Upper-Intermediate — Set 34

Set 34 of Upper-Intermediate covers 5 words: interfere, inspire, reveal, favor, spoil. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. interfere · verb/ˌɪn(t)ərˈfɪr/

   to deliberately get involved in a situation, often causing disturbance

   Too much stress can seriously interfere with your ability to perform effectively.

   Synonyms: intervene, hinder, prevent, step in

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French s'entreferir ‘strike each other’, from entre- ‘between’ + ferir (from Latin ferire ‘to strike’)

2. inspire · verb/ɪnˈspaɪ(ə)r/

   to fill with ideas

   She is a remarkable role model who has inspired many women with her story of starting from scratch and building the life she enjoys today.

   Synonyms: influence, stimulate

   Origin: Middle English enspire, from Old French inspirer, from Latin inspirare ‘breathe or blow into’ from in- ‘into’ + spirare ‘breathe’. The word was originally used of a divine or supernatural being, in the sense ‘impart a truth or idea to someone’

3. reveal · verb/rəˈvil/

   make visible or known

   "We are not in a position to reveal any more information at the moment since the investigation is ongoing," a police officer told the newspaper.

   Synonyms: disclose, uncover, unveil

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French reveler or Latin revelare, from re- ‘again’ (expressing reversal) + velum ‘veil’

4. favor · verb/ˈfeɪvər/

   to prefer (over another)

   Increasingly, consumers favor the convenience of fast food over the preparation of meals at home.

   Synonyms: prefer, side with, opt for

   Origin: Middle English (in the noun sense ‘liking, preference’): via Old French from Latin favor, from favere ‘show kindness to’ (related to fovere ‘cherish’)

5. spoil · verb/spɔɪl/

   destroy or ruin

   A major housing development will completely spoil the ambience and rural nature of the site.

   Synonyms: harm, impair, damage

   Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘to plunder’): shortening of Old French espoille (noun), espoillier (verb), from Latin spoliare, from spolium ‘plunder, skin stripped from an animal’, or a shortening of despoil