disengage
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 /ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/

disengage

Meaning
To release or detach oneself from something; to withdraw.
Example
He tried to disengage from the heated argument.
C1 noun, adjective, verb /ʃæm/

sham

Meaning
something that is not what it appears to be; a false or fake thing; to pretend
Example
The deal turned out to be a sham.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈθroʊ/

overthrow

Meaning
To remove a leader or government from power, often by force.
Example
The rebels planned to overthrow the corrupt regime.
C1 noun /ˈsɪk.əl/

Sickle

Meaning
a tool with a curved metal blade and short handle used for cutting grain crops
Example
The farmer harvested wheat using a traditional sickle.
C1 verb /ˈsɪn.θə.saɪz/

synthesize

Meaning
To combine a number of things into a coherent whole.
Example
Scientists synthesize new compounds for medical research.
C1 adjective /ˌɛk.spəˈnɛn.ʃəl/

exponential

Meaning
Rapid growth or expansion at an increasing rate
Example
Technology is advancing at an exponential rate.
C1 adjective /ˈliː.ni.ənt/

Lenient

Meaning
tolerant; forgiving; merciful; not strict in punishment or judgment
Example
The teacher was lenient with students who submitted their homework late.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛlf ˈraɪtʃəs/

self-righteous

Meaning
Having or showing an attitude of moral superiority; believing one’s own beliefs are the only right ones.
Example
His self-righteous comments made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 noun/verb /rɪˈlæps/

relapse

Meaning
to return to a worse condition, especially after improvement; a deterioration after recovery
Example
After months of progress, he suffered a relapse.
C1 noun /ˈæpərtʃər/

aperture

Meaning
an opening, hole, or gap, especially one that lets in light
Example
Light entered through the small aperture in the wall.
C1 adjective ɡəˈlæktɪk

galactic

Meaning
Of or relating to a galaxy or galaxies.
Example
The galactic phenomena observed by the telescope were mesmerizing.
C1 noun /fɔːrˈmæl.ə.ti/

Formality

Meaning
the rigid observance of rules of convention or etiquette; a thing done simply to comply with requirements
Example
The signing of the contract was just a formality; the deal was already agreed upon.
C1 adjective /ˈperɪʃəbəl/

Perishable

Meaning
liable to decay quickly; short-lived
Example
Store perishable foods in the refrigerator.
C1 noun /ˈlɪməˌziːn/

limousine

Meaning
a large, luxurious car driven by a chauffeur.
Example
The bride arrived in a white limousine.
C1 noun /ˈiːkwɪnɒks/

equinox

Meaning
The time or date when day and night are of equal length, occurring twice a year.
Example
The spring equinox marks the beginning of longer days.
C1 adjective /ˌniːoʊˈlɪθɪk/

neolithic

Meaning
Relating to the later part of the Stone Age, when ground or polished stone weapons and tools prevailed.
Example
Neolithic communities began practicing agriculture and domesticating animals.
C1 noun /ˈhjuːbrɪs/

hubris

Meaning
excessive pride or self-confidence
Example
His hubris led to his downfall.
C1 noun /ˌdep.rɪˈveɪ.ʃən/

deprivation

Meaning
The damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society.
Example
Sleep deprivation affects cognitive function.
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.
C1 verb /ˌriːəˈfɜːrm/

reaffirm

Meaning
To state again strongly; to confirm or strengthen a statement or belief.
Example
The president reaffirmed his commitment to education reform.
C1 noun /prəˌlɪf.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

proliferation

Meaning
Rapid increase in the number or amount of something; rapid multiplication or growth.
Example
The proliferation of malware is a growing concern.
C1 noun /ˈdɔːrˌkiːpər/

doorkeeper

Meaning
A person whose job is to guard or manage the entrance of a building or room.
Example
The doorkeeper checked everyone’s passes before they entered the hall.
C1 adjective /əˈmiːnəbl/

amenable

Meaning
willing to cooperate or be influenced; open to suggestions
Example
She was amenable to the idea of working longer hours.
C1 adjective /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/

diminutive

Meaning
extremely or unusually small
Example
Despite his diminutive size, he was a powerful leader.
C1 noun /kənˈveɪəns/

conveyance

Meaning
The action or process of transporting or carrying someone or something from one place to another.
Example
The conveyance of goods was delayed due to bad weather.
C1 verb /ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːrmɪn/

predetermine

Meaning
to establish or decide something in advance
Example
The outcome of the match seemed predetermined.
C1 verb /ɪˈmɔːrtəlaɪz/

immortalize

Meaning
to preserve the memory of someone or something forever
Example
The statue was built to immortalize the hero’s sacrifice.
C1 verb /proʊˈtrækt/

protract

Meaning
To prolong or extend in time or duration.
Example
Negotiations were protracted for several months.
C1 noun /ˈsɛvərəns/

severance

Meaning
the act of ending something, especially a relationship or employment; compensation paid upon termination
Example
The company offered him severance pay after his job ended.
C1 adjective /ˈstʌm.pi/

Stumpy

Meaning
short and thick; having a short, thick appearance
Example
The stumpy little dog wagged its tail enthusiastically.
C1 noun /ˈliːniənsi/

leniency

Meaning
The quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected.
Example
The judge showed leniency in his ruling.
C1 noun, verb /klɒt/

clot

Meaning
a thick mass of coagulated liquid, especially blood; to form such a mass.
Example
The doctor removed a blood clot from the patient.
C1 noun /ˈfænsiər/

fancier

Meaning
a person who has a special interest in a particular thing or activity, especially animals or hobbies
Example
He is a fancier of rare birds.
C1 adjective /ˈtæn.tə.laɪ.zɪŋ/

Tantalizing

Meaning
tempting and attractive but out of reach
Example
The tantalizing aroma of fresh bread filled the bakery.
C1 noun /ɡæf/

gaffe

Meaning
An unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment; a blunder.
Example
The politician's gaffe quickly spread on social media.
C1 verb /ˌʌn.dəˈtʃɑːrdʒ/

undercharge

Meaning
To charge less than the correct or fair amount.
Example
The shopkeeper accidentally undercharged me for the groceries.
C1 verb /dɪˈtrækt/

detract

Meaning
To reduce or take away the worth or value of something.
Example
His rude behavior will detract from his good reputation.
C1 verb /məˈruːn/

maroon

Meaning
to leave someone trapped and isolated, especially on an island
Example
The sailors were marooned on a deserted island.
C1 noun rɪˌkuːpərˈeɪʃən

recuperation

Meaning
The process of gradually recovering from illness or fatigue
Example
Rest is essential for recuperation after illness.
C1 noun /lɪˈkjʊər/

liqueur

Meaning
A strong, sweet alcoholic drink flavored with fruits, herbs, or spices.
Example
She served a small glass of cherry liqueur after dinner.
C1 verb /dɪˈspɛl/

dispel

Meaning
to make a doubt, feeling, or belief disappear
Example
The teacher's explanation dispelled the students' confusion.
C1 noun /bəˈbuːn/

Baboon

Meaning
a large African and Arabian primate with a dog-like snout and colorful buttocks
Example
The baboon troop gathered around the watering hole in the savanna.
C1 noun /ˈroʊdənt/

rodent

Meaning
a small mammal such as a mouse, rat, or squirrel, characterized by constantly growing incisors
Example
The farmer set traps to catch the rodents in his barn.
C1 noun/verb /ˈrɛprɪˌmænd/

reprimand

Meaning
A formal expression of disapproval; to scold or criticize someone officially.
Example
The teacher reprimanded the student for being late.
C1 noun /kwɜːrk/

Quirk

Meaning
a peculiar behavioral habit; an unexpected turn or twist
Example
Her quirk of always wearing mismatched socks made her unique.
C1 noun /ˈderˌdevəl/

daredevil

Meaning
A person who enjoys doing dangerous or risky things.
Example
The stunt was performed by a famous daredevil.
C1 noun /ˈhæm.lət/

Hamlet

Meaning
a small rural settlement, smaller than a village; a small community
Example
The tiny hamlet nestled in the valley had only a dozen houses and one small church.
C1 verb /ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/

revolutionize

Meaning
Change (something) radically or fundamentally.
Example
Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize the healthcare sector.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈsɛlɪbət/

celibate

Meaning
abstaining from marriage and sexual relations; a person who does so
Example
He chose to remain celibate for religious reasons.
C1 verb /daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/

diverge

Meaning
to separate and go in different directions; to differ
Example
The two paths diverge at the fork in the road.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.mɪdʒ/

Homage

Meaning
special honor or respect shown publicly; tribute paid to someone in recognition of their merit
Example
The memorial service was a touching homage to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
C1 adverb /ˈleŋθ.waɪz/

Lengthwise

Meaning
in the direction of the length; along the longest dimension
Example
Fold the paper lengthwise to make it easier to carry.
C1 noun /krɪˈden.ʃəl/

credential

Meaning
a qualification, achievement, or aspect of a person's background used to indicate suitability for something
Example
She presented her credentials before starting the new job.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlf əˌfɜːˈmeɪʃən/

self-affirmation

Meaning
The practice of affirming one's own worthiness and value as an individual.
Example
Daily self-affirmation can boost your confidence.
C1 adjective /ˈfrɪvələs/

frivolous

Meaning
Not having any serious purpose or value; silly or unimportant.
Example
She dismissed the frivolous complaint quickly.
C1 adjective /rɪˈɡrɛtfəl/

regretful

Meaning
feeling or showing sadness or disappointment about something that has happened or been done
Example
She gave him a regretful smile as she turned away.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːbərn/

auburn

Meaning
reddish-brown in color, especially used to describe hair
Example
She has long auburn hair that shines in the sunlight.
C1 noun /streɪt/

strait

Meaning
A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water.
Example
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
C1 noun /ˈskwɒlər/

squalor

Meaning
the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially due to poverty or neglect
Example
They lived in squalor without basic facilities.
C1 noun /foʊ/

foe

Meaning
an enemy or opponent
Example
The knight fought bravely against his foe.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrpənˌtiːn/

serpentine

Meaning
Having the shape, movement, or qualities of a serpent; winding or twisting.
Example
The road took a serpentine path through the mountains.
C1 adjective /ˈstɔːlwərt/

stalwart

Meaning
Loyal, reliable, and hardworking; strongly built or sturdy.
Example
She has always been a stalwart supporter of the community.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈsiːt/

reseat

Meaning
to seat someone again or to fit something back into its place
Example
The usher had to reseat the guests after the interruption.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɒndənt/

despondent

Meaning
feeling or showing deep hopelessness or discouragement
Example
She felt despondent after losing her job.
C1 noun /ˈweɪ.stɪdʒ/

Wastage

Meaning
the action of using or expending something carelessly or without purpose
Example
The company reduced food wastage by implementing better inventory management.
C1 noun /ˌprɑːfɪˈtɪr/

profiteer

Meaning
a person who makes excessive profits, especially unfairly or illegally
Example
The government punished war profiteers.
C1 noun /ˈprɛljuːd/

prelude

Meaning
An action, event, or statement that serves as an introduction to something more important.
Example
The small fight was only a prelude to a bigger conflict.
C1 adjective /ˌaʊt ən ˈaʊt/

out-and-out

Meaning
complete; absolute; used to emphasize something extreme
Example
The speech was an out-and-out lie.
C1 adjective /ˌfɑːrˈfetʃt/

farfetched

Meaning
unlikely to happen or be true; improbable
Example
His explanation for being late sounded farfetched.
C1 noun /ˈdæmpər/

damper

Meaning
something that reduces or lessens the force, effect, or excitement
Example
The cancellation of the trip put a damper on their enthusiasm.
C1 noun ˌdɪm.ɪˈnjuː.ʃən

diminution

Meaning
A reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something; decrease.
Example
There has been a diminution in air pollution.
C1 noun /ˈhiːdənɪst/

hedonist

Meaning
A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life.
Example
She was called a hedonist because she always prioritized enjoyment over duty.
C1 noun /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.liː/

Jubilee

Meaning
a special anniversary celebration, especially the 25th, 50th, or 60th anniversary of an important event
Example
The school celebrated its golden jubilee with a grand ceremony.
C1 verb /ˈɡrændstænd/

grandstand

Meaning
To seek attention or applause by behaving or speaking in a showy way.
Example
The actor was accused of grandstanding during the charity event.
C1 noun /nɪərˈvɑːnə/

nirvana

Meaning
A state of perfect happiness, peace, and freedom from suffering; in Buddhism, the ultimate goal of liberation.
Example
Meditation helps some people seek nirvana in their lives.
C1 noun /kəˈmoʊʃən/

commotion

Meaning
A state of noisy confusion or disturbance.
Example
The sudden commotion in the market drew everyone's attention.
C1 verb pleɪɡd

plagued

Meaning
Troubled or afflicted persistently by problems or difficulties.
Example
People are plagued by anxiety and depression.
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.
C1 adjective /ˌhaɪ.drəˈpɒn.ɪk/

hydroponic

Meaning
Relating to the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.
Example
Hydroponic farming allows crops to grow without soil.
C1 adjective /ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒə.bəl/

Negligible

Meaning
so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant
Example
The side effects of this medicine are negligible.
C1 adjective /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/

Biting

Meaning
extremely cold; sharply critical or harsh
Example
The biting cold made everyone shiver.
C1 noun /səˈlɛmnɪti/

solemnity

Meaning
the state or quality of being serious and dignified
Example
The ceremony was conducted with great solemnity.
C1 noun /ˈledʒ.ər/

Ledger

Meaning
a book or other collection of financial accounts of a particular type
Example
The accountant updated the company ledger daily.
C1 adjective ɛnˈdɛm.ɪk

endemic

Meaning
Native and restricted to a certain place.
Example
The Bengal tiger is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
C1 noun /ˌɛkstrəˈdɪʃən/

extradition

Meaning
the official process of sending someone accused of a crime to another country or state
Example
The extradition of the suspect was delayed due to legal issues.
C1 noun /θiˈɒlədʒi/

theology

Meaning
The study of the nature of God and religious beliefs.
Example
She is pursuing a degree in theology at the university.
C1 noun /ˈstɪklər/

stickler

Meaning
a person who insists on a certain quality or standard of behavior
Example
He is a stickler for punctuality and never tolerates delays.
C1 noun /əˈpɒsəl/

apostle

Meaning
A vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular cause, often used for the early Christian disciples.
Example
He became an apostle of environmental protection.
C1 verb /ˈɡlædən/

gladden

Meaning
to make someone happy or bring joy
Example
The news of her recovery gladdened everyone.
C1 noun /rɪˈpen.təns/

Repentance

Meaning
the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse
Example
His genuine repentance moved everyone in the courtroom.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪniə/

Mania

Meaning
Mental illness marked by periods of great excitement; extreme enthusiasm
Example
She had a mania for collecting vintage postcards from around the world.
C1 noun /rɪˈfaɪnəri/

refinery

Meaning
an industrial facility where raw materials are processed and purified
Example
The oil refinery processes thousands of barrels daily.
C1 noun /kənˈsɜːvəˌtɔːri/

conservatory

Meaning
A greenhouse for growing plants or a school for music and the arts.
Example
They grew exotic plants in the conservatory.
C1 noun ˌɪn.ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si

inefficiency

Meaning
The state or quality of not achieving maximum productivity; failure to make the best use of time or resources.
Example
Government inefficiency leads to slow project completion.
C1 noun /ˈpɪt.fɔːl/

pitfall

Meaning
a hidden or unexpected danger or difficulty
Example
Investors must be aware of the pitfalls of the market.
C1 verb /ˈpɪlfər/

pilfer

Meaning
to steal things of small value or in small quantities
Example
The employee was caught pilfering office supplies.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈlaɪ.tənd/

Enlightened

Meaning
having or showing a rational, modern outlook; having spiritual knowledge or understanding
Example
The enlightened teacher shared wisdom with all her students.
C1 adjective pərˈnɪʃəs

pernicious

Meaning
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
Example
The pernicious effects of smoking are well-documented.
C1 noun /ˈdʊr.i.ən/

Durian

Meaning
a large spiky tropical fruit known for its strong smell and creamy custard-like flesh
Example
Durian is known as the king of fruits in Southeast Asia despite its pungent odor.
C1 verb /krɪndʒ/

cringe

Meaning
To shrink back in fear, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
She cringed when she remembered her mistake.
C1 noun ˌnæn.oʊ.tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒi

nanotechnology

Meaning
The branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers.
Example
Nanotechnology is advancing medical treatments.
C1 noun /ˈvɔːrtɛks/

vortex

Meaning
A mass of whirling fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind.
Example
The plane was caught in a dangerous vortex of air.
C1 verb rɪˈpel

repel

Meaning
To push away or force apart due to similar charges or properties.
Example
Protons repel each other.
C1 adjective /ˌpɛd.əˈɡɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

pedagogical

Meaning
Relating to teaching and education; concerned with the methods and practice of teaching.
Example
The school adopted new pedagogical techniques to improve learning.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːrlər/

curler

Meaning
A small roller used for curling hair.
Example
She used a curler to style her hair for the party.
C1 adjective /pɜːrt/

pert

Meaning
attractively lively or cheeky in manner or style
Example
She gave a pert reply that made everyone laugh.
C1 adjective /ˌɛvərˈlæstɪŋ/

everlasting

Meaning
Lasting forever or for an indefinitely long time.
Example
The poet wrote about his everlasting love for nature.
C1 verb /skɒf/

scoff

Meaning
to speak about something in a mocking or dismissive way
Example
He scoffed at the idea of moving abroad.
C1 noun /ˈmɛm.wɑːr/

memoir

Meaning
A historical account or autobiography written from personal experience.
Example
The author’s memoir details her journey through hardship and success.
C1 noun /pəˈpaɪrəs/

papyrus

Meaning
An ancient writing material made from the pith of the papyrus plant; also refers to the plant itself.
Example
The ancient scroll was written on papyrus.
C1 noun /ˈmæn.juˌskrɪpt/

manuscript

Meaning
a handwritten or typed document, especially a writer’s draft before publication
Example
The author submitted her manuscript to the publisher.
C1 noun /ˈθʌroʊˌbrɛd/

thoroughbred

Meaning
a horse of pure and recognized breed; a person of good breeding or education
Example
The jockey rode a fast thoroughbred in the race.
C1 adjective /sɔɪld/

soiled

Meaning
dirty or stained; not clean
Example
His clothes were soiled after playing in the mud.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɒs.tər/

Impostor

Meaning
a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others; a fraud
Example
The impostor convinced everyone he was a doctor until his fake credentials were discovered.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈsiːzənd/

seasoned

Meaning
Experienced in a particular activity; also, flavored with spices.
Example
She is a seasoned teacher with over 20 years of experience.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəˌθiːɪzəm/

monotheism

Meaning
The belief in the existence of only one God.
Example
Islam and Christianity are religions based on monotheism.
C1 verb /luːt/

loot

Meaning
to steal goods, typically during war, riot, or chaos
Example
The rioters looted several shops during the protest.
C1 verb /kəmˈpjuːt/

compute

Meaning
To calculate or determine by using a computer or mathematical methods.
Example
The software can compute the total cost in seconds.
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 /ˈɔːrdɪnəl/

ordinal

Meaning
Relating to the order or position of something in a sequence (first, second, third, etc.).
Example
The ordinal number 'third' indicates position in a sequence.
C1 noun /əˈliː.dʒəns/

allegiance

Meaning
Loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause.
Example
Soldiers take an oath of allegiance to their country.