dabble
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 verb /ˈdæb.əl/

dabble

Meaning
To take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
Example
He dabbled in painting during his college days.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɑːr/

disbar

Meaning
to officially remove a lawyer from the legal profession
Example
The corrupt lawyer was disbarred for unethical conduct.
B2 noun /daɪˈnæmɪks/

dynamics

Meaning
the forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process
Example
The dynamics of the team changed after the new manager joined.
B1 noun /dɪˈbeɪt/

Debate

Meaning
a formal discussion of opposing viewpoints; argument with reasoned points
Example
The political debate lasted for three hours with passionate arguments.
C2 noun/verb /dɪsˈfeɪvər/

disfavor

Meaning
disapproval or dislike; to regard with disapproval
Example
The new policy fell into disfavor with the public.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk/

dialectic

Meaning
A method of argument or reasoning by dialogue, especially as a means of investigating truth.
Example
The philosopher used dialectic to challenge his students' assumptions.
C1 noun /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪˈeɪʃən/

differentiation

Meaning
The action or process of differentiating or distinguishing between things.
Example
Differentiation from competitors can create a unique market position.
B1 adverb /ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/

Definitely

Meaning
without doubt; certainly; clearly
Example
I will definitely attend the meeting tomorrow.
B2 noun /doʊ/

dough

Meaning
a mixture of flour, water, and other ingredients used to make bread or pastries
Example
She kneaded the dough for ten minutes before baking.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɑːrk/

debark

Meaning
to disembark or get off a ship, aircraft, or vehicle
Example
The passengers debarked as soon as the ship docked.
A2 noun /dɪʃ/

Dish

Meaning
a shallow, flat-bottomed container for cooking or serving food; a particular variety or preparation of food served as part of a meal
Example
Please put the rice on the dish before serving.
C2 noun /ˈdoʊtɪdʒ/

dotage

Meaning
The period of old age, especially when one is weak or senile.
Example
He spent his dotage reminiscing about his youth.
B2 noun /ˌdiː.haɪˈdreɪʃən/

dehydration

Meaning
A condition in which the body or tissue lacks adequate water content.
Example
Dehydration can lead to fatigue and confusion.
B2 adverb /ˈdɪmli/

dimly

Meaning
in a faint or unclear way; with little light
Example
The room was dimly lit by a single candle.
B2 adjective /dæmp/

damp

Meaning
slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way
Example
The room felt cold and damp after the rain.
C2 noun /dɪˈklɪvɪti/

declivity

Meaning
a downward slope of ground
Example
They carefully climbed down the declivity of the hill.
C1 noun /ˌdiːˈmer.ɪt/

Demerit

Meaning
a fault or disadvantage; a mark given for a fault or offense
Example
The student received a demerit for arriving late to class repeatedly.
C2 verb /dʌn/

dun

Meaning
to demand payment of a debt persistently
Example
The landlord dunned the tenant for unpaid rent.
A1 adjective /dɑːk/

Dark

Meaning
having little or no light; of a deep shade approaching black
Example
She prefers dark colors for her winter clothes.
A2 noun /ˈden.tɪst/

Dentist

Meaning
a medical professional who treats teeth and oral health
Example
I need to visit the dentist for a regular checkup.
C2 noun /ˈdɒldrəmz/

doldrums

Meaning
A state of inactivity, stagnation, or low spirits; also a region near the equator with calm winds.
Example
After the project failed, the team was stuck in the doldrums for months.
C1 verb /dɪˈplɔːr/

deplore

Meaning
to feel or express strong disapproval of something; to regret deeply
Example
Many people deplore the violence shown on television.
A1 verb /driːm/

dream

Meaning
to have thoughts and images in your mind while sleeping; to hope for
Example
I often dream about flying in the sky.
C2 noun /ˈdɛskænt/

descant

Meaning
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
Example
The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn.
C1 adjective /daɪˈvɜːrsɪfaɪd/

diversified

Meaning
Made or having variety in form, nature, or content.
Example
The company adopted a diversified business strategy to reduce risks.
B1 noun /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/

disappointment

Meaning
the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations
Example
Her face showed deep disappointment after hearing the results.
B2 adverb /ˈden.sli/

densely

Meaning
In a closely compacted or crowded manner.
Example
The area is densely covered with trees.
B1 noun /dɪˈpɑː.tʃər/

Departure

Meaning
the action of leaving, especially to start a journey; a deviation from an established course
Example
The departure of the train was delayed by thirty minutes due to technical issues.
B1 verb /dɪp/

dip

Meaning
to put something quickly into a liquid and take it out again
Example
She dipped her bread into the soup.
B1 verb /dɪˈleɪ/

delay

Meaning
to make something happen later than planned
Example
The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
C1 adjective /ˈdeɪnti/

dainty

Meaning
Delicately small, pretty, and often considered elegant.
Example
She wore a dainty necklace made of pearls.
C1 noun /ˈdɒktrɪn/

doctrine

Meaning
A set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religious, political, or other group.
Example
The church follows a strict doctrine on moral values.
C1 verb /dɪsˈoʊn/

disown

Meaning
to refuse to acknowledge or accept responsibility for someone or something
Example
He decided to disown his reckless brother.
C2 adjective /dɪˈskrɛpənt/

discrepant

Meaning
showing a difference or inconsistency
Example
The witnesses gave discrepant accounts of the incident.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

discernible

Meaning
able to be seen, recognized, or understood
Example
There was a discernible change in his behavior.
C1 adjective /ˈdɪzməl/

Dismal

Meaning
gloomy; depressing; causing sadness or despair
Example
The weather was dismal with heavy rain and dark clouds.
C1 noun /dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/

Deficiency

Meaning
a lack or shortage of something; inadequacy or insufficiency
Example
The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D deficiency in the patient's blood test.
C1 noun dɛkˈstɛr.ɪ.ti

dexterity

Meaning
Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands; mental skill or adroitness.
Example
His dexterity in playing the piano amazed the audience.
B2 adjective /dɪˈpɛndəbl/

dependable

Meaning
able to be trusted or relied on; consistently reliable
Example
She is a dependable colleague who always meets deadlines.
C1 noun dɪˈsʌɪsɪvnɪs

decisiveness

Meaning
The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.
Example
His decisiveness during the crisis saved the company.
B1 noun /ˈdɛkeɪd/

decade

Meaning
A period of ten years.
Example
The country has changed a lot in the past decade.
C2 verb /dɪˈkænt/

decant

Meaning
To pour liquid gently from one container into another, especially without disturbing the sediment.
Example
She carefully decanted the wine into a clean glass.
B2 verb /dɪˈpɪkt/

depict

Meaning
to represent or show something in a picture, story, or other art form
Example
The painting depicts a beautiful sunset over the sea.
A2 noun /dɪˈzæs.tər/

Disaster

Meaning
a sudden event causing great damage or loss of life; a complete failure
Example
The earthquake was a natural disaster that affected thousands of families.
C1 noun /ˌdɛtəˈneɪʃən/

detonation

Meaning
The act of exploding or causing something to explode.
Example
The sudden detonation shook the entire building.
C1 noun /dɪˈpɑːzətɔːri/

depository

Meaning
a place where things are stored or deposited, especially financial assets
Example
The national depository safeguards all government bonds.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈpɛptɪk/

dyspeptic

Meaning
Relating to indigestion or having a gloomy or irritable disposition.
Example
After the heavy meal, he felt dyspeptic and uncomfortable.
C2 prefix /dɪs-/

dys-

Meaning
A prefix meaning abnormal, bad, difficult, or impaired.
Example
Words like 'dysfunction' and 'dyslexia' use the prefix dys- to indicate difficulty or impairment.
C2 verb /dɪˈsɛmbəl/

dissemble

Meaning
to conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to pretend
Example
He tried to dissemble his anger with a forced smile.
B2 noun /dɪsˈmeɪ/

Dismay

Meaning
concern and distress caused by something unexpected; consternation or alarm
Example
To our dismay, the concert was cancelled due to severe weather conditions.
A2 noun /dɒl/

doll

Meaning
a small toy resembling a human figure, especially for children
Example
The little girl hugged her favorite doll tightly.
C2 adjective /dæŋk/

dank

Meaning
unpleasantly damp and cold
Example
The basement was dark and dank, filled with a musty smell.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌpɒd/

decapod

Meaning
An arthropod with ten limbs, such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.
Example
The lobster is a well-known decapod.
C1 verb /dɪsˈkwɑːlɪfaɪ/

disqualify

Meaning
to officially prevent someone from participating or being eligible
Example
The referee decided to disqualify the player for cheating.
C2 noun /dɛnˈdrɒlədʒi/

dendrology

Meaning
the scientific study of trees and woody plants
Example
He is studying dendrology at the university.
B2 noun /ˈdiːtʊr/

detour

Meaning
A longer or less direct route taken to avoid something or reach a destination.
Example
We had to take a detour because the main road was closed.
C1 noun ˈdɪk.ʃən

diction

Meaning
The style of pronunciation and word choice in speaking or writing.
Example
A strong diction enhances communication skills.
C1 noun /ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən/

demolition

Meaning
the act or process of destroying a building or structure
Example
The demolition of the old factory took several weeks.
C1 noun dɪˈtætʃ.mənt

detachment

Meaning
The state of being objective or aloof; not being emotionally involved.
Example
Buddhist philosophy encourages detachment from material desires.
B2 verb /dreɪn/

drain

Meaning
to cause liquid to flow away from something; to remove liquid
Example
He drained the pasta before adding the sauce.
B1 noun /dɪˈvɪʒən/

division

Meaning
the action of separating something into parts; or a large administrative unit
Example
The company has a separate division for research and development.
C1 noun ˌdɪs.æmˌbɪɡ.juˈeɪ.ʃən

disambiguation

Meaning
The removal of ambiguity by making something clear and unambiguous.
Example
The AI system applies disambiguation to refine text understanding.
C2 noun /ˈdiːɪst/

deist

Meaning
a person who believes in the existence of a supreme being but rejects organized religion
Example
The philosopher identified himself as a deist.
C1 adjective /dɪˈklærətɪv/

declarative

Meaning
relating to a statement that declares something; in grammar, a sentence that makes a statement
Example
A declarative sentence simply states a fact or opinion.
B2 noun, verb /ˈdeɪ.bjuː/

debut

Meaning
The first public appearance or performance of someone or something.
Example
The young actor made his debut on the big stage.
C1 adjective /dræb/

drab

Meaning
Dull, lacking brightness or interest; monotonous.
Example
The room looked drab with its gray walls and dim lighting.
C2 noun /dɪˈkæmərən/

decameron

Meaning
A collection of 100 tales written by Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century, told by a group of people over ten days.
Example
The Decameron is considered a masterpiece of classical Italian literature.
B1 verb /dɪsˈtrɪbjuːt/

distribute

Meaning
to give out or spread something among several people or places
Example
The teacher will distribute the test papers.
C1 noun /dɪˈskrep.ən.si/

discrepancy

Meaning
A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
Example
The audit revealed a discrepancy between the reported earnings and actual income.
C1 verb /druːp/

droop

Meaning
to bend or hang downward; to become weak or tired
Example
The flowers began to droop in the heat.
C1 noun /ˌdɪs.əˈreɪ/

disarray

Meaning
A state of disorganization or untidiness; confusion or disorder.
Example
His desk was in complete disarray.
C2 noun /ˈdræɡˌnɛt/

dragnet

Meaning
A systematic search or investigation, often by police to catch criminals.
Example
The police launched a dragnet to capture the fugitives.
A2 verb /dɪˈstrɔɪ/

destroy

Meaning
to damage something so badly that it cannot be used
Example
The fire destroyed the entire building.
C2 noun /doʊˈniː/

donee

Meaning
A person who receives a gift or donation.
Example
The scholarship fund’s donee expressed heartfelt gratitude.
C1 verb /dɪˈmɔrəˌlaɪz/

demoralize

Meaning
to cause someone to lose confidence or hope
Example
The constant criticism demoralized the young athlete.
C2 noun /dɪˈspɔɪlər/

despoiler

Meaning
A person who robs, plunders, or violently takes things from others.
Example
The despoilers left the city in ruins.
C1 noun dɪˈtɜː.mɪ.nənt

determinant

Meaning
A factor that decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.
Example
Education is a key determinant of success.
A1 verb /dɪˈsaɪd/

decide

Meaning
To make a choice or judgment about something.
Example
She decided to study abroad after graduation.
C2 noun /ˈdrʌmɪt/

Drumet

Meaning
a small drum used in military or marching bands
Example
The drummer played a steady beat on the drumet during the parade.
B2 verb dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt

deteriorate

Meaning
To become progressively worse in quality, condition, or performance; to decline.
Example
Unplanned growth can deteriorate living conditions.
B2 noun /depθ/

Depth

Meaning
the distance from the top or surface to the bottom; the quality of being intense or profound
Example
The depth of the ocean in this area reaches over three thousand meters.
A1 noun /ˈdɒktər/

doctor

Meaning
A qualified medical professional who treats illnesses and injuries.
Example
The doctor prescribed medicine for the patient.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈrɛpjətəbl̩/

disreputable

Meaning
having a bad reputation; not considered respectable or trustworthy
Example
The journalist avoided staying in the disreputable part of town.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkɜrsɪv/

discursive

Meaning
Tending to digress or move from topic to topic; lengthy and rambling.
Example
His discursive style made the lecture hard to follow.
B2 verb /dɪˈskrɪmɪˌneɪt/

discriminate

Meaning
To treat someone unfairly based on race, gender, or other differences; or to recognize a distinction.
Example
The law prohibits employers from discriminating against women.
C1 verb /ˈdiːmɑːrˌkeɪt/

demarcate

Meaning
to set the boundaries or limits of something
Example
The land was demarcated with fences to avoid disputes.
A1 noun /dres/

Dress

Meaning
a piece of clothing for women or girls that covers the body and extends down over the legs
Example
She wore a beautiful blue dress to the party.
A2 adjective /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/

dangerous

Meaning
likely to cause harm or injury; unsafe
Example
Driving fast on icy roads is dangerous.
C2 verb /dɪˈkleɪm/

declaim

Meaning
to speak aloud in a formal, passionate, or theatrical way
Example
The actor declaimed his lines with great intensity.
B2 verb /daɪ/

dye

Meaning
to change the color of something using a chemical substance
Example
She will dye her hair blonde tomorrow.
C1 verb /ˌdiː.kəmˈprɛs/

decompress

Meaning
To relax and recover from stress or pressure.
Example
Taking deep breaths helps to decompress after a stressful day.
A2 verb /ˈdʌbəl/

double

Meaning
to make twice as much in size, number, or amount
Example
The company hopes to double its profits this year.
B2 noun daɪˈvɜːsɪti

diversity

Meaning
The state of being diverse; variety.
Example
Biodiversity promotes ecosystem stability and resilience.
C1 noun /ˈdrɪz.əl/

Drizzle

Meaning
light rain falling in very fine drops; a very light rainfall
Example
The gentle drizzle continued throughout the morning, making everything misty.
C1 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒi/

dermatology

Meaning
The branch of medicine concerned with the skin and its diseases.
Example
He studied dermatology at medical school.
C1 verb /dɪˈflɛkt/

deflect

Meaning
to cause something to change direction; to avoid answering directly
Example
The shield deflected the incoming arrow.
B2 noun /dɪsˈkʌmfərt/

discomfort

Meaning
A feeling of slight pain, unease, or awkwardness.
Example
She shifted in her chair due to discomfort in her back.
C1 noun /deɪˈtɑːnt/

detente

Meaning
the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries
Example
The two nations worked toward detente after decades of conflict.
A2 noun /ˈdɪfɪkəlti/

difficulty

Meaning
the state or condition of being hard to do, deal with, or understand
Example
He faced great difficulty in learning a new language.
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.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪlri/

devilry

Meaning
Wicked or cruel behavior; mischievous actions.
Example
The children were full of devilry on Halloween night.
B2 verb /dɪˈspætʃ/

dispatch

Meaning
to send off to a destination or for a purpose
Example
The company dispatched aid to the flood victims.
C1 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl/

diabolical

Meaning
Wicked, cruel, or outrageously bad; resembling the devil.
Example
The dictator’s diabolical rule brought misery to the nation.
B2 verb /ˈdɒmɪneɪt/

dominate

Meaning
to have power or control over something or someone
Example
The company dominates the smartphone market.
C2 noun /ˈdəʊ.lər/

dolor

Meaning
A state of great sorrow or distress.
Example
The nation was in deep dolor after the tragedy.
C1 noun dɪˈskrep.ən.siz

discrepancies

Meaning
Differences between things that should be the same
Example
Discrepancies in regulations delay progress.
C1 noun daɪˈkɒtəmi

dichotomy

Meaning
A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Example
The dichotomy between tradition and modernity is often debated.
C1 noun /dɪˈprɛsənt/

depressant

Meaning
A drug that reduces functional or nervous activity in the body.
Example
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːrʃən/

disproportion

Meaning
a lack of balance or symmetry; an inequality
Example
There is a clear disproportion between rich and poor in many societies.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsæprəˈbeɪʃən/

disapprobation

Meaning
strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds
Example
The policy was met with widespread disapprobation.
B2 noun /ˈdɔː.weɪ/

doorway

Meaning
the space where a door opens into a room or building
Example
She stood in the doorway waiting for him to arrive.
A2 noun /dɪər/

Deer

Meaning
a graceful wild animal with antlers, especially the male
Example
We saw a beautiful deer grazing in the meadow.
B2 verb /dɪˈspoʊz/

dispose

Meaning
To get rid of something, or to arrange or incline towards something.
Example
He disposed of the old furniture responsibly.
C2 verb /ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt/

defalcate

Meaning
to misuse or embezzle money that one is responsible for
Example
The accountant was accused of defalcating company funds.
C2 verb /ˈdɛsɪkreɪt/

desecrate

Meaning
to treat a sacred place or object with disrespect or violation
Example
The vandals desecrated the ancient temple walls with graffiti.
C1 adjective /ˈdɪn.dʒi/

Dingy

Meaning
dark and dirty; gloomy; dull in color
Example
The old building had dingy walls that needed painting.
B2 noun/verb /dɪˈpɑːzɪt/

deposit

Meaning
to place money in a bank account, or a sum paid in advance as security; a layer of material left naturally
Example
She deposited $500 into her savings account.
C2 verb /dɔːb/

daub

Meaning
to spread a thick or sticky substance carelessly on a surface
Example
The children daubed paint all over the walls.
B2 noun /ˈdɛpjʊti/

deputy

Meaning
A person appointed as a substitute with power to act.
Example
The deputy will lead the meeting in the manager’s absence.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/

declamation

Meaning
a formal speech delivered with rhetorical or dramatic effect
Example
Her declamation captivated the audience at the competition.
A2 verb /dɪˈzaɪn/

design

Meaning
to plan and create something with a particular purpose or look
Example
She will design the new company logo.