dilatory
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C2 adjective /ˈdɪlətɔːri/

dilatory

Meaning
Tending to cause delay; slow to act.
Example
The committee was criticized for its dilatory response to the crisis.
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 noun /dɪˈdʒɛkʃən/

dejection

Meaning
a state of sadness, depression, or low spirits
Example
She sat in a state of dejection after hearing the bad news.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈtɜːr/

disinter

Meaning
to dig up something buried, especially a body
Example
The archaeologists disinterred ancient remains from the site.
C2 noun /doʊˈniː/

donee

Meaning
A person who receives a gift or donation.
Example
The scholarship fund’s donee expressed heartfelt gratitude.
C2 noun /ˈdɔːrmər/

dormer

Meaning
A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.
Example
The old house had a dormer overlooking the garden.
C2 verb /dɪˈnjuːd/

denude

Meaning
to strip something of its covering, possessions, or assets
Example
The forest was denuded of trees by illegal logging.
C2 noun /ˈdoʊneɪtər/

donator

Meaning
A person who gives something, especially money or goods, as a donation.
Example
The donator wished to remain anonymous after contributing a large sum.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk/

diatomic

Meaning
Consisting of two atoms.
Example
Oxygen is a diatomic molecule.
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 /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 /dɪˈpoʊnənt/

deponent

Meaning
A person who gives testimony under oath, especially in a written deposition.
Example
The deponent confirmed the accuracy of the statement during the trial.
C2 noun /ˌdeɪnuːˈmɒ̃/

denouement

Meaning
The final resolution or conclusion of a story, drama, or complicated situation.
Example
The novel's denouement was both surprising and satisfying.
C2 verb /ˈdʌmfaʊnd/

dumbfound

Meaning
to greatly astonish or shock someone so they are temporarily speechless
Example
The magician's trick dumbfounded the audience.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪˌsɪləbəl/

disyllable

Meaning
a word consisting of two syllables
Example
The word 'happy' is a disyllable.
C2 noun /ˌdoʊ.məˈstɪs.ə.ti/

domesticity

Meaning
Life at home or devotion to family life.
Example
She enjoys the domesticity of cooking and gardening.
C2 verb /deɪn/

deign

Meaning
to do something considered beneath one's dignity
Example
The king did not deign to reply to the commoner.
C2 adjective /ˈdɔːrsəl/

dorsal

Meaning
Relating to the back or upper side of an animal or body part.
Example
Sharks have a prominent dorsal fin.
C2 adjective /dɪˈspjuːtəbl/

Disputable

Meaning
open to debate or argument; questionable
Example
The facts in the case are disputable and need further investigation.
C2 noun /ˈdjʊərəns/

durance

Meaning
imprisonment or confinement
Example
The prisoner spent years in durance before his release.
C2 noun /ˈdɒkɪt/

docket

Meaning
a list or schedule of cases to be tried in a court or items to be done
Example
The judge reviewed the docket before starting the session.
C2 noun /ˌdɛrɪˈlɪkʃən/

dereliction

Meaning
the state of being abandoned; neglect of duty
Example
The officer was charged with dereliction of duty.
C2 verb /dɪˈmɜːr/

demur

Meaning
to raise doubts, objections, or show reluctance
Example
She agreed to help without demur.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛprɪkətɔːri/

deprecatory

Meaning
expressing disapproval or belittling
Example
He gave a deprecatory remark about their performance.
C2 verb /daʊz/

dowse

Meaning
To search for underground water or minerals using a divining rod; also to drench or extinguish with liquid.
Example
The farmer tried to dowse for water in the dry field.
C2 adjective /daɪˈæfənəs/

diaphanous

Meaning
Light, delicate, and translucent.
Example
She wore a diaphanous dress that shimmered in the sunlight.
C2 verb /dɪˈpreɪv/

deprave

Meaning
to corrupt morally; to make someone immoral or wicked
Example
The novel was criticized for attempting to deprave the minds of young readers.
C2 adjective /ˈdəʊl.səm/

dolesome

Meaning
Filled with grief or sadness; mournful.
Example
The dolesome ballad brought tears to their eyes.
C2 noun /ˈduːti/

Dhuti

Meaning
a traditional Indian garment for men consisting of a piece of unstitched cloth worn around the waist and legs
Example
The elderly man wore a white dhuti during the religious ceremony.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛndrɔɪd/

dendroid

Meaning
tree-shaped or branching like a tree
Example
The coral has a dendroid structure.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/

declamation

Meaning
a formal speech delivered with rhetorical or dramatic effect
Example
Her declamation captivated the audience at the competition.
C2 noun /ˈdʌlərd/

dullard

Meaning
a slow or stupid person
Example
He was considered a dullard by his classmates.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈpoʊz/

discompose

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

denationalize

Meaning
to transfer ownership from the government to private individuals or companies
Example
The government decided to denationalize the bank to encourage private investment.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈfræntʃaɪz/

disenfranchise

Meaning
To deprive someone of the right to vote or other rights.
Example
The new law could disenfranchise thousands of voters.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪələˈtɪʃən/

dialectician

Meaning
A person skilled in dialectic or logical argument.
Example
Socrates is often considered the greatest dialectician in history.
C2 noun /dɪˌlɪniˈeɪʃən/

delineation

Meaning
the precise description, drawing, or outlining of something
Example
The artist’s delineation of the landscape was remarkably accurate.
C2 adjective /ˈdɔːnt.ləs/

dauntless

Meaning
Showing fearlessness and determination; brave and resolute.
Example
The dauntless soldier fought against all odds.
C2 verb /dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/

decapitate

Meaning
To cut off the head of a person or animal.
Example
The ancient executioner decapitated the criminal.
C2 adjective /dɪˈstɛnsəbl̩/

distensible

Meaning
Capable of being stretched or expanded.
Example
The stomach is a distensible organ that can expand after eating.
C2 noun /ˈdɒɡərəl/

doggerel

Meaning
Comic or irregular verse, often poorly constructed and lacking in artistic quality.
Example
The poet’s work was dismissed as mere doggerel by the critics.
C2 verb /dɪˈspɒnd/

despond

Meaning
to lose confidence or hope; to become dejected
Example
After repeated failures, he began to despond.
C2 noun /ˌdɪvɪˈneɪʃən/

divination

Meaning
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means
Example
Ancient people often relied on divination to guide important decisions.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛlɪˈkwɛsənt/

deliquescent

Meaning
tending to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
Example
Sugar is not deliquescent, but salt can be.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪltrɪ/

deviltry

Meaning
Cruel or malicious behavior; mischief with an evil aspect.
Example
The villain’s deviltry terrified the townsfolk.
C2 noun /dɛnˈdrɒlədʒi/

dendrology

Meaning
the scientific study of trees and woody plants
Example
He is studying dendrology at the university.
C2 adjective /dɛˈspɒtɪk/

despotic

Meaning
exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, or authoritarian way
Example
The king’s despotic rule left the people in misery.
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 verb /ˈdɪðər/

dither

Meaning
to be indecisive or unable to make a decision
Example
He dithered for hours before choosing a restaurant.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsəluːt/

dissolute

Meaning
lacking moral restraint; indulging excessively in sensual pleasures
Example
He led a dissolute life filled with parties and gambling.
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 noun /drʌdʒ/

drudge

Meaning
A person made to do hard, menial, or dull work.
Example
He felt like a drudge, stuck in repetitive tasks all day.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsɪv/

delusive

Meaning
Giving a false or misleading impression; deceptive.
Example
His promises turned out to be delusive and untrustworthy.
C2 noun /dɪˈstreɪnər/

distrainor

Meaning
a person, usually a landlord, who seizes another's property for unpaid debt or rent
Example
The distrainor took possession of the tenant's car until the debt was cleared.
C2 verb /diːˈfrɑːk/

defrock

Meaning
to officially remove a priest or minister from their position and authority
Example
The church decided to defrock the priest after the scandal.
C2 noun /drɒs/

dross

Meaning
worthless or unwanted material; rubbish or impurities
Example
Most of his early writings were considered dross.
C2 noun /ˌdɪpsəˈmeɪniæk/

dipsomaniac

Meaning
A person with an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic drinks.
Example
The novel portrayed the tragic downfall of a dipsomaniac who lost everything to alcohol.
C2 verb /dɪsˈtɛnd/

distend

Meaning
to swell or expand by pressure from within
Example
Her stomach began to distend after the large meal.
C2 noun /dɪˈkrɛpɪˌtjuːd/

decrepitude

Meaning
the state of being old, weak, and worn out
Example
The once-great empire fell into decrepitude.
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.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkʌmfɪtɪŋ/

discomfiting

Meaning
Causing unease, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
His discomfiting questions made everyone shift uncomfortably in their seats.
C2 adjective /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnət/

determinate

Meaning
having exact and definite limits or form
Example
The contract is for a determinate period of two years.
C2 adjective /ˈdæpər/

dapper

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

day-man

Meaning
a worker employed by the day; a day laborer
Example
The farmer hired a day-man to help with the harvest.
C2 adjective /dɪˈmoʊniˌæk/

demoniac

Meaning
possessed, produced, or influenced by a demon; frenzied or violent
Example
The soldiers fought with demoniac fury.
C2 adjective /dɪˈsɛnʃəs/

dissentious

Meaning
Causing or likely to cause disagreement and conflict.
Example
His dissentious remarks divided the group further.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

disinclination

Meaning
a lack of willingness or desire to do something
Example
She showed a clear disinclination to join the meeting.
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.
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 /ˈdɛntɪfrɪs/

dentifrice

Meaning
a substance such as powder, paste, or liquid used to clean teeth
Example
He bought a new herbal dentifrice from the pharmacy.
C2 noun /dɪˈmeɪn/

demesne

Meaning
Land attached to a manor and retained for the owner's use.
Example
The castle was surrounded by its vast demesne.
C2 noun /dɪˈpɔːrtmənt/

deportment

Meaning
A person's behavior or manners, especially in a formal situation.
Example
Her deportment during the ceremony impressed everyone.
C2 noun /ˈdeb.juː.tɑːnt/

debutante

Meaning
A young woman making her first formal appearance in society.
Example
The debutante wore a white gown at the ball.
C2 noun /ˈdeɪ.ɪs/

Dais

Meaning
a raised platform, typically at one end of a room or hall, for speakers or honored guests
Example
The principal stood on the dais to address the entire school assembly.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfθɒŋ/

diphthong

Meaning
A complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.
Example
The word 'coin' contains a diphthong.
C2 verb /ˈdiːɪfaɪ/

deify

Meaning
to treat or worship someone or something as a god
Example
Some fans deify their favorite celebrities.
C2 verb /diːˈmæɡnɪtaɪz/

demagnetize

Meaning
To remove or reduce the magnetic properties of something.
Example
The technician demagnetized the old cassette tape.
C2 noun /dɪsˈtɛmpər/

distemper

Meaning
a viral disease affecting animals, especially dogs; also refers to a state of disorder
Example
The dog was diagnosed with distemper and needed immediate care.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈdʒʌŋktɪv/

disjunctive

Meaning
Serving to separate or divide; expressing a choice between alternatives.
Example
In grammar, 'or' is a disjunctive conjunction.
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.
C2 noun /dɪnt/

dint

Meaning
an impression or hollow made by a blow; force or power
Example
By dint of hard work, he achieved success.
C2 verb /djuːp/

dupe

Meaning
To deceive or trick someone into believing or doing something.
Example
He was duped into buying a fake watch.
C2 noun /draɪd roʊz ˈpɛtəlz/

Dried Rose Petals

Meaning
dehydrated petals from roses used for culinary and aromatic purposes
Example
The dessert was garnished with dried rose petals.
C2 adjective /ˈdaʊti/

doughty

Meaning
brave, valiant, courageous
Example
The doughty soldier never backed down from a challenge.
C2 noun /daɪˈvʌldʒəns/

divulgence

Meaning
the act of revealing or disclosing something secret or private
Example
The divulgence of company secrets caused a major scandal.
C2 noun /ˈdɛswɪˌtuːd/

desuetude

Meaning
a state of disuse or inactivity
Example
The old law has fallen into desuetude.
C2 noun /ˈdændi/

dandy

Meaning
a man who gives too much attention to his appearance and clothes
Example
The young dandy spent hours grooming himself before the party.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɔːtʃ/

debauch

Meaning
to corrupt morally; to lead into excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures
Example
The novel shows how wealth can debauch a person's character.
C2 verb /dɪsˈteɪn/

distain

Meaning
to treat with scorn or contempt (archaic form of disdain)
Example
He would never distain those who had less fortune than him.
C2 noun /drɛɡz/

dregs

Meaning
the remnants of a liquid left in a container, together with any sediment or grounds; the most worthless part of something
Example
He drank the dregs of the coffee before leaving.
C2 noun /ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən/

denotation

Meaning
The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.
Example
The denotation of the word 'rose' is a type of flower.
C2 verb /ˈdɛsɪkeɪt/

desiccate

Meaning
to dry up completely or remove the moisture from something
Example
The hot sun can quickly desiccate plants in the desert.
C2 noun /ˌdɛprɪˈdeɪʃən/

depredation

Meaning
An act of attacking or plundering; damage caused by such acts.
Example
The villagers feared the depredation of wild animals at night.
C2 adjective /daɪˈɜːrnəl/

diurnal

Meaning
active during the day; occurring daily
Example
Most birds are diurnal creatures, active in daylight hours.
C2 noun /ˈdʌblɪt/

doublet

Meaning
a close-fitting jacket worn by men in the Renaissance; also, a pair of similar things
Example
The actor wore a velvet doublet for the Shakespearean play.
C2 adjective /ˈdoʊlfəl/

Doleful

Meaning
sorrowful; mournful; expressing grief or sadness
Example
She gave him a doleful look when he left.
C2 noun /dɪˈkæmɪtər/

decameter

Meaning
A metric unit of length equal to ten meters.
Example
The field was measured in decameters for accuracy.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪt/

discombobulate

Meaning
to confuse or disconcert; to upset the normal order
Example
The sudden question seemed to discombobulate him.
C2 adjective /ˌdɒktrɪˈnɛər/

doctrinaire

Meaning
stubbornly devoted to a theory or doctrine without regard to practical considerations
Example
His doctrinaire approach to politics alienated many supporters.
C2 noun dɪsˈbɜːs.mənt

disbursement

Meaning
The payment of money from a fund.
Example
The company's disbursement of salaries was delayed.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪvəˈɡeɪʃən/

divagation

Meaning
digression; wandering from a path or subject
Example
His lecture was full of divagation, making it hard to follow the main point.
C2 verb /dɪsˈɡɔːrdʒ/

disgorge

Meaning
to discharge or pour out; to vomit; to give up reluctantly
Example
The broken pipe disgorged water all over the floor.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsəri/

delusory

Meaning
Based on illusion; not real.
Example
He was filled with delusory hopes of becoming famous overnight.
C2 verb /ˈdæli/

dally

Meaning
To act or move slowly; to waste time; also to engage in a casual romantic relationship.
Example
He dallied in the garden instead of starting his work.
C2 noun /dɪˌsɪdəˈreɪtəm/

desideratum

Meaning
something that is desired or considered necessary
Example
For many students, financial aid is a desideratum.
C2 noun /ˈdɛsɪkənt/

desiccant

Meaning
a substance that absorbs moisture and keeps things dry
Example
Silica gel packets are commonly used as a desiccant in packaging.
C2 verb /ˈdɛpjʊˌtaɪz/

deputize

Meaning
To appoint someone as a deputy; to act as a substitute or representative.
Example
The sheriff decided to deputize several locals to help maintain order.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsəˈvaʊ/

disavow

Meaning
to deny responsibility for or connection with something
Example
He disavowed any involvement in the scandal.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɪstəns/

desistance

Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing from some action or behavior.
Example
The court urged his desistance from further unlawful activities.
C2 verb /ˈdɒɡmətaɪz/

dogmatize

Meaning
To state opinions or beliefs as if they were absolute truths.
Example
The professor tended to dogmatize on political issues.
C2 noun /doʊlt/

dolt

Meaning
A stupid or slow-witted person.
Example
Only a dolt would believe such a story.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsənənt/

dissonant

Meaning
Harsh and lacking harmony; conflicting.
Example
The orchestra produced a dissonant sound during rehearsal.
C2 noun /ˈdɛnɪzən/

denizen

Meaning
an inhabitant or resident of a particular place
Example
The forest is home to many nocturnal denizens.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃəs/

disputatious

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

demobilize

Meaning
To release from military service or to disband troops.
Example
The government decided to demobilize the army after the war.
C2 noun /dɪˈpləʊmətɪst/

diplomatist

Meaning
A person skilled in diplomacy; another word for diplomat.
Example
The diplomatist handled the negotiations with great tact.
C2 noun /dɪsˈkwaɪɪtjuːd/

disquietude

Meaning
A state of uneasiness, anxiety, or restlessness.
Example
His constant pacing showed his inner disquietude.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈdekərəs/

decorous

Meaning
showing proper and polite behavior; marked by good taste
Example
The audience gave a decorous applause after the performance.
C2 noun ˈdɒɡ.ɪd.nəs

doggedness

Meaning
Stubborn persistence in achieving something without giving up.
Example
His doggedness in pursuing his goals was inspiring.