Destination C1 & C2 Vocabulary Review

Essential C1 and C2 level topic vocabulary definitions compiled directly from the Destination C1 & C2 coursebook.

assess

To carefully consider a situation, person or problem in order to make a judgment, or to calculate what something costs or is worth.

baffle

To be impossible for someone to understand or solve (used of a problem, someone's behaviour, etc).

cynical

Believing that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest, or expecting things not to be successful or useful.

deduce

To know something as a result of considering the information or evidence that you have.

dilemma

A situation in which you have to make a difficult decision.

ingenious

Using new and clever ideas (used of a plan, piece of equipment, etc).

plausible

Likely to be true, honest or suitable.

anachronism

Something that is no longer suitable for or relevant to modern times.

status quo

The present situation or the way things usually are.

headhunt

To try to persuade someone to leave their job and go to work for another company.

redundant

Told that you must leave your job because you are no longer needed.

clamber

To climb something with difficulty, using your hands and feet.

velocity

The speed that something moves at in one direction.

quay

A hard surface next to a sea or river, where boats can stop.

allege

To say that something is true or that someone has done something wrong or illegal even though this has not been proved.

ambiguous

Not clear or definite; capable of being understood in more than one way.

jargon

Special words and phrases that are only understood by people who do the same kind of work.

ascribe

To believe something is the cause of something else.

haphazard

Done in a way that does not seem to be carefully planned or organised.

finite

Existing only in limited numbers or amounts or continuing only for a limited time or distance.

dense

Very heavy in relation to its size (used of a substance).

infrastructure

The set of systems within a place or organisation that affect how well it operates, for example the telephone and transport systems in a country.

inertia

A situation in which something does not change for a long time.

prognosis

A doctor's opinion about the way in which a disease or illness is likely to develop.

deterrent

Something that makes people decide not to do something by making them realise that something unpleasant could happen to them.

shambles

Something that is very badly organised and does not operate effectively.

exquisite

Extremely beautiful and delicate.

curator

Someone whose job is to look after the objects in a museum.

coexist

To live or exist at the same time or in the same place.

sedentary

Involving a lot of sitting and not much exercise.