Monthly Archives

August 2021

Intermediate+ Word of the Day: peel

To peel means ‘to take the skin or rind out of something,’ such as vegetables or fruits. If skin or paint comes off on its own, that’s also to peel, and so is ‘to strip something away from something else.’ Figuratively, and usually followed by off, peel can also mean…

August 17, 2021

Intermediate+ Word of the Day: taper

To taper means ‘to become thinner towards the end’ and also ‘to make thinner towards the end’ or ‘to reduce gradually.’ Always followed by off, taper means ‘ to decrease’ or ‘to be reduced by degrees.’ As a noun, a taper is a…

August 16, 2021

Intermediate+ Word of the Day: strap

A strap is a narrow strip of material used for holding things together or a looped band by which an item may be held, carried, pulled, or lifted. It’s also the strip of material or metal that…

August 13, 2021

Intermediate+ Word of the Day: blink

You might already know that blink is something we constantly do without even realizing; it means ‘to open and close your eyes involuntarily’ and ‘to open and close your eyes on purpose.’ Figuratively, if you blink at something, it means you…

August 12, 2021

Intermediate+ Word of the Day: lust

Lust is a very strong sexual desire or appetite, as well as a very strong desire for something that’s not sexual, such as a craving. Strong enthusiasm can also be called lust. As a verb, to lust means…

August 11, 2021

Intermediate+ Word of the Day: plank

A plank is a long, flat piece of wood, thicker than a board and, figuratively, something to cling to for support is also a plank. In politics, a plank is any of the principles or aims that make up the platform of a political party. The verb to plank means…

August 10, 2021