Intermediate+ Word of the Day: jive

We think you might know that jive is the name of a kind of dance and music related to swing and jazz. The verb to jive means ‘to dance or play’ this kind of music. However, mainly in US English, jive is also…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: dim

As an adjective, dim means ‘lacking light’ and ‘not seen clearly or in detail.’ It also means ‘not seeing clearly,’ like when our eyes are filled with tears. Dim is also used to mean…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: verge

The verge is the edge or border of something and, figuratively, the point or limit beyond which something will happen. As a verb, to verge, always followed by the preposition on means ‘to be at the margin or border of something’, and…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: crisp

When something is crisp, it means that it is hard but brittle or firm and fresh. Crisp also means ‘precise and clear,’ ‘neat, well groomed,’ and ‘lively.’ When talking about weather, crisp means ‘cold but invigorating’ and when talking about people…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: tend

When we’re talking about something that happens, to tend means ‘to be likely or usual.’ If someone or something tends to or towards something, it means that they are disposed to it or that they have a particular tendency toward it. Tend also means…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: beat

Most commonly, to beat means ‘to strike something or someone repeatedly,’ ‘to smash against,’ and ‘to shape by hitting.’ However, beat also means ‘to stir ingredients vigorously,’ ‘to keep time by strokes,’ ‘to defeat something or someone,’ and, informally, ‘to be better than something or someone.’ Informally, it means ‘to confuse’ and ‘to avoid blame.’ As a noun, a beat is a stroke or blow and the sound it makes, the major rhythm in a music piece and a throbbing or pulsing. As an adjective,…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: trim

To trim means ‘to make tidy or neat by clipping or by cutting what’s unnecessary.’ Figuratively, it means ‘to reduce or cut down.’ Trim also means ‘to decorate or adorn with ornaments.’ As a noun, a trim is the action of trimming by cutting, or a material used for decoration. A trim is also….

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: tack

A tack is a short nail with a large flat head, as well as a long stitch used to fasten fabric before sewing. It is also a course of action and, more specifically, the direction a boat takes when it…

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