investigation
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
B1 noun /ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

investigation

Meaning
the process of inquiring into or examining something carefully to find the truth
Example
The investigation revealed new evidence about the fraud.
B1 noun, verb /praɪz/

prize

Meaning
something given as a reward for achievement; to value highly
Example
He won the first prize in the competition.
C2 noun /ˌlɪt.əˈrɑː.ti/

literati

Meaning
well-educated, literary, or scholarly people
Example
The event was attended by poets, critics, and other members of the literati.
C2 verb /ˈpɒntɪfɪkeɪt/

pontificate

Meaning
to speak or act in a pompous or dogmatic way; to officiate as a pontiff
Example
He pontificated on the importance of education for over an hour.
C1 adjective /ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪk/

pathogenic

Meaning
Capable of causing disease.
Example
Some bacteria are harmless, while others are highly pathogenic.
B1 verb /ˈθretən/

threaten

Meaning
to express an intention to harm or punish someone; to be likely to cause harm
Example
The storm clouds threaten to bring heavy rain tonight.
C1 verb /ˈsɪvɪlaɪz/

civilize

Meaning
to bring a society or group to a more developed, organized, or socially acceptable state; to educate and refine behavior
Example
Education can help civilize communities by promoting shared values and respect.
C2 noun /ˈfiːəlti/

fealty

Meaning
loyalty or allegiance, especially to a sovereign or lord
Example
The knight swore fealty to his king.
B2 noun /ˈsɛnsəs/

census

Meaning
An official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals.
Example
The government conducted a census to update demographic data.
B1 noun ˈbaʊndəri

boundary

Meaning
A line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.
Example
The river marks the boundary.
B2 adjective /ˈkæθəlɪk/

catholic

Meaning
Including a wide variety; all-embracing; relating to the Roman Catholic Church.
Example
She has catholic tastes in music, enjoying everything from jazz to opera.
C1 noun /ˈɜːrθənˌwɛr/

earthenware

Meaning
pottery made of clay and hardened by heat
Example
The shop displayed beautiful earthenware pots and bowls.
C2 verb /ˌmɪskənˈsiːv/

misconceive

Meaning
To misunderstand or form an incorrect idea about something.
Example
He misconceived the purpose of the project.
A1 noun /ˈtɔɪlət/

toilet

Meaning
a fixture used for the disposal of human waste
Example
The public toilet was clean and well maintained.
C1 verb /ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/

crystallize

Meaning
to form crystals; to make an idea or plan clear and definite
Example
Her vague thoughts began to crystallize into a solid plan.
C2 verb /ˈvaʊtʃ.seɪf/

vouchsafe

Meaning
to grant or give something in a gracious or condescending manner
Example
He vouchsafed them a rare smile.
C1 noun /ˈɡlædiˌeɪtər/

gladiator

Meaning
A man trained to fight in public contests in ancient Rome.
Example
The gladiator fought bravely in the arena.
C2 noun /ˈhɛfər/

heifer

Meaning
a young cow that has not borne a calf
Example
The farmer raised a heifer for dairy production.
C1 adjective /rɪˈtæl.i.ə.tɔːr.i/

retaliatory

Meaning
Taking action in response to another's action, characterized as punitive, revengeful, or counteractive.
Example
The country imposed retaliatory tariffs in response to trade sanctions.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtˌɡroʊθ/

outgrowth

Meaning
something that grows out of something else; a natural development or result
Example
The new policy was an outgrowth of years of debate.
C2 verb /əkˈsiːd/

accede

Meaning
to agree to a request, proposal, or demand; to assume an office or position
Example
The government finally acceded to the demands of the protesters.
C2 noun /ˈeb.taɪd/

Ebb-tide

Meaning
the movement of the tide out to sea; a time when the sea level is falling
Example
During ebb-tide, we could walk further out on the beach.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪlfəl/

willful

Meaning
Deliberate, intentional, or stubbornly determined to do as one wants.
Example
Her willful disregard for the rules got her into trouble.
B2 noun /fiːst/

Feast

Meaning
a large meal, typically one in celebration of something; an annual religious celebration
Example
The wedding feast included traditional dishes from both families' cultures.
C1 adjective /prɪm/

prim

Meaning
stiffly formal and proper in appearance or behavior
Example
She looked prim in her neatly pressed dress.
B1 noun /ˈɪnstrəmənt/

instrument

Meaning
A tool or device used for a particular purpose, especially for scientific or musical work.
Example
The doctor used a special instrument during the surgery.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈmɪnətʃər/ or /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/

miniature

Meaning
a very small version of something; small in scale or size
Example
The artist created a miniature model of the castle.
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 /ɪkˈstræpəleɪtɪŋ/

extrapolating

Meaning
Extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue.
Example
Extrapolating from the current data, we can estimate the trends for next year.
C2 noun /ˌæntiˈsaɪkloʊn/

anticyclone

Meaning
A weather system with high atmospheric pressure at its center, usually bringing calm and clear conditions.
Example
An anticyclone brought sunny weather across the region.
B2 verb /əˈkɒmədeɪt/

accommodate

Meaning
To provide lodging, space, or meet the needs of someone.
Example
The hotel can accommodate up to 200 guests.
B2 noun, verb /stɛm/

stem

Meaning
Noun: The main stalk of a plant. Verb: To stop or restrict the flow or development of something.
Example
The gardener cut the stem of the rose; New policies aim to stem the flow of pollution.
C1 verb /ˈpʌlseɪt/

pulsate

Meaning
to expand and contract rhythmically; to throb or beat
Example
The neon lights pulsated with a steady rhythm.
C2 noun, adjective /klɛərˈvɔɪənt/

clairvoyant

Meaning
a person who claims to have clairvoyance; having the ability to see beyond normal senses
Example
The clairvoyant predicted that she would travel abroad soon.
B1 verb /ʃuːt/

shoot

Meaning
to fire a bullet or arrow from a weapon; to take a photograph or film
Example
He learned how to shoot a bow and arrow.
C1 noun /pəˈlɪɡ.ə.mi/

Polygamy

Meaning
the practice of marrying multiple spouses at the same time
Example
Polygamy is illegal in many countries around the world.
C2 noun /ˈluː.məˌnɛr.i/

luminary

Meaning
A person who inspires or influences others, especially in a particular field.
Example
He is considered a luminary in the world of science.
C2 verb /ˈæd.l̩/

addle

Meaning
To confuse or muddle someone’s mind.
Example
The complicated instructions only served to addle him.
B1 noun /əˈkeɪ.ʒən/

Occasion

Meaning
a particular time or instance of an event; a special celebration
Example
Their wedding was a joyous occasion.
C2 noun /ˌkiː ˈviːv/

qui vive

Meaning
A state of alertness or vigilance.
Example
The guards were on the qui vive during the night.
C2 noun /dɪˈtrækʃən/

detraction

Meaning
The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.
Example
Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular.
B2 noun /ˈfækəlti/

faculty

Meaning
an inherent mental or physical ability; a division of a university
Example
She has a remarkable faculty for languages.
C2 noun /ˈvɛləm/

vellum

Meaning
a fine parchment made originally from the skin of a calf, used for writing or printing
Example
The ancient manuscript was written on vellum.
C1 noun /ˈtæm.ər.ɪnd/

Tamarind

Meaning
a brown tropical fruit with a tangy, sour taste used in cooking and beverages
Example
Tamarind is commonly used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines for its sour flavor.
B2 noun /ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃən/

alteration

Meaning
a change or modification made to something
Example
The tailor made an alteration to the suit.
C1 noun /dɪˈluːʒən/

delusion

Meaning
A false belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality.
Example
He lived under the delusion that he was invincible.
C2 noun /ˈɛskwaɪər/

esquire

Meaning
A title of respect often used after a man's name, especially for lawyers in the United States.
Example
John Smith, Esquire, will be representing the client in court.
C2 noun /ˈɛlɪdʒi/

elegy

Meaning
A poem or song expressing sorrow, especially for someone who has died.
Example
The poet wrote an elegy for his late friend.
B2 noun /ˈθiːsɪs/

thesis

Meaning
A long piece of writing on a particular subject, usually for a degree at a university.
Example
She spent two years writing her doctoral thesis.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊə/

insecure

Meaning
not confident or assured; uncertain and anxious
Example
She felt insecure about her performance in the exam.
B1 noun /məˈdʒɪʃən/

magician

Meaning
A person who performs tricks and illusions for entertainment or one believed to have magical powers.
Example
The magician pulled a rabbit out of his hat.
B2 adjective /ˈles.ər/

Lesser

Meaning
smaller in amount; of lower importance; inferior
Example
He chose the lesser of two evils when making his decision.
C2 noun /ˈkɪŋɡlɪŋ/

kingling

Meaning
A minor or petty king; a ruler of small importance.
Example
The kingling demanded respect from his people despite his small realm.
A1 noun /lænd/

Land

Meaning
the part of the earth's surface that is not covered by water; an area of ground, soil, or earth
Example
The farmer worked hard to cultivate his land and grow healthy crops.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɒnəkrəʊm/

monochrome

Meaning
A photograph, painting, or screen image in black and white or varying tones of one color.
Example
The old film was shot entirely in monochrome.
B2 adjective /ˈrɪdən/

ridden

Meaning
Full of or dominated by something unpleasant.
Example
The country was ridden with corruption.
C1 noun, verb /ˈfrænʧaɪz/

franchise

Meaning
A legal right to sell or distribute goods or services in a specific area; to grant such a right.
Example
He opened a new fast-food franchise in the city.
C2 noun /rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/

rejoinder

Meaning
a quick or witty reply; a response to a remark or argument
Example
His sharp rejoinder silenced the crowd.
B2 noun /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

Liberty

Meaning
the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views
Example
The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and democracy.
A1 verb /brɪŋ/

bring

Meaning
to carry or take something to a place; to come with something
Example
Please bring your books to class tomorrow.
B2 noun /ˈɡæl.ək.siːz/

galaxies

Meaning
Large collections of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity.
Example
Distant galaxies hold clues about the early universe.
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.
B1 adjective /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/

academic

Meaning
related to education, learning, or scholarly activities
Example
She has an outstanding academic record.
B2 verb /feɪd/

fade

Meaning
To gradually lose brightness, color, or strength.
Example
The colors of the old photo have started to fade.
A2 adjective /ˈreɡ.jə.lər/

Regular

Meaning
happening at fixed intervals; consistent; normal; frequent
Example
She goes for regular exercise every morning at 6 AM.
B1 noun /ˈbʊt.ʃər/

Butcher

Meaning
a person whose job is cutting up and selling meat in a shop
Example
The butcher recommended the best cut of beef for our dinner.
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 /kəmˈpleɪnt/

complaint

Meaning
a statement that something is wrong or not satisfactory
Example
The manager received a complaint from a customer about poor service.
C1 noun /ˈmævərɪk/

maverick

Meaning
An unorthodox or independent-minded person.
Example
The maverick scientist challenged established theories.
C1 noun /ˈpoʊtənsi/

potency

Meaning
The power or ability of something to affect or influence; strength or effectiveness.
Example
The potency of the new medicine amazed the doctors.
B2 noun draʊt

drought

Meaning
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water.
Example
Drought impacts crop growth significantly.
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 /əˈkuːtə/

accoutre

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

peerage

Meaning
the title or rank of a peer; the nobility as a group
Example
He was elevated to the peerage by the king.
B1 noun, verb /ɡrɪl/

grill

Meaning
a metal frame used for cooking food over an open fire; to cook food on such a frame
Example
We grilled some chicken for dinner.
C2 verb /ˈnuːkliˌeɪt/

nucleate

Meaning
to form into a nucleus or bring together into a central part
Example
The droplets began to nucleate around tiny particles in the air.
C2 noun /ˈbɒdɪs/

bodice

Meaning
the part of a woman's dress that covers the body from the neck to the waist
Example
She wore a dress with an embroidered bodice.
C2 adjective /ˌvɪtriˈɑːlɪk/

vitriolic

Meaning
filled with bitter criticism or malice
Example
His vitriolic remarks hurt everyone in the room.
A2 adverb /ˈnɪərbaɪ/

Near-by

Meaning
close to; not far away; in the neighborhood
Example
There is a grocery store nearby.
B2 adjective /ˈwɪt.i/

Witty

Meaning
having or showing quick intelligence; amusing in a clever way
Example
Her witty response to the critic's question impressed the entire audience.
A1 noun /her/

Hair

Meaning
any of the fine thread-like strands growing from the skin of humans and animals
Example
She decided to cut her long hair short for a fresh new look this summer.
B1 noun /ˈsʌb.stəns/

Substance

Meaning
a particular kind of matter with uniform properties; the essential nature of something; material or content
Example
The scientist analyzed the unknown substance in the laboratory.
B1 noun /ˈɛnvəloʊp/

envelope

Meaning
a flat paper container used to enclose a letter or document
Example
She sealed the letter in an envelope and posted it.
C1 verb /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəlaɪz/

institutionalize

Meaning
to establish something as a formal institution, custom, or practice
Example
The government seeks to institutionalize environmental protection.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌksəm/

buxom

Meaning
Plump, with a full figure and often large-breasted, especially used to describe women.
Example
The actress was described as a cheerful and buxom woman.
B2 noun/verb /skræp/

scrap

Meaning
A small piece of something; to discard or get rid of something.
Example
He used a scrap of paper to jot down the number.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/

unchanging

Meaning
remaining the same over time; not changing
Example
Her love for her family was unchanging throughout the years.
C2 verb /ˌækwiˈɛs/

acquiesce

Meaning
to accept something reluctantly but without protest
Example
She decided to acquiesce to her parents’ wishes.
A1 noun /eər/

Air

Meaning
the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth; a mixture mainly of oxygen and nitrogen
Example
Fresh air is essential for good health.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbɪtər/

arbiter

Meaning
a person who has the authority to settle a dispute or decide an issue
Example
The principal acted as the arbiter in the conflict between the students.
C1 noun /ˈstjuːpər/

stupor

Meaning
a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility
Example
He remained in a stupor after hearing the shocking news.
C1 noun /ˈsɔːl.tɪd fɪʃ/

Salted fish

Meaning
fish preserved with salt; dried and salted fish for storage
Example
Salted fish is a traditional way to preserve seafood.
A2 noun/adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/

individual

Meaning
A single human being as distinct from a group; relating to one person.
Example
Each individual has the right to freedom of speech.
B2 noun ɪˌlɪm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən

elimination

Meaning
The complete removal or destruction of something.
Example
The elimination of emissions is a priority.
B2 noun /ˈaɪ.bɔːl/

Eyeball

Meaning
the round part of the eye within the eyelids and socket
Example
The doctor examined his eyeball carefully.
C1 verb /kwɑːʃ/

quash

Meaning
To reject or void something legally or to put an end to something forcefully.
Example
The court quashed the decision due to lack of evidence.
B2 noun /ˈwɒrənti/

warranty

Meaning
A written guarantee given by a manufacturer or seller promising to repair or replace a product if necessary within a specified period.
Example
The laptop comes with a two-year warranty.
C1 noun /ˈmæn.juˌskrɪpt/

manuscript

Meaning
a handwritten or typed document, especially a writer’s draft before publication
Example
The author submitted her manuscript to the publisher.
C2 verb /kəˈnoʊt/

connote

Meaning
To suggest or imply an additional meaning beyond the literal one.
Example
The word 'youthful' connotes energy and vitality.
C1 verb /ɔːˈθɛntɪkeɪt/

authenticate

Meaning
To prove or show that something is genuine or true.
Example
The bank uses advanced technology to authenticate online transactions.
C1 verb /riˈdʒɔɪn/

rejoin

Meaning
to join again or return to a group, place, or activity
Example
After a short break, she decided to rejoin the team.
B2 noun /ˈædvərtaɪzər/

advertiser

Meaning
a person or company that advertises a product, service, or event
Example
The advertiser paid millions for a Super Bowl commercial spot.
A2 noun /ˈæmbjʊləns/

ambulance

Meaning
A specially equipped vehicle used to transport sick or injured people to the hospital.
Example
The ambulance rushed to the accident site within minutes.
C2 noun /əˈspær.ə.ɡəs biːn/

Asparagus bean

Meaning
a long, thin green vegetable pod that grows on vines; also known as yard-long bean
Example
The asparagus bean grows up to three feet long and is commonly used in Asian cooking.
C1 verb /ˈaɪdəlaɪz/

idolize

Meaning
To admire or worship someone excessively.
Example
Fans often idolize celebrities for their talent and lifestyle.
C1 adjective /rɪˈflek.sɪv/

Reflexive

Meaning
directed back on itself; showing deep thought about oneself
Example
She became more reflexive about her behavior after the feedback.
C2 noun /klɛərˈvɔɪəns/

clairvoyance

Meaning
the supposed ability to perceive events beyond normal sensory contact; psychic insight
Example
She claimed to have clairvoyance and predicted the future.
B2 noun /ˈsikwəl/

Sequel

Meaning
a published, broadcast, or recorded work that continues the story or develops the theme of an earlier one; something that takes place after or as a result of an earlier event
Example
The movie sequel was even more successful than the original.
A2 noun /ˈvedʒtəbəl ɔɪl/

Vegetable oil

Meaning
Oil extracted from plants, seeds, or nuts used for cooking
Example
She heated vegetable oil in the pan before adding the vegetables.
B2 noun /ræɡ/

Rag

Meaning
a piece of old cloth used for cleaning; worn-out clothing
Example
She used an old rag to clean the dusty table.
A2 adjective /ɡriːk/

greek

Meaning
relating to Greece, its people, or its language
Example
We enjoyed delicious Greek food at the restaurant.
B2 verb /reɪd/

raid

Meaning
to attack suddenly; to search and seize
Example
Police raid the illegal gambling house.
B2 adjective /ˈsɪtʃueɪtɪd/

situated

Meaning
located in a particular place or position
Example
The hotel is situated near the beach.
C1 noun ˈsæŋktɪti

sanctity

Meaning
The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly; ultimate importance.
Example
The sanctity of life should never be compromised.
A1 noun /pəˈliːs/

police

Meaning
a body of officers representing the civil authority of government
Example
The police arrived quickly to investigate the scene.
A1 noun /ˈwɛnzdeɪ/

wednesday

Meaning
the fourth day of the week, following Tuesday and preceding Thursday
Example
The meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
C1 noun ˌeə.rəʊ.daɪˈnæm.ɪks

aerodynamics

Meaning
The study of the properties of moving air and the interaction between the air and solid bodies moving through it.
Example
The aerodynamics of an aircraft determines its speed and efficiency.
C2 adjective /əˈkwɪzətɪv/

acquisitive

Meaning
excessively interested in acquiring money or material things
Example
The acquisitive businessman bought every piece of land he could find.
A1 pronoun /ˈɛvribɒdi/

everybody

Meaning
all people; everyone
Example
Everybody enjoyed the party.
A2 adjective /ʃaɪ/

Shy

Meaning
nervous or timid in the company of other people
Example
The shy student rarely spoke up in class discussions.
C2 noun /ɑːlˈfækʃən/

olfaction

Meaning
The sense of smell; the process of detecting and perceiving odors.
Example
Dogs have a highly developed sense of olfaction.