Vocabulary: Batch 84

Informal. Short for "fear of missing out". Widely used since the rise of social media.

• an anxious feeling that others are having rewarding experiences from which one is excluded

  Seeing everyone's vacation photos gave her a bad case of FOMO.

Often also pronounced as one word, /ˈeɪsæp/. Common in business and casual English alike.

• as soon as possible

  Please send the report ASAP.

Slightly more formal than "assume". Famous line: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" (Henry Morton Stanley, 1871).

1. to suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability

   I presume you've heard the news.

2. (intransitive, formal) to be so bold as to do something without permission

   I wouldn't presume to advise you on this matter.

• used to convey that what is asserted is very likely though not known for certain

  He's not here, so presumably he's still at the office.

1. (countable) an act or instance of presuming something

   There is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

2. (uncountable) behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, or transgressive

   How dare you, with such presumption, address the king?

• failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate; overstepping

  It would be presumptuous of me to comment on her work.

Legal/formal register. "Heir presumptive": someone who would inherit if no closer relative is born before the current holder dies (contrast "heir apparent", whose claim cannot be displaced). "Presumptive diagnosis": a probable diagnosis made before full confirmation.

• based on reasonable assumption rather than confirmed proof

  The doctors gave a presumptive diagnosis while awaiting the lab results.

Distinct from "transparent": translucent lets light through but you can't see clearly (e.g., frosted glass). Transparent = clear like a window.

• allowing light, but not detailed shapes, to pass through

  The bathroom window is translucent for privacy.

Slightly humorous or pejorative.

• a machine or device that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated

  He invented a strange contraption for peeling apples.

1. the action or an instance of two or more events or things occurring at the same point in time or space

   A conjunction of favorable political and economic circumstances.

2. (grammar) a word that connects clauses, sentences, or words (e.g. 'and', 'but', 'or')

   'Because' is a subordinating conjunction.

Countless idioms: "on time", "in time", "for the time being", "time of one's life".

1. (uncountable) the indefinite continued progress of existence and events

   Time flies when you're having fun.

2. (countable) a particular point or period

   What time is it?

• to plan, schedule, or arrange when (something) should happen

  They timed the launch to coincide with the holiday.

• time worked in addition to one's normal working hours

  He's been working a lot of overtime.

• the usual time when someone goes to bed

  It's past your bedtime.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here. Compare "in time" (early or soon enough, with room to spare) - "on time" means exactly at the scheduled moment.

• punctual; happening or arriving at the scheduled or expected moment

  The train arrived on time for once.

Onomatopoeic. "Make a splash" = attract attention, especially in a debut. "Splashy": attention-grabbing.

• to cause liquid to scatter in drops

  The kids splashed water all over the bathroom.

• a sound or mark of liquid hitting something

  He jumped in with a big splash.

"Extreme Makeover": early-2000s reality TV. "Home makeover", "image makeover". Implies dramatic transformation, often visual.

• a complete transformation, especially of appearance

  She got a makeover before the wedding.

Compare the noun makeover (one word). "Make over" can also mean to legally transfer property, an older sense less common today.

• to give (someone or something) a new appearance; to transform

  The stylists made over the whole cast for the finale.

1. important; well-known

   She is a prominent figure in the music industry.

2. sticking out or projecting from a surface; easily noticed

   He has a prominent nose and high cheekbones.

• importance, fame, or visibility

  The issue gained prominence during the campaign.

"Whet one's appetite" = stimulate desire (often figurative). "Loss of appetite": common medical complaint.

• the desire for food

  He has a healthy appetite.

American term. UK: "starter". Italian: antipasto. French: hors d'oeuvre. Designed to stimulate appetite before the main course.

• a small dish served before the main course

  They ordered shrimp as an appetizer.

Antonym: unappetizing. Often about smell or visual appeal of food.

• making one feel hungry

  The smell from the kitchen was appetizing.

(American) baking sense only; "proof" and "prove" also have much more common general senses (evidence noun, resistant adjective; to demonstrate the truth of) not covered by this entry. Same recording as the noun "proof" - M-W never recorded the verb separately, since it's the same spoken word.

• (of yeast dough) to let rise before baking

  Proof the dough in a warm spot for about an hour.

(American) "Proofing box"/"proofer": an appliance providing warm, humid conditions to speed proofing. Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• the process of letting yeast dough rise before baking

  The recipe calls for a two-hour proofing time.

Chiefly British equivalent of American "proof" (baking sense only).

• (of yeast dough) to let rise before baking

  Leave the dough to prove for an hour, covered with a damp cloth.

Chiefly British equivalent of American "proofing". "Proving drawer": a warm compartment built into some ovens for this purpose.

• the process of letting yeast dough rise before baking

  The bakery has a proving drawer built into the oven.

Two distinct meanings. "Race" as biological category is increasingly considered a social construct rather than a biological one.

1. a competition of speed

   She won the race.

2. a group of people sharing physical characteristics

   Discrimination based on race is illegal.

"Racial profiling" = using race as the basis for police or other suspicion.

• relating to race

  They fought against racial discrimination.

"Systemic racism" / "institutional racism" = modern concepts emphasizing structural rather than just individual prejudice.

• prejudice or discrimination based on race

  The organization fights racism.

• based on or showing racism

  The company apologized for the racist advertisement.

• a person who believes or acts on racist ideas

  The speaker was denounced as a racist.

• a person, animal, or vehicle that races or is built for racing

  The Formula 1 racer overtook two cars on the final lap.

"At a snail's pace": very slowly. "Pacemaker": heart device. "Set the pace": establish the speed (running, business).

• speed in walking, running, or moving

  He walked at a quick pace.

• to go, rise, or improve faster than

  Demand is outpacing supply.

In running/racing, a runner who sets the speed for others. Also short for "pacemaker" (the heart device) in informal medical speech.

• a person, animal, or vehicle that sets or maintains the pace in a race

  The marathon organizers hired a pacer to help runners hit a 3:30 finish.

1. a formal written grant of rights or privileges, often establishing an organization or city

   The university received its royal charter in 1583.

2. a formal statement of an organization's principles or objectives

   The UN charter outlines the goals of the United Nations.

1. to hire or rent (a vehicle, especially a plane, ship, or bus) for private use

   The team chartered a plane to fly to the championship.

2. to grant a charter to, establishing the rights of an organization

   The town was chartered by King George in 1755.

1. (of transport) hired or rented for private use

   They flew home on a chartered jet.

2. (of a professional) officially qualified by a chartered body

   She is a chartered accountant.

• a publicly funded school with more independence than ordinary public schools

  The neighborhood opened a new charter school.

Past: slept. "Sleep on it" = postpone decision overnight. "Sleep tight" - childhood farewell. "Sleep with someone" - euphemism.

• to rest with eyes closed and unconscious

  I slept for ten hours.

• the natural state of rest

  You need more sleep.

Written as two words as a verb (sleep over), one word as the noun (a sleepover).

• to spend the night at someone else's home

  Can I sleep over at Grandma's tonight?

• a night spent, usually by children, at a friend's home

  She invited three friends to her birthday sleepover.

Feeling sleepy means needing sleep. Compare asleep, which means already sleeping.

1. tired and ready or likely to fall asleep

   The medication made him sleepy, so he did not drive.

2. quiet, slow, and lacking activity or excitement

   They spent the weekend in a sleepy coastal town.

Often modified: "day sleeper" (sleeps during the day, e.g. a night-shift worker), "light sleeper", "heavy sleeper". "Sleeper agent"/"sleeper cell": a spy who lives an ordinary life for years before being activated.

1. a person who sleeps, especially in a specified way or at a specified time

   As a nurse who works nights, she's a day sleeper.

2. (informal) something unexpectedly successful after a modest start

   The low-budget film became a sleeper hit.

3. (chiefly British) a wooden or concrete beam supporting railroad rails; called a "railroad tie" in American English

   Workers replaced the rotting sleepers along the track.

4. a railway car fitted with berths for overnight travel

   They booked a sleeper on the overnight train to Edinburgh.

5. (usually plural) a one-piece garment with feet, worn by young children for sleeping

   She zipped her toddler into fleece sleepers for winter.

6. a secret agent who lives an ordinary life for years before being activated for espionage

   The novel follows a Cold War sleeper who had lived undetected for two decades.

Tons of phrasal verbs: pull over, pull off, pull through, pull up. "Pull strings" = use influence.

1. to exert force on something to move it toward oneself or in a particular direction

   She pulled the door open.

2. to remove something by drawing it out

   He pulled a coin from his pocket.

3. to strain or injure (a muscle)

   He pulled his hamstring.

"Have pull" (informal) = have influence. "Take a pull" (informal) = take a swig or mouthful, especially from a bottle.

1. (countable) an act of drawing or tugging

   He gave the rope a sharp pull.

2. (uncountable) influence or special power

   She has a lot of pull with the editor.

• a withdrawal; a removable section of a magazine or newspaper

  A troop pull-out.

Compare the noun pull-out (a withdrawal, or a removable magazine section) - hyphenated, stress on the first syllable.

1. to withdraw from a place, deal, or commitment

   The company pulled out of the merger at the last minute.

2. to remove something by pulling

   She pulled out a loose thread.

3. (of a vehicle) to move out into traffic or away from the side of the road

   He checked his mirror before pulling out.

One of the most basic verbs. Past: went. Past participle: gone. Hundreds of phrasal verbs (go on, go off, go through, go for...).

• to move from one place to another

  Let's go home.

• an attempt or turn

  Give it a go!

• a person attending a party

  The party-goers stayed until dawn.

• to omit or decline to take (something pleasant or valuable); to go without

  She wanted to forgo the dessert.

• permission to proceed

  We got the go-ahead.

Past: underwent. Past participle: undergone.

• to experience or be subjected to (a process, especially something unpleasant or difficult)

  She had to undergo surgery to remove the tumor.

'Go off on someone' (US) = suddenly get angry at them. As slang, 'go off' can also mean to perform brilliantly.

1. (of an alarm or gun) to make a sudden loud noise; to explode or fire

   The smoke alarm went off at midnight.

2. (of food) to become stale or rotten

   The milk has gone off.

3. to stop liking someone or something

   I've gone off coffee lately.

4. to leave, especially suddenly

   She went off without saying goodbye.

Often used reflexively about one's own mind: "going over some thoughts" = mentally replaying or reconsidering them.

1. to review or reconsider something carefully, especially in one's mind

   I've been going over some thoughts before I fall asleep.

2. to examine or check something in detail

   Let's go over the report before the meeting.

"Going forward" is common business/formal jargon for "from now on"; some style guides consider it a cliche.

1. to proceed or continue, especially with a plan or process

   The board decided the merger would go forward despite the objections.

2. (as "going forward") from this point on; in the future

   Going forward, please cc me on all client emails.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here. Emphasizes that something disappeared or ended a long time ago and is definitely not coming back.

• gone for a long time already; long since disappeared, ended, or departed

  The bakery that used to be on this corner is long gone.

"On cloud nine": extremely happy. "Cloud computing": storing data on remote servers instead of a local device.

• a visible mass of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the sky

  Dark clouds gathered before the storm.

1. to make or become unclear, confused, or obscured

   Grief clouded her judgment.

2. to cover or fill (the sky, a surface, etc.) with clouds or a similar haze

   Steam clouded the bathroom mirror.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here. Common in medical contexts ("clouding of the lens", a symptom of cataracts) and figuratively ("clouding of judgment").

• a loss of clarity or transparency; a gradual obscuring

  The optometrist noted early clouding of the lens.

"Identify as": modern phrase about gender identity ("identifies as nonbinary"). "Identify with": feel a connection to a character or experience.

• to establish the identity of

  She identified the suspect from a photo.

Often abbreviated "ID". "Photo ID": required for many transactions and travel. "Voter ID laws": controversial US political topic.

• the action of identifying

  He showed his identification to enter the building.

"Identity theft", "national identity", "identity crisis" - common collocations.

• the fact of being who or what a person or thing is

  She had to prove her identity at the border.

"Unidentified flying object" (UFO): the classic example. Also common in news reports before a person's identity is confirmed.

• not identified; of unknown identity

  Witnesses reported an unidentified aircraft over the bay.

Also common as a verb: "to star in" a film or show.

1. a fixed luminous point in the night sky that is a large, remote ball of burning gas

   They lay on the grass and counted the stars.

2. a famous performer or well-known figure in a field

   She became a star after her first film.

• a shape with points radiating from a center, traditionally with five or six points

  The children drew a star on the holiday card.

• to feature as a leading performer in a film, show, or event

  He starred in his first movie at age twelve.

Do NOT confuse with 'prostrate' (lying face-down).

• a gland in men surrounding the neck of the bladder, producing fluid in semen

  He was screened for prostate cancer.

1. the part of the human body between the tops of the legs

   He sat with his hands in his crotch.

2. the corresponding part of a garment

   The jeans were tight in the crotch.

Caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Common and usually harmless in newborns; in adults it often signals liver or gallbladder problems.

• a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood

  The newborn was treated with light therapy for jaundice.

Full name: typhoid fever. Caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, usually spread through contaminated food or water. "Typhoid Mary" was an early 20th-century asymptomatic carrier who infected dozens of people.

• a serious bacterial infection causing high fever, weakness, and stomach pain, spread through contaminated food or water

  He was vaccinated against typhoid before traveling.

Related: contender (added in batch 129), contention (already in JSONL). "Contend with" = deal with (a difficulty).

1. to assert as a position in an argument

   She contends that the law is unfair.

2. to struggle against difficulties

   They had to contend with bad weather.

"I could've been a contender": famous line from On the Waterfront (1954). Common in sports and politics.

• a person or thing that competes for a prize

  He's a serious contender for the title.

"In contention" = in competition. "Bone of contention" = a subject of dispute.

1. heated disagreement

   The issue is a source of contention.

2. an assertion in an argument

   His main contention was that the law was unfair.

• causing or likely to cause an argument

  Abortion remains a contentious issue.

Homophone with "morn" (morning). "Mourn" implies deep grief; "grieve" is similar but more general.

• to feel or show deep sorrow over (a death or loss)

  The nation mourned the loss of its leader.

• a person who attends a funeral or expresses grief

  Thousands of mourners attended the service.

• feeling or expressing sorrow

  The cello played a mournful tune.

American spelling. Medical: a human embryo becomes a "fetus" after about 8 weeks of development. Central to abortion debates.

• (American) an unborn offspring of a mammal

  The doctor monitored the fetus's heartbeat.

British spelling. Same pronunciation. Compare fetus.

• (British) a fetus

  The foetus develops rapidly in the third trimester.

In humans, the term "embryo" applies until about 8 weeks; after that, "fetus".

• an unborn or unhatched offspring in the early stages of development

  The embryo develops rapidly in the first weeks.

• the branch of biology dealing with the development of embryos

  She specialized in embryology.

1. relating to an embryo

   Embryonic stem cells have great medical potential.

2. (figurative) in a rudimentary stage with potential for further development

   The plan is still in its embryonic stage.

Often pronounced /klɪk/ in casual speech, though /kliːk/ is the standard dictionary pronunciation. Usually carries a negative connotation of excluding outsiders.

• a small, exclusive group of people who do not readily let others join them

  The popular kids formed a tight clique in high school.

Informal. Only a curated stem of "clique" in Merriam-Webster with no own recording, so no audio_mw here - reusing "clique"'s file would misleadingly drop the "-y" ending.

• (informal) tending to form or belong to cliques; unwelcoming to outsiders

  The office felt cliquey, and new hires struggled to fit in.

'Get' has dozens of common phrasal verbs (get up, get away, get over, get through) not exhaustively covered here. Irregular: past is "got"; past participle is "got" (general/British) or "gotten" (chiefly American).

1. come to have or hold (something); receive

   I got a letter from him.

2. succeed in attaining, achieving, or experiencing; obtain

   I need to get some sleep.

3. (informal) to understand something

   I don't get it - can you explain again?

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording (the only audio candidates found belonged to unrelated headwords - the noun "get-up" and "get-up-and-go" - so no audio_mw here).

1. to arise from bed

   I get up at six every morning.

2. to rise to one's feet

   He got up from his seat to greet her.

Base phrase is "get over (something)"; "get over it" is the common standalone form telling someone to move on. Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

1. to recover from something upsetting, or to stop being affected by it

   It was a tough breakup, but you'll get over it eventually.

2. to overcome or surmount a difficulty

   There's a lot of paperwork, but we'll get over it.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• to manage or survive with the limited resources one has

  They didn't have much money, but they got by.

Past tense/participle: burned (American) or burnt (British, also common in American set phrases like 'burnt toast').

1. to injure (a part of the body) by exposure to fire, heat, or a corrosive substance

   She burned her hand on the hot pan.

2. to produce flames or heat while consuming fuel

   The campfire burned late into the night.

• an injury to the skin or flesh caused by heat, fire, or chemicals

  He treated the burn with cold water and a bandage.

• to walk with difficulty because of an injured leg

  He limped off the field after the tackle.

• a way of walking with difficulty

  She has a slight limp from a childhood injury.

"Limp handshake" = a weak, unenthusiastic handshake (often seen as a sign of weak character).

• lacking firmness; drooping

  The flowers had gone limp in the heat.

"Rotten apple": figurative for a corrupting member of a group. "Brain rot": internet slang for mindless content consumption.

• to decay through natural processes

  The fruit will rot if left too long.

"Rotten Tomatoes": film review site (under 60% = Rotten, above = Fresh). Figuratively: corrupt or unpleasant.

• decayed; corrupt or worthless

  The eggs were rotten.

A condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the glans; often resolves with age or is treated with circumcision if it causes problems. Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• a condition in which the foreskin of the penis is too tight to be pulled back

  The pediatrician explained that mild phimosis often resolves on its own in young boys.

From Latin "ejaculari" (to throw out). Old literary use: to exclaim suddenly ("\"What!\" he ejaculated"), now almost universally interpreted sexually, making old novels unintentionally amusing.

1. to discharge semen suddenly

   He ejaculated during intercourse.

2. (literary) to exclaim suddenly

   "Heavens!" she ejaculated.

• the act of ejaculating

  Ejaculation is controlled by the nervous system.

A common sexual dysfunction in which ejaculation happens sooner than a person or their partner would like. Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired during sexual activity

  Premature ejaculation is one of the most common male sexual complaints.

From Latin in + vigor (strength). Same root as "vigor" and "vigorous".

• to give strength or energy to

  The cold shower invigorated him.

• making one feel strong, healthy, and full of energy

  It was an invigorating walk in the mountain air.

Often used in business/politics to describe campaigns or programs being restarted with new energy. "Reinvigorate the brand".

• to give new energy or strength to

  The vacation reinvigorated him.

1. strong, healthy, and full of energy

   She is a vigorous 80-year-old.

2. involving physical strength, effort, or energy

   He took a vigorous walk every morning.

• (of a person) having one's true identity concealed

  She remained incognito throughout her stay at the hotel.

• with one's true identity concealed

  He traveled incognito.

Two pronunciations/meanings: re-FUSE (verb, decline) vs REF-use (noun, rubbish).

• to say that one will not do or accept something

  He flatly refused to apologize.

• matter thrown away; rubbish

  The refuse is collected every Monday.

• an act of refusing to do or accept something

  His refusal to cooperate surprised everyone.

More formal than "begin" or "start". Common in formal/legal contexts.

• to begin

  The ceremony will commence at noon.

American: also refers to graduation ceremony ("commencement speech"). "Commencement address": famous speeches at universities (Steve Jobs at Stanford 2005).

• a beginning or start; a graduation ceremony

  The commencement of the project was delayed.

Also spelled co-operate (with hyphen, especially older British style).

• to work jointly with others toward a shared goal

  The two departments agreed to cooperate on the new project.

• to work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something

  They collaborated on the project.

"Collab": informal abbreviation, especially in music/influencer contexts. Historically: "collaborator" had negative WWII connotation (working with occupiers).

• the action of working together to produce something

  The film is a collaboration between two directors.

Informal clipping of collaboration, widespread in music, YouTube, and influencer culture.

• (informal) a collaborative project or piece of work

  The two brands announced a collab on a limited-edition sneaker.

Related to "authentic". Common in art/antiques (authenticate a painting), security (authenticate a user), and document verification.

• to prove or verify that something is genuine or true

  Experts were called in to authenticate the signature.

Adjective ending: -lət. Verb ending: -leɪt. "Articulate" can apply to spoken expression or anatomical joints ("articulated truck").

• having or showing the ability to express oneself clearly

  She is a very articulate speaker.

• to express clearly

  He struggled to articulate his feelings.

An articulated vehicle has connected sections that can bend.

• made of connected parts that can bend or move

  An articulated bus turned slowly through the intersection.

• clear expression of ideas or the physical production of speech sounds

  Good articulation makes public speaking easier.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here. Different from "pass away" (die).

1. to lose consciousness suddenly

   She passed out from the heat.

2. to distribute something to a group of people

   The teacher passed out the worksheets.