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
indolent (adjective) – inactive indolently (adverb) – inactively indolence (noun) – not doing anything Note: If you’ve looked at the last Word of the Wise, you will notice that the endings of indolent and benevolent are the same! Here are some examples of how you can use indolent: The teacher was despairing at how indolent his students were:… Continue reading Word to the Wise: indolent
benevolent (adjective) – showing or doing good (Bene means good in Latin, and volens means want, also in Latin, so together: want good). benevolently (adverb) – showing or doing good benevolence (noun) – good will Here are some examples of how you can use benevolent: Helping others is a benevolent act. Would you rather work for… Continue reading Word to the Wise: benevolent
How many words do you know for build? Right, construct. Well done. But there are more. And what’s the opposite of build? Destroy, you say? Could be, but there are more precise words. Learn all the vocabulary in this infographic. And then do the quiz. Quiz Click here to do this quiz online. Only one… Continue reading Your 10-Minute Guide to Building Words Infographic
nullify (verb) – cancel nullification (noun) – cancellation from the word null (in Latin) = zero. Gage Skidmore Here are some examples of how you can use nullify: Because the other party didn’t honour the conditions, the contract is nullified. In the US, individual states can nullify a federal law if they think it’s unconstitutional.… Continue reading Word to the Wise: nullify
pittance (noun) – a small amount, usually of money Danielle Pereira Here are some examples of how you can use pittance: These small children work hard all day for a mere pittance. Although her sowing business was a success, she paid her seamstresses only a miserable pittance. How can I make a good life for… Continue reading Word to the Wise: pittance
bifurcation (noun) – a split into two parts bifurcate (verb) – to split into two parts bifurcated or bifurcate (adjective) – split into two parts Here are some examples of how you can use it: You need to keep to the right when you come to the bifurcation in the road. The windpipe bifurcates into the two lungs. The train… Continue reading Word to the Wise: bifurcation
Lindsey Turner pang (noun) – a sudden sharp pain or feeling Here are some examples of how you can use pang: How are you dealing with the pangs of childbirth? She felt pangs of jealousy when she saw her best friend in her wedding dress. Passing the pizza house where there was a wonderful smell of… Continue reading Word to the Wise: pang
industrious (adjective) – working seriously and with energy This word comes from the word: industry/industriousness (noun) – energy and seriousness in one’s working style (industry can also mean a branch of business). industriously (adverb) – seriously and with energy Tip Don’t confuse industrial with industrious: industrial (adjective) – made in a factory Here are some examples of how you… Continue reading Word to the Wise: Industrious
Some of the Best Natural Remedies for the Cold, Flu and Muscle Aches By Kris Cooper & Jacqueline Schaalje Struggling with the spring season and the changing weather? Instead of rushing to the drugstore the next time you are experiencing a cold, flu or have muscle aches, you can try looking in your kitchen cabinet.… Continue reading Remedies Reading + Vocabulary Quiz
English with a Smile 