Academic Words 1

f

Lời nói đầu: Trong 4 tiêu chí chấm điểm của IELTS Writing thì chắc chắn tiêu chí vocabulary là tiêu chí khó cải thiện nhất. Bạn cần cho giám khảo thấy được kĩ năng sử dụng từ vựng của mình – nó có nghĩa là bạn cần dùng từ vựng đúng ngữ cảnh, phù hợp với chủ đề mình đang viết về. Ngoài việc thể hiện được ý, làm quan điểm của mình rõ ràng thì bạn cần cho người đọc thấy được sophisticated understanding of the language. Các collocations và academic words sẽ giúp bạn làm được điều này. Trong cuốn sách này bao gồm 850 từ vựng và cấu trúc học thuật phù hợp và được dùng nhiều nhất để trả lời cho các yêu cầu của bài essay task 2. Với mỗi từ đều có giải nghĩa và ví dụ để thấy rõ cách sử dụng đúng và ngữ cảnh nào dùng sẽ phù hợp.

indeedadverb UK /ɪnˈdiːd/ US /ɪnˈdiːd/ B1

really or certainly, often used to emphasize something:

Indeed, it could be the worst environmental disaster in Europe this century. Evidence suggests that errors may indeed be occurring.

tooadverb UK /tuː/ US /tuː/

all too used before an adjective or adverb to emphasize a negative meaning: The holidays flew by all too quickly. All too often we forgot who we are. It is all too easy to get caught up in the world of drugs.

suchnoun UK /sʌtʃ/ US /sʌtʃ/

as such in the true or exact meaning of the word or phrase: There wasn't much vegetarian food as such, although there were several different types of cheese. We don't have a secretary as such, but we do have a student who comes in to do some filing.

suchadjective, pronoun US /sʌtʃ/ such adjective, pronoun (OF THAT TYPE)

of that or a similar type: With such evidence, they should have no difficulty getting a conviction. Such violent measures should not be condoned.

dueadjective UK /dʒuː/ US /duː/

due to B1

because of:

A lot of her unhappiness is due to boredom. The bus was delayed due to heavy snow.

invariablyadverb UK /ɪnˈveə.ri.ə.bli/ US /ɪnˈver.i.ə.bli/ C2

always:

The train is invariably late.

merelyadverb UK /ˈmɪə.li/ US /ˈmɪr.li/ C2

used to emphasize that something is not large, important, or effective

when compared to something else: The medicine won't cure her - it merely stops the pain.

timenoun UK /taɪm/ US /taɪm/

at times C1

sometimes:

You can be really annoying at times, you know.

time after time C2

again and again:

Time after time she gets involved in relationships with the wrong men.

time and (time) again very often: I've told you time and time again - look before you cross the road.

at all times continuously: When you're at the airport, you should make sure you have your luggage with you at all times.

at any time ever: Parking is not allowed here at any time.

in time B1

early enough:

I got home just in time - it's starting to rain.

albeitconjunction UK /ɔːlˈbiː.ɪt/ US /ɑːlˈbiː.ɪt/ FORMAL C2

although:

The evening was very pleasant, albeit a little quiet. He tried, albeit without success.

it stands to reason C2

said when something is obvious or clear from the facts:

If 20 percent of the earth's population has 80 percent of its resources, then it stands to reason that 80 percent of the population has only 20 percent of the resources.

largelyadverb

[ not gradable ]

US /ˈlɑrdʒ·li/ to a great degree, or generally: My advice was largely ignored. His early novels went largely unnoticed.

regardlessadverb UK /rɪˈɡɑːd.ləs/ US /rɪˈɡɑːrd.ləs/ C1

despite; not being affected by something:

The plan for a new office building went ahead regardless of local opposition. She knew it was dangerous to visit him except at night, but she set out regardless (of the risk). This job is open to all, regardless of previous experience.

irrespectiveadverb UK /ˌɪr.ɪˈspek.tɪv/ US /ˌɪr.əˈspek.tɪv/ C2

without considering; not needing to allow for:

The legislation must be applied irrespective of someone's ethnic origins. Synonym regardless

savepreposition US /seɪv/ ALSO save for, US/ˈseɪv·fɔr, -fər/ but or except (for): They found all the lost documents save one. The walls were bare save for a poster.

barpreposition UK /bɑːr/ US /bɑːr/FORMAL except: Everyone is leaving the village, bar the very old and ill. They're the best songwriters of this century, bar none (= no one else is better).

abound in/with sth — phrasal verb with abound UK /əˈbaʊnd/ US /əˈbaʊnd/ verb [ I ] If something abounds in/with other things, it has a lot of them: The coast here abounds with rare plants.

in line with sth C2

similar to, or at the same level as something:

The company's results are in line with stock market expectations. We're seeking a pay rise that's in line with inflation. The salaries of temporary employees ought to be brought into line with those of permanent staff.

lieunoun UK /ljuː/ /luː/ US /ljuː/ /luː/ FORMAL

in lieu (of) instead (of): He worked on Sunday and took Monday off in lieu. They gave some books in lieu of payment for the work I did. The paintings were left to the nation by the Duke of Norfolk in lieu of inheritance taxes.

in the light of sth UK US in light of sth C1

because of:

In the light of recent incidents, we are asking our customers to take particular care of their personal belongings. In light of the problems we're having, we have no choice but to close the business.

awashadjective [ after verb ] UK /əˈwɒʃ/ US /əˈwɑːʃ/ having an amount of something that is very large or larger than necessary or wanted: The city is awash with drugs and the police are powerless to do anything about it. If someone or some place is awash in something that is not a liquid, there is a large amount of it: The reason why I say that is because the country is awash in money. Most Chinese city roads are awash in advertising.

ensureverb [ T ] US ALSO insure UK /ɪnˈʃɔːr/ US /ɪnˈʃʊr/ B2

to make something certain to happen:

The airline is taking steps to ensure safety on its aircraft. [ + (that) ] The role of the police is to ensure (that) the law is obeyed.

repleteadjective [ after verb ] UK /rɪˈpliːt/ US /rɪˈpliːt/ FORMAL full, especially with food: After two helpings of dessert, Sergio was at last replete. well supplied: This car has an engine replete with the latest technology.

counterpartnoun [ C ] UK /ˈkaʊn.tə.pɑːt/ US /ˈkaʊn.t̬ ɚ.pɑːrt/ a person or thing that has the same purpose as another one in a different place or organization: C1

The prime minister is to meet his European counterparts to discuss the war against drugs. Why should women in top managerial positions earn less than their male counterparts? For the first time, the company's mobile video advertising has outperformed its online counterpart.

pale in comparison ALSO pale beside sth/sb

to seem much less serious or important when compared with someone or something else: I thought I was badly treated but my experiences pale in comparison with yours.

conjunctionnoun UK /kənˈdʒʌŋk.ʃən/ US /kənˈdʒʌŋk.ʃən/ C2 [ C or U ] FORMAL

the situation in which events or conditions combine or happen together: An unfortunate conjunction of circumstances led to his downfall. There is a team of writers working in conjunction (with each other) on the book.

virtuenoun UK /ˈvɜː.tʃuː/ US /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

C2 [ C or U ]

a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of

being morally good: Patience is a virtue. C2 [ C or U ]

an advantage or good thing:

Would there be any virtue in taking an earlier train? The actress has appeared in many TV ads extolling (= praising) the virtues of hair products.

by virtue of C2 FORMAL because of; as a result of: She succeeded by virtue of her tenacity rather than her talent.

anewadverb

[ not gradable ]

US /əˈnu/ once more; again: After a short time, their old arguments simply began anew.

stem from sth — phrasal verb with stem UK /stem/ US /stem/ verb [ T ] -mmC1

to start or develop as the result of something:

Her problems stem from her difficult childhood. Their disagreement stemmed from a misunderstanding.

deriveverb UK /dɪˈraɪv/ US /dɪˈraɪv/

derive sth from sth C1

to get something from something else:

The institute derives all its money from foreign investments. She derives great pleasure/satisfaction from playing the violin. Many people derive their self-worth from their work. I didn't derive much benefit from school. She derived great satisfaction from helping other people.

a fine line ALSO a thin line

a very small difference between two things that may seem different: There’s sometimes a very thin line between love and hate. As a comedian, I’m always walking that fine line between humor and sarcasm (= finding a balance between them).

accordancenoun US /əˈkɔr·dəns/

in accordance with If you do something in accordance with a rule, you follow or obey it: In accordance with school rules, the teacher asked him to remove his hat when inside the building.

pertain to sth

FORMAL

— phrasal verb with pertain UK /pɜːˈteɪn/ US /pɝːˈteɪn/ verb

to be connected with a particular subject, event, or situation: We are only interested in the parts of the proposals that pertain to local issues.

otherwiseadjective [ after verb ] UK /ˈʌð.ə.waɪz/ US /ˈʌð.ɚ.waɪz/ FORMAL used to show that something is completely different from what you think it is or from what was previously stated: He might have told you he was a qualified electrician, but the truth is quite otherwise.

conjunction used after an order or suggestion to show what the result will be if you do not follow that order or suggestion: B1

I'd better write it down, otherwise I'll forget it. Call home, otherwise your parents will start to worry.

for that matter used to show that a statement is true in another situation: Ming's never been to Spain, or to any European country for that matter.

assertionnoun [ C + that ] UK /əˈsɜː.ʃən/ US /əˈsɝː.ʃən/ a statement that you strongly believe is true: I certainly don't agree with his assertion that men are better drivers than women. I concur with this assertion for several reasons.

school of thoughtnoun [ C ] UK /ˌskuːl əv ˈθɔːt/ US /ˌskuːl əv ˈθɑːt/ a set of ideas or opinions that a group of people share about a matter: There are several schools of thought about how the universe began. I do not accept this school of thought.

divergeverb [ I ] UK /ˌdaɪˈvɜːdʒ/ US /dɪˈvɝːdʒ/ to follow a different direction, or to be or become different: They walked along the road together until they reached the village, but then their paths diverged. Although the two organizations have worked together for many years, their objectives have diverged recently. However, I diverge from this school of thought.

reasoningnoun [ U ] UK /ˈriː.zən.ɪŋ/ US /ˈriː.zən.ɪŋ/ C2

the process of thinking about something in order to make a decision:

The reasoning behind her conclusion is impossible to fault. This line of reasoning is not sound/ faulty

ampleadjective UK /ˈæm.pəl/ US /ˈæm.pəl/

∂

C1

more than enough:

You'll have ample opportunity to ask questions after the talk. There's ample evidence that the lawyer knew exactly what she was doing. They had ample warning of the factory closure.

elucidateverb

[ I/T ]

FML US /ɪˈlu·sɪˌdeɪt/

to explain or make clear: [T]

I hope my book will elucidate the complex issues we face.

essencenoun UK /ˈes.əns/ US /ˈes.əns/ essence noun (IMPORTANCE)

C2 [ S or U ]

the basic or most important idea or quality of something:

The essence of his argument was that education should continue throughout life. Yet change is the very essence of life.

be of the essence FORMAL to be the most important thing: In any of these discussions, of course, honesty is of the essence. Time is of the essence.

more by luck than judgment

UK

by chance and not because of any special skill: "You did amazingly well to get the ball in." "Oh, it was more by luck than judgment."

elementnoun UK /ˈel.ɪ.mənt/ US /ˈel.ə.mənt/ B2 [ C ]

a part of something:

List the elements that make up a perfect dinner party.

an element of sth C2

a small amount of an emotion or quality:

There was certainly an element of truth in what she said. Don't you think there's an element of jealousy in all of this? We walked quietly up to the door to preserve the element of surprise.

tranquiladjective UK /ˈtræŋ.kwɪl/ US /ˈtræŋ.kwɪl/ C1

calm and peaceful and without noise, violence, worry, etc.:

She stared at the tranquil surface of the water. The hotel is in a tranquil rural setting.

tranquility noun The tranquility of the forest helps me relax.

disfigureverb [ T ] UK /dɪsˈfɪɡ.ər/ US /dɪsˈfɪɡ.jɚ/ to spoil the appearance of something or someone, especially their face, completely: She was horribly disfigured by burns. This part of the old town has been disfigured by ugly new buildings.

momentumnoun

[U]

UK /məʊˈmentəm/ US the force that keeps an object movingor keeps an event developing after it has started: gain/pick up/gather momentum Stocks gained momentum on strong quarterly reports across the tech world. There is worrying evidence that the economy is losing momentum. build/increase/add momentum We continue to build momentum in our quest to grow our businesses. Election of business oriented leaders gave momentum to new downtown redevelopment. The campaign has been gaining momentum ever since the television appeal. Opposition to the tax has been gaining momentum. The campaign for an elected mayor seems to have lost momentum.

fundingnoun [ U ] UK /ˈfʌn.dɪŋ/ US /ˈfʌn.dɪŋ/ C1

money given by a government or organization for an event or activity:

Alisha is trying to get funding for her research. They received state funding for the project. The basic lack of government funding is at the core of the problem.

fundsplural noun US /ˈfʌndz/ money, often money for a specific purpose: I’m short of/low on funds at the moment. The Brownies sold cookies to raise funds for their troop.

fundverb [ T ] UK /fʌnd/ US /fʌnd/ C1

to provide the money to pay for an event, activity, or organization:

The company has agreed to fund my trip to Australia. The new college is being privately funded (= money for it is not being provided from taxes).

a fund of sth a lot of something: She has a fund of knowledge on the subject.

versedadjective UK /vɜːst/ US /vɝːst/ FORMAL

be versed in sth to know a lot about a particular subject or be experienced in a particular skill: I'm not sufficiently versed in XML to understand what you're saying.

delugenoun [ C ] UK /ˈdel.juːdʒ/ US /ˈdel.juːdʒ/ a very large amount of rain or water: This little stream can become a deluge when it rains heavily.

a deluge of sth a lot of something: The newspaper received a deluge of complaints/letters/phone calls about the article.

barragenoun UK /ˈbær.ɑːʒ/ US /bəˈrɑːʒ/

a barrage of sth a great number of complaints, criticisms, or questions suddenly directed at someone: The TV station has received a barrage of complaints about the amount of violence in the series. He faced a barrage of questions over his handling of the problem.

superabundancenoun [ S or U ] UK /ˌsuː.pər.əˈbʌn.dəns/ US /ˌsuː.pɚ.əˈbʌn.dəns/ FORMAL a very large amount of something, especially more than is needed or usual: The country has a superabundance of natural resources.

proneadjective UK /prəʊn/ US /proʊn/

be prone to sth/do sth C2

likely to suffer from an illness or show a particular negative characteristic:

I've always been prone to headaches. He was prone to depression even as a teenager. She's prone to exaggerate, that's for sure.

depriveverb [ T ] UK /dɪˈpraɪv/ US /dɪˈpraɪv/ to take something, especially something necessary or pleasant, away from someone: B2

He claimed that he had been deprived of his freedom/rights. You can't function properly when you're deprived of sleep. Some parents deprive themselves of many pleasures so that their children can have the best of everything. He complained that his captors had deprived him of his basic human rights. If you deprive a child of affection, they can become very withdrawn.

the forefrontnoun

[S]

UK US the most noticeable or important position in a particular market, activity, or group: at/in the forefront of (doing) sth The company is at the forefront of developing new technology to address CO2emissions. the most important or leading position: She was in the forefront on many social issues of her day.

factor in something — phrasal verb with factor verb to consider information, esp. as something that might influence a result: It’s going to feel like 110° there when you factor in the humidity.

divergeverb UK /daɪˈvɜːdʒ/ US

[I]

to be very different, or to develop in different or unexpected ways: diverge on/about sth Opinions diverge on whether the new CEO will be able to restore the company's reputation and profitability. Firms should be allowed to diverge from their sector's pay deal if two-thirds of employees are in favour.

optimaladjective UK /ˈɒptɪməl/ US the best or most effective possible in a particular situation: Companies benefit from the optimal use of their resources and personnel. We have found that our workers reach their optimal level of performance around 11 a.m.

kindleverb

[T]

US /ˈkɪn·dəl/ to cause a fire to start burning: FIG. Great literature kindled their imaginations (= made them work).

Her imagination was kindled by the exciting stories her grandmother told her. It is exactly what is needed to kindle an interest in nature and history.

pique sb's curiosity, interest, etc. to make someone interested in something and want to know more about it:

The noise continued, piquing her curiosity.

wean sb on sth — phrasal verb with wean UK /wiːn/ US /wiːn/ verb [ T ] If someone is weaned on something, they have learned about and been influenced by it when young: This generation has been weaned on computer games.

filterverb UK /ˈfɪl.tər/ US /ˈfɪl.t̬ ɚ/ C2 [ I + adv/prep ]

to appear or happen gradually or to a limited degree:

News filtered down to us during the day. Reports about an accident began to filter in. Sunlight filtered through the branches.

bear fruit C2

FORMAL

If something that someone does bears fruit, it produces successful results:

Eventually her efforts bore fruit and she got the job she wanted.

flourishverb US /ˈflɜr·ɪʃ, ˈflʌr-/ [I]

to grow or develop successfully:

Parts of the city continue to flourish. This is the perfect environment for our company to flourish and expand in. Thanks to a lot of effort and the support of local people, the business flourished.

engageverb UK /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/ US /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/ C1 [ T ] FORMAL

to interest someone in something and keep them thinking about it:

The debate about food safety has engaged the whole nation. If a book doesn't engage my interest in the first few pages, I don't usually continue reading it. [ I ] FORMAL

to become involved, or have contact, with someone or something:

She's an intelligent child but in class she doesn't really engage. Just stay out of his way as much as possible, and don't engage with him. [ T ] MAINLY UK FORMAL [ + to infinitive ]

to employ someone:

I have engaged a secretary to deal with all my paperwork.

attainmentnoun UK /əˈteɪn.mənt/ US /əˈteɪn.mənt/ [ U ] FORMAL

the act of achieving something:

the attainment of a goal

achievementnoun [ C or U ] UK /əˈtʃiːv.mənt/ US /əˈtʃiːv.mənt/ B1

something very good and difficult that you have succeeded in doing:

An Olympic silver medal is a remarkable achievement for one so young. The Tale of Genji has been described as the greatest achievement of Japanese literature. It gives you a sense of achievement if you actually make it to the end of a very long book.

accomplishmentnoun UK /əˈkʌm.plɪʃ.mənt/ US /əˈkɑːm.plɪʃ.mənt/ [C]

something that is successful, or that is achieved after a lot of work or effort:

Getting the two leaders to sign a peace treaty was his greatest accomplishment.

stridenoun UK /straɪd/ US /straɪd/ [C]

an important positive development:

The West made impressive strides in improvingenergy efficiency after the huge rises in oil prices during the 70s. The group has made strides to expand internationally.

augmentverb [ T ] UK /ɔːɡˈment/ US /ɑːɡˈment/ FORMAL to increase the size or value of something by adding something to it: He would have to find work to augment his income.

supplementverb [ T ] UK /ˈsʌp.lɪ.ment/ US /ˈsʌp.lə.ment/ C2

to add something to something to make it larger or better:

He supplements (= adds to) his income by working in a bar at night. Some vegetarians like to supplement their diets with iron.

noun [

C]

something that is added to something else in order to improve it or complete it; something extra: C2

The doctor said she should be taking vitamin supplements. The money I get from teaching evening night classes provides a supplement to my main income.

marginalizeverb [ T often passive ] UK USUALLY marginalise UK /ˈmɑː.dʒɪ.nəl.aɪz/ US /ˈmɑːr.dʒɪ.nəl.aɪz/

to treat someone or something as if they are not important: Now that English has taken over as the main language, the country's native language has been marginalized.

undermineverb [ T ] UK /ˌʌn.dəˈmaɪn/ US /ˌʌn.dɚˈmaɪn/ to make someone less confident, less powerful, or less likely to succeed, or to make something weaker, often gradually: C2

The president has accused two cabinet members of workingsecretly to undermine his position/him. Criticism just undermines their confidence.

jeopardynoun UK /ˈdʒep.ə.di/ US /ˈdʒep.ɚ.di/

in jeopardy in danger of being damaged or destroyed: The lives of thousands of birds are in jeopardy as a result of the oil spill. Bad investments have put the company’s future in jeopardy.

subvertverb [ T ] UK /səbˈvɜːt/ US /səbˈvɝːt/ FORMAL to try to destroy or damage something, especiallyan established political system: The rebel army is attempting to subvert the government. Our best intentions are sometimes subverted by our natural tendency to selfishness. To subvert the stability of society.

substituteverb UK /ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt/ US [T]

to use something different or new instead of another thing:

substitute sth for sth Industry must reduce fuel consumption by substituting alternative fuels for fossil fuels. The government expects natural gas to substitute for oil exports in the future. substitute sth with sth It takes time to substitute local brands with your own brand names.

supersedeverb [ T ] UK /ˌsuː.pəˈsiːd/ US /ˌsuː.pɚˈsiːd/ to replace something, especially something older or more old-fashioned: Most of the old road has been superseded by the great interstate highways. to replace something older, less effective, or less important or official: Wireless broadband could supersede satellite radio one day.

negateverb [ T ] UK /nɪˈɡeɪt/ US /nɪˈɡeɪt/ FORMAL to cause something to have no effect: The increase in our profits has been negated by the rising costs of running the business.

demisenoun [ S ] UK /dɪˈmaɪz/ US /dɪˈmaɪz/ FORMAL the end of something that was previously considered to be powerful, such as a business, industry, or system: The demise of the company was sudden and unexpected. the end of the operation or existence of something: Huge corporate farms have led to the demise of many small, family-owned farms.

inevitableadjective UK /ɪˈnev.ɪ.tə.bəl/ US /ˌɪnˈev.ə.t̬ ə.bəl/ C1

certain to happen and unable to be avoided or prevented:

The accident was the inevitable consequence/result/outcome of carelessness. When you're working such long hours, it's inevitable that your marriage will start to suffer.

accommodatingadjective UK /əˈkɒm.ə.deɪ.tɪŋ/ US /əˈkɑː.mə.deɪ.t̬ ɪŋ/ used to describe a person who is eager or willing to help other people, for example by changing his or her plans: I'm sure she'll help you - she's always very accommodating.

discriminatingadjective UK /dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪ.tɪŋ/ US /dɪˈskrɪm.ə.neɪ.t̬ ɪŋ/ FORMAL APPROVING able to know and act on the difference between good and bad: They're discriminating shoppers.

consecutiveadjective UK /kənˈsek.jə.tɪv/ US /kənˈsek.jə.t̬ ɪv/ C2

Consecutive events, numbers, etc. follow one after another without an

interruption:

This is the fifth consecutive weekend that I've spent working.

arouseverb [ T ] UK /əˈraʊz/ US /əˈraʊz/ C2

to cause someone to have a particular feeling:

It's a subject that has aroused a lot of interest. Our suspicions were first aroused when we heard a muffled scream.

passionnoun [ C or U ] UK /ˈpæʃ.ən/ US /ˈpæʃ.ən/ a very powerful feeling, for example of sexual attraction, love, hate, anger, or other emotion: B2

Football arouses a good deal of passion among its fans. At school, his early interest in music developed into an abiding passion. Politics and philosophy were his lifelong passions.

a passion for sth an extreme interest in or wish for doing something, such as a hobby, activity, etc.: C1

Anton has a consuming passion for science fiction.

tastenoun UK /teɪst/ US /teɪst/

a taste for sth C2

the fact of liking or enjoying something:

She came home from Europe with a taste for art and the finer things in life.

tastes B2 [ plural ] the things a person likes: I have expensive tastes (= I like expensive things). B2 [ S ]

a short experience of something:

I had a taste of office work during the summer and that was enough.

vitaladjective UK /ˈvaɪ.təl/ US /ˈvaɪ.t̬ əl/ necessary for the success or continued existence of something; extremely important: B2

A strong opposition is vital to a healthy democracy. She had found out some information of vital importance. The kidney plays a vital role/part in the removal of waste products from the blood. [ + that ] It's absolutely vital that you do exactly as I say. [ + to infinitive ] It is vital to get medical supplies to the area as soon as possible.

decidingadjective [ before noun ] UK /dɪˈsaɪ.dɪŋ/ US /dɪˈsaɪ.dɪŋ/ A deciding event or action is more important than the rest because the final result, decision, or choice is changed by it: C2

The environmental argument was a deciding factor. The chairperson always has the deciding vote. Glennon scored the deciding goal in the final minute of the match.

go to great lengths ALSO go to any lengths

to try very hard to achieve something: Some people go to great lengths to make their homes attractive. He'll go to any lengths to get what he wants.

drivenadjective UK /ˈdrɪvən/ US if someone is driven, all their effort is directed towards achieving a particular result: He is a driven man - capable of anything. Children who are driven to be the best often succeed in life.

striveverb [ I ] UK /straɪv/ US /straɪv/strove or strived, striven or strived C2

to try very hard to do something or to make something happen, especially for

a long time or against difficulties: [ + to infinitive ]

Mr Roe has kindled expectations that he must now strive to live up to.

In her writing she strove for a balance between innovation and familiar prose forms.

endeavorverb [ + to infinitive ] FML CDN BR endeavour US /ɪnˈdev·ər/

to try to do something: I endeavored to explain the legal consequences of his action.

forge ahead — phrasal verb with forge UK /fɔːdʒ/ US verb [ T ]

to become more successful: The country's housing market is still forging ahead, according to their biggest mortgage lender. to make an effort to achieve something in a short time: forge ahead with sth Regardless of the uncertainty, she plans to forge ahead with her career.

unleashverb [ T ] UK /ʌnˈliːʃ/ US /ʌnˈliːʃ/ to suddenly release a violent force that cannot be controlled: At worst, nuclear war could be unleashed. Rachel's arrival on the scene had unleashed passions in him that he could scarcely control. His talent was unleashed very early in life.

nurtureverb

[T]

US /ˈnɜr·tʃər/ to feed and care for a child, or to help someone or something develop by encouraging that person or thing: As a record company director, his job is to nurture young talent.

well-roundedadjective US/ˈwelˈrɑʊn·dɪd/ having or providing experience and knowledge in a number of different areas:

Some experts say that home-schooled children may not receive a wellrounded education. She describes herself as a "well-rounded individual" who works hard but has a varied social life.

self-supportingadjective UK /ˌself.səˈpɔː.tɪŋ/ US /ˌself.səˈpɔːr.t̬ ɪŋ/ earning or having enough money to pay for your activities without receiving financial help from other people: The vast majority of students here are self-supporting.

self-sufficientadjective UK /ˌself.səˈfɪʃ.ənt/ US /ˌself.səˈfɪʃ.ənt/ able to provide everything you need, especially food, for yourself without the help of other people: C2

The programme aims to make the country self-sufficient in food production and to cut energy imports. They were busy with growing vegetables and all the other chores of a selfsufficient rural life. able to take care of yourself, to be happy, or to deal with problems, without help from other people: She's a very self-sufficient young woman.

self-reliantadjective UK /ˌself.rɪˈlaɪ.ənt/ US /ˌself.rɪˈlaɪ.ənt/APPROVING C2

not needing help or support from other people:

Single parents have to be self-reliant and inventive.

fend for yourself — phrasal verb with fend UK /fend/US /fend/ verb C2

to take care of and provide for yourself without depending on anyone else:

Now that the children are old enough to fend for themselves, we can go away on holiday by ourselves.

self-absorbedadjective UK /ˌself.əbˈzɔːbd/ US /ˌself.əbˈzɔːrbd/USUALLY DISAPPROVING so involved with yourself that you do not think about anyone else; self-centered: Henry is so self-absorbed it’s a miracle anyone bothers with him at all.

self-servingadjective UK /ˌselfˈsɜː.vɪŋ/ US /ˌselfˈsɝː.vɪŋ/FORMAL DISAPPROVING working or acting for your own advantage: Politicians are seen as corrupt and self-serving.

spread your wings to use your abilities for the first time in your life to do new and exciting things: She'd been working for the same company for 15 years and it was time to leave and spread her wings.

life-changingadjective UK /ˈlaɪfˌtʃeɪn.dʒɪŋ/ US /ˈlaɪfˌtʃeɪn.dʒɪŋ/ having an effect that is strong enough to change someone's life: a life-changing decision/moment

copeverb [ I ] UK /kəʊp/ US /koʊp/ B2

to deal successfully with a difficult situation:

It must be really hard to cope with three young children and a job.

stepping stonenoun UK /ˈstep.ɪŋ ˌstəʊn/ US /ˈstep.ɪŋ ˌstoʊn/ an event or experience that helps you achieve something else: I see this job just as a stepping stone to better things. I hope this job will be a stepping stone to something better.