UNIT 4: VOCAB C1 C2 - Change and Technology

adapt (v) /əˈdæpt/

to change your ideas or behaviour so that you can deal with a new situation: A successful business is one that adapts to changing situations.

adjust (v) /əˈdʒʌst/

to change something slightly in order to make it better, more accurate or more effective: You can adjust the volume using this control here.

alternate (v) /ˈɔːltəneɪt/

if one thing alternates with another, it happens after it and keeps being repeated: You go first this game, and then we'll alternate.

alternate (adj) /ɔːlˈtɜːnət/

happening on one day, week, etc, but not on the day, week, etc that immediately follows: We usually go to visit my grandma on alternate Sundays.

alternative (n) /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/

something that you can choose instead of something else: Can you suggest an alternative?

alternative (adj) /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/

different from something else and able to be used instead of it: We're going to have to find an alternative route.

amend (v) /əˈmend/

to make changes to a document, law, agreement, etc, especially in order to improve it: Could you amend the report before you send it?

conservative (adj) /kənˈsɜːvətɪv/

not willing to accept much change, especially in the traditional values of society: I grew up in a village where most of the people were quite conservative.

convert (v) /kənˈvɜːt/

to change from one system, use or method to another, or to make something do this: We're converting to a new computer system at work, so it's chaos at the moment.

convert (v) /kənˈvɜːt/

to change your beliefs, especially your religious beliefs, or to persuade someone to do this: I was rather shocked when my dad converted to Islam.

convert (n) /ˈkɒnvɜːt/

someone who has changed their beliefs in an important way: I didn't use to like Fiat cars, but now I've become a convert.

decay (v) /dɪˈkeɪ/

to be gradually destroyed as a result of a natural process of change, or to destroy something in this way: When leaves decay, chemicals are returned to the soil.

decay (n) /dɪˈkeɪ/

the gradual destruction of something as a result of a natural process of change: Too much sugar in our diets is a major cause of tooth decay.

deteriorate (v) /dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt/

to become worse: The situation in the country has deteriorated and tourists are advised not to go there.

distort (v) /dɪˈstɔːt/

to change something such as information so that it is no longer true or accurate: Journalists often distort statistics in order to tell a good story.

dynamic (adj) /daɪˈnæmɪk/

continuously changing, growing or developing: The world of electronics is a very dynamic area.

endure (v) /ɪnˈdjʊə(r)/

to suffer something unpleasant or difficult in a patient way over a long period: I don't know how people endure the conditions in prison.

endure (v) /ɪnˈdjʊə(r)/

to last for a long time: Shakespeare's works have endured for over 400 years.

evolve (v) /ɪˈvɒlv/

when a type of plant or animal evolves, its physical form changes over a long period of time: Do you think people will eventually evolve into some kind of superhuman?

evolve (v) /ɪˈvɒlv/

to gradually change and develop over a period of time: As the computer industry has evolved, everything has got faster and cheaper.

influence (v) /ˈɪnfluəns/

to affect the way someone thinks or behaves or affect the way something happens: Don't let yourself be influenced by what she says.

influence (n) /ˈɪnfluəns/

the effect that a person or thing has on someone's decisions, opinions or behaviour or on the way something happens: Picasso has had an enormous influence on many painters.

innovation (n) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/

a new idea, method, piece of equipment, etc: This innovation will mean cheap energy for everyone.

innovative (adj) /ˈɪnəvətɪv/

new, original and advanced: His first album was innovative, but I've been disappointed by the others.

last (v) /lɑːst/

to continue existing or happening for or until a particular time: The flight lasts five hours.

maintain (v) /meɪnˈteɪn/

to make something stay the same: I find it hard to maintain my weight.

mature (v) /məˈtʃʊə(r)/

to start behaving like an adult and become more sensible as you get older: As you mature, you'll see that things are much more complicated.

mature (adj) /məˈtʃʊə(r)/

behaving in the sensible way that you would expect an adult to behave: Why can't you be a bit more mature and stop being so childish?

modify (v) /ˈmɒdɪfaɪ/

to change something slightly, especially in order to improve it or to make it less extreme: We've modified the design to solve the problem.

novel (adj) /ˈnɒvl/

new or unusual: A TV that receives text messages is quite a novel idea.

persist (v) /pəˈsɪst/

to continue to do or say something in a determined way: You'll get yourself into trouble if you persist in behaving in this way.

potential (n) /pəˈtenʃl/

the possibility to develop or achieve something in the future: Ed's got a lot of potential as an athlete.

potential (adj) /pəˈtenʃl/

possible or likely in the future: I think the book's a potential bestseller.

progress (v) /prəˈɡres/

to continue to develop or move forward: Your English has really progressed this term.

progress (n) /ˈprəʊɡres/

the process of developing or improving: I'm not sure that all this technological progress is necessarily a good thing.

radical (adj) /ˈrædɪkl/

a radical change or way of doing something is new and very different from the usual way: That's quite a radical suggestion.

refine (v) /rɪˈfaɪn/

to make some changes to something in order to improve it: You need to refine your argument to make it clearer.

reform (v) /rɪˈfɔːm/

to improve a situation by correcting things that are wrong or unfair, or make a system work more effectively: The government is planning to reform the health system.

reform (n) /rɪˈfɔːm/

a change intended to correct a situation that is wrong or unfair or make a system work more effectively: These reforms don't go far enough, in my opinion.

remain (v) /rɪˈmeɪn/

to continue to be in a particular situation or condition: The interest rate is going to remain at 4%.

revise (v) /rɪˈvaɪz/

to change your opinion or judgment of someone or something: I think I'm beginning to revise my opinion of Tim.

revise (v) /rɪˈvaɪz/

to change, improve or make additions to something such as a book, law or piece of writing: Revise your essay and I'll have a look at the changes when you've finished.

revolution (n) /ˌrevəˈluːʃn/

a sudden or major change, especially in ideas or methods: This invention will lead to a revolution in housework.

revolution (n) /ˌrevəˈluːʃn/

a situation in which people completely change their government or political system, usually by force: Life was quite difficult in the country following the revolution.

shift (v) /ʃɪft/

if an idea, attitude or plan shifts or someone shifts it, it changes: The plan has shifted so we'll need to have another meeting.

shift (n) /ʃɪft/

a change in something, for example in someone's ideas or opinions: There has been a real shift in attitudes on this issue.

spoil (v) /spɔɪl/

to affect something in a way that makes it worse, less attractive or less enjoyable: Your argument with Bill really spoiled the party.

status quo (n phr) /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwəʊ/

the present situation or the way things usually are: Let's just keep the status quo until we know what's happening.

steady (v) /ˈstedi/

to hold something firmly without shaking or moving it: Could you just steady the ladder?

steady (adj) /ˈstedi/

firmly held in a particular position without moving or shaking: Imogen gave me a steady look.

steady (adj) /ˈstedi/

staying at the same level, speed, value, etc: Prices should remain steady over the next few months.

substitute (v) /ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt/

to remove one thing and put something else in its place: You can substitute cream with milk, if you have any.

substitute (n) /ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt/

something that is used instead of something else: Margarine is a good substitute for butter.

sustain (v) /səˈsteɪn/

to provide the conditions in which something can happen or exist: The atmosphere on Mars won't sustain life.

switch (v) /swɪtʃ/

to replace one object with another: Someone switched their briefcase for mine when I wasn't looking.

switch (n) /swɪtʃ/

a change from one thing to another: I knew the magician had changed the cards over but I didn't spot the switch.

switch (n) /swɪtʃ/

something such as a button or key that controls the electrical supply to a light, piece of equipment, machine, etc: This switch controls the volume.

transform (v) /trænsˈfɔːm/

to make someone or something completely different, usually in a way that makes them more attractive, easier to use, etc: Jill was completely transformed by her time at university.

trend (n) /trend/

a gradual change or development that produces a particular result: There's a trend towards smaller cars these days.

uniform (adj) /ˈjuːnɪfɔːm/

the same everywhere: You should find that every Hilton hotel offers a uniform standard of service.