halcyon
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 adjective /ˈhæl.si.ən/

halcyon

Meaning
calm, peaceful, and happy; denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
Example
She often reminisces about the halcyon days of her childhood.
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.
A2 verb /plænt/

plant

Meaning
to put seeds or plants in the ground; to place something firmly
Example
She planted roses in her garden.
C2 adjective /ˈnɪɡərdli/

niggardly

Meaning
unwilling to spend or give; stingy or miserly
Example
He was too niggardly to leave a decent tip.
C2 adjective /eɪˈrɪðmɪk/

arrhythmic

Meaning
Lacking a regular rhythm or beat.
Example
The patient had an arrhythmic heartbeat.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈbʊrʒ.wɑː/

bourgeois

Meaning
Relating to the middle class, often with materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
Example
The novel criticizes the bourgeois lifestyle of the city dwellers.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsɪflɑːʒ/

persiflage

Meaning
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
Example
Their conversation was full of persiflage and jokes.
C2 adjective /ˈhʌmdrʌm/

humdrum

Meaning
Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous.
Example
She grew tired of the humdrum routine of office life.
C2 verb /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
A2 conjunction /ðoʊ/

though

Meaning
used to introduce a fact that makes the main statement of the sentence seem surprising or unexpected
Example
Though it was raining, they still went outside.
C1 noun /rɪˈkɒnɪsəns/

reconnaissance

Meaning
A survey or exploration, especially for military or strategic purposes.
Example
The soldiers conducted a reconnaissance of the enemy camp.
B2 noun ˈkwəʊ.tə

quota

Meaning
A limited or fixed number or amount of people or things, in particular.
Example
The quota reform was a key demand.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌd.ən.li/

Suddenly

Meaning
quickly and without warning; unexpectedly
Example
The car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɑːlɪtɪk/

impolitic

Meaning
Unwise or imprudent; not showing good judgment.
Example
It would be impolitic to criticize them openly.
C1 adverb /pɜːr ˈseɪ/

per se

Meaning
By or in itself; intrinsically.
Example
The idea is not bad per se, but it needs improvement.
B1 preposition /ˈvɜːsəs/

versus

Meaning
against (in a competition or conflict)
Example
The team is playing versus their biggest rivals.
A1 noun /tɒp/

top

Meaning
the highest or uppermost point, part, or surface of something
Example
The book is on the top shelf.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.ɪˈbraɪ.ə.ti/

inebriety

Meaning
the state of being drunk or intoxicated
Example
His frequent inebriety led to the loss of his job.
C1 adjective /əˈtjuːnd/

attuned

Meaning
Being receptive or sensitive to something; well adjusted or in harmony.
Example
She is attuned to the needs of her students.
A1 noun /tuː/

two

Meaning
the number following one
Example
She has two children.
C2 noun /ˈɡæliən/

galleon

Meaning
A large sailing ship used mainly by Europeans from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Example
The Spanish galleon carried treasures across the Atlantic.
C2 noun /ˈleʧ.ər/

Lecher

Meaning
a man who behaves in a sexually inappropriate way towards women
Example
The company fired him for being a lecher.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪniæk/

maniac

Meaning
a person who behaves in a wildly foolish, dangerous, or violent way
Example
The driver was speeding like a maniac.
B2 adjective /prəˈnaʊnst/

pronounced

Meaning
very noticeable or strongly marked
Example
There is a pronounced difference between the two styles.
B2 adjective haɪˈdʒiː.nɪk

hygienic

Meaning
Conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially by being clean.
Example
Maintaining hygienic conditions in hospitals is crucial.
B2 adjective /ˈθʌroʊ/

thorough

Meaning
complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial
Example
The report was thorough and well-researched.
C1 noun /rɪˈpɛərə/

repairer

Meaning
a person whose job is to fix damaged or broken things
Example
The repairer fixed the broken washing machine quickly.
C1 noun /bəˈnæn.zə/

Bonanza

Meaning
a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits
Example
The oil discovery was a bonanza for the small country.
A2 noun /ɡɑːrd/

Guard

Meaning
a person who keeps watch, especially a soldier or police officer; a device worn or fitted to prevent injury
Example
The security guard checked everyone's identification before allowing entry to the building.
B2 adverb /ˈhev.ɪ.li/

Heavily

Meaning
with great weight; to a great degree; intensely
Example
It rained heavily throughout the night.
B2 adjective /səkˈsɛsɪv/

Successive

Meaning
following one after the other in order; consecutive
Example
The team won three successive matches.
B1 noun pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.pənts

participants

Meaning
People who take part in something; those involved in an activity or event.
Example
Participants will enjoy breathtaking views.
B2 adverb /əˈfɪʃəli/

officially

Meaning
in a formal or authorized way
Example
The building was officially opened by the mayor.
C1 noun /ˈlɔːsuːt/

lawsuit

Meaning
a legal case brought to a court of law by one person against another
Example
The company faced a lawsuit over false advertising.
A1 adjective /njuː/

new

Meaning
recently made, discovered, or introduced; not existing before
Example
He bought a new car yesterday.
C1 noun /ˈpluː.mɪdʒ/

plumage

Meaning
the feathers covering a bird's body
Example
The peacock's plumage was vibrant and eye-catching.
C1 verb /dɪˈplɔːr/

deplore

Meaning
to feel or express strong disapproval of something; to regret deeply
Example
Many people deplore the violence shown on television.
C1 verb /reɪv/

rave

Meaning
to speak or write about something with great enthusiasm or admiration
Example
Critics rave about the new movie.
C1 verb /vaɪ/

vie

Meaning
To compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something.
Example
Several companies are vying for the contract.
B1 noun

Pause

C1 phrase ˈiː.kəʊˌsɪs.təm kəˈlæps

ecosystem collapse

Meaning
The complete breakdown of an ecological system, resulting in the inability to maintain its structure and function.
Example
Unchecked deforestation can lead to ecosystem collapse.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈnesəserəli/

Unnecessarily

Meaning
to a greater extent than is needed; without necessity
Example
Don't worry unnecessarily about the exam.
A1 interjection /həˈloʊ/

hello

Meaning
a greeting or expression used when meeting someone or starting a conversation
Example
She answered the phone with a cheerful hello.
C1 noun /ˈpæs.ɪ.fɪst/

pacifist

Meaning
a person who believes in peace and opposes war or violence
Example
She is a committed pacifist who campaigns against armed conflict.
C2 adjective /ˌsæsərˈdoʊtl/

sacerdotal

Meaning
Relating to priests or the priesthood.
Example
The ritual had a distinctly sacerdotal character.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪkəl/

dialectical

Meaning
Relating to the logical discussion of ideas and opinions.
Example
She took a dialectical approach to solve the complex issue.
C1 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl/

diabolical

Meaning
Wicked, cruel, or outrageously bad; resembling the devil.
Example
The dictator’s diabolical rule brought misery to the nation.
C2 adjective/noun /haɪˈbɜːrniən/

hibernian

Meaning
Relating to Ireland or the Irish.
Example
He enjoyed reading about Hibernian culture and history.
C1 verb /rɪˈkuːpəreɪt/

recuperate

Meaning
to recover from illness or regain strength
Example
She went to the countryside to recuperate after surgery.
A1 verb /ˈvɪzɪt/

visit

Meaning
to go and see someone or somewhere; to pay a call
Example
We plan to visit the museum this weekend.
C1 noun /dʌsk/

Dusk

Meaning
the period of the day when daylight is fading; twilight
Example
They walked along the beach during dusk, watching the sunset.
A2 noun /ˈdrʌɡˌstɔːr/

drugstore

Meaning
A retail store that sells medicines, health-related products, and sometimes cosmetics or snacks.
Example
I stopped by the drugstore to buy some cold medicine.
B1 noun /ɪkˈsten.ʃən/

Extension

Meaning
the action of extending something; additional time or space
Example
The professor granted an extension for the assignment deadline.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪfɪs/

benefice

Meaning
a permanent church appointment for which property and income are provided
Example
The bishop appointed him to a wealthy benefice.
B1 adjective ˈsteɪbl

stable

Meaning
Not likely to change or fail; firmly established.
Example
Strong nuclear force keeps the nucleus stable.
B1 adjective /ˈsæt.ɪs.fæk.tər.i/

Satisfactory

Meaning
acceptable; meeting requirements; adequate
Example
The test results were satisfactory.
B2 adjective /ˈwɜːrθˌwaɪl/

worthwhile

Meaning
worth the time, effort, or money spent; valuable
Example
Volunteering at the shelter was a worthwhile experience.
A2 noun /ˈoʊ.ʃən/

ocean

Meaning
A very large expanse of sea, especially the main areas of sea between continents.
Example
The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface.
B1 noun /ˈbɒksər/

boxer

Meaning
a person who fights in the sport of boxing; a type of short loose-fitting underwear; a breed of medium-to-large dog
Example
The boxer trained hard every morning before the championship match.
B2 verb /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/

cultivate

Meaning
to grow crops or plants; to develop or improve something
Example
Farmers cultivate rice in the paddy fields.
A2 adjective /ɪl/

Ill

Meaning
sick; unwell; in poor health
Example
He felt ill and decided to stay home from work.
C1 adjective /ˌæpəˈθɛtɪk/

apathetic

Meaning
showing or feeling little or no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
Example
He was apathetic about the outcome of the match.
B2 noun /ɪmˈbærəsmənt/

embarrassment

Meaning
a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness
Example
Her face turned red with embarrassment after the mistake.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsæprəˈbeɪʃən/

disapprobation

Meaning
strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds
Example
The policy was met with widespread disapprobation.
B2 adjective /ˈplɛʒərəbl/

pleasurable

Meaning
giving pleasure or enjoyment
Example
Reading a good book is a pleasurable activity.
C1 noun /ˈrʌbəl/

rubble

Meaning
Broken stone, bricks, or debris from a collapsed building or structure.
Example
The rescue team searched through the rubble after the earthquake.
C2 verb /əˈniːl/

anneal

Meaning
To heat and cool metal or glass to make it stronger or less brittle.
Example
The blacksmith annealed the steel to improve its durability.
C2 verb /ænˈtɪpəθaɪz/

antipathize

Meaning
to feel or express a strong dislike or aversion toward something or someone
Example
He seemed to antipathize with the new management's approach.
C1 adjective /ˈlɑːpˌsaɪdɪd/

lopsided

Meaning
with one side lower, larger, or different from the other; uneven or imbalanced
Example
The cake looked lopsided after being decorated in a hurry.
B2 noun, verb /bʌt/

butt

Meaning
to hit or push with the head or horns; the end part of something, especially a cigarette
Example
The goat butted the fence with its horns.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪklɪʃ/

ticklish

Meaning
easily made to laugh by being touched lightly; easily upset or sensitive
Example
She is very ticklish and bursts into laughter when touched on her feet.
B2 noun /ˈʃɔːr.tɪdʒ/

Shortage

Meaning
a lack or deficiency of something that is needed or expected
Example
There is a severe water shortage in the region.
A2 noun ˈɡʌvəmənt

government

Meaning
The governing body of a nation, state, or community; the system by which a state or community is governed.
Example
The government rejected the demands.
A1 adverb /ˈkwɪk.li/

Quickly

Meaning
at a fast speed; with little delay; rapidly
Example
He quickly finished his homework.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

Meaning
Relating to bile or an ill-tempered, irritable disposition.
Example
He became bilious after hearing the unfair criticism.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/

indistinct

Meaning
Not clear or sharply defined; vague or blurred.
Example
The sound of voices was indistinct in the distance.
B2 noun /ɪnˈsaɪdə/

insider

Meaning
a person within a group or organization who has access to confidential information
Example
He was an insider who knew all the company's secrets.
B2 noun /ˈwɜːrʃɪp/

Worship

Meaning
the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity; religious devotion and practice
Example
They gather every Sunday for worship.
C2 noun /ˈæmpərˌsænd/

ampersand

Meaning
The symbol '&' used to represent the word 'and'.
Example
Use an ampersand instead of writing the word 'and' in the company name.
C1 verb kəˈrɒb.ə.reɪt

corroborate

Meaning
Confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.
Example
The witness corroborated the defendant's testimony.
B2 noun /ˈfækəlti/

faculty

Meaning
an inherent mental or physical ability; a division of a university
Example
She has a remarkable faculty for languages.
C1 verb /ɪnˈɡroʊs/

engross

Meaning
to absorb all the attention or interest of someone
Example
She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot the time.
C1 noun /ˈmɪs.hæp/

Mishap

Meaning
An unlucky accident or unfortunate event, typically minor
Example
The cooking mishap resulted in a burnt dinner.
C1 adjective ˈɛl.ə.kwənt

eloquent

Meaning
Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing; clearly expressing or indicating something.
Example
Her eloquent speech inspired the entire audience.
B2 adjective /pəˈsɪs.tənt/

persistent

Meaning
continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period
Example
Despite many setbacks, her persistent efforts led to success.
B2 adjective; verb (past/participle) /əˈʃʊrd/

assured

Meaning
confident and certain; guaranteed or made certain
Example
She felt assured that everything would work out.
B2 adjective /ˈfes.tɪv/

Festive

Meaning
joyful; celebratory; having the characteristics of a festival
Example
The house looked festive with colorful decorations.
B2 noun /ˈrɛfjuːdʒ/

refuge

Meaning
a place that provides shelter or protection from danger or distress
Example
The villagers took refuge in the temple during the storm.
C1 noun /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔːr.ɒn/

oxymoron

Meaning
a figure of speech where two contradictory terms are combined
Example
The phrase 'deafening silence' is a classic oxymoron.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkɔːrˈpɔːriəl/

incorporeal

Meaning
lacking a physical body; not composed of matter; intangible
Example
Ghosts are often described as incorporeal beings.
A2 noun /teɪp/

tape

Meaning
a long, narrow strip of material, often sticky on one side, used for fastening or sticking things together
Example
I need some tape to seal this box.
C1 noun/verb /snɛər/

snare

Meaning
a trap for catching animals; to catch or trap
Example
The hunter set a snare to catch rabbits.
B2 adjective /ˈɪnˌsaɪtfəl/

insightful

Meaning
Showing deep understanding or perceptiveness.
Example
The professor gave an insightful lecture on global economics.
C1 adjective /ˈɪəri/

eerie

Meaning
Strange and frightening in a mysterious way.
Example
The abandoned house had an eerie silence.
C1 verb /ˌriːɪmˈbɜːrs/

reimburse

Meaning
to pay back money to someone who has spent it or lost it
Example
The company reimbursed him for travel expenses.
B1 noun /ˈsɪtɪzən/

citizen

Meaning
a legally recognized subject or national of a state
Example
Every citizen has the right to vote.
B2 noun ˌsensɪˈtɪvɪti

sensitivity

Meaning
The quality or condition of being sensitive; responsiveness to stimuli.
Example
Bose proved plant sensitivity through experiments.
C2 verb /ˈfæmɪʃ/

famish

Meaning
to suffer or cause to suffer from extreme hunger
Example
The stranded hikers began to famish after several days without food.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːli ˌmaʊðd/

mealy-mouthed

Meaning
Unwilling to speak directly and honestly; insincere or evasive in speech.
Example
The manager gave a mealy-mouthed excuse instead of admitting the mistake.
C2 verb /əˈkuːtə/

accoutre

Meaning
to dress or equip, especially in something impressive or elaborate
Example
The knight was accoutred in shining armor.
C2 adjective /mɛnˈdeɪʃəs/

mendacious

Meaning
not telling the truth; lying
Example
The politician was known for his mendacious statements.
B2 adjective + noun ˈpraɪməri əbˈdʒektɪv

primary objective

Meaning
The main goal or chief aim of an activity, project, or endeavor.
Example
The primary objective of the event was to promote recycling.
C1 adjective /ɪˈstiːmd/

Esteemed

Meaning
respected and admired; held in high regard
Example
He is an esteemed professor at the university.
B1 noun, verb /ˈbændɪdʒ/

bandage

Meaning
a strip of material used to cover or protect a wound; to cover or wrap a wound with such material
Example
The nurse carefully bandaged his injured arm.
C1 noun /mɪkst ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi/

mixed economy

Meaning
An economic system where both government and private sector operate together.
Example
Most countries today follow a mixed economy model.
B2 verb /skrʌb/

scrub

Meaning
To rub hard so as to clean, typically with a brush and water.
Example
Excessive scrubbing of the eyes is harmful.
A1 interjection /ʌ/

uh

Meaning
a sound people make when they hesitate or are unsure what to say next.
Example
Uh, I’m not sure if that’s the right answer.
A2 noun /laɪˈbrɛəriən/

librarian

Meaning
a person who manages, organizes, and assists users in a library
Example
The librarian helped me find a rare history book.
B2 noun /ˈdaɪ.vər/

Diver

Meaning
a type of water bird that dives underwater to catch fish
Example
The diver disappeared beneath the surface to catch a fish.
A1 verb /kʊk/

cook

Meaning
to prepare food by heating; to make food ready to eat
Example
My mother loves to cook traditional dishes.
C1 adjective /prəˈfjuːs/

profuse

Meaning
existing or given in large amounts; abundant
Example
He offered profuse thanks for their timely help.
C1 noun /ˈpɑːr.keɪ/

parquet

Meaning
A floor made of wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern.
Example
The old mansion had a beautiful parquet floor.
B1 verb ˈtrænsfər

transfer

Meaning
To move from one place to another; to hand over.
Example
Power transfer was necessary.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːrkəleɪtər/

percolator

Meaning
A device used for brewing coffee by continually cycling boiling water through coffee grounds.
Example
She made a fresh pot of coffee using the percolator.
B2 verb /riːp/

reap

Meaning
to cut or gather a crop; to receive as a consequence of actions
Example
Farmers reap wheat in the late summer.
B1 verb /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

provided

Meaning
gave or supplied something that was needed
Example
The hotel provided free breakfast for all guests.
B2 noun pɛsts

pests

Meaning
Harmful or troublesome creatures, especially insects or small animals that damage crops, food, or living spaces.
Example
Pests can damage crops and cause diseases.
C1 verb /ˌriːəˈdʒʌst/

readjust

Meaning
To change or move something again in order to achieve a better fit, condition, or balance.
Example
He readjusted the chair to make it more comfortable.
C1 verb /priːˈɛmpt/

pre-empt

Meaning
to act in advance to prevent an anticipated event from happening; forestall
Example
The government moved to pre-empt a crisis by introducing new policies.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnɪnˈfɔːrmd/

uninformed

Meaning
lacking knowledge or awareness about a particular subject; not educated or informed
Example
The decision was made by an uninformed committee.
C1 noun /ˌævɒ̃ˈɡɑːrd/

avantgarde

Meaning
people or works that are innovative, experimental, and ahead of their time
Example
The avantgarde of the 20th century reshaped modern art.