abstract
US /ˈæbˌstrækt/
UK /'æbstrækt/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Passage of text from an article or book
- Something that doesn't exist physically
- Adjective
- Concerning something that doesn't exist physically
- Relating to abstract art.
B1Moreabsurd
US /əbˈsɚd, -ˈzɚd/
UK /əb'sɜ:d/
- Adjective
- So foolish as to be difficult to believe
B1Moreaesthetic
US /ɛsˈθɛtɪk/
UK /i:sˈθetɪk/
- Adjective
- Concerning the sense of artistic beauty
- Relating to a particular theory or conception of beauty or art.
- Noun
- a guiding principle in matters of artistic beauty and taste; an underlying principle, a set of principles, or a view often manifested by outward appearances or style of behavior
- A set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.
B2Moreanonymous
US /əˈnɑnəməs/
UK /ə'nɒnɪməs/
- Adjective
- Unknown; with no name revealed
B1Moreanything other than
US
UK
- Phrase
- Except for; not including
- Different from; not
assume
US /əˈsum/
UK /ə'sju:m/
- Transitive Verb
- To act in a false manner to mislead others
- To believe, based on the evidence; suppose
A2TOEICMoreat least
US /æt list/
UK /æt li:st/
- Adverb
- As a minimum
- Not less than
- Phrase
- No less than; at the minimum
- Used to indicate that something is positive in a bad situation.
C2Moreauthor
US /ˈɔθɚ/
UK /'ɔ:θə(r)/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Person who writes books, plays, poems etc.
- Transitive Verb
- To write book or articles
B1Morebiological
US /ˌbaɪəˈlɑdʒɪkəl/
UK /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl/
- Adjective
- Being related to life and living things
- A substance, such as a detergent, that contains enzymes.
B1Morecommit
US /kəˈmɪt/
UK /kə'mɪt/
- Transitive Verb
- To do something bad, usually a crime
- To promise your permanent love or loyalty (to)
A2TOEICMoreconsole
US /kənˈsol/
UK /kən'səʊl/
- Transitive Verb
- To make someone feel better in times of distress
B2TOEICMorecontext
US /ˈkɑnˌtɛkst/
UK /ˈkɒntekst/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Set of facts surrounding a person or event
- The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.
A2Morecontingent
US /kənˈtɪndʒənt/
UK /kənˈtɪndʒənt/
- Adjective
- Dependent (on); likely to result (from)
- Dependent on something else; conditional.
- Noun
- Group of soldiers that assist an army; detachment
B2Morecorrelation
US /ˌkɔrəˈleʃən, ˌkɑr-/
UK /ˌkɒrəˈleɪʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- The relationship between two variables
- A statistical measure that expresses the extent to which two variables are linearly related (meaning they change together at a constant rate).
B1Moredeny
US /dɪˈnaɪ/
UK /dɪ'naɪ/
- Transitive Verb
- To refuse to allow or accept something
A2TOEICMoredepending on
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- Influenced or determined by.
- Preposition
- Subject to; contingent on
- Relying on someone or something for support or assistance.
A2Moredesire
US / dɪˈzaɪr/
UK /dɪ'zaɪə(r)/
- Transitive Verb
- To wish for, hope or want something
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Thing that is wished for or wanted
- A strong feeling of sexual wanting.
A2Moreedgy
US /ˈɛdʒi/
UK /ˈedʒi/
- Adjective
- Feelings of tension and anxiety
C1Moreelement
US /ˈɛləmənt/
UK /'elɪmənt/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Essential or particular part of something
- A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
A2TOEICMoreevolutionary
US /ˌiːvəˈluːʃəneri/
UK /ˌi:vəˈlu:ʃənri/
- Adjective
- Concerning gradual change over time
B2Moreexistential
US /ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl, ˌɛksɪ-/
UK /ˌegzɪˈstenʃəl/
- Adjective
- Philosophy concerning existence
B2Moregenuinely
US /ˈdʒɛnjʊɪnlɪ/
UK /'dʒenjʊɪnlɪ/
- Adverb
- In a real, actual, not false or artificial way
- In a sincere and honest way.
A2Moreglory
US /ˈɡlɔri, ˈɡlori/
UK /'ɡlɔ:rɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- State of having respect, honor or pride
- Condition of great beauty, success, or influence
B1Morehave to
US /hæv tu/
UK /ˈhæv tə/
- Auxiliary Verb
- Must do
A1Moreidentify
US /aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ/
UK /aɪ'dentɪfaɪ/
- Transitive Verb
- To indicate who or what someone or something is
- To say exactly what something is
B1TOEICMorein 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.
C1Morein the end
US /ɪn ði ɛnd/
UK /in ðə end/
- Phrase
- Finally; after a period of time or series of events.
- Ultimately; as the final result or consequence.
A1Morein the face of
US //ɪn ðə feɪs ɑv//
UK
- Phrase
- When confronted with something difficult or challenging.
- Despite; in defiance of; when confronted with.
A1Moreinstinctively
US /ɪn'stɪŋktɪvlɪ/
UK /ɪn'stɪŋktɪvlɪ/
- Adverb
- Through intuition, not thought
B1TOEICMorejustify
US /ˈdʒʌstəˌfaɪ/
UK /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/
- Transitive Verb
- To give good reasons for something
B1TOEICMorelack
US /læk/
UK /læk/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To not have, or not have enough, of something
- Uncountable Noun
- The state of not having or not having enough of
A2TOEICMoreliteral
US /ˈlɪtərəl/
UK /ˈlɪtərəl/
- Adjective
- Being the basic exact meaning of a word/expression
- Being real and true and without exaggerating
B1Morelook at
US /lʊk æt/
UK /luk æt/
- Phrasal Verb
- To use your eyes to focus on something
- To focus your eyes on something carefully
A1Moremyth
US /mɪθ/
UK /mɪθ/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Popular belief that is false, unsupported by fact
- Famous story dealing with origins of a culture
B1Moreobjective
US /əbˈdʒɛktɪv/
UK /əbˈdʒektɪv/
- Adjective
- Being real, rather than simply being an idea
- Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; impartial.
- Noun
- Something you decide you want to do; goal
A2TOEICMoreof course
US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/
UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/
- Adverb
- Sure ; Certainly
- Phrase
- For sure; certainly
A2Moreother than
US
UK
- Preposition
- Except for; apart from.
- Conjunction
- Different from.
A1Morephilosophical
US /ˌfɪləˈsɑ:fɪkl/
UK /ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪkl/
- Adjective
- Reacting calmly/reasonably if things are difficult
- Concerning philosophy
C1TOEICMorephilosophy
US /fɪˈlɑsəfi/
UK /fə'lɒsəfɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- Study of ideas about the basic nature of life
- Attitude to life that a person has
C1Moreprinciple
US /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
UK /ˈprɪnsəpl/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Moral rule or belief governing a person's behavior
- Natural law that explains how things work
A2TOEICMorepurpose
US /ˈpɚpəs/
UK /'pɜ:pəs/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Reason for which something is done; aim; goal
- A person's sense of resolve or determination.
- Adverb
- With clear intention or determination.
- Intentionally; deliberately.
A2TOEICMorerandomly
US /'rændəmlɪ/
UK /'rændəmlɪ/
- Adverb
- With no pattern or clear purpose; by chance
B1TOEICMorereach
US /ritʃ/
UK /ri:tʃ/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To come to or arrive at a goal or destination
- To be long enough to get to a certain place
- Uncountable Noun
- Power or control someone has over something
A2TOEICMorerecognize
US /ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/
UK /ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/
- Transitive Verb
- To accept the truth or reality of something
- To consider something as important or special
A2TOEICMorerot
US /rɑ:t/
UK /rɒt/
- Intransitive Verb
- To break down into pieces through dying; decay
- Uncountable Noun
- The process or state of decaying or rotting.
- Foolish or nonsensical talk or ideas.
B2Morerot away
US /rɑt əˈweɪ/
UK /rɒt əˈweɪ/
- other
- To decay gradually until completely destroyed.
B2Moresecular
US /ˈsɛkjəlɚ/
UK /ˈsekjələ(r)/
- Adjective
- Not connected or controlled by religious beliefs
B2TOEICMoresolution
US /səˈluʃən/
UK /səˈlu:ʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Mix of a liquid and a solid or a gas
- Way to solve or deal with a problem
A2Morespring up
US /sprɪŋ ʌp/
UK /spriŋ ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To appear or develop quickly and suddenly.
A1Morestep back
US /stɛp bæk/
UK /step bæk/
- Phrasal Verb
- To move backwards; to move away from something.
- To take a break from something; to gain perspective.
A1Moresuicide
US /ˈsuɪˌsaɪd/
UK /'su:ɪsaɪd/
- Noun
- Act of purposely killing yourself
- Act that ruins a person's career, status etc.
B2Moresuppose
US /səˈpoʊz/
UK /sə'pəʊz/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To imagine or guess what might happen
- Conjunction
- What if
A2TOEICMoretalking about
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To discuss a particular topic.
- To be constantly mentioning or bringing up a subject.
A1Morethirst
US /θɚst/
UK /θɜ:st/
- Uncountable Noun
- Powerful desire or need for e.g. knowledge
- Intransitive Verb
- To have a powerful desire for e.g. knowledge
- To have a powerful desire to drink
B2Moretry for
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To attempt to obtain something; to aim for.
A2Moreultimately
US /ˈʌltəmɪtli/
UK /ˈʌltɪmətli/
- Adverb
- Done or considered as the final and most important
- Fundamentally; at the most basic level.
B1TOEICMoreuniverse
US /ˈjunəˌvɚs/
UK /ˈju:nɪvɜ:s/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- All of space that contains planets and stars
- Things surrounding a person, affecting their life
B2Morevanity
US /ˈvænɪti/
UK /'vænətɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- When you are too proud of your appearance/ability
B2Morewithin reason
US /wɪðˈɪn ˈrizən/
UK /wiˈðin ˈri:zən/
- Phrase
- Within acceptable or sensible limits; not exceeding what is fair or appropriate.
B1Moreworthwhile
US /ˌwɜ:rθˈwaɪl/
UK /ˌwɜ:θˈwaɪl/
- Adjective
- Worth the money, time or effort of doing something
B1More
Vocabulary
- at least: As a minimum
- in fact: Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
- talking about: To discuss a particular topic.
- within reason: Within acceptable or sensible limits; not exceeding what is fair or appropriate.
- spring up: To appear or develop quickly and suddenly.
- have to: Must do
- anything other than: Except for; not including
- other than: Except for; apart from.
- depending on: To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- rot away: To decay gradually until completely destroyed.
- step back: To move backwards; to move away from something.
- in the end: Finally; after a period of time or series of events.
- try for: To attempt to obtain something; to aim for.
- look at: To use your eyes to focus on something
- in the face of: When confronted with something difficult or challenging.
- of course: Sure ; Certainly
- ultimately: Done or considered as the final and most important
- sort: To organize things by putting them into groups
- assume: To act in a false manner to mislead others
- context: Set of facts surrounding a person or event
- recognize: To accept the truth or reality of something
- genuinely: In a real, actual, not false or artificial way
- realize: To become aware of or understand mentally
- aesthetic: Concerning the sense of artistic beauty
- purpose: Reason for which something is done; aim; goal
- philosophy: Study of ideas about the basic nature of life
- identify: To indicate who or what someone or something is
- fear: Unpleasant feeling caused by being aware of danger
- commit: To do something bad, usually a crime
- imagine: To think creatively about; form mental picture of
- suppose: To imagine or guess what might happen
- abstract: Passage of text from an article or book
- evolutionary: Concerning gradual change over time
- desire: To wish for, hope or want something
- correlation: The relationship between two variables
- bit: Device put in a horse's mouth to control it
- lack: To not have, or not have enough, of something
- exist: To be present, alive or real
- myth: Popular belief that is false, unsupported by fact
- mean: Average of a set of numbers
- reach: To come to or arrive at a goal or destination
- absurd: So foolish as to be difficult to believe
- universe: All of space that contains planets and stars
- principle: Moral rule or belief governing a person's behavior
- raise: To increase a bet above another when playing cards
- apply: To spread a substance or liquid over a surface
- vanity: When you are too proud of your appearance/ability
- literal: Being the basic exact meaning of a word/expression
- reason: To think and make conclusions in a logical manner
- console: To make someone feel better in times of distress
- anonymous: Unknown; with no name revealed
- deny: To refuse to allow or accept something
- objective: Being real, rather than simply being an idea
- ground: To break (coffee, etc.) into tiny bits with machine
- worthwhile: Worth the money, time or effort of doing something
- instinctively: Through intuition, not thought
- element: Essential or particular part of something
- solution: Mix of a liquid and a solid or a gas
- suggest: To mention something that could be done; propose
- belief: Being sure that something exists or is true
- randomly: With no pattern or clear purpose; by chance
- author: Person who writes books, plays, poems etc.
- suicide: Act of purposely killing yourself
- biological: Being related to life and living things
- kind: In a caring and helpful manner
- justify: To give good reasons for something
- secular: Not connected or controlled by religious beliefs
- fact: Something that is known or proved to be true
- philosophical: Reacting calmly/reasonably if things are difficult
- glory: State of having respect, honor or pride
- existential: Philosophy concerning existence
- rot: To break down into pieces through dying; decay
- edgy: Feelings of tension and anxiety
- contingent: Dependent (on); likely to result (from)
- thirst: Powerful desire or need for e.g. knowledge
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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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80
Do reasons for living eventually run out? | Alex O'Connor
0
林宜悉 posted on 2026/02/02Ever wondered if the reasons for living can actually run out? Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on nihilism and the meaning of life with Alex O'Connor, and you'll pick up some seriously advanced vocabulary along the way! This is a fantastic chance to explore existential ideas while boosting your English.
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