CEFR Level
Harsh and unpleasant to the senses, especially sound; a framework of bars covering an opening.
"The teacher's grating voice made it hard to concentrate."
Without charge; free of cost.
"The drinks at the event were provided gratis."
unripe fruit of the jackfruit tree, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking
"Green jackfruit is often used in curries and stews."
unripe papaya fruit used as a vegetable in cooking, especially in Asian cuisine
"Green papaya salad is a popular dish in Thai cuisine."
Fond of company; sociable.
"She is a gregarious person who loves meeting new people."
A soldier who specialized in throwing grenades; later used to describe an elite infantryman.
"The grenadier stood proudly at the front of the regiment."
a thick disc of stone used for grinding, sharpening, or polishing tools
"The blacksmith sharpened his blade on the grindstone."
a small picturesque cave, often artificial
"Tourists visited the grotto hidden behind the waterfall."
a person who complains a lot or to complain in a grumpy way
"He is such a grouch in the morning before coffee."
A type of bird; or to complain or grumble persistently.
"He always grouses about the long hours at work."
To act in an excessively humble or submissive way to gain favor.
"He groveled before his boss to avoid punishment."
A thin liquid food made by boiling cereal (like oats) in water or milk.
"The poor children were given a bowl of gruel each morning."
Rough or stern in manner, speech, or voice.
"Despite his gruff manner, he was very kind-hearted."
a knitted sweater; a type of woolen pullover
"He wore a warm guernsey during the cold winter evening."
a loud and boisterous laugh
"The audience guffawed at the comedian’s joke."
Cleverness or cunning used to achieve a goal, often in a deceptive way
"He used guile to win the negotiation."
Innocent and without deceit
"Her guileless smile won everyone’s heart."
A former British gold coin; also refers to Guinea, a country in West Africa
"The antique coin was worth one guinea."
A narrow channel or ravine worn away by water.
"After the storm, the road was cut by a deep gully."
Courage, resourcefulness, or initiative.
"It takes real gumption to start your own business."
a small colorful freshwater fish popular in aquariums, known for its vibrant colors and easy breeding
"The guppy fish is perfect for beginners who want to start an aquarium."
relating to the sense of taste
"The restaurant offered a gustatory experience unlike any other."
to drink greedily or excessively
"He guzzled three cans of soda in a few minutes."
a society or government ruled by women
"The ancient tribe was known for its gynecocracy, where women held all positions of power."
to move or spin quickly in circles
"The dancer gyrated wildly to the rhythm of the drums."
A circular or spiral motion or form, especially a giant circular oceanic surface current.
"The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is trapped in a gyre."
A device consisting of a wheel or disk mounted so it can spin rapidly and maintain orientation, used for navigation and balance.
"The airplane's navigation system relies on a gyroscope for stability."
An inhabitant; a person or animal that lives in a particular place.
"The habitants of the village were friendly and welcoming."
to accustom someone or oneself to something through frequent exposure or experience
"City life has habituated him to constant noise."
a customary condition or mode of life; habitual practice
"He lived in a quiet habitude, avoiding the noise of the city."
the hairs on the back of an animal’s neck that rise when it is angry or alarmed; figuratively, feelings of anger or resentment
"His rude comment raised my hackles."
a horse kept for ordinary riding or hire; also used for something overused or trite
"The old hackney was still pulling the carriage."
A taxi; a car licensed to carry passengers for hire
"I called a hackney carriage to get to the airport."
an ugly old woman, especially a vicious or malicious one; a witch
"In the fairy tale, the wicked hag lived alone in a cottage deep in the forest."
Excessively flattering or idealized, often in a biography or portrayal of someone.
"The documentary was criticized for its hagiographic portrayal of the leader."
calm, peaceful, and happy; denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
"She often reminisces about the halcyon days of her childhood."
strong and healthy, especially of an elderly person
"Despite his age, the man remained hale and active."
poorly thought out or badly planned
"The manager quickly rejected his half-baked proposal."
lacking enthusiasm or determination; unenthusiastic
"His halfhearted attempt to study did not bring good results."
to honor as holy; to make sacred or greatly respected
"The ancient temple was hallowed by centuries of worship."
clumsy or inept in handling things or situations
"His ham-handed attempt to fix the computer made it worse."
a tendon at the back of the thigh; as a verb, to cripple or severely restrict the effectiveness of someone or something.
"Budget cuts hamstrung the organization’s plans."
crippled or severely restricted in movement or progress.
"The team was hamstrung by lack of resources."
excessive worry or concern expressed in a visible or dramatic way.
"There was much hand-wringing over the political crisis."
looking or feeling ashamed, guilty, or defeated.
"He gave me a hangdog look after being caught lying."
a person who spends time with a powerful or famous person to gain benefits.
"The celebrity was always surrounded by hangers-on."
a feeling of yearning or craving; a strong desire for something
"After years abroad, she developed a deep hanker for her homeland's traditional cuisine."
a strong desire or craving for something.
"She had a hankering for chocolate late at night."
dishonest or suspicious activity; unethical behavior; trickery or deception
"The audit revealed some hanky-panky in the company's financial records."
luck, fortune, or chance occurrence
"By sheer hap, he discovered the old letter hidden in the drawer."
