Intermediate — Set 25

Set 25 of Intermediate covers 5 words: preference, disappearance, prediction, necessity, coincidence. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. preference · noun/ˈprɛf(ə)rəns/

   when you like one thing more than another

   I definitely have a preference for water over sugary drinks.

   Synonyms: liking, first choice

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘promotion’): from Old French, from medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferre ‘carry in front’ (see prefer)

2. disappearance · noun/ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/

   when someone or something can no longer be seen or found

   Surprisingly, the black box survived four years after the disappearance of the plane.

   Synonyms: vanishing, loss

3. prediction · noun/priˈdɪkʃ(ə)n/

   guess, often an educated guess

   Isn't it too soon to make a prediction about a player's future based on one game?

   Synonyms: forecast, guess

   Origin: mid 16th century: from Latin praedictio(n-), from praedicere ‘make known beforehand’ (see predict)

4. necessity · noun/nəˈsɛsədi/

   something you must have or do; the state of being needed

   For most working families, a car is a necessity, not a luxury.

   Synonyms: requirement, need

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French necessite, from Latin necessitas, from necesse ‘be needful’

5. coincidence · noun/koʊˈɪnsədns/

   when two things happen by chance at the same time and seem connected

   It was a strange coincidence that we stayed at the same hotel in the same week.

   Synonyms: chance

   Origin: early 17th century (in the sense ‘occupation of the same space’): from medieval Latin coincidentia, from coincidere ‘coincide, agree’ (see coincide)