fretful
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C2 adjective /ˈfrɛtfəl/

fretful

Meaning
Feeling or showing distress or irritation.
Example
The baby was fretful all night and could not sleep.
C2 verb /fɔːrˈfɛnd/

forfend

Meaning
to protect or defend against something undesirable; to prevent
Example
May good fortune forfend any danger from our journey.
C2 noun /floʊ/

floe

Meaning
a large sheet of floating ice
Example
The polar bears rested on the ice floe.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɪski/

Frisky

Meaning
lively; energetic; playful; mischievous
Example
The frisky puppy ran around the garden playfully.
C2 noun /flɔːˈrɛsəns/

florescence

Meaning
The process, state, or period of flowering.
Example
The garden reached its peak florescence in spring.
C2 noun /fækˈtoʊtəm/

factotum

Meaning
an employee who does many different types of work; a general servant
Example
He worked as a factotum, handling both clerical and maintenance duties.
C2 noun /ˈfʌstɪən/

fustian

Meaning
pompous or pretentious speech or writing; originally a type of thick cloth
Example
The politician's speech was filled with fustian and empty promises.
C2 adjective /ˈfæləbl/

fallible

Meaning
capable of making mistakes or being wrong
Example
Even experts are fallible and can make errors.
C2 verb /foʊˈmɛnt/

foment

Meaning
To instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action).
Example
The rebel leader tried to foment unrest among the people.
C2 adjective /ˈfɛtɪd/

fetid

Meaning
having a strong, unpleasant smell
Example
The fetid smell from the garbage was unbearable.
C2 adjective/noun /fɪˈduː.ʃi.er.i/

fiduciary

Meaning
Involving trust, especially with regard to the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary.
Example
Banks have fiduciary duties towards their clients.
C2 noun, verb /ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstər/

filibuster

Meaning
a tactic of delaying legislative action by prolonged speech; to use such a tactic
Example
The senator filibustered for hours to prevent the bill from passing.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪər.brænd/

firebrand

Meaning
a person who is passionate about a cause, often inciting change or action
Example
The activist was a true firebrand, inspiring everyone around him to join the protest.
C2 verb /fɔːrˈdʒʌdʒ/

forejudge

Meaning
To judge beforehand without adequate information.
Example
It is unfair to forejudge someone without knowing the facts.
C2 adjective /ˈflɒrɪd/

florid

Meaning
Having a red or flushed complexion; or excessively ornate and intricate.
Example
The speaker’s florid style made the lecture hard to follow.
C2 noun /flæks/

flax

Meaning
a plant whose fibers are used to make linen and whose seeds are edible
Example
Flax is often used in making linen fabrics.
C2 noun /ˈfʊl.krəm/

fulcrum

Meaning
The point or support on which a lever pivots; a central or essential point of activity or support.
Example
The teacher became the fulcrum of change in the school.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːltˌfaɪndər/

faultfinder

Meaning
a person who habitually finds fault with others
Example
He is such a faultfinder that nothing anyone does is ever good enough.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌndʒəbl/

fungible

Meaning
interchangeable; able to replace or be replaced by another identical item
Example
In finance, money is considered a fungible asset.
C2 verb /ˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

furbish

Meaning
to polish, renovate, or give a fresh look to something
Example
The workers furbished the old sword until it gleamed like new.
C2 noun /frɒnd/

frond

Meaning
A large, divided leaf of a fern, palm, or similar plant.
Example
The fern's frond stretched gracefully over the garden path.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈflɪpənt/

flippant

Meaning
not showing a serious or respectful attitude
Example
His flippant remarks annoyed the teacher.
C2 verb /fɔrˈswɛr/

forswear

Meaning
to renounce or reject; to give up completely
Example
He forswore his old habits and started a new life.
C2 noun /ˈfɔɪbəl/

foible

Meaning
A minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character.
Example
She loved him despite his little foibles.
C2 noun /ˈfræŋkɪnsɛns/

frankincense

Meaning
An aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes, often in religious ceremonies.
Example
The temple was filled with the sweet smell of burning frankincense.
C2 adjective /ˈfætʃuəs/

fatuous

Meaning
silly or foolish, especially in a self-satisfied way
Example
His fatuous comments during the meeting annoyed everyone.
C2 noun /ˈfriːˌbuːtər/

freebooter

Meaning
A pirate or plunderer who roams freely in search of wealth.
Example
The freebooter raided the merchant ships along the coast.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪliəl/

filial

Meaning
relating to a son or daughter; showing respect or affection toward parents
Example
He showed filial respect by caring for his aging parents.
C2 noun /ˈfæn.feər/

fanfare

Meaning
a short ceremonial tune or display of publicity to attract attention
Example
The new product was launched with much fanfare.
C2 adjective fəˈleɪ.ʃəs

fallacious

Meaning
Based on false reasoning or misleading arguments.
Example
His argument was based on fallacious reasoning.
C2 noun /foʊ ˈpɑː/

faux pas

Meaning
a social blunder or mistake in etiquette
Example
He committed a major faux pas by forgetting her birthday.
C2 noun /ˈfiːəlti/

fealty

Meaning
loyalty or allegiance, especially to a sovereign or lord
Example
The knight swore fealty to his king.
C2 noun /fluːk/

fluke

Meaning
A stroke of luck; an unexpected piece of good fortune.
Example
Winning the lottery was a complete fluke.
C2 noun /ˈfʌriər/

furrier

Meaning
A person who prepares or deals in furs.
Example
The furrier displayed fine coats in his shop.
C2 adjective /ˈfæð.əm.ləs/

fathomless

Meaning
impossible to understand or measure; very deep
Example
The ocean seemed fathomless as it stretched to the horizon.
C2 verb /frɪsk/

frisk

Meaning
To search a person by patting their clothing to check for concealed items.
Example
The security guard frisked the man at the entrance.
C2 noun /ˈfrɛs.koʊ/

fresco

Meaning
A painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster so that the colors penetrate the surface
Example
The church walls were decorated with beautiful frescoes.
C2 noun /ˈflɒtsəm/

flotsam

Meaning
Floating debris from a shipwreck or things discarded and left floating.
Example
The beach was littered with flotsam after the storm.
C2 verb /ˈfɛstər/

fester

Meaning
to become worse or more intense, often through neglect or infection
Example
If grievances are ignored, they may fester into resentment.
C2 noun /ˈfriːˌmeɪsən/

freemason

Meaning
A member of an international fraternity known as Freemasonry, focused on moral and spiritual values.
Example
His grandfather was a respected freemason in the community.
C2 verb /feɪz/

faze

Meaning
to disturb or disconcert someone; to cause to feel unsettled
Example
She was not fazed by the unexpected question.
C2 noun /ˈflætʃələns/

flatulence

Meaning
the accumulation of gas in the digestive system; excessive gas in the stomach or intestines
Example
Eating beans can sometimes cause flatulence.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrˌseɪl/

foresail

Meaning
The principal sail set on the foremast of a sailing vessel.
Example
The crew adjusted the foresail to catch the wind.
C2 adjective /ˈfiːbraɪl/

febrile

Meaning
having or showing the symptoms of a fever; or highly excitable or agitated
Example
The patient was in a febrile state with high temperature.
C2 adjective /ˈflæb.i/

Flabby

Meaning
soft and loose; lacking firmness or muscle tone; weak
Example
His flabby arms showed he needed to exercise more.
C2 noun /fiːf/

fief

Meaning
an estate of land held under the feudal system; a domain or area of control
Example
The knight was granted a fief by the lord for his service.
C2 verb /ˈflʌməks/

flummox

Meaning
To confuse or bewilder someone completely.
Example
The complicated puzzle flummoxed the students.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪt.fəl/

fitful

Meaning
occurring in irregular bursts; not continuous or steady
Example
He had a fitful sleep due to the storm.
C2 noun /ˈfɪɡmənt/

figment

Meaning
something invented or imaginary; a fabrication of the mind
Example
The story of the haunted house is just a figment of her imagination.
C2 noun /fləˈtɪlə/

flotilla

Meaning
A small fleet of ships or boats operating together.
Example
A flotilla of fishing boats left the harbor at dawn.
C2 adjective /fluːˈɛnʃəl/

fluential

Meaning
Having the power to influence or flowing freely (rare/archaic usage).
Example
The fluential speaker captivated the entire audience.
C2 verb /ˈfrɪtər/

fritter

Meaning
To waste time, money, or energy on trivial matters.
Example
He frittered away his savings on unnecessary gadgets.
C2 noun /ˈfrækɑː/

fracas

Meaning
A noisy disturbance or quarrel.
Example
The fracas outside the bar drew the attention of the police.
C2 adjective /fjuːˈnɪəriəl/

funereal

Meaning
having the mournful, somber character of a funeral
Example
The room was filled with a funereal silence after the announcement.
C2 noun /ˈflɪpənsi/

flippancy

Meaning
lack of seriousness; showing a disrespectful or trivial attitude
Example
His flippancy during the meeting offended his colleagues.
C2 adjective /ˈfiːbəlˌmaɪndɪd/

feebleminded

Meaning
lacking intelligence or mental capacity; foolish or weak-minded
Example
The feebleminded man struggled to understand basic instructions.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪnɪki/

finicky

Meaning
difficult to please; very particular about details
Example
He is so finicky about his food that he only eats organic vegetables.
C2 adjective /ˈfraʊzi/

frowzy

Meaning
Unkempt, messy, or having a musty, unpleasant smell.
Example
He entered the room with a frowzy appearance after sleeping on the couch.
C2 noun /fɪntʃ/

finch

Meaning
a small songbird with a short, stout bill
Example
A colorful finch perched on the branch singing sweetly.
C2 verb /ˈfɛtər/

fetter

Meaning
to restrain or restrict someone’s freedom
Example
The strict rules fettered the creativity of the students.
C2 adjective /ˈfædɪʃ/

faddish

Meaning
Following a temporary trend or fashion
Example
Wearing neon clothes was a faddish style in the 1980s.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrˌnɑːlɪdʒ/

foreknowledge

Meaning
Awareness of something before it happens or exists.
Example
The prophet claimed to have foreknowledge of the event.
C2 verb /ˈfrʌktɪˌfaɪ/

fructify

Meaning
To make fruitful or productive; to bear fruit.
Example
The new policies will help fructify the economic potential of the region.
C2 noun /ˈfeɪ.tə.lɪ.zəm/

fatalism

Meaning
the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable
Example
He embraced fatalism, believing that nothing he did could change his destiny.
C2 noun /ˈfɛndər/

fender

Meaning
a part of a vehicle that frames a wheel well to protect against mud or debris
Example
The car's fender was dented in the accident.
C2 noun /ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/

fledgeling

Meaning
A young bird that has just developed its feathers and is learning to fly; a beginner.
Example
The fledgeling was trying hard to take its first flight.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊl.səm/

fulsome

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

fawning

Meaning
displaying exaggerated flattery or affection
Example
Her fawning compliments made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 adjective /ˈfɒksi/

foxy

Meaning
Clever, cunning, or attractive.
Example
He came up with a foxy plan to win the game.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊl.dʒənt/

fulgent

Meaning
Shining brightly; dazzling.
Example
The fulgent stars lit up the night sky.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊksl/

forecastle

Meaning
The forward part of a ship below the deck, traditionally used as living quarters for the crew.
Example
The sailors gathered in the forecastle after their shift.
C2 noun /fluː/

flue

Meaning
A pipe or channel for smoke and waste gases produced by a fire, gas heater, or power station.
Example
The chimney flue needs to be cleaned regularly.
C2 adjective /ˈfræk.ʃəs/

Fractious

Meaning
irritable and quarrelsome; difficult to control; bad-tempered
Example
The fractious child refused to follow any of the teacher's instructions.
C2 adjective /ˈfjuːzəbl/

fusible

Meaning
Capable of being melted or fused.
Example
The engineer used a fusible alloy in the experiment.
C2 verb /ˈfrɪzəl/

frizzle

Meaning
to fry something until it becomes crisp and curled, or to make a sizzling noise
Example
The bacon began to frizzle in the pan.
C2 verb /ˌfɔːrˈrʌn/

forerun

Meaning
To go before; to precede in time, place, or action.
Example
Dark clouds often forerun a storm.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌŋɡəs/

fungous

Meaning
relating to or resembling a fungus
Example
The damp basement had a fungous smell.
C2 verb /frɪz/

frizz

Meaning
to form into small, tight curls or cause hair to become fuzzy and tangled
Example
The humid weather caused her hair to frizz.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.li.oʊ/

folio

Meaning
A sheet of paper folded once to form two leaves (four pages) of a book; also a term for a large book or manuscript.
Example
The library houses an ancient Shakespeare folio.
C2 adjective /ˈfraɪəbl/

friable

Meaning
Easily crumbled or reduced to powder.
Example
The old brick wall was friable and broke apart at a touch.
C2 adjective /ˈfɜːr.vɪd/

Fervid

Meaning
passionate; intensely enthusiastic; burning with emotion
Example
She gave a fervid speech about environmental protection.
C2 noun /ˌfjuːzɪˈleɪd/

fusillade

Meaning
A series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession.
Example
The soldiers advanced under a fusillade of bullets.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈflaɪti/

flighty

Meaning
unstable, impulsive, or easily distracted; lacking seriousness or stability
Example
She’s too flighty to stick with one job for long.
C2 noun /ˈfuːləri/

foolery

Meaning
Silly or foolish behavior or actions.
Example
His constant foolery made the meeting hard to take seriously.
C2 noun /flɛk/

fleck

Meaning
a small spot or mark, often of a different color
Example
There was a fleck of paint on the floor.
C2 verb /fleɪl/

flail

Meaning
to wave or swing something about wildly; to thrash about
Example
He flailed his arms to keep afloat in the water.
C2 noun /ˈfrɔːdjʊləns/

fraudulence

Meaning
The quality or state of being fraudulent; deceitfulness.
Example
The audit revealed fraudulence in the financial statements.
C2 verb /ˈfɒn.dəl/

fondle

Meaning
To stroke or caress lovingly or gently.
Example
She fondled the kitten gently in her lap.
C2 adjective /ˈflæs.ɪd/

Flaccid

Meaning
soft and limp; lacking firmness; drooping
Example
The plant's leaves became flaccid after days without water.
C2 noun /fækˈsɪmɪli/

facsimile

Meaning
an exact copy or reproduction of a document
Example
He sent a facsimile of the contract to the client.
C2 verb /ˌfɔːrɔːrˈdeɪn/

foreordain

Meaning
to determine or decree something in advance; to predestine
Example
Some believe that our lives are foreordained by fate.
C2 adjective /ˈfɛstəl/

festal

Meaning
relating to a festival or celebration
Example
The hall was decorated in a festal manner for the wedding.
C2 verb /fleɪ/

flay

Meaning
to strip off the skin of something or criticize severely
Example
The chef flayed the fish before cooking it.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrnəri/

fernery

Meaning
a place or greenhouse where ferns are cultivated
Example
The garden's fernery was full of exotic plants.
C2 adjective /fəˈlɪsɪtəs/

felicitous

Meaning
well-chosen, appropriate, or pleasing; marked by good fortune or happiness
Example
She made a felicitous remark that lightened the mood.
C2 adjective /ˈfæl.oʊ/

fallow

Meaning
Describing land that is left unplanted for a period to restore its fertility, allowing soil to recover nutrients and break pest and disease cycles.
Example
Farmers leave their fields fallow to restore soil fertility.
C2 noun /ˈfɪli/

filly

Meaning
a young female horse
Example
The filly ran swiftly across the meadow.
C2 adjective /fækˈtɪʃəs/

factitious

Meaning
artificial or fabricated; not natural or genuine
Example
The excitement in his story seemed factitious and forced.
C2 noun /fez/

Fez

Meaning
a cone-shaped red hat with a tassel, traditionally worn by men in some Middle Eastern countries
Example
The traditional costume included a red fez with a black tassel.
C2 verb /fɪˈneɪɡəl/

finagle

Meaning
to obtain something by cleverness or trickery
Example
He finagled a free ticket by pretending to be a VIP guest.
C2 verb /ˈflædʒəˌleɪt/

flagellate

Meaning
to whip or flog someone, either literally or as a form of punishment or self-discipline
Example
In history, some monks would flagellate themselves as penance.
C2 verb /fɪltʃ/

filch

Meaning
to steal something in a sneaky or petty way
Example
He tried to filch a candy bar from the shop.
C2 noun /ˈfjʊr.ʌŋ.kəl/

Furuncle

Meaning
a painful pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infected, inflamed hair follicles
Example
The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the painful furuncle on his neck.
C2 noun ˌfjuːmɪˈɡeɪʃən

fumigation

Meaning
The practice of disinfecting or purifying an area using gas or smoke.
Example
Fumigation is an effective method to control pest infestations.
C2 noun /ˈfetiʃ/

fetich

Meaning
an object believed to have magical powers or to be inhabited by a spirit
Example
The villagers treated the statue as a powerful fetich.
C2 adjective /ˈfer.əs/

ferrous

Meaning
containing or consisting of iron
Example
Ferrous metals are commonly used in construction.
C2 adjective /fəˈsiːʃəs/

facetious

Meaning
Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor
Example
He was being facetious when he said he wanted to live on the moon.
C2 adjective /ˈfækʃəs/

factious

Meaning
causing disagreement or division within a group; inclined to form factions
Example
The debate became factious, splitting the committee into rival camps.
C2 adjective/adverb /feɪn/

fain

Meaning
gladly, willingly, or with pleasure
Example
I would fain help you if I had the time.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrkɔːrt/

forecourt

Meaning
an open area in front of a large building, especially a petrol station or hotel
Example
The car was parked in the hotel forecourt.
C2 adjective /fjuːˈɡeɪʃəs/

fugacious

Meaning
Lasting only a short time; fleeting or ephemeral.
Example
Youth is beautiful but fugacious.
C2 noun /ˌfɔːrɔːrdɪˈneɪʃən/

foreordination

Meaning
the act of determining something in advance; predestination
Example
The doctrine of foreordination suggests that events are fixed by divine will.
C2 noun /ˈfɒpəri/

foppery

Meaning
Foolish or excessive concern with one's appearance or manners; pretentious behavior.
Example
His obsession with fashion was dismissed as mere foppery.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌsti/

fusty

Meaning
smelling stale, damp, or stuffy; old-fashioned
Example
The room smelled fusty after being closed for months.
C2 verb /flɪt/

flit

Meaning
to move quickly and lightly from one place to another
Example
Butterflies flitted from flower to flower.
C2 noun /feɪt/

fete

Meaning
a celebration or festival, often in honor of someone
Example
The village held a grand fete to celebrate the harvest.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːθ.raɪt.nəs/

forthrightness

Meaning
The quality of being honest and straightforward; directness.
Example
Her forthrightness made her a respected journalist.
C2 adjective /ˈfæsaɪl/

Facile

Meaning
easily achieved; superficial; lacking depth
Example
His facile explanation didn't address the real problem.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrˌpiːk/

forepeak

Meaning
The compartment in the forward part of a ship, often used for storage.
Example
The sailors stored extra ropes in the forepeak.