concession, sacrifice, guarantee, aggression, trap: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from IELTS Vocabulary set 167. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. concession · noun/kənˈsɛʃən/

   a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands

   After long negotiations, the company made a significant concession to the workers by offering higher wages.

   Synonyms: grant, allowance, privilege

   Origin: from Latin 'concessio', from 'concedere' meaning 'to grant, yield'.

2. sacrifice · noun/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/

   the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else

   She made a significant sacrifice by giving up her career to raise her children.

   Synonyms: offering, relinquishment, forgoing

   Origin: from Old French 'sacrifise', from Latin 'sacrificium', from 'sacer' meaning 'sacred' and 'facere' meaning 'to make'

3. guarantee · noun/ˌɡær.ənˈti/

   a promise or assurance, usually in writing, that an obligation will be fulfilled

   The warranty provided by the manufacturer offers a full guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship.

   Synonyms: warranty, assurance, promise

   Origin: From Old French 'garantie', meaning 'guarantee, warranty', from the verb 'garantir', meaning 'to guarantee'.

4. aggression · noun/əˈɡrɛʃ.ən/

   hostile or violent behavior towards others

   His aggression during the debate shocked everyone, as he resorted to personal attacks instead of discussing the issues.

   Synonyms: hostility, belligerence

   Origin: from Latin 'aggressio', meaning 'an attack' or 'an approach'

5. trap · noun/træp/

   a device or enclosure designed to catch and hold animals or objects

   He set a bear trap in the woods to catch wildlife that was raiding his garden.

   Synonyms: snare, restraint, catch

   Origin: Middle English 'trappe', from Old French 'trappe', possibly from Vulgar Latin 'trappa', meaning 'to trap or catch'.