l   appropriate /əˈprəʊpriət/

Definition: suitable or right for a particular situation or purpose

Example1: This isn't the appropriate time to discuss the problem.

Example2: The manager should take appropriate action if safety standards are not being met.

Example3: We need to ensure the teaching they receive is appropriate to their needs.

Example4: It is entirely appropriate that his music should be played at this festival.

 

l   precipitate /prɪˈsɪpɪtət/

Definition1: to make something happen or begin to exist suddenly and quickly, especially something bad

Example: Such headaches can be precipitated by certain foods as well as stress.

Definition2: to fall or be thrown forward quickly in a particular direction, or to make someone do this

Example: Her remark precipitated my decision.

 

l   absurd /əbˈsɜrd/

Definition1: completely stupid, unreasonable, or impossible to believe

Example1: She makes the most absurd claims about her past achievements.

Example2: It's completely absurd to suggest that we shouldn't test students.

Definition2: talking or behaving in a silly or extreme way

Example1: Don't be absurd – you're just worrying about nothing.

Example2: Jack goes to absurd lengths to prove his point.

Definition3: deliberately emphasizing what is silly or stupid about people and society

Example: She has a wonderfully absurd sense of humor.

 

l   luxurious /lʌɡˈʒʊriəs/

Definition: very expensive and comfortable

Example: They stayed in a luxurious hotel.

 

l   fictitious /fɪkˈtɪʃəs/

Definition1: not real or true and used for tricking people

Example: He had registered at the hotel under a fictitious name.

Definition2: invented for a book, play, or movie

Example: a fictitious character

 

l   propriety /prəˈpraɪəti/

Definition: behavior that follows accepted social or moral standards

Example: She doubted the propriety of letting him buy her presents.

 

l   marginal /ˈmɑrdʒɪn(ə)l/

Definition: very small

Example: There has been a marginal improvement in the firm’s sales.

 

l   insert /ɪnˈsɜrt/

Definition1: to put something into something else, or into a hole or space

Example1: Insert the plug into the earphone socket.

Example2: A strong blade had been inserted between the door and its frame.

Definition2: to add something at a point in a document or series

Example: This command inserts the deleted text into its new place.

Definition3: to add something to a legal agreement or an official document

Example: The union has now inserted an anti-ageist clause into its code of conduct.

 

l   rivulet /ˈrɪvjʊlət/

Definition: a small stream of liquid

Example: Rivulets of sweat streamed down his cheeks.

 

l   democratic /ˌdeməˈkrætɪk/

Definition1: based on the principle that all people are equal and should be able to share in making decisions

Example: a democratic organization

Definition2: involving elections in which people vote for their political representatives

Example: a country proud of its democratic system

Definition3: Democratic: used in the names of some political parties

Example: the Democratic Unionist Party

 

l   fundamental /ˌfʌndəˈment(ə)l/

Definition1: relating to the basic nature or character of something

Example1: Some people see this as a fundamental flaw in his argument.

Example2: We shall have to make some fundamental changes in the way we do business.

Example3: There was an even more fundamental difference in attitude between us.

Example4: A fundamental principle of Anglo-American law is that crimes must be clearly defined.

Definition2: essential to the existence, development, or success of something

Example: My relationship with the actors is fundamental to my work as a director.

 

l   indicate /ˈɪndɪˌkeɪt/

Definition1: to be a sign or symbol of something

Example: Each pin on the map indicates a district office.

Definition2: to show that something will happen, is true, or exists

Example1: A survey indicated that 89 percent of people recycle paper.

Example2: Test results will indicate whether the treatment was successful.

Example3: Today's disastrous events clearly indicate the importance of planning.

Definition3: to express an intention, opinion, or wish in an indirect way

Example1: Both sides indicated a willingness to solve the problem.

Example2: Her tone indicated that she didn't believe a word of my explanation.      

Definition4: to show that a particular kind of action or treatment is necessary

Example: We'll monitor closely in case early delivery of the baby is indicated.

Definition5: to direct someone's attention toward a particular person, place, or thing, for example with your hand or head

Example1: "Here it is," she said, indicating the house.

Example2: He indicated the boss's office with a nod.

 

l   definition /ˌdefəˈnɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition1: a statement of what a word or expression means

Example1: The definition of "family" has changed over the years.

Example2: We need a clear definition of the concept of human rights.

Example3: Do you know the legal definition of "larceny?"

Example4: Environmentalists are trying to broaden the definition of recycling.

Definition2: the clear edges or shape that something has that make it easy to see

Example: Some of the photographs lack definition.

 

l   peculiar /pɪˈkjuljər/

Definition1: strange, often in an unpleasant way

Example1: He told me a most peculiar story.

Example2: I felt a little bit peculiar (=sick) and had to lie down.

Definition2: especially true or typical of a particular person, thing, or situation

Example1: Each person's handwriting has its own peculiar characteristics.

Example2: Water holds a peculiar fascination for children.

Example3: We shared an excitement peculiar to bird watchers.

 

l   spontaneous /spɑnˈteɪniəs/

Definition1: happening in a natural way without being planned or thought about

Example1: spontaneous applause/cheers

Example2: He was suddenly filled with tears of spontaneous emotion.

Definition2: used in a positive way about someone who often behaves in a natural and friendly way, without worrying about what they say or do

Example: Ellie's one of the most spontaneous, fun-loving people I know.

Definition3: used about chemical or biological changes or processes that happen suddenly in a natural way

Example1: spontaneous wildfires

Example2: spontaneous contractions of the muscles in the esophagus

 

l   legible /ˈledʒəb(ə)l/

Definition: able to be read

Example: The names and dates on the gravestones were no longer legible.

 

l   mustard /ˋmʌstɚd/

Definition: a yellow substance with a hot taste made from the seeds of a plant. Mustard is eaten, especially with meat, in small amounts

Example: She put a dash oh mustard on the hot dogs.

 

l   extinct /ɪkˋstɪŋkt/

Definition1: an extinct animal, plant, or language no longer exists

Example: The Tasmanian tiger was declared extinct in 1936.

Definition2: an extinct custom, job, type of person, etc. does not exist any longer because society has changed

Example: Many jobs have become extinct with the advent of computers.

Definition3: an extinct volcano no longer erupts

Example: The volcano is extinct.

 

l   register /ˋrɛdʒɪstɚ/

Definition1: to put your name and other information on an official list in order to be allowed to vote, study, stay in a hotel, etc.

Example1: Where do we go to register?

Example2: Have you registered for classes yet?

Example3: When you move, you need to register with the local draft board.

Definition2: to put information about someone or something on an official list

Example1: Births must be registered within 42 days.

Example2: The company was originally registered in 1856.

Definition3: to show as a particular measurement on a piece of equipment

Example: an earthquake registering 5.1 on the Richter scale

Definition4: to realize or notice something

Example1: She did tell me she'd be out, but it didn't register.

Example2: Austin stared at him, as if registering his presence for the first time.

Definition5: to show your feelings about something in your face or voice

Example: George's look registered his confusion.

 

l   priority /praɪˋɔrətɪ/

Definition1: something important that must be done first or needs more attention than anything else

Example1: We should be able to agree on priorities.

Example2: Being fashionable was low on her list of priorities.

Example3: Health insurance will be our top priority.

Example4: discussion groups that set priorities for research

Definition2: the importance that you give to something that must be done

Example1: Let's list them in order of priority.

Example2: Safety must be given the highest priority.

Example3: Priority will be given to children of families with low incomes.

Example4: Their marriage took priority over everything else.

Example5: The government is putting a high priority on raising labor standards.

 

l   obedient /əˋbidjənt/

Definition: doing what a person, law, or rule says that you must do

Example: The soldiers stood at attention disciplined, and obedient.

 

l   superiority /sə͵pɪrɪˋɔrətɪ/

Definition1: the fact that one person or thing is better, more powerful, etc. than another

Example1: Their country relies heavily on its air superiority.

Example2: They argued for the superiority of private-sector management.

Definition2: a way of behaving that shows you think you are better or more important than other people

Example: an attitude of superiority

 

l   exploit/ˋɛksplɔɪt/

Definition1: to treat someone unfairly in order to get some benefit for yourself

Example: Children are being exploited in many of these factories.

Definition2: to use a situation so that you get benefit from it, even if it is wrong or unfair to do this

Example1: We need to exploit every opportunity for media coverage.

Example2: A lot of ads just exploit our insecurities.

Example3: an investment designed to exploit a tax loophole

Definition3: to use natural resources such as trees, water, or oil so that you gain as much as possible

Example: exploiting the mineral wealth of Alaska

 

l   pioneer /͵paɪəˋnɪr/

Definition1: one of the first people to travel to a new country and start living there, especially one of the first Europeans to start living in North America

Example: They were the pioneers of the American weat.

Definition2: one of the first people to do something important that is later continued and developed by other people

Example1: the pioneers of early color photography

Example2: The firm has been a pioneer in the pharmaceutical field since 1953. 

 

l   departmental /ˌdipɑrtˈment(ə)l/

Definition: involving one department of a large organization

Example: a departmental budget/report/secretary