Unit 10B

Word

Definition

Example

lovely

beautiful or attractive

How lovely to see you here.

intimate

an intimate relationship is a very close personal relationship, especially a sexual one

Martin seems to have problems being intimate with people .

seasonal

available only during a particular time of year

The work was well paid but seasonal.

stumble on

to discover something by chance, or to meet someone by chance

Workmen stumbled upon the mosaic while digging foundations for a new building.

next to nothing

very little

Human life was worth next to nothing in those days

have a ball

to enjoy yourself very much

So how was the party last night? - Oh, it was great - we had a ball!

have a hankering

have a strong wish

Don't you ever have a hankering for a different lifestyle?

detox

a period when you stop taking unhealthy or harmful foods, drinks, or substances into your body for a period of time, in order to improve your health

She went on a 48-hour detox, eating nothing but grapes.

rule sth out

to prevent something from happening

This recent wave of terrorism has ruled out any chance of peace talks.

hurdle

one of a series of upright frames over which athletes in a race must jump

Finding enough money for the project was the first hurdle.

turn your back on

to refuse to help, support, or be involved with someone or something

How can you turn your back on your own mother?

foreigner

a person who comes from another country

It will soon be impossible for foreigners to enter the country.

stranger

someone you do not know

A stranger approached him and asked for a cigarette

emigrant

a person who leaves a country permanently to live in another one

For a growing number of the world's emigrants, China - not the United States - is the land where opportunities are endless.

migrant

a person that travels to a different country or place, often in order to find work

The cities are full of migrants looking for work

journey

an occasion when you travel from one place to another, especially over a long distance

Goodbye. Have a good journey.

trip

a visit to a place that involves a journey

Did you enjoy your trip to Disneyland?

walk

to move along by putting one foot in front of the other, allowing each foot to touch the ground before lifting the next

After breakfast Lois walks on the beach with her dog.

stroll

to walk somewhere in a slow relaxed way

I was strolling along by the river at lunchtime.

wander

to travel from place to place, especially on foot, without a particular direction or purpose

I wandered around the art gallery for an hour.

reclusive

living alone and avoiding going outside or talking to other people

She became increasingly reclusive after the tragedy.

ground

the soil on and under the surface of the Earth

Cracks had appeared in the dry ground

reach

stretch out an arm in a specified direction in order to touch or grasp something

I can't stop, I'm in a hurry to reach the airport.

deplore

to say or think that something is very bad

He said that he deplored all violence.

deny

to say that something is not true, or that you do not believe something

A spokesman for the company denied that it would close.

decline

Downward movement, fall. A sloping downward, e.g. of a hill or road. A reduction or diminution of activity.

Direko expressed concern about what she described as a decline of the moral fibre of society - of which rape and woman abuse were symptoms.

voyage

a long journey in a ship or spacecraft

The voyage from England to India used to take six months

accommodation

a place to live or stay, especially on holiday or for students at college

Accommodation for tourists can be very expensive in London, especially good hotels.

tolerate

to bear something unpleasant or annoying, or to keep going despite difficulties

Six Sigma is a programme that doesn't tolerate mistakes easily.