Q and R

Lesson 15

Quaint

Title: Quaint

Pronunciation: /kweɪnt/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: /kweɪnt

Synonym: charming, picturesque

Opposite: modern, ordinary

 

Attractively unusual or old-fashioned

The quaint little town was full of charm

Attractively unusual or old-fashioned

Qualification

Title: Qualification

Pronunciation: /ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a quality or accomplishment that makes someone suitable for a particular job or activity; an official record showing that you have finished a training course or have the necessary skills, etc.

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Stress marks: /ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n

Synonym: certification, credential

Opposite: disqualification

 

Example

She obtained her teaching qualification last year

Example

Quest

Title: Quest

Pronunciation: /kwɛst/

Part of speech: noun/verb

Definition: a long or arduous search for something; an adventurous expedition undertaken by a knight to secure or achieve something

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: /kwɛst

Synonym: search, journey

Opposite: surrender

 

Example

The hero embarked on a quest to find the lost treasure

Example

Quote

Title: Quote

Pronunciation: /kwəʊt/

Part of speech: noun/verb

Definition: repeat or copy out (a group of words from a text or speech), typically with an indication that one is not the original author or speaker; a quotation from a text or speech

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /kwəʊt

Synonym: cite, reference (verb), saying, excerpt (noun)

Opposite: paraphrase

 

Example

She quoted a famous line from the movie

Example

Racist

Title: Racist

Pronunciation: /ˈreɪsɪst/

Part of speech: noun/adjective

Definition: a person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another; showing or feeling discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or believing that a particular race is superior to another

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable (noun)

Stress marks: /ˈreɪsɪst

Synonym: bigot, discriminatory (noun), prejudiced, discriminatory (adjective)

Opposite: tolerant, inclusive

 

Example

His racist remarks caused outrage

Example

Radical

Title: Radical

 

Pronunciation: /ˈradɪk(ə)l/

Part of speech: noun/adjective

Definition: (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough; a person who advocates thorough or complete political or social reform; a member of a political party or part of a party pursuing such aims

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable (noun)

Stress marks: /ˈradɪk(ə)l

Synonym: drastic, extreme (adjective), reformer, revolutionary (noun)

Opposite: conservative, moderate

 

 

 

Example

The company made some radical changes to its policies

Example

Rage

Title: Rage

Pronunciation: /reɪdʒ/

Part of speech: noun/verb

Definition: violent, uncontrollable anger; feel or express violent uncontrollable anger; move with great violence or intensity

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: intransitive (verb)

Stress marks: /reɪdʒ

Synonym: fury, wrath (noun), fume, seethe (verb)

Opposite: calm, serenity

 

Example

He was filled with rage after the argument

Example

Raid

Title: Raid

 

Pronunciation: /reɪd/

Part of speech: noun/verb

Definition: a sudden attack on an enemy by troops, aircraft, or other armed forces; make a sudden attack on an enemy by troops, aircraft, or other armed forces; conduct a surprise raid on a place

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: transitive (verb)

Stress marks: /reɪd

Synonym: assault, incursion (noun), attack, invade (verb)

Opposite: retreat, defense

 

 

 

Example

The police conducted a raid on the drug cartel’s hideout

Example

Rally

Title: Rally

 

Pronunciation: /ˈræli/

Part of speech: noun/verb

Definition: bring together for a common purpose; recover or cause to recover in health, spirits, or poise; a mass meeting of people making a political protest or showing support for a cause

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: intransitive (verb)

Stress marks: /ˈræli

Synonym: gather, unite (verb), demonstration, protest (noun)

Opposite: disperse, divide

 

 

 

Example

The team rallied after their defeat

Example

Rash

Title: Rash

Pronunciation: /ræʃ/

Part of speech: noun/adjective

Definition:a series of unpleasant occurrences that happen quickly one after the other; displaying or proceeding from a lack of careful consideration of the possible consequences of an action; displaying an impulsive thoughtless character

Formal or informal:both.

Stress marks:/ræʃ.

Synonym:hasty, impulsive(adjective).

Opposite:certain, cautious.

 

Example

The sun’s rays warmed his face

Example

Readjust

Title: Readjust

Pronunciation:/riːəˈdʒʌst/

Part of speech:noun/verb

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/riːəˈdʒʌst

Synonym:update, adapt(verb)

Opposite:settle, fix

 

Get used to a new situation after it has changed; change slightly to improve something

She needed to readjust to life after the accident

Get used to a new situation after it has changed; change slightly to improve something

Realistically

Title: Realistically

Pronunciation:/ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk(ə)li/

Part of speech:noun/adjective/adverb.

Definition:(in a way that shows a practical idea of what can be achieved) in a way that shows understanding and acceptance of things as they are; in a way that is true to life and gives an accurate representation of people and events

Formal or informal:both.

Stress marks:/ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk(ə)li

Synonym:pessimistically(adverb)

Opposite:fantastically

 

Example

Realistically speaking, we can’t afford to buy a new car right now

Example

Realization

Title: Realization

Pronunciation:/ˌrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/

Part of speech:noun

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/ˌrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n

Synonym:cognition, awareness(noun)

Opposite:misunderstanding

 

A becoming aware of something; an understanding that something is true

Her realization that she needed help was a turning point

A becoming aware of something; an understanding that something is true

Realm

Title: Realm

Pronunciation:/rɛlm/

Part of speech:noun/verb/adjective

Definition:a kingdom; an area of interest or activity; an area over which activity, capacity, influence extends; an abstract sphere where an activity takes place; extend into another domain; furnish with power and authority; having great power and influence; characteristic of those having authority

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/rɛlm

Synonym:demesne, domain(noun); enter(adjective); reign(verb)

 

 

Example

The novel explores the realm of fantasy

Example

Reap

Title: Reap

Pronunciation:/riːp/

Part of speech:noun/verb/adjective/adverb

Definition:(of a person) cut with a sickle, scythe, etc.; receive as a consequence of one’s own efforts; gain as a result of effort made previously; gather,gain from effort made previously; gather the harvest(of); cut with a sickle, scythe etc.; receive as a consequence of one’s own efforts; gain as a result of effort made previously; gather,gain from effort made previously; gather the harvest(of).

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/riːp

Synonym:gather, obtain(verb); bountiful(adjective); bountifully(adverb)

Opposite:sow

 

Example

She reaped the rewards of her hard work

Example

Reasoning

Title: Reasoning

Pronunciation:/ˈriːz(ə)nɪŋ/

Part of speech:noun/verb/adjective/adverb.

Definition:(the process of thinking about something in order to make sense of it) the process of thinking about something in order to make sense of it; think logically about something in order to make sense of it; think logically about something in order to make sense of it; think logically about something in order to make sense of it; think logically about something in order to make sense of it

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/ˈriːz(ə)nɪŋ

Synonym:rationality(noun); logical(verb); logical(adjective); logically(adverb)

 

Example

Her reasoning behind the decision was sound

Example

Reassurance

Title: Reassurance

Pronunciation: /ˌriːəˈʃʊər(ə)ns/

Part of speech: noun-

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Stress marks: /ˌriːəˈʃʊər(ə)ns

Synonym: comfort, encouragement

Opposite: doubt, uncertainty

 

A statement or action that removes someone’s doubts or fears

She gave me reassurance that everything would be okay

A statement or action that removes someone’s doubts or fears

Receptive

Title: Receptive

Pronunciation: /rɪˈsɛptɪv/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: /rɪˈsɛptɪv

Synonym: open, responsive

Opposite: resistant, unresponsive

 

willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas

She was very receptive to the feedback

willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas

Reckless

Title: Reckless

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛkləs/

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action; heedless of danger or the consequences of one’s actions; rash or impetuous

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: /ˈrɛkləs

Synonym: careless, irresponsible

Opposite: cautious, responsible

 

Example

His reckless driving put others in danger

Example

Reckon

Title: Reckon

 

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛk(ə)n/

Part of speech: verb

Definition: establish by calculation; be of the opinion; expect; consider or regard in a specified way; count or include someone or something in a calculation

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /ˈrɛk(ə)n

Synonym: calculate, estimate, believe

Opposite: disregard, ignore

 

 

Example

I reckon we’ll be there by noon

Example

Recognition

Title: Recognition

Pronunciation: /ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the action or process of recognizing or being recognized; identification of something from previous encounters or knowledge; acknowledgment of the existence validity, or legality of something

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Stress marks: /ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n

Synonym: acknowledgment, identification

Opposite: ignorance, denial

 

Example

She received recognition for her hard work

Example

Recollect

Title: Recollect

 

Pronunciation: /ˌrɛkəˈlɛkt/

Part of speech: verb

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /ˌrɛkəˈlɛkt

Synonym: remember, recall, retrieve

Opposite: forget, ignore

 

 

 

Example

I can’t recollect where I put my keys

Example

Reconcile

Title: Reconcile

 

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛk(ə)nsʌɪl/

Part of speech: verb

Definition: restore friendly relations between; cause to coexist in harmony; make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed.

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /ˈrɛk(ə)nsʌɪl

Synonym: reunite, resolve, harmonize

Opposite: alienate, separate

 

 

 

Example

They were finally able to reconcile their differences

Example

Reconstruct

Title: Reconstruct

Pronunciation: /riːkənˈstrʌkt/

Part of speech: verb

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /riːkənˈstrʌkt

Synonym: rebuild, restore

Opposite: destroy

 

To build something again that has been damaged

The team was able to reconstruct the ancient building

To build something again that has been damaged

Recreational

Title: Recreational

Pronunciation: /ˌrɛkrɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: /ˌrɛkrɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l

Synonym: leisure, hobbyist

Opposite: work-related

 

Done for enjoyment

He took up recreational swimming as a hobby

Done for enjoyment

Recruit

Title: Recruit

Pronunciation: /rɪˈkruːt/

Part of speech: noun/verb

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /rɪˈkruːt/

Synonym: enlist, hire

Opposite: discharge, dismiss

A person who has recently joined an organization or group

The company is looking to recruit new employees

A person who has recently joined an organization or group

Recur

Title: Recur

Pronunciation: /rɪˈkər/

Part of speech: verb

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: uncountable

Transitive or intransitive: intransitive

Stress marks: /rɪˈkər/

Synonym: repeat, return

Opposite: cease, stop

To happen again, especially at regular intervals

Her migraines tend to recur every few months

To happen again, especially at regular intervals

Redistribute

Title: Redistribute

Pronunciation: /ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjuːt/

Part of speech: verb

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjuːt/

Synonym: reallocate, reassign

Opposite: hoard, keep

 

To distribute something again or differently

The government plans to redistribute wealth to address income inequality

To distribute something again or differently

Redundant

Title: Redundant

Pronunciation: /rɪˈdʌndənt/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Transitive or intransitive: intransitive

Stress marks: /rɪˈdʌndənt/

Synonym: unnecessary, surplus

Opposite: essential, necessary

 

No longer needed or useful; superfluous

The company had to lay off some redundant employees due to budget cuts

No longer needed or useful; superfluous

Referendum

Title: Referendum

Pronunciation: /ˌrefəˈrendəm/

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision

Formal or informal: formal

Countable or uncountable: countable

Transitive or intransitive:

Stress marks: /ˌrefəˈrendəm/

Synonym: plebiscite, ballot

 

Example

The country held a referendum on whether to leave the European Union

Example

Refined

Title: Refined

Pronunciation: /rɪˈfaɪnd/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /rɪˈfaɪnd

Synonym: sophisticated, polished

Opposite: unrefined

Elegant and cultured in appearance, manner, or taste

She had a refined taste in art and literature

Elegant and cultured in appearance, manner, or taste

Reflection

Title: Reflection

Pronunciation: /rɪˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/

Part of speech: noun

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Stress marks: /rɪˈflɛkʃ(ə)n

Synonym: image, mirror image

Opposite: absorption

 

The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it

The reflection of the mountains in the lake was breathtaking

The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it

Reform

Title: Reform

Pronunciation: /rɪˈfɔːm/

Part of speech: noun and verb

Definition (noun): the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.

Definition (verb): make changes in something, especially an institution or practice, in order to improve it

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: transitive (verb)

Stress marks: /rɪˈfɔːm

Synonym: improvement, change

Opposite (noun): deterioration

Opposite (verb): maintain

 

Example

(noun): “The government proposed a reform of the healthcare system.” (verb): “The company decided to reform its policies on employee benefits.”

Example

Refrain

Title: Refrain

Pronunciation: /rɪˈfreɪn/

Part of speech: verb and noun

Definition (noun): a repeated line or number of lines in a poem or song, typically at the end of each verse

Definition (verb): stop oneself from doing something

Formal or informal: both

Transitive or intransitive: intransitive (verb)

Stress marks: /rɪˈfreɪn

Synonym (noun): chorus, verse

Synonym (verb): abstain, resist

Opposite (noun): verse

Opposite (verb): indulge

 

Example

(noun): “The song had a catchy refrain that everyone sang along to.” (verb): “He had to refrain from eating sweets during his diet.”

Example

Refuge

Title: Refuge

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛfjuːdʒ/

Part of speech: noun

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Stress marks: /ˈrɛfjuːdʒ

Synonym: sanctuary, shelter

Opposite: danger

A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble

The refugees sought refuge in neighboring countries

A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble

Regardless

Title: Regardless

Pronunciation:/rɪˈɡɑrdləs/

Part of speech: adverb/adjective

Definition: without paying attention to the present situation; despite the prevailing circumstances

Formal or informal:both

Countable or uncountable:uncountable

Transitive or intransitive:

Stress marks:/rɪˈɡɑrdləs/

Synonym:anyway, nevertheless

Opposite:pertinent,relevant

 

Example

I will continue with my plans regardless

Example

Regime

Title: Regime

Pronunciation:/reɪˈʒiːm/

Part of speech:noun

Formal or informal:both

Countable or uncountable:countable

Transitive or intransitive:

Stress marks:/reɪˈʒiːm/

Synonym:government, administration

Opposite:democracy, freedom

 

A government, especially an authoritarian one

The new regime implemented strict policies

A government, especially an authoritarian one

Register

Title: Register

Pronunciation:/ˈredʒɪstər/

Part of speech:noun/verb

Formal or informal:both

Countable or uncountable:both

Transitive or intransitive:both

Stress marks:/ˈredʒɪstər/

Synonym:list, enroll

Opposite:deregister, unregister

 

A formal list of names; to record information on an official list

I need to register for the conference

A formal list of names; to record information on an official list

Reign

Title: Reign

Pronunciation:/reɪn/

Part of speech:noun/verb

Formal or informal:both

Countable or uncountable:both

Transitive or intransitive:both

Stress marks:/reɪn/

Synonym:rulership, govern

Opposite:surrender, relinquish

 

A period during which a sovereign rules; hold royal office; rule as a monarch

The queen’s reign lasted for over 60 years

A period during which a sovereign rules; hold royal office; rule as a monarch