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 behaviour.

   Synonyms: clarification, simplification

   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

   Some marketplaces of Eastern origin such as AliExpress have a serious problem with the delivery speed of their products because most of their suppliers are in China.

   Synonyms: carriage, distribution

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

3. competition · adjective/ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən/

   an event in which people try to win prizes by being better than other people

   Each company can take part in the competition and submit up to a maximum of six research projects.

   Synonyms: contest, rivalry

   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

   You should know that failing and being unsuccessful is only an opportunity to grow and develop.

   Synonyms: possibility, chance

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