humdrum
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 /ˈhʌmdrʌm/

humdrum

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

ravish

Meaning
To fill with intense delight; to captivate or enchant.
Example
The beauty of the sunset ravished the travelers.
C2 verb /ˈmɒtl/

mottle

Meaning
To mark with spots or patches of color.
Example
The leaves were mottled with shades of yellow and brown.
A2 noun /loʊˈkeɪʃən/

location

Meaning
a particular place or position
Example
This cafe is in a beautiful location near the lake.
A1 noun /dæd/

dad

Meaning
an informal term for father
Example
My dad taught me how to ride a bike.
B2 noun steɪks

stakes

Meaning
A strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end, driven into the ground.
Example
The stakes were high for the success of the project.
C2 noun /ˈkɒkskoʊm/

Cockscomb

Meaning
a tropical plant with bright, velvety flowers that resemble a rooster's comb
Example
The bright red cockscomb flowers added vibrant color to the garden bed.
B1 noun /ˈmɛtəl/

metal

Meaning
A solid material that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and conductive, such as iron, gold, or aluminum.
Example
The ring was made of precious metal.
C2 noun /ˈproʊbɪti/

probity

Meaning
The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
Example
The judge was admired for his integrity and probity.
C1 noun/verb /ˈrɛprɪˌmænd/

reprimand

Meaning
A formal expression of disapproval; to scold or criticize someone officially.
Example
The teacher reprimanded the student for being late.
B2 noun /ˈstiː.mər/

Steamer

Meaning
a ship or boat powered by steam engines
Example
The old steamer crossed the river slowly.
C2 noun /pəˈnʌmbrə/

penumbra

Meaning
a partially shaded area around the shadow of an object, especially during an eclipse
Example
The moon’s penumbra created a dim shadow over the Earth.
B2 noun /ˈwɪzdəm/

Wisdom

Meaning
the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the soundness of an action or decision
Example
Age brings wisdom and experience.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/

debilitate

Meaning
to weaken or make someone or something infirm
Example
The long illness debilitated his strength.
C1 adverb /ˈmiːk.li/

Meekly

Meaning
in a quiet, gentle way; without resistance or protest
Example
He meekly accepted the criticism without arguing.
B2 noun /ˈsɜːvɪŋ/

serving

Meaning
a portion of food for one person; the act of giving food or drink to someone
Example
He ate a large serving of rice and curry.
C1 adjective /ˈpiːs.ə.bəl/

Peaceable

Meaning
peaceful; inclined to avoid conflict
Example
The peaceable protest ended without any violence.
C2 noun /ˈniːəˌfaɪt/

neophyte

Meaning
A beginner or novice in a subject, skill, or belief.
Example
As a neophyte in programming, she often asked for guidance from her mentor.
B2 noun /ˌnɒməˈneɪʃən/

nomination

Meaning
The act of formally proposing someone for a role, position, or award.
Example
Her nomination for the award surprised everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈklæmərəs/

clamorous

Meaning
making a loud and confused noise; expressing strong demands noisily
Example
The clamorous audience demanded an encore from the band.
A2 adjective /ˈrɪtən/

written

Meaning
expressed in writing rather than spoken; composed or recorded in written form
Example
The agreement must be in written form to be valid.
B2 verb /reɪp/

rape

Meaning
to force someone to have sexual intercourse without their consent
Example
The law strictly punishes those who commit rape.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

briticism

Meaning
a word, phrase, or characteristic feature of British English
Example
The word 'lorry' is a well-known Briticism.
A2 noun /ˈfaɪəˌwɜːk/

firework

Meaning
a device that explodes or creates a display of lights and sounds, often used in celebrations
Example
The fireworks lit up the sky during the New Year's Eve celebration.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfl/

Unsuccessful

Meaning
not achieving desired aims or results; failing to accomplish a purpose
Example
His unsuccessful attempt to climb the mountain left him disappointed.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɒlɪksəm/

Frolicsome

Meaning
joyful; playful; merry; cheerful
Example
The frolicsome children laughed and played in the park.
C1 verb /ˈpɜːmieɪt/

permeate

Meaning
Spread throughout (something); pervade.
Example
The scent of fresh flowers permeated the entire room.
C2 noun/adjective /prɪˈsɪpɪtənt/

precipitant

Meaning
As a noun: a substance that causes a substance to be deposited from a solution; as an adjective: acting hastily or impulsively.
Example
The chemist added a precipitant to the solution to observe the reaction.
C1 noun /prəʊˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

procrastination

Meaning
The act of delaying or postponing tasks or activities.
Example
Procrastination is the enemy of success.
B1 noun /tɔːrtʃ/

Torch

Meaning
a portable electric lamp powered by batteries; a flaming stick used for light
Example
Use the torch to find your way in the dark.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊ.vɔɪd/

ovoid

Meaning
egg-shaped; resembling an oval or ellipse
Example
The artist painted an ovoid shape in the center of the canvas.
C1 noun /fɪˈnænʃɪər/

financier

Meaning
a person who manages large amounts of money or investments
Example
The financier advised the company on its investments.
C1 noun /ˈfæm.ɪn/

Famine

Meaning
extreme scarcity of food; a period when food is extremely scarce
Example
The severe drought led to widespread famine in the region.
B2 noun, verb /kjuːb/

cube

Meaning
As a noun: a solid object with six equal square faces. As a verb: to cut food into small square pieces.
Example
She put a sugar cube in her tea.
B2 verb /kənˈstreɪn/

constrain

Meaning
to limit or restrict someone or something; to force or compel
Example
The new regulations constrain businesses from polluting the environment.
B1 noun /ˈtaɪpoʊ/

typo

Meaning
a mistake made in typing
Example
The report was full of typos.
B2 noun /ˈveɪ.kən.si/

Vacancy

Meaning
an unoccupied position or job; an empty space or room
Example
There is a vacancy for a software engineer in our company.
C2 adjective /ˈfiːtɪd/

foetid

Meaning
having an offensive, unpleasant smell
Example
The foetid smell from the garbage made it hard to breathe.
B2 noun /duːm/

doom

Meaning
A terrible fate, destruction, or unavoidable bad outcome.
Example
The ancient prophecy foretold the city’s doom.
B2 noun /ˈet.ɪ.kət/

Etiquette

Meaning
the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession
Example
Proper etiquette requires standing when a lady enters the room.
C2 noun /ˈsaɪnɪkjʊər/

sinecure

Meaning
a position requiring little or no work but giving financial benefit or status
Example
He was given a sinecure at the university as a reward for his loyalty.
B1 verb /ˈmɛʒər/

measure

Meaning
to determine the size, amount, or degree of something
Example
She measured the length of the table.
C1 noun /ˌpændəˈmoʊniəm/

pandemonium

Meaning
Wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
Example
When the concert was canceled, pandemonium broke out among the crowd.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdefɪnət/

Indefinite

Meaning
not clearly defined; uncertain; vague; unlimited in time
Example
The meeting has been postponed for an indefinite period.
B2 noun /pəˈsjuːt/

pursuit

Meaning
the act of chasing or trying to achieve something
Example
He dedicated his life to the pursuit of happiness.
B1 noun /dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkɪŋ/

decision-making

Meaning
the process of making decisions, especially important or business-related decisions
Example
The CEO's decision-making was crucial for the success of the company.
A2 noun/verb /sɛns/

sense

Meaning
A faculty by which the body perceives external stimuli; or to perceive something without being told.
Example
She had a strong sense of responsibility.
B1 noun /ˈmʌðər ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

mother language

Meaning
the first language a person learns from childhood; native language
Example
Children learn best when they are taught in their mother language.
C1 noun /ˈkælɪbər/

caliber

Meaning
The quality of someone's ability or character; the internal diameter of a gun barrel.
Example
The university attracts students of high caliber.
C1 noun /ˈiːdɪkt/

edict

Meaning
An official order, proclamation, or decree issued by an authority.
Example
The king issued an edict banning smoking in public places.
B1 adjective /ˈdʒɛntəl/

gentle

Meaning
Kind, mild, or tender in nature or behavior
Example
He was always gentle with children.
B2 adjective /ˈheɪsti/

Hasty

Meaning
done or acting with excessive speed or urgency; hurried
Example
Don't make hasty decisions when you're angry.
C2 adverb, noun /ˈwɛə.wɪð/

wherewith

Meaning
With which; the means or resources needed for something.
Example
He lacked the money wherewith to buy a new house.
B2 verb /pɪntʃ/

pinch

Meaning
to squeeze tightly between the fingers; to take a small amount
Example
She pinched a bit of salt into the soup.
B1 noun /peɪs/

pace

Meaning
the speed at which something happens or is done
Example
She walked at a slow pace.
A2 noun /hɛlθ/

health

Meaning
The state of being free from illness or injury.
Example
Exercise is important for good health.
B1 adjective /ˈʌpər/

upper

Meaning
higher in position or rank
Example
The upper floor of the building is under renovation.
B2 noun /ˈkɒpɪraɪt/

copyright

Meaning
the legal right of the creator of a work to control its use and distribution
Example
She holds the copyright for the book.
C2 noun /kənˈsaɪnər/

consignor

Meaning
a person or company that sends goods to be sold or transported
Example
The consignor shipped the goods to the warehouse.
C2 adjective /ˈeksɪkrəbl/

execrable

Meaning
Extremely bad or unpleasant.
Example
The movie was so execrable that many people left the theater early.
C1 verb /ɪˈloʊp/

elope

Meaning
to run away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent
Example
The young couple decided to elope to another city.
B2 noun /sneɪl/

Snail

Meaning
a small soft creature with a shell on its back that moves very slowly
Example
The snail left a shiny trail as it crawled across the leaf.
C2 adjective /ˈdaʊ.di/

dowdy

Meaning
unfashionable, dull, or shabby in appearance
Example
She wore a dowdy dress to the party.
C1 noun /əˌsaɪˈniː/

assignee

Meaning
a person to whom a right or property is legally transferred
Example
The assignee of the contract is responsible for all future obligations.
C1 verb /kəmˈpjuːt/

compute

Meaning
To calculate or determine by using a computer or mathematical methods.
Example
The software can compute the total cost in seconds.
C1 noun /pɪˈtaɪə/

Pitaya / Dragon fruit

Meaning
a tropical fruit with bright pink or red skin and white flesh speckled with black seeds
Example
The pitaya has a mild, sweet flavor and a unique appearance.
A2 adjective /waɪd/

Wide

Meaning
having a great distance from one side to the other; broad
Example
The river is very wide at this point.
A2 adjective /ˈsɛntrəl/

central

Meaning
Situated in the middle; of the greatest importance.
Example
Water is central to human survival.
B2 adjective /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

cunning

Meaning
Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion; cleverness in a tricky way.
Example
The cunning fox tricked the farmer.
C1 adjective /ˈdjuːbiəs/

dubious

Meaning
Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon.
Example
She gave him a dubious look after hearing his excuse.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈlaɪk/

Unlike

Meaning
different from; not similar to
Example
Unlike his brother, he prefers quiet activities.
B2 noun /dɪˈstɪŋk.ʃən/

Distinction

Meaning
a difference or contrast between similar things; excellence that sets someone apart; honor or recognition
Example
She graduated with distinction, earning the highest honors in her class.
C1 noun /viˈoʊlə/ or /ˈvaɪələ/

viola

Meaning
A stringed instrument slightly larger than a violin, with a deeper and mellower tone.
Example
She chose to play the viola in the school orchestra.
C1 noun /ˈstæl.i.ən/

stallion

Meaning
An adult male horse that is not castrated, often used for breeding.
Example
The farm owns a powerful stallion for breeding purposes.
C1 noun /ˈɡreɪdiənt/

gradient

Meaning
A gradual slope, or the degree of inclination of a surface.
Example
The cyclist struggled up the steep gradient of the hill.
B2 noun /ˈprəʊsesə/

processor

Meaning
a machine or device that processes something, especially a computer's central processing unit (CPU)
Example
The new laptop has a faster processor.
C1 noun /ˌluː.brɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

lubrication

Meaning
The action of applying a substance to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact.
Example
Lubrication of the eyes is essential for well-being.
A2 noun /ˈtæk.si kæb/

Taxi cab

Meaning
A car that carries passengers for a fare, usually in cities
Example
We took a taxi cab to the restaurant.
C1 noun /ˈmɒk.ər.i/

Mockery

Meaning
teasing and contemptuous language or behavior; ridicule
Example
His speech was met with mockery from the audience.
B1 adjective /ˈrel.ə.tɪv/

Relative

Meaning
considered in comparison to something else; not absolute; comparative
Example
The cost of living is relative to your income level.
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 adjective /seɪm/

same

Meaning
identical; not different or changed
Example
We wore the same dress at the party.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈhɜːrt/

unhurt

Meaning
Not injured or harmed.
Example
She walked away from the accident unhurt.
C2 noun /ˈwɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

witticism

Meaning
a clever or funny remark
Example
Her witticism made everyone laugh during the meeting.
B1 noun /ˈkɜː.ri/

Curry

Meaning
a dish of meat, vegetables, etc., cooked in an Indian-style sauce with hot spices
Example
I love spicy chicken curry with rice.
C1 noun /ˈɛstjʊəri/

estuary

Meaning
the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream
Example
The city is located near the estuary of the river.
B2 noun /bækˈtɪəriəm/

bacterium

Meaning
A single microscopic organism belonging to the group of bacteria.
Example
The doctor explained that a single bacterium can multiply rapidly under the right conditions.
A1 noun ˈflaʊərz

Flowers

Meaning
The reproductive structures of plants that provide nectar for butterflies.
Example
Butterflies are attracted to colorful flowers.
C2 noun (plural) /maɪˈnjuːʃiiː/

minutiae

Meaning
the small, precise, or trivial details of something
Example
The lawyer focused on the minutiae of the contract.
B2 noun /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊərɪti/

insecurity

Meaning
lack of confidence or assurance; a state of uncertainty or vulnerability
Example
Her insecurity made her doubt her abilities despite her experience.
C2 noun ˌsʌb.dʒʊˈɡeɪ.ʃən

subjugation

Meaning
The action of bringing someone or something under domination or control, especially by force.
Example
The subjugation of weaker nations by colonial powers shaped history.
A1 noun /plæn/

plan

Meaning
A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.
Example
A good plan keeps you focused.
C1 noun /ˈsɪstərhʊd/

sisterhood

Meaning
The relationship between sisters, or a community of women united by shared experiences or goals.
Example
The feminist movement created a strong sense of sisterhood among women.
C1 verb /dɪˈpɔːrt/

deport

Meaning
To expel a foreigner from a country, usually for legal or political reasons.
Example
The government decided to deport the illegal immigrants.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪfɒn/

antiphon

Meaning
a short chant or verse sung responsively in Christian worship, typically sung before or after a psalm or canticle
Example
The choir sang the antiphon before beginning the main hymn.
B2 noun /ˈder.ɪŋ/

Daring

Meaning
adventurous courage; willingness to take risks
Example
The mountain climber's daring impressed everyone at the base camp.
C1 noun /bəˈrɒmɪtər/

barometer

Meaning
an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
Example
The barometer indicated a storm was approaching.
B2 adjective æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs

ambiguous

Meaning
Having more than one possible meaning; unclear or vague.
Example
His statement was too ambiguous to understand.
C1 noun /ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən/

dissertation

Meaning
A long piece of writing on a particular subject, usually written for a university degree.
Example
She spent two years writing her doctoral dissertation.
C1 verb /ɪˈkɒnəmaɪz/

economize

Meaning
To reduce spending or use resources carefully.
Example
Families are trying to economize by cutting unnecessary expenses.
A1 noun /bɔːl/

ball

Meaning
a round object used in games or sports
Example
The children played with a ball in the park.
C2 adjective /əˈluːsɪv/

allusive

Meaning
Making indirect references or hints; suggestive without being explicit.
Example
The novel is full of allusive passages that point to classical literature.
B2 adverb /ˈmæn.ju.ə.li/

Manually

Meaning
by hand; using physical effort rather than machines
Example
The data was entered manually into the system.
B2 adjective /ˈʃeɪ.di/

Shady

Meaning
providing shade; dishonest; suspicious
Example
The shady businessman made a suspicious deal.
B2 noun fəˈtɪl.ɪ.ti

fertility

Meaning
The quality of being fertile; fruitfulness.
Example
Fertility of the soil is crucial for farming.
C1 adjective /rɪˈdʌn.dənt/

redundant

Meaning
Not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous.
Example
The report contained redundant information.
B2 adverb /rɪˈɡɑrdləs/

regardless

Meaning
without paying attention to the current situation or condition
Example
She will go to the party regardless of the weather.
C1 noun /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/

antecedent

Meaning
something that came before; a previous event, condition, or cause
Example
The cultural antecedents of this festival go back centuries.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

uninteresting

Meaning
not holding attention or curiosity; boring
Example
The lecture was uninteresting and difficult to stay focused on.
C1 noun /ˌɪnækˈtɪvɪti/

inactivity

Meaning
the state of not being active physically or mentally; lack of action
Example
Prolonged inactivity can negatively affect both physical and mental health.
A1 verb /peɪ/

pay

Meaning
to give money in exchange for goods or services
Example
I need to pay my bills on time.
B1 noun /ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.ti/

opportunity

Meaning
A favorable chance or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
Example
She seized the opportunity to study abroad.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈveɪləbəl/

unavailable

Meaning
Not able to be obtained, reached, or used; not present or accessible.
Example
The manager was unavailable to take calls during the meeting.
B2 adverb /drəˈmætɪkli/

dramatically

Meaning
in a sudden, striking, or exaggerated way
Example
Sales increased dramatically after the campaign.
B1 noun /beɪkt miːt/

Baked meat

Meaning
meat that has been cooked in an oven using dry heat
Example
The baked meat was tender and flavorful.
B2 adverb /ˈstɛdɪli/

steadily

Meaning
in a regular and continuous way; without stopping or changing
Example
The company's profits have been increasing steadily.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊntərˌpɑːrt/

counterpart

Meaning
a person or thing that corresponds to or has the same function as another
Example
The CEO met with his counterpart in the partner company.
C1 noun /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.liː/

Jubilee

Meaning
a special anniversary celebration, especially the 25th, 50th, or 60th anniversary of an important event
Example
The school celebrated its golden jubilee with a grand ceremony.
C2 verb /ˈɡlaʊ.ər/

glower

Meaning
To look at someone with an angry or sullen expression.
Example
He glowered at his rival across the room.
C2 noun /ˌænɪˈmɒmɪtər/

anemometer

Meaning
An instrument used to measure the speed and direction of wind.
Example
The scientist used an anemometer to record the wind speed during the storm.
C1 noun /ˌkʌl də ˈsæk/

cul de sac

Meaning
A street or passage closed at one end; a dead end.
Example
They bought a house at the end of a quiet cul de sac.