photocopiers are computerized these days.
robotic
In car factories, robotic arms put most of the parts together.
self-propelling
My self-propelling model glider worked by twisting an elastic band.
avoid (1) VERB
If you avoid someone or something, you keep away from them.
dodge
We dodged our nosy neighbour by hiding behind a tree as she went past.
elude
By going out of the back door, the celebrity eluded the photographers.
evade
The criminal managed to evade the police for several days, but was eventually caught.
shun
The shy film star shunned publicity, preferring a quiet family life.
steer clear of INFORMAL
“If I were you I’d steer clear of that quarry,” my dad said sternly.
avoid (2) VERB
If you avoid doing something, you make an effort not to do it.
dodge INFORMAL
My lazy brother tried to dodge cleaning the car, but Dad made him do it.
duck out of INFORMAL
I tried to duck out of unpacking the dishwasher, with no success.
escape
The prisoner tried to escape, but the police officer stopped him.
get out of
“It’s no use trying to get out of it. You’ll have to mow the lawn,” said Dad.
shirk
The farmer tried to shirk responsibility for the pollution in the river.
away ADVERB
If you are away from somewhere, you are not in that place.
absent
With such a high temperature, Edward was forced to be absent from school.
elsewhere
I searched the house for my gran, but she was obviously elsewhere.
on holiday
Our family is going on holiday to Florida this summer.
awful ADJECTIVE
Something awful is very unpleasant or very bad.
appalling
The karaoke singer’s voice was appalling – he sounded like a dog howling!
dreadful
We had a dreadful time in Venice. All the streets were flooded.
fearful INFORMAL
Mr Bellamy had a fearful cold and sneezed all the way to London.
frightful
The house was in a frightful state after it had been burgled.
ghastly INFORMAL
Mum made a ghastly mistake, and put salt in the cake mixture instead of sugar.
gruesome
The room where the murder had taken place was a gruesome sight.
harrowing
The film was harrowing to watch.
hideous
The monster’s head was truly hideous: bloated, scarred and covered in scales.
horrendous
It was a horrendous meal, with half of the food burnt and the other half undercooked.
horrible
For one horrible moment, I thought my wallet had been stolen.
horrid
“William, that was a perfectly horrid thing to say,” said Mrs Brown.
horrific
“Unless this fog goes, I’m afraid there’ll be a horrific accident,” the police officer said.
shocking
“I think it’s shocking,” put in Dad, “that those refugees should be left without shelter.”
terrible
The sun rose on the scene of the earthquake, a terrible sight to behold.
unpleasant
Shingles is a very unpleasant disease to have.
ANTONYM: lovely
awkward (1) ADJECTIVE
If a situation is awkward, it is difficult to deal with.
delicate
It was a delicate situation: to ask Julie about her exams or not to mention the subject.
embarrassing
It was very embarrassing to be stuck outside in my pyjamas in the pouring rain!
tricky
“Now this bit could be tricky,” muttered Bond coolly. “Which wire should I cut?”
uncomfortable
The spy had an uncomfortable moment when the guards stared in through the car window.
awkward (2) ADJECTIVE
If a person or animal is awkward, they are difficult to deal with.
hard to handle
Donkeys have a reputation for being hard to handle.
stubborn
My brother can be very stubborn when it comes to helping me wash up.
troublesome
On the journey
