WORDS OF THE DAY

perforate/prfret/ something to make a hole or holes

through something
The explosion perforated his eardrum.
a perforated line (= a row of small holes in paper, made so that a
part can be torn off easily)
graduate /rduet/ verb
to get a degree, especially your first degree, from a university or
college
graduate (in something) Only three students graduated in
Czech studies last year.
graduate (from) She graduated from Harvard this year.
He graduated from York with a degree in Psychology.
graduate something
(North American English) She graduated college last year.
to give a degree, diploma, etc. to somebody
The college graduated 50 students last year.
graduate /rdut/ noun
A Yale graduate

Graduated
divided into groups or levels on a scale
graduated lessons/tests
of a container or measure) marked with lines to show
measurements
synonym calibrate
a graduated jar
excruciating /kskruiet/

extremely painful or bad

The pain in my back was excruciating.
She groaned at the memory, suffering all over again the
excruciating embarrassment of those moments.
He rolled on the floor in excruciating agony.
The process is painful, but not excruciating.
luxury/lkri/
the enjoyment of special and expensive things, particularly food
and drink, clothes and surroundings
Now we'll be able to live in luxury for the rest of our lives.
a thing that is expensive and enjoyable but not essential
synonym extravagance
small luxuries like chocolate and flowers
I love having a long, hot bathit's one of life's little luxuries.
It was a luxury if you had a washing machine in those days.
A comfortable bed to sleep in is a luxury that we take for
granted.
luxurious/lris/
very comfortable; containing expensive and enjoyable things
synonym sumptuous
a luxurious hotel
luxurious surroundings
The car felt luxurious.
/lrisli/
in a way that is very comfortable and full of expensive and
enjoyable things
synonym sumptuously
luxuriously comfortable
a luxuriously furnished apartment
in a way that shows physical comfort or pleasure
She stretched luxuriously on the bed.

Appalling /pl/ shocking; extremely bad

The prisoners were living in appalling conditions.
To be blunt, your work is appalling.
Equation /kwen/
[countable] (mathematics) a statement showing that two
amounts or values are equal, for example 2x+y = 54
[countable, usually singular] a problem or situation in which
several things must be considered and dealt with
When children enter the equation, further tensions may
arise within a marriage.
self-conscious /self kns/
(about something) nervous or embarrassed about your
appearance or what other people think of you
He's always been self-conscious about being so short.
She was a shy, self-conscious girl.
emoji /imodi/
a small digital image used to express an idea or emotion in
emails, on the Internet, etc.
Emoji liven up your text messages with tiny smiley faces.
Altrustic /ltrustk/
caring about the needs and happiness of other people more than
your own
altruistic behaviour

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity where an

individual or group provides services for no financial gain.

Dangle /dl (+adv./prep.) to hang or swing freely

Gold charms dangled from her bracelet.

A single light bulb dangled from the ceiling.
His legs dangled over the side of the boat.
He sat on the edge with his legs dangling over the side.
[transitive] dangle something to hold something so that it hangs
or swings freely
She dangled her car keys nervously as she spoke.
Charm/trm/
[uncountable] the power of pleasing or attracting people
a man of great charm
The hotel is full of charm and character.
[countable] a feature or quality that is pleasing or attractive
her physical charms (= her beauty)
[countable] a small object worn on a chain or bracelet, that is
believed to bring good luck
a lucky charm
a charm bracelet
Raspy /rspi/
(of somebodys voice) having a rough sound, as if the person
has a sore throat
Because she smoked, whenever she heard something funny she
would have this raspy, hoarse laugh

stub something out

to stop a cigarette, etc. from burning by pressing the end against
something hard
He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.
Vivacious /vves/
(especially of a woman) having a lively, attractive personality
He had three pretty, vivacious daughters.
She appeared to be her old, vivacious self again.

witty/wti/
able to say or write clever, amusing things
a witty speaker
a witty remark
hysterical /hsterkl/
in a state of extreme excitement, and crying, laughing, etc. in an
uncontrolled way
hysterical screams
a hysterical giggle
He became almost hysterical when I told him.
Let's not get hysterical.
(disapproving) He thought I was being a hysterical female.
(informal) extremely funny
synonym hilarious
She seemed to find my situation absolutely hysterical.
This book is hysterical.
Arrogant /rnt/
behaving in a proud, unpleasant way, showing little thought for
other people
self-assured
having a lot of confidence in yourself and your abilities
synonym confident
He grew more self-assured as he got older.
She looks very self-assured.
Short-fused
likely to become angry very easily
scowl (n)
abrupt /brpt/
sudden and unexpected, often in an unpleasant way
an abrupt change/halt/departure
The accident brought his career to an abrupt end.

speaking or acting in a way that seems unfriendly and rude; not

taking time to say more than is necessary
synonym brusque, curt
an abrupt manner
She was very abrupt with me in our meeting.
Perseverance /prsvrns/
the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim despite
difficulties
They showed great perseverance in the face of difficulty.
The only way to improve is through hard work and dogged
perseverance.
Situation /stuen/
all the circumstances and things that are happening at a
particular time and in a particular place
to be in a difficult situation
You could get into a situation where you have to decide
immediately.
Downtime /dantam/
the time during which a machine, especially a computer, is not
working
compare uptime
(especially North American English) the time when somebody
stops working and is able to relax
Everyone needs a little downtime.
Dingy /dndi/
dark and dirty
a dingy room/hotel
dingy curtains/clothes
Gleaming /lim/
shining brightly
gleaming white teeth

a new gleaming kitchen

haggle /hl/ (with somebody) (over something) to argue
with somebody in order to reach an agreement, especially about
the price of something
I left him in the market haggling over the price of a shirt.
A market is where people go shopping and try to haggle to get a
good price.
Gigantic /dantk/
extremely large
synonym enormous, huge
a gigantic house
The bomb caused a gigantic explosion.
Towering
extremely tall or high and therefore impressive
towering cliffs
dank /dk/ damp, cold and unpleasant
a dark dank cave
murky /mrki/
(of a liquid) not clear; dark or dirty with mud or another
substance
synonym cloudy
She gazed into the murky depths of the water.
(of air, light, etc.) dark and unpleasant because of smoke, fog,
etc.
a murky night
awe-inspiring //
impressive; making you feel respect and admiration
The building was awe-inspiring in size and design.

crumble/krmbl/
to break or break something into very small pieces
Rice flour makes the cake less likely to crumble.
Tatty /tti/
in a bad condition because it has been used a lot or has not
been cared for well
synonym shabby
a tatty carpet
upmarket /pmrkt/
(North American English upscale)
in a way that involves buying or selling goods and services that
are expensive and of high quality
The company has been forced to move more upmarket.
opposite downmarket
opulent /pjlnt/
made or decorated using expensive materials
synonym luxurious
opulent fabrics/surroundings
sumptuous /smptus/
very expensive and looking very impressive
a sumptuous meal
We dined in sumptuous surroundings.
Posh /p/
elegant and expensive
a posh hotel
You look very posh in your new suit.
Thrilling /rl/
exciting and enjoyable

a thrilling experience/finish
sophisticated /sfstketd/
1. having a lot of experience of the world and knowing about
fashion, culture and other things that people think are socially
important
the sophisticated pleasures of city life
Mark is a smart and sophisticated young man.
2. (of a machine, system, etc.) clever and complicated in the way
that it works or is presented
highly sophisticated computer systems
Medical techniques are becoming more sophisticated all the
time.

prop something up
to prevent something from falling by putting something
under it to support it
synonym shore up
They had to prop up the tree with long poles under the
branches.
- DIY One person has said she couldnt use a stack of eBooks to
prop up her couch if the leg fell off.

Repulsive /rplsv/
causing a feeling of strong dislike; very unpleasant
synonym disgusting
a repulsive sight/smell/habit
What a repulsive man!
Virility /vrlti/
sexual power in men
displays of male virility
a need to prove his virility
strength or energy
economic virility

larva /lrv/
larvae /lrvi/
an insect at the stage when it has just come out of an egg and
looks like a short fat worm
Beauty is not the eyes of the beholder.Kant
- V p khng phi i m hng ca ngi thiu n m nm
con mt ca k si tnh.

Concept /knsept/
an idea or a principle that is connected with something abstract
He can't grasp the basic concepts of mathematics.
Academy /kdmi/
a school or college for special training
the Royal Academy of Music
a police/military academy
academic /kdemk/
connected with education, especially studying in schools and
universities
The students return in October for the start of the new academic
year.
approach /prot/
a way of dealing with somebody/something; a way of doing or
thinking about something such as a problem or a task
She took the wrong approach in her dealings with them.
Construct (v) /knstrkt/
to build or make something such as a road, building or machine
When was the bridge constructed?
Construction /knstrkn/
the process or method of building or making something,
especially roads, buildings, bridges, etc.
Our new offices are still under construction (= being built).

construct (n) /knstrkt/

1. an idea or a belief that is based on various pieces of evidence
which are not always true
a contrast between lived reality and the construct held in the
mind
2. (linguistics) a group of words that form a phrase
3. a thing that is built or made
couple /kpl/
a small number of people or things
I'll be with you in a minute. There are a couple of things I have
to do first.
There are a couple more files to read first.
We can do it in the next couple of weeks.
The last couple of years have been difficult.
two people who are seen together, especially if they are married
or in a romantic or sexual relationship
married couples
a young/an elderly couple
enhance /nhns/
to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of
somebody/something
This is an opportunity to enhance the reputation of the
company.
the skilled use of make-up to enhance your best features
function/fkn/
a special activity or purpose of a person or thing
to fulfil/perform a function
bodily functions (= for example eating, sex, using the toilet)
The function of the heart is to pump blood through the body.
pose /poz/
pose something to create a threat, problem, etc. that has to be

dealt with
fledgling/fledl/
a young bird that has just learnt to fly
(usually before another noun) a person, an organization or a
system that is new and without experience
fledgling democracies
to pose a threat/challenge/danger/risk
The task poses no special problems.
[transitive] pose a question (formal) to ask a question,
especially one that needs serious thought
to sit or stand in a particular position in order to be painted,
drawn or photographed
The delegates posed for a group photograph.
They posed briefly for photographs before driving off.
pose as somebody to pretend to be somebody in order to trick
other people
The gang entered the building posing as workmen.
range /rend/
range (of something) a variety of things of a particular type
The hotel offers a wide range of facilities.
There is a full range of activities for children.
the limits between which something varies
Most of the students are in the 1720 age range.
There will be an increase in the range of 0 to 3 per cent.
It's difficult to find a house in our price range (= that we can
afford).
possess /pzes/
possess something (formal) to have or own something
He was charged with possessing a shotgun without a licence.
I'm afraid this is the only suitcase I possess.
The gallery possesses a number of the artist's early works.
Belgium was the first European country to possess a fully

fledged rail network.

possess something (formal) to have a particular quality or
feature
I'm afraid he doesn't possess a sense of humour.
He credited her with a maturity she did not possess.
Nomadic /nomdk/
belonging to a community that moves with its animals from place
to place
nomadic tribes
moving often from place to place
the nomadic life of a foreign correspondent
fledged /fledd/
(of birds) able to fly
fully fledged
completely developed; with all the qualifications necessary for
something
the emergence of a fully fledged market economy
She was now a fully fledged member of the teaching profession.
Refectory /rfektri/
a large room in which meals are served, especially in a religious
institution and in some schools and colleges in Britain
disposable /dspozbl/
made to be thrown away after use
disposable gloves/razors
(British English) disposable nappies
(North American English) disposable diapers
(finance) available for use
disposable assets/capital/resources
a persons disposable income (= money they are free to
spend after paying taxes, etc.)

leisure /lir/
time that is spent doing what you enjoy when you are not
working or studying
These days we have more money and more leisure to enjoy it.
leisure activities/interests/pursuits
Make the most of your leisure time!
the leisure industry
canyon/knjn/
a deep valley with steep sides of rock
synonym gorge
the Grand Canyon, Arizona
Massive rock formations, mountains and deep canyons present
splendid views of natures work.
Ancient /ennt/
belonging to a period of history that is thousands of years in the
past
opposite modern
ancient history/civilization
ancient Greece
turquoise/trkwz/
greenish-blue in colour
a turquoise dress
cliff /klf/
a high area of rock with a very steep side, often at the edge of
the sea or ocean
the chalk cliffs of southern England
a castle perched high on the cliffs above the river
We set off along the cliff path.

have a ball
(informal) to enjoy yourself a lot

brain freeze /bren friz/

1. [countable, uncountable] a sudden inability to remember a
basic fact, name or word, especially when this is embarrassing
or in public
He suffered a brain freeze on last nights TV debate.
My problem was brain freeze: I knew who she wasI just
couldnt remember her name.
2. [uncountable] a sudden severe headache caused by eating or
drinking something very cold too quickly
Does ice cream give you brain freeze?
Mucky /mki/
Dirty
I dont mind getting mucky
Hoof /huf/
the hard part of the foot of some animals, for example horses
dock /dk/
a part of a port where ships are repaired, or where goods are put
onto or taken off them
dock workers
The ship was in dock.

embark on something | embark upon something

(formal) to start to do something new or difficult
She is about to embark on a diplomatic career.
Gallop /lp/
when a horse or similar animal gallops, it moves very fast and
each stride includes a stage when all four feet are off the ground
together
The terrified horse galloped off.
The ponies galloped along the sand.

Craze /krez/
craze (for something) an enthusiastic interest in something that
is shared by many people but that usually does not last very
long; a thing that people have a craze for
RenaissanceBrE /rnesns/ NAmE /rensns/
the period in Europe during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries
when people became interested in the ideas and culture of
ancient Greece and Rome and used these influences in their
own art, literature, etc.
Renaissance art
Disruption /dsrpn/
a situation in which it is difficult for something to continue in the
normal way; the act of stopping something from continuing in the
normal way
We aim to help you move house with minimum disruption to
yourself.
disruptions to rail services
lobby /lbi/
a large area inside the entrance of a public building where
people can meet and wait
time capsule /kpsl/ , /kpsul/
a container that is filled with objects that people think are typical
of the time they are living in. It is buried so that it can be
discovered by people in the future.

"It is still a towering landmark of film, quite simply because it tells

a good story, and it tells it well," he writes. "It will be around for
years to come, a superb example of Hollywood's art and a time
capsule of weathering sentimentality for a 'Civilization gone with
the wind,' all right -- gone, but not forgotten."

Riveting /rvt/

so interesting or exciting that it holds your attention completely

As usual, she gave a riveting performance.
Creepy /kripi/
causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or slight horror
synonym scary
a creepy ghost story
I found it rather creepy because of Christians singular taste for
sex.
strange in a way that makes you feel nervous
synonym spooky
What a creepy coincidence.
Typhoid /tafd/
a serious infectious disease that causes fever, red spots on the
chest and severe pain in the bowels, and sometimes causes
death
privacy /pravsi/
the state of being alone and not watched or disturbed by other
people
She was longing for some peace and privacy.
I value my privacy.
He read the letter later in the privacy of his own room.
the state of being free from the attention of the public
freedom of speech and the right to privacy
She complained that the photographs were an invasion of her
privacy.
Tile /tal/
a flat, usually square, piece of baked clay, carpet or other
material that is used in rows for covering walls and floors
ceramic floor tiles
carpet tiles
a piece of baked clay that is used in rows for covering roofs
We lost a few tiles in the storm.

any of the small flat pieces that are used in particular board
games
foul /fal/
dirty and smelling bad
foul air/breath
I'm sick of her foul mouth (= habit of swearing).
Fad /fd/
something that people are interested in for only a short period of
time
a fad for physical fitness
Rap music proved to be more than just a passing fad.
My mother said that dyeing your hair was a silly fad
Adolescent /dlesnt/
in the process of developing from a child into an adult
adolescent boys/girls/experiences