TOEFL Vocabulary — Set 70

Set 70 of TOEFL Vocabulary covers 5 words: luminous, munificent, transient, venerable, pretentious. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. luminous · adjective/ˈluːməˌnəs/

   emitting or reflecting light; glowing

   The luminous moonlight bathed the entire landscape in a soft glow, creating a magical atmosphere.

   Synonyms: radiant, bright, shining

   Origin: from Latin 'luminōsus', from 'lūmen', meaning 'light'

2. munificent · adjective/mjuˈnɪfɪsənt/

   generous or demonstrating great generosity

   The munificent donation from the philanthropist allowed the school to renovate its buildings and expand its programs.

   Synonyms: generous, lavish, charitable

   Origin: from Latin 'munificentem', the accusative form of 'munificens', meaning 'generous, bountiful', from 'munus' meaning 'gift'.

3. transient · adjective/ˈtræn.zi.ənt/

   lasting only for a short period of time

   The transient beauty of the sunset captivated everyone at the beach.

   Synonyms: temporary, fleeting, short-lived

   Origin: from Latin 'transiens', the present participle of 'transire', meaning 'to cross over, pass away'

4. venerable · adjective/ˈvɛn.ər.ə.bəl/

   worthy of respect due to age, wisdom, or dignity

   The venerable professor shared his invaluable insights during the seminar, captivating the audience with his extensive knowledge.

   Synonyms: respected, revered, esteemed

   Origin: from Latin 'venerabilis', meaning 'worthy of respect', from 'venerari', to venerate or revere.

5. pretentious · adjective/prɪˈtɛnʃəs/

   attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed

   His pretentious behavior at the dinner party only served to alienate his friends, who found his airs of superiority off-putting.

   Synonyms: ostentatious, showy, pompous

   Origin: from French 'prétentieux', from 'prétendre' meaning 'to pretend, to claim'