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

adjective C2 • synonyms: enduring, constant, recurring • a perennial problem/theme/favorite; perennial optimism; perennial plants bloom yearly • freq in AmE: 6/10

lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring

adjective [before noun ] C2 formal • synonyms: outstanding, leading, foremost, distinguished • pre-eminent scholar/artist/leader; pre-eminent in a field/industry; pre-eminent status/position • freq in AmE: 3/10

more important, skilled, or distinguished than others in a particular field; surpassing all others; outstanding

adverb formal C2 • synonyms: proactively, preventively, in advance • act/respond/prevent/react preemptively; preemptively apologize/recall/book • freq in AmE: 4/10

in a way that is intended to prevent something from happening by acting before it occurs; proactively, in advance, often to avoid risk, conflict, or disadvantage

adjective [before noun ] C2 formal (also preventative) • synonyms: protective, precautionary, proactive • preventive care/measures/checks/treatment; preventive strategy • freq in AmE: 8/10

intended to stop something from happening, especially illness, damage, or danger; designed to reduce risk or avoid problems before they occur

adjective [before noun ] C1 formal • synonyms: previous, earlier, former • prior experience/knowledge/commitments; prior to something; years/days prior • freq in AmE: 7/10

existing or coming before something else in time, order, or importance; earlier or previous

collocation with prior adjective [before noun ] C1 formal • synonym: before • prior to doing something; prior to the event/deadline/start; prior to joining/leaving/acting • freq in AmE: 6/10

before a particular time or event; a formal equivalent of before

adjective C1 (also post-Apocalyptic, postapocalyptic) • synonyms: after-the-collapse, ruinous, survivalist • post-apocalyptic world/future/setting; post-apocalyptic fiction/genre/feel • freq in AmE: 7/10

relating to a time or world after a major catastrophe — especially one that has destroyed civilization, such as nuclear war, pandemic, or environmental collapse

adjective C2 • synonyms: fated, inevitable, foreordained, destined • (predestined to fail/succeed/love); predestined outcome/path/role • freq in AmE: 3/10

determined in advance by fate, divine will, or inevitable circumstances; often implies that events or outcomes are fixed and unavoidable, regardless of personal choice

collocation with predestined adjective C2 • synonyms: fated, inevitable, foreordained, destined • (predestined to fail/succeed/love); predestined outcome/path/role • freq in AmE: 3/10

a fate of destruction, failure, or death that is believed to be inevitable and determined in advance — often used in tragic, mythic, or philosophical contexts to evoke a sense of inescapable ruin

collocation with prone adjective C2 • synonyms: excitable, reactive, enthusiastic • patterns: be prone to excitement; become prone to excitement in situations • collocations: prone to excitement/joy/impulses/stimulation • freq in AmE: 5/10

likely to become excited easily; having a natural tendency to react with enthusiasm, emotional intensity, or energetic anticipation

collocation with prevailing adjective [not gradable, before noun ] C1 • synonyms: dominant tendency, main current, widespread pattern • prevailing trend in fashion/thought/politics; follow/resist/analyze a trend • freq in AmE: 6/10

a dominant or widespread pattern, tendency, or direction of change in a particular context (e.g. society, economy, fashion, thought)

adjective C2 • synonyms: sharp, acrid, spicy • pungent smell/flavor/cheese; taste/smell/be pungent • freq in AmE: 6/10

having a strong, sharp, and often biting smell or taste; typically used to describe foods, spices, or odors that are intense, spicy, or acrid

adjective C1 • synonyms: daring, controversial, suggestive • provocative outfit/speech/art; look/sound/be provocative • freq in AmE: 6/10

intended to arouse interest, reaction, or emotion—often by being bold, revealing, controversial, or emotionally charged; used to describe clothing, actions, speech, or art that challenges norms or attracts attention

adjective [C1 ] • synonyms: spicy, zesty, sharp • piquant flavor/sauce/dish; slightly/pleasantly/richly piquant; piquant notes/aroma/kick • freq in AmE: 3/10

having a pleasantly sharp or spicy flavor; stimulating to the palate without being overwhelmingly hot—often used to describe food that is flavorful and lively

collocation with prone adjective C2 • synonyms: tend to, be susceptible to, have a tendency to • prone to anxiety/errors/illness; prone to exaggerate/forget/complain • freq in AmE: 7/10

having a tendency or inclination to experience, do, or suffer from something, especially something negative or undesirable

adjective C2 informal, slang • synonyms: lousy, pathetic, dreadful • piss-poor excuse/performance/service; give/do a piss-poor job; piss-poor quality/results/effort; sound/look piss-poor • freq in AmE: 4/10

extremely bad, inadequate, or disappointing; used to express strong disapproval or frustration, often in casual or emotionally charged speech

adjective C2 formal • synonyms: prophetic, visionary, farsighted • prescient insight/remark/vision; prescient about politics, tech, climate • freq in AmE: 4/10

having or showing knowledge of events before they take place; marked by foresight or prophetic insight

adjective C1 • synonyms: searching, penetrating, inquisitive • probing questions/inquiry/investigation/gaze • ask probing questions; conduct a probing examination/analysis • freq in AmE: 6/10

searching deeply and thoroughly, especially when asking questions or examining something to discover hidden information or truth

collocation with probing adjective C1 • synonyms: penetrating, incisive, searching • ask/pose probing question; probing question about motives/details; probing questions in therapy/interview/debate • freq in AmE: 6/10

a question designed to explore something deeply, uncover hidden details, or challenge assumptions — often used to elicit thoughtful, revealing, or clarifying responses

adjective [approving ] C2 • synonyms: luxurious, opulent, elegant, indulgent • plush hotel/interior/lifestyle/furnishings; plush leather chairs • freq in AmE: 5/10

expensively comfortable, richly decorated, or luxurious in appearance or feel; often used to describe interiors, hotels, furnishings, or experiences that convey indulgence and refinement

adjective C1 informal • synonyms: velvety, soft, cushioned, fuzzy • plush fabric/toy/cushion/blanket; plush texture/feel/surface • freq in AmE: 6/10

soft, thick, and richly textured to the touch; often used to describe fabrics, toys, or surfaces that feel velvety, cushioned, or luxurious

collocation with plush adjective C2 approving • synonyms: luxury lodging, elegant stay, upscale housing • plush accommodations at resort/hotel/retreat; upgrade to plush accommodations • freq in AmE: 4/10

luxurious and expensively comfortable places to stay, such as hotels, suites, or private residences; often associated with high-end amenities, elegant design, and indulgent service