castigate
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 verb /ˈkæstɪˌɡeɪt/

castigate

Meaning
To criticize someone severely or to punish harshly.
Example
The teacher castigated the students for their poor behavior.
B1 adjective /ˈjuːnɪfɔːrm/

Uniform

Meaning
consistent; identical; standardized
Example
All students must wear a uniform to school.
C1 verb /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/

decimate

Meaning
To destroy or kill a large proportion of something.
Example
The wildfire decimated the forest.
B2 adjective /ˌsuː.pəˈnætʃ.ər.əl/

Supernatural

Meaning
relating to things that cannot be explained by natural or scientific laws; beyond the normal or physical world
Example
The old house was said to have supernatural powers.
C1 verb /bɪˈwɪldər/

bewilder

Meaning
to cause someone to be confused or puzzled
Example
The complex instructions bewildered the students.
B2 verb /paɪn/

pine

Meaning
to long intensely for something or someone; to suffer from longing
Example
He pined for his hometown after moving abroad.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

ingenuity

Meaning
The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
Example
His ingenuity led to groundbreaking innovations.
C1 noun /ˈsæŋk.ʃən/

Sanction

Meaning
official permission or approval; a penalty for disobeying a rule
Example
The government imposed economic sanctions on the country.
B2 verb /pərˈsɪst/

persist

Meaning
to continue firmly in an action or opinion despite difficulty or opposition
Example
She decided to persist in her efforts to learn French.
B2 verb /kɑːrv/

carve

Meaning
To cut or shape something, especially wood or stone, into a desired form.
Example
The artist carved a beautiful statue out of marble.
C1 adjective ˌnɒnˈvɜːr.bəl

nonverbal

Meaning
Communication using body language, facial expressions, or gestures instead of words
Example
Nonverbal cues play a crucial role in effective communication.
B2 adjective /hɪˈlɛəriəs/

hilarious

Meaning
Extremely funny or amusing.
Example
The comedian told a hilarious story that had everyone laughing.
B1 verb /ˈɡɑːsɪp/

gossip

Meaning
to talk about other people's private lives, often in an unkind way
Example
They love to gossip about their neighbors.
A2 verb /bet/

bet

Meaning
to risk money on the outcome of something; to be confident
Example
I bet it will rain tomorrow.
C1 verb /ˈsætʃəˌreɪt/

saturate

Meaning
to fill completely with something until no more can be absorbed
Example
The heavy rain saturated the ground within minutes.
B1 noun/verb /ˈleɪ.bər/

labor

Meaning
work, especially hard physical work; to work hard
Example
The workers labored in the hot sun all day.
C2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈstraɪd/

overstride

Meaning
To stride over something; to step across with long steps.
Example
He managed to overstride the narrow stream with ease.
B2 verb əˈlaɪn.ɪŋ

aligning

Meaning
Placing or arranging things in a straight line or in correct relative positions.
Example
Aligning education with global standards is vital.
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.
C1 noun /lɪˈkjʊər/

liqueur

Meaning
A strong, sweet alcoholic drink flavored with fruits, herbs, or spices.
Example
She served a small glass of cherry liqueur after dinner.
C1 phrase ˈiː.kəʊˌsɪs.təm kəˈlæps

ecosystem collapse

Meaning
The complete breakdown of an ecological system, resulting in the inability to maintain its structure and function.
Example
Unchecked deforestation can lead to ecosystem collapse.
A2 adjective /ˈsɪŋɡəl/

single

Meaning
only one; not one of several
Example
She bought a single ticket for the concert.
C1 verb /ˈvɪktɪmaɪz/

victimize

Meaning
To make someone a victim, often by treating them unfairly or cruelly.
Example
The corrupt officials victimized the poor villagers.
B1 adjective /ˈdʒel.əs/

Jealous

Meaning
feeling envious or resentful; possessive of someone's attention or affection
Example
She felt jealous when her friend got promoted.
A2 noun /ˌsɛlɪˈbreɪʃən/

celebration

Meaning
a festive event or activity to honor an occasion
Example
The city held a grand celebration on Independence Day.
C2 adjective ˌɪm.pəˈtɜː.bə.bəl

imperturbable

Meaning
Unable to be upset or excited; not easily disturbed.
Example
His imperturbable nature made him a great leader.
A2 adjective /ʃaɪ/

Shy

Meaning
nervous or timid in the company of other people
Example
The shy student rarely spoke up in class discussions.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒnvɛks/

convex

Meaning
curved or rounded outward
Example
The lens has a convex shape to focus light.
C2 noun /ˈaʊtˌrɪɡər/

outrigger

Meaning
a projecting structure on a boat, used for stability, or a boat fitted with such support
Example
The fisherman paddled his outrigger canoe across the lagoon.
B2 adjective/noun /ɪˈrɑːki/

iraqi

Meaning
relating to Iraq or its people
Example
The Iraqi culture is rich and diverse.
B1 adverb /ˈfeər.li/

Fairly

Meaning
in a just manner; moderately; reasonably
Example
The test was fairly easy, but some questions were challenging.
B2 verb /ɪnˈsʌlt/

insult

Meaning
to speak or act in a way that hurts someone's feelings or shows disrespect
Example
He felt insulted by her rude comments.
C2 adjective /ɪˈmɪsəbl/

immiscible

Meaning
Describes liquids that do not mix together.
Example
Oil and water are immiscible liquids.
B2 noun /ˈwɔtər ˈpjʊrəˌfaɪər/

Water purifier

Meaning
A device that removes contaminants and impurities from water to make it safe for drinking
Example
We installed a water purifier in our kitchen to ensure clean drinking water.
C2 verb /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs/

convalesce

Meaning
to recover health and strength after illness or medical treatment
Example
After the surgery, she spent several weeks convalescing at home.
C1 noun /əˈtaɪər/

attire

Meaning
Clothing, especially formal or elegant wear.
Example
She wore traditional attire at the wedding ceremony.
C2 adjective /ˌpəʊstˈprændɪəl/

postprandial

Meaning
Occurring after a meal.
Example
He went for a postprandial walk after dinner.
C1 noun /ˌprɒk.ləˈmeɪ.ʃən/

Proclamation

Meaning
an official public announcement, especially one made by someone in authority
Example
The king issued a proclamation declaring peace.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊʃəbəl/

Sociable

Meaning
friendly and enjoys being with other people; outgoing
Example
She is very sociable and makes friends easily.
B2 adverb /ˈsoʊʃəli/

socially

Meaning
in a way that relates to society or social interaction
Example
He is very active socially and attends many events.
B2 adjective /ˈiːtəbl̩/

eatable

Meaning
suitable or safe for eating
Example
The berries are not only eatable but also quite tasty.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkwes.tʃən.ə.bl̩/

Unquestionable

Meaning
not able to be disputed or doubted; certain and beyond doubt
Example
Her honesty and integrity are unquestionable qualities.
A2 noun /ˈtɛlɪfəʊn/

telephone

Meaning
a system for transmitting voices over a distance using wire or radio, typically for communication.
Example
I need to make a telephone call to my friend.
A2 noun /ɜːθ/

Earth

Meaning
the planet on which we live; the ground or soil
Example
The astronauts could see Earth from their spacecraft in orbit.
C2 noun /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛs.əns/

luminescence

Meaning
The emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat; a type of cold light.
Example
The luminescence of the fireflies lit up the forest.
B1 noun /dɪˈbeɪts/

debates

Meaning
Formal discussions where different viewpoints are presented and argued.
Example
Debates on governance lasted throughout the session.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/

hypothesis

Meaning
a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
Example
The scientist tested her hypothesis through multiple experiments.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.ə.nəs/

Lioness

Meaning
an adult female lion
Example
The fierce lioness protected her cubs from danger.
C1 adjective /ˈbleɪmləs/

blameless

Meaning
innocent of wrongdoing; not deserving blame
Example
She remained calm and blameless throughout the investigation.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈtrʌst/

Mistrust

Meaning
Lack of trust; suspicion or doubt about someone or something
Example
There was deep mistrust between the two political parties.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊ.ərd/

Coward

Meaning
a person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things
Example
He called himself a coward for not standing up to the bully.
B2 adverb /ɪkˈskluːsɪvli/

exclusively

Meaning
only; not shared with others
Example
This service is available exclusively to premium members.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪk.tʃər/

stricture

Meaning
a restriction or limitation; a critical remark
Example
The new law placed a severe stricture on free speech.
B1 noun /ˈwiːknəs/

weakness

Meaning
a state of being weak; a flaw or shortcoming in character or structure
Example
His main weakness is his lack of patience.
B2 adjective /ˈpleɪfəl/

playful

Meaning
full of fun and high spirits; lively
Example
The puppy was very playful, running around the garden.
B2 noun, verb /ræmp/

ramp

Meaning
a sloping surface joining two different levels; as a verb, to increase or rise sharply
Example
The car drove up the ramp into the parking garage.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪtən/

heighten

Meaning
to make or become greater in intensity or degree
Example
The announcement served to heighten the excitement in the room.
C2 verb /ɪkˈspɒstjʊleɪt/

expostulate

Meaning
to express strong disapproval or disagreement
Example
She expostulated with her friend about the risky decision.
B2 noun /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/

mining

Meaning
the process of extracting valuable minerals or other resources from the earth
Example
Mining in this area has increased in recent years.
A1 adjective /mʌm/

Mum

Meaning
silent; saying nothing; keeping quiet
Example
He kept mum about the surprise party plans.
C2 adjective /ˈpeɪli/

paly

Meaning
striped with different colors, usually used in heraldry
Example
The knight’s shield was decorated with paly stripes of red and gold.
C2 verb /bɪˈsmɜːrtʃ/

besmirch

Meaning
to damage someone's reputation; to make dirty or stained
Example
He tried to besmirch her good name with false rumors.
C2 noun/adjective /ˈdɪstæf/

distaff

Meaning
Relating to women or the maternal side of a family; also a tool for spinning thread.
Example
She came from the distaff side of a noble family.
B2 adjective /rɪˈsɔːrsfəl/

resourceful

Meaning
Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.
Example
She is very resourceful when it comes to solving unexpected problems.
A2 noun /ɡoʊst/

Ghost

Meaning
an apparition of a dead person believed to be able to become visible to the living; a spirit
Example
The old mansion was rumored to be haunted by the ghost of its former owner.
B2 adjective /self səˈfɪʃənt/

Self-sufficient

Meaning
able to provide for oneself without depending on others
Example
The farm is completely self-sufficient in producing vegetables.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈsɔːriəs/

censorious

Meaning
severely critical of others
Example
She was always censorious about her colleagues' mistakes.
C1 noun, verb /ˈliːvər/ or /ˈlɛvər/

lever

Meaning
a rigid bar used to move or lift heavy objects; to move something using leverage.
Example
He used a lever to lift the heavy stone.
C1 noun, verb /ˈɔːtɒpsi/

autopsy

Meaning
a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease
Example
The autopsy revealed that the victim had died from poisoning.
A1 adjective /ˈʌðər/

other

Meaning
used to refer to something different from the one already mentioned or known
Example
I don't want this one, I will take the other one.
B2 verb /hætʃ/

hatch

Meaning
to emerge from an egg; to devise or create a plan
Example
The bird will hatch from its egg soon.
C2 noun /ˌθɜː.məʊˈdʒen.ɪ.sɪs/

thermogenesis

Meaning
The process of heat production in living organisms, often associated with burning calories and energy expenditure.
Example
Spicy foods can enhance thermogenesis and calorie burning.
B1 verb ɪkˈspændɪŋ

expanding

Meaning
Becoming larger or more extensive; increasing in size, number, or importance.
Example
Expanding education opportunities helps reduce inequality.
A1 preposition /frəm/ or /frʌm/

from

Meaning
Used to indicate the starting point of a journey, action, or source.
Example
She came from Dhaka to visit her family.
C2 noun /ˈmaʊntɪˌbæŋk/

mountebank

Meaning
A charlatan or trickster who deceives others, often for personal gain.
Example
The crowd was fooled by the mountebank’s false promises.
C1 verb /koʊˈhæbɪt/

cohabit

Meaning
To live together, often as partners without being married.
Example
They decided to cohabit before getting married.
B2 verb /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/

rejoice

Meaning
to feel or show great joy; to celebrate
Example
The family rejoices at the good news.
B1 noun /ˈdrɛsɪŋ/

dressing

Meaning
a sauce for salads; or material used to cover a wound
Example
She prepared a delicious salad with Italian dressing.
C2 adjective /ˌkɒn.tjʊˈmeɪ.ʃəs/

contumacious

Meaning
stubbornly disobedient or rebellious
Example
The contumacious student refused to follow the school rules.
C1 noun /ˌrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

Ratification

Meaning
the action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement
Example
The treaty required ratification by both countries' parliaments.
C2 noun /ˌænɪˈmɒmɪtər/

anemometer

Meaning
An instrument used to measure the speed and direction of wind.
Example
The scientist used an anemometer to record the wind speed during the storm.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈkwɒl.ɪ.faɪd/

Unqualified

Meaning
not having the necessary skills or qualifications; complete or absolute
Example
He was unqualified for the engineering position due to lack of experience.
C2 adjective /həˈrɛtɪkəl/

heretical

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards, especially in religion.
Example
The priest condemned the book as heretical.
B1 noun /ˈhɛdˌlaɪn/

headline

Meaning
The title of a newspaper article printed in large letters.
Example
The scandal made front-page headlines.
C1 noun /ˈkʌntrɪmən/

countryman

Meaning
a person from one's own country or rural area
Example
He was proud to meet a fellow countryman at the international conference.
C2 noun /næˈteɪʃən/

natation

Meaning
The act or sport of swimming.
Example
She took lessons in natation to improve her swimming skills.
C1 noun /kəˈpɪl.ər.iz/

capillaries

Meaning
Any of the fine branching blood vessels that form a network between the arterioles and venules.
Example
Broken capillaries cause dark circles.
A2 noun /dʒæz/

jazz

Meaning
a style of music characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and strong rhythm, originating in African American communities
Example
She loves listening to live jazz on weekends.
B2 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd/

Mustard

Meaning
A pungent seed or condiment made from ground mustard seeds
Example
She added mustard seeds to the curry for extra flavor.
B1 noun /foʊk/

folk

Meaning
people in general, often referring to a group or community
Example
Country folk often live a simple life.
B2 noun, verb /ˈblækmeɪl/

blackmail

Meaning
the act of demanding money or advantage by threatening to reveal secrets; to force someone to act by using such threats
Example
He tried to blackmail her by threatening to reveal the documents.
C2 noun /boʊl/

boll

Meaning
The rounded seed capsule of plants such as cotton or flax.
Example
The farmer examined the cotton boll to check its quality.
B2 noun prəˈvɪʒ.ənz

provisions

Meaning
A condition or requirement in a legal document; clauses or stipulations.
Example
Provisions must align with public aspirations.
B2 noun wɜːrld ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ saɪt

World Heritage Site

Meaning
A landmark or area selected by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance.
Example
Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
C1 noun ˌæɡ.rəʊˈkem.ɪ.kəl

agrochemical

Meaning
A chemical product used in agriculture, especially a pesticide or fertilizer.
Example
Excessive use of agrochemicals can degrade soil quality.
B2 noun /mjuːl/

Mule

Meaning
the offspring of a donkey and a horse, used as a working animal
Example
The farmer used a mule to carry heavy loads.
A1 determiner/pronoun/conjunction/adverb /ˈaɪðər/ or /ˈiːðər/

either

Meaning
Used to indicate a choice between two alternatives.
Example
You can either call me tonight or send me an email.
A1 verb, adjective /kloʊz/ (verb), /kloʊs/ (adjective)

close

Meaning
To shut something (verb); near in space or relationship (adjective).
Example
Please close the door when you leave.
C2 adjective ˈtɛnsaɪl

tensile

Meaning
Relating to tension; capable of being stretched.
Example
The tensile strength of the material is crucial for the construction project.
A1 noun ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ

language

Meaning
A method of communication used by humans, consisting of spoken and written words structured in specific ways.
Example
Learning a new language can be exciting.
B2 noun /ˌnɒməˈneɪʃən/

nomination

Meaning
The act of formally proposing someone for a role, position, or award.
Example
Her nomination for the award surprised everyone.
B2 noun /ˈsæb.ə.tɑːʒ/

Sabotage

Meaning
deliberate destruction of equipment or disruption of activities
Example
The factory was shut down due to an act of sabotage.
C1 noun /ˈkjuːmɪn/

Cumin

Meaning
A spice made from the dried seeds of a plant in the parsley family, with a warm earthy flavor
Example
Cumin is an essential spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.
A2 verb /sɜːrtʃ/

search

Meaning
to look carefully for someone or something; to examine thoroughly
Example
The police searched the house for evidence.
B2 noun /ˈriːzənɪŋ/

reasoning

Meaning
the process of thinking about something in a logical way in order to form a conclusion or judgment
Example
Her reasoning for leaving was clear and logical.
C1 noun /ˈæd.və.ser.i/

adversary

Meaning
One's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
Example
The boxer faced a strong adversary in the ring.
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.
C2 adjective /əˈsɛt.ɪk/

ascetic

Meaning
Practicing strict self-denial and abstaining from worldly pleasures, often for religious reasons.
Example
He lived an ascetic life in the mountains, far from worldly comforts.
C2 noun /ɪˈklɛktɪˌsɪzəm/

eclecticism

Meaning
A method or practice of deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
Example
The architect’s work shows eclecticism by blending modern and traditional elements.
C2 adjective /əˈkjuː.zəˌtɔːr.i/

accusatory

Meaning
Suggesting blame or indicating someone has done wrong.
Example
He gave her an accusatory glance.
A2 noun /ˈpɒkɪt/

pocket

Meaning
a small, enclosed space in clothing for carrying items
Example
He put his phone in his pocket.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈruːl/

misrule

Meaning
bad or poor governance
Example
The kingdom suffered for decades under misrule.
C1 adjective /ɪˈstiːmd/

Esteemed

Meaning
respected and admired; held in high regard
Example
He is an esteemed professor at the university.
C1 adjective /pəˈnɪnsjələr/

peninsular

Meaning
Relating to or resembling a peninsula.
Example
The peninsular region is surrounded by water on three sides.
C1 noun /ˈtɛnər/

tenor

Meaning
the general meaning, drift, or character of something; a male singing voice between baritone and alto
Example
The overall tenor of his speech was hopeful and reassuring.
C1 noun /ˈdʒʌŋk.tʃər/

Juncture

Meaning
a particular point in events or time; a critical moment when important decisions must be made
Example
At this juncture, we need to make a crucial decision about our future.
B2 adverb /ˈred.ɪ.li/

Readily

Meaning
willingly; easily; without hesitation
Example
She readily agreed to help with the project.
B2 adjective /ˈhoʊmli/

Homely

Meaning
simple and comfortable; unpretentious; plain in appearance; cozy and familiar
Example
She enjoyed the homely atmosphere of the small café.
A2 verb, noun /drɒp/

drop

Meaning
to let something fall; a small quantity of liquid
Example
Be careful not to drop your phone.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪk/

satiric

Meaning
Relating to or using satire.
Example
The novel takes a satiric view of urban life.
C1 adjective /əˈdɒptɪv/

adoptive

Meaning
relating to the adoption of a child or the act of taking something as one’s own
Example
She grew up in a loving adoptive family.