far-fetched, arbitrary, curse, spontaneous, superstitious: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 65. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. far-fetched · adjective/ˌfɑrˈfɛtʃt/

   unlikely to happen

   Although it might sound far-fetched, there is scientific evidence that the immune system can be strengthened through meditation.

   Synonyms: improbable, unbelievable

2. arbitrary · adjective/ˈɑrbəˌtrɛri/

   happening randomly, not based on reason

   The decision was upsetting mostly since it seemed arbitrary, lacking any rationale or even common sense.

   Synonyms: random, haphazard

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘dependent on one's will or pleasure, discretionary’): from Latin arbitrarius, from arbiter ‘judge, supreme ruler’, perhaps influenced by French arbitraire

3. curse · noun/kərs/

   a wish or befalling of misfortune upon someone, usually uttered

   Having lost her job and then breaking her leg on the same day, Eleanor felt she had such bad luck as if someone had put a curse on her.

   Synonyms: malediction

   Origin: Old English curs, of unknown origin

4. spontaneous · adjective/spɑnˈteɪniəs/

   happening or arising without apparent external cause, without previous planning

   Mark wanted to plan out every moment of their vacation, while Carlos preferred being spontaneous and just going with the flow.

   Synonyms: unplanned, natural, uninhibited

   Origin: mid 17th century: from late Latin spontaneus (from (sua) sponte ‘of (one's) own accord’) + -ous

5. superstitious · adjective/ˌsupərˈstɪʃəs/

   believing in a connection between certain random events and personal fortune or misfortune

   Laura's aunt was so superstitious that she refused to leave her house after she had broken a mirror, fearing something awful would happen to her.