C1 Unit 35: Describing things 2
20 C1 words: quirky, staggering, elusive, tangled, recognizable, reluctantly… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| quirky/ˈkwɝki/ n/adj | quirkyunusual in a charming way | The quirky café has chairs that look like animals.The quirky café has chairs that look like animals. | |
| staggering/ˈstæɡɚˌɪŋ/ adj | staggeringsurprisingly large; hard to believe | The museum receives a staggering number of visitors every summer.The museum receives a staggering number of visitors every summer. | |
| elusive/ɪˈlusɪv/ adj | elusivehard to find, catch or achieve | The answer to the puzzle remained elusive despite hours of effort.The answer to the puzzle remained elusive despite hours of effort. | |
| tangled/ˈtæŋɡəld/ adj | tangledtwisted together in a messy way | Her headphone cables were tangled in the bottom of her bag.Her headphone cables were tangled in the bottom of her bag. | |
| recognizable/ˌrɛkəɡˈnaɪzəbəl/ adj | recognizableeasy to know or identify | Even after ten years, Anna’s voice was instantly recognizable on the phone.Even after ten years, Anna’s voice was instantly recognizable on the phone. | |
| reluctantly/rɪˈlʌktəntli/ adv | reluctantlyin an unwilling way | Sam reluctantly agreed to lend his car to his cousin.Sam reluctantly agreed to lend his car to his cousin. | |
| unconventional/ˌʌnkənˈvɛnʃənəl/ adj | unconventionaldifferent from what is normal or traditional | Omar has an unconventional way of teaching that students really enjoy.Omar has an unconventional way of teaching that students really enjoy. | |
| battered/ˈbætɚd/ adj | battereddamaged by long or rough use | He drove a battered old van that rattled on every road.He drove a battered old van that rattled on every road. | |
| indefinite/ˌɪnˈdɛfənət/ adj | indefinitewith no fixed end or limit | The museum is closed for an indefinite period while it is repaired.The museum is closed for an indefinite period while it is repaired. | |
| principally/ˈprɪnsɪpli/ adv | principallymainly; mostly | The course is principally for adults who want to learn computer skills.The course is principally for adults who want to learn computer skills. | |
| startling/ˈstɑrtlɪŋ/ adj | startlingsurprising in a way that shocks a little | The news that the shop was closing was startling to everyone.The news that the shop was closing was startling to everyone. | |
| enormously/ɪˈnɔrməsli/ adv | enormouslyto a very great degree | The festival has grown enormously since it began ten years ago.The festival has grown enormously since it began ten years ago. | |
| spartan/ˈspɑrtən/ adj | spartanvery simple, with no comfort or decoration | Sam lived in a spartan room with only a bed and a desk.Sam lived in a spartan room with only a bed and a desk. | |
| ludicrous/ˈludəkrəs/ adj | ludicrousso silly that it seems a joke | The price they asked for the old chair was ludicrous.The price they asked for the old chair was ludicrous. | |
| spontaneously/spɑnˈteɪniəsli/ adv | spontaneouslywithout planning, in a natural way | The crowd spontaneously began to sing when the band stopped playing.The crowd spontaneously began to sing when the band stopped playing. | |
| advantageous/ˌædvənˈteɪdʒəs/ adj | advantageoushelpful and giving a better position | Living near the station is advantageous because you can travel anywhere easily.Living near the station is advantageous because you can travel anywhere easily. | |
| bulky/ˈbʌlki/ adj | bulkylarge and awkward to carry | The bulky parcel would not fit through the narrow door.The bulky parcel would not fit through the narrow door. | |
| subtly/ˈsʌtəli/ adv | subtlyin a slight, hard-to-notice way | The colours in the painting change subtly as the light moves.The colours in the painting change subtly as the light moves. | |
| limitless/ˈlɪmətləs/ adj | limitlesswithout any end or limit | Children have limitless energy on the first day of holiday.Children have limitless energy on the first day of holiday. | |
| dismal/ˈdɪzməl/ adj | dismalgloomy, depressing and miserable | The weather was dismal all week, with cold rain and grey skies.The weather was dismal all week, with cold rain and grey skies. |