fulfill, gamble, illustrate, forbid, ruin: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 79. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. fulfill · verb/fʊlˈfɪl/

   to achieve something that you have been longing for

   Roby initiated a campaign to ask citizens in his neighbourhood to help her grandfather fulfill his dream of travelling around the world.

   Synonyms: accomplish, achieve, realize

   Origin: late Old English fullfyllan ‘fill up, make full’ (see full, fill)

2. gamble · verb/ˈɡæmbəl/

   to risk money or something valuable on an uncertain result

   Heavy smokers gamble with their and their family's health seriously especially when they smoke indoors.

   Synonyms: challenge, dare, endanger

   Origin: early 18th century (in gambling noun): ultimately from game. There may be a connection with the obsolete form gameling ‘playing of games’ (late 16th century)

3. illustrate · verb/ˈɪləˌstreɪt/

   to explain or show something by using examples, pictures, or evidence

   The rising crime rates in the area in the last five years illustrate that there is lack of security service in that neighbourhood.

   Synonyms: demonstrate, exemplify, clarify

   Origin: early 16th century (in the sense ‘illuminate, shed light on’): from Latin illustrat- ‘lit up’, from the verb illustrare, from in- ‘upon’ + lustrare ‘illuminate’

4. forbid · verb/fərˈbɪd/

   to say that somebody is not allowed to do something

   With the new law passed, the government aims to strictly forbid racial or sexual discrimination in the country.

   Synonyms: ban, block, censor

   Origin: Old English forbēodan(see for-, bid)

5. ruin · verb/ˈruˌɪn/

   to damage something severely

   If you water the flowers too much, you will ruin them completely as water may do more harm than good to some flowers.

   Synonyms: spoil, demolish, wipe out

   Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘collapse of a building’): from Old French ruine, from Latin ruina, from ruere ‘to fall’