MemoCard lernen mit System

exchange ideas

if people do this, they tell each other their ideas

loanword

a word taken from one language and used in another

doom

death, destruction, and other unpleasant events that cannot be avoided

brutally

in an extreme way, showing no consideration or pity for others

the emergency services

the organizations who deal with accidents and urgent problems: ambulance service, fire service, the police

out in all weathers

to be outside whether it is raining, snowing, very windy, etc.

give a false impression

give someone a wrong idea about what something is like

account for something

give a reason for something

be familiar with something

to know about something or have experienced it many times before

thereabouts

near the number, amount, or time that has just been given

blissful

making you feel very happy

get your teeth into something

to start to deal with something with great energy and enthusiasm

study under somebody

to be taught by someone (formal)

determine something

to control what will happen

fellow

used to describe people who share your interests or situation

equate something with something

to consider one thing to be the same as or equal to another thing

job-sharing

when two people do one job between them, sharing the duties and the pay and working at different times of the day or week

fringe

the outer part of an area, group or activity

weird

very strange

sweep something aside

to replace or destroy something

adrenalin

a substance that your body produces when you are angry, excited, or frightened which makes your heart beat faster

high-rise block

a building that is very tall and has a lot of floors

representative

someone who speaks or does something officially on behalf of another person

die out

to become more and more rare and then disappear completely

settle into something

to start to feel relaxed and comfortable in a new situation

converse

to talk with someone (formal)

anecdote

a short story that you tell someone about something that happened to you or someone else

irreparable

when damage, harm, injury, etc. is so bad that it can never be repaired

have an excellent command of something

to have an excellent knowledge of a subject, especially a language

pull over

if a vehicle pulls over, it moves to the side of the road and stops

stiff

describes a part of your body that hurts and is difficult to move

dream something up

to think of a new idea or plan

get stuck into something

to start doing something with energy and determination (informal)

emerging economies

economies that are starting to be successful and competitive

unrestrained

not limited or controlled

price yourself out of the market

to charge such a lot of money for the things you are selling that people stop buying them

hold your own

to be as successful as other people in a situation

jumpy

nervous or anxious

ambience

the qualities of a place and the way it makes you feel

revitalization

when something is given new life or energy or becomes successful again

risk your life

to do something that is so dangerous you could die

paramedic

someone who is trained to give medical treatment to people who are injured or very ill, but who is not a doctor or nurse

be scared to death

very afraid

haughtily

in a way that is proud and shows that you think you are better or more important than other people

work with your hands

to do practical work with your hands

upload something

to copy computer programs or information electronically, usually from a small computer to a larger one or to the Internet

deranged

behaving in a way that is not normal, especially when suffering from a mental illness

drive somebody mad

to make someone feel extremely annoyed

innovation

a new idea or method that is being tried for the first time, or the use of such an idea or method

crystal clear

very clear

ranch

a large farm where animals are kept

layout

the way that something is arranged

booming industry

a very successful industry that is increasing in size

crucial

extremely important or necessary

neglected

not receiving enough love or attention

process of trial and error

a way of learning the best way to do something by trying many different methods

magician

someone who entertains people by performing magic tricks

get down to something

to start doing something seriously and with a lot of attention and effort

drag somebody or something

to pull somebody or something somewhere, usually with difficulty

labyrinthine

having a lot of passages and parts so that it is easy to get lost in

Level 4

ambience

vast knowledge

great knowledge

innate capacity, faculty, ability

an ability that you were born with and not one that you have learnt (use 3 synonyms)

regime

a system of government or other control, especially one that people do not approve of

recount something

to tell a story or describe past events

gasp for breath

to breathe loudly and with difficulty, trying to get more air

switch between languages or from one language to another

to repeatedly change the language that you are speaking in

fierce competition

very strong competition

time-keeping

being punctual, especially to start work or classes

native speaker

someone who speaks a language as their first language

forthcoming

going to happen soon

keep an eye on something

to watch or look after something

express an idea

to say or write an idea

genome

the complete set of genetic material of a human, animal, plant or other living thing

consumerism

buying and selling things, especially when this is an important part of a society’s activities

have something in common

to share features, interests or experiences with someone or something else

threadbare

material or clothes are very thin because they have been used too much or poorly or cheaply furnished

relive something

to remember something so clearly that you feel as if it is happening now

made up of

to consist of or be formed from two or more things

handicap

something that makes it more difficult for you to do something

fluffy animals or toys

toy animals that are soft and covered in fur

settle up

to pay someone the money that you owe them

anonymous

having no interesting or unusual features

atmospheric pressure

the force with which the atmosphere presses down on the surface of the Earth

pay attention to something

to watch, listen to or think about something carefully or with interest

dreariness

when something is boring and makes you feel unhappy

claustrophobic

a place that makes you feel anxious because it is very small or crowded

archaeologist

someone who studies very old cultures by examining their buildings, tools, and other objects

add insult to injury

to make someone’s bad situation worse by doing something else to upset them

save somebody’s life

to do something to prevent someone from dying

bad-temperedness

when someone gets angry easily

keep your fingers crossed

something people do for luck to hope that things will happen in the way that they want them to

blur

something that you cannot see or remember clearly

hold down a job

to manage to keep a job

do business

to buy or sell goods or services for someone

censor

someone who examines books, documents, or films and removes parts of them that are offensive or not allowed by law

dedication

when you are willing to give a lot of time and energy to something because you believe it is very important

vulnerable

easy to hurt or attack physically or emotionally

characteristics

typical or obvious qualities that make one person or thing different from another

ferocity

extreme violence or force

believe wholeheartedly

to believe something completely, without any doubts

uninhibited

feeling free to behave in any way that you want without worrying about other people’s opinions

be made up of

to consist of or be formed from two or more things

to kill two birds with one stone

to achieve several things at once

sift something

to carefully look at every part of something in order to find something

sluggish

moving or working more slowly than usual

change gradually

to change slowly over a period of time

make your blood boil

to make you very angry

subsidise something

if a government or other organization pays part of the cost of something

splitting headache

a very bad headache

intuitive

based on feelings rather than facts or proof

acclimatise

to start to feel happy with the weather, the way of life, etc. in a new place

clutter

a lot of objects that are not tidy or well organized

diagnosis

when a doctor says what is wrong with someone who is ill

do something in tandem with somebody

do together with someone else, at the same time

catch your eye

if this happens, you notice it because it is attractive, interesting or unusual

take somebody to court

to take legal action against someone

indignant

angry because something is unfair

wind somebody up

to annoy someone, often on purpose (informal)

refund

an amount of money that is given back to you, especially because you are not happy with something you have bought

nominate somebody

to officially suggest a person for a job or a position in an organisation, or to suggest a person or their work for a prize

clutter something up

to cover a surface or fill a place with things that are not tidy or well organised

stressful

making you feel anxious and unable to relax

perk

something you are given because of your job, such as a car, which is not your salary

attention to detail

the ability to notice and consider every small part or detail of something and check that everything is perfect

bland

not interesting or exciting

exhilaration

extreme excitement and happiness

be up to something

to be doing something

call centre

a place where organisations employ people to talk over the telephone to customers to provide information, or sell goods or services

at heart

used to say what someone is really like

stifling

extremely hot and therefore unpleasant or difficult to breathe

say

used in conversation to introduce an example ‘The flavours of our company’s ice creams are not as important as, say, the name or the colour.’

spooky

strange and frightening

a link between something and something

a relationship or connection between two things

design feature

a piece of furniture or part of a room that is intended to be stylish and attractive

adventurous

willing to try new and often difficult things

disturbing

unpleasant in a way that makes you feel anxious or upset

come round

to visit someone at their house

rusty

when you are no longer good at something because you have forgotten it, you call that skill ...

make ends meet

to have just enough money for the things that you need to live on

mundanity

when something is very ordinary and not interesting

be only natural to do something

to be normal or expected

feel lost without

unable to live or work without someone/something

nothing is too much trouble

used for saying that someone does everything they can to help you even when it involves a lot of effort

burst its banks

if a river bursts its banks, the water in it gets so high that it spreads over the land near the river

move on

to leave the place where you are and go somewhere else

solve a problem

to find an answer to a problem

sensitive

able to notice or measure very small changes

come across something or somebody

to discover something or someone by chance

in demand

wanted or needed in large numbers

preposterous

extremely stupid (of a situation)

right across the board

affecting everyone or every part of something

poised

ready to do something

in excess of

more than

filter

to focus on information you want and ignore information you do not need (verb)

get attuned to something

to start to recognise or be able to understand something

sudden jolt

a sudden, violent movement

get to thinking about something

to start thinking about something

in other respects

in other ways

décor

the style of decoration and furniture in a room or building

eye-catching

attractive, interesting, or different enough to be noticed

fight a losing battle

to try hard to do something when there is no chance that you will succeed

make a difference

to have a good effect on a situation

prioritise something

to decide which of a group of things are the most important so that you can deal with them first

workload

the amount of work that you have to do

browse

to look at information on the Internet

drop what you are doing

to stop what you are doing, often in order to do something else

buckle

a metal object used to fasten the ends of a belt or strap

be a touch aggrieved

slightly upset or angry at an unfair situation

feedback

opinions from people about something that you have done or made

sparkle

to shine brightly because of reflected light

lose your nerve

to suddenly become frightened and be unable to do something

turn over

if someone who is lying down turns over, they change position so that they are facing a different direction

swig

a large amount of liquid that you put into your mouth at one time

lose your appetite

to lose the desire to eat

light and airy

having a lot of light and space

move out

to stop living in a particular home

be on the mend

if you are on the mend, your health is improving after an illness or an injury

retain something

to continue to keep something

have a reliance on something

to be in a situation when someone or something depends on someone or something else

tactics

a planned way of doing something in order to achieve what you want

intrapersonal

thinking about your own thoughts and feelings and trying to understand them

be in two minds about something

to have difficulty making a decision

flippers

long, flat rubber shoes that people wear when swimming under water

over the course of

during

bilingual

using or able to speak two languages

press somebody for something

to try to persuade someone to do something

run for parliament

to compete in an election in order to become a member of parliament

sinister

making you feel that something bad or evil might happen

spartan

very simple and not comfortable or luxurious

head for something

to move towards something

science fiction

stories about life in the future or in other parts of the universe

galley

a kitchen in a ship or aircraft

shrink

to become smaller, or to make something smaller

make yourself understood

to say something to someone in a way that they understand

anathema

something which is strongly disliked or disapproved of

anticipate

to expect something and to prepare for it before it happens

all the more

even more

be accustomed to something

to have experienced something often enough for it to seem normal to you

a hotbed of something

a place where there is a lot of a particular activity

endow somebody with something

(formal) to give someone a particular quality or characteristic

make choices

to choose between two or more things

prolong something

to make something last longer

break up something

to divide something into different areas

clump (of trees)

a group of plants growing closely together

make a fool of yourself

to behave in a way which is embarrassing and makes you look silly

absolutely perfect

of the best quality and without any faults at all

positive outlook

a way of thinking in which you believe that generally good things will happen

eye-strain

tired or painful eyes as a result of too much reading or looking at a computer screen.

the next step

the next stage in a process

keep up with something

to manage to do work as it is given to you and not be late in doing what you have to do

work tirelessly

to work very hard and with great energy over a long period

warehouse

a large building for storing goods that are going to be sold

quality of life

the level of enjoyment, comfort and health in someone’s life

extensive experience or knowledge

a lot of experience or knowledge

be in your element

to be very happy because you are doing what you like doing and are good at

take something seriously

to believe that something is important and that you should pay a lot of attention to it

workstation

a computer and the area around it where you work in an office

tenet

a principle or belief of a theory or religion

glare

strong, bright light that hurts your eyes

give somebody an edge over somebody

to make someone slightly better than someone else

drop off to sleep

to start to sleep

mother tongue

the first language that you learn when you are a child

bark

if a dog does this, it makes loud, short sounds

major factor

one of the main things that has an effect on a situation

affliction

something that makes you suffer

have a flair for something

to have a natural ability to do something well

setback

a problem that makes something happen later or more slowly than it should

parameter

a limit that controls the way that you can do something

mindless violence

violence that has no purpose, that is done without thought, often for its own sake

have a flashback

to have a sudden memory of something that happened in the past, especially something bad

sheer

used to emphasize how strong a feeling or quality is

featureless

looking the same in every part, often in a boring way

draw the line at something

to not allow something

shop online

to buy things from an Internet website

whirr

to make a low continuous sound

download something

to copy computer programs, music or other information electronically using the Internet

peer group

a group of people of about the same age, social position, etc.

force of personality

the power of someone’s character and their ability to persuade people to do things

in all fields

in all areas of study or activity

highly articulate

able to express ideas and feelings in words very clearly in words

go about doing something

to start to do something in a purposeful way

exert control over

to use control in order to make someone do something or to make something happen

exaggerate

to make something seem larger, better, worse, etc. than it really is

excavation

when archaeologists dig in the ground in order to find objects from the past

set foot in a place

to enter a place

swerve

to change direction suddenly, especially when you are driving a vehicle

willpower

the ability to make yourself do difficult things or to stop yourself from doing enjoyable things that are bad for you

pull somebody’s leg

to try to make someone believe something that is not true as a joke

discriminate

to notice and/or act on a difference between two or more things

nuisance

a person, thing, or situation that annoys you or causes problems for you

cramped

such a room or building is unpleasant because it is not big enough

attention span

the length of time that you can keep your thoughts and interest fixed on something

for some unknown reason

used for saying that you do not know why something happened or why someone did something

nag somebody

to keep criticising or giving advice to someone in an annoying way

deal with something

to take action in order to achieve something or to solve a problem

pristine

in very good condition, as if new

assertion

something that you say is certainly true

turn a blind eye to something

to pretend not to notice something or to ignore something that you do not want to see often because you know is wrong

adjust something

to change the way you behave or think in order to suit a new situation

byways

facts about a subject that are known only by a few people

be well on the way to achieving something

to be making good progress towards a particular goal

be glued to something

to be watching something, especially a screen, with all your attention

single-handed

on your own, without anyone’s help

make an effort to do something

to try to do something, putting energy and time into it

huge contrast

a very obvious difference between two things

treadmill

a machine with a moving part which you walk or run on for exercise

naturally gifted

able to do something very well because you were born with that ability

traffic jam

a line of cars, trucks, etc. that are moving slowly or not moving at all

ditch

a long, narrow hole in the ground next to a road or field, which water can flow through

incident

an event, especially one that is bad or unusual

mob

a large group of people that is often violent or not organised

immerse yourself in something

to become completely involved in something

take somebody by surprise

to surprise someone

digital technology

the use of an electronic system that changes sounds or images into signals in the form of numbers before it stores or sends them

by attrition

the use of force to gradually make something weaker and destroying it, especially the strength and confidence of an enemy

little chance of something

not much possibility of something

flourish

to grow or develop well

windscreen

the window at the front end of a car, bus, etc.

stand somebody in good stead

to be useful to someone

under constant pressure

having worried feelings all the time because you are always dealing with difficult situations

crude

made or done in a simple way and without much skill

quite by chance

completely by accident

to tell you the truth

used in conversation to emphasise the importance of a fact

enquiring mind

if someone has this type of mind, they are always asking questions and wanting to find out new things

hosepipe

a long pipe made of rubber or plastic and used for directing water somewhere, usually onto a garden or fire

well-intentioned advice

advice that is given in order to be helpful and kind but that does not help in a situation

disorder

a disease or mental problem

hereditary

passed to a child from its parents before birth

have an aptitude for something

to have a natural skill or an ability to do something well

inventiveness

the quality of having a lot of new and interesting ideas

outline something

to describe the most important ideas or facts about something

contemplate something

to consider something for a long time or in a serious way

in the distance

a long way away

beloved

someone that you love and have a romantic relationship with

cohesion

when the members of a group or society are united

benefit rates

how much money the government gives to people who are ill, poor, not working, etc. depending on their situation

mild

describes weather that is less cold than you would expect

be up to scratch

to be of good enough quality (informal)

get behind the scenes

to get beyond appearances and see things which most people don’t usually see

frankly absurd

ridiculous or unreasonable

remarkable

very unusual or noticeable in a way that you admire

at something’s last gasp

going to soon disappear completely

multitask

to do more than one thing at the same time

rethink something

to change what you think about something or what you plan to do

not get very far

to not make progress

be intent on doing something

to be determined to do or achieve something

idea-swapping

telling other people about your ideas and listening to other people’s ideas

outlast

to continue for longer than someone or something else

act on somebody's advice

to do something because someone has said that you should

adept

good at doing something difficult

committed

loyal and willing to give your time and energy to something that you believe in

go for a break, walk, coffee

to go somewhere to take a break, walk, drink a cup of coffee

accelerator

the part of a car which you push with your foot to make it go faster

look on the bright side

to find good things in a bad situation

rudimentary

very basic

utilitarian

designed to be useful and not beautiful

panic

to suddenly feel so worried or frightened that you cannot think or behave calmly, or to make someone feel this way

translate something word-for-word

taking each word separately and in the same order

shortage

when there is not enough of something

online community

a group of people who discuss a subject on the Internet

pick up something

to start learning something or doing something regularly without intending to

inability

when you are unable to do something

fiddle with something

to move things about or touch things with no particular purpose

stab somebody in the back

to do something harmful to someone who trusted you

commonplace

happening often or existing in large numbers, and so not considered special or unusual

open-plan office

an office with few or no walls inside, so it is not divided into smaller rooms

come to terms with something

to accept and deal with a difficult situation

go to incredible lengths

to try extremely hard to achieve something

frantically

in a fast and excited way and not in a calm or organised way

Info cartes d'apprentissage

UG ETV1 VOC - Cambridge Advanced English Word List