Boyd Varty: What I learned from Nelson Mandela

Important Vocabulary Words From The Video

readjustment

To readjust to something is to adjust to it, to get used to it. When you move to a new city, you have to readjust to the new environment.

  • It will take some time for the company to readjust to the new CEO.
  • It will take some time for the new residents to readjust to the new city.
recuperate

To recuperate is to recover from a sickness or injury. When you recuperate, you are able to heal your body and return to your normal life.

  • He was advised to recuperate at home, so that he could avoid any potential infection.
  • After she was injured in the accident, she had to recuperate for months before she was able to return to work.

Pathologically means in a pathological way. When you say that someone is pathologically lazy, you mean that they are lazy to an abnormal degree.

  • He is pathologically lazy, which is why he can't ever seem to get anything done.
  • The disease is pathologically severe, and the patient is in a lot of pain.
wades

To wade is to go through water or mud on your feet. When you wade through a river, you are risking getting wet.

  • He waded through the shallow water, but was still soaked through.
  • She waded through the deep water, but was still safe.
freakishly

Freakishly is an adverb that is used to describe something that is very strange or unexpected. The word is often used in combination with other adjectives to make it even more descriptive.

  • The injury was freakishly severe.
  • The speech was freakishly long.
empathetic

Empathetic is a word that means that you are able to understand and feel the feelings of other people. When you are empathetic, you are able to put yourself in other people's shoes and understand their feelings.

  • The teacher was trying to be empathetic and understand the student's feelings.
  • She was able to empathize with the woman and understand her situation.
matriarch

A matriarch is a female leader or head of a family. In some cultures, a matriarch is the most powerful person in the family.

  • The matriarch is the head of the family.
  • The matriarch is very influential in the community.