aberrant

adjective formal

different from what is typical or usual, especially in an unacceptable way aberrant behaviour/sexuality

abhorrent

adjective formal

morally very bad an abhorrent crime Racism of any kind is abhorrent to me.

abject

adjective formal EXTREME

abject

adjective formal NOT PROUD

2. showing no pride or respect for yourself an abject apology He is almost abject in his respect for his boss.

abortive

adjective formal

describes an attempt or plan that you have to give up because it has failed He made two abortive attempts on the French throne.

abstemious

adjective formal

not doing things which give you pleasure, especially not eating good food or drinking alcohol

abstracted

adjective formal

not giving attention to what is happening around you because you are thinking about something else He gave her an abstracted glance, then returned to his book.

abstruse

adjective formal

difficult to understand an abstruse philosophical essay

abundant

adjective formal

more than enough an abundant supply of food There is abundant evidence that cars have a harmful effect on the environment. Cheap consumer goods are abundant (= exist in large amounts) in this part of the world.

accusatory

adjective formal

suggesting that you think someone has done something bad When he spoke his tone was accusatory. She gave me an accusatory look.

accustomed 2. formal

adjective usual

She performed the task with her accustomed ease.

acerbic

adjective formal

describes something that is spoken or written in a way that is direct, clever and cruel The letters show the acerbic wit for which Parker was both admired and feared.

acquainted 1.

adjective formal

[ after verb ] knowing or being familiar with a person "Do you know Daphne?" "No, I'm afraid we're not acquainted."

I am not personally acquainted with the gentleman in question.

acquainted

adjective formal

acquiescent

adjective formal

willing to do what other people want She has a very acquiescent nature.

acquisitive

adjective formal mainly disapproving

eager to own and collect things We live in an acquisitive society which views success primarily in terms of material possessions.

acrimonious

adjective formal

full of anger, arguments and bad feeling an acrimonious dispute Their marriage ended eight years ago in an acrimonious divorce .

adherent sticky

adjective formal

an adherent surface

adjacent

adjective

formal

very near, next to, or touching They work in adjacent buildings. They lived in a house adjacent to the railway.

admissible

adjective formal

considered satisfactory and acceptable in a law court The judge ruled that new evidence was admissible.

admonitory adjective formal

an admonitory remark

adulatory adjective formal

I found myself irritated by the adulatory (= showing too much admiration) tone of her biography.

adventitious

adjective formal

not expected or planned an adventitious event/situation

adversarial

adjective formal

involving people opposing or disagreeing with each other In the old days of two-party adversarial politics, voting was easy.

affecting

adjective formal

causing a strong emotion, especially sadness It was an affecting sight.

aforementioned mentioned earlier

adjective [ before noun ] ( also aforesaid ) formal

The aforementioned Mr Parkes then entered the cinema.

aggravating

adjective MAKING WORSE making something worse, such as a crime

2. formal or legal

Aggravating factors can affect the sentence set by the court.

agreeable 1. formal

adjective PLEASANT pleasant; pleasing

We spent a most agreeable evening by the river.

agreeable 3. formal

adjective AGREEING willing to do or accept something

If Bridget is agreeable to the proposal, we'll start the project in June.

alleged

adjective

formal

said or thought by some people to be the stated bad or illegal thing, although you have no proof It took 15 years for the alleged criminals (= people thought to be criminals) to prove their innocence.

allied 2.

adjective similar or related in some way

formal

Computer science and allied subjects are not taught here.

allusive

adjective formal

containing a lot of allusions Her music is witty, ironic and allusive.

amatory

adjective formal

relating to sexual love amatory adventures

anodyne

adjective formal mainly disapproving

intended to avoid causing offence or disagreement, especially by not

expressing strong feelings or opinions This is daytime television at its most anodyne. Somehow this avoids being just another silly pop song with anodyne lyrics about love and happiness.

anointed adjective formal He's generally believed to be the anointed heir/successor to (= the one who will be chosen for) the presidency.

antecedent previous

adjective formal

When the college was established in 1546, it inherited a hall from each of three antecedent institutions.

antepenultimate third from last

adjective formal

T is the antepenultimate letter of the name Martha.

anthemic

adjective formal

describes music that has qualities that are suitable for an anthem, such as a strong tune and seriousness

anthropocentric

adjective formal

considering humans and their existence as the most important and central fact in the universe

antipathetic adjective formal

antipathetic attitudes towards smokers

antithetical adjective

( also antithetic ) formal

antithetical views

apocryphal

adjective formal

describes a story that is probably not true although often told and believed by some people to have happened an apocryphal story It's a good story but I dare say it's apocryphal.

apostolic adjective formal

appointed

adjective FURNISHED

3. formal If buildings or rooms are appointed in a particular way, they have furniture and equipment of the stated standard It says in the ad that the bathroom is spacious and well- appointed.

apposite

adjective formal

suitable and right for the occasion an apposite phrase/quotation/remark The film starts in a graveyard, an apposite image for the decaying society which is the theme of the film.

apropos

adjective [ after verb ] formal

suitable in a particular situation or at a particular time clothes which are apropos to the occasion

apt

adjective CLEVER having a natural ability or skill; clever

3. formal

We have some particularly apt students in the class this year.

arcane

adjective formal

mysterious and known only by a few people

He was the only person who understood all the arcane details of the agreement. This argument may seem arcane to those not closely involved in the world of finance.

arid

adjective unsuccessful

2. formal

After several arid years, the company has started to become successful.

arid

adjective not interesting and showing no imagination

3. formal

I found his writing extremely arid.

arrayed

adjective [ after verb ] formal

dressed in a particular, especially splendid way She was arrayed in purple velvet.

asinine

adjective formal

extremely stupid an asinine comment

assiduous

adjective formal

showing hard work, care and attention to detail assiduous research/efforts an assiduous student The Government has been assiduous in the fight against inflation.

atavistic

adjective formal

(of behaviour) happening because of a very old natural and basic habit from the distant past (= a long time ago) , not because of a conscious decision or present need or usefulness an atavistic fear of the dark

attainable

adjective formal

possible to achieve We must ensure that we do not set ourselves goals that are not attainable.

attendant

adjective formal

1. coming with a stated thing or resulting from it debt and its attendant problems There are too many risks attendant on such a large investment of money.

attendant 2.

adjective formal

present with someone to help them, or present at an event, place, etc.

attendant staff

the attendant crowd/fans

august

adjective formal

having great importance and especially of the highest social class the society's august patron, the Duke of Norfolk

auspicious

adjective formal

suggesting a positive and successful future They won their first match of the season 5-1 which was an auspicious start/beginning . Our first meeting was not auspicious - we had a huge argument.

authorial

adjective [ before noun ] formal

relating to the author of a book

avid

adjective

extremely eager or interested an avid football fan an avid supporter of the arts He took an avid interest in the project. formal She hadn't seen him for six months and was avid for news.

avowed stated

adjective [ before noun ] formal

The Government's avowed intent/purpose/aim is to reduce tax. An avowed traditionalist, he is against reform of any kind.

avuncular

adjective formal

friendly, kind or helpful, like the expected behaviour of an uncle an avuncular, quietly-spoken man His avuncular image belies his steely determination.

axiomatic

adjective formal

obviously true and therefore not needing to be proved It is an axiomatic fact that governments rise and fall on the state of the economy. It seems axiomatic that everyone would benefit from a better scientific education.

barbarous

adjective formal

describes behaviour that is extremely cruel or unpleasant, or fails to reach acceptable social standards His murder was an outrageous and barbarous act . How can they forgive such barbarous behaviour ?

baseless

adjective

formal

not based on facts baseless accusations/allegations/rumours She assured me that my fears were baseless.

behindhand

adverb , adjective UK formal

delayed in doing something or slower doing something then expected I worked late last night because I was behindhand with my accounts.

beholden

adjective [ after verb ] formal

feeling you have a duty to someone because they have done something for you She wanted to be independent and beholden to no one.

bellicose

adjective formal

wishing to fight or start a war The general made some bellicose statements about his country's military strength.

beloved

adjective slightly formal

loved very much Her beloved husband died last year.

She was forced to leave her beloved Paris and return to Lyon. Eric was a gifted teacher beloved by all those he taught over the years.

beneficent

adjective formal

helping people and doing good acts a beneficent aunt

benumbed

adjective formal

unable to feel because of cold, shock, etc. a face benumbed with cold

bereft

adjective [ after verb ] formal

not having something or feeling great loss Alone now and almost penniless, he was bereft of hope. After the last of their children had left home the couple felt utterly bereft.

besmeared

adjective [ after verb ] formal

covered with marks from dirt, oil, etc. His face was besmeared with chocolate.

bespectacled

adjective formal

wearing glasses a small, bespectacled man in a drab suit

bespoke

adjective UK formal

( US

custom-made )

specially made for a particular person a bespoke suit bespoke furniture

blameworthy

adjective formal

having done something wrong

blessed 1. formal

adjective holy

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth.

burdensome

adjective formal

causing difficulties or work a burdensome task

byzantine

adjective formal disapproving

difficult to understand and complicated rules of byzantine complexity

capacious

adjective formal

able to contain a lot; having a lot of space a capacious pocket/handbag

captious

adjective formal

often expressing criticisms about matters which are not important

carnal

adjective formal

relating to the physical feelings and wants of the body; sexual carnal desires

catholic

adjective formal

including many different types of thing As a young person he had more catholic tastes than he does now.

causal

adjective formal

causative

adjective formal

acting as the cause of something Smoking is a causative factor in the development of several serious diseases, including lung cancer.

cautionary

adjective formal

giving a warning

ceaseless

adjective slightly formal

continuous; without stopping

celestial

adjective formal

of or from the sky or outside this world The moon is a celestial body.

cerebral 2. formal feelings

adjective demanding careful reasoning and mental effort rather than

She makes cerebral films that deal with important social issues.

certain 4.

adjective NAMED named but neither famous nor known well

[ before noun ] formal

I had lunch today with a certain George Michael - not the George Michael, I should explain.

chaste

adjective formal

1. not having had sex, or only having a sexual relationship with the person you are married to In the past, a woman needed to be chaste to make a good marriage. They exchanged a few chaste kisses (= not expressing sexual desire) .

chaste

adjective formal

2. describes decoration or style that is very simple and smooth I like the simple, chaste lines of their architecture.

choleric

adjective formal

very angry or easily annoyed

circuitous

adjective formal

not straight or direct a circuitous route/path a circuitous (= long and indirect) explanation

circumspect

adjective formal

careful not to take risks Officials were circumspect about what the talks had achieved.

clandestine

adjective formal

planned or done in secret, especially describing something that is not officially allowed The group held weekly clandestine meetings in a church. He has been having a clandestine affair with his secretary for three years. She undertook several clandestine operations for the CIA.

clement

adjective formal

describes weather which is pleasant or not severe It's very clement for the time of year.

coequal

adjective formal

equal in rank, ability or power to another person or thing

coercive

adjective formal

using force to persuade people to do things which they are unwilling to do The president relied on the coercive powers of the military. coercive measures/tactics

coeval

adjective formal

of the same age or existing at the same time as another person or thing The abundant reef growth on Gotland was shown to be coeval with that in Estonia.

cogent

adjective formal

describes an argument or reason, etc. that is clearly expressed and persuades people to believe it

cognizant adjective formal

Unfortunately, we were not cognizant of (= did not know about) the full facts.

cohesive

adjective formal

united and working together effectively

a cohesive group cohesive forces

collateral

adjective formal

connected but less important, or of the same family although not directly related collateral senses of a word a collateral branch of the family

combative

adjective formal

eager to fight or argue The prime minister was in a combative mood, twice accusing the opposition of gross incompetence.

combustible

adjective formal

able to burn easily Wood and coal are both combustible substances.

comfortless

adjective formal

without anything that gives physical comfort

commendable deserving praise

adjective formal

commendable efforts/behaviour/bravery

commensurate

adjective formal

in a correct and suitable amount compared to something else a salary that is commensurate with skills and experience

commodious

adjective formal

describes a room or house that has a lot of space

communicable

adjective formal

able to be given from one person to another In this period, there were 974 outbreaks of communicable disease attributed to the consumption of raw milk. communicable ideas/emotions

compliant formal

adjective willing to do what other people want you to do

a compliant child

concomitant

adjective formal

happening and connected with another thing Any increase in students meant a concomitant increase in funding.

conjoined

adjective formal

joined together

conjugal

adjective formal

connected with marriage or the relationship between husband and wife, especially their sexual relationship conjugal happiness Some prisoners who want to start a family are to be permitted conjugal visits .

connubial

adjective formal

connected with marriage connubial bliss

consensual

adjective formal or legal

with the willing agreement of all the people involved The woman alleged rape, but Reeves insisted it was consensual. consensual sex

consolatory adjective formal

a consolatory remark

consummate

adjective [ before noun ] formal

perfect, or complete in every way a life of consummate happiness He's a consummate athlete/gentleman/liar.

contemporaneous

adjective formal

happening or existing at the same period of time The two events were more or less contemporaneous, with only months between them.

contextual

adjective related to the context of something

formal or specialized

It's impossible to understand the nuances of an isolated word without some contextual clues.

contiguous

adjective formal

next to or touching another, usually similar, thing

The two states are contiguous with/to each other, but the laws are quite different.

contingent

adjective formal

contrite

adjective formal

feeling very sorry and guilty for something bad that you have done a contrite apology/expression

conversant

adjective formal

converse opposite

adjective formal

a converse effect/opinion/argument

cordial

adjective STRONG (of a feeling, especially dislike) strong

2. formal

The two statesmen are known to have a cordial dislike for each other.

corporal

adjective formal

of or relating to the body

corporate 2. formal

adjective of or shared by a whole group and not just of a single member

All adults take corporate responsibility for the upbringing of the tribe's children.

corporeal

adjective formal

physical and not spiritual; of the body

corpulent fat

adjective formal

a corpulent gentleman

correct

adjective

1. right and not wrong; in agreement with the true facts or with what is generally accepted a correct answer

"Is that the correct spelling?" "I don't know - look it up in a dictionary." It 's not correct to describe them as 'students'. formal "Your name is Angela Black?" "That is correct."

correctional

adjective US formal

relating to the punishment and treatment of people who have committed crimes a correctional program correctional personnel

coruscating 2. formal

adjective extremely clever and exciting or humorous

He's not known for his coruscating wit.

coterminous

adjective formal

having or meeting at a shared border or limit France is coterminous with Italy.

countervailing

adjective [ before noun ] formal

having equal force but an opposite effect There was nobody strong enough to lead an effective countervailing force against the dictator. a countervailing argument

covetable

adjective UK formal

describes something that people want to have

covetous

adjective formal disapproving

wanting to have something too much, especially something that belongs to someone else Western companies are casting covetous eyes on the bargain-priced companies of eastern Europe.

craven

adjective formal

extremely cowardly (= not brave) a craven act of terrorism

credulous

adjective slightly formal

too willing to believe what you are told; easily deceived

cruciform

adjective formal

in the shape of a cross

culinary

adjective slightly formal

connected with cooking or kitchens the culinary delights (= pleasant tasting food) of Beijing My culinary skills are rather limited, I'm afraid (= I am not very good at cooking) !

culpable

adjective formal

deserving to be blamed or considered responsible for something bad He was held culpable (= blamed) for all that had happened.

deceased dead

adjective formal

the recently deceased Member of Parliament

decided

adjective [ before noun ] formal

certain, obvious or easy to notice She had a decided advantage over her opponent.

decorous

adjective formal

behaving politely and in a controlled way His manner, as ever, was decorous.

deducible adjective formal able to be deduced

defunct

adjective formal

no longer existing, living, or working correctly members of a now defunct communist organization humorous I think this kettle is defunct!

deleterious harmful

adjective formal

These drugs have a proven deleterious effect on the nervous system.

delinquent 2. US

adjective late (in paying money owed)

formal

She has been delinquent in paying her taxes.

demoniacal wild and evil

adjective

( also demoniac ) formal

A demoniacal light had entered his eyes.

demotic

adjective formal

(of or in a form of language) used by ordinary people

deplorable very bad

adjective formal

I thought his behaviour absolutely deplorable. They are forced to live in deplorable conditions.

deprecating 3. formal

adjective

( also deprecatory ) NOT APPROVING

showing that you do not approve of something

The teacher gave the boys a deprecating stare.

derisive

adjective

( also derisory ) formal

showing derision derisive laughter a derisive comment/remark

derisory

adjective formal disapproving

describes an amount that is so small it is silly

We were awarded a derisory sum.

designing

adjective [ before noun ] formal

describes someone who tries to get what they want for themselves, usually dishonestly

desirous

adjective [ after verb ] old-fashioned formal

wanting something The duke is desirous of meet ing you.

desultory

adjective formal

without a clear plan or purpose and showing little effort or interest She made a desultory attempt at conversation. He wandered around, clearing up in a desultory way.

detestable

adjective formal

describes people or things that you hate very much a detestable coward

detrimental

adjective formal

causing harm or damage

These chemicals have a detrimental effect/impact on the environment. Their decision could be detrimental to the future of the company.

devoid

adjective formal

dilatory

adjective formal

slow and likely to cause delay dilatory behaviour/tactics British institutions have been dilatory in cutt ing credit card charges.

disagreeable unpleasant

adjective

formal

a rather disagreeable young man She said some very disagreeable things.

discernible , US also discernable able to be seen or understood

adjective formal

The influence of Rodin is discernible in the younger artist. There is no discernible reason why this should be the case.

discerning

adjective formal approving

showing good judgment, especially about style and quality a discerning customer

disconsolate

adjective formal

extremely sad and disappointed The team were disconsolate after losing what should have been an easy game.

discontinuous

adjective formal

with breaks, or stopping and starting again a discontinuous process

discourteous

adjective formal

rude and not considering other people's feelings; not polite According to the customer survey, 6% said employees were unhelpful and discourteous.

discretionary

adjective formal

decided by officials and not fixed by rules a discretionary grant Judges have great discretionary powers.

discriminating

adjective formal approving

able to know and act on the difference between good and bad They're discriminating shoppers. a discriminating palate

discursive

adjective

2. formal mainly disapproving talking about or dealing with subjects which are only slightly connected with the main subject for longer than necessary a discursive writer/speech

disingenuous

adjective formal

(of a person or their behaviour) slightly dishonest; not speaking the complete truth It was disingenuous of her to claim she had no financial interest in the case.

disobliging

adjective formal

unwilling to help or do what you are asked to do

disparate

adjective formal

different in every way The two cultures were so utterly disparate that she found it hard to adapt from one to the other.

disposed

adjective formal

disquieting

adjective formal

causing worry The disquieting situation between these two neighbouring countries looks set to continue.

dissenting adjective slightly formal

The jury found it an easy decision to make - in fact there was only one dissenting voice (= person who disagreed) .

dissipated

adjective formal disapproving

spending too much time enjoying physical pleasures and harmful activities such as drinking too much alcohol He recalled his dissipated youth spent in nightclubs and bars.

dissonant adjective specialized or formal

doctrinaire

adjective formal disapproving

based on and applying fixed beliefs rather than considering practical problems These principles are doctrinaire.

doctrinal

adjective formal

relating to doctrine a doctrinal matter/approach

domiciled

adjective [ after verb ] formal or legal

being legally resident (= living) in a place He was domiciled in Saudi Arabia.

downcast 1. formal

adjective UNHAPPY sad and without hope

I thought you were looking a little downcast this morning.

draconian

adjective formal

describes laws, government actions, etc. which are extremely severe; going further than what is right or necessary draconian laws/methods He criticized the draconian measures taken by the police in controlling the demonstrators.

dread adjective [ before noun ] formal

The dread spectre of civil war looms over the country.

duplicitous

adjective formal

involving duplicity a duplicitous traitor/spy/politician

dynastic adjective formal

ecclesiastical

adjective

( also ecclesiastic ) slightly formal

belonging to or connected with the Christian religion

eclectic

adjective formal

Methods, beliefs, ideas, etc. that are eclectic combine whatever seem the best or most useful things from many different areas or systems, rather than following a single system an eclectic style /approach an eclectic taste in literature

ecumenical

adjective formal

supporting and encouraging unity between the various types of the Christian religion an ecumenical service

edifying

adjective humorous or formal

improving your mind Being left in a bar all afternoon with a load of football supporters is not the most edifying of experiences.

effectual

adjective formal

effective and successful They wish to promote a real and effectual understanding between the two countries.

efficacious

adjective formal

able to produce the intended result; effective

effusive

adjective formal

expressing welcome, approval or pleasure in a way that shows very strong feeling They gave us such an effusive welcome it was quite embarrassing.

egalitarian

adjective formal

believing that all people are equally important and should have the same rights and opportunities in life an egalitarian society The party's principles are basically egalitarian.

egregious

adjective formal disapproving

often of mistakes, extremely bad It was an egregious error for a statesman to show such ignorance.

elective

adjective formal

voted for or chosen an elective office elective surgery

elephantine very large

adjective formal

She's so tiny she makes me feel elephantine.