Entertainment
Definitions and Samples
1. amateurish adj. Not good enough to be the work of professionals
Whoever painted this room did an amateurish job, with all sorts of
uneven edges.
Parts of speech amateur n, amateurishly adv
2. cast n. The group of actors in a play, movie, television show, etc.
Some viewers mistakenly start thinking that a TV show’s cast members
are really the characters they play.
Usage tips In U.S. English, cast is singular. In some other varieties of
English it is plural.
Parts of speech cast v
3. charismatic adj. Extremely attractive and charming
Because of the sparkle in his eye and his confident style, John F.
Kennedy was a charismatic leader.
Parts of speech charisma n, charismatically adv
4. gala adj. Expensive, elaborately arranged, and full of celebration
A college graduation party should be a gala affair, not a backyard
barbecue.
Usage tips Gala is somewhat old-fashioned, far more common in
print than in speech.
Parts of speech gala n
5. hilarious adj. Very funny
In my opinion, the most hilarious character on television was Basil
Fawlty.
Parts of speech hilarity n
6. improvisation n. Inventing a solution to an unexpected problem
Boy Scouts take pride in their improvisation when faced with trouble
during a camping trip.
Parts of speech improvise v, improvisational adj
7. incompetent adj. Unskilled; lacking the ability to perform a task
Because we hired an incompetent builder to replace our roof, we
now have leaks everywhere.
Usage tips Usually, incompetent implies that someone tries to do
something but fails.
Parts of speech incompetence n, incompetently adv
8. medium n. A channel or way for a meaning to be expressed
Watercolor art is often considered childish, but some artists have
achieved great things working in that medium.
Usage tips The plural of medium is media.
9. skit n. A short, informal play
Marnie and Chris spent a long time practicing their skit for the
school show.
10. zeal n. Enthusiasm; a deep determination to do well
Unfortunately,Tom’s zeal to become a rock star distracted him from
his studies.
Usage tips Zeal is often followed by to plus a verb or by a for phrase.
Parts of speech zealot n, zealous adj
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Risky Fashions
Definitions and Samples
1. bulk n. Largeness and a heavy appearance
The bulk of Kevin’s athletic body was too great for one small chair,
so he sat on a bench.
Parts of speech bulky adj
2. capricious adj. Moving unpredictably from one thing to another
Your college studies will go on too long if you make capricious
jumps from one major to another.
Usage tips Capricious comes from a Latin word meaning “goat”and
implies a motion like the jumping of a goat.
Parts of speech capriciousness n, capriciously adv
3. cumbersome adj. Difficult to wear or carry because of weight or shape
To make it to the top of the mountain before dark, the hikers
dumped their cumbersome tent.
4. exotic adj. Interesting or unusual because of coming from a faraway
place
I walked into the restaurant and smelled the exotic aromas of
Malaysian spices.
Parts of speech exoticism n, exotically adv
5. inhibit v. To discourage or to slow down
This lotion will inhibit the itching caused by mosquito bites.
Parts of speech inhibition n
6. minimum n. The smallest possible amount or level
The minimum for being accepted to Cavill University is a score of
60 on the test.
Parts of speech minimize v, minimum adj, minimal adj,
minimally adv
7. striking adj. Very noticeable; easily attracting attention
Gordon had a striking new attitude after he learned self-discipline
at the army academy.
Usage tips Striking comes from a verb that means “to hit.”
Parts of speech strike v, strikingly adv
8. trend n. A movement in one direction or a widespread change in
fashion
The trend among some young men is to wear their caps with the
bill off to one side.
Parts of speech trend v, trendy adj
9. vanity n. An excessive concern for one’s appearance
Mark’s vanity led him to spend far too much money on haircuts
and new clothes.
Parts of speech vain adj
10. vulnerable adj. Exposed to possible harm
Babies and very old people are especially vulnerable to the new
disease.
Usage tips Vulnerable is often followed by a to phrase.
Parts of speech vulnerability n, vulnerably adv