allocate, adopt, prone, refund, inadequate: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 28. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. allocate · verb/ˈæləˌkeɪt/

   direct resources, such as time or money, towards a particular purpose

   The company allocates 25% of its financial resources to marketing.

   Synonyms: designate, set aside, assign

   Origin: mid 16th century (in obsolete sense ‘authorize payment for’): from medieval Latin allocat-, from the verb allocare ‘place, allow, credit’, from Latin ad- ‘to’ + locare (see locate)

2. adopt · verb/əˈdɑpt/

   choose to follow an action, method, or approach

   It's advisable to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to stay fit.

   Synonyms: accept, embrace, follow

   Origin: late 15th century: via French from Latin adoptare, from ad- ‘to’ + optare ‘choose’

3. prone · adjective/proʊn/

   likely to be affected by something negative; having a tendency towards an unfavorable experience

   When my daughter was little, she was very prone to infections and often missed school.

   Synonyms: inclined to, vulnerable, susceptible, defenseless

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin pronus ‘leaning forward’, from pro ‘forwards’

4. refund · verb/rəˈfənd/

   return money

   They said that they would refund my money if I was unhappy with their services.

   Synonyms: repay, return, reimburse

   Origin: late Middle English (in the senses ‘pour back’ and ‘restore’): from Old French refonder or Latin refundere, from re- ‘back’ + fundere ‘pour’, later associated with the verb fund. The noun dates from the mid 19th century

5. inadequate · adjective/ɪnˈædəkwət/

   not enough to achieve a goal or fulfill a purpose

   They were not able to finish constructing the building, due to inadequate funds.

   Synonyms: insufficient, incapable, lacking