A Winter Olympic event. Different from skeleton (face-down) and bobsled (steered, with multiple riders).
a light toboggan ridden in a supine position, used for sport in a feet-first descent
She competed in the luge at the Winter Olympics.
Modern Gen-Z slang: "low-key" (adv) = somewhat, secretly ("I low-key love this song").
modest, restrained, or quiet in style or feeling
They had a low-key wedding with only family.
Rare and mostly literary today; survives almost entirely in the adjective scathing and in unscathed.
(rare) to injure or harm severely
Little scathed the old fortress walls even after the siege.
Common collocations: "scathing criticism", "scathing review".
witheringly scornful; severely critical
The film received a scathing review.
From French "droit" (right). Antonym: maladroit (clumsy).
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind
She is an adroit negotiator.
Antonym of adroit.
clumsy; lacking skill or tact
His maladroit attempt at an apology only made things worse.
From French.
refined skill and tact in handling difficult situations
She handled the negotiations with great finesse.
to do something in a subtle and delicate manner
He finessed his way out of a tricky situation.
Root of destined; almost always used in the passive ("be destined to").
to determine in advance; to preordain
Fate seemed to destine them for greatness.
intended for a particular purpose or end
She was destined for greatness.
the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person in the future
It is your destiny to lead.
the hidden power believed to control future events; fate
They felt that destiny had brought them together.
the place to which someone or something is going
Their destination was Paris.
Distinct from "revenge" (which is more commonly a noun). "Avenge" implies just retribution, while "revenge" can be petty.
to inflict harm in return for an injury or wrong done to oneself or another
He swore to avenge his brother's death.
From the name of Plato's school, the Academy, named after the Greek hero Akademos.
the environment or community concerned with the pursuit of research, education, and scholarship
She left academia to work in industry.
relating to education and scholarship
She has an outstanding academic record.
not relevant in practical terms; theoretical
The question is academic at this point.
a teacher or scholar in a university or other institution of higher education
He's an academic specializing in medieval history.
an elected member of a national academy of arts or sciences
He was elected an academician at age 50.
a place of study or training in a special field
He attended a military academy.
an institution for the advancement of art, science, or literature
The Academy of Sciences honored her work.
a group of ships or vehicles operating together or under the same ownership
The airline has a fleet of 200 aircraft.
lasting for a very short time
She caught a fleeting glimpse of the celebrity.
Named after Étienne de Silhouette, an 18th-century French finance minister whose cheap policies became associated with cheap things.
the dark outline or shape of something seen against a lighter background
They saw the silhouette of a castle on the hill.
Often used in dramatic photography contexts: "silhouetted against the sky/sun/light".
shown as a silhouette
The trees were silhouetted against the sunset.
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place
His warnings about the housing market turned out to be prescient.
knowledge of events before they take place; foresight
Her prescience about the market crash was remarkable.
"Null and void" = legally invalid. In programming, "null" represents the absence of a value.
having no legal or binding force; invalid
The contract was declared null and void.
having or associated with the value zero
The experiment returned a null result.
to make legally invalid, or to cancel out the effect of something
The court moved to nullify the contract.
Root of exhilarated/exhilarating/exhilaration.
to make someone feel very happy, animated, or elated
The fresh mountain air exhilarated the hikers.
very happy, animated, or elated
She felt exhilarated after the rollercoaster ride.
making one feel very happy, animated, or elated
The view from the mountaintop was exhilarating.
a feeling of excitement, happiness, or elation
He felt a sense of exhilaration as he crossed the finish line.
"Petty cash" = a small fund for minor expenses. "Petty crime" = minor offenses. "Petty officer" is a military rank.
of little importance; trivial
They argued over petty details.
showing or caused by mean or narrow-minded attitudes
He's too petty to admit when he's wrong.
(countable) a physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body
He felt a burning sensation in his throat.
(countable) a widespread reaction of interest and excitement
Her novel was an overnight sensation.
causing great public interest and excitement
It was a sensational discovery.
(of writing or journalism) presenting information in a way that provokes interest or emotional excitement, often at the expense of accuracy
The tabloids ran sensational headlines.
to experience a slight prickling or stinging sensation
Her fingers tingled in the cold.
a slight prickling or stinging sensation
She felt a tingle of excitement.
to think about deeply and at length
She contemplated the meaning of the dream.
to consider as a possibility
He's contemplating a career change.
expressing or involving prolonged thought
He was in a contemplative mood after the funeral.
deep reflective thought
She sat in quiet contemplation by the lake.
lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness
Her voice was feeble and barely audible.
lacking force or effectiveness
His excuses were feeble.
In British football, teams that finish at the bottom of the league are "relegated" to a lower division.
to consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position
He was relegated to a desk job.
(sports) to demote to a lower division
The team was relegated to the second division.
the action of consigning someone or something to an inferior rank or position, especially demotion to a lower sports division
The team narrowly avoided relegation this season.
smooth and glossy
The cat had a sleek black coat.
having an elegant streamlined shape or design
The car has a sleek modern design.
"Tied to her apron strings" = an old-fashioned phrase for being overly dependent on one's mother.
a garment worn over the front of one's clothes to keep them clean while cooking or working
She put on her apron before kneading the dough.
Multiple distinct meanings, all common.
a small slow-moving mollusk like a snail without a shell
Slugs were eating the lettuce in the garden.
(informal) a hard blow with the fist
He took a slug to the jaw.
(informal) a small amount of an alcoholic drink
He took a slug of whiskey.
to strike hard with the fist or a bat
He slugged the ball over the fence.
In baseball, a player known for hitting many home runs.
a hard-hitting boxer or batter (in baseball)
Babe Ruth was the most famous slugger in baseball history.
"Capstone project" = a culminating academic project, common in American universities.
the crowning achievement or final touch of something
This award is the capstone of her career.
the top stone of a wall or building
Workers fitted the capstone in place.
From French. Originally "stoker" (of a steam engine).
a person employed to drive a private or rented car for someone else
The CEO has a chauffeur.
a flat-bottomed cylindrical glass container used in laboratories for mixing or heating liquids
He poured the solution into a beaker.
Synonym: bill. "Beak" is also British slang for "nose" or "a magistrate".
a bird's horny projecting jaws; a bill
The parrot used its beak to crack the nut.
an area planted with explosive mines
The soldiers had to navigate through a minefield.
(figurative) a situation full of hidden dangers or difficulties
Office politics can be a minefield.
Increasingly considered offensive. Preferred terms: "little person" or "person with dwarfism".
(now considered offensive) a very small person
The historic term "midget" has been replaced in respectful usage.
British spelling; American: misdemeanor. In US law, a misdemeanor is less serious than a felony.
a minor wrongdoing
He was charged with various misdemeanours.
American spelling of misdemeanour.
American spelling of misdemeanour
He was charged with several misdemeanors.
a wicked or illegal act
The book chronicles the misdeeds of corrupt politicians.
From the Hebrew tradition of a sabbath year - a year of rest every seventh year. Standard in academic careers.
a period of paid leave granted to a university teacher or other worker for study or travel
She's on sabbatical writing a book.
Different pronunciation from the noun.
to comfort someone in time of grief or disappointment
She consoled her friend after the loss.
a panel or unit accommodating a set of controls
The pilot checked the console before takeoff.
a video game system
He plays games on his PlayStation console.
"Consolation" = the act of comforting. From the verb "console".
a prize given to a runner-up or losing contestant
He got a consolation prize for second place.
comfort received after a loss or disappointment
Her only consolation was that she had tried her best.
to make a dull heavy sound
The old machine clunked as it started up.
Common in tech: "clunky interface" = awkward to use.
awkward in form, design, or operation
The software has a clunky interface.
to suffer a deterioration in one's condition after a period of improvement, especially in addiction recovery or a disease
He relapsed into drinking after six months sober.
a deterioration in someone's state of health after a temporary improvement
He suffered a relapse and had to be hospitalized again.
having difficulty in emptying the bowels, with hardened feces
She felt constipated after the long flight.
a condition in which there is difficulty in emptying the bowels
Drinking more water can help with constipation.
A major topic in sociology, economics, and city planning.
the process by which towns and cities grow and become more developed
Rapid urbanization is straining the city's infrastructure.
having become a town or city, or having more of the characteristics of one
The region has become heavily urbanized in recent decades.
to make (an area) more urban in character
The plan aims to urbanize the outskirts of the city.
offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland
The conversation was utterly vapid.
From Greek oligos ("few") + arkhia ("rule"). Compare: monarchy, democracy.
a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution
The country is essentially ruled by an oligarchy of wealthy families.
Common in news about post-Soviet business elites, but it can refer to any very powerful member of a small ruling class.
a very powerful person in a small ruling elite
The sanctions targeted several wealthy oligarchs.
Old American slang, mid-1800s, now humorous/archaic.
(informal) to get the better of someone by cheating or deception
He was hornswoggled into selling his land cheaply.
Root of cervical.
the narrow lower part of the uterus, connecting to the vagina
The doctor examined her cervix during the exam.
From Latin cervix ("neck"). "Cervical spine" = neck vertebrae. "Cervical cancer" = cancer of the cervix (lower uterus).
relating to the neck or the cervix (lower part of the uterus)
She had a cervical screening at the clinic.
"Take the Fifth" (American) = refuse to testify under the Fifth Amendment.
constituting number five in a sequence
This is her fifth book.
each of five equal parts of something
He inherited a fifth of the estate.
(American) a bottle containing one-fifth of a US gallon of liquor
He bought a fifth of whiskey.
Antonym: exogenous. From Greek endo- ("within") + genes ("born").
having an internal cause or origin
Endogenous factors drive cell growth.
Antonym: endogenous. From Greek exo- ("outside") + genes ("born").
relating to or developing from external causes
The recession was largely caused by exogenous shocks like oil prices.
Root of estranged/estrangement.
to cause (someone) to no longer feel close or loving to another
The war estranged the two former allies.
Common phrases: "estranged wife/husband" (separated but not divorced).
no longer close to someone formerly loved or trusted
He has been estranged from his family for years.
the fact of no longer being on friendly terms; alienation
The estrangement between the brothers lasted decades.
Historical/literary. In many ancient societies, concubines had recognized status, though lower than wives.
(historical) a woman who lives with a man but has a lower status than his wife or wives
The emperor had many concubines.
Famous Linnaean taxonomy: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
(uncountable) the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms
He's studying plant taxonomy.
(countable) a classification scheme
They developed a new taxonomy of mental disorders.
relating to classification, especially of organisms
The new species required a taxonomic reclassification.
to make a loud, harsh noise, especially of a bird
The parrot squawked when it saw the cat.
(informal) to complain loudly
The employees squawked about the new policy.
a loud harsh cry
The chicken let out a squawk.
a priest or religious leader, especially a Christian or Muslim one
The cleric delivered a sermon on forgiveness.
Two distinct meanings - "clerical work" (office) vs. "clerical collar" (clergy).
relating to office work
She took a clerical job at the law firm.
relating to the clergy
He wore a clerical collar.
"Assume" makes "an ass out of u and me" - a humorous reminder against assumptions.
to suppose to be the case, without proof
I assumed you'd be coming to the meeting.
to take on (a responsibility, role, or appearance)
She assumed the role of CEO last year.
"Assumption": Christian feast (Aug 15) celebrating Mary's assumption into heaven. "Assumption of risk": legal doctrine.
a thing accepted as true without proof
Don't make assumptions about people.
Always plural - say "a pair of scissors" not "a scissor".
a cutting instrument with two blades pivoted together
She picked up a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon.
Opposite of interpolate: extrapolation extends beyond known data.
to extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming existing trends continue
It's risky to extrapolate from such a small sample.
the action of extrapolating, or an estimate based on it
The forecast is based on extrapolation from current trends.
In mathematics/computing, interpolating means estimating values within a known range. Compare with extrapolate.
to insert (something different or extra) in a text
The editor interpolated several explanatory sentences.
(math) to estimate a value between two known values
The software interpolates between the data points.
the action of interpolating; an interpolated remark or value
This text contains a later interpolation by an unknown scribe.
From Greek a- ("without") + mneme ("memory"). A common plot device in movies and TV.
a partial or total loss of memory
The accident left him with temporary amnesia.
a person suffering from amnesia
The amnesiac couldn't remember his own name.
showing embarrassment from shame or a lack of self-confidence
He gave a sheepish smile after dropping the plate.
Historical: the Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852), the Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961).
extreme scarcity of food in a region
Drought caused widespread famine in the region.
From Latin "equal night". Occurs around March 20 (vernal/spring equinox) and September 22 (autumnal equinox).
the time or date (twice a year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length
The vernal equinox marks the start of spring.
In computing, "emulate" means to imitate another system's behavior, e.g., a SNES emulator on a PC.
to match or surpass, typically by imitation
She tries to emulate her father's success.
(computing) to imitate the function of (another system)
This software emulates an old arcade machine.
an attempt to match or surpass through imitation, or the process of a system imitating another
The console runs old games through software emulation.
to regard or represent as being of little worth
He never disparages his competitors in public.
the act of speaking about someone in a critical or insulting way
The disparagement of his work hurt him deeply.
showing that one believes something to be of little worth
She made disparaging comments about her coworkers.
"Play a hunch" = act on intuition.
an intuitive feeling or guess
I had a hunch he would call.
to raise (one's shoulders) and lean forward
He hunched his shoulders against the cold.
Largely considered offensive; medical term is "kyphosis". Famous in literature: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame".
(now considered offensive) a person with a curved upper back
The bell-ringer in the cathedral was a hunchback.
with the shoulders raised and the back bent forward
He sat hunched over his desk for hours.
"On a short leash" = under strict control. "Off the leash" = free to act.
a strap or cord used for holding or guiding an animal, especially a dog
She kept her dog on a leash in the park.
Often figurative now: "unleash potential/wrath/chaos".
to release from a leash, or to set free from restraint
He unleashed the dogs in the park.
to release or allow something powerful to develop
The decision unleashed a wave of protests.
a small, thin, narrow piece of something cut or split off a larger piece
She got a sliver of glass in her finger.
a formal expression of disapproval
He received a written reprimand for his behavior.
to address a sharp rebuke to someone, especially officially
The judge reprimanded the lawyer for being late.
"Swipe left/right" originated from dating apps and is now common slang.
to hit or try to hit with a swinging movement
He swiped at the fly with a rolled-up newspaper.
(informal) to steal
Someone swiped my umbrella.
to pass a card through a card reader
She swiped her credit card at the terminal.
a plastic card with a magnetic strip that is read by sliding it through a card reader
You'll need a swipe card to enter the office.
deserving censure or condemnation
His behavior at the party was reprehensible.
Often used of criminal masterminds in fiction.
a person who plans and directs an ingenious and complex scheme or enterprise
He's the mastermind behind the heist.
to plan and direct (an enterprise or complex scheme)
She masterminded the company's expansion into Asia.
Common in legal/contract contexts. Noun: stipulation.
to demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of an agreement
The contract stipulates that work must be completed by June 30.
a condition or requirement specified as part of an agreement
One stipulation of the contract was a two-year lease.
Particularly associated with Indonesia, where it's a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage.
a method (originally from Java) of producing colored designs on textiles by dyeing them, having first applied wax to the parts to be left undyed
She bought a beautiful batik shirt in Bali.
an ugly, twisted expression on a person's face, typically expressing disgust, pain, or wry amusement
He gave a grimace of pain as he stood up.
to make such an expression
She grimaced at the bitter taste.
"Abolition" of slavery in the US (13th Amendment, 1865) is a key historical reference.
to formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution)
Slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865.
the act of formally ending a system or practice
The abolition of slavery changed the country.
a person who works to abolish a system, especially slavery
Frederick Douglass was a famous abolitionist.
From Greek aristos ("best") + kratos ("rule") - originally "rule by the best".
the highest class in certain societies, typically including people of noble birth
The aristocracy traditionally held political power.
a member of the aristocracy
He was an aristocrat who lost his fortune in the revolution.
relating to or characteristic of aristocrats
He had an aristocratic bearing.
to comply with rules, standards, or laws
All products must conform to safety standards.
to behave according to socially acceptable conventions
He refused to conform to society's expectations.
Often slightly negative; antonym: nonconformist.
a person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices
He's a conformist who never challenges authority.
a person whose behavior or views do not conform to prevailing ideas or practices
He was a nonconformist who challenged tradition.
compliance with standards, rules, or laws
Conformity to regulations.
behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards
The strict conformity of their lives.
Often spelled "pigeonhole" as one word. From the small compartments used by pigeons in dovecotes.
to assign someone to a particular category or class, especially in a restrictive way
She didn't want to be pigeon-holed as a romance writer.
a small compartment, especially one of a series for sorting mail or papers
The mail was left in his pigeon-hole.
to make the sound of (a word or letter) in a particular way
How do you pronounce your last name?
to declare or announce, especially formally
The doctor pronounced him dead at 9:15.
very noticeable or marked
He spoke with a pronounced French accent.
a formal or authoritative announcement or declaration
The judge issued a pronouncement on the case.
From Italian: para- ("protect against") + sole ("sun"). Compare: "umbrella" (for rain), though the words overlap.
a light umbrella used to give shade from the sun
She carried a silk parasol at the garden party.
too great to be overcome
The team faced insurmountable odds.
to overcome (a difficulty or obstacle)
They surmounted every challenge along the way.
Antonym: covert.
done or shown openly; not concealed
There was no overt opposition to the plan.
"Through rose-colored glasses" = optimistically.
colored like a pink rose
Her cheeks were rosy from the cold.
promising or suggesting good fortune
The company's prospects look rosy.
Formal/literary. Adjective: "laudable" or "laudatory".
to praise highly, especially in a public context
The critics lauded her performance.
deserving praise and commendation
Her efforts to help the homeless are laudable.
expressing praise
The reviews were largely laudatory.
Root of cheesy.
a food made from the pressed curds of milk
She sprinkled grated cheese over the pasta.
Informal slang use - things that are excessively sentimental or unoriginal.
like cheese in taste or smell
This pizza is wonderfully cheesy.
(informal) cheap, unsubtle, or unoriginal
The movie's special effects were a bit cheesy.
the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; persistence
Her tenacity in pursuing her goals is impressive.
tending to keep a firm hold of something; persistent
The journalist was tenacious in pursuing the truth.
a recognized branch of a religion
Christianity has many denominations, including Catholic and Lutheran.
the face value of a banknote, coin, or postage stamp
He had bills of various denominations in his wallet.
relating to a particular religious denomination
The school is non-denominational.
Antonym in math: numerator (top number). "Lowest common denominator" = informal for the most basic shared element.
the number below the line in a fraction; a divisor
In the fraction 3/4, the denominator is 4.
the price of a passenger ticket for travel by aircraft
Airfares to Europe have doubled this year.
American spelling; British: disorientate. Same meaning.
to cause (someone) to lose their sense of direction
The fog disoriented the hikers.
British spelling of disorient
The constant changes disorientated the staff.
"Pay homage to" = honor or show respect to.
special honor or respect shown publicly
The film is a homage to silent cinema.
From Greek karkinos ("crab") - because ancient doctors thought tumors looked like crabs. Same root as Cancer (the zodiac sign).
a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue
Tobacco smoke contains many known carcinogens.
having the potential to cause cancer
The chemical was found to be carcinogenic.
a type of cancer that starts in the epithelial cells of the skin or organs
The biopsy revealed a basal cell carcinoma.
Despite the name, has nothing to do with the heart - it's gastric acid irritating the esophagus.
a form of indigestion felt as a burning sensation in the chest
Spicy food gives him heartburn.
Distinction: a meteoroid is in space; it becomes a meteor when it enters the atmosphere; if it survives and lands, it's a meteorite.
a small body of matter from outer space that enters Earth's atmosphere, appearing as a streak of light
They watched the meteors during the Perseid shower.
Often used figuratively: "meteoric rise" = a rapid ascent in fame or success.
like a meteor in brilliance, speed, or transience
She had a meteoric rise to stardom.
a piece of rock or other matter from space that has fallen to the Earth's surface
The museum displays a 60-ton iron meteorite.
loyal, reliable, and hardworking
He is a stalwart supporter of the party.
a loyal, reliable, and hardworking supporter
The party stalwarts attended the convention.
to cause to lose belief or faith in someone or something
The scandal disillusioned many of his supporters.
disappointed in someone or something that one previously trusted or admired
She became disillusioned with politics.
a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed
There was widespread disillusionment with the government.
"SWAT" team = Special Weapons And Tactics police unit (acronym).
to crush or hit with a sharp blow from a flat object
He swatted the fly with a newspaper.
From Latin de- ("off") + caput ("head").
to cut off the head of (a person or animal)
The king ordered the prisoner decapitated.
the action of cutting off someone's head
The ancient text describes the decapitation of the traitor.
From the biblical giant defeated by the shepherd boy David. "David and Goliath" = an underdog story.
a giant Philistine warrior killed by David in the Bible; figuratively, any large, powerful entity
The startup is taking on the Goliath of the industry.
Root of embattled.
a sustained fight between large organized armed forces
The battle lasted three days.
a prolonged struggle or contest
She fought a long battle with cancer.
to fight or struggle tenaciously
He battled to keep the company afloat.
Often used in journalism for politicians or executives facing scandal.
(of a person) beset with problems and difficulties
The embattled CEO faced calls to resign.
(of a place) involved in or prepared for war
The embattled city held out for weeks.
a reduction in something, especially in cost or staff
The company announced major cutbacks in the marketing department.
"Stave off" = prevent or delay something bad.
a vertical wooden post or plank, especially one used in the construction of a barrel
The barrel was made of oak staves.
(music) a set of five horizontal lines on which musical notes are written; a staff
He drew a stave to write the melody.
("stave off") to avert or delay something bad or dangerous
He ate a snack to stave off hunger.
"Hit the roof" / "go through the roof" = become very angry, or (of prices) rise sharply. "Under one roof" = in the same house.
the structure forming the upper covering of a building or vehicle
They climbed up to the roof to fix the leak.
"Acoustic" guitar = a guitar that doesn't need an amplifier.
relating to sound or the sense of hearing
The hall has excellent acoustic properties.
(of a musical instrument) not electrically amplified
She prefers playing an acoustic guitar.
the properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it
The concert hall has excellent acoustics.
Homophone of "oral". From Latin auris ("ear"). "Aural skills" = listening skills in music training.
relating to the ear or the sense of hearing
The exam includes an aural component.
Literally refers to cows chewing cud; figuratively, to mull over thoughts. "Ruminants" are animals like cows that chew cud.
to think deeply about something
He ruminated on the decision for weeks.
(of cattle and similar animals) to chew the cud
The cows lay in the field, ruminating peacefully.
deep or serious thought
His ruminations on the meaning of life filled the journal.
engaged in or given to contemplation; thoughtful
She was in a ruminative mood.
"On the rebound" = in a new relationship soon after a breakup.
to bounce back after hitting a hard surface
The ball rebounded off the wall.
to recover in value, force, or condition
The market rebounded sharply after the dip.
a ball or shot that bounces back after striking something
He caught the rebound and scored.
a recovery in value, performance, or strength
The economy is showing signs of a rebound.