pioneering, intuitive, proactive, affectionate, persistent: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 6. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. pioneering · adjective/ˌpaɪəˈnɪrɪŋ/

   introducing or developing new ideas, methods, or areas of work

   The National Air and Space Museum in Washington is now exhibiting contemporary female pilots, as well as famous pioneering women aviators.

   Synonyms: leading, creative

2. intuitive · adjective/ɪnˈtuədɪv/

   based on instinct or immediate understanding rather than conscious reasoning

   Although Karen said that she was all right, her mother had an intuitive sense that something was wrong.

   Synonyms: instinctive, spontaneous, insightful

   Origin: late 15th century (originally used of sight, in the sense ‘accurate, unerring’): from medieval Latin intuitivus, from Latin intueri (see intuit)

3. proactive · adjective/proʊˈæktɪv/

   preventing a negative situation from happening by taking precautions instead of waiting to respond afterwards

   The firefighters recommended ways of take proactive measures in the home in order to reduce the likely of a fire.

   Origin: 1930s: from pro- (denoting earlier occurrence), on the pattern of reactive

4. affectionate · adjective/əˈfɛkʃ(ə)nət/

   showing that you love and care for someone/something

   Geriatric studies suggest that Japanese families tend to be more affectionate with the elderly than families in the West that tend to be more cold and distant.

   Synonyms: loving, caring

   Origin: late 15th century (in the sense ‘disposed, inclined towards’): from French affectionné ‘beloved’ or medieval Latin affectionatus ‘devoted’, from affectio(n-), from afficere ‘to influence’ (see affect)

5. persistent · adjective/pərˈsɪstənt/

   continuing, refusing to give up

   The famous motivational speaker stressed the importance of being persistent, of trying to achieve one's goals despite any obstacles.

   Synonyms: determined, enduring