What does the word abscond(verb) mean
To leave in a sudden secret manner;typically to avoid capture or arrest
Sentence: We were shocked to hear that our coworker Greg had absconded with $50,000 from the companies bank account
What does the word archaic(adjective)mean
Very old or old-fashioned; not commonly used in the present day
Sentence: He has a habit of using archaic words like,”hither”, “thither”, and “thenceforth” in casual conversations.
What do the words Baader Meinhof(noun) phenomenon mean
The experience of using a new piece of information, often a word, and then noticing it used repeatedly. Sometimes also called the frequency illusion.
Sentence: You know when you learn and a new phrase or word and it seems to pop up everywhere? There’s a word for that the Baader Meinhof phenomenon.
What does the word cacophony(noun)mean
A harsh mixture of sounds
Sentence: The cacophony of the construction work was giving Jim a headache.
What do the words carte blanche(noun) mean
Complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best
Sentence:Jill gave her secretary carte blanche in planning Susan’s retirement party
What does the word debunk(verb) mean?
To expose the falseness of an idea or belief; to disprove
Sentence: The miasma theory of disease was debunked in the 1800’s.
What does the word docile(noun) mean?
Easily trained or taught compliant or obedient
Sentence: The substitute teacher was nervous about her first day in a kindergarten classroom but the children were docile and pleasant.
What does the word eclectic(adj) mean?
Made up of styles and ideas from many different sources Sentence: The menu was very eclectic and had food from many different cultures.
What does the word egregious(adj) mean?
Extremely bad; shocking
Sentence:Peter’s friend could not believe he had committed such an egregious crime.
What does the word en route(adv) mean?
On the way; in the course of a journey
Sentence:My uncle called and told us he was en route and would probably arrive at our house by noon.
What does the word euphemism(n) mean?
A mild word or phrase that is substituted for something considered too blunt or harsh to say
Sentence: Saying we had to let him go is a euphemism for we fired him. Saying passed away is another common euphemism.
What do the words faux pas(n) mean?
A tactless or embarrassing action (or remark) in a social situation .
Sentence: A second too late, I realized that I had committed a terrible faux pas.
What does the word gregarious(adj) mean?
Fond of company; sociable
Sentence: As an introvert, Kevin found it hard to be paired with such a gregarious roommate.
What does the word infinitesimal(adj) mean?
Extremely small
Sentence: He stood completely still, knowing that even an infinitesimal movement would give away his presence.
What does the word magnanimous(adj) mean?
Very generous or forgiving,especially toward someone less powerful than ones self
Sentence: Leo magnanimously allowed his brother to defeat him in a game of chess.
What does the word mellifluous(Adj) mean
Smoothly or sweetly flowing; pleasant to hear
Sentence:Her voice was mellifluous; it was enchanting to hear.
What does the word mundane(adj) mean?
Lacking interest or excitement; dull
Sentence: Before he could leave for vacation, he had a list of mundane tasks to complete.
What does the word non sequitur(n) mean?
A statement or conclusion that does not logically follow the previous statement
Sentence: Sam baffled everyone at the dinner party with his odd non sequiturs.
What does the word obsequious(adj) mean?
Obedient or attentive to an excessive degree; servile
Sentence:Fred’s obsequious behavior towards the boss made everyone else in the office dislike him.
What does the word pariah(n) mean?
An outcast; a person who is generally despised or avoided
Sentence: When everyone discovered the online bully was Elizabeth, she became an overnight pariah.
What does the word pejorative(adj) mean?
Expressing disapproval or contempt
Sentence: Tree hugger is a pejorative word for environmentalist.
What does the word penultimate(adj) mean?
The second to last in a series of items
Sentence: The penultimate book in a series is the second to last book of the series.
What does the word pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcaniconiosis (n) mean?
This is not a mandatory word but it may be a bonus
A lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica or quartz dust.
What does the word quagmire(n) mean?
A complex or hazardous situation; a situation that is very difficult to get ones self out of
Sentence: She has always thought that her parent were financially secure but, it turned out they were in a quagmire of debt.
What does the word quintessential (adj) mean?
Representing the most perfect example of a certain quality.
Sentence: Biff from back to the future is the quintessential bully.
What does the word schadenfreude (n) mean?
A feeling of pleasure derived from another persons misfortune
Sentence: When Martin Shkreli the man who increased the price of a life saving aids drug was arreested, many people felt schadenfreude.
What does the word sesquipedalian (adj) mean?
Tending to use long words; polysyllabic( “It comes from a Latin word meaning a foot and a half long”)
Sentence: His sequapedalian speaking tendencies may serve him well in the college classrom, but they only confused his audience of preschoolers.
What does the word spoonerism (n) mean?
A verbal error in which the speaker- either accidentally or as a play on words- transposes the initial sounds of two words, often to humorous effect
Sentence: Is the bean dizzy? Is the dean busy?
What does the word tacit (adj) mean?
Understood or implied without being spoken
Sentence: By remianing silent about the bullying you witnessed, you gave your tacit approval.
What does the word ubiquitous (adj) mean?
Appearing or found everywhere
Sentence: Steve job wildly exceeded his own expectations, now apple products are unbiquitous across the U.S.
What does the word vacillate (v) mean?
To alternate or waiver between different opinions; to be indecisive
Sentence: I spent most of my day vacillating between going to the party and staying home.
What does the word virtuoso (n) mean?
A person highly skilled in music or another form of art
Sentence: The orchestra teacher was ecstatic when one of his new students turned out to be a cello virtuoso.