4000 CPE Vocabulary List

a. aspiring; having a strong desire for success or achievement
After news of Rupert Murdoch's ambitious move, the company's share value rose rapidly, opening at 37 dollars and 12 cents and going up to 57 dollars and 28 cents.

n. state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes, such as love and hate
Torn between loving her parents one minute and hating them the next, she was confused by her feelings' ambivalence.

a. mixed;  experiencing or expressing opposing or contradictory feelings
South Korea is one of the world's most successful trading nations, but the population remains deeply ambivalent about open markets' benefits.

n. moving at an easy pace; walk slowly or leisurely
When she first mounted the horse, she was afraid to urge the animal to go faster than a gentle amble.

a. able to walk; formed or adapted for walking; not stationary
Juan was a highly ambulatory patient; not only did he refuse to be confined to bed, but he insisted on riding his skateboard up and down the halls.

v. make or become better; improve; grow better
Many social workers have attempted to ameliorate the conditions of people living in the slums.

a. responsive to advise or suggestion; responsible to a higher authority; willing to comply with; agreeable
He was amenable to any suggestions that came from those he looked up to.

v. change for the better; improve; remove faults or errors
Would McCain amend executive orders to ensure that communications between persons outside government and White House staff are disclosed to the public?

n. a change or changes made to the words of a text; revision
America and Britain oppose this amendment, but some other European countries, particularly Germany, have always been lukewarm on debt relief and might be swayed.

n. convenient features; courtesies
In addition to the customary amenities for the business traveler-fax machines, modems, a health club-the hotel offers butler-versed services in the social courtesies.

n. pleasantness resulting from agreeable conditions
This spacious travel amenity kit lets you bring all the comforts of home.

a. good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly
In Little Women, Beth is the amiable daughter whose loving disposition endears her to all who know her.

a. exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
Beth's sister Jo is the hot-tempered tomboy who has difficulty maintaining amicable relations with those around her.

n. friendship; peaceful relations, as between nations
Student exchange programs such as the Experiment in International Living were established to promote international amity.

a. moved by sexual love; loving
'Love them and leave them' was the motto of the amorous Don Juan.

a. formless; lacking shape or definition
As soon as we have decided on our itinerary, we shall send you a copy; right now, our plans are still amorphous.

a. able to live both on land and in water
Frogs are classified as amphibian.

n. oval building with tiers of seats from central open space or arena
The spectators in the amphitheater cheered the gladiators.

n. addition of extra material or illustration or clarifying detail
A few remarks added in amplification and defense.

v. broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make larger or more powerful; increase
Charlie Brown tried to amplify his remarks, but jeers from the audience drowned him out.