Just Vocabulary

Another week has gone by and we have introduced 10 new English words in our daily podcasts. Now it's time to revisit them. You can now also subscribe to the "Just Vocabulary 2 words a day" E-mail. Subscribe now if you want to receive the shownotes (word definition and example sentences) and a link to the mp3 file automatically by email.

CONUNDRUM = 1. an intricate and difficult problem with a seemingly impossible solution; 2. a trick riddle in which a fanciful question is answered with a pun on words. A conundrum is a puzzle in which the pieces don't seem to fit and the solution defies logic. When learning conundrum, think of the related word quandary. Remember, a quandary is a state of indecision when a choice must be made, but where the choice is not obvious. When people find themselves in a quandary, they have a conundrum...more

Another week has gone by and we have introduced 10 new English words in our daily podcasts. Now it's time to revisit them. You can now also subscribe to the "Just Vocabulary 2 words a day" E-mail. Subscribe now if you want to receive the shownotes (word definition and example sentences) and a link to the mp3 file automatically by email. 

DWINDLE = to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent; to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually. to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number - The community has dwindled to a tenth of its former size in the last two years. - Her hopes of success in the race dwindled last night as the weather became worse. - The long winter dwindled our supply of firewood to practically nothing. - Our hopes dwindled as the reports of more casualties came in SLINK = to walk or lea...more

CONTENTION = 1. Heated disagreement ; something that people argue about for a long time. the disagreement that results from opposing arguments. 2. an opinion expressed in an argument: [+ that] It is her contention that exercise is more important than diet if you want to lose weight. * There's a lot of contention about that issue - for every person firmly in favour, there's someone fiercely against it. * The main bone of contention was deciding who would take care of the children after the divor...more

DULCET = sweet to the taste 2 pleasing to the ear, 3 generally pleasing or agreeable. * Record the dulcet tones of your family and friends. * the dulcet sounds of the zither VICARIOUS = experienced or realized through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the experience of another. Experienced by reading or watching someone else do something * This disaster movie will provide you with plenty of vicarious thrills. * They get a vicarious thrill from watching motor racing.

INTERJECT = say abruptly, especially as an interruption. To say (something) that interrupts someone who is speaking. * He interjected questions throughout the discussion. * She occasionally interjected comments into the conversation SURREPTITIOUS = marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed, conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods. Done secretly, without anyone seeing or knowing: BR> * A surreptitious glance at his watch * Surreptitious mobili...more

IMPROBABLE = Not likely to happen or to be true, not probable, unlikely to occur or to be true. * It's highly improbable that Norris will agree. * It is improbable that he could have driven home in less than an hour. DUBIOUS = Not sure about an outcome or conclusion; likely to be dishonest; untrustworthy or morally worrisome in some way. Open to doubt or suspicion. Giving rise to uncertainty. * I was a little dubious about whether or not to trust him. * This artifact has rather dubious or...more

BREEZY = 1. having a relaxed, casual manner , to be happy and confident, quick, informal, and confident. 2. marked by strong wind or more wind than usual She revolutionized fashion reporting with her breezy style. I get a bit depressed at times, whereas Gill's always bright and breezy. NEGATE = to declare not to be true. show to be false; 2. to cause to be invalid; 3. to cause something to have no effect This evidence negates his claim that he was not at the scene of the accident. Her action...more

SECULARISE = not having any connection with religion. Not involving religion or religious matters. Secularism is a doctrine that believes the world can best be understood without introducing gods as an explanation for it. Secular has come to mean "not affiliated with God or religion." * We live in an increasingly secular society, in which religion has less and less influence on our daily lives. * That's an issue for the secular authorities, not the church BEDROCK = The main principles on whi...more