SALDIE

R-OXFO

RD LEVEL B

UNIT 7

VOCABULA

RY

AMISS

• Part of Speech: adjective; adverb

• Definition: adjective-faulty, imperfect, not as it should be; adverb-in a mistaken or improper way, wrongly

• Synonyms: adjective; adverb-awry, incorrect

• Antonyms: adverb-properly, appropriate

• Sentence: Under the circumstances it would not be amiss to offer our congratulations.

BRAWL

• Part of Speech: noun; verb

• Definition: noun-a noisy quarrel or fight; verb-to quarrel or fight noisily

• Synonyms: noun-scuffle, donnybrook; verb-spar, scrap

• Antonyms: noun-peace; verb-truce

• Sentence: The noise coming from the classroom sounded more like a brawl than a debate.

DETEST

• Part of Speech: verb

• Definition: to hate, dislike very much, loathe

• Synonyms: despise, abhor

• Antonyms: relish, love, admire, esteem

• Sentence: Children who dislike green vegetables often detest spinach.

DOMESTIC

• Part of Speech: adjective; noun

• Definition: adjective-native to a country, not foreign; relating to the life or affairs of a household; noun-a household servant

• Synonyms: adjective-household, native; noun-servant

• Antonyms: adjective-foreign, alien

• Sentence: The newspaper is filled with information about our country’s domestic affairs. (adjective)

• Sentence: When my grandmother first came to this country, she took a job as a domestic. (noun)

FLAGRANT

• Part of Speech: adjective

• Definition: extremely bad, glaring; scandalous, notorious

• Synonyms: blatant, gross, outrageous

• Antonyms: petty, piddling, trifling, inconsequential

• Sentence: Crossing against the light shows a flagrant disregard for the law.

FLAW

• Part of Speech: noun

• Definition: a slight fault, defect, crack

• Synonyms: imperfection, blemish

• Antonyms: faultlessness, perfection

• Sentence: We noticed a flaw in the plan to start building the house before spring rains.

FLEDGLING

• Part of Speech: noun; adjective

• Definition: noun-an inexperienced person, beginner; a young bird about to leave the nest; adjective-inexperienced, budding

• Synonyms: noun-novice, tyro, neophyte

• Antonyms: noun-pro, expert, veteran

• Sentence: We placed the fledgling back in its nest. (noun)

• Sentence: A fledgling police officer appeared on the scene and wisely called for assistance. (adjective)

FLUSTER

• Part of Speech: verb; noun

• Definition: verb-to make or become confused, agitated, or nervous; noun-a state of confusion or agitation

• Synonyms: verb-agitate, rattle, disconcert

• Antonyms: verb-reassure, soothe, quiet

• Sentence: During the trial, the judge told the attorney not to fluster the witness.

FOREMOST

• Part of Speech: adjective; adverb

• Definition: adjective-chief, most important, primary; adverb-in the first place

• Synonyms: adjective-leading, principal, paramount

• Antonyms: hindmost, last, secondary

• Sentence: Music is foremost among my interests. (adjective)

• Sentence: First and foremost, you must call home to let your family know you’ll be late. (adverb)

MOMENTUM

• Part of Speech: noun

• Definition: the force or speed with which something moves

• Synonyms: drive, thrust, impetus

• Antonyms: powerless, weakness

• Sentence: The presidential campaign gained momentum once the first primary was over.

NOTABLE

• Part of Speech: adjective; noun

• Definition: adjective-striking, remarkable; noun-a person who is well known, distinguished, or outstanding in some way

• Synonyms: adjective-noteworthy, impressive

• Antonyms: adjective-undistinguished, unremarkable; noun-unknown

• Sentence: Being chosen for the team was a notable event in our lives. (adjective)

• Sentence: The party was attended by notables from the film world. (noun)

NURTURE

• Part of Speech: verb; noun

• Definition: verb-to bring up, care for, train, nourish; noun-rearing, training, upbringing

• Synonyms: verb-raise, rear, foster

• Antonyms: verb-neglect, ignore, discourage, hinder

• Sentence: It is wonderful to watch chimpanzees nurture their young. (verb)

• Sentence: The nurture they receive as children served them well as they grew into adulthood. (noun)

PARADOX

• Part of Speech: noun

• Definition: a self-contradictory statement that on closer examination proves true; a person or thing with seemingly contradictory qualities

• Synonyms: riddle; enigma, anomaly, absurdity

• Antonyms: calm, ease, surety

• Sentence: It is a paradox to say that youth is wasted on the young.

PERJURY

• Part of Speech: noun

• Definition: the act of swearing to a lie

• Synonyms: false witness

• Antonyms: honesty, truth

• Sentence: The witness was convicted or perjury and was sentenced to serve two years in prison.

PRESUME

• Part of Speech: verb

• Definition: to take for granted, assume or suppose; to dare, take upon oneself, take liberties

• Synonyms: surmise, trespass, infringe

• Antonyms: disbelieve, doubt

• Sentence: The counselors presume that the job they had last summer will be theirs this summer as well.

PRIOR

• Part of Speech: adjective

• Definition: earlier, former

• Synonyms: previous, anterior

• Antonyms: subsequent, later, ensuing, following

• Sentence: Unfortunately, the governor had a prior appointment and could not meet with the class.

PROFICIENT

• Part of Speech: adjective

• Definition: skilled, expert, or capable in any field or activity

• Synonyms: competent, adept, able

• Antonyms: incompetent, inept, unskilled, ignorant

• Sentence: Dad knows his way around the kitchen and is quite a proficient cook.

SALVO

• Part of Speech: noun

• Definition: a burst of gunfire or cannon shot, often as a tribute or salute; a sudden burst of anything; a spirited verbal attack

• Synonyms: barrage, volley

• Antonyms: loading, tranquility

• Sentence: The audience erupted in a salvo of laughter.

VIGILANT

• Part of Speech: adjective

• Definition: wide-awake, alert, watchful

• Synonyms: attentive, on one’s toes

• Antonyms: sleepy, inattentive, unobservant

• Sentence: The vigilant guards paced back and forth in front of the barracks.

WRATH

• Part of Speech: noun

• Definition: intense anger

• Synonyms: rage, fury, ire, choler, indignation

• Antonyms: favor, approval, pleasure, blessing

• Sentence: In Greek and Roman myths characters fear the wrath of the gods.