Unit 10A

Word

Definition

Example

strengthen

make or become stronger

"Good stress" can strengthen our natural defences.

lengthen

to become longer, or to make something longer

I need to lengthen this skirt

deepen

if water deepens, or if someone deepens it, it becomes deeper

The water started to deepen gradually

widen

to make wider

Here the stream widens into a river

heighten

to increase or make something increase, especially an emotion or an effect

His words heightened the tension in the room.

weaken

to make weaker

The team has been weakened by injury

shorten

to make shorter

I need to shorten these trousers. They are too long

thicken

to make thicker

If you want to thicken the sauce, add flour

flatten

if something flattens, or if you flatten it, it becomes flat or flatter

The cookies will flatten slightly while cooking

sit-ups

an exercise in which you lie on your back with your knees bent and raise your upper body then lie back down

I can perform ten more sit-ups since I started the training

press-ups

a physical exercise in which you lie down with your face towards the floor and use your arms to raise and lower your body

He does 20 press-ups every morning

spine

the row of connected bones down the middle of the back

As a young man he damaged his spine in a car accident.

trunk

the long, tube-shaped nose of an elephant

Elephants use their trunks to drink, wash and eat.

flexibility

the ability to change or be changed easily to suit a different situation

I think flexibility is one of my main strengths.

skipping rope

a length of rope used for skipping, typically with a handle at each end

Skipping rope is a part of my weekly workout

toned

(of a body) firm and strong

I admire her toned physique

density

the degree of compactness of a substance

There are areas of high population density

weight loss

when you become thinner and start to weigh less

Weight loss can be aided by eating a varied and balanced diet.