Word of this week on September 12th, 2013 thorough /ˈθɚroʊ/adjective [more thorough; most thorough] 1: including every possible part or detail ▪ a thorough investigation/search▪ a thorough [=complete] examination▪ a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations 2: careful about doing something in an accurate and exact way :meticulous ▪ a thorough worker▪ The investigator will have to be thorough. 3: always used before a noun, chiefly Brit: complete or absolute ▪ a thorough disgrace▪ a thorough mess/nuisance — thor·ough·lyadverb [more thoroughly; most thoroughly] ▪ You've thoroughly [=completely] messed things up.▪ I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.▪ He studied the proposal very thoroughly.▪ That's been thoroughly documented/proven. — thor·ough·nessnoun [noncount] gout /ˈgaʊt/noun [noncount] : a disease that causes painful swelling of the joints especially in the toes Word of this week on August 23rd, 2013 Floor plan plural ∼ plans [count] : a plan that shows the position of the rooms in a building ▪ Before construction began, we adjusted the building's floor plan to take advantage of the view.▪ a house with an unusual floor plan—called also ground plan Sunshiny /ˈsʌnˌʃaɪni/adjective US1: bright with the sun's rays ▪ a sunshiny [=sunny] day 2: full of happiness ▪ sunshiny songs▪ the children's sunshiny [=happy] faces Word of this week on August 7th, 2013 Color blind /ˈkʌlɚˌblaɪnd/adjective 1: unable to see the difference between certain colors ▪ Many color-blind people cannot distinguish between red and green. 2: treating people of different skin colors equally : not affected by racial prejudice ▪ The company claims to be color-blind.▪ color-blind policies — color blindness (US) or Brit colour blindnessnoun [noncount] ▪ He has a common form of color blindness. A piece of music (not a song of music) [count] : an example or amount of something — usually singular— + of ▪ May I offer you a piece [=bit] of advice? [=may I offer you some advice?] ▪ I just heard a wonderful piece of news! ▪ a new piece of information/evidence▪ an important piece of legislation ▪ a silly piece of nonsense ▪ That's a really nice piece of work you've done there! ▪ an impressive piece of acting ▪ a famous piece [=work] of art/literature/music [count] a: a work of art, music, drama, or literature ▪ The statue David is one of Michelangelo's most famous pieces.▪ a piece painted by Pablo Picasso▪ Next, we will be performing a piece by J. S. Bach.▪ a piano piece = a piece (written) for piano▪ They performed a short dramatic piece written for the king's birthday. Word of this week on July 31st, 2013 face to music Accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions. cat got your tongue A question addressed to someone who is inexplicably silent. raise your eyebrow If something causes you to raise an eyebrow or to raise your eyebrows, it causes you to feel surprised or disapproving. laugh one's head off to laugh very hard and loudly, as if one's head might come off. lockjaw An early sign of tetanus, in which the jaw is locked closed because of a tonic spasm of the muscles of mastication. Also called trismus. Keep your chin up. an expression of encouragement to someone who has to bear some emotional burdens. Word of this week on July 11th, 2013 cheeky /ˈtʃi:ki/adjective chiefly Brit, informal: rude and showing a lack of respect often in a way that seems playful or amusing ▪ cheeky humor▪ a cheeky grin cheek·i·ness Word of this week on June 26th, 2013 com·pul·so·ry/kəmˈpʌlsəri/adjective 1: required by a law or rule ex. compulsory [=mandatory] education/retirement 2: having the power of forcing someone to do something ex. a compulsory law Word of this week on May 16th, 2013 float /ˈflōt/ noun
a vehicle with a platform used to carry an
exhibit in a parade. the vehicle and exhibit together. low-key
also low-keyed adj.
1. Having low intensity; restrained, as
in style or quality; subdued.
2. Having or producing uniformly dark tones with few areas of contrast, as in a photograph or film. Word of this week on April 25th, 2013 jay walk /ˈʤeɪˌwɑ:k/ verb [no obj] : to cross a street carelessly or at an
illegal or dangerous place — jay·walk·er noun Word of this week on April 11th, 2013 blacktop ˈblækˌtɑ:p [noncount] black material
that is used for making roads （US）=asphalt
cavity ˈkævəti [count] 1: a hole or space inside something 2: a hole formed in a tooth by decay Word of this week on March 28th, 2013 McD's [məkdíːz] an expression in the U.S. as McDonald's. Macca's a slang for McDonald's in Australia and New Zealand. Word of this week on March 14th, 2013 Fire drill noun/plural ∼ drills [count] : an activity in which people practice leaving a place quickly so that they will know what to do if there is a fire seismic /ˈsaɪzmɪk/adjective always used before a noun 1 technical: of, relating to, or caused by an earthquake ▪ seismic activity/data/waves/zones 2 [more seismic; most seismic] : very great or important ▪ Seismic social changes have occurred.▪ The discovery caused a seismic shift [=a great change] in public attitudes. — seis·mi·cal·ly /ˈsaɪzmɪkli/adverb ▪ a seismically active region [=a region where many earthquakes occur] Word of this week on February 28th, 2013 anteater /ˈæntˌi:tɚ/noun plural ant·eat·ers [count] : an animal that has a very long nose and tongue and eats ants grenade /grəˈneɪd/noun plural gre·nades [count] : a small bomb that is designed to be thrown by someone or shot from a rifle ▪ a hand grenade▪ a grenade-launcher :::Reference::: Hand grenade Word of this week on February 13th, 2013 audit /ˈɑ:dət/noun plural au·dits 1: a complete and careful examination of the financial records of a business or person [count] ▪ The audit showed that the company had mislead investors. ▪ The Internal Revenue Service selected us for an audit. [noncount] ▪ You will need all your records if you are selected for audit by the IRS. 2 [count] : a careful check or review of something ▪ Our local power company will perform an energy audit [=survey, inspection] of our house. ▪ Investigators called for an audit [=review, analysis] of flight safety standards.
Word of this week on January 31st, 2013 brine /ˈbraɪn/noun [noncount] 1: a mixture of salty water used especially to preserve or add flavor to food ▪ The chicken was soaked in brine before it was roasted. 2: the salty water of the ocean ▪ ocean brine :::Reference::: brine pools Word of this week on December 20th conjure /ˈkɑ:nʤɚ, Brit ˈkʌnʤə/verb con·jures; con·jured; con·jur·ing [+ obj] 1: to make (something) appear or seem to appear by using magic ▪ a magician who conjures live doves from silk scarves —usually + up▪ In the movie she has the power to conjure up storms, fires, and earthquakes. 2 a: to make you think of (something) ▪ The title of the book conjures [=evokes] images of politics, protest, and war. — usually + up▪ The photos conjure up memories of a simpler time. ▪ For many, the word “Greenland” conjures up images of vast, icy plains. b: to create or imagine (something) ▪ The students conjured a clever scheme to raise the money they needed. — usually + up▪ Her imagination conjured up a summer scene. Word of this week on December 13th yield /ˈji:ld/verb yields; yield·ed; yield·ing 1 [+ obj] a: to produce or provide (something, such as a plant or crop) ex. The apple/peach trees yielded an abundant harvest. ex. This soil should yield good crops. ex. The seeds yield a rich oil. b: to produce (something) as a result of time, effort, or work ex. New methods have yielded promising results in the field. ex. The studies yielded clear evidence.— sometimes + up ex. Their research has yielded up some surprising results. c: to produce (a profit, an amount of money, etc.) ex. The tax is expected to yield millions.▪ The bond yields seven percent annually. Word of this week on November 28th detached adjective 1 [more detached; most detached] : not emotional : not influenced by emotions or personal interest ex. ▪ They wanted the opinion of a detached [=impartial, unbiased] observer. ▪ The article takes a detached [=objective] view of the issue. ▪ He watched them work with a detached [=indifferent] amusement. Word of this week on November 20th frostbite /ˈfrɑ:stˌbaɪt/noun [uncountable] a condition caused by extreme cold, that makes your fingers and toes swell, become darker, and sometimes fall off ex. 1. I nearly got frostbite. 2. He wore gloves to prevent frostbite. Word of this week on November 14th sweet tooth noun [singular] informal a liking for sweet foods If you have a sweet tooth, you like eating sweet foods, especially sweets and chocolate. ex. 1. He's always had a sweet tooth. [=he has always liked sweets] 2. I need some jelly beans to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Word of this week on November 8th chrysanthemum  /krɪˈsænθəməm/noun plural chry·san·the·mums [count] : a plant that has brightly colored flowers and that is often grown in gardens also: the flower of this plant —called also (US) mum Word of this week on October 25th prank /ˈpræŋk/noun [count] : a trick that is done to someone usually as a joke a trick, especially one which is played on someone to make them look silly ex. a childish prank ex. He enjoys playing pranks on his friends. Word of this week on October 17th tear jerker /ˈtiɚˌʤɚkɚ/noun plural tear jerkers [count] informal: a story, song, movie, etc., that makes you cry or feel very sad ex. I'm not in the mood to see a tearjerker. Let's watch something funny instead. — tear–jerk·ing adjective [more tear–jerking; most tear–jerking] ex. a tear-jerking love song Word of this week on October 12th Do or die /ˈdu:wɚˈdaɪ/adjective 1 always used before a noun: very determined ▪ Her do-or-die attitude is inspiring. 2— used to describe a situation in which you have to do something or you will fail, lose, etc. ▪ With only 10 seconds left, this is a do-or-die situation for the team. If they don't score, the game is over. ▪ It is do-or-die for the team. Word of this week on October 5th go off on a tangent To suddenly start talking about a different subject. ex. We were talking about property prices and you went off on a tangent. a necessary evil
Something that you do not like but which you know must exist or happen.
ex. He considers taxes a necessary evil. Word of this week on Sep 27th bird walking
When a conversation flows from one topic to another easily.
ex. We are bird walking on our date. pinky swear
To pinky swear, or make a pinky promise, is the entwinement of the pinky fingers of two people to signify
that a promise has been made. It is often seen in anime, where it is called a yubikiri, Japanese for "Finger Cut-off".
An eternally binding act of hooking pinky fingers together in an attempt to seal the deal of a promise that has been made.
ex. Do you pinky swear?
I pinky swore never to do that. Word of this week on Sep 19th shallow
/ˈʃæloʊ/adjective
shal·low·er; shal·low·est
[also more shallow; most shallow]
1
a: having a small distance to the bottom from the surface or highest point
▪ a shallow dish/pond/grave
▪ The shallow end of the pool is only three feet deep. — opposite deep
b: not going far inward from the outside or the front edge of something
▪ a shallow closet — opposite deep 2
disapproving: not caring about or involving serious or important things
▪ Her boyfriends were all shallow creeps. ▪ She is only interested in shallow [=superficial] things like clothes and money.
Word of this week on Sep 11th
rotten egg
a bad or despised person; an evil influence.
▪ That guy is a real rotten egg. ▪ She sure has turned out to be a rotten egg.
Word of this week on Aug 30th
adhesive
【adjective】
[more adhesive; most adhesive] : designed to stick to something
▪ Cover the cut with an adhesive bandage. ▪ adhesive tape
【noun】
plural adhesives
[count] : a substance (such as glue or cement) that is used to make things stick together
▪ You'll need a strong adhesive to attach the boards. ▪ Use a good waterproof adhesive in addition to the screws.
Word of this week on Aug 23rd
let off
[phrasal verb]
let off (something): to cause (something) to explode or to be released in a forceful way
▪ let off [=set off] a firecracker ▪ let off pressure
▪ People in other countries often let off fireworks to celebrate the New Year.
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burst into
[phrasal verb]
burst into (something): to begin to produce or do (something) suddenly
▪ She burst into [=broke into] laughter/tears. ▪ The house burst into flame(s).
▪ The entire cast burst into [=broke into] song.
▪ The audience burst into applause.
▪ The flowers were bursting into bloom.
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tidy
[verb] tidies; tidied; tidy·ing
: to make (something) tidy : to make (something) clean and organized [+ obj]
▪ I tidied the house before they arrived.
— usually + up
▪ We need to tidy up the house. [no obj]
— + up
▪ I didn't have time to tidy up.
▪ I'm tired of always tidying up after you. [=cleaning up your messes]
Word of this week on Aug 16th
Absurd
/əbˈsɚd/adjective
[more absurd; most absurd] :
extremely silly, foolish, or unreasonable : completely ridiculous
▪ an absurd situation ▪ The charges against him are obviously/patently absurd.
▪ an absurd idea/suggestion/argument
▪ absurd humor
ab·sur·di·ty
/əbˈsɚdəti/noun, plural ab·sur·di·ties
[noncount]
▪ They laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
[count]
▪ the absurdities of life
Word of this week on Aug 9th Qualify
verb qual·i·fies; qual·i·fied; qual·i·fy·ing
【SPORTS】
[no obj] : to have the skills that are required or do the things that are required
to become a member of a team or to be allowed in a competition
▪ Only those racers who qualify will continue to the next round. ▪ She tried to get into the tournament, but she failed to qualify.
— often + for
▪ She qualified for the Olympic team.
Word of this week on Aug 1st
Double entendre
plural ∼ -dres [count] : a word or expression that can be understood in two different ways with one way usually referring to sex ▪ The song's title is a double entendre.
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