C245 words
High-Level Idiomatic Expressions
Sophisticated idiomatic and nuanced vocabulary.
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Words in this collection
- serendipitynounˌsɛr ənˈdɪp ɪ tiThe occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way; the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.
- kismetnounˈkɪz mɛtFate, destiny; the idea that events are predetermined and inevitable.
- providencenounˈprɒvɪdənsThe protective care or guidance of a higher power, often God; divine intervention or direction in human affairs.
- destinynounˈdɛstɪnɪThe predetermined course of events regarded as beyond human control, often imagined as a supernatural power.
- vicissitudenounvɪˈsɪsɪˌtjuːdA change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.
- vagarynounvəˈɡɛərɪA sudden, unexpected, and often illogical change, idea, or action.
- exigencynounˈɛksɪdʒənsA situation of urgent need or demand that requires immediate action.
- contingencynounkənˈtɪndʒənsɪAn event that may happen but is not certain; a possibility or an unforeseen circumstance.
- impassenounˈɪm pæsA situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of a disagreement; a deadlock.
- predicamentnounprɪˈdɪk ə məntA difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation that is hard to escape from.
- quandarynoun-dərɪA state of uncertainty or perplexity, especially when faced with a difficult decision.
- dilemmanoundɪˈlɛm əA situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.
- paradoxnounˈpærəˌdɒksA statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible but may be true or valid.
- conundrumnounkəˈnʌndrəmA confusing and difficult problem or question, often a riddle, that is puzzling to solve.
- enigmanounˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪkA person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
- anomalynounəˈnɒməlɪSomething that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
- aberrationnounăb′ə-rā<strong>′</strong>shənA departure from what is normal, usual, or expected; a deviation from a standard or norm.
- deviationdē′vē-ā<strong>′</strong>shənThe action of departing from an established course, accepted standard, or norm.
- incongruitynounˌɪn kənˈgru ɪ tiThe state or fact of being strange, unsuitable, or out of place in a particular context; a lack of harmony or consistency.
- disparitynoundɪˈspærɪtɪA significant difference or inequality between things or people, often in level, quantity, or quality.
- discrepancynoundɪˈskrɛpənsɪA difference between two things that should be the same
- divergencenoundĭ-vûr<strong>′</strong>jənsThe process or state of separating and moving in different directions from a common point or each other.
- dichotomynoundaɪˈkɒt ə miA division into two parts, groups, or classes that are sharply opposed, contrasted, or mutually exclusive.
- ambiguitynounˌæmbɪˈɡjuːɪtɪThe quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
- equivocationnounɪˌkwɪv əˈkeɪ ʃənThe use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid committing to a clear position.
- circumlocutionnoun-trɪThe use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive; roundabout speech.
- prevaricationnounprɪˌvær ɪˈkeɪ ʃənThe act of deliberately avoiding the truth by being evasive or ambiguous; equivocation.
- dissimulationnoundɪˌsɪm yəˈleɪ ʃənThe act of concealing one's true feelings, thoughts, or character; pretending or feigning.
- subterfugenounˈsʌbtəˌfjuːdʒA deceptive strategy or device used to conceal one's true intentions, avoid blame, or gain an advantage.
- chicanerynounʃɪˈkeɪnərɪThe use of clever, deceptive arguments or tricks to achieve a goal, often in a legal, political, or financial context.
- duplicitynoundjuːˈplɪsɪtɪDeliberate deceitfulness in behaviour or speech.
- mendacitynounmɛnˈdeɪʃəsThe quality of being untruthful or dishonest; a tendency to lie.
- veritynounˈvɛrɪtɪA fundamental truth or reality; something that is true, especially a longstanding belief or principle.
- veracitynounvəˈræs ɪ tithe quality or state of being true, accurate, or honest; truthfulness.
- candornounˈkæn dərthe quality of being open, honest, and straightforward in speech or expression; frankness.
- franknessnounˈfræŋk nɪsThe quality of being honest, direct, and straightforward in speech or manner, without trying to hide one's thoughts or feelings.
- sinceritynounsɪnˈsɛr ɪ tiThe quality of being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy; genuine honesty and earnestness in feeling, belief, or intention.
- transparencynoun-ˈpɛər-The quality or state of being transparent; the condition of allowing light to pass through so that objects can be distinctly seen.
- integritynounɪnˈtɛɡrɪtɪThe quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
- probitynounˈprəʊbɪtɪThe quality of having strong moral principles, honesty and decency.
- rectitudenounˈrɛktɪˌtjuːdMorally correct behaviour, thinking, or character; righteousness.
- pedantrynounˈpɛd n triExcessive concern with minor details, rules, or formal correctness, often to show off one's knowledge.
- dogmatismnounˈdɔg məˌtɪz əmThe tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others.
- fanaticismnounfəˈnæt əˌsaɪz əmExtreme, unreasoning, or obsessive enthusiasm or zeal, especially for a particular cause, belief, or religion.
- idealismnounaɪˈdi əˌlɪz əmThe belief that ideas, values, and principles are the most important things, often leading to behavior or policies based on high moral standards or the pursuit of a perfect vision, rather than on practical or realistic considerations.