flagran, inimical, hapless, credulous, ebullient: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 19. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. flagran · adjective/ˈfleɪ.ɡrənt/

   extremely obvious or conspicuous

   The company's flagrant disregard for safety regulations put its employees at serious risk.

   Synonyms: blatant, flagrant, obvious

   Origin: from Latin 'flagrans', meaning 'burning', present participle of 'flagrare' which means 'to burn'.

2. inimical · adjective/ɪˈnɪmɪkəl/

   hostile or harmful

   The company's decision to cut research funding has created an inimical environment for innovation.

   Synonyms: hostile, unfriendly, antagonistic

   Origin: The word 'inimical' derives from the Latin 'inimicalis,' meaning 'hostile' or 'unfriendly,' which comes from 'inimicus,' meaning 'enemy.'

3. hapless · adjective/ˈhæpləs/

   unfortunate or unlucky in one's circumstances

   The hapless victims of the natural disaster lost everything they had in an instant.

   Synonyms: unfortunate, unlucky, doomed

   Origin: The word 'hapless' is derived from the Middle English 'hap,' meaning 'chance' or 'luck,' combined with the suffix '-less,' meaning 'without.' It literally means 'unlucky' or 'without luck.'

4. credulous · adjective/ˈkrɛdʒ.əl.əs/

   having a tendency to be too ready to believe something is true

   The credulous audience believed every story presented in the tabloid without questioning the facts.

   Synonyms: gullible, naive, trusting

   Origin: from the Latin 'credulus', meaning 'ready to believe', from 'credere' meaning 'to believe'

5. ebullient · adjective/ɪˈbʌl.jənt/

   overflowing with enthusiasm or excitement

   The ebullient crowd cheered loudly as the band took the stage, their excitement palpable in the air.

   Synonyms: exuberant, enthusiastic, lively

   Origin: from Latin 'ebullientem', the present participle of 'ebullire', meaning 'to bubble out'.