CEFR Level
Characterized by bitterness or resentment.
"Their rancorous debate lasted for hours."
A climbing vine with fragrant flowers that change color from white to pink to red
"The Rangoon creeper covered the entire fence with its sweet-smelling flowers."
To cause continuing annoyance or resentment.
"His unfair criticism continued to rankle her for days."
having an extreme desire to take things for oneself, greedy
"The rapacious landlord raised the rent without reason."
the violent seizure of someone's property
"The war was marked by rapine and destruction."
The establishment or resumption of harmonious relations.
"The two countries signed an agreement that marked a new rapprochement."
A mischievous or cheeky person; a rascal.
"The little rapscallion hid his brother’s shoes as a prank."
Relating to birds of prey or predatory behavior.
"The eagle is a raptorial bird with sharp talons."
Of high moral, intellectual, or cultural value; distant from ordinary life.
"He works in the rarefied world of classical music."
To make something less dense or more refined.
"The air rarefies as you climb higher into the mountains."
the process of reasoning or logical thinking
"His ratiocination impressed the judges during the debate."
a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious belief or emotion
"Rationalism emphasizes logic and reasoning over faith."
to tangle or complicate; to untangle or unravel depending on context
"She began to ravel the loose threads of the sweater."
Extremely hungry and greedy; voracious.
"The ravening wolves circled the camp."
To fill with intense delight; to captivate or enchant.
"The beauty of the sunset ravished the travelers."
A large quantity of paper (typically 500 sheets); informally, a large amount of something.
"The office ordered ten reams of paper."
a puzzle in which words are represented by pictures, symbols, or letters
"The children enjoyed solving the rebus puzzles in the magazine."
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
"The recalcitrant student refused to follow the rules."
to withdraw or renounce a statement or belief formally
"He recanted his previous statement in court."
to summarize or restate the main points briefly
"The teacher recapitulated the lesson at the end of the class."
The act of summarizing or repeating the main points of something.
"The professor gave a brief recapitulation of the lecture before ending the class."
Rare, exotic, or obscure, often in a sophisticated or refined way.
"The gallery displayed many recherche artworks from unknown artists."
The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend or relapse into criminal behavior.
"The government introduced new programs to reduce recidivism among former inmates."
A person who repeatedly commits crimes, especially after having been punished.
"The police identified him as a recidivist who had been arrested several times before."
To care about or be concerned with (something); to have regard for.
"He does not reck the dangers of his actions."
A place for seclusion or retreat, especially for a recluse or hermit.
"The monk spent years in the reclusory away from society."
A legal obligation or bond entered into before a court, especially to ensure future appearance.
"He was released on his own recognizance."
to compensate someone for loss or harm suffered; compensation given for damage or injury
"The company offered financial recompense to the injured worker."
Capable of being resolved or made consistent.
"Their differences are reconcilable with honest communication."
Little known or difficult to understand.
"The professor’s lecture was full of recondite theories."
to make a preliminary inspection or survey, especially of an area for military or strategic purposes
"The soldiers reconnoitered the area before advancing."
cowardly or unfaithful to duty
"The recreant soldier abandoned his post in fear."
an accusation made in response to an accusation; mutual blaming
"The debate quickly descended into mutual recriminations."
to break out or appear again after a period of dormancy or decline
"After months of calm, violence recrudesced in the region."
a new outbreak or revival of something that had subsided, especially an undesirable condition
"Health officials warned of a recrudescence of measles in several districts."
reviving or breaking out again after a period of abatement
"Recrudescent tensions threatened the fragile ceasefire."
morally correct behavior or thinking
"Her rectitude earned her the respect of the community."
lying down or in a resting position
"He was found recumbent on the sofa after a long day."
to cure again; to remedy a second time
"The doctor had to recure the wound after it reopened."
a person who refuses to submit to authority or comply with rules
"The recusant opposed the new law."
a poisonous flowering shrub with bright red or pink flowers
"The red oleander blooms throughout the summer months."
a pleasant smell or the quality of suggesting something strongly
"The redolence of jasmine filled the evening air."
formidable, especially as an opponent; inspiring fear or respect
"She was a redoubtable leader who commanded respect from all."
to contribute greatly to a result or consequence, usually beneficial
"His hard work will redound to the success of the company."
a meal or the act of taking food and drink
"The monks gathered for their evening refection."
a dining hall, especially in a monastery, convent, or school
"Students had lunch in the refectory."
able to be related or directed to something
"The issue is referable to the new policy changes."
capable of being reflected, as light or an image
"The surface of the lake is highly reflectible in the morning sun."