TOEFL Vocabulary #17

careful and using a lot of effort:
a diligent student
Leo is very diligent in/about his work.
Their lawyer was extremely diligent in preparing their case.
The discovery was made after years of diligent research.

diligent:  /ˈdɪl.ə.dʒənt/ (adj) 
diligence (n) - diligently (adv)

extremely bad in a way that is very noticeable:
It was an egregious error for a statesman to show such ignorance.
egregious errors of fact
an egregious example of misrepresentation

famous, respected, or important:
an eminent historian
The commission consisted of fifteen eminent political figures.
This shows eminent good sense.

A hackneyed phrase or idea has been said or used so often that it has become boring and has no meaning; clichéd:
The plot of the movie is just a hackneyed boy-meets-girl scenario.

not skilled or effective:
an inept comment/remark
He was always rather inept at sports.
He was criticized for his inept handling of the situation.
Dick was socially inept and uncomfortable in the presence of women.

very ordinary and therefore not interesting:
Mundane matters such as paying bills and shopping for food do not interest her.
The show was just another mundane family sitcom.

very good and suitable to be copied by other people:
His tact was exemplary, especially considering the circumstances.
The judge awarded exemplary damages.

expressing an idea or opinion in a clear and direct way that shows a good understanding of what is important:
incisive questions/comments
The guide’s incisive comments give us a new perspective on the painting.

incisive:  /ɪnˈsaɪ.sɪv/ (adj)
incisively (adv) - incisiveness (n)

based on feelings rather than facts or proof:
an intuitive approach/judgment
Most people have an intuitive sense of right and wrong.
Good agents are certainly extroverted but are grounded, rather than intuitive.

intuitive: /ɪnˈtuː.ɪ.t̬ɪv/ (adj)
intuitively (adv)

quick in noticing, understanding, or judging things accurately:
His perspicacious grandfather had bought the land as an investment, guessing that there might be gold underground.

perspicacious:  /ˌpɝː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/ (adj)