Question

Choose the word or phrase which is nearest in meaning to the given keyword:
Latent
a)Dormant
b)Apparent
c)Lethargic
d)Prompt

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘latent’ means when some characteristic or quality is hidden or concealed which may or may not show itself at a later stage.

Complete step-by-step answer:

As latent means ‘hidden or concealed’, the word nearest in meaning is an option a, that is, ‘Dormant’. Commonly, dormant means to be ‘sleeping’. It refers to something which is inactive at the moment but may become active later in certain favorable circumstances. Anything which is latent also has the ability to show itself if certain conditions are met.
Option b, that is ‘Apparent’, means something which is obvious on the face of it. Thus, apparent means the opposite of latent. Therefore, option b is incorrect.
Option c, that is ‘Lethargic’, means to be lazy or unwilling to do any work. The meaning of ‘lethargic’ is not at all close to the meaning of ‘latent’. Thus, option c is incorrect as well.
Option d, that is ‘Prompt’, is used when something is made to happen. The meaning is not similar to ‘latent’ and therefore, option d is wrong.

Note: While choosing a word nearest to the meaning of a given word, it is not necessary that the correct answer will mean exactly the same. The meaning of the answer may slightly differ from the meaning of the given word, but the essence of both meanings must be the same. For instance, the difference between ‘latent’ and ‘dormant’ is that a latent thing may be present but is hidden, while a dormant thing is sleeping. It is not hidden but is absent for the time being. However, they are very close to each other in meaning.