B2 Unit 122: Describing things 7
20 B2 words: stern, adverse, sharply, critically, pointless, informal… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| stern/stɝn/ adj | sternserious and strict | The teacher gave a stern look and the class went quiet.The teacher gave a stern look and the class went quiet. | |
| adverse/ædˈvɝs/ adj | adverseharmful or unfavorable | Adverse weather forced the airline to cancel the flight.Adverse weather forced the airline to cancel the flight. | |
| sharply/ˈʃɑrpli/ adv | sharplysuddenly and by a large amount | The road turns sharply to the left after the bridge.The road turns sharply to the left after the bridge. | |
| critically/ˈkrɪtɪkəli/ adv | criticallyin a very serious way; extremely | The report was critically important for the company’s future.The report was critically important for the company’s future. | |
| pointless/ˈpɔɪntləs/ adj | pointlesshaving no purpose or use | It is pointless to argue with someone who will not listen.It is pointless to argue with someone who will not listen. | |
| informal/ˌɪnˈfɔrməl/ adj | informalrelaxed; not formal or official | The dinner was informal, so everybody wore jeans.The dinner was informal, so everybody wore jeans. | |
| unacceptable/ˌʌnækˈsɛptəbəl/ adj | unacceptablenot good enough to be allowed | Rude behavior toward customers is unacceptable.Rude behavior toward customers is unacceptable. | |
| uncommon/ənˈkɑmən/ adj | uncommonrare; not often found | Snow in this city in July is very uncommon.Snow in this city in July is very uncommon. | |
| cooperative/koʊˈɑpɚˌeɪtɪv/ adj | cooperativewilling to work together and help | The class was cooperative, and everyone helped each other.The class was cooperative, and everyone helped each other. | |
| mortal/ˈmɔrtəl/ adj | mortalcertain to die at some time | Every mortal being will die one day.Every mortal being will die one day. | |
| desirable/dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/ adj | desirableworth wanting or having | A big garden is a desirable feature in a home.A big garden is a desirable feature in a home. | |
| lengthy/ˈlɛŋθi/ adj | lengthylong, often too long | The lengthy meeting lasted almost four hours.The lengthy meeting lasted almost four hours. | |
| mock/mɑk/ adj | mockpretend; not real but like the real thing | The pilots practiced in a mock emergency.The pilots practiced in a mock emergency. | |
| successive/səkˈsɛsɪv/ adj | successivefollowing one after another | He won three successive games in the tournament.He won three successive games in the tournament. | |
| promptly/ˈprɑmptli/ adv | promptlyquickly and without delay | Please answer the email promptly so we can plan the trip.Please answer the email promptly so we can plan the trip. | |
| overly/ˈoʊvɚli/ adv | overlytoo much; more than necessary | The soup was overly salty, so I added water.The soup was overly salty, so I added water. | |
| straightforward/ˈstreɪtˈfɔrwɚd/ adj | straightforwardeasy to understand, not complicated | The instructions were straightforward, so we finished the job quickly.The instructions were straightforward, so we finished the job quickly. | |
| broadly/ˈbrɔdli/ adv | broadlyin a general way | Broadly speaking, the plan is good, but some details need work.Broadly speaking, the plan is good, but some details need work. | |
| deliberate/dɪˈlɪbɚət/ adj | deliberatedone on purpose, carefully planned | It was a deliberate choice, not an accident.It was a deliberate choice, not an accident. | |
| inadequate/ˌɪˈnædəkwət/ adj | inadequatenot good or large enough | The old bridge is inadequate for so many cars and trucks.The old bridge is inadequate for so many cars and trucks. |