coxswain
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 /ˈkɒksweɪn/

coxswain

Meaning
the person in charge of navigating and steering a boat, especially a racing or small boat
Example
The coxswain shouted instructions to the rowing team.
C2 adjective /ˈhæl.si.ən/

halcyon

Meaning
calm, peaceful, and happy; denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
Example
She often reminisces about the halcyon days of her childhood.
C2 noun/adjective /rɪˈmɒnstrənt/

remonstrant

Meaning
A person who makes a forceful protest (noun); protesting or objecting (adjective).
Example
He was a remonstrant voice in the assembly.
C2 verb /blæsˈfiːm/

blaspheme

Meaning
to speak irreverently about God or sacred things
Example
He was accused of blaspheming during the heated argument.
C2 noun /oʊˈbeɪsəns/

obeisance

Meaning
A gesture of respect such as a bow or curtsy.
Example
They bowed in obeisance to the king.
C2 adjective /ˈbæti/

batty

Meaning
crazy or eccentric in behavior
Example
The old man down the street is a bit batty but harmless.
C2 adjective /vərˈmɪkjələr/

vermicular

Meaning
having a shape or appearance like a worm; worm-like
Example
The artist used a vermicular design to decorate the border of the manuscript.
C2 noun /ˈlaɪər/

lier

Meaning
a person who tells lies; an alternative spelling of liar
Example
No one trusted him because he was known as a habitual lier.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈpoʊz/

discompose

Meaning
To disturb the order or calmness of something or someone.
Example
The unexpected question seemed to discompose her.
C2 noun /miːn/

mien

Meaning
A person's appearance or manner, especially as an indication of their character or mood.
Example
His serious mien made everyone fall silent.
C2 noun /bjuːt/

butte

Meaning
an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, common in arid regions
Example
The travelers could see a tall butte rising in the desert.
C2 adverb /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃəsli/

expeditiously

Meaning
in a quick and efficient manner
Example
The application was processed expeditiously.
C2 adjective /ˈdæpər/

dapper

Meaning
Neat, stylish, and well-dressed in appearance.
Example
He looked very dapper in his new suit.
C2 noun /ˈstrætədʒəm/

stratagem

Meaning
a plan or scheme designed to achieve a particular goal, often by trickery
Example
The general devised a clever stratagem to outwit the enemy.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌlɔːɡ/

apologue

Meaning
a short moral story or fable intended to teach a lesson
Example
The teacher used an old apologue to explain honesty to the children.
C2 noun /hoʊ/

Hoe

Meaning
a gardening tool with a thin metal blade used for breaking up soil and removing weeds
Example
The farmer used a hoe to remove weeds from his vegetable garden.
C2 noun /ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

philistine

Meaning
a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts
Example
He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art.
C2 adjective /ləˈkɒnɪk/

laconic

Meaning
using very few words; concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
Example
His laconic reply ended the conversation quickly.
C2 noun /ɡɜːrθ/

girth

Meaning
the measurement around the middle of something, especially a person's waist or a tree trunk
Example
The tree's girth measured nearly five feet.
C2 adverb /ˈtrɛbli/

trebly

Meaning
in a triple manner or to a threefold degree
Example
The sound was trebly distorted through the old speakers.
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 adjective /ˈrɪbɔːld/

ribald

Meaning
Referring to sexual matters in a humorous or vulgar way.
Example
The comedian’s ribald jokes made the audience laugh uncomfortably.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪn.ɪ.skjuːl/

miniscule

Meaning
Extremely small or tiny.
Example
The error was so miniscule that nobody noticed it.
C2 adjective /ˈnɒti/

knotty

Meaning
Complicated, difficult to solve or full of knots.
Example
He faced a knotty legal issue.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈsɔːriəs/

censorious

Meaning
severely critical of others
Example
She was always censorious about her colleagues' mistakes.
C2 verb /rɪˈtrɛntʃ/

retrench

Meaning
to reduce costs, spending, or staff to save resources
Example
The company had to retrench employees due to financial difficulties.
C2 adjective ˌeə.rəʊˈstæt.ɪk

aerostatic

Meaning
Relating to or involving gases (especially air) in equilibrium and the equilibrium of balloons or aircraft under the influence of such gases.
Example
Aerostatic designs ensure stability at high altitudes.
C2 noun mɒnəˈtɑːskɪŋ

monotasking

Meaning
The practice of dedicating oneself to a given task and minimizing potential interruptions until the task is completed or a significant period of time has elapsed.
Example
Monotasking can often lead to higher quality work.
C2 adjective /əˈluːviəl/

alluvial

Meaning
Relating to or derived from alluvium (loose soil or sediment deposited by rivers).
Example
The farmers cultivate crops on the fertile alluvial plains.
C2 adjective /ˈvælərəs/

valorous

Meaning
showing great courage and bravery
Example
The valorous soldier led his troop into battle without hesitation.
C2 noun /ˌɪkθiˈɒlədʒɪst/

ichthyologist

Meaning
A scientist who studies fish.
Example
The ichthyologist discovered a new species of fish in the river.
C2 adjective /ˈhaɪdrəs/

hydrous

Meaning
Containing water, especially water of crystallization.
Example
The mineral is hydrous because it contains water molecules in its structure.
C2 noun /ˈlɪmərɪk/

limerick

Meaning
a humorous five-line poem with a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme (AABBA).
Example
She recited a funny limerick at the party.
C2 verb /ˈɡrʌvəl/

grovel

Meaning
To act in an excessively humble or submissive way to gain favor.
Example
He groveled before his boss to avoid punishment.
C2 noun /ˈpætwɑː/

patois

Meaning
a regional or social dialect, especially one considered nonstandard or informal
Example
The guide slipped into local patois when chatting with the fishermen.
C2 adjective /ɒˈstɛnsɪv/

ostensive

Meaning
clearly demonstrative or pointing out; explicitly shown
Example
The teacher gave an ostensive example to clarify the concept.
C2 verb /ˈkɒr.ʌ.skeɪt/

coruscate

Meaning
to sparkle or flash brightly
Example
The fireworks coruscated across the night sky.
C2 verb /ˌdɪspəˈzɛs/

dispossess

Meaning
to deprive someone of land, property, or other possessions
Example
The new law threatened to dispossess many farmers of their land.
C2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡɜːrd/

undergird

Meaning
to provide support or foundation for; to strengthen
Example
Strong values undergird a healthy society.
C2 noun /ˈbɒmbæst/

bombast

Meaning
speech or writing that is overly pompous and inflated
Example
His campaign speech was full of bombast but lacked real substance.
C2 adjective /ˈvoʊtɪv/

votive

Meaning
Offered or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow.
Example
She lit a votive candle in the church as a prayer.
C2 noun /fɪˈlæt.əl.i/

philately

Meaning
the collection and study of postage stamps
Example
Philately is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages.
C2 adjective /ˈɛrənt/

errant

Meaning
behaving wrongly or straying from the proper course or standards
Example
The teacher disciplined the errant student.
C2 noun /bəˈnæləti/

banality

Meaning
The condition of being unoriginal, boring, or obvious; trite remark or quality.
Example
The speech was criticized for its banality and lack of originality.
C2 noun /ˈproʊbɪti/

probity

Meaning
The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
Example
The judge was admired for his integrity and probity.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪpəˈkɒndrɪæk/

hypochondriac

Meaning
a person who is excessively worried about having a serious illness
Example
She is a hypochondriac who visits the doctor every week.
C2 verb /ɪˈnjʊər/

inure

Meaning
To become accustomed to something, especially something unpleasant.
Example
Soldiers quickly became inured to the harsh conditions.
C2 noun /ˌɪkθiˈɒlədʒi/

ichthyology

Meaning
The branch of zoology that deals with fish.
Example
He pursued a degree in ichthyology at the university.
C2 verb /əˈniːl/

anneal

Meaning
To heat and cool metal or glass to make it stronger or less brittle.
Example
The blacksmith annealed the steel to improve its durability.
C2 noun /ˈʃæd.ək/

Shaddock

Meaning
a large citrus fruit similar to grapefruit; pomelo
Example
The shaddock is the largest citrus fruit in the world.
C2 verb /ˌæd ˈlɪb/

ad-lib

Meaning
to speak or perform without preparation; to improvise
Example
The comedian ad-libbed a joke when the microphone failed.
C2 noun /ˌfjuːzɪˈleɪd/

fusillade

Meaning
A series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession.
Example
The soldiers advanced under a fusillade of bullets.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪfɒn/

antiphon

Meaning
a short chant or verse sung responsively in Christian worship, typically sung before or after a psalm or canticle
Example
The choir sang the antiphon before beginning the main hymn.
C2 noun /ˈɔːfəl/

offal

Meaning
the internal organs and entrails of an animal used as food; waste parts
Example
The butcher prepared sausages using pork offal.
C2 noun /daɪˈɡrɛʃən/

digression

Meaning
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Example
Her story was full of interesting digressions.
C2 noun /ˌkɒnvəˈluːʃən/

convolution

Meaning
a twist, coil, or a complex and intricate shape or arrangement
Example
The brain has many convolutions that increase its surface area.
C2 noun/verb /ɡraʊs/

grouse

Meaning
A type of bird; or to complain or grumble persistently.
Example
He always grouses about the long hours at work.
C2 noun /ˈpɒntɪf/

pontiff

Meaning
the pope or a high-ranking bishop in the Christian church
Example
The pontiff addressed the nation in a televised speech.
C2 adjective, adverb /əˈbʌvˌbɔːrd/

aboveboard

Meaning
Open and honest; without deception or trickery.
Example
The business deal was completely aboveboard.
C2 verb /dɪsˈkʌmfɪt/

discomfit

Meaning
to make someone feel uneasy, embarrassed, or confused
Example
The interviewer’s tough questions discomfited the candidate.
C2 noun /ˈmælɪt fɪʃ/

Mallet fish

Meaning
A marine fish with a hard shell-like covering, found in coastal waters
Example
The mallet fish is known for its unique protective shell covering.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌltɪfɔːrm/

multiform

Meaning
Having many different forms or appearances.
Example
The festival was a multiform celebration of art, music, and culture.
C2 verb /kwɒf/

quaff

Meaning
to drink something heartily or in large gulps, especially an alcoholic drink
Example
He quaffed a mug of ale after the long day.
C2 adjective /dɪˈkrɛpɪt/

decrepit

Meaning
worn out or weakened by age or neglect
Example
The decrepit old house was on the verge of collapse.
C2 adjective /ˈæmbjələˌtɔːri/

ambulatory

Meaning
Relating to or able to walk; relating to outpatient medical care.
Example
The patient is ambulatory and does not require bed rest.
C2 noun /ˈpɒmfrɪt/

Pomfret

Meaning
A deep-bodied marine fish with silvery scales, popular in Asian cuisine
Example
The restaurant serves delicious pomfret curry with rice.
C2 verb /bɪˈɡaɪl/

beguile

Meaning
to charm or enchant someone, often in a deceptive way
Example
She beguiled the audience with her storytelling.
C2 noun /ˈɪntərˌveɪl/

intervale

Meaning
A low-lying tract of land along a river, usually fertile and flat.
Example
The farmers cultivated crops on the lush intervale by the river.
C2 verb /bɪˈmjuːz/

bemuse

Meaning
To confuse or puzzle someone.
Example
The complex instructions bemused the new employees.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərˈsɛʃən/

intercession

Meaning
the act of intervening or pleading on behalf of another person
Example
The prisoner was released due to the intercession of influential leaders.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈklɛmɛnt/

inclement

Meaning
unpleasantly cold, wet, or stormy (usually weather)
Example
The match was canceled due to inclement weather.
C2 adjective /roʊˈtʌnd/

rotund

Meaning
round or plump in shape; full in sound
Example
The rotund cat struggled to climb the fence.
C2 adjective /dɪˈklæməˌtɔri/

declamatory

Meaning
speaking in a loud, rhetorical, or dramatic way
Example
The politician’s declamatory style impressed some but irritated others.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈdɛsənt/

iridescent

Meaning
showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles
Example
She wore an iridescent dress that sparkled in the light.
C2 noun /ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪl/

gargoyle

Meaning
A carved stone figure, often of a grotesque creature, on a building, typically used as a spout to carry water away.
Example
The ancient cathedral had gargoyles on every corner.
C2 noun /əˌpɒθiˈoʊsɪs/

apotheosis

Meaning
The highest point of development; the perfect example of something; the elevation of someone to divine status.
Example
Many see the Renaissance as the apotheosis of art and culture in Europe.
C2 adjective /ˈlɔːdəˌtɔːri/

laudatory

Meaning
Expressing praise or admiration.
Example
She wrote a laudatory review of the new book.
C2 verb /bruːt/

bruit

Meaning
to spread a rumor or report widely
Example
The scandal was quickly bruited about the town.
C2 adjective/noun /fɪˈduː.ʃi.er.i/

fiduciary

Meaning
Involving trust, especially with regard to the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary.
Example
Banks have fiduciary duties towards their clients.
C2 verb /ɛmˈbleɪzən/

emblazon

Meaning
To decorate or display something in a noticeable or impressive way.
Example
The team's logo was emblazoned on their uniforms.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkənˈsɪdərəbl/

inconsiderable

Meaning
Too small or unimportant to be worth considering.
Example
The donation was not inconsiderable, though smaller than expected.
C2 noun /ˌɪmprəˈpraɪəti/

impropriety

Meaning
Failure to observe standards of honesty or modesty; improper behavior.
Example
The politician was accused of financial impropriety.
C2 noun (compound/erroneous entry) /ɪnˈɛksərəbl ɑːrmi/

inexorableinexorablearmy

Meaning
This appears to be a corrupted or concatenated form; interpreted as 'inexorable army' — an unstoppable or relentless force.
Example
The rebels feared the inexorable army approaching their stronghold.
C2 verb /əˈreɪn/

arraign

Meaning
to formally accuse someone in a court of law and ask them to respond to the charges
Example
The suspect was arraigned before the judge this morning.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃəs/

disputatious

Meaning
fond of or given to argument and debate
Example
His disputatious nature often led to heated conversations.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

penetrable

Meaning
Capable of being passed through or entered.
Example
The thin wall was easily penetrable.
C2 verb /əˈkuːtə/

accoutre

Meaning
to dress or equip, especially in something impressive or elaborate
Example
The knight was accoutred in shining armor.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒrɪdʒəbl/

corrigible

Meaning
capable of being corrected or improved
Example
The student's mistakes were corrigible with practice.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsəˈproʊpriˌeɪt/

misappropriate

Meaning
to use something dishonestly or illegally for one's own purposes
Example
He was accused of misappropriating company funds.
C2 noun/verb /ɡraʊtʃ/

grouch

Meaning
a person who complains a lot or to complain in a grumpy way
Example
He is such a grouch in the morning before coffee.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɒɡ/

befog

Meaning
to confuse or make unclear; to cover with fog or mist
Example
His mind was befogged by exhaustion.
C2 verb /ˈfæmɪʃ/

famish

Meaning
to suffer or cause to suffer from extreme hunger
Example
The stranded hikers began to famish after several days without food.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɒndərəbl̩/

imponderable

Meaning
Something difficult or impossible to estimate, assess, or understand
Example
The outcome of the election depends on many imponderable factors.
C2 noun /ˌhoʊ.mi.oʊˈsteɪ.sɪs/

homeostasis

Meaning
The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Example
The human body maintains homeostasis through temperature regulation.
C2 noun /ˈæbɪs/

abbess

Meaning
the woman in charge of a convent of nuns
Example
The abbess welcomed the visitors to the convent.
C2 adjective /rɪˈmɪs/

remiss

Meaning
Negligent in performing a duty or responsibility.
Example
The manager was remiss in not checking the financial reports carefully.
C2 noun /ˌkʌmˈʌpəns/

comeuppance

Meaning
A deserved punishment or fate; just deserts.
Example
The corrupt official finally got his comeuppance in court.
C2 adjective /ˈvjuː.ləs/

Viewless

Meaning
invisible; having no views or opinions
Example
The ghost remained viewless to most people in the haunted house.
C2 noun /ˈɑb.lə.kwi/

Obloquy

Meaning
harsh criticism or verbal abuse; strong public condemnation
Example
The politician faced obloquy after the scandal.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.ʌnˈdeɪ.ʃən/

inundation

Meaning
The act of flooding or overwhelming with water or things.
Example
The town suffered from a severe inundation after the heavy rains.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

prepossessing

Meaning
Attractive or appealing in appearance or manner.
Example
She had a prepossessing smile that charmed everyone.
C2 adjective /ɛɡˈzɪɡjuəs/

exiguous

Meaning
small in amount; scanty or inadequate
Example
They survived on exiguous rations during the journey.
C2 adjective ˌsʌr.əpˈtɪʃ.əs

surreptitious

Meaning
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; done stealthily.
Example
She took a surreptitious glance at his notes.
C2 noun /ɪˈluːmɪnənt/

illuminant

Meaning
A substance or device that produces light.
Example
The lamp acted as an illuminant in the dark cave.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdɛkərəs/

indecorous

Meaning
Not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper.
Example
His indecorous behavior shocked the audience.
C2 noun /əˈpɒθəˌkɛri/

apothecary

Meaning
A historical term for a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs.
Example
The village apothecary provided remedies for many common illnesses.
C2 noun /əˈprəʊ.bri.əm/

opprobrium

Meaning
Harsh criticism or public disgrace.
Example
The scandal brought opprobrium on the politician.
C2 verb /ˈvɛəriəˌɡeɪt/

variegate

Meaning
To diversify or mark with different colors or patterns.
Example
The artist used different shades to variegate the design.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

parsimony

Meaning
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
Example
His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses.
C2 noun /ˈnoʊmənˌkleɪtʃər/

nomenclature

Meaning
A system of names or terms used in a particular science, art, or field.
Example
The chemical nomenclature can be difficult for beginners to understand.
C2 noun /ɪnˈfriːkwəns/

infrequence

Meaning
The state of occurring rarely or at long intervals.
Example
The infrequence of their meetings made it hard to maintain close ties.
C2 verb /ˈhæroʊ/

harrow

Meaning
to cause distress or torment; also to break up and smooth soil with a farm tool
Example
The tragic news harrowed the entire family.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnsəˈpɔːrtəbl̩/

insupportable

Meaning
Too extreme or difficult to be endured.
Example
The heat was insupportable during the long journey.
C2 adjective /ˈvɛntrəl/

ventral

Meaning
relating to the underside or abdominal part of an animal or organ
Example
The fish has a white ventral surface.
C2 noun /ˈsælvoʊ/

salvo

Meaning
A simultaneous discharge of guns or release of bombs; a sudden outburst of cheers or applause.
Example
The soldiers fired a salvo to honor the fallen general.
C2 adjective /ɪˈmɒdərət/

immoderate

Meaning
excessive; beyond reasonable limits
Example
He has an immoderate love for sweets.
C2 adjective /ˈseɪpiənt/

sapient

Meaning
Wise, or appearing to be wise.
Example
The professor gave a sapient response to the complex question.
C2 verb /ˈʌndərˌraɪt/

underwrite

Meaning
To guarantee financial support, especially by agreeing to cover losses or risks; in insurance, to assess and accept risks.
Example
The bank agreed to underwrite the company's new bond issue.
C2 noun /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtənɪzəm/

cosmopolitanism

Meaning
the ideology that all human beings belong to a single community
Example
Cosmopolitanism promotes respect and understanding across cultures.
C2 noun /ˈɡɜːrdər/

girder

Meaning
a large, strong beam used to support buildings or bridges
Example
The steel girders held the weight of the bridge.