fickle, futile, replete, culpable, benign: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 19. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. fickle · adjective/ˈfɪk.əl/

   likely to change rapidly and unpredictably especially in affections or attachments

   Her fickle nature made it difficult for her friends to predict who she would be loyal to from one day to the next.

   Synonyms: changeable, mercurial, capricious

   Origin: Middle English 'fikel', from Old Norse 'fíkl', meaning 'to change, flit, or shift'.

2. futile · adjective/ˈfjuːtaɪl/

   having no useful result or effect

   After hours of searching for a solution, they realized their efforts were futile and decided to ask for help instead.

   Synonyms: ineffectual, useless, fruitless

   Origin: from Latin 'futilis', meaning 'leaky, vain, worthless'

3. replete · adjective/rɪˈplit/

   filled or well-supplied with something

   The garden was replete with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, creating a stunning landscape.

   Synonyms: filled, supplied, abundant

   Origin: from Latin 'repletus', meaning 'filled up', from 're-' meaning 'again' and 'plere' meaning 'to fill'

4. culpable · adjective/ˈkʌlpəbl/

   deserving blame or censure for a wrongful act

   The jury found the defendant culpable of the crime, leading to a lengthy prison sentence.

   Synonyms: blameworthy, at fault, responsible

   Origin: From Latin 'culpabilis', from 'culpa' meaning 'fault' or 'blame'.

5. benign · adjective/bɪˈnaɪn/

   gentle and kindly not harmful

   The teacher had a benign smile that made all the students feel comfortable and welcomed in class.

   Synonyms: kind, gentle, mild

   Origin: from Latin 'benignus', meaning 'kind, generous'