Vocab for high school students 8

drought (n.)

long period of dry weather; lack of rain; dryness

While some regions are suffering from drought, others are experiencing heavy rains and floods.

famished (v.)

starve; be or make extremely hungry

The missing hikers were famished when we found them; they had not eaten for more than twelve hours.

illuminate (u.)

light up; make bright with light

The bright morning sun illuminated the room; there was no need for the lights to be on.

incense (v.)

make extremely angry; enrage; madden; infuriate

Some of the members were so incensed by the way Ruth opened the meeting that they walked right out.

inundate (v.)

flood; swamp; deluge

The rainstorm inundated a number of streets in low-lying areas.

jeopardy (n.)

danger; peril

If you are late for the employment interview, your chance of getting the job will be in serious jeopardy.

magnify (v.)

cause to be or look larger; enlarge, amplify

The bacteria shown in your textbook have been greatly magnified; their actual size is considerably smaller.

puncture (v.)

make a hole with a pointed object; pierce; perforate

Our neighbor swept a nail off his curb, and later it punctured one of his own tires.

rummage (v.)

search thoroughly by turning over all the contents; ransack

Someone must have rummaged my desk; everything in it is in disorder.