4000 FCE Vocabulary List

n. wonder; state of extreme surprise or wonder; astonishment
My daughter and I looked at each other in amazement, and with beaming smiles, threw our arms around each other.

n. particular environment or surrounding influence; an atmosphere of the environment
A certain ambience is lost when you choose a tampon over a cocktail glass at a party.

n. aspiration; a strong wish to achieve something
They may be trying to protect their rich pickings, but this is also in line with President Putin's ambition to see Russian business as a truly international player.

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.

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.

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. compensation for a loss or injury; recompense
I want to make amends to my friend for breaking her precious vase.

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.

ad. in the middle of; among; surrounded by
He and other leaders are more optimistic than eight years ago when Easley began his term amid a recession.

n. military stores or provisions; articles used in weapons, as powder, balls, shot, shells
I will carry these two rifles myself; the ammunition is all there except that bag in the corner.

n. partial or total loss of memory, usually resulting from shock or illness
Selective amnesia is a politically valuable trait.

n. total of two or more quantities; aggregate; sum
The amount of money sent home by migrant workers to their families in Latin America has reached more than $62 billion.

a. more than enough in size or scope or capacity; relatively large
They insist that food is being provided to the Palestinians in ample supplies and that the only way to weaken Hamas is to maintain the blockade.

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

v. occupy in an agreeable, pleasing, or entertaining fashion; cause laughter or be funny; delude or deceive
I've been using this anecdote to amuse my civilian friends for years!

n. the similarity in some respects; comparison based on similarity
This analogy is almost always noted without further comment, although it may be taken further.

n. study; investigation; the process of breaking down a substance into its constituent parts
You can read more about those studies here, and my analysis is here.