distinctive
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 /dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/

distinctive

Meaning
having a quality or characteristic that makes something different and easily noticed
Example
The restaurant is known for its distinctive flavors.
B2 adjective /flɔːd/

flawed

Meaning
having a mistake or fault that reduces its value or quality
Example
The flawed design of the car led to a recall.
C2 verb əˈtɛn.ju.eɪt

attenuate

Meaning
To reduce the force, effect, or value of something; to make weak or thin.
Example
The medicine helps attenuate the pain.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːrtɪnənt/

impertinent

Meaning
rude and showing a lack of respect
Example
It was impertinent of him to question the manager's decision.
C2 verb /ˌriː.kəˈnɔɪ.tər/

reconnoiter

Meaning
to make a preliminary inspection or survey, especially of an area for military or strategic purposes
Example
The soldiers reconnoitered the area before advancing.
B2 noun /ræɡ/

Rag

Meaning
a piece of old cloth used for cleaning; worn-out clothing
Example
She used an old rag to clean the dusty table.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl/

centrifugal

Meaning
Moving or tending to move away from a center.
Example
The centrifugal force pushes the clothes to the sides of the washing machine.
C1 noun /mɪˈlɪʃə/

militia

Meaning
a group of ordinary people who are trained to act as soldiers in emergencies
Example
The village formed a militia to defend against attacks.
A2 verb /bæt/

bat

Meaning
to hit with a bat; to flutter eyelids
Example
She bats her eyelashes flirtatiously.
C2 noun /dɪˈtrækʃən/

detraction

Meaning
The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.
Example
Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular.
A2 noun/verb /kɔːz/

cause

Meaning
a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition; to make something happen
Example
The heavy rain caused flooding in the city.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpjuːɪsəns/

impuissance

Meaning
inability to take effective action; helplessness
Example
The government’s impuissance in the face of crisis frustrated the people.
C2 adverb /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃəsli/

expeditiously

Meaning
in a quick and efficient manner
Example
The application was processed expeditiously.
B1 verb /ʌnˈlɒk/

unlock

Meaning
to open something that is locked; to make something accessible or available
Example
She used the key to unlock the door.
A1 pronoun, noun, adjective /wʌn/

one

Meaning
the number equivalent to the sum of zero and one; a single person or thing
Example
Only one student answered the question.
B2 noun kəmˈpet.ɪ.tɪv.nəs

competitiveness

Meaning
The quality of being as good as or better than others of a comparable nature; the ability to compete successfully.
Example
Competitiveness is vital for economic sustainability.
C1 noun /ˈrɛl.ɪk/

relic

Meaning
an object surviving from an earlier time, often of historical or religious interest
Example
The museum displayed relics from the ancient civilization.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtriːtʃ/

outreach

Meaning
The act of providing services or support to people who might not otherwise have access to them.
Example
The charity launched a new outreach program for the homeless.
C2 verb /dɪsˈkaʊntənəns/

discountenance

Meaning
To disapprove of or discourage something.
Example
The teacher strongly discountenanced cheating in exams.
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 ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃən.ər.i ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv

revolutionary initiative

Meaning
A groundbreaking action or plan that brings about significant change or transformation.
Example
The revolutionary initiative promotes sustainable energy.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɪliətɔːri/

conciliatory

Meaning
intended to make someone less angry or more agreeable; soothing
Example
She spoke in a conciliatory tone to ease the tension.
C1 verb /ˈfɔːrfɪt/

forfeit

Meaning
to lose or give up something, usually as a penalty for wrongdoing
Example
He had to forfeit the match after breaking the rules.
A2 noun /ˌkæŋ.ɡəˈruː/

Kangaroo

Meaning
a large marsupial from Australia that moves by hopping on its strong hind legs
Example
The kangaroo jumped high with its joey in its pouch.
B2 adverb /ˈpjʊərli/

purely

Meaning
only and completely; entirely
Example
The decision was purely based on economic factors.
C2 noun /ˈproʊtoʊˌmɑːrtɚ/

protomartyr

Meaning
The first martyr in a cause or religion, often referring to the first Christian martyr.
Example
St. Stephen is known as the protomartyr of Christianity.
B2 noun /slæŋ/

Slang

Meaning
very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written
Example
The teenagers used slang that their parents couldn't understand.
C1 verb/noun /stuːp/

stoop

Meaning
To bend one's body forward and downward; also a small porch or staircase at the entrance of a house
Example
He had to stoop to pick up the coin.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstruːd/

extrude

Meaning
to force something out through a small opening; to shape by pushing material through a mold
Example
The factory extrudes plastic pipes using modern machines.
B1 adjective /ˈtrɪki/

Tricky

Meaning
requiring skill or careful handling; difficult to deal with
Example
This math problem is quite tricky to solve.
A2 verb /ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/

recommend

Meaning
to suggest or advise something as being good or suitable
Example
I recommend trying the new restaurant downtown.
B1 noun /ˈpæsɪŋ/

passing

Meaning
the act of moving past something or the end of someone's life
Example
The passing of the leader was a great loss for the nation.
B1 verb /fel/

fell

Meaning
to cut down a tree; to cause to fall; to strike down
Example
The lumberjacks felled several trees in the forest today.
B2 adjective /ˈbraʊn.ɪʃ/

Brownish

Meaning
having a color somewhat like brown; tending toward brown
Example
The old paper had a brownish tint from age.
B2 adjective /ˈbaɪəst/

Biased

Meaning
showing prejudice for or against someone or something unfairly
Example
The judge was accused of being biased against the defendant.
B2 adjective /ˈwɒntɪŋ/

wanting

Meaning
Lacking or deficient in quality or quantity.
Example
His explanation was wanting in clarity.
C2 noun /oʊd/

ode

Meaning
a lyrical poem, often expressing praise or strong emotions
Example
The poet wrote an ode to the beauty of nature.
A1 noun /ˈhoʊmwɜːrk/

homework

Meaning
schoolwork that a student does at home
Example
I need to finish my math homework before dinner.
C1 adjective /səbˈsɜːviənt/

subservient

Meaning
prepared to obey others unquestioningly; less important than something else
Example
She was too subservient to challenge his decision.
C2 adjective /ˈpɜːˌblaɪnd/

purblind

Meaning
Having impaired or defective vision; lacking insight or understanding.
Example
The purblind approach to the problem led to many mistakes.
B2 noun /kəˈmɪʃənər/

commissioner

Meaning
an official in charge of a particular department or area
Example
The police commissioner addressed the media about the incident.
C2 noun /ˈprɛlət/

prelate

Meaning
A high-ranking member of the clergy, especially a bishop or abbot.
Example
The prelate delivered a sermon to the congregation.
B2 adjective /ˈaɪsi/

Icy

Meaning
extremely cold; covered with ice; unfriendly or hostile
Example
The icy wind made everyone shiver.
C1 verb /ˈlɔːndər/

launder

Meaning
to wash clothes, linens, etc.; or to conceal the origins of money obtained illegally
Example
She laundered all the dirty clothes on Sunday.
B1 noun /ˈfɪnɪʃ laɪn/

finish line

Meaning
The line or point at the end of a race or competition where participants complete it.
Example
She sprinted towards the finish line and won the race.
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.
C2 verb /pɑːrtʃ/

parch

Meaning
to make something extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat
Example
The scorching sun began to parch the fields.
C1 verb /blɛər/

blare

Meaning
to make a loud, harsh sound
Example
The car horns blared all night.
B1 noun /ˈtʃɪl.i ˈpaʊ.dər/

Chilli Powder

Meaning
a spice made from ground dried chili peppers, used to add heat and flavor to food
Example
Add two teaspoons of chilli powder to make the dish spicier.
C2 adjective/noun /ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk/

hieroglyphic

Meaning
Relating to or written in hieroglyphs; symbols or writing that is difficult to understand.
Example
The archaeologists studied the hieroglyphic inscriptions carefully.
C1 verb koʊˈɜrs

coerce

Meaning
To force someone to do something against their will using threats or intimidation.
Example
The manager tried to coerce the employees into working overtime.
A1 noun /kəmˈpjuːtə(r)/

computer

Meaning
an electronic device for storing and processing data
Example
I bought a new computer for my office work.
A2 adverb /ɪnˈdiːd/

indeed

Meaning
used to emphasize or confirm a statement
Example
It was a long journey indeed.
B1 adverb /ˈæftərwərd/

afterward

Meaning
at a later time; subsequently
Example
We went to dinner and watched a movie afterward.
B1 noun /ədˈvaɪzər/

adviser

Meaning
a person who gives advice, especially in a professional or official role
Example
He works as a financial adviser at a bank.
C2 noun /ˈlæn.sɪt/

lancet

Meaning
a small, sharp, two-edged surgical knife used for making small incisions
Example
The doctor used a lancet to prick the patient’s finger for a blood test.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈsɒlvənt/

solvent

Meaning
a liquid that dissolves other substances; also means able to pay debts
Example
Acetone is a common solvent used in laboratories.
C2 noun /ˈkæriən/

carrion

Meaning
the decaying flesh of dead animals
Example
Vultures feed on carrion left in the fields.
B2 noun /ˌsɪmjuˈleɪʃən/

simulation

Meaning
the imitation of a situation or process
Example
The simulation helped the students understand the complex theory.
B1 noun /bʌlb/

bulb

Meaning
a rounded glass part of an electric lamp that produces light when lit; also an underground storage organ in some plants
Example
The light bulb burned out, so she replaced it with a new one.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊl.səm/

fulsome

Meaning
Excessively flattering or insincere; abundant or generous in amount.
Example
He offered fulsome praise to his boss.
C2 noun /bɪsk/

bisque

Meaning
A rich, creamy soup made from shellfish.
Example
We ordered lobster bisque at the restaurant.
C2 noun /proʊˈsiː.ni.əm/

proscenium

Meaning
the part of a theater stage in front of the curtain; the arch framing the stage
Example
The actors bowed at the proscenium before leaving the stage.
C1 verb /dɪˈspɛns/

dispense

Meaning
To distribute or provide something, especially in portions.
Example
The machine dispenses clean drinking water.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsɪpɪd/

insipid

Meaning
lacking flavor, interest, or excitement; dull
Example
The soup was insipid and needed more seasoning.
A2 noun /dʒoʊk/

Joke

Meaning
a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter; something not to be taken seriously
Example
Everyone laughed at his funny joke during the dinner party.
A2 adjective /ˈsʌn.i/

Sunny

Meaning
bright with sunlight; cheerful and optimistic
Example
It's a beautiful sunny day perfect for a picnic.
B2 noun /ˈfer.i boʊt/

Ferry-boat

Meaning
a boat that carries passengers and vehicles across water
Example
We took the ferry-boat to cross the river.
B2 adjective /ˌfɪl.əˈsɒf.ɪ.kəl/

philosophical

Meaning
relating to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence
Example
She maintained a calm and philosophical attitude during the crisis.
C1 noun /tʃɪt/

Chit

Meaning
a short note, typically a brief informal letter; a voucher for a sum owed
Example
She left a chit on the table asking him to call her back.
A1 conjunction /ænd/

and

Meaning
Used to connect words or sentences that are to be taken jointly.
Example
She bought apples and oranges.
B2 noun /mʌŋk/

Monk

Meaning
a man who is a member of a religious community living under vows
Example
The monk spent hours in meditation each day.
C1 noun /ˌtes.tɪˈmoʊ.ni.əl/

Testimonial

Meaning
a formal statement testifying to someone's character and qualifications
Example
The professor wrote a glowing testimonial for her former student.
C2 adjective /ˈlɔːdəˌtɔːri/

laudatory

Meaning
Expressing praise or admiration.
Example
She wrote a laudatory review of the new book.
A2 noun /dɪˈzaɪnər/

designer

Meaning
a person who plans and creates the form or structure of something
Example
The fashion designer presented her new collection.
C1 noun /oʊˈbɪt.ʃu.er.i/

Obituary

Meaning
a notice of someone's death published in a newspaper; biographical account of deceased person
Example
The newspaper published his obituary yesterday.
B2 noun /ɪnˌsaɪkləˈpiːdiə/

encyclopedia

Meaning
a book or set of books containing information on many subjects, usually arranged alphabetically
Example
She used an encyclopedia to complete her school project.
B2 noun /kəˈrɪz.mə/

charisma

Meaning
Compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.
Example
His charisma helped him become a great leader.
B2 noun /skwɒd/

squad

Meaning
a small group of people organized for a specific purpose or task, often in the military or sports
Example
The football squad trained hard before the championship match.
C1 adjective /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛsnt/

convalescent

Meaning
recovering from an illness or medical treatment
Example
The hospital has a special ward for convalescent patients.
C1 verb /kəˈrəʊd/

corrode

Meaning
to gradually destroy or wear away metal or other materials through chemical action
Example
The iron pipes corroded over time due to exposure to water.
B1 noun /pɑrˈtɪs.ə.pənt/

Participant

Meaning
a person who takes part in something; someone who participates in an activity or event
Example
Every participant in the marathon received a medal.
B2 noun /ˈnæreɪtər/

narrator

Meaning
A person who tells the story in a book, play, or film.
Example
The narrator guided the audience through the complex plot.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrlɔːŋ/

furlong

Meaning
a unit of distance equal to 220 yards or about 201 meters
Example
The horse ran a furlong before slowing down.
B2 adjective /ˌfjuːtʃəˈrɪstɪk/

futuristic

Meaning
Having or involving very modern technology or design that is advanced beyond what is currently available
Example
Futuristic technologies are transforming industries worldwide.
C2 adjective /sɒmˈnɪfərəs/

somniferous

Meaning
Tending to induce sleep; soporific.
Example
The professor's somniferous lecture put half the class to sleep.
B2 adjective /ˈplen.tɪ.fəl/

Plentiful

Meaning
abundant; existing in large quantity
Example
The harvest was plentiful this year due to good weather.
C2 noun /ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪə/

grenadier

Meaning
A soldier who specialized in throwing grenades; later used to describe an elite infantryman.
Example
The grenadier stood proudly at the front of the regiment.
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 /ˈhɛksəˌɡɒn/

hexagon

Meaning
A six-sided polygon.
Example
A honeycomb cell is shaped like a hexagon.
A1 adjective /ʃɔːrt/

Short

Meaning
having a small length, height, or duration; not long
Example
The meeting was very short, lasting only ten minutes.
C1 verb /ˈlɪŋɡər/

linger

Meaning
to stay in a place longer than necessary; to persist
Example
The smell of coffee lingered in the kitchen.
B2 noun /ˈreɪ.dɑːr/

Radar

Meaning
a system for detecting the presence, direction, distance of aircraft, ships by sending out radio waves
Example
The radar detected an unknown aircraft approaching the base.
C1 noun/verb /ˈkwɒr.i/

quarry

Meaning
A place where stone or minerals are extracted; also means prey when hunted.
Example
The workers quarried limestone from the hill.
A1 verb /tɔːk/

talk

Meaning
to speak; to communicate by speaking; to discuss
Example
Let's talk about your future plans.
B1 noun /ˈkɪləɡræm/

kilogram

Meaning
the base unit of mass in the metric system equal to 1,000 grams
Example
The bag of rice weighs five kilograms.
B1 noun, verb /strɪŋ/

string

Meaning
a thin piece of cord or thread; to tie or fasten with a string
Example
She tied the package with a string.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsɒljʊbl/

indissoluble

Meaning
Unable to be destroyed, broken, or dissolved.
Example
Marriage was once considered an indissoluble bond.
C2 noun /ˈhelmz.mən/

Helmsman

Meaning
a person who steers a ship or boat; the person at the helm of a vessel
Example
The experienced helmsman skillfully guided the yacht through the narrow channel during the storm.
C1 noun /plaɪt/

Plight

Meaning
a dangerous, difficult, or unfortunate situation
Example
The refugees were in a desperate plight.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtpoʊst/

outpost

Meaning
A small military camp or position at some distance from the main force, used especially as a guard.
Example
The soldiers were stationed at a remote outpost.
B2 adverb /ˈmɔːrəli/

Morally

Meaning
in accordance with principles of right and wrong behavior; ethically
Example
She felt morally obligated to help the refugees.
C2 adjective /ˌnɒnˈtrɪviəl/

nontrivial

Meaning
Not simple or easy; requiring effort or significant thought.
Example
Solving the equation turned out to be a nontrivial task.
B1 verb /loʊˈkeɪt/

locate

Meaning
to find the exact position or place of something
Example
They managed to locate the missing keys under the couch.
A2 noun ˈɡeɪ.mɪŋ

gaming

Meaning
The practice of playing video games or competitive games.
Example
Gaming has evolved into a billion-dollar industry.
C1 noun ˌiː.kəʊˈfrend.li ˌɜː.bən.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

eco-friendly urbanization

Meaning
The development of cities in a way that is not harmful to the environment.
Example
Eco-friendly urbanization reduces environmental degradation.
C1 adverb kəmˈpæktli

compactly

Meaning
In a closely packed or dense manner.
Example
Protons and neutrons are compactly arranged.
C1 adjective /ˈɡɔːri/

gory

Meaning
involving or showing a lot of bloodshed and violence
Example
The movie was too gory for children.
B1 adjective /dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ/

disgusting

Meaning
extremely unpleasant or offensive; causing strong dislike or revulsion
Example
The smell coming from the trash can was absolutely disgusting.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈɡɔːrɪk/

paregoric

Meaning
a medicine containing opium, once used to relieve pain and diarrhea
Example
Doctors once prescribed paregoric to treat diarrhea in children.
A2 verb /rɪˈplaɪ/

reply

Meaning
to give an answer; to respond
Example
She replies to emails quickly.
A2 adjective /mɪˈstɪə.ri.əs/

mysterious

Meaning
Difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify.
Example
The deep sea remains one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
C2 adjective /ˈʌŋk.tʃu.əs/

unctuous

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily in texture.
Example
His unctuous tone made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 noun /ræˈpɔːr/

rapport

Meaning
A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas.
Example
The teacher built a strong rapport with her students.
B2 noun /ˌpiːdiəˈtrɪʃən/

pediatrician

Meaning
a doctor who specializes in the medical care of children
Example
The pediatrician examined the child carefully.
A2 noun, verb, adjective /saʊnd/

sound

Meaning
a sensation perceived by the ear; to make or cause to make a noise; in good condition
Example
The bell sounded across the valley.
C1 adjective /rɪˈstreɪnd/

restrained

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

avalanche

Meaning
(noun) a mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside; a sudden overwhelming quantity; (verb) to descend like an avalanche
Example
The avalanche buried the mountain road under tons of snow.
B2 noun ˈbɛriəl saɪt

burial site

Meaning
A place where a dead body is buried.
Example
The burial site of the martyrs was near the riverbank.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪpədiːz/

antipodes

Meaning
places on opposite sides of the Earth; also refers to things that are direct opposites
Example
Australia and Britain are often considered antipodes of each other.
C1 verb/adjective /dɪˈdʒɛnəreɪt/

degenerate

Meaning
To decline or deteriorate in quality, character, or condition; or someone with low moral standards.
Example
The once thriving empire began to degenerate into chaos.