Vocabulary Unit 1

English II Honors

1. ambidextrous – able to use both hands equally well

Being ambidextrous helps some athletes experience more success.

2. gibe – ridicule, mock, jeer

The governor received gibes from the press during the live interview.

3. bereft – bereaved; made unhappy because of loss

The Harris family bereaved the unfortunate loss of their grandmother.

4. intimation – inkling, clue, hint, indication

The teacher intimated to her students to read the notes on Google Docs.

5. dour – bleak, gloomy

At times this weekend, the weather was quite dour.

6. fortitude – steadfastness, resolve

Even though Nikki had four projects to complete this weekend, her mental fortitude helped her stay focus and finish all of them.

7. gape – gawk, ogle; to open the mouth

The family gaped at the cupcakes until they were allowed to indulge.

8. reiterate – restate, repeat

The doctor reiterated the instructions for taking the medication.

9. guise – costume, mask

Cynthia wore the guise of a chef, but could not cook at all.

10. insidious – cunning, intended to deceive, treacherous

The insidious doctor was sued by five patients for malpractice.

11. adulterate – contaminate, sully, corrupt

The restaurant needed to close early because the wait staff adulterated some of the food.

12. tentative – uncertain, inconclusive

During the snow storm, the city gave its citizen a tentative trash pick-up schedule.

13. verbatim – word for word

The court transcriber typed the testimony verbatim.

14. opulent – rich, abundant, lavish

The resort the family booked for their vacation looked opulent online.

15. stolid – impassive, unresponsive

The student appeared stolid when the the teacher handed back the report.

16. augment – enlarge, amplify, increase

A huge donation from Bill Gates augmented the food supply at the shelter.

17. unkempt – sloppy, disheveled

After running away from his family, the poor dog came back unkempt.

18. deploy – station, organize, arrange

Security guards were deployed around the arena during the game.

19. warily – carefully, cautiously

Steve’s parents warily permitted him to attend the party.

20. pliable – resilient, flexible; easily influenced

The contractor needed pliable materials when they renovated the house.

Vocabulary Unit 1: Synonyms1. ambidextrous - versatile

2. gibe - taunt

3. bereft - grieving

4. intimation - suggestion

5. dour - bleak

6. fortitude - tenacity

7. gape - yawn

8. reiterate - restate

9. guise - facade

10. insidious - deceptive

Vocabulary Unit 1: Synonyms• 11. adulterate - impure• 12. tentative - indefinite• 13. verbatim - exact• 14. opulent - palatial• 15. stolid - aloof• 16. augment - enhance• 17. unkempt - disarray• 18. deploy - position• 19. warily – leery• 20. pliable – malleable