encumber
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
C2 verb /ɪnˈkʌmbər/

encumber

Meaning
to burden or weigh down something, making it difficult to move or progress
Example
She was encumbered by the heavy luggage during her journey.
C1 adjective, adverb (informal, vulgar) /ˈfʌkɪŋ/

fucking

Meaning
used for emphasis, often expressing anger or frustration (vulgar slang)
Example
It was a fucking disaster!
C1 noun /ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃən/

consternation

Meaning
A feeling of anxiety, dismay, or confusion, often caused by something unexpected.
Example
The sudden announcement caused widespread consternation among the employees.
B2 adjective əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ

astonishing

Meaning
Extremely surprising or impressive; amazing.
Example
The astonishing discovery changed the way we view the universe.
B1 noun /ˈmænər/

manner

Meaning
a way in which something is done or happens
Example
He spoke in a polite manner.
B2 noun /dəˈmeɪn/

domain

Meaning
An area of knowledge, activity, or territory over which control is exercised.
Example
Mathematics is her main domain of expertise.
C2 noun /ˈɡræn.juːl/

granule

Meaning
A small compact particle of a substance.
Example
Each granule of salt sparkled under the sunlight.
C2 verb /ˈɪmprɛɡneɪt/

impregnate

Meaning
To make pregnant; to fill or saturate with something.
Example
The scientist used a method to impregnate the material with resin.
B1 noun /teɪl/

tale

Meaning
a narrative of imaginary events, especially one that is presented as true
Example
The old man told a tale of his adventures.
C1 verb /dɪsˈpærɪdʒ/

disparage

Meaning
to criticize someone or something in a way that shows a lack of respect
Example
It is unfair to disparage people for their opinions.
B2 noun /ˈkɒpə/

copper

Meaning
a reddish-brown metal used for electrical wiring, coins, and more
Example
Copper is a good conductor of electricity.
A2 adjective, noun /dɛd/

dead

Meaning
No longer alive; the end of life.
Example
The old tree is completely dead.
C2 noun /fəˈlɪsɪti/

felicity

Meaning
intense happiness; the ability to find appropriate expression for one's thoughts
Example
She was known for her felicity in conversation and cheerful nature.
B2 adjective /ˈskɪni/

Skinny

Meaning
very thin; having little flesh or fat on the body
Example
The skinny cat looked like it hadn't eaten for days.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈprɒstreɪt/

prostrate

Meaning
lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward, often as a sign of submission or exhaustion
Example
He lay prostrate on the ground after the long battle.
C2 verb /diːˈmæɡnɪtaɪz/

demagnetize

Meaning
To remove or reduce the magnetic properties of something.
Example
The technician demagnetized the old cassette tape.
A1 noun /suːp/

Soup

Meaning
a liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, or other ingredients in water
Example
I had a bowl of chicken soup for lunch.
C2 noun /ˈvɪrjʊləns/

virulence

Meaning
The severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison.
Example
Scientists studied the virulence of the new virus strain.
A1 verb /keɪm/

came

Meaning
past tense of 'come'
Example
She came to the party on time.
B2 verb /vaʊ/

vow

Meaning
to make a serious promise; to pledge solemnly
Example
They vowed to love each other forever.
B2 noun /ˈsʌfərɪŋ/

suffering

Meaning
the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship
Example
They tried to relieve his suffering with medicine.
B1 noun /ˈvɪn.ɪ.ɡər/

Vinegar

Meaning
a sour liquid made from fermented alcohol, used for cooking and preserving
Example
I added vinegar to the salad dressing for extra flavor.
B1 noun /ˈrʌbɪʃ/

Rubbish

Meaning
waste material; refuse or litter; nonsense or worthless things
Example
Please throw the rubbish in the bin.
B2 verb /pɔːˈtreɪ/

portray

Meaning
to describe or represent something or someone in a work of art or literature
Example
The novel portrays a vivid picture of life in the countryside.
C1 adjective /rɪˈsɜːrdʒənt/

resurgent

Meaning
Becoming strong, active, or popular again.
Example
The resurgent economy gave hope to many businesses.
A1 verb /tiːtʃ/

teach

Meaning
to give knowledge or instruction to someone; to show how to do something
Example
She teaches English at the local school.
B1 noun ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃənz

examinations

Meaning
A detailed inspection or investigation; a formal test of a person's knowledge or proficiency.
Example
BPSC conducts rigorous examinations.
B2 noun /ˈmɪz.ər.i/

Misery

Meaning
Great mental or physical suffering; extreme unhappiness or distress
Example
The poor family lived in complete misery after losing their home.
B1 verb/noun /bɔːr/

bore

Meaning
Verb: To make someone feel uninterested or tired; Noun: A dull or tiresome person.
Example
The lecture began to bore the students.
B2 adjective /trænˈspærənt/

Transparent

Meaning
allowing light to pass through; clear and obvious; honest and open
Example
The company maintains transparent business practices.
B1 verb /rɪˈliːs/

release

Meaning
to set free; to allow something to escape or go away
Example
The prisoner was released after ten years.
C1 adjective /dɪˈskriːt/

discrete

Meaning
individually separate and distinct
Example
The course is divided into three discrete modules.
C1 adjective ɪˈveɪ.sɪv

evasive

Meaning
Tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.
Example
He gave an evasive answer to avoid trouble.
C2 noun /ˈzɛfər/

zephyr

Meaning
A soft gentle breeze.
Example
A warm zephyr blew through the valley.
C2 noun /ˈkɪləˌliːtər/

kiloliter

Meaning
a unit of capacity equal to 1,000 liters
Example
The tank can hold up to three kiloliters of water.
A1 noun/verb /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

cooking

Meaning
the process of preparing food by heating it
Example
Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈtrʌst/

Mistrust

Meaning
Lack of trust; suspicion or doubt about someone or something
Example
There was deep mistrust between the two political parties.
C2 adjective /ˈæbdʒɛkt/

abject

Meaning
extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading
Example
They lived in abject poverty.
C2 noun /daɪn/

dyne

Meaning
A unit of force in the centimeter-gram-second (cgs) system equal to 10⁻⁵ newtons.
Example
The physicist measured the force in dynes.
C1 noun /əˌfɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

affiliation

Meaning
The state or process of affiliating or being affiliated; a connection or association.
Example
His affiliation with the company lasted for a decade.
A2 noun /kɔːrs/

course

Meaning
a direction, path, or a set of educational lessons
Example
She enrolled in a computer science course.
B2 noun

Patriot

B2 noun /kraɪˈtɪəriən/

criterion

Meaning
A standard or rule used to make a judgment or decision.
Example
Honesty is an important criterion for this job.
C2 noun /ˈæltruɪst/

altruist

Meaning
a person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Example
He is an altruist who always puts others' needs before his own.
B1 verb /ˈɒnər/

honour

Meaning
to show respect; to keep a promise
Example
We honour our veterans for their service.
B2 noun /ˈkɒn.trɪ.bjʊ.tər/

contributor

Meaning
a person who gives something to help achieve a result
Example
He was a regular contributor to the local newspaper.
B2 noun /hiːl/

Heel

Meaning
the back part of the human foot below the ankle
Example
She wore shoes with high heels to the party.
C1 noun /ˈkrɛvɪs/

crevice

Meaning
a narrow crack or opening, especially in a rock or wall
Example
The lizard hid in a crevice between the stones.
C1 adjective /ˈmel.əʊ/

Mellow

Meaning
soft and pleasant; relaxed and gentle
Example
The mellow evening light created a peaceful atmosphere.
B2 noun ˈskruːtɪni

scrutiny

Meaning
Critical observation or examination
Example
The new law is under scrutiny by the legislative body.
B2 noun /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/

shooting

Meaning
the action of shooting a gun, camera, or similar device
Example
The shooting of the movie took several months.
B1 noun /ˈɪn.flu.əns/

Influence

Meaning
the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something
Example
The teacher's positive influence helped the student overcome his learning difficulties.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ə.stər.i/

Monastery

Meaning
a building or group of buildings where monks live and worship
Example
The ancient monastery was built on a hilltop.
C1 verb /ˈhæɡəl/

haggle

Meaning
to argue about the price; to bargain persistently
Example
They haggled over the price for an hour.
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.
C1 verb /trəˈvɜːrs/

traverse

Meaning
To travel across or through something.
Example
They traversed the desert on camels.
C1 noun /dɪsˈɒn.ər/

Dishonour

Meaning
a state of shame or disgrace; lack of honor or integrity; failure to fulfill obligations
Example
Breaking his promise brought dishonour to his name and family legacy.
C2 adverb /bɪˈtaɪmz/

betimes

Meaning
early; in good time
Example
She rose betimes to finish her work.
A2 noun /daʊt/

Doubt

Meaning
a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction; distrust or suspicion
Example
There was no doubt in her mind that she had made the right decision.
C2 verb /dɪˈstreɪn/

distrain

Meaning
to seize someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed
Example
The landlord distrained the tenant's furniture for unpaid rent.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒs.ɪ.tɪd/

cosseted

Meaning
pampered, treated with excessive care and attention
Example
The cosseted child always got what he wanted.
C1 adjective /ˈpaɪ.əs/

Pious

Meaning
devoutly religious; showing reverence for God
Example
The pious monk spent hours in prayer every day.
C1 adjective /ˈswoʊlən/

swollen

Meaning
Enlarged or puffed up, usually due to injury, inflammation, or fluid accumulation
Example
Her ankle was swollen after she twisted it during the hike.
C1 noun /rɪˈkɜr.əns/

Recurrence

Meaning
the fact of something happening again; an instance of something happening again
Example
The doctor was concerned about the recurrence of the patient's symptoms.
B1 noun /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/

countryside

Meaning
land outside cities and towns; rural areas with farms, fields, and villages
Example
She enjoys the peace and beauty of the countryside.
A2 noun /ˈpʌp.i/

Puppy

Meaning
a young dog
Example
The puppy wagged its tail when it saw its owner.
B2 verb /ɪˈlɛkt/

elect

Meaning
To choose someone for a position or office by voting.
Example
The citizens elected a new president.
A2 noun/verb /ɪkˈsperɪmənt/

experiment

Meaning
a test or trial carried out to discover something or prove an idea
Example
The scientist conducted an experiment on plant growth.
C2 verb /ˈeksɔːrsaɪz/

exorcise

Meaning
To drive out an evil spirit or bad influence through rituals or prayers.
Example
The priest was called to exorcise the spirit from the house.
C1 adjective /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/

exacting

Meaning
demanding a lot of effort, attention, or precision
Example
She is known for her exacting standards in design.
C1 noun /strəˈtiː.dʒɪk ˈɪn.saɪts/

strategic insights

Meaning
Deep understanding and wisdom gained through careful analysis for planning purposes.
Example
Strategic insights guide policymaking.
B2 noun /ˈledʒ.ənd/

Legend

Meaning
a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated; an extremely famous or notorious person
Example
The legend of King Arthur has inspired many books.
C1 noun /əˈseɪlənt/

assailant

Meaning
a person who attacks another
Example
The police arrested the assailant at the scene.
C1 noun /ˈpleɪdʒərɪzəm/

plagiarism

Meaning
the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own
Example
The student was expelled for committing plagiarism in his essay.
B2 noun /ˌkɒrəˈspɒndənt/

correspondent

Meaning
A journalist who reports news from a particular place or on a particular subject.
Example
The foreign correspondent reported live from Paris.
B2 adjective /ˌmʌltɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/

multilingual

Meaning
Able to speak or written in several languages.
Example
She grew up in a multilingual household.
B1 adjective /pərˈtɪk.jʊ.lər/

particular

Meaning
specific or special; distinct from others
Example
He is very particular about his diet.
A1 preposition /tuː/

to

Meaning
used for expressing motion or direction
Example
She is going to the market.
B2 noun /ˌhez.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

Hesitation

Meaning
the action of pausing or delaying; uncertainty or unwillingness to act
Example
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to accept the challenging job offer from the company.
A2 adjective /ˈɑːnɪst/

honest

Meaning
free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere
Example
She is known as an honest and trustworthy person.
B2 noun /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən/

complication

Meaning
A problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with.
Example
His illness led to serious complications after surgery.
B2 noun /kɔːrd/

cord

Meaning
a long, thin, flexible string or rope
Example
He tied the package with a strong cord.
C1 adjective rɪsk-ədˈʤɛstɪd

risk-adjusted

Meaning
Modified or calibrated to account for risk factors in investment returns.
Example
Risk-adjusted returns consider both potential profit and loss.
B2 noun /ˌvɛrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

verification

Meaning
The process of establishing the truth, accuracy, or validity of something.
Example
The bank requires verification of identity before opening an account.
C1 noun /ˈtoʊɡə/

toga

Meaning
A loose outer garment worn in ancient Rome, typically draped over the shoulders and body.
Example
The senator wore a white toga during the ceremony.
B2 verb /tʌk/

tuck

Meaning
to push or fold something neatly into a particular place
Example
She tucked the blanket around the baby to keep him warm.
B2 noun/verb /kjuː/

cue

Meaning
A signal or prompt for action; to give a signal.
Example
The actor waited for his cue before entering the stage.
B2 adjective prɪˈlɪm.ɪ.nər.i

preliminary

Meaning
Denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.
Example
Preliminary steps are crucial before the main project.
C1 adjective/noun /fəˈrɛns.ɪk/

forensic

Meaning
Scientific analysis applied to criminal or legal matters
Example
Forensic experts analyze cybercrimes using advanced tools.
B2 adjective /dɪˈstrɛst/

distressed

Meaning
feeling or showing extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
Example
She looked distressed after hearing the bad news.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛr.aɪl/

sterile

Meaning
Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; incapable of producing offspring.
Example
The surgeon worked in a sterile environment to avoid infection.
A1 adjective /fɜːrst/

first

Meaning
coming before all others in time, order, or importance
Example
She was the first to arrive at the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˈkʌlpəbl̩/

culpable

Meaning
deserving blame or responsibility for a wrongdoing
Example
The judge found him culpable for the accident.
C1 noun /ˈderˌdevəl/

daredevil

Meaning
A person who enjoys doing dangerous or risky things.
Example
The stunt was performed by a famous daredevil.
C2 noun /ˈrɪɡməˌroʊl/

rigmarole

Meaning
a long, complicated, and confusing process or story
Example
Getting a visa was such a rigmarole of paperwork and interviews.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈvæljuː/

undervalue

Meaning
To assign too low a value or importance to something or someone.
Example
She felt that her boss consistently undervalued her contributions.
A1 preposition, adverb /əˈlɔːŋ/

along

Meaning
moving in a constant direction on (a road, path, or surface)
Example
We walked along the river.
C2 noun /ˈsɒlɪˌsɪzəm/

solecism

Meaning
a grammatical mistake in speech or writing; a breach of good manners or etiquette
Example
His speech was full of solecisms and awkward phrases.
B1 adjective /ɪkˈstendɪd/

extended

Meaning
longer or larger than usual; continuing for a longer time
Example
They took an extended vacation in Europe this summer.
C1 verb /ɪnˈvoʊk/

invoke

Meaning
to call upon a higher power, authority, or principle for help, support, or justification
Example
The lawyer invoked the constitution to defend his client.
C1 noun /ˈɛn.kleɪv/

enclave

Meaning
a distinct area or group enclosed within a larger one
Example
The city has a small Italian enclave where traditions are preserved.
B1 noun /weɪv/

Wave

Meaning
a moving ridge on the surface of water; a gesture of greeting or farewell
Example
The surfer rode the big wave all the way to the shore.
A2 adjective ˈɡləʊ.bəl

global

Meaning
Relating to the whole world; worldwide.
Example
Global collaboration improves connectivity.
B2 noun /ˈpɔːt.fəʊ.li.əʊ/

portfolio

Meaning
A collection of work or samples demonstrating skills and expertise.
Example
His portfolio showcased his diverse range of skills.
C1 noun ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl ˈdæmɪdʒ

irreversible damage

Meaning
Harm or injury that cannot be undone or repaired.
Example
Climate change causes irreversible damage to ecosystems.
C2 noun ˈɔː.tɑː.ki

autarky

Meaning
Economic independence or self-sufficiency; a policy of establishing a self-sufficient national economy.
Example
Some nations aim for autarky to reduce reliance on imports.
B2 adjective /ˈstʌb.ərn/

Stubborn

Meaning
refusing to change opinion or course of action; persistent; obstinate
Example
The stubborn child refused to eat his vegetables.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz/

disabuse

Meaning
To free someone from a false belief or misconception.
Example
The teacher tried to disabuse the students of their misunderstanding.
B1 verb /ˈkwɒlɪfaɪ/

qualify

Meaning
to successfully complete a course or pass an exam; to become eligible
Example
She worked hard to qualify for the competition.
A2 noun, verb, adjective /ˈprɛzənt/

present

Meaning
existing or happening now; to give something to someone in a formal way
Example
She presented her report to the team yesterday.
B2 verb /ɡruːm/

groom

Meaning
to clean, brush, and care for the appearance of someone or something
Example
She spends hours grooming her dog every week.
B2 noun /ˈpæn.ɪk/

Panic

Meaning
sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety; a state of widespread fear and anxiety
Example
The fire alarm caused panic among the students.
B1 adjective /def/

Deaf

Meaning
unable to hear; having a hearing impairment
Example
The deaf child learned to communicate using sign language.
B1 noun /ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

examination

Meaning
a formal test of knowledge or ability
Example
She is preparing for her final examination.
B1 adjective /ˈfəʊkəst/

focused

Meaning
Directing a great deal of attention or effort toward a particular activity, situation, or person.
Example
Staying focused during work hours enhances productivity.
A2 verb /ˈstɑːtɪŋ/

starting

Meaning
beginning to do or experience something
Example
She is starting a new job next week.
C1 verb /ˈblækən/

blacken

Meaning
to make something black or darker; to stain, soil, or tarnish
Example
Smoke from the fire began to blacken the walls.
A2 noun /ˈmoʊtərˌsaɪkəl/

motorcycle

Meaning
a two-wheeled motor-powered vehicle designed for transportation
Example
He rides his motorcycle to work every morning.
B2 noun /ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜːr/

Entrepreneur

Meaning
a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses
Example
The young entrepreneur started her own tech company at age 22.
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.
C1 noun ɪnˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.təl ˌtræns.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən

environmental transformation

Meaning
A significant change in environmental conditions or ecological systems.
Example
The city demonstrates environmental transformation.