Word Archive

Definition

sweet-sounding; pleasant to hear

Examples

The narrator's mellifluous voice made even the most technical passages of the audiobook enjoyable.

Definition

the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history

Examples

The film perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the late 1960s — the optimism, the rebellion, and the desire for change.

Definition

too great, extreme, or beautiful to be expressed or described in words

Examples

Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, she felt an ineffable sense of awe.

Definition

kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; done stealthily

Examples

She took a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting, hoping no one would notice.

Definition

representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class

Examples

Fish and chips is the quintessential British comfort food.

Definition

to place close together or side by side for comparison or contrast

Examples

The museum juxtaposes ancient artifacts with modern art to highlight how creativity has evolved.

Definition

present, appearing, or found everywhere

Examples

Smartphones have become so ubiquitous that it feels strange to be without one.

Definition

dealing with things sensibly and realistically, in a practical way

Examples

We need a pragmatic approach to climate change — one that balances environmental goals with economic reality.

Definition

a sentimental longing or affection for the past

Examples

The smell of freshly baked bread always fills me with nostalgia for my grandmother's kitchen.

Definition

a person or thing that causes an important change or event to happen

Examples

The pandemic was a catalyst for the widespread adoption of remote work.

Definition

a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true

Examples

It's a paradox that the more choices we have, the less satisfied we often feel.

Definition

open to more than one interpretation; not clear

Examples

The contract contained several ambiguous clauses that both sides interpreted differently.

Definition

the occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way

Examples

It was pure serendipity that I sat next to my future business partner on that flight.

Definition

showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise

Examples

The watchmaker's meticulous craftsmanship is evident in every tiny gear and spring.

Definition

fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing

Examples

The lawyer's eloquent closing argument moved several jurors to tears.

Definition

able to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks

Examples

After losing her job, she proved to be remarkably resilient and started her own company within months.

Definition

lasting for a very short time

Examples

The ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms draws millions of visitors each spring.

Definition

exceptionally clever, talented, or vivid

Examples

The scientist came up with a brilliant solution that no one else had considered.

Definition

to convince someone to do or believe something

Examples

She managed to persuade her boss to let the team work from home on Fridays.

Definition

to grow, develop, or be successful

Examples

Some plants thrive in shade, while others need direct sunlight.

Definition

to disappear suddenly and completely

Examples

The magician waved his hand, and the coin seemed to vanish into thin air.

Definition

a brief or incomplete look at something

Examples

I caught a glimpse of the sunset before the clouds rolled in.

Definition

something that blocks the way or prevents progress

Examples

The biggest obstacle to learning a new language is the fear of making mistakes.

Definition

willing to give more of something than is expected

Examples

She was generous enough to donate half of her savings to the charity.

Definition

eager to learn or know something

Examples

The curious child asked her parents dozens of questions about the stars.