English Vocab

1. Aghast (adjective): Filled with horror or shock (भौचक्का / विस्मित)

Synonyms: Astonished, Confounded, Afraid, Scared, Bewildered, Amazed

Antonyms: Unsurprised, Nonchalant, Composed, Serene, Placid

Example: When the magician did his disappearing trick, the speechless audience was aghast.

2. Fillip (noun): Something which acts as a stimulus or boost to an activity (प्रोत्साहन)

Synonyms: Incentive, Encouragement, Stimulation, Boost

Antonyms: Dampen, Dishearten, Demoralise, Curb, Restriction

Example: The halving of car tax would provide a fillip to sales.

3. Intractable (adjective): Hard to control or deal with. (नियंत्रण के बाहर /अप्रबंध्य)

Synonyms: Unmanageable, Uncontrollable, Ungovernable, Difficult, Awkward, Complex, Rude

Antonyms: Manageable, Governable, Submissive

Example:  Additional police officers were called to the scene when the crowd became intractable.

4. Etiquette (noun): The customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group (शिष्टाचार)

Synonyms: Courtesy, Decorum, Decency, Protocol

Antonyms: Impropriety, Discourtesy, Immorality, Impoliteness, Rudeness

Example: The man was asked to leave when he displayed a complete lack of proper etiquette.

5. Aphorism (noun): A pithy observation which contains a general truth. (कहावत)

Synonyms: Saying, Adage, Proverb, Maxim, Dictum

Antonyms: Absurdity, Ambiguity, Foolishness, Nonsense

Example: The popular aphorism gives advice in a manner that is both witty and concise.

6. Mercurial (adjective): Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind (अस्थिर / क्षणिक बुद्धि)

Synonyms: Changeable, Erratic, Impulsive, Unpredictable, Unstable, Shaky, Volatile

Antonyms: Certain, Constant, Predictable, Stable, Steady, Reliable

Example: As my sister has mercurial moods, we never know how she will be feeling from one moment to the next.

7. Entente (noun): A friendly understanding or informal alliance between states or factions (सौहार्द)

Synonyms: Cordiality, Comity, Amicability, Amicableness, Camaraderie

Antonyms: Disagreement, Misunderstanding

Example: This new entente with Great Britain, cemented by a visit paid by Prime Minister.

8. Chasm (noun): A profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc(खाई / मनोबृत्ति का भेद)

Synonyms: Ditch, Moat, Gulf, Entrenchment, Riffle, Alienation, Abysm

Antonyms: Closure, Juncture, Remembrance, Closing

Example: The consequence was the rapid extension and widening of the chasm that divided the people.

9. Gloss (noun): A superficially attractive appearance or impression (चमक / व्याख्या)

Synonyms: Brightness, Luster, Brilliance, Effulgence, Glaze, Gleam

Antonyms: Misinformation, Dullness, Sloth, Blur

Example:  The skins from northern regions are more full and of a finer colour and gloss than those from more temperate climates, as are those of animals killed in winter compared to the same individuals in summer.

10. Staid (adjective): Calm, dignified, and unhurried (शांत / स्थिर)

Synonyms: Dignified, Solemn, Sedate, Sober, Tranquil

Antonyms: Excited, Adventurous, Sporting

Example: Since my aunt is a nun, she always wears such a staid look on her face.