Unit 10

Word

Definition

Example

alongside 

next to the side of something

We have a breakout area alongside our meeting rooms.

at the top of your game 

to be doing your job, especially playing a sport, very well

The work environment helps employees generate ideas and keeps them at the top of their game.

better off 

happier, improved, more successful etc

We might be better off updating our computer systems rather than redesigning the office.

breakout area 

any space open to employees or visitors that is separate from their usual working area. It can be a place for employees to relax, eat their lunch and even hold informal meetings.

The building has two large breakout areas on the fifth floor.

carry out 

to do something that needs to be organized and planned

The team carried out a series of experiments.

comfortable 

making you feel physically relaxed, without any pain or without being too hot, cold etc

Our experience is that a comfortable, open and fun environment encourages creativity and openness.

consider 

to think about something carefully, especially before making a choice or decision

I think we should consider having a games room for employees to relax in.

enough 

to the degree that is necessary or wanted

This office isn't big enough.

environment

the people and things that are around you in your life, for example the buildings you use, the people you live or work with, and the general situation you are in

A comfortable, open and fun environment encourages creativity and openness.

extremely 

to a very great degree

We're all extremely happy with your performance this year, so I see no need for you to make any changes.

facility 

a special part of a piece of equipment or a system which makes it possible to do something

So, how many people use this facility?

fairly 

more than a little, but much less than very

The negotiations went fairly well. We didn't get everything we wanted, but neither did they.

fully-equipped 

having all necessary equipment

There's a fully-equipped music room for employees.

fun 

an experience or activity that is very enjoyable and exciting

Everybody had a lot of fun at the party.

futuristic 

something which is futuristic looks unusual and modern, as if it belongs in the future instead of the present

Many of these chance interactions probably take place in the futuristic corridor that links the different spaces.

get rid 

to throw away or destroy something you do not want anymore

We got rid of all our old furniture.

hi-tech 

high-tech furniture, designs etc are made in a very modern style

Into the empty space, they mixed hi-tech video-conferencing facilities alongside spacious breakout areas.

interaction 

a process by which two or more things affect each other

Open spaces make chance interactions more likely.

jam 

to play music in an informal way with other people

There's a music room where colleagues can jam together.

lighting 

the lights that light a room, building, or street, or the quality of the light produced

When the level of the lighting was increased, workers' productivity increased.

locker 

a small cupboard with a lock in a school, sports building, office etc, where you can leave clothes or possessions while you do something

We provide lockers for staff to leave their personal items.

old-fashioned 

not considered to be modern or fashionable anymore

The factory feels fairly old-fashioned and the facilities aren't very up-to-date.

open-plan 

an open-plan office, school etc does not have walls dividing it into separate rooms

You won't find private offices. We prefer open-plan spaces.

presentation suite

a room with all equipment necessary to conduct presentations

At one end of the office, there's a state-of-the-art presentation suite which looks like a small cinema.

pretty 

fairly or more than a little

We've had some pretty good ideas so far but I think we can do better.

productivity 

the rate at which goods are produced, and the amount produced, especially in relation to the work, time, and money needed to produce them

A good office environment increases workers' productivity.

redesign

to change the design of something

An architect is redesigning our office space.

relaxation 

a way of resting and enjoying yourself

The new relaxation room is comfortable and spacious.

remodel 

to change the shape, structure, or appearance of something, especially a building

We've decided to remodel the office.

reservation

an arrangement which you make so that a place in a hotel, restaurant, plane etc is kept for you at a particular time in the future

Shall I make a reservation at the restaurant for tomorrow?

spacious 

a spacious house, room etc is large and has plenty of space to move around in

Your new offices are really spacious.

state-of-the-art 

using the most modern and recently developed methods, materials, or knowledge

There's a state-of-the-art conference room.

stress-free 

not causing or feeling any stress

We try to create a stress-free environment.

suggestion box 

a device for obtaining additional comments, questions, and requests

We ask staff to put any suggestions they have into the suggestion box.

too 

more than is acceptable or possible

This meeting room is too small.

water cooler

a piece of equipment, used especially in offices, from which you can get a cup of cold water to drink

We have one water cooler for every fifty employees.