CEFR Level
Broken stone, bricks, or debris from a collapsed building or structure.
"The rescue team searched through the rubble after the earthquake."
A set of instructions, rules, or a heading in a document, often used for grading criteria.
"The teacher provided a grading rubric for the assignment."
a precious red gemstone; a deep red variety of corundum
"The ruby ring was her most treasured possession."
a situation where a crowd of people are pushing against each other; a disorderly crowd
"There was a ruck at the football match."
A basic principle, element, or fundamental part of something.
"He learned the rudiments of music before joining the band."
Involving or limited to basic principles; elementary or simple.
"The village school provided only a rudimentary education."
Expressing sorrow, regret, or pity.
"He gave a rueful smile after losing the match."
A violent or lawless person; a bully.
"The ruffians vandalized the shop late at night."
to disturb the smoothness of something; to annoy or upset someone
"The wind ruffled her hair."
rough and uneven; having a rough irregular surface; tough and strong
"The hikers crossed the rugged mountain terrain."
to think deeply about something; to chew cud (for animals)
"She sat alone to ruminate on her decision."
to search through something in a disorderly way
"He rummaged through the drawer for his keys."
a noisy disturbance; an uproar or commotion
"The children caused quite a rumpus in the playground."
to break or burst suddenly; a crack, split, or break in something
"The pipe ruptured due to high pressure."
A trick or action intended to deceive someone.
"She used a clever ruse to get into the party unnoticed."
a hard, dry biscuit or twice-baked bread; a type of crisp, sweet biscuit
"The baby enjoyed eating the soft rusk with milk."
Relating to the countryside; simple and unsophisticated.
"The cottage had a rustic charm with its wooden beams and stone fireplace."
To make a soft, light sound like leaves or paper moving.
"The leaves rustled gently in the evening breeze."
A period of paid leave granted to a teacher or worker for study or travel, traditionally every seventh year.
"She took a sabbatical to research her new book."
A person who engages in sabotage.
"The saboteur was arrested before he could plant the bomb."
Relating to or involving sacrifice.
"The lamb was used as a sacrificial offering in the ritual."
Violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred.
"Stealing from the temple was considered an act of sacrilege."
Showing disrespect or irreverence toward something sacred.
"The painting was criticized as being sacrilegious."
Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with; sacred.
"Freedom of speech is considered sacrosanct in democratic societies."
Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering on others.
"The villain had a sadistic smile while hurting his enemies."
A spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, used for flavoring and coloring food.
"She added saffron to the rice for flavor and color."
A long story of heroic achievement, or a long, complex series of events.
"The company's rise and fall became a corporate saga."
A profoundly wise person, or wise through reflection and experience.
"The old sage was respected for his wisdom."
Most noticeable or important; standing out prominently.
"The most salient feature of the report was its emphasis on sustainability."
Containing or resembling salt; salty.
"Doctors often use saline solution to clean wounds."
The salt content of soil or water, typically measured as a concentration.
"The salinity of the ocean varies depending on depth and location."
The movement of salt water into freshwater areas, typically affecting coastal regions.
"Salinity intrusion affects coastal regions."
The process of increasing salt content in soil.
"Excessive irrigation can cause salinization of farmland."
the watery liquid secreted into the mouth by glands
"The dentist asked her to rinse the saliva from her mouth."
a freshwater fish popular in South Asian cuisine; also refers to salmon which is a different species
"Rohu fish is commonly prepared with spices in Bengali households."
fish preserved with salt; dried and salted fish for storage
"Salted fish is a traditional way to preserve seafood."
Producing good effects; beneficial, especially after something unpleasant.
"The accident was a salutary reminder to drive carefully."
A gesture or utterance of greeting, goodwill, or courtesy.
"He raised his hat as a polite salutation."
To save something from loss, damage, or destruction.
"They managed to salvage some goods from the fire."
deliverance from sin and its consequences; preservation from harm
"Many people seek salvation through prayer and good deeds."
Making a show of being morally superior to others; hypocritically pious.
"He gave a sanctimonious speech about honesty while he himself was corrupt."
An official permission or approval; also a penalty imposed to enforce rules.
"The government imposed sanctions on the company for violating trade laws."
The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or inviolable.
"The sanctity of human life should always be respected."
Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation.
"Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future."
The process of cleaning and disinfecting to eliminate germs and bacteria.
"Regular sanitization keeps appliances germ-free."
As a noun: the vital fluid in plants; As a verb: to gradually weaken or drain strength.
"The long journey began to sap his energy."
a precious stone that is typically blue in color
"The royal crown was adorned with a large sapphire."
Grimly mocking or cynical.
"She gave him a sardonic smile after hearing his excuse."
a garment consisting of a length of cotton or silk elaborately draped around the body, traditionally worn by women from South Asia
"She looked elegant in her red silk saree at the festival."
the chief evil spirit; the Devil in Christian and Islamic belief
"According to religious texts, Satan tempts people to sin."