Vocabulary Level E
Unit 1
Words 1 - 10
1- adulterate (v., adj.)
DEF = to corrupt, make worse by the addition of
something of lesser value
SYN = contaminate, pollute, sully e.g.: The pollution
from the factory
ANT = purify, purge, expurgate ADULTERATED the
Related words: air.
“Adultery” – to corrupt or pollute a MARRIAGE
2- ambidextrous (adj.)
DEF = able to use both hands equally well;
very skillful; deceitful, hypocritical
SYN = versatile, facile, flexible
ANT = clumsy, all thumbs, maladroit
Connection:
“BI” = 2
A Bicycle has 2 wheels.
e.g.: An ambidextrous pitcher can throw
with 2 hands.
3- augment (v., n.)
DEF = to make larger, increase / obsolete
SYN = enlarge, supplement, amplify
ANT = decrease, diminish
e.g.: Many Hollywood starlets get
injections of collagen to AUGMENT
their lips.
4- bereft (adj.)
DEF = deprived of, made unhappy
through a loss
SYN = bereaved
ANT = replete, well provided
Rhyme Connection =
e.g..; 1-“I was bereft because he left.”
2- Individuals who live to be very old
may eventually find themselves
completely bereft of friends and
family.
5- deploy (v.)
DEF = to position or arrange; to e.g.; In this picture the troops
utilize; to form up have been DEPLOYED into a
SYN = station, organize specific ARRANGEMENT.
Connection
TROOPS!
deploy the troops!
e.g.: A bugle call is a signal used to
deploy troops for inspection ,
parade , or battle.
6- dour (adj.)
DEF = stern, unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored
SYN = harsh, bleak, forbidding, saturnine
ANT = cheery, inviting, genial
Rhyme Connection:
e.g.; 1-The dour person had a
sour expression on his face.
2- Dickens’s Mr. Gradgrind in the novel Hard
Times is an example of a character with a
dour and sullen disposition.
7- fortitude (n.)
e.g.: The residents of the
DEF = courage in facing difficulties Mississippi delta showed
SYN = resolve, steadfastness, mettle remarkable fortitude
during and after the flood
ANT = fearfulness, timidity, that destroyed their
homes and businesses.
faintheartedness
Root Word Connection =
e.g.: A FORT is a stronghold where
brave soldiers live.
8 – gape (v., n.)
DEF = to stare with an open mouth; to open
the mouth wide, to open wide
SYN = gawk, ogle
Traffic Connection =
“Gaper’s Delay” – when people
staring at a traffic accident cause
even WORSE traffic delays!
e.g.: 1-The dull lecture made the students gape.
2- A disease of birds and especially young birds in
which gapeworms invade and irritate the
trachea.
9- gibe (v, n)
DEF = (v.) to utter taunting words; You’re a
dweeb!!
(n.) an expression of scorn
SYN = ridicule, mock, deride, jeer
ANT = compliment, praise
Which is Which? Noun or Verb?
e.g.; When the bully gibed the small boy, it was clear
that the gibes were really hurting the boy’s feelings.
10- guise (n.)
DEF = an external appearance, cover, mask
SYN = costume, semblance, pretense
Word Connection =
Disguise = Dis-GUISE
A disguise changes your appearance!
e.g.: In the movie Home Alone, the thieves
inspected homes they wanted to rob under
the GUISE of police officers.
Choose the correct word for each synonym:
adulterate bereft deploy gape
SYNONYMS:
1. deprived of the companionship of a beloved pet
2. stared into the huge jaws of a crocodile
3. station the remaining guards at the north exit
4. polluted the water with toxic chemicals
ambidextrous fortitude guise
Complete the Sentence:
1. The ____________ of the refugees allowed them to
survive life-threatening situations and still have hope
for the future.
2. The thief worked his way into the computer system
of the bank under the ________ of being a computer-
system technician.
3. Being _________ was one of the main reasons Jerry
was so adept at juggling.
