C2 Unit 49: Feelings & character 5
20 C2 words: timidity, affectation, derisively, indolent, ingratiate, perversity… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| timidity/təˈmɪdəti/ n | timidityshyness or lack of courage | Her timidity stopped her from speaking up in class.Her timidity stopped her from speaking up in class. | |
| affectation/ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən/ n | affectationbehaviour that is not natural, meant to impress | Her French accent was just an affectation, since she grew up here.Her French accent was just an affectation, since she grew up here. | |
| derisively/dɚˈɪsɪvli/ adv | derisivelyin a way that shows scorn | Leo smiled derisively at the clumsy attempt to fix the clock.Leo smiled derisively at the clumsy attempt to fix the clock. | |
| indolent/ˈɪndələnt/ adj | indolentlazy; avoiding work or effort | The indolent cat slept in the sun all afternoon.The indolent cat slept in the sun all afternoon. | |
| ingratiate/ˌɪŋˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪt/ v | to ingratiateto try to make someone like you | Mia tried to ingratiate herself with the new boss by bringing coffee.Mia tried to ingratiate herself with the new boss by bringing coffee. | |
| perversity/pɚˈvɝsəti/ n | perversitythe habit of doing the opposite | Out of perversity, Leo did the opposite of what we asked.Out of perversity, Leo did the opposite of what we asked. | |
| magnanimity n | magnanimitykindness and generosity toward others | The champion showed magnanimity by thanking the team that lost.The champion showed magnanimity by thanking the team that lost. | |
| wrack/ræk/ v | to wrackto cause great pain or trouble | Guilt and worry continued to wrack her mind all night.Guilt and worry continued to wrack her mind all night. | |
| ravish v | to ravishto fill someone with great delight | The beauty of the mountains will ravish anyone who visits them.The beauty of the mountains will ravish anyone who visits them. | |
| tenaciously/təˈneɪʃəsli/ adv | tenaciouslyin a firm, determined way | Lucy tenaciously held on to her dream of becoming a doctor.Lucy tenaciously held on to her dream of becoming a doctor. | |
| prurient/ˈprʊriənt/ adj | prurienttoo interested in unsuitable matters | The teacher disliked the prurient jokes the students were whispering.The teacher disliked the prurient jokes the students were whispering. | |
| self-aggrandizement/sɛlf ˈæɡrənˌdaɪzmənt/ n | self-aggrandizementmaking yourself seem more important than you are | His constant self-aggrandizement annoyed everyone on the team.His constant self-aggrandizement annoyed everyone on the team. | |
| callously/ˈkæləsli/ adv | callouslyin a cruel way, without caring | He callously ignored the cries of the child in the street.He callously ignored the cries of the child in the street. | |
| indignantly/ˌɪnˈdɪɡnəntˌli/ adv | indignantlyin an angry way because of unfair treatment | "I didn’t do it!" Mia said indignantly."I didn’t do it!" Mia said indignantly. | |
| contemptuously/kənˈtɛmptʃwəsli/ adv | contemptuouslyin a way that shows no respect | Ali looked contemptuously at the dirty shoes by the door.Ali looked contemptuously at the dirty shoes by the door. | |
| mesmeric adj | mesmericso interesting that you cannot look away | The dancer’s mesmeric movements held the audience’s attention for an hour.The dancer’s mesmeric movements held the audience’s attention for an hour. | |
| belligerence/bəˈlɪdʒɚəns/ n | belligerenceangry, aggressive behaviour | The coach spoke sharply about the belligerence shown during the match.The coach spoke sharply about the belligerence shown during the match. | |
| nostalgically adv | nostalgicallyin a way that longs for the past | Grandma spoke nostalgically about the village where she grew up.Grandma spoke nostalgically about the village where she grew up. | |
| ingratiating/ˌɪŋˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/ adj | ingratiatingtrying too hard to be liked | Leo gave his teacher an ingratiating smile and asked for extra time.Leo gave his teacher an ingratiating smile and asked for extra time. | |
| dubiously/ˈdubiəˌsli/ adv | dubiouslyin a way that shows doubt | Sam looked dubiously at the old bridge before he crossed it.Sam looked dubiously at the old bridge before he crossed it. |