advanced = adj. ahead of current thought or practice, forward thinking,
syn. progressive
v. advance
n. advancement

Advanced technology is changing the world.

The advancements in Internet telephony have come quickly.

advantage =  n. something that may help one to be successful or to gain something
syn. benefit
adv. advantageously
adj. advantageous

Is there any advantage in arriving early?

It's advantageous to get a good night's sleep before an exam.

advent = n. the coming or appearance of someone or something
syn. arrival

With the advent of computers, many tasks have been made easier.

The newspapers recently announced the advent of the concert season.

agile = adj. able to move in a quick and easy way
syn. nimble
adv. agilely
n. agility

Deer are very agile animals.

One of Pele's strengths as a football player was his great agility.

albeit  = conj. in spite of the facts, regardless of the fact
syn. although

Her trip was successful, albeit extremely tiring.

Albeit difficult at times, speaking another language is extremely advantageous.

allow = v. to agree to let something happen, not to interfere with an action
syn. permit
adj. allowable
adv. allowably

It is not allowed to smoke inside any public buildings in the U.S.

Only one piece of luggage is allowable on the plane.

appealing = adj. attractive or interesting
syn. alluring
v. appeal
n. appeal
adj. appealing

Working abroad is an appealing option for many people because of the tax advantages.

No one listened to the injured man's appeal for help.

celebrated = adj. acclaimed , well-known and popular, famous
syn. renowned

The celebrated pianist will give a concert this weekend.

San Francisco is celebrated for its multicultural makeup.

contemporary = adj. modern, up-to-date
syn. current
contemporary (second meaning) = n. a person living at the same time as another
(no synonym)

Some older people find contemporary music difficult to comprehend.

Although Jackson and Johnson were contemporaries, historical records indicate they never met.

distribute = v. to divide among people or to give out
syn. dispense
n. distribution

Many publishers distribute their newspapers directly to people's residences.

The distribution of seeds is very quick with this new machine.

encourage = v. to give courage or hope, to support or to cause
syn. inspire, strengthen
n. encouragement
adj. encouraging
adv. encouragingly

Even though the runner finished second, he was given encouragement by his performance.

Many people believe that poverty encourages other social problems.

energetic = adj. full of life, action, or power
syn. vigorous
n. energy
adv. energetically

My grandfather isn't as energetic as he was two years ago.

Many students protested energetically against the Vietnam war.

frail = adj. weak in health or in body
syn. fragile
n. frailty

The frail wings of the newborn bird could not lift it off the ground.

One of the frailties of human beings is our inability to joyfully meet the reality of our mortality.

refine  =  v. to make pure, to improve
syn. purify
n. refinement
adj. refined

Factories must refine oil before it can be used as fuel.

What is considered refinement in one culture may be completely different from another.

worthwhile = adj. value in doing something
syn. rewarding

It was worthwhile waiting 10 hours in line for the tickets.

It's worthwhile to prepare well for the TOEFL.