avocation
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
C2 noun /ˌæv.oʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/

avocation

Meaning
a hobby or minor occupation pursued in addition to one's main work
Example
Painting is his avocation after office hours.
C1 noun /ˌluː.brɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

lubrication

Meaning
The action of applying a substance to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact.
Example
Lubrication of the eyes is essential for well-being.
B2 adjective sɪˈvɪər

severe

Meaning
Very great; intense or extreme in degree.
Example
Without action, climate change impacts will become severe.
C2 noun /roʊˈtʌn.də.ti/

rotundity

Meaning
the quality of being round or plump
Example
The rotundity of the balloon made it float gracefully.
A2 noun /ˈɒm.lət/

Omelet

Meaning
a dish made from beaten eggs cooked in a frying pan and often folded around a filling
Example
She made a cheese omelet for breakfast.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒŋɡruənt/

incongruent

Meaning
Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects.
Example
His casual outfit looked incongruent at the formal dinner.
B1 adjective /def/

Deaf

Meaning
unable to hear; having a hearing impairment
Example
The deaf child learned to communicate using sign language.
C1 adjective /ˈrʌɡ.ɪd/

Rugged

Meaning
rough and uneven; having a rough irregular surface; tough and strong
Example
The hikers crossed the rugged mountain terrain.
B2 noun /ˈpiː.lər/

Peeler

Meaning
a kitchen tool used to remove the outer skin or peel from fruits and vegetables
Example
Use a peeler to remove the potato skin.
C2 adjective /ˈswɔːrði/

swarthy

Meaning
Having a dark complexion or skin tone.
Example
The sailor had a swarthy face from years under the sun.
A2 verb /tʌtʃ/

touch

Meaning
to put your hand or finger on something; to make physical contact
Example
Please don't touch the wet paint.
A2 noun /ˈbeɪsˌbɔːl/

baseball

Meaning
a sport in which two teams try to score runs by hitting a ball and running around bases
Example
He loves watching baseball games on TV.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛsɪkeɪtɪd/

desiccated

Meaning
completely dried, having had all moisture removed
Example
The museum displayed desiccated specimens of plants.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃəs/

disputatious

Meaning
fond of or given to argument and debate
Example
His disputatious nature often led to heated conversations.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːls.hʊd/

Falsehood

Meaning
the state of being untrue; a lie
Example
The politician was caught spreading falsehoods about his opponent.
B2 noun /ˈprɒbləm ˈsɒlvɪŋ/

problem-solving

Meaning
The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.
Example
Problem-solving skills are key to leadership.
B1 noun/adjective /ˈsmoʊ.kɪŋ/

smoking

Meaning
The act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco or other substances; wearing a tuxedo (adjective, formal context).
Example
Smoking is prohibited inside the building.
C2 noun /dɪˌlɪniˈeɪʃən/

delineation

Meaning
the precise description, drawing, or outlining of something
Example
The artist’s delineation of the landscape was remarkably accurate.
C2 verb /dɪˈstreɪn/

distrain

Meaning
to seize someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed
Example
The landlord distrained the tenant's furniture for unpaid rent.
C1 noun /ɪnˈædɪkwəsi/

inadequacy

Meaning
lack of sufficient ability, quality, or strength; a feeling of not being good enough
Example
She struggled with feelings of inadequacy at work despite her strong qualifications.
C1 adjective /miːk/

Meek

Meaning
gentle and submissive; humble; patient
Example
Despite his power, he remained meek and humble.
C2 noun /ˈɛpənɪm/

eponym

Meaning
A person after whom a discovery, invention, place, or other thing is named.
Example
Sandwich is an eponym named after the Earl of Sandwich.
C2 noun /kɒnˌtek.stʃu.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

contextualization

Meaning
The process of placing something in its proper context or setting to understand it better.
Example
Contextualization of historical events helps students understand them better.
B2 noun /ˈnæreɪtər/

narrator

Meaning
A person who tells the story in a book, play, or film.
Example
The narrator guided the audience through the complex plot.
B1 noun /laɪt ˈkʌlər/

Light Colour

Meaning
a pale or bright shade of any color
Example
The walls were painted in light colours to make the room look bigger.
B1 noun /ˈvɪn.ɪ.ɡər/

Vinegar

Meaning
a sour liquid made from fermented alcohol, used for cooking and preserving
Example
I added vinegar to the salad dressing for extra flavor.
C1 noun /ˌræm.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

ramification

Meaning
a consequence of an action or event, often complex or unwelcome.
Example
The new law has serious social ramifications.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpensətɔːri/

compensatory

Meaning
serving to make up for a loss, damage, or injury
Example
The court awarded him compensatory damages.
B2 noun /ˌriː.ɪnˈfɔːrs.mənt/

reinforcement

Meaning
Strengthening or supporting something, especially behavior or learning.
Example
Positive reinforcement helps in learning.
C2 verb /ˈlæs.ə.reɪt/

lacerate

Meaning
to tear or cut deeply in the skin or flesh
Example
The broken glass lacerated his hand.
C1 noun /ˈpen.əns/

Penance

Meaning
punishment that you accept for doing something wrong; an act of showing that you are sorry for sin
Example
The monk performed penance for his past mistakes.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfl/

Unsuccessful

Meaning
not achieving desired aims or results; failing to accomplish a purpose
Example
His unsuccessful attempt to climb the mountain left him disappointed.
A2 noun, verb /ˈmætər/

matter

Meaning
A subject or situation under consideration; to be important.
Example
It doesn’t matter what others think.
C1 noun /ˈprɒdɪdʒi/

prodigy

Meaning
a person, especially a young one, with exceptional talents or abilities
Example
Mozart was a child prodigy in music.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊl.dʒənt/

fulgent

Meaning
Shining brightly; dazzling.
Example
The fulgent stars lit up the night sky.
C2 verb /ʌnˈɑːrm/

unarm

Meaning
to remove weapons from someone or to deprive of means of attack or defense
Example
The soldiers were ordered to unarm the prisoners.
B2 noun /ˈplænər/

planner

Meaning
a person who makes plans or a book used for organizing schedules and tasks
Example
She uses a daily planner to organize her meetings.
C1 noun /ˌaɪ.diˈɒl.ə.dʒi/

ideology

Meaning
A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
Example
Democracy is based on the ideology of freedom and equality.
C2 noun /ˌmɪn.ɪˈstreɪ.ʃən/

ministration

Meaning
The act of providing care, assistance, or religious service.
Example
She recovered thanks to the kind ministrations of the nurses.
C1 noun /ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/

Deviation

Meaning
the action of departing from an established course; a departure from usual standards
Example
Any deviation from the established procedure must be reported immediately.
C2 noun /bɛk/

beck

Meaning
a gesture of beckoning; a small stream or brook (chiefly Northern English)
Example
The servant came at his master's beck and call.
A1 noun /dʒuːn/

june

Meaning
the sixth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar
Example
Schools often close for summer vacation in June.
B2 adverb /ˈfɔːrmərli/

Formerly

Meaning
in the past; previously; at an earlier time
Example
The building was formerly a school but is now a community center.
B2 noun /ˈæstərɔɪd/

asteroid

Meaning
A small rocky body orbiting the sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Example
The asteroid belt lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
C1 noun /ˈmɛləˌdrɑːmə/

melodrama

Meaning
A dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions.
Example
The movie was criticized for its excessive melodrama.
A2 noun /ækˈtɪv.ə.ti/

Activity

Meaning
something that you do for interest or pleasure, or in order to achieve a particular aim
Example
Physical activity is important for good health.
A2 adjective /ˈtiːnˌeɪdʒ/

teenage

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of people aged between 13 and 19 years old
Example
She spent her teenage years in a small town.
B1 adjective /ˈrel.ə.tɪv/

Relative

Meaning
considered in comparison to something else; not absolute; comparative
Example
The cost of living is relative to your income level.
C1 noun æmˈbɪvələns

ambivalence

Meaning
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something; uncertainty or confusion.
Example
She felt ambivalence about taking the job offer.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrlɔːŋ/

furlong

Meaning
a unit of distance equal to 220 yards or about 201 meters
Example
The horse ran a furlong before slowing down.
C1 noun /ˈɔːr.ə.tɔːr.i/

oratory

Meaning
The art of public speaking; skilled and confident delivery of speeches to an audience.
Example
His exceptional oratory skills won him the debate competition.
B2 adjective /mɪsˈliːdɪŋ/

misleading

Meaning
giving the wrong idea or impression
Example
The advertisement was misleading and gave false information.
B2 adjective /ˌkɒn.fɪˈden.ʃəl/

Confidential

Meaning
secret; private; intended to be kept secret
Example
Please keep this information confidential.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl/

Unreliable

Meaning
not dependable; not able to be trusted or relied upon
Example
The old car is unreliable and breaks down frequently.
C2 adjective /ˌɛkstrəˌdʒuːˈdɪʃəl/

extrajudicial

Meaning
done outside the authority of the legal system or judicial process
Example
The activists condemned the extrajudicial killings.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪltrɪ/

deviltry

Meaning
Cruel or malicious behavior; mischief with an evil aspect.
Example
The villain’s deviltry terrified the townsfolk.
C2 noun /ˈbæs.tərd tiːk/

Bastard teak

Meaning
A flowering tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame of the forest
Example
The bastard teak tree blooms with vibrant orange flowers in spring.
C2 noun /liːən/

lien

Meaning
A legal right to keep possession of property until a debt is paid.
Example
The bank placed a lien on the house until the mortgage was cleared.
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.
A2 verb /səˈdʒɛst/

suggest

Meaning
to put forward an idea, plan, or recommendation for consideration
Example
He suggested going to the new restaurant for dinner.
C1 adjective /ˈviːəmənt/

Vehement

Meaning
showing strong feeling; forceful; passionate; intense
Example
She gave a vehement denial of the accusations.
C1 adjective/noun /fəˈrɛns.ɪk/

forensic

Meaning
Scientific analysis applied to criminal or legal matters
Example
Forensic experts analyze cybercrimes using advanced tools.
C1 noun ˈɡræn.dʒər

Grandeur

Meaning
Magnificence, majesty, splendor; impressive beauty and scale.
Example
The grandeur of the Colosseum attracts millions of visitors.
C1 noun (plural) /ˈɪndɪˌsiːz/

indices

Meaning
plural form of index; statistical measures or reference points used for comparison
Example
Stock market indices fell sharply after the announcement.
C2 adjective /ˌnjuːmɪzˈmætɪk/

numismatic

Meaning
relating to the study or collection of coins, currency, and medals
Example
He has a numismatic collection of rare coins from around the world.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪnɪti/

trinity

Meaning
a group of three closely related things; in Christianity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Example
The museum’s exhibit focused on a trinity of themes: memory, identity, and power.
C1 verb /dɪˈbɑːr/

debar

Meaning
To officially prevent someone from doing something.
Example
He was debarred from entering the competition due to cheating.
C1 adjective /ˈmel.əʊ/

Mellow

Meaning
soft and pleasant; relaxed and gentle
Example
The mellow evening light created a peaceful atmosphere.
B2 noun /doʊs/

dose

Meaning
a measured amount of a medicine or drug taken at one time
Example
The doctor prescribed one dose of the medicine every six hours.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtændʒəbl/

intangible

Meaning
Unable to be touched or grasped; not having a physical presence.
Example
Trust is an intangible quality in relationships.
B2 adverb /ˈbrɔːdli/

broadly

Meaning
in a general or wide manner.
Example
The rules are broadly similar across all regions.
B1 noun /rɪˈsɜːtʃə(r)/

researcher

Meaning
a person who conducts research
Example
The researcher published her findings in a scientific journal.
C1 adjective /dɪˈplɔːrəbl/

deplorable

Meaning
deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality
Example
The refugees were living in deplorable conditions.
A1 adjective /ˈspɛʃəl/

special

Meaning
different from what is usual; better or greater than normal
Example
This gift is very special to me.
B1 adjective /kənˈviː.ni.ənt/

Convenient

Meaning
fitting in well with a person's needs, activities, and plans; suitable and practical
Example
The new shopping mall is very convenient for our family.
C1 noun /ˈrʌbəl/

rubble

Meaning
Broken stone, bricks, or debris from a collapsed building or structure.
Example
The rescue team searched through the rubble after the earthquake.
B2 adjective /slæk/

slack

Meaning
not tight, firm, or busy; lacking tension or activity
Example
Business is slack during the rainy season.
C2 noun /ɪnˈsɪɡniə/

insignia

Meaning
A badge or symbol that shows rank, position, or membership.
Example
The soldier proudly wore the insignia of his regiment.
C1 noun /luːm/

Loom

Meaning
a machine for weaving cloth; to appear threatening or menacing
Example
The weaver worked at the loom to create beautiful fabrics.
A2 noun /ˈtæk.si kæb/

Taxi cab

Meaning
A car that carries passengers for a fare, usually in cities
Example
We took a taxi cab to the restaurant.
B2 noun /əˈluːmɪnəm/

aluminum

Meaning
a lightweight silvery metal used for making cans, foils, and other items
Example
The airplane body is made of strong but light aluminum.
B2 noun /kəˈlɛstərɒl/

cholesterol

Meaning
a fatty substance found in the blood, high levels of which can cause health problems
Example
High cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.
C2 noun/verb /ˈkʌdʒ.əl/

cudgel

Meaning
A short, thick stick used as a weapon; to beat with a cudgel.
Example
The guard used a cudgel to chase away the thief.
B2 noun ˌfʌŋk.ʃəˈnæl.ə.ti

functionality

Meaning
The quality of being functional; the ability to work or operate as intended.
Example
The new refrigerator has improved functionality.
C1 verb /kriːk/

creak

Meaning
to make a high-pitched, squeaking noise when moved
Example
The old door creaked as she opened it.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈæpt/

Inapt

Meaning
not suitable; inappropriate; unfit
Example
His comment was inapt for the formal meeting.
A2 adjective /ˈkjʊriəs/

curious

Meaning
Eager to know or learn something.
Example
The curious explorers asked questions about Antarctica.
A2 noun /ˈdraɪ.vər/

Driver

Meaning
a person who operates a motor vehicle
Example
The taxi driver knew all the shortcuts through the busy city.
B2 noun /fʌs/

Fuss

Meaning
unnecessary worry or bother about something; agitated excitement over a trivial matter
Example
She made such a fuss about the small stain on her dress that everyone noticed.
B2 verb /rɪˈstreɪn/

restrain

Meaning
to hold back or control; to limit or restrict
Example
Please restrain your dog.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊkswɪmən/

spokeswoman

Meaning
a woman who speaks on behalf of a group or organization
Example
The spokeswoman for the company announced the new product.
B2 adjective /ˈwɒntɪŋ/

wanting

Meaning
Lacking or deficient in quality or quantity.
Example
His explanation was wanting in clarity.
A1 noun /ˈhʌzbənd/

husband

Meaning
A married man regarded in relation to his spouse.
Example
Her husband is very supportive of her career.
A1 noun /pɑːrk/

park

Meaning
a large public area of land with grass, trees, and paths, where people can walk or relax
Example
The children were playing in the park.
A1 noun, verb /ɡruːp/

group

Meaning
A number of people or things considered together; to arrange things or people into categories.
Example
The students formed a study group.
C1 noun /ˈpleɪn.tɪf/

Plaintiff

Meaning
a person who brings a case against another in a court of law; the person who initiates a lawsuit
Example
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the company.
A1 noun /fuːd/

food

Meaning
any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink to maintain life and growth
Example
Rice is a common food in Asia.
B2 noun /ˈtæd.poʊl/

Tadpole

Meaning
the larval stage of a frog or toad, having gills and a tail
Example
The pond was full of tadpoles swimming around.
B2 adjective /ˈdɒm.ɪ.nənt/

Dominant

Meaning
controlling, influencing, or prevailing over others; most important or powerful
Example
The dominant player controlled the entire basketball game.
A1 verb /hoʊld/

hold

Meaning
to grasp or carry something; to maintain a position
Example
Please hold my hand.
C2 noun /ˈbærəˌɡræf/

barograph

Meaning
an instrument that records changes in atmospheric pressure
Example
The scientist checked the barograph for pressure variations.
A2 adjective /trəˈdɪʃənəl/

Traditional

Meaning
relating to or following long-established customs; conventional
Example
They had a traditional wedding ceremony.
B1 adverb /ˈtɛrəbli/

terribly

Meaning
to a very great or extreme degree; very badly or unpleasantly
Example
He felt terribly sad after hearing the news.
C2 adverb /əˈsʌndər/

asunder

Meaning
into separate parts; apart
Example
The ancient empire was torn asunder by war.
C1 verb /kənˈdəʊn/

condone

Meaning
To accept or allow behavior that is morally wrong or offensive.
Example
The manager refused to condone harassment in the workplace.
C2 noun /ˈmæləprɒˌpɪzəm/

malapropism

Meaning
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with amusing effect
Example
He is famous for his malapropism when speaking in public.
B2 noun ˈdɪdʒɪtəl ˈfɔːrmæt

Digital Format

Meaning
A format in which information is stored as electronic data.
Example
A digital format family tree can be shared online.
C2 noun /əˈdjuː/

adieu

Meaning
A farewell or goodbye, often used in a formal or poetic sense.
Example
She bid her friends adieu before leaving for France.
C1 verb /ˈmɛdəl/

meddle

Meaning
to interfere in something that is not one's concern
Example
He always tries to meddle in other people’s business.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtruːd/

intrude

Meaning
To enter a place or situation where one is not wanted or not invited.
Example
He felt embarrassed to intrude on their private conversation.
A1 adjective /ˈjeloʊ/

Yellow

Meaning
having the color of the sun or gold; cowardly
Example
The yellow flowers bloomed in spring.
C2 noun /ˈkwɔːrtoʊ/

quarto

Meaning
A book size resulting from folding each printed sheet into four leaves (eight pages).
Example
The library has rare Shakespeare quartos.
C1 noun /rɪˈnaʊn/

Renown

Meaning
the condition of being known or talked about by many people; fame
Example
The scientist achieved international renown for her discoveries.
C1 verb /spɔːn/

spawn

Meaning
to produce or generate, often in large numbers
Example
The video game has spawned many sequels.
A2 noun /ˈpɑːswɜːd/

password

Meaning
a secret word or phrase used to gain access to something
Example
Make sure your password is strong and unique.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmli/

seemly

Meaning
proper or appropriate in behavior or appearance
Example
It was not seemly to argue loudly during the ceremony.
A2 noun, verb /bræntʃ/

branch

Meaning
A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk; a division of an organization or subject.
Example
The company opened a new branch in Dhaka.
B2 adjective /lʌɡˈʒʊəriəs/

luxurious

Meaning
extremely comfortable, elegant, or enjoyable, often involving great expense
Example
They stayed in a luxurious hotel during their vacation.
C2 noun ˈɒpjʊləns

opulence

Meaning
Great wealth or luxuriousness.
Example
The opulence of the mansion was evident in its ornate furnishings.
A2 noun, verb, adjective /ˈprɛzənt/

present

Meaning
existing or happening now; to give something to someone in a formal way
Example
She presented her report to the team yesterday.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.təˈmɪt.ənt

intermittent

Meaning
Happening irregularly, not continuously.
Example
The rain was intermittent throughout the day.