English Words and their "Figurative Meanings" | ACT Vocabulary

distillation

noun

d

i

ɪ

s

t

i

ə

ll

l

a

eɪ

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

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the process of refining and extracting the essential elements from a complex body of information or ideas

Example

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The philosopher's essay is a distillation of centuries of thought on the nature of existence.

The summary provides a distillation of the key points discussed during the meeting.

snap

noun

s

n

a

æ

p

a task or activity that is easy and straightforward to complete

driver

noun

d

r

i

aɪ

v

e

ə

r

a factor, force, or influence that initiates or causes a particular action, process, or change

twist

noun

t

w

i

ɪ

s

t

an unexpected turn in the course of events

ammunition

noun

a

æ

mm

m

u

j

ə

n

i

ɪ

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

a set of facts or information that can be used to win an argument against someone or to criticize them

departure

noun

d

e

ɪ

p

a

ɑ

r

t

ʧ

u

ə

r

e

a change or deviation from the usual or expected standard

reception

noun

r

e

ɪ

c

s

e

ɛ

p

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

the way in which something is perceived or received by others, often referring to the response or reaction to an idea, message, or product

input

noun

i

ɪ

n

p

u

ʊ

t

the information or events that stimulate action or response

sway

noun

s

w

a

e

y

ɪ

the influence or control over someone or something

ill

noun

i

ɪ

ll

l

an undesirable condition or difficulty that requires attention or resolution

miscarriage

noun

m

i

ɪ

s

c

k

a

ɛ

rr

r

ia

ə

g

ʤ

e

the collapse or failure of a plan or intended outcome

turn

noun

t

u

ɜ

r

n

a transitional phase that marks the end of one era and the beginning of another

reflexion

noun

/ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/

a thoughtful and deliberate consideration, often calm and extended

assembly

noun

a

ə

ss

s

e

ɛ

m

b

l

y

i

a group of parts that have been put together to form a unit

record

noun

r

e

ɛ

c

k

o

ə

r

d

a round, thin piece of plastic with a hole in the middle, on which music, etc. is recorded

What is a "record"?

A record is a round disc made of vinyl that music is recorded onto and played from. It features grooves on its surface that store the audio, which can be read by a turntable's needle to produce sound. Records were widely used for playing music before digital formats became common and are still popular among collectors and music enthusiasts for their warm sound quality and nostalgic value.

bare

Adjective

b

a

e

r

e

offering no protection or refuge

sensitive

Adjective

s

e

ɛ

n

s

i

ə

t

i

ɪ

v

e

relating to classified details or topics critical to national safety

harsh

Adjective

h

a

ɑ

r

sh

ʃ

(of conditions or actions) unpleasantly rough or severe

crisp

Adjective

c

k

r

i

ɪ

s

p

effectively concise in expression

meteoric

Adjective

m

e

i

t

eo

iɔ

r

i

ɪ

c

k

developing or reaching success in a quick way

accessible

Adjective

a

æ

c

k

c

s

e

ɛ

ss

s

i

ə

b

l

e

easily understood or readable with comprehension

infectious

Adjective

i

ɪ

n

f

e

ɛ

c

k

t

ʃ

iou

ə

s

(of qualities or behaviors) likely to influence others rapidly

noninfectious

sacred

Adjective

s

a

eɪ

c

k

r

e

ə

d

deserving deep respect and admiration due to its spiritual, religious, or significant importance

sharp

Adjective

sh

ʃ

a

ɑ

r

p

able to understand and notice things quickly

oceanic

Adjective

o

oʊ

c

ʃ

ea

iæ

n

i

ɪ

c

k

having the vast extent or degree characteristic of the ocean

to skip

Verb

s

k

i

ɪ

p

to deliberately and quickly move past or jump over certain sections or portions of media, such as audio tracks, video segments, or chapters

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to exhibit

Verb

e

ɪ

x

gz

h

i

ɪ

b

i

ɪ

t

to show a particular trait or behavior prominently

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to unleash

Verb

u

ə

n

l

ea

i

sh

ʃ

to let out or express a strong emotion or feeling, such as anger, frustration, or excitement

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to cost

Verb

c

k

o

ɑ

s

t

to cause the loss of something, often valuable, or a negative outcome resulting from a particular action or decision

Grammatical Information:

ditransitive

to surrender

Verb

s

u

ɜ

rr

r

e

ɛ

n

d

e

ɜ

r

to give away or yield something, usually under pressure or voluntarily

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to consult

Verb

c

k

o

ə

n

s

u

ə

l

t

to refer to a source of knowledge in order to ascertain something

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to portray

Verb

p

o

ɔ

r

t

r

a

e

y

ɪ

to describe something or someone through words

Grammatical Information:

complex transitive

to drive

Verb

d

r

i

aɪ

v

e

to be the influencing factor that causes something to make progress

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to render

Verb

r

e

ɛ

n

d

e

ɜ

r

to create a representation of something, usually in the form of a drawing, painting, or other visual medium

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to appreciate

Verb

a

ə

pp

p

r

e

i

c

ʃ

ia

ieɪ

t

e

to fully understand or recognize the qualities, significance, or worth of something

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to witness

Verb

w

i

ɪ

t

n

e

ə

ss

s

to have firsthand knowledge of a development or event through observation or personal experience

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to spark

Verb

s

p

a

ɑ

r

k

to trigger or ignite a reaction, response, or action, often by provoking or inspiring someone or something to action

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to run

Verb

r

u

ʌ

n

to own, manage, or organize something such as a business, campaign, a group of animals, etc.

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to hold

Verb

h

o

oʊ

l

d

to have a specific opinion or belief about someone or something

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to simmer

Verb

s

i

ɪ

mm

m

e

ɜ

r

(of emotions, tensions, or conflicts) to be present but not openly expressed

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to lace

Verb

l

a

eɪ

c

s

e

to incorporate or infuse something with a particular quality, element, or characteristic

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to capture

Verb

c

k

a

æ

p

t

ʧ

u

ɜ

r

e

to manage to express a mood, quality, scene, etc. accurately in a piece of art

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to shadow

Verb

sh

ʃ

a

æ

d

o

oʊ

w

to follow someone closely in order to observe and learn from them, often by copying their actions, behavior, or techniques

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to relieve

Verb

r

e

i

l

ie

i

v

e

to take something away through stealing or cunning actions

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to reign

Verb

r

ei

eɪ

g

n

to be predominant or prevalent

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to plant

Verb

p

l

a

æ

n

t

to put or position something securely

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to brighten

Verb

b

r

i

aɪ

gh

t

e

ə

n

(of weather) to become sunnier or less cloudy

overcast

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to stir

Verb

s

t

i

ɜ

r

to cause a reaction or disturbance in someone's emotional state

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to boast

Verb

b

oa

oʊ

s

t

to possess or have a particular feature or quality that is a source of pride

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to crack

Verb

c

k

r

a

æ

ck

k

to reveal or disclose something suddenly or impulsively

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to accommodate

Verb

a

ə

cc

k

o

ɑ

mm

m

o

ə

d

a

eɪ

t

e

to consider something and possibly make adjustments based on it

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to wire

Verb

w

i

aɪ

r

e

to set up or program someone or something in a way that naturally inclines them toward a particular behavior, response, or way of thinking

Grammatical Information:

ditransitive

to insulate

Verb

i

ɪ

n

s

u

ə

l

a

eɪ

t

e

to shield someone or something from external factors, pressures, or influences

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to devour

Verb

d

e

ɪ

v

o

a

u

ʊ

r

to read written material with great enthusiasm and speed

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to strip

Verb

s

t

r

i

ɪ

p

to take away someone's possessions or assets

Grammatical Information:

ditransitive

to sever

Verb

s

e

ɛ

v

e

ɜ

r

to end a connection or relationship completely

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to decorate

Verb

d

e

ɛ

c

k

o

ə

r

a

eɪ

t

e

to recognize and honor members of armed forces for their service, bravery, or achievements

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to descend

Verb

d

e

ɪ

s

c

e

ɛ

n

d

to be related by blood, typically referring to the lineage or family connection

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to frame

Verb

f

r

a

eɪ

m

e

to structure or organize ideas, plans, or systems within a framework

Grammatical Information:

transitive

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