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Featured Word C1

ballast (adjective)

Refers to heavy material used to provide stability to a vehicle or structure, or metaphorically to something that provides intellectual or emotional steadiness. As an adjective, it describes elements that serve to balance, weigh down, or stabilize a system.

💬 Example

"We had to adjust the ballast bags in the trunk to keep the car from sliding on the icy roads."

💡 Memory Tip

Imagine a ship needing 'BAL'ance and 'LAST'ing stability. The heavy 'ballast' provides this.

🏛️ Origin

🔗 Synonyms
stabilizing balancing steadying anchoring counterbalancing
⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using 'ballast' to mean just 'heavy' or 'substantial'. → Using 'ballast' to mean material or a quality that provides stability and prevents instability.

Misplacing stress on the second syllable (bal-LAST). → Stressing the first syllable (BAL-last).

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