brighten
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
B2 verb /ˈbraɪtən/

brighten

Meaning
to make something lighter or more colorful; to improve mood or make happier
Example
A few kind words can brighten someone's day.
B2 verb /dɪˈfɜːr/

defer

Meaning
To postpone or delay; to yield to someone else's judgment or opinion.
Example
The meeting was deferred until next week.
B2 noun wɪnd ˈen.ə.dʒi

wind energy

Meaning
Energy generated from wind using wind turbines to convert kinetic energy into electrical power.
Example
Wind energy is harnessed in Masdar City.
C2 noun /krɪpˈtɒɡ.rə.fi/

cryptography

Meaning
The practice of securing information through encryption or coding techniques
Example
Modern cryptography ensures secure online transactions.
B2 noun ˈdɒmɪnəns

dominance

Meaning
Power and influence over others; control or command.
Example
The dominance of Urdu was evident.
C2 noun /ˈrɪɡməˌroʊl/

rigmarole

Meaning
a long, complicated, and confusing process or story
Example
Getting a visa was such a rigmarole of paperwork and interviews.
C2 verb /ˌmæn.juˈmɪt/

manumit

Meaning
to release from slavery or servitude; to set free
Example
The landowner decided to manumit his slaves.
C1 noun /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

sustainable agriculture

Meaning
Farming practices that meet current food needs while preserving environmental resources and maintaining the ability to produce food for future generations through ecologically sound methods.
Example
Sustainable agriculture practices protect the environment while ensuring food security.
C2 noun /kɪθ/

kith

Meaning
Friends, acquaintances, and relations.
Example
He invited all his kith and kin to the wedding.
A1 noun /ɪər/

Ear

Meaning
the organ of hearing; the ability to hear or listen
Example
She whispered something in his ear during the meeting.
C2 verb /ˈhæri/

harry

Meaning
to constantly attack, harass, or annoy
Example
The army harried the enemy with sudden raids.
C1 noun /ˌæf.ɚˈmeɪ.ʃən/

affirmation

Meaning
The action or process of affirming something or being affirmed; emotional support or encouragement.
Example
Daily affirmation of self-worth boosts confidence.
C1 adjective /sɪˈmɛtrɪkəl/

symmetrical

Meaning
having parts on either side that match or are the same in shape, size, or arrangement
Example
The artist designed a symmetrical pattern on the floor.
A2 adjective /dʌtʃ/

dutch

Meaning
relating to the Netherlands, its people, or their language
Example
She enjoys Dutch paintings from the 17th century.
C1 noun ɔːˈstɛr.ɪ.ti

austerity

Meaning
Simple and disciplined lifestyle, avoiding luxury.
Example
The government implemented austerity measures to reduce expenses.
A1 noun /ˈstɔːri/

story

Meaning
a narrative of real or imaginary events
Example
She told a fascinating story about her travels.
B1 adjective /fɒnd/

fond

Meaning
having a strong liking or affection for something or someone
Example
She is fond of painting and spends hours in front of her canvas.
C2 adjective /ˈɡʌstəˌtɔːri/

gustatory

Meaning
relating to the sense of taste
Example
The restaurant offered a gustatory experience unlike any other.
C1 noun /ˈmædʒɪstreɪt/

magistrate

Meaning
A civil officer who administers the law, often with limited judicial authority.
Example
The magistrate presided over the minor criminal case.
B2 noun /kənˈfɛkʃəneri/

confectionery

Meaning
sweets, candies, and other food items made with sugar
Example
The shop sells a wide variety of confectionery.
C2 noun /ˌɪmpəˈtjuːəsəti/

impetuosity

Meaning
The quality of being rash or impulsive.
Example
His impetuosity often got him into trouble.
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.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈzɒlvd/

unresolved

Meaning
not solved or settled; remaining undecided or unclear
Example
The dispute remains unresolved despite several meetings.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈtɛnsɪv/

intensive

Meaning
Involving a lot of effort, energy, or concentration in a short period of time.
Example
She attended an intensive English course before moving abroad.
B1 verb /ɪmˈbærəs/

embarrass

Meaning
to cause someone to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed
Example
His rude comment really embarrassed her in front of everyone.
B1 noun ˈproʊtest

protest

Meaning
A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
Example
Students organized a protest.
A2 noun /ɪkˈsaɪt.mənt/

Excitement

Meaning
a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness
Example
The children could barely contain their excitement about the upcoming field trip.
C2 verb /breɪ/

bray

Meaning
To make a loud, harsh sound like a donkey.
Example
The donkey began to bray loudly in the field.
B2 noun /mæt/

Mat

Meaning
a piece of coarse material placed on a floor for people to wipe their feet on
Example
Please wipe your feet on the mat before entering.
C1 adjective prɪˈkeə.ri.əs

precarious

Meaning
Not securely held or in position; dependent on chance; uncertain.
Example
His financial situation is precarious.
B1 noun /kɑːrt/

Cart

Meaning
a wheeled vehicle for carrying goods; a shopping cart
Example
The farmer loaded hay onto his cart.
B2 adjective /ˈneɪ.kɪd/

Naked

Meaning
without clothes or covering; bare; exposed; unclothed
Example
The naked truth about the situation shocked everyone.
C1 noun /ˈvɔːrtɛks/

vortex

Meaning
A mass of whirling fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind.
Example
The plane was caught in a dangerous vortex of air.
C2 noun /ˈbriːzˌweɪ/

breezeway

Meaning
A roofed outdoor passage, often connecting two buildings.
Example
The breezeway connected the house to the garage.
C2 noun /rɪˈsɪdɪˌvɪzəm/

recidivism

Meaning
The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend or relapse into criminal behavior.
Example
The government introduced new programs to reduce recidivism among former inmates.
B2 adverb /ˈfɜ:rmli/

Firmly

Meaning
in a strong, steady, and unwavering manner
Example
She firmly believed in her decision.
C1 adjective /ˌæntiˈsleɪvəri/

antislavery

Meaning
Opposed to the practice or system of slavery.
Example
The antislavery movement gained momentum in the 19th century.
C2 adjective /rɪˈtɪkjʊlət/

reticulate

Meaning
Having a net-like pattern or structure.
Example
The leaf had a reticulate pattern of veins.
C2 noun /spliːn/

spleen

Meaning
an organ in the body that produces lymphocytes and filters blood; also refers to bad temper or spite
Example
He vented his spleen on his coworkers after the meeting.
B2 verb, noun, adjective /ˈɔːltərnət/ (adj, noun), /ˈɔːltərˌneɪt/ (verb)

alternate

Meaning
to occur in turn repeatedly; to take turns; also, a substitute or replacement
Example
The students alternate between online and offline classes.
C1 verb /ɡloʊt/

gloat

Meaning
To take pleasure in someone else's misfortune or to show smug satisfaction.
Example
He couldn't help but gloat over his rival's failure.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsɜːrkəl/

encircle

Meaning
to form a circle around something
Example
The protesters encircled the building in a human chain.
C2 verb /rɪˈtrɛntʃ/

retrench

Meaning
to reduce costs, spending, or staff to save resources
Example
The company had to retrench employees due to financial difficulties.
B2 noun /ˈlɛtɪs/

lettuce

Meaning
a leafy green vegetable commonly used in salads and sandwiches
Example
She added fresh lettuce to the sandwich.
B2 verb /ˈsmʌɡəl/

smuggle

Meaning
to move goods illegally into or out of a country
Example
The gang tried to smuggle gold across the border.
B2 adjective ˈɪn.tɪ.ɡreɪ.tɪd

integrated

Meaning
Combining or coordinating separate elements so as to provide a harmonious, interrelated whole.
Example
Integrated systems optimize efficiency.
B2 verb /ˈdɛzɪɡneɪt/

designate

Meaning
to officially assign, appoint, or indicate something or someone
Example
The committee will designate a new chairperson next week.
C2 verb /kənˈstrɪndʒ/

constringe

Meaning
to cause to shrink or contract; to constrict
Example
The medicine helped constringe the swollen tissues.
C1 verb /ɪˈnʌnsieɪt/

enunciate

Meaning
to pronounce words clearly; to express an idea clearly
Example
The teacher asked him to enunciate each word.
C1 noun /ˈoʊ.vər spɪl/

Over-spill

Meaning
the overflow of liquid from a container; excess that cannot be contained
Example
The overspill from the river flooded nearby farms.
B2 noun /ˈlɪtə(r)/

liter

Meaning
a metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimeter
Example
The recipe calls for two liters of water.
C1 adjective /ˈfɑːð.ər.ləs/

fatherless

Meaning
without a father
Example
The fatherless child relied on the support of his community.
A2 noun /fɪlm ˈæktər/

film actor

Meaning
A person who performs roles in movies or films.
Example
The film actor received widespread acclaim for his performance.
B1 noun /feɪθ/

Faith

Meaning
complete trust or confidence in someone or something; strong belief in religion
Example
She had unwavering faith in her team's ability to succeed.
C2 noun /əˈdʌltərənt/

adulterant

Meaning
a substance added to something else, often food or drink, to reduce its quality or strength
Example
The laboratory found an adulterant in the milk samples.
B2 noun /ˈkɑr.ɡoʊ ʃɪp/

Cargo ship

Meaning
a ship or vessel that carries goods and materials from one port to another
Example
The cargo ship transported containers filled with electronics across the ocean.
C2 noun /ˈɑːr.bɪ.trɑːʒ/

arbitrage

Meaning
The simultaneous buying and selling of securities in different markets to take advantage of differing prices.
Example
Investors use arbitrage to make profits in global markets.
C1 adverb /əˈbrɛst/

abreast

Meaning
side by side and facing the same direction; informed about something
Example
The soldiers marched two abreast down the street.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈvɪz.ə.bəl/

Invisible

Meaning
unable to be seen; not visible to the eye
Example
The bacteria are invisible without a microscope.
C1 noun /ˈɑn.set/

Onset

Meaning
the beginning or early stages of something; the start of a medical condition
Example
The onset of winter brought heavy snowfall.
B2 noun /ˈwɜːrkˌfɔːrs/

workforce

Meaning
the people engaged in or available for work
Example
The company is looking to expand its workforce by 20%.
A2 noun /ˈləʊɡəʊ/

logo

Meaning
a symbol or other small design adopted by an organization to identify its products, uniform, vehicles, etc.
Example
The company's logo was redesigned to reflect its new image.
C1 noun /toʊm/

tome

Meaning
a large, heavy book, often scholarly or serious in nature
Example
She spent the afternoon reading an old tome on medieval history.
B2 noun /ˈsɜːvɪŋ/

serving

Meaning
a portion of food for one person; the act of giving food or drink to someone
Example
He ate a large serving of rice and curry.
B2 adjective /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Waking

Meaning
awake and conscious; relating to the time when one is awake
Example
She spent her waking hours studying for the exam.
B2 verb /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/

constitute

Meaning
To make up, form, or establish something.
Example
These documents constitute the legal agreement between the two parties.
B2 adjective /səbˈstæn.ʃəl/

Substantial

Meaning
large in size, amount, or importance; considerable; significant
Example
There was a substantial increase in sales this quarter.
C1 adjective /rɪˈpliːt/

replete

Meaning
Filled or well-supplied with something; abundantly full.
Example
The book is replete with fascinating historical details.
C1 noun /ˈsæf.rən/

Saffron

Meaning
a deep yellow-orange color; an expensive spice derived from crocus flowers
Example
The saffron fabric looked beautiful in the sunlight.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛmpərd/

tempered

Meaning
having a specified temper or disposition; strengthened or moderated.
Example
She gave a tempered response to the criticism.
C1 adjective /æbˈdɑː.mə.nəl/

abdominal

Meaning
relating to the abdomen (the part of the body between the chest and pelvis)
Example
He complained of severe abdominal pain.
B1 adjective /ˈtæl.ən.tɪd/

Talented

Meaning
having a natural ability or skill in a particular area
Example
She is a talented musician who plays multiple instruments.
C1 verb /ˈstriːmlaɪnɪŋ/

streamlining

Meaning
The process of making an organization or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps
Example
Streamlining processes can significantly reduce operational costs.
A2 noun tʃɔɪs

choice

Meaning
An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.
Example
Choice enhances decision-making.
B1 noun /ˈrɛntəl/

rental

Meaning
an arrangement in which something is rented, or the amount paid for renting
Example
The car rental was more expensive than we expected.
A2 adjective /diːp/

deep

Meaning
extending far down from the top or surface; profound or intense
Example
The lake is very deep in the middle.
B2 noun /ˈreɪ.zən/

Raisin

Meaning
dried grape
Example
She added raisins to the oatmeal cookies for extra sweetness.
A2 noun /brʌʃ/

Brush

Meaning
a tool with bristles used for cleaning, painting, or grooming
Example
I brush my teeth every morning with a soft brush.
B2 noun/verb /ˌbærɪˈkeɪd/

barricade

Meaning
a barrier erected to block or defend against movement; to block a passage with obstacles
Example
Protesters built a barricade across the street.
B2 noun /ˈɡleɪʃər/

glacier

Meaning
a large mass of ice that moves slowly over land
Example
The glacier is slowly melting due to climate change.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpæsɪv/

impassive

Meaning
Not showing or feeling emotion; expressionless.
Example
Despite the shocking news, she remained impassive.
B2 verb ˈstɪmjəleɪt

stimulate

Meaning
To encourage or promote the development or growth of something
Example
Proper sunlight stimulates plant growth.
B2 verb /ˈtrɪɡər/

trigger

Meaning
To cause something to happen or start, often suddenly.
Example
The loud noise triggered the alarm system.
C1 verb /ˌʌndəˈreɪt/

underrate

Meaning
to fail to recognize the full value or importance of something or someone
Example
Many people underrate the benefits of regular exercise.
B2 verb /səˈluːt/

salute

Meaning
to greet with respect; to honor
Example
The soldiers saluted their commanding officer.
C2 noun /ˈflɪpənsi/

flippancy

Meaning
lack of seriousness; showing a disrespectful or trivial attitude
Example
His flippancy during the meeting offended his colleagues.
C1 noun /ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/

serendipity

Meaning
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example
Finding that old photo album was pure serendipity.
C2 verb /ˈekspərˌɡeɪt/

expurgate

Meaning
To remove offensive or objectionable parts from a text or speech.
Example
The publisher decided to expurgate the novel before reprinting it.
C1 verb /pərˈplɛks/

perplex

Meaning
To confuse or puzzle someone.
Example
The complex instructions perplexed the students.
B2 noun /ˌrɪəlɪˈzeɪʃən/

realization

Meaning
the act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact
Example
Her realization of the problem helped solve the issue.
B2 adjective /əˈpiː.lɪŋ/

Appealing

Meaning
attractive; interesting; pleasing
Example
The colorful garden looks very appealing to visitors.
C1 noun /blɪs/

Bliss

Meaning
perfect happiness; great joy
Example
She felt pure bliss while watching the beautiful sunset.
B1 adjective /ˌstreɪt ˈfɔːr.wərd/

Straight forward

Meaning
honest and open; not complicated; easy to understand
Example
His explanation was very straightforward and easy to follow.
C1 verb /ɪkˈskriːt/

excrete

Meaning
to eliminate waste matter from the body
Example
Humans excrete carbon dioxide through breathing.
C2 verb, adjective /ˈstraɪeɪt/

striate

Meaning
to mark with stripes or grooves; striped or streaked in appearance
Example
The rock surface was striated by glacial movement.
C2 noun /ˌluːkjʊˈbreɪʃən/

lucubration

Meaning
study or meditation, especially at night
Example
His novel was the result of long lucubration.
C1 verb /ˈpɛtrɪfaɪ/

petrify

Meaning
to make someone so frightened that they are unable to move or think; to turn into stone
Example
The loud noise petrified the little child.
C1 noun /fiˈæs.koʊ/

fiasco

Meaning
a complete failure, especially a ludicrous or humiliating one
Example
The event turned into a complete fiasco due to poor planning.
C1 noun /ˈmʌf.lər/

Muffler

Meaning
a long strip of cloth worn around the neck for warmth
Example
She wrapped a warm muffler around her neck before going outside.
B2 noun; adjective /ˌnɒnˈprɒfɪt/

non-profit

Meaning
an organization that does not operate for profit and reinvests surplus to achieve social goals; not intended to make financial profit
Example
She works for a non-profit that provides free education to underprivileged children.
B2 adjective/noun /staʊt/

stout

Meaning
Strong, thick, or heavily built; also a kind of dark beer
Example
The stout man lifted the heavy box with ease.
C2 adjective /ˈfer.əs/

ferrous

Meaning
containing or consisting of iron
Example
Ferrous metals are commonly used in construction.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ə.stər.i/

Monastery

Meaning
a building or group of buildings where monks live and worship
Example
The ancient monastery was built on a hilltop.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtəleɪt/

titillate

Meaning
To excite or amuse, especially in a slightly sexual or playful way.
Example
The comedian's jokes titillated the audience.
A2 noun /træʃ/

Trash

Meaning
waste material; refuse; something of poor quality or little value
Example
Please take out the trash before you leave.
C2 adverb /ˌðeərˈwɪð/

Therewith

Meaning
together with that; in addition to that
Example
He handed me the contract and the pen therewith.
C1 noun /ˈded.lɑk/

Dead-lock

Meaning
a situation in which no progress is possible; complete standstill
Example
The negotiations reached a deadlock when neither side would compromise.
B2 noun /ˈwɔː.tər pɒt/

Water pot

Meaning
a container used for storing or carrying water
Example
The water pot in the kitchen was filled with fresh drinking water.
C2 verb /əˈbreɪd/

abrade

Meaning
to scrape or wear away the surface by friction or erosion
Example
The rough cloth can easily abrade the skin.
B2 adjective /ˈtrɪviəl/

trivial

Meaning
Of little value or importance.
Example
He often gets upset over the most trivial matters.
B2 noun /ˈɪdɪət/

idiot

Meaning
a person who acts in a way that is considered very stupid or foolish
Example
He acted like an idiot at the party last night.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪzər/

miser

Meaning
A person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible.
Example
The old miser refused to donate even a penny to charity.
C1 verb /bɔːl/

bawl

Meaning
to shout or cry loudly
Example
The baby bawled all night, keeping everyone awake.
B2 noun /ˈep.ɪk/

Epic

Meaning
a long poem telling of heroic deeds; something heroic or grand in scale
Example
The Iliad is one of the most famous epics in world literature.
B2 adjective /dɪˈstɜː.bɪŋ/

disturbing

Meaning
causing anxiety, worry, or emotional distress
Example
The news about the accident was deeply disturbing.
A2 verb /ˈdraɪvɪŋ/

driving

Meaning
the act of controlling and operating a vehicle; guiding or motivating something forward
Example
She loves driving along the coast on weekends.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪkəl/

dialectical

Meaning
Relating to the logical discussion of ideas and opinions.
Example
She took a dialectical approach to solve the complex issue.
C1 noun /pərˈvɜːrʒən/

perversion

Meaning
The act of distorting or corrupting the original meaning, purpose, or state of something.
Example
The regime’s censorship was seen as a perversion of free speech.
B2 noun /bluːz/

blues

Meaning
a feeling of sadness; a style of music with melancholy themes
Example
Listening to blues music always calms him down.
C2 verb /nɑːrl/

gnarl

Meaning
To twist into a knotted or distorted form.
Example
The tree roots began to gnarl around the stones.
B2 verb /əbˈzɔːrb/

absorb

Meaning
to take in or soak up a liquid, energy, or information
Example
The sponge absorbed all the water.