CEFR Level
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."
an animal that is one year old, especially a horse
"The farmer sold the yearling at the livestock market."
A farmer who cultivates his own land; also used to describe someone performing loyal, useful service.
"He did yeoman service in completing the project on time."
An uneducated and unsophisticated person from the countryside; a bumpkin.
"The city folks laughed at the yokel's simple ways."
Time long past; bygone days.
"Legends of yore still inspire people today."
A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their ideals.
"He was considered a zealot for his strict political views."
The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
"The novel perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the 1960s."
the part of a house reserved for women; women's quarters in Muslim households; harem
"The zenanna was beautifully decorated with intricate patterns."
A soft gentle breeze.
"A warm zephyr blew through the valley."
Microscopic aquatic animals that drift in water bodies and form an essential part of the aquatic food chain, serving as food for fish and other marine organisms.
"Zooplankton plays an important role in the aquatic food chain."
