Adjective
beyond what is considered usual or acceptable
Excessive noise may be as damaging to the heart as it is to the ears, leading to higher blood pressure. Many European countries have striven to abate noise pollution.
Noun
complete failure, esp. one that is humiliating
Hundreds have taken ill in China after eating pork products tainted by clenbuterol, a fiasco that is reminiscent of when toxic milk powder sickened thousands in 2008.
African farmers are abandoning their cocoa farms for other products that are easier to grow and to monetize, meaning that chocolate could soon become a pricey indulgence.
Adjective
extremely elegant or enjoyable, esp. in a way that involves great expense
The Sultan of Brunei’s wealth increases by 90 euros every second! He uses gold in everything and lives in the most luxurious palace in the world consisting of 1788 rooms.
Obesity is a serious threat to American health, and nowhere is the need for action more clamant than Mississippi, where 7 out of 10 adults are overweight or obese.
Verb
give up something important for the sake of another thing
When you fall head-over-heels in love, you may pay a heavy price of two close friends. One is sacrificed to make way for your new partner, and the other from being ignored for too long.
Why splurge on a highly rated bottle of Burgundy or pinot noir if a $10 or $15 bottle of red would have been just as good? The experts that judge wines can better discern subtlety in flavor, studies show.