ambivalence, apprehension, sentiment, bountiful, disparity: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced Plus set 32. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. ambivalence · noun/æmˈbɪvələns/

   the coexistence of conflicting feelings or attitudes toward a person, object, or idea

   She felt a lot of ambivalence about moving to a new city, excited but also scared.

   Synonyms: mixed feelings, conflicted feelings, uncertainty

   Origin: The word 'ambivalence' comes from the Latin 'ambivalens,' which means 'to be in two minds' (from 'ambi-' meaning 'both' and 'valens,' meaning 'having power').

2. apprehension · noun/ˌæp.rɪˈhɛn.ʃən/

   anxiety or fear that something unpleasant may happen

   She felt a sense of apprehension before her big test tomorrow.

   Synonyms: anxiety, fear, unease

   Origin: from Latin 'apprehensio', meaning 'seizure or understanding'

3. sentiment · noun/ˈsɛn.tə.mənt/

   a mental or emotional attitude toward something

   Her sentiment about the movie was very positive, and she really enjoyed it.

   Synonyms: feeling, emotion, attitude

   Origin: from Old French 'sentiment', from Latin 'sentimentum', from 'sentire' meaning 'to feel'

4. bountiful · adjective/ˈbaʊntɪfəl/

   large in quantity; plentiful

   The farmer had a bountiful harvest this year, with plenty of fruits and vegetables to sell.

   Synonyms: generous, plentiful, abundant

   Origin: from Middle English 'bountif', from Latin 'bountus', meaning 'good, generous'

5. disparity · noun/dɪˈspɛr.ə.ti/

   a significant difference or inequality between things

   There is a big disparity in income between rich and poor people in the city.

   Synonyms: difference, variation, inequality

   Origin: from Latin 'disparitas', from 'dispar' meaning 'unequal'