Improve your English for IELTS, Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening with our helpful content. Our process is to help you understand the meaning of words, their similar words (synonyms), and their opposite words (antonyms).
We have also added example sentences, examples of incorrect sentences, and an example paragraph or passage to make the meaning of these words easy to understand. You can use these to generally improve your English or for specific English language tests such as SAT, IELTS, O/A Levels English.
- Bookish.
- Intellectual.
- Discipline.
- Development.
- Guidance.
- Addition.
- Revive.
- Entice.
- Exasperate.
- Loose.
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1. Bookish
Adjective
Meaning: A person who enjoys reading and studying seriously.
Synonyms:
- Studious
- Literary
- Scholarly
Antonyms:
- Practical
- Unschooled
- Lowbrow
Sentences
- My bookish friends love spending time in libraries to study new ideas.
- My daughter has always been a bookish child.
Paragraph
I don’t get along with my brother very well. This is because I love to socialize and meet new people. But my brother has a very bookish personality. He likes to stay in and read lots of books.
Wrong Sentences
- The doctor’s diagnosis was bookish. (Correct word: incorrect)
- As you can tell by his athletic behavior, he comes from a bookish family. (Correct word: sporty)
2. Intellectual
Adjective
Meaning: Someone who likes to understand and think deeply about different ideas.
Synonyms:
- Clever
- Intelligent
- Well-read
Antonyms:
- Dumb
- Stupid
- Ignorant
Sentences
- Experienced academic professors have higher intellectual levels and skills.
- My child isn’t very intellectual, so he performs poorly in school.
Paragraph
Alex has started scoring the top position in the class for the past few months. He understands difficult concepts quickly. He is more intellectual than other students.
Wrong Sentences
- The company is suffering losses because it is financially intellectual. (Correct word: unwise)
- Sara isn’t interesting to talk to because she is very intellectual. (Correct word: dull)
3. Discipline
Noun
Meaning: The practice of following rules to behave in a controlled way.
Synonyms:
- Control
- Strictness
- Training
Antonyms:
- Disorder
- Confusion
- Chaos
Sentences
- You need to have discipline in life to build good habits.
- My school is very strict about discipline, so no latecomers are allowed entry after 8 o’clock.
Paragraph
Eric enjoys studying and learning new stuff. He always dreamed of scoring high grades on his exams. Thus, he must have some discipline to study and achieve his goals.
Wrong Sentences
- The organization offers discipline programs to its workers. (Correct word: training)
- This discipline doesn’t apply in our school. (Correct word: rule)
4. Development
Noun
Meaning: The process or stages of something new coming into being.
Synonyms:
- Growth
- Progress
- Evolution
Antonyms:
- Decline
- Decrease
- Regression
Sentences
- Healthy food and diet help in the development of the human body.
- Good construction material has been used in the development of this house.
Paragraph
I got my son admission to the best school. They will ensure the all-around development of my child. The teachers will help him in
Wrong Sentences
- I have a lot of development of hair on my face and arms. (Correct word: growth)
- The development of the final task is slowing (Correct word: backslide)
5. Guidance
Noun
Meaning: To help or provide advice for someone to do something
Synonyms:
- Advice
- Directions
- Counsel
Antonyms:
- Fraud
- Misdirect
- Misguidance
Sentences
- I couldn’t clear this exam without the guidance of my teachers.
- My father’s guidance helped me to learn to paint.
Paragraph
Clair loves driving. She has been practicing it for the past few months. With the guidance of her instructor, she’ll soon get her license.
Wrong Sentences
- Can you guide me to unload this heavy baggage? (Correct word: help)
- He loves guiding his students about History and French. (Correct word: teaching)
6. Addition
Noun
Meaning: To provide something new to a discussion or activity.
Synonyms:
- Inclusion
- Increase
- Add-on
Antonyms:
- Subtraction
- Reduction
- Decrease
Sentences
- The addition of a star on the Christmas tree increased its beauty.
- The addition of this child to our family has brought great happiness.
Paragraph
I made a recipe today. Its main ingredients were sausages, cheese, tomatoes, and chilies. But, it was a bit bland. But the addition of spices changed its flavor completely.
Wrong Sentences
- We have donated a large addition of money to charity. (Correct word: amount)
- The government announced salary additions for public workers. (Correct word: increments)
7. Revive
Meaning: To bring something back to life
Synonyms:
- Restore
- Refresh
- Revitalize
Antonyms:
- Weaken
- Destroy
- Kill
Sentences
- She revived the wilted flower by watering it.
- The doctor revived the patient after his heart attack with a defibrillator.
Paragraph
The country has not been doing well in terms of trade. There are very few business opportunities left. So, the government is working hard to revive the economy.
Wrong Sentences
- A long gym session revived my appetite. (Correct word: awakened)
- My internet connection is not working, so I should revive the browser. (Correct word: refresh)
8. Entice
Verb
Meaning: To attract someone to a place or an activity by offering them an advantage.
Synonyms:
- Invite
- Convince
- Persuade
Antonyms:
- Repel
- Turn away
- Repulse
Sentences
- Online users were enticed by the new year loot offers on the website.
- The shopkeeper enticed the customers with a lottery ticket.
Paragraph
We belong to a poor family. We never have enough money to afford good food and clothes. Therefore, a government job with a high salary entices me.
Wrong Sentences
- I was enticed to the new year event. (Correct word: invited)
- This historical city has a lot of enticing places. (Correct word: attractive)
9. Exasperate
Verb:
Meaning: To make someone very angry or irritated.
Synonyms:
- Annoy
- Upset
- Frustrate
Antonyms:
- Delight
- Please
- Comfort
Sentences
- As a new mom, I was exasperated by my baby’s constant crying.
- Endless irrelevant questions by the students exasperated the teacher.
Paragraph
I love playing sports and I want my team to work very hard. It is my dream that we become the champions of this year. However, I get exasperated by the lazy players on my team.
Wrong Sentences
- When he told me about his good results, I was exasperated with him. (Correct word: pleased)
- My mother was really exasperated seeing my beautiful dress. (Correct word: delighted)
10. Loose
Adjective
Meaning: Something that is not tightly fastened.
Synonyms:
- Untied
- Relaxed
- Unattached
Antonyms:
- Tight
- Rigid
- Fastened
Sentences
- I like to wear loose baggy shirts because they are more comfortable.
- I have always liked easy and loose hairstyles.
Paragraph
My grandmother is aging quickly. I have been observing changes in her physical appearance. She now has very loose and dull skin.
Wrong Sentences
- Did you loose your house keys again? (Correct word: lose)
- I do not have a loose bond with my parents. (Correct word: weak)
