Vocabulary Workshop Unit 1
PHOT/PHOS “light” Phototropic: adjective Phosphorescent: adjective Tending to grow or move towards light Because they are phototropic, daisies always grow towards the sun. Phosphorescent: adjective Giving off light without heat Ms. Pardo stuck phosphorescent stars on her ceiling so that it would resemble the night sky.
Photogenic: adjective Attractive in pictures or photographs Kylie Jenner is so photogenic that total strangers often ask to take her picture. (but she wears a lot of makeup)
LUC “light” Lucid: adjective Elucidate: verb Easy to understand Mr. Toro’s lucid explanation of The Great Gatsby helped the students understand the novel completely. Elucidate: verb To make clear by explaining The confused student asked Ms. Kurowsky to elucidate further on how to write the essay.
Translucent: adjective Allowing light to pass through Through the translucent blue cloth draped over the window, we could see the sun.
SPEC/SPECT “to look at” Circumspect: adjective Careful; mindful of rules and consequences The students in Room 200 tried to be circumspect and not break any rules. Prospect: noun That which is expected The prospect of a trip to the dentist was hardly thrilling.
Specter: noun A ghost or phantom Marcus seemed to see a specter in every corner of the haunted house.
VID/VIS “to see, to look” Invidious: Adjective Hateful or spiteful One candidate made an invidious speech against his opponent. Providential: Adjective Happening by good fortune Through a providential series of events, I found myself in a lucrative job making lots of money.
Improvise: verb To create without any forethought or preparation When Julie forgot the lines to her speech, she began to improvise the best she could remember.