elaborate, arduous, intimate, captivating, resilient: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced Plus set 9. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. elaborate · verb/ɪˈlæbəreɪt/

   to explain or describe in detail

   Can you elaborate on your idea so we can understand it better?

   Synonyms: explain, describe, clarify

   Origin: from Latin 'elaborare' meaning 'to work out, to elaborate'

2. arduous · adjective/ˈɑrdʒuəs/

   requiring great effort; difficult and tiring

   Climbing the mountain was an arduous task that took all day.

   Synonyms: difficult, tiring, challenging

   Origin: from Latin 'arduus' meaning 'steep, high, difficult'

3. intimate · adjective/ˈɪn.tɪ.mət/

   closely acquainted or private in nature

   She has an intimate friendship with her best friend.

   Synonyms: close, personal, familiar

   Origin: from Latin 'intimus' meaning 'inmost, innermost, closest'

4. captivating · adjective/ˈkæptɪˌveɪtɪŋ/

   enchanting or holding the attention and interest of someone

   The story was so captivating that I couldn't stop reading it.

   Synonyms: charming, fascinating, enchanting

   Origin: from the Latin 'captivus', meaning 'taken captive, enslaved, or seized'

5. resilient · adjective/rɪˈzɪl.jənt/

   able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions

   The resilient plant grew back quickly after the strong storm.

   Synonyms: tough, strong, flexible

   Origin: from Latin 'resilientem', from 'resilire' meaning 'to spring back'