Prodigious
<proh-dij-gish>
huge; immense; vast;
something amazingly large.
I found a prodigious eye looking at me. It was time to start rowing the boat.
Memory trick:
prodigious reminds of prod.
I prod you with my finger to look at it- because it is amazing.
At work:
We won a prodigious client. It's going to be a great year because they have a lot of money.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/31/15
10/30/15
Divergent
Divergent
<dye-ver-jent>
contrary; diverse; different;
being unalike and going in different directions.
His books took a divergent path. He was a novelist but now he draws cartoons.
Memory trick:
diver gent.
a diver swims away from the world.
At work:
The web product is divergent from the old desktop product. We will get a lot of new sales.
Free e-books from New Word A Day - on Amazon
New Word A Day - Vol 5: Cartoons and Riddles
New Word A Day - Japanese ESL: Vocabulary Cartoons
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<dye-ver-jent>
contrary; diverse; different;
being unalike and going in different directions.
His books took a divergent path. He was a novelist but now he draws cartoons.
Memory trick:
diver gent.
a diver swims away from the world.
At work:
The web product is divergent from the old desktop product. We will get a lot of new sales.
Free e-books from New Word A Day - on Amazon
New Word A Day - Vol 5: Cartoons and Riddles
New Word A Day - Japanese ESL: Vocabulary Cartoons
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/29/15
Rubicon
Rubicon
<roo-be-kon>
last chance; decisive moment; crossroads;
the point of no return.
Our boat crossed the Rubicon. We had enough gas to reach the island. We did not have enough gas to return to the mainland. We had to continue our journey.
Memory trick
rub icon
we rub the icon before we click.
once we click it... we cannot undo it.
At work:
We crossed the Rubicon a year ago. We cannot cancel the project because we have too much invested in it.
Free e-book from New Word A Day
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<roo-be-kon>
last chance; decisive moment; crossroads;
the point of no return.
Our boat crossed the Rubicon. We had enough gas to reach the island. We did not have enough gas to return to the mainland. We had to continue our journey.
Memory trick
rub icon
we rub the icon before we click.
once we click it... we cannot undo it.
At work:
We crossed the Rubicon a year ago. We cannot cancel the project because we have too much invested in it.
Free e-book from New Word A Day
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/28/15
Discombobulate
Discombobulate
<dis-kom-bob-yew-layte>
confuse; bewilder; baffle;
to make someone unable to think clearly.
Math will not discombobulate you with study and hard work.
Remember:
discombobulate reminds of discomfort.
we feel discomfort when confused.
At work:
We don't want to discombobulate the client. We need to make the instructions clear.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<dis-kom-bob-yew-layte>
confuse; bewilder; baffle;
to make someone unable to think clearly.
Math will not discombobulate you with study and hard work.
Remember:
discombobulate reminds of discomfort.
we feel discomfort when confused.
At work:
We don't want to discombobulate the client. We need to make the instructions clear.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/27/15
Precocious
Precocious
<pre-koh-shish>
smart; gifted; bright;
being young and having the intelligence of someone who is mature.
The precocious child beat all the adults at chess.
Memory trick:
precocious reminds of precious.
someone who is young is precious.
At work:
You must have been a precocious child. Your programing skills are amazing for someone so young.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<pre-koh-shish>
smart; gifted; bright;
being young and having the intelligence of someone who is mature.
The precocious child beat all the adults at chess.
Memory trick:
precocious reminds of precious.
someone who is young is precious.
At work:
You must have been a precocious child. Your programing skills are amazing for someone so young.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/26/15
Culpable
Culpable
<kul-pah-bul>
guilty; responsible; liable;
blame that is earned or deserved.
The dog is culpable in the disappearance of the cake.
Memory trick:
culpable reminds of gulp.
we gulp or swallow hard when we are guilty.
At work:
We are not culpable for the loss of the money. We can prove it and we can get it back for you.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<kul-pah-bul>
guilty; responsible; liable;
blame that is earned or deserved.
The dog is culpable in the disappearance of the cake.
Memory trick:
culpable reminds of gulp.
we gulp or swallow hard when we are guilty.
At work:
We are not culpable for the loss of the money. We can prove it and we can get it back for you.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/24/15
Clandestine
Clandestine
<klahn-des-tin>
covert; hidden; stealthy;
something secretly done without others knowing.
She went on a clandestine trip to the store for chocolate. She was back before we knew she left.
Remember:
clandestine reminds of candle.
we do secret things in the dark.
At work:
The development of the new product is clandestine. No one is allowed to see the plans.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<klahn-des-tin>
covert; hidden; stealthy;
something secretly done without others knowing.
She went on a clandestine trip to the store for chocolate. She was back before we knew she left.
Remember:
clandestine reminds of candle.
we do secret things in the dark.
At work:
The development of the new product is clandestine. No one is allowed to see the plans.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/23/15
Inveterate
Inveterate
<in-vet-er-rit>
addicted; lifelong; habitual
having a habit for a long time.
He is an inveterate runner. He will run every morning without fail.
Memory trick:
inveterate - vet.
A vet did something for a long time.
At work:
She is a good salesperson because she is an inveterate traveler.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<in-vet-er-rit>
addicted; lifelong; habitual
having a habit for a long time.
He is an inveterate runner. He will run every morning without fail.
Memory trick:
inveterate - vet.
A vet did something for a long time.
At work:
She is a good salesperson because she is an inveterate traveler.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/22/15
Acquiesce
Acquiesce
<ah-qwe-ess>
give in; comply; conform;
to reluctantly agree to something.
The barking dog made the man acquiesce and let the dog in the warm house.
Memory trick:
acquiesce reminds of acquire.
we agree to let them acquire something.
At work:
Our product is good and the customers will always acquiesce and buy it.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<ah-qwe-ess>
give in; comply; conform;
to reluctantly agree to something.
The barking dog made the man acquiesce and let the dog in the warm house.
Memory trick:
acquiesce reminds of acquire.
we agree to let them acquire something.
At work:
Our product is good and the customers will always acquiesce and buy it.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/21/15
Connote
Connote
<ka-noat>
signify; imply; suggest;
to hint at something or make you think of something.
The scent of pie will connote a good memory because it will remind me of home.
Remember:
con reminds of with.
note reminds of note.
with notes we remember.
At work:
A clean desk will connote a sense of order and your work will improve.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<ka-noat>
signify; imply; suggest;
to hint at something or make you think of something.
The scent of pie will connote a good memory because it will remind me of home.
Remember:
con reminds of with.
note reminds of note.
with notes we remember.
At work:
A clean desk will connote a sense of order and your work will improve.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/20/15
Bellicose
Bellicose
<bel-lah-kose>
hostile; combative; threatening;
being quick to show a desire to fight.
The bellicose bird swooped down on everyone. She was defending her nest.
Remember:
bellicose reminds of "belly close".
Bellies come close when people want to fight.
At work:
The customer was upset and bellicose. He became happy because it was under warranty.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<bel-lah-kose>
hostile; combative; threatening;
being quick to show a desire to fight.
The bellicose bird swooped down on everyone. She was defending her nest.
Remember:
bellicose reminds of "belly close".
Bellies come close when people want to fight.
At work:
The customer was upset and bellicose. He became happy because it was under warranty.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/19/15
Leonine
Leonine
<lee-ah-nine>
famed; outstanding; esteemed;
someone who is powerful and fierce.
He reminded me of someone leonine. He displayed confidence and courage.
Remember:
leonine reminds of lion.
lions are brave.
At work:
He stood before the shareholders leonine and steadfast. He won them over with his display of leadership.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<lee-ah-nine>
famed; outstanding; esteemed;
someone who is powerful and fierce.
He reminded me of someone leonine. He displayed confidence and courage.
Remember:
leonine reminds of lion.
lions are brave.
At work:
He stood before the shareholders leonine and steadfast. He won them over with his display of leadership.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/18/15
Actuate
Actuate
<akt-chu-ate>
motivate; activate; instigate;
to cause something to move to action.
Throw a stick to actuate a dog. He will chase it every time.
Remember:
actuate reminds of act.
At work:
I see your problem. You must plug your computer to actuate it. Glad I could help.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<akt-chu-ate>
motivate; activate; instigate;
to cause something to move to action.
Throw a stick to actuate a dog. He will chase it every time.
Remember:
actuate reminds of act.
At work:
I see your problem. You must plug your computer to actuate it. Glad I could help.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/17/15
Ingenuous
Ingenuous
<in-gen-yew-iss>
trusting; naïve; innocent;
a person who has a childlike innocence.
I have to watch out for her. She is ingenuous and once bought the Brooklyn bridge.
Remember:
ingenuous reminds of generous.
generous with our trust.
At work.
We're not an ingenuous company. We make good deals and we are experienced.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<in-gen-yew-iss>
trusting; naïve; innocent;
a person who has a childlike innocence.
I have to watch out for her. She is ingenuous and once bought the Brooklyn bridge.
Remember:
ingenuous reminds of generous.
generous with our trust.
At work.
We're not an ingenuous company. We make good deals and we are experienced.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/16/15
Betide
Betide
<beh-tied>
become; occur; befall;
something that happens.
May happiness betide you wherever you go.
Remember:
The tide comes in and happens to us.
At work:
A gloom did betide us until we heard our stock price went up.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<beh-tied>
become; occur; befall;
something that happens.
May happiness betide you wherever you go.
Remember:
The tide comes in and happens to us.
At work:
A gloom did betide us until we heard our stock price went up.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/15/15
Becalm
Becalm
<be-kahm>
lull; still; unmoving;
motionless because of a lack of external power.
The leaves slept in an snug pile because of the quiet becalm. There was no wind.
Remember:
becalm reminds of "be calm"
At work:
The audience stayed becalm because the presentation was so impressive
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<be-kahm>
lull; still; unmoving;
motionless because of a lack of external power.
The leaves slept in an snug pile because of the quiet becalm. There was no wind.
Remember:
becalm reminds of "be calm"
At work:
The audience stayed becalm because the presentation was so impressive
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/14/15
Defray
Defray
<deh-fray>
settle; compensate; grant;
to pay something or cover a cost.
This coupon will defray the price of your ticket. You will get in for free.
Memory trick:
fray reminds on something falling apart.
if we defray something... we put it back together.
At work:
We will defray the cost of training for you. It will cost you nothing.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<deh-fray>
settle; compensate; grant;
to pay something or cover a cost.
This coupon will defray the price of your ticket. You will get in for free.
Memory trick:
fray reminds on something falling apart.
if we defray something... we put it back together.
At work:
We will defray the cost of training for you. It will cost you nothing.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/13/15
Bloviate
Bloviate
<blow-vee-ate>
rant; babble; boast;
to speak pompously without saying anything important.
He will bloviate all day. He will waste your time with useless chatter.
Memory trick:
bloviate reminds of blow.
we blow hard when we talk too much.
At work:
Don't bloviate when you give your speech. Speak clearly and say something of value.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<blow-vee-ate>
rant; babble; boast;
to speak pompously without saying anything important.
He will bloviate all day. He will waste your time with useless chatter.
Memory trick:
bloviate reminds of blow.
we blow hard when we talk too much.
At work:
Don't bloviate when you give your speech. Speak clearly and say something of value.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/12/15
Puckish
Puckish
<puk-ish>
mischievous; impish; naughty;
playful in a teasing way.
The puckish look on his face made me realize I fell for his prank.
Memory trick:
we play games with a puck.
At work:
We have to stop the puckish antics and focus on the project. We must get serious.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<puk-ish>
mischievous; impish; naughty;
playful in a teasing way.
The puckish look on his face made me realize I fell for his prank.
Memory trick:
we play games with a puck.
At work:
We have to stop the puckish antics and focus on the project. We must get serious.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/11/15
Panoply
Panoply
<pan-ah-plee>
array; display; collection;
An impressive show of spectacular items.
The audience was impressed by the panoply of costumes. They were colorful and amazing.
Memory trick:
panoply reminds of pan
we pan around a room and see everything.
At work:
We offer a panoply of products. We will have what you need.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<pan-ah-plee>
array; display; collection;
An impressive show of spectacular items.
The audience was impressed by the panoply of costumes. They were colorful and amazing.
Memory trick:
panoply reminds of pan
we pan around a room and see everything.
At work:
We offer a panoply of products. We will have what you need.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/9/15
Apogee
Apogee
<ah-pah-jee>
peak; crest; summit;
The highest point of something.
The dog rescue was the apogee of the movie. It was the best part.
Memory trick:
A POint we say GEE
At work:
Winning this award is the apogee of my career. Nothing has been more rewarding.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<ah-pah-jee>
peak; crest; summit;
The highest point of something.
The dog rescue was the apogee of the movie. It was the best part.
Memory trick:
A POint we say GEE
At work:
Winning this award is the apogee of my career. Nothing has been more rewarding.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/8/15
Mobocracy
Mobocracy
<mob-bok-kras-see>
anarchy; disorder; lawlessness;
having the common people in charge of the political system.
A mobocracy ruled the island. Everyone wore a crown and gave orders.
Remember:
Mobocracy reminds of mob and democracy.
At work:
The department is run by a mobocracy. No one knows who is in charge.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<mob-bok-kras-see>
anarchy; disorder; lawlessness;
having the common people in charge of the political system.
A mobocracy ruled the island. Everyone wore a crown and gave orders.
Remember:
Mobocracy reminds of mob and democracy.
At work:
The department is run by a mobocracy. No one knows who is in charge.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/7/15
Piteous
Piteous
<pit-tee-us>
miserable; sad; pathetic;
evoking a feeling of pity.
A piteous look came over his face after his balloon flew away.
Memory trick:
piteous sounds like pity us.
At work:
The piteous mood left the room when we found out about the bonus.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<pit-tee-us>
miserable; sad; pathetic;
evoking a feeling of pity.
A piteous look came over his face after his balloon flew away.
Memory trick:
piteous sounds like pity us.
At work:
The piteous mood left the room when we found out about the bonus.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/6/15
Altercate
Alternate
<allt-ter-kayte>
dispute; quarrel; contend;
to argue loudly in public.
He did not want to altercate with his friend. It was easier to agree.
Memory trick:
we want to alter their opinion
At work:
We will get more done if we don't altercate. Let's have a friendly meeting.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<allt-ter-kayte>
dispute; quarrel; contend;
to argue loudly in public.
He did not want to altercate with his friend. It was easier to agree.
Memory trick:
we want to alter their opinion
At work:
We will get more done if we don't altercate. Let's have a friendly meeting.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/5/15
Concord
Concord
<kon-kord>
harmony; friendship; peace;
having an amicable agreement.
We reached a pleasant concord and stayed friends forever.
Remember:
concord reminds of
in accord
At work:
A concord existed between the two teams and the product came out great.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<kon-kord>
harmony; friendship; peace;
having an amicable agreement.
We reached a pleasant concord and stayed friends forever.
Remember:
concord reminds of
in accord
At work:
A concord existed between the two teams and the product came out great.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/4/15
Efface
Efface
<eh-fase>
erase; remove; delete;
to eliminate marks or writing from a surface.
A good eraser will efface your pencil marks and you can rewrite it.
Memory trick:
efface reminds of erase
At work:
At this point the program will efface the report and a new report will appear.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<eh-fase>
erase; remove; delete;
to eliminate marks or writing from a surface.
A good eraser will efface your pencil marks and you can rewrite it.
Memory trick:
efface reminds of erase
At work:
At this point the program will efface the report and a new report will appear.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/3/15
Kismet
Kismet
<kiz-met>
destiny; luck; chance;
something fated to happen.
It was kismet we met because we got married.
Memory trick:
kiss when we met
At work:
It was not kismet we won the award. It was hard work and skill.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<kiz-met>
destiny; luck; chance;
something fated to happen.
It was kismet we met because we got married.
Memory trick:
kiss when we met
At work:
It was not kismet we won the award. It was hard work and skill.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/2/15
Purloin
Purloin
<per-loyn>
steal; loot; rob;
to take something that does not belong to you.
The seagull will purloin your fries if you don't watch him.
Memory trick:
purloin reminds of purr lion
The lion purrs after he takes your stuff.
At work:
They can't purloin our files because we use strong passwords.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<per-loyn>
steal; loot; rob;
to take something that does not belong to you.
The seagull will purloin your fries if you don't watch him.
Memory trick:
purloin reminds of purr lion
The lion purrs after he takes your stuff.
At work:
They can't purloin our files because we use strong passwords.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
10/1/15
Ardor
Ardor
<are-door>
enthusiasm; warmth; zeal;
having a strong passion for someone.
The ardor of the birds is apparent. They are always seen together.
Memory trick:
Our door
The person we like comes to our door.
At work:
He has an ardor for making sales. He is our best performer.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
<are-door>
enthusiasm; warmth; zeal;
having a strong passion for someone.
The ardor of the birds is apparent. They are always seen together.
Memory trick:
Our door
The person we like comes to our door.
At work:
He has an ardor for making sales. He is our best performer.
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
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Codicil Listen: Codicil addendum; supplement; appendix; an addition at the end of a book or report. I added a codicil to the back of m...
