Lesson ElevenEnglish I

flagrantDefinition Example• (adj) glaringly bad;

outrageous• syn: offensive

• His flagrant disregard for authority got the boy into a lot of trouble.

fluentDefinition Example• (adj) able to speak and/or

write easily, clearly• syn: flowing

• Being fluent in three languages helped Ellen obtain the job of interpreter at the United Nations.

fluxDefinition Example• (n) state of continual

change or movement• syn: flow• ant: inactivity

• The fashion industry is always in a state of flux.

foibleDefinition Example• (n) a minor weakness in

character• syn: weakness, fault

• The cook’s only foible was that she had a loose tongue and loved to gossip.

fracasDefinition Example• (n) a loud quarrel• syn: brawl

• The coaches of the two teams broke up the fracas that began on the playing field after the game.

frivolousDefinition Example• (adj) trivial; silly• syn: paltry; giddy• ant: vital, important

• They argued over a frivolous point and wasted valuable time.

futileDefinition Example• (adj) useless• syn: ineffectual, fruitless• ant: successful, effective,

profitable

• My futile attempts to repair the broken vase left me frustrated.

gaffDefinition Example• (n) a large hook • A large side of beef swung

from a gaff in the butcher shop.

gaitDefinition Example• (n) manner of walking • The horse’s smooth gait

made riding him seem almost effortless.

gambitDefinition Example• (n) an opening maneuver

or action one uses to gain advantage

• syn: strategy

• I was wise to his gambit, so I did not take the easy jump he gave me.

gapeDefinition Example• (v) to stare with an open

mouth• The child gaped at his

mother in astonishment.

garbleDefinition Example• (v) to distort• syn: confuse

• The boy tried not to, but he garbled the message because of his sore tongue.

genealogyDefinition Example• (n) family history• syn: lineage

• His genealogy was recorded in the family Bible.

genesisDefinition Example• (n) beginning; origin• syn: origin; creation

• The professor said each civilization creates its own myth to explain its genesis.

ghastlyDefinition Example• (adj) horrible; frightful• syn: dreadful, hideous• ant: lovely, attractive

• There was a ghastly smile on the dead man’s face; it was as if he had had the last laugh.