Advanced English (2) • NOUNS • 'P'

noun [C ] C2 (plural peccadillos or peccadilloes) formal / humorous • synonyms: minor fault, lapse, flaw • a small/minor peccadillo; forgive/overlook peccadillos; personal/social peccadillo • freq in AmE: 4/10

a small and relatively unimportant fault or mistake, especially one that does not seriously harm anyone

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: fantasy, illusion, delusion • just/merely a pipe dream; a pipe dream of fame/success; chase/cling to a pipe dream • freq in AmE: 6/10

an unrealistic or impractical hope, plan, or ambition — something that is unlikely to ever happen, often used dismissively or skeptically

noun [C ] C2 law (also less frequent complainant) • synonyms: claimant (BrE), complainant • plaintiff files a lawsuit; plaintiff vs defendant; court rules in favor of plaintiff • freq in AmE: 6/10

a person or party who brings a legal case against another in a court of law; the one who initiates a lawsuit (opposite of defendant)

noun [C ] C1 • the premise that...; the premise of an argument/theory • US freq: 6/10 • US → the stress can be placed on the first syllable, whether as a verb or a noun; UK → a noun, the stress falls on the first syllable; a verb — on the second syllable

a foundational idea or proposition that serves as the basis for an argument, theory, or line of reasoning

collocation with premise noun [C ] C1 logic/philosophy • synonyms: assumption, foundation, proposition • be based on the premise that someone believes/does/accepts; premise of a theory/argument/policy; flawed/basic premise • freq in AmE: 6/10

used to describe an argument, theory, belief, or decision that relies on a specific foundational assumption or proposition

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: swearing, obscenity, blasphemy • use/utter/ban/condemn profanity • excessive/prolonged/repeated profanity • profanity in speech/media/workplace • freq in AmE: 6/10

language that is vulgar, obscene, or disrespectful, especially toward sacred things or social norms; includes swear words, blasphemy, and offensive expressions

noun [U ] C2 formal • synonyms: expansion, spread, escalation • nuclear/digital/ideological proliferation; proliferation of ideas/devices/misinformation • freq in AmE: 7/10

a rapid and often excessive increase in number, spread, or presence of something; commonly used in contexts involving technology, weapons, ideas, or social phenomena

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: importance, visibility, distinction • rise to/come to/gain/achieve prominence; give prominence; social/media/global prominence; physical prominence • freq in AmE: 6/10

the state of being important, well-known, or easily noticeable; can refer to social status, visibility, influence, or physical projection

collocation with prominence noun [U ] C1 (also come to/gain/achieve prominence) • synonyms: become influential, gain recognition, achieve status • rise to prominence as someone/in something; sudden/gradual rise to prominence • freq in AmE: 6/10

to become important, influential, or widely recognized, especially after a period of obscurity or gradual development; often used in political, artistic, or professional contexts

noun [C ] C2 informal • synonyms: annoyance, irritation, frustration • pet peeve (=something that especially annoys you); grammar peeve; noise peeve; major/minor peeve • freq in AmE: 6/10

something that annoys or irritates a person, often in a persistent or personal way; a particular source of frustration

noun [C usually singular ] C1 • synonyms: peak, summit, zenith • reach the pinnacle of something; pinnacle of success/power/fame; reach/attain/stand at pinnacle • freq in AmE: 6/10

the highest point or most successful stage of something; literally, a pointed top of a mountain or structure, and metaphorically, the peak of achievement, power, or intensity

noun [C ] C2 formal • synonyms: dilemma, bind, quandary • moral/emotional/financial predicament; face/escape/worsen predicament • freq in AmE: 6/10

a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation from which it is hard to escape or find a solution; often involving moral, practical, or relational tension