garrulous, bereft, sanguinary, perennial, impetuous: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Proficient set 49. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. garrulous · adjective/ˈɡɛr.ə.ləs/

   excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters

   The garrulous neighbor talks for hours about his garden and never seems to notice that no one is listening.

   Synonyms: talkative, chatterbox, loquacious

   Origin: from Latin 'garrulus', meaning 'talkative or chattering'

2. bereft · adjective/bəˈrɛft/

   lacking something needed or wanted

   After his friend moved away, he felt bereft of companionship and often felt lonely.

   Synonyms: deprived, lacking, without

   Origin: from Middle English 'bereften', from Old English 'berēafian', meaning 'to rob, deprive'.

3. sanguinary · adjective/ˈblʌdi, ˈblʌdˌθɜrstɪ, ˈɡɔri/

   involving or causing much bloodshed

   The battle was so sanguinary that many soldiers lost their lives.

   Synonyms: bloody, bloodthirsty, gory

   Origin: The word sanguinary is derived from the Latin word 'sanguinarius', which comes from 'sanguis' meaning 'blood'.

4. perennial · adjective/pəˈrɛn.i.əl/

   lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time

   The garden is full of perennial flowers that bloom every year.

   Synonyms: everlasting, persistent, eternal

   Origin: Late Latin 'perennialis', from 'perennare' meaning to last through the whole year ('per' meaning through and 'annus' meaning year)

5. impetuous · adjective/ɪmˈpɛtʃəs/

   acting or done quickly and without thought or care

   His impetuous decision to leave school surprised everyone.

   Synonyms: rash, hasty, impulsive

   Origin: From Latin 'impetuosus', from 'impetus' meaning 'attack, impulse'