Index of Word Meanings
1.
cagey
adjective informal
adjective: cagey;
comparative adjective: cagier;
superlative adjective: cagiest;
adjective: cagy
reluctant to give information owing to caution or suspicion.
"a spokesman was cagey about the arrangements his company had struck"
Similar:
secretive
guarded
non-committal
tight-lipped
reticent
cautious
---
2.
wail
verb
past tense: wailed; past participle: wailed
utter a wail.
"Tina ran off wailing"
Similar:
howl
weep
cry
sob
moan
groan
keen
lament
yowl
blubber
snivel
whimper
whine
squall
bawl
shriek
scream
yelp
caterwaul
waul
complain
grumble
carp
sorrow
beat one's breast
greet
ululate
make a prolonged high-pitched sound.
"the wind wailed and buffeted the timber structure"
Similar:
howl
weep
cry
sob
moan
groan
keen
lament
yowl
blubber
snivel
whimper
whine
squall
bawl
shriek
scream
yelp
caterwaul
waul
complain
grumble
carp
sorrow
beat one's breast
greet
ululate
literary
manifest or feel deep sorrow for; lament.
"she wailed her wretched life"
---
3.
sordid
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: sordid
1.
involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt.
"the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams"
h
Similar:
sleazy
seedy
seamy
unsavoury
shoddy
vile
foul
tawdry
louche
cheap
base
low
low-minded
debased
degenerate
corrupt
dishonest
dishonourable
disreputable
despicable
discreditable
contemptible
ignominious
ignoble
shameful
wretched
abhorrent
abominable
disgusting
sleazoid
h
Opposite:
high-minded
respectable
2.
dirty or squalid.
"the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading"
h
Similar:
dirty
filthy
mucky
grimy
muddy
grubby
shabby
messy
soiled
stained
smeared
smeary
scummy
slimy
sticky
sooty
dusty
unclean
foul
squalid
flea-bitten
slummy
cruddy
grungy
yucky
icky
crummy
scuzzy
manky
gungy
grotty
bogging
scungy
besmirched
h
Opposite:
immaculate
Origin
late Middle English (as a medical term in the sense ‘purulent’): from French sordide or Latin sordidus, from sordere ‘be dirty’. The current senses date from the early 17th century.
Tip
Similar-sounding words
sordid is sometimes confused with sorted
---
4.
fleet2
Learn to pronounce
adjectiveliterary
comparative adjective: fleeter
fast and nimble in movement.
"a man of advancing years, but fleet of foot"
h
Similar:
nimble
agile
deft
lithe
limber
lissom
acrobatic
supple
light-footed
nimble-footed
light
light of foot
light on one's feet
spry
sprightly
lively
active
quick
quick-moving
fast
fast-moving
swift
swift-footed
rapid
speedy
brisk
smart
nippy
zippy
twinkle-toed
fleet-footed
fleet of foot
lightsome
h
Opposite:
lumbering
Origin
early 16th century: probably from Old Norse fljótr, of Germanic origin and related to fleet4.
---
5.
rein
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: rein; plural noun: reins
a long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs to guide or check a horse in riding or driving.
British
a pair of straps used to restrain a young child.
"some of the children wore leather baby reins"
the power to direct and control.
"a new chairperson will soon take over the reins"
verb
verb: rein; 3rd person present: reins; past tense: reined; past participle: reined; gerund or present participle: reining
check or guide (a horse) by pulling on its reins.
"he reined in his horse and waited"
keep under control; restrain.
"with an effort, she reined back her impatience"
h
Similar:
restrain
check
curb
constrain
hold back
keep in check
keep under control
hold in
regulate
restrict
control
bridle
put the brakes on
slow down
curtail
limit
stop
arrest
Phrases
draw rein
stop one's horse. "he drew rein and waited for his friend to catch up"
free rein
freedom of action or expression. "he was given free rein to work out his designs"
keep a tight rein on
exercise strict control over. "her only chance of survival was to keep a tight rein on her feelings"
Origin
Middle English: from Old French rene, based on Latin retinere ‘retain’.
Tip
Similar-sounding words
rein is sometimes confused with reign
---
6.
tiller
noun
noun: tiller; plural noun: tillers
a horizontal bar fitted to the head of a boat's rudder post and used for steering.
---
7.
reindeer
noun
noun: reindeer; plural noun: reindeer; plural noun: reindeers
a deer of the tundra and subarctic regions of Eurasia and North America, both sexes of which have large branching antlers. Most Eurasian reindeer are domesticated and used for drawing sledges and as a source of milk, flesh, and hide.
Origin
late Middle English: from Old Norse hreindýri, from hreinn ‘reindeer’ + dýr ‘deer’.
---
8.
chagrin
Learn to pronounce
verb
past participle: chagrined
feel distressed or humiliated.
"he was chagrined when his friend poured scorn on him"
h
Similar:
annoyed
irritated
cross
angry
vexed
exasperated
irked
---
9.
hypocritical
saying that you have particular moral beliefs but behaving in a way that shows these are not sincere: Their accusations of corruption are hypocritical - they have been just as corrupt themselves. It's rather hypocritical of you, telling me not to shout.
---
10.
beguiling
interesting or attractive
/bɪˈɡaɪ.lɪŋ/ interesting or attractive, but perhaps not to be trusted: That's a beguiling argument, but I'm not convinced by it. Synonyms. alluring.
---
11.
shadow-box
verb
gerund or present participle: shadowboxing
spar with an imaginary opponent as a form of training.
"they shadow-boxed a bit to warm up"
make a show of tackling a problem or opponent while avoiding any direct engagement.
"they have shadow-boxed their way through all manner of policy disputes"
---
12.
disingenuous
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: disingenuous
not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.
"he was being somewhat disingenuous as well as cynical"
h
Similar:
dishonest
deceitful
underhand
underhanded
duplicitous
double-dealing
two-faced
dissembling
insincere
false
lying
untruthful
mendacious
not candid
not frank
not entirely truthful
artful
cunning
crafty
wily
sly
sneaky
tricky
scheming
calculating
designing
devious
unscrupulous
shifty
foxy
economical with the truth
terminologically inexact
subtle
hollow-hearted
false-hearted
double-faced
truthless
unveracious
h
Opposite:
ingenuous
---
13.
inane
/ɪˈneɪn/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: inane
lacking sense or meaning; silly.
"don't badger people with inane questions"
h
Similar:
silly
foolish
stupid
fatuous
idiotic
absurd
ridiculous
ludicrous
laughable
risible
imbecilic
moronic
cretinous
unintelligent
witless
asinine
pointless
senseless
frivolous
nonsensical
brainless
mindless
thoughtless
vacuous
vapid
empty-headed
childish
puerile
infantile
jejune
dumb
dim
half-baked
damfool
daft
divvy
gormless
glaikit
dumb-ass
dof
h
Opposite:
intelligent
sensible
Origin
mid 16th century: from Latin inanis ‘empty, vain’.
---
14.
overbearing
/əʊvəˈbɛərɪŋ/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: overbearing
unpleasantly overpowering.
"an overbearing, ill-tempered brute"
h
Similar:
domineering
dominating
autocratic
tyrannical
despotic
heavy-handed
oppressive
high-handed
bullying
high and mighty
lordly
lording it
officious
masterful
dictatorial
bossy
imperious
pontifical
pompous
peremptory
arrogant
cocksure
proud
overproud
overweening
presumptuous
opinionated
dogmatic
pushy
throwing one's weight about
throwing one's weight around
cocky
overbear
/əʊvəˈbɛː/
Learn to pronounce
verb
gerund or present participle: overbearing
overcome by emotional pressure or physical force.
"his will had not been overborne by another's influence"
---
15.
upbeat
/ˈʌpbiːt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: upbeat; plural noun: upbeats; noun: up-beat; plural noun: up-beats
(in music) an unaccented beat preceding an accented beat.
adjectiveinformal
adjective: upbeat; adjective: up-beat
cheerful; optimistic.
"he was upbeat about the company's future"
h
Similar:
optimistic
cheerful
cheery
positive
confident
hopeful
---
16.
hypercritical
/hʌɪpəˈkrɪtɪk(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: hypercritical; adjective: hyper-critical
excessively and unreasonably critical, especially of small faults.
"he was a sarcastic, hypercritical man"
h
Similar:
carping
captious
overcritical
fault-finding
hair-splitting
cavilling
niggling
quibbling
pedantic
pettifogging
fussy
finicky
over-censorious
over-exacting
over-rigorous
over-particular
over-strict
picky
nitpicking
pass-remarkable
pernickety
persnickety
nice
overnice
h
Opposite:
easy-going
---
17.
quirky
/ˈkwəːki/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: quirky; comparative adjective: quirkier; superlative adjective: quirkiest
having or characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects.
"her sense of humour was decidedly quirky"
h
Similar:
eccentric
idiosyncratic
unconventional
unorthodox
unusual
off-centre
strange
bizarre
weird
peculiar
odd
freakish
outlandish
offbeat
out of the ordinary
Bohemian
alternative
zany
outré
wacky
freaky
kinky
way-out
far out
kooky
oddball
off the wall
in left field
bizarro
h
Opposite:
---
18.
bedhead
/ˈbɛdhɛd/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: bedhead; plural noun: bedheads; noun: bed-head; plural noun: bed-heads
1.
British
an upright board or panel fixed at the head of a bed.
2.
informal
hair with an untidy appearance, such as results from lying in bed.
"her artfully messy bedhead"
---
19.
crossed wires
: to fail to understand each other : to be confused because each person has a different idea about what is happening or being said. We got our wires crossed for a minute there—I thought you were asking me something else.
---
20.
uptight
/ˌʌpˈtʌɪt,ˈʌptʌɪt/
Learn to pronounce
adjectiveinformal
adjective: uptight
anxious or angry in a tense and overly controlled way.
"he is so uptight about everything"
---
21.
neurotic
/njʊəˈrɒtɪk/
Learn to pronounce
Filter definitions by topic
See definitions in:
all
medicine
psychiatry
adjectiveMedicine
adjective: neurotic
having, caused by, or relating to neurosis.
h
Similar:
mentally ill
mentally disturbed
mentally deranged
unstable
unbalanced
maladjusted
psychoneurotic
psychopathic
phobic
h
Opposite:
stable
well balanced
(in non-technical use) abnormally sensitive, obsessive, or anxious.
"he seemed a neurotic, self-obsessed character"
h
Similar:
overanxious
anxious
nervous
tense
highly strung
jumpy
oversensitive
paranoid
obsessive
compulsive
phobic
fixated
hysterical
overwrought
manic
irrational
nervy
twitchy
stressy
h
Opposite:
calm
laid-back
level-headed
noun
noun: neurotic; plural noun: neurotics
a neurotic person.
"I wasn't going to be labelled as a hypochondriac or neurotic"
---
22.
emulate
/ˈɛmjʊleɪt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: emulate; 3rd person present: emulates; past tense: emulated; past participle: emulated; gerund or present participle: emulating
match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation.
"most rulers wished to emulate Alexander the Great"
h
Similar:
imitate
copy
reproduce
mimic
mirror
echo
follow
model oneself on
take as a model
take as an example
match
equal
parallel
be the equal of
be on a par with
be in the same league as
come near to
come close to
approximate
compete with
contend with
rival
vie with
surpass
imitate.
"hers is not a hairstyle I wish to emulate"
Computing
reproduce the function or action of (a different computer, software system, etc.).
"the adaptor is factory set to emulate a Hercules graphics board"
Origin
late 16th century: from Latin aemulat- ‘rivalled, equalled’, from the verb aemulari, from aemulus ‘rival’.
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23.
unencumbered
/ˌʌnɪnˈkʌmbəd,ˌʌnɛnˈkʌmbəd/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: unencumbered
not having any burden or impediment.
"he needed to travel light and unencumbered"
free of debt or other financial liability.
---
24.
efarious
/nɪˈfɛːrɪəs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: nefarious
(typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal.
"the nefarious activities of the organized-crime syndicates"
h
Similar:
wicked
evil
sinful
iniquitous
villainous
criminal
heinous
atrocious
appalling
abhorrent
vile
foul
base
abominable
odious
depraved
corrupt
shameful
scandalous
monstrous
fiendish
diabolical
devilish
unholy
ungodly
infernal
satanic
dark
unspeakable
despicable
outrageous
shocking
disgraceful
knavish
dastardly
egregious
flagitious
h
Opposite:
good
admirable
Origin
mid 16th century: from Latin nefarius (from nefas, nefar- ‘wrong’, from ne- ‘not’ + fas ‘divine law’) + -ous.
---
25.
obligatory
/əˈblɪɡət(ə)ri/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: obligatory
required by a legal, moral, or other rule; compulsory.
"use of seat belts in cars is now obligatory"
h
Similar:
compulsory
mandatory
prescribed
required
demanded
statutory
enforced
binding
incumbent
requisite
necessary
imperative
unavoidable
inescapable
essential
h
Opposite:
voluntary
optional
(of a ruling) having binding force.
"a sovereign whose laws are obligatory"
often humorous
so customary or fashionable as to be expected of everyone or on every occasion.
"it was a quiet little street with the obligatory pub at the end"
h
Similar:
customary
traditional
usual
accustomed
routine
familiar
regular
habitual
de rigueur
wonted
Origin
late Middle English: from late Latin obligatorius, from Latin obligat- ‘obliged’, from the verb obligare (see oblige).
---
26.
wishy-washy
/ˈwɪʃɪˌwɒʃi/
adjective
adjective: wishy-washy
1.
(of drink or liquid food) weak; watery.
h
Similar:
watery
weak
watered down
thin
tasteless
flavourless
insipid
h
Opposite:
thick
flavoursome
2.
feeble or insipid in quality or character.
"a wishy-washy approach won't work"
h
Similar:
feeble
ineffectual
weak
vapid
milk-and-water
effete
spineless
limp
limp-wristed
namby-pamby
half-hearted
spiritless
irresolute
indecisive
wet
pathetic
weak-kneed
pale
insipid
pallid
wan
sickly
View 2 vulgar slang words
h
Opposite:
strong
firm
decisive
Origin
early 18th century: reduplication of washy.
---
27.
feeble
/ˈfiːbl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: feeble; comparative adjective: feebler; superlative adjective: feeblest
lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.
"by now, he was too feeble to leave his room"
h
Similar:
weak
weakly
weakened
puny
wasted
frail
infirm
delicate
sickly
ailing
unwell
poorly
failing
helpless
powerless
impotent
enfeebled
enervated
debilitated
incapacitated
effete
decrepit
doddering
doddery
tottering
tottery
shaky
trembling
trembly
shilpit
etiolated
h
Opposite:
strong
(of a sound) faint.
"her feeble cries of pain"
h
Similar:
faint
dim
weak
pale
soft
subdued
muted
indistinct
unclear
vague
wishy-washy
h
Opposite:
strong
lacking strength of character.
"I know it's feeble but I've never been one to stand up for myself"
h
Similar:
cowardly
craven
faint-hearted
spineless
spiritless
lily-livered
chicken-livered
pigeon-hearted
timid
timorous
fearful
unassertive
soft
weak
ineffective
ineffectual
inefficient
incompetent
inadequate
indecisive
wishy-washy
wimpy
sissy
sissified
gutless
weak-kneed
yellow
yellow-bellied
chicken
wet
candy-assed
poor-spirited
View 1 vulgar slang word
h
Opposite:
brave
forceful
failing to convince or impress.
"a feeble excuse"
h
Similar:
ineffective
ineffectual
unsuccessful
inadequate
unconvincing
implausible
unsatisfactory
poor
weak
inept
tame
paltry
shallow
thin
flimsy
insubstantial
futile
useless
profitless
fruitless
h
Opposite:
effective
Origin
Middle English: from Old French fieble, earlier fleible, from Latin flebilis ‘lamentable’, from flere ‘weep’.
---
28.
burrow
/ˈbʌrəʊ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: burrow; plural noun: burrows
a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, as a dwelling.
h
Similar:
warren
tunnel
hole
lair
set
den
earth
retreat
excavation
cave
dugout
hollow
scrape
verb
verb: burrow; 3rd person present: burrows; past tense: burrowed; past participle: burrowed; gerund or present participle: burrowing
(of an animal) make a hole or tunnel, typically for use as a dwelling.
"moles burrowing away underground"
h
Similar:
tunnel
dig (out)
excavate
grub
mine
bore
drill
channel
hollow out
gouge out
scoop out
cut out
delve
dig into or through something solid.
"worms that burrow through dead wood"
hide underneath or press close to something.
"the child burrowed deeper into the bed"
make a thorough inquiry; investigate.
"they need to burrow into the heart of what's going on"
Origin
Middle English: variant of borough.
---
29.
snag1
/snaɡ/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: snagged; past participle: snagged
1.
catch or tear (something) on a sharp projection.
"thorns snagged his sweater"
h
Similar:
tear
rip
gash
ladder
become caught on a sharp projection.
"radio aerials snagged on bushes and branches"
h
Similar:
catch (in)
hook
jag
get caught in/on
2.
informal•North American
catch or obtain.
"it's the first time they've snagged the star for a photo"
Origin
late 16th century (in snag1 (sense 2 of the noun)): probably of Scandinavian origin. The early sense ‘stump sticking out from a tree trunk’ gave rise to a US sense ‘submerged piece of timber obstructing navigation’, of which sense 1 is originally a figurative use. Current verb senses arose in the 19th century.
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30.
bramble
/ˈbrambl/
Learn to pronounce
Filter definitions by topic
See definitions in:
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plant
variety
noun
plural noun: brambles
a prickly scrambling shrub of the rose family, especially a blackberry.
British
the fruit of the blackberry.
verbBritish
3rd person present: brambles
gather blackberries.
"why don't we go brambling some day?"
Origin
Old English bræmbel, brǣmel, of Germanic origin; related to broom.
---
31.
smarting
/ˈsmɑːtɪŋ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: smarting; plural noun: smartings
the fact or sensation of feeling a sharp stinging pain.
"ammonia can cause smarting of the eyes and breathing difficulties"
adjective
adjective: smarting
(of part of the body) feeling a sharp stinging pain.
"Susan rubbed her smarting eyes"
smart
/smɑːt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
gerund or present participle: smarting
(of a wound or part of the body) feel or cause a sharp stinging pain.
"her legs were scratched and smarting"
h
Similar:
sting
burn
tingle
prickle
hurt
ache
feel upset and annoyed.
"defence chiefs are still smarting from the government's cuts"
h
Similar:
feel annoyed
feel upset
feel offended
take offence
feel aggrieved
feel indignant
feel put out
feel hurt
feel wounded
feel resentful
Origin
Old English smeortan (verb), of West Germanic origin; related to German schmerzen ; the adjective is related to the verb, the original sense (late Old English) being ‘causing sharp pain’; from this arose ‘keen, brisk’, whence the current senses of ‘mentally sharp’ and ‘neat in a brisk, sharp style’.
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32.
amenity
/əˈmiːnɪti,əˈmɛnɪti/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: amenities
a desirable or useful feature or facility of a building or place.
"the property is situated in a convenient location, close to all local amenities"
h
Similar:
facility
service
convenience
resource
utility
system
appliance
aid
advantage
comfort
benefit
arrangement
opportunity
equipment
provision
solutions
assistance
the pleasantness or attractiveness of a place.
"developments which would clash with amenity"
h
Similar:
pleasantness
agreeableness
pleasurableness
enjoyableness
niceness
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French amenite or Latin amoenitas, from amoenus ‘pleasant’.
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33.
comport1
/kəmˈpɔːt/
verb
verb: comport; 3rd person present: comports; past tense: comported; past participle: comported; gerund or present participle: comporting
1.
formal
conduct oneself; behave.
"articulate students who comported themselves well in interviews"
h
Similar:
conduct oneself
acquit oneself
behave
act
perform
deport oneself
2.
US
accord or agree with.
"our outdated rules did not comport with 21st-century realities"
Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘tolerate’): from Latin comportare, from com- ‘together’ + portare ‘carry, bear’.
comport2
/ˈkɒmpɔːt/
noun
noun: comport; plural noun: comports
another term for compote (sense 2).
Origin
late 19th century: apparently an abbreviation of French comportier, variant of compotier ‘dessert dish’.
---
34.
inane
/ɪˈneɪn/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: inane
lacking sense or meaning; silly.
"don't badger people with inane questions"
h
Similar:
silly
foolish
stupid
fatuous
idiotic
absurd
ridiculous
---
35.
windbag
/ˈwɪn(d)baɡ/
noun
derogatory•informal
noun: windbag; plural noun: windbags
a person who talks at length but says little of any value.
"I think he's a pompous old windbag"
---
36.
c'est moi:
It's me
As no doubt many of you will know, c'est moi literally means 'It's me' but this translation doesn't really get to the heart of why people use it to respond to an expression of gratitude. In fact it is actually short for c'est moi qui vous remercie literally 'it's me who thanks you'.
---
37.
indignant
/ɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: indignant
feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
"he was indignant at being the object of suspicion"
h
Similar:
aggrieved
resentful
affronted
disgruntled
discontented
dissatisfied
---
38.
cheapskate
a miserly or stingy person
: a miserly or stingy person. especially : one who tries to avoid paying a fair share of costs or expenses.
---
39.
spendthrift
/ˈspɛn(d)θrɪft/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: spendthrift; plural noun: spendthrifts
a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.
"Putt was a spendthrift and a heavy gambler"
h
Similar:
profligate
prodigal
squanderer
waster
big spender
wastrel
improvident
thriftless
wasteful
extravagant
free-spending
squandering
irresponsible
h
Opposite:
miser
skinflint
Scrooge
miserly
thrifty
frugal
Translate spendthrift to
Use over time for: spendthrift
---
40.
squabble
/ˈskwɒbl/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: squabbles
a noisy quarrel about something trivial.
"family squabbles"
h
Similar:
quarrel
row
argument
fight
contretemps
disagreement
difference of opinion
dissension
falling-out
dispute
disputation
contention
clash
altercation
shouting match
exchange
war of words
tussle
conflict
fracas
affray
wrangle
tangle
passage of/at arms
battle royal
donnybrook
tiff
set-to
run-in
shindig
shindy
stand-up
spat
scrap
dust-up
barney
slanging match
bunfight
ding-dong
bust-up
ruck
afters
rammy
rhubarb
broil
miff
threap
collieshangie
tracasserie(s)
verb
3rd person present: squabbles
quarrel noisily over a trivial matter.
"the boys were squabbling over a ball"
h
Similar:
quarrel
row
argue
bicker
have a row/fight
fight
fall out
disagree
fail to agree
differ
be at odds
have a misunderstanding
be at variance
have words
dispute
spar
wrangle
bandy words
cross swords
lock horns
be at each other's throats
be at loggerheads
scrap
go at it hammer and tongs
argufy
altercate
chop logic
threap
Origin
early 17th century: probably imitative; compare with Swedish dialect skvabbel ‘a dispute’.
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41.
berate
/bɪˈreɪt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
3rd person present: berates
scold or criticize (someone) angrily.
"she berated herself for being fickle"
h
Similar:
rebuke
reprimand
reproach
reprove
admonish
remonstrate with
chastise
chide
upbraid
take to task
pull up
castigate
lambast
read someone the Riot Act
go on at
haul over the coals
criticize
censure
tell off
give someone a talking-to
give someone a telling-off
dress down
give someone a dressing-down
give someone an earful
give someone a roasting
give someone a rocket
give someone a rollicking
rap
rap over the knuckles
slap someone's wrist
let someone have it
bawl out
give someone hell
come down on
blow up at
pitch into
lay into
lace into
tear into
give someone a caning
put on the mat
slap down
blast
rag
keelhaul
tick off
have a go at
monster
carpet
give someone a carpeting
give someone a mouthful
tear someone off a strip
tear a strip off someone
give someone what for
give someone some stick
wig
give someone a wigging
give someone a row
row
chew out
ream out
take to the woodshed
call down
rate
give someone a rating
trim
reprehend
objurgate
View 8 vulgar slang words
h
Opposite:
praise
Origin
mid 16th century: from be- ‘thoroughly’ + rate2.
---
42.
incredulous
/ɪnˈkrɛdjʊləs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: incredulous
(of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something.
"an incredulous gasp"
h
Similar:
disbelieving
unbelieving
doubtful
dubious
unconvinced
distrustful
distrusting
mistrustful
mistrusting
suspicious
questioning
lacking trust
cynical
sceptical
wary
chary
h
Opposite:
credulous
Origin
16th century: from Latin incredulus (from in- ‘not’ + credulus ‘believing, trusting’, from credere ‘believe’) + -ous.
---
43.
perfunctory
/pəˈfʌŋ(k)t(ə)ri/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: perfunctory
(of an action) carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort.
"he gave a perfunctory nod"
h
Similar:
cursory
desultory
quick
brief
hasty
hurried
rapid
passing
fleeting
summary
token
casual
superficial
uninterested
careless
half-hearted
unthinking
sketchy
mechanical
automatic
routine
offhand
indifferent
inattentive
dismissive
h
Opposite:
careful
thorough
Origin
late 16th century: from late Latin perfunctorius ‘careless’, from Latin perfunct- ‘done with, discharged’, from the verb perfungi .
---
44.
keel1
/kiːl/
Learn to pronounce
Filter definitions by topic
See definitions in:
all
nautical
biology
noun
noun: keel; plural noun: keels
1.
the lengthwise timber or steel structure along the base of a ship, supporting the framework of the whole, in some vessels extended downwards as a ridge to increase stability.
h
Similar:
base
bottom
bottom side
underside
literary
a ship.
"to buy a new keel with my gold, And fill her with such things as she may hold"
2.
Zoology
a ridge along the breastbone of many birds to which the flight muscles are attached; the carina.
3.
Botany
a prow-shaped pair of petals present in flowers of the pea family.
verb
verb: keel; 3rd person present: keels; past tense: keeled; past participle: keeled; gerund or present participle: keeling
(of a boat or ship) turn over on its side; capsize.
"it's going to take more wind to make this boat keel over"
h
Similar:
capsize
turn turtle
turn upside down
turn topsy-turvy
founder
list
heel over
lean over
overbalance
topple over
overturn
turn over
tip over
fall over
cowp
informal
(of a person or thing) fall over; collapse.
"a wardrobe was about to keel over on top of him"
h
Similar:
collapse
faint
fall down in a faint
pass out
black out
lose consciousness
swoon
Origin
Middle English: from Old Norse kjǫlr, of Germanic origin.
---
45.
muffled
/ˈmʌfld/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: muffled
(of a sound) not loud because of being obstructed in some way; muted.
"they heard the sounds of muffled voices"
muffle
/ˈmʌfl/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: muffled; past participle: muffled
1.
wrap or cover for warmth.
"everyone was muffled up in coats and scarves"
h
Similar:
wrap
wrap up
swathe
swaddle
enfold
envelop
cloak
cover up
2.
cover or wrap up (a source of sound) to reduce its loudness.
"the soft beat of a muffled drum"
make (a sound) quieter or less distinct.
"his voice was muffled"
h
Similar:
deaden
dull
dampen
damp down
mute
soften
hush
silence
still
tone down
mask
stifle
smother
subdue
suppress
gag
muzzle
quieten
quiet
indistinct
faint
muted
dim
soft
strangled
stifled
smothered
suppressed
h
Opposite:
loud
clear
Origin
late Middle English (as a verb): perhaps a shortening of Old French enmoufler ; the noun (mid 17th century) from Old French moufle ‘thick glove’.
---
46.
extol
/ɪkˈstəʊl,ɛkˈstəʊl/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: extol; 3rd person present: extols; past tense: extolled; past participle: extolled; gerund or present participle: extolling
praise enthusiastically.
"he extolled the virtues of the Russian peoples"
h
Similar:
praise enthusiastically
go into raptures about/over
wax lyrical about
sing the praises of
praise to the skies
heap praise on
eulogize
rhapsodize over
rave about
enthuse about/over
gush about/over
throw bouquets at
express delight over
acclaim
go wild about
be mad about
go on about
big someone/something up
ballyhoo
cry someone/something up
laud
panegyrize
h
Opposite:
criticize
Origin
late Middle English: from Latin extollere, from ex- ‘out, upward’ + tollere ‘raise’.
---
47.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Functional magnetic resonance imaging or functional MRI measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow. This technique relies on the fact that cerebral blood flow and neuronal activation are coupled. When an area of the brain is in use, blood flow to that region also increases.
---
48.
callous
/ˈkaləs/
Learn to pronounce
See definitions in:
all
medicine
botany
adjective
adjective: callous
showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
"his callous comments about the murder made me shiver"
h
Similar:
heartless
unfeeling
uncaring
cold
cold-hearted
hard
as hard as nails
hard-hearted
with a heart of stone
stony-hearted
insensitive
lacking compassion
hard-bitten
cold-blooded
hardened
case-hardened
harsh
cruel
ruthless
brutal
unsympathetic
uncharitable
indifferent
unconcerned
unsusceptible
insensible
bloodless
soulless
hard-boiled
indurate
indurated
marble-hearted
h
Opposite:
kind
compassionate
noun
noun: callous; plural noun: callouses
variant spelling of callus.
Origin
late Middle English (in the Latin sense): from Latin callosus ‘hard-skinned’.
---
49.
apoplectic
/ˌapəˈplɛktɪk/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: apoplectic
1.
informal
overcome with anger; furious.
"Mark was apoplectic with rage at the decision"
h
Similar:
furious
enraged
overcome with anger
infuriated
in a temper
incensed
raging
incandescent
wrathful
fuming
ranting
raving
seething
frenzied
in a frenzy
beside oneself
outraged
in high dudgeon
as cross as two sticks
mad
hopping mad
wild
livid
boiling
aerated
with all guns blazing
foaming at the mouth
fit to be tied
2.
dated
relating to or denoting apoplexy (stroke).
"an apoplectic attack"
Origin
early 17th century: from French apoplectique or late Latin apoplecticus, from Greek apoplēktikos, from apoplēssein ‘disable by a stroke’.
---
50.
swing a cat without hitting one:
you can't swing a dead cat without hitting (someone or something)
Used to emphasize that a particular type of person or thing is so numerous as to be unavoidable.
---
51.
tenacious
/tɪˈneɪʃəs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: tenacious
tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
"a tenacious grip"
h
Similar:
firm
tight
fast
clinging
strong
forceful
powerful
unshakeable
immovable
iron
sticky
adhesive
gluey
gummy
glutinous
viscid
viscous
mucilaginous
claggy
clarty
h
Opposite:
loose
weak
not readily relinquishing a position, principle, or course of action; determined.
"this tenacious defence of local liberties"
h
Similar:
retentive
good
photographic
persisting in existence; not easily dispelled.
"a tenacious local legend"
h
Similar:
persevering
persistent
pertinacious
determined
dogged
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