Owing to the storms, there was a 24-hour postponement in the rocket launch.
setback
There were a few minor setbacks before the house was built.
wait
We had a slight wait before being ushered in to meet the prince.
delay (2) VERB
If something delays you, it makes you late or slows you down.
hinder
My baby brother did his best to hinder Mum’s vacuum cleaning.
hold up
Traffic was held up by a burst water main.
slow down
Our progress was slowed down by a crawling tractor in front.
deliberate ADJECTIVE
If you do something that is deliberate, you do it on purpose.
calculated
The head teacher took a calculated risk and told staff to put the stalls outdoors.
conscious
“I want you to make a conscious effort to get to school on time,” Mrs Lenster said.
intentional
The referee decided that the dangerous tackle was intentional, and sent the player off.
ANTONYM: unintentional
delicious ADJECTIVE
Delicious food or drink tastes very nice.
appetizing
The waiter brought round all sorts of appetizing titbits.
delectable
“Thank you, that was a delectable meal, Mrs Kean,” Marie said politely.
scrumptious INFORMAL
I think meringues are scrumptious. My sister hates them.
tasty
Some cheese is tasty. Some tastes like rubber.
ANTONYM: horrible
depend (1) VERB
If you depend on someone or something, you trust them and rely on them.
bank on
Mr Marshall said he was banking on me to score a few goals.
count on
I was counting on Dennis to give me some good passes.
rely on
Lyra knew she could rely on the huge bear to come to her aid.
trust
The owners trusted you to put the correct money in the box.
depend (2) VERB
If one thing depends on another, it is influenced by it.
be based on
“Our firm’s success is based on the hard work of the staff,” the boss stated.
hinge on
The battle hinged on whether the cavalry could break through the enemy line.
describe VERB
If you describe someone or something, you say what they are like.
define
The supply teacher asked me to define what a hexagon is.
explain
Beatrice explained what she had done and her reasons for doing it.
relate
My pal Vadim was bursting to relate what had happened on the way to school.
report
On Monday, I was expected to report on our weekend camping trip.
description NOUN
A description is an account or picture of something in words.
account
The witness gave his account of the incident.
profile
Police assembled a profile of the burglar, making him easy to identify.
report
Class 6 gave a report on all the activities they had taken part in.
deserve VERB
If you deserve something, you earn it or have a right to it.
be worthy of
The girl’s bravery was worthy of the highest possible honour.
earn
The president’s forgiveness of his kidnappers earned him the respect of the world.
justify
The boy’s terrific courage justified his award.
merit
“Tidings of our great victory merit a celebration,” said the duke.
despair NOUN
Despair is a total loss of hope.
desperation
In desperation, the pilot ejected.
gloom
The team had been relegated and gloom filled the dressing room.
hopelessness
The hopelessness of the starving people made the reporter weep.
desperate ADJECTIVE
A desperate situation is extremely dangerous or serious.
critical
The sick woman’s condition was critical.
drastic
Sealing the city was a drastic action, but it stopped the spread of the plague.
grave
“We
