Intermediate+ Word of the Day

Intermediate+ Word of the Day: dent

A dent is a hollow or depression in a surface and, figuratively, an effect that is highly noticeable, especially one related to reduction. As a verb, to dent means ‘to make a dent in a surface’ or ‘to become dented,’ as well as ‘to have a reducing or harmful effect’…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: hurl

To hurl is a verb that means ‘to throw with great force’ and also ‘to throw something down.’ If what you hurl are words and not objects, then hurl means ‘to say with vehemence and often shouting.’ In sports, such as baseball, it means ‘to pitch.’ As a noun, a hurl is a violent throw…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: appeal

An appeal is a request for help or a plea or the power to stimulate the mind or emotions of others. As a legal term, it is a formal request for a higher authority decision or a request for review by a higher court. As a verb, to appeal means ‘to make a plea,’ ‘to cause a feeling of attraction,’ ‘to apply for a review’, or ‘to call upon for…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: dwell

To dwell is a formal term meaning ‘to live somewhere as a permanent residence’ and also ‘to live or continue in a particular state.’ Figuratively, it means ‘to endure or remain.’ In more everyday language, always followed by on or upon, it means…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: lash

A lash is the flexible end part of a whip or a stroke with a whip or something similar. An eyelash can also be called a lash. As a verb, to lash means ‘to strike with a whip or something similar,’ ‘to beat sharply against,’ or ‘to attack with cruel words.’ It can also mean ‘to move suddenly and swiftly.’ Unrelatedly, to lash can also mean…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: swift

If something or someone is swift, it means that it or they can move with great speed and if a decision or an action is swift, it means that it was performed quickly. Swift can also mean ‘quick to act or respond.’ Mostly in US English, it can be used figuratively as a synonym for…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: toll

A toll is a fee charged by an authority for some right or privilege, like, for example, driving along a road or in telecommunications and, in US English, the payment made for a long distance phone call. A toll is also the extent of damage or the amount of loss suffered because of something. The verb to toll is quite rare, but it means…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: plea

A plea is a request or an appeal, something that is said as a justification, or an excuse or pretext. In legal terms, a plea is a defendant’s formal answer to a legal charge, that is, guilty or not guilty…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: hollow

If something is hollow, it means that it’s empty or that it has a cavity inside. If a surface is hollow, it has a curve inward or downward or it is somehow sunken. Sounds can also be hollow, meaning that they are not resonant. Figuratively, hollow means…

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