CEFR Level
A person who ruins other people's enjoyment or fun.
"Don't be a spoilsport and let us enjoy the party."
soft and full of holes like a sponge; porous
"The cake had a light and spongy texture."
The quality of being natural, impulsive, and unplanned.
"Her spontaneity made the trip more exciting."
happening naturally without being planned or forced
"She spontaneously started singing when she heard the music."
A humorous imitation of something, or to trick or parody someone or something.
"The comedian spoofed the politician’s speech to entertain the audience."
Occurring irregularly or in scattered instances rather than continuously.
"The region experienced sporadic rain showers throughout the week."
an injury to a joint in which the ligaments are stretched or torn
"She sprained her ankle while running in the park."
full of energy and life; lively
"The sprightly old man danced with joy at the wedding."
to begin to grow; to produce new leaves or shoots
"The seeds began to sprout after a few days of rain."
to make neat or tidy in appearance; also refers to an evergreen tree
"He spruced up his room before the guests arrived."
To encourage or motivate someone to take action.
"The teacher's praise spurred him to study harder."
Not genuine, authentic, or true; false or fake.
"The report was based on spurious claims."
To reject something or someone with disdain or contempt.
"She spurned his offer of help."
To argue noisily over something small or unimportant.
"The children squabbled over the last piece of cake."
extremely dirty and unpleasant, often due to poverty or neglect
"He lived in a squalid room with broken furniture."
a sudden violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet
"A sudden squall caught the sailors off guard."
the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially due to poverty or neglect
"They lived in squalor without basic facilities."
to waste something, especially money or time, in a reckless or foolish manner
"He squandered all his savings on gambling."
to crouch or sit with knees bent and body close to the ground
"He squatted down to tie his shoes."
a person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land
"The police removed the squatters from the abandoned house."
to make a high-pitched cry; to inform on someone
"The children squealed with delight when they saw the surprise."
easily made to feel sick, faint, or disgusted
"She felt squeamish at the sight of blood."
The process of making or becoming stable.
"The stabilization of the structure was essential after the earthquake."
not moving, changing, or developing; inactive
"The company’s growth remained stagnant for several years."
to stop developing, progressing, or moving
"Without innovation, the business will stagnate."
a state of not advancing, developing, or moving
"The country suffered from economic stagnation during the crisis."
Serious, respectable, and unadventurous.
"He came from a staid family background."
A situation in which no progress can be made or no party can win.
"Negotiations ended in a stalemate."
An adult male horse that is not castrated, often used for breeding.
"The farm owns a powerful stallion for breeding purposes."
Loyal, reliable, and hardworking; strongly built or sturdy.
"She has always been a stalwart supporter of the community."
To speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words.
"The nervous student began to stammer during his speech."
A sudden, uncontrolled rush of people or animals; to cause a mass movement.
"The loud noise caused a stampede of the crowd."
a situation in which all movement or activity stops
"The traffic came to a standstill after the accident."
a group of lines forming a unit in a poem or song
"The poem begins with a stanza describing nature."
star-shaped spice pod with a licorice-like flavor used in cooking
"She added star anise to the soup for aromatic flavor."
yellow tropical fruits that form a star shape when sliced crosswise; tangy and crisp taste
"When you slice star fruits, they look like beautiful yellow stars on your plate."
Having a dignified, majestic, and impressive appearance or manner.
"The stately mansion stood at the end of the long driveway."
a person who sells paper, pens, pencils, and other office supplies
"The stationer recommended the best pens for writing exams."
A person who specializes in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data.
"The statistician presented the survey results with great clarity."
A small statue, usually decorative or artistic.
"The artist won a gold statuette for his work."
A person's natural height or their reputation and importance.
"Her intellectual stature made her a respected figure in academia."
The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.
"The government decided to maintain the status quo until further review."
A written law passed by a legislative body.
"The new statute protects workers' rights."
Required, permitted, or enacted by law.
"The company must comply with all statutory regulations."
Loyal, committed, and firm in support.
"She is a staunch supporter of environmental protection."
Firm, loyal, and unwavering in purpose or support.
"He remained steadfast in his determination to succeed."
The act of moving, doing, or achieving something quietly and secretly.
"The cat moved with stealth towards its prey."
Completely surrounded by or filled with a particular quality, influence, or experience.
"The town is steeped in history and tradition."
Relating to stars; outstanding or excellent.
"She gave a stellar performance in the play."
