Definitions and samples punish (v.) inflict a penalty on as retribution for an offence – People operating illegal businesses can be punished by imprisonment or a fine. reward (n. & v.) a thing given in recognition of one’s service, effort, or achievement. Give a reward to – The prize was a just reward for all…
repair (v.) restore (something damaged, worn, or faulty) to a good condition – Little seems to have been done to repair the bridges. decrease (v. & n.) make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree; the action of decreasing – Prices are expected to decrease by less than 1 per cent…
Definitions and samples bridge (n. & v.) a structure carrying a road, path, or railway across a river, road, etc. – Go over the bridge and then turn right. worthless (adj.) having no good qualities; having no good qualities – The country’s currency is nearly worthless. occupied (adj.) (of a building, seat, etc.) being used by…
arrive (v.) reach a destination – we arrived at his house and knocked at the door. depart (v.) leave, especially in order to start a journey – they departed for Italy. comfort (n.) a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint – We can comfort ourselves with the thought that the worst…
obliterate (v.) destroy utterly; wipe out – The memory was so painful that he obliterated it from his mind permeate (v.) spread throughout; pervade – The smell of diesel oil permeated the air. intercom (n.) an electrical device allowing one-way or two-way communication – The pilot’s voice came over the intercom. subtle (adj.) not obvious,…
Definitions and samples brink (n.) the extreme edge of land before a steep slope or a body of water – Extreme stress had driven him to the brink of a nervous breakdown. chronology (n.) the study of records to establish the dates of past events – the novel abandons the conventions of normal chronology. conscientious…
determine (v.) to find out; to influence – After reading the contract, I was still unable to determine if our company was liable for back wages. engage (v.) participate; involve – Before engaging in a new business, it is important to do thorough research. establish (v.) to institute permanently; to bring about – The merger…
to back up: to drive or go backwards (S); to defend, to support (S); to return to a previous thought Examples of TO BACK UP So it plans to buy back up to $10 million of its stock over the next few months Unfortunately, the rates haven’t gone back up, and people are dealing with…
to work out: to exercise; to develop, to devise (a plan) Examples of TO WORK OUT She home-schools her 15-year-old son, runs errands, cleans house, takes care of her family, works out at the fitness center and tries to sleep. Eventually we worked out a plan so that he could return to work.
touch and go: risky, uncertain until the end Examples of TOUCH AND GO The outcome of the soccer final was touch and go for the entire match. It was touch and go at one stage whether I would make the journey to hospital.