statuesque /ˌstætʃuˈesk/ (adj):
# (formal) (usually of a woman) tall and beautiful in an impressive way; like a statue.
SYNONYM imposing
[Related entries: Physical appearance]
mission-critical /ˌmɪʃn ˈkrɪtɪkl/ (adj):
#1. essential for an organization to function successfully.
mission-critical employees/ software/ applications.
[Related entries: Critical]
critical /ˈkrɪtɪkl/ (adj):
#1. (expressing disapproval) saying what you think is bad about somebody/something.
You should just ignore any critical comments.
The supervisor is always very critical.
critical of somebody/something: Some parents are highly critical of the school.
[related entries: Difficulty & Failure]
#2. extremely important because a future situation will be affected by it.
SYNONYM crucial
Industry leaders are working together to address this critical issue.
a critical factor in the election campaign
The kidneys play a critical role in overall health.
Reducing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is of critical importance.
Emails and spreadsheets contain a lot of business-critical information.
critical to something: Your decision is critical to our future.
critical for something: Timing is critical for success.
[related entries: Critical]
#3. serious, uncertain and possibly dangerous.
One of the victims of the fire remains in a critical condition.
The first 24 hours after the operation are the most critical.
a critical care ward
This is a critical moment in our country's history.
He's at a critical point in his life.
a critical step in the process
[related entries: Difficulty & Failure]
#4. involving making fair, careful judgements about the good and bad qualities of somebody/ something.
Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking instead of accepting opinions without questioning them.
His latest film attracted enthusiastic critical comment from cinema-goers.
Mike studied the canvas with a critical eye.
[related entries: Preference]
#5. [only before noun] according to the judgement of critics of art, music, literature, etc.
the film director’s greatest critical success
In her day she never received the critical acclaim (= praise from the critics) she deserved.
[related entries: Preference]
impassable /ɪmˈpɑːsəbl/ /ɪmˈpæsəbl/ (adj):
#1. (of a road, an area, etc.) impossible to travel on or through, especially because it is in bad condition or it has been blocked by something.
[Related entries: Difficulty & Failure]
ultimate /ˈʌltɪmət/ (adj):
#1. [only before noun] happening at the end of a long process.
SYNONYM final
our ultimate goal/aim/objective/target
We will accept ultimate responsibility for whatever happens.
The ultimate decision lies with the parents.
#2. most extreme; best, worst, greatest, most important, etc.
This race will be the ultimate test of your skill.
Silk sheets are the ultimate luxury.
Nuclear weapons are the ultimate deterrent.
[Related entries: Critical]
#3. from which something originally comes.
SYNONYM basic, fundamental
the ultimate truths of philosophy and science
We could not trace the ultimate source of the rumours.
[Related entries: Critical]
itchy
run-of-the-mill adjective
/ˌrʌn əv ðə ˈmɪl/
/ˌrʌn əv ðə ˈmɪl/
(often disapproving)
ordinary, with no special or interesting features
a run-of-the-mill job
These should be run-of-the-mill problems to the experienced manager.
squashy adjective
/ˈskwɒʃi/
/ˈskwɑːʃi/
soft and easy to change or damage
a squashy leather armchair
squashy fruit
equable: Behaviours; Weather;
extinct /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ (adj):
# (of a type of plant, animal, etc.) no longer in existence.
an extinct species
to become extinct.
blessed /ˈblesɪd/ (adj):
# [only before noun] giving you a sense of peace or a feeling of freedom from worry or pain.
a moment of blessed calm
# [only before noun] (old-fashioned, informal) used to express mild anger.
I can't see a blessed thing without my glasses.
mild /maɪld/ (adj):
# not severe or strong.
a mild form of the disease
a mild case of flu
The symptoms were mild.
a mild punishment/criticism
It's safe to take a mild sedative.
Use a soap that is mild on the skin.
# (of weather) not very cold, and therefore pleasant.
the mildest winter since records began
a mild climate
It's quite mild for the time of year.
Later in the week the weather turned very mild.
# (of feelings) not great or extreme.
SYNONYM slight
mild irritation/ amusement/ disapproval
a mild state of shock
She looked at him in mild surprise.
# (of a taste ) not strong, spicy or bitter.
a fairly mild flavour
mild cheese
a mild curry
# (of people or their behaviour) gentle and kind; not usually getting angry or violent.
SYNONYM equable; mild-mannered;
a mild woman, who never shouted.
mildly /ˈmaɪldli/ (adv):
# slightly; not very much.
mildly surprised/ irritated/ interested
Those figures are mildly encouraging, but we need faster progress.
# in a gentle manner.
"I didn't mean to upset you", he said mildly.
minor /ˈmaɪnər/ (adj):
# [usually before noun] not very large, important or serious.
The new plan involves widening a minor road through the valley.
Both the driver and the passenger suffered minor injuries.
You may need to undergo minor surgery.
Most of these youths are in prison for minor offences.
minor modifications/ adjustments
There may be some minor changes to the schedule.
major ˈmeɪdʒər/ (adj):
# [usually before noun] very large or important.
a major road
Some major international companies refused to do business with them.
He played a major role in setting up the system.
major sporting events
a major issue/ factor/ project/ challenge
We have encountered major problems
There were calls for major changes to the welfare system.
# [not before noun] serious.
Never mind - it's not major.
irretrievable /ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbl/ (adj):
# (formal) that you can never make right or get back.
an irretrievable situation
the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
The money already paid is irretrievable.
Some of the data is irretrievable.
OPPOSITE retrievable
causal /ˈkɔːzl/ (adj):
# (formal) connected with the relationship between two things, where one causes the other to happen.
the causal relationship between poverty and disease.
armed /ɑːmd/ (adj):
# involving the use of weapons.
an armed robbery.
resultant
paradoxical /ˌpærəˈdɒksɪkl/ /ˌpærəˈdɑːksɪkl/ (adj):
# (of a person, thing or situation) having two opposite features and therefore seeming strange.
It is paradoxical that some of the poorest people live in some of the richest areas of the country.
[Related entries: Difference;]
sole /səʊl/ (adj):
# [only before noun] only; single.
the sole surviving member of the family
My sole reason for coming here was to see you.
This is the sole means of access to the building.
[Related entries: One-off;]
# belonging to one person or group; not shared.
She has sole responsibility for the project.
the sole owner
We may have the opportunity to take over sole ownership of the company.
[Related entries: One-off;]
incomprehensible /ɪnˌkɒmprɪˈhensəbl/ /ɪnˌkɑːmprɪˈhensəbl/ (adj):
# incomprehensible (to somebody): impossible to understand.
SYNONYM unintelligible
Some application forms can be incomprehensible to ordinary people.
He found his son's actions totally incomprehensible.
OPPOSITE comprehensible;
tacit
dense
morbid
mandatory /ˈmændətəri/ /mænˈdeɪtəri/ /ˈmændətɔːri/ (adj):
# (formal) required by law.
SYNONYM compulsory
The offence carries a mandatory life sentence.
mandatory (for somebody) (to do something): It is mandatory for blood banks to test all donated blood for the virus.
fancy /ˈfænsi/ (adj):
#1.
florid
nostalgic
figurative adjective
/ˈfɪɡərətɪv/
/ˈfɪɡjərətɪv/
#1. [usually before noun]
(of language, words, phrases, etc.) used in a way that is different from the usual meaning, in order to create a particular mental picture. For example, ‘He exploded with rage’ shows a figurative use of the verb ‘explode’.
COMPARE literal, metaphorical
#2. (of paintings, art, etc.) showing people, animals and objects as they really look
a figurative artist
metaphorical
aforementioned adjective
/əˈfɔːmenʃənd/, /əˌfɔːˈmenʃənd/
/əˈfɔːrmenʃənd/, /əˌfɔːrˈmenʃənd/
(also aforesaid /əˈfɔːsed/ /əˈfɔːrsed/)
(also said)
[only before noun] (formal or law)
mentioned before, in an earlier sentence
The aforementioned person was seen acting suspiciously.
Insurance is included on all aforesaid items.