Intermediate — Set 29

Set 29 of Intermediate covers 5 words: explanation, delivery, competition, recommendation, opportunity. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. explanation · noun/ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/

   a statement that makes something understandable

   Mark has been acting strange lately and has not given a logical explanation for his behavior.

   Synonyms: reason, clarification

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin explanatio(n-), from the verb explanare (see explain)

2. delivery · noun/dəˈlɪv(ə)ri/

   the act of bringing something to a particular place

   The store offers free delivery on orders over $50.

   Synonyms: shipping, transport

   Origin: late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French delivree, feminine past participle of delivrer (see deliver)

3. competition · noun/ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən/

   an event in which people try to win by doing better than others

   More than fifty students entered the science competition, but only one team won the first prize.

   Synonyms: contest, tournament

   Origin: early 17th century: from late Latin competitio(n-) ‘rivalry’, from competere ‘strive for’ (see compete)

4. recommendation · noun/ˌrɛkəmənˈdeɪʃ(ə)n/

   a piece of advice

   Since you visited the place before, perhaps you could give me some recommendations about what I should wear.

   Synonyms: suggestion

5. opportunity · noun/ˌɑpərˈtunədi/

   a chance to do something

   A failed attempt can be an opportunity to learn and improve.

   Synonyms: possibility, chance

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French opportunite, from Latin opportunitas, from opportunus (see opportune)