UNIT ONE-FRESHMAN VOCAB
Phot/PhosLucSpec/SpectVid/Vis-
Phot-/Phos Light
Phototropic: adjective





Definition: to grow or
move toward light
 Synonyms:
Examples:
Sunflowers
Daisies
Cats/Dogs
 Antonyms:
 Light-lover
 Nocturnal
 Love night
Phototropic sentences
 The scientists
discovered a new
phototropic organism
in the ocean.
 Complete this
sentence:
 I knew the flower was
phototropic because…







Definition:
Giving off light without
heat
Examples:
Stars on your ceilings
Glow-in-the-dark
Lightning bugs
Some fish in the sea

Synonyms:

Antonyms:
Heat source
Sun
Light bulb



Phosphorescent Sentences
 My nephew loves his
tennis shoes with the
phosphorescent lights
in the soles.
 Complete this
sentence:
 Something that is
phosphorescent is…

Definition: attractive in
photos








Examples:
Models
Actors & Actresses





Synonyms:
Good-looking
Appealing
Striking
pretty
Antonyms:
Unattractive
Bland
Dull
Ugly
Photogenic sentences
 My sister is so
photogenic that she
should be a model.
 Complete this
sentence:
 Someone I think is
photogenic is…
Luc Light


Definition:
Easy to understand, clear








Examples:
Teachers who explain
things well
Easy-to-follow directions





Synonyms:
Well-spoken
Eloquent
Plain
logical
Antonyms:
Confusing
Jumbled
Rambling
Illogical
Lucid Sentences
 My math teacher was
so lucid that I
understood even the
tough problems.
 Complete this
sentence:
 Mary’s explanations
are very lucid
because…






Definition:
To make something
clearer by explaining
more
Examples:
Use visual aids to help
understanding
Add more details to help
people understand
Give examples to help
people get it








Synonyms:
Clarify
Explain
reveal
Antonyms:
Confuse
Blur
complicate
Elucidate Sentences
 The customer asked his
waiter to elucidate
about what was in the
sandwich.
 Complete this
sentence:
 The math teacher
elucidated the problem
by…


Definition:
Allowing light to pass
through










Examples:
Sunglasses
Fabric
Stained glass
Balloons




Synonyms:
Glowing
See-through
Shining
gleaming
Antonyms:
Opaque
Dense
Muddy
Translucent Sentences
 The energy-efficient
curtains block the sun’s
heat but are
translucent enough to
allow light through.
 Complete this
sentence:
 Something I own that
is translucent is…
Spec-/Spect To look at


Definition:
Careful, mindful of rules









Examples:
Always follows speed
limit
Always home by curfew
Always cross street at
corners






Synonyms:
Cautious
Careful
Wary
guarded
Antonyms:
reckless
Wild
Uncontrolled
Careless
rash
Circumspect Sentences
 If you are circumspect
about your money, it
will last you until your
next payday.
 Complete this
sentence:
 You need to be
circumspect when…


Definition:
Something that is
expected









Examples:
Recruiting college
athletes for the team
The weather forecast
Something you’re looking
forward to



Synonyms:
Possibility
Hope
Expectation
Chance
Antonyms:
Unlikelihood
uncertain
Prospect Sentences
 The prospect of a snow
day made all the
students jittery with
excitement.
 Complete this
sentence:
 One of my future
career prospects is…


Definition:
a ghost or phantom









Examples:
Casper the Friendly Ghost
Ghostbusters
The “specter of 9-11” –the
effect of a very bad
memory





Synonyms:
Spirit
Presence
Apparition
Vision
Antonyms:
Something real
Touchable
Material
physical
Specter Sentences
 My uncle was haunted
by a specter of a ghost
who wanted him out.
 Complete this
sentence:
 I do/don’t believe in
specters because…
Vid-/Vis To see, to look


Definition:
hateful and spiteful









Examples:
Cruella deVil
Hitler
Lex Luther, supervillains





Synonyms:
Horrible
Terrible
Revolting
vile
Antonyms:
Lovable
Endearing
Delightful
adorable
Invidious Sentences
 The campaign ads
were so invidious that
most voters didn’t vote
at all.
 Complete this
sentence:
 Something invidious a
supervillain could do
would be…


Definition:
Happening by good
fortune








Examples:
Finding $20 in your pocket
just when you thought you
were broke
Having a snow day when
you didn’t finish your
homework
A teacher puts off a test
you’re not ready for.




Synonyms:
Lucky
Fortunate
fated
Antonyms:
Unfortunate
Unlucky
Ill-fated
Providential Sentences
 Winning the lottery
was a providential
event for my
parents…and for my
aunt!
 Complete this
sentence:
 Something
providential that
happened to me was…





Definition:
To create without
thinking ahead of time or
preparation
Examples:
Throw together
something for a quick
lunch
If you lose your speech
manuscript, you have to
improvise

Synonyms:
Adlib
Create on the moment
Off the top of your head

Antonyms:






Plan
Strategize
Prepare ahead of time
Improvise Sentences
 We’d forgotten to bring
the newspaper to help
start the fire, so we had
to improvise with dry
leaves.
 Complete this
sentence:
 You might have to
improvise if…