Intermediate — Set 27

Set 27 of Intermediate covers 5 words: unique, ancient, primary, frequent, multiple. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. unique · adjective/ˌjuˈnik/

   different from everyone or everything else

   He thinks he is unique just because he does things slightly differently than everyone else in the office.

   Synonyms: unusual, uncommon, distinctive

   Origin: early 17th century: from French, from Latin unicus, from unus ‘one’

2. ancient · adjective/ˈeɪn(t)ʃənt/

   very old

   Many different groups of people have lived here since ancient times.

   Synonyms: very old, age-old

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French ancien, based on Latin ante ‘before’

3. primary · adjective/ˈpraɪˌmɛri/

   most important; main

   Sarah's laziness is the primary reason why she keeps failing.

   Synonyms: chief, key

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘original, not derivative’): from Latin primarius, from primus ‘first’. The noun uses date from the 18th century

4. frequent · adjective/ˈfrikwənt/

   happening very often

   Foot pain is more frequent among women than among men, possibly because of the different types of shoes they wear.

   Synonyms: repeated, regular

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘profuse, ample’): from French, or from Latin frequens, frequent- ‘crowded, frequent’, of unknown ultimate origin

5. multiple · adjective/ˈməltəp(ə)l/

   more than one in number

   There are multiple reasons why the British Empire ended.

   Synonyms: many, numerous, various

   Origin: mid 17th century: from French, from Latin multiplex (see multiplex)