proprietary, havoc, chicanery, raconteur, levity: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Master set 92. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. proprietary · adjective/prəˈpraɪ.əˌter.i/

   relating to an owner or ownership

   The company developed a proprietary software that only they can use.

   Synonyms: private, exclusive, owned

   Origin: from Latin 'proprietarius', meaning 'owner' or 'property'

2. havoc · noun/ˈhæv.ək/

   widespread destruction or devastation

   The storm brought havoc to the small town, destroying homes and trees.

   Synonyms: destruction, devastation, ruin

   Origin: Middle English 'havoc', from Old French 'havot', meaning 'to call for the surrender of the enemy'

3. chicanery · noun/ʃɪˈkeɪ.nɚ.i/

   deception or trickery used to achieve a political, financial, or legal goal

   The politician was caught using chicanery to win the election by lying about his opponents.

   Synonyms: trickery, deceit, duplicitousness

   Origin: French chicanerie, from chicaner meaning to quibble or deceive

4. raconteur · noun/ˌrækənˈtɜr/

   a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way

   At the party, everyone enjoyed listening to him because he is a great raconteur who tells funny stories.

   Synonyms: storyteller, narrator, entertainer

   Origin: French, from 'raconter' meaning 'to recount'

5. levity · noun/ˈlɛvɪti/

   lightness of demeanor or attitude, often in a serious situation

   Despite the serious meeting, she brought some levity to the room with her jokes.

   Synonyms: lightness, frivolity, gaiety

   Origin: from Latin 'levitas', meaning lightness