Key Vocabulary for Advanced English Learners: Definitions and Usage

advent

The advent of something, such as a new kind of technology, marks the beginning of its arrival or appearance to the world at large.

adversary

An adversary is a person who goes against you in some way, such as an opponent in a contest or a personal enemy in a conflict.

adversity

If you undergo adversity in life, you struggle with trouble, bad luck, and difficult times.

aesthetic

The word aesthetic is used to talk about art, beauty, the study of beauty, and the appreciation of beautiful things.

animated

When a person is animated, they are energetic, lively, and filled with excited activity.

aptitude

Someone's aptitude at a skill is their natural ability to perform it well; this word also refers to someone's ability to learn something new or become better at a skill.

arbitrary

If you describe a decision, rule, or plan as arbitrary, you think that it was decided without any thought, standard, or system to guide it; therefore, it can seem unfair.

arid

An arid landscape is dry and lacking in sufficient rainfall to support much life.

artifact

An artifact is a weapon, tool, or piece of art created by human beings that is historically and culturally interesting or valuable.

belligerent

A belligerent person or country is aggressive, very unfriendly, and likely to start a fight.

brevity

Brevity is communicating by using just a few words or by taking very little time to do so.

calligraphy

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting using special pens or brushes.

cavernous

A cavernous space is very large and empty; it is both hollow and huge.

chronicle

A chronicle is a record of historical events that arranges those events in the correct order in which they happened.

chronological

A chronological history arranges events in the order that they happened.

communal

Communal property includes those goods or items that are shared in common by a community.

concentric

Concentric circles, gradually increasing in size, spread out from a common central point.

concise

A concise statement is short, clear, and gets right to the point.

conjecture

A conjecture is a theory or guess that is based on information that is not certain or complete.

conscientious

When someone is conscientious in performing a task, they do it in a thorough and careful fashion to make sure that it is completely done.

consensus

When a group of people reaches a consensus, it has reached a general agreement about something.

constrain

When you are constrained, you are forced to do something or are kept from doing it.

contemplate

When you contemplate something, you either think about it deeply or gaze at it intently.

contemporary

A contemporary object, person, or idea exists at the same period of time as something else or exists at the current time.

convene

People convene when they gather together or are called together by someone for a meeting.

conventional

A conventional way of thinking or behaving is the one most commonly accepted by social groups.

convergent

Two things that are convergent are meeting or coming together at one point in time or space.

cordial

A cordial greeting is warm, friendly, and polite.

cornucopia

A cornucopia is a large quantity and variety of something good and nourishing.

credible

If you act in a credible fashion, you are easy to believe or trust.

deficit

A deficit occurs when there is not enough of something, such as when a person or government spends more money than has been received, or there is not enough rain.

discern

When you discern something, you notice, detect, or understand it, often after thinking about it carefully or studying it for some time.

disentangle

When you disentangle a knot or a problem, you untie the knot or get yourself out of the problem.

dispel

When you dispel a thought from your mind, you cause it to go away or disappear; when you do the same to a crowd, you cause it to scatter into different directions.

disposition

Your disposition is your personality, the way you tend to react to the various events in your life, and the mood that you generally have.

dissension

Dissension is a disagreement or difference of opinion among a group of people that can cause conflict.

distortion

When something is subjected to distortion, it is twisted out of shape in some way.

dominion

When one country has dominion over another, it rules or controls it absolutely.

dubious

If someone makes a dubious claim, there is a great deal of disbelief or doubt about it.

egotistical

An egotistical person thinks about or is concerned with no one else other than themself.

encompass

When something encompasses something else, it includes all aspects of it or completely surrounds it.

erratic

Erratic behavior is irregular, unpredictable, and unusual.

exemplify

One thing that exemplifies another serves as an example of it, illustrates it, or demonstrates it.

expansive

Something expansive has a wide scope or is large in area.

facilitate

When you facilitate something, such as an event or project, you make it easier for everyone to get it done by giving assistance.

fanaticism

Fanaticism is the condition of being overly enthusiastic or eager about a cause to the point of being extreme and unreasonable about it.

fidelity

Fidelity towards something, such as a marriage or promise, is faithfulness or loyalty towards it.

fluctuate

Things that fluctuate vary or change often, rising or falling seemingly at random.

formative

Something formative shapes or influences the growth of something else.

formulate

When you formulate a plan of action, you carefully work it out or design it in great detail ahead of time.

fortification

A fortification is a structure or building that is used in defense against an invading army.

fruitless

A fruitless effort at doing something does not bring about a successful result.

generic

A generic description or attribute is not specific to any one thing but applies to all members of an entire class or group.

genre

A genre is a category, type, or class of artistic work.

gingerly

To handle an object gingerly is to be careful and cautious with it.

gratification

When you have a feeling of gratification, you experience satisfaction or pleasure about a job well done.

homage

When you pay homage to another person, you show them great admiration or respect; you might even worship them.

impending

An impending event is approaching fast or is about to occur; this word usually has a negative implication, referring to something threatening or harmful coming.

impenetrable

An impenetrable barrier cannot be gotten through by any means; this word can refer to parts of a building such as walls and doors—or to a problem of some kind that cannot be solved.

imperative

When it is imperative that something be done, it is absolutely necessary or very important that it be accomplished.

implicit

When something is implicit, it is understood without having to say it.

imposition

An imposition is giving someone an additional duty or extra work that is not welcomed by that person.

impoverished

An impoverished person or nation is very poor and stricken by poverty.

improvise

When someone improvises, they make something up at once because an unexpected situation has arisen.

impulsive

Someone who is impulsive tends to do things without thinking about them ahead of time; therefore, their actions can be unpredictable.

ingenuity

Ingenuity in solving a problem uses creativity, intelligence, and cleverness.

interim

An interim position at a school or business is only temporary; it lasts until the position can be filled permanently.

judicious

A judicious person shows good or sound judgment because they are wise and careful in making decisions.

kinetic

Something kinetic is moving, active, and using energy.

laborious

A laborious job or process takes a long time, requires a lot of effort, and is often boring.

lavish

Lavish praise, giving, or a meal is rich, plentiful, or very generous; it can sometimes border on being too much.

longevity

Longevity is the life span of a person or object; it can also refer to a particularly long life.

luminous

When something is luminous, it is bright and glowing.

luxuriant

Something luxuriant, such as plants or hair, is growing well and is very healthy.

malice

Malice is a type of hatred that causes a strong desire to harm others both physically and emotionally.

malignant

Something malignant, such as a tumor or bad influence, is deadly or does great harm.

mediocre

Something mediocre is average or ordinary in quality; it's just OK.

memorandum

A memorandum is a short note that helps someone remember what they've done or have to do; it can also be a form of communication that gives out information.

moderation

When you behave with moderation, you live in a balanced and measured way; you do nothing to excess.

monumental

A monumental event is very great, impressive, or extremely important in some way.

morale

A person's morale is their current state of self-confidence, how they feel emotionally, and how motivated they are to complete tasks.

naive

If someone is naive, they are too trusting of others; they don't have enough experience in life to know whom to believe.

norm

A social norm is the standard, model, or rule by which people conduct themselves.

notorious

A notorious person is well-known by the public at large; they are usually famous for doing something bad.

novice

If you are a novice at an activity, you have just begun or started doing it.

nurture

When you nurture someone, you feed and take care of them.

obliterate

When you obliterate something, you destroy it to such an extent that there is nothing or very little of it left.

patronize

If someone patronizes you, they talk or behave in a way that seems friendly; nevertheless, they also ********* they were more intelligent or important than you are.

perilous

A perilous situation is highly dangerous or extremely risky.

piety

Piety is being devoted or showing loyalty towards something, especially a religion.

placid

A placid scene or person is calm, quiet, and undisturbed.

plight

If you are in a plight, you are in trouble of some kind or in a state of unfortunate circumstances.

posterity

Your posterity are your children; they are also your future generations.

potency

Something's potency is how powerful or effective it is.

predecessor

A predecessor comes before someone else in a job or is an ancestor of someone.

predicament

If you are in a predicament, you are in a difficult situation or unpleasant mess that is hard to get out of.

procrastinate

When you procrastinate, you put off or delay doing something—usually because it is something unpleasant that you'd rather not do.

proximity

Proximity is how close or near one thing is to another.

purge

To purge something is to get rid of or remove it.

ratification

The ratification of a measure or agreement is its official approval or confirmation by all involved.