Key Vocabulary for Advanced English: Definitions and Usage

aversion (n)

a dislike, a distaste for

blithe (adj)

happy, cheerful

bombastic (adj)

overblown, pompous, high-sounding

cajole (v)

to coax, to persuade by flattering

callous (adj)

cold-hearted, insensitive

capitulate (v)

to surrender, to give in

capricious (adj)

fickle, changeable, whimsical

carping (n)

complaining, whining

caustic (adj)

stinging, harsh

censure (v)

to blame, to condemn, to criticize

chastise (v)

to criticize, to discipline

chimerical (adj)

fanciful, impractical

chronic (adj)

long-lasting, constant

circumspect (adj)

cautious, careful, suspicious

clandestine (adj)

secret, concealed

clemency (n)

mercy, pity

coalesce (v)

to combine, to join together

colloquial (adj)

conversational, informal (language) in tone

commiserate (v)

to sympathize with, to feel compassion for

conciliatory (adj)

appeasing, soothing

condone (v)

to forgive, to overlook

conspicuous (adj)

obvious, clearly visible

copious (adj)

abundant, plentiful

corroborate (v)

to verify, to confirm

crass (adj)

crude, ignorant