Unit 121
Words 2401–2420 · dare, barrier, rid, divorce, ruin, bury
dare
#2401verb, noun
to be brave enough to do something difficult or dangerous; a challenge to do it
I dare you to jump into the pool before dinner.
She didn't dare ask her manager for another day off.
He wouldn't dare drive after drinking at the party.
The children played truth or dare after finishing their homework.
I took a dare and ate the very spicy chili.
barrier
#2402noun
Something that blocks movement, progress, or communication between people or places.
A fallen tree created a barrier across the mountain road.
Cost is often a barrier to buying fresh food every day.
Language barriers made it difficult for the tourists to ask for directions.
The wheelchair ramp removes a barrier for people entering the building.
Fear can become a barrier when students try to speak English in class.
rid
#2403verb
to make someone or something free from an unwanted person, thing, or problem
She finally got rid of the old sofa after buying a comfortable new one.
Please get rid of these empty boxes before our guests arrive tonight.
The medicine helped him get rid of his headache before the important meeting.
We need to get rid of these spoiled vegetables before cooking dinner.
The teacher asked students to get rid of unnecessary words in their essays.
divorce
#2404noun, verb
The legal end of a marriage, or to legally end a marriage.
They got a divorce after twenty years of marriage.
She divorced her husband and moved to another city.
Their divorce was difficult, but they stayed friendly for their children.
My friend is going through a divorce and needs someone to listen.
The children felt sad when their parents decided to divorce.
ruin
#2405noun, verb
to damage something badly, or to spoil a good situation completely
The heavy rain ruined our picnic, so we went home early.
Please keep the cake covered, or the heat will ruin it.
One careless mistake could ruin your chances of getting the job.
We explored the ruins of an old castle during our holiday.
The doctor said too much sun had ruined the skin on his face.
bury
#2406verb
to put something in the ground and cover it with earth
They buried the treasure under a large tree in the garden.
The dog buried its bone in the soft ground.
The family buried their grandfather in the village cemetery.
Heavy snow buried the roads and stopped us from traveling.
She buried her face in her hands after hearing the sad news.
counsel
#2407noun, verb
advice about what to do, especially from a lawyer or other trained person
She sought legal counsel before signing the agreement.
The school counselor counseled him about choosing a suitable career.
My doctor counseled me to exercise regularly and eat less sugar.
The manager counseled the employee after several customers complained.
Friends counseled her to wait before buying the expensive coat.
tendency
#2408noun
A tendency is a usual way of behaving or a tendency to do something.
She has a tendency to worry about small problems.
His tendency to arrive late annoys his coworkers.
There is a tendency for prices to rise before holidays.
Children often show a tendency to copy their friends.
My tendency to eat too quickly causes stomach pain.
frequent
#2409adjective
happening often or regularly
Frequent exercise can help you sleep better and feel less stressed.
She is a frequent visitor to the small café near her office.
Frequent delays made the train journey much longer than expected.
The doctor asked about his frequent headaches during the past month.
We receive frequent deliveries because our family orders groceries online.
motor
#2410noun
a machine that uses energy to make a vehicle or other machine move
The car's motor stopped suddenly on the way home.
The mechanic checked the motor before returning the car.
The boat has a powerful motor for traveling across the lake.
I could hear the motor running behind the office wall.
She turned off the motor while waiting outside the store.
survival
#2411noun
The ability to continue living or existing, especially through danger or difficulty.
Clean water and warm clothing are essential for survival in cold weather.
The doctor said her survival depended on getting treatment quickly.
The team learned basic survival skills before exploring the jungle.
The small shop sells food and tools for everyday survival.
After the storm, our survival depended on helping each other.
counter
#2412noun, verb
A long flat surface for serving food or doing work, or to act against something.
She left the keys on the kitchen counter before going upstairs.
We ordered sandwiches at the counter and found a table outside.
The hotel counter was busy, so we waited quietly with our bags.
The new evidence counters the argument that the treatment is unsafe.
The team is countering the opponent's attack with a quick pass.
possess
#2413verb
to have something as your own or to have a particular quality
She possesses excellent communication skills and works well with people.
The museum possesses several paintings by famous local artists.
He possesses the patience needed to care for young children.
The new phone possesses a powerful camera and a long-lasting battery.
Only experienced climbers possess the strength to reach the mountain’s highest point.
permission
#2414noun
If you have permission, someone allows you to do something.
You need your parents' permission before going on the school trip.
I asked my manager for permission to leave work early.
The teacher gave us permission to use our phones during the break.
We could not enter the restaurant without permission from the owner.
The doctor gave him permission to return to work next week.
valley
#2415noun
A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it.
The small village lies in a beautiful valley between two mountain ranges.
We drove through the valley until we reached the town before sunset.
Heavy rain filled the valley with water and blocked the main road.
From the top of the hill, we could see the entire valley below.
Farmers grow fruit and vegetables on the valley floor.
float
#2416verb, noun
to stay on the surface of water or another liquid without sinking
The leaves floated gently on the surface of the pond.
She floated on her back while relaxing in the swimming pool.
A small boat was floating near the beach after the storm.
The balloon floated up to the ceiling during the birthday party.
We bought a comfortable float for the children at the water park.
mad
#2417adjective
angry, annoyed, or mentally ill, depending on the situation
She was mad at me for forgetting her birthday.
My dad gets mad when people leave dirty dishes in the sink.
The children went mad when the teacher canceled their trip.
He must be mad to drive so fast on this narrow mountain road.
The dog went mad with excitement when its owner came home.
greatly
#2418adverb
Very much; to a great degree.
The new medicine greatly improved my grandmother’s health.
We greatly enjoyed our weekend trip to the mountains.
Your advice greatly helped me prepare for the difficult exam.
The store’s lower prices greatly increased the number of customers.
I was greatly surprised when my friends brought me a birthday cake.
visible
#2419adjective
Able to be seen or noticed.
The mountains were clearly visible from our hotel window.
Please keep your passport visible while we check your bags.
The doctor found no visible signs of infection.
Her excitement was visible when she opened the birthday gift.
The stars became visible after the clouds moved away.
electric
#2420adjective
using or producing electricity
We bought an electric kettle to boil water quickly in the morning.
The electric car needs charging before we drive to the airport.
The school replaced its old heating system with an electric one.
The dentist used an electric toothbrush to clean my teeth.
An electric fence keeps the animals safely inside the field.