CEFR Level
Expressing a low opinion or showing lack of respect.
"He made a derogative remark about her work."
A framework or tower used for supporting a crane, especially for oil drilling or lifting heavy loads.
"The workers assembled a derrick at the oil drilling site."
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
"The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn."
to catch sight of something, especially something distant or obscure
"From the hilltop, they descried a small village in the distance."
to treat a sacred place or object with disrespect or violation
"The vandals desecrated the ancient temple walls with graffiti."
a substance that absorbs moisture and keeps things dry
"Silica gel packets are commonly used as a desiccant in packaging."
to dry up completely or remove the moisture from something
"The hot sun can quickly desiccate plants in the desert."
completely dried, having had all moisture removed
"The museum displayed desiccated specimens of plants."
something that is desired or considered necessary
"For many students, financial aid is a desideratum."
The act of stopping or ceasing from some action or behavior.
"The court urged his desistance from further unlawful activities."
A bold, reckless, or dangerous person, often a criminal.
"The sheriff was determined to capture the desperado who terrorized the town."
To steal or violently remove valuable possessions from a place.
"The invaders despoiled the village during the war."
A person who robs, plunders, or violently takes things from others.
"The despoilers left the city in ruins."
to lose confidence or hope; to become dejected
"After repeated failures, he began to despond."
exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, or authoritarian way
"The king’s despotic rule left the people in misery."
a state of disuse or inactivity
"The old law has fallen into desuetude."
lacking a clear plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
"His desultory conversation bored the audience."
having exact and definite limits or form
"The contract is for a determinate period of two years."
The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.
"Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular."
Waste or debris of any kind; fragments left from destruction or decay.
"The riverbank was covered with detritus after the flood."
To thrust or force something downward or outward.
"The violent waves detruded rocks from the cliff."
Wicked or cruel behavior; mischievous actions.
"The children were full of devilry on Halloween night."
Cruel or malicious behavior; mischief with an evil aspect.
"The villain’s deviltry terrified the townsfolk."
a traditional Indian garment for men consisting of a piece of unstitched cloth worn around the waist and legs
"The elderly man wore a white dhuti during the religious ceremony."
Extremely evil or cruel; characteristic of the devil.
"The villain devised a diabolic scheme."
Relating to a mark added to a letter to indicate a different pronunciation or stress.
"The word résumé has diacritical marks that change its meaning from resume."
A crown or headband worn as a symbol of royalty or authority.
"The queen wore a glittering diadem at the coronation."
A method of argument or reasoning by dialogue, especially as a means of investigating truth.
"The philosopher used dialectic to challenge his students' assumptions."
Relating to the logical discussion of ideas and opinions.
"She took a dialectical approach to solve the complex issue."
A person skilled in dialectic or logical argument.
"Socrates is often considered the greatest dialectician in history."
Light, delicate, and translucent.
"She wore a diaphanous dress that shimmered in the sunlight."
Consisting of two atoms.
"Oxygen is a diatomic molecule."
A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
"The politician launched a diatribe against his opponents."
A formal pronouncement, authoritative statement, or maxim.
"The judge’s dictum clarified the principle of equality before the law."
Intended to teach, often with a moral lesson.
"The novel is not just entertaining but also didactic in nature."
A distinguishing characteristic that sets one thing apart from another.
"The differentia of humans is their ability to reason abstractly."
Lack of self-confidence; shyness or modesty.
"Her diffidence made it hard for her to speak in public."
Shy or lacking confidence in one's own abilities.
"He was too diffident to ask a question in class."
able to spread or be spread through a medium
"Oxygen is diffusible through cell membranes."
A pair of letters representing a single sound, such as 'sh' in 'ship'.
"In the word 'phone', the letters 'ph' form a digraph."
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
"Her story was full of interesting digressions."
Tending to depart from the main subject in speech or writing.
"The speaker's digressive style made the lecture difficult to follow."
To cause something, especially a building, to fall into ruin or disrepair.
"The abandoned house began to dilapidate over the years."
The state of disrepair or ruin as a result of neglect.
"The old temple was in a state of dilapidation."
Tending to cause delay; slow to act.
"The committee was criticized for its dilatory response to the crisis."
A person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a superficial way.
"He was dismissed as a dilettante in the art world because he lacked formal training."
an impression or hollow made by a blow; force or power
"By dint of hard work, he achieved success."
relating to a diocese or the district under the supervision of a bishop in the Christian Church
"The diocesan council met to discuss church affairs."
A complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.
"The word 'coin' contains a diphthong."
A person skilled in diplomacy; another word for diplomat.
"The diplomatist handled the negotiations with great tact."
