- distinct
- dominant
- dormant
- drab
- dramatic
- eclectic
- elaborate
- exceptional
- genuine
- hazardous
- minuscule
- prime
- rudimentary
- skeptical
- stoic
- superficial
- vigorous
distinct
adj. clearly noticed; different
adv. distinctly
syn. definite
adj. distinctive
n. distinction
- There was a distinct aroma of coffee in the restaurant.
- The two theories are distinctly different from each other.
dominant
adj. primary or principal; having or exercising control over something
adv. dominantly
syn. major
v. dominate
n. domination
- The dominant life forms of the Paleozoic era lived in the water.
- The skyscraper dominated the skyline.
dormant
adj. not growing or producing; asleep
n. dormitory
syn. inactive
- The volcano had been dormant for hundreds of years before the eruption last month.
- The seniors live in the new dormitory.
drab
adj. lacking color; uninteresting, boring
adv. drably syn. colorless
n. drabness
- Their clothing was quite drab.
- The drabness of the desert made driving less interesting.
dramatic
adj. something that captures the imagination; exciting
adv. dramatically
syn. emotional
v. dramatize
n. drama
- The dramatic finish to the game left us speechless.
- The hurricane dramatically changed the coastline.
eclectic
adj. to select or represent something chosen from many sources or places
adv. eclectically
syn. diverse
- He has an eclectic taste in music, from hard rock to classical.
- The eclectic group of students came from fifteen different countries.
elaborate
adj. something with a large number of parts; full of details
adv. elaborately
syn. complex
v. elaborate
n. elaboration
- An elaborate head dress indicated rank within the Aztec community.
- His elaboration of the issue was quite thorough.
exceptional
adj. unusual in a positive way
adv. exceptionally
syn. phenomenal
- The orchestra’s performance was exceptional.
- The North Star is exceptionally bright.
genuine
adj. honest or true; real
adv. genuinely
syn. authentic
n. genuineness
- She was genuinely concerned about world hunger.
- This is a genuine artifact from the American Civil War.
hazardous
adj. very risky, unsafe
adv. hazardously
syn. dangerous
n. hazard
- Handling flammable liquids is hazardous.
- There are many hazards involved with starting a business.
minuscule
adj. of little consequence; very small
adj. minute
syn. tiny
n. minutia
- The sale of the building had a minuscule effect on the profits of the corporation.
- Some leaves are covered with minute hairs.
prime
v. to make ready;
adj. primed *first in importance or in time
adj. prime*
syn. prepare
n. prime
- The directors primed the actors before the performance.
- Mozart passed away in the prime of his life.
rudimentary
adj. simple; not complex
n. rudiment
syn. basic
- He has a rudimentary knowledge of computers.
- The rudiments of grammar are taught in all English classes.
skeptical
adj. to question the truthfulness of information presented as fact; to not trust
adv. skeptically
syn. unconvinced
n. skeptic
- The professor was skeptical about the theories of climate change.
- To answer his skeptics, the scientist presented proof of his conclusions at the conference.
stoic
adj. showing no emotion; appearing disinterested
adv. stoically
syn. indifferent
n. stoicism
- His stoic reaction to the event surprised his friends.
- His stoicism was unusual, since he is normally an emotional boy.
superficial
adj. simple; not deep; near the surface
adv. superficially
syn. shallow
- The inspector determined that the crack in the bridge was only superficial.
- You should not try to answer the question superficially.
vigorous
adj. powerful, full of action
adv. vigorously
syn. strong
n. vigor
- His vigorous defense of the issues impressed everyone.
- He approached his work with vigor.