poverty, allowance, subtleness, obstacle, prevalence: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from IELTS Vocabulary set 106. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. poverty · noun/ˈpɑːvərti/

   the state of being extremely poor or lacking basic necessities

   Many families struggle with chronic poverty, making it difficult for them to access basic healthcare and education.

   Synonyms: impoverishment, destitution, indigence

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French 'povreté', based on Latin 'paupertas', from 'pauper' meaning 'poor'

2. allowance · noun/əˈlaʊəns/

   a sum of money given regularly to a person for their expenses

   Every month, my parents give me a small allowance to cover my lunch expenses at school.

   Synonyms: stipend, grant, pocket money

   Origin: Middle English, from the verb 'allowen', meaning to admit or acknowledge, deriving from Old French 'alouer', based on Latin 'ad' (to) + 'latare' (to place)

3. subtleness · noun/ˈsʌtnəs/

   the quality of being delicate, understated, or not immediately obvious

   The subtleness of her artistic style is what makes her work so captivating, as each detail reveals itself slowly to the observer.

   Synonyms: nuance, delicacy, understatedness

   Origin: Middle English from Old French 'subtilnes' derived from Latin 'subtilitas', meaning 'fineness, delicacy'.

4. obstacle · noun/ˈɑbstəkəl/

   something that prevents or hinders progress or achievement

   Lack of funding can be a significant obstacle to starting a new business.

   Synonyms: hindrance, impediment, barrier

   Origin: from Latin 'obstaculum', which means 'a blocking or hindrance', from 'ob' (against) + 'stare' (to stand)

5. prevalence · noun/ˈprɛv.ə.ləns/

   the fact or condition of being widespread or commonly occurring

   The prevalence of obesity in children has become a major public health concern in many countries.

   Synonyms: frequency, predominance

   Origin: The word 'prevalence' comes from the Latin 'praevalentia', from 'praevalere' meaning 'to be stronger or more widespread'.