 abridge (v) = shorten a book, piece of writing (remove unimprtant info and details)

 abscond (v) = to escape (with sth = steal and escape)

 absorb (v) = to take sth in or draw up (knowledge, ideas – store sth in memory)

 abundant (adj) = possesing a lot of sth / more than is needed

 accent (v) = emphasize (furniture accenting)

 acute (adj) = sharp, shrewd, deiscerning (intelligence, senses / sense of smell)

- = acute situation / acute pain or illness causes severe problems

 adapt (v) = change according to conditions or requirements

 adept (adj) = very skilled

 adhere (v) = stick to a surface (to)

 adjacent (adj = next to, touching (to)

 advocate (n) = sb who supports a cause

o = (verb) publicly support or suggest an idea, / support, represent sb

 aesthetic (adj) = related to visual beauty

 altercation (n) = a loud, public disagreement, fight

 altruistic (adj) = generous (altruism)

 amateur (n) = one is new or skilled at sth

 ambient (adj) = existing in the surrounding area / enviroment

 ambiguous (adj) = more than one possible meaning, cause confusion

 ambivalent (adj) = undecided, uncertain, have opposing feelings

 amiable (adj) = pleasant and friendly

 amorous (adj) = relating to romantic love / expressing sexual desire

 ancient (adj) = very old

 anomaly (n) = something that is unusual enough to be noticeable or seem strange

 anonymous (adj) = an unknown or withheld name

 anticipate (v) = imagine, expect that sth will happen / take action in preparation for sth

 antidote (n) = medicine used to counteract posion

 appealing (adj) = attactive (to)

 appease (v) = prevent disagreement by letting the opposing side have something

 arbitrary (adj) = based on chance rather than on reason

 arbitration (n) = solving an argument by helping them to agree a solution (to go to)

 artificial (adj) = made by people, often as a copy of sth

- = not sincere; not truly intended

 assess (v) = judge or decide the amount, value, quality, or importance of sth

 assume (v) = accept sth to be true without question or proof

 augment (v) = increase the size or value of sth, make sth greater

 autonomous (adj) = independent or self-governing

 begrudge (v) = to have jealousy, envy (sb sth)

 belated (adj) = later than expected, behind schedule

 belittle (v) = make sb or sth seem unimportant

 belligerent (adj) = aggressive, wishing to fight or argue

 beneficiary (n) = sb who receives money, advantages, etc. as a result of sth

 benevolent (adj) = having kind wishes toward

 benign (adj) = pleasant, kind and gentle

 bilingual (adj) = able to use two languages equally well

 brevity (n) = the quality or state of being brief, use only few words

 broad (adj) = a large range or scope, not narrow

 capable (adj) = able to do things effectively and skilfully

 category (n) = classes of divisions (of)

 cease (v) = stop an action or condition

 certain (adj) = without doubt, reservation / impossible to avoid or extremely likely

 chaotic (adj) = confused or disordered

 chastise (v) = criticize sb severely, seriously reprimand / punish by hitting

 chronic (adj) = (especially of a disease or something bad) continuing for a long time

 chronological (adj) = following the order in which sth occurs, sequential

 circumvent (v) = avoid sth, especially cleverly or illegally

 coincidence (n) = the accidental occurrence of two seemingly connected events

 collide (v) = crash into, hit sth violently (with)

 combine (v) = mix or bring several things together

 complacent (adj) = overly pleased with oneself, own abilities (no need to try harder)

 complex (adj) = hard to understand, made up of many parts

 component (n) = a part that combines with other parts to form something bigger

 compromise (v) = settle a disagreement by offering a concession

o = reduce their demands or change opinion in order to agree

 concede (v) = admit (often unwillingly) that sth is true / you have lost in a competition

 concentrate (v) = direct your attention or efforts towards sth

 concerned (v) = worried (for/about) (with: about a particual thing/person)

 concrete (adj) = clear, certain, or existing and can be seen or felt (evidence)

 conditions (n) = circumstances necessary for sth to happen

 condolence (n) = an expression of sympathy

 conducive (adj) = providing the right conditions for something good to happen or exist

 conduct (n) = behaviour (verb: organize and perform a particular activity)

 confidant (n) = a person whom one trusts and shares feelings and secrets

 confident (n) = having a strong belief or assurance

 conflict (n) = disagreement (with, between)(bring sb into conflict with sb/sth)

 conform (v) = behave: usual standards of behaviour / obey a law or rule (with/to)

 conscious (adj) = awake of oneself or knowing what is happening around you

 consensus (n) = accepted opinion or decision among a group of people (to reach + /on)

 consequences (n) = the results of an action

 conservation (n) = careful use of a natural resource / protection of sth from human

 considerable (adj) = large or of noticeable importance

 consistent (adj) = always behaving or happening in a similar, positive way

- = agree with facts or previous behaviour (with)

 consist (v) = be made of or formed from sth (of)

 consolidate (v) = bring together or unite into a whole

 conspicuous (adj) = very noticeable or attracting attention, often not wanted

 constant (adj) = happening a lot or all the time / staying the same, not less or more

 constrained (adj) = forced to do something against your will (to do)

 construct (v) = build sth or put together different parts

 consume (v) = use fuel, energy, time, or a product / eat or drink

 contain (v) = have sth inside / limit the expansion of

o = control or hide a strong emotion, such as excitement or anger

 contemporary (adj) = modern

 context (n) = circumstances surrounding a situation (in .. context) (in the context of)

 contradict (v) = express the opposite of another statement

 contraband (n) = smuggle goods

 contrast (v) = compare two things to show the differences between them

(sth with sth) (sth contrast with sth)

 contribute (v) = give to a common fund or purpose (sth to sth)

 controversy (n) = a prolonged public dispute or depate (surrounding/over)

 convenient (adj) = easy to use or access

 convince (v) = persuade sb to believe or do sth (sb to) (sb of sth)

 cosmopolitan (adj) = containing or having experience of people and things from many different parts of

the world

= (noun) sb who has experience of many different parts of the world

 crisis (n) = a state of instability of danger

 critical (adj) = tending to judging harshly (of)

o = giving to opinions or judgments on books, plays, films

 criticize (v) = find fault with sb or judge in a negative way (sth)

 crucial (adj) = extremely important or necessary (to)

 crude (adj) = simple and not skilfully done or made / rude and offensive

 culprit (n) = sb who has committed a crime or done sth wrong

 cursory (adj) = quick and probably not detailed, not carefully

 decay (v) = the process of decaying (environmental) / become gradually damaged, worse

 defective (adj) = has a fault in it and does not work correctly

 deference (n) = respect and politeness (treat sb with deference) (in deference to)

 defile (v) = spoil the goodness or beauty of sth

 deformed (adj) = with a shape that has not developed normally

 defunct (adj) = no longer in existence

 degrade (v) = spoil, destroy the beauty or quality / cause sb to feel less valuable (sth)

 dense (adj) = closely packed

 depend (v) = rely on (on)

 depict (v) = represent or show sth in a picture or story / (depict sth as sb, doing sth)

 deplete (v) = reduce sth in size or amount, supplies of energy, money / (deplete sth of sth)

 deride (v) = ridicule, laugh at (sb/sth as sth)

 destroy (v) = ruin completely, kill

 deter (v) = discourage from happening (sb from doing sth)

 deteriorate (v) = become worst or fall apart

 determine (v) = control or influence sth directly, or decide / make a strong decision

 detract (v) = take away the value of*detract from sth*

 dexterous (adj) = think quickly and effectively or do sth difficult extremely well

 diagnose (v) = recognize and name the exact character of a disease, a problem (examining)

 dictate (v) = tell someone exactly what they must do, with total authority

o = say or read aloud

 didactic (adj) = intended to teach, to improve morals by teaching

 discord (n) = a lack of agreement or feeling of trust between people

 discourage (v) = make less confident, enthusiastic, about something by showing disapproval

 disdain (v) = look down on sb or sth, regard with contempt

o (n) = the feeling of … (with disdain)

 disparage (v) = to criticize sb or sth in a way, shows no respect(be disparaged as)

 disparate (adj = different in every way

 disperse (v) = spread across, distribute or move away over a large area

 displace (v) = force sb to leave their home or country / sth out of its usual or original position

 disrupt (v) = prevent sth from continuing as expected / change the traditional way in a new and

effective way

 distinct (adj) = clearly noticeable, that certainly exists / different or unusual

 divert (v) = cause sth or sb to change direction (be diverted to)

o = take sb’s attention away from sth (divert attention from)

 dogmatic (adj) = be certain that they are right and the others are wrong / strongly expressing your beliefs as

if they were facts

 dominant (adj) = most important, strong, or noticeable than anything else of the same type

 donor (n) = who gives for a good cause (blood, body part, money)

 dubious (adj) = thought not to be completely true or can’t be trusted / full of doubt, uncertain

 dysfunctional (adj) = not behaving or working normall (mostly families)

 eager (adj) = wanting very much to do or have something (be eager to / eager for sth)

 eccentric (adj) = strange or unusual, sometimes in a humorous way

 efficient (adj) = using minimal time or resources to complete sth

 eloquent (adj) = well-spoken, giving clear, strong message

 elusive (adj) = [answer] not direct or clear, not want to give an honest answer

 embrace (v) = hold someone tightly with both arms [emotionally]

o = accept sth enthusiastically

 emerge (v) = come into view, usually from a hidden place

 empathy (n) = the ability to share sb else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to

be in that person's situation

 emphasize (v) = show that sth is very important / highlight sth

 empirically (adv) = relying on experience, observation to prove sth (not based on theory)

 enable (v) = make able, give power to

 enchant (v) = attract, charm or please sb very much

 enclose (v) = surround

 encourage (v) = support or give inspiration to

 endure (v) = suffer sth difficult, unpleasant, or painful

 engage (v) = interest sb in sth and keep them thinking about it (sth engage sb)

(engage someone’s interest)

 enormous (adj) = extremely larger than a normal size

 ensure (v) = guarantee, make certain (sth / that …)

 entire (adj) = complete, whole

 environment (n) = one’s physical and psychological surroundings

 epidemic (adj) = widespread disease, illness in a community

 ephemeral (adj)= lasting for only a short time

 equitable (adj) = treating everyone fairly

 equivalent (adj) = having the same amount, value, purpose, qualities (to)

 eulogy (n) = a spoken, written tribute to sb who died or retired

 euphemism (n) = a word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant, offensive word

(sth is a euphemism for sth)

 evade (v) = avoid or escape from sb or sth (sth/doing)

 eventually (adv)= after a period of time

 evident (adj) = easily seen or understood; obvious

 evoke (v) = make sb remember sth or feel an emotion / bring forward (ideas)

 evolve (v) = develop or change gradually (from/into)

 exceed (v) = be greater than a number or amount, or go past an allowed limit

 exclaim (v) = cry, say or shout sth suddenly because of surprise, fear, pleasure

 exclude (v) = deny entrance to a place / intentionally not include sth

 excursion (n) = a short trip (to)

 exonerate (v) = show or state that sb or sth is not guilty of sth (sb from sth)

 exorbitant (adj) = excessive [often in a relation to cost]

 expedient (adj) = providing an immediate advantage, practical

 expedite (v) = speed up the progress of sth

 expend (v) = use or spend time, effort, or money (sth on sth) / use up

 explicit (adj) = clear, exact, directly expressed (about/make sth explicit)

 exposed (adj) = without protection, open to view

 exposure (n) = experience of sth or being affected by it (to)

 fabulous (adj) = extraordinary, excellent

 factor (n) = a fact or situation that influences the result of sth

 familiar (adj) = commonly known or experienced (to)

 fervor (adj) = strong and sincere beliefs, feelings

 fiction (n) = literature that describes imaginary events

 figment (n) = sth seems real but exists only in sb’s imagination

 fiscal (adj) = pertaining to financial or money matters

 flagrant (adj) = very bad, notorious, scandalous

o = [of a bad action, situation, person] shocking because of being so obvious

 flaunt (v) = show off (sth)

 flee (v) = escape, run awau (from/to)

 fruent (adj) = able to express oneself easily / speak a language easily, quickly

 foreshadow (v) = act as a warning or sign of a future event

 fortunate (adj) = lucky (in)

 fragile (adj) = easily damaged, broken / easily destroyed, ended, or made to fail

 fragment (n) = a small piece or a part, broken or separate off of sth (of)

 frequently (adv)= occuring often or many times

 fundamental (adj) = forming the base, from which everything else develops (to/for)

o = more important than anything else

 furthermore (adv) = in addition to, moreover, besides

 gaffe (n) = an embarrassing mistake (make a gaffe)

 generally (adv) = usually, or in most situations / by most people or to most people

 generous (adj) = showing kindness toward others (often giving money)

 genetic (adj) = belonging or relating to genes, relating to traits that are inherited
 gradually (adv) = taking place little by little over a long period of time

 gregarious (adj) = sociable, enjoying the company of others

 habitat (n) = the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives

 harmony (n) = [situation] peaceful and agree with each other (in … harmony with)

 hyperbole (n) = an exaggeration not meant to be taken literally, seriously

 hypothesis (n) = idea or explanation for sth that is based on known facts but hasn’t yet been proved

 ideal (adj) = perfect, or the best possible (for)

 identify (v) = recognize or establish the identity of a person or thing

 illustrate (v) = show the meaning or truth of sth more clearly, especially by giving examples

 immortal (adj) = living or lasting for ever / remembered for a long time [famous]

 impede (v) = make it difficult for sth to happen or for sb to do sth

 imperative (adj) = extremely important or urgent

 implicit (adj) = indirectly expressed or implied

 incandescent (adj) = emitting light as a result of being heated / extremely bright

 inconspicuous (adj) = not easily, quickly noticed or seen / blending into the environment

 incredulous (adj) = unwilling to believe

 indicator (n) = sth that shows what a situation is like (to) (an economic indicator)

 indifferent (adj) = not thinking about or interested in sb or sth (to)

 inevitable (adj) = certain to happen and unable to be avoided or prevented

 inept (adj) = not skilled or effective / incompetent

 infamous (adj) = well-known for sth considered bad (for)

 infer (v) = form an opinion because of some information (sth from sth) (from sth that)

o = reach an opinion from available information or facts (that)

 infinite (adj) = without limits, endless in space of size

 inflammatory (adj) = intended, likely to cause anger or hate

 inflict (v) = force sb, sth to experience sth unpleasant (sth on/upon sb/sth) (sth)

 influence (v) = affect, persuade (on sb/sth) (of sb/sth on sb/sth)

 infrastructure (n) = physial structures needed for a society (bridges, roads, tunnels)

 inhabit (v) = live on or in

 innovation (n) = a new idea or method or the use of them (in sth) (in technology)

 intercept (v) = block the path to a final destination, cut off (sth)

 interim (n) = temporary and intended to be used or accepted until sth permanent exists / the time

between two particular periods or events

 intramural (adj) = happening within or involving members of one school, college, or university

 invade (v) = to enter a country by force to occupy

 invest (v) = put money, effort, time, into sth to make a profit (in) (sth in v+ing) (time in ..)

 invoke (v) = (sb/sth) mention a person, an example support your opinion / as a reason for sth

o = (sth (against somebody)) mention or use a law, rule as a reason for doing sth

o = (sb) to make a request (for help) to sb, especially a god

 irony (n) = a situation in which something which was intended to have a particular result has the

opposite or a very different result (of sth)

 irrelevant (adj) = not related, not important (to)

 lavish (adj) = large in quantity and expensive or impressive / very generous (in)

 layer (n) = thickness of a material laid over a surface (of)

 lecture (v) = give a formal talk to a sb [college or university](in/on)

o = criticize sb’s actions

 limitation (n) = the act of controlling and especially reducing sth / restriction

 linger (v) = take a long time to leave or disappear

 magnificent (adj) = very good, beautiful, elaborate

 magnify (v) = make something look larger than it is / make a problem bigger or more important
 maintain (v) = carry on or continue / keep in good condition

 malfunction (v) = to fail to work or operate correctly

 maliciously (adv) = in a way that is intended to cause harm, upset, or damage:

 maximum (n) = the greatest amount possible (of)

 migrate (v) = go from one country or place to another (from .. to) / [animal, season changes]

 millennium (n) = a period of 1,000 years / the time when a period of 1,000 years ends

 minute (adj) = extremely small

 modify (v) = change a plan, opinion, law, way of behaviour, improve it, make it more acceptable

 momentum (n) = the force that keeps an object moving, keeps an event developing after it has started

 monarchy (n) = [system of government] that has a king or queen, or a country

 motivation (n) = the need, reason for doing sth (for/behind) / enthusiasm for doing sth

 nevertheless (adv) = however, in spite of that

 nondescript (adj) = very ordinary, having no interesting or exciting features or qualities

 notion (n) = general understanding / a belief or idea (that/of)

 novel (adj) = fresh, new, original, not like anything seen before

 novice (adj) = [person] not experienced in a job or situation / beginner

 nowadays (adv) = related to the present time

 objective (n) = sth that you plan to do or achieve

 observe (v) = watch carefully the way sth happens or the way sb does sth / notice, see

 obtain (v) = to get sth [asking, buying, working for it], acquire

 obvious (adj) = easily seen, recognized, or understood

 occasionally (adv) = now and then, not often

 occur (v) = take place / come into existence, happen

 ominous (adj) = suggesting that sth unpleasant is likely to happen / threatening

 oppose (v) = disagree with sth or sb (sth/doing sth)

 ordinary (adj) = not different or special; usual (out of the ordinary/ in the ordinary way)

 overcome (v) = defeat, gain upper hand

o = prevent sb from being able to act or think in the usual way (with/by emotion)

 pacify (v) = appease, sooth (sb) / to bring peace to a place [military]

 paradox (n) = [situation/statement] impossible, difficult to understand because it contains two opposite

facts or characteristics

 pardon (v) = forgive or excuse

 parity (n) = equality, especially of pay or position (with)

 partial (adj) = not complete

 particular (adj) = related to a specific group or category

 penetrate (v) = pass through, enter or pierce

 perimeter (n) = the complete distance around a shape

 periodic (adj) = happening repeatedly over a period of time

 periphery (n) = outer edge of an area

 permanently (adv) = existing forever without change

 persistant (adj) = lasting for a long time or difficult to get rid of

 perspective (n) = point of view (from a perspective) (perspective on) (to put this into perspective)

 pervade (v) = spread through all parts of sth

 phenomenon (n) = sth unusual or significant

 philanthropy (n) = the activity of helping the poor [giving money], love of mankind

 photogenic (adj) = visually appealing when being photographed

 portable (adj) = light and small enough to be easily carried or moved

 portray (v) = represent or describe sb or sth in a painting, film, book, or other artistic work

 posterity (n) = people who will exist in the future, future generations, descendants

 potential (n) = possibility, ability or skill that may be developed in the future
 practical (adj) = suitable for the situation in which sth is used, provide effective solutions to problems

 pragmatic (adj) = solving problems in a sensible way that suits the conditions that really exist now

o = based on practical judgments

 precede (v) = be or go before sth or sb in time or space

 preserve (v) = keep sth as it is, prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed

 prevalent (adj) = existing very commonly or happening often:, widespread

 prevent (v) = stop from occuring (sth/ sb from doing sth)

 principal (adj) = first in order of importance

 prior (adj) = existing or happening before sth else, or before a particular time, previous

 proclaim (v) = announce something publicly or officially

 proficient (adj) = skilled and experienced

 profound (adj) = felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way

o = showing a clear and deep understanding of serious matters

 progress (n) = positiv movement toward a goal (in progress)

 prolifically (adv)= in a way that produces a great number or amount of sth

 prologue (n) = an introductory chapter or event

 promote (v) = raise sb to a higher or more important position

 propose (v) = suggest or offer as a plan (that/doing sth)

 provoke (v) = cause a reaction, especially a negative one (sth)

 pure (adj) = clean and free from harmful substances / not mixed

 rapid (adj) = fast or sudden

 rebel (v) = fight against the government, refuse to obey rules or people in authority (against)

 recent (adj) = having occurred in the near past

 recognize (v) = identify sb or sth

 recur (v) = happen many times or to happen again

 regulate (v) = control or direct by a rule, keep in order

 reincarnation (n) = rebirth of a soul in a new body (of)

 relatively (adv) = [good, bad] in comparison with other similar things or with what you expect

 reliable (adj) = trustworthy and dependable

 rely (v) = depend on, put trust in (on) (on doing) (on … to/for) (on …doing)

 removed (adj) = distant from, either physically or psychologically

 require (v) = need, demand (sth) (sb to) (that)

 resent (v) = feel angry because you have been forced (sth/doing)

 resignation (n) = telling your employer that you are leaving your job / passive submission, giving in

 resist (v) = say no to, oppose / fight against

 resistant (adj) = not wanting to accept sth, [changes, new ideas] / not easily changed or damaged

 restrict (v) = limit movements, actions of sb / limit sth, reduce its size, prevent it from increasing

 ridiculous (adj) = stupid, unreasonable and deserving to be laughed at

 ritual (n) = group of ceremonies used in a tradition, often religious

o = way of doing sth [same actions in the same way every time] (morning ritual)

 rural (adj) = associate with the countryside or country life

 sake (n) = the purpose or reason for sth

 satisfactory (adj) = good or good enough / fulfilling all requirements

 scarce (adj) = not easy to find or get / not enough, very little

 secure (adj) = safe, dependable

 semester (n) = a division that descibes half a year, usually in an academic calendar

 sentiment (n) = a thought, opinion, idea (of)

 separate (adj) = existing or happening independently or in a different physical space

 significant (adj) = important, noticeable / having a speacial meaning

 similar (adj) = possessing many of the same qualities or features (to)

 soaked (adj = extremely wet

 solve (v) = find the answer to a question or problem

 sophisticated (adj) = good understanding of the way people behave, good knowledge of culture, fashion

o = intelligent or made in a complicated way, can do complicated tasks

 species (n) = a scientifically designated class of individuals or animals sharing common traits

 specific (adj) = clear defined and exact / particular

 speculate (v) = ơguess answersư when don’t have enough information to be certain (on/about/that)

 squander (v) = waste money or supplies / waste opportunities, not using them to your advantage:

 stable (adj) = firmly fixed, not likely to move or change / mentally healthy

 stimulate (v) = encourage sth to grow, develop, become active / make sb excited, interested about sth

 structure (n) = the way inn whichh sth is built or organized

 submissive (adj)= allowing yourself to be controlled by other people or animals

 subsequent (adj) = occuring after sth else

 substantiate (v) = show sth to be true, or support a claim with facts

 substitute (adj) = a thing or person that is used instead of another thing or person (for)

 sufficient (adj) = enough for a particular purpose, not beyond (for) (sufficient evidence to)

 suggest (v) = mention, hint or propose

 suitable (adj) = appropriate or fitting, well-matched (for)

 summarize (v) = express in an abbreviated, clear way

 summon (v) = order sb to come, be present at a place, officially arrange a meeting of people (to)

 surpass (v) = do or be better than

 sustain (v) = cause or allow sth to continue for a period of time, keep alive

 synchronize (v) = put on the sam timetable/timing` (with)

 technique (n) = a method for accomplishing a task

 tend (v) = be likely to behave (to) / care for sth or sb

 tendency (n) = if sb has a tendency to do or like sth, they will probably do it or like it (to)

o = if there is a tendency for sth to happen, it is likely to happen or it often happens (to)

 tension (n) = feeling of nervousness before an event / feeling of fear or anger between two groups of

people who do not trust each other

 tentative (adj) = not certain or confident / [a plan or idea] not certain or agreed

 transform (v) = chang in form or appearance (oneself’s into)

 transition (n) = a change from one form, type to another (to) (in transition)s

 transmit (v) = broadcast sth, or to send out or carry signals or messages using radio, television

o = pass a disease from one person or animal to another (through, from .. to, by)

 transparent (adj) = able to see through

 unanimous (adj) = having the agreement or support of all

 unconscionable (adj) = morally unacceptable / extremely wrong or bad

 undermine (v) = make sb less confident, powerful, or likely to succeed / make sth weaker

 underneath (prep) = under, below

 underscore (v) = underline, emphasize, highlight the important of sth

 unfortunate (adj) = unlucky or having bad effects

 unique (adj) = one of a kind, having no equal (to)

 unpredictable (adj) = unable to be predicted or foreseen

 usually (adv) = most of the time

 utopia (n) = perfect society, people work well with each other and are happy [fiction,dream]

 valuable (adj) = worth a lot of money, helpful, important

 various (adj) = of different kinds

 vary (v) = [things of the same type] different from each other (between/from .. to ../according

to/with each)

o = change or cause something to change in amount or level

 veracity (n) = truthfulness / the quality of being true, honest, or accurate

 verify (v) = prove that sth exists or is true, or to make certain that sth is correct

 vertical (adj) = standing, pointing straight up, at an angle of 90° to a horizontal surface or line

 viable (adj) = able to work as intended or able to succeed / capable of living or surviving

 vie (v) = compete with other people to achieve or get sth

 vigilant (adj) = always being careful to notice things, possible danger / watchful

 virtually (adv) = almost / for the most part

 visible (adj) = able to be seen

 welfare (n) = physical and mental health and happiness, especially of a person (of)

o = help given, especially by the state or an organization, to people who need it, especially

because they do not have enough money

 whereas (con) = while on the contrary / compared with the fact that, but

 whimsical (adj) = unusual and strange [funny or annoying] / determined by chance or impulse

 wily (adj) = clever, deceptive

 wither (v) = become weak and dry and decay

 xenophobia (n) = extreme dislike or fear of foreigners, their customs, their religions

 yearn (v) = wish, desire strongly (for/to)

 yield (v) = supply or produce sth positive: a profit, an amount of food or information

 zealous (adj) = enthusiastic and eager

 zenith (n) = the best or most successful point or time / the point in the sky directly above you

o = the time at which sth is most powerful

 zigzag (adj) = characterized by sharp turns in different directions