explanatory, occasional, hardy, inadequate, dense: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 1 set 80. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. explanatory · adjective/ɪkˈsplænəˌtɔri/

   serving to clarify or explain

   The teacher provided an explanatory note to help students understand the complex topic.

   Synonyms: clarifying, elucidative, illuminating

   Origin: from Latin 'explanatorius', from 'explanare' meaning 'to make plain, explain'

2. occasional · adjective/əˈkeɪʒ.ən.əl/

   occurring or done infrequently or in irregular or random instances

   We enjoy an occasional dinner out to celebrate special moments.

   Synonyms: infrequent, sporadic, intermittent

   Origin: from Middle French 'occasionnel', from Latin 'occasionalis', derived from 'occasio', meaning 'a happening or event'

3. hardy · adjective/ˈhɑr.di/

   able to withstand difficult conditions or challenges

   The hardy plants in the garden survived the harsh winter weather and bloomed beautifully in spring.

   Synonyms: robust, resilient, tough

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'hardi', from Latin 'fortis' meaning strong or brave.

4. inadequate · adjective/ɪˈnædɪkwɪt/

   not sufficient or of good enough quality

   The team received inadequate funding for their project, which hindered their ability to complete the research on time.

   Synonyms: insufficient, unsatisfactory, deficient

   Origin: from Latin 'inadequatus' meaning 'not equipped' or 'not suitable', from 'in-' meaning 'not' + 'adequatus' meaning 'sufficient'.

5. dense · adjective/dɛns/

   containing a lot of matter in a small space or having high mass in relation to volume

   The scientist was astonished to discover a dense fog covering the valley, making it difficult to see beyond a few feet.

   Synonyms: thick, compact, heavy

   Origin: from Latin 'densus', meaning 'thick' or 'close-packed'