Advanced English (2) • ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS • 'B'

adjective C1 • synonyms: faded, washed-out, pale • bleached hair/fabric/photo; look/feel/appear bleached; sun-/chemically-/artificially bleached; bleached by time/light/wear • freq in AmE: 5/10

faded in color due to exposure to sunlight, chemicals, or wear; often pale, washed-out, or stripped of original vibrancy

adjective C1 • synonyms: grim, desolate, hopeless • bleak future/outlook/landscape/mood; paint a bleak picture; remain/look/feel bleak • freq in AmE: 6/10

cold, empty, or lacking hope; used to describe physical landscapes, emotional states, or future prospects that feel grim, desolate, or discouraging

collocation with bleak adjective C1 • synonyms: gloomy, gray, lifeless • bleak winter day/morning/sky; on a bleak winter day she...; bleak winter silence/scene • freq in AmE: 5/10

a cold, gray, and emotionally draining day in winter; evokes a sense of physical discomfort and emotional heaviness, often used metaphorically to describe grim or joyless atmospheres

adjective C2 • synonyms: scathing, ferocious, harsh, savage, devastating, caustic • blistering criticism/attack/remarks/review/speech • freq in AmE: 8/10

(especially of criticism, remarks, or attacks) extremely severe, angry, or emotionally intense; intended to hurt, shock, or strongly condemn

collocation with blistering adjective C2 • synonyms: scathing attack, fierce criticism, verbal assault, harsh condemnation • launch/deliver/mount a blistering attack on/upon someone/something • freq in AmE: 8/10

a very strong and angry criticism or verbal assault intended to damage or condemn someone or something; an expression of fierce disapproval

collocation with blistering adjective C2 • synonyms: scathing criticism, fierce condemnation, harsh review, savage remarks • face/receive/come under blistering criticism (for something); deliver/give blistering criticism • freq in AmE: 8/10

extremely harsh and forceful criticism that strongly condemns someone or something; severe and emotionally charged disapproval

collocation with blistering adjective C2 • synonyms: breakneck speed, rapid pace, fast tempo, incredible rate • set/maintain/move at a blistering pace; grow/develop at a blistering pace • freq in AmE: 9/10

an extremely fast speed or rate at which something happens, especially in running, racing, or progress in general; impressively rapid movement or development

collocation with blistering adjective C2 • synonyms: scathing remarks, harsh comments, biting words, caustic statements • make/deliver/respond with blistering remarks; be hurt/offended by blistering remarks • freq in AmE: 7/10

extremely harsh, angry, or scathing comments meant to criticize or hurt someone; verbal statements showing strong disapproval or contempt

adjective C2 movement-related (comparative brisker, superlative briskest) • synonyms: lively, energetic, purposeful • brisk walk/pace/stride/movement; move briskly; brisk gestures • freq in AmE: 7/10

quick, lively, and energetic in movement or pace; often used to describe walking, gestures, or physical activity that is purposeful and invigorating

adjective C2 personality-related (comparative brisker, superlative briskest) • synonyms: efficient, energetic, no-nonsense • brisk person/manager/tone/manner; brisk and businesslike; brisk attitude; brisk and capable • freq in AmE: 6/10

describing someone who is energetic, efficient, and quick in manner or action; often implies decisiveness, alertness, and a no-nonsense attitude — without being unfriendly

adjective C2 weather-related (comparative brisker, superlative briskest) • synonyms: fresh, crisp, invigorating • brisk air/breeze/morning/day; brisk but sunny; brisk chill • freq in AmE: 6/10

describing cool or chilly weather that feels fresh, invigorating, and energizing; often associated with clear air, light wind, and a sense of alertness

adjective C2 commerce-related (comparative brisker, superlative briskest) • synonyms: active, lively, fast-paced • brisk trade/sales/business; brisk demand; brisk market activity • freq in AmE: 6/10

describing trade, business, or sales activity that is fast-paced, energetic, and often high in volume; suggests strong demand, quick turnover, or intense market movement

adverb C2 manner/movement/speech • synonyms: energetically, efficiently, decisively • walk/speak/move briskly; briskly efficient; briskly paced • freq in AmE: 6/10

in a quick, energetic, and purposeful manner; used to describe movement, speech, or action that is efficient, lively, and often slightly abrupt — without being rude

adjective C1 informal • synonyms: rowdy, unruly, exuberant • boisterous children/laughter/crowd/behavior • freq in AmE: 6/10

noisy, energetic, and often lacking in restraint or discipline; typically used to describe lively behavior that borders on unruly or disruptive

collocation with adjective blissful C2 • synonyms: unaffected, untouched, serenely detached • blissfully immune to criticism/stress/chaos/anxiety/pressure • often implies innocence, ignorance, or emotional resilience • freq in AmE: 3/10

completely unaffected by something negative, harmful, or stressful — in a way that suggests peaceful ignorance or serene detachment

collocation with adjective blissful C2 • synonyms: oblivious, detached, serenely unaware • blissfully unaware of danger/trouble/criticism/reality; blissfully unaware that sth happened • freq in AmE: 4/10

completely oblivious to something negative, problematic, or significant — in a way that suggests peaceful ignorance or carefree detachment