English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
Of great height; elevated in character or style; noble.
"He set himself the lofty goal of ending poverty."
Long life or long existence of something.
"Good habits contribute to health and longevity."
A place for watching; a person keeping watch.
"The guard kept a lookout for suspicious activity."
to appear as a large, often frightening or unclear shape, usually something threatening or about to happen
"Dark clouds loomed over the city, signaling an approaching storm."
to steal goods, typically during war, riot, or chaos
"The rioters looted several shops during the protest."
with one side lower, larger, or different from the other; uneven or imbalanced
"The cake looked lopsided after being decorated in a hurry."
of very poor quality; bad or unpleasant
"He felt lousy after catching the flu."
feeling sad, depressed, or lacking enthusiasm
"He felt low-spirited after hearing the bad news."
humble in status, position, or manner
"She rose from a lowly position to become the company's CEO."
to apply oil or grease to reduce friction between surfaces
"The mechanic lubricated the car engine parts."
The application of a substance such as oil or grease to reduce friction between moving parts.
"Lubrication reduces wear and tear in machines."
expressed clearly; easy to understand; showing clarity of thought
"She gave a lucid explanation of the complex problem."
producing a great deal of profit
"He left his job for a more lucrative business opportunity."
so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing
"It is ludicrous to think the Earth is flat."
a vehicle designed for carrying luggage and cargo
"The luggage van carried all the passengers' suitcases."
to calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements
"The mother lulled the baby to sleep with a gentle song."
a soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep
"She sang a lullaby to her baby every night."
to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way
"The bear lumbered through the forest in search of food."
The intrinsic brightness of a celestial object; the quality of emitting light.
"The luminosity of the star was measured with advanced instruments."
Emitting or reflecting light, especially in the dark; shining brightly.
"The luminous stars lit up the night sky."
a compact mass of a substance, especially one without a definite or regular shape
"She found a lump of sugar in the bowl."
A person who is insane or acting in a foolish or reckless way; also used as an adjective meaning insane.
"The driver was driving like a lunatic on the highway."
to make an abrupt, unsteady, or uncontrolled movement; a sudden movement or stagger
"The bus lurched forward as the driver hit the brakes."
to attract or tempt someone, often by offering something appealing
"The advertisement lured customers with promises of discounts."
shocking or sensational in a vivid way, often involving crime or violence
"The newspaper published a lurid account of the crime."
to remain hidden so as to wait for an opportunity to attack or observe
"A stranger lurked in the shadows."
deliciously sweet or rich; highly appealing to the senses
"She served a luscious chocolate cake."
rich, abundant, and luxurious, especially referring to vegetation
"The valley was filled with lush green fields."
a very strong sexual desire or an intense craving for something
"His mind was clouded by lust for power."
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially from a polished surface
"The diamond had a brilliant luster."
the words of a song or a short poem that expresses personal feelings
"She memorized every lyric of her favorite song."
disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury
"The horror movie had a macabre ending."
a streamlined marine fish with a forked tail and wavy stripes
"Mackerel is rich in omega-3 fatty acids."
Relating to macroeconomics or the large-scale or general economic factors, such as interest rates and national productivity.
"Macroeconomic policies influence inflation and employment rates."
Nutrients that are needed in large amounts to provide energy and building materials for the body, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
"Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are vital macronutrients."
To make someone very angry or extremely annoyed.
"The constant noise maddened him."
a bright purplish-red color
"She wore a beautiful magenta dress to the party."
A civil officer who administers the law, often with limited judicial authority.
"The magistrate presided over the minor criminal case."
A wealthy and influential person, especially in business or industry.
"The oil magnate donated millions to charity."
splendor, grandeur, or impressive beauty
"The magnificence of the palace left everyone speechless."
to make something appear larger or more important than it really is
"The microscope can magnify tiny cells."
the great size, extent, or importance of something
"The magnitude of the earthquake shocked the nation."
a train that carries mail and postal packages
"The mail train departs every evening to deliver letters across the country."
Having impressive beauty, dignity, or grandeur; regal and stately in appearance.
"The majestic Himalayas stand tall against the sky."
used as a temporary substitute; improvised
"They used boxes as a makeshift table."
a disease or disorder of the body or mind; a serious problem
"The doctor treated the malady with great care."
a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify
"After the long journey, she felt a general malaise."
Having or showing a wish to do evil or harm to others.
"The malevolent glare in his eyes frightened the children."
A failure to function normally or satisfactorily; a defect or breakdown.
"The engine malfunctioned due to overheating."