159
a b c d e g h i j k l m p q r s t u v w x y z
n
o
f
permission
peace^1
noun a state of undisturbed
calm and quiet » Hanna left
me in peace to finish my book.
calm, quiet, silence,
stillness, tranquillity,
quietude, repose
peace^2
noun freedom from war
» The government is trying to
establish peace in the region.
armistice, cessation of
hostilities, truce
antonym: war
peaceful
adjective quiet and calm
» The house was peaceful
once the children had left
for school.
calm, placid, quiet, serene,
still, tranquil
peak^1
noun the point at which
something is at its greatest or
best » Madison was at the
peak of her career as a golfer
when she won the gold medal.
climax, culmination,
high point, zenith,
acme, apogee
peak^2
noun the pointed top of
a mountain » We flew over
snow-covered peaks.
brow, crest, height,
pinnacle, summit, top,
apex
peak^3
verb to reach the highest point
or greatest level » The band’s
fame peaked some years ago.
be at its height, climax,
come to a head, culminate,
reach its highest point
peculiar^1
adjective strange and perhaps
unpleasant » Lee has a
peculiar sense of humour.
bizarre, curious, funny, odd,
queer, strange, weird
peculiar^2
adjective associated with one
particular person or thing
» My uncle has his own
peculiar way of doing things.
distinctive, distinguishing,
individual, personal,
special, unique,
idiosyncratic
peek^1
verb to have a quick look
at something » The squirrel
peeked at me through a hole
in the tree trunk.
glance, peep, snatch a
glimpse, sneak a look
peek^2
noun a quick look at something
» Jon took a peek at the
presents hidden in the drawer.
glance, glimpse, look, peep
pent-up
adjective held back for a long
time without release
» She had a lot of pent-up
anger, which suddenly erupted.
inhibited, repressed,
suppressed
people^1
plural noun men, women, and
children » Hundreds of people
visit the palace every day.
folk, human beings,
humanity, humans,
mankind
people^2
plural noun all the men,
women, and children
of a particular place
» It’s a triumph for the
American people.
citizens, inhabitants,
population, public
perceptive
adjective good at noticing
or realizing things » I was
impressed by her perceptive
account of the poet’s life.
acute, astute, aware,
penetrating, sharp,
insightful, percipient,
perspicacious
perfect^1
adjective of the highest
standard and without fault
» Paolo’s English was perfect.
expert, faultless, flawless,
masterly, polished, skilled
antonym: imperfect
perfect^2
adjective complete or absolute
» You have a perfect right to
say so, even though I disagree.
absolute, complete,
consummate, sheer,
unmitigated, utter
perfect^3
verb to make something
as good as it can be
» She perfected her back flip
before the competition.
hone, improve, polish,
refine
perform^1
verb to carry out a task
or action » The scouts who
had performed acts of bravery
were awarded medals.
carry out, complete, do,
execute, fulfil
perform^2
verb to act, dance, or play
music in public » This year,
our students are performing
a musical.
act, do, play, present,
put on, stage
perhaps
adverb maybe
» Perhaps you’re right.
conceivably, it could be,
maybe, possibly
period
noun a particular length of
time » Imogen will be away
for a period of a few months,
so she has a lot to organize.
interval, spell, stretch,
term, time, while
permanent
adjective lasting for ever or
present all the time » The
farmer built a permanent fence
to stop the sheep escaping.
abiding, constant,
enduring, eternal, lasting,
perpetual, immutable,
imperishable, steadfast
antonym: temporary
permission
noun authorization to do
something » I asked
permission to leave the table.
approval, assent,
authorization, consent,
go-ahead, licence
antonym: ban
We flew over snow-covered peaks.
The squirrel peeked at me through
a hole in the tree trunk.
This year, our students are
performing a musical.
She perfected her back flip before
the competition.
156-174_P.indd 159 22/03/17 11:36 am