English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill; a charlatan
"Beware of the quack who promises miracle cures online."
to increase or make something four times as much or as many
"Within a year, the startup quadrupled its user base through aggressive partnerships."
a soft, wet area of land that gives way underfoot; a complex or dangerous situation
"The hikers were trapped in a political quagmire."
verb: to feel or show fear; noun: a small, short-tailed bird
"She quailed at the sight of the approaching storm."
attractively unusual or old-fashioned
"They stayed in a quaint little cottage by the sea."
a feeling of doubt, worry, or fear about something
"She had no qualm about speaking her mind."
feelings of doubt, worry, or uneasiness
"He had serious qualms about accepting the offer."
a state of uncertainty or confusion about what to do
"He was in a quandary about whether to accept the job offer."
Able to be expressed or measured as a quantity.
"Sales performance should be quantifiable to measure progress."
Inclined to argue or fight.
"He became quarrelsome after losing the game."
A place where stone or minerals are extracted; also means prey when hunted.
"The workers quarried limestone from the hill."
A group of four people playing music or singing together.
"The string quartet performed beautifully at the concert."
To reject or void something legally or to put an end to something forcefully.
"The court quashed the decision due to lack of evidence."
A platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships.
"The cargo was unloaded at the quay."
Feeling sick to one's stomach; nauseated.
"She felt queasy after the long boat ride."
Strange, odd, or unusual.
"He had a queer feeling that something was wrong."
To suppress or put an end to something, usually by force.
"The police were called to quell the violent protest."
To satisfy thirst or extinguish something like fire.
"He drank water to quench his thirst."
The act of satisfying thirst or extinguishing something like fire.
"Drinking cold water was quenching her thirst."
To argue or raise objections about a trivial matter; a petty objection.
"They quibbled over who should pay the bill."
loose wet sand that yields easily to pressure and sucks in anything on its surface
"The explorer got trapped in quicksand while crossing the desert."
to make or become faster; to accelerate
"His pulse began to quicken as he approached the finish line."
The purest or most perfect example of something.
"She is the quintessence of elegance."
Representing the most typical or perfect example of a quality or class.
"He is the quintessential gentleman."
A group of five people or things, especially musicians.
"The jazz quintet performed beautifully."
A witty remark; to make a witty or clever comment.
"She quipped about the weather during the meeting."
A peculiar or unusual behavior, habit, or feature.
"One of his quirks is humming while he works."
To tremble or shake with slight but rapid motion.
"Her lips began to quiver as she tried not to cry."
Expressing mild or amused puzzlement.
"She gave him a quizzical look when he made the strange comment."
The existing state of affairs or situation, often used in the phrase 'status quo'.
"He wanted to maintain the status quo at work."
The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business in a meeting.
"The board meeting was postponed because there was no quorum."