Vocabulary

adapt, v 1. make suitable (to or for a purpose); modify, alter

2. change a book or play so that it can be made into a film, TV programme, etc.

e.g. The film is adapted from a Michael Crichton novel.

adaptable, a

adaptability, n

adapted, a (fml) especially suitable for sth or sb

e.g. a plant well adapted to warm, dry condition.

adaptation (or adaption), n 1. a book or play that has been made into a film, TV programme, etc.

e.g. The television adaptation of the play was very successful.

2. the process of changing sth so that it can be used for a different purpose

addict, v devote, apply habitually or compulsively (to a practice)

addict, n 1. person addicted to a habit, esp. one dependent on a (specified) drug

e.g. drug addict; heroine addict

2. (colloq) enthusiastic devotee of a sport or pastime

e.g. a TV addict, a film addict, an internet addict

addicted, a (to) 1. unable to stop taking an illegal or harmful drug

e.g. addicted to cocaine

2. enjoying a particular activity very much and spending as much time as you can doing it

e.g. I don’t want the kids getting addicted to stupid TV programmes.

addictive, a causing addiction and dependence; habit-forming

e.g. Cigarettes are harmful, highly addictive, and aggressively marketed to young people.

Opp.: non-addictive, a

addiction, n the state of being addicted or a habit to which one is addicted

e.g. the growing problem of heroine addiction among young people; his addiction to the Internet

average, n a level or standard regarded as usual or ordinary

e.g. His school-work is well above/below average. We receive 20 letters a day on average. A higher that average attendance.

average, a of the usual or ordinary kind

e.g. There was nothing special about the film – it was only average. The average man in the street.

average, v 1. to be as an average

e.g. Our mail averages 20 letters a day.

2. to do, have or get as an average or usual quality.

e.g. I average 8 hours’ work a day.

boil down (to) v (infml) (of a statement, situation, argument, etc.) to be or mean, leaving out the unnecessary parts

e.g. The report boils down to a demand for higher safety standards.

discredit, v 1. cause people to lack faith in; stop people believing in or having respect for

e.g. a deliberate attempt to discredit the government

2. to refuse to believe in

e.g. One should discredit a good deal of what is printed in newspapers.

discredit, n 1. loss of belief, trust, or the good opinion of others

e.g. Their behaviour has brought discredit on English football. I know a few things to her discredit (= bad things about her)

2. sb or sth that brings shame or loss of respect; a disgrace

e.g. That boy is a discredit to his family.

discreditable, a (of behaviour) causing discredit; shameful

discreditably, adv

down to the responsibility or fault of

e.g. It’s down to Tom whether he decides to pay. The failure is really down to bad management.

Cf.: up to to depend on (sb)

e.g. It’s up to you to keep the boy out of trouble.

escapism, n (derog) activity intended to provide escape from unpleasant or dull reality

e.g. He thinks that reading science fiction is just escapism.

escapist, n, a

expose (sb to sth), v (fml) to introduce new ideas, activities, etc. to sb so that they can learn about them

e.g. Schools are again exposing children to the classics.

face up (to), v to be brave enough to accept or deal with

e.g. You must face up to your responsibilities.

fall into, v to be divided into (kinds); belong to (a class)

e.g. These books fall into 3 classes. This book falls into the class of children’s stories.

Syn.: come under/within, fall under/within, go under

e.g. This word goes under G.

flexible, a 1. that can bend or bends easily

2. that can change or be changed to be suitable for new needs, changed conditions, etc.

e.g. Our plans are fairly flexible.

Opp.: inflexible, a

flexibility, n

flexibly, adv

hectic, a full of excitement or hurried activity

e.g. a hectic day at the office

highbrow, n (sometimes derog) sb who is thought to have more that average knowledge of, or interest in artistic and intellectual matters

highbrow, a

Opp.: lowbrow, n (usu. derog) sb who has no interest in literature, the arts, etc.

lowbrow, a

Cf.: middlebrow, n (sometimes derog) a person who likes music, painting, poetry, etc. that is of quite good quality and is liked by lots of other people but is not too difficult to understand

middlebrow, a

replace, v 1. to take the place of

e.g. George has replaced Edward as captain of the team.

2. (with/by) to change (one person or thing) for another, often better, newer, etc.

e.g. We’ve replaced the old adding machine with/by a computer.

3. (fml) to put sth back in the right place

e.g. He replaced the book on the shelf.

Cf.: We replaced apples with oranges. (= We put oranges in the place of apples.)

We substituted apples for oranges. (= We put apples in the place of oranges.)

replacement, n 1. the act of replacing, esp. with sth better, newer, etc.

e.g. in need of replacement

2. (for) sb or sth that replaces

e.g. We need a replacement for the secretary who left.

replaceable, a

irreplaceable, a too special, unusual, or valuable for anything else to take its place

e.g. Don’t break the vase – it’s irreplaceable! We’ll miss him when he leaves the company, but no one’s irreplaceable. (= someone else will be able to do his job)

medium, n (pl media or mediums) a method for giving information; form of art

e.g. Television can be a medium for giving information and opinions, for amusing people, and for teaching them. Entertainment medium

the (mass) media, n the newspapers, television, and radio

e.g. The media has/have a lot of power today. Government control over the media

priority, n 1. (over) the state or right of coming before others in position or time

2. sth that needs attention, consideration, service, etc. before others

e.g. This business agreement is a top priority. You must get your priorities right. (= deal with the most important things first.)

prioritize, v 1. to decide in what order you should do things based on how important or urgent they are

2. to treat a job or issue as more important than any others

range, v 1. to vary between limits; reach from one limit to another

e.g. The children’s ages range from 5 to 15 / between 5 and 15. A wide-ranging program of reforms

2. (over) (lit) to wander freely

e.g. We ranged (over) the hills. The conversation ranged over many topics.

3. to put in position or order, esp. in lines or rows; arrange

shortsighted, a 1. (esp. BrE) / nearsighted, a (esp. AmE) unable to see objects clearly if they are not close to the eyes

Opp.: longsighted, a

2. (derog) not considering the likely future effects of present actions; lacking foresight

e.g. It’s very shortsighted not to spend money on repairs.

Opp.: farsighted, a

shortsightedness, n

shortsightedly, adv

ultimately, adv in the end; after everything or everyone else has been taken into account

e.g. Ultimately the decision lay with the president. Ultimately, the success depends on good management.

unwind, v (infml) to stop being nervous; relax, esp. after a period of great effort and pressure

Cf.: unbend, v to behave in a less formal and severe manner; relax

view, v 1. (as, with) to consider, regard; think about

e.g. The subject may be viewed in different ways. He doesn’t view the matter in the same light.

 to view sth through sb’s eyes

2. to examine; look at thoroughly

3. (tech) to watch (esp. television)

e.g. The viewing figures for this programme have been poor. (= not many people have watched it)

viewer, n 1. sb who watches or is watching, esp. television

e.g. Angry viewers have written in to complain. This programme is for young viewers (= children).

2. an apparatus for looking at transparent colour photographs

e.g. a slide viewer

viewable, a

voracious, a 1. eating or wanting large quantities of food

e.g. a voracious appetite

2. having or showing a limitless eagerness, like a hunger, for sth

e.g. She is a voracious reader of biographies.

voracity, n

voraciousness, n

voraciously, adv