devastating
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
B2 adjective /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/

devastating

Meaning
causing severe shock, distress, or destruction; extremely damaging or upsetting
Example
The earthquake had a devastating effect on the city.
C2 noun/verb /ˈkɜːrtsi/

curtsy

Meaning
a respectful bow made by women by bending the knees with one foot in front of the other
Example
She gave a quick curtsy before leaving the stage.
B1 noun /ˈeɪ.dʒənt/

agent

Meaning
A person who acts on behalf of another person or organization.
Example
The real estate agent showed us several houses.
C2 adjective /ˌæpəˈplɛktɪk/

apoplectic

Meaning
Extremely angry; furious.
Example
He was apoplectic when he heard about the unfair decision.
B2 noun /ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪ.vjər/

Misbehaviour

Meaning
Bad or unacceptable behavior, especially by children or in formal situations
Example
The student was punished for his misbehaviour in class.
A2 noun/verb /ɡraʊnd/

ground

Meaning
the solid surface of the earth; to prohibit someone (often a child) from going out
Example
The children played on the ground near the house.
C1 verb /trænˈskraɪb/

transcribe

Meaning
to make a written copy of spoken words or notes
Example
The secretary transcribed the meeting minutes.
C1 adjective /rɪˈstreɪnd/

restrained

Meaning
characterized by reserve or self-control; held back
Example
Her restrained reaction surprised everyone.
B2 noun /ɪnˈveɪʒən/

invasion

Meaning
An instance of invading a country, region, or personal space with armed force or unwelcome presence.
Example
The army prepared for the possibility of an invasion.
C1 noun ˌdʒiːəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈstrʌktʃər

geological structure

Meaning
The arrangement and composition of rocks, minerals, and landforms in the Earth's crust.
Example
Scientists will study the Moon's geological structure.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈspiːdiənt/

expedient

Meaning
suitable or convenient for achieving a particular end, sometimes at the expense of morality
Example
It was expedient to take the shortcut despite the risks.
C2 verb /ˈɑːbvieɪt/

obviate

Meaning
To remove a need or difficulty; to prevent or avoid something.
Example
This new system obviates the need for manual data entry.
C1 noun /ˌrɛstɪˈtjuːʃən/

restitution

Meaning
The act of restoring something to its rightful owner or compensating for loss
Example
The court ordered restitution to the victims of the fraud.
B2 adjective /ɡeɪ/

gay

Meaning
sexually attracted to people of the same sex; also used to mean cheerful or lively
Example
He came out as gay during college.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪstəl/

distal

Meaning
situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment
Example
The doctor examined the distal end of the patient’s arm.
C2 noun /ˌbuː.ɡənˈvɪl.i.ə/

Bougainvillea

Meaning
a tropical climbing plant with colorful bracts surrounding small flowers
Example
The bougainvillea climbing over the garden wall creates a beautiful purple display.
C1 verb /ˈhæɡəl/

haggle

Meaning
to argue about the price; to bargain persistently
Example
They haggled over the price for an hour.
A1 adjective ˈdɪfɪkəlt

difficult

Meaning
Needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand; hard.
Example
Managing urban challenges has become increasingly difficult.
B2 adjective /ˈdʒɒli/

jolly

Meaning
Full of good humor and cheerfulness.
Example
The children were in a jolly mood at the party.
C1 noun /ˈsʌnˌdaʊn/

sundown

Meaning
the time in the evening when the sun goes below the horizon
Example
We planned to reach the village before sundown.
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.
C2 adjective, adverb /əˈfʊt/

afoot

Meaning
In progress; happening or being prepared.
Example
There are several new projects afoot in the company.
B2 noun /ˈtrɔːmə/

trauma

Meaning
a deeply distressing or disturbing experience; physical injury or emotional shock
Example
The accident left her with lasting emotional trauma.
C2 noun /nɛl/

knell

Meaning
The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral; a signal of the end or failure of something.
Example
The knell of the church bell echoed through the valley at dusk.
A2 noun ˈfɔːrɪsts

Forests

Meaning
Large areas covered with trees and undergrowth, providing natural habitats for wildlife.
Example
Forests provide shelter and food for butterflies.
B1 adjective /ˈtʃɪli/

chilly

Meaning
uncomfortably or unpleasantly cold
Example
It was a chilly morning in December.
C1 verb /səbˈdjuː/

subdue

Meaning
To bring under control, especially by force; to overcome or quiet.
Example
The army was able to subdue the rebellion quickly.
C1 noun /ˈmɪd.əl.mæn/

Middleman

Meaning
A person who acts as an intermediary between two parties in a business transaction
Example
They decided to cut out the middleman and sell directly to customers.
C1 noun /ˈbæs.ti.ən/

bastion

Meaning
a stronghold or fortification; a place or institution strongly defending particular principles
Example
The castle stood as a bastion against enemy attacks.
A2 noun /ruːlz/

rules

Meaning
explicit principles or regulations governing conduct or procedure within a particular area of activity
Example
The teacher reminded the students to follow the classroom rules.
C2 noun /kɒŋk/

Conck

Meaning
a shell, especially a large spiral one used as a horn or for decoration
Example
The priest blew the conch shell to signal the start of the ceremony.
A2 noun /ˈæk.ʃən/

Action

Meaning
the process of doing something; something that is done
Example
We need to take action to solve this problem.
B2 noun /ˈes.əns/

Essence

Meaning
the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something
Example
The essence of good teaching is the ability to inspire students.
B2 noun /ˈzɪɡzæɡ/

Zigzag

Meaning
a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns; a pattern of sharp turns
Example
The road follows a zigzag pattern up the mountain.
C1 verb /ˈbʌŋɡəl/

bungle

Meaning
To carry out a task clumsily or incompetently.
Example
He bungled the presentation and confused the audience.
C1 adjective /ˈfrɪvələs/

frivolous

Meaning
Not having any serious purpose or value; silly or unimportant.
Example
She dismissed the frivolous complaint quickly.
C2 adjective /ˈmɒn.teɪn/

montane

Meaning
Relating to mountainous regions; found in mountain environments.
Example
Montane forests host a variety of unique species.
C2 adjective /ˈmjuːtɪnəs/

mutinous

Meaning
refusing to obey authority; rebellious
Example
The soldiers grew mutinous after months without pay.
C1 noun /dɪˈfjuːʒən/

diffusion

Meaning
the spreading of something more widely or the movement of particles from high to low concentration
Example
The diffusion of information on social media is rapid.
C1 adjective /ˈmɒsi/

Mossy

Meaning
covered with moss; having moss growing on it
Example
The old tree trunk was mossy and covered with green vegetation.
C2 noun, verb /ˈmaɪər/

mire

Meaning
A stretch of swampy or boggy ground; as a verb, to entangle or involve someone in a difficult situation.
Example
The car was stuck in the mire after the heavy rain.
C2 adjective /ɪˈfiːt/

effete

Meaning
Lacking vitality, strength, or effectiveness; weak and overrefined.
Example
The empire became effete after centuries of indulgence.
C1 noun /prɪˈzʌmp.ʃən/

Presumption

Meaning
an idea that is taken to be true without proof
Example
There is a presumption of innocence in the legal system.
B2 noun /ˌnɒməˈneɪʃən/

nomination

Meaning
The act of formally proposing someone for a role, position, or award.
Example
Her nomination for the award surprised everyone.
C1 noun /lɔnˈdʒɛvəti/

longevity

Meaning
Long life or long existence of something.
Example
Good habits contribute to health and longevity.
B1 noun ˈmɪlɪteri

military

Meaning
The armed forces of a country.
Example
The military was called for assistance.
B1 verb /əˈsoʊsiˌeɪt/

associate

Meaning
to connect or link things together; to spend time with someone
Example
I associate this song with summer.
B2 noun /ˈskʌlp.tʃər/

Sculpture

Meaning
the art of making objects by carving; a work of art made by carving
Example
The museum displays ancient Greek sculpture.
A1 noun /mæn/

man

Meaning
an adult human male
Example
The man helped the child cross the street.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpɒs.tʃər/

Imposture

Meaning
the practice of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else; fraudulent deception
Example
The elaborate imposture lasted for months before investigators uncovered the truth.
C1 noun /rɪˈpɛərə/

repairer

Meaning
a person whose job is to fix damaged or broken things
Example
The repairer fixed the broken washing machine quickly.
B2 noun ˌɪm.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃən

implication

Meaning
A conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated; a likely consequence.
Example
The implication of climate change is severe.
B2 verb əˈlaɪn.ɪŋ

aligning

Meaning
Placing or arranging things in a straight line or in correct relative positions.
Example
Aligning education with global standards is vital.
B1 noun /ˈkærɪdʒ/

carriage

Meaning
a vehicle, typically a four-wheeled one, used for transporting goods or people, especially in the past
Example
The royal family traveled in a beautiful carriage during parades.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛtəˈlɜrdʒɪkəl/

metallurgical

Meaning
Relating to metallurgy or the branch of science concerned with the properties of metals and their production.
Example
He studied metallurgical engineering at the university.
C1 noun /ˈrʌp.tʃər/

Rupture

Meaning
breaking or bursting apart; breakdown of relations
Example
The rupture in the pipeline caused a massive oil spill.
C2 verb /ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt/

equivocate

Meaning
To speak ambiguously or avoid giving a clear answer.
Example
The politician equivocated when asked about the scandal.
B2 noun /ˈraɪvəl/

Rival

Meaning
a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field
Example
The two companies have been business rivals for decades.
B2 adjective /ˈniː.di/

Needy

Meaning
requiring help or support; poor; lacking basic necessities
Example
The charity helps needy families during the winter.
C2 noun /ˈbɒdɪs/

bodice

Meaning
the part of a woman's dress that covers the body from the neck to the waist
Example
She wore a dress with an embroidered bodice.
B2 adjective ɪkˈsɛsɪv

excessive

Meaning
More than is necessary, normal, or desirable; immoderate.
Example
Excessive population growth leads to resource depletion.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːr.nɪst/

Earnest

Meaning
sincere; genuine; showing deep and serious conviction
Example
He made an earnest attempt to solve the problem.
B2 noun /ˈfreʃmən/

freshman

Meaning
a first-year student at a high school, college, or university
Example
The freshman felt nervous on his first day at university.
B1 verb /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/

exploring

Meaning
Investigating or studying thoroughly; searching into or ranging over for the purpose of discovery.
Example
They are exploring different areas of Antarctica.
C2 noun /ˈkjuːbeb ˈpepər/

Cubeb Pepper

Meaning
aromatic spice with a slightly bitter taste and cooling aftertaste
Example
Cubeb pepper is used in traditional Indonesian cuisine.
C1 adjective /rɪˈsɪ.prə.kəl/

Reciprocal

Meaning
given or done in return; mutual; shared equally by both parties;
Example
The two countries have a reciprocal trade agreement.
C1 noun /æmˈniːʒə/

amnesia

Meaning
A partial or total loss of memory, usually caused by injury, illness, or psychological trauma.
Example
After the accident, she suffered from amnesia and could not remember her own name.
B1 noun /ˈfiːdbæk/

feedback

Meaning
information or opinions about how well someone is doing something
Example
She asked her teacher for feedback on her essay.
B1 verb /bɜːrst/

burst

Meaning
to break open suddenly; to be full of something
Example
The balloon bursts with a loud pop.
C2 noun /əˌbɑː.məˈneɪ.ʃən/

abomination

Meaning
a thing that causes disgust or hatred
Example
Slavery was considered an abomination.
C1 noun /ˈæbdəmən/

abdomen

Meaning
The part of the body below the chest and above the hips that contains the stomach and other organs.
Example
He complained of pain in his abdomen.
B2 adjective /ˈædɪkwət/

adequate

Meaning
sufficient or acceptable in quality or quantity
Example
The food was adequate for the small group.
C1 noun /ˈkɒndjuɪt/ or /ˈkɑːnduɪt/

conduit

Meaning
a channel or pipe for conveying water, electricity, or information
Example
The cable was placed inside a protective conduit.
B2 noun ˈsoʊʃəl rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti

social responsibility

Meaning
The duty to act in ways that benefit society as a whole.
Example
Social responsibility should be part of the education curriculum.
C1 noun /ɔːˈtɒmətən/

automaton

Meaning
A machine that works automatically; also refers to a person who behaves like a machine, without thinking.
Example
He worked like an automaton, without showing any emotion.
C2 adjective /səˈræfɪk/

seraphic

Meaning
Of or like a seraph; angelic, pure, and blissful.
Example
She gave him a seraphic smile that calmed his fears.
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 noun /brest/

Breast

Meaning
the front surface of a person's or animal's body between the neck and the stomach
Example
The baby fell asleep on her mother's breast.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːnəri/

buffoonery

Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
C1 adjective /ˈɡruːsəm/

gruesome

Meaning
Causing horror or disgust.
Example
The police discovered a gruesome crime scene.
B1 verb /məˈsɑːʒ/

massage

Meaning
to rub and press muscles to relieve pain or tension; to manipulate information
Example
The therapist will massage your back to reduce muscle tension.
C1 verb /sɪˈdjuːs/

seduce

Meaning
to attract someone into doing something, especially something they might not normally do
Example
The advertisement was designed to seduce customers into buying luxury products.
C1 noun /ˈmæntl̩/

mantle

Meaning
A cloak or covering; also the layer of the earth between the crust and the core.
Example
The leader assumed the mantle of responsibility.
B1 noun /dɪˈzɜːrts/ (noun: reward or punishment deserved)

deserts

Meaning
what someone deserves, especially punishment or reward
Example
He finally got his just deserts for cheating in the exam.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrməns/

conformance

Meaning
The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law.
Example
The product was tested for conformance with safety standards.
B2 adjective + noun kriˈeɪtɪv ɪɡˈzɪbɪts

creative exhibits

Meaning
Artistic displays or presentations that show originality and imagination.
Example
The creative exhibits highlighted recycling possibilities.
B2 noun /ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃən/

immigration

Meaning
the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country
Example
Immigration policies vary from country to country.
B2 noun /ˈnuː.səns/

Nuisance

Meaning
a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance
Example
The constant noise from construction is a real nuisance.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsɜːrdʒənt/

insurgent

Meaning
A person who rises in revolt against authority or government.
Example
The army arrested several insurgents after the attack.
C1 adjective /aɪˈreɪt/

irate

Meaning
Extremely angry.
Example
The customer became irate after waiting for hours.
B2 noun /ˈlæn.tərn/

Lantern

Meaning
a portable lamp with a protective covering, often used outdoors
Example
We carried a lantern during our camping trip.
C2 verb /ɛksˈproʊprieɪt/

expropriate

Meaning
To take property from its owner, especially by authority or for public use.
Example
The government decided to expropriate the land for a new highway.
A1 adjective /ʃʊr/

Sure

Meaning
completely confident that something is true; certain; definitely true
Example
I am sure that he will come tomorrow.
A2 noun ˈsɜːvɪsɪz

services

Meaning
The action of helping or doing work for someone.
Example
Services in the healthcare industry are essential for well-being.
A1 noun /'æn.ɪ.məl/

Animal

Meaning
a living creature that feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli
Example
The zoo has many different animals from around the world.
C1 noun /ˈɔːnɪŋ/

awning

Meaning
a sheet of canvas or material stretched on a frame to shelter a place from the sun or rain
Example
We sat under the awning to avoid the heavy rain.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌm.weər/

Somewhere

Meaning
in or at some place; in an unspecified location
Example
I left my keys somewhere in the house.
B2 noun ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈbæləns

ecological balance

Meaning
A state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms.
Example
Maintaining ecological balance is essential for a sustainable planet.
C2 noun /ɒmˈnɪpətəns/

omnipotence

Meaning
The quality of having unlimited power or authority.
Example
Many religions describe God’s omnipotence as absolute.
C2 noun /fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

philologist

Meaning
a person who studies languages and their history
Example
The philologist analyzed ancient texts to understand language evolution.
B2 adverb /ˈdʒɛnjʊɪnli/

genuinely

Meaning
in a truthful and sincere way
Example
She genuinely cares about the environment.
B2 noun ˈstræt.ɪ.dʒiz

strategies

Meaning
A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim; the art of planning and directing operations.
Example
Effective strategies can mitigate climate change impacts.
C2 verb /ɪˈniː.bri.eɪt/

inebriate

Meaning
to intoxicate; to make someone drunk
Example
The strong wine was enough to inebriate even the most experienced drinker.
B2 noun /ˈdɛltə/

delta

Meaning
A landform at the mouth of a river where it splits into several outlets.
Example
The Nile Delta is one of the most fertile regions in Egypt.
C2 noun /reɪθ/

wraith

Meaning
A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially seen shortly before or after their death.
Example
A wraith appeared in the fog near the old castle.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪt.fəl/

fitful

Meaning
occurring in irregular bursts; not continuous or steady
Example
He had a fitful sleep due to the storm.
B2 noun /ˈtɜːrbən/

Turban

Meaning
a head covering made by wrapping a long piece of cloth around the head
Example
The Sikh man wore a colorful turban.
A2 noun /ˌsɛlɪˈbreɪʃən/

celebration

Meaning
a festive event or activity to honor an occasion
Example
The city held a grand celebration on Independence Day.
C2 adjective /ˈprɪɡɪʃ/

priggish

Meaning
self-righteously moralistic and superior
Example
He came across as priggish when correcting everyone's manners.
B2 noun ˈmɒnjʊmənt

monument

Meaning
A statue, building, or other structure erected to commemorate a notable person or event.
Example
A monument should honor his contributions.
C2 adjective /ˈtrɛmjələs/

tremulous

Meaning
shaking or quivering slightly, often from nervousness or weakness
Example
Her voice was tremulous as she gave her speech.
C2 noun /pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

pugnacity

Meaning
A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.
Example
The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field.
C2 noun /ˈtɪŋktʃər/

tincture

Meaning
a slight trace of something; a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
Example
There was a tincture of sadness in her smile.
C1 adjective /əˈvɜːrs/

averse

Meaning
having a strong dislike of or opposition to something
Example
He was averse to taking unnecessary risks.
C2 noun /ɪˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

enunciation

Meaning
The act of saying or pronouncing words clearly and distinctly.
Example
His enunciation was clear during the presentation.
C2 adjective /ˈdəʊ.lə.rəs/

dolorous

Meaning
Expressing great sorrow or distress.
Example
He spoke in a dolorous tone after the loss.
C2 noun /ɪˈluːʒən/

elusion

Meaning
The act of escaping or avoiding something, especially by cleverness or trickery.
Example
His constant elusion of responsibility frustrated his colleagues.
C2 noun /ˌhjuː.mɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

humification

Meaning
The process of organic matter decomposition to form humus in soil.
Example
Humification enhances soil structure and fertility.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪts/

plaudits

Meaning
expressions of praise or approval
Example
The scientist received plaudits from the international community.
B1 noun, verb /ˈdɪskaʊnt/

discount

Meaning
A reduction in the usual price of something; to reduce the price of something.
Example
The store offered a 20% discount on all electronics.