he, she, or it leaves or arrives safely. Security guards escorted the intruders from the building.

Question 112

Guzzler

Answer 112

A car, truck, etc. that uses large amounts of gasoline very quickly. This car's a real gas guzzler.

Question 113

Latch

Answer 113

A device for keeping a door or gate closed, consisting of a metal bar that fits into a hole and is lifted by pushing down on another bar. To close, or close something with a latch. Make sure the cabinet door is latched so the cat can't get in.

Question 114

Bestow

Answer 114

To give something as an honor or present The country's highest medal was bestowed upon him for heroism.

Question 115

Felony

Answer 115

Seriour crime that can be punished by one or more years in prison.

Question 116

Unsung

Answer 116

Not noticed or praised for hard work, courage, or great achievements. An unsung hero/heroine

Question 117

Lenient

Answer 117

Not as severe or strong in punishment or judgment as would be expected. They believe that judges are too lenient with terrorist suspects.

Question 118

Substantiate

Answer 118

To show something to be true, or to support a claim with facts. Reports that children had been hurt have not been substantiated.

Question 119

Outage

Answer 119

A period when a service, such as electricity, is not available. The radio news reported power outages affecting 50 homes. A power outage was reported after the explosion, which affected some cell towers. Phone outage.

Question 120

Blackout

Answer 120

A time when all lights must be hidden by law, or when there is no light or power because of an electricity failure. Wartime blackouts. Power lines were blown down and we had a blackout of serveral hours.

Question 121

Flagship

Answer 121

The best or most important product, idea, building, etc. that an organization owns or produces. This machine is the flagship in our new range of computers.

Question 122

Forethought

Answer 122

The good judgement to consider the near future in your present actions.

Question 123

Hitch

Answer 123

A temporary difficulty that causes a short delay: Due to a slight technical hitch the concert will be starting half an hour late. The ceremony went off without a hitch.

Question 124

Bedrock

Answer 124

The main principles on which something is based. Some people believe that the family is the bedrock of society.

Question 125

Charitably

Answer 125

In a kind way, not judging other people in sever way. She described him, rather charitably, as quiet whereas I would said he was boring.

Question 126

Aversive

Answer 126

Making someone feel a strong dislike for something, or making them not want to do it. Emotionally aversive images.

Question 127

Siege

Answer 127

The surrounding of a place by an armed force in order to defeat those definding it. The castle was under siege for months.

Question 128

Hobble

Answer 128

To walk in an awkward way, usually because the feet or legs are injured. Some of the runners could only manage to hobble over the finish line.

Question 129

Maven

Answer 129

A person with good knowledge or understanding of a subject. The money maven takes her own advice. A fashion/media/design maven.

Question 130

Nimble

Answer 130

Quick and exact either in movement or thoughts. His nimble mind calculated the answer before I could key the numbers into my computer.

Question 131

Shrug

Answer 131

To raise your shoulders and the lower then lower them in order to say you do not know or are not interested. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say that there was nothing he could do about it.

Question 132

Forgo

Answer 132

To not have or do something enjoyable / To give up or do without. She decided to forgo flowers at the funeral and asked people to send money to a charity instead.

Question 133

Credence

Answer 133

The belief that something is true. Give credences to / Lend credence to / Add credence to. I'm not ready to give credence to anonymous complaints.

Question 134

Whet someone's appetite

Answer 134

To increase someone's interest in and wish for something, usually by giving them a small experience of it. I've read an excerpt of the book on the web and it's whetted my appetite.

Question 135

Knock something over

Answer 135

To hit something, especially forcefully, and make it fall. Who knocked over that mug coffee? Cyclists in the race have to worry about fans knocking them over.

Question 136

Hedge

Answer 136

A line of bushes or small trees planted very close together, especially along the edge of a garden, field, or road.

Question 137

Mowing the lawn

Answer 137

Lawn: An area of grass, especially near to a house or in a park, that is cut regularly to keep it short. Mow: To cut plants, such as grass or wheat, that have long, thin stems and grow close together. Will you mow the lawn this weekend? I love the smell of new-mown hay(paja).

Question 138

Shovel

Answer 138

(Pala). A tool consisting of a wide, square metal or plastic blase, usually with slightly raised sides, attach to a handle, for moving loose material such as sand, coal, or snow. Shoveled snow off people's driveway.

Question 139

Wind up

Answer 139

To find yourself in an unexpected and usually unpleasant situation, especially as a result of what you do. If he keeps doing stuff like that he's going to wind up in prison. You don't want to wind up homeless, do you?

Question 140

Feat

Answer 140

Something difficult needing a lot of skill, strength, courage, etc. to achieve it. She performed remarkable feats of organization for the company. A feat of unusual strength. Getting the house painted was quite a feat.

Question 141

Shun

Answer 141

To avoid something. She has shunned publicly since she retired from acting. After the trial he was shunned by friends and family alike.

Question 142

Putter

Answer 142

To do something in a relaxed way, without rushing or trying very hard. He really enjoys puttering around in the garden.

Question 143

Snuggle

Answer 143

To move close to someone for affection, warmth, or comfort, or to arrange something around yourself. They snuggled together on the couch. The children snuggled up to their mother to get warm.

Question 144

Stew

Answer 144

To cook meat, fish, vegetables, or fruits slowly and gently in a little liquid (verb). It tastes good if you boil it, fry it in oil, and the stew it with chilies. To be anxious or upset about something (noun). She has been in a stew over plans for her wedding.

Question 145

Amok

Answer 145

To be out of control and act in a wild or dangerous manner. The two dogs ran amok in a school playground.