Vocabulary Unit 6 Building your understanding of vocabulary words will help you better understand a word’s meaning when reading.

Word Analysis Learning Goal: Identify the part of speech, definition, synonyms, and antonyms in order to use the word correctly in context.

agenda Part of speech: noun Definition: the program for a meeting; a list, outline, or plan of things to be considered or done Synonyms: schedule, docket The agenda for today’s assembly includes a plan for recycling in the classroom.

amiable Part of speech: adjective Definition: friendly, good-natured Synonyms: pleasant, agreeable Antonyms: unfriendly, ill-humored, hostile Marty, whose sense of humor and good spirits never fail, is an amiable companion.

befuddle Part of speech: verb Definition: to confuse, make stupid Synonyms: bewilder, boggle, stupefy Antonyms: enlighten, set straight A difficult scientific experiment with many steps is likely to befuddle most beginners.

blight Part of speech: noun and verb Definition: a disease that causes plants to wither and die; a condition of disease or ruin; to destroy, ruin Synonyms: eyesore, spoil nip Antonyms: foster, promote, nourish, encourage Dutch elm disease was a blight that forever changed the look of my neighborhood. Though she received several letters of rejection, she was determined not to let them blight her hopes of going to college.

boisterous Part of speech: adjective Definition: rough and noisy in a cheerful way; high-spirited Synonyms: loud, unruly, disorderly Antonyms: quiet, calm, peaceful, well-behaved The boisterous schoolchildren made it clear to their teacher how much they enjoyed the class trip.

clarity Part of speech: noun Definition: clearness, accuracy Synonyms: lucidity, precision Antonyms: confusion, murkiness, ambiguity The vet explained with great clarity how best to housebreak our new puppy.

compliant Part of speech: adjective Definition: willing to do what someone else wants; obedient Synonyms: meek, docile, submissive Antonyms: disobedient, obstinate, rebellious, perverse A compliant child is easy to discipline, even when in an unfamiliar environment.

conserve Part of speech: verb Definition: to preserve; to keep from being damaged, lost, or wasted; to save Synonyms: guard, care for Antonyms: waste, squander, dissipate Responsible citizens try to conserve our precious natural resources.

debut Part of speech: noun and verb Definition: a first public appearance; a formal entrance into society; to make a first appearance Synonyms: coming out Antonyms: retirement, departure The talented flute player in the marching band finally made her debut as a soloist today. Many theaters will debut the film tonight.

gory Part of speech: adjective Definition: marked by bloodshed, slaughter, or violence Synonyms: bloody, gruesome Antonyms: bloodless The Civil War battle of Antietam is, to this day, the most gory one-day fight in our history.

gross Part of speech: adjective, noun, and verb Definition: coarse, vulgar; very noticeable; total, overweight, an overall total; twelve dozen; to earn Synonyms: sheer, utter, flagrant, fat Antonyms: delicate, fine, partial, slender, thin, net They responded to the gross injustice in an unsatisfactory manner. A gross of pencils lasts all year. She expects to gross $3,000 in tips.

induce Part of speech: verb Definition: to cause, bring about, to persuade Synonyms: prevail upon, influence Antonyms: prevent, deter, hinder Can drinking warm milk induce sleep?

leeway Part of speech: noun Definition: extra space for moving along a certain route; allowance for mistakes or inaccuracies; margin for error Synonyms: latitude, elbow room Experienced planners allow leeway of a week or so in case a project runs into snags or delays.

limber Part of speech: adjective and verb Definition: flexible; to cause to become flexible Synonyms: supple, pliable, stretch Antonyms: stiff, wooden, stiffen Serious dancers develop limber bodies. Runners limber up before a race.

maze Part of speech: noun Definition: a network of paths through which it is hard to find one’s way; something very mixed-up and confusing Synonyms: labyrinth, puzzle, tangle Ancient Rome was a maze of narrow streets and winding alleys.

oracle Part of speech: noun Definition: someone or something that can predict the future; someone who gives astute answers or advice that seems authoritative Synonym: prophet, seer, sibyl According to the Greek legend, people sought prophecy at the Oracle at Delphi.

partisan Part of speech: noun, adjective Definition: a strong supporter of a person, party, or cause; one whose support is unreasoning; a resistance fighter, guerrilla; strongly supporting one side Synonyms: fan, booster, partial, biased Antonyms: critic, foe, impartial, neutral The candidate is a partisan of term limits. Partisan hometown fans can be hostile to those from out of town.

reimburse Part of speech: verb Definition: to pay back; to give payment for Synonyms: repay, refund, compensate When you go on business trips, the company will reimburse all your traveling expenses.

vacate Part of speech: verb Definition: to go away from, leave empty; to make empty; to void, annul Synonyms: depart, abandon Antonyms: occupy, keep, hold We have a lot of cleaning up to do before we vacate the apartment for good.

vagabond Part of speech: noun, adjective Definition: an idle wanderer; a tramp; wandering; irresponsible Synonyms: vagrant, unsettled, footloose Antonyms: homebody, resident; settled The vagabond carried his few belongings in a shabby cardboard suitcase. The vagabond life interests some people, but it doesn’t appeal to me.