impinge, prate, whiff, mortify, wane: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Proficient set 45. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. impinge · verb/ɪnˈtruːd, ˌɪntərˈfɪr, əˈfɛkt/

   to have an effect or impact, often in a negative or intrusive way

   The loud noise from the factory can impinge on the peaceful atmosphere of the neighborhood.

   Synonyms: interfere, intrude, affect

   Origin: from Latin 'impingere', meaning 'to strike against' or 'to push into'

2. prate · verb/preɪt/

   to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way

   During the meeting, he started to prate about his weekend, talking about every little detail that nobody cared about.

   Synonyms: chat, babble, chatter

   Origin: from Middle English 'praten', meaning 'to talk or chatter', possibly of imitative origin

3. whiff · noun/wɪf/

   a slight puff or gust of air or scent

   I caught a whiff of freshly baked cookies when I walked into the kitchen.

   Synonyms: puff, breeze, scent

   Origin: The word 'whiff' originated in the late 17th century, possibly from the Middle English word 'hwiffan', meaning to blow or to puff.

4. mortify · verb/ˈmɔrtəˌfaɪ/

   to cause someone to feel embarrassed or ashamed

   She felt mortified when she tripped and fell in front of everyone at the party.

   Synonyms: humiliate, embarrass, shame

   Origin: from Latin 'mortificare' meaning 'to kill' or 'to subdue', derived from 'mortis' meaning 'death'

5. wane · verb/weɪn/

   to decrease in size, extent, or degree

   As the day went on, the sunlight began to wane, making it darker outside.

   Synonyms: diminish, decrease, lessen

   Origin: Old English 'wanian', meaning to lessen or decrease