CEFR Level
to argue or dispute angrily or noisily
"The neighbors began to altercate over the boundary wall."
a noisy argument or quarrel
"There was a brief altercation between the two drivers."
a person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
"He is an altruist who always puts others' needs before his own."
a mixture or blend of different things
"The new policy is an amalgam of several previous laws."
to combine or unite to form one structure or organization
"The two companies decided to amalgamate to increase efficiency."
the process of combining or uniting multiple entities into one
"The amalgamation of the two firms created the largest company in the region."
Relating to or expressing sexual love.
"The poet’s verses were filled with amatory themes."
Able to use both hands equally well.
"He is ambidextrous, so he can write with both hands."
To walk at a slow, relaxed pace.
"They amble through the park on Sunday mornings."
The food of the gods in classical mythology; something extremely pleasing to taste or smell.
"The dessert was so delicious that it tasted like ambrosia."
Exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell; divine.
"The aroma of freshly baked bread was simply ambrosial."
Relating to or able to walk; relating to outpatient medical care.
"The patient is ambulatory and does not require bed rest."
to make something better or improve a bad situation
"Policies were introduced to ameliorate living conditions in the city."
A word, phrase, or practice characteristic of American English or culture.
"The term 'sidewalk' is an Americanism, while 'pavement' is used in British English."
A friendly relationship between people or countries.
"The treaty helped maintain amity between the neighboring nations."
Behaving uncontrollably and disruptively.
"The angry mob ran amok after the verdict was announced."
In a way that shows no concern about whether behavior is morally right or wrong.
"He acted amorally, ignoring the consequences of his actions."
Lacking a clear shape or form; without a defined structure.
"The plan remained amorphous and lacked concrete details."
The process of gradually paying off a debt through regular payments over time.
"The company used a 10-year schedule for the amortization of its loan."
To gradually reduce or pay off a debt with regular payments.
"They plan to amortize the mortgage over 20 years."
A secret or illicit love affair.
"The novel tells the story of a forbidden amour between two characters."
The symbol '&' used to represent the word 'and'.
"Use an ampersand instead of writing the word 'and' in the company name."
in a frenzied, uncontrolled, or chaotic manner
"The bull ran amuck through the village."
an ornament or small object believed to protect against evil, danger, or disease
"She wore an amulet to protect herself from harm."
The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units, involving tissue repair and growth.
"Anabolism is essential for muscle growth and tissue repair."
something that is out of its proper time period, especially something old-fashioned in a modern context
"Using a typewriter today feels like an anachronism."
belonging to a period other than that being portrayed; old-fashioned or outdated
"His views on gender roles are considered anachronistic."
The inability to feel pain while still conscious.
"The doctor induced analgesia before performing the procedure."
something or someone intensely disliked or strongly condemned
"Violence is anathema to her peaceful nature."
a female ancestor; a woman from whom one is descended
"She discovered that her ancestress came from a small village in Bengal."
a metal support used in a fireplace to hold logs
"The logs rested on the andirons in the old fireplace."
Having both male and female characteristics; not clearly masculine or feminine.
"The fashion show featured models with an androgynous look."
An instrument used to measure the speed and direction of wind.
"The scientist used an anemometer to record the wind speed during the storm."
A medical procedure to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
"Angioplasty is now safer with robotic assistance."
Dislike or fear of England, English people, or English culture.
"The politician was accused of promoting Anglophobia in his speeches."
Containing no water.
"The chemist used anhydrous ammonia for the experiment."
Small aromatic seeds used as a spice and for medicinal purposes, with a sweet licorice-like flavor
"Anise seeds are often used in traditional desserts and teas."
Strong criticism or censure.
"The policy attracted severe animadversion from the public."
To comment critically or unfavorably.
"The teacher animadverted on the student's careless mistakes."
A microscopic animal, especially a protozoan or other minute organism.
"The scientist observed an animalcule moving under the microscope."
A strong feeling of hostility; motivation or purpose behind an action.
"His speech was driven by animus against the policy."
A person who writes annals or records events year by year.
"The annalist carefully documented the events of the king's reign."
Historical records of events, usually arranged chronologically.
"Her name will be remembered in the annals of science."
To heat and cool metal or glass to make it stronger or less brittle.
"The blacksmith annealed the steel to improve its durability."
a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year, typically for the rest of their life
"She receives an annuity from her late husband's insurance policy."
The announcement of something; in Christianity, the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive Jesus.
"The church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation with a special service."
The positive electrode in a device such as a battery, where current flows into a polarized electrical device.
"The anode of the battery was corroded after long use."
Not likely to cause offense; bland or harmless. Also refers to something that relieves pain.
"The speaker’s anodyne remarks avoided controversy."
To smear or rub with oil, often as part of a religious ceremony or as a sign of consecration.
"The priest anointed the king with holy oil."
The act of anointing, usually with oil, as part of a ritual or ceremony.
"The anointment of the new leader was a sacred ritual."
