CEFR Level
playfully humorous or mischievous
"His waggish remarks made everyone laugh."
a homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, often a child
"The young waif wandered the streets in search of food."
beads made by Native Americans from shells, used as money or decoration
"The tribe traded furs for wampum."
To achieve something by clever or sometimes dishonest persuasion or trickery.
"He wangled a free ticket to the concert."
The quality of being reckless, cruel, or deliberately malicious.
"His wantonness shocked everyone at the gathering."
To sing or whistle with a quavering voice or with trills.
"The bird warbled a sweet tune in the morning."
A person who advocates or promotes war or conflict.
"The leader was criticized as a warmonger by his opponents."
A network of interconnected rabbit burrows; also used metaphorically for a densely populated building or district.
"The old part of the city is a warren of narrow streets."
A person who wastes time, money, or resources; an idler or spendthrift.
"The young man was dismissed as a wastrel by his family."
a small wave or ripple on the surface of water or another medium
"The pond was disturbed only by the tiny wavelets caused by the breeze."
to stop or interrupt someone unexpectedly, often to attack or detain them
"He was waylaid by reporters as he left the courthouse."
Lacking determination or courage; easily frightened or yielding.
"The leader was criticized for being weak-kneed in the face of opposition."
A raised mark on the skin left after a blow; or general well-being and prosperity.
"The charity worked for the common weal of the community."
The sky, the heavens, or the upper air.
"The eagle soared high into the welkin."
A raised mark on the skin, usually from a blow or allergic reaction.
"He had a red welt on his arm after the bee sting."
to roll or toss about in a confused or disorderly way; to be in turmoil
"The city weltered in chaos after the sudden blackout."
to persuade or coax someone by using flattery or smooth talk
"She managed to wheedle extra pocket money from her father."
a young offspring of a dog or other carnivorous mammal; sometimes used to mean an impudent young person
"The farmer found a wolf whelp hiding near the barn."
With which; the means or resources needed for something.
"He lacked the money wherewith to buy a new house."
to make the high-pitched sound a horse makes
"The horse whinnied when it saw its rider."
a very small part or amount
"He doesn't care a whit about the outcome."
A pattern of spirals or concentric circles, often found in fingerprints, shells, or flowers.
"The fingerprint displayed a clear whorl pattern."
A trick or clever scheme meant to deceive or outwit someone.
"He used every wile to win her trust."
Gracefully tall, slender, and flexible, like a willow tree.
"She moved with a willowy elegance across the stage."
a person who talks too much, especially in a boring or boastful way
"Everyone avoided the windbag at the party because he never let anyone else speak."
to remove the less desirable parts from a group; originally, to separate grain from chaff by blowing air
"The committee will winnow the list of applicants to ten finalists."
pleasant and attractive in a fresh, innocent, or charming way
"Her winsome smile instantly put the nervous guests at ease."
Thin, delicate, and weak in appearance or form.
"Her wispy hair blew gently in the breeze."
lacking intelligence or good sense
"It was a witless decision to leave the door unlocked."
a person who has little wit or pretends to be witty
"He acted like a witling among scholars."
a clever or funny remark
"Her witticism made everyone laugh during the meeting."
Consciously and intentionally; on purpose.
"He wittingly withheld information from the police."
To become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled.
"The flowers began to wizen after days without water."
Having a dry, wrinkled, and withered face.
"A wizen-faced old man sat quietly in the corner."
Shriveled, wrinkled, or withered, often due to age.
"The wizened tree stood in the field for centuries."
accustomed or used to doing something
"She rose early, as she was wont to do."
Showing efficient, competent, and practical skill, but without flair or creativity.
"The carpenter delivered a workmanlike performance on the project."
A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially seen shortly before or after their death.
"A wraith appeared in the fog near the old castle."
a person who argues noisily; or someone who takes care of livestock on a ranch
"The cowboy worked as a wrangler on the ranch."
to forcibly pull something from a person's grasp; to seize with effort or struggle
"The police had to wrest the weapon from the suspect's hand."
an unfortunate or miserable person; a despicable or contemptible person
"The poor wretch was left out in the cold with no shelter."
Having or showing bad judgment or stubbornly holding to wrong ideas.
"The policy was considered wrongheaded and harmful."
