Proficient Plus — Set 24

Set 24 of Proficient Plus covers 5 words: verbiage, burlesque, mitigation, relegation, pinnacle. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. verbiage · noun/ˈvɜr.bi.ɪdʒ/

   excessive or unnecessary wording or language

   The report was filled with so much unnecessary verbiage that I lost track of the main point.

   Synonyms: wordiness, redundancy, jargon

   Origin: The word 'verbiage' comes from the French word 'verbiage', which means 'wordiness', and is derived from 'verbe', meaning 'word'.

2. burlesque · noun/bɜrˈlɛsk/

   a theatrical or literary work that exaggerates or mocks its subject in a humorous way

   The play was a funny burlesque that made everyone laugh at the everyday life of a family.

   Synonyms: parody, satire, spoof

   Origin: from French 'burlesque', derived from Italian 'burlesco', meaning 'comic, mocking'.

3. mitigation · noun/ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/

   the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something

   The city focused on flood mitigation to protect homes from rising water levels.

   Synonyms: reduction, easing, softening

   Origin: from Latin 'mitigatio', meaning 'to soften' or 'to alleviate'

4. relegation · noun/ˌrɛlɪˈɡeɪʃən/

   the act of assigning to a lower rank or position

   The team's relegation to a lower division shocked the fans.

   Synonyms: downgrade, demotion, disqualification

   Origin: from Latin 'relegare', meaning 'to send away, remove' (re- 'back' + legare 'to send')

5. pinnacle · noun/ˈpɪnɪkl/

   the highest point or peak

   He reached the pinnacle of his career when he became the CEO of the company.

   Synonyms: peak, summit, top

   Origin: from Middle English pinakle, from Anglo-Norman pinacle, from Latin pinnaculum, diminutive of pinnac, meaning 'a feather' or 'a peak'