TOEFL Vocabulary — Set 177

Set 177 of TOEFL Vocabulary covers 5 words: obese, symbolic, strident, jaded, nostalgic. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. obese · adjective/oʊˈbiːs/

   having an excessive amount of body fat

   Many health complications are associated with being obese, including diabetes and heart disease.

   Synonyms: overweight, corpulent, portly

   Origin: from Latin 'obesus', past participle of 'obedere' meaning 'to eat away, to consume'

2. symbolic · adjective/sɪmˈbɑːlɪk/

   representing something beyond its literal meaning

   The dove is often seen as a symbolic representation of peace in various cultures.

   Synonyms: representative, emblematic, indicative

   Origin: derived from the Middle French 'symbolique', from Latin 'symbolicus', from Greek 'symbolikos', related to 'symbolon' which means 'token' or 'sign'.

3. strident · adjective/ˈstraɪ.dənt/

   loud and harsh; grating

   The strident sound of the alarm clock made it impossible to sleep any longer.

   Synonyms: shrill, discordant, jarring

   Origin: from Latin 'stridens', the present participle of 'stridere', meaning 'to creak, screech, or make a harsh sound'

4. jaded · adjective/ˈdʒeɪ.dɪd/

   feeling tired or bored from experiencing too much of something

   After years of working in the same job with no promotion, she felt jaded and uninterested in her daily tasks.

   Synonyms: weary, fatigued, bored

   Origin: The word 'jaded' originates from the late 16th century, derived from the adjective 'jade' meaning a worn-out horse, which in turn comes from the Spanish 'jalda' (probably from the meaning of a tired horse).

5. nostalgic · adjective/nɑˈstæl.dʒɪk/

   feeling a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past

   Listening to that old song always makes me feel nostalgic about my childhood summers spent at the beach.

   Synonyms: sentimental, wistful, reflective

   Origin: The word 'nostalgic' originates from the Greek 'nostos', meaning 'return home', and 'algos', meaning 'pain' or 'ache'. It was first used in the late 17th century to describe the emotional state of soldiers longing for their homeland.