Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

noun
/dɪˈspɔɪlər/

A person who robs, plunders, or violently takes things from others.

"The despoilers left the city in ruins."

verb
/dɪˈspɒnd/

to lose confidence or hope; to become dejected

"After repeated failures, he began to despond."

adjective
/dɪˈspɒndənt/

feeling or showing deep hopelessness or discouragement

"She felt despondent after losing her job."

noun
/ˈdɛspɒt/

a ruler with absolute power, often ruling in a cruel or oppressive way

"The despot ruled the nation with fear and violence."

⚖️

despotic

adjective
/dɛˈspɒtɪk/

exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, or authoritarian way

"The king’s despotic rule left the people in misery."

🗡️

despotism

noun
/ˈdɛspətɪzəm/

absolute power exercised in a cruel and oppressive way

"The people revolted against the era of despotism."

noun
/dɪˈzɜːrt/

the sweet course eaten at the end of a meal

"We had ice cream for dessert after dinner."

Destination definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən/

the place to which someone or something is going or being sent

"Paris is a popular tourist destination."

noun
/ˈdɛstəni/

The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future; fate.

"She believed it was her destiny to become a doctor."

adjective
/ˈdɛstɪˌtuːt/

extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself

"The earthquake left many families destitute."

destroy definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
/dɪˈstrɔɪ/

To ruin something completely so that it no longer exists or works.

"The fire destroyed the entire building."

noun
/dɪˈstrʌkʃən/

the act of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired

"The fire caused the destruction of the building."

adjective
/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

Causing great and irreparable harm or damage.

"Hurricanes are often destructive to coastal cities."

desuetude definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈdɛswɪˌtuːd/

a state of disuse or inactivity

"The old law has fallen into desuetude."

desultory definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/ˈdɛsəlˌtɔːri/

lacking a clear plan, purpose, or enthusiasm

"His desultory conversation bored the audience."

✂️

detach

verb
/dɪˈtætʃ/

to separate or remove something from something else

"She detached the page from the notebook."

adjective
/dɪˈtætʃt/

separate or disconnected; showing a lack of emotional involvement

"He lived in a detached house away from the city."

detachment definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/dɪˈtætʃmənt/

the state of being separated or emotionally uninvolved

"She observed the situation with complete detachment."

noun
/ˈdiː.teɪl/

An individual feature, fact, or item of information.

"She explained the plan in great detail."

adjective
/ˈdiː.teɪld/

Having many details; very thorough.

"The report provided a detailed analysis of the situation."

verb
/dɪˈteɪn/

to keep someone from proceeding; to hold back, especially by official authority

"The police detained the suspect for questioning."

🕵️

detect

verb
/dɪˈtɛkt/

To discover or identify the presence of something.

"The device can detect smoke in the room."

noun
/dɪˈtɛkʃən/

the action or process of identifying the presence of something

"The detection of fraud in the system was swift."

🕵️‍♂️

detective

noun
/dɪˈtɛktɪv/

a person whose job is to investigate and solve crimes

"The detective solved the mystery in just two days."

noun
/deɪˈtɒnt/

the easing of strained relations, especially between countries

"The treaty helped bring about a détente between the two nations."

noun
/dɪˈtɛnʃən/

the action of keeping someone in custody or confinement

"The student faced detention for his misbehavior."

🚫

deter

verb
/dɪˈtɜːr/

to discourage someone from doing something by instilling doubt or fear

"High fines are meant to deter people from breaking the law."

noun
/dɪˈtɜːrdʒənt/

a substance used for cleaning, especially for washing clothes and dishes

"She bought a new brand of detergent for laundry."

deteriorate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
/dɪˈtɪriəreɪt/

to become progressively worse in quality, condition, or value

"Her health began to deteriorate after the accident."

deteriorates definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb
dɪˈtɪrɪəˌreɪts

To become progressively worse; to decline in quality, condition, or strength.

"The quality of air deteriorates due to pollution."

deterioration definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/dɪˌtɪriəˈreɪʃən/

the process of becoming progressively worse

"There has been a deterioration in the quality of service."

determinant definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnənt/

a factor that decisively affects the nature or outcome of something

"Education is a key determinant of economic growth."

adjective
/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnət/

having exact and definite limits or form

"The contract is for a determinate period of two years."

determination definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃən/

The firmness of purpose; the act of deciding something firmly.

"Her determination helped her overcome all the obstacles."

verb
/dɪˈtɜː.mɪn/

To decide or establish something after consideration.

"The jury will determine the outcome of the case."

adjective
/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/

Having firmly decided to do something and not letting anything stop you.

"She was determined to finish her studies despite many obstacles."

deterrent definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/dɪˈtɜːrənt/

Something that discourages or prevents someone from doing something.

"The new law is expected to be a deterrent against crime."

verb
/dɪˈtɛst/

To dislike intensely or hate.

"I detest waking up early on weekends."

noun
/ˌdɛtəˈneɪʃən/

The act of exploding or causing something to explode.

"The sudden detonation shook the entire building."

↩️

detour

noun
/ˈdiːtʊr/

A longer or less direct route taken to avoid something or reach a destination.

"We had to take a detour because the main road was closed."

detoxification definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/dɪˌtɒksɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

The process of removing toxic substances or effects from the body.

"Detoxification is often the first step in treating drug addiction."

verb
/dɪˈtrækt/

To reduce or take away the worth or value of something.

"His rude behavior will detract from his good reputation."

detraction definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
🗣️

detraction

noun
/dɪˈtrækʃən/

The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.

"Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular."

detriment definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
/ˈdɛtrɪmənt/

The state of being harmed or damaged.

"He continued smoking to the detriment of his health."

detrimental definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective
/ˌdɛtrɪˈmɛntəl/

Causing harm or damage.

"Lack of sleep can be detrimental to your performance."

🗑️

detritus

noun
/dɪˈtraɪtəs/

Waste or debris of any kind; fragments left from destruction or decay.

"The riverbank was covered with detritus after the flood."

⬇️

detrude

verb
/dɪˈtruːd/

To thrust or force something downward or outward.

"The violent waves detruded rocks from the cliff."

🌪️

devastate

verb
/ˈdɛvəˌsteɪt/

to cause severe and overwhelming destruction or damage

"The hurricane devastated the coastal town."

adjective
/ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/

causing severe shock, distress, or destruction; extremely damaging or upsetting

"The earthquake had a devastating effect on the city."

devastating consequences definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun
ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz

Extremely harmful or destructive results or effects

"Air pollution has devastating consequences for health."