Four A Words and One Z Word
definition
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty
example sentence
The architect was required to create a building whose _________ matched the historical buildings around it.
synonyms (to also know)
artistic, visually appealing, tasteful
aesthetic (adj.)
ess-THEH-tick
morphemes
aesthet- (root: to perceive, feel) +
-ic (suffix: relating to)
etymology
from the Greek root aisthēta meaning perceptible things or aisthanesthai meaning to perceive or feel
other forms
aesthetics, aesthetically, aesthetician, aesthete
NOTE
Anesthesia means a state of not perceiving! Yet another reason to adore morphology and etymology.
definition
open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning; unclear or inexact
example sentence
Legal professionals are very keen to avoid _________ language in contracts, as this can cause later conflict.
synonyms (to also know)
equivocal, vague, obscure, cryptic
ambiguous (adj.)
aam-BIG-yew-uhs
morphemes
ambi- (prefix: around, both) +
ag- (root: to drive, lead, act) +
-ous (suffix: having the quality of)
etymology
from the Latin roots ambi- meaning around and agere meaning to drive or lead
other forms
ambiguity, ambiguously, ambiguousness
definition
a person who habitually does a task clumsily, incompetently, or unsuccessfully
example sentence
The project failed because one of the managers was such a _________.
synonyms (to also know)
blunderer, botcher, fumbler, incompetent person, person who messes things up
other forms
bungle, bungled, bungling
bungler (n.)
BUNG-glurh
(note the hard "g")
morphemes
bungl- (root: to perform clumsily) +
-er (suffix: person who performs an action)
etymology
likely from the Scandinavian or Middle Low German root bungen meaning to strike or beat, via Middle English
definition
persistent; unwilling to give up on a goal, belief or effort
example sentence
_________ students don't give up when faced with challenges.
synonyms (to also know)
persistent, determined, resolute, steadfast
tenacious (adj.)
ten-AY-shuhs
morphemes
ten- (root: to hold, grasp) +
-acious (suffix: having the quality of)
etymology
from the Latin tenere
meaning to hold or grasp
other forms
tenaciousness, tenacity, tenaciously
definition
contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; unconventional
example sentence
The coach implemented an _________ defensive strategy that completely confused the opposing team.
synonyms (to also know)
unconventional, heretical, nonconformist, unusual
unorthodox (adj.)
un-OR-thuh-docks
morphemes
un- (prefix: not) +
ortho- (root: straight, right, correct) +
dox (root: opinion, praise, belief)
etymology
from the Greek roots orthos meaning straight or right and doxa meaning opinion or praise
other forms
unorthodoxly, unorthodoxy
definition
friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to
example sentence
The community center hired an _________ coordinator who instantly made visitors feel welcome and comfortable.
synonyms (to also know)
amiable, genial, approachable, cordial
affable (adj.)
AAF-uh-buhl
morphemes
af- (prefix: to, toward) +
fa- (root: to speak) +
-ble (suffix: capable of, fit for)
etymology
from the Latin root fari meaning to speak
other forms
affability, affableness, affably
definition
having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
example sentence
Sarah was __________ about moving to New York, excited about her new job but nervous about living in such a big city.
synonyms (to also know)
equivocal, uncertain, vacillating, torn
ambivalent (adj.)
aam-BIH-vuh-luhnt
morphemes
ambi- (prefix: both, around) +
val- (root: to be strong, have power) +
-ent (suffix: performing an action)
etymology
from the Latin roots ambi- meaning both and valere meaning to be strong
other forms
ambivalence, ambivalently
definition
to restrict something within limits; to draw a line around a geometric figure
example sentence
The neighborhood's historic preservation laws _________ the changes homeowners can make to their properties.
synonyms (to also know)
restrict, confine, limit, bound
other forms
circumscribed, circumscribing, circumscription
circumscribe (v.)
SIR-kuhm-scribe
morphemes
circum- (prefix: around) +
scribe- (root: to write, draw)
etymology
from the Latin roots circum meaning around and scribere meaning to write or draw
definition
to prevent something from succeeding or being accomplished
example sentence
The Razorbacks _________ the Roadrunners in their attempts to win the tournament.
synonyms (to also know)
frustrate, foil, obstruct
thwart (v.)
THWART
morphemes
thwart- (root: cross, adverse)
etymology
from the old norse þvert (LOL) meaning cross or transverse*
other forms
thwarted, thwarting
definition
capable of working; feasible; able to survive
example sentence
With incredible advances in medical technology, fetal _________ is possible at 22-24 weeks.
synonyms (to also know)
feasible, workable, practicable, sustainable
viable (adj.)
VYE-uh-buhl
morphemes
vi- (root: life) +
-able (suffix: capable of, fit for)
etymology
from the Latin root vita meaning life, via French
other forms
viability, viably
definition
not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant; conspicuously uninvolved or uninterested
example sentence
While the workers mingled excitedly at the party, their manager remained _________, standing alone at the far side of the room.
synonyms (to also know)
distant, detached, standoffish, remote
aloof (adj.)
uh-LOOF
morphemes
a- (prefix: on, to) +
loof (root: windward side, helm)
etymology
from the Dutch root loef meaning the windward side of a ship
other forms
aloofness, aloofly
definition
rough and bad-mannered; coarse, unrefined, or insensitive
example sentence
Ralph's _________ behavior at the party made the host and other guests uncomfortable.
synonyms (to also know)
uncouth, churlish, loutish, ill-mannered
boorish (adj.)
BOOR-ish
morphemes
boor- (root: peasant, rustic) +
-ish (suffix: having the characteristics of)
etymology
from the Dutch or Low German root boer meaning peasant or farmer
other forms
boor, boorishness, boorishly
definition
wary and unwilling to take risks; cautious and prudent
example sentence
The broker recommended a __________ investment plan to build long-term wealth without unnecessary risk.
synonyms (to also know)
cautious, wary, prudent, guarded
other forms
circumspection, circumspectly
circumspect (adj.)
SIR-kuhm-spehkt
morphemes
circum- (prefix: around) +
spect- (root: to look, watch)
etymology
from the Latin roots circum meaning around and specere meaning to look or watch
definition
overused and lacking originality; cliché or stale
example sentence
The graduation speaker's advice felt _________, repeating the same old phrases everyone has heard before.
synonyms (to also know)
hackneyed, cliché, banal, commonplace
trite (adj.)
TRITE
morphemes
trit- (root: rubbed, worn out)
etymology
from the Latin root terere meaning to rub, wear out or bruise
other forms
triteness, tritely
definition
wanting or devouring great quantities of food; exceedingly eager or avid in an activity
example sentence
An avid reader from a young age, she maintained a _________ appetite for historical fiction novels.
synonyms (to also know)
insatiable, ravenous, rapacious, intensely keen or avid
voracious (adj.)
vuh-RAY-shuhs
morphemes
vor- (root: to eat, devour) +
-acious (suffix: having the quality of)
etymology
from the Latin root vorare meaning to swallow or devour
other forms
voraciousness, voracity, voraciously
definition
a mixture or blend of diverse elements; an alloy of mercury with another metal used especially in dental fillings
example sentence
The university's curriculum is an innovative _________ of humanities courses and technical training.
synonyms (to also know)
combination, blend, mixture, compound, mish-mash
amalgam (n.)
uh-MAAL-guhm
morphemes
amalgam- (root: alloy of mercury, soft mass)
etymology
from the Greek root malagma meaning a soft mass or emollient, via Arabic and Medieval Latin
other forms
amalgamate, amalgamated, amalgamation, amalgamator
NOTE
often used to describe mercury fillings (these are no longer used in modern dentistry)
definition
to remove material that is considered improper or offensive from a text, especially with the result that it becomes weaker or less effective
example sentence
The network _________ the famous film for its broadcast, cutting vital classic moments as "inappropriate".
synonyms (to also know)
censor, expurgate, sanitize
bowdlerize (v.)
BOWD-luhr-eyes
morphemes
bowdler- (root: eponymic, from Thomas Bowdler) +
-ize (suffix: to make, treat, or subject to)
etymology
named after Thomas Bowdler, who published a censored edition of Shakespeare in 1818
other forms
bowdlerism, bowdlerized, bowdlerizing, bowdlerization
definition
to find a way around an obstacle or restriction, typically in a clever or surreptitious way
example sentence
The tech-savvy students managed to _________ the school network's internet blocks using a virtual private network.
synonyms (to also know)
bypass, evade, sidestep, elude
other forms
circumvented, circumventing, circumvention
circumvent (v.)
SIR-kuhm-vent
morphemes
circum- (prefix: around) +
ven- (root: to come)
etymology
from the Latin roots circum meaning around and venire meaning to come
definition
found everywhere
example sentence
Smartphones have become _________ in this modern era.
synonyms (to also know)
omnipresent, pervasive, universal, widespread
ubiquitous
yoo-BIH-kwi-tuhs
morphemes
ubique- (root: everywhere) +
-ous (suffix: having the quality of)
etymology
from the Latin root ubique meaning everywhere
other forms
ubiquity, ubiquitously, ubiquitousness
definition
using dry humor; ironic; indicative of wryness (ex. a wry smile)
example sentence
Author Dorothy Parker was renown for her ____ and caustic observations.
synonyms (to also know)
sardonic, ironic, droll, dry
wry (adj.)
RYE
morphemes
wry- (root: to twist, bend)
etymology
from the Old English root wrigian meaning to turn, twist or bend
other forms
wryly, wryness
NOTES
rhymes with "dry" as in "dry humor"
definition
the highest point reached by a celestial or other object; the peak or pinnacle of power or success
example sentence
Winning the championship was the _________ of Bishma's athletic career.
synonyms (to also know)
pinnacle, apex, summit, pea
zenith (n.)
ZEE-nihth
morphemes
zenith- (root: path over the head)
etymology
from the Arabic phrase samt ar-ra's meaning path over the head
definition
relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life; pastoral
example sentence
The artist passed the autumn painting the area's _________ landscape of rolling hills and quaint barns.
synonyms (to also know)
pastoral, rustic, rural, idyllic
bucolic (adj.)
byoo-CALL-ick
morphemes
bucol- (root: herdsman) +
-ic (suffix: relating to)
etymology
from the Greek root boukolos meaning herdsman
other forms
bucolically
definition
having or exhibiting an ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact
example sentence
The police brought in a _________ consultant when conventional approaches to solving the kidnapping were ineffective.
synonyms (to also know)
psychic, prophetic, telepathic, intuitive
other forms
clairvoyance (n.), clairvoyantly, clairvoyant (n.)
clairvoyant (adj.)
clare-VOY-uhnt
morphemes
clair- (root: clear) +
voy- (root: to see) +
-ant (suffix: performing an action)
etymology
from the French roots clair meaning clear and voir meaning to see
definition
not bound by or conforming to rules, social conventions, or traditional standards
example sentence
The teacher used _________ grading methods, focusing on student growth portfolios instead of traditional exams.
synonyms (to also know)
unorthodox, eccentric, nonconformist, novel
unconventional (adj.)
un-kuhn-VEN-shuh-nuhl
morphemes
un- (prefix: not) +
con- (prefix: together) +
ven- (root: to come) +
-tion (suffix: act of) +
-al (suffix: relating to)
etymology
from the Latin roots con- meaning together and venire meaning to come
other forms
unconventionally, unconventionality
definition
a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals
example sentence
Robin, a religious _______, tried to convert everyone he met.
synonyms (to also know)
fanatic, extremist, radical, enthusiast
zealot (n.)
ZELL-uht
morphemes
zeal- (root: ardor, intense enthusiasm) +
-ot (suffix: person associated with)
etymology
from the Greek root zelos meaning ardor, jealousy, or intense enthusiasm
other forms
zeal (n.), zealous, zealotry (n.), zealously (adv.)