incisive
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 adjective ɪnˈsaɪ.sɪv

incisive

Meaning
Intelligently analytical and clear-thinking; showing clear thought and good understanding of what is important.
Example
His incisive comments revealed the core issues.
C1 noun /ɪˈreləvəns/

irrelevance

Meaning
the quality of not being connected to or important for a particular matter; lack of significance
Example
His long explanation only highlighted the irrelevance of the details to the main issue.
C1 noun ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl̩ ˈkɒmpɪtənsi

indispensable competency

Meaning
Essential skill or ability that cannot be done without; a crucial capability that is absolutely necessary.
Example
Digital literacy is an indispensable competency in the 21st century.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈvɜːs/

Inverse

Meaning
opposite in order, nature, or effect; reversed
Example
There is an inverse relationship between price and demand.
C2 verb /ˈɪmprɪkeɪt/

imprecate

Meaning
To utter a curse or invoke evil upon someone.
Example
The old woman imprecated her enemies with dark words.
A2 adjective, noun /ɪˈtæliən/

italian

Meaning
relating to Italy, its people, or its language; a person from Italy
Example
She loves Italian food.
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 verb /ɪˈreɪdieɪt/

irradiate

Meaning
to shine light on something; to expose to radiation; to illuminate or brighten
Example
The scientist used a lamp to irradiate the sample.
B2 noun ɪnˈdʒʌstɪs

injustice

Meaning
Lack of fairness or justice; the practice of being unjust or unfair.
Example
The story portrays the injustices faced by the common people.
C2 noun /ˈɪmɪˌteɪtər/

imitator

Meaning
a person who copies the behavior, style, or actions of others
Example
He became famous as an imitator of popular singers.
A2 verb /ɪnˈvaɪt/

invite

Meaning
to ask someone to come to an event or to do something
Example
We should invite all our friends to the party.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsteɪbəl/

instable

Meaning
not stable; liable to change, collapse, or fail; lacking firmness or reliability
Example
The instable political situation worried foreign investors.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnsəˈpɔːrtəbl̩/

insupportable

Meaning
Too extreme or difficult to be endured.
Example
The heat was insupportable during the long journey.
B2 adjective /ˈɪmɪnənt/

imminent

Meaning
About to happen; likely to occur very soon.
Example
Dark clouds signaled that a storm was imminent.
C2 noun /ɪˈreɪdiəns/

irradiance

Meaning
the quality of shining brightly; the intensity of light falling on a surface
Example
The irradiance of the sun at noon was overwhelming.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnhɒˈspɪtəbl/

inhospitable

Meaning
Harsh and difficult to live in; unfriendly or unwelcoming to guests.
Example
The desert is an inhospitable environment for most plants.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/

insignificant

Meaning
Too small or unimportant to be worth considering.
Example
The cost was so insignificant that nobody noticed it.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.səˌbɔːr.dɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

insubordination

Meaning
Defiance of authority; refusal to obey orders.
Example
The soldier was punished for insubordination during the mission.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrəns/

incoherence

Meaning
The quality of being unclear, confused, or lacking logical connection.
Example
His speech was full of incoherence and difficult to follow.
A1 preposition/adverb/adjective/noun /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/

inside

Meaning
Situated within something; the inner part of something.
Example
She waited inside the house until the rain stopped.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɑːlɪtɪk/

impolitic

Meaning
Unwise or imprudent; not showing good judgment.
Example
It would be impolitic to criticize them openly.
C2 noun /ˈɪɡ.nəˌmɪn.i/

ignominy

Meaning
Public shame, disgrace, or dishonor.
Example
He lived the rest of his life in ignominy after the scandal.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtɜːrmənəbl/

interminable

Meaning
Seemingly endless; having no apparent end.
Example
The meeting felt interminable and exhausting.
B2 noun ɪˈlɪtərəsi

illiteracy

Meaning
The inability to read and write; lack of education or knowledge in a particular area.
Example
Illiteracy often leads to poverty and unemployment.
C1 verb /ˌɪntəˈsɛkt/

intersect

Meaning
to cross or pass through each other
Example
The two roads intersect at the city center.
A1 adjective /ɪmˈpɔː.tənt/

important

Meaning
Of great significance or value; likely to have a profound effect on success, survival, or well-being.
Example
Important steps must be taken to address pollution.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdefɪnət/

Indefinite

Meaning
not clearly defined; uncertain; vague; unlimited in time
Example
The meeting has been postponed for an indefinite period.
A2 adjective/noun /ˈaɪrɪʃ/

irish

Meaning
relating to Ireland, its people, or its language
Example
The Irish countryside is very beautiful.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈfrændʒɪbəl/

irrefrangible

Meaning
Not to be broken, violated, or infringed
Example
The constitution guarantees certain irrefrangible rights to every citizen.
A2 adverb /ɪnˈdiːd/

indeed

Meaning
used to emphasize or confirm a statement
Example
It was a long journey indeed.
C2 verb /ɪˈluːmɪn/

illumine

Meaning
to light up or make clear
Example
The rising sun illumined the mountain peaks.
C1 adverb /ɪnˈdɛfɪnətli/

indefinitely

Meaning
for an unlimited or unspecified period of time
Example
The project has been postponed indefinitely.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpjuːɪsəns/

impuissance

Meaning
inability to take effective action; helplessness
Example
The government’s impuissance in the face of crisis frustrated the people.
B2 adjective /ɪˈmædʒ.ɪ.nər.i/

Imaginary

Meaning
existing only in imagination; not real; fictional
Example
The child had an imaginary friend who she talked to every day.
B1 noun /ɪnˈvɛstər/

investor

Meaning
a person or organization that puts money into financial schemes, property, or business ventures with the expectation of achieving a profit
Example
The investor funded the startup with a large sum of money.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpjuːnɪti/

impunity

Meaning
freedom from punishment or harmful consequences for an action
Example
The dictator ruled with impunity, ignoring international laws.
C2 adjective /ˌɪn.ɪˈlʌk.tə.bəl/

ineluctable

Meaning
Impossible to avoid or escape; inevitable.
Example
Death is an ineluctable part of human existence.
C1 noun ɪnˌɛv.ɪ.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

inevitability

Meaning
The quality of being certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.
Example
The inevitability of change is a part of life.
C1 adjective /ɪˈrɛvəkəbl/

irrevocable

Meaning
Not able to be revoked, changed, or undone.
Example
She made an irrevocable decision to leave the company.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈlɪdʒəs/

irreligious

Meaning
Indifferent or hostile to religion
Example
Some people in the community consider him irreligious because he never attends religious services.
C2 adjective /ˈɪnˌbrɛd/

inbred

Meaning
existing naturally in a person or animal; also related to reproduction within a limited community
Example
He has an inbred sense of loyalty.
B2 adjective, noun /ˌɪn.təlˈɛk.tʃu.əl/

intellectual

Meaning
Relating to the intellect; a person who engages in critical thinking and study.
Example
She enjoys intellectual discussions about philosophy.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːmiəbl/

impermeable

Meaning
Not allowing fluid or gas to pass through.
Example
The container is made of impermeable plastic.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsɒljʊbl/

indissoluble

Meaning
Unable to be destroyed, broken, or dissolved.
Example
Marriage was once considered an indissoluble bond.
C1 noun /ˌɪmɔːrˈtæləti/

immortality

Meaning
the state of living forever; eternal life or lasting fame beyond death
Example
Many ancient cultures believed that heroes could achieve immortality through great deeds.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtɜːrpəˌleɪt/

interpolate

Meaning
To insert something, often words, into a text or conversation; to estimate values between known data points.
Example
The editor interpolated a missing paragraph into the manuscript.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnədˈvaɪzəbl/

inadvisable

Meaning
Not recommended; likely to have undesirable consequences.
Example
It is inadvisable to drive in such heavy rain.
C1 noun /ˌɪntɪˈmeɪʃən/

intimation

Meaning
A subtle or indirect hint or suggestion.
Example
She gave no intimation of her plans.
B1 noun /ˈɪnpʊt/

input

Meaning
information, advice, or data that is put into a system, device, or process
Example
The manager asked for everyone's input on the new project.
C2 noun /ˌɪnsjəˈlærəti/

insularity

Meaning
The state of being isolated or narrow-minded.
Example
The insularity of the group prevented them from accepting new ideas.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndaɪˈdʒestəbəl/

Indigestible

Meaning
difficult or impossible to digest; hard to process in the stomach
Example
The old bread became hard and indigestible.
C1 noun /ˌaɪ.diˈɒl.ə.dʒi/

ideology

Meaning
A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
Example
Democracy is based on the ideology of freedom and equality.
B1 noun /ˈɪnkʌm/

income

Meaning
money received for work or through investments
Example
His monthly income is enough to support his family.
C2 adjective /ˈɪnfəntaɪl/

infantile

Meaning
characteristic of an infant; childish
Example
His infantile behavior embarrassed everyone at the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈaɪkɒn/

icon

Meaning
A person or thing regarded as a symbol of something, or a graphic symbol on a screen.
Example
The singer became a cultural icon.
A2 verb /ɪnˈkri:s/

increase

Meaning
to become or make something larger in amount, number, or degree
Example
The company plans to increase its production this year.
B1 verb /ɪnˈfɔ:m/

inform

Meaning
to tell someone about something; to give information
Example
Please inform me when you arrive at the airport.
B2 verb /ɪnˈfɜːr/

infer

Meaning
to conclude or deduce something from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements
Example
From his silence, I inferred that he was not happy with the decision.
C1 noun ɪnˈsɒl.vən.si

insolvency

Meaning
The state of being unable to pay debts owed; bankruptcy.
Example
The company declared insolvency after years of losses.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɪdiəs/

insidious

Meaning
Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way but with harmful effects.
Example
The insidious spread of misinformation can damage trust.
B2 adjective /aɪˈrɒnɪk/

ironic

Meaning
happening in the opposite way to what is expected, often amusing or sarcastic
Example
It is ironic that the fire station burned down.
C1 noun /ɪˌreɡjəˈlærɪti/

irregularity

Meaning
lack of regularity or consistency; a deviation from what is normal, expected, or orderly
Example
The audit revealed several financial irregularities in the company’s records.
C2 verb /ɪnˈdʒɛst/

ingest

Meaning
To take food, drink, or another substance into the body, usually by swallowing.
Example
The patient must ingest the medicine with water.
C1 noun /ɪnˈkɜːrʒən/

incursion

Meaning
A sudden attack or invasion into a place or territory.
Example
The army repelled the enemy incursion at the border.
C2 noun /ɪˌledʒ.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Illegibility

Meaning
the quality of being impossible or difficult to read; unclear writing or print
Example
The doctor's handwriting was famous for its illegibility among the pharmacy staff.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbl/

inexplicable

Meaning
Impossible to explain or understand.
Example
The sudden disappearance of the file was inexplicable.
C2 verb /ˈɪndjʊˌreɪt/

indurate

Meaning
To harden or make something physically or emotionally tough.
Example
Years of hardship indurated his spirit.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈseɪʃəbl̩/

insatiable

Meaning
impossible to satisfy; always wanting more
Example
Her insatiable curiosity drove her to read every book in the library.
C1 noun ˌɪnfɛsˈteɪʃən

infestation

Meaning
The presence of an unusually large number of insects or animals in a place, causing damage or disease.
Example
The infestation of ants in the kitchen led to immediate pest control measures.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪt/

intoxicate

Meaning
to make someone lose control of their faculties or behavior due to alcohol or drugs
Example
The strong drink quickly intoxicated him.
C1 adjective ɪn ˈfleɪ.ʃə.ner.i

inflationary

Meaning
Characterized by or tending to cause monetary inflation; relating to rising prices.
Example
The government took measures to control inflationary pressures.
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 /ɪmˈpiːtʃ/

impeach

Meaning
To charge a public official with misconduct while in office.
Example
The parliament voted to impeach the president.
C2 adjective /ˈɪnmoʊst/

inmost

Meaning
Situated at the very heart or deepest part; most private or secret.
Example
She revealed her inmost thoughts to her closest friend.
C1 noun /aɪl/

isle

Meaning
A small island or peninsula, often poetic or literary.
Example
They spent their honeymoon on a beautiful tropical isle.
C1 adjective /ˌɪməˈtɪəriəl/

immaterial

Meaning
Not important or relevant; lacking physical substance.
Example
The judge ruled that the argument was immaterial to the case.
B2 noun /ɪnˌtɜːrprəˈteɪʃən/

interpretation

Meaning
the action of explaining the meaning of something
Example
The teacher gave her own interpretation of the poem.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkoʊ.ɪt/ or /ɪnˈkoʊ.eɪt/

inchoate

Meaning
Just begun and not fully formed; rudimentary.
Example
His inchoate ideas needed more research to be developed.
C2 verb /ˌɪn.trəˈmɪt/

intromit

Meaning
To insert or introduce something into a place or body.
Example
The doctor carefully intromitted the instrument into the wound.
C2 noun /ɪnˌtɛl.ɪˈdʒɛntsi.ə/

intelligentsia

Meaning
The group of people engaged in intellectual and cultural pursuits in a society.
Example
The intelligentsia played a key role in shaping public opinion.
C1 verb /ˈɪnkjʊˌbeɪt/

incubate

Meaning
to keep eggs, cells, or organisms at the right conditions for development
Example
The hen will incubate the eggs until they hatch.
B1 noun /ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

ingredient

Meaning
A component part or element of something, especially in a recipe.
Example
Flour is a key ingredient in baking bread.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɒndərəbl̩/

imponderable

Meaning
Something difficult or impossible to estimate, assess, or understand
Example
The outcome of the election depends on many imponderable factors.
A2 noun /ˌɪn.trəˈdʌk.ʃən/

introduction

Meaning
the action of introducing something or someone; an opening or beginning part
Example
The professor gave a brief introduction before starting the lecture.
C1 noun /ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/

indignation

Meaning
Strong displeasure or anger caused by something unjust, offensive, or insulting.
Example
Public indignation grew after the unfair verdict.
B2 adverb /ˌɪndəˈrɛktli/

indirectly

Meaning
in a way that is not direct; through an intermediate means or influence
Example
The policy affected small businesses indirectly.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɛlɪdʒəbəl/

Ineligible

Meaning
not qualified or entitled to participate or be chosen; unsuitable
Example
Students with poor grades are ineligible for the scholarship program.
C1 noun /ˈɪn.floʊ/

inflow

Meaning
The movement of things such as money, people, or water into a place.
Example
The inflow of tourists boosted the local economy.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈprɒbəbl/

improbable

Meaning
Not likely to be true or to happen.
Example
It seems improbable that he will arrive on time.
B2 noun /ɪnˈsɪstəns/

insistence

Meaning
the act of demanding something firmly or repeatedly
Example
At his insistence, we stayed longer.
B1 noun /ɪˌmædʒ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Imagination

Meaning
the faculty or action of forming new ideas or images not present to the senses; creative thinking
Example
Children's imagination allows them to turn a cardboard box into a spaceship or castle.
C1 adjective ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs

ingenious

Meaning
Showing inventiveness and skill; clever, original, and inventive.
Example
His ingenious ideas transformed modern physics.
C1 adjective ɪnˈdel.ə.bəl

indelible

Meaning
Making marks that cannot be removed; impossible to forget or remove.
Example
Her speech left an indelible mark on the audience.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɑːrˈtɪkjʊlət/

inarticulate

Meaning
Unable to express oneself clearly or effectively in speech or writing.
Example
She became inarticulate with emotion during the speech.
C2 adjective /ɪˈnɪmɪkəl/

inimical

Meaning
tending to obstruct or harm; unfriendly or hostile
Example
The policy was inimical to the country's economic growth.
C1 noun /ɪˈmiːdiəsi/

immediacy

Meaning
The quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something, giving rise to a sense of urgency or excitement.
Example
The immediacy of digital communication has reshaped business operations.
B2 noun ɪnˈsɛntɪvz

incentives

Meaning
Things that motivate or encourage one to do something.
Example
Tax incentives are used to encourage investment in renewable energy.
C1 noun /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/

inkling

Meaning
A slight idea, hint, or suspicion about something.
Example
She had an inkling that he was planning a surprise.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɪzəbl/

indivisible

Meaning
Not able to be divided or separated.
Example
The country's unity was indivisible despite differences.
B2 noun /ˈɪn.vɔɪs/

Invoice

Meaning
a list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these
Example
The company sent an invoice for the office supplies delivered last week.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtændʒəbl/

intangible

Meaning
Unable to be touched or grasped; not having a physical presence.
Example
Trust is an intangible quality in relationships.
C1 adjective /ˈɪndɪɡoʊ bluː/

Indigo-blue

Meaning
a deep blue color with a purplish tinge
Example
The indigo-blue sky looked magnificent at twilight.
C2 verb /ɪmˈbruː/

imbrue

Meaning
To stain, especially with blood.
Example
His hands were imbrued with blood after the battle.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈstɪŋk.tɪv/

instinctive

Meaning
Based on instinct; done without conscious thought; natural and automatic.
Example
His instinctive reaction saved his life.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtɒl.ər.ə.bəl/

Intolerable

Meaning
unable to be endured; extremely unpleasant or painful
Example
The noise from the construction site was intolerable.
B2 adjective /ɪˈrɛləvənt/

Irrelevant

Meaning
not connected with or relevant to something; having no bearing on the matter
Example
Your past mistakes are irrelevant to this discussion.
B2 noun /ˈɪmɪɡrənt/

immigrant

Meaning
a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country
Example
The city has welcomed many new immigrants this year.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnəˈfɛnsɪv/

inoffensive

Meaning
Not likely to offend or provoke; harmless.
Example
His inoffensive remarks kept the conversation friendly.
B2 noun /ˈɪntərvəl/

interval

Meaning
a period of time between two events or points; a pause or break in activity
Example
There was a short interval between the two performances.
C1 verb /ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt/

instigate

Meaning
To bring about or initiate an action, often something negative.
Example
He was accused of instigating the riot.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt/

incontinent

Meaning
lacking control over urination or defecation; lacking self-restraint
Example
The patient was incontinent after surgery.
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.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

indiscernible

Meaning
Impossible or difficult to see, notice, or distinguish.
Example
The difference between the two shades was almost indiscernible.
B1 adjective ɪnˈdʌs.tri.əl

industrial

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by industry.
Example
Industrial sectors boost exports.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈbʌstəbl/

incombustible

Meaning
Not capable of catching fire or burning.
Example
This material is incombustible and safe for construction.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈskrɪmɪnət/

indiscriminate

Meaning
Done without careful judgment; random or haphazard.
Example
The indiscriminate use of pesticides harms the environment.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪdəˈlɑːtrɪəs/

idolatrious

Meaning
Excessively devoted or reverent towards idols or false gods.
Example
The ancient tribe was known for its idolatrious practices.
A2 verb /ɪnˈvaɪtɪd/

invited

Meaning
asked someone formally or politely to go somewhere or do something
Example
She was invited to the party.
B2 noun ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəlz

intellectuals

Meaning
People possessing a highly developed intellect; scholars or academics.
Example
Intellectuals protested against the dominance.
C2 noun /ˌɪmprəˈsɑːrioʊ/

impresario

Meaning
A person who organizes or finances concerts, plays, or operas.
Example
The impresario arranged a series of concerts for the rising star.
C2 verb /ɪnˈsɪnəˌreɪt/

incinerate

Meaning
to burn something completely until it is reduced to ashes
Example
The city decided to incinerate the medical waste for safety.