Topic vocabulary: Reactions |
| acknowledge (v) |
to accept or admit that something exists, is true or is real |
He never acknowledges his mistakes. |
| acknowledge (v) |
to thank someone for something they have done or given you, especially in writing or by saying it publicly |
We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of everyone who helped us. |
| acknowledge (v) |
to show that you have seen someone or that you recognise them, for example by smiling or speaking to them |
They barely acknowledge each other in public. |
| agonise (v) |
to spend a long time worrying and being upset about something |
For years I agonised over whether I could have helped my daughter. |
| apathy (n) |
a feeling of having no interest in or enthusiasm about anything, or of not being willing to make any effort to change things |
Few people voted in the election, presumably just because of apathy. |
| avoid (v) |
to try to prevent something from happening |
Try to avoid confrontation. |
| avoid (v) |
to try not to go near someone or something |
We went early to avoid the crowds. |
| avoid (v) |
to choose not to do something in order to achieve a better result |
When taking this medication it is advisable to avoid alcohol. |
| behaviour (n) |
the way that someone or something behaves |
Anna was sick of her brother's behaviour. |
| chuckle (n) |
a quiet laugh |
There were a couple of chuckles from one member of the audience. |
| chuckle (v) |
to laugh quietly, especially in a private or secret way |
As she read her book, she chuckled softly. |
| comfort (n) |
a physically relaxed state, without any pain or other unpleasant feelings |
The airline is keen to improve passenger comfort. |
| comfort (n) |
a feeling of being less sad or worried about something than you were previously |
My mother was always there to offer comfort. |
| comfort (n) |
a pleasant way of life in which you have everything you need |
Now he can live in comfort for the rest of his life. |
| comfort (v) |
to make someone feel less sad, worried or disappointed |
He went upstairs to comfort the baby. |
| conduct (n) |
the way someone behaves, especially in relation to particular rules or accepted ways of behaving |
Two players were sent off for violent conduct. |
| conduct (v) |
to do something in an organised way |
The agreement doesn't allow you to conduct business from your home. |
| consequence (n) |
a result or effect of something |
She said exactly what she felt, without fear of the consequences. |
| contentment (n) |
the happiness you feel when you have everything you want and you enjoy your life |
He has found contentment and satisfaction in his work. |
| cross (adj) |
angry |
The neighbours got cross every time we put our music on. |
| dignity (n) |
the impressive behaviour of someone who controls their emotions in a difficult situation |
She faced all her problems with dignity. |
| disgust (n) |
a very strong feeling of not liking something |
The idea of eating meat fills me with disgust. |
| disgust (v) |
if something disgusts you, it is so bad or immoral that it makes you angry and upset |
Your whole attitude disgusts me. |
| disillusioned (adj) |
disappointed because you have discovered that someone or something is not as good as you had believed |
Voters are very disillusioned with the democratic process. |
| fed up (adj) |
annoyed or bored with something that you feel you have accepted for too long |
I'm fed up with this job. |
| giggle (n) |
a high laugh, especially a nervous or silly one |
The sound of giggles came from the girls' room. |
| giggle (v) |
to laugh in a nervous, excited or silly way that is difficult to control |
The children whispered and giggled all the way through the film. |
| glance (n) |
a quick look at someone or something |
She had a quick glance at the newspaper as she gulped down her coffee. |
| glance (v) |
to look somewhere quickly and then look away |
He glanced over his shoulder nervously. |
| glimpse (n) |
an occasion when you see someone or something for a moment only |
The crowd were anxious for a glimpse of the President. |
| glimpse (v) |
to see someone or something for a moment or not completely |
He glimpsed a short white-haired figure heading for the back gate. |
| gloat (v) |
to show that you are happy and proud at your own success or at someone else's failure |
He was there to gloat over their defeat. |
| glum (adj) |
looking sad, as if you expect something bad to happen |
You look a bit glum. Has something happened? |
| grimace (n) |
an ugly expression that you make by twisting your face, for example because you are in pain or do not like something |
His tortured grimace showed he was in pain. |
| grimace (v) |
to make an ugly expression by twisting your face, for example because you are in pain or do not like something |
She grimaced as she swallowed the medicine. |
| grin (n) |
a big smile that shows your teeth |
'A great win,' Mike said with a broad grin. |
| grin (v) |
to smile showing your teeth |
Ruth grinned at him as she waved goodbye. |
| handle (v) |
to take action to deal with a difficult situation |
The government was criticised for the way it handled the crisis. |
| impatient (adj) |
annoyed because something is not happening as quickly as you want or in the way you want |
'Come on!' said Maggie, becoming impatient. |
| inertia (n) |
a situation in which something does not change for a long time |
There's so much inertia on the committee that nothing ever gets done. |
| manners (n) |
traditionally accepted ways of behaving that show a polite respect for other people |
Children learn manners by observing their parents. |
| manoeuvre (n) |
an action or movement that you need care or skill to do |
Dexter tried every manoeuvre he could to overtake the truck. |
| manoeuvre (v) |
to move someone or something in a situation that needs care or skill |
Katherine's good at manoeuvring her car through heavy traffic. |
| moan (n) |
an annoying complaint, especially about something that is not important |
I haven't got time to listen to your moans and groans. |
| moan (n) |
a long low sound you make because of pain, sadness or pleasure |
She let out a low moan of anguish. |
| moan (v) |
to complain about something in an annoying way |
Ben was moaning about his job again. |
| moan (v) |
if someone moans, they make a long low sound because of pain, sadness or pleasure |
James continued to moan loudly as the pain intensified. |
| mock (v) |
to make someone or something look stupid by laughing at them, copying them, or saying something that is not kind |
Are you trying to mock me? |
| neglect (n) |
the failure to give someone or something the care or attention they need |
There's an important need to protect children from abuse and neglect. |
| neglect (v) |
to fail to look after someone when you are responsible for them |
What should we do about parents who neglect their children? |
| neglect (v) |
to fail to do something that you should do |
He couldn't neglect his duties as an officer. |
| peep (n) |
a quick look at something |
I'll just take a peep inside. |
| peep (v) |
to look at something quickly and secretly, usually from a place where you think you cannot be seen |
She tried to peep through the gates to see the garden. |
| peer (v) |
to look very carefully, especially because something is difficult to see |
She was peering through the window. |
| prevent (v) |
to stop something from happening or stop someone from doing something |
Regular cleaning may help prevent infection. |
| rejoice (v) |
to feel very happy about something, or to celebrate something in a happy way |
Montaigne seemed to rejoice in the humiliation of others. |
| resent (v) |
to experience angry, unhappy feelings because you think you have been treated unfairly or without enough respect |
The girls in the family resented all the attention that Peter was getting. |
| resolute (adj) |
extremely determined |
We're resolute in our determination to oppose these measures. |
| smirk (n) |
an unpleasant smile |
Wipe that smirk off your face! |
| smirk (v) |
to smile in an unpleasant way because something bad has happened to someone else, or because you think you have achieved an advantage over them |
I know you've won, but there's no need to smirk. |
| snap (v) |
to suddenly lose control and become extremely angry or upset because a situation has become too annoying or difficult |
She was bound to snap under all that pressure. |
| snap (v) |
to speak to someone in a sudden, angry way |
'What do you want now?' he snapped angrily. |
| tactic (n) |
a particular method or plan for achieving something |
The governor's tactics involved accusing his opponent of being too liberal. |
| terror (n) |
a strong feeling of fear |
Thousands of islanders fled in terror yesterday as the volcano erupted. |
| terror (n) |
violence used for making people very frightened in order to achieve political aims |
This is a deliberate campaign of terror. |
