C2 Unit 47: Ideas & thinking 4
18 C2 words: trifle, vindication, minefield, attuned, paradoxical, tactically… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| trifle/ˈtraɪfəl/ n/v | triflesomething of little value or importance | It is a trifle, so please do not worry about it.It is a trifle, so please do not worry about it. | |
| vindication/vɪndəˈkeɪʃən/ n | vindicationproof that someone was right | The test result was a vindication of her careful method.The test result was a vindication of her careful method. | |
| minefield/ˈmaɪnˌfild/ n | minefielda situation full of hidden dangers | Choosing a team name can be a minefield of disagreements.Choosing a team name can be a minefield of disagreements. | |
| attuned/əˈtund/ adj | attunedaware of and sensitive to something | Good teachers are attuned to the needs of their students.Good teachers are attuned to the needs of their students. | |
| paradoxical/ˌpɛrəˈdɑksɪkəl/ adj | paradoxicalseeming to contradict itself yet true | It seems paradoxical, but silence can be very loud.It seems paradoxical, but silence can be very loud. | |
| tactically/ˈtæktɪkəli/ adv | tacticallyin a carefully planned way | The team played tactically and won the match.The team played tactically and won the match. | |
| preoccupation/priˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən/ n | preoccupationthinking too much about one thing | Her preoccupation with work left little time for friends.Her preoccupation with work left little time for friends. | |
| substantiate/səbˈstæntʃiˌeɪt/ v | to substantiateto prove that something is true | You must substantiate your claims with clear evidence.You must substantiate your claims with clear evidence. | |
| selectivity/sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvəti/ n | selectivitythe quality of choosing carefully | The university’s selectivity means that only top students are accepted.The university’s selectivity means that only top students are accepted. | |
| irrevocably/ˌɪˈrɛvəkəbli/ adv | irrevocablyin a way that cannot be changed | The bridge was irrevocably damaged in the storm.The bridge was irrevocably damaged in the storm. | |
| irrevocable/ˌɪˈrɛvəkəbəl/ adj | irrevocableimpossible to change or undo | Once you sign the form, the decision is irrevocable.Once you sign the form, the decision is irrevocable. | |
| posit/ˈpɑzət/ v | to positto suggest something as a basis for discussion | The teacher will posit a simple question for discussion.The teacher will posit a simple question for discussion. | |
| cogent/ˈkoʊdʒənt/ adj | cogentclear, logical and convincing | Lucy gave a cogent argument that convinced the committee.Lucy gave a cogent argument that convinced the committee. | |
| crystallization n | crystallizationthe process of becoming clear and fixed | The crystallization of his ideas took several years.The crystallization of his ideas took several years. | |
| inexorably/ˌɪˈnɛksɚəbli/ adv | inexorablyin a way that cannot be stopped | Prices rose inexorably throughout the year.Prices rose inexorably throughout the year. | |
| engender/ɛnˈdʒɛndɚ/ v | to engenderto cause a feeling or situation | Bad service can engender anger in customers.Bad service can engender anger in customers. | |
| smattering/ˈsmætɚɪŋ/ n | smatteringa small amount of knowledge | I have only a smattering of French.I have only a smattering of French. | |
| antithetical/ˌæntəˈθɛtɪkəl/ adj | antitheticaldirectly opposed to something | Their ideas about money are antithetical to each other.Their ideas about money are antithetical to each other. |