Important (1)

Lesson 23

Capricious

Title: Capricious

Pronunciation: /kəˈprɪʃəs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /kəˈprɪʃəs

Synonym: unpredictable, erratic

Opposite: consistent, predictable

 

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

Her capricious moods made it hard to predict her reactions

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

Cogent

Title: Cogent

Pronunciation: /ˈkəʊdʒ(ə)nt/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /ˈkəʊdʒ(ə)nt

Synonym: persuasive, compelling

Opposite: weak, unconvincing

 

clear, logical, and convincing

The lawyer presented a cogent argument in court

clear, logical, and convincing

Didactic

Title: Didactic

Pronunciation: /daɪˈdæktɪk/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /daɪˈdæktɪk

Synonym: educational, instructive

Opposite: entertaining, non-instructive

 

Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive

The novel had a didactic tone, aiming to impart important life lessons

Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive

Equanimity

Title: Equanimity

Pronunciation: /ˌiːkwəˈnɪmɪti/

Part of speech: noun

Formal or informal: formal

Countable or uncountable: uncountable

Stress marks: /ˌiːkwəˈnɪmɪti

Synonym: composure, serenity

Opposite: agitation, panic

 

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation

She faced the crisis with remarkable equanimity

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation

Fastidious

Title: Fastidious

Pronunciation: /fæˈstɪdɪəs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /fæˈstɪdɪəs

Synonym: meticulous, precise

Opposite: careless, sloppy

 

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

She was fastidious about cleanliness in her home

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

Gratuitous

Title: Gratuitous

Pronunciation: /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs

Synonym: unnecessary, unjustified

Opposite: justified, warranted

 

Uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted

The gratuitous violence in the movie was unnecessary

Uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted

Harbinger

Title: Harbinger

Pronunciation: /ˈhɑːbɪndʒər/

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another; a forerunner of something

Formal or informal: formal

Countable or uncountable: countable

Stress marks: /ˈhɑːbɪndʒər

Synonym: precursor, herald

Opposite: follower, successor

 

Example

The first snowfall is often seen as a harbinger of winter

Example

Inscrutable

Title: Inscrutable

Pronunciation:/ɪnˈskruːtəb(ə)l/

Part of speech :adjective 

Stress marks:/ɪnˈskruːtəb(ə)l 

Synonym:mysterious, enigmatic 

Opposite:fathomable, transparent 

 

Not easily understood; mysterious

His inscrutable expression gave nothing away

Not easily understood; mysterious

Meticulous

Title: Meticulous

Pronunciation:/məˈtɪkjʊləs/ 

Part of speech :adjective  

Stress marks:/məˈtɪkjʊləs

Synonym:detailed, careful 

Opposite:sloppy, careless

 

Taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough

She was meticulous in her planning for the event.

Taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough

Nebulous

Title: Nebulous

Pronunciation:/ˈnɛbjʊləs/ 

Part of speech :adjective

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/ˈnɛbjʊləs  

Synonym:vague, ambiguous 

Opposite:definite, clear

 

(of a concept) unclear, vague, or ill-defined

The plan was still nebulous and lacked clear direction

(of a concept) unclear, vague, or ill-defined

Ostracize

Title: Ostracize

Pronunciation:/ˈɒstrəsʌɪz/

Part of speech :verb

Irregular spelling and irregular forms:ostracized (past tense) 

Transitive or intransitive :transitive 

Stress marks:/ˈɒstrəsʌɪz

Synonym:socially exclude, shun

Opposite:include, welcome

 

Exclude (someone) from a society or group

She felt ostracized by her former friends after the argument

Exclude (someone) from a society or group

Pedantic

Title: Pedantic

Pronunciation:/pɪˈdantɪk/ 

Part of speech :adjective 

Stress marks:/pɪˈdantɪk 

Synonym:pompous, dogmatic 

Opposite:laid-back, relaxed

 

Narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned; unimaginative; dull

His pedantic lectures were hard to sit through

Narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned; unimaginative; dull

Quandary

Title: Quandary

Pronunciation:/ˈkwɒnd(ə)ri/ 

Part of speech :noun 

Definition:a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation;dilemma 

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/ˈkwɒnd(ə)ri

Synonym:dilemma, predicament 

Opposite:solution, clarity

 

A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation; dilemma

She found herself in a quandary over which job offer to accept

A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation; dilemma

Rancor

Title: Rancor

Pronunciation:/ˈræŋkə/

Part of speech :noun 

Stress marks:/ˈræŋkə  

Synonym:bitterness, animosity 

Opposite:forgiveness, goodwill

 

Bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing

Their rancor towards each other was evident in their heated arguments

Bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing

Sagacious

Title: Sagacious

Pronunciation:/səˈgeɪʃəs/ 

Part of speech :adjective  

Stress marks:/səˈgeɪʃəs 

Synonym:wise, insightful  

Opposite:n/a

Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise

The sagacious advice from the elder was highly valued

Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise

Tenacious

Title: Tenacious

Pronunciation: /təˈneɪʃəs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /təˈneɪʃəs

Synonym: persistent, determined

Opposite: weak, yielding

Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely

Her tenacious grip on the rope helped her climb to the top

Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely

Ubiquitous

Title: Ubiquitous

Pronunciation: /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs

Synonym: omnipresent, pervasive

Opposite: rare, scarce

 

present, appearing, or found everywhere

The ubiquitous use of smartphones has changed the way we communicate

present, appearing, or found everywhere

Vex

Title: Vex

Pronunciation: /vɛks/

Part of speech: verb

Transitive or intransitive: transitive

Stress marks: /vɛks

Synonym: irritate, bother

Opposite: soothe, calm

 

Make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters

The constant noise from the construction site vexed the neighbors

Make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters

Wistful

Title: Wistful

Pronunciation: /ˈwɪstfʊl/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /ˈwɪstfʊl

Synonym: nostalgic, yearning

Opposite: content, satisfied

 

Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing

She looked at the old photographs with a wistful expression

Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing

Zealot

Title: Zealot

Pronunciation: /ˈzɛlət/

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals

Countable or uncountable: countable

Stress marks: /ˈzɛlət

Synonym: fanatic, extremist

Opposite: moderate, moderate

 

Example

The zealot’s extreme views alienated many people.

Example

Ostensible

Title: Ostensible

Pronunciation: /ɒˈstɛnsɪb(ə)l/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /ɒˈstɛnsɪb(ə)l

Synonym: apparent, seeming

Opposite: genuine, real

 

stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so

The ostensible reason for his absence was illness, but some suspected other motives.

stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so

Pedantic

Title: Pedantic

Pronunciation: /pɪˈdantɪk/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /pɪˈdantɪk

Synonym: nitpicking, meticulous

Opposite: relaxed, casual

 

Excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous

His pedantic insistence on correct grammar made him unpopular with his colleagues

Excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous

Quotidian

Title: Quotidian

Pronunciation: /kwəʊˈtɪdɪən/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /kwəʊˈtɪdɪən

Synonym: daily, routine

Opposite: extraordinary, exceptional

 

of or occurring every day; daily

The monotony of her quotidian routine was starting to wear on her.

of or occurring every day; daily

Recalcitrant

Title: Recalcitrant

Pronunciation: /rɪˈkalsɪtr(ə)nt/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /rɪˈkalsɪtr(ə)nt

Synonym: defiant, disobedient

Opposite: compliant, obedient

 

Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline

The recalcitrant student refused to follow the teacher’s instructions.

Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline

Sanguine

Title: Sanguine

Pronunciation: /ˈsaŋɡwɪn/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /ˈsaŋɡwɪn

Synonym: hopeful, confident

Opposite: pessimistic, gloomy

 

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

Despite the setbacks, she remained sanguine about the project’s prospects

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

Tenuous

Title: Tenuous

Pronunciation: /ˈtɛnjʊəs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: formal

Stress marks: /ˈtɛnjʊəs

Synonym: flimsy, fragile

Opposite: strong, substantial

 

very weak or slight; insubstantial

The evidence for their theory was tenuous at best

very weak or slight; insubstantial

Ubiquitous

Title: Ubiquitous

Pronunciation: yoo-BIK-wi-tuhs

Part of speech: adjective

Countable or uncountable: Countable

Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive

Stress marks: yoo-BIK-wi-tuhs

Synonym: omnipresent

Opposite: rare

 

present, appearing, or found everywhere

The company’s logo was ubiquitous, appearing on billboards, commercials, and even clothing

present, appearing, or found everywhere

Vacillate

Title: Vacillate

Pronunciation: /ˈvasɪleɪt/

Part of speech: verb

Transitive or intransitive: intransitive

Stress marks: /ˈvasɪleɪt

Synonym: hesitate, waver

Opposite: decide, commit

 

Ternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive

She vacillated between staying home and going out with her friends

Ternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive

Wistful

Title: Wistful

Pronunciation: WIST-fuhl

Part of speech: adjective

Countable or uncountable: Countable

Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive

Stress marks: WIST-fuhl

Synonym: nostalgic

Opposite: content

 

Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing

She looked wistful as she gazed out the window, lost in thought

Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing

Zealous

Title: Zealous

Pronunciation: ZEL-uhs

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable

Transitive or intransitive: Intransitive

Stress marks: ZEL-uhs

Synonym: fervent

Opposite: apathetic

Having or showing zeal; enthusiastic or passionate

The zealous young activist dedicated all her time to the cause she believed in

Having or showing zeal; enthusiastic or passionate