protect, receive, sharpen, unlock, replace: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Intermediate set 82. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. protect · verb/prəˈtɛk(t)/

   to keep somebody or something unharmed

   Environmental groups encourage people to reduce plastic use in order to protect oceans from pollution.

   Synonyms: defend, guard, shield

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin protect- ‘covered in front’, from the verb protegere, from pro- ‘in front’ + tegere ‘to cover’

2. receive · verb/rəˈsiv/

   to get something that is given to you

   Students receive their certificates at the end of the course.

   Synonyms: get, obtain, accept

   Origin: Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French receivre, based on Latin recipere, from re- ‘back’ + capere ‘take’

3. sharpen · verb/ˈʃɑrp(ə)n/

   to make something sharper or improve a skill

   The chef made the assistants sharpen all the knives that had become blunt in his kitchen.

   Synonyms: enhance, improve

4. unlock · verb/ˌənˈlɑk/

   to open a lock or make something available or understandable

   Smart houses can recognize you from your fingerprints, and you can unlock your door even if you do not have the key with you.

   Synonyms: open, release

5. replace · verb/rəˈpleɪs/

   to take the place of someone or something or put a new one in its place

   The company decided to replace the old computers with newer, more efficient models.

   Synonyms: substitute