Intermediate — Set 36

Set 36 of Intermediate covers 5 words: selfish, immature, patient, mature, ambitious. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. selfish · adjective/ˈsɛlfɪʃ/

   thinking mainly or only about yourself and not others

   Adam's selfish behaviour completely ruined our evening as always. I do not know when he will start to think a little bit more about people around him.

   Synonyms: self-centered, egotistic, self-absorbed

2. immature · adjective/ˌɪməˈtʊr/

   childish in terms of behaviour or thinking

   Mike is hitting 30 but he is still so immature in the way he deals with money.

   Synonyms: childish

   Origin: mid 16th century (in the sense ‘premature’, referring to death): from Latin immaturus ‘untimely, unripe’, from in- ‘not’ + maturus ‘ripe’ (see mature)

3. patient · adjective/ˈpeɪʃ(ə)nt/

   not becoming annoyed when waiting or when faced with a difficulty

   Being patient with kids is an essential quality for parents, and yet, most of us struggle with it.

   Synonyms: uncomplaining, tolerant

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patient- ‘suffering’, from the verb pati

4. mature · adjective/məˈtʃər/

   grown up or like an adult in terms of behaviour or thinking

   Sarah is still a child, but yet she is very mature for someone her age.

   Synonyms: adult, grown-up

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin maturus ‘timely, ripe’; perhaps related to matins

5. ambitious · adjective/æmˈbɪʃəs/

   full of motivation, a desire for success

   Sophie used to be ambitious at work. She wanted to raise her salary and work her way up, but now she is more interested in other parts of life that work can't offer.

   Synonyms: aspiring, motivated, determined

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French ambitieux or Latin ambitiosus, from ambitio (see ambition)