Opaque

Opaque

<oh-pake>

cloudy; unclear; blurred;

something that cannot be seen through.

The trees made an opaque barrier between the houses. They made the yard private.

Memory trick:
opaque reminds of oppose.

At work:
The prior results must be opaque to the people testing. This way they can't cheat.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Flippant

Flippant

<flip-pant>

playful; rude; impudent;

having a disrespectful attitude.

The student was flippant and the teacher asked her to leave the classroom.

Remember:
flippant reminds of "flip ant".
we flip something by turning it around.
an ant is small.
we make someone feel small when we turn around their words.

At work:
You will get better customer service if you are not flippant. Be nice and pleasant.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Involute

Involute

<in-vah-loot>

intricate; complicated; confused;

something that is complex and involved.

The map is an involute maze of twists and turns. I don't know how to get there.

Remember:
Involute reminds of convoluted.
convoluted means to make something confusing.

At work:
Our software has an involute feel and it is hard to use. We must make it simpler.

 
(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Vexation

Vexation

<veks-aay-shun>

anger; aggravation; irritation;

being annoyed or agitated.

The dripping water caused a constant vexation. I woke up and shut off the water.

Remember:
vexation reminds of aggravation.

Our vexation went away when the other company ended the lawsuit. It was a great day.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Extrinsic

Extrinsic

<egg-strinz-zik>

outside; external; imported;

something that is foreign.

The gift came from an extrinsic source. We never knew who gave it.

Memory trick:
extrinsic reminds of external.

At work:
We will be audited by an extrinsic auditor. They will come into the office next week.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
  

Elucidate

Elucidate

<ee-loo-sah-dayte>

explain; clarify; decode;

to make something clear and simple.

A picture will elucidate a complicated story because a picture paints a thousand words.

Memory trick:
elucidate reminds of lucid.
lucid means to think clearly.

At work:
We need to elucidate the instructions. The text is too small and the words are unclear.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
   

Providential

Providential

<pra-vid-den-shul>

fortunate; lucky; opportune;

something happy that happens at a good time.

Winning the lottery was providential after they bought a new house. They paid it off in full.

Remember:
providential reminds of provide.
provide means to give something needed.

At work:
It was providential that the market went up right after the stock went public. We made a lot of money.


(C) 2015 E. Carruthers