contradictory [ ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪk.t^ər.i ] I keep getting contradictory advice - some people tell me to keep it warm and some tell me to put ice on it.

transitory [ ˈtræn.zɪ.t^ər.i ] The beauty of the sunset is transitory.

symbiotic [ ˌsɪm.baɪˈɒt.ɪk ] Bees and flowers have a symbiotic relationship.

slippery [ ˈslɪp.^ər.i ] He's a slippery person / slippery soap

abysmal (service) [ əˈbɪz.m^əl ] The service at the restaurant was abysmal.

profitable [ ˈprɒf.ɪ.tə.b^əl ] profitable investments

ornate [ ɔːˈneɪt ] The palace had ornate ceilings and walls.

villain [ ˈvɪl.ən ] Everyone thought he was the villain, but he turned out to be innocent.

bizarre [ bɪˈzɑːr ] What a bizarre coincidence!

postulate [ pɒs.tʃə.leɪt ] He postulated a new theory about time. / This idea is based on the postulate of equality.

decisive [ dɪˈsaɪ.sɪv ] Her decisive action saved the company.

congruent [ kɒŋ.ɡru.ənt ] Our goals are congruent; there is no conflict.

cataclysmic [ ˌkæt.əˈklɪz.mɪk ] The volcanic eruption had cataclysmic consequences for the environment.

cohesive [ kəʊˈhiː.sɪv ] The team worked in a cohesive manner to finish the project.

betrothal [ bɪˈtrəʊ.ð^əl ] They announced their betrothal at the family gathering.

resign [ rɪˈzaɪn ] He decided to resign from his job due to personal reasons.

relegate [ rel.ɪ.ɡeɪt ] After the mistake, he was relegated to a lower position in the company.

subterranean [ ˌsʌb.t^ərˈeɪ.ni.ən ] a subterranean river

slumber [ ˈslʌm.bə^r ] She felt as if she had awakened from a long slumber. / The small town slumbered in the moonlight.

plod [ plɒd ] We plodded through the mud.

a lot of plodding details [ ˈplɑd·ɪŋ ] I’ll try not to bore you with a lot of plodding details.

sheer [ ʃɪə^r ] It was sheer luck that we found the keys.

steep [ stiːp ] The hill was too steep to climb easily. / There has been a steep increase in prices.

sheer [ ʃɪə^r ] a sheer mountain side

sheer [ ʃɪə^r ] She wore a dress of the sheerest silk.

shelve [ ʃelv ] They decided to shelve the project until next year.

veil [ veɪl ] In some societies, women are expected to be veiled when they go out in public

ridicule [ ˈrɪd.ɪ.kjuːl ] She rarely spoke her mind out of fear of being ridiculed.

omnipresent [ ˌɒm.nɪˈprez.^ənt ] The singer became an omnipresent icon of style and beauty.

loquacious [ ləˈkweɪ.ʃəs ] The loquacious boy kept talking during the whole trip.