itinerant, congenial, ample, ponderous, nonchalant: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 186. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. itinerant · adjective/aɪˈtɪnərənt/

   traveling from place to place

   The itinerant workers traveled from town to town, seeking seasonal employment in agriculture.

   Synonyms: traveling, roving, wandering

   Origin: from the Latin 'itinerans', present participle of 'itinera', meaning 'journey'

2. congenial · adjective/kənˈdʒin.i.əl/

   having a pleasant or agreeable nature or disposition

   The congenial atmosphere at the dinner party made it easy for everyone to engage in lively conversations.

   Synonyms: pleasant, agreeable, amiable

   Origin: From Latin 'congenialis', from 'con-' (with) + 'genialis' (of or pertaining to birth, nature).

3. ample · adjective/ˈæmpl/

   more than enough or adequate

   The hotel provided ample parking space for all the guests attending the conference.

   Synonyms: sufficient, abundant, plentiful

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'ampl' (meaning 'spacious, wide'), from Latin 'amplus' (meaning 'large, wide, or spacious')

4. ponderous · adjective/ˈpɑndərəs/

   slow and clumsy because of great weight

   The ponderous footsteps of the elephant echoed through the jungle, each step heavy and deliberate.

   Synonyms: heavy, cumbersome, unwieldy

   Origin: From Latin 'ponderosus', from 'pondus' meaning 'weight'

5. nonchalant · adjective/ˌnɑːn.ʃəˈlɑːnt/

   having an air of casual indifference or lack of concern

   Despite the chaos around him, he remained nonchalant, sipping his coffee as if nothing were happening.

   Synonyms: unconcerned, indifferent, indifferent

   Origin: French, from nonchalant, meaning 'unconcerned' or 'indifferent', derived from 'non' (not) + 'chalere' (to heat or be warm)