decay, occur, agree, tear, deceive: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Intermediate set 10. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. decay · verb/dəˈkeɪ/

   to slowly go bad or fall apart over time

   Over time, your teeth will decay if you do not take care of them.

   Synonyms: rot, go bad, break down

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French decair, based on Latin decidere ‘fall down or off’, from de- ‘from’ + cadere ‘fall’

2. occur · verb/əˈkər/

   happen

   Accidents rarely occur in this town as we have very careful drivers.

   Synonyms: happen, take place, come about

   Origin: late 15th century: from Latin occurrere ‘go to meet, present itself’, from ob- ‘against’ + currere ‘to run’

3. agree · verb/əˈɡri/

   to have the same opinion as someone; to accept an idea or plan

   We don't always agree about everything but we are still very good friends.

   Synonyms: accept, consent

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French agreer, based on Latin ad- ‘to’ + gratus ‘pleasing’

4. tear · verb/tɛr/

   to pull paper or cloth apart so that it splits

   You will get a piece of paper. Please tear it into four pieces and give one piece to every person.

   Synonyms: rip, split, pull apart

   Origin: Old English teran, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch teren and German zehren, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek derein ‘flay’. The noun dates from the early 17th century

5. deceive · verb/dəˈsiv/

   to make someone believe something that is not true

   You should not deceive your customers with false advertising.

   Synonyms: cheat, trick, fool

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French deceivre, from Latin decipere ‘catch, ensnare, cheat’