Vocab #1 Flashcards

Question

astounding | uh-STOWN-ding

Answer 1

Adj. – Extremely surprising or impressive; shocking. ## Footnote The magician’s final trick was so astounding that the audience sat in stunned silence.

Answer 2

Adj. – Very confident, lively, and noticeable in style, behavior, or appearance; showy or extravagant. ## Footnote His flamboyant outfit turned heads at the gala

Answer 3

N. – A bold manner or show of confidence intended to impress or intimidate, often masking fear or insecurity. ## Footnote His speech was full of bravado, but his hands were trembling with nerves.

Answer 4

Adj. – Related to or characteristic of autumn; often used to describe the colors, mood, or atmosphere of the season. ## Footnote The park had an autumnal beauty, with leaves in shades of red, orange, and gold.

Answer 5

Adv. – Occurring, awarded, or appearing after the death of the person in question. ## Footnote The author’s final novel was published posthumously, two years after her death.

Answer 6

Adj. – Lacking in quantity, quality, or richness; insufficient or inadequate. ## Footnote They survived on a meager income, barely covering their basic needs.

Answer 7

N. – Objects (such as bullets, shells, or bombs) fired from weapons; can also refer metaphorically to facts or arguments used to support a position or attack an opponent. ## Footnote The soldiers ran low on ammunition during the final hours of battle.

Answer 8

V. – To set up or assemble something, often in a makeshift or dishonest way (e.g., to rig a game or election). N. – A piece of equipment or machinery, often large (e.g., an oil rig or a truck). ## Footnote They tried to rig the contest by bribing one of the judges.

Answer 9

N. – The edge, border, or brink of something. V. – To be close or on the edge of something (often used with "on" or "upon"). ## Footnote She was on the verge of tears after hearing the news.

Answer 10

V. – Decreased gradually in size, amount, or strength. ## Footnote As the night wore on, the crowd dwindled to just a few people.

Answer 11

Adj. – Extremely thin and bony, often from hunger, illness, or suffering; can also describe something bleak or desolate. ## Footnote The prisoner looked gaunt after weeks without proper food.

Answer 12

Adj. – Causing great physical or emotional pain; extremely distressing. ## Footnote Waiting for the test results was an agonizing experience.

Answer 13

V. – To give in or yield to pressure, temptation, or a negative force; to die from the effect of an illness or injury. ## Footnote After days of fighting the virus, he finally succumbed to the illness.

Answer 14

V. – To lean or lie back in a relaxed position; to tilt backward. ## Footnote She pressed the button to recline her seat and get comfortable.

Answer 15

Adj. – Not having the necessary skills, ability, or qualifications to do something successfully. N. – A person who lacks the ability or skills to perform a task properly. ## Footnote The repairs were delayed due to an incompetent technician.

Answer 16

Adj. – Unusual or striking in appearance or character, often because it comes from a foreign or distant place. ## Footnote The garden was filled with exotic plants from around the world.

Answer 17

N. – A person without a settled home or regular work, who wanders from place to place, often living in poverty. Adj. – Wandering or unpredictable in behavior or occurrence. ## Footnote The city built shelters to help the vagrants living on the streets.

Answer 18

N. – A seat fastened on the back of a horse or other animal for riding. V. – To put a saddle on an animal; also, to burden someone with a responsibility or problem (e.g., saddled with debt). ## Footnote He tightened the saddle before riding the horse through the field.

Answer 19

Adj. – Barely sufficient; limited in quantity or size. ## Footnote They survived on a scant amount of food during the journey.

Answer 20

N. – Excessive or unnecessary spending; a lack of restraint in using money or resources. ## Footnote Buying a gold-plated phone felt like pure extravagance.

Answer 21

N. – A sitting room in a house for receiving guests; also used for specific business places like a tattoo parlor or ice cream parlor. ## Footnote They gathered in the front parlor to chat over tea.

Answer 22

V. – To flow slowly in a thin stream or drop by drop. N. – A small, slow flow of liquid or a small number of things coming or going. ## Footnote Water began to trickle from the cracked pipe under the sink.

Answer 23

N. – A natural or artificial lake used for storing water; also refers to a supply or source of something. ## Footnote The town relies on a nearby reservoir for its drinking water.

Answer 24

N. – A ridge or area of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers or basins; also used figuratively to describe a critical turning point or moment of change. ## Footnote The court ruling marked a watershed moment in civil rights history.

Answer 25

N. – A fertile spot in a desert where water is found; also used metaphorically to describe a peaceful or pleasant place in the midst of difficulty or chaos. ## Footnote After hours of hiking through the desert, they stumbled upon a small oasis with palm trees and clear water.

Answer 26

V. – To make dirty, impure, or dishonor something, especially something sacred or respected. ## Footnote Vandals tried to defile the historic monument with graffiti.

Answer 27

N. – A rock carving, especially one made by prehistoric people as a form of art or communication. ## Footnote The cave walls were covered in ancient petroglyphs depicting animals and hunting scenes.

Answer 28

V. – To live or stay in a place; also, to focus attention or linger mentally on something (often negative). ## Footnote Try not to dwell on past mistakes—focus on what you can do now.

Answer 29

N. – A deep, long cut or wound. V. – To make a deep cut or wound in something. ## Footnote He had a nasty gash on his arm from the broken glass.

Answer 30

N. – A sloped surface connecting two different levels, often used for walking, driving, or wheelchair access. V. – To increase or rise sharply (often used with up, e.g., ramp up production). ## Footnote The workers used a ramp to load heavy boxes into the truck.

Answer 31

N. – A deep valley with steep sides, often carved by a river over time. ## Footnote They hiked for hours to reach the edge of the canyon and take in the breathtaking view.

Answer 32

Adj. – In a natural or raw state; not yet processed or refined; also, lacking tact or polish. N. – Unrefined petroleum (often called crude oil). ## Footnote His crude joke made everyone uncomfortable. The country exports large amounts of crude to be refined abroad.

Answer 33

Adj. – Sharply and clearly shaped or defined, often used to describe well-defined facial features or sculpted objects. V. – (Past tense) Cut or shape something using a chisel. ## Footnote The statue had a chiseled jawline that looked almost lifelike.

Answer 34

Adj. – Dried out, especially to preserve; lacking moisture. V. – (Past tense) Removed the moisture from something, typically for preservation. ## Footnote The hikers packed desiccated fruit for their long journey.

Answer 35

V. – To keep someone or something within limits or boundaries; to restrict or imprison. N. – (Usually plural: confines) The limits or boundaries of a place or area. ## Footnote They had to confine the dog to the backyard after it ran into the street.

Answer 36

Adj. – Sounding sad, mournful, or expressing sorrow. ## Footnote The plaintive cry of the owl echoed through the quiet forest.

Answer 37

N. – A roof covering made of straw, reeds, or similar materials; also, a thick growth of hair or vegetation. V. – To cover a roof with thatch material. ## Footnote The cottage had a charming thatch roof made of dried straw.

Answer 38

V. – Expressed great surprise, admiration, or wonder. ## Footnote The children marveled at the magician's incredible tricks.

Answer 39

N. – A narrow and steep-sided ravine or valley, typically formed by water erosion. ## Footnote They camped near a gulch where a small stream trickled between the rocky cliffs.

Answer 40

N. – The craft or work of building with stone, brick, or concrete; also refers to structures built using these materials. ## Footnote The old cathedral's masonry showed signs of expert craftsmanship and centuries of weathering.

Answer 41

N. – A strip of turf or sod (grass), often used in traditional building or farming (mostly in Irish or Scottish English); can also refer to rough or hasty writing in some dialects. ## Footnote The cottage roof was once covered with scraw as a natural layer of insulation.

Answer 42

V. – To force or strongly persuade someone to do something; to make something happen by necessity or pressure. ## Footnote The urgent situation compelled her to speak out, despite her fear.

Answer 43

V. – To decorate or add details to make something more attractive or interesting, often by adding extra (sometimes exaggerated) elements. ## Footnote He embellished his story with dramatic details to make it more entertaining.

Answer 44

Adj. – Impossible to read, understand, or interpret. ## Footnote The old manuscript was so faded and smudged, it was indecipherable to the researchers.

Answer 45

N. – An official who works in a government or large organization, typically concerned more with rules and procedures than with efficiency or people. ## Footnote The bureaucrat insisted the form be filled out exactly, even though it delayed the process.

Answer 46

Adj. – Living an unconventional lifestyle, often artistic or free-spirited. N. – A person who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices, often an artist or writer. ## Footnote She adopted a bohemian lifestyle, embracing creativity and rejecting materialism.

Answer 47

Adv. – In a bold, shameless, or disrespectful manner. ## Footnote He brazenly ignored the rules and walked into the restricted area.

Answer 48

Adj. – Famous, respected, and important within a particular profession or field. ## Footnote She is an eminent scientist known for her groundbreaking research.

Answer 49

N. – A person who walks from place to place without a home or job; a vagrant. V. – To walk heavily or noisily. ## Footnote They saw a tramp wandering the streets looking for shelter. The hikers tramped through the muddy forest trail all day.

Answer 50

Adv. – In a way that is thinly scattered or distributed; not densely populated or covered. ## Footnote The village was sparsely populated, with houses far apart from each other.

Answer 51

Adj. – Relating to meteors; also used to describe something that happens very quickly and brilliantly, like a rapid rise or success. ## Footnote The singer’s meteoric rise to fame surprised everyone in the industry.

Answer 52

Adj. – Relating to the period of development between childhood and adulthood (teenage years). N. – A young person in the stage of adolescence, typically a teenager. ## Footnote The adolescent years can be challenging as individuals develop their identity.

Answer 53

Adj. – Relating to or characterized by a return to something ancient, ancestral, or primitive; showing traits of a distant ancestor. ## Footnote His aggressive behavior was seen as an atavistic throwback to earlier times.

Answer 54

Adj. – Characterized by friendliness and goodwill; peaceful and without conflict. ## Footnote They reached an amicable agreement after the negotiation.

Answer 55

N. – Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. ## Footnote The student’s apathy towards homework affected their grades.

Answer 56

V. – To take someone away illegally by force or deception; kidnap. ## Footnote The criminal tried to abduct the child but was caught by the police.

Answer 57

Adj. – Full of energy, lively, and spirited, especially describing a person. ## Footnote Her vivacious personality made her the life of every party.

Answer 58

N. – A traditional therapy technique where pressure is applied to specific points on the body to relieve pain or promote healing. ## Footnote She used acupressure to reduce the tension in her shoulders.

Answer 59

Adj. – Having mixed or conflicting feelings about someone or something; uncertain. ## Footnote She felt ambivalent about moving to a new city — excited but also nervous.

Answer 60

N. – Something or someone that is out of its proper time period; something outdated or chronologically misplaced. ## Footnote The movie’s use of a modern smartphone in a medieval setting was a clear anachronism.

Answer 61

N. – A person who opposes or competes with the main character; an adversary or opponent. ## Footnote The villain in the story acted as the antagonist to the hero.

Answer 62

Adj. – Very old or old-fashioned; no longer in everyday use. ## Footnote The manuscript was written in archaic language that was hard to understand.

Answer 63

Adj. – Occurring or existing before a war, especially the American Civil War. ## Footnote The mansion was built in the antebellum period, reflecting the architecture of the South before the Civil War.

Answer 64

Adj. – Well-meaning and kindly; showing goodwill and generosity. ## Footnote The benevolent donor gave generously to the charity.

Answer 65

N. – A sudden, violent, and large-scale event, often causing great destruction or change. ## Footnote The earthquake was a devastating cataclysm that reshaped the entire region.

Answer 66

V. – To move back or away; to become more distant, less intense, or less visible. ## Footnote As the floodwaters began to recede, residents returned to assess the damage.

Answer 67

V. – To become aware of, recognize, or understand something through the senses or the mind. ## Footnote She could perceive the tension in the room even before anyone spoke.

Answer 68

Adj. – Related to the brain or intellect; often used to describe something intellectual or thoughtful rather than emotional. ## Footnote The novel is a cerebral work that challenges readers with complex ideas.

Answer 69

N. – A factual written account of important or historical events in the order they happened. V. – To record or describe events in the order they occurred. ## Footnote The journalist chronicled the events of the war in her latest book.

Answer 70

N. – A natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a certain way; a preference or leaning toward something. ## Footnote He had an inclination to help others, even when it was inconvenient.

Answer 71

Adj. – Related to mental processes such as thinking, learning, memory, and understanding. ## Footnote Aging can affect cognitive abilities like memory and concentration.

Answer 72

N. – Goods that are imported or exported illegally. Adj. – Relating to or describing illegal trade or smuggled goods. ## Footnote The police seized a shipment of contraband weapons at the border.

Answer 73

Adj. – Having a meaning that is mysterious or hard to understand; deliberately obscure or puzzling. ## Footnote His message was so cryptic that no one knew what he really meant.

Answer 74

Adj. – Deserving blame or responsibility for a wrongdoing or failure. ## Footnote The manager was found culpable for the safety violations in the factory.

Answer 75

N. – A professional trained in skin care, especially treatments like facials, hair removal, and makeup application. ## Footnote The esthetician recommended a moisturizing treatment for my dry skin.

Answer 76

N. – A mild or indirect word or phrase used in place of one that might be considered harsh, blunt, or offensive. ## Footnote Saying someone “passed away” is a euphemism for “died.”

Vocab #1 Flashcards

(100 cards)