devious, precocious, viable, notorious, frail: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 95. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. devious · adjective/ˈdiviəs/

   showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals

   The politician's devious tactics allowed him to manipulate public opinion and secure an easy victory in the election.

   Synonyms: sly, cunning, duplicitous

   Origin: The word 'devious' originates from the Latin 'devius', meaning 'out of the way', from 'de-' (from) + 'via' (way).

2. precocious · adjective/prɪˈkoʊʃəs/

   exhibiting mature qualities or abilities at an unusually early age

   The precocious child amazed everyone with her ability to solve complex math problems that baffled older students.

   Synonyms: advanced, mature, early-developing

   Origin: From Latin 'praecox', meaning 'ripening early', from 'praecoc-', 'praecoquere', which means 'to ripen or cook before'.

3. viable · adjective/ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/

   capable of working successfully or feasible

   The team presented a viable solution to reduce the company's carbon footprint while increasing profitability.

   Synonyms: feasible, workable, practical

   Origin: from French 'viable' meaning 'able to live', derived from Latin 'vita' meaning 'life'

4. notorious · adjective/noʊˈtɔːriəs/

   famous or well known for a bad quality or deed

   The notorious criminal was finally captured after years on the run.

   Synonyms: infamous, disreputable

   Origin: from Latin 'notorious', meaning 'well-known, famous', from 'notus' (known), derived from 'noscere' (to know)

5. frail · adjective/freɪl/

   physically weak or delicate

   The frail old man needed assistance to walk across the room.

   Synonyms: weak, delicate, fragile

   Origin: derived from Middle English 'frail', from Old French 'fraile', from Latin 'fragilis', meaning 'fragile, breakable'.