conundrum
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
C1 noun /kəˈnʌn.drəm/

conundrum

Meaning
A complex problem or puzzle without an easy solution
Example
The ethical conundrum puzzled the researchers.
C1 noun /ˈkɒnsəl/

consul

Meaning
an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect its citizens and interests there
Example
The consul assisted travelers who lost their passports.
C1 noun /ɪˈlɪpsɪs/

ellipsis

Meaning
The omission of words in a sentence, represented by three dots (...).
Example
The writer used an ellipsis to show that part of the quote was omitted.
C1 noun /ˈnɔːrmən/

Norman

Meaning
A member of a people of mixed Scandinavian and Frankish origin who settled in Normandy, or relating to their culture.
Example
The Normans conquered England in 1066.
C1 noun /ˈtreɪ.ki.ə/

Trachea

Meaning
the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs; windpipe
Example
The trachea is protected by cartilage rings that keep it open.
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.
C1 verb /ˈstæmər/

stammer

Meaning
To speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words.
Example
The nervous student began to stammer during his speech.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈsɛntənəri/ or /sɛnˈtɛnəri/

centenary

Meaning
The hundredth anniversary of a significant event; relating to a period of 100 years.
Example
The school celebrated its centenary with a grand event.
C1 noun kənˈɡlɒm.ər.ət

conglomerate

Meaning
A large corporation formed by the merging of separate and diverse firms.
Example
The company grew into a multinational conglomerate.
C1 noun /ˈɑːrməri/

armory

Meaning
A place where weapons are stored; a supply of resources or skills.
Example
The soldiers kept their weapons in the armory.
C1 adjective /pərˈmɪsəbl̩/

permissible

Meaning
allowed or permitted by rules or law
Example
It is permissible to park here after 6 p.m.
C1 verb /bɒmˈbɑːrd/

bombard

Meaning
to attack continuously with bombs, questions, or other forces
Example
Reporters bombarded the minister with difficult questions.
C1 adjective /freɪl/

frail

Meaning
Physically weak and delicate.
Example
The old man was too frail to walk without help.
C1 noun /ˈnɑv.ɪs/

Novice

Meaning
a person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation; a beginner
Example
As a novice driver, she was very careful on the road.
C1 verb /fɔrˈstɔl/

forestall

Meaning
to prevent by acting in advance; to anticipate and counter
Example
They forestalled the crisis by taking immediate action.
C1 noun ˌfɔːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn

fortification

Meaning
A defensive wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack.
Example
The fortifications protected the city.
C1 verb /ʌnˈkɔrk/

uncork

Meaning
To remove the cork from a bottle; to open a bottle, especially of wine
Example
He uncorked the wine and poured a glass for everyone.
C1 noun ˌɛkstərˈnælɪtiz

externalities

Meaning
A side effect or consequence of an industrial or commercial activity.
Example
Pollution is a negative externality of industrialization.
C1 adjective /ˈluː.krə.tɪv/

lucrative

Meaning
Producing a great deal of profit; highly profitable or financially rewarding.
Example
The real estate business is highly lucrative in urban areas.
C1 adjective /ˌtɒpsi ˈtɜːvi/

topsy-turvy

Meaning
in a state of confusion, disorder, or upside down
Example
The sudden announcement left the office in a topsy-turvy state.
C1 noun /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/

congregation

Meaning
a group of people assembled for religious worship or a common purpose
Example
The congregation gathered to hear the sermon.
C1 adjective /ˈtækt.ləs/

tactless

Meaning
showing a lack of sensitivity in dealing with others
Example
His tactless remark embarrassed everyone at the meeting.
C1 verb /rɪˈɡrɛs/

regress

Meaning
To return to a former or less developed state.
Example
Without proper guidance, the child's progress began to regress.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃənt/

sentient

Meaning
Able to perceive or feel things.
Example
Humans are sentient beings capable of reasoning.
C1 noun /ˈkrɒkəri/

crockery

Meaning
Dishes, plates, cups, and other items made of earthenware or china.
Example
The hotel provided clean crockery for the guests.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡ/

monologue

Meaning
A long speech by one person, often in a play or performance.
Example
The actor delivered a powerful monologue on stage.
C1 noun /njʊəˈrəʊ.sɪs/

neurosis

Meaning
A relatively mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, involving symptoms of stress.
Example
His neurosis made social interactions difficult.
C1 adjective /ˈsæljʊˌtɛri/

salutary

Meaning
Producing good effects; beneficial, especially after something unpleasant.
Example
The accident was a salutary reminder to drive carefully.
C1 verb /diːm/

deem

Meaning
to regard or consider in a specified way
Example
The project was deemed a success by the board.
C1 noun /ˌvɜːrtʃuˈoʊsoʊ/

virtuoso

Meaning
A person highly skilled in music, art, or another artistic pursuit.
Example
The pianist is a true virtuoso, captivating audiences worldwide.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnsəˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd/

unsophisticated

Meaning
Lacking worldly experience, refinement, or complexity.
Example
The villagers led an unsophisticated but happy life.
C1 noun /ˈstreɪnər/

Strainer

Meaning
a device having holes punched in it or made of crossed wires for separating solid matter from a liquid
Example
Use a strainer to drain the pasta water.
C1 noun /liːtʃ/

Leech

Meaning
an aquatic or terrestrial annelid worm with suckers at both ends; metaphorically, a person who extorts profit from others
Example
The leech attached itself to his leg while swimming.
C1 noun dɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɪv dɪˈzizɪz

degenerative diseases

Meaning
Medical conditions that involve the deterioration or progressive decline of tissues, organs, or functions
Example
Degenerative diseases are common in an aging population.
C1 verb /ˈpæri/

parry

Meaning
to ward off or deflect an attack, especially in fencing or conversation
Example
He managed to parry the opponent’s sword with quick reflexes.
C1 noun /ˈnoʊ.və/

Nova

Meaning
a star that suddenly increases greatly in brightness
Example
Astronomers discovered a new nova in the constellation.
C1 noun /maɪm/

Mime

Meaning
A performer who acts without words, using only gestures and body movements
Example
The street mime entertained the crowd with his invisible box routine.
C1 noun /təˈræntjʊlə/

tarantula

Meaning
A large hairy spider found in warm regions.
Example
The tarantula crawled across the desert floor.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈbæntərɪŋ/

bantering

Meaning
characterized by good-humored teasing or joking
Example
They had a bantering conversation at the café.
C1 adjective ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet.ɪ.kəl

hypothetical

Meaning
Based on or serving as a hypothesis; supposed but not necessarily real or true.
Example
The discussion was based on hypothetical scenarios.
C1 adjective /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/

exacting

Meaning
demanding a lot of effort, attention, or precision
Example
She is known for her exacting standards in design.
C1 noun /krʌtʃ/

crutch

Meaning
a support used by someone injured to walk; also something relied upon for support or help
Example
He had to use crutches after breaking his leg.
C1 verb /ˈoʊvərˌhɔːl/

overhaul

Meaning
to examine thoroughly and repair or improve something that is worn or ineffective
Example
The company decided to overhaul its outdated computer system.
C1 noun, adjective /ˌpəʊstˈmɔːtəm/

postmortem

Meaning
An examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.
Example
The doctor carried out a postmortem on the body.
C1 noun /ˈɛksələnsɪ/

excellency

Meaning
a title of honor for people of high rank, especially ambassadors or governors
Example
His Excellency the Ambassador attended the ceremony.
C1 adjective /ˈfrɪdʒɪd/

Frigid

Meaning
extremely cold; freezing; icy
Example
The frigid weather made it difficult to go outside.
C1 adverb /ˈkɔːrdiəli/

Cordially

Meaning
in a warm and friendly manner; sincerely
Example
You are cordially invited to our wedding ceremony.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪθ.i/

pithy

Meaning
concise and meaningful; full of substance
Example
She gave a pithy comment that summarized the issue perfectly.
C1 adjective /dʒuːˈdɪʃ.əl/

judicial

Meaning
relating to judges, courts, or the administration of justice
Example
The new law faced strong judicial review before implementation.
C1 adjective /ˌæl.ɡəˈrɪð.mɪk/

algorithmic

Meaning
Based on or using algorithms; relating to mathematical rules or procedures.
Example
Algorithmic processes power artificial intelligence systems.
C1 noun /ˈbenɪˌfæktər/

Benefactor

Meaning
a person who gives money or other help to support a person or cause; a patron
Example
The anonymous benefactor donated millions to the hospital.
C1 adjective /kənˈdjuː.sɪv/

conducive

Meaning
Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible; contributing to or helping to bring about.
Example
A quiet environment is conducive to studying.
C1 noun /ˈwɪtʃ.krɑːft/

witchcraft

Meaning
the practice of magical skills, spells, and abilities
Example
In old times, many people believed in witchcraft.
C1 noun /liːs/

Lease

Meaning
a contract by which one party conveys land, property, services, etc. to another for a specified time, usually in return for a periodic payment
Example
They signed a two-year lease for the apartment.
C1 noun /dɪˈmiːnər/

demeanor

Meaning
a person's outward behavior or appearance
Example
Her calm demeanor impressed everyone at the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl/

consequential

Meaning
Having important or significant consequences; resulting from something.
Example
The meeting was consequential for the future of the project.
C1 adjective /ˈskrɔːni/

scrawny

Meaning
very thin and bony, often looking unhealthy
Example
The scrawny boy could barely lift the heavy bag.
C1 verb /mɑːr/

mar

Meaning
to spoil or damage the appearance or quality of something
Example
The scratch will mar the beauty of the painting.
C1 noun prəˈpʌl.ʃən

propulsion

Meaning
The action of driving or pushing forward.
Example
Jet engines provide propulsion for aircraft to travel long distances.
C1 verb /rɪˈbʌf/

rebuff

Meaning
to reject or refuse in a sharp or abrupt way
Example
She rebuffed his invitation to dinner.
C1 noun /ˈrʌmpəs/

Rumpus

Meaning
a noisy disturbance; an uproar or commotion
Example
The children caused quite a rumpus in the playground.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrvaɪl/ or /ˈsɜːrvəl/

servile

Meaning
having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others
Example
His servile attitude annoyed his colleagues.
C1 verb /dɪˈfrɔːd/

defraud

Meaning
to illegally take money or valuables from someone by deception
Example
The company was accused of trying to defraud investors.
C1 noun /ˈhʌbʌb/

hubbub

Meaning
a loud noise caused by a crowd of people talking or shouting
Example
There was a hubbub in the market as the sale began.
C1 adjective /ɡlaɪˈsiː.mɪk/

glycemic

Meaning
Relating to the presence of glucose in the blood and how foods affect blood sugar levels.
Example
High-glycemic foods cause a rapid increase in blood sugar.
C1 adjective /prɪˈpɒstərəs/

preposterous

Meaning
completely ridiculous or absurd; contrary to reason or common sense
Example
The idea that pigs could fly is preposterous.
C1 noun /ˌdiːpɔːrˈteɪʃən/

deportation

Meaning
The act of expelling a foreigner from a country.
Example
The deportation of hundreds of workers sparked international criticism.
C1 noun /ˌdaɪəˈrɑːmə/

diorama

Meaning
a three-dimensional model representing a scene, often with miniature figures
Example
The museum displayed a diorama of an ancient village.
C1 noun /fɔːrˈmæl.ə.ti/

Formality

Meaning
the rigid observance of rules of convention or etiquette; a thing done simply to comply with requirements
Example
The signing of the contract was just a formality; the deal was already agreed upon.
C1 adjective /ˌrɛtroʊˈæktɪv/

retroactive

Meaning
applying to a period before it was enacted or established
Example
The new law was made retroactive to cover past cases.
C1 noun /ɪkˈstriː.mɪst/

Extremist

Meaning
a person who holds extreme political or religious views
Example
The government is taking measures to prevent extremist activities.
C1 adjective /ˈæm.ɪ.kə.bəl/

amicable

Meaning
Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
Example
They reached an amicable agreement.
C1 noun /faɪˈnælɪti/

finality

Meaning
the quality of being final or irreversible; a sense of conclusiveness
Example
The judge's decision gave the case a sense of finality.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛmpərəl/

temporal

Meaning
Relating to worldly affairs or to time rather than spiritual matters.
Example
The monk gave up his temporal possessions to live a simple life.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəʊˌkʌltʃər/

monoculture

Meaning
The agricultural practice of growing only one type of crop over a large area and for many consecutive years, which can lead to increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Example
Monoculture can lead to soil depletion and increased pest vulnerability.
C1 adverb /ˈleŋθ.waɪz/

Lengthwise

Meaning
in the direction of the length; along the longest dimension
Example
Fold the paper lengthwise to make it easier to carry.
C1 verb /blɜːrt/

blurt

Meaning
to say something suddenly without thinking
Example
He blurts out the secret accidentally.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈfɛtərd/

unfettered

Meaning
not restricted or confined; free
Example
The artist enjoyed unfettered freedom of expression.
C1 noun /ˈstɪɡmə/

stigma

Meaning
a mark of shame or disgrace associated with a particular circumstance or quality
Example
There is still a stigma around mental health issues in many societies.
C1 noun ˌɪntədɪˈpɛndənsi

interdependency

Meaning
The dependence of two or more people or things on each other.
Example
The interdependency of the countries led to greater cooperation.
C1 noun /ˈwɪndfɔːl/

windfall

Meaning
an unexpected piece of good fortune, typically a large amount of money
Example
The startup received a windfall when a major client paid for a full year in advance.
C1 adjective prəˈvɪnʃəl

provincial

Meaning
Of or concerning a province of a country or empire.
Example
Bengali was not just a provincial language.
C1 noun /ˈkæptər/

captor

Meaning
a person or group who has captured someone or something
Example
The hostage managed to escape from his captors.
C1 verb /bloʊt/

bloat

Meaning
to swell or cause to swell, often due to fluid or gas
Example
Eating too much junk food can bloat your stomach.
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.
C1 noun, verb /dɪsˈɑːnər/

dishonor

Meaning
a state of shame or loss of respect; to bring shame upon someone or something
Example
The soldier felt he had brought dishonor to his family.
C1 noun /ˈprɒspɛktər/

prospector

Meaning
a person who searches for mineral deposits, especially gold
Example
The prospector spent years in the mountains searching for gold.
C1 adjective /pəˈfʌŋk.tər.i/

perfunctory

Meaning
done without much effort, interest, or thought
Example
He gave a perfunctory nod and walked away.
C1 adjective /ˈmæn.li/

Manly

Meaning
having qualities traditionally associated with men; brave; courageous
Example
He showed manly courage during the crisis.
C1 verb /ˈpruːfˌriːd/

proofread

Meaning
to read written material and mark any errors
Example
She proofread the report before submission.
C1 noun ˌɔːɡ.menˈteɪ.ʃən

augmentation

Meaning
Increasing quantity, power or performance.
Example
The company invested in the augmentation of its workforce.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊərdɪs/

cowardice

Meaning
lack of courage; behavior showing fear
Example
His cowardice prevented him from speaking up.
C1 noun /ˈdʒɛpərdi/

jeopardy

Meaning
Danger of loss, harm, or failure.
Example
His careless driving put everyone in jeopardy.
C1 adjective /snaɪd/

snide

Meaning
mocking or insulting in an indirect way
Example
He couldn’t resist making a snide comment about her dress.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌwɜːrld/

underworld

Meaning
The criminal world of organized crime or the mythical world of the dead.
Example
The detective spent years studying the secrets of the underworld.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊhɔːrt/

cohort

Meaning
A group of people with a shared characteristic, usually of the same age or with a common experience.
Example
The study tracked a cohort of students over ten years.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːr.teɪ/ or /fɔːrt/

forte

Meaning
a strong ability or talent; something one does particularly well
Example
Cooking is definitely her forte.
C1 noun /ˈɡeɪ.ə.ti/

Gaiety

Meaning
the state or quality of being light-hearted or cheerful; festive atmosphere
Example
The wedding reception was filled with gaiety, laughter, and joyful celebrations.
C1 adjective /juːˈfɔːrɪk/

euphoric

Meaning
Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.
Example
The fans were euphoric after their team's victory.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtændʒəbl/

intangible

Meaning
Unable to be touched or grasped; not having a physical presence.
Example
Trust is an intangible quality in relationships.
C1 noun /ˌdʒiːniˈælədʒi/

genealogy

Meaning
The study and tracing of lines of descent or family history.
Example
She spent years researching her family's genealogy.
C1 verb /ˈdʒɪtər/

jitter

Meaning
to shake or tremble slightly, often from fear, nervousness, or excitement
Example
He began to jitter nervously before giving his speech.
C1 adjective /ˈlɑːpˌsaɪdɪd/

lopsided

Meaning
with one side lower, larger, or different from the other; uneven or imbalanced
Example
The cake looked lopsided after being decorated in a hurry.
C1 noun /ˈækwɪˌdʌkt/

aqueduct

Meaning
a structure built to carry water over long distances
Example
The Romans built aqueducts to supply water to their cities.
C1 noun /ˌɑːr.kəˈpɛl.əˌɡoʊ/

archipelago

Meaning
A group of islands clustered together in a body of water.
Example
Indonesia is an archipelago with thousands of islands.
C1 verb /səbˈstænʃieɪt/

substantiate

Meaning
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
Example
The lawyer worked to substantiate the claims with solid evidence.
C1 noun /ˈpɑːr.keɪ/

parquet

Meaning
A floor made of wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern.
Example
The old mansion had a beautiful parquet floor.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪp.lət/

triplet

Meaning
One of three children or animals born at the same time to the same mother.
Example
The family was surprised to have triplets instead of twins.
C1 adjective ɪmˈpɛkəbl

impeccable

Meaning
In accordance with the highest standards; faultless.
Example
His impeccable taste in fashion was admired by all his peers.
C1 adjective /θiːˈmætɪk/

thematic

Meaning
Relating to or based on a theme.
Example
The book is organized into thematic chapters.
C1 noun /ˈkæmi.oʊ/

cameo

Meaning
a small but significant role in a play, film, or show, often performed by a well-known person
Example
The actor made a surprise cameo in the movie.
C1 noun koʊˈhisɪv ˈjunɪts

cohesive units

Meaning
Groups or organizations that work together as unified wholes, with members closely bound together.
Example
Early humans formed cohesive units for survival.
C1 verb prəˈpel

propel

Meaning
To drive, push, or cause to move in a particular direction, typically forward.
Example
Lack of proper guidance can propel adolescents toward delinquency.
C1 noun /straɪf/

strife

Meaning
angry or violent conflict; struggle or discord
Example
The region has been torn apart by political strife.
C1 verb /skɔːrtʃ/

scorch

Meaning
to burn the surface of something slightly
Example
The fire scorched the walls of the building.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪlɪdʒ/

mileage

Meaning
The distance traveled in miles, or the fuel efficiency of a vehicle.
Example
This car gives excellent mileage on highways.
C1 noun /ˈseɪ.tən/

Satan

Meaning
the chief evil spirit; the Devil in Christian and Islamic belief
Example
According to religious texts, Satan tempts people to sin.
C1 noun /ˈθʌroʊˌfɛr/

thoroughfare

Meaning
a main road or public highway that goes through a place
Example
The new mall is located along the main thoroughfare.
C1 noun /ˈtæpəstri/

tapestry

Meaning
A piece of thick textile fabric with pictures or designs woven into it, often hung on walls.
Example
The museum displayed an ancient tapestry from the 15th century.
C1 verb /dɪˈspɜːrs/

disperse

Meaning
To scatter or spread widely in different directions.
Example
The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
C1 noun /krʌst/

crust

Meaning
the hard outer surface of something, especially bread or the Earth's outer layer
Example
He cut off the crust of the bread before eating.