English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
Hatred or dislike of marriage.
"His misogamy prevented him from ever settling down with a partner."
A person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women.
"Many condemned his speech as the words of a misogynist."
a book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass throughout the year
"The priest read from the missal during the ceremony."
a written message, especially a formal or official letter
"He sent a long missive to the governor."
a tall, pointed hat worn by bishops; also a type of joint made between two pieces of material
"The bishop placed the miter on his head during the ceremony."
Rule or control by a mob or mass of people, often disorderly.
"The protest turned into mobocracy when the crowd started destroying property."
A soft leather shoe, traditionally worn by Native Americans, often made from deerskin.
"He slipped on a pair of comfortable moccasins before going outside."
a small or moderate amount of something, especially something valuable or desirable
"She showed a modicum of patience during the long meeting."
conforming to or following current fashion or style
"She wore a modish outfit that caught everyone’s attention."
One of two equal parts; a half or portion.
"The estate was divided into two moieties between the heirs."
a small freshwater fish of the carp family, commonly found in South Asian rivers and ponds
"The mola carplet is a popular small fish used in Bengali cuisine."
A large tooth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.
"The dentist had to extract his wisdom molar."
thick, dark, sweet syrup made from sugar cane
"The recipe calls for molasses to give the bread a rich flavor."
To calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety.
"The manager tried to mollify the angry customers with discounts."
To treat someone in an overprotective and indulgent way.
"Parents should avoid mollycoddling their children too much."
To shed old feathers, skin, or hair to make way for new growth.
"Birds molt their feathers once a year."
having much money; wealthy; rich
"She comes from a moneyed family with extensive real estate holdings."
A dog of mixed breed; sometimes used to describe something mixed or of inferior quality.
"The stray dog was a friendly mongrel."
A warning or caution, often of a religious or moral nature.
"The priest gave a monition against dishonesty."
Giving a warning or cautionary advice; serving to warn.
"His monitory tone made everyone cautious about their next move."
Consisting of or displaying only one color.
"The artist created a striking monochromatic painting in shades of blue."
A single round lens for one eye, used to correct or enhance vision.
"The old gentleman wore a monocle at formal events."
A system of government by a single person; autocracy.
"The nation suffered under decades of monocracy."
A design consisting of two or more letters, typically a person's initials, combined or interwoven.
"The towel was embroidered with her monogram."
A detailed written study of a single specialized subject or aspect of it.
"The professor published a monograph on ancient pottery."
Excessive concentration or obsession with a single subject or idea.
"His monomania for collecting stamps worried his family."
The process of gaining exclusive possession or control of a trade, commodity, or service.
"The monopolization of industries can limit consumer choices."
A word consisting of only one syllable.
"Words like 'yes' and 'no' are monosyllables."
The practice of dedicating oneself to a given task and minimizing potential interruptions until the task is completed or a significant period of time has elapsed.
"Monotasking can often lead to higher quality work."
Relating to mountainous regions; found in mountain environments.
"Montane forests host a variety of unique species."
A person who teaches or promotes moral principles and values.
"The author was known as a strict moralist in his writings."
To comment on issues of right and wrong, often with an air of superiority.
"He tends to moralize about other people's choices."
A complicated or confused situation; a swampy or boggy ground.
"The project got stuck in a bureaucratic morass."
Sharp or biting in style, tone, or remark; sarcastic.
"The critic’s mordacious review offended the author."
Having a sharp, critical, or biting quality; especially in humor.
"Her mordant wit often left her friends speechless."
the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community
"Social mores often dictate how people behave in public."
relating to a marriage in which one partner, usually of lower social rank, does not share the titles or privileges of the other
"The prince entered into a morganatic marriage with a commoner."
in a dying state; near death or becoming obsolete
"The moribund industry was soon replaced by modern technology."
Related to the structure and formation of words; concerning morphology in linguistics.
"Morphological analysis helps AI understand word structures."
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
"The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service."
to cause someone to feel great embarrassment or shame
"She was mortified when she tripped on stage."
A tiny particle or speck, especially of dust.
"A mote of dust floated in the sunlight."
Damaged or worn out, especially by moths or age.
"He wore a moth-eaten sweater on the cold day."
Capable of movement or locomotion.
"Certain bacteria are motile and can swim toward nutrients."
The ability of an organism or cell to move independently.
"The motility of sperm is crucial for successful fertilization."
Made up of different, often incongruous or diverse elements.
"The festival attracted a motley crowd of artists, musicians, and tourists."
To mark with spots or patches of color.
"The leaves were mottled with shades of yellow and brown."
Marked with spots, streaks, or blotches of different shades or colors.
"The snake's mottled skin helped it blend into the forest floor."