__________id
very unpleasant or disagreeable
nasty - awful - extremely unpleasant - horrible - dreadful
  • He is a quite ________ and unpleasant old man: spiteful, mean and vindictive.
  • The conditions at Everest base camp were absolutely ________: minus 30°C and near zero visibility.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis and dementia are both ________ conditions for which there is as yet no known cure.

 

horrid     [ˈhɒrɪd]
very unpleasant or disagreeable
nasty - awful - extremely unpleasant - horrible - dreadful
  • He is a quite horrid and unpleasant old man: spiteful, mean and vindictive.
  • The conditions at Everest base camp were absolutely horrid: minus 30°C and near zero visibility.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis and dementia are both horrid conditions for which there is as yet no known cure.

 

__________id

1. of language = pompous, bombastic, overblown

pompous - overblown - high-flown - pretentious - stilted
grandiose - flowery - stodgy - ponderous - labored

  • I find his prose ________ and verbose; quite frankly, most of it is unreadable.
  • Much EU publicity material is overblown, long-winded and ________ rubbish.

2. of a river for example = swollen, distended or congested

 

turgid   [ˈtɜːʤɪd]

1. of language = pompous, bombastic, overblown

pompous - overblown - high-flown - pretentious - stilted
grandiose - flowery - stodgy - ponderous - labored

  • I find his prose turgid and verbose; quite frankly, most of it is unreadable.
  • Much EU publicity material is overblown, long-winded and turgid rubbish.

2. of a river for example = swollen, distended or congested

 

__________id

    1. of the weather = very hot and dry

    2. of passion = full of passionate or highly charged emotions arising from sexual love

    3. of a situation = full of difficulty or tribulation

1. hot - sweltering - sultry - scorching - boiling - parching - sizzling - stifling - blistering - blazing

2. passionate - impassioned - inflamed - fervent - fervid - lustful - amorous - erotic - sexy

  • I found the ________ afternoon Saharan heat quite unbearable.
  • They played out their ________ love affair in full view of the paparazzi.
  • In the global financial collapse many investors suffered a truly ________ few weeks of misery.

 

torrid    [ˈtɒrɪd]

1. of the weather = very hot and dry

2. of passion = full of passionate or highly charged emotions arising from sexual love

3. of a situation = full of difficulty or tribulation

1. hot - sweltering - sultry - scorching - boiling - parching - sizzling - stifling - blistering - blazing

2. passionate - impassioned - inflamed - fervent - fervid - lustful - amorous - erotic - sexy

  • I found the torrid afternoon Saharan heat quite unbearable.
  • They played out their torrid love affair in full view of the paparazzi.
  • In the global financial collapse many investors suffered a truly torrid few weeks of misery.

 

__________id

    smelling bad, smelly and offensive

    malodorous - smelly - stinking

  • Innocent people languish in ________ prisons in vile dictatorships all around the world.

  • His ________ breath was nauseating.

  • The floods left multiple pools of ________ water that stank for days.

 

fetid    [ˈfɛtɪd]

    smelling bad, smelly and offensive

    malodorous - smelly - stinking

  • Innocent people languish in fetid prisons in vile dictatorships all around the world.

  • His fetid breath was nauseating.

  • The floods left multiple pools of fetid water that stank for days.

 

__________id

    1. lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge - boring
    2. lacking taste or flavour

    dull - flat - weak - uninspiring - lacking any passion

  • The diners were disappointed with the plain, ________ soup they were served.
  • The textbook had a most ________ presentation of the controversy.
  • Greeting cards contain some of the most ________ words ever written.
  • Mom-and-pop diners and cafes are disappearing from American main streets, being replaced by bland corporate giants and ________ franchises.

 

insipid    [ɪnˈsɪpɪd]

    1. lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge - boring
    2. lacking taste or flavour

      dull - flat - weak - uninspiring - lacking any passion

  • The diners were disappointed with the plain, insipid soup they were served.
  • The textbook had a most insipid presentation of the controversy.
  • Greeting cards contain some of the most insipid words ever written.
  • Mom-and-pop diners and cafes are disappearing from American main streets, being replaced by bland corporate giants and insipid franchises.

 

__________id

    fearless - adventurous

Exploring the Amazon can be dangerous, but still attracts the more ________ adventurer.

 

intrepid    [ɪnˈtrɛpɪd]

    fearless - adventurous

Exploring the Amazon can be dangerous, but still attracts the more intrepid adventurer.

 

__________id

    1. extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect
         dirty - filthy - grubby - grimy

    2. showing or involving a contemptible lack of moral standards
        improper - sordid - sleazy - seedy - unsavoury - morally repulsive

  • The ________ streets and mean houses are typical of the poorest class of inhabitants.
  • Drug addicts often sleep rough in ________ accommodation.
  • Floyd was a ________ recidivist petty criminal and drug-addict.

 

squalid    [ˈskwɒlɪd]

    1. extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect
         dirty - filthy - grubby - grimy

    2. showing or involving a contemptible lack of moral standards
        improper - sordid - sleazy - seedy - unsavoury - morally repulsive

  • The squalid streets and mean houses are typical of the poorest class of inhabitants.
  • Drug addicts often sleep rough in squalid accommodation.
  • Floyd was a squalid recidivist petty criminal and drug-addict.

 

__________id

    1. expressed clearly - easy to understand
    2. showing ability to think clearly, especially in the intervals between periods of confusion

    intelligible - comprehensible - understandable - cogent - coherent

  • Drunks often delude themselves into thinking they are ________ and capable of safely driving a car.

  • When giving evidence in court one should try to remain clear, rational and ________.

  • He writes in a clear and ________ style which is easy to follow and understand.

 

lucid    [ˈluːsɪd]

    1. expressed clearly - easy to understand
    2. showing ability to think clearly, especially in the intervals between periods of confusion

    intelligible - comprehensible - understandable - cogent - coherent

  • Drunks often delude themselves into thinking they are lucid and capable of safely driving a car.

  • When giving evidence in court one should try to remain clear, rational and lucid.

  • He writes in a clear and lucid style which is easy to follow and understand.

 

__________id

    1. truthful and straightforward - frank
    2. photography - a picture taken taken informally, especially without the subject's knowledge

  • The Prime Minister was quite open and ________ in admitting the mistakes his administration had made.

  • "________ Camera" was a TV programme where unsuspecting people were placed in confusing, impossible, embarrassing, ridiculous, and/or hilarious situations while their reactions were recorded on a hidden camera.

 

candid    [ˈkændɪd]

    1. truthful and straightforward - frank
    2. photography - a picture taken taken informally, especially without the subject's knowledge

  • The Prime Minister was quite open and candid in admitting the mistakes his administration had made.

  • "Candid Camera" was a TV programme where unsuspecting people were placed in confusing, impossible, embarrassing, ridiculous, and/or hilarious situations while their reactions were recorded on a hidden camera.

 

__________id

    1. of eyes = unclouded - clear
        (crystal) clear - transparent - glasslike - crystalline

    2. of a liquid = free of anything that darkens - completely clear
        (crystal) clear - transparent

  • Benzene is a colourless, ________, highly-refracting liquid, having a pleasing and characteristic odour.
  • We could easily see the fish in depths of the ________ stream.
  • As Jim looked into Helen’s ________ eyes, he felt as though he could see into her very soul.

 

limpid    [ˈlɪmpɪd]

    1. of eyes = unclouded - clear
        (crystal) clear - transparent - glasslike - crystalline

    2. of a liquid = free of anything that darkens - completely clear
        (crystal) clear - transparent

  • Benzene is a colourless, limpid, highly-refracting liquid, having a pleasing and characteristic odour.
  • We could easily see the fish in depths of the limpid stream.
  • As Jim looked into Helen’s limpid eyes, he felt as though he could see into her very soul.

 

__________id

    1. mentally or physically inactive - lethargic
    2. of an animal = dormant, especially during hibernation

    lethargic - sluggish - inert - inactive - slow-moving - lifeless - dull - listless - languid
    lazy - idle - indolent - narcotic - shiftless - slothful - heavy - stagnant - somnolent
    comatose - sleepy - tired - fatigued - languorous - apathetic - passive - supine

  • The church is in a somewhat ________ state today.
  • He was not malignant, but intellectually ________, and of a credulity which almost passes belief.
  • In times of shortage, dormice will eat insects and are able to become ________.

 

torpid    [ˈtɔːpɪd]

    1. mentally or physically inactive - lethargic
    2. of an animal = dormant, especially during hibernation

    lethargic - sluggish - inert - inactive - slow-moving - lifeless - dull - listless - languid
    lazy - idle - indolent - narcotic - shiftless - slothful - heavy - stagnant - somnolent
    comatose - sleepy - tired - fatigued - languorous - apathetic - passive - supine

  • The church is in a somewhat torpid state today.
  • He was not malignant, but intellectually torpid, and of a credulity which almost passes belief.
  • In times of shortage, dormice will eat insects and are able to become torpid.

 

__________id

    1. of a liquid = only slightly warm - lukewarm
    2. showing little enthusiasm - halfhearted - indifferent - cool

  • There's nothing worse than coffee served ________.

  • Bathing a person in ________ water can also help alleviate a high fever.

  • The applause for his performance of The Moonlight Sonata was disappointingly ________.

 

tepid    [ˈtɛpɪd]

    1. of a liquid = only slightly warm - lukewarm
    2. showing little enthusiasm - halfhearted - indifferent - cool

  • There's nothing worse than coffee served tepid.

  • Bathing a person in tepid water can also help alleviate a high fever.

  • The applause for his performance of The Moonlight Sonata was disappointingly tepid.

 

__________id

    1. the offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties, such as a mule
        
    2. a thing made by combining two different elements - a mixture

    cross - crossbreed - mixed-breed - mixture - blend - meld - amalgam
    amalgamation - combination - composite - compound - conglomerate - fusion

  • A mule is a ________ animal created by the mating of a horse and a donkey.
  • A ________ car runs on both petrol and electricity.
  • Stargazer Lily is a ________ created by Leslie Woodriff in 1974 by combining two other kinds of lily.

 

hybrid    [ˈhaɪbrɪd]

    1. the offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties, such as a mule
        
    2. a thing made by combining two different elements - a mixture

     cross - crossbreed - mixed-breed - mixture - blend - meld - amalgam
     amalgamation - combination - composite - compound - conglomerate - fusion

  • A mule is a hybrid animal created by the mating of a horse and a donkey.
  • A hybrid car runs on both petrol and electricity.
  • Stargazer Lily is a hybrid created by Leslie Woodriff in 1974 by combining two other kinds of lily.

 

__________id

    1. dark bluish gray in color: purplish - blueish - discoloured
    2. furiously angry: furious - irate - fuming - enraged - incensed - seething - beside oneself

        • Post mortem, the body is ________ and the blood very dark.

        • When he discovered her betrayal he was absolutely ________.

 

livid    [ˈlɪvɪd]

    1. dark bluish gray in color: purplish - blueish - discoloured
    2. furiously angry: furious - irate - fuming - enraged - incensed - seething - beside oneself

        • Post mortem, the body is livid and the blood very dark.

        • When he discovered her betrayal he was absolutely livid.

 

__________id

    1. of foods containing fat or oil = old, stale and thus smelling or tasting unpleasant
        rotten - off - malodorous - tainted - foul-smelling - revolting - sickening - nauseating

    2. of remarks = nasty - repugnant - spiteful - insulting - offensive - bitter

      • This food will turn ________ within 24 hours unless refridgerated.

      • He made a number of what I considered to be ________, spiteful and offensive comments.

 

rancid    [ˈrænsɪd]

    1. of foods containing fat or oil = old, stale and thus smelling or tasting unpleasant
        rotten - off - malodorous - tainted - foul-smelling - revolting - sickening - nauseating

    2. of remarks = nasty - repugnant - spiteful - insulting - offensive - bitter

      • This food will turn rancid within 24 hours unless refridgerated.

      • He made a number of what I considered to be rancid, spiteful and offensive comments.

 

__________id

    1. displaying an unusual interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease
        macabre - ghoulish - unwholesome - grotesque

    2. in medicine = indicative of disease

  • He seems to have a ________ fascination with church graveyards.
  • His ________ sense of humour leads him to prioritise black humour jokes.
  • The general tone of the play is cynical, ________ and unpleasantly other-worldly.
  • ________ obesity is becoming ever more common these days.
  • Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become ________ if not promptly tended and closely followed.

 

morbid    [ˈmɔːbɪd]

    1. displaying an unusual interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease
        macabre - ghoulish - unwholesome - grotesque

    2. in medicine = indicative of disease

  • He seems to have a morbid fascination with church graveyards.
  • His morbid sense of humour leads him to prioritise black humour jokes.
  • The general tone of the play is cynical, morbid and unpleasantly other-worldly.
  • Morbid obesity is becoming ever more common these days.
  • Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become morbid if not promptly tended and closely followed.
'
__________id

    of organic matter = decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smell

    decayed - decaying - rotten - rancid - mouldy - putrified - putrescent - rank

  • Three days after the battle the air was filled with the smell of burnt-down houses and ________ bodies.

  • The foul smell of ________ rubbish filled the air.
'
putrid    [ˈpjuːtrɪd]

    of organic matter = decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smell

    decayed - decaying - rotten - rancid - mouldy - putrified - putrescent - rank

  • Three days after the battle the air was filled with the smell of burnt-down houses and putrid bodies.

  • The foul smell of putrid rubbish filled the air.


__________id

    1. of part of body = soft and hanging loosely or limply, especially so as to look or feel unpleasant
        soft - loose - flabby - limp - drooping - sagging
    2. of plant tissue = drooping or inelastic through lack of water
    3.     of a group of people = lacking force or effectiveness: lacklustre - lifeless - ineffectual

  • She took the sick boy's ________ hand in hers.
  • The plants were lifeless and ________, obviously in need of water.
  • The ________ and unresponsive government was a huge cause for concern.

flaccid    [ˈflæksɪd] or [ˈflæsɪd]

    1. of part of body = soft and hanging loosely or limply, especially so as to look or feel unpleasant
        soft - loose - flabby - limp - drooping - sagging
    2. of plant tissue = drooping or inelastic through lack of water
    3.     of a group of people = lacking force or effectiveness: lacklustre - lifeless - ineffectual

  • She took the sick boy's flaccid hand in hers.
  • The plants were lifeless and flaccid, obviously in need of water.
  • The flaccid and unresponsive government was a huge cause for concern.

 

__________id

    1. having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell
        pungent - tart - vinegary - acidic - burning - noxious - malodorous

    2. of a person or situation = angry and bitter

  • The ________ fumes were making him feel nauseous.

  • It was a rather bitter and even ________ farewell.

 

acrid    [ˈækrɪd]

    1. having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell
        pungent - tart - vinegary - acidic - burning - noxious - malodorous

    2. of a person or situation = angry and bitter

  • The acrid fumes were making him feel nauseous.

  • It was a rather bitter and even acrid farewell.

 

__________id

    1. producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind
        clear - graphic - evocative - lifelike - striking - colorful - rich - stirring - moving

    2. of a color = intensely deep or bright
             bright - brightly-colored - colorful - brilliant - glowing - radiant - vibrant - intense

  • My memories of schooldays are still remarkably ________.
  • His descriptions of WWII battles are extraordinarily ________.
  • He preferred rather dull colours for the walls, but his wife always chose ________ shades of blue, red and green.

 

vivid    [ˈvɪvɪd]

    1. producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind
        clear - graphic - evocative - lifelike - striking - colorful - rich - stirring - moving

    2. of a color = intensely deep or bright
             bright - brightly-colored - colorful - brilliant - glowing - radiant - vibrant - intense

  • My memories of schooldays are still remarkably vivid.
  • His descriptions of WWII battles are extraordinarily vivid.
  • He preferred rather dull colours for the walls, but his wife always chose vivid shades of blue, red and green.

A) __________id

1. relating to or denoting the two main arteries which carry blood to the head and neck,
     and their two main branches

His ________ artery was ruptured in the crash and he bled out within minutes.

B) __________id

1. involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt
    The story paints a ________ picture of bribes and scams at the highest level.

2. of a place = dirty - squalid: The overcrowded housing conditions were ________ and degrading.

A) carotid    [kəˈrɒtɪd]

1. relating to or denoting the two main arteries which carry blood to the head and neck,
     and their two main branches

His carotid artery was ruptured in the crash and he bled out within minutes.

B) sordid    [kəˈrɒtɪd]

1. involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt
    The story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams at the highest level.

2. of a place = dirty - squalid: The overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading.

 

__________id

    1. very cold in temperature
    2. showing no friendliness or enthusiasm; stiff or formal in behaviour or style
        stiff - unresponsive - formal - unsmiling - unfeeling - unemotional - aloof
    3. usually of a woman =unable to be sexually aroused (derogatory):
        sexually unresponsive - unaffectionate - cold

1. The sudden shock of the ________ air took my breath away.
2. The atmosphere at the board meeting was truly ________ due to the Boss's obvious displeasure.
3. It's not much fun for most men to be married to a ________ woman.

 

frigid    [ˈfrɪʤɪd]

    1. very cold in temperature
    2. showing no friendliness or enthusiasm; stiff or formal in behaviour or style
        stiff - unresponsive - formal - unsmiling - unfeeling - unemotional - aloof
    3. usually of a woman =unable to be sexually aroused (derogatory):
        sexually unresponsive - unaffectionate - cold

1. The sudden shock of the frigid air took my breath away.
2. The atmosphere at the board meeting was truly frigid due to the Boss's obvious displeasure.
3. It's not much fun for most men to be married to a frigid woman.

 

__________id

    fine - magnificent - impressive - marvellous - excellent

      • The President congratulated us on our ________ achievement.

      • William will make a ________ King one day.

      • Mum laid on a truly ________ Christmas lunch for us all.

 

splendid    [ˈsplɛndɪd]

    fine - magnificent - impressive - marvellous - excellent

      • The President congratulated us on our splendid achievement.

      • William will make a splendid King one day.

      • Mum laid on a truly splendid Christmas lunch for us all.

 

A) humid    [ˈhjuːmɪd]

marked by a relatively high level of water vapor in the atmosphere
clammy - stifling: The air in equatorial Africa is extremely humid.


B) stupid    [ˈstjuːpɪd]

unintelligent - silly
Not putting your seatbelt on in a moving car is extremely stupid.

 

A) __________id

marked by a relatively high level of water vapor in the atmosphere
clammy - stifling: The air in equatorial Africa is extremely ________.


B)  __________id

unintelligent - silly
Not putting your seatbelt on in a moving car is extremely ________.


A) __________ID

excessively wary, afraid and/or worried about possible bad consequences
Wild deer are naturally ________ creatures.

B) __________ID
1. of an argument or point = having a sound basis in logic or fact - reasonable or cogent   
    well-founded - sound - reasonable - rational - logical - justifiable - credible - authoritative

2. legally binding due to having been executed in compliance with the law
    authentic - legally binding - proper - bona fide - genuine - official - lawful - legal
    lawful - legitimate - permitted - allowable - allowed - authorized - genuine

     The visas are _______ for thirty days. You cannot be checked in without a _______ passport.


A) timid    [ˈtɪmɪd]

excessively wary, afraid and/or worried about possible bad consequences
Wild deer are naturally timid creatures.



B) valid    [ˈvælɪd]
1. of an argument or point = having a sound basis in logic or fact - reasonable or cogent   
    well-founded - sound - reasonable - rational - logical - justifiable - credible - authoritative

2. legally binding due to having been executed in compliance with the law
    authentic - legally binding - proper - bona fide - genuine - official - lawful - legal
    lawful - legitimate - permitted - allowable - allowed - authorized - genuine

     The visas are valid for thirty days. You cannot be checked in without a valid passport.

A) _________id

1. of a person, manner, or gesture = showing a disinclination for physical effort relaxed
     slow - relaxed - lazy - leisurely - lethargic - torpid - inactive - indolent - slothful
2. of an occasion or period of time = pleasantly lazy and peaceful
    The terrace was perfect for those ________ days in the summer Italian sun.

    B) _________id

    • a substance that flows freely but is of constant volume, having a consistency like water or oil
    • the second of the three normal states of matter, which are: 1) a gas   2) a liquid   3) a solid

A) languid    [ˈlæŋɡwɪd]

1. of a person, manner, or gesture = showing a disinclination for physical effort relaxed
     slow - relaxed - lazy - leisurely - lethargic - torpid - inactive - indolent - slothful
2. of an occasion or period of time = pleasantly lazy and peaceful
    The terrace was perfect for those languid days in the summer Italian sun.

    B) liquid    [ˈlɪkwɪd]

    • a substance that flows freely but is of constant volume, having a consistency like water or oil
    • the second of the three normal states of matter, which are: 1) a gas   2) a liquid   3) a solid


A) __________id

1. of land or a climate = having little or no rain - too dry or barren to support vegetation
     dry - barren - desert-like - baked - desolate - infertile
2. of a topic = lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning
     dreary - drab - sterile - dull - banal - It's an ________ discussion which is leading nowhere.


B) __________id

having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something
     He's an ________ reader of science fiction.


A) arid    [ˈærɪd]

1. of land or a climate = having little or no rain - too dry or barren to support vegetation
     dry - barren - desert-like - baked - desolate - infertile
2. of a topic = lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning
     dreary - drab - sterile - dull - banal - It's an arid discussion which is leading nowhere.


B) avid    [ˈævɪd]

having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something
     He's an avid reader of science fiction.

 

 

A) _________id

1. of a person's face = pale, typically because of poor health
     wan - peaky - anaemic - pasty-faced

2. of a person = feeble or insipid: He's an utterly ________ and charmless character.


B) _________id

of a person or animal = not easily upset or excited:
My uncle has a fiery temperament, but his wife is quite ________ in conrast.

 

 

A) pallid    [ˈpælɪd]

1. of a person's face = pale, typically because of poor health
     wan - peaky - anaemic - pasty-faced

2. of a person = feeble or insipid: He's an utterly pallid and charmless character.


B) placid    [ˈplæsɪd]

of a person or animal = not easily upset or excited:
My uncle has a fiery temperament, but his wife is quite placid in conrast.

 



 

A) __________id

1. having or proceeding from an extreme or fanatical support of or belief in something
    ISIS' obsession with ISLAM can only be described as ________ and deranged.

2. infected with a deadly viral disease spread by the saliva of infected animals
    Being bitten by a ______ dog can lead to a quick and painful death if not treated immediately.

 

B) __________id

happening in a short time or at a fast pace: fast - quick
The country's economic decline has been both severe and ________.

 



 

A) rabid    [ˈræbɪd]

1. having or proceeding from an extreme or fanatical support of or belief in something
    ISIS' obsession with ISLAM can only be described as rabid and deranged.

2. infected with rabies, a deadly viral disease spread by the saliva of infected animals
    Being bitten by a rabid dog can lead to a quick and painful death if not treated immediately.

 

B) rapid    [ˈræpɪd]

happening in a short time or at a fast pace
The country's economic decline has been both severe and rapid.

A) __________id
hard, firm, keeping its shape, not gaseous or liquid
This is the first ______ food I've eaten since my operation.

    B) __________id

    1. of a person = calm and not showing emotion or excitement:
        His demeanour is somewhat     ________ and bureaucratic.

    2. of a thing = not interesting or attractive:
         With its ________, drab exterior, the Center resembles a combat bunker.

 
 

A) solid    [ˈsɒlɪd]
hard, firm, keeping its shape, not gaseous or liquid
This is the first solid food I've eaten since my operation.

    B) stolid    [ˈstɒlɪd]

    1. of a person = calm and not showing emotion or excitement:
        His demeanour is somewhat     stolid and bureaucratic.

    2. of a thing = not interesting or attractive:
         With its stolid, drab exterior, the Center resembles a combat bunker.

WRITTEN EXERCISE (pdf)
WRITTEN EXERCISE (DITTO ANSWERS)