Vocabulary 18

Feisty

Lively, determined, and courageous, sometimes prone to arguing.

“The semi-feral cat is quite feisty, but he calms down when you offer him some chicken hearts.”

Strapped (finance)

Short of money.

“Since I just paid my university tuition, I'm a bit strapped for cash this month.”

Strapped (physical)

Secured or fastened in place with a strap.

“Make sure the heavy cargo is securely strapped to the roof of the car before we leave.”

Unruly

Disorderly, disruptive, and difficult to control.

“The teacher struggled to manage the class of unruly teenagers on a Friday afternoon.”

Overburden

To load someone with too many things to carry, or with too much work or responsibility.

“We shouldn't overburden the junior staff with complex administrative tasks right away.”

Homage

Special honor or respect shown publicly.

“The director's latest film is a beautiful homage to the classic suspense thrillers of the 1950s.”

Dismiss (idea)

To decide that something or someone is not important and not worth considering.

“You shouldn't dismiss her creative ideas so quickly; they actually have a lot of potential.”

Dismiss (employment)

To officially remove someone from their job.

“The company was forced to dismiss the accountant after discovering severe financial irregularities.”

Probation (employment)

A period of time during which a new employee is tested to see if they are suitable for the job.

“All new hires are required to complete a three-month probation period before signing a permanent contract.”

Probation (legal)

The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision.

“The judge sentenced the young man to two years of probation instead of jail time.”

Ointment

A smooth substance rubbed on the skin to heal a wound or reduce pain.

“The doctor prescribed a soothing ointment to help treat the painful rash on my arm.”

Basking (physical)

To lie exposed to warmth and light, typically from the sun, for relaxation and pleasure.

“We found the cat happily basking in the warm sunlight coming through the living room window.”

Basking (figurative)

To revel in and make the most of something pleasing (like attention or praise).

“After winning the prestigious award, the author spent the evening basking in the applause of the crowd.”

Slender

Gracefully thin.

“She had long, slender fingers that moved gracefully over the piano keys.”

Solace

Comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.

“After a stressful week of exams, I find great solace in reading a good fictional story.”

Withstand

To remain undamaged or unaffected by; to resist. “The newly built shelter is strong enough to withstand the severe winter storms.”

Hose

A flexible tube conveying water, used chiefly for watering plants and in firefighting.

“He used a garden hose to wash the heavy mud off the tires of his truck.”

Inhabited

Lived in or occupied by people or animals.

“The dense, ancient forest is inhabited by a wide variety of dangerous wildlife.”

Screw (tool)

A short, slender, sharp-pointed metal pin with a raised thread round it, used to join things together.

“You will need a power drill and a long screw to secure the heavy shelf to the wall.”

Screw (informal action)

To completely ruin or mess up a situation.

“If we don't finish this report on time, we are going to screw up our chances of getting the contract.”

Hinder

To create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.

“A lack of adequate funding will severely hinder the progress of the medical research team.”