TOEFL Vocabulary #15

to improve the quality, amount, or strength of something:
These scandals will not enhance the organization's reputation.
The marinade enhances the flavor of the fish.
The county took steps to enhance water quality.

enhance:  /ɪnˈhæns/ (v)
enhancement (n) -enhancing (adj)

lasting for only a short time, then disappearing quickly and being forgotten:
Caricature is the most evanescent and pedantic of the visual arts.

evanescent: /ˌev.əˈnes.ənt/ (adj)
evanescence (n)

not completely trusting or certain about something or someone:
I'm a little wary of/about giving people my address when I don't know them very well.
Teachers are often wary of standardized tests.

wary: /ˈwer.i/ (adj)
warily (adv) - wariness (n)

making you feel weak and without energy:
I find this heat very enervating.
We found it enervating to work in the humid jungle heat.

lasting for only a short time:
Fame in the world of rock and pop is largely ephemeral.
ephemeral fame

with too much decoration or detail:
a florid architectural style
florid prose/rhetoric
(of a person's face) too red, especially in a way that is unhealthy:
a florid complexion

(of something that is to your advantage) not planned, happening by chance:
The timing of the meeting is certainly fortuitous.
The collapse of its rivals was a fortuitous opportunity for the company.

fortuitous:  /fɔːrˈtuː.ə.t̬əs/ (adj)
fortuitously (adv) - fortuitousness (n)

a feeling of great happiness, especially because of a success:
There was jubilation in the crowd as the winning goal was scored.

jubilation:  /ˌdʒuː.bəlˈeɪ.ʃən/ (n)

feeling sad and sorry for yourself, especially after you have drunk a lot of alcohol

full of laughter, humor, or happiness:
The ending of the film is melancholy rather than mirthful.