B2 Unit 127: Ideas & thinking 8
20 B2 words: authoritative, conceive, cornerstone, thinker, adversity, misfortune… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| authoritative/əˈθɔrəˌteɪtɪv/ adj | authoritativetrusted and respected as correct | This book is an authoritative guide to birds.This book is an authoritative guide to birds. | |
| conceive/kənˈsiv/ v | to conceiveto imagine or form an idea | Tom could not conceive of life without music.Tom could not conceive of life without music. | |
| cornerstone/ˈkɔrnɚˌstoʊn/ n | cornerstonethe most important basic part | Honesty is the cornerstone of a good friendship.Honesty is the cornerstone of a good friendship. | |
| thinker/ˈθɪŋkɚ/ n | thinkera person who thinks a lot about ideas | Ali is a deep thinker who asks big questions.Ali is a deep thinker who asks big questions. | |
| adversity/ædˈvɝsɪˌti/ n | adversitydifficulty and bad luck | She stayed positive even in times of adversity.She stayed positive even in times of adversity. | |
| misfortune/mɪsˈfɔrtʃən/ n | misfortunebad luck | He bore his misfortune with great courage.He bore his misfortune with great courage. | |
| originate/ɚˈɪdʒəˌneɪt/ v | to originateto begin or come from | Many sports originate from simple children’s games.Many sports originate from simple children’s games. | |
| retard/rɪˈtɑrd/ v | to retardto slow down progress | Cold weather can retard the growth of flowers.Cold weather can retard the growth of flowers. | |
| setback/ˈsɛtˌbæk/ n | setbacksomething that delays progress | The rain was a setback for the building work.The rain was a setback for the building work. | |
| ponder/ˈpɑndɚ/ v | to ponderto think carefully about something | Tom sat quietly to ponder his decision.Tom sat quietly to ponder his decision. | |
| psychologically/ˌsaɪkəˈlɑdʒɪkli/ adv | psychologicallyin a way related to the mind | The exam was psychologically hard for many students.The exam was psychologically hard for many students. | |
| deem/dim/ v | to deemto consider or judge in a certain way | The council did not deem the plan safe.The council did not deem the plan safe. | |
| folly/ˈfɑli/ n | follya foolish act or idea | It would be folly to swim in such cold water.It would be folly to swim in such cold water. | |
| aspiration/ˌæspɚˈeɪʃən/ n | aspirationa strong hope to achieve something | Her aspiration is to write a children’s book.Her aspiration is to write a children’s book. | |
| broaden/ˈbrɔdən/ v | to broadento make wider | Traveling can broaden your mind.Traveling can broaden your mind. | |
| predicament/prɪˈdɪkəmənt/ n | predicamenta difficult situation | Ali was in a predicament when he lost his keys.Ali was in a predicament when he lost his keys. | |
| recollection/ˌrɛkəˈlɛkʃən/ n | recollectiona memory of something | I have no recollection of that day.I have no recollection of that day. | |
| culmination/ˌkʌlməˈneɪʃən/ n | culminationthe final high point | The concert was the culmination of months of work.The concert was the culmination of months of work. | |
| worldview/ˈwɝldˌvju/ n | worldviewa person’s general view of life | Travel changed her worldview.Travel changed her worldview. | |
| inference/ˈɪnfɚəns/ n | inferencea conclusion based on evidence | From her smile, I made the inference that she passed.From her smile, I made the inference that she passed. |