Term
adversity /ədˈvɜː.sə.ti/ /-ˈvɝː.sə.t ̬i/ noun [ C or U ]
|
|
Definition
a difficult or unlucky situation or event
She was always cheerful in adversity.
The road to happiness is paved with adversities.
|
|
|
Term
conflagration /ˌkɒn.fləˈgreɪ.ʃ ə n/ /ˌkɑːn-/ noun [ C ] formal
|
|
Definition
1. a large destructive fire
2. a large and violent event, such as a war, involving a lot of people
They may succeed in turning a little local difficulty into a full-blown regional conflagration.
|
|
|
Term
confound /kənˈfaʊnd/ verb [ T ]
|
|
Definition
to confuse and very much surprise someone, so that they are unable to explain or deal with a situation
An elderly man from Hull has confounded doctors by recovering after he was officially declared dead.
The singer confounded her critics with a remarkable follow-up album.
|
|
|
Term
cryptic /ˈkrɪp.tɪk/ adjective
|
|
Definition
mysterious and difficult to understand
I received a cryptic message through the post.
cryptically /ˈkrɪp.tɪ.kli/ adverb |
|
|
Term
debacle /deɪˈbɑː.kl ̩/ noun [ C ]
|
|
Definition
a complete failure, especially because of bad planning and organization
The collapse of the company was described as the greatest financial debacle in US history.
|
|
|
Term
enigma /ɪˈnɪg.mə/ noun [ C ]
|
|
Definition
something that is mysterious and seems impossible to understand completely
She is a bit of an enigma.
The newspapers were full of stories about the enigma of Lord Lucan's disappearance.
|
|
|
Term
labyrinth /ˈlæb.ə.rɪnθ/ noun [ C ] literary
|
|
Definition
1. a confusing set of connecting passages or paths in which it is easy to get lost
Finally, through a labyrinth of corridors she found his office.
2. something which is very confusing
He was no stranger to the labyrinth of love.
|
|
|
Term
precarious /prɪˈkeə.ri.əs/ /-ˈker.i-/ adjective
|
|
Definition
1. in a dangerous state because not safe or firmly fixed
The lorry was lodged in a very precarious way, with its front wheels hanging over the cliff.
2. A precarious situation is likely to get worse
Many borrowers now find themselves caught in a precarious financial position.
precariousness /prɪˈkeə.ri.ə.snəs/ /-ˈker.i-/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
quagmire /ˈkwɒg.maɪə r / /ˈkwæg.maɪr/ noun [ C ]
|
|
Definition
1. an area of soft wet ground which you sink into if you try and walk on it
At the end of the match, the pitch was a real quagmire.
2. a difficult and dangerous situation
Since the coup, the country has sunk deeper into a quagmire of violence and lawlessness.
|
|
|
Term
quandary /ˈkwɒn.dri/ /ˈkwɑːn-/ noun [ C usually singular ]
|
|
Definition
a state of not being able to decide what to do about a situation in which you are involved
I've had two job offers, and I'm in a real quandary about/over which one to accept.
|
|
|
Term
turbulence /ˈtɜː.bjʊ.lən t s/ /ˈtɝː.bjə-/ noun [ U ]
|
|
Definition
CONFUSION
1. a state of confusion without any order
The era was characterized by political and cultural turbulence.
There are signs of turbulence ahead for the economy.
|
|
|
Term
turmoil /ˈtɜː.mɔɪl/ /ˈtɝː-/ noun [ S or U ]
|
|
Definition
a state of confusion, uncertainty or disorder
The whole region is in turmoil.
The country is in a state of political turmoil.
The Stock Exchange is in turmoil following a huge wave of selling.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the bane of sth
a cause of continuous trouble or unhappiness
Keeping noise levels low is the bane of airport administration.
That cat is the bane of my life !
|
|
|
Term
deleterious /ˌdel.ɪˈtɪə.ri.əs/ /-ˈtɪr.i-/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
harmful
These drugs have a proven deleterious effect on the nervous system.
deleteriously /ˌdel.ɪˈtɪə.ri.ə.sli/ /-ˈtɪr.i-/ adverb |
|
|
Term
detrimental /ˌdet.rɪˈmen.t ə l/ /-t ̬ ə l/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
causing harm or damage
These chemicals have a detrimental effect/impact on the environment.
Their decision could be detrimental to the future of the company.
|
|
|
Term
devious /ˈdiː.vi.əs/ adjective
|
|
Definition
DISHONEST
1. describes people or plans and methods that are dishonest, often in a complicated way, but often also clever and successful
You have to be a bit devious if you're going to succeed in business. / a devious scheme
NOT DIRECT 2. not direct
He took a rather devious route which avoids the city centre.
deviously /ˈdiː.vi.ə.sli/ adverb
deviousness /ˈdiː.vi.ə.snəs/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
iniquitous /ɪˈnɪk.wɪ.təs/ /-t ̬əs/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
very wrong and unfair
It is an iniquitous system that allows a person to die because they have no money to pay for medicine.
|
|
|
Term
malicious /məˈlɪʃ.əs/ adjective
|
|
Definition
intended to harm or upset other people
malicious gossip
a malicious look in his eyes
He complained that he'd been receiving malicious telephone calls.
legal He was charged with malicious wounding .
maliciously /məˈlɪʃ.ə.sli/ adverb |
|
|
Term
nefarious /nəˈfeə.ri.əs/ /-ˈfer.i-/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
(especially of activities) evil or immoral
The director of the company seems to have been involved in some nefarious practices/ activities .
nefariously /nəˈfeə.ri.ə.sli/ /-ˈfer.i-/ adverb
nefariousness /nəˈfeə.ri.ə.snəs/ /-ˈfer.i-/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
odious /ˈəʊ.di.əs/ /ˈoʊ-/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
extremely unpleasant; causing and deserving hate
an odious crime
an odious little man
|
|
|
Term
ominous /ˈɒm.ɪ.nəs/ /ˈɑː.mə-/ adjective
|
|
Definition
suggesting that something unpleasant is likely to happen
There was an ominous silence when I asked whether my contract was going to be renewed.
The engine had been making an ominous sound all the way from London.
ominous dark clouds
ominously /ˈɒm.ɪ.nə.sli/ /ˈɑː.mə-/ adverb
I went into the kitchen and found him lying ominously still on the floor.
|
|
|
Term
pernicious /pəˈnɪʃ.əs/ /pɚ-/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
having a very harmful effect or influence
The cuts in government funding have had a pernicious effect on local health services.
|
|
|
Term
rancour , US rancor /ˈræŋ.kə r / /-kɚ/ noun [ U ] formal
|
|
Definition
a feeling of hate and continuing anger about something in the past
They cheated me, but I feel no rancour towards/against them.
rancorous /ˈræŋ.k ə r.əs/ /-kɚ.əs/ adjective formal
|
|
|
Term
virulent /ˈvɪr. j ʊ.l ə nt/ adjective
|
|
Definition
1. describes a dangerous disease or poison which very quickly spreads or has an effect
A particularly virulent strain of flu has recently claimed a number of lives in the US.
2. formal full of hate and violent opposition
She is a virulent critic of US foreign policy.
|
|
|
Term
berate /bɪˈreɪt/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to criticize or speak in an angry manner to someone
As he left the meeting, he was berated by angry demonstrators.
Doctors are often berated for being poor communicators, particularly when they have to give patients bad news.
|
|
|
Term
carp /kɑːp/ /kɑːrp/ verb [ I ]
|
|
Definition
to complain all the time about matters which are not important
I can't stand the way he's always carping.
|
|
|
Term
castigate /ˈkæs.tɪ.geɪt/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to criticize someone or something severely
Health inspectors castigated the kitchen staff for poor standards of cleanliness.
|
|
|
Term
censure /ˈsen.ʃə r / /-ʃɚ/ noun [ U ] formal
|
|
Definition
strong criticism or disapproval
His dishonest behaviour came under severe censure.
censure verb [ T ]
Ministers were censured for their lack of decisiveness during the crisis.
|
|
|
Term
chastise /tʃæsˈtaɪz/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to criticize someone severely
Charity organizations have chastised the Government for not do ing enough to prevent the latest famine in Africa.
chastisement /tʃæsˈtaɪz.mənt/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
deprecate /ˈdep.rɪ.keɪt/ verb formal
|
|
Definition
NOT APPROVE
1. [ T not continuous ] to not approve of something or say that you do not approve of something
We deprecate this use of company funds for political purposes.
deprecate /ˈdep.rɪ.keɪt/ verb formal NOT VALUE
2. [ T ] to say that you think something is of little value or importance
He always deprecates my achievements.
deprecation /ˌdep.rɪˈkeɪ.ʃ ə n/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
deride /dɪˈraɪd/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to laugh at someone or something in a way which shows you think they are stupid or of no value
He derided my singing as pathetic.
This building, once derided by critics, is now a major tourist attraction.
|
|
|
Term
impugn /ɪmˈpjuːn/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to cause people to doubt someone's character, qualities or reputation by criticizing them
Are you impugning my competence as a professional designer?
|
|
|
Term
rebuff /rɪˈbʌf/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to refuse to accept a helpful suggestion or offer from someone, often by answering in an unfriendly way
She rebuffed all suggestions that she should resign.
rebuff noun [ C ]
Her desperate request for help was met with a rebuff.
|
|
|
Term
rebuke /rɪˈbjuːk/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to speak angrily to someone because you disapprove of what they have said or done
I was rebuked by my manager for be ing late.
rebuke noun [ C or U ]
He received a stern rebuke from the manager.
|
|
|
Term
reprove /rɪˈpruːv/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to tell someone that you disapprove of their bad or silly behaviour
The teacher gently reproved the boys for not paying attention.
reproving /rɪˈpruː.vɪŋ/ adjective
She threw him an angry and reproving look/glance.
|
|
|
Term
upbraid /ʌpˈbreɪd/ verb [ T ] formal
|
|
Definition
to forcefully or angrily tell someone they should not have done a particular thing and criticize them for having done it
In newspaper articles she consistently upbraided those in authority who overstepped their limits.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. describes an unfriendly person who refuses to take part in things
She seemed rather aloof when in fact she was just shy.
2. not interested or involved, usually because you do not approve of what is happening
Whatever is happening in the office, she always remains aloof.
She kept herself aloof from her husband's business.
aloofness /əˈluːf.nəs/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
apathetic /ˌæp.əˈθet.ɪk/ /-ˈθet ̬-/ adjective
|
|
Definition
showing no interest or energy; unwilling to take action, especially over something important
Young people today are so apathetic about politics.
Don't be so apathetic - how are you going to get a job if you don't even write a letter?
|
|
|
Term
detached /dɪˈtætʃt/ adjective |
|
Definition
NO EMOTION
3. describes someone who does not show any emotional involvement or interest in a situation
She seemed a bit detached, as if her mind were on other things.
Throughout the novel, the story is seen through the eyes of a detached observer.
|
|
|
Term
impassive /ɪmˈpæs.ɪv/ adjective
|
|
Definition
describes a person's face when it expresses no emotion, because they seem not to be affected by the situation they are experiencing
impassively /ɪmˈpæs.ɪv.li/ adverb
The defendant sat impassively in the dock while evidence was given against him.
impassivity /ˌɪm.pæsˈɪv.ɪ.ti/ /-ə.t ̬i/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
indifferent /ɪnˈdɪf. ə r. ə nt/ , /-rənt/ /-ɚ-/ adjective
|
|
Definition
NOT INTERESTED
1. not thinking about or interested in someone or something
Why don't you vote - how can you be so indifferent ( to what is going on)!
He found it very hard teaching a class full of indifferent teenagers.
indifferent /ɪnˈdɪf. ə r. ə nt/ , /-rənt/ /-ɚ-/ adjective NOT GOOD
2. not good, but not very bad
We didn't like the restaurant much - the food was indifferent and the service rather slow.
indifferently /ɪnˈdɪf. ə r. ə nt.li/ , /-rənt-/ /-ɚ-/ adverb
She shrugged indifferently.
|
|
|
Term
listless /ˈlɪs t .ləs/ adjective
|
|
Definition
having no energy and enthusiasm and unwilling to do anything needing effort
He's been listless and a bit depressed ever since he got his exam results.
listlessly /ˈlɪs t .lə.sli/ adverb
listlessness /ˈlɪs t .lə.snəs/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
nonchalant /ˈnɒn. t ʃ ə l. ə nt/ /ˌnɑːn.ʃəˈlɑːnt/ adjective
|
|
Definition
behaving in a calm manner, often in a way which suggests you are not interested or do not care
a nonchalant manner/shrug
nonchalance /ˈnɒn. t ʃ ə l. ə n t s/ /ˌnɑːn.ʃəˈlɑːn t s/ noun [ U ]
nonchalantly /ˈnɒn. t ʃ ə l. ə nt.li/ /ˌnɑːn.ʃəˈlɑːnt-/ adverb |
|
|
Term
phlegmatic /flegˈmæt.ɪk/ /-ˈmæt ̬-/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
describes someone who doesn't usually get emotional or excited about things
As a footballer his great asset was his calm, phlegmatic manner.
|
|
|
Term
remote /rɪˈməʊt/ /-ˈmoʊt/ adjective
|
|
Definition
emotionally distant and disinterested; aloof; uninvovlved; distant, far away.
DISTANT 1. far away in distance, time or relation
remote galaxies
It happened in the remote past , so no one worries about it any more.
They take little interest in a conflict far from their homes and remote from their everyday problems.
NOT FRIENDLY 4. not very friendly or showing little interest in other people
Her manner was remote and cool.
remoteness /rɪˈməʊt.nəs/ /-ˈmoʊt-/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
stolid /ˈstɒl.ɪd/ /ˈstɑː.lɪd/ adjective slightly disapproving
|
|
Definition
(of a person) calm and not showing emotion or excitement, or (of a thing) not interesting or attractive
He's a very stolid, serious man.
The college is a stolid-looking building with no lawn.
stolidly /ˈstɒl.ɪd.li/ /ˈstɑː.lɪd-/ adverb |
|
|
Term
enervating /ˈen.ə.veɪ.tɪŋ/ /-ɚ.veɪ.t ̬ɪŋ/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
causing you to feel weak and with no energy
I find this heat very enervating.
enervate /ˈen.ə.veɪt/ /-ɚ-/ verb [ T ] literary |
|
|
Term
indolent /ˈɪn.d ə l. ə n t / adjective literary
|
|
Definition
lazy; showing no real interest or effort
an indolent wave of the hand
an indolent reply
indolently /ˈɪn.d ə l. ə n t .li/ adverb
indolence /ˈɪn.d ə l. ə n t s/ noun [ U ]
After a sudden burst of activity, the team lapsed back into indolence.
|
|
|
Term
languor /ˈlæŋ.gə r / /-gɚ/ noun [ U ] literary
|
|
Definition
pleasant mental or physical tiredness or lack of activity
She missed Spain and the languor of a siesta on a hot summer afternoon.
languorous /ˈlæŋ.gə.rəs/ /-gɚ.əs/ adjective
languorously /ˈlæŋ.gə.rə.sli/ /-gɚ.ə.sli/ adverb |
|
|
Term
lassitude /ˈlæs.ɪ.tjuːd/ /-tuːd/ noun [ U ] formal
|
|
Definition
physical or mental tiredness
Shareholders are blaming the company's problems on the lassitude of the managing director.
|
|
|
Term
lethargic /ləˈθɑː.dʒɪk/ /-ˈθɑːr-/ adjective
|
|
Definition
having little energy; feeling unwilling and unable to do anything
I was feeling tired and lethargic.
lethargy /ˈleθ.ə.dʒi/ /-ɚ-/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
sedentary /ˈsed. ə n.tri/ /-ter.i/ adjective
|
|
Definition
involving little exercise or physical activity
a sedentary job/occupation
My doctor says I should start playing sport because my lifestyle is too sedentary.
|
|
|
Term
sluggish /ˈslʌg.ɪʃ/ adjective
|
|
Definition
moving or operating more slowly than usual and with less energy or power
A heavy lunch makes me sluggish in the afternoon.
Something is wrong with the car - the engine feels a bit sluggish.
The housing market has been very sluggish these past few years.
sluggishly /ˈslʌg.ɪʃ.li/ adverb
sluggishness /ˈslʌg.ɪʃ.nəs/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
soporific /ˌsɒp. ə rˈɪf.ɪk/ /ˌsɑː.pəˈrɪf-/ adjective
|
|
Definition
causing sleep or making a person want to sleep
the soporific effect of the heat
soporifically /ˌsɒp. ə rˈɪf.ɪ.kli/ /ˌsɑː.pəˈrɪf-/ adverb |
|
|
Term
stagnant /ˈstæg.nənt/ adjective
|
|
Definition
NOT FLOWING
1. (of water or air) not flowing or moving, and smelling unpleasant
a stagnant pond
stagnant /ˈstæg.nənt/ adjective NOT BUSY
2. not growing or developing
a stagnant economy
|
|
|
Term
torpid /ˈtɔː.pɪd/ /ˈtɔːr-/ adjective formal
|
|
Definition
not active; moving or thinking slowly, especially as a result of being lazy or feeling like you want to sleep
If you have a sudden loss of cabin pressure at 20 000 feet, passengers will become torpid and then lose consciousness.
torpidly /ˈtɔː.pɪd.li/ /ˈtɔːr-/ adverb |
|
|
Term
compliant /kəmˈplɑɪ.ənt/ adjective
|
|
Definition
formal willing to do what other people want you to do
a compliant child
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
fawn on/upon sb phrasal verb
If an animal such as a dog fawns on/upon you, it is very friendly towards you and rubs itself against you.
fawn over/on sb phrasal verb disapproving
to praise someone too much and give them a lot of attention which is not sincere in order to get a positive reaction
I hate waiters who fawn over you.
fawning /fɔː.nɪŋ/ /fɑː-/ adjective disapproving
|
|
|
Term
obsequious /əbˈsiː.kwi.əs/ adjective formal disapproving
|
|
Definition
too eager to praise or obey someone
She is almost embarrassingly obsequious to anyone in authority.
|
|
|
Term
servile /ˈsɜː.vaɪl/ /ˈsɝː.v ə l/ adjective disapproving
|
|
Definition
too eager to serve and please someone else in a way that shows you do not have much respect for yourself
As a waiter you want to be pleasant to people without appearing totally servile.
servility /sɜːˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/ /sɝːˈvɪl.ə.t ̬i/ noun [ U ] formal disapproving
She found the servility of the hotel staff embarrassing.
|
|
|
Term
slavish /ˈsleɪ.vɪʃ/ adjective disapproving
|
|
Definition
obeying completely and having no original thoughts or ideas
a slavish devotion to duty
a slavish translation
|
|
|
Term
submissive /səbˈmɪs.ɪv/ adjective
|
|
Definition
describes someone who allows themselves to be controlled by other people
He was looking for a quiet submissive wife who would obey his every word.
submissively /səbˈmɪs.ɪv.li/ adverb
submissiveness /səbˈmɪs.ɪv.nəs/ noun [ U ] |
|
|
Term
subordinate /səˈbɔː.dɪ.nət/ /-ˈbɔːr-/ adjective
|
|
Definition
having a lower or less important position
a subordinate role
subordinate status
The individual's needs are subordinate to those of the group.
subordinate /səˈbɔː.dɪ.nət/ /-ˈbɔːr-/ noun [ C ]
a person who has a less important position than you in an organization
He left the routine checks to one of his subordinates.
subordinate /səˈbɔː.dɪ.neɪt/ /-ˈbɔːr-/ verb [ T ]
to put someone or something into a less important position
Her personal life has been subordinated to her career.
|
|
|
Term
subservient /səbˈsɜː.vi.ənt/ /-ˈsɝː-/ adjective disapproving
|
|
Definition
willing to do what other people want, or considering your wishes as less important than those of other people
to adopt a subservient role/position
The government was accused of being subservient to the interests of the pro-Europe campaigners.
subservience /səbˈsɜː.vi.ən t s/ /-ˈsɝː-/ noun [ U ]
subserviently /səbˈsɜː.vi.ənt.li/ /-ˈsɝː-/ adverb |
|
|
Term
sycophantic /ˌsɪk.əˈfæn.tɪk/ adjective formal disapproving
|
|
Definition
(of a person or of behaviour) praising people in authority in a way that is not sincere, usually in order to get some advantage from them
There was sycophantic laughter from the audience at every one of his terrible jokes.
sycophancy /ˈsɪk.ə.fən t .si/ noun [ U ]
sycophant /ˈsɪk.ə.fænt/ noun [ C ]
The Prime Minister is surrounded by sycophants.
|
|
|
Term
toady /ˈtəʊ.di/ /ˈtoʊ-/ noun [ C ] disapproving
|
|
Definition
a person who praises and is artificially pleasant to people in authority, usually in order to get some advantage from them
toady verb [ I ]
She was always toadying to the boss.
|
|
|
