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

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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?

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.