Vocabulary Cards C2
363 cards available.
C2 noun
portent
Meaning
A sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
Example
The sudden drop in stock prices was seen as a portent of economic trouble.
C2 adjective
portentous
Meaning
Giving a sign or warning that something, often bad or serious, is going to happen; or overly solemn and pompous.
Example
His portentous tone made everyone nervous about the news.
C2 adjective
portly
Meaning
Having a stout or somewhat fat body, often implying dignity or authority.
Example
The portly man entered the room with confidence.
C2 noun
poseur
Meaning
A person who pretends to be something they are not, often to impress others.
Example
Many considered him a poseur because he exaggerated his accomplishments.
C2 noun
posse
Meaning
A group of people, often friends or a group organized to support or enforce the law.
Example
He arrived at the party with his posse of friends.
C2 adjective
postprandial
Meaning
Occurring after a meal.
Example
He went for a postprandial walk after dinner.
C2 noun
potboiler
Meaning
a book, play, or film produced quickly to make money rather than for artistic value
Example
The novel was dismissed by critics as a mere potboiler.
C2 noun
potentate
Meaning
A monarch or ruler, especially one with absolute power.
Example
The ancient land was ruled by a powerful potentate.
C2 verb
potentiate
Meaning
To increase the power, effect, or likelihood of something.
Example
Caffeine can potentiate the effects of some medicines.
C2 noun
potpourri
Meaning
a mixture of dried flowers and spices kept in a bowl to perfume a room; a miscellaneous collection
Example
The living room was filled with the scent of potpourri.
C2 noun
poultice
Meaning
a soft, moist mass of material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation
Example
The nurse applied a warm poultice to his injured leg.
C2 noun
powwow
Meaning
an informal meeting or conference to discuss something
Example
The team held a quick powwow before the presentation.
C2 verb
prate
Meaning
to talk foolishly or at tedious length about something
Example
He would prate endlessly about his minor achievements.
C2 verb
prattle
Meaning
to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way
Example
The children would prattle on about their games.
C2 adjective
precedential
Meaning
Relating to, or serving as, a precedent; having authority as an example.
Example
The court’s decision has precedential value.
C2 noun
precept
Meaning
A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
Example
Honesty is a fundamental precept in all religions.
C2 noun
precession
Meaning
The slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around another axis, often referring to Earth's rotation.
Example
Astronomers study the precession of the equinoxes.
C2 noun
preciosity
Meaning
Excessive refinement or affected elegance in language, style, or behavior.
Example
The author's preciosity made the novel difficult to read for some audiences.
C2 noun/adjective
precipitant
Meaning
As a noun: a substance that causes a substance to be deposited from a solution; as an adjective: acting hastily or impulsively.
Example
The chemist added a precipitant to the solution to observe the reaction.
C2 verb
predestine
Meaning
to determine or decide something in advance, often regarded as being fixed by fate or divine will
Example
They believed their paths were predestined by fate.
C2 noun
predilection
Meaning
A strong liking or preference for something.
Example
She has a predilection for classical music.
C2 noun
preeminence
Meaning
The fact of surpassing all others; superiority.
Example
The university has gained preeminence in medical research.
C2 noun
preemption
Meaning
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
Example
The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors.
C2 verb
preengage
Meaning
To contract or engage beforehand; to arrange in advance.
Example
The workers were preengaged before the project officially started.