Words from Julie King

Question 1

Unctuous

unc·tu·ous
ˈəNG(k)(t)SH(o͞o)əs/
adjective

May 1, 2017

Answer 1

1. (of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily.
   “he seemed anxious to please but not in an unctuous way”

synonyms: sycophantic, ingratiating, obsequious, fawning, servile, groveling, subservient, cringing, humble, hypocritical, insincere, gushing, effusive; More
2. (chiefly of minerals) having a greasy or soapy feel.

Question 2

Penchant

pen·chant
ˈpen(t)SH(ə)nt/
noun

Answer 2

noun: penchant; plural noun: penchants
a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
“he has a penchant for adopting stray dogs”

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, taste, relish, appetite, partiality, soft spot, love, passion, desire, fancy, whim, weakness, inclination, bent, bias, proclivity, predilection, predisposition

Question 3

Umbrage

um·brage
ˈəmbrij/
noun

Answer 3

1. offense or annoyance.
   “she took umbrage at his remarks”

synonyms: take offense, take exception, be aggrieved, be affronted, be annoyed, be angry, be indignant, be put out, be insulted, be hurt, be piqued, be resentful, be disgruntled, go into a huff, be miffed, have one’s nose put out of joint, chafe

2. archaic
   shade or shadow, especially as cast by trees.

Question 4

Apropos

ap·ro·pos
ˌaprəˈpō/
preposition

Answer 4

preposition: apropos
1. with reference to; concerning.
“she remarked apropos of the initiative, “It’s not going to stop the abuse.””

synonyms: with reference to, with regard to, with respect to, regarding, concerning, on the subject of, connected with, about, re
“he was asked a question apropos his resignation”

adverb: apropos
1. used to state a speaker’s belief that someone’s comments or acts are unrelated to any previous discussion or situation.
“Isabel kept smiling apropos of nothing”

synonyms: irrelevantly, arbitrarily, at random, for no reason, illogically
“apropos of nothing, she started speaking only in rhyme”

adjective: apropos
1. very appropriate to a particular situation.
“the composer’s reference to child’s play is apropos”

synonyms: appropriate, pertinent, relevant, apposite, apt, applicable, suitable, germane, fitting, befitting, material; right on
“the word “conglomerate” was decidedly apropos”
antonyms: inappropriate