Vocabulary

  • look down on: To show you think others are not as good as you
  • come from: To have as your native country or city
  • public life: The aspect of a person's life that concerns their involvement in public affairs, especially as a politician or other figure known to the general public.
  • with it: Intelligent, alert, and up-to-date.
  • of course: Sure ; Certainly
  • in practice: In reality or actual use; as opposed to in theory.
  • grow up: To develop from a child into an adult
  • on to: Toward something; forward
  • for example: As an illustration or instance.
  • from the top: From the beginning.
  • live up: To be as good as expected or promised.
  • lose out
  • in fact: Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
  • decent life: A life that is satisfactory, respectable, and reasonably comfortable.
  • picks up: To catch a criminal and take to police station
  • in the final analysis: When everything is considered; ultimately.
  • rely on: To depend on someone or something
  • alignment with: A state of agreement or cooperation between people, groups, or organizations.
  • essential: Extremely or most important and necessary
  • decent: Being fairly good; acceptable
  • pandemic: (of a disease) existing in almost all of an area or in almost all of a group of people, animals, or plants
  • appreciate: To rise in value (of property or belongings)
  • reveal: To show something that was hidden before
  • deserve: To be worthy of, e.g. getting praise or attention
  • common: Area in a city or town that is open to everyone
  • consume: To eat, drink, buy or use up something
  • insult: To disrespect someone by being rude or impolite
  • measure: Plan to achieve a desired result
  • flaw: Quality that makes something imperfect
  • dignity: Person of high rank deserving respect
  • encourage: To increase the chance of something happening
  • divide: To split numbers by another number, e.g. 6 / 2 = 3
  • advice: Suggestion about what would help someone
  • rampant: Growing rapidly and uncontrollably
  • society: A group who meet to share values or interests
  • attractive: Making you like them, as by being good-looking
  • recognition: Accepting that something is true or that it exists
  • explain: To make clear or easy to understand by describing
  • seemingly: Appearing to be but may not actually be; probably
  • implicit: Unquestioning and without doubt
  • backlash: a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, for example to something that has recently changed in society
  • virtue: Benefit, advantage, or good result of something
  • generous: Giving or ready to give freely
  • spiritual: Of religious belief; believing in things of soul
  • equal: Same in shape, size, or number
  • sanitation: Water systems that protect people's health
  • flourish: To show and direct attention by waving something
  • affluent: Having plenty of money and possessions
  • honor: To fulfill an agreement
  • economy: Using money, resources in a careful, effective way
  • role: Character played by an actor
  • participant: Person involved or included in something
  • potent: (Of men) being able to make a woman pregnant
  • inhale: To breathe in something like air or smoke
  • humiliation: Loss of self-respect or status
  • combine: To mix several things together to form one thing
  • moment: Very short or brief period of time
  • maintenance: Keeping (a machine) working by checking and fixing
  • inequality: Situation where things are not equal, fair
  • insist: To demand that someone do something
  • humility: Quality of not feeling better than others
  • fact: Something that is known or proved to be true
  • merit: To earn something, such as praise or a reward
  • public: Owned by the government
  • accident: Sudden unplanned event causing damage, injury etc.
  • chance: The way something happens without planning
  • bring: To take or go with someone to a place
  • fortunate: Having good luck
  • warehouse: Large building for storing goods, e.g. grain
  • implication: Possible effects, results from an action or event
  • fail: To be unsuccessful in passing a class or exam
  • physician: A medical doctor
  • folly: Bad judgment or stupidity; madness
  • make: To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • diploma: Document certifying graduation
  • tyranny: Cruel government by a ruler who has complete power
  • life: All the living things e.g. animals, plants, humans
  • alignment: Agreement to work together on a common goal
  • overlook: To look down on; be able to see from
  • complaint: Saying something is wrong and should be changed
  • patriotism: Love of your country and willingness to defend it
  • politic: Careful what you say; diplomatic
  • meritocracy: System where those with talent have power
  • populous: Having a large population
  • childcare: Looking after children and babies
  • meritocratic: Concerning or characteristic of a meritocracy
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  • not found vocabularyNo vocabulary matches your filters
    • advice

      US /əd'vaɪs/

      UK /ədˈvaɪs/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Suggestion about what would help someone
      • Professional guidance from a lawyer or legal expert.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • affluent

      US

      UK

      • Adjective
      • Having plenty of money and possessions
      B2
      More
    • alignment

      US /əˈlaɪnmənt/

      UK /əˈlaɪnmənt/

      • Noun
      • Agreement to work together on a common goal
      • The state of being in a straight line or in the correct position.
      B2
      More
    • alignment with

      US

      UK

      • Noun
      • A state of agreement or cooperation between people, groups, or organizations.
      • The correct positioning of something in relation to something else.
      A1
      More
    • appreciate

      US /əˈpriʃiˌet/

      UK /ə'pri:ʃɪeɪt/

      • Intransitive Verb
      • To rise in value (of property or belongings)
      • Transitive Verb
      • To be thankful for; to value or admire
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • attractive

      US /əˈtræktɪv/

      UK /əˈtræktɪv/

      • Adjective
      • Making you like them, as by being good-looking
      • Offering advantages or benefits; tempting.
      A2
      More
    • backlash

      US /ˈbækˌlæʃ/

      UK /ˈbæklæʃ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, for example to something that has recently changed in society
      • A sudden, adverse reaction or consequence, especially in computing or technology.
      C2TOEIC
      More
    • childcare

      US /ˈtʃaɪldker/

      UK /ˈtʃaɪldkeə(r)/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Looking after children and babies
      • Adjective
      • Looking after children and babies
      C1
      More
    • combine

      US /kəmˈbaɪn/

      UK /kəmˈbaɪn/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To mix several things together to form one thing
      • To harvest by means of a combine.
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A harvesting machine for cutting, threshing, and cleaning grain.
      • A mixture of different things.
      A2
      More
    • come from

      US /kʌm frʌm/

      UK /kʌm frɔm/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To have as your native country or city
      A1
      More
    • complaint

      US /kəmˈplent/

      UK /kəmˈpleɪnt/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Saying something is wrong and should be changed
      • Official charge against a person by the police
      B1
      More
    • consume

      US /kənˈsum/

      UK /kən'sju:m/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To eat, drink, buy or use up something
      • To take all your energy; focus the attention
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • decent

      US /ˈdisənt/

      UK /ˈdi:snt/

      • Adjective
      • Being fairly good; acceptable
      • Conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behaviour; respectable or moral.
      B1
      More
    • decent life

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • A life that is satisfactory, respectable, and reasonably comfortable.
      • A life characterized by good moral conduct and integrity.
      B2
      More
    • deserve

      US /dɪˈzɚv/

      UK /dɪ'zɜ:v/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To be worthy of, e.g. getting praise or attention
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • dignity

      US /ˈdɪgnəti/

      UK /ˈdɪgnəti/

      • Noun
      • Person of high rank deserving respect
      • Quality or state of deserving respect
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • diploma

      US /dɪˈplomə/

      UK /dɪˈpləʊmə/

      • Noun
      • Document certifying graduation
      B2
      More
    • divide

      US /dɪˈvaɪd/

      UK /dɪ'vaɪd/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To split numbers by another number, e.g. 6 / 2 = 3
      • To separate something into equal pieces
      • Noun
      • A separation or distinction.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • encourage

      US /ɛnˈkɚrɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr-/

      UK /ɪn'kʌrɪdʒ/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To increase the chance of something happening
      • To make someone more determined or confident
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • essential

      US /ɪˈsɛnʃəl/

      UK /ɪ'senʃl/

      • Adjective
      • Extremely or most important and necessary
      • Fundamental; basic.
      • Noun
      • A concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • flaw

      US /flɔ/

      UK /flɔ:/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Quality that makes something imperfect
      • A weakness or undesirable quality.
      • Transitive Verb
      • To impair, damage, or spoil.
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • flourish

      US /ˈflɚrɪʃ, ˈflʌr-/

      UK /'flʌrɪʃ/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To show and direct attention by waving something
      • To add a fancy addition or decoration
      • Noun
      • Fancy addition or decoration
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • folly

      US /ˈfɑ:li/

      UK /ˈfɒli/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Bad judgment or stupidity; madness
      • Noun
      • A costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park.
      B1
      More
    • for example

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • As an illustration or instance.
      More
    • from the top

      US /frʌm ði tɑp/

      UK /frɔm ðə tɔp/

      • Phrase
      • From the beginning.
      • From the highest point or position.
      A1
      More
    • generous

      US /ˈdʒɛnərəs/

      UK /ˈdʒenərəs/

      • Adjective
      • Giving or ready to give freely
      • (Of an amount) larger than usual; lavish
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • grow up

      US /ɡro ʌp/

      UK /ɡrəu ʌp/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To develop from a child into an adult
      A1
      More
    • honor

      US /ˈɑnɚ/

      UK /'ɒnə(r)/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To fulfill an agreement
      • To give an award to someone
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Award you get for doing well; prize, title, etc.
      • Chance to do something special; privilege
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • humiliation

      US /hjuˌmɪliˈeʃən/

      UK /hju:ˌmɪlɪ'eɪʃn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Loss of self-respect or status
      B2
      More
    • humility

      US /hjuˈmɪlɪti/

      UK /hju:ˈmɪləti/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Quality of not feeling better than others
      B2
      More
    • implication

      US /ˌɪmplɪˈkeʃən/

      UK /ˌɪmplɪ'keɪʃn/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Possible effects, results from an action or event
      • A conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • implicit

      US /ɪmˈplɪsɪt/

      UK /ɪm'plɪsɪt/

      • Adjective
      • Unquestioning and without doubt
      • Suggested though not directly expressed.
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • in fact

      US /ɪn fækt/

      UK /in fækt/

      • Adverb
      • Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
      • Used to introduce a more detailed or surprising piece of information.
      • Phrase
      • Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that is surprising or contrary to what might be expected.
      C1
      More
    • in practice

      US /ɪn ˈpræktɪs/

      UK /in ˈpræktis/

      • Phrase
      • In reality or actual use; as opposed to in theory.
      A1
      More
    • in the final analysis

      US /ɪn ðə ˈfaɪnəl əˈnæləsɪs/

      UK /in ðə ˈfaɪnəl əˈnæləsɪs/

      • other
      • When everything is considered; ultimately.
      C1
      More
    • inequality

      US /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑ:ləti/

      UK /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Situation where things are not equal, fair
      B1
      More
    • inhale

      US /ɪnˈhel/

      UK /ɪnˈheɪl/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To breathe in something like air or smoke
      • To eat or drink something extremely fast
      B2
      More
    • insist

      US /ɪnˈsɪst/

      UK /ɪn'sɪst/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To demand that someone do something
      • Intransitive Verb
      • To strongly state your opinion without changing it
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • insult

      US /ɪnˈsʌlt/

      UK /ɪn'sʌlt/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To disrespect someone by being rude or impolite
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Act of disrespecting by being rude or impolite
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • live up

      US /liv ʌp/

      UK /liv ʌp/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To be as good as expected or promised.
      A1
      More
    • look down on

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To show you think others are not as good as you
      A1
      More
    • lose out

      US /luz aʊt/

      UK /lu:z aut/

      • Phrasal Verb
      A1
      More
    • maintenance

      US /ˈmentənəns/

      UK /'meɪntənəns/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Keeping (a machine) working by checking and fixing
      • Financial support paid to a former spouse or for children.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • merit

      US /ˈmɛrɪt/

      UK /ˈmerɪt/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To earn something, such as praise or a reward
      • To earn something, such as praise or a reward
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • State of being high quality or valuable
      • A good quality or feature that deserves praise
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • meritocracy

      US /ˌmerɪ'tɑ:krəsɪ/

      UK /ˌmerɪ'tɒkrəsɪ/

      • Noun
      • System where those with talent have power
      C1
      More
    • meritocratic

      US

      UK

      • Adjective
      • Concerning or characteristic of a meritocracy
      C1
      More
    • of course

      US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/

      UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/

      • Adverb
      • Sure ; Certainly
      • Phrase
      • For sure; certainly
      A2
      More
    • on to

      US /ɑn tu/

      UK /ɔn tu:/

      • Preposition
      • Toward something; forward
      • Aware of someone's activities.
      • Adjective
      • Aware of someone's deception or illegal activities.
      A1
      More
    • overlook

      US /ˌoʊvərˈlʊk/

      UK /ˌəʊvəˈlʊk/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To look down on; be able to see from
      • To miss noticing a mistake or problem
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • pandemic

      US /pænˈdɛmɪk/

      UK /pæn'demɪk/

      • Adjective
      • (of a disease) existing in almost all of an area or in almost all of a group of people, animals, or plants
      • Noun
      • a pandemic disease
      C2
      More
    • participant

      US /pɑrˈtɪsəpənt/

      UK /pɑ:ˈtɪsɪpənt/

      • Countable Noun
      • Person involved or included in something
      B1
      More
    • patriotism

      US /ˈpetriəˌtɪzəm/

      UK /ˈpeɪtriətɪzəm/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Love of your country and willingness to defend it
      C2
      More
    • physician

      US /fɪˈzɪʃən/

      UK /fɪˈzɪʃn/

      • Countable Noun
      • A medical doctor
      B2
      More
    • picks up

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To catch a criminal and take to police station
      • To start again where you left off
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • Learns or acquires something, often quickly or without effort.
      • Collects someone or something.
      A1
      More
    • politic

      US /ˈpɑlɪtɪk/

      UK /ˈpɒlətɪk/

      • Adjective
      • Careful what you say; diplomatic
      B2
      More
    • populous

      US /ˈpɑpjələs/

      UK /ˈpɒpjələs/

      • Adjective
      • Having a large population
      C1
      More
    • potent

      US /ˈpotnt/

      UK /'pəʊtnt/

      • Adjective
      • (Of men) being able to make a woman pregnant
      • Having a powerful effect, e.g. on the body or mind
      B2
      More
    • public life

      US /ˈpʌblɪk laɪf/

      UK /ˈpʌblik laif/

      • Noun
      • The aspect of a person's life that concerns their involvement in public affairs, especially as a politician or other figure known to the general public.
      • The state of being exposed to general public attention or knowledge.
      A1
      More
    • rampant

      US /ˈræmpənt/

      UK /ˈræmpənt/

      • Adjective
      • Growing rapidly and uncontrollably
      B2
      More
    • recognition

      US /ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃən/

      UK /ˌrekəgˈnɪʃn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Accepting that something is true or that it exists
      • Considering something as important or special
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • rely on

      US /rɪˈlaɪ ɑn/

      UK /riˈlai ɔn/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To depend on someone or something
      A2
      More
    • reveal

      US /rɪˈvil/

      UK /rɪ'vi:l/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To show something that was hidden before
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • role

      US /rol/

      UK /rəʊl/

      • Noun
      • Character played by an actor
      • Part you play in an activity; job; responsibility
      A2
      More
    • sanitation

      US /ˌsænɪˈteʃən/

      UK /ˌsænɪˈteɪʃn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Water systems that protect people's health
      C1
      More
    • seemingly

      US /ˈsiːmɪŋli/

      UK /ˈsi:mɪŋli/

      • Adverb
      • Appearing to be but may not actually be; probably
      B1
      More
    • society

      US /səˈsaɪɪti/

      UK /sə'saɪətɪ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A group who meet to share values or interests
      • Group of people living together
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • spiritual

      US /ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/

      UK /ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/

      • Adjective
      • Of religious belief; believing in things of soul
      • Noun
      • Religious song from the southern united states
      A2
      More
    • tyranny

      US /ˈtɪrəni/

      UK /'tɪrənɪ/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Cruel government by a ruler who has complete power
      B2
      More
    • virtue

      US /ˈvɜ:rtʃu:/

      UK /'vɜ:tʃu:/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Benefit, advantage, or good result of something
      • Morally good quality
      B1
      More
    • warehouse

      US /ˈwerhaʊs/

      UK /ˈweəhaʊs/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Large building for storing goods, e.g. grain
      • Transitive Verb
      • To store things in a large building
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • with it

      US /wɪð ɪt/

      UK /wið it/

      • Adjective
      • Intelligent, alert, and up-to-date.
      • Understanding and knowledgeable about current trends or information.
      A1
      More
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    01:03

    She took a brave step forward, leaving behind her comfort zone to chase her dreams.

    Vocabulary
    • brave

      adj. Having courage

    • comfort zone

      phr. A familiar situation where one feels safe

    Explanation
    a brave step is a noun phrase, where brave is an adjective modifying the noun step, meaning "a courageous step". forward is an adverb modifying step, meaning "ahead". The whole phrase serves as the object, answering the "what" of took (verb) — she took a brave step forward.

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    brave

    US/brev/
    UK/breɪv/
    adj.Brave
    v.t.To bravely face
    A2 Elementary

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    B2
    #meritocratic#civic#success#common good#merit#inequality

    The tyranny of merit | Michael Sandel

    0
    林宜悉 posted on 2020/11/02
    Ever wondered if hard work truly guarantees success? Michael Sandel dives into the 'tyranny of meritocracy,' questioning if our current system really rewards talent and effort fairly. You'll pick up some fantastic advanced vocabulary while exploring big ideas about economic inequality and the dignity of work!

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