Cynosure

Cynosure

<sine-oh-sore>


Focus; heart; hub

Anything or anyone that attracts a lot of interest.

The clock tower is the cynosure of the town. People come from miles to see it.

Memory trick:
Cyno reminds of center

A landmark is a cynosure.



Used at work:
The demo will be the cynosure of the conference. Everyone will flock to it.



(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Stupefy

Stupefy

<stoop-ee-fi>

stun; daze; awe

shock someone to a point they cannot think.

The magic trick will stupefy the kids.

Memory trick:
stupe reminds of stupid
we make them stupid when we shock them

Used at work:
Our presentation will stupefy them. They will love it.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Colloquial

Colloquial

<ko-low-qwe-il>

saying things in a common and not fancy language.

His colloquial poetry was understood by all.

Memory trick:
collo reminds of color
quial reminds of quill
A colored quill is bright and seen by all

Used at work:
Your report is colloquial. It is easy to read.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Exacerbate

Exacerbate

<ex-zas-er-bayte>

worsen; aggravate; intensify

to make some more annoying.

You will exacerbate the situation by yelling.

Memory trick:
exac reminds of extra.
bate rhymes with rate.
Extra rate

Used at work:
Shutting off the computer will exacerbate the problem.



(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Malefactor

Malefactor

<mal-ah-fak-tor>

convict; evildoer; lawbreaker;

a person who is a wrongdoer and commits crimes.

He was a malefactor but now he is a good person.

Memory trick:
Mal reminds of mal or bad.
Factor reminds of fact.
Bad in fact.

Used at work:
You're not a malefactor. You're a good employee and I can count on you.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Servile

Servile

<sir-vil>

submissive; serving; obedient;

The servile dog was very well behaved. He followed my commands.

Memory trick:
Servile reminds of serve.

Used at work:
He is never servile. That is why he is a good idea person.









(c) 2013 E. Carruthers

Cynical

Cynical

<sin-ik-kal>

distrusting; contempt; bitter;

having a bad negative attitude

He was a cynical person and did not trust anyone.

Memory trick:
Cyn rhymes with sin or bad

Used at work:
I am not cynical. I have a good feeling about the project.




(c) 2013 E. Carruthers