brevity, assortment, deceit, status, degradation: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 40. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. brevity · noun/ˈbrɛv.ɪ.ti/

   the quality of being brief or concise

   The brevity of her speech made it easier for the audience to remember the key points.

   Synonyms: conciseness, shortness, terseness

   Origin: from Middle English 'breuete', from Latin 'brevitās', from 'brevis' meaning 'short'

2. assortment · noun/əˈsɔrtmənt/

   a variety of different items or types

   The gift shop offered an assortment of unique souvenirs from the local area.

   Synonyms: variety, selection, mix

   Origin: The word 'assortment' originates from the Middle English 'assortement', which comes from Old French 'assortir' meaning 'to sort out', derived from 'a-' (to) + 'sortir' (to sort).

3. deceit · noun/dɪˈsit/

   the act of deceiving or misrepresenting the truth

   His deceit was evident when he claimed to have completed the project, despite having done none of the work.

   Synonyms: deception, trickery, fraud

   Origin: From Middle English 'deceite', from Old French 'deceite', from Latin 'deceptio', from 'decipere' meaning 'to catch or ensnare'.

4. status · noun/ˈsteɪtəs/

   the relative social or professional position of someone or something

   Her status as a leader in the community was recognized when she received the annual award for service.

   Synonyms: standing, position, rank

   Origin: from Latin 'status', meaning 'standing' or 'position'

5. degradation · noun/ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/

   the process of reducing in quality, value, or status

   The environmental degradation caused by pollution is a major concern for future generations.

   Synonyms: deterioration, decline, degeneration

   Origin: The term 'degradation' comes from the Latin word 'degradatio', which is derived from 'degradare', meaning to 'reduce or lower'.