Advanced — Set 24

Set 24 of Advanced covers 5 words: plausible, tempting, exhilarating, idle, trivial. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. plausible · adjective/ˈplɔzəb(ə)l/

   likely to be true

   There was only one plausible explanation to the theft and it meant someone was involved on the inside.

   Synonyms: logical, possible, probable

   Origin: mid 16th century (also in the sense ‘deserving applause or approval’): from Latin plausibilis, from plaus- ‘applauded’, from the verb plaudere

2. tempting · adjective/ˈtɛm(p)tɪŋ/

   highly attractive and able to arouse desire

   Although the offer to spend the night at the ballet was very tempting, I had to decline because I had already made other plans.

   Synonyms: attractive, enticing, alluring

3. exhilarating · adjective/ɪɡˈzɪləˌreɪdɪŋ/

   making one feel lively and cheerful

   For a runner, nothing is more exhilarating than crossing the finish line.

   Synonyms: stimulating, uplifting

4. idle · adjective/ˈaɪd(ə)l/

   not in action or working

   Fearing a public outcry, the Japanese government has left most nuclear reactors idle since the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

   Synonyms: unproductive, useless

   Origin: Old English īdel ‘empty, useless’, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch ijdel ‘vain, frivolous, useless’ and German eitel ‘bare, worthless’

5. trivial · adjective/ˈtrɪviəl/

   unimportant

   The principal explained that she would be exceptionally busy that week and asked parents not to call and bother her with trivial matters.

   Synonyms: insignificant, frivolous, nonessential

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘belonging to the trivium’): from medieval Latin trivialis, from Latin trivium (see trivium)