Advanced Business Vocabulary
Advanced vocabulary refers to words that are typically used in more complex or specialized forms of communication, such as professional settings.
These words can be more challenging to learn and use correctly, but they are essential for fluency and comprehension in those contexts.
To improve your use of advanced vocabulary, it's important to learn not just the definition of a word, but also its context and how it's used in real-life situations.
Additionally, it can be helpful to listen to native speakers using these words and practice using them yourself, with the help of resources such as example sentences and audio recordings.
Start with the list below of advanced English vocabulary words that are great for business:
ANIMOSITY
Pronunciation: ˌæ - nə - ˈmɑ - sə - ti
Definition: a strong feeling of dislike or hostility
Example: It's been three years since he quit. I doubt his ex-boss still has any animosity toward him.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/animosity/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/animosity-in-a-sentence
ARBITRARY
Pronunciation: ˈɑr - bə - trɛ - ri
Definition: not done for any particular reason / chosen or done at random
Example: It seems his decision was completely arbitrary.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/arbitrary/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/arbitrary-in-a-sentence
ARTICULATE
Pronunciation: ɑr - ˈtɪ - kjə - leɪt
Definition: to explain something or express oneself clearly
Example: It’s really hard for me to articulate my ideas when I’m under pressure.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/articulate/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/articulate-in-a-sentence
BAFFLED
Pronunciation: ˈbæ - fəld
Definition: confused
Example: We were baffled by our client's angry response.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/baffled/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/baffled-in-a-sentence
BRAZEN
Pronunciation: ˈbreɪ - zən
Definition: bold and without shame
Example: He's a brazen liar.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/brazen/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/brazen-in-a-sentence
CONSENSUS
Pronunciation: kən - ˈsen - səs
Definition: general agreement about something
Example: There was no consensus on what to do next, so we’ll have to meet again later to discuss other options.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/consensus/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/consensus-in-a-sentence
CULMINATE
Pronunciation: ˈkʌl - mɪ - neɪt
Definition: to reach a climax; come to a significant or decisive point
Example: At the end of the weekend, the conference will culminate with a speech by the CEO.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/culminate/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/exponentially-in-a-sentence
EGREGIOUS
Pronunciation: ɪ - ˈgri - ʤəs
Definition: horrible; offensive; terrible
Example: Their egregious actions were met with outrage from their customers.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/egregious/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/egregious-in-a-sentence
EXPONENTIAL
Pronunciation: ɛk - spoʊ - ˈnɛn - ʃəl
Definition: increasing rapidly in a sizable quantity
Example: The popularity of cell phones has increased exponentially, and they have basically become a necessity.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/exponentially/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/exponentially-in-a-sentence
FATHOM
Pronunciation: ˈfæ - ðəm
Definition: to understand
Example: I cannot even begin to fathom why he got fired. It doesn't make any sense!
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/fathom/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/fathom-in-a-sentence
IMPECCABLE
Pronunciation: ɪm - ˈpɛ - kə - bəl
Definition: flawless, faultless
Example: She has impeccable taste.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/impeccable/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/impeccable-in-a-sentence
PIVOTAL
Pronunciation: ˈpɪ - və - təl
Definition: of crucial importance, specifically in relation to the development of something else
Example: A good social media plan is pivotal in the growth of most businesses.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/pivotal/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/pivotal-in-a-sentence
PONDER
Pronunciation: ˈpɑn - dər
Definition: think about something carefully and seriously
Example: We don’t have a lot of time to ponder over what our next move should be.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/ponder/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/ponder-in-a-sentence
RECIPROCITY
Pronunciation: rɛ - sɪ - ˈprɑ - sɪ - ti
Definition: exchange of things for mutual benefit
Example: Reciprocity is essential to maintain a healthy relationship.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/reciprocity/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/reciprocity-in-a-sentence
UBIQUITOUS
Pronunciation: ju - ˈbɪ - kwɪ - təs
Definition: present everywhere, widespread
Example: The new security system would require ubiquitous surveillance, for which we cannot legally grant that kind of access.
Pronunciation with context: youglish.com/pronounce/ubiquitous/english/us
More examples with audio: wordsinasentence.com/ubiquitous-in-a-sentence
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