communicable, insignificant, blatant, vain, inert: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 105. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. communicable · adjective/kəˈmjunɪkəbl/

   capable of being transmitted from one person to another

   Flu is a highly communicable illness that spreads quickly in crowded places.

   Synonyms: transmissible, spreadable, contagious

   Origin: from Latin 'communicabilis' meaning 'that may be made common or shared', derived from 'communicare' which means 'to share, make common'.

2. insignificant · adjective/ˌɪn.sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/

   not important or worthy of consideration

   The committee dismissed the proposal as insignificant, considering the larger goals they needed to achieve.

   Synonyms: trivial, unimportant, negligible

   Origin: Derived from the Latin 'insignificans', which combines 'in-' (not) and 'significare' (to signify or mean).

3. blatant · adjective/ˈbleɪ.tənt/

   done openly and unashamedly

   The politician made a blatant attempt to mislead the public with his false statements.

   Synonyms: obvious, glaring, flagrant

   Origin: From Latin 'blatantem', the present participle of 'blatare' meaning 'to bleat or cry out loudly'

4. vain · adjective/veɪn/

   excessively proud of one's own appearance or accomplishments

   Despite his many accomplishments, he remained vain about his looks, always spending hours in front of the mirror.

   Synonyms: conceited, narcissistic, self-important

   Origin: Middle English 'veyn', from Old French 'vain', from Latin 'vanus', meaning 'empty, hollow'.

5. inert · adjective/ɪˈnɜrt/

   lacking the ability or strength to move or act

   After the accident, he lay inert on the ground, unable to move or speak.

   Synonyms: inactive, motionless, sluggish

   Origin: From Latin 'inertis', meaning 'inactive' or 'unskilled', from 'in-' meaning 'not' + 'artis', meaning 'skill' or 'art'.