CEFR Level
Risky or unpredictable; potentially dangerous.
"Investing in that company looks pretty dicey right now."
A division or contrast between two things that are completely different.
"There is a clear dichotomy between good and evil."
Having or showing a tendency to tell people what to do in an autocratic way.
"His dictatorial style made him unpopular among colleagues."
The style of pronunciation and word choice in speaking or writing.
"A strong diction enhances communication skills."
A person who strongly resists change and remains loyal to a belief or cause.
"He is a diehard fan of classic rock music."
Relating to or showing a difference; involving a distinction.
"There is a differential treatment between the two groups."
The action or process of differentiating or distinguishing between two or more things or people.
"Strong differentiation sets brands apart from competitors."
to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people
"The smell of fresh bread diffused through the entire house."
the spreading of something more widely or the movement of particles from high to low concentration
"The diffusion of information on social media is rapid."
a person considered to be important because of high rank or office
"Several foreign dignitaries attended the state banquet."
To leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing.
"The professor began to digress from the main topic of the lecture."
Fallen into disrepair or ruin due to neglect or age.
"The family lived in a dilapidated house at the edge of town."
To make wider, larger, or more open.
"The doctor used drops to dilate the patient's pupils."
Careful and persistent work or effort.
"Through diligence and determination, she completed her research on time."
To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent.
"You should dilute the juice with water before serving it to children."
a reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something
"The report showed a steady diminution of resources over the last decade."
extremely or unusually small
"Despite his diminutive size, he was a powerful leader."
a small depression in the flesh, either one that exists permanently or one that forms when smiling
"Her charming dimples appeared whenever she smiled at the children."
a small boat, often carried or towed by a larger vessel, used for short trips or as a lifeboat
"They rowed the dinghy back to the yacht."
gloomy and drab; dirty or discolored
"The old hotel room looked dark and dingy."
a three-dimensional model representing a scene, often with miniature figures
"The museum displayed a diorama of an ancient village."
A significant achievement or important event in diplomatic relations.
"Hosting the summit was a diplomatic milestone."
A peaceful solution to conflicts through negotiation and diplomatic channels.
"A diplomatic resolution is necessary for peace."
Extremely serious or urgent.
"The refugees were in dire need of food and shelter."
to refuse to allow or accept something
"The referee disallowed the goal for offside."
The removal of ambiguity by making something clear and unambiguous.
"The AI system applies disambiguation to refine text understanding."
to take weapons away from someone; to make someone feel less hostile
"The soldiers were ordered to disarm the rebels."
a state of disorder or confusion
"The office was in complete disarray after the move."
To take apart something into its separate pieces.
"He had to disassemble the computer to repair it."
to break up and stop functioning as a group or organization
"The club decided to disband after twenty years of activity."
a person who does not believe in something, especially a religion or idea
"He was called a disbeliever for rejecting the traditional faith."
to recognize or understand something with difficulty
"It was hard to discern the figure in the dark."
able to be seen, recognized, or understood
"There was a discernible change in his behavior."
having good judgment or insight; able to distinguish well
"He is a discerning reader who notices subtle details."
The ability to judge well; good judgment and understanding.
"His discernment helped him identify the best choice."
a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosophy
"He was a devoted disciple of the famous philosopher."
relating to the enforcement of rules and correction of behavior
"The employee was warned after a disciplinary hearing."
to deny responsibility or connection with something
"The company disclaimed responsibility for the accident."
to change color, especially in a way that spoils the original appearance
"The fabric began to discolor after being left in the sun."
The process of changing or losing color; fading.
"Sun exposure causes discoloration of fabrics."
To unsettle, confuse, or disturb the composure of someone.
"The sudden change of plans disconcerted the team."
disagreement or conflict between people
"There was growing discord among the team members."
disagreeing or clashing; harsh and jarring in sound
"The discordant notes of the band hurt our ears."
To harm the reputation of someone or something; loss of respect or credibility.
"The scandal discredited the politician in the eyes of the public."
Differences between things that should be the same
"Discrepancies in regulations delay progress."
a lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts
"There was a discrepancy between the two reports."
individually separate and distinct
"The course is divided into three discrete modules."
Left to individual choice or judgment; not mandatory.
"He used his discretionary power to approve the request."
Having refined taste or good judgment; able to recognize subtle differences.
"She is known for her discriminating taste in art."
