Lesson 200/202 · 16 words · 0 learned

B2 · Describing things (3)

1
significant(adjective)
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
large or important enough to have an effect or to be noticed
There are no significant differences between the two groups of students.
The use of lambs to symbolize innocence is significant in Western art
Synonymsimportantnotableconsiderablesubstantialmeaningfulmomentous
Antonymsinsignificantminortrivialunimportantnegligible
2
unknown(adjective)
/ˌʌnˈnəʊn/
not known or identified
The man's identity remains unknown.
a species of insect previously unknown to science
Synonymsunidentifiedunrecognizedobscuremysteriousunspecifiedundisclosed
Antonymsknownidentifiedfamiliarrecognisableobviouscertain
3
stable(adjective)
/ˈsteɪbl/
fixed or steady; not likely to move, change or fail
The country has had a stable government and a growing economy for many years.
Synonymssteadyfirmsecurefixedconstantreliabledependable
Antonymsunstableshakyinsecureunreliablevolatileerratic
4
significantly(adverb)
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli/
in a way that is large or important enough to have an effect on something or to be noticed
Your decision will significantly affect your future.
Profits have increased significantly over the past few years.
Synonymsconsiderablysubstantiallymarkedlynotablygreatlyremarkablyimportantly
Antonymsslightlyinsignificantlyminimallynegligiblytrivially
5
tough(adjective)
/tʌf/
having or causing problems or difficulties
It was a tough decision to make.
He faces the toughest test of his leadership so far.
Synonymsdifficultchallengingharddemandingstrenuousrigorousstrongresilient
Antonymseasysimplegentleweakdelicate
6
widely(adverb)
/ˈwaɪdli/
by a lot of people; in or to many places
The idea is now widely accepted.
The idea is now widely accepted.
Synonymsgenerallycommonlyextensivelybroadlylargelyprevalentlyuniversally
Antonymsnarrowlylimitedlyrarelyuncommonlysparsely
7
steady(adjective)
/ˈstedi/
developing, growing, etc. gradually and in an even and regular way
a steady decline in numbers
We are making slow but steady progress.
Synonymsstableconstantconsistentregularevenuniformfirmsolid
Antonymsunsteadyerraticfluctuatingirregularvariableinconsistent
8
stiff(adjective)
/stɪf/
difficult to bend or move
The windows were stiff and she couldn't get them open.
a stiff brush
Synonymsrigidinflexiblefirmhardtauttenseunyielding
Antonymsflexiblelimbersuppleyieldingrelaxedloose
9
unique(adjective)
/juˈniːk/
being the only one of its kind
That duck is very unique.
There's no need to take that tone with me—it's not my fault we're late.
Synonymsdistinctivespecialrareuncommonone-of-a-kindexceptionalsingularindividual
Antonymscommonordinarytypicalusualgeneralstandard
10
unexpected(adjective)
/ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/
if something is unexpected , it surprises you because you were not expecting it
an unexpected visitor
an unexpected result
Synonymssurprisingunforeseenunanticipatedsuddenunpredicted
Antonymsexpectedpredictedforeseeableanticipatedusual
11
relevant(adjective)
/ˈreləvənt/
closely connected with the subject you are discussing or the situation you are in
Do you have the relevant experience?
These comments are not directly relevant to this inquiry.
Synonymsapplicablepertinentappropriategermanerelatedconnectedmaterial
Antonymsirrelevantunrelatedinapplicableimmaterialinappropriate
12
severe(adjective)
/sɪˈvɪr/
extremely bad or serious
a severe handicap
severe learning difficulties
Synonymsseriousacutecriticalharshstrictextremeintense
Antonymsmildslightminorgentletrivial
13
sticky(adjective)
/ˈstɪki/
made of or covered in a substance that sticks to things that touch it
He used his finger to take the rice, so it is very sticky now.
sticky fingers covered in jam
Synonymsadhesivegummytackyviscousgluey
Antonymsslipperydrysmoothloose
14
vital(adjective)
/ˈvaɪtl/
necessary or essential in order for something to succeed or exist
The presence of oceans is vital for optimal climate stability and habitability.
Synonymsessentialcrucialcriticalimportantnecessaryfundamentalindispensable
Antonymsunnecessaryinsignificanttrivialunimportantnegligible
15
secure(adjective)
/sɪˈkjʊr/
protected against danger, harm or loss; safe
Keep your passport in a secure place when you travel abroad.
16
representative(adjective)
/ˌreprɪˈzentətɪv/
typical of a particular group of people or things
The students we interviewed were a representative sample of the whole school.