Advanced English (2) • ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS • 'C'

adjective C2 • synonyms: predatory, meat-eating • carnivorous animals/plants/instincts; carnivorous capitalism • freq in AmE: 6/10

describing an animal that feeds mainly or exclusively on meat; also used metaphorically to describe people, systems, or behaviors that are aggressive, predatory, or ruthlessly competitive

adjective C1 informal • synonyms: cheerful, upbeat, perky • chipper mood/smile/person; surprisingly/still/always chipper • freq in AmE: 4/10

cheerful, lively, and upbeat — often used to describe someone who appears unusually energetic or optimistic, especially in the morning or after adversity

adjective C1 • synonyms: cautious, discreet, prudent • circumspect tone / circumspect approach / remain circumspect • freq in AmE: 5/10

careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences; marked by prudence, discretion, and restraint

adjective [before noun ] C2 • synonyms: inborn, hereditary, innate • congenital defect/disorder/blindness/condition; congenital heart disease/syndrome/malformation/disability • freq in AmE: 6/10

present from birth, especially referring to physical or medical conditions that develop in the womb and are not acquired later in life

collocation with congenital adjective C1 formal, medical • synonyms: inborn, hereditary, prenatal • congenital defects/disorders/conditions/anomalies • diagnose/screen/treat congenital defects • freq in AmE: 7/10

medical conditions or structural abnormalities present at birth, resulting from genetic factors, developmental issues during pregnancy, or environmental influences; may affect organs, limbs, or systems

adjective [before noun ] C2 • synonyms: fresh, brisk, invigorating • crisp air/morning/breeze/weather/day; crisp autumn/temperature/climate; cool and crisp • freq in AmE: 6/10

cool, fresh, and pleasantly invigorating — often describing air or weather that feels clean, dry, and slightly chilly in a refreshing way

collocation with crisp adjective [before noun ] C2 • synonyms: fresh, brisk, invigorating • crisp weather/air/morning/breeze/day; crisp autumn/climate/conditions; cool and crisp • freq in AmE: 6/10

weather that is cool, dry, and refreshing — often associated with autumn or early mornings; evokes clarity, freshness, and invigorating air

adjective C2 disapproving • synonyms: tactless, vulgar, insensitive • crass comment/remark/joke/behavior; crass ignorance/exploitation/self-interest • freq in AmE: 5/10

showing a lack of sensitivity, refinement, or intelligence; offensively blunt, tactless, or crude in behavior, speech, or judgment

noun [U ] C1 (also chit-chat) • synonyms: small talk, banter, idle talk • engage in/avoid chitchat; friendly/pointless chitchat; office/social chitchat • freq in AmE: 6/10

informal conversation about trivial or light topics; casual talk that is often social or superficial

adjective C1 informal • synonyms: ignorant, unaware, lost • clueless about something; be/feel/look clueless; utterly/totally clueless; clueless about tech/politics/what to do • freq in AmE: 7/10

lacking knowledge, understanding, or awareness about something; completely uninformed or confused

adjective C2 formal • synonyms: accidental, incidental, chance • contingent events/factors/beauty/success; contingent and fleeting/chaotic/unexpected • freq in AmE: 3/10

happening by chance or depending on unpredictable factors; accidental, incidental, not essential

collocation with cutting-edge adjective [before noun ] C1 • synonyms: state-of-the-art/breakthrough/next-gen feature • cutting-edge AI/camera/security feature • freq in AmE: 7/10

a highly advanced, innovative, and state-of-the-art technological function or capability, often representing the latest developments in a field