auburn
All a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
All CEFR A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
Content locale
EN English BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Spanish FR French DE German RU Russian ZH Chinese JA Japanese
All Vocabulary Cards All Vocabularies
C1 adjective /ˈɔːbərn/

auburn

Meaning
reddish-brown in color, especially used to describe hair
Example
She has long auburn hair that shines in the sunlight.
C1 noun /ˈek.stə.si/

Ecstasy

Meaning
an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement
Example
She was in complete ecstasy when she heard the good news.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.ə.tər/

Orator

Meaning
a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled in speaking
Example
The famous orator delivered an inspiring speech.
C1 noun ˌes.kəˈleɪ.ʃən

escalation

Meaning
A rapid increase; a rise.
Example
The escalation of production costs impacts profitability.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɪvəl/

Uncivil

Meaning
not polite or courteous; rude and discourteous in behavior
Example
His uncivil remarks during the meeting offended everyone present.
C1 adjective /rɪˈmoʊtɪd/

remoted

Meaning
placed at a distance; made remote
Example
The system was remoted to a secure location.
C1 noun /moʊt/

moat

Meaning
A deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle or town, often filled with water, for defense.
Example
The castle was protected by a wide moat filled with water.
C1 noun ˌlɪb.ərˈeɪ.ʃən

liberation

Meaning
The action of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release.
Example
Liberation movements inspired many countries.
C1 verb prəˈpel

propel

Meaning
To drive, push, or cause to move in a particular direction, typically forward.
Example
Lack of proper guidance can propel adolescents toward delinquency.
C1 noun /heɪz/

Haze

Meaning
a slight obscuration of the lower atmosphere, typically caused by fine suspended particles; confusion
Example
The morning haze lifted gradually as the sun rose higher in the sky.
C1 adjective /koʊˈɜːrsɪv/

coercive

Meaning
Relating to or using force or threats to make someone do something.
Example
The government faced criticism for adopting coercive measures against protestors.
C1 noun /beɪl/

bale

Meaning
A large bundle of goods tightly wrapped and bound.
Example
The workers loaded the bale of cotton onto the truck.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɜː.sənˈeɪ.ʃən/

impersonation

Meaning
The action of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.
Example
Online impersonation is a serious cybercrime.
C1 noun /əˈrɪəz/

arrears

Meaning
Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier.
Example
She was months in arrears with her electricity bill.
C1 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl/

Unilateral

Meaning
one-sided; involving only one party
Example
The country made a unilateral decision to withdraw from the treaty.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəˌθiːɪzəm/

monotheism

Meaning
The belief in the existence of only one God.
Example
Islam and Christianity are religions based on monotheism.
C1 adjective /ˈfeɪt.fəl/

fateful

Meaning
having significant or disastrous consequences
Example
Their fateful decision changed the course of history.
C1 adjective /kəˈθɑːr.tɪk/

cathartic

Meaning
Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions.
Example
Writing about emotions can be a cathartic experience.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈtʌmnəl/

autumnal

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of autumn; occurring in autumn
Example
The autumnal colors of red and gold filled the forest.
C1 noun /ræˈpɔːr/

rapport

Meaning
A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas.
Example
The teacher built a strong rapport with her students.
C1 noun /ˈnɛm.ə.sɪs/

nemesis

Meaning
A long-standing rival or an inescapable agent of downfall.
Example
For years, he considered his colleague to be his nemesis.
C1 noun/verb /dɪsˈkwaɪət/

disquiet

Meaning
A feeling of worry or unease; to make someone feel anxious or uneasy.
Example
The strange silence filled the room with disquiet.
C1 adjective /priˈɛmptɪv/

preemptive

Meaning
Serving or intended to prevent something by taking action first.
Example
The government took preemptive measures to control inflation.
C1 noun /prəˌlɪf.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

proliferation

Meaning
Rapid increase in the number or amount of something; rapid multiplication or growth.
Example
The proliferation of malware is a growing concern.
C1 noun /ˈkɔːl.drən/

Cauldron

Meaning
a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over a fire
Example
The witch stirred her potion in a large cauldron.
C1 adjective ɪˈveɪ.sɪv

evasive

Meaning
Tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.
Example
He gave an evasive answer to avoid trouble.
C1 noun /ɡʌl/

Gull

Meaning
a seabird with webbed feet, long wings, and usually white and gray feathers
Example
The gull swooped down to grab the fish from the water.
C1 noun /ɪnˌtɪmɪˈdeɪʃən/

intimidation

Meaning
The action of frightening or threatening someone to make them do something.
Example
The workers reported cases of intimidation by the management.
C1 noun/adjective /kənˈfɛdərət/

confederate

Meaning
a person, group, or state joined in an alliance or union; relating to a confederacy
Example
The confederate soldiers fought bravely in the war.
C1 adjective /ˌrɛmɪˈnɪsənt/

reminiscent

Meaning
Tending to remind one of something; suggestive of something in the past.
Example
The smell of rain is reminiscent of my childhood in the village.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːrviəs/

impervious

Meaning
Not allowing fluid to pass through; unable to be affected by something.
Example
The jacket is impervious to rain.
C1 adjective /taɪˈtænɪk/

titanic

Meaning
Of exceptional strength, size, or power.
Example
The company made titanic efforts to expand into new markets.
C1 phrase ˌhjuː.məˈnɪt.ər.i.kəˈtæs.trə.fi

humanitarian catastrophe

Meaning
A widespread disaster affecting human life, health, and well-being on a large scale.
Example
The war created a humanitarian catastrophe.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːr.vɪ.tuːd/

Servitude

Meaning
the state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful
Example
Many people fought to escape the servitude imposed by the colonial system.
C1 /ʃrɛd/

shred

Meaning
to tear or cut something into small pieces
Example
She shredded the old documents before throwing them away.
C1 noun /ˈfen.jʊ.griːk/

Fenugreek

Meaning
an herb whose seeds and leaves are used as a spice in cooking
Example
Fenugreek seeds have a slightly bitter taste and are commonly used in Indian cuisine.
C1 noun /brɪˈɡeɪd/

brigade

Meaning
A large group of people organized for a specific purpose, especially a military unit.
Example
The fire brigade arrived quickly to put out the flames.
C1 adjective /ɡlʌm/

Glum

Meaning
sad; dejected; downcast; gloomy
Example
He looked glum after hearing the bad news.
C1 adjective /oʊˈbiːs/

obese

Meaning
Extremely overweight; having an excessive amount of body fat.
Example
The doctor advised the obese patient to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈsɛl/

undersell

Meaning
to sell something at a lower price than competitors or to downplay the value of something
Example
The shop undersold its rivals by offering huge discounts.
C1 verb /ˈliːɡəlaɪz/

legalize

Meaning
To make something lawful by official approval.
Example
The government decided to legalize online businesses.
C1 noun ˌkʌl.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən

culmination

Meaning
The highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.
Example
The project reached its culmination after years of effort.
C1 adjective /ˈlætərəl/

lateral

Meaning
Relating to the side or sideways movement.
Example
The football player made a quick lateral pass.
C1 verb /ˈdæmpən/

dampen

Meaning
to make something slightly wet; to make something less strong, active, or intense
Example
The rain dampened the excitement of the outdoor concert.
C1 noun /ˈkɒnsəl/

consul

Meaning
an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect its citizens and interests there
Example
The consul assisted travelers who lost their passports.
C1 noun /rɪˈvɜːrʒən/

reversion

Meaning
the act of returning to a previous state or condition
Example
The new policy marked a reversion to traditional methods.
C1 verb /səbˈsɪst/

subsist

Meaning
To maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level.
Example
Many villagers still subsist on fishing and farming.
C1 noun /ˌpɜːrsɪˈkjuːʃn/

persecution

Meaning
the act of treating someone cruelly or unfairly because of their religion, race, or beliefs
Example
The persecution of minorities has been condemned worldwide.
C1 noun kənˈsɔː.ti.əm

consortium

Meaning
An association of several companies or organizations formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member.
Example
The consortium worked collaboratively to build the cable.
C1 verb /ɪˈmɔːrtəlaɪz/

immortalize

Meaning
to preserve the memory of someone or something forever
Example
The statue was built to immortalize the hero’s sacrifice.
C1 noun /ˈɔːrkɪd/

Orchid

Meaning
a diverse family of flowering plants known for their exotic and often fragrant flowers
Example
The white orchid on the windowsill bloomed for months.
C1 adjective /ˈskrɪptʃərəl/

scriptural

Meaning
Relating to or contained in the scriptures or holy writings.
Example
The priest gave a scriptural reference during the sermon.
C1 verb /ɪnˈdaɪt/

indict

Meaning
to formally accuse someone of committing a serious crime
Example
The grand jury decided to indict the politician for corruption.
C1 noun /stɑːr fruːts/

Star Fruits

Meaning
yellow tropical fruits that form a star shape when sliced crosswise; tangy and crisp taste
Example
When you slice star fruits, they look like beautiful yellow stars on your plate.
C1 noun /ˈsɔːrsəri/

sorcery

Meaning
the use of magical powers, especially through spells and enchantments
Example
The villagers believed the illness was caused by sorcery.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈvɑːlənˌtɛri/

involuntary

Meaning
done without will or conscious control
Example
He gave an involuntary shiver when he heard the loud noise.
C1 verb /ˈruː.mɪ.neɪt/

ruminate

Meaning
to think deeply about something; to chew cud (for animals)
Example
She sat alone to ruminate on her decision.
C1 noun ˌɔːɡ.menˈteɪ.ʃən

augmentation

Meaning
Increasing quantity, power or performance.
Example
The company invested in the augmentation of its workforce.
C1 adjective /ˈhæloʊd/

hallowed

Meaning
regarded as holy or greatly respected
Example
They walked across the hallowed halls of the old university.
C1 noun /ˌdɪstɪˈleɪʃən/

distillation

Meaning
The process of purifying a liquid by heating and cooling; the extraction of the essential meaning.
Example
Distillation is commonly used to produce alcoholic beverages.
C1 noun /ˈkærɪkətjʊə/

caricature

Meaning
A picture or description that exaggerates certain features for comic or satirical effect.
Example
The magazine published a caricature of the politician.
C1 noun /ˈdɪɡnɪˌtɛri/

dignitary

Meaning
a person considered to be important because of high rank or office
Example
Several foreign dignitaries attended the state banquet.
C1 adjective /ɡlaɪˈsiː.mɪk/

glycemic

Meaning
Relating to the presence of glucose in the blood and how foods affect blood sugar levels.
Example
High-glycemic foods cause a rapid increase in blood sugar.
C1 adjective /ˌəʊ.vərˈɑː.tʃɪŋ/

overarching

Meaning
Comprehensive or all-embracing; forming an arch over something.
Example
The overarching theme of the book is human resilience.
C1 verb /ˈmʌd.əl/

muddle

Meaning
to mix things up in a confused way or to make a mess of something
Example
He muddled the papers and couldn’t find the report.
C1 verb /loʊð/

loathe

Meaning
to feel intense dislike or disgust for
Example
He absolutely loathes being late to meetings.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtpoʊst/

outpost

Meaning
A small military camp or position at some distance from the main force, used especially as a guard.
Example
The soldiers were stationed at a remote outpost.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrli/

surly

Meaning
bad-tempered and unfriendly
Example
The waiter gave us a surly look when we asked for more water.
C1 adjective + noun ˌpaɪəˈnɪərɪŋ ˈmɪʃən

pioneering mission

Meaning
A groundbreaking or innovative undertaking that leads the way in a particular field.
Example
Artemis is a pioneering mission in space exploration.
C1 noun /ˈmɜːrdʒər/

merger

Meaning
The combination of two or more companies into a single entity.
Example
The merger of the two firms created the largest bank in the region.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfjuːz/

infuse

Meaning
to fill or spread through something; to instill a quality, idea, or feeling
Example
The teacher tried to infuse her students with a love for reading.
C1 noun /ˈlʌləˌbaɪ/

lullaby

Meaning
a soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep
Example
She sang a lullaby to her baby every night.
C1 noun ˌdjʊə.rəˈbɪl.ə.ti

durability

Meaning
The ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Example
The durability of materials affects performance.
C1 noun /prɒɡˈnoʊsɪs/

prognosis

Meaning
A forecast of the likely outcome of a disease or situation.
Example
The doctor gave a positive prognosis for the patient's recovery.
C1 adjective /ˌrɛtroʊˈæktɪv/

retroactive

Meaning
applying to a period before it was enacted or established
Example
The new law was made retroactive to cover past cases.
C1 noun /ɪkˈspɛktənsi/

expectancy

Meaning
the state of expecting something; anticipation or likelihood
Example
There was a sense of expectancy in the room before the results were announced.
C1 adjective /ˈten.tə.tɪv/

Tentative

Meaning
not certain or fixed; provisional; hesitant or unsure
Example
We made tentative plans to meet next week.
C1 noun /ˈnɑː.sɪ.sɪ.zəm/

narcissism

Meaning
Excessive interest in or admiration of oneself; extreme selfishness.
Example
His excessive narcissism made it difficult for him to empathize with others.
C1 noun /krɪˈden.ʃəl/

credential

Meaning
a qualification, achievement, or aspect of a person's background used to indicate suitability for something
Example
She presented her credentials before starting the new job.
C1 noun /ˌʌl.tɪˈmeɪ.təm/

Ultimatum

Meaning
a final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation
Example
The boss gave him an ultimatum: improve or be fired.
C1 noun koʊˈhisɪv ˈjunɪts

cohesive units

Meaning
Groups or organizations that work together as unified wholes, with members closely bound together.
Example
Early humans formed cohesive units for survival.
C1 noun /ˈæl.kə.laɪ/

alkali

Meaning
a soluble base substance, typically with a pH greater than 7, that neutralizes acids
Example
Soap contains alkali which helps remove grease.
C1 noun /ˈʃɪvəlri/

chivalry

Meaning
The medieval knightly system with its moral, social, and religious code; courteous behavior, especially toward women.
Example
The knight lived by the code of chivalry.
C1 verb /ˈɪrɪˌɡeɪt/

irrigate

Meaning
to supply water to land or crops; to wash out a wound with water
Example
Farmers irrigate their fields during dry seasons.
C1 verb /dɪˈteɪn/

detain

Meaning
to keep someone from proceeding; to hold back, especially by official authority
Example
The police detained the suspect for questioning.
C1 verb /rɪˈtreɪs/

retrace

Meaning
to go back over a path or route; to recall and repeat steps taken earlier
Example
She retraced her steps to find her lost keys.
C1 adjective /praɪˈmɔːrdiəl/

primordial

Meaning
Existing at or from the beginning of time; fundamental and original.
Example
Scientists study the primordial soup from which life emerged.
C1 adjective /ˈɒptɪkəl/

optical

Meaning
related to or used in seeing or sight
Example
The optical illusion fooled everyone at the exhibition.
C1 adjective /əˈɡæst/

aghast

Meaning
filled with shock or horror
Example
The audience was aghast at the tragic scene.
C1 noun

Kin

C1 noun /ˈpæntəmaɪm/

pantomime

Meaning
A type of theatrical performance using gestures and movements without spoken words; in Britain, a musical comedy play for families performed at Christmas.
Example
The children enjoyed the Christmas pantomime at the local theater.
C1 adjective /ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋ/

headstrong

Meaning
Determined to do what one wants, even if it is not sensible.
Example
The headstrong child refused to listen to anyone.
C1 noun /ˈpæʃ.ən ˌflaʊ.ər/

Passion flower

Meaning
A climbing plant with intricate, colorful flowers; also refers to royal poinciana tree with red-orange blooms
Example
The passion flower vine covered the garden wall with beautiful blooms.
C1 noun ˈsʌs.tɪ.nəns

Sustenance

Meaning
Food or support necessary for sustaining life
Example
Water is essential for human sustenance.
C1 noun /ˈɛksɜːrpt/

excerpt

Meaning
A short portion taken from a text, film, or piece of music.
Example
The teacher read an excerpt from the novel.
C1 noun /ˈɪmɪnəns/

imminence

Meaning
the state of being about to happen
Example
The imminence of the storm forced people to take shelter.
C1 verb bɪˈkwiːð

bequeath

Meaning
Leave something to someone in a will; pass down or hand down to the next generation.
Example
The scientist bequeathed his research papers to the university.
C1 noun /ˌres.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

Recitation

Meaning
the action of reciting or repeating aloud from memory
Example
The poetry recitation contest was held in the auditorium.
C1 noun ˌsɛn.trə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

centralization

Meaning
The concentration of control and decision-making power in a central authority.
Example
Excessive centralization can slow down decision-making.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːrɡəˌtɔːri/

purgatory

Meaning
A place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven; a temporary condition of torment or suffering.
Example
After the accident, the long recovery felt like a kind of purgatory.
C1 noun /əˈpreʃ.ən/

Oppression

Meaning
cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority; the state of being subject to harsh treatment
Example
The people fought against political oppression.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːr.i liːvz/

Curry Leaves

Meaning
aromatic leaves from the curry tree used in South Asian cooking
Example
Fresh curry leaves add authentic flavor to Indian dishes.
C1 adjective /skænt/

Scant

Meaning
barely sufficient; inadequate; small in amount
Example
There was scant evidence to support his claim.
C1 noun /ˈtɪrəni/

tyranny

Meaning
Cruel and oppressive government or rule by a tyrant.
Example
The people revolted against the tyranny of their ruler.
C1 adjective /nɪˈɡoʊ.ʃi.ə.bəl/

negotiable

Meaning
Open to discussion or modification; capable of being bargained for.
Example
The salary offered is negotiable.
C1 noun /ʃəˈmiːz/

Chemise

Meaning
a woman's loose-fitting undergarment or dress hanging straight from the shoulders
Example
The vintage chemise was made of delicate lace and silk.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈbʊrʒ.wɑː/

bourgeois

Meaning
Relating to the middle class, often with materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
Example
The novel criticizes the bourgeois lifestyle of the city dwellers.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪlədʒi/

trilogy

Meaning
a set of three related works, usually books or films, that form a connected story
Example
The director finally released the third film to complete the sci-fi trilogy.
C1 noun /ˌɪm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

Imposition

Meaning
the action or process of imposing something or of being imposed; an unfair burden or demand
Example
The imposition of new taxes without consultation angered the citizens greatly.
C1 adjective /ˈsɒljʊbəl/

soluble

Meaning
able to be dissolved, especially in water
Example
Sugar is soluble in water.
C1 noun /ˈloʊ.fər/

Loafer

Meaning
a person who avoids work or effort; an idler
Example
Don't be a loafer, help us with the work.
C1 noun /ˈnaɪt.hʊd/

knighthood

Meaning
The rank or dignity of a knight, or the ceremony of conferring knighthood.
Example
He was honored with knighthood for his contributions to science.
C1 noun /ˈswiːt.miːt/

Sweetmeat

Meaning
a small piece of confectionery or candy; a sweet delicacy
Example
The children enjoyed the traditional sweetmeats during the festival.
C1 adjective /ˈwɒn.tən/

Wanton

Meaning
deliberate and unprovoked; sexually immodest or promiscuous
Example
The vandals caused wanton destruction to the public property.
C1 noun /spɛk/

speck

Meaning
A very small spot, mark, or particle.
Example
There was a tiny speck of dust on the glass table.
C1 adjective /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/

Trifling

Meaning
of little importance; trivial; insignificant
Example
Don't worry about such trifling matters.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪk.nəs/

Likeness

Meaning
the fact or quality of being alike; resemblance; a portrait or representation
Example
The portrait shows a strong likeness to her grandmother.
C1 noun /ˈɡreɪdiənt/

gradient

Meaning
A gradual slope, or the degree of inclination of a surface.
Example
The cyclist struggled up the steep gradient of the hill.
C1 adjective /səbˈvɜːrsɪv/

subversive

Meaning
seeking or intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority
Example
The group was banned for its subversive activities.
C1 adjective /ˈlɪstləs/

listless

Meaning
lacking energy, enthusiasm, or interest
Example
She felt listless after working long hours without rest.
C1 noun /ˈspaɪər/

spire

Meaning
a tall, pointed structure on top of a building, especially a church
Example
The church spire could be seen from miles away.