percipient, sporadic, voluble, apposite, fitful: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Master set 56. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. percipient · adjective/pərˈsɪpɪənt/

   able to perceive and understand things quickly and accurately

   Her percipient mind quickly understood the problem and offered a solution.

   Synonyms: aware, insightful, perceptive

   Origin: from Latin 'percipere', meaning 'to seize, understand'

2. sporadic · adjective/spɔˈrædɪk/

   occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places

   We saw sporadic rain showers throughout the day.

   Synonyms: occasional, infrequent, irregular

   Origin: from the Latin word 'sporadicus', which means 'scattered'.

3. voluble · adjective/ˈvɑl.jə.bəl/

   characterized by a ready and continuous flow of words

   During the meeting, she was very voluble and shared her ideas without stopping.

   Synonyms: talkative, loquacious, chatty

   Origin: The word comes from Latin 'volubilis', meaning 'turning' or 'rolling', from 'volvĕre', meaning 'to roll'.

4. apposite · adjective/ˈæp.ə.zɪt/

   fitting or suitable in the circumstances

   Her comment was apposite to the topic we were discussing.

   Synonyms: appropriate, relevant, suitable

   Origin: Latin 'appositus', meaning 'placed near' or 'attached to'

5. fitful · adjective/ˈfɪtfəl/

   occurring in irregular bursts or intervals

   The child's fitful sleep made it hard for him to feel rested in the morning.

   Synonyms: irregular, intermittent, sporadic

   Origin: Middle English 'fitful', from 'fit' (from Old English 'fitt') meaning 'a sudden movement or attack'; influenced by 'full', meaning 'full of'