English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
the time when night begins; dusk
"They decided to return home before nightfall."
small songbird known for its beautiful singing, especially at night
"The nightingale sang sweetly in the moonlight."
Nothing; zero.
"The score remained nil after the first half."
Quick and light in movement or thought.
"The dancer’s nimble steps impressed the audience."
To pinch, bite, or squeeze sharply; to stop something at an early stage.
"The cold wind will nip your fingers."
cold; chilly; quick and agile in movement
"It's quite nippy outside today, you should wear a jacket."
A state of perfect happiness, peace, and freedom from suffering; in Buddhism, the ultimate goal of liberation.
"Meditation helps some people seek nirvana in their lives."
the quality of being noble in character or the group of people belonging to the aristocracy
"The king praised her for her nobility and courage."
Active at night and sleeping during the day.
"Owls are nocturnal animals that hunt at night."
Completely silent; without any noise.
"The cat made a noiseless leap onto the table."
A person who has no permanent home and moves from place to place.
"The desert was once home to nomads who lived by herding animals."
Living the life of a nomad; wandering without a permanent home.
"Their nomadic lifestyle took them across many countries."
Existing in name only; very small in amount.
"He was the nominal leader of the group but had no real power."
a person who is formally suggested or chosen for a position, award, or role
"She was the nominee for the Best Actress award."
The practice of refusing to cooperate, especially as a form of protest.
"The non-cooperation movement gained momentum."
not real or not present; lacking existence
"The supposed evidence turned out to be non-existent."
a person who does not live in a particular country or place permanently
"Non-resident students often pay higher tuition fees."
Not involving or using words or speech; communicated through gestures, body language, or facial expressions.
"Non-verbal cues are just as important as words."
A relaxed and calm state, showing lack of concern or interest.
"She answered the tough questions with surprising nonchalance."
Appearing calm, casual, and unconcerned.
"He gave a nonchalant shrug and walked away."
Communication using body language, facial expressions, or gestures instead of words
"Nonverbal cues play a crucial role in effective communication."
A loop with a running knot, used especially for trapping or hanging.
"The cowboy tied a noose to catch the wild horse."
An accepted standard or a usual practice.
"Wearing uniforms is the norm in many schools."
The condition of being normal; a return to usual or expected conditions.
"After the flood, the town struggled to regain a sense of normalcy."
to bring something back to a normal or standard condition; to make something conform to a standard
"The government took steps to normalize relations with neighboring countries."
A member of a people of mixed Scandinavian and Frankish origin who settled in Normandy, or relating to their culture.
"The Normans conquered England in 1066."
relating to rules, standards, or norms that govern behavior or beliefs
"The study focused on the normative aspects of cultural behavior."
towards the north; in a northerly direction
"The birds migrate northwards in spring."
a piece of jewelry worn through a piercing in the nose
"She got a small gold nose ring for her birthday."
either of the two openings in the nose through which air passes
"The doctor checked each nostril for any blockage."
A system of symbols or signs used to represent information, especially in mathematics or music.
"The teacher explained the notation used in the algebra equations."
A small cut or groove on the edge or surface of something; a level or degree of achievement.
"He carved a notch on the stick to mark the days."
The state of being famous or well-known for something bad.
"The criminal gained notoriety for his daring escapes."
In spite of; despite
"Notwithstanding the challenges, the team completed the project."
To provide with food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition
"Good books nourish the mind."
The food or substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition
"The soup provided warmth and nourishment."
A star showing a sudden large increase in brightness and then slowly returning to its original state
"Astronomers observed a bright nova in the sky."
A person new to or inexperienced in a field or activity.
"He is still a novice at playing the guitar."
harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant
"The factory released noxious fumes into the air."
a subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound
"The artist captured every nuance of light in the painting."
Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression; having or characterized by subtle and often appealingly complex qualities.
"His argument was nuanced and well-structured."
The central and most important part of something, forming the basis for its activity and growth; in biology, the central part of a cell.
"The nucleus of the atom contains protons and neutrons."
To push someone gently, usually with your elbow, in order to attract attention.
"She nudged him to be quiet during the meeting."
to make legally null and void; to cancel or invalidate
"The contract was nullified due to fraud."
To care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something.
"Parents should nurture their children's talents."
The process of caring for and encouraging growth or development.
"A nurturing environment helps children thrive."
a spice made from the seed of the fruit of an evergreen tree, used in cooking and baking
"The recipe called for a teaspoon of ground nutmeg to flavor the custard."
A lack of essential nutrients required for healthy plant growth, which can result in poor crop development, reduced yields, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
"Nutrient deficiency in the soil can reduce crop productivity."
Rich in nutrients and high nutritional value.
"Organic food is often more nutrient-dense than processed food."
Plants or vegetables that are rich in nutrients and beneficial for health
"Winter vegetables are considered nutritious crops."