joyous, prolific, slippery, bankrupt, courteous: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 268. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. joyous · adjective/ˈdʒɔɪ.əs/

   feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness

   The children were full of joyous laughter as they played in the park.

   Synonyms: joyful, happy, elated

   Origin: Middle English 'joyous', from Old French 'joius', from 'joie' meaning joy.

2. prolific · adjective/prəˈlɪfɪk/

   producing many works, results, or offspring

   The prolific author wrote over twenty novels in just a decade, earning recognition for her contributions to contemporary literature.

   Synonyms: productive, fruitful, creative

   Origin: from Latin 'prolificus', from 'proles' meaning 'offspring' + 'facere' meaning 'to make or do'

3. slippery · adjective/ˈslɪpəri/

   having a surface that is difficult to hold or stand on due to smoothness or wetness

   Be careful on the icy sidewalk; it's extremely slippery and easy to fall on.

   Synonyms: slick, greasy, treacherous

   Origin: Middle English, from Old English 'slipor' meaning 'slippery' or 'smooth'

4. bankrupt · adjective/ˈbæŋkrʌpt/

   legally declared unable to pay outstanding debts

   After years of poor management and declining sales, the company was officially declared bankrupt.

   Synonyms: insolvent, reduced, financially broke

   Origin: The word 'bankrupt' originates from the Italian 'banca rotta,' which means 'broken bench,' referring to the practice of breaking the moneylender's bench when they defaulted on loans. It was adopted into Middle English from the Old French 'banqueroute.'

5. courteous · adjective/ˈkɜr.t̬i.əs/

   showing polite behavior and respect towards others

   The staff at the hotel were very courteous, ensuring that every guest felt welcome and attended to.

   Synonyms: polite, gracious, civil

   Origin: Middle English 'curteys', from Old French 'cortois', from Latin 'curtisius', meaning 'of the court'