The Big Book of Words You Should Know Read online

  Dirk’s IMPETUOUS remark may well cost him his job.

  implacable (ihm-PLACK-uh-bull), adjective

  Describes someone who cannot be calmed or pacified. “Implacable” can also serve as a synonym for “stubborn.”

  No matter what I did to try to please my mother, she remained grim and IMPLACABLE.

  implicit (im-PLISS-it), adjective

  Implied or understood, though not expressed directly. An implicit understanding is one that two parties abide by but do not set out in specific language.

  There was an IMPLICIT agreement between the two not to bring up the subject of Michael’s first wife.

  impregnable (im-PREG-nuh-bull), adjective

  Stubbornly resistant. Something that is impregnable is unshakeable and/or unconquerable.

  The town proved IMPREGNABLE, despite the army’s repeated assaults.

  impromptu (im-PRAHMP-too), adjective

  Spontaneous; not planned or rehearsed; conceived on the spur of the moment.

  Sonya’s IMPROMPTU New Year’s Eve dinner party ended up being more fun than any of the formal affairs our group of friends had attended for New Years past.

  inadvertent (in-ud-VERT-unt), adjective

  Unintentional; not on purpose; accidentally.

  I INADVERTENTLY called attention to Glenda’s tardiness by asking the boss what time it was just as she walked in the door.

  inanimate (in-AN-ih-mutt), adjective

  Reminiscent of an object that is not alive or animated; lacking in movement.

  Ben gazed at the wax figure as if he expected the INANIMATE figure to come to life.

  inauguration (in-og-yuh-RAY-shun), noun

  The act of ushering into office with a formal ceremony; an instance of marking or acknowledging the beginning of something in a ceremonious fashion.

  President Clinton’s INAUGURATION featured a poem composed for the occasion by Maya Angelou and read by the poet.

  incantation (in-kan-TAY-shun), noun

  The repeated chanting of words or phrases believed to have magical powers.

  I believe Tom’s dismissal of the rosary as a primitive set of INCANTATIONS shows how small a role religious faith plays in his life.

  incapacitate (in-kuh-PASS-ih-tate), verb

  To disable; to deprive of strength, ability, or skill.

  Uncle Jimmy missed an entire month of work due to a bout of pneumonia that left him completely INCAPACITATED.

  incarcerate (in-KAHR-suh-rate), verb

  To jail or imprison.

  I never thought I’ d be INCARCERATED just for failing to pay over one hundred parking tickets!

  incessant (in-SESS-unt), adjective

  Continuous. Incessant derives from the Latin roots for “without end.”

  His INCESSANT questions can become quite annoying.

  incisive (in-SYE-siv), adjective

  Penetrating or sharp in analysis, observation, etc. Incisive derives from the Latin root for “cutting.”

  An INCISIVE Times review of the play notes that the dialogue is similar in many places to passages from the works of Proust.

  incoherent (in-koh-HEER-unt), adjective

  Not capable of being understood due to a lack of logical meaning.

  After he’s had one too many, I can’t help laughing at Bob’s INCOHERENT speech.

  incredible (in-KRED-ih-bull), adjective

  Unbelievable; so remarkable as to be hard or impossible to accept. (See, for comparison, the entry for incredulous.)

  The charges I am making against Mr. White may seem INCREDIBLE, but the evidence will show that they are absolutely true.

  incredulous (in-KRED-you-luss), adjective

  Skeptical; refusing or reluctant to believe. (See, for comparison, the entry for incredible.)

  Dan was absolutely INCREDULOUS when I told him I was the sole winner of the $10 million lottery.

  increment (IN-kruh-munt), noun

  One in a series of additions; an increase in size or number.

  The letter informed Nina that she would receive checks from the estate in $50,000 INCREMENTS over the course of twenty years.

  incumbent (in-KUHM-bent), adjective or noun

  As a noun, “incumbent” means the holder of an office. As an adjective, the word suggests responsibility, such as the responsibility with which an officeholder is entrusted.

  I’ve got to stop procrastinating, Stewart thought. It’s INCUMBENT upon me to finish this proposal by Friday!

  indelible (in-DELL-ih-bul), adjective

  Un-removable. An indelible mark is one that is not easily erased or cleansed away.

  Carl leaves an INDELIBLE impression on those he meets.

  indeterminate (in-dee-TUHR-mih-nut), adjective

  Not having a specific length or extent.

  The wait at the Department of Motor Vehicles was both INDETERMINATE and interminable.

  indomitable (in-DOM-ih-tuh-bull), adjective

  Describes someone who acts in the face of fear, someone with unconquerable will.

  Nadia’s courage was INDOMITABLE, even though she faced much larger opponents.

  induct (in-DUCT), verb

  To install as a member with formal ceremony; to install in office.

  Many baseball fans feel it’s a shame that Pete Rose will probably never be INDUCTED into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

  inept (in-EPT), adjective

  Inappropriate. Someone who lacks judgment, discretion, or ability can be said to be inept.

  Williams, an INEPT craftsman, soon found that his goods would never fetch top dollar.

  inequity (in-ECK-wih-tee), noun

  A person who, or situation that, is unfair, biased, or demonstrates favoritism.

  The INEQUITY of your proposal borders on being insulting.

  inert (in-URT), adjective

  Inactive; unmoving; extremely slow in moving or reacting.

  We came home from the supermarket to find our INERT son on the sofa and the lawn still not mowed.

  infallible (in-FAL-uh-bul), adjective

  Incapable of making a mistake. Something that is regarded as beyond error might be said to be infallible.

  You have no need to worry about the security of this mission, gentlemen; the HAL 9000 computer is INFALLIBLE.

  infraction (in-FRACK-shun), noun

  A violation or breach, as of rules.

  One citizen stood up and demanded to ask questions of the city council, a direct INFRACTION of protocol.

  infrastructure (IN-fruh-struk-chur), noun

  Foundation; underlying base. An infrastructure is the collection of essential primary components or a system, organization, or structure.

  The architect guessed that the INFRASTRUCTURE had probably begun to erode at the turn of the century; the building was now beyond repair.

  ingratiate (in-GRAY-she-ate), verb

  To work very hard to gain someone’s favor, most likely with an eye toward receiving something in return at a future date.

  Paul tried hard to INGRATIATE himself with his fiancee’s stern parents.

  inherent (in-HARE-unt), adjective

  Intrinsic; necessary. An important or essential part of something can be said to be inherent.

  Dwayne’s INHERENT reluctance to entrust newcomers with tasks of any significance was a major problem for the company.

  initiative (ih-NISH-uh-tiv), noun

  Personal enterprise and responsibility.

  If you were to show a little more INITIATIVE, you would not keep being passed over for a promotion.

  innate (ih-NATE), adjective

  Possessed at birth. Something that is inborn or central to a person or thing can be said to be innate.

  Sol’s INNATE sense for what will make a good plan has served him well since be was a small boy.

  innocuous (ih-NOK-yoo-us), adjective

  Harmless. Also: lacking conflict or drama. Something is innocuous if it shows minimal significance, interest, or prominence.

/>   The editor rejected my first news story, which I found fascinating but he considered INNOCUOUS.

  innovate (IN-uh-vate), verb

  To introduce something new or to make significant changes to something, such as an invention, that already exists. The familiar adjective form is “innovative.”

  The inventors spent their day, tinkering and INNOVATING, until they came up with the perfect mousetrap. The world quickly beat a path to their door.

  innumerable (in-NOOM-ur-uh-bul), adjective

  Too many to be numbered or counted (but often used simply to express the idea “very numerous”).

  Over the past three months, Michelle has put in INNUMERABLE hours of overtime on this project.

  inquiry (IN-kwuh-ree), noun

  In general, an inquiry is a question, but the word suggests an investigation that seeks the answer to profound or perplexing questions.

  The detective’s INQUIRY netted significant evidence, which led to the crime’s perpetrators.

  inseparable (in-SEP-uh-ruh-bull), adjective

  Incapable of being separated or parted.

  Jean and Michael have been INSEPARABLE since they met online.

  insurgence (in-SUR-junce), noun

  Revolt or uprising. An insurgence is a revolt against the government or existing authority.

  The INSURGENCE against the dictator’s regime was welcomed enthusiastically by the country’s farmers.

  insurrection (in-sur-REK-shun), noun

  A rebellion against a government or ruling power.

  Before the president could get the treaty through Congress, however, he would have to attend to an INSURRECTION of sorts that had arisen in the left flank of his own party.

  intangible (in-TAN-juh-bul), adjective

  Incapable of being touched, felt, or calculated.

  Friends berated me for breaking up with Matthew, but there was something INTANGIBLE missing from the relationship, something I couldn’t do without.

  integrated (IN-tuh-gray-ted), adjective

  Describes the harmonious assemblage of various parts into a whole.

  Even though both Mike and Carol had children from previous marriages, their new union quickly created an INTEGRATED family unit.

  intercede (in-tur-SEED), verb

  To offer aid or action on another’s behalf; to interrupt (a conflict or altercation) to help another.

  Much to my amazement, my big brother, whose main goal in life had always seemed to be to torment me, INTERCEDED when the school bully tried to attack me.

  interim (IN-ter-im), noun

  The meantime. An interim is the period of time between one event and another.

  The INTERIM—which lasted over a month—was filled with work and planning in preparation for the second series of meetings.

  intermediary (in-ter-MEE-dee-air-ee), noun or adjective

  As a noun, an intermediary is a go-between, a middleman. As an adjective, the word describes someone who is a middleman or go-between.

  My brother acted as an INTERMEDIARY in the dispute between our mom and me.

  intermittent (in-tur-MIT-nt), adjective

  Characterized by a cycle of stopping and starting. An intermittent storm is one that comes and goes.

  Frank was bothered by an INTERMITTENT pain in his ankle.

  interstellar (in-tur-STEL-lur), adjective

  Occurring or situated between the stars.

  Due to problems with the base’s satellite transmitter, INTERSTELLAR communication with the space shuttle was extremely difficult.

  intrepid (in-TREP-id), adjective

  Brave. Those who are fearless and show great courage are intrepid.

  The INTREPID climber made her way down the icy mountain alone.

  intrigue (in-TREEG), adjective

  To arouse suspicion or curiosity; to engender a sense of mystery. As a noun: a plot.

  Keith’s INTRIGUING plan caught our attention, but we had a nagging suspicion it wouldn’t work.

  introspection (in-tro-SPEK-shun), noun

  Self-examination; interior meditation. To think closely on one’s feelings, thoughts, and inclinations is to spend time in introspection.

  The weekend at the cabin provided Clive with an opportunity for some much-needed INTROSPECTION.

  invert (in-VURT), verb

  To reverse; to change to an opposite orientation or course.

  After complaining of poor vision all morning, Kathy found out that her problem was an INVERTED left contact lens.

  iota (eye-O-tuh), noun

  A minute quantity; an extremely small amount.

  The fact that the prisoner’s reprieve omits his middle initial doesn’t matter one IOTA, Warden Holloway.

  irrefutable (ihr-ree-FYOO-tuh-bull), adjective

  Describes something that cannot be disproved or refuted.

  The evidence is IRREFUTABLE. You’re under arrest!

  irrevocable (ih-REV-uh-kuh-bull), adjective

  Cannot be rescinded or revoked.

  Once you walk out that door, Pete, your decision is IRREVOCABLE!

  itinerary (eye-TIN-uh-rare-ee), noun

  A list of things to be done and seen while on a trip; a summary of the arrivals, departures, and other particulars of one’s projected travels.

  I had hoped this vacation would give me a chance to relax, but after glancing at the ITINERARY, I feel I’m likely to come back more exhausted than before I left.

  its (its), pronoun

  Belonging to it. (For comparison, see the entry for it’s.)

  This job of mine has ITS ups and downs.

  it’s (its), contraction

  It is. (For comparison, see the entry for its.)

  IT’S certainly a lovely morning!

  jargon (JAR-gun), noun

  The specialized language or vocabulary of a particular profession, trade, or hobby.

  Throughout, the book asks the reader to make sense of some rather sophisticated JARGON likely to be comprehensible only to those familiar with accounting procedures.

  jeopardize (JEP-ur-dize), verb

  To put in danger of being harmed or adversely affected.

  Only after he had narrowly avoided being arrested did Marcus realize that his behavior could JEOPARDIZE his future as a lawyer.

  jettison (JET-ih-sun), verb

  To cast off or overboard. When a captain jettisons items from a boat, he is sacrificing their value for the advantage of decreased weight on the ship. Similarly, to jettison can be to abandon something once thought valuable that has become a burden.

  The project seemed promising initially, but now, with the looming possibility they could be accused of conflict of interest, Ted and Jan decided to JETTISON their plans.

  jilt (jilt), verb

  To cast (a lover) aside, to discard or dismiss unfeelingly.

  After being JILTED so abruptly by Michael, Jane found it hard to trust men enough to enter another relationship.

  jingoism (JING-go-iz-um), noun

  Staunch, extreme patriotism or chauvinism; calculatedly overblown patriotic rhetoric used for political advantage.

  This kind of JINGOISM has no place in national political discourse, sir!

  jostle (JOS-l), verb

  To bump or disrupt by means of incidental contact. To make one’s way by elbowing or pushing (as through a crowd) is to jostle.

  Mark JOSTLED through the crowd, but could not find Sharon.

  jovial (JOE-vee-ul), adjective

  Possessing a joyous, happy nature; good-hearted.

  Holly’s JOVIAL spirit in the face of such adversity was an inspiration to us all.

  jubilation (joo-bih-LAY-shun), noun

  Extreme joy; a mood of high celebration.

  Fifteen years in the maternity ward had not dulled the feeling of JUBILATION Doctor Meade experienced every time she helped bring new life into the world.

  judicious (joo-DISH-us), adjective

  Demonstrating good judgment, as well as the ability to be p
rudent and politic.

  Darlene is JUDICIOUS in everything . . . except boyfriends!

  juncture (JUNK-chur), noun

  A point in time, especially an important one.

  “Thank you for your optimism,” said Senator Byron, “but I feel that celebrating my victory at this JUNCTURE would be premature.”

  juxtapose (juk-stuh-poz), verb

  Place side by side for purposes of comparison and contrast.

  The commander in chief JUXTAPOSED the two courses of action for his generals.

  karma (KAR-muh), noun

  In Hinduism and Buddhism, the law or force dictating that current circumstances result from one’s past actions, decisions, or lifestyle; consequences of one’s past. Also: the general principle of cause and effect underlying the operations of the universe.

  Greg put his car trouble down to the “bad automotive KARMA” that he felt had accompanied him since he overcharged for the used Volkswagen he sold in 1968.

  keynote (KEE-note), adjective

  A prime theme, subject, or underlying element. A keynote address is given on a topic of relevance to a specific audience.

  The KEYNOTE speaker addressed the many problems related to productivity that faced our organization.

  kin (kin), noun

  One’s relatives.

  Eric was not used to spending such a long period of time away from his KIN in Ohio.

  kinetic (kih-NET-ik), adjective

  Pertaining to motion. Kinetic energy is the energy associated with the movement of a system or body.

  The artist’s KINETIC sculptures captured spectator interest by means of grand sweeps, sudden plunges of pendulums, and dropping globes.

  kiosk (KEE-osk), noun

  A small vending booth.

  Once out of the subway station, I picked up a copy of the New York Times at a newspaper KIOSK.

  knell (nell), noun

  A sound emanating from a bell; the toll of a bell, particularly a bell rung as part of a funeral ceremony.

  Though she couldn’t bring herself to attend her uncle’s funeral, Brenda stood on the hill above the graveyard and listened to the KNELL of the church bells.

  kudos (KOO-dos), noun

  Honor or accolades. The word kudos, occasionally used with a singular verb, is more commonly construed as a plural noun.

  The KUDOS he received for his first novel were nothing compared to the glowing reviews that greeted his second.

  kung fu (kung FOO), noun

  An Oriental art of self-defense, the strategy of which is to strike quick, successive blows to an opponent’s weak spots using fluid hand and leg moves.