Unit 9 What is beauty

Word

Definition

Example

beautiful surroundings

An attractive or pleasing environment or surrounding

The villa was nestled in beautiful surroundings

rank

Assign a position to in a hierarchy

He held the rank of captain in the military

leave me cold

Fail to impress or excite me

His latest novel left me cold; it lacked emotion

feel nostalgic

Experience a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past

The old song always makes me feel nostalgic

made little impression on me

Failed to have a significant impact on me

The movie made little impression on me; it was forgettable

evocative

Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind

The painting was so evocative; it brought tears to my eyes

melancholic

Feeling or expressing pensive sadness

The melancholic melody filled the room with sadness

thoughtful

Showing consideration for the needs of other people

She always gave thoughtful gifts for birthdays

spacious

Having ample space

The living room felt spacious and airy

dazzling

Extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily

The fireworks display was dazzling and spectacular

humbling

Causing a feeling of humility or modesty

The experience was humbling and eye-opening

magnificent

Impressively beautiful, elaborate, or extravagant

The view from the top of the mountain was magnificent

impressive

Evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill

Her presentation was impressive and well-researched

overwhelmed

Defeat completely

He felt overwhelmed by the support from his friends

ecstatic

Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement

She was ecstatic when she received the good news

majestic

Having or showing impressive beauty or dignity

The palace stood as a majestic symbol of the kingdom

sentimental attachment to

Having an emotional bond or connection with something based on feelings

He had a sentimental attachment to his childhood home

bring back memories

Cause someone to remember something from the past

The old photograph always brings back memories of my youth

bleak but beautiful

Grim or cheerless yet attractive or pleasing

The deserted landscape was bleak but beautiful in its own way

in a rundown area

In a state of disrepair or neglect in a specific location

The shop was located in a rundown area of the city

alien

Belonging to a foreign country or nation

The new environment felt alien and unfamiliar

revealing

Making previously unknown or secret information known

The documentary was revealing and insightful

bastion

An institution, place, or person strongly defending particular principles, attitudes, or activities

The organization was seen as a bastion of traditional values

establishment

A business organization, public institution, or household

The establishment has been in business for over fifty years

fused tradition

Combined or blended traditional elements

The chef's cooking style fused tradition with innovation

splendid

Magnificent; very impressive

The ballroom looked splendid with its crystal chandeliers

dome

A rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base

The building had a beautiful glass dome at its center

stone carvings

Artistic carving or cutting of stone, often for decorative purposes

The temple was adorned with intricate stone carvings

influence on

The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something

Her speech had a powerful influence on the audience

tomb

A large vault, typically an underground one, for burying the dead

The tomb was a solemn reminder of the past

trustee

A person or body of people appointed to administer the affairs of a company, organization, or institution

He was appointed as a trustee for the charity

by rooting

Establish or originate

By rooting the plant properly, it will grow healthily

intimidating symbol

A sign, image, or other representation that is seen as threatening or daunting

The statue was seen as an intimidating symbol of power

reassuringly

In a way that restores confidence or reduces anxiety

His smile was reassuringly warm and kind

embracing

Accepting or supporting willingly or enthusiastically

The community was embracing of different cultures

disguise

Conceal the nature or true identity of

The spy had to disguise himself to avoid detection

landmark

An object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance

The old lighthouse was a well-known landmark for sailors

obfuscating

Render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible

The politician's statement was obfuscating and confusing

divide into

Separate or be separated into parts

The cake was divided into equal portions for everyone

ingenious

Clever, original, and inventive

The solution to the problem was ingenious and effective

insist on

Demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal

He would always insist on paying for everyone's meal

overbearing

Overwhelming or prevailing to a great degree

Her overbearing attitude often put people off

commemorate

Recall and show respect for (someone or something) in a ceremony

The event was held to commemorate the fallen soldiers

appealing

Attractive or interesting

The job offer was appealing, with its many benefits

put on public display

Present or exhibit something for public viewing

The artist's work was put on public display at the gallery

recognisable

Able to be identified from previous encounters or knowledge

Her voice was recognisable even in a crowded room

overrun

Invade and occupy the property or space of

The town was overrun with tourists during the summer

overrate

Have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved

Some critics tend to overrate his novels

undervalue

Underestimate the worth or importance of (something)

Some people tend to undervalue the importance of art

overcome

Succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty)

She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking

overtake

Catch up with and pass while traveling in the same direction

The company's sales are expected to overtake the competition this year

underfund

Provide with insufficient or inadequate funds

The education system is often underfunded and in need of support

underrate

Underestimate the extent, value, or importance of

Critics tend to underrate the complexity of his work

understate

Describe or represent (something) as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

She tends to understate her contributions to the team

overawe

Impress and excite (someone) with a sense of awe

The majestic waterfall overawed all the tourists

perception

The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses

His perception of the issue differed from hers

grandeur

Splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style

The grandeur of the palace was awe-inspiring

digital stills

Photographs taken using a digital camera

The photographer captured stunning digital stills of the landscape

fade

Lose or cause to lose color or brightness

The memories of that day slowly began to fade away

submission process

The procedure or act of presenting a proposal or document for consideration or judgment

The submission process for the competition was straightforward and simple

detrimental effect

A harmful or damaging result or consequence

The lack of exercise had a detrimental effect on his health

maintain

Cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue

He had to maintain a strict diet to manage his weight

property

A thing or things belonging to someone; possessions collectively

The beachfront property was in high demand

exhilarating

Making one feel very happy, animated, or elated; thrilling

The roller coaster ride was exhilarating and thrilling

thanks to

As a result of; because of

Thanks to her help, we were able to finish the project on time

which in turn

As a result or consequence of something else

The decrease in sales affected the company's profits, which in turn affected employee bonuses

lighten up

Become or make more cheerful and less serious

His jokes always managed to lighten up the atmosphere

restriction on

A rule that limits or controls what someone can do

There was a restriction on the use of mobile phones in the library

skyscraper

A very tall building of many stories

The city skyline was dominated by towering skyscrapers

well-being

The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy

Regular exercise is essential for maintaining overall well-being

awareness

Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact

The campaign aimed to raise awareness about mental health

grand

Magnificent and imposing in appearance, size, or style

The ballroom was grand and opulent, fit for royalty

regal

Of, resembling, or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified

Her regal demeanor commanded respect from everyone

took my breath away

Impressed or moved someone greatly, leaving them speechless or overwhelmed

The view from the mountaintop took my breath away

evoke memories of

Bring to mind or recollect memories of something

The old song always manages to evoke memories of my childhood

fill with

Cause to be full; put as much as is needed into

The garden was filled with colorful flowers and plants