reprieve (verb) – to prevent/postpone (put at a later date) or bring relief (make something less serious or hard) reprieve (noun) – something that is prevented, postponed or that brings relief It was discovered that the exam questions had been leaked, so the exam was reprieved. The convinced criminal’s punishment was reprieved as new evidence had… Continue reading Word to the Wise: reprieve
persevere (verb) – to continue an action even if there is little hope that it will succeed or when things are difficult. persevering (adjective) – continuing an action even if there is little hope that it will succeed or when things are difficult. perseveringly (adverb) – continuing an action even if there is little hope… Continue reading Word to the Wise: persevere
When is noon? How do you call the day before yesterday? What is the word for 12 o’clock at night? And things like that. The Parts of the Day First of all, the parts of the day that you call morning, afternoon and evening are strictly divided in English (in other languages, not always). Morning… Continue reading Vocab and Expressions about Days and Nights
impair (verb) – damage, weaken impairment (noun) – damage or weakness Examples of how you can use impair: Working in a noisy environment had impaired his hearing. Too much self-love can impair your judgement. A fatty diet can impair your health. She finds it difficult to learn new things, which is why her psychologist is… Continue reading Word to the Wise: impair
Word to the Wise: dismal dismal (adjective) – depressing/very bad dismally (adverb) – depressingly (bad) Examples of how you can use dismal: After failing my driving exam for the fourth time, I felt dismal. Guy took a dismal view of his finances this month, as all his clients went on holiday and left him without… Continue reading Word to the Wise: dismal
These words may look the same, but they mean something different. Fleet (noun) – a group of boats or airplanes (sometimes also used for cars) Fleet (verb) – pass (in time) Fleeting (adjective) – passing quickly (in time) David Yu Here are some examples of how you can use fleet and fleeting: The Armada was… Continue reading Word to the Wise: Fleet and Fleeting
devour (verb) [pronounce with the ou like in house] – eat (too) quickly or a lot This word is also often used figuratively: to devour a book means to read it quickly and with much interest and/or read a lot. Here are some examples of how you can use devour: I was so hungry when… Continue reading Word to the Wise: devour
scythe (noun) [pronounce: saith] – a tool (see picture) with a long rounded blade, used for cutting grass or grain Scary, right? I mean the scythe, not the woman of course. And here are two verbs for things you can do with a scythe: mow (verb) – cut grass mowing (noun) – cutting the grass 2. reap (verb)… Continue reading Word to the Wise: scythe
poignant (adjective) [pronounce: poin-yent] – moving, emotional, and/or painful poignancy, poignance (noun) – being moving, emotional, and/or painful poignantly (adverb) – in a way that is moving, emotional, and/or painful Here are some examples of how you can use poignant: I had to wipe away a tear when I listened to her poignant story. It was a poignant scene when… Continue reading Word to the Wise: poignant
inflate (verb) – blow up with air or gas, or make bigger (in general) deflate (verb) – let the air or gas out, or make smaller Note: inflate and deflate are opposites reflate (verb) – blow up again (re means again) inflation (noun) – the act of filling something with air, or economic inflation which means that… Continue reading Word to the Wise: inflate and deflate
English with a Smile 