Improve english vocabulary 2
Prepositions
Accordance with an order/ rule
According to an order
Account (v) for the expenditure
Accountable for a thing
Accountable to a person
Accountable to god for one’s action
Accrue to one from a source
Accurate in his statistics
Accusation of theft
Accused of a crime
Accustomed to riding/ work/ something
Acquaintance with a person or thing
Acquainted with a person or thing
Acquiesce in a decision
Acquit of blame
Acquitted of blame/ charge
Act from
Adapt (oneself) to circumstances
Adapted for a purpose
Adapted to one’s ability
Add this to that
Addicted to gambling/ wine/ a habit
Adept in some thing / at doing some thing
Adequate to a want
Adhere to
Adjacent to a house/ place
Admission into a place
Admission to a society of persons
Admit of an excuse
Admit to/into a secret
Admitted into a house
Phobia
anger cholerophobia.
angina Anginophobia.
angry (becoming) angrophobia
animal skin, fur doraphobia
animals (wild) agrizoophobia
animals zoophobia
animatronic creatures, automatonophobia
ants myrmecophobia
asymmetrical things asymmetriphobia
ataxia ataxiophobia
atomic energy nucleomitophobia
atomic explosions atomosophobia
attack scelerophobia
auroral lights auroraphobia
automobiles motorphobia
Animal idioms
have a whale of a time = really enjoy yourself: “They went out and had a whale of a time.”
have butterflies in your stomach = be very nervous about something: “She’s got butterflies in her stomach - it’s her driving test today.”
have kittens = panic: “The way he was driving, I was having kittens.”
in hog heaven = be very happy: “We gave him flying lessons for his birthday - he was in hog heaven!”
in the dog-house = when you know that someone is angry with you: “I’m in the dog-house - I forgot to do the shopping.”
in the lion’s den = in a dangerous place: “The interview was like going into the lion’s den - they asked some very difficult questions.”
let the cat out of the bag = tell a secret: “He shouldn’t have told her about the party - he’s let the cat out of the bag now.”
like a fish out of water = feel very uncomfortable in a particular situation: “He feels like a fish out of water in a suit - he much prefers wearing jeans.”
like the cat that’s got the cream = look very pleased with yourself: “He looks like the cat that’s got the cream!”
make a mountain out of a molehill = make a big issue out of something small: “Don’t worry about it - it’s not important at all. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”
make a pig’s ear of something = make a complete mess of something: “You’ve made a right pig’s ear of this. Let me do it!”
monkey about = play and not work: “Stop monkeying about, will you? We’ve got loads of work to do!”
pigs might fly! = something is as unlikely as pigs being able to fly: “Do you think the government will cut taxes?” “Pigs might fly!”
play piggy in the middle = be caught between two sides of an argument: “Because they aren’t talking, I’ve been playing piggy in the middle.”
put the cat among the pigeons = cause trouble: “Don’t tell her about your promotion - that will really put the cat among the pigeons.”
take the bull by the horns = face a problem and take action: “I’m going to take the bull by the horns and tell him I’ve changed my mind.”
the bee’s knees = think you’re the best: “He thinks he’s the bee’s knees.”
the lion’s share = most of something: “She did the lion’s share of the housework.”
til the cows come home = do something for ever: “I can tell him til the cows come home not to be late, but he never listens.”
with your tail between your legs = feel guilty or ashamed: “He told us all that he was leaving, then he came back ten minutes later with his tail between his legs.”
worm your way in = be nice to people so that gradually you get yourself into a good position with them: “He wormed his way into the finance department to get a job.”
Synonyms
abominable adjective hateful, loathsome, detestable, odious, obnoxious, base, despicable, contemptible, damnable, cursed, disgusting, revolting, repellent, repulsive, offensive, repugnant, abhorrent, reprehensible, foul, vile, wretched, horrible, nasty, disagreeable, unpleasant, execrable; inf. yucky, god-awful.
abominate verb detest, loathe, hate, abhor, dislike, feel aversion/revulsion to, shudder at, recoil from.
abomination noun 1. regard with abomination detestation, loathing, hatred, aversion, antipathy, repulsion, abhorrence, repugnance, disgust, distaste, dislike; fml. odium, execration. 2. the child/building is an abomination atrocity, disgrace, horror, obscenity, curse, torment, anathema, bugbear, bete noir.
aboriginal adjective indigenous, native, original, earliest, first, ancient, primitive, primeval, primordial, autochthonous, autochthonal, autochthonic.
abound verb 1. weeds abound around here be plentiful, proliferate, superabound, thrive, flourish. 2. a river abounding with/in fish be full of, overflow with, teem with, be packed/crowded/thronged/jammed with, be alive, swarm with; inf. be crawling/lousy with.
above-board adverb/adjective the deal was made above-boardan above-board discussion honest, fair, open, frank, straight, overt, candid, forthright, unconcealed, unequivocal.
Synonyms & Antonyms
abortive adjective an abortive attempt/plan failed, unsuccessful, non-successful, vain, futile, useless, worthless, ineffective, ineffectual, fruitless, unproductive, unavailing. Antonyms: SUCCESSFUL; PRODUCTIVE; FRUITFUL.
abrupt adjective 1. an abrupt ending sudden, quick, hurried, hasty, swift, rapid, precipitate, headlong, instantaneous, surprising, unexpected, unanticipated, unforeseen. 2. an abrupt manner curt, blunt, brusque, short, terse, brisk, crisp, gruff, snappish, unceremonious, rough, rude. 3. an abrupt slope steep, sheer, precipitous, sudden, sharp; fml. declivitous. 4. an abrupt style of writing jerky, uneven, irregular, disconnected, discontinuous, broken, rough, inelegant. Antonyms: GRADUAL; UNHURRIED; SMOOTH.
absolute adjective 1. absolute trust complete, total, utter, out and out, outright, perfect, entire, undivided, unqualified, unadulterated, unalloyed, downright, undiluted, solid, consummate, unmitigated. 2. the absolute truth certain, positive, definite, unquestionable, undoubted, unequivocal, decisive, unconditional, categorical, conclusive, confirmed, infallible. 3. an absolute standard fixed, independent, non-relative, non-variable, rigid, established, set, definite. 4. absolute power unlimited, unrestricted, unrestrained, unbounded, boundless, infinite, ultimate, total, supreme, unconditional, full, utter, sovereign, omnipotent. 5. absolute monarch despotic, dictatorial, autocratic, tyrannical, authoritarian, arbitrary, autonomous, sovereign. Antonyms: QUALIFIED; CONDITIONAL; LIMITED.
absolve verb 1. absolve them from blame acquit, exonerate, discharge, release, free, deliver, liberate, let off, clear, exempt, exculpate. 2. absolve repentant sinners forgive, pardon, excuse, reprieve, give amnesty to, give dispensation/indulgence to, clear, set free, vindicate. Antonyms: BLAME; CHARGE; CONDEMN.
Abstain verb 1. abstain from voting refrain, decline, forbear, desist, hold back, keep from, refuse, renounce, avoid, shun, eschew. 2. most voted but I abstained decline/refuse to vote. 3. the young people drink but the parents abstain be teetotal, take the pledge; inf. be on the wagon. Antonyms: join in (see JOIN); VOTE; INDULGE.
Accordance with an order/ rule
According to an order
Account (v) for the expenditure
Accountable for a thing
Accountable to a person
Accountable to god for one’s action
Accrue to one from a source
Accurate in his statistics
Accusation of theft
Accused of a crime
Accustomed to riding/ work/ something
Acquaintance with a person or thing
Acquainted with a person or thing
Acquiesce in a decision
Acquit of blame
Acquitted of blame/ charge
Act from
Adapt (oneself) to circumstances
Adapted for a purpose
Adapted to one’s ability
Add this to that
Addicted to gambling/ wine/ a habit
Adept in some thing / at doing some thing
Adequate to a want
Adhere to
Adjacent to a house/ place
Admission into a place
Admission to a society of persons
Admit of an excuse
Admit to/into a secret
Admitted into a house
Phobia
anger cholerophobia.
angina Anginophobia.
angry (becoming) angrophobia
animal skin, fur doraphobia
animals (wild) agrizoophobia
animals zoophobia
animatronic creatures, automatonophobia
ants myrmecophobia
asymmetrical things asymmetriphobia
ataxia ataxiophobia
atomic energy nucleomitophobia
atomic explosions atomosophobia
attack scelerophobia
auroral lights auroraphobia
automobiles motorphobia
Animal idioms
have a whale of a time = really enjoy yourself: “They went out and had a whale of a time.”
have butterflies in your stomach = be very nervous about something: “She’s got butterflies in her stomach - it’s her driving test today.”
have kittens = panic: “The way he was driving, I was having kittens.”
in hog heaven = be very happy: “We gave him flying lessons for his birthday - he was in hog heaven!”
in the dog-house = when you know that someone is angry with you: “I’m in the dog-house - I forgot to do the shopping.”
in the lion’s den = in a dangerous place: “The interview was like going into the lion’s den - they asked some very difficult questions.”
let the cat out of the bag = tell a secret: “He shouldn’t have told her about the party - he’s let the cat out of the bag now.”
like a fish out of water = feel very uncomfortable in a particular situation: “He feels like a fish out of water in a suit - he much prefers wearing jeans.”
like the cat that’s got the cream = look very pleased with yourself: “He looks like the cat that’s got the cream!”
make a mountain out of a molehill = make a big issue out of something small: “Don’t worry about it - it’s not important at all. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”
make a pig’s ear of something = make a complete mess of something: “You’ve made a right pig’s ear of this. Let me do it!”
monkey about = play and not work: “Stop monkeying about, will you? We’ve got loads of work to do!”
pigs might fly! = something is as unlikely as pigs being able to fly: “Do you think the government will cut taxes?” “Pigs might fly!”
play piggy in the middle = be caught between two sides of an argument: “Because they aren’t talking, I’ve been playing piggy in the middle.”
put the cat among the pigeons = cause trouble: “Don’t tell her about your promotion - that will really put the cat among the pigeons.”
take the bull by the horns = face a problem and take action: “I’m going to take the bull by the horns and tell him I’ve changed my mind.”
the bee’s knees = think you’re the best: “He thinks he’s the bee’s knees.”
the lion’s share = most of something: “She did the lion’s share of the housework.”
til the cows come home = do something for ever: “I can tell him til the cows come home not to be late, but he never listens.”
with your tail between your legs = feel guilty or ashamed: “He told us all that he was leaving, then he came back ten minutes later with his tail between his legs.”
worm your way in = be nice to people so that gradually you get yourself into a good position with them: “He wormed his way into the finance department to get a job.”
Synonyms
abominable adjective hateful, loathsome, detestable, odious, obnoxious, base, despicable, contemptible, damnable, cursed, disgusting, revolting, repellent, repulsive, offensive, repugnant, abhorrent, reprehensible, foul, vile, wretched, horrible, nasty, disagreeable, unpleasant, execrable; inf. yucky, god-awful.
abominate verb detest, loathe, hate, abhor, dislike, feel aversion/revulsion to, shudder at, recoil from.
abomination noun 1. regard with abomination detestation, loathing, hatred, aversion, antipathy, repulsion, abhorrence, repugnance, disgust, distaste, dislike; fml. odium, execration. 2. the child/building is an abomination atrocity, disgrace, horror, obscenity, curse, torment, anathema, bugbear, bete noir.
aboriginal adjective indigenous, native, original, earliest, first, ancient, primitive, primeval, primordial, autochthonous, autochthonal, autochthonic.
abound verb 1. weeds abound around here be plentiful, proliferate, superabound, thrive, flourish. 2. a river abounding with/in fish be full of, overflow with, teem with, be packed/crowded/thronged/jammed with, be alive, swarm with; inf. be crawling/lousy with.
above-board adverb/adjective the deal was made above-boardan above-board discussion honest, fair, open, frank, straight, overt, candid, forthright, unconcealed, unequivocal.
Synonyms & Antonyms
abortive adjective an abortive attempt/plan failed, unsuccessful, non-successful, vain, futile, useless, worthless, ineffective, ineffectual, fruitless, unproductive, unavailing. Antonyms: SUCCESSFUL; PRODUCTIVE; FRUITFUL.
abrupt adjective 1. an abrupt ending sudden, quick, hurried, hasty, swift, rapid, precipitate, headlong, instantaneous, surprising, unexpected, unanticipated, unforeseen. 2. an abrupt manner curt, blunt, brusque, short, terse, brisk, crisp, gruff, snappish, unceremonious, rough, rude. 3. an abrupt slope steep, sheer, precipitous, sudden, sharp; fml. declivitous. 4. an abrupt style of writing jerky, uneven, irregular, disconnected, discontinuous, broken, rough, inelegant. Antonyms: GRADUAL; UNHURRIED; SMOOTH.
absolute adjective 1. absolute trust complete, total, utter, out and out, outright, perfect, entire, undivided, unqualified, unadulterated, unalloyed, downright, undiluted, solid, consummate, unmitigated. 2. the absolute truth certain, positive, definite, unquestionable, undoubted, unequivocal, decisive, unconditional, categorical, conclusive, confirmed, infallible. 3. an absolute standard fixed, independent, non-relative, non-variable, rigid, established, set, definite. 4. absolute power unlimited, unrestricted, unrestrained, unbounded, boundless, infinite, ultimate, total, supreme, unconditional, full, utter, sovereign, omnipotent. 5. absolute monarch despotic, dictatorial, autocratic, tyrannical, authoritarian, arbitrary, autonomous, sovereign. Antonyms: QUALIFIED; CONDITIONAL; LIMITED.
absolve verb 1. absolve them from blame acquit, exonerate, discharge, release, free, deliver, liberate, let off, clear, exempt, exculpate. 2. absolve repentant sinners forgive, pardon, excuse, reprieve, give amnesty to, give dispensation/indulgence to, clear, set free, vindicate. Antonyms: BLAME; CHARGE; CONDEMN.
Abstain verb 1. abstain from voting refrain, decline, forbear, desist, hold back, keep from, refuse, renounce, avoid, shun, eschew. 2. most voted but I abstained decline/refuse to vote. 3. the young people drink but the parents abstain be teetotal, take the pledge; inf. be on the wagon. Antonyms: join in (see JOIN); VOTE; INDULGE.
