folk-lore
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 noun /ˈfoʊk.lɔːr/

folk-lore

Meaning
The traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices of a community, passed down through generations.
Example
Bangladeshi folk-lore is rich with myths and legends.
C1 adjective /ˈluː.krə.tɪv/

lucrative

Meaning
Producing a great deal of profit; highly profitable or financially rewarding.
Example
The real estate business is highly lucrative in urban areas.
C2 noun /ˈpæntəˌskoʊp/

pantoscope

Meaning
An optical instrument that provides a wide or panoramic view.
Example
The scientist used a pantoscope to observe the entire horizon.
B1 noun /əˈdʒen.də/

Agenda

Meaning
a list of items to be discussed at a meeting; a plan of action
Example
The meeting agenda includes budget discussions.
C2 adjective /aɪˈsɒ.krə.nəs/

isochronous

Meaning
Occurring at equal time intervals; in unison or synchrony.
Example
The pendulum swings are isochronous, repeating at equal intervals.
B2 adjective /ˈfræntɪk/

frantic

Meaning
Extremely anxious, hurried, or out of control due to fear or excitement.
Example
She made a frantic call to her family after the accident.
B2 adjective /ˈstɑːrtəld/

startled

Meaning
suddenly shocked or surprised by something unexpected
Example
She was startled by the loud noise outside.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪz.ən.taɪn/ or /ˈbaɪ.zənˌtiːn/

byzantine

Meaning
Extremely complicated and detailed; relating to the Byzantine Empire or its style.
Example
The new tax regulations are so byzantine that few understand them.
C2 adverb /əˈbɛd/

abed

Meaning
in bed
Example
She stayed abed all day due to illness.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

arability

Meaning
The quality of land being suitable for growing crops.
Example
The arability of land depends on soil quality and water availability.
B2 adjective /ɪˈreɡjələr/

irregular

Meaning
not even or consistent in shape, pattern, time, or behavior; not following normal rules
Example
His attendance at work has been irregular this month.
C2 verb /ˈwɪzn/

wizen

Meaning
To become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled.
Example
The flowers began to wizen after days without water.
C2 verb /dɪsˈroʊb/

disrobe

Meaning
to remove one's clothes
Example
The monk disrobed before entering the river.
B1 verb /ˈkɒntrækt/

contract

Meaning
to make smaller; to enter into a formal agreement
Example
The company will contract a new supplier for materials.
B2 adjective ɪkˈsɛsɪv

excessive

Meaning
More than is necessary, normal, or desirable; immoderate.
Example
Excessive population growth leads to resource depletion.
C1 noun əˈtrɒs.ɪ.tiz

atrocities

Meaning
Extremely wicked or cruel acts, typically involving physical violence or injury.
Example
The atrocities shocked the international community.
C1 noun /ɡʌl/

Gull

Meaning
a seabird with webbed feet, long wings, and usually white and gray feathers
Example
The gull swooped down to grab the fish from the water.
C1 adjective /ˌfʊl ˈbɒd.id/

full-bodied

Meaning
Having a strong, rich, and robust quality, especially of wine, coffee, or voice.
Example
He prefers a full-bodied red wine with his dinner.
C2 noun /ˈbɪvuˌæk/

bivouac

Meaning
a temporary camp without tents or cover, usually used by soldiers or mountaineers
Example
The climbers set up a bivouac on the mountainside.
A1 adjective /bɛst/

best

Meaning
Of the highest quality, excellence, or standing.
Example
She is the best student in the class.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsənənt/

dissonant

Meaning
Harsh and lacking harmony; conflicting.
Example
The orchestra produced a dissonant sound during rehearsal.
C1 noun /ˈtrævɪsti/

travesty

Meaning
A false, absurd, or distorted representation of something.
Example
The trial was a travesty of justice.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːsɪˌfaɪd/

ossified

Meaning
Turned into bone or become rigid; unwilling to change.
Example
The company had an ossified management structure that resisted innovation.
B2 adjective strəˈtiː.dʒɪk

strategic

Meaning
Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.
Example
Strategic policies enhance competitiveness.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrnɪs/

cornice

Meaning
an ornamental molding around the wall of a room just below the ceiling
Example
The elegant cornice added a classical touch to the living room.
B2 noun /ˈrep.taɪl/

Reptile

Meaning
a cold-blooded animal with scaly skin that lays eggs on land
Example
The lizard is a common reptile found in gardens.
C1 adjective /ˈdiːviəs/

devious

Meaning
Skillful at using underhanded tactics to achieve goals; not straightforward.
Example
He used a devious plan to gain control of the company.
C2 verb /ˈskærɪfaɪ/

scarify

Meaning
to make shallow cuts or scratches; to loosen the surface of soil
Example
The farmer scarified the soil before planting seeds.
B1 noun /ˈhɛlθˌkɛər/

health-care

Meaning
the organized provision of medical services to maintain or improve health
Example
Access to quality health-care is essential for every citizen.
B1 verb /fərˈbɪd/

forbid

Meaning
to order someone not to do something
Example
The school forbids smoking on campus.
C1 verb /ˈsætəˌraɪz/

satirize

Meaning
to mock or criticize something using satire
Example
The play satirizes the greed of modern corporations.
A2 noun /ˈdʒuːəlri/

jewellery

Meaning
ornamental items worn for personal adornment, such as rings, necklaces, or bracelets, often made of precious metals or stones
Example
She wore beautiful jewellery to the wedding.
C1 noun /ˈdaɪəˌlɛkt/

dialect

Meaning
A particular form of a language spoken in a specific region or by a specific group.
Example
He speaks a dialect of Bengali that is common in rural areas.
A2 noun /ˈtæksi/

taxi

Meaning
A car licensed to transport passengers in exchange for payment of a fare.
Example
We hailed a taxi to get to the airport.
B2 verb /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/

sympathize

Meaning
to feel sorry for someone; to understand and share someone's feelings
Example
I sympathize with your loss.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃuːzi/

choosy

Meaning
very careful in choosing; selective
Example
She is very choosy about the clothes she wears.
A1 noun/verb /ˈraɪ.tɪŋ/

writing

Meaning
The activity of putting words on paper or composing text; the written form of communication.
Example
She spends hours every day on her creative writing.
C1 noun /deɪˈtɑːnt/

detente

Meaning
the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries
Example
The two nations worked toward detente after decades of conflict.
C2 noun /sælv/

salve

Meaning
An ointment used to promote healing of the skin or as protection.
Example
She applied a salve to the burn on her hand.
A1 preposition /ˈdjʊərɪŋ/

during

Meaning
throughout the course of a period of time
Example
I fell asleep during the movie.
C2 noun /ˈhɛʃ.ən/

Hessian

Meaning
a strong coarse fabric made from jute or hemp, used for sacks and wrapping
Example
The farmer stored grain in hessian sacks.
C2 noun /ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃər/

ligature

Meaning
A thing used for tying or binding tightly; in music/printing, two or more notes or letters joined together.
Example
The doctor used a ligature to stop the bleeding.
C2 adjective /ˌhaɪpərˈkrɪtɪkl/

hypercritical

Meaning
Excessively or unreasonably critical.
Example
The teacher was often hypercritical of small mistakes.
A1 adverb /hɪr/

here

Meaning
in, at, or to this place
Example
Please come here quickly.
C2 noun /ˈkɒd.ɪ.sɪl/

codicil

Meaning
a legal document that makes changes or additions to an existing will
Example
He added a codicil to his will to include his granddaughter.
B2 noun /ˈfrɛʃnəs/

freshness

Meaning
The quality of being new, clean, and full of energy.
Example
The freshness of the morning air made everyone feel alive.
C2 noun /ˌmɪnəˈrɛt/

minaret

Meaning
A tall, slender tower of a mosque, from which the call to prayer is announced.
Example
The minaret of the mosque could be seen from miles away.
B1 noun ˈpɒl.ə.si

policy

Meaning
A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual; a contract of insurance.
Example
Effective policies drive national development.
A2 verb /prəˈtɛkt/

protect

Meaning
To keep safe from harm or injury.
Example
Protect yourself from the negative effects of social media.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

canine

Meaning
Relating to dogs; also refers to the pointed teeth in humans and animals
Example
The police trained a canine unit for search operations.
B1 verb /əˈmeɪz/

amaze

Meaning
to fill someone with great surprise or wonder
Example
The magician’s final trick amazed the audience.
A2 noun ˈmuːv.mənts

movements

Meaning
Organized efforts by groups of people working together to advance their shared political, social, or artistic ideas.
Example
Freedom movements paved the way for independence.
B2 verb /ɛksˈheɪl/

exhale

Meaning
to breathe out air from the lungs
Example
She slowly exhaled after holding her breath.
C1 noun ɪˌlæˈstɪs.ə.ti

elasticity

Meaning
The responsiveness of demand or supply to changes in price.
Example
The elasticity of demand for luxury goods is high.
C2 adjective /əˈbɔːrtɪv/

abortive

Meaning
Failing to produce the intended result; unsuccessful.
Example
Their abortive attempt to climb the mountain ended in retreat.
C2 adjective /ˈbɛərˌfeɪst/

barefaced

Meaning
shameless and undisguised; openly bold or unashamed
Example
He told a barefaced lie in front of everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuːbaɪl/

nubile

Meaning
of a young woman, sexually mature and suitable for marriage
Example
The village was celebrating the festival with its nubile maidens dancing.
C2 adjective /ɪˈlɪmɪtəbl/

illimitable

Meaning
Without limits or bounds.
Example
The universe is often described as illimitable.
B1 verb /haɪər/

hire

Meaning
to employ someone for wages; to rent or engage services
Example
The company will hire new employees next month.
B2 noun/verb /dɪˈvɔːrs/

divorce

Meaning
the legal ending of a marriage; to officially end a marriage
Example
After years of conflict, they decided to get a divorce.
B2 verb/noun /ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːrd/

disregard

Meaning
To ignore something; lack of consideration or respect for something.
Example
He disregarded the warning signs and kept driving.
C1 verb /məˈnuː.vər/

manoeuver

Meaning
To move skillfully or carefully; to guide or manipulate into a desired position.
Example
The driver skillfully manoeuvered the car through the narrow street.
C2 adverb /ˈɪntʃmiːl/

inchmeal

Meaning
Gradually, little by little.
Example
The old castle fell inchmeal into ruin.
C1 adjective ˌdet.rɪˈmen.təl

detrimental

Meaning
Tending to cause harm; damaging or harmful.
Example
Pollution has detrimental effects on fertility.
C1 noun /ˈɪnsɪdəns/

incidence

Meaning
the occurrence, rate, or frequency of something
Example
The incidence of road accidents has decreased this year.
C2 noun /wiːl/

weal

Meaning
A raised mark on the skin left after a blow; or general well-being and prosperity.
Example
The charity worked for the common weal of the community.
C1 adjective /ˈfaɪə.ri/

Fiery

Meaning
burning; passionate; hot-tempered; showing strong emotion
Example
She has a fiery temper that flares up quickly.
C1 noun /bʌm/

bum

Meaning
informal term for the buttocks; also a homeless or lazy person
Example
He sat on his bum all day doing nothing.
B1 noun, verb /dɪˈzaɪər/

desire

Meaning
a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen
Example
He has a strong desire to travel the world.
C1 verb /sluː/

slew

Meaning
To turn or slide violently in a particular direction.
Example
The car slewed across the icy road.
C2 verb /ˈwɛltər/

welter

Meaning
to roll or toss about in a confused or disorderly way; to be in turmoil
Example
The city weltered in chaos after the sudden blackout.
C1 adjective /ˈdestatəʊt/

Destitute

Meaning
extremely poor; without money or possessions
Example
Many families became destitute after the economic collapse.
B2 noun /wɔːmθ/

warmth

Meaning
the quality or state of being warm in temperature or feeling
Example
She felt the warmth of the sun on her face.
B2 noun, verb, adjective /ˈpeɪtənt/ or /ˈpætənt/

patent

Meaning
a government license granting exclusive rights to an inventor; also to obtain such rights
Example
He patented his new invention to protect it from being copied.
A1 conjunction /ɪf/

if

Meaning
used to introduce a condition or supposition
Example
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.
C2 noun /voʊˈsɪfərəns/

vociferance

Meaning
the act of shouting or making a loud outcry
Example
The vociferance of the protesters filled the streets.
B2 noun /rɪˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/

reliability

Meaning
the quality of being trustworthy or performing consistently well
Example
Customers value the reliability of our service.
C1 verb /bɪˈreɪt/

berate

Meaning
to scold or criticize angrily
Example
The teacher berated the student for being late.
C1 noun /ɪnˈhɛrɪtər/

inheritor

Meaning
a person who receives money, property, or a title when someone dies
Example
She became the inheritor of her family's estate.
C2 adjective /əˈsɪdjʊləs/

acidulous

Meaning
slightly sour or sharp in taste or manner
Example
The critic wrote an acidulous review of the movie.
A2 noun ˈsen.tərz

centers

Meaning
The middle point of a circle or sphere, equidistant from every point on the circumference or surface; a place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated.
Example
Centers drive regional development.
C2 noun /ˈklaʊdˌbɜːrst/

cloudburst

Meaning
a sudden and very heavy rainfall
Example
The picnic was ruined by a sudden cloudburst.
A2 verb /dɪˈskraɪb/

describe

Meaning
to give an account of something in words, including details
Example
She described the scene vividly.
B2 noun /ˈtɜr.mər.ɪk/

Turmeric

Meaning
A bright yellow spice powder made from the root of a tropical plant, used in cooking and medicine
Example
Add turmeric to the curry for color and flavor.
C1 adjective /kəmˈplaɪənt/

compliant

Meaning
Willing to agree with or follow rules, requests, or demands.
Example
She was compliant with all the safety requirements.
B2 verb /ʌnˈveɪl/

unveil

Meaning
to reveal or disclose something, especially in a formal manner
Example
The company will unveil a new product next week.
B2 noun /swiːt/

suite

Meaning
a set of rooms designated for one person's or family's use or for a particular purpose
Example
They stayed in the presidential suite at the hotel.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsəˈsɛmbəl/

disassemble

Meaning
To take apart something into its separate pieces.
Example
He had to disassemble the computer to repair it.
C1 noun /dɪˈsɜːn.mənt/

discernment

Meaning
The ability to judge well or understand something correctly; keen insight.
Example
His discernment in business decisions made him successful.
C2 verb /ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/

putrefy

Meaning
to decay or rot, producing a foul smell
Example
The meat began to putrefy in the heat.
C1 adjective /əˈbliːk/

Oblique

Meaning
slanting; diagonal; indirect or evasive
Example
The artist drew an oblique line across the canvas.
A2 noun /ˈbɪznəsmæn/

businessman

Meaning
a person engaged in commercial or industrial business activities
Example
The businessman invested heavily in new technology.
C2 adjective /ˈwæɡ.ɪʃ/

waggish

Meaning
playfully humorous or mischievous
Example
His waggish remarks made everyone laugh.
A2 noun /ˈkʌstəmər/

customer

Meaning
a person or organization that buys goods or services from a store or business
Example
The shopkeeper greeted the customer with a smile.
C1 noun /ˈkærət/

karat

Meaning
A unit for measuring the purity of gold, with 24 karats being pure gold.
Example
The ring was made of 18-karat gold.
B1 noun /ˈkɛmɪkəl/

chemical

Meaning
a substance produced by or used in a chemical process
Example
The factory releases harmful chemicals into the river.
B2 verb /kɜːrb/

curb

Meaning
to restrain, control, or limit something
Example
The government took steps to curb inflation.
B1 noun /ˈfeɪvər/

favor

Meaning
An act of kindness or approval.
Example
She asked him for a small favor.
B2 noun ˈsiːzənəl ˈvedʒtəbəlz

seasonal vegetables

Meaning
Vegetables that grow during specific seasons or times of the year
Example
Seasonal vegetables grow abundantly in winter.
C1 adjective /sɔɪld/

soiled

Meaning
dirty or stained; not clean
Example
His clothes were soiled after playing in the mud.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊn.səl.ər/

counselor

Meaning
a person trained to give guidance on personal, social, or psychological problems
Example
The school counselor helped the student deal with stress.
C2 adjective /ɜːrˈbeɪn/

urbane

Meaning
showing polished manners, refinement, and sophistication
Example
He was an urbane gentleman who charmed everyone at the party.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈnoʊn/

Unknown

Meaning
not known or identified; unfamiliar
Example
The author of this letter remains unknown.
C1 noun /plæsˈtɪsəti/

plasticity

Meaning
the quality of being easily shaped or molded; adaptability
Example
The brain's plasticity allows it to adapt after injury.
A1 adjective /tʃiːp/

Cheap

Meaning
low in price; costing little money
Example
This restaurant serves cheap but delicious food.
B2 noun /ɪnˈkluːʒən/

inclusion

Meaning
the action or state of including or being included within a group or structure
Example
Diversity and inclusion are key values in modern workplaces.
A2 noun ˈhɪrəʊ

hero

Meaning
A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
Example
Sydney Carton becomes the ultimate hero through his sacrifice.
C2 noun /vəˈliːɪti/

velleity

Meaning
A wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action.
Example
His interest in painting never grew beyond a mere velleity.
C2 noun /pɪθ/

pith

Meaning
the essential or central part of something
Example
The pith of his argument was that honesty matters most.
A2 phrasal verb /pɪk ʌp/

pick up

Meaning
to lift something; to collect or receive someone or something; to learn or acquire gradually; to improve or increase
Example
She picked up the book from the floor.
B2 adverb /ɪkˈstɜrnəli/

externally

Meaning
in a way that relates to the outer surface or outside appearance
Example
The building appeared externally modern, but inside it was quite old-fashioned.
B2 noun /ˈwɪd.oʊ.ər/

Widower

Meaning
a man whose wife has died and who has not married again
Example
The elderly widower lived alone but had regular visits from his children.
A2 noun /ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə/

social media

Meaning
Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.
Example
Social media often causes delays.
C2 adjective /ˈkɑːrpɪŋ/

carping

Meaning
continually complaining or finding fault in a petty way
Example
His carping attitude makes teamwork difficult.
B2 noun /maɪˈɡreɪʃən/

migration

Meaning
the movement of people or animals from one place to another, often for better living conditions or seasonal reasons
Example
The annual migration of birds is a fascinating natural event.
B2 noun /ɪnˈfɪnɪti/

infinity

Meaning
A concept describing something without any limit or end.
Example
The universe seems to stretch into infinity.
B1 verb /ˈɡɑːsɪp/

gossip

Meaning
to talk about other people's private lives, often in an unkind way
Example
They love to gossip about their neighbors.
B2 adverb /ˈmɒdərətli/

moderately

Meaning
to a reasonable extent, not excessively
Example
She exercises moderately to stay healthy.
A1 noun /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

morning

Meaning
the early part of the day, typically from sunrise until noon
Example
I like to go for a run in the morning.
C2 adjective /ˈklɛmənt/

clement

Meaning
mild or merciful; describing weather as mild and pleasant
Example
The prisoners hoped for a clement judge.
B2 noun /ˌfiː.ɑːnˈseɪ/

Fiance

Meaning
a man who is engaged to be married
Example
Sarah introduced her fiance to her parents during the family dinner.