Intermediate — Set 15

Set 15 of Intermediate covers 5 words: congratulate, permit, volunteer, identify, offer. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. congratulate · verb/kənˈɡrætʃəˌleɪt/

   to tell someone that you are pleased about their success

   We should call Ed to congratulate him on his wedding.

   Synonyms: praise, applaud

   Origin: mid 16th century: from Latin congratulat- ‘congratulated’, from the verb congratulari, from con- ‘with’ + gratulari ‘show joy’ (from gratus ‘pleasing’)

2. permit · verb/pərˈmɪt/

   allow; give permission

   The software program does not permit me to make changes.

   Synonyms: let, authorize

   Origin: late Middle English (originally in the sense ‘commit, hand over’): from Latin permittere, from per- ‘through’ + mittere ‘send, let go’

3. volunteer · verb/ˌvɑlənˈtɪr/

   offer to do something without getting anything in return

   She volunteers in a hospital for children and goes there every week to give them support.

   Synonyms: offer one's services

   Origin: late 16th century (as a noun, with military reference): from French volontaire ‘voluntary’. The change in the ending was due to association with -eer

4. identify · verb/aɪˈdɛn(t)əˌfaɪ/

   to clearly state what something is or who someone is

   Although we met several times, I might not be able to identify him if I saw him again.

   Synonyms: distinguish, recognize

   Origin: mid 17th century (in the sense ‘treat as being identical with’): from medieval Latin identificare, from late Latin identitas (see identity) + Latin -ficare (from facere ‘make’)

5. offer · verb/ˈɔfər/

   ask someone if they would like something; provide something

   Jason offered to pay for the drinks that he had drunk before I joined him.

   Synonyms: present, ask

   Origin: Old English offrian ‘sacrifice something to a deity’, of Germanic origin, from Latin offerre ‘bestow, present’ (in ecclesiastical Latin ‘offer to God’), reinforced by French offrir (which continued to express the primary sense). The noun (late Middle English) is from French offre