Academic Vocabulary
A
abandon: 1. a lack of control or restraint 2. loss of inhibitions 3. exuberance 4. surrender to one's natural impulses
abandonment: 1. leaving someone, such as a child or a spouse, voluntarily 2. the act of giving something up 3. the act of letting something or someone go
abate: reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; lessen
abbreviate: make (a word, phrase, or text) shorter
abbreviation: 1. a shortened form of a name, phrase or word 2. the act of shortening something
aberrant: different from the right, normal, usual course, expected course or an accepted standard
aberration: a departure from what is right, true, correct, etc., typically an unwelcome one
abeyance: 1. a temporary stoppage or delay of activity 2. suspension
abhor: regard with extreme dislike and hatred
abide: 1. to accept 2. to put up with; to tolerate 3. to conform
ability: 1. the capacity to do something 2. a skill or talent in a specific area
abjure: 1. to officially renounce 2. to formally and publicly announce that one no longer believes in something
abnormal: 1. strange 2. not usual or typical 3. not what is considered to be normal
aboard: 1. on a boat or any sort of vehicle, such as a train or plane 2. into a group; as a participant
abolish: 1. to get rid of in an official way 2. to put an end to 3. to completely destroy
abolition: 1. the act of getting rid of something 2. the act of stopping or cancelling something
abortion: 1. the medical termination of a pregnancy 2. the failure or premature abandonment of a plan or an undertaking
abortive: 1. failed 2. unfinished and therefore unsuccessful 3. imperfect
abridge: 1. to make something shorter while keeping the same meaning 2. to condense 3. to reduce
abrogate: 1. to officially put an end to something, especially a law or another type of formal agreement
abrupt: 1. brusque or curt in behavior or speech 2. unexpected or sudden, most often in an unpleasant or shocking way 3. steep
absence: 1. the state or condition of someone or something not being present or not existing 2. a failure to appear
absent: 1. not present in a certain time or location 2. non-existent 3. missing
absolute: 1. complete, definite or perfect 2. not limited in any way 3. unadulterated
absolutely: 1. completely 2. definitely 3. without exception
absorb: 1. to incorporate something 2. to soak up or suck up something 3. to gradually take something in
absorption: 1. the act or process of taking in or absorbing any substance 2. the state of being mentally engrossed in something; total concentration
abstain: deliberately choose not to do or have something that is enjoyable but that may not be healthy, safe, or morally right 2. refrain from voting
abstract: 1. not concrete; not related to a physical object or real event 2. expressing or showing feelings instead of real objects or people 3. difficult to understand because of its complexity 4. theoretical
absurd: 1. silly or ridiculous, especially in a laughable way 2. illogical or totally untrue 3. difficult or impossible to believe
absurdity: 1. the state or quality of being totally ridiculous or absurd 2. nonsense
abundance: 1. an extremely large quantity of something 2. a quantity that is considered to be more than enough
abundant: 1. great in number 2. available in a large number 3. more than enough; plenty
abuse: 1. misuse of something 2. unfair or hurtful treatment of a person or an animal 3. improper use
academic: 1. related to school or scholarly subjects 2. theoretical; not practical 3. scholarly; good at studying
academy: 1. a professional organization that is created to regulate or spur interest and development in a specific field 2. a school that provides special training in a particular field
accede: 1. to formally take on official duties 2. to agree; to give consent 3. to do what someone else says
accelerate: 1. to speed up 2. to go faster 3. to make something happen or to happen at a quicker rate than normal
acceleration: 1. an increase in speed or rate 2. the ability of something to go faster
access: 1. a way of entering or exiting a place 2. the right or permission to use, approach, or enter something or somewhere 3. the act of approaching
accessible: 1. obtainable 2. easy to enter, speak with, or approach 3. easily influenced
accessory: 1. an object that is added to another in order to make it more useful or attractive 2. a person that helps another person commit a crime, but who does not actually take part in the crime
accident: 1. an unforeseen event that causes harm, damage, injury or even death 2. a sudden and unplanned event
accidental: 1. unexpected 2. not predicted 3. happening by chance
accidentally: 1. by chance 2. unexpectedly 3. by mistake
accommodate: 1. to do a favor or oblige someone 2. to supply 3. to provide space for people to stay or to be 4. to adapt or to make suitable
accommodation: 1. lodgings used for travelers 2. a place to stay or live
accompaniment: 1. something that accompanies something or someone else 2. music that accompanies a singer or the main tune
accompany: 1. to go along with 2. to be associated with 3. to go somewhere with someone
accomplish: 1. to carry something out; to finish something 2. to be successful in doing something 3. to complete or fulfill
accomplishment: 1. fulfillment, success or achievement 2. something that was done successfully
accord: concurrence of opinions or wills
account: 1. an explanation or description of a specific event or situation 2. a narrative 3. the reasons behind a specific event or action
accountant: 1. a person who keeps and prepares financial reports for businesses and individuals
accounting: 1. the practice or process of recording and keeping financial records of individuals or corporations
accrue: 1. to accumulate over a long period of time 2. to increase 3. to grow in a slow way
accumulate: 1. to collect or gather 2. to amass 3. to increase in quantity or amount
accumulation: 1. the act of growing or increasing in amount over an extended period of time 2. agglomeration
accurate: 1. meticulous or giving careful consideration to the details 2. exact 3. free from errors and mistakes
achieve: 1. to accomplish 2. to reach something through hard work 3. to succeed
acknowledge: 1. to recognize or admit that something is true 2. to tell someone you have received something 3. to thank someone for something they have done 4. to show someone that you have recognized them by making a gesture
acquiesce: 1. to agree to something reticently but without protesting
acquire: 1. to obtain 2. to purchase 3. to develop or learn a habit or skill 4. to pinpoint and hold a target or something else through the use of radar or another tracking device
acquisition: 1. the act of getting something or gaining possession of a skill or a good 2. something that one gets or gains possession of
acrid: 1. a strong, bitter or stinging smell which often creates an unpleasant smell in one's throat 2. a bitter or sharp taste
acrimony: sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, temper, manner, or speech
acuity: 1. acuteness or sharpness, especially of thought, vision or perception
acumen: the ability to think clearly, make good judgments and take quick decision in a particular subject, such as business or politics
adamant: 1. refusing to be persuaded, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision in spite of pleas, appeals, or reason; stubbornly unyielding 2. too hard to cut, break, or pierce
adapt: 1. to make changes in order to fit a specific situation or purpose 2. to modify 3. to alter something
adaptation: 1. the act of modifying something so that it better fits one's needs 2. change; adjustment
adept: highly skilled or proficient at doing something; expert
adequate: 1. sufficient to fit the requirements or needs 2. good enough, but not excessively good 3. satisfactory
adjacent: 1. near 2. close to 3. neighboring 4. touching
adjust: 1. to make changes to 2. to settle or adapt to a situation
adjustment: 1. a change or modification that makes something more suitable or accurate for the person or situation 2. an adaptation
administrate: 1. to direct or manage 2. to control 3. to distribute or give out
administration: 1. a person or group that governs or manages a particular organization 2. the act of controlling a particular organization, group or plan
adroit: very clever or skillful in a physical or mental way
adult: 1. a person or animal that is fully developed or fully grown 2. a mature person or animal
adversity: a difficult, unlucky, or unpleasant situation, condition, or event; misfortune; tragedy
advocate: 1. publicly speak, write, plead, recommend, support or argue for a cause, particular policy or way of doing things 2. a person who publicly speaks, writes, pleads, recommends, supports or argues for a cause, particular policy or way of doing things
aesthetic: 1. relating to beauty or the study or appreciation of beauty or good taste 2. nice to look at
affect: 1. to impact someone emotionally or mentally 2. to produce a change in
affected: 1. behaving in an artificial way to impress people 2. emotionally stirred or moved 3. impaired, harmed, or attacked, as by climate or disease 4. artificial and not sincere
aggregate: 1. to collect or bring together 2. to add amounts together
aid: 1. help; assistance 2. a person who helps someone or something 3. a helpful device
alacrity: a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something
albeit: 1. although 2. even if 3. notwithstanding
allay: 1. to calm or to lessen negative feelings or pain 2. to pacify 3. to alleviate or relieve
alleviate: 1. to make something more bearable or relieve problems or pain 2. to make something less severe or easier
allocate: divide and give out (something) for a particular purpose
alter: 1. to change or modify 2. to make something different 3. to castrate or spay an animal
alternative: 1. not traditional or usual 2. being a choice; offering a choice 3. existing outside traditional society
altruistic: unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others
amalgamate: mix, merge, combine or unite to form one thing
ambiguity: 1. the state of being unclear, inexact and open to more than one possible interpretation 2. doubtfulness
ambiguous: 1. not expressed or understood clearly 2. open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations
amend: 1. to make changes to 2. to improve 3. to alter 4. to remove errors from
amendment: 1. a change that is made to something, such as a law, an agreement or any other document 2. a minor change or addition to something
amiable: pleasant and friendly; good-natured and likable
amicable: characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill, often despite a difficult situation
amorphous: 1. without a defined shape or form 2. unorganized 3. missing a clear structure
analogous: 1. similar to 2. alike or related in a way that allows analogies to be drawn
analogy: 1. a comparison designed to show that two or more things are similar 2. partial resemblance 3. comparability
analyse: 1. to examine something critically 2. to separate something into its parts in order to examine it or better understand it 3. to psychoanalyze
analysis: 1. the study or examination of something in an attempt to define it or understand it 2. investigation 3. the act of breaking a subject down into parts to study it
anarchy: 1. a lack of government or social control of any sort 2. lawlessness and confusion due to an absence of control or structure
anathema: 1. a malediction or a curse 2. something or someone that is considered to be cursed 3. someone or something that is greatly disliked
anecdote: a short, often funny story, especially about something some happening, usually personal or biographical
animosity: 1. clear negativity or hatred of someone or something 2. strong opposition 3. open hostility
annex: 1. to take control or possession over a piece of land without permission and often by the use of force 2. to add or attach 3.
annual: 1. occurring each year 2. payable on a yearly basis or calculated over a year 3. yearly
anonymous: 1. with no name known or acknowledged 2. made or done by someone unknown 3. having no unusual or interesting features
antagonism: 1. unfriendliness or opposition 2. a strong feeling of dislike or hatred towards someone
antagonist: a person who opposes to, struggles against, or competes with someone or something, especially in combat; adversary; opponent
anthology: 1. a book that contains many different selections, often from various authors 2. a collection of music or different works of art
anthropology: the study of human races, origins, societies, beliefs, cultures, and its physical development
anticipate: 1. to predict or foresee 2. to look forward to something 3. to prepare for something or deal with something before it happens
apparent: 1. clear and able to be seen 2. obvious; evident 3. easily understood
appease: 1. to calm a situation 2. to pacify a situation by giving one's enemies what they demand 3. to soothe
append: 1. to attach something; to affix 2. to add something to a written work such as a letter or a book
appendix: 1. additional material that is found at the end of a book, an essay or another written piece 2. added information
appreciate: 1. to become more valuable or increase in worth 2. to be grateful or thankful for 3. to understand the true meaning of a situation
appreciation: 1. an increase in value 2. the act of recognizing something's quality, worth, validity, merit, etc. 3. an expression of thanks or gratitude 4. judgment
approach: to move nearer
appropriate: 1. to take possession or control of something 2. to steal 3. to set aside or to devote to a specific purpose
approximate: 1. to come close to something 2. to be similar to something 3. to get near
apt: 1. exactly suitable; appropriate 2. likely to do something; having a tendency to do something 3. quick to learn or understand
arbitrary: 1. determined in a random way 2. based on preference rather than logic
arbitrate: officially try to settle a disagreement between opposing or contending parties or sides after hearing the opinions and ideas of both
arcane: known or understood by only a few; secret or mysterious
archaic: 1. antiquated 2. belonging to a time in the past 3. old-fashioned
archives: 1. a group of documents with some sort of historical or informational value 2. the place where these documents are kept
area: 1. a geographical region 2. part of a surface or space 3. a subject or field of study
arid: 1. very dry, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or plants 2. lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning
articulate: 1. capable of expressing oneself in a clear and coherent manner 2. clear and well formulated language
aspect: 1. a part or quality of something 2. one part of a situation 3. exposure; the way in which a structure is facing
aspire: long, aim, or seek ambitiously to have or achieve something, especially in your career; desire strongly
assail: physically attack or severely criticize (someone or something) in a violent or angry way
assemble: 1. to put something together by joining its parts 2. to bring people together into one single group
assembly: 1. a gathering of people that takes place because the people share a common goal or interest; a meeting 2. a gathering of teachers and students where information is shared
assess: 1. to estimate or determine the value of something; to appraise 2. to evaluate
assessment: 1. the act of evaluating and judging something 2. one's judgments or observations about a particular subject
assiduous: showing hard work, great care, and attention to detail; diligent
assign: 1. to give or allocate 2. to appoint 3. to designate 4. to attribute
assist: 1. to support or help; to aid
assistance: 1. help or support 2. the act of helping or supporting someone
assume: 1. to believe that something is true without proof 2. to take on a role or responsibility 3. to adopt an idea
assurance: 1. a feeling of confidence in oneself or something else 2. a promise designed to give confidence
assure: 1. to assure someone that something is true, in hopes of getting rid of doubts 2. to confidently promise; to pledge 3. to guarantee 4. to make secure or safe
astute: 1. crafty 2. possessing the ability to correctly judge situations and use one's observations to take advantage of the situation 3. shrewd
asylum: 1. protection, safety, or the right to stay, especially that given by a government to people who has escaped from war or political trouble in their own country 2. an institution for the care of the mentally ill, or of the aged, the poor, etc.
attach: 1. to fasten or join two or more objects 2. to include 3. to add a file to an e-mail
attached: 1. joined or fastened together somehow 2. connected 3. feeling love or attraction for someone
attain: 1. to succeed at something 2. to achieve 3. to reach or arrive at
attitude: 1. a feeling or an opinion; a mental position 2. physical posture 3. a way of acting, thinking or feeling
attribute: 1. a trait or quality 2. a characteristic
augment: 1. to increase something in size, quantity or value 2. to enlarge 3. to enhance
August: impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
author: 1. the creator of something 2. the person who writes a document 3. the person responsible for an action
authority: 1. power; the ability and right to control 2. the person or group that is in charge of a person, group or region 3. an expert on a specific subject 4. jurisdiction 5. official permission
automate: 1. to mechanize a process, replacing people with machines 2. to operate by automation
available: 1. free and ready to be used; not busy 2. accessible 3. at someone's disposal
avarice: extreme greed to get or keep money or possessions; cupidity
aver: 1. say (something) in a very strong and determined way 2. declare in a positive or confident manner
aware: 1. cognizant; knowing 2. informed about something 3. conscious of something
B
bard: 1. a poet 2. a poet that composes or recites lyric poetry
barrage: 1. a concentrated artillery bombardment to protect one's own advancing or retreating or to stop the advance of enemy troops 2. an artificial barrier across a river or estuary to increase the depth of the water, prevent flooding, facilitate irrigation, etc
befuddle: 1. to completely confuse someone 2. to perplex
behalf: 1. in the interest of 2. on part of 3. supporting 4. representing
beleaguer: 1. to harass or create trouble for 2. to besiege or surround a place, person or group with troops
belittle: 1. to disparage or put down 2. to consider something to be less important or make it seem less important 3. to scorn or disparage
belligerent: inclined or eager to fight or argue; hostile and aggressive
benefit: 1. an advantage 2. a gift or payment from an employer to an employee 3. a payment from an insurance company or social welfare program 4. something intended to help 5. an event designed to raise money for someone or for a cause
benevolent: kind, generous, and helpful; charitable
benign: 1. not harmful 2. displaying kindness or gentleness 3. beneficial
bias: supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, especially in a way considered to be unfair
bigot: 1. a person who is intolerant of views other than his or her own 2. a person with a closed-mind
blatant: 1. obvious, easily detectable, or blunt 2. noisy in a vulgar way 3. obtrusive
bond: 1. the link or connection between people or things 2. a written promise 3. a force that unites or pushes people together 4. a certificate of debt issued by a government or company, promising to pay borrowed money back over a specified period of time
bourgeois: 1. middle class and acting in a way that is consistent with what is expected of the middle class 2. materialistic 3. typical, conventional
brazen: 1. bold and shameless 2. having a loud, usually harsh, resonant sound
breach: 1. an act of breaking or failing to follow a law, rule, trust, faith, promise, agreement, or code of conduct 2. a hole, opening or space in a wall, fence, barrier, or line of defense, especially during a military attack
brief: 1. concise 2. short in duration 3. curt 4. scanty
brusque: a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way in speech or manner
buffet: 1. a table that has food on it, from which diners are expected to choose their own food 2. a meal when diners are expected to choose their own food from a variety of selections 3. a blow or a strike, usually from a hand
bulk: 1. the size or mass of something 2. the largest portion or part of something 3. great in quantity
bulwark: 1. something or someone which protects one from negative, dangerous or unpleasant things or gives support and encouragement in bad situations 2. a wall built for defense
buoyant: 1. able to float 2. cheerful and optimistic
bureaucracy: 1. a large government or administration that is divided into various departments, in which the officials must follow a set of inflexible rules 2. a complicated management system which requires compliance with an annoying set of rules or regulations
burgeon: 1. grow, increase, expand or develop quickly 2. begin to grow or blossom (as buds or branches)
C
cajole: persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax
callous: unkind, cruel, and without sympathy or feeling about the problems or suffering of other people
candid: 1. direct or honest, even in situations when the truth is considered to be uncomfortable or unpleasant; frank; straightforward 2. impartial or unbiased 3. unrehearsed or informal
candor: 1. the quality or state of being honest or frank, especially when the truth is painful or difficult 2. fairness; impartiality
capable: 1. able to do something 2. quite good at a certain task; skilled
capacity: 1. the ability to do something 2. the maximum number of things that a place or object can hold
capricious: suddenly and unexpectedly changing mood or behavior without any good reason; impulsive and unpredictable
catalyst: 1. (Chemistry) a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction 2. somebody, something or an event that quickly causes change or action
category: 1. a group of things organized due to the fact that they share a common trait 2. a group or class 3. a division
caustic: 1. capable of burning, corroding, destroying, or eating away by chemical action 2. severely critical or sarcastic, often in a funny or clever way
cease: 1. to stop doing something; to quit 2. to discontinue 3. to come to an end
censure: strong criticism or disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement
chagrin: a feeling of being very annoyed, disappointed, or embarrassed because of failure, disappointment, or humiliation
challenge: 1. to question or express objection to 2. to test someone 3. to invite someone to take part in a debate or competition; to dare
channel: 1. a route through which water flows or can flow 2. a television or radio station 3. a course of direction through which actions or ideas pass
chapter: 1. a section of a book or a written work 2. a branch of a society or group 3. a stage in a person's life
chart: 1. a drawing or illustration which displays information in an easy to understand way; a graph 2. a detailed map used for navigation of the sea or air
chide: 1. express mild disapproval of (someone) 2. scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand
circumscribe: 1. draw a line around; encircle 2. restrict something such as power, rights, or opportunities within limits
circumspect: 1. prudent or careful about taking risks 2. cautious and wary about the outcome of an action
circumstance: 1. the conditions surrounding an event 2. a factor which influences something
circumvent: 1. surround or circle around (an enemy, for example); enclose or entrap 2. avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.), especially cleverly or illegally 3. go around or bypass
cite: 1. to use information or exact words from another source; to quote 2. to use as an example
civil: 1. not related to the church or military, but rather the ordinary people of a country 2. secular 3. polite or courteous
clandestine: kept or done secretly and often illegal
clarify: 1. to make something clearer or easier to understand 2. to remove ambiguity
clarity: 1. clearness of expression or thought 2. the ability to be understood 3. the ability to think in a clear way
classic: 1. typical; traditional; famous 2. extraordinarily good 3. timeless; considered to be good or exceptional over a long period of time
classical: 1. relating to ancient cultures 2. respecting tradition or the original way of doing things 3. traditional
clause: 1. a provision or stipulation in a contract or another formal document 2. a phrase containing a subject and a verb that is part of a larger sentence
clientele: 1. the specific group of customers which patronize a certain establishment or service provider; customer base
coalesce: 1. grow together or into one body 2. unite or merge into a single body, group, or mass
code: 1. a rule or law which governs an organization or a political region 2. a set of words or images which are used to communicate a message in a secret way or in an abbreviated form
coerce: 1. to convince someone to do something by threatening them or using force 2. to use force to get something
coercion: 1. persuasion through threats or force 2. using force to convince someone to do something
coherence: 1. a logical ordering of things 2. consistency 3. the state of being logical
coherent: 1. consistent or logical 2. understandable 3. capable of explaining one's thoughts or ideas in a way that is easily understood 4. unified; sticking together
coincide: 1. to happen at the same time 2. to be present at the same time and place 3. to agree with or be in agreement
collaborate: 1. work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort 2. cooperate with an enemy who has invaded your country during a war
collapse: 1. to cave in due to pressure or lack of support 2. to fall down 3. to break down 4. to fold into a smaller or more compact shape, allowing something to be more easily stored
colleague: 1. a coworker 2. someone you work with in the same profession or organization
colloquial: 1. not formal 2. familiar and conversational 3. informal
commence: 1. to start; to begin 2. to commence 3. to originate
comment: 1. to say something 2. to make a remark 3. to explain something through a verbal or written remark
commission: 1. a fee or payment for goods or services rendered 2. a request to create a specific work for someone 3. a group which studies a certain issue
commit: to do something
commitment: 1. one's promise or willingness to do something 2. an obligation, engagement, pledge or understanding
commodity: 1. a product or good that can be bought and sold 2. something useful or of value
communicate: 1. to transmit something, such as energy or an illness 2. to transmit information to others through written, verbal or non verbal words or signals
communication: 1. the act of transmitting information from one person to another 2. the message that is transmitted
community: 1. a group of people living in the same area or region 2. a group of people who share common interests 3. the greater public
compatible: 1. able to exist in harmony 2. well-suited 3. capable of being mixed
compensate: 1. to pay someone for something that has been lost, damaged, or taken away 2. to make up for something negative 3. to pay someone for their services
compensation: 1. a reward or a payment that is given in exchange for some sort of negative incident
compile: 1. to gather things together 2. to put things together in a logical or orderly form
complacency: a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like
complement: 1. to go well with something 2. to make perfect; to complete
complex: 1. complicated and not easy to understand 2. involving or made from many different parts
component: 1. one specific part of something 2. an ingredient or element
compound: 1. to increase 2. to combine 3. to make something worse 4. to pay interest
comprehensive: 1. all-encompassing 2. thorough 3. extensive 4. dealing with most or all aspects of a certain issue
comprise: 1. to be made up of 2. to be composed of 3. to include; to contain
compromise: 1. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions 2. reduce the quality, value, or degree of something 3. endanger the interests or reputation of
compute: 1. to calculate 2. to determine by using a calculator or computer
conceive: 1. to draw up or think up a plan 2. to get pregnant 3. to invent something
concentrate: 1. to focus on something 2. to strengthen something 3. to bring things or people together in a common location
concept: 1. an idea or a notion 2. a plan 3. an experimental model for a future product
concern: A matter of interest or importance
concise: 1. expressed in few words 2. clear and succinct 3. brief yet clear
conclude: 1. to finish 2. to terminate or cause something to come to an end 3. to deduce or to infer based on what one has seen or heard
concomitant: 1. something that is connected to something else, often occurring at the same time 2. something associated with another thing
concur: agree with someone or something
concurrent: 1. contemporary 2. happening or existing at the same time 3. simultaneous
conditional: imposing, containing, subject to, or depending on a condition or conditions
conduct: to lead or guide
confer: 1. to grant something, like a title, to someone 2. to discuss or exchange opinions
conference: 1. a meeting of people who share a similar interest attend a variety of talks or sessions about a specific subject or topic 2. a meeting
confidant: 1. a person that one entrusts with their secrets 2. a person one can confide in and discuss personal matters with
confine: 1. to limit or restrict 2. to forcibly keep someone or something in a certain place; to imprison
confirm: 1. to check 2. to verify 3. to strengthen 4. to reinforce
confirmed: 1. firmly settled in a habit 2. established 3. unlikely to change
conflict: 1. a fight or a disagreement between two or more parties 2. a struggle 3. an incompatibility
conform: 1. to meet (standards) 2. to comply with 3. to be similar to 4. to behave in a way that is expected and acceptable
conformity: 1. agreement or compliance with a particular subject or issue 2. behavior that displays compliance with socially accepted rules or norms
confound: 1. to surprise or confuse someone 2. to mix something up 3. to refute 4. to bewilder
connive: 1. to secretly plan or work together with another person in order to do something illegal 2. to not do anything about illegal behavior you know about, showing one's silent compliance with the issue
conscientious: 1. controlled by or done according to, what one knows is right 2. working hard and careful to do things well
consensus: 1. majority opinion 2. an opinion or decision reached by all, or nearly all, members of a group 3. a general agreement
consent: 1. to allow or agree with 2. to grant permission 3. to approve
consequent: 1. resulting 2. following 3. progressing logically
consider: to think carefully
considerable: 1. quite large; substantial 2. worthy of recognition or consideration 3. noteworthy
consist: 1. to be composed of 2. to be inherent 3. to be compatible
consistent: 1. regular 2. not changing over time 3. constantly acting or behaving the same way
conspicuous: 1. obvious; easily noticed 2. attracting attention, especially because it is strange or unusual
constant: 1. unchanging 2. firm or resolute 3. persistent; continuing over a long period of time 4. loyal
consternation: a feeling of worry, shock, or confusion, often caused when something unexpected happens
constitute: 1. to formally set up or establish 2. to appoint someone to a position 3. to be the same as or equivalent to
constitutional: 1. permitted by the constitution of a country, group or business 2. related to the constitution of a country, group or business
constrain: 1. to keep back; to confine 2. to restrain; to limit 3. to force; to oblige
construct: 1. to create or to form 2. to build; to put pieces together to form a whole object 3. to combine smaller pieces to develop something new
construction: 1. the act or business of building things, especially structures
consult: 1. to get advice from someone or something; to ask someone their opinion 2. to consider; to take into account
consume: 1. to eat 2. to use; to use up 3. to totally destroy
consumer: 1. a person who purchases goods or services
contact: 1. to communicate with someone over the phone or by writing a letter, e-mail or text message
contemporary: 1. from or existing in the same time period 2. modern
contempt: 1. a feeling that someone or something is unimportant and deserves no respect 2. disregard for something that is usually respected or feared 3. open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body
contentious: 1. tending to argue or quarrel; quarrelsome 2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy
context: 1. the circumstances surrounding something 2. the words before and after something that help explain what it means 3. the circumstances or situation in which something happens, which help to explain it
contract: 1. to get smaller; to shrink 2. to make smaller 3. to hire someone to work under a contract 4. to get
contradict: 1. to make a statement that goes against what has been expressed by another 2. to deny 3. to disagree with something
contradiction: 1. a difference between two or more messages or statements which shows that one of the statements must be wrong 2. an inconsistency
contrary: 1. opposite or completely different 2. obstinate 3. unfavorable
contrast: 1. the act of finding differences between two or more things 2. a difference between two or more things
contribute: 1. to write for a newspaper or a magazine 2. to give goods, money or time and effort to a person or group in order to help them
contribution: 1. something one gives or does in order to help reach a shared achievement 2. a donation 3. a specific tax payment
controversy: 1. a disagreement or dispute over a specific subject about which people have differing opinions 2. a heated discussion or argument
convene: 1. to bring people together for a formal or official purpose such as a meeting 2. to gather
convention: 1. a formal political agreement 2. a gathering or meeting of people or professionals with a shared interest 3. a social custom
conventional: 1. traditional 2. based on what is considered to be traditional or typical 3. common 4. related to or based on a convention or an agreement
converse: 1. to talk with a person or a group of people 2. to have a conversation
conversely: 1. reciprocally 2. in a contrary manner
convert: 1. to change something; to transform 2. to undergo a change 3. to change to another religion
convince: 1. to make someone believe what you are saying; to persuade
convinced: 1. very sure 2. persuaded 3. certain
convivial: 1. (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and making you feel happy and welcome; festive 2. (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial 3. fond of eating, drinking, and good company; sociable; jovial
cooperate: 1. to work together with one or more other people in order to reach a shared or mutually beneficial goal
cooperative: 1. done with others 2. willing to work with others
coordinate: 1. to harmonize 2. to make two or more things work well or efficiently together 3. to match
coordination: 1. the act of making various parts work together in one organized or harmonious way
copious: large in quantity or number; affording ample supply; abundant; plentiful
core: 1. the center of something 2. the most important or essential part of something
corporal: of or relating to the body; bodily; physical
corporate: 1. belonging or pertaining to a large company or corporation 2. common or shared between people or a group of people
corporeal: 1. of or relating to a person's body and not to spiritual or emotional states 2. of a material nature; tangible
corpulent: 1. overweight 2. fat 3. physically large
correspond: 1. to communicate through messages, letters or e-mails 2. to be related to or quite similar to
corresponding: 1. related to 2. comparable 3. matching 4. directly related
corroborate: strengthen, confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, etc.) by providing information or evidence that agrees with them
cosmopolitan: 1. common to or representative of all or many different countries and cultures 2. containing or having experience of many different countries and cultures 3. including people from many different countries 4. free from local or national habits or prejudice
counterfeit: 1. to forge a copy of something, often for illegal or dishonest reasons 2. to create a high-quality copy of something with the intention of defrauding someone
couple: 1. two people who are romantically involved 2. two similar or equal things
covert: 1. secretive or not openly shown 2. hidden; concealed 3. veiled
create: 1. to invent something; to develop something new 2. to cause or bring about
credible: 1. trustworthy 2. easy to believe or convincing 3. reliable
credit: 1. money that is given to someone with the understanding that it will be paid back with interest 2. recognition or praise
credulous: 1. gullible or easily deceived 2. overly willing to believe what one sees or hears 3. easily tricked or convinced
criteria: 1. the standards or rules on which something is judged or based
crucial: 1. of the utmost importance 2. extremely important 3. decisive
cryptic: 1. mysterious 2. possessing a hidden meaning 3. written or said using a special code or cypher
culpable: deserving blame or censure
culture: 1. behaviors, beliefs, and standards that are shared between one large group of people or a society 2. art, such as music, literature, dance, theater, etc.
cumulative: 1. increasing due to the constant addition of other elements 2. gradually increasing 3. snowballing
cupidity: 1. avarice 2. a strong or excessive desire for possessions or wealth
currency: 1. money; any other medium of exchange
cursory: quick and probably not detailed
curtail: 1. to reduce or shorten something 2. to establish a limit on something 3. to abridge
cycle: 1. an extended period of time 2. a bi- or tri- cycle 3. a series of events which repeat over time
cynical: 1. displaying a belief that people only act in self-interested ways 2. pessimistic or skeptical 3. distrustful of humans or human nature 4. contemptuous or condescending
D
data: 1. information, facts or figures about a specific subject that is often used to make a decision 2. information used by a computer
dauntless: showing fearlessness and determination
dearth: a lack of something or an inadequate supply
debacle: 1. a complete collapse or failure, often in an embarrassing way 2. a sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat
debase: 1. to degrade 2. to adulterate 3. to reduce in quality or value 4. to humiliate
debate: 1. a civil or controlled argument between two or more people or groups with opposing viewpoints 2. a formal discussion before a vote 3. discussion
decade: 1. a period of ten years 2. any series or group of ten
decimate: 1. destroy, kill, or remove a large number or proportion of (a group) 2. reduce, damage, or destroy the strength or effectiveness of something severely 3. select by lot and kill every tenth one of
decline: 1. a fall in the number of something; a reduction 2. the act of reducing in number 3. a downward slope
decoy: 1. an object used as a decoy or to bait people or animals 2. something used to lure people or animals to trick them into a dangerous situation
decry: 1. to openly express displeasure or disagreement with 2. to condemn
deduce: 1. to reach a conclusion based on the facts available 2. to infer
deference: respectful submission to someone or something
deferential: 1. considerate 2. respectful towards one's elders or superiors 3. polite
defile: 1. to spoil something by making it less pure; to corrupt 2. to pollute or make something dirty
define: 1. to explain exactly what something means 2. to describe what a word means 3. to clarify 4. to limit
definite: 1. exact 2. clear 3. undeniable 4. certain and unlikely to change
definition: 1. a clear outline of something 2. the meaning of a word or phrase
degradation: 1. the act or process of degrading such as in rank, status, or condition 2. treat someone or something poorly and without respect; humiliation
deleterious: 1. damaging or harmful 2. injurious to health
deliberate: 1. to carefully debate or think about something serious 2. to thoughtfully weigh the available options
delineate: 1. describe or portray (something) clearly and precisely 2. draw or trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline
demagogue: a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by appealing to emotion, passions, prejudice, etc. rather than by using rational argument in order to win them over quickly and so gain power
demonstrate: 1. to deliberately show or prove 2. to make clear
demonstrative: 1. freely and openly showing one's emotions, attitudes, etc., especially of love or affection 2. serving as convincing evidence or conclusive proof of something
demure: (especially of a woman or her behavior) reserved, modest, shy, and well behaved
denote: 1. to be a name or symbol for 2. to indicate 3. to mean; to symbolize
denounce: 1. to condemn or accuse something or someone, often in a formal manner 2. to strongly and publicly criticize someone or something
deny: 1. to say that something is not true 2. to claim one is not guilty of something; to not admit 3. to not let someone have something
depict: 1. show (someone or something) in a picture, drawing, painting, photograph, etc. 2. describe (someone or something) using words, a story, etc.
deplete: 1. to cause a great reduction in the fullness or size of 2. to use up 3. to decrease the number of something
deplore: 1. to believe something is wrong or bad 2. to lament; to regret 3. to feel great sadness about
depravity: behavior that is immoral or evil; wickedness
deprecate: 1. criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something) 2. depreciate; belittle
depreciation: 1. decrease in value due to age, wear, decay, market conditions, etc. 2. a decrease in the purchasing or exchange value of money 3. an instance of disparaging or belittlement
depress: 1. to press or force down 2. to make someone feel quite sad 3. to weaken 4. to lower the amount of something
depression: 1. extreme sadness 2. a dip in a surface 3. a severe recession in an economy
deride: speak of or write about (someone or something) in a way that shows you think they are stupid, unimportant, or useless; make fun of; ridicule
derivative: 1. developed from, based on, influenced by, or copied something else; derived 2. copied or adapted from others; not original; secondary
derive: 1. to get something from a source 2. to deduce 3. to show or trace the origin of
descry: 1. see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully 2. discover by looking carefully
design: 1. a sketch or a plan that shows what something will be like when it is produced or constructed 2. a pattern or plan
desist: 1. to cease or to stop 2. to abstain from doing something
despite: 1. hatred or malice 2. injury
despondent: very sad and with no enthusiasm from loss of hope or courage; dejected
despot: 1. a ruler or other person with absolute, unlimited power, typically one who uses that power in cruel and unfair ways; autocrat 2. any tyrant or oppressor
destitute: 1. extremely poor and lacking money, food, a home, or possessions 2. (often followed by of) destitute of: deprived of, devoid of, or lacking
detect: 1. to note or to feel something 2. to discover or catch 3. to note the presence of
deter: 1. to discourage or keep someone from doing something 2. to make someone decide not to do something by making them fear the consequences or repercussions
deteriorate: 1. to get or become worse 2. to depreciate 3. to disintegrate over time
deterrent: something that discourages; tending to deter
detrimental: 1. causing damage or injury 2. harmful
deviate: 1. to stray from the established course or standards 2. to digress
device: 1. a contraption used to perform specific tasks 2. an explosive, like a bomb 3. a method used to do something
devote: 1. to dedicate time or resources to something 2. to set apart
dexterous: 1. skillful in the use of one's hands 2. possessing great mental skill; clever
diatribe: an angry, bitter, and sharply abusive speech or piece of writing that strongly criticizes, denounces, or attacks against someone or something
differentiate: 1. to determine or recognize the difference between two or more things; to distinguish 2. to make one thing unlike another
diffuse: 1. pour out and cause to spread freely, as a fluid 2. spread or scatter over a wide area widely or thinly; disseminate; dispersed; not concentrated in one area 3. spread among a large group of people 4. cause (light) to spread evenly to reduce glare
dilemma: 1. a serious problem 2. a situation in which a difficult decision must be made
diligent: steady, hard-working, and careful in one's work or duties; industrious; painstaking
dimension: 1. a property or way of measuring space 2. a part or aspect of something larger
diminish: 1. to reduce or make smaller 2. to become smaller or less
diminutive: extremely or unusually short or small in size; much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; little; tiny
dire: 1. causing or involving great fear or suffering; dreadful; terrible 2. warning of or indicating dreadful or terrible future (trouble, disaster, misfortune, etc.) 3. extremely serious or urgent; requiring immediate action
discern: 1. see, recognize, find out, or understand something that is far away or not very clear 2. perceive or recognize (someone or something) with difficulty by the sight or some other sense 3. come to know, recognize, or distinguish mentally
discord: 1. disagreement among people or things 2. dispute or strife 3. a lack of harmony
discount: a reduction in the usual price of something
discrepancy: 1. a difference or variation between things that should be identical 2. inconsistency 3. disagreement
discrete: 1. distinct 2. separate 3. not continuous
discretion: 1. the ability to judge people or situations wisely and make the right choices 2. the ability to behave in a way that does not cause offense
discriminate: 1. to treat someone or a group of people differently due to their origin, race, sex or other trait 2. to distinguish or see the difference between things
disdain: the feeling of not liking someone or something and thinking that they are not important and do not deserve any interest, respect, notice, response, etc.
disparage: 1. speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle 2. lower in rank or reputation
disparity: 1. a large difference between two or more things 2. inequality 3. incongruity
dispel: 1. make (a doubt, fear, belief, feeling, or idea) go away or end, usually by proving them wrong or unnecessary 2. drive away or off in various directions; disperse; dissipate
displace: 1. to force someone or something out of its proper place or position 2. to take over for 3. to remove
displacement: 1. the act of removing someone or something from the place it held or lived previously
display: 1. to show or present 2. to demonstrate 3. to reveal
dispose: 1. to get rid of or throw away 2. to make someone feel a certain way 3. to arrange
disseminate: 1. spread (something, especially news, information, ideas, etc.) widely 2. scatter widely, as in sowing seed
distinct: 1. different or separate 2. unmistakable; obvious
distinction: 1. honor or excellence 2. something that makes a person or a thing different from the rest
distort: 1. to misrepresent or give false information 2. to change something so that it is no longer the way it originally was
distribute: 1. to give out or hand out 2. to spread something out over a surface 3. to deliver products
distribution: 1. the act of giving something out to people 2. the way in which something is distributed or spread out over an area
diurnal: 1. daily; happening every day 2. done during the daytime or related to daytime
divergent: 1. tending to split and move out in different directions from a single point; diverging 2. be or become different
diverse: 1. possessing various characteristics 2. distinct 3. diversified
diversity: 1. difference or variety 2. the state of having people from different races and cultures gathered together in one space or organization
divert: 1. to distract 2. to make something move in a different direction or on a different course 3. to use for a different purpose than the original 4. to amuse or entertain
docile: 1. submissive 2. easy to handle, manage or teach 3. compliant
doctrine: 1. a belief or set of beliefs that are taught and accepted by a religious, political, scientific, or other group; dogma 2. a statement of official government policy, especially in foreign or military affairs
document: 1. to record something on paper or in digital format 2. to provide written evidence
dogmatic: an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or unprovable principles as if they are certainly correct and cannot be doubted
domain: 1. territory 2. field of activity or study 3. a set or group of websites that share the same suffix such as .net .org etc.
domestic: 1. related to house, home or family 2. from one's own country
dominant: 1. governing; ruling; exercising one's control 2. more important than similar things 3. commanding
dominate: 1. to be very good at something 2. to command; to have power over 3. to be the most important or largest thing in a group
dormant: 1. sleeping, lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive 2. not active or developing now, but it may become active or develop in the future 3. in a state of rest or inactivity; inoperative
draft: 1. the first draft or copy of something 2. a sketch 3. a rush of air through a building or space
drama: 1. a play that is performed in a theater, on television or on the radio 2. a literary work that deals with a serious subject 3. the art of performing
dramatic: 1. sensational 2. pronounced 3. extremely sudden 4. extreme
dubious: 1. doubtful 2. questionable 3. not totally good or honest 4. undecided
duration: 1. the amount of time that something lasts
dynamic: 1. full of energy; enthusiastic 2. constantly changing 3. relating to energy or physical forces
E
eccentric: 1. strange 2. unusual 3. unconventional and deviating from what is considered to be "normal" behavior
eclectic: 1. selecting or choosing from various sources, systems, or styles 2. made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources
economic: 1. cheap 2. pertaining to the economy of a country or region 3. related to the system of buying and selling goods and services
economy: 1. the money and production of goods and services of a specific political region 2. thriftiness or careful management when spending money
edit: 1. to revise a document and change whatever errors one sees 2. to produce a book or document by gathering different works together
edition: 1. a group of a publications that were published at the same time 2. a specific version or a book or a product
effigy: 1. a sculpture or monument of a person 2. a poorly made dummy that looks like or represents a person and is most often used in protest or ridicule
effluent: something that flows out or forth, especially sewage or other liquid waste
egregious: 1. something terribly bad 2. something surprisingly negative
elated: 1. very happy and excited; exultantly proud and joyful; overjoyed 2. make very proud, happy, or joyful
element: 1. a specific part of something tangible 2. a characteristic of something abstract or intangible 3. the most basic information about a certain subject
elicit: 1. evoke or draw out (a response, information, etc.) from someone 2. draw out or entice forth; bring to light
eliminate: 1. to get rid of 2. to abolish 3. to remove
eloquent: 1. persuasive in speaking or writing 2. characterized by fluent and persuasive speech 3. movingly or vividly expressive
elucidate: make clear, plain, or easy to understand, especially by explanation or giving more information; clarify; explain
elude: 1. avoid or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer) by quickness, cunning, etc.; evade 2. fail to be understood or remembered by (someone) 3. fail to be achieved by (someone)
elusive: 1. difficult to describe, find, catch, achieve, understand, or remember 2. cleverly or skillfully evasive
emaciated: 1. extremely thin due to great hunger or illness
emancipate: 1. to liberate someone or something 2. to free someone or something from bondage or control 3. to grant freedom and rights to someone
embezzle: 1. to secretly take money for your own use from someone who trusts you 2. to defraud
emerge: 1. to appear 2. to come into view 3. to become known 4. to come into existence
empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, attitudes, experiences, and emotions of another
emphasis: 1. the importance that is specifically placed on something 2. stress
empirical: relying on or derived from observation or experiment rather than theory or pure logic
emulate: try to equal or excel (someone or something you admire), typically by imitation
enable: 1. to make someone able to do something 2. to give someone the tools or resources to do something 3. to allow someone to do something
encompass: 1. form a circle or ring around; encircle; surround 2. include different types of people or things; include comprehensively; contain 3. enclose; envelop
encounter: 1. to find someone or something unexpectedly 2. to stumble across 3. to face
endemic: 1. very common, prevalent in, or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people 2. native
endorse: 1. to publicly declare one's support for something 2. to acknowledge a document by signing it
endurance: 1. the ability or power to withstand stress or an unpleasant situation 2. the act of persevering 3. duration
energy: 1. the effort or power needed to do something 2. heat, electricity, light or the resources used to produce power
enforce: 1. to make someone comply with a law or a rule 2. to cause or force something
engage: to occupy the attention
enhance: intensify, increase, or improve the quality, amount, extent, or strength of something, as in cost, value, attractiveness, effectiveness, etc.
enigma: someone or something that is mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to understand or explain completely
enmity: 1. animosity 2. hatred 3. ill-will towards others 4. a deep-seated dislike of another person
enormous: 1. extremely large in size or quantity 2. massive
ensure: 1. to make sure that something happens or happened 2. to guarantee 3. to secure or make safe
entity: 1. an individual, complete, unit that possesses its own unique characteristics 2. a being
enumerate: 1. name (a number of things in a series or list) separately, one by one 2. determine the number of; count
environment: 1. all of the conditions and circumstances that surround a specific person, animal or thing 2. the surroundings
ephemeral: lasting for only a very short time
equate: 1. to equalize 2. to make two or more things equal 3. to consider things equal
equation: 1. a math problem 2. the act of considering one thing to be the same as another
equip: 1. to give someone the tools or skills necessary to perform a job 2. to dress
equipment: 1. supplies or tools needed to complete a task
equitable: dealing fairly and equally with everyone; just and impartial
equivalent: 1. equal to 2. of the same amount, size, value, meaning
equivocal: 1. not clear and seeming to have two or more possible opposing meanings 2. ambiguous
erode: 1. to eat away or wear away something 2. to slowly deteriorate 3. to reduce something
erosion: 1. the gradual corroding or eating away of a subject 2. deterioration
erratic: 1. irregular in movement or behavior 2. not following a regular pattern 3. not doing what is expected
erudite: having, containing, or showing a lot of knowledge or learning gained from reading
eschew: 1. to escape or avoid 2. to stop doing something or give something up 3. to intentionally keep away from something
espouse: 1. to marry someone or take them as your spouse 2. to give your support to a belief or an idea 3. to embrace a cause
establish: to set up
estate: 1. a rather large piece of property 2. all of one's possessions at death
estimate: 1. to make a guess or calculate the amount or value of something 2. to judge
ethic: 1. a belief or set of beliefs which affects one's behavior 2. a person's moral principles or standards
ethnic: 1. of or relating to a specific group of people who share a common race, heritage, set of customs or traditions
etymology: 1. the study of the history and origins of words 2. the study of the evolution of words
euphemism: 1. a word that is substituted for another, often unpleasant,offensive or upsetting, word
evacuate: 1. to empty something out 2. to make people move out of or away from an area that is in danger 3. to remove or discharge
evaluate: 1. to judge 2. to closely examine something before determining its value
eventual: 1. happening at a time in the future that has not been specified
eventually: 1. in the end 2. at an unspecified time in the future 3. finally
evidence: 1. material that shows someone is innocent or guilty of something 2. material that proves something
evident: clearly and easily seen or understood
evoke: 1. bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind 2. bring out; arouse; call forth
evolution: 1. gradual development or change, especially over long periods of time
evolve: 1. to grow 2. to develop gradually over an extended period of time 3. to go through evolutionary changes
exacerbate: increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of (disease, pain, annoyance, etc.)
exacting: 1. rigid or severe in demands or requirements; not easily satisfied; rigorous 2. requiring great effort, time, care, patience, or attention
excavate: 1. dig a large hole or channel in the ground, especially with a machine 2. uncover or expose by digging; unearth 3. dig out and remove (earth, soil, etc.) 4. form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging
exceed: 1. to surpass 2. to go beyond 3. to be greater than
exclude: 1. to leave someone or something out 2. to eject 3. to deliberately not include 4. to prevent
exemplify: 1. to serve as a typical example of 2. to use an example to illustrate or clarify 2. to embody
exhaustive: 1. complete; comprehensive 2. dealing with or studying all aspects 3. all-inclusive
exhibit: 1. to display or show 2. to present to the public 3. to reveal
exhort: strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal; admonish strongly
exorbitant: going far beyond what is reasonable, fair, expected, just, proper, or usual, especially of a price or amount charged
expand: 1. to add details or information 2. to grow larger 3. to cause growth or to make larger
expansion: 1. growth 2. the act or process of getting larger 3. an increase in size or number
expedient: helpful or useful in a particular situation and produces an immediate result or solution to a problem, even though possibly improper or immoral
expedite: 1. to hasten; to make something happen more quickly 2. to speed up 3. to do something efficiently as well as quickly
expert: 1. a person who has a great deal of knowledge about or skill in a specific subject
explicit: fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated, leaving no room for confusion or doubt
exploit: 1. to take advantage of 2. to make use of
exploitation: 1. selfish utilization of someone's work 2. abuse of someone in order to gain advantage
export: 1. to sell or send abroad 2. to introduce or transmit an idea from one country into another
expose: 1. make (something) visible by uncovering it 2. lay open to danger, attack, harm, etc.; leave unprotected or without covering 3. make known, disclose, or reveal (something hidden, dishonest, etc.) 4. (expose oneself) display one's sexual organs in public
exposition: 1. a show where works of art are displayed for the public to contemplate 2. a clear, detailed, easy to understand explanation 3. a show in which many objects that are for sale are displayed
exposure: 1. the disclosure or revealing of something 2. the state of having no protection from the elements or other harmful agents
expunge: 1. to get rid of or cancel 2. to get rid of something written by erasing it or striking it out
external: 1. from or located out the outside; outer 2. coming from the outside or an outside source 3. peripheral
extol: praise (someone or something) highly, especially in a very enthusiastic way
extract: 1. to remove or pull something out of another source 2. to convince a person to give you something they don't want to give you, often through the use of force
F
fabricate: 1. to create 2. to manufacture 3. to build
facilitate: 1. to help make something happen 2. to assist 3. to make something easier
faction: 1. a small group within a larger group, usually contentious minority within a larger group 2. conflict within an organization or nation; internal dissension
factor: 1. a variable or an element 2. something that influences a result
fallacious: 1. based on false information or ideas; erroneous; illogical 2. deceptive; misleading
fallacy: 1. a mistaken belief that a lot of people think is true but is in fact false 2. (logic) a mistake or failure in reasoning that makes an argument or idea invalid 3. a misleading or unsound argument 4. deceptive, misleading, or false nature
falter: 1. to move or speak in an unsteady, awkward manner 2. to stop doing something, even for just a moment 3. to lose strength
fastidious: 1. very attentive to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect 2. difficult to please; exacting 3. wanting (clothes, possessions, and property) to always be clean, neat, etc.
fathom: 1. a unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters), a unit for measuring the depth of water 2. understand the reason for (something) thoroughly after much thought
fatuous: 1. something or someone that is silly, foolish or pointless
feasible: 1. achievable 2. capable of being done or accomplished 3. possible 4. likely
feature: 1. a part or aspect of something 2. a quality
federal: 1. related to the central or national government 2. related to the system of federalism, a system in which states or provinces and central governments share power
fee: 1. to pay a tip to someone 2. to pay someone for their services
feral: 1. a wild or undomesticated animal 2. a person who behaves in a wild manner
fervent: 1. having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc. 2. hot; boiling; burning; glowing
fickle: 1. likely to change one's opinion; not constant 2. unstable; frequently changing
file: 1. to cut away using a file 2. to put in order; to arrange 3. to submit or send a document 4. to walk in a line
final: 1. last; concluding 2. ultimate 3. coming at the end
finance: 1. money that is used to pay for a large and expensive project 2. the money that a person, company or nation has 3. the management of money
financial: 1. related to money or finance
finite: 1. limited 2. measurable 3. having an end
flabbergasted: 1. shocked 2. surprised 3. dumbfounded
flagrant: 1. (of a bad action, situation, person, etc.) shockingly noticeable or evident; obviously offensive; glaringly bad; notorious; outrageous 2. notorious; scandalous
flamboyant: 1. excessively decorated 2. ornate 3. brightly colored and showy, often to draw attention to someone or something
flaunt: 1. to show something, like a personal quality, wanting to get admiration from others 2. to flaunt something
fledgling: 1. a young bird just fledged 2. a young, inexperienced, or underdeveloped person or organization
flexibility: 1. the ability or willingness to make changes 2. easily bent 3. adaptability
flexible: 1. pliable; capable of being manipulated 2. able to change or be modified 3. able to be bent
flout: 1. to scorn something 2. to reject 3. to consciously refuse to comply with a rule or law
fluctuate: 1. to constantly undergo changes 2. to undulate 3. to shift back and forth; to rise and fall
focus: 1. the center point of something 2. the center of attention 3. the main point
format: 1. to arrange a document in a specific way 2. to prepare a computer disk to save specific files
formula: 1. a fixed or standard way of doing something 2. mathematical symbols that express a rule or a fact
forsake: 1. to desert or abandon someone who needs you 2. to give up something special or important
forthcoming: 1. upcoming; approaching 2. appearing shortly 3. helpful; collaborative
fortitude: mental and emotional strength in facing or enduring pain, difficulty, adversity, misfortune, danger, or temptation with courage
fortuitous: 1. happening by accident or chance rather than intention, especially in a way that is lucky or convenient 2. lucky; fortunate
foster: 1. promote the growth or development of (something, especially something desirable and over a period of time) 2. bring up with care, raise, or rear a child, usually for a limited time, without being the child's legal parent
foundation: 1. the base on which something is built 2. an organization that deals with social issues or projects 3. the underlying principle or basis
fractious: 1. irritable and quarrelsome 2. difficult to control; unruly
framework: 1. the basic structure for something 2. something's skeleton 3. a set of rules around which something is done
fraudulent: 1. dishonest and illegal; based on fraud or deception; using fraud; tricky; deceitful; dishonest 2. done or obtained by deception, especially criminal deception
fraught: filled, charged, or loaded (with), especially unpleasant or undesirable things such as problems, difficulties, or things that are confusing
frivolous: 1. not serious 2. unimportant 3. carefree in nature and superficial 4. trivial
frugal: 1. sparing or economical in use or expenditure; not wasteful; not spending freely or unnecessarily 2. simple, cheap, and not very big
function: 1. a duty or an activity that one must perform 2. a formal event 3. a purpose
fund: 1. money saved or collected that is destined for a specific purpose 2. a large supply of something 3. capital
fundamental: 1. essential 2. of great importance 3. basic
furrow: 1. a deep wrinkle in one's skin 2. a line in the ground that was dug by a plow 3. a long line or channel in any surface
furthermore: 1. in addition 2. moreover 3. besides 4. additionally
furtive: done quietly, quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed
futile: 1. incapable of producing any result; unsuccessful, or useless; ineffective 2. of no importance; worthless
G
garrulous: talking much or too much, especially about things that are not important
gaunt: 1. extremely thin due to illness or hunger 2. empty or barren 3. dreary
gender: 1. one's sex or sexual identity 2. all members of a specific sex
generate: 1. to create or bring about 2. to produce 3. to produce energy, like electricity
generation: 1. a group of people in a society or in a family that were born in the same general age 2. a period of around thirty years in which people are born, grow up, and have babies of their own
genial: 1. cheerful, friendly, and sympathetic; amiable 2. (of air or climate) pleasantly mild and warm; favorable for life, growth, or comfort
glacial: 1. icy or unfriendly 2. related to a glacier 3. slow moving 4. extraordinarily cold
global: 1. world-wide 2. found around the world 3. comprehensive
globe: 1. a spherical shape; a ball 2. a map of the world which is printed on a sphere 3. the earth
gluttony: 1. the act of eating and drinking more than one needs 2. excess in eating or drinking
goad: 1. to provoke someone 2. to urge someone on 3. to tease or incite a person or an animal
goal: 1. an aim, target or objective 2. the area where players must put a ball or puck in order to receive points in various sporting events
gossamer: 1. a fine, filmy cobweb often seen floating in the air or caught on bushes or grass 2. (something) delicate, light, delicate or flimsy
grade: 1. a level or rank 2. a number or letter that indicates the quality of something
grandiose: 1. (in a good sense) large and impressive, in size, effect, grandeur, or extent 2. (in a bad sense) seeming or trying to seem very important, but really looking artificial or silly; pompous and showy 3. more complicated or elaborate than necessary
grant: 1. to give something to someone 2. to allow someone to have something 3. to bestow
grate: 1. to shred something, such as cheese 2. to persistently annoy 3. to produce an annoying sound through friction
gratis: 1. free 2. without charge or price
gratuitous: 1. unearned; not called for 2. not necessary 3. with no cause 4. free
gravity: 1. the force that pulls matter toward a center of attraction; the force that pulls matter to the ground 2. seriousness or solemnity
gregarious: 1. an extremely sociable person 2. an animal that tends to live in flocks or herds
guarantee: 1. the promise that something will happen or that something is true 2. an assurance
guideline: 1. a rule or benchmark 2. information tells people how something should be done
guile: clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something or to make others do what you want
H
hamper: slow or prevent the free movement, progress, or action of (someone or something); hold back; hinder; impede
harangue: 1. a long, angry and vociferous speech, often made with the intention of persuading someone 2. an aggressive and highly opinionated piece of writing
hardy: 1. capable of enduring extreme conditions or difficult situations; robust 2. bold or daring; courageous 3. brazenly daring; audacious 4. (of plants) able to survive outside during winter without protection from the weather
hasten: 1. make something happen sooner or more quickly; speed up; accelerate 2. move or act quickly; hurry 3. cause to hurry
haughty: having or showing irrational pride in oneself and irrational disdain for others
headlong: 1. with the head leading 2. very quickly and without taking time to think about your actions
headstrong: 1. stubborn and unwilling to change 2. strong-willed 3. very determined to do what one wishes, despite warnings from others
heed: 1. to listen to or pay attention, especially when referring to advice or warnings 2. to consider or take notice of
hence: 1. therefore 2. for this reason 3. from this time 4. from this place
hierarchy: 1. the order of people based on their rank or status 2. a system where people or things are ranked based on their status
highlight: 1. to stress something 2. to make something appear more important 3. to emphasize
hinder: 1. to limit someone's possibilities or the ability to do something 2. to hamper or impede 3. to slow something down
homogeneous: of the same or similar nature or kind
homogenous: of the same or similar nature or kind
hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence that offends people; arrogance resulting from excessive pride or from passion
hypocrisy: 1. the act or process of pretending to believe in something you don't believe in 2. being two-faced, false or insincere
hypocritical: 1. two-faced 2. insincere; never meaning what one says 2. behaving in a way which contradicts your professed beliefs
hypothesis: an unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. that is made on the basis of limited evidence and not proven but that leads to further study, discussion, or investigation, etc.
I
identical: 1. exactly alike 2. the same as something else 3. extraordinarily similar
identify: 1. to discover 2. to equate 3. to recognize a person or a problem
ideology: 1. a set of ideas which influence or govern a person or a society
idiosyncrasy: 1. a strange or unusual habit, way of behaving, or feature that is characteristic of a person, especially that is different from most people 2. an unusual feature or characteristic of something 3. an unusual individual reaction to food or a drug
ignorant: 1. not aware 2. possessing little knowledge or training 3. uneducated; uninformed
illuminate: 1. to make something brighter; to brighten 2. to explain something in a way that makes it understandable; to instruct
illusory: 1. not real despite appearing as if it's real 2. deceptive
illustrate: 1. to show something or explain, especially by giving examples 2. to draw pictures that are to be used in a book or other written document 3. to represent
image: 1. a picture or a visual representation of something 2. a mental picture of something
immigrate: 1. to enter a foreign country with the purpose of permanently living there
immigration: 1. the act of moving into a new country in order to live there
impact: 1. a collision; the moment when two or more bodies hit 2. the effect that an event has on a person; an influence
impartial: 1. fair and unbiased 2. refraining from supporting a specific side in an argument 3. not partial
impeccable: 1. without fault 2. perfect 3. flawless 4. not capable of sin
impecunious: having little or no money
impertinent: 1. rude and not demonstrating the amount of respect that is customary for the situation at hand
implacable: 1. someone with strong ideas which are impossible to change 2. unable to appease
implement: 1. to put something in force or into effect 2. to carry out
implicate: 1. to demonstrate, imply or show that a person is involved in something, such as a crime
implication: something implied or suggested without saying it directly
implicit: 1. not explicitly said or explained; implied 2. suggested
imply: 1. express or indicate (something) indirectly 2. indicate or suggest without saying or showing
impose: 1. to force people to comply with a rule or to accept something 2. to demand
impoverished: 1. very poor; poverty stricken 2. something that has become worse than it previously was
impromptu: 1. done without any planning 2. unrehearsed 3. offhand
impudent: 1. insolent 2. rude towards others 3. disrespectful toward someone that should receive respect
inadvertent: 1. accidental or not on purpose 2. not intentional 3. heedless
inane: 1. lacking sense, meaning, substance, or importance; silly 2. empty; void; vacant
incentive: 1. something that motivates people to do something or take action 2. a reward or the threat of punishment that inspires people to act
inchoate: not completely formed or developed yet; disorganized; incomplete
incidence: 1. the rate or frequency at which something happens 2. occurrence
incipient: 1. just starting 2. in the beginning stages 3. beginning to appear
incisive: 1. sharp 2. penetrating 3. clearly expressed 4. direct
inclination: 1. a tendency to support something or like something; a preference 2. a slope or angle
incline: 1. to be in favor of something or have a preference 2. to bend or slant 3. to slope
incoherent: 1. unclear; difficult to understand 2. rambling or disjointed 3. lacking unity
income: 1. money that one receives in exchange for one's work or smart investing 2. revenue 3. a company's profits
incompatible: 1. unable to exist together in harmony or agreement because of basic differences 2. not consistent or able to coexist with (another)
incongruous: 1. inappropriate or not considered to be normal 2. incompatible or inconsistent with the rest of things in its group or time
incontrovertible: 1. very clear and obviously true; undeniable
incorporate: 1. to include something into a larger unit or group 2. to combine
incredulous: 1. unwilling or unable to believe something, and usually showing this; doubting; skeptical 2. showing doubt or disbelief 3. incredible; not easy to be believed
indefatigable: 1. untiring and inexhaustible 2. not yielding to fatigue despite persisting in labor or effort for a long time
indelible: 1. impossible to remove or forget 2. producing marks that cannot be erased or removed 3. permanent
index: 1. an alphabetical list showing all that is included in a book or a larger document 2. an alphabetical list of the documents in a collection 3. an indication
indicate: 1. to show 2. to be a sign of 3. to signal 4. to suggest
indifferent: 1. not caring about something; apathetic or indifferent 2. impartial 3. unremarkable or average
indigenous: existing, growing, or produced naturally in a particular place or climate; native
indignant: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at unfair, mean, or ungrateful action or treatment
individual: 1. a single human being 2. a person
indolent: 1. disliking or avoiding work; idle; lazy 2. causing little or no pain 3. slow to heal, grow, or develop; inactive
induce: 1. persuade or influence someone to do something 2. bring about, produce, or cause 3. draw (a general rule or conclusion) by inductive reasoning
indulgent: 1. allowing someone to do or have what they want, especially when it may not be proper, healthy, appropriate, etc. 2. indulging or inclined to indulge, especially when you should be strict
inept: 1. not effective 2. unfit or wrong in an inappropriate way 3. awkward or clumsy
inert: 1. unable to move or act 2. moving or acting very slowly 3. not energetic or interesting
inertia: 1. lack of activity 2. the fact that matter moves in the same direction unless acted upon by another force
inevitable: 1. impossible to avoid, evade, escape, or prevent 2. sure to happen
inevitably: 1. in a way that isn't preventable 2. not able to be avoided
inexorable: 1. incapable of being altered, swayed or stopped 2. not capable of being persuaded
infamy: extremely bad reputation for having done bad things or for being evil
infer: form an opinion or guess that something is true by reasoning, especially based on known facts, evidence, or premises
infrastructure: 1. the underlying features of something; framework 2. a country's basic systems, such as power, water or transportation
ingenious: clever, resourceful, original, and inventive
inherent: existing in someone or something as a natural and inseparable element, quality, right, or attribute
inhibit: 1. prevent someone from doing what he or she wants to do 2. prevent or slow down the activity, growth or occurrence of (something) 3. restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.)
initial: 1. first 2. occurring at the beginning of something 3. incipient
initiate: 1. to begin 2. to introduce a person to into a subject or knowledge; to teach someone 3. to formally admit someone into a group
injure: 1. to physically hurt or harm someone or something 2. to offend someone or hurt them mentally or emotionally
injury: 1. physical harm caused by violence or an accident
innate: 1. a quality or ability existing in one from birth 2. an essential characteristic existing as part of the basic nature
innocuous: 1. that does not injure or harm 2. not likely to bother or offend anyone 3. not likely to arouse strong feelings or hostility
innovate: 1. to begin to use or to invent new ideas, concepts, products, equipment, etc. 2. to make changes
innovation: 1. the use of something new; a change to a particular process
insatiable: 1. not able to be satisfied 2. never satisfied 3. very greedy
insert: 1. to put or place something in something else 2. to add something
insidious: 1. seemingly harmless yet, in truth, damaging and harmful 2. slowly acting and causing harm
insight: 1. understanding of a specific theme or topic 2. the ability to clearly understand a difficult or complicated situation or topic
insipid: 1. without flavor; tasteless 2. not interesting or exciting; dull; boring
inspect: 1. to carefully examine something, especially in search of problems or flaws 2. to make an official visit to ensure that rules are being followed or complied with
inspection: 1. the act of examining something by an official or a person who has been specially trained 2. an official or formal review
instance: 1. an occurrence 2. an example used to demonstrate something
institute: 1. an organization that promotes education or art 2. an organization that carries out research 3. an organization with a specific purpose
instruct: 1. to teach someone 2. to show someone how to do something 3. to direct or give orders
insular: 1. ignorant of or no interested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside your own group or country 2. not interested in learning new ideas or ways of doing things 3. of, relating to, or from an island
integral: 1. fundamental; essential 2. of the utmost importance 3. necessary
integrate: 1. to add something to a unit to make it whole 2. to combine two or more things 3. to join; to unify
integrity: 1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles 2. the quality or state of being whole and undivided 3. the quality or state of being unimpaired; soundness
intelligence: 1. the ability to learn or to acquire knowledge or skills 2. classified or secret information about an organization or a country
intend: plan
intense: 1. acute 2. very strong; extreme 3. profound
interact: 1. to communicate with and react to another human 2. to act on
interaction: 1. the act of communicating and acting with other individuals
intermediate: 1. in the middle of two things, places, etc. 2. between two levels; between basic and advanced
intermittent: 1. happening at irregular intervals 2. not steady 3. stopping and starting
internal: 1. found or existing within certain limits 2. inner 3. interior
interpret: 1. to understand something in a certain way 2. to explain something or make it possible to understand 3. to convert someone's spoken words into another language
interpretation: 1. explanation 2. definition 3. the act of orally translating from one language to another
interval: 1. the space or spaces between things 2. the period of time between two things 3. a pause
intervene: 1. to get involved or become involved in a situation in order to change its suspected outcome 2. to interrupt 3. to be situated between two things
intervention: 1. the act of becoming involved in something
intransigent: unwilling or refusing to change your opinions or behavior with no good reason
intrepid: very bold or brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations; fearless
intrinsic: 1. inherent 2. relating to the basic nature of something 3. fundamental
intuitive: 1. of, relating to, or arising from intuition; instinctive 2. known or perceived through intuition
inundate: overwhelm (someone or something) by sending or providing with a large amount of things at the same time
invest: 1. to put one's money into something with the intention of eventually earning money from the project 2. to give power or rank to 3. to install a new leader 4. to endow
investigate: 1. to thoroughly examine something 2. to explore a topic in order to learn the truth about it 3. to try to get information about something
investigation: 1. research or inquiry 2. the act of trying to find information about something in order to better understand it
inveterate: 1. established or habitual 2. deep-rooted 3. settled in a habit and unlikely to change
invoke: 1. request blessing, help, inspiration, support, etc. from someone, especially God, a god, a saint, etc. 2. ask for; request earnestly 3. make someone have a particular feeling or remember something
involve: 1. to engage 2. to include something as necessary 3. to cause a person to participate or get involved
irate: feeling or showing extreme anger; very angry; enraged
ironic: 1. using words that literally mean the opposite of what the speaker or writer wants to say, especially when one wants to express humor
irony: a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words is different from and often opposite to their literal meaning
irrevocable: 1. unable to be taken away 2. unable to be changed 3. final
isolate: 1. to seclude someone or something 2. to place something in quarantine 3. to separate something or someone
isolated: 1. separated from others 2. occurring just one time
issue: topic
item: 1. a single object 2. a piece of news 3. a subject to be discussed or dealt with
J
jeopardize: 1. to put something or someone in danger or at risk 2. to threaten
journal: 1. a newspaper or magazine 2. a magazine that contains articles about a specific subject 3. a written record of the day 4. a logbook
jubilant: 1. thrilled 2. feeling and expressing great joy 3. expressing extreme happiness, often due to a victory or success
judicious: having, applying, or showing reason and good judgment or sense in making decisions
justification: 1. the reason behind something; something that explains or justifies something else
justify: 1. to explain or defend one's position or reasoning 2. to adjust one's text so that the right and left edges of a document are equal 3. to prove something to be correct
K
kindle: 1. to build or light a fire 2. to make something burn; to ignite 3. to arouse an emotion or cause a feeling 4. to stir up
knell: 1. the sad and somber sound of a bell, especially while it tolls for a person who has died
L
label: 1. a piece of material on an object that gives information about the object 2. a name or phrase assigned to a person to classify them, often in an unfair manner 3. a company that produces music
labour: 1. work or physical exertion 2. the process of giving birth to a baby 3. workers, when considered collectively
lackluster: 1. dull in color or brightness 2. boring 3. unimaginative
laconic: using very few words in speech, writing, or expression; terse; concise
languid: 1. lacking enthusiasm, energy, or strength; without interest or spirit 2. (of a period of time) relaxed and pleasant 3. weak or faint from illness or fatigue 4. slow in progress; tardy
latent: exists but is not active, obvious, completely developed, or cannot be seen
laudable: deserving or worthy of praise
lavish: 1. extravagant or expensive 2. liberal in one's spending or giving of money 3. impressive 4. generous 5. sumptuous
lax: 1. not as strict or strong 2. loose 3. not careful
layer: 1. different tiers that make something up 2. a thin sheet of a certain substance 3. a substance that is above or under another substance
lecture: 1. a speech or lesson about a specific subject 2. a speech that is open to to the public 3. a long and serious scolding
legal: 1. allowed or permitted by law 2. related or connected to law
legend: 1. the part of a map or a chart where each symbol or color are explained 2. a story that has been told over generations that may or may not be true; myth
legislate: 1. to create and pass laws
legislation: 1. laws 2. the act of lawmaking
lethargic: 1. sluggish or drowsy; tired or slightly tired 2. apathetic
leviathan: 1. something or someone that is very large and powerful, especially a ship 2. a very large animal, especially a whale
levity: 1. lack of seriousness, especially when strictness is required or appropriate 2. frivolity 3. fickleness
levy: 1. to impose a tax, fee or fine on 2. to officially request the payment of a tax, fee or fine
liberal: 1. tolerant or open-minded 2. in favor of personal rights and freedoms 3. in favor of reform and progressive policies 4. generous
likewise: 1. similarly 2. moreover 3. in addition
limpid: 1. transparent; clear 2. easily intelligible 3. serene and without worry
link: 1. to connect two or more things 2. to relate things 3. to join
lithe: young, healthy, attractive, and able to move and bend in an easy and graceful way
locate: 1. to find 2. to situate 3. to be in a certain place 4. to discover the exact position
location: 1. the place where someone or something can be found 2. place
lofty: 1. elevated; high 2. arrogant; thinking that one is better or more important than others 3. tall
logic: 1. a specific or formal way of thinking 2. the scientific study of the processes used when humans reason or think
longevity: 1. long life 2. the length or duration of life 3. long existence or service
loquacious: tending to talk a lot or too much
lucid: 1. very clear and easy to understand 2. clear; transparent 3. able to think clearly
lucrative: producing a lot of wealth or profit; profitable
ludicrous: 1. absurd 2. laughable; deserving of or causing laughter 3. ridiculous
lull: 1. cause to sleep, rest, or calm, typically with soothing sounds or movements 2. cause someone feel secure, relaxed, or confident instead of careful and alert, especially by deception 3. a temporary calm, quiet, or stillness, as in a storm 4. become calm
lurid: 1. causing shock or horror, especially because involving violence, sex, or immoral activity; gruesome 2. glowing with an unnatural glare and in an ugly way
M
magnanimous: 1. kind, generous, or forgiving in overlooking injury or insult, especially towards a rival or less powerful person; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness 2. high-minded; generous and noble
magnate: 1. a very successful or very important person in a specific industry
maintain: 1. to keep something at the same level, rate or condition 2. to continue 3. to firmly declare or assert
maintenance: 1. financial support given from one ex-spouse to another 2. upkeep 3. the act of maintaining
major: 1. quite important 2. serious 3. large 4. more important
malady: 1. an illness, disease or ailment 2. a major problem
malevolent: causing or wanting to cause harm or evil to another or others; malicious; evil
malleable: 1. (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered, pounded, or pressed into various shapes without breaking or cracking 2. easily influenced, trained, or controlled; adaptable
manifold: 1. multiple or many in number 2. varied or consisting of multiple parts or elements 3. plentiful, numerous
manipulate: 1. to change or modify, especially to suit one's purposes 2. to handle 3. to influence or control someone
manual: 1. a guide book that tells one how to operate or use something 2. an instruction book
margin: 1. a border or edge 2. the difference between the cost of production of a good and the amount at which it is sold
marginal: 1. not important 2. quite small 3. on the margin or border
marred: damaged or disfigured by injury or rough wear; spoiled; impaired
marshal: 1. to organize or arrange things or people 2. to ceremoniously lead people
mature: 1. to grow old 2. to develop 3. to ripen
maverick: a person who refuses to follow the customs or rules of or resists adherence to a group
maxim: 1. a general truth that someone lives by 2. a rule of conduct 3. a proverb
maximise: 1. to make as large as possible 2. to make the most of something 3. to use something in a way that allows one to get the best possible result
maximum: 1. the highest possible amount or largest quantity
mechanism: 1. a machine or device 2. the working parts of a machine
media: 1. companies or institutions that report the news through the television, radio, press, internet, etc. 2. mass communication when considered as a whole
mediate: 1. to settle disputes through negotiation 2. to be an intermediary 3. to work with opposing sides to reach an agreement
medium: 1. a way of expressing something, such as photography or print 2. something in a middle position 3. surrounding objects; environment
melancholy: a feeling of sadness, depression, and of being without hope, typically with no obvious cause
mental: 1. related to or involving the mind 2. existing in the mind
mercenary: 1. working or acting only for money or other reward 2. a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army, guerrilla organization, etc.
merge: 1. to put two or more things together; to unite; to combine
method: 1. a way of doing something 2. an approach 3. a technique
meticulous: 1. extremely concerned with details 2. thorough and precise 3. finicky
mettle: 1. resilience; stamina 2. fortitude and courage 3. the ability to deal with situations that are considered difficult 4. temperament
migrate: 1. to move from one region or country to another
migration: 1. the movement of people or animals from one reason to another, based on a variety of different reasons
military: 1. related to soldiers, the army, or armed conflict 2. done or made by soldiers
minimal: 1. the least or fewest possible 2. extremely small 3. negligible
minimise: 1. to make something smaller 2. to reduce as much as possible in amount or degree 3. to make something seem less important
minimum: 1. the smallest or least amount of something possible 2. the smallest size possible
ministry: 1. a government department that is in charge of a specific task or subject 2. the job of being a preacher or a priest
minor: 1. of little importance 2. small or secondary 3. not valuable 4. not serious
minute: extremely small
mire: 1. to entangle or trap 2. to cause to stick or get stuck 3. to soil or stain with mud
mitigate: make something less severe, serious, painful, harmful, unpleasant, or bad
mode: 1. a fashion 2. a way of doing something or performing a task
modicum: 1. a limited amount of something 2. a small object 3. a reduced quantity
modify: 1. to make changes to something 2. to adjust or alter
momentous: 1. extremely important, especially in reference to the future or future events 2. weighty
monitor: 1. to watch someone or something 2. to check on something or someone in order to detect changes 3. to supervise
monotonous: 1. repetitive and boring 2. lacking variety 3. dull 4. wearisome
morose: 1. austere and churlish 2. ill-tempered 3. bleak or dreary in nature 4. showing a gloomy attitude
motivation: 1. the enthusiasm, interest or reason for doing something
motive: 1. one of the reasons behind someone's behavior 2. something that inspires someone to behave in a certain way 3. a motif
mundane: 1. ordinary and not interesting or exciting 2. relating to the world and practical matters instead of heavenly or spiritual ones; worldly; earthly
mutual: 1. shared between two or more parties 2. held in common
myriad: 1. a large number, often one that is too large to count 2. a great deal of people or things
N
nadir: 1. the point opposite the zenith on a sphere, directly below the observer 2. the lowest, worst point in a situation
nascent: 1. emerging or beginning to exist 2. recently formed or started 3. developing
navigable: 1. safe, wide, and deep enough to allow the passage or transit of ships 2. able to be directed or steered
nefarious: extremely wicked; criminal; evil; immoral; sinful
negate: 1. to deny something or say something isn't true 2. to cancel something out; to nullify
negative: 1. pessimistic 2. harmful or bad 3. expressing or showing "no" 4. expressing disapproval
negligence: 1. failure to take the proper amount of care in a specific situation, often causing damage or harm 2. the state or quality of being negligent 3. carelessness
neophyte: 1. a newcomer to a specific belief; a proselyte 2. a person who has only recently started to participate in a subject or an activity
nettle: 1. to bother or annoy 2. to provoke 3. to irritate or sting as if with nettles
network: 1. a large system of smaller interconnected parts 2. a system of interconnected people or things 3. a group of people who are related in some way
neutral: 1. impartial 2. not supporting either side involved in a conflict
nevertheless: 1. in spite of 2. notwithstanding 3. however
nomadic: 1. constantly moving from place to place without a fixed pattern 2. itinerant 3. pertaining to a wandering tribe
nominal: 1. insignificant 2. in name, but not in practice 3. very small
nonchalant: coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; relaxed, calm, and not worried about anything; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm
nonetheless: 1. nevertheless 2. however
norm: 1. a rule or standard 2. a pattern or something that is expected 3. a model
nostalgia: 1. homesickness; a longing for one's home or hometown 2. a feeling of sadness and pleasure when thinking about events or things from the past; sentimentality
notion: 1. an idea, belief or opinion about something
notwithstanding: 1. in spite of 2. nevertheless 3. although
novel: 1. new 2. different from anything that has previously existed 3. surprisingly new or unusual
novice: a person who is new and not experienced in a job or situation
noxious: 1. detrimental to living beings 2. something that is dangerous for one's physical health
nuance: a small variation in meaning, tone or feeling
nuclear: 1. related to or employing nuclear weapons or energy 2. related to the nucleus of an atom
nullify: 1. to void something, especially a legal agreement or decision 2. to make something useless or null
O
objective: 1. fair and impartial 2. unbiased 3. based on facts and not affected by feelings 4. actual
oblique: 1. possessing a slanting or sloping angle or direction; inclined 2. not expressing something in a clear or direct manner
obliterate: 1. to totally destroy 2. to make something disappear completely 3. to get rid of, erase or cover completely
oblivious: 1. unaware or not conscious about something happening at that moment 2. forgetful 3. inattentive
obscure: 1. not famous or well-known 2. difficult to see 3. faint; vague 4. unnoticeable 5. mysterious
obsequious: 1. overly attentive or eager to flatter others 2. excessive obedience or flattery, often in order to gain favors from people of influence
obsession: 1. a person, object or idea that someone constantly thinks about 2. the state of being completely obsessed with something