brink
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 noun /brɪŋk/

brink

Meaning
The edge or point just before a significant event or change.
Example
The company was on the brink of bankruptcy.
C1 adjective /ˈdeɪnti/

dainty

Meaning
Delicately small, pretty, and often considered elegant.
Example
She wore a dainty necklace made of pearls.
B1 noun /ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz/

consequences

Meaning
Results or effects of an action or condition.
Example
The consequences of ignoring safety protocols can be severe.
C1 noun /ˈskaɪ.lɑːrk/

Sky-Lark

Meaning
a small brown bird known for singing while flying high in the sky
Example
The skylark sang beautifully as it soared above the meadow.
C2 noun /krəˈdjuːlɪti/

credulity

Meaning
A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
Example
The scam succeeded because of the victim's credulity.
C1 noun /ˈbraɪ.dəl/

Bridle

Meaning
the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps and a bit
Example
The rider adjusted the horse's bridle before mounting for the race.
C1 noun /ˈɡlɒs.ər.i/

Glossary

Meaning
an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with explanations; a brief dictionary
Example
The textbook includes a helpful glossary at the end to define technical terms.
B2 adjective ˈstrʌktʃərəl

structural

Meaning
Relating to or forming part of a structure.
Example
The structural integrity of the bridge was tested after the storm.
A1 adjective /twɛlv/

twelve

Meaning
the number equivalent to 12
Example
There are twelve months in a year.
C1 noun /ˌnɑm.əˈni/

Nominee

Meaning
a person who is nominated for an office, award, or honor
Example
She was the nominee for the Best Actress award.
B1 noun /ˈspɪn.ɪtʃ/

Spinach

Meaning
a vegetable with large dark green leaves that are eaten cooked or uncooked
Example
Fresh spinach is very nutritious.
C1 noun /ˈlæd.i/

laddie

Meaning
A young boy or lad.
Example
The old man gave the young laddie a kind smile.
C2 noun /ˈhaɪdrə/

hydra

Meaning
a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology; a problem that seems to grow worse when attempts are made to solve it
Example
Corruption is like a hydra, hard to defeat completely.
C2 noun /ˈzuːəʊˌplæŋktən/

zooplankton

Meaning
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.
Example
Zooplankton plays an important role in the aquatic food chain.
B1 verb /dɪˈfaɪn/

define

Meaning
to explain the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept clearly
Example
The teacher asked the student to define the word 'democracy'.
B1 noun /ˈker.ləs.nəs/

Carelessness

Meaning
failure to give sufficient attention to avoiding harm or errors
Example
His carelessness with money led to serious financial problems.
B2 noun /ˈbæŋkrʌptsi/

bankruptcy

Meaning
the state of being unable to pay debts owed, declared by a legal process
Example
The company declared bankruptcy after months of financial struggles.
C1 noun /ˈtraɪæd/

triad

Meaning
a group of three closely related people or things
Example
The project was managed by a triad of experts.
C2 verb /ˈmiːliəˌreɪt/

meliorate

Meaning
To make something better or improve a condition.
Example
The new policies aim to meliorate the living conditions of the poor.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪŋkɪt/

trinket

Meaning
a small ornament or piece of jewelry that is not expensive
Example
She bought a little trinket from the beach market as a souvenir.
A2 noun

Kiss

C1 adjective /ˈɔːrθədɑːks/

orthodox

Meaning
conforming to traditional beliefs or practices
Example
He comes from a very orthodox family.
A1 verb /θæŋk/

Thank

Meaning
to express gratitude or appreciation to someone
Example
She thanked her teacher for the extra help.
C1 verb /ænˈtæɡənaɪz/

antagonize

Meaning
to cause someone to become hostile or angry; to provoke opposition
Example
His rude remarks only served to antagonize his colleagues.
A2 noun /ˈeɪn.dʒəl/

Angel

Meaning
a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God
Example
She looked like an angel in her white dress.
C2 adjective /tʃəˈruːbɪk/

cherubic

Meaning
Innocent, sweet, and angelic, like a cherub.
Example
The baby had a cherubic smile that melted everyone’s heart.
B2 noun /ˈleɪaʊt/

layout

Meaning
the arrangement or design of something, especially the arrangement of elements in a book, webpage, or room
Example
The designer presented a new layout for the website that was much more user-friendly.
C1 noun /dɪˈlɪriəm/

delirium

Meaning
An acutely disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence.
Example
The patient experienced delirium after the surgery due to the strong medication.
C2 adjective /ˈæpəzɪt/

apposite

Meaning
highly appropriate or relevant to what is being discussed
Example
Her remark was particularly apposite to the situation.
C2 noun /ˈænɪməs/

animus

Meaning
A strong feeling of hostility; motivation or purpose behind an action.
Example
His speech was driven by animus against the policy.
A2 noun /fæt/

Fat

Meaning
a natural oily substance occurring in animal bodies; lipid used in cooking
Example
Too much fat in your diet can be unhealthy.
B1 noun /ʃel/

Shell

Meaning
hard outer covering of an animal; explosive projectile for a gun
Example
The artillery fired a shell at the enemy position.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛpərəbəl/

reparable

Meaning
able to be repaired or fixed
Example
The damage to the car was serious but still reparable.
B2 noun /ˈrerəti/

Rarity

Meaning
the state of being rare; something that is uncommon or scarce
Example
The antique vase was a rarity worth thousands of dollars.
B2 verb fəˈsɪl.ɪ.teɪt

facilitate

Meaning
Make an action or process easier or more achievable; to help bring about.
Example
Good infrastructure facilitates economic growth.
C2 adjective /ˌækwiˈɛsənt/

acquiescent

Meaning
ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants
Example
He gave an acquiescent smile and agreed to the plan.
A2 noun /ˈɔːtəm/

autumn

Meaning
the season between summer and winter, when leaves fall from trees
Example
The trees look beautiful in autumn, with colorful leaves falling.
C2 noun /kɒˈkeɪd/

cockade

Meaning
a rosette or knot of ribbon, usually worn on a hat as a badge of office or party
Example
The soldier wore a red cockade on his cap.
C1 verb /ˈpɜːrkəleɪt/

percolate

Meaning
To filter gradually through a porous surface or substance; to spread slowly.
Example
The rainwater percolated through the soil into the groundwater.
A2 adjective /smɑːrt/

Smart

Meaning
intelligent; quick-witted; well-dressed; stylish
Example
She made a smart decision to invest in technology stocks.
C2 verb /ˈhɛktər/

hector

Meaning
To talk to someone in a bullying or intimidating way.
Example
The manager hectored the staff into working overtime.
B2 noun /slɒt/

slot

Meaning
a narrow opening into which something fits or is placed
Example
Insert the card into the slot to open the door.
C2 adjective /ˈvækjuəs/

vacuous

Meaning
Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
Example
She gave a vacuous smile during the serious discussion.
C2 noun /kənˌdʒiː.niˈæl.ə.t̬i/

congeniality

Meaning
The quality of being pleasant, friendly, and easy to talk to.
Example
His congeniality makes him popular among friends.
C2 verb /ˈmɒlikɒdl/

mollycoddle

Meaning
To treat someone in an overprotective and indulgent way.
Example
Parents should avoid mollycoddling their children too much.
A2 noun /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn/

conversation

Meaning
an informal talk between two or more people, in which ideas, feelings, and thoughts are exchanged
Example
We had a long conversation about future plans.
B2 noun /ˈprəʊsesə/

processor

Meaning
a machine or device that processes something, especially a computer's central processing unit (CPU)
Example
The new laptop has a faster processor.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːrlətən/

charlatan

Meaning
a person who pretends to have knowledge or skills that they do not really possess; a fraud
Example
The so-called healer was exposed as a charlatan.
B2 adverb /kənˈsɪdərəbli/

Considerably

Meaning
to a notably large degree; significantly; substantially
Example
The price has increased considerably over the past year.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊmə/

coma

Meaning
A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by illness or injury.
Example
The patient remained in a coma for several weeks.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdʒɛnjuəs/

ingenuous

Meaning
Innocent, naive, and unsuspecting; showing childlike simplicity and sincerity.
Example
Her ingenuous smile revealed her genuine kindness.
B2 noun /ˈɛθɪks/

ethics

Meaning
moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conduct of an activity
Example
Business ethics require companies to act fairly and responsibly.
B1 noun /ˈbeɪs.mənt/

Basement

Meaning
the lowest floor of a building, typically below ground level
Example
We store old furniture in the basement.
C2 adjective /ˈfer.əs/

ferrous

Meaning
containing or consisting of iron
Example
Ferrous metals are commonly used in construction.
B2 adjective ˌpriːhɪˈstɒrɪk

prehistoric

Meaning
Belonging to the time before written records.
Example
The prehistoric era was marked by the rise of early humans.
B2 noun /ˈrʊki/

rookie

Meaning
a person who is new to an activity or organization; a beginner
Example
The rookie policeman made a few mistakes on his first day.
A2 noun /teɪst/

Taste

Meaning
the sensation produced when food touches the tongue; personal preference or liking
Example
This cake has a sweet taste that I really enjoy.
B2 noun /ˈvɜː.tʃu.əl riˈæl.ɪ.ti/

virtual reality

Meaning
Computer technology that creates an artificial three-dimensional environment where users can feel like they are in a real environment.
Example
Virtual reality (VR) is widely used in gaming and training simulations.
B2 noun /ˈoʊ.vər ɡroʊθ/

Over growth

Meaning
excessive growth beyond normal size; too much development or expansion
Example
The overgrowth of weeds made the garden look untidy.
C1 noun /ˈheəˌkʌtər/

haircutter

Meaning
a person whose job is to cut and style hair; barber or hairdresser
Example
The haircutter gave me a neat and stylish haircut.
C2 noun ˌkɒdʒɪˈteɪʃən

cogitation

Meaning
The action of thinking deeply about something; contemplation
Example
After much cogitation, he made the final decision.
B1 adverb /ˌʌpsaɪd ˈdaʊn/

Upside-down

Meaning
with the upper part at the bottom; in or into a reversed position
Example
The picture was hanging upside-down on the wall.
C2 verb /ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt/

defalcate

Meaning
to misuse or embezzle money that one is responsible for
Example
The accountant was accused of defalcating company funds.
C1 adjective /ˈliː.θəl/

Lethal

Meaning
deadly; fatal; capable of causing death
Example
The snake's venom is lethal to humans if not treated immediately.
C1 noun kəmˈpleɪ.sən.si

complacency

Meaning
Excessive self-satisfaction with one's achievements that can hinder progress.
Example
His complacency led to a decline in his performance.
C1 verb /ʌnˈɜːθ/

unearth

Meaning
To dig up from the ground or to discover something hidden.
Example
Archaeologists unearthed ancient artifacts at the site.
C2 verb /əˈlɪtəreɪt/

alliterate

Meaning
to repeat the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence
Example
The poet often alliterates words to create rhythm.
A2 noun /ˈkæm.əl/

Camel

Meaning
a large animal with one or two humps on its back that lives in hot dry places
Example
The camel walked slowly across the desert sand.
B2 verb ˈjuːnɪfaɪ

unify

Meaning
To make or become united, uniform, or whole; to bring together into a single unit.
Example
Adolescents unify with peers for social acceptance.
C1 adjective /dɪˈfɪʃənt/

Deficient

Meaning
not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient; lacking or inadequate
Example
His diet was deficient in essential vitamins.
C1 noun /ˈhiːdəˌnɪzəm/

hedonism

Meaning
The pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence as the highest goal.
Example
The lifestyle of the rich is often criticized as pure hedonism.
C1 adjective ɛnˈdɛm.ɪk

endemic

Meaning
Native and restricted to a certain place.
Example
The Bengal tiger is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
B2 noun /dʒʌŋk/

Junk

Meaning
old or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value; things of poor quality
Example
He cleaned out the garage and threw away all the old junk.
C1 adverb /suːˈpɜːb.li/

Superbly

Meaning
in an excellent or outstanding manner
Example
She performed superbly in the dance competition.
A1 noun /pɑːrt/

part

Meaning
a piece or segment of something
Example
She gave me a part of her chocolate.
C1 noun /riˈæktənt/

reactant

Meaning
A substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a chemical reaction.
Example
Oxygen is a reactant in the process of combustion.
B2 noun /ˌɛdɪˈtɔːriəl/

editorial

Meaning
A newspaper article expressing the opinion of the editor or publisher.
Example
The newspaper published an editorial criticizing government policy.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtɜːrpəˌleɪt/

interpolate

Meaning
To insert something, often words, into a text or conversation; to estimate values between known data points.
Example
The editor interpolated a missing paragraph into the manuscript.
A2 noun /ˈbʌt.ər.flaɪ/

Butter-fly

Meaning
a flying insect with large colorful wings
Example
The beautiful butterfly landed on the flower.
B1 noun /ˈvaɪ.ə.ləns/

Violence

Meaning
behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill; extreme force or intensity
Example
The government condemned all forms of violence against civilians.
C1 noun /dɪˈvɪnɪti/

divinity

Meaning
The quality or state of being divine; a deity.
Example
The priest spoke about the divinity of the soul.
C1 noun ˌpraɪɔːrɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən

prioritization

Meaning
The action or process of deciding the relative importance or urgency of things.
Example
Effective prioritization ensures resources are used efficiently.
B2 adjective /ˈstɜːrdi/

sturdy

Meaning
strongly and solidly built; not easily weakened
Example
The carpenter made a sturdy wooden table.
C1 noun /ɔːˈdæs.ə.ti/

audacity

Meaning
The willingness to take bold risks; boldness or fearlessness.
Example
His audacity to question authority was admirable.
C2 noun /ˌdɛd ˈhiːt/

dead-heat

Meaning
a race or contest in which two or more competitors finish exactly equal
Example
The race ended in a dead-heat between the two runners.
B2 adjective /fəˈbɪd.ən/

Forbidden

Meaning
not allowed; prohibited; banned
Example
Smoking is strictly forbidden in this building.
C2 noun /ˈɡoʊld.moʊ.hɜːr/

Goldmohur

Meaning
A tropical tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame tree or royal poinciana
Example
The goldmohur tree bloomed beautifully in the summer heat.
B1 adjective /ˈwɪl.ɪŋ/

Willing

Meaning
ready, eager, or prepared to do something
Example
She is willing to help with the project.
C2 noun /ˈpaʊ.waʊ/

powwow

Meaning
an informal meeting or conference to discuss something
Example
The team held a quick powwow before the presentation.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːbdjʊrət/

obdurate

Meaning
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
Example
He remained obdurate despite everyone's pleas.
B2 noun /ˈɡreɪv.jɑːrd/

Graveyard

Meaning
an area of land set aside for burial of the dead; a cemetery
Example
The old graveyard near the church dates back to the 18th century.
C1 noun /ˈdʒɪŋ.ɡəl/

Jingle

Meaning
a light ringing sound such as that made by metal objects being shaken together; a short catchy song
Example
The jingle of keys could be heard as she walked down the hallway.
B2 adjective /ˌsɪm.pəˈθet.ɪk/

Sympathetic

Meaning
showing compassion or understanding for someone's feelings or situation
Example
She was very sympathetic when I told her about my problems.
C1 adjective /kɜːrt/

curt

Meaning
Rudely brief in speech or manner.
Example
His curt reply made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
B2 adjective /ɪˈtɜː.nəl/

Eternal

Meaning
lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning; everlasting
Example
Their love seemed eternal and unbreakable.
B1 verb /ˈpʌnɪʃ/

punish

Meaning
to give a penalty for wrongdoing; to discipline
Example
The teacher will punish students who cheat.
C1 noun /ˌpriːməˈnɪʃən/ or /ˌprɛm-/

premonition

Meaning
a strong feeling that something is about to happen, often something negative
Example
She had a premonition of danger before the trip.
C2 noun /ˈspuːnərɪzəm/

spoonerism

Meaning
A verbal error in which the initial sounds of words are swapped to create a humorous effect.
Example
He made a spoonerism by saying 'queer old dean' instead of 'dear old queen'.
A2 verb /ˈdʌbəl/

double

Meaning
to make twice as much in size, number, or amount
Example
The company hopes to double its profits this year.
C2 noun prɒkˈsiː.mɪks

proxemics

Meaning
The study of how people use space and distance to indicate relationships
Example
Understanding proxemics helps in improving interpersonal communication.
B2 adjective ˈpeɪn.ləs

painless

Meaning
Not causing pain; involving little effort or stress.
Example
Modern methods ensure painless treatment.
B1 verb /ɪnˈvɛnt/

invent

Meaning
to create or design something that has not existed before
Example
Thomas Edison invented the electric bulb.
A2 adjective ˈmed.ɪ.kəl

medical

Meaning
Relating to the practice of medicine or the treatment of illness and injuries.
Example
Medical education has improved significantly.
B2 noun /ˈkæp.ʃən/

caption

Meaning
a brief explanation or description accompanying an illustration or photograph
Example
The caption under the photo explained who the people were.
B1 adjective /ˈʌpər/

upper

Meaning
higher in position or rank
Example
The upper floor of the building is under renovation.
C2 noun /ˈhæknɪ/

hackney

Meaning
a horse kept for ordinary riding or hire; also used for something overused or trite
Example
The old hackney was still pulling the carriage.
A2 verb /əˈlaʊ/

allow

Meaning
to give permission for something to happen or someone to do something
Example
The teacher did not allow phones in class.
C2 noun /əˈkwaɪərmənt/

acquirement

Meaning
the act of acquiring something; something that has been acquired, especially a skill or possession
Example
Language proficiency is an important acquirement for global careers.
B2 noun ˈbɛriəl saɪt

burial site

Meaning
A place where a dead body is buried.
Example
The burial site of the martyrs was near the riverbank.
A1 noun /ˈdɒktər/

doctor

Meaning
A qualified medical professional who treats illnesses and injuries.
Example
The doctor prescribed medicine for the patient.
C1 noun /fæd/

fad

Meaning
a temporary fashion or trend; a short-lived craze
Example
The new diet became a popular fad among teenagers.
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 /krʌˈsteɪʃən/

crustacean

Meaning
an aquatic animal with a hard shell, such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimps
Example
Crabs and lobsters are well-known crustaceans.
B1 verb /dɪˈfiːt/

Defeat

Meaning
to win a victory over; to overcome in battle or competition
Example
The army managed to defeat the enemy forces.
C2 noun /ˈlaɪtoʊtiːz/

litotes

Meaning
a figure of speech in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary
Example
Saying 'not bad' as a compliment is an example of litotes.
B2 noun /ˈsɛtlər/

settler

Meaning
a person who settles in a new area or land
Example
The settlers arrived in the new town and started building homes.
C2 noun /ˌaɪ.diˈeɪ.ʃən/

ideation

Meaning
The process of forming and developing new ideas or concepts through creative thinking and brainstorming.
Example
The team engaged in ideation sessions to generate new product ideas.
B2 noun /ˈdiː.lɪŋ/

Dealing

Meaning
business transactions; the way of treating people or handling situations
Example
His fair dealing with customers earned him an excellent reputation.
B2 verb /ɡriːv/

grieve

Meaning
To feel or cause deep sorrow, especially due to someone's death.
Example
She continues to grieve the loss of her best friend.
B2 noun /ˈɑːrkaɪvz/

archives

Meaning
A place or collection where historical records and documents are stored.
Example
She visited the national archives to research her family history.