CEFR Level
a system of government where the wealthy hold power
"The country was ruled as a plutocracy."
operated by air or gas under pressure
"The factory uses pneumatic tools for assembly."
poetry; the art or composition of poems
"The anthology was filled with romantic poesy."
an inferior or trivial poet
"He was mocked as a poetaster by the literary critics."
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
"The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies."
relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech
"She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs."
the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute
"The conference was full of polemics on economic reforms."
an organized society or form of government
"The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states."
overly or blindly optimistic
"Her pollyannaish attitude ignored the obvious problems."
a cowardly person
"He acted like a poltroon during the crisis."
government by many people
"Polyarchy allows multiple parties to share power."
rule by many; government by multiple authorities
"The nation experienced a polycracy after decentralization reforms."
a person who has more than one spouse at the same time
"The polygamist had three wives living in different houses."
a solid object with flat polygonal faces, straight edges, and vertices
"The mathematician studied a complex polyhedron model."
a person with knowledge of many different subjects
"Leonardo da Vinci was a true polymath, excelling in art, science, and engineering."
a word with more than one syllable
"The word 'elephant' is a polysyllable because it has three syllables."
the belief in or worship of multiple gods
"Ancient Greeks practiced polytheism, worshiping gods like Zeus and Athena."
A deep-bodied marine fish with silvery scales, popular in Asian cuisine
"The restaurant serves delicious pomfret curry with rice."
the rounded knob on the handle of a sword or saddle
"He gripped the sword firmly by the pommel."
self-important behavior or exaggerated dignity
"His speech was full of pomposity and arrogance."
able to be considered or thought about
"The evidence was substantial and ponderable."
the pope or a high-ranking bishop in the Christian church
"The pontiff addressed the nation in a televised speech."
relating to a pope or bishop; pompous or self-important
"His pontifical manner annoyed the other members of the committee."
to speak or act in a pompous or dogmatic way; to officiate as a pontiff
"He pontificated on the importance of education for over an hour."
A hard igneous rock containing crystals, often used for decorative or building purposes.
"The ancient Romans used porphyry to make columns and statues."
To be a sign or warning that something, especially something bad, is going to happen.
"Dark clouds portend a storm."
A sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
"The sudden drop in stock prices was seen as a portent of economic trouble."
Giving a sign or warning that something, often bad or serious, is going to happen; or overly solemn and pompous.
"His portentous tone made everyone nervous about the news."
Having a stout or somewhat fat body, often implying dignity or authority.
"The portly man entered the room with confidence."
A group of people, often friends or a group organized to support or enforce the law.
"He arrived at the party with his posse of friends."
Occurring after a meal.
"He went for a postprandial walk after dinner."
a book, play, or film produced quickly to make money rather than for artistic value
"The novel was dismissed by critics as a mere potboiler."
A monarch or ruler, especially one with absolute power.
"The ancient land was ruled by a powerful potentate."
To increase the power, effect, or likelihood of something.
"Caffeine can potentiate the effects of some medicines."
a mixture of dried flowers and spices kept in a bowl to perfume a room; a miscellaneous collection
"The living room was filled with the scent of potpourri."
a soft, moist mass of material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation
"The nurse applied a warm poultice to his injured leg."
an informal meeting or conference to discuss something
"The team held a quick powwow before the presentation."
to talk foolishly or at tedious length about something
"He would prate endlessly about his minor achievements."
to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way
"The children would prattle on about their games."
Relating to, or serving as, a precedent; having authority as an example.
"The court’s decision has precedential value."
A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
"Honesty is a fundamental precept in all religions."
The slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around another axis, often referring to Earth's rotation.
"Astronomers study the precession of the equinoxes."
Excessive refinement or affected elegance in language, style, or behavior.
"The author's preciosity made the novel difficult to read for some audiences."
As a noun: a substance that causes a substance to be deposited from a solution; as an adjective: acting hastily or impulsively.
"The chemist added a precipitant to the solution to observe the reaction."
to determine or decide something in advance, often regarded as being fixed by fate or divine will
"They believed their paths were predestined by fate."
A strong liking or preference for something.
"She has a predilection for classical music."
The fact of surpassing all others; superiority.
"The university has gained preeminence in medical research."
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
"The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors."
To contract or engage beforehand; to arrange in advance.
"The workers were preengaged before the project officially started."
