Vocabulary: Batch 39

Silent "k". "Knob" (British vulgar slang): male anatomy / a stupid person. "Door knob": handle for opening a door.

• a rounded handle or projection

  He turned the knob on the radio.

"K" silent. British spelling. American: "knobby". Often: "knobbly knees", common British comic descriptor.

• covered with small lumps

  He had knobbly knees.

More common in British English. "Keen on" = interested in. "Keen sense of smell": acute. "Keen pricing": competitive, attractive.

1. having or showing eagerness

   She is keen to help.

2. sharp or penetrating

   He has a keen mind.

Distinction from envy: jealousy = fearing loss of what you have; envy = wanting what another has. Often confused. "Othello": Shakespeare's tragedy about jealousy.

• feeling resentment because of someone else's advantages

  He was jealous of her success.

• the state of feeling jealous

  Her jealousy ruined the relationship.

"Isolate a variable" - math/science usage. "Self-isolate" - stay away from others when sick.

• to cause a person or thing to be alone or separated from others

  The hospital isolated the patient to prevent infection.

"Isolated incident": common in news, suggesting it's not part of a pattern. "Socially isolated": major modern health concern.

• far from other places or people

  They live in an isolated village.

"Isolation" became a common word during COVID-19 lockdowns. "Self-isolation": staying away from others when sick.

• the process of being separated from others

  He went into isolation after testing positive.

"Get involved": common phrase for taking part. "Don't involve me": refuse to participate.

• to include as a necessary part

  The job involves a lot of travel.

Two senses: complex ("long involved process") and engaged ("emotionally involved").

1. taking part in something

   She's involved in many projects.

2. complicated or complex

   It's a long, involved story.

"Community involvement", "parental involvement" - common collocations.

• the fact or condition of being involved in something

  His involvement in the project grew over time.

In Germany: head of government (Angela Merkel, Olaf Scholz). In UK: "Chancellor of the Exchequer" = finance minister. In US universities: top administrative head.

• a senior state or legal official

  The Chancellor announced new policies.

• the position or term of office of a chancellor

  Her chancellorship lasted four years.

"Reich Chancellery": Nazi-era German government building. Modern German Chancellery in Berlin.

• the office or building occupied by a chancellor

  The press conference was held at the chancellery.

"A fraction of": a tiny part. In math: ½, ¾, ⅔ etc. "Compound fraction": fractions of fractions.

1. a numerical quantity that is not a whole number

   Three-quarters is a fraction.

2. a small part or amount

   It cost just a fraction of the original price.

"Fractional ownership": owning a small share (vacation timeshares, jets). "Fractional reserve banking": banks lend more than they hold.

• of, relating to, or expressed in fractions

  There was a fractional improvement.

Don't confuse with "impractical": "impracticable" = literally cannot be done; "impractical" = unreasonable, foolish.

• impossible to do successfully

  The plan was impracticable.

"Invasion of privacy": legal/social term. Related: invasion, invader, invasive.

• to enter (a country) as an enemy with armed forces

  They invaded the neighboring country.

• a person or force that enters by force

  The city resisted the invaders.

1. spreading aggressively into a new place

   Invasive plants crowded out native species.

2. involving entry into the body

   The test is less invasive than surgery.

• an instance of invading a country or region with an armed force; an incursion by a large number of people or things into a place or sphere of activity

  The allied invasion of Normandy.

From Latin intueri (to look at). Rare as verb; "intuition" (noun) is more common.

• to know or understand by instinct

  She intuited that something was wrong.

"Women's intuition": popular but unscientific concept. "Gut feeling": colloquial term for intuition.

• the ability to understand something instinctively

  Trust your intuition.

"Intuitive interface" / "intuitive design": popular tech compliment for easy-to-use products.

• using or based on instinct

  The software is intuitive to use.

"Intermediate-level" in language learning: between beginner and advanced (B1-B2 in CEFR framework).

• coming between two things in time, place, or character

  It's an intermediate-level course.

Synonyms: middleman, broker, go-between.

• a person who acts as a link between people in order to try to bring about an agreement

  She acted as an intermediary in the negotiations.

"Intended audience": target reader/viewer. "Intended" (informal noun): fiancé or fiancée ("my intended").

• to have as a plan or aim

  I intend to call her tomorrow.

• not planned or meant

  Unintended consequences.

"Intended audience" - target reader/viewer.

• planned or meant

  The message reached its intended recipient.

Old-fashioned or humorous usage.

• (informal, old-fashioned) one's fiancé or fiancée

  He introduced her as his intended.

"Intelligence quotient" (IQ): controversial measure. "AI" = artificial intelligence. "Intelligence agency": spy organization (CIA, MI6, Mossad).

1. the ability to acquire and apply knowledge

   She has remarkable intelligence.

2. information of military or political value

   They gathered intelligence on the enemy.

Related noun: intelligence. "Intelligent design" = a religious/pseudoscientific alternative to evolution. "Artificial intelligence" (AI) is shaping modern life.

• having or showing intelligence

  She gave an intelligent answer.

Don't confuse with "ensure" (= make certain). Sometimes used interchangeably, but distinct in formal writing.

• to arrange for compensation in the event of damage or loss

  They insured their house against fire.

"Fully insured" / "underinsured" / "uninsured": common distinctions in healthcare and auto coverage.

• covered by insurance

  All packages are insured.

"Health insurance", "life insurance", "car insurance", "travel insurance". Major US political issue: "universal healthcare" vs. private insurance.

• a contract providing compensation for loss

  Do you have travel insurance?

From Latin insula (island). Often used to criticize cultures or attitudes as parochial or narrow-minded.

• ignorant of cultures other than one's own

  The town has an insular community.

"Instructed" (in British legal terms): a barrister can be "instructed" by a solicitor on a case. "Be instructed": be told formally.

• to teach or direct to do something

  She instructed them in the new procedure.

"Instructions" (plural) often refers to a manual. "Follow the instructions": common imperative.

• a direction or order

  Read the instructions carefully.

"Ski instructor", "yoga instructor", "driving instructor": common types. In US universities, "instructor" can be a junior teaching rank.

• a person who teaches

  He's a fitness instructor.

In tech: "install software", extremely common usage. Past tense: installed (double l).

1. to place (equipment) in position

   They installed a new alarm system.

2. to put (software) on a computer

   He installed the latest update.

In art: "installation art" = three-dimensional works designed for a specific space. In tech: software installation.

• the action of setting something up for use

  The installation of the software took an hour.

American spelling; British: "instalment". "Pay in installments": financing option. TV: "the next installment" of a series.

• one of several payments; one part of a series

  He paid in monthly installments.

American term. British equivalent: "hire purchase" or just "in installments". Modern: "BNPL" (Buy Now, Pay Later) services like Affirm, Klarna are popular forms.

• a system of paying for something in regular smaller amounts

  She bought the sofa on an installment plan.

From Latin inspicere (to look into). In tech: "inspect element", browser developer tool for examining HTML/CSS.

• to look at carefully

  The mechanic inspected the engine.

"Health inspector", "building inspector", "police inspector". In British police, inspector is a specific rank (above sergeant, below chief inspector).

• an official employed to inspect

  The health inspector visited the restaurant.

"Home inspection", "safety inspection", "health inspection" - common collocations.

• a careful examination or official visit to check something

  The building passed its safety inspection.

Verb stress on second syllable; noun on first. "Insert key": keyboard key for toggling insert/overwrite mode.

• to put or place into

  Insert the coin into the slot.

"Innocent until proven guilty": foundational legal principle. "Innocent bystander": uninvolved person harmed by an event.

• not guilty of a crime

  He was found innocent.

"Loss of innocence": major literary theme (often coming-of-age stories). "Innocence Project": nonprofit working to free wrongly convicted prisoners using DNA.

• the state of being not guilty

  She maintained her innocence.

From Old Norse rannsaka (to search a house). Implies violent or hasty searching, often by robbers.

• to go hurriedly through (a place) stealing things

  The burglars ransacked the house.

"Injure oneself" - common reflexive use. Slightly more formal than "hurt".

• to cause physical harm to

  He injured his knee playing football.

"Personal injury": legal category for lawsuits (slip-and-fall, car accidents). "Add insult to injury": make a bad situation worse.

• an instance of being injured

  He suffered serious injuries in the accident.

"Walking wounded" / "injured": military/medical triage terms. "Injured party" (legal): person harmed in a lawsuit.

• having suffered physical harm

  The injured woman was taken to hospital.

"Indicate" (UK, driving) - use the turn signal.

• to point out or show; to be a sign of

  Dark clouds indicate rain.

"Give an indication of": common phrase. In medicine: "indication" = a condition for which a drug is prescribed.

• a sign or piece of information that suggests something

  There's no indication that he will resign.

"Incident report": formal documentation. "International incident": diplomatic crisis. Often a euphemism for problems ("there was an incident").

• an event, especially a negative or unusual one

  There was an incident at the school.

"Incidental expenses" / "incidentals": minor costs (often deductible from taxes or expense accounts).

• occurring as a minor accompaniment

  There were a few incidental costs.

Often used to introduce a side comment. Similar to "by the way".

• used to introduce a related point

  Incidentally, I saw her yesterday.

Distinct from a soundtrack or theme: incidental music plays in the background, often only briefly.

• music played as background in a film or play

  The incidental music heightened the suspense.

In publishing: "imprint" = brand name under a larger publisher (e.g., Knopf under Penguin Random House). Verb stress on second syllable.

• a mark made by pressing

  His feet left an imprint in the sand.

"High-impact" / "low-impact": common modifier. "Impact crater": formed by meteorite. Modern: "impact investing", investing for social/environmental good.

1. the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another

   The impact of the crash was tremendous.

2. a marked effect or influence

   The book had a major impact on me.

Verb stress on second syllable; noun on first. Common in business/media English ("this will impact sales"), though some style guides consider it overused as a verb.

• to have a strong effect on

  The new policy will impact thousands of families.

• well known, respected, and admired for past achievements

  His illustrious predecessor.

Chemical symbol H. Most abundant element in the universe. "Hydrogen fuel cells": emerging clean-energy tech. "Hindenburg disaster" (1937): famous hydrogen airship explosion.

• a colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas, the lightest element

  Water is made of hydrogen and oxygen.

Also called "H-bomb" or "thermonuclear weapon". Much more powerful than atomic bombs. First tested by US in 1952 (Ivy Mike).

• a nuclear weapon using fusion of hydrogen

  The hydrogen bomb is far more destructive than the atomic bomb.

Chemical formula H2O2. Common household antiseptic and hair bleach. Decomposes into water and oxygen: slightly unstable, hence the bottles are opaque.

• a chemical used as a bleach or antiseptic

  Pour hydrogen peroxide on the cut.

Often imperative: "Hush!", be quiet. "Hush money": payment to keep someone silent. "Hush-hush" (informal): secret.

• to make or become quiet

  She hushed the crying baby.

"Hushed tones": most common collocation. "Hush!": interjection demanding silence. "Hush money": bribe to keep quiet.

• very quiet, especially deliberately

  They spoke in hushed voices.

Distinct from "homework" (= schoolwork done at home). "Housework" includes cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc.

• work done to keep a house clean and orderly

  They share the housework equally.

"Household name": someone/something famous enough that everyone knows the name. "Head of household": common term in tax/legal contexts.

• a house and its occupants regarded as a unit

  There are over 100 million households in the US.

"Garden hose", "fire hose". "Hose" (older usage): close-fitting leg coverings (also "hosiery"). "Pantyhose": modern descendant.

• a flexible tube for carrying water

  She used the hose to water the garden.

"Broaden one's horizons": expand one's experiences/knowledge. "On the horizon": coming in the future. "Event horizon": boundary around a black hole.

• the line where the earth and sky appear to meet

  The sun set on the horizon.

Antonym: vertical. "Horizontal integration" - business term for merging companies at the same production stage.

• parallel to the horizon; level, not vertical

  Draw a horizontal line across the page.

"Honeymoon period": figurative early stage of any relationship/job/term of office when things go smoothly. From Old English: possibly referring to the first month of marriage being as sweet as honey.

• a vacation taken by newlyweds

  They spent their honeymoon in Hawaii.

"Department of Homeland Security" (DHS): major US federal agency formed after 9/11. "Homeland": successful 2010s TV series.

• a person's native country

  She longed to return to her homeland.

"Harsh" can describe sound (loud/grating), weather (severe), criticism (cruel), or judgment (unkind). "That's harsh" (informal): mild reaction to severity.

1. unpleasantly rough or jarring

   He has a harsh voice.

2. cruel or severe

   The punishment was too harsh.

"Hardware" vs. "software": fundamental computing distinction. "Hardware store": sells tools, building supplies (Home Depot, Lowe's).

1. tools, machinery, and other durable equipment

   He bought nails at the hardware store.

2. the physical components of a computer

   The hardware needs upgrading.

"Financial hardship": common in welfare/loan contexts. "Endure hardship": common collocation.

• severe suffering or privation

  They faced great hardship during the war.

"Handwriting analysis" (graphology): pseudoscience claiming to deduce personality from writing. "The handwriting is on the wall": biblical reference; warning of trouble.

• writing done with the hand

  His handwriting is hard to read.

"Halt!": military command to stop. "Grinding halt": coming to a complete stop, often slowly.

• to stop or cause to stop

  The car came to a halt.

Famous: Gulf of Mexico, Persian Gulf. Also figurative: "a gulf between rich and poor", large divide.

1. a deep inlet of the sea almost surrounded by land

   They sailed in the Gulf of Mexico.

2. a large divide

   There is a wide gulf between the two parties.

"Guilty pleasure": something you enjoy despite feeling shame about it. "Guilty as charged": admission of wrongdoing (often jokingly).

1. responsible for a crime

   The jury found him guilty.

2. feeling shame because of having done something wrong

   She felt guilty about lying.

"Catholic guilt", "Jewish guilt": cultural stereotypes about religious shame. "Survivor's guilt": psychological condition after surviving trauma others didn't.

• the fact of having committed a wrong; a feeling of having done wrong

  He was overcome with guilt.

From Old English hwettan (to sharpen). Used for finer sharpening than a grindstone. Common in kitchens (for knives) and woodworking.

• a fine-grained stone used for sharpening cutting tools

  He sharpened the knife on a whetstone.

Past tense: ground (NOT grinded). "The daily grind": boring routine work. "Grind" (modern hustle culture): work intensely.

• to reduce to small particles or powder

  She ground the coffee beans.

"Coffee grinder", "meat grinder", "pepper grinder". In some US regions, "grinder" = a sub/hoagie sandwich.

• a machine for grinding things

  She bought a new coffee grinder.

"Grinding poverty": common phrase emphasizing relentless severity.

• reducing to small particles; oppressive and unending

  They live in grinding poverty.

"Keep one's nose to the grindstone": work hard and steadily.

• a thick revolving disk used for sharpening tools

  He sharpened the blade on the grindstone.

"Greet with" - common construction ("greeted with applause"). Formal register: "greetings" (plural) as a salutation.

• to give a friendly welcome to someone

  She greeted her guests at the door.

"Greeting card": common gift item (Hallmark, etc.). Different cultures have different default greetings (handshake, bow, kiss, hug).

• a polite word or sign of welcome

  She exchanged greetings with her neighbors.

"Aptitude test": measures innate ability rather than learned knowledge (e.g., SAT, GRE).

• a natural ability to do something

  He has a real aptitude for languages.

• a test of natural ability or potential

  The school gave students an aptitude test.

"Glorious sunshine": typical British phrasing. "Glorious defeat": paradoxical positive in tragic loss.

• having or deserving glory

  It was a glorious day.

"Catch a glimpse of": common phrasing. "Glimpse into the future": figurative.

• a brief or partial look

  She caught a glimpse of him in the crowd.

More childlike and uncontrolled than "laugh". Often associated with girls/women: "giggle" sometimes considered diminutive when applied to men.

• to laugh repeatedly in a quiet way

  The girls giggled at the joke.

"Gift of the gab" - talent for speaking. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" - don't criticize something given free.

1. a thing given willingly to someone without payment

   She gave him a birthday gift.

2. a natural ability or talent

   She has a gift for languages.

"Gifted and talented" (G&T): common educational program for advanced students. "Gifted" often implies natural ability rather than learned skill.

• having exceptional talent or natural ability

  She is a gifted pianist.

"Genuine leather": actual leather (vs. faux/vegan leather). "Genuine" person: sincere, authentic.

• truly what it is said to be; authentic

  Is that a genuine antique?

Common types: lateral-thinking puzzles, riddles, logic puzzles. Popular in newspapers and on social media.

• a puzzle or problem that requires clever thinking

  He loves solving brain teasers.

Modern buzzword in psychology and tech ("resilient systems" = fault-tolerant). "Resilience training": popular in workplaces.

• able to recover quickly from difficulties

  Children are remarkably resilient.

"Resilience training" - popular in workplaces and schools.

• the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties

  The team's resilience helped them bounce back from the loss.

"Genius": Apple Genius Bar (in-store tech support). "Geniuses" or "genii": plural. "Stroke of genius": brilliant idea.

• a person of exceptional intellectual or creative ability

  Einstein was a genius.

"Generous portion": large serving. "Generous to a fault": overly generous.

• willing to give more than is necessary

  He's very generous with his time.

• the quality of being generous

  Her generosity is well known.

Longer/more thoughtful than "look" or "glance". "Male gaze": feminist film theory term. "Stargazing": looking at stars (or admiring celebrities).

• to look steadily and intently

  She gazed at the stars.

"Art gallery": common type. Famous: National Gallery (London), Uffizi (Florence). "Playing to the gallery": performing for the crowd. "Gallery" (phone): photo album.

• a room for displaying works of art

  They visited the National Gallery.

Also formal: "furnish information" / "furnish proof" = provide.

• to provide (a room or building) with furniture

  They furnished the apartment cheaply.

Common in apartment listings: "furnished" vs. "unfurnished": major distinction in rental markets.

• provided with furniture

  They rented a furnished apartment.

Includes both furniture and decorative items (curtains, lamps, rugs).

• furniture and decorations in a room

  The hotel has luxurious furnishings.

"Fundamental rights": basic legal protections. "Fundamentalist" (religious): strict literal interpretation. "Fundamentals" (plural): basics of a subject.

• forming a necessary base; of central importance

  Honesty is a fundamental value.

"Back to fundamentals" - common phrase for returning to basics.

• the basic principles or elements of a subject

  He mastered the fundamentals of chess before learning advanced strategy.

Most associated with strict, literal religious interpretation, though used for any rigid ideology.

• strict adherence to basic principles, especially in religion

  Religious fundamentalism can take many forms.

• a person who strictly adheres to basic principles, especially in religion

  He grew up in a fundamentalist household.

British spelling; American: fulfill (double l). "Fulfilling": emotionally satisfying. "Self-fulfilling prophecy".

• to bring to completion or realization

  She fulfilled her childhood dream.

British spelling; American: fulfillment. "Amazon fulfillment center": large warehouse for processing orders.

• satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one's abilities

  She found fulfillment in her work.

American spelling (double l); British: fulfil.

• to bring to completion or realization

  She fulfilled her childhood dream.

American spelling; British: fulfilment. "Amazon fulfillment center" - large warehouse for processing orders.

• satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one's abilities

  She found fulfillment in her work.

Related: frustration, frustrating, frustrated. "Sexual frustration": common psychological theme. "Frustrate" can also mean prevent ("frustrate plans").

• to cause to feel upset or annoyed

  His behavior frustrated her.

• causing annoyance or upset because of an inability to change or achieve something

  It can be very frustrating to find that the size you want isn't there.

The most common way to express this emotion in everyday English.

• feeling upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something

  He was frustrated by the slow progress.

"Sexual frustration" - common psychological theme. "Cry of frustration" - common collocation.

• the feeling of being upset or annoyed from being unable to change or achieve something

  She sighed in frustration.

American academic year levels: freshman (1st), sophomore (2nd), junior (3rd), senior (4th). "Freshman 15": supposed weight gain in first year of college.

• a first-year student in a US high school or college

  She's a freshman at Stanford.

Past tense: founded (regular). Not to be confused with "found" as the past tense of "find".

• to establish or set up (an institution or organization)

  The company was founded in 1990.

Don't confuse with "flounder" (= struggle).

• a person who establishes an institution

  He's the founder of the company.

Different root from "found" (establish) - originally meant to sink to the bottom (of a ship). Don't confuse with "flounder" (= struggle).

1. to fail or break down, especially due to a lack of support

   The negotiations foundered over disagreements about price.

2. (of a ship) to fill with water and sink

   The old vessel foundered in the storm.

Multiple senses: building base, organization ("Gates Foundation"), cosmetic (skin-tone base), or principle. "Without foundation": unfounded, baseless.

1. the lowest load-bearing part of a building

   They poured the concrete foundation.

2. an institution established with funds for a charitable cause

   He runs a charitable foundation.

"Fill out a form" - common. "Form" also means shape/structure, or condition ("in good form").

1. a document with blank spaces for information to be filled in

   Please fill out this form.

2. the shape or structure of something

   The vase had an elegant form.

"Form an opinion", "form a habit", "form a company" - common collocations.

1. to come into existence; to create or establish

   Ice began to form on the lake.

2. to establish or set up (an organization, government, etc.)

   They formed a new committee.

"Rock formation": geological feature. "Cloud formation": meteorological. "In formation": arranged in a pattern (military/dance).

• the action of forming something

  They watched the formation of crystals.

Past tense: forbade. Past participle: forbidden. "God forbid!": common exclamation.

• to refuse to allow

  Smoking is forbidden here.

"Forbidden City": the imperial palace complex in Beijing. Famous Bible: "Forbidden Planet" (1956 sci-fi film).

• not allowed

  It is forbidden to enter this area.

From the Garden of Eden: Adam and Eve and the apple. Often used figuratively for any desirable thing made more attractive by being prohibited.

• something tempting because it is not allowed

  For her, the affair was forbidden fruit.

Alternatives: shaving gel, shaving foam, shaving soap (traditional, used with brush). Modern minimalist alternative: shaving with conditioner or just water.

• a soapy substance applied to the skin before shaving

  He lathered up with shaving cream.

"At first blush": at first glance. "Blush": cosmetic powder for cheeks. "Blush wine" / "rosé": pink wine.

• to become red in the face from embarrassment

  She blushed when he complimented her.

British term; American: "blush" or "rouge". Cosmetic mimicking natural flush of the cheeks.

• makeup that adds color to the cheeks

  She applied blusher before going out.

"Flush the toilet". "Flushed": red-faced (see batch 145). "Flush": poker hand (all same suit). "Flush", programming: force output to be written.

1. to clean (something) by causing water to flow through it

   She flushed the toilet.

2. to become red in the face

   He flushed with embarrassment.

Often emotional: "flushed with embarrassment", "flushed with anger", "flushed with excitement".

• red in the face

  She was flushed from running.

"I'm flattered": common response to compliment. "Flatter to deceive": pretend to praise while actually misleading.

• to lavish insincere praise on

  He flattered her with compliments.

"Flattery will get you nowhere": common dismissive response. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery": proverb.

• excessive and insincere praise

  He was immune to flattery.

Often about clothes ("flattering dress") or photographs ("flattering angle"). Can be ironic: "not very flattering".

• making someone look more attractive

  That color is very flattering.

"I'm flattered": common polite response to compliments. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery": proverb.

• pleased by attention or praise

  She was flattered by the invitation.

"Personal finance": managing one's own money. "High finance": large-scale banking/investment. "Finance" stress can also fall on first syllable (/ˈfaɪnæns/).

• the management of large amounts of money

  She works in finance.

• to provide funding for

  They financed the project with a bank loan.

• a year as reckoned for taxing or accounting purposes

  The end of the financial year.

• finance (something) again, typically with a new loan at a lower rate of interest

  They refinanced their mortgage.

"Financial aid", "financial crisis" - common collocations.

• relating to money or finance

  They are in financial difficulty.

"Fierce" (modern slang): fashionable and bold (Tyra Banks, RuPaul). "Fierce competition": common collocation.

1. having a violent and unrestrained nature

   He has a fierce temper.

2. intense or strong

   There was fierce competition for the job.

From Italian novella (little new thing). Famous: Cervantes' Don Quixote (1605) often called the first modern novel.

• a fictional prose narrative of book length

  She wrote her first novel at 22.

Same word as the noun but different meaning: both from Latin novus (new). "Novel coronavirus": name for SARS-CoV-2 early in COVID-19.

• new in an interesting way

  It's a novel approach to the problem.

Famous novelists: Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Toni Morrison, Haruki Murakami, Stephen King.

• a writer of novels

  She's a best-selling novelist.

"Truth is stranger than fiction": proverb. "Pulp Fiction": Tarantino's 1994 film. Distinct from "nonfiction" (factual writing).

• literature describing imaginary events

  She prefers fiction to nonfiction.

"Fictional character": common phrase. "Fictionalized": based on real events but with imaginative additions.

• relating to or occurring in fiction

  He is a fictional character.

British spelling: fictionalise.

• to make into fiction, especially by embellishing real events

  The film fictionalizes the events of the trial.

• based on real events but with imaginative additions

  It's a fictionalized account of her childhood.

"Audio feedback": that screeching sound when a mic is too close to a speaker. "Feedback loop": system where output influences input.

• information about a product or performance used as a basis for improvement

  We welcome your feedback.

More formal than "goodbye". "Farewell tour": band's supposedly final tour (often followed by reunion tours).

• used to express good wishes on parting

  Farewell, my friend.

• an act of parting

  They held a farewell party for her.

"In good faith": sincere intention. "Bad faith" (also philosophical term, Sartre's "mauvaise foi"). "Leap of faith": Kierkegaard's concept.

1. complete trust or confidence

   He has faith in his team.

2. strong religious belief

   She is a woman of deep faith.

"Old Faithful": famous geyser in Yellowstone (erupts predictably). "Faithful": "Don't Stop Believin'" Journey song features the line "Just a small-town girl... Born and raised in South Detroit".

• loyal and constant

  He was a faithful husband.

"Facilities" (plural) often means toilets. Common: medical facility, sports facility, manufacturing facility.

• a building or place provided for a particular purpose

  The school has excellent sports facilities.

Common in business/academia. Related: facilitator (added earlier).

• to make (an action or process) easier

  The software facilitates collaboration.

Common in workshops, meetings, group therapy. A good facilitator guides discussion without dominating it.

• a person who helps a group work together

  The workshop has a skilled facilitator.

"Facial recognition": controversial AI/surveillance technology. "Facial" (noun) = beauty treatment for the face.

• relating to the face

  She has good facial structure.

"To what extent" / "to a great extent" / "to some extent": common phrasings.

• the area covered by something; the degree

  The full extent of the damage is unknown.

"Expand on" (a point) = explain in more detail. Antonym: contract, shrink.

1. to make or become larger

   The company plans to expand into new markets.

2. to explain in greater detail

   Could you expand on that point?

"Expansion" in cosmology: universe is expanding (Hubble's discovery). "Westward expansion": historical US territorial growth.

• the action of becoming larger

  The company is planning an expansion.

"Vast expanse": common collocation. Often used about deserts, oceans, plains. From Latin "expandere" (spread out).

• a wide continuous area

  The desert stretched out in a vast expanse.

Note: silent "h". "Exhibit A": legal term for evidence. "Exhibit" (noun) = museum display.

1. to publicly display

   The artist will exhibit her work next month.

2. to show (a quality)

   He exhibited great courage.

"Exhibit A" - legal term for evidence presented in court.

• an object or collection of objects shown to the public, e.g. in a museum

  The dinosaur exhibit was the most popular.

More common in British English than "exhibit" for the whole event. "Exhibition match" - a game played for show, not for a title.

• a public display of art, objects, or skills

  The gallery is hosting a new exhibition.

Common at trade shows and conventions.

• a person or company that displays something at an exhibition

  Hundreds of exhibitors attended the trade show.

• facts or information indicating whether something is true

  There was no evidence of forced entry.

"Self-evident": obvious. Famous: US Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident..."

• clearly seen or understood; obvious

  His relief was evident.

1. plainly or obviously; in a way that is clearly seen or understood

   He was evidently upset.

2. it would seem that

   Evidently, she had nothing to do with the whole affair.

• serving as evidence

  The photo had little evidential value.

Don't confuse with "eventually" (adverb). "Eventual winner": the one who ends up winning, despite earlier setbacks.

• occurring at the end of or as a result of a process

  He was the eventual winner.

"Ethnic cleansing": euphemism for genocide. "Ethnic minority": common demographic term. Distinct from race (which is broader, more contested as biological category).

• relating to a population subgroup with a common cultural tradition

  They celebrate their ethnic heritage.

• the state of belonging to a particular ethnic group

  The form asks for your ethnicity.

"Work ethic": most common collocation. "Code of ethics": formal professional guidelines.

• a set of moral principles

  He has a strong work ethic.

"Ethical consumer": buying based on ethical considerations (fair trade, organic). "Medical ethics": major field of bioethics.

• relating to morals

  It raises ethical questions.

"Established": common in company names/dates ("Established 1923"). "The establishment" (with article) = the dominant social/political order.

• to set up on a firm basis; to introduce

  The company was established in 1985.

1. the action of establishing something or being established

   The establishment of a new state.

2. (countable) a business organization, public institution, or household

   A retail establishment.

Past tense: equipped (double p). Related: equipment (noun).

• to supply with the necessary items

  The team was equipped with the latest gear.

Always uncountable - never "equipments". Common: kitchen equipment, sports equipment, safety equipment.

• the necessary items for a particular purpose

  They bought new camping equipment.

"Entertain guests" = host them. "Entertain an idea/doubt" = consider it seriously.

1. to provide amusement or enjoyment for

   The clown entertained the children at the party.

2. to give consideration to (an idea, feeling, or suggestion)

   She refused to entertain the idea of quitting.

"Entertainer of the year": common award category. "Entertainer" can refer to musicians, comedians, actors, dancers, magicians.

• a person whose job is to entertain people

  He's a famous entertainer.

"Entertainment industry": Hollywood, music, gaming, etc. "Entertainment Weekly": major US celebrity/entertainment magazine.

• the action of providing or being provided with amusement

  There was live entertainment at the party.

Don't confuse with "insure" (= arrange for insurance). Sometimes interchangeable in informal use, distinct in formal writing.

• to make certain that

  Please ensure the door is locked.

"Enlarge" in photo software: increase image size. "Enlarged" can also describe enlarged organs (medical).

• to make or become bigger

  They enlarged the photo to poster size.

"Penile enlargement": common spam-email topic. "Heart enlargement": medical condition.

• the act or process of making larger

  She bought an enlargement of the photo.