CEFR Level
Expressing or promoting a particular cause or point of view, often biased.
"The article was criticized for its tendentious tone."
dark, shadowy, or obscure
"The cave was damp and tenebrous, filled with eerie sounds."
Relating to the ability to be stretched or tensioned without breaking.
"Steel has a very high tensile strength."
The 300th anniversary of an event.
"The city celebrated its tercentenary with a grand festival."
Evasion of straightforward action or speech; changing sides or being inconsistent.
"The politician’s tergiversation frustrated his supporters."
A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman.
"The character was portrayed as a loud and domineering termagant."
a small freshwater turtle, especially one found in North America
"The terrapin slowly crawled into the pond."
arranged in a pattern of repeated shapes fitting together without gaps
"The tessellated floor was made of colorful tiles arranged in perfect symmetry."
a person who has made a will
"The lawyer read the will of the deceased testator."
A worker of miracles or magician.
"The thaumaturgist amazed the audience with his tricks."
Rule or government by the gods; divine sovereignty.
"In ancient cultures, some societies believed in thearchy where gods directly guided human affairs."
Belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially a creator who intervenes in the universe.
"Theism is central to many world religions."
A system of government in which priests or religious leaders rule in the name of God or a deity.
"The country was governed as a theocracy where religious leaders had supreme authority."
Government or rule by religious leaders or clergy.
"Theocrasy often merges religious authority with political power."
A person who studies or is an expert in theology.
"Theologians often debate complex questions of faith and morality."
A religious or philosophical belief system that seeks direct knowledge of the mysteries of life and the divine.
"Theosophy attracted people interested in mysticism and spiritual growth."
together with that; in addition to that
"He handed me the contract and the pen therewith."
A layer in a body of water in which temperature changes rapidly with depth.
"The thermocline separates warm surface water from cold deep water."
The process of heat production in living organisms, often associated with burning calories and energy expenditure.
"Spicy foods can enhance thermogenesis and calorie burning."
An actor or actress; relating to drama or theater.
"The festival was filled with talented thespians from across the country."
carried out to the full extent; absolute and complete
"She is a thoroughgoing professional in every sense."
The state of being in someone's power or under strong influence; slavery or bondage.
"He was in thrall to the powerful leader."
Worn out and thin from too much use; shabby.
"His threadbare coat could not keep him warm in winter."
A song, poem, or speech of mourning for someone who has died; a lament.
"The poet composed a moving threnody for the fallen soldiers."
to separate grain from the plant by beating or by using a machine
"Farmers used machines to thresh the wheat after harvest."
intense or violent pain and struggle, often at the beginning or end of something
"The country was in the throes of a political crisis."
slightly drunk; small or tiny
"After a few drinks, he felt a bit tiddley."
unwilling to spend money; stingy
"He is so tightfisted that he refuses to tip at restaurants."
a person who is unwilling to spend money; a miser
"Everyone calls him a tightwad because he never buys gifts."
The preparation of land for growing crops.
"Excessive tillage can lead to soil erosion."
A lever used to steer a boat or a person who tills the soil.
"The sailor gripped the tiller firmly to keep the boat on course."
The physical condition of soil in relation to its suitability for planting crops.
"The farmer checked the soil's tilth before planting the seeds."
The character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity.
"Her voice had a warm timbre that soothed the audience."
Worn or impaired by age; old and used many times.
"The timeworn house carried a sense of history and nostalgia."
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or lack of confidence
"The timorous student hesitated to ask the teacher a question."
a slight trace of something; a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
"There was a tincture of sadness in her smile."
to drink alcohol, especially regularly or in small amounts
"He likes to tipple at the local pub after work."
A tenth part of one’s income or produce, often given as a religious offering.
"He gave a tithe of his earnings to the church."
To excite or amuse, especially in a slightly sexual or playful way.
"The comedian's jokes titillated the audience."
to laugh in a quiet, nervous, or restrained way
"The students began to titter when the projector froze."
holding a title or position in name only without real power; relating to the title of a work
"She is the titular head of the committee, but decisions are made by the coordinator."
to flatter or behave excessively subserviently toward someone for advantage
"Stop toadying to the manager and speak your mind."
an alarm bell or signal; a warning that something bad is about to happen
"The data breach sounded a tocsin for stricter security."
Involving hard or exhausting work; laborious.
"The workers had a toilsome day in the hot sun."
relating to barbers or hairdressing
"The town's new barber offered a wide range of tonsorial services."
the practice of shaving or cutting the hair on the scalp, especially in a religious context
"The monk received his tonsure as part of his religious initiation."
Mentally or physically inactive; sluggish or lethargic.
"After the long hike, he felt torpid and unmotivated."
A state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy.
"The heat induced a state of torpor in the workers."
Relating to or involving a wrongful act leading to legal liability.
"The company was found guilty of tortious interference with contracts."
a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized
"Her work has become the touchstone of modern literature."
