solely, alliance, congregate, strangle, wear off: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced Plus set 23. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. solely · adverb/ˈsoʊl.li/

   only and not involving anyone or anything else

   She solely focuses on her studies to get good grades.

   Synonyms: only, just, merely

   Origin: from Old English 'sola', meaning 'alone, single'

2. alliance · noun/əˈlaɪəns/

   a union or association formed for mutual benefit or common purpose

   The two countries formed an alliance to work together for peace and safety.

   Synonyms: association, union, partnership

   Origin: from Middle French 'aliance', from 'alier' meaning to bind or tie

3. congregate · verb/ˈkɑŋɡrəˌɡeɪt/

   to gather into a crowd or mass

   The children like to congregate in the park after school to play together.

   Synonyms: gather, assemble, crowd

   Origin: from Latin 'congregare', meaning to bring together

4. strangle · verb/ˈstræŋɡl/

   to constrict the neck of someone or something so as to cause death or loss of consciousness

   High interest rates can strangle investment in small businesses.

   Synonyms: choke, suffocate, throttle

   Origin: from Middle English stranglen, from Old French estrangler and Latin stringere meaning to bind tightly

5. wear off · verb/wɛr ɔf/

   to diminish or gradually stop being effective or noticeable

   The excitement from the party will wear off after a few days.

   Synonyms: fade, diminish, decrease

   Origin: The phrase 'wear off' comes from the Old English 'werian', meaning to carry or to go, combined with 'off', denoting separation.