Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

noun C2
/ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃən/

excessive display of wealth or knowledge intended to attract admiration or envy

"The billionaire’s party was full of ostentation and luxury."

verb C2
/ˌaʊtməˈnuːvər/

to gain an advantage over an opponent by skillful or clever action

"The smaller company managed to outmaneuver its larger rival."

verb C2
/aʊtˈraɪd/

to ride faster, farther, or better than someone else

"The young rider managed to outride his competitors in the race."

noun C2
/ˈaʊtˌrɪɡər/

a projecting structure on a boat, used for stability, or a boat fitted with such support

"The fisherman paddled his outrigger canoe across the lagoon."

🏃‍♂️

overleap

verb C2
/ˌoʊvərˈliːp/

To jump over something; to omit or disregard something.

"He managed to overleap the fence easily."

Overlet definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🛏️

Overlet

noun C2
/ˈoʊ.vər.let/

a thin mattress or pad placed over a bed for additional comfort

"The overlet makes the bed more comfortable to sleep on."

noun C2
/ˈoʊvərlɔːrd/

A ruler, master, or person of great power and authority over others.

"The peasants were forced to pay taxes to their overlord."

verb C2
/ˌoʊvərˈstraɪd/

To stride over something; to step across with long steps.

"He managed to overstride the narrow stream with ease."

adjective C2
/ˌoʊvərˈwiːnɪŋ/

excessively arrogant or prideful

"His overweening pride cost him many friends."

🥚

ovoid

adjective C2
/ˈoʊ.vɔɪd/

egg-shaped; resembling an oval or ellipse

"The artist painted an ovoid shape in the center of the canvas."

noun C2
/ˈpæk.ɪ.dɜːrm/

a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus

"The zoo had several pachyderms, including elephants and rhinos."

noun C2
/ˈpɑːdreɪ/

A title for a priest, especially in the Roman Catholic Church; also used informally for 'father'.

"The soldiers attended mass led by the padre."

🎶

paean

noun C2
/ˈpiːən/

A song or piece of writing expressing great praise or triumph.

"The article was a paean to the beauty of nature."

Palanquin definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🛏️👑

Palanquin

noun C2
/ˌpæl.ənˈkiːn/

a covered chair or bed carried on poles by bearers

"The bride was carried to the wedding ceremony in an ornate palanquin."

🗣️

palaver

noun C2
/pəˈlæv.ər/

prolonged and idle discussion; fuss or unnecessary talk

"After much palaver, they finally agreed on the plan."

noun C2
/ˈpælɪmpsɛst/

a manuscript or document that has been written over but still bears traces of earlier writing; something reused or altered but still retaining traces of its earlier form

"The ancient manuscript was a palimpsest, showing faint traces of previous texts beneath the new writing."

✍️

palinode

noun C2
/ˈpælɪˌnoʊd/

a poem or statement in which the writer retracts something said in an earlier work

"The poet wrote a palinode to apologize for his earlier harsh words."

verb C2
/ˈpælieɪt/

to make a disease, symptoms, or problem less severe without removing the cause

"The doctor prescribed medicine to palliate the patient's pain."

noun C2
/ˌpæliˈeɪʃən/

relief of symptoms without curing the underlying disease or problem

"Palliation is often the focus of care for terminally ill patients."

🌴

palmy

adjective C2
/ˈpɑːmi/

prosperous, flourishing, or relating to palm trees

"He often reminisced about the palmy days of his youth."

verb C2
/ˈpælpɪˌteɪt/

to beat rapidly and strongly, often because of fear, excitement, or illness

"Her heart began to palpitate with fear."

Palsy definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🧠

Palsy

noun C2
/ˈpɔːlzi/

a condition of partial or complete paralysis, often with involuntary tremors

"The patient suffered from Bell’s palsy."

verb C2
/ˈpɔːltər/

to act insincerely or deceitfully; to equivocate or lie

"He paltered when asked about his involvement in the deal."

🏰

paly

adjective C2
/ˈpeɪli/

striped with different colors, usually used in heraldry

"The knight’s shield was decorated with paly stripes of red and gold."

noun, verb C2
/ˌpæm.fləˈtɪər/

a person who writes or distributes pamphlets, often to promote a political or social cause

"In the 18th century, many pamphleteers influenced public opinion."

Panch Phoron definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/pʌntʃ ˈfoʊrən/

a Bengali spice blend containing five whole spices: cumin, fennel, fenugreek, nigella, and mustard seeds

"The aroma filled the kitchen when she heated panch phoron in oil."

noun C2
/ˌpænəˈdʒɪrɪk/

a formal speech or piece of writing in praise of someone or something

"The author wrote a panegyric on the bravery of the soldiers."

🛡️

panoply

/ˈpæn.ə.pli/

A complete or impressive collection of things; a full set of armor.

"The museum displayed a panoply of ancient weapons."

noun C2
/ˈpæn.θi.ɪ.zəm/

The belief that God and the universe are identical, or that everything is a manifestation of God.

"Spinoza’s philosophy is often associated with pantheism."

noun C2
/ˈpæntəˌskoʊp/

An optical instrument that provides a wide or panoramic view.

"The scientist used a pantoscope to observe the entire horizon."

noun C2
/ˈpeɪpəsi/

The office or authority of the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church.

"The papacy played a significant role in medieval European politics."

adjective C2
/ˌpærəˈdɪɡmətɪk/

Serving as a typical example or model of something.

"Her success story is paradigmatic of the opportunities education can provide."

paragon definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈpærəɡɒn/

A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.

"She is considered a paragon of kindness."

❤️‍🔥

paramour

noun C2
/ˈpærəmʊr/

a lover, especially an illicit one

"The secret paramour was finally revealed."

noun C2
/ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/

A person who suffers from paranoia or exhibits extreme, irrational distrust and suspicion.

"The paranoiac refused to leave his house, fearing everyone was against him."

noun C2
/ˈpærəpɛt/

A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or bridge.

"The soldier hid behind the parapet for protection."

Parbal definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈpɑr.bəl/

A green vegetable also known as pointed gourd, commonly used in South Asian cuisine

"Mother prepared parbal curry with fish."

☀️

parch

verb C2
/pɑːrtʃ/

to make something extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat

"The scorching sun began to parch the fields."

noun C2
/ˌpærəˈɡɔːrɪk/

a medicine containing opium, once used to relieve pain and diarrhea

"Doctors once prescribed paregoric to treat diarrhea in children."

adjective C2
/ˌpɛrənˈθɛtɪkəl/

Relating to or expressed in parentheses; a side remark or digression.

"He added a parenthetical comment during the lecture."

noun C2
/ˈpɑːrləns/

a particular way of speaking or using words, common to a group

"In legal parlance, the term has a different meaning."

noun, verb C2
/ˈpɑːrli/

a discussion between opposing sides, especially to negotiate terms

"The generals met to parley over the terms of surrender."

⚠️

parlous

adjective C2
/ˈpɑːrləs/

Full of danger or risk; precarious.

"The company is in a parlous financial state."

adjective C2
/pəˈrɒnɪməs/

Words that are derived from the same root or sound alike.

"The words 'effect' and 'effective' are paronymous."

noun C2
/ˈpær.əkˌsɪz.əm/

A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.

"She was seized by a paroxysm of laughter."

noun C2
/ˈpɑːr.kə.tri/

The art or technique of laying parquet floors.

"The craftsman specialized in parquetry for luxury homes."

🗡️

parricide

noun C2
/ˈpær.ɪ.saɪd/

The act of killing one's father, mother, or other close relative.

"The court tried him for parricide after the tragic incident."

adjective C2
/ˌpɑːrsɪˈmoʊniəs/

unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy

"The company was too parsimonious to invest in better equipment."

noun C2
/ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources

"His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses."

adjective C2
/ˈpɑːrtəbl/

capable of being divided or separated

"The estate was partible among the heirs."