comeuppance
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 /ˌkʌmˈʌpəns/

comeuppance

Meaning
A deserved punishment or fate; just deserts.
Example
The corrupt official finally got his comeuppance in court.
C2 noun /ˌkɒl.əˈneɪd/

colonnade

Meaning
A row of evenly spaced columns supporting a roof, often in classical architecture.
Example
The visitors admired the grand colonnade at the entrance of the temple.
B1 noun ˌkriː.eɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti

creativity

Meaning
The ability to use imagination to produce original ideas or to make something new or imaginative.
Example
His creativity was evident in his artwork.
C1 noun /kræɡ/

crag

Meaning
a steep or rugged cliff or rock face
Example
The hikers climbed the jagged crag to reach the summit.
B2 verb /kəˈlæps/

collapse

Meaning
to fall down or inward suddenly; to break down completely
Example
The old building collapsed after the earthquake.
B2 verb /ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd/

comprehend

Meaning
to understand or grasp the meaning of something
Example
It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the disaster.
C1 noun /ʃəˈreɪd/

charade

Meaning
an absurd pretense or act intended to deceive; also a word-guessing game
Example
The trial was nothing more than a political charade.
B2 adjective kəˈlɛktɪv

collective

Meaning
Done by people acting as a group; shared by all members of a group.
Example
Victory Day represents our collective pride.
C1 noun /ˈsɪ.nɪk/

Cynic

Meaning
a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest; someone who is skeptical about human nature
Example
The old cynic believed that politicians only cared about getting votes.
B1 noun /ˈsɛntɪˌmiːtər/

centimeter

Meaning
A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter.
Example
The table is 120 centimeters long.
B2 noun /kʌb/

Cub

Meaning
a young bear, lion, tiger, or other large carnivorous mammal
Example
The bear cub stayed close to its mother for protection.
C2 noun /ˈklɪpər/

clipper

Meaning
a tool used for cutting, or a fast sailing ship of the 19th century
Example
The barber used clippers to trim his hair.
C2 noun /kəˈdævər/

cadaver

Meaning
A dead human body, especially one used for medical study.
Example
Medical students dissected the cadaver to learn about human anatomy.
B1 adjective ˈkruː.ʃəl

crucial

Meaning
Decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.
Example
Fault-tolerance is crucial for reliability.
A2 noun ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən

competition

Meaning
The activity or condition of competing; rivalry for supremacy.
Example
Competition grew between language groups.
C1 verb /kənˈkɜːr/

concur

Meaning
To agree with someone or something.
Example
I concur with your opinion on this matter.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/

commonplace

Meaning
ordinary or unremarkable; something that is usual or commonly found
Example
Smartphones have become commonplace in modern life.
A1 verb /kɔːl/

call

Meaning
to say something loudly; to telephone someone; to name
Example
Please call me when you arrive home.
A2 noun কন্ডিশন

condition

Meaning
A particular state of health or physical fitness; a medical problem.
Example
The condition worsens without proper treatment.
C1 noun /ˌkɒrəˈneɪʃən/

coronation

Meaning
the act or ceremony of crowning a sovereign or monarch
Example
The coronation of the new king was attended by thousands of people.
A2 noun /ˈkʌl.tʃər/

Culture

Meaning
the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement; the customs and beliefs of a particular society
Example
Learning about different cultures helps us understand and appreciate diversity.
B1 noun /tʃiːf/

chief

Meaning
a leader or person in charge of a group or organization
Example
The chief of the village made an important decision.
B1 noun ˈkraɪsɪs

crisis

Meaning
A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.
Example
The financial crisis affected global markets.
C1 noun /krɪpt/

crypt

Meaning
an underground chamber, especially one beneath a church, used as a burial place
Example
The tourists explored the ancient crypt beneath the cathedral.
C2 verb /kəˈnaɪv/

connive

Meaning
to secretly allow or be involved in a wrongdoing
Example
The manager connived with the supplier to cheat the company.
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.
A2 noun; verb /tʃæt/

chat

Meaning
an informal conversation; to talk in a friendly, informal way
Example
We had a long chat after dinner.
C1 adjective /kənˈstreɪnd/

constrained

Meaning
appearing forced, unnatural, or restricted
Example
He gave a constrained smile during the awkward meeting.
B2 noun /ˈkɒm.pɒ.stɪŋ/

composting

Meaning
The process of recycling organic waste into fertile fertilizer.
Example
Composting reduces waste and enhances soil fertility.
B1 noun /tʃɪn/

Chin

Meaning
the protruding part of the face below the mouth, formed by the apex of the lower jaw
Example
He stroked his beard thoughtfully, resting his hand on his chin.
B1 noun /ˈkɜː.ri/

Curry

Meaning
a dish of meat, vegetables, etc., cooked in an Indian-style sauce with hot spices
Example
I love spicy chicken curry with rice.
B2 noun /ˈkæp.tɪv/

Captive

Meaning
a person who has been taken prisoner or an animal that has been confined
Example
The captive was held in a small cell for several months.
C1 noun /koʊlt/

Colt

Meaning
a young male horse, especially one under four years old
Example
The farmer trained the young colt to accept a saddle.
C1 noun /kəˈθɑːrsɪs/

catharsis

Meaning
The process of releasing strong emotions, providing relief.
Example
Writing in her diary was a form of catharsis for her.
C1 verb /kənˈtraɪv/

contrive

Meaning
to plan or devise cleverly or skillfully
Example
She contrived a clever plan to surprise her friends.
B2 noun/verb /sɪˈmɛnt/

cement

Meaning
a powdery substance that binds materials together; to make something strong or permanent
Example
The treaty helped cement the relationship between the two countries.
C1 verb /ˈkʌn.dʒər/

conjure

Meaning
to summon something as if by magic; to imagine vividly
Example
The magician conjured a rabbit out of the hat.
C2 noun /kaɪˈmɪərə/

chimera

Meaning
A mythical creature with parts from different animals; also used to mean a fanciful illusion or unattainable dream.
Example
The idea of a perfect society is often a chimera.
C1 noun /kənˈkʌrəns/

concurrence

Meaning
Agreement or union in action, opinion, or occurrence; simultaneous happening of events.
Example
The project was completed with the concurrence of all departments.
B2 noun /ˌkovuːɪɡˈzɪs.təns/

Co-existence

Meaning
the state of existing together at the same time or in the same place; peaceful cohabitation
Example
The peaceful co-existence of different cultures makes this city unique.
B1 noun /kənˈviː.ni.əns/

Convenience

Meaning
the state of being able to proceed with something without difficulty; a thing that contributes to an easy way of life
Example
The convenience of online shopping has changed how people buy products.
C2 verb /ˈkɔː.tə.raɪz/

cauterize

Meaning
to burn tissue to stop bleeding or prevent infection
Example
The doctor cauterized the wound to stop the bleeding.
C2 noun /kɒzˈmɒɡ.ə.ni/

cosmogony

Meaning
the study or theory of the origin of the universe
Example
The book provides an overview of different cosmogonies throughout history.
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.
B1 noun /kəmˈpænjən/

companion

Meaning
a person or animal you spend time with or travel with
Example
He was my companion during the long journey.
B1 verb /kənˈsuːm/

consume

Meaning
to eat or drink; to use up; to destroy completely
Example
We consume a lot of water during summer.
C1 noun /krʌks/

crux

Meaning
the most important or decisive point of an issue
Example
The crux of the problem lies in poor communication.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrkəs/

carcass

Meaning
the dead body of an animal, especially after being slaughtered
Example
Vultures fed on the carcass left in the field.
C2 adjective /ˈsɜː.kəm.spekt/

circumspect

Meaning
Wary and unwilling to take risks; careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences.
Example
Investors must be circumspect before making decisions.
A2 verb /kræʃ/

crash

Meaning
To collide violently; to suddenly stop working (for machines or computers).
Example
The car crashed into the wall at high speed.
C2 noun /kjuːˈpɪdəti/

cupidity

Meaning
Excessive desire for wealth or possessions; greed.
Example
The king's downfall was caused by his cupidity.
B1 noun /kəmˈpəʊzə(r)/

composer

Meaning
a person who writes music, especially classical music
Example
The composer is working on a new symphony.
B2 adjective /kənˈvɜːrtəbl/

convertible

Meaning
able to be changed into a different form or use; also a car with a roof that can be folded down
Example
She drove her new convertible along the coastal road.
C1 noun /ˌkɔːriˈɒɡrəfi/

choreography

Meaning
The art of designing and arranging dances and movements.
Example
The choreography of the ballet was breathtaking.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪz.ə.reɪt/

commiserate

Meaning
To express sympathy or compassion for someone's misfortune.
Example
She called her friend to commiserate after his loss.
C2 noun /ˈkɒl.ə.kwi/

colloquy

Meaning
A formal conversation or dialogue, often on serious or academic topics.
Example
The professors engaged in a deep colloquy about the future of education.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

compulsive

Meaning
Resulting from or acting on an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes.
Example
He is a compulsive gambler who cannot stop placing bets.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃuːzi/

choosy

Meaning
very careful in choosing; selective
Example
She is very choosy about the clothes she wears.
B1 noun ˌkɒnsənˈtreɪʃən

concentration

Meaning
The action or power of focusing one's attention or mental effort on a particular object or activity
Example
Concentration is key to mastering any skill.
B1 noun /ˈkɒkˌteɪl/

cocktail

Meaning
a mixed drink typically containing alcohol and other ingredients.
Example
She ordered a cocktail at the bar.
B2 noun /ˈkænən/

Cannon

Meaning
large heavy gun that fires cannonballs or shells
Example
The castle was defended by several large cannons.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrmərənt/

cormorant

Meaning
a large black sea bird that catches fish by diving
Example
The cormorant perched on the rock, drying its wings after a dive.
B2 noun /kəˈrʌp.ʃən/

Corruption

Meaning
dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power; the process of decay or decomposition
Example
The government launched a campaign to fight corruption in public offices.
B2 noun ˌkɒm.prɪˈhɛn.ʃən

comprehension

Meaning
The ability to understand something; understanding or grasp of knowledge.
Example
Reading improves vocabulary and comprehension skills.
B2 verb /ˈkaʊnsəl/

counsel

Meaning
to give professional advice or guidance to someone
Example
The teacher counseled the students on their career choices.
C2 noun /ˌkæt ə ˈnaɪn ˌteɪlz/

cat-o-nine-tails

Meaning
A whip with nine knotted cords, historically used for punishment.
Example
The sailor feared the cat-o-nine-tails more than the storm at sea.
C1 verb /krɪndʒ/

cringe

Meaning
To shrink back in fear, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
She cringed when she remembered her mistake.
B2 noun /ˈkɔːr.əs/

Chorus

Meaning
a large organized group of singers; a part of a song that is repeated after each verse
Example
The school chorus performed beautifully at the annual concert.
B1 noun /tʃɪl/

Chill

Meaning
an unpleasant feeling of coldness; a feeling of fear or anxiety; to relax
Example
There was a chill in the air as autumn approached.
B2 adjective /kəmˈpærətɪv/

Comparative

Meaning
involving comparison between two or more things; relative
Example
The study showed comparative results between different teaching methods.
B2 noun /kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən/

conjunction

Meaning
a word used to connect clauses or sentences, or to coordinate words
Example
The words 'and' and 'but' are common conjunctions.
C1 noun /krəˈʃɛndoʊ/

crescendo

Meaning
a gradual increase in loudness or intensity, especially in music
Example
The orchestra built to a powerful crescendo before the finale.
B1 noun /kruː/

crew

Meaning
A group of people working together, especially on a ship, aircraft, or project.
Example
The ship's crew worked tirelessly during the storm.
B2 noun /kənˈstɪtʃ.u.ənts/

constituents

Meaning
Components or elements used to create something.
Example
Proteins and vitamins are essential constituents of a healthy diet.
C1 adverb kəmˈpæktli

compactly

Meaning
In a closely packed or dense manner.
Example
Protons and neutrons are compactly arranged.
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.
B1 noun ˈkeɪ.bəl

cable

Meaning
A thick rope of wire or nonmetallic fiber, typically used for construction, mooring ships, or transmitting electricity or telecommunication signals.
Example
The cable connects countries across continents.
C1 verb /kənˈstruː/

construe

Meaning
to interpret or understand the meaning of something in a particular way
Example
His words could be construed as a threat.
B2 adjective kɒnˈtek.stju.əl

contextual

Meaning
Depending on or relating to the circumstances or setting; context-dependent.
Example
Contextual meaning changes depending on usage.
A2 verb /kəmˈpliːt/

complete

Meaning
to finish making or doing something; to bring something to an end
Example
She managed to complete the project on time.
B1 adjective /kəˈmɪtɪd/

committed

Meaning
Dedicated and loyal to a cause, activity, or relationship.
Example
She is a committed teacher who cares deeply for her students.
C1 adjective /ˈkʌlpəbl̩/

culpable

Meaning
deserving blame or responsibility for a wrongdoing
Example
The judge found him culpable for the accident.
A2 adjective /kəˈneɪdiən/

canadian

Meaning
Relating to Canada or its people.
Example
She enjoys Canadian culture and traditions.
C2 adjective /krʌˈsteɪʃəs/

crustaceous

Meaning
relating to or having a hard shell like a crustacean
Example
The scientist studied the crustaceous fossils.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpleɪsənt/

complacent

Meaning
showing self-satisfaction and a lack of concern about potential dangers or problems
Example
The team grew complacent after a few victories and stopped practicing hard.
B1 noun /kəˈrɛkʃən/

correction

Meaning
the action or process of correcting something
Example
The teacher made a correction to the student's essay.
B2 verb /kənˈfaɪn/

confine

Meaning
to restrict someone or something within certain limits; to keep someone in a closed space
Example
The prisoner was confined to his cell for 23 hours a day.
C2 noun /ˌkəʊ.əˈles.əns/

coalescence

Meaning
The process of coming together to form one mass or whole.
Example
The coalescence of different cultures creates diversity.
C1 adjective, verb, noun /ˈkaʊntərfɪt/

counterfeit

Meaning
made to look like something genuine in order to deceive
Example
The police seized a batch of counterfeit currency.
B1 noun /kəmˈpær.ɪ.sən/

Comparison

Meaning
the act of examining the similarities and differences between two or more things
Example
The teacher made a comparison between the two poems to show their different styles.
B2 noun /kɒk/

Cock

Meaning
an adult male chicken
Example
The cock crowed loudly at dawn to wake everyone up.
C2 verb /kəmˈpɔːrt/

comport

Meaning
to behave or conduct oneself in a particular way
Example
She comported herself with grace during the ceremony.
B2 noun /ˈklɪərəns/

clearance

Meaning
official permission or authorization; the removal of something unwanted; the distance between two objects
Example
The pilot received clearance to land the plane.
C1 noun /kənˈspɪrə.tər/

conspirator

Meaning
a person who secretly plans with others to do something unlawful or harmful
Example
The conspirator was arrested before the plan could be carried out.
B2 noun /ˌkɒrəˈleɪʃən/

correlation

Meaning
a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
Example
Researchers found a strong correlation between diet and heart disease.
C1 noun /kɑːɡ/

cog

Meaning
A tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear; metaphorically, a minor but necessary part of a larger system.
Example
He felt like just a small cog in a big machine.
C1 noun ˈkəmˌpaʊndɪŋ

compounding

Meaning
The process whereby interest is added to an amount of money and future interest is calculated on the total.
Example
Compounding interest increases the value of investments over time.
B2 verb /saɪt/

cite

Meaning
to quote; to mention as an example or proof
Example
The lawyer cites relevant case law.
A1 noun /kʌp/

Cup

Meaning
a small, round container, typically with a handle, used for drinking tea, coffee, or other hot beverages
Example
She drank tea from her favorite ceramic cup.
B1 adverb /ˈkʌrəntli/

currently

Meaning
at the present time; now
Example
He is currently working on a new project.
C1 noun /ˈkæzəm/

chasm

Meaning
a deep fissure in the earth's surface or a wide difference between people or ideas
Example
There was a great chasm between the two political parties.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːdʒ/

centrifuge

Meaning
A machine that spins substances at high speed to separate different components.
Example
The lab technician used a centrifuge to separate the blood cells from the plasma.
B2 noun /ˈkæriər/

carrier

Meaning
A person or thing that carries, transports, or conveys something; also an organization that provides transport services.
Example
The airline is the largest carrier in the country.
C1 noun /kənˈsep.ʃən/

Conception

Meaning
the forming of an idea or plan; the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm; the action of conceiving
Example
The conception of this innovative project took several months of brainstorming.
C2 adjective /tʃəˈruːbɪk/

cherubic

Meaning
Innocent, sweet, and angelic, like a cherub.
Example
The baby had a cherubic smile that melted everyone’s heart.
A2 verb /ˈkʌvər/

cover

Meaning
to put something over or upon something else to protect or conceal
Example
Please cover the food to keep it fresh.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈkɒn.sə.mət/

consummate

Meaning
To complete or perfect something with great skill
Example
He is a consummate artist with years of experience.
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 /kiˌɑːrəˈskjʊəroʊ/

chiaroscuro

Meaning
The use of strong contrasts between light and dark in art or literature to create a dramatic effect.
Example
The artist's painting used chiaroscuro to highlight the figure's face.
C2 noun /ˈkæʒuɪstri/

casuistry

Meaning
The use of clever but false reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions.
Example
The lawyer’s argument was dismissed as mere casuistry.
C2 noun, adjective /klɛərˈvɔɪənt/

clairvoyant

Meaning
a person who claims to have clairvoyance; having the ability to see beyond normal senses
Example
The clairvoyant predicted that she would travel abroad soon.
B2 adjective /kəmˈpækt/

Compact

Meaning
closely and neatly packed together; small and efficiently designed
Example
She bought a compact car that fits easily in small parking spaces.
C1 noun /ˌkɒk.əˈtuː/

Cockatoo

Meaning
a large parrot with a prominent crest that can be raised or lowered
Example
The white cockatoo raised its beautiful crest.
C2 verb /ˌsɜːrkəmˈnævɪɡeɪt/

circumnavigate

Meaning
to travel all the way around something, especially the earth
Example
Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the globe.
B2 noun /kaʊtʃ/

Couch

Meaning
a long upholstered seat for more than one person, typically with a back and arms
Example
The family gathered on the couch to watch a movie.
C1 noun /ˈkæviˌæt/

caveat

Meaning
a warning or condition to be considered before taking action
Example
The proposal was accepted with one caveat.
B2 adjective /ˈkɒm.pɪ.tənt/

Competent

Meaning
having the necessary skill or knowledge to do something successfully; capable
Example
She is a competent manager who handles all tasks efficiently.
B2 noun /ˈkrɪtɪk/

critic

Meaning
A person who judges the merits of something, especially art or literature
Example
The film critic praised the director's latest movie.
C1 noun /kənˈteɪdʒən/

contagion

Meaning
The communication of disease from one person to another by close contact; also the spread of harmful ideas or behaviors.
Example
Fear spread like a contagion through the crowd.
B1 noun /ˈsiːlɪŋ/

ceiling

Meaning
the upper interior surface of a room
Example
The ceiling of the hall was painted beautifully.
C2 adjective /ˈklæmərəs/

clamorous

Meaning
making a loud and confused noise; expressing strong demands noisily
Example
The clamorous audience demanded an encore from the band.