attend, admire, deal, advanced, threat: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 7. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. attend · verb/əˈtɛnd/

   to go to and be present at an event, meeting, or class

   If you are unable to attend the party, you should inform them by tomorrow.

   Synonyms: take part in, participate in, show up at, be present at

   Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘apply one's mind or energies to’): from Old French atendre, from Latin attendere, from ad- ‘to’ + tendere ‘stretch’

2. admire · verb/ədˈmaɪ(ə)r/

   to like and respect someone because you have a high opinion of them

   While you might not agree with their actions, you have to admire their undeniable courage and dedication.

   Synonyms: adore, appreciate, respect, approve, idolize

   Origin: late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French amirer and its source, Latin admirari, from ad- ‘at’ + mirari ‘wonder’

3. deal · noun/dil/

   agreement

   David talked to the reporters and said that a business deal went wrong, leaving him facing huge debts.

   Synonyms: bargain, pact, pledge

   Origin: Old English dǣlan ‘divide’, ‘participate’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch deel and German Teil ‘part’ (noun), also to dole. The sense ‘divide’ gave rise to ‘distribute’, hence deal deal; the sense ‘participate’ gave rise to ‘have dealings with’, hence deal deal

4. advanced · adjective/ədˈvænst/

   well developed

   Today's students are going to have to be technologically advanced in order to compete in future job markets.

   Synonyms: progressive, modern, developed

5. threat · noun/θrɛt/

   something or someone that is seen as a danger or hazard

   Climate change acts as a great threat to many countries around the world.

   Synonyms: menace, risk, peril

   Origin: Old English thrēat ‘oppression’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch verdrieten ‘grieve’, German verdriessen ‘irritate’