counterintuitive
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 adjective /ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtuːɪtɪv/

counterintuitive

Meaning
contrary to what one would intuitively expect
Example
His approach seems counterintuitive but it actually works.
C1 verb ɪɡˈzɛm.plɪ.faɪ

exemplify

Meaning
To be a typical example of or to illustrate something clearly, to show as an example or demonstrate.
Example
His dedication exemplifies true leadership.
C1 noun /ˌdʒerənˈtɑːlədʒi/

gerontology

Meaning
The scientific study of old age and the process of aging.
Example
She chose to specialize in gerontology after completing medical school.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːsɪˌfaɪd/

ossified

Meaning
Turned into bone or become rigid; unwilling to change.
Example
The company had an ossified management structure that resisted innovation.
B1 noun /ˈɛpɪsoʊd/

episode

Meaning
An event or part of a story, or one installment in a series.
Example
The last episode of the drama was watched by millions.
C1 noun /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊʃən/

locomotion

Meaning
movement or the ability to move from one place to another
Example
Walking is the most common form of human locomotion.
C2 adjective /ˈblaɪðsəm/

blithesome

Meaning
cheerful, carefree, and full of joy
Example
She entered the room with a blithesome smile that lifted everyone's spirits.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv/

inquisitive

Meaning
Curious or eager to learn and ask questions.
Example
The inquisitive child asked endless questions about the stars.
B2 noun /prəˈtɛktər/

protector

Meaning
a person or thing that protects someone or something
Example
The dog was seen as the family's protector.
A2 noun /ˈɑːrmi/

army

Meaning
a large organized military force trained for war
Example
The army protected the border from attack.
B2 adjective /ˈkaʊntləs/

countless

Meaning
too many to be counted; innumerable
Example
There are countless stars in the sky.
C2 adjective /ˌfærɪˈseɪɪkəl/

pharisaical

Meaning
Excessively concerned with formal rules or outward show of morality, often in a hypocritical way.
Example
His pharisaical behavior made people doubt his sincerity.
B2 noun ˌjuːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən

utilization

Meaning
The action of making practical and effective use of something.
Example
Increased plastic utilization calls for better waste management.
C1 verb /rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪt/

reciprocate

Meaning
To respond to an action or gesture by making a corresponding one.
Example
She smiled at him, and he reciprocated with a warm hug.
C1 noun, verb /kriːs/

crease

Meaning
a line or fold produced on paper, cloth, or other material; to make a fold or wrinkle
Example
She ironed the shirt carefully to remove every crease.
C2 adjective /ˈɔːrnəri/

ornery

Meaning
bad-tempered and combative; stubborn
Example
The ornery old man refused to leave his chair.
A2 noun /ˈkælkjʊleɪtər/

calculator

Meaning
an electronic or mechanical device used to perform mathematical calculations
Example
She used a calculator to solve the complex equation.
C1 verb /ˈiːvzdrɒp/

eavesdrop

Meaning
to secretly listen to a conversation
Example
She stood near the door to eavesdrop on their conversation.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪtɪd/

emaciated

Meaning
Abnormally thin or weak, usually due to illness or lack of food.
Example
The emaciated dog was rescued from the abandoned house.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈfɪt/

Unfit

Meaning
not in good physical condition; unsuitable or inappropriate
Example
He was declared unfit for military service due to his poor health.
C1 verb /əˈluːd/

allude

Meaning
To refer to something indirectly or casually.
Example
The professor alluded to Shakespeare during the lecture.
C1 adjective ˈtæs.ɪt

tacit

Meaning
Understood or implied without being openly expressed or stated
Example
Their mutual understanding was based on tacit agreement.
B2 noun /ˈsɪləbəs/

syllabus

Meaning
An outline or summary of topics to be covered in a course of study.
Example
The professor handed out the syllabus on the first day of class.
C1 noun /plaɪt/

Plight

Meaning
a dangerous, difficult, or unfortunate situation
Example
The refugees were in a desperate plight.
A2 verb /pɪk/

pick

Meaning
to choose; to take or select from a group; to pluck or gather
Example
Please pick your favorite color from the palette.
C2 verb /raɪv/

rive

Meaning
to tear apart violently
Example
The earthquake rived the ground in several places.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌm.taɪm/

sometime

Meaning
at a time that is not known or stated; occasionally
Example
Let's meet for coffee sometime next week.
C1 adjective /ˈskwɒlɪd/

squalid

Meaning
extremely dirty and unpleasant, often due to poverty or neglect
Example
He lived in a squalid room with broken furniture.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊkswɪmən/

spokeswoman

Meaning
a woman who speaks on behalf of a group or organization
Example
The spokeswoman for the company announced the new product.
B1 adjective /ɪnkəˈrɛkt/

incorrect

Meaning
not correct or accurate
Example
The information you provided was incorrect.
C1 noun /stɛntʃ/

stench

Meaning
A very strong and unpleasant smell.
Example
The stench of garbage filled the alley.
C1 noun /ˈfɛlən/

felon

Meaning
a person who has committed a serious crime
Example
The felon was sentenced to ten years in prison.
C1 noun /dɪˌnɒmɪˈneɪʃən/

denomination

Meaning
a recognized autonomous branch of the Christian Church; a unit of value or currency
Example
The church belongs to a Protestant denomination.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈwɜːrði/

Unworthy

Meaning
not deserving respect or attention; lacking worth or merit
Example
He felt unworthy of such praise and recognition.
C1 verb, noun /klɑːɡ/

clog

Meaning
to block or become blocked; a type of heavy wooden shoe
Example
The sink was clogged with food waste.
C2 noun /liːdʒ/

liege

Meaning
A feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service; a loyal subject.
Example
The knight pledged loyalty to his liege.
C1 verb /ˌɪntəˈsɛkt/

intersect

Meaning
to cross or pass through each other
Example
The two roads intersect at the city center.
B1 adverb /ˈtɛrəbli/

terribly

Meaning
to a very great or extreme degree; very badly or unpleasantly
Example
He felt terribly sad after hearing the news.
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.
A2 adjective /əˈtræk.tɪv/

Attractive

Meaning
pleasing or appealing to the senses; having a quality that draws interest
Example
The garden looks very attractive in spring.
A1 pronoun /huː/

who

Meaning
used to ask about a person or people
Example
Who is coming to the party tonight?
B1 adjective /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/

associated

Meaning
connected or related to something or someone
Example
She is closely associated with environmental movements.
B2 noun /mɪθ/

myth

Meaning
A traditional story explaining natural or social phenomena, often involving supernatural beings; a widely held but false belief.
Example
The myth of the phoenix tells of a bird reborn from its ashes.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnɜːrdʒɪk/

synergic

Meaning
Working together in a cooperative and effective manner.
Example
The two departments have a synergic relationship that boosts productivity.
A2 noun /ɡreɪps/

Grapes

Meaning
small round fruits that grow in clusters on vines; used to make wine
Example
She bought a bunch of grapes from the market.
A2 noun /ˈkændi/

candy

Meaning
a sweet food made with sugar or chocolate, often in small pieces
Example
The children were excited to get candy on Halloween.
B1 noun ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃənz

Generations

Meaning
All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.
Example
The family tree spans several generations.
C1 verb /bɔːl/

bawl

Meaning
to shout or cry loudly
Example
The baby bawled all night, keeping everyone awake.
C2 noun /ˌmɒnəˈmeɪniə/

monomania

Meaning
Excessive concentration or obsession with a single subject or idea.
Example
His monomania for collecting stamps worried his family.
A2 noun /haɪt/

height

Meaning
the measurement of someone or something from base to top
Example
The height of the tower impressed the visitors.
C2 noun /oʊd/

ode

Meaning
a lyrical poem, often expressing praise or strong emotions
Example
The poet wrote an ode to the beauty of nature.
A2 noun /ˈhæb.ɪt/

habit

Meaning
A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
Example
Eye rubbing is a harmful habit.
B2 noun, verb /slænt/

slant

Meaning
A particular point of view; to slope or lean in a particular direction.
Example
The article had a political slant.
B2 adjective /bɪˈzɑːr/

bizarre

Meaning
very strange or unusual, especially so as to cause interest or amusement
Example
He told a bizarre story that no one could believe.
B2 noun noʊˈbel praɪz

Nobel Prize

Meaning
Any of six international prizes awarded annually for outstanding work in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, economics, and the promotion of peace.
Example
Nobel Prize recognition evaded Bose's contributions.
A2 verb /wɛr/

wear

Meaning
to have clothing or accessories on one's body
Example
She likes to wear bright colors.
C1 noun /meər/

Mare

Meaning
an adult female horse
Example
The beautiful mare galloped across the meadow.
B2 noun ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃən

evaluation

Meaning
The making of a judgment about the amount, number, or value of something; assessment.
Example
Accurate evaluation helps determine resource sustainability.
C1 adverb /ˈduːli/

Duly

Meaning
in accordance with what is required or appropriate; at the proper time
Example
The documents were duly signed and submitted.
C2 noun /ˈdɒɡ roʊz/

Dog-rose

Meaning
A wild rose species with pink or white flowers and thorny stems, common in hedgerows
Example
The dog-rose bush grew wild along the countryside path.
B2 verb /ˈhɑːrnɪs/

harness

Meaning
To control and make use of natural resources, especially energy.
Example
Scientists are working to harness solar power effectively.
A2 noun /trɪk/

Trick

Meaning
a cunning act intended to deceive; a skillful action performed for entertainment
Example
The magician performed an amazing card trick that fooled everyone.
C2 noun /ˈpɛrɪstaɪl/

peristyle

Meaning
A continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or courtyard.
Example
The Roman villa featured a beautiful peristyle garden.
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.
A2 noun /peɪn/

Pain

Meaning
physical suffering or discomfort; mental or emotional distress
Example
The patient felt severe pain in his back.
C1 noun ɪnˌɛv.ɪ.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

inevitability

Meaning
The quality of being certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.
Example
The inevitability of change is a part of life.
B2 verb /briːd/

breed

Meaning
to produce young animals; to reproduce; to keep animals for producing young
Example
They breed horses on their farm.
B1 adjective /ˈɪnər/

inner

Meaning
Located inside or closer to the center; relating to one’s thoughts or feelings.
Example
She shared her inner thoughts with her best friend.
B1 adjective /ˈhɑːrmfəl/

Harmful

Meaning
causing or likely to cause harm; damaging
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health.
C1 noun /ˈʃæmbəlz/

shambles

Meaning
a state of complete disorder or ruin
Example
After the storm, the whole town was in shambles.
C1 noun /trænsˈɡrɛʃən/

transgression

Meaning
an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; a violation or sin
Example
The court forgave his first transgression but warned him not to repeat it.
C1 noun /juːˈfɔː.ri.ə/

euphoria

Meaning
A feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness; elation.
Example
Winning the championship brought a sense of euphoria.
C2 noun /ˈkrɪsəndəm/

christendom

Meaning
the worldwide body or community of Christians
Example
The news spread quickly across Christendom.
C2 noun /ˈsʌfərəns/

sufferance

Meaning
patient endurance of pain, hardship, or delay; passive consent or tolerance
Example
He lived in poverty with quiet sufferance.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
A2 adjective /ˈfɪnɪʃt/

finished

Meaning
completed or brought to an end
Example
The painting is finished and ready to display.
B1 verb/noun /bɔːr/

bore

Meaning
Verb: To make someone feel uninterested or tired; Noun: A dull or tiresome person.
Example
The lecture began to bore the students.
B2 noun /ˈruːlɪŋ/

ruling

Meaning
an official decision made by a judge or authority.
Example
The court’s ruling favored the defendant.
B2 noun /ˈtɜːr.nɪp/

Turnip

Meaning
a round root vegetable with white or purple skin and white flesh
Example
We grew turnips in our vegetable garden.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈkrɛdjələs/

incredulous

Meaning
unwilling or unable to believe something
Example
He gave her an incredulous look when she claimed she could fly.
C2 verb /ˌdɒmɪˈnɪə/

domineer

Meaning
to assert one's will over another in an arrogant way
Example
He tends to domineer over his younger colleagues.
C2 adjective /ɑːlˈfæktəri/

olfactory

Meaning
Relating to the sense of smell.
Example
The perfume activated her olfactory nerves immediately.
C1 noun /bɪˈriːvmənt/

bereavement

Meaning
The state of having lost a loved one through death.
Example
She received many letters of sympathy during her time of bereavement.
B2 adverb /ˌæksɪˈdɛntəli/

accidentally

Meaning
happening by chance or unexpectedly
Example
He accidentally dropped the glass.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔːf.ti/

Lofty

Meaning
of great height; noble in character; elevated in style
Example
He has lofty ideals about making the world a better place.
C1 noun /ˈlʌstər/

luster

Meaning
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially from a polished surface
Example
The diamond had a brilliant luster.
C1 adjective /ˈɪɡ.ni.əs/

igneous

Meaning
Formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Example
Granite is an igneous rock commonly used in construction.
C2 noun /ˈmɜːkinəs/

murkiness

Meaning
The quality of being dark, gloomy, or unclear.
Example
The murkiness of the water made it hard to see the fish.
A1 verb /noʊ/

know

Meaning
to have information about something; to be familiar with
Example
I know the answer to this question.
B1 noun /ˌpɒp.jəˈlær.ə.ti/

Popularity

Meaning
the state of being liked, admired, or supported by many people
Example
The singer's popularity has grown rapidly this year.
B2 adjective /swɪft/

swift

Meaning
moving very quickly; happening promptly
Example
The river current was swift after the heavy rain.
C2 verb /məˈkadəˌmaɪz/

macadamize

Meaning
to construct or cover a road with broken stone
Example
The government decided to macadamize the old rural roads.
C2 noun /ˈkriːdoʊ/

credo

Meaning
A statement of the beliefs or aims that guide someone's actions.
Example
Honesty has always been the central credo of his life.
C2 noun /ˈhɛksəˌpɒd/

hexapod

Meaning
An insect or other organism with six legs.
Example
The scientist observed a hexapod crawling on the leaf.
A2 adverb /ˈklɪrli/

clearly

Meaning
In a way that is easy to perceive, understand, or see.
Example
She spoke clearly so that everyone could understand.
C2 noun /ˌænəlˈdʒiːziə/

analgesia

Meaning
The inability to feel pain while still conscious.
Example
The doctor induced analgesia before performing the procedure.
C2 noun /lɪˈnoʊ.li.əm/

linoleum

Meaning
a durable, washable floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, wood flour, or cork dust on a canvas backing
Example
They decided to cover the kitchen floor with linoleum.
B2 noun /ˈfɜː.tɪ.laɪ.zər/

fertilizer

Meaning
a substance added to soil to make plants grow more successfully
Example
Farmers use fertilizer to increase crop production.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/

paranoiac

Meaning
A person who suffers from paranoia or exhibits extreme, irrational distrust and suspicion.
Example
The paranoiac refused to leave his house, fearing everyone was against him.
C2 noun ˈɡoʊldən ˈbʌtərflaɪ

Golden Butterfly

Meaning
A beautiful species of butterfly with golden coloration, symbolizing beauty and nature.
Example
The Golden Butterfly is a symbol of beauty and nature.
C1 adjective, adverb (informal, vulgar) /ˈfʌkɪŋ/

fucking

Meaning
used for emphasis, often expressing anger or frustration (vulgar slang)
Example
It was a fucking disaster!
B2 adjective /ˈnjuː.mər.əs/

Numerous

Meaning
existing in large numbers; many; abundant
Example
There are numerous benefits to exercising regularly.
A2 verb /kəˈnɛkt/

connect

Meaning
To join or fasten together; to establish a link or relationship.
Example
Social media helps us connect with others.
C1 noun /rɪˈnaʊn/

Renown

Meaning
the condition of being known or talked about by many people; fame
Example
The scientist achieved international renown for her discoveries.
B2 verb /ɪnˈfɔːrs/

enforce

Meaning
to make sure that a rule, law, or policy is obeyed
Example
The police are responsible for enforcing the law.
C2 verb /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪ/

rarefy

Meaning
To make something less dense or more refined.
Example
The air rarefies as you climb higher into the mountains.
C1 verb /mɔːl/

maul

Meaning
To wound or injure someone by scratching or tearing; to handle roughly.
Example
The bear mauled the camper in the forest.
A1 pronoun /hɪm/

him

Meaning
Used to refer to a male person or animal already mentioned.
Example
I saw him at the park yesterday.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnprɪˈtɛnʃəs/

unpretentious

Meaning
modest; not attempting to impress others with appearance or importance
Example
She lives in an unpretentious home but is very happy.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsɜːʃən/

insertion

Meaning
the action of inserting something into something else
Example
The insertion of the new data was completed successfully.
B1 noun /neɪl/

Nail

Meaning
a small metal spike with a broadened flat head; part of finger or toe
Example
He hammered the nail into the wooden board.
C2 verb /dɪˈtruːd/

detrude

Meaning
To thrust or force something downward or outward.
Example
The violent waves detruded rocks from the cliff.
C1 noun, verb /strænd/

strand

Meaning
Noun: A single thin length of thread, wire, or similar. Verb: To leave someone or something without a way of moving or leaving.
Example
The storm stranded many tourists on the island.
C1 noun /ˌprɒvəˈkeɪʃən/

provocation

Meaning
An action or statement that is intended to make someone angry or to cause a reaction.
Example
His rude comment was a clear provocation.
B1 noun /kənˈteɪ.nər/

container

Meaning
A receptacle or box used for storage or transportation.
Example
Containers are essential for logistics.
C2 noun /ɪˌdʒækjʊˈleɪʃən/

ejaculation

Meaning
The action of suddenly saying something or the release of semen during sexual climax.
Example
His sudden ejaculation of joy surprised everyone in the room.
B2 noun /fʌs/

Fuss

Meaning
unnecessary worry or bother about something; agitated excitement over a trivial matter
Example
She made such a fuss about the small stain on her dress that everyone noticed.
C1 verb /fɔːrˈtɛl/

foretell

Meaning
to predict or announce something before it happens
Example
The old man claimed he could foretell the future.
C2 noun /ˈmæk.rəˌkɒz.əm/

macrocosm

Meaning
The whole universe considered as a large, complex system; a large-scale representation of something.
Example
The macrocosm of the universe reflects the microcosm of human life.
B2 noun /dɪˈstrækʃənz/

distractions

Meaning
Things that prevent someone from concentrating on something else.
Example
Eliminate distractions for better productivity.
B1 adjective ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk

scientific

Meaning
Based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science.
Example
Scientific discoveries continue to shape our understanding of the world.