escalate
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 verb ˈɛskəleɪt

escalate

Meaning
To increase rapidly; to become more intense or serious
Example
The aging population is escalating at an alarming rate.
A1 verb /kɔːst/

cost

Meaning
to have a price of; to require payment; to cause loss
Example
This book will cost twenty dollars.
C2 noun /ˈsætər/

satyr

Meaning
a creature from Greek mythology depicted as a lustful being, often half-man and half-goat; by extension, a lecherous man
Example
In the museum mural, a satyr plays the panpipes while dancing in the woods.
B2 verb /rɪˈsaɪt/

recite

Meaning
To say aloud something learned, especially poetry or text, from memory.
Example
The child recited a poem in front of the class.
C2 adjective /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/

bracing

Meaning
Invigorating, refreshing, or providing strength and energy.
Example
The hikers enjoyed the bracing mountain air.
B1 verb /rɪˈtaɪə/

retire

Meaning
to stop working after reaching a certain age or having completed a career
Example
She decided to retire after working for 40 years.
C2 verb /bɪˈfaʊl/

befoul

Meaning
to make dirty or polluted; to disgrace or corrupt
Example
The factory waste befouled the river.
B1 noun /meɪt/

mate

Meaning
a friend or companion; a partner in marriage or reproduction
Example
He went fishing with his old school mate.
C1 noun /taɪˈpɒɡrəfi/

typography

Meaning
the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible and visually appealing
Example
Good typography improves the readability of a website.
A2 adjective /ɪˌlɛkˈtrɒnɪk/

electronic

Meaning
Operating with or produced by the use of electronic devices.
Example
She bought an electronic keyboard for her music lessons.
C2 noun /ˈʒɑːndɑːrm/

gendarme

Meaning
A French police officer, especially a member of a military-style police force.
Example
The gendarme stopped the car for a routine check.
C2 noun /ˈdʒaɪənt sneɪk hɛd/

Giant snake head

Meaning
a large predatory freshwater fish with an elongated body and snake-like head
Example
The giant snake head is a fierce predator that can survive out of water for hours.
A1 noun /ˈmʌn.deɪ/

monday

Meaning
the first day of the working week following Sunday
Example
I start my new job on Monday.
B1 verb /weɪk/

wake

Meaning
to stop sleeping; to become alert
Example
I wake up at 7 AM every morning.
B2 verb /ˈsɒfən/

soften

Meaning
to make or become less hard, severe, or strong.
Example
Heat will soften the butter quickly.
B1 noun /ˈfæktər/

factor

Meaning
A circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result.
Example
Weather is an important factor in crop production.
B2 noun /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntəl ˈmuːvmənt/

environmental movement

Meaning
A social or political movement aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices through advocacy, education, and policy changes.
Example
The environmental movement focuses on reducing pollution and protecting ecosystems.
A2 preposition /əˈmʌŋ/

among

Meaning
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
Example
He was sitting among his friends.
B1 noun ˌɑː.tɪˈfɪʃ.əl ɪnˈtɛl.ɪ.dʒəns

artificial intelligence

Meaning
The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence.
Example
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education through smart tutoring.
C1 noun ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn

modification

Meaning
The action of making changes to something.
Example
The plan required modification.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.səˌbɑːr/

isobar

Meaning
A line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Example
The meteorologist explained how isobars indicate wind speed and direction.
C1 noun /ˈdiːviəns/

deviance

Meaning
Behavior that differs from accepted social or moral standards.
Example
The book studies deviance in urban youth culture.
C2 noun /ˌkæv.əlˈkeɪd/

cavalcade

Meaning
a formal procession of people riding on horses or in vehicles
Example
The king’s arrival was marked by a grand cavalcade.
B2 noun /ɪmˈpɒlɪtnəs/

impoliteness

Meaning
lack of good manners or courtesy; rude behavior
Example
His impoliteness towards the guests shocked everyone.
B2 noun /ˈɒkjʊpənt/

occupant

Meaning
A person who resides in or is present in a house, vehicle, seat, or place.
Example
The car had three occupants at the time of the accident.
B2 verb /stɜːr/

stir

Meaning
to mix or move something in a circular motion, especially in liquid
Example
She stirred the soup to make sure it didn't burn.
B1 noun ˈkɒnsept

concept

Meaning
An abstract idea or general notion
Example
The concept of chasing two rabbits teaches focus.
B1 noun /kɪk/

Kick

Meaning
a blow or forceful thrust with the foot; a sudden strong feeling of excitement
Example
The soccer player scored a goal with a powerful kick from outside the penalty area.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpjuːn/

impugn

Meaning
to dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of a statement or motive
Example
The lawyer tried to impugn the credibility of the witness.
C1 verb /ʃɪə/

shear

Meaning
to cut the wool off a sheep or to cut something with sharp tools like scissors or shears
Example
The farmer will shear the sheep in the spring.
C2 verb /kənˈtɔːrt/

contort

Meaning
to twist or bend out of the normal shape
Example
She contorted her face in pain after the injury.
A2 adjective /əˈnɔɪd/

annoyed

Meaning
feeling slightly angry or irritated
Example
She felt annoyed by the constant noise.
B1 noun /ˈhaɪdʒiːn/

hygiene

Meaning
Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease.
Example
Good hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of infections.
B1 noun ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz

initiatives

Meaning
Actions or strategies designed to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; programs or projects.
Example
Community initiatives benefit underprivileged groups.
C1 noun /rɪt/

writ

Meaning
A formal written order issued by a court.
Example
The judge issued a writ of habeas corpus.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈnesəseri/

Unnecessary

Meaning
not needed; not required; pointless
Example
The meeting was unnecessary since all decisions were already made.
A2 noun/adjective /ˈfiːmeɪl/

female

Meaning
a person or animal of the sex that can bear offspring; relating to women or girls
Example
The female lion protects her cubs fiercely.
B1 noun /ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃən/

definition

Meaning
a statement that explains the meaning of a word or concept
Example
The dictionary gives a clear definition of the word.
B1 noun/verb /skeɪl/

scale

Meaning
A system of ordered marks used for measurement; also means to climb or to adjust in size.
Example
The company plans to scale its operations globally.
A1 noun, verb /pleɪs/

place

Meaning
a particular position or location; to put something in a specific position
Example
She placed the books on the table.
C1 adjective /ˈviːnəs/

venous

Meaning
relating to the veins that carry blood to the heart
Example
The doctor examined the patient’s venous circulation.
C1 adjective ˈvɪdʒ.ɪ.lənt

vigilant

Meaning
Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties; alert and watchful.
Example
The guards remained vigilant throughout the night.
C2 noun /ˈsælvoʊ/

salvo

Meaning
A simultaneous discharge of guns or release of bombs; a sudden outburst of cheers or applause.
Example
The soldiers fired a salvo to honor the fallen general.
B2 verb /ˈtrɪɡər/

trigger

Meaning
To cause something to happen or start, often suddenly.
Example
The loud noise triggered the alarm system.
C1 adjective /bɪˈleɪtɪd/

belated

Meaning
coming or happening later than expected or usual
Example
She sent me a belated birthday card.
C1 noun /ˈstaɪpend/

Stipend

Meaning
a fixed regular sum paid as a salary or allowance
Example
The research student receives a monthly stipend for living expenses.
B2 adjective /kəʊˈhɪə.rənt/

coherent

Meaning
Logical and consistent; forming a unified whole; clear and easy to understand.
Example
His speech was clear and coherent.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnədˈmɪsəbl̩/

inadmissible

Meaning
Not allowed, especially as evidence in a court of law.
Example
The judge ruled the evidence inadmissible.
C1 adjective /ˈhæk.nid/

hackneyed

Meaning
Used too often and therefore lacking originality or freshness.
Example
The speech was filled with hackneyed phrases that failed to inspire the audience.
B1 adverb /pɑːrˈtɪkjʊləli/

particularly

Meaning
to a higher degree than is usual or expected
Example
She is particularly fond of Italian food.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/

stripling

Meaning
a young man who is not yet fully grown
Example
The stripling dreamed of becoming a brave knight.
C2 noun /dɪˌlɪniˈeɪʃən/

delineation

Meaning
the precise description, drawing, or outlining of something
Example
The artist’s delineation of the landscape was remarkably accurate.
A2 noun ˈprəʊ.ses

process

Meaning
A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.
Example
Recruitment involves a three-stage process.
C2 noun /ˈdʒaɪrəˌskoʊp/

gyroscope

Meaning
A device consisting of a wheel or disk mounted so it can spin rapidly and maintain orientation, used for navigation and balance.
Example
The airplane's navigation system relies on a gyroscope for stability.
C1 noun /ɒnˈsɒmbəl/

ensemble

Meaning
a group of things or people viewed as a whole, especially performers in music or theater
Example
The theater ensemble gave a spectacular performance.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊn.tər/

counter

Meaning
a flat surface in a shop, bank, or kitchen where transactions or work are done
Example
The cashier stood behind the counter.
B1 verb /əˈsɛs/

assess

Meaning
to evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something
Example
The teacher assessed the students' progress.
B2 noun/verb /ɔːˈdɪʃən/

audition

Meaning
A trial performance by an actor, singer, or musician to demonstrate suitability for a role.
Example
She auditioned for the lead role in the school play.
B1 noun /dɪˈvɪʒən/

division

Meaning
the action of separating something into parts; or a large administrative unit
Example
The company has a separate division for research and development.
B2 noun /kənˌfɪɡəˈreɪʃən/

configuration

Meaning
an arrangement of parts or elements in a particular form or structure
Example
The configuration of the system needs to be adjusted for better performance.
C2 noun /ˌbeɪt ˈnwɑːr/

bete noire

Meaning
A person or thing that one particularly dislikes or fears.
Example
Grammar has always been his bete noire.
A1 noun /miːt/

Meat

Meaning
animal flesh used as food
Example
We bought fresh meat from the butcher shop.
C2 adjective /ˈneɪtl/

natal

Meaning
Relating to birth or the place of birth.
Example
She returned to her natal village after many years.
C1 noun /ˈpɛdɪɡriː/

pedigree

Meaning
the recorded ancestry or lineage of a person, family, or animal; the history or origin of something
Example
The dog has a pedigree that traces back several generations.
B1 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈspɛnsɪv/

Inexpensive

Meaning
not costing a lot of money; affordable; budget-friendly
Example
This restaurant offers delicious and inexpensive meals for students.
C1 noun/verb /ˈræfəl/

raffle

Meaning
A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets, one or more of which are drawn at random for a prize; to sell something in such a lottery.
Example
The charity decided to raffle a bicycle to raise funds.
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.
C1 verb /niːd/

knead

Meaning
to work dough or clay into a uniform mixture by pressing, folding, and stretching
Example
She kneads the dough until it becomes smooth.
B1 noun /tiːn/

teen

Meaning
a person aged between 13 and 19 years.
Example
He's a teenager who loves sports.
B2 verb baɪnd

bind

Meaning
To tie, fasten, or hold together securely.
Example
This force binds quarks together.
C1 noun /rɪˈmɪt.əns/

Remittance

Meaning
A sum of money sent in payment or as a gift.
Example
The country's economy benefits from expatriate remittance.
C2 noun /ˈɔːtɑːrki/

autarchy

Meaning
A system of self-sufficiency where a state or community is economically independent.
Example
The nation attempted autarchy to reduce reliance on imports.
B2 noun /ˈpɑː.tər/

Potter

Meaning
a person who makes pottery
Example
The potter shaped clay on the spinning wheel.
C2 adjective /nɑːrld/

gnarled

Meaning
Twisted, rough, and knotted, especially with age.
Example
The old man had gnarled hands from years of hard work.
C2 verb, noun /blæb/

blab

Meaning
to talk too much or reveal secrets carelessly; excessive or foolish talk
Example
He accidentally blabbed the surprise to everyone.
B1 adverb /bɪˈniːθ/

Beneath

Meaning
under; below; underneath
Example
The treasure lies beneath the old tree.
B1 noun /ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən/

demonstration

Meaning
the act of showing something clearly, or a public protest
Example
The workers organized a demonstration for better wages.
B2 noun prəˈsiːdɪŋz

proceedings

Meaning
An event or a series of activities involving a formal or set procedure.
Example
The proceedings discussed language issues.
B1 noun, verb /ˈlaɪsəns/

license

Meaning
A legal permission to do something (noun); to grant such permission (verb).
Example
You must have a driving license to operate a car legally.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈsɜːrtən/

Uncertain

Meaning
not able to be relied on; not known or definite; not having reliable knowledge
Example
I am uncertain about my future career plans.
C2 noun /ˌrɛtəˈrɪʃən/

rhetorician

Meaning
A person who is skilled in the art of rhetoric or persuasive speaking/writing.
Example
The rhetorician captivated the audience with his eloquence.
C1 noun /kənˈstɪtʃuənsi/

constituency

Meaning
A geographical area whose residents elect a representative to a legislative body.
Example
She campaigned tirelessly across her constituency.
B2 verb /spɪn/

spin

Meaning
To turn around quickly or cause something to rotate
Example
The dancer began to spin gracefully on the stage.
C2 noun /prəˈlɪksɪti/

prolixity

Meaning
the quality of being tediously wordy and long
Example
The book’s prolixity made it difficult to read in one sitting.
C1 noun /ˌædməˈnɪʃən/

admonition

Meaning
a firm warning or reprimand; gentle or earnest advice
Example
He received an admonition for his careless work.
C1 noun /əˈkʌmpənɪmənt/

accompaniment

Meaning
Something that goes together with or complements another thing, often music or food.
Example
The dish was served with a spicy sauce as an accompaniment.
C1 adverb/adjective /vɜːˈbeɪ.tɪm/

verbatim

Meaning
In exactly the same words as were used originally; word for word repetition.
Example
She repeated his instructions verbatim to avoid errors.
B1 verb /ˈɒnər/

honour

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

detergent

Meaning
a substance used for cleaning, especially for washing clothes and dishes
Example
She bought a new brand of detergent for laundry.
C1 adjective /rɪˈpres.ɪv/

Repressive

Meaning
restraining freedom or preventing self-expression; oppressive
Example
The repressive government banned all forms of protest.
C1 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈviːn/

contravene

Meaning
to go against or act in opposition to a law, rule, or agreement
Example
He contravened the safety regulations and was fined.
B2 noun /ˈkwɪə.ri/

Query

Meaning
a question or inquiry; a request for information
Example
I have a query about the new policy changes in the company.
B2 noun /ˌæljuˈmɪniəm/

aluminium

Meaning
a lightweight, silvery-white metal used widely in manufacturing and packaging
Example
Aluminium is commonly used to make cans and aircraft parts.
C1 adjective /rɪˈsɔːrs ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/

resource-efficient

Meaning
Using resources in a way that minimizes waste and maximizes productivity.
Example
Resource-efficient farming conserves water and energy.
C2 noun /ˌɛn.biː.esˈpiː/

nbsp

Meaning
a non-breaking space character in HTML used to prevent an automatic line break at its position
Example
Use   in HTML to add a space that won't break into a new line.
C2 verb /ˈbæstərdaɪz/

bastardize

Meaning
to corrupt or debase something by altering it from its original form; to change in a way that reduces quality or purity
Example
Critics argue that the remake bastardized the original novel.
C1 adjective /ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/

illegitimate

Meaning
Not authorized by law, rules, or standards; not recognized as valid.
Example
The court ruled the contract to be illegitimate.
C2 noun /hɜːrs/

Hearse

Meaning
a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral; a funeral car
Example
The black hearse slowly made its way to the cemetery, followed by a procession of mourners.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈfɪə.ri.ər/

inferior

Meaning
Of lower quality, rank, or status.
Example
This material is inferior to the one we used before.
B2 adjective /ˈliː.fi/

Leafy

Meaning
having many leaves; covered with leaves
Example
The leafy green vegetables are very nutritious.
C2 adjective /ˈæk.rɪd/

Acrid

Meaning
having a strong, unpleasant, and sharp smell or taste
Example
The acrid smoke from the fire made everyone cough.
C1 noun kənˈsjuː.mə.rɪ.zəm

consumerism

Meaning
The tendency to increase consumption of goods and the importance given to consuming products.
Example
Modern consumerism leads to increased demand for luxury goods.
C2 noun /strəˈmoʊ.ni.əm ˌflaʊ.ər/

Stramonium flower

Meaning
A trumpet-shaped white or purple flower from the jimsonweed plant, known for its toxic properties
Example
The stramonium flower blooms at night with a sweet fragrance.
B1 noun /ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tər/

Alligator

Meaning
a large reptile similar to a crocodile but with a shorter, wider head
Example
The alligator basked in the sun on the riverbank.
C2 noun /ˌɪmprəˈpraɪəti/

impropriety

Meaning
Failure to observe standards of honesty or modesty; improper behavior.
Example
The politician was accused of financial impropriety.
B1 noun ɪmˈpruːv.mənts

improvements

Meaning
The action of making or becoming better; an instance of something becoming or being made better.
Example
Continuous improvements increase productivity.
B2 adjective /ˈʌt.ɚ/

Utter

Meaning
complete; absolute; total
Example
The movie was an utter disaster at the box office.
B2 noun /kɜːrd/

Curd

Meaning
a white dairy product made by coagulating milk; yogurt
Example
She added fresh curd to the salad for a tangy flavor.
A2 adjective, noun /ɡreɪ/

gray

Meaning
A color between black and white; also describes dull or gloomy situations.
Example
The sky turned gray before the storm.
B2 verb /priːtʃ/

preach

Meaning
to deliver a religious or moral talk, often in a church setting
Example
The pastor preached about forgiveness and kindness.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪ.kə.nəˈklæs.tɪk/

iconoclastic

Meaning
Characterized by attacking or rejecting cherished beliefs, traditions, or established values.
Example
Her iconoclastic views challenged the conventional wisdom of the industry.
A2 noun /ˈdɪs.təns/

Distance

Meaning
the length of space between two points; remoteness in place, time, or relationship
Example
The distance between the two cities is approximately three hundred kilometers.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪnt/

counterpoint

Meaning
an argument, idea, or theme contrasting with another; also a musical term for independent melody
Example
Her calm attitude was a counterpoint to his anger.
A2 adjective /ˈdɪdʒ.ɪ.təl/

digital

Meaning
Relating to, using, or storing data or information in the form of digital signals; involving or relating to the use of computer technology.
Example
The world is shifting towards a digital economy.
B1 adjective, preposition, noun /mɪd/

mid

Meaning
being in the middle of something; the central part or point
Example
She joined the project in mid June.
B2 adjective /ˈprɛsɪŋ/

pressing

Meaning
Requiring immediate attention or urgent action.
Example
The manager had to deal with several pressing issues at once.
C1 verb /rɪˈtreɪs/

retrace

Meaning
to go back over a path or route; to recall and repeat steps taken earlier
Example
She retraced her steps to find her lost keys.
C2 noun /ˈjoʊkəl/

yokel

Meaning
An uneducated and unsophisticated person from the countryside; a bumpkin.
Example
The city folks laughed at the yokel's simple ways.
B1 noun /ˈsʌb.ɜːb/

Suburb

Meaning
a residential area outside the central part of a city; an outlying district of a city
Example
They moved to a quiet suburb to raise their children away from city noise.
C1 noun /ˈæl.ɪ.moʊ.ni/

alimony

Meaning
financial support that a person is ordered by a court to give to their spouse after separation or divorce
Example
He was ordered by the court to pay monthly alimony to his ex-wife.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrɡər/

burgher

Meaning
A citizen of a town, typically a member of the wealthy middle class.
Example
The burgher was respected as a prosperous merchant in the city.