maladroit
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 /ˌmæləˈdrɔɪt/

maladroit

Meaning
clumsy or awkward in movement or behavior
Example
His maladroit attempt at fixing the chair made it worse.
C2 noun /ˈmaɪ.nə/

Mynah

Meaning
a tropical bird with dark feathers that can mimic human speech
Example
The mynah bird repeated every word I said.
C2 noun /ˈmɔːreɪz/

mores

Meaning
the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community
Example
Social mores often dictate how people behave in public.
B2 noun /mɪˈθɒlədʒi/

mythology

Meaning
A collection of myths, especially belonging to a particular culture or religion.
Example
Greek mythology is filled with stories of gods and heroes.
C1 noun məˈnjʊər

manure

Meaning
Animal dung used for fertilizing land; organic matter used as fertilizer.
Example
Organic manure enhances soil fertility.
A2 noun /mæp/

map

Meaning
a drawing that shows the features of an area of land or sea
Example
He studied the map before starting his journey.
C1 noun /ˈmedoʊ/

Meadow

Meaning
A piece of grassland, especially one used for hay
Example
The cows grazed peacefully in the green meadow.
B2 noun /ˌmɪsˈfɔːrtʃən/

misfortune

Meaning
Bad luck or an unfortunate event.
Example
He suffered the misfortune of losing his job during the recession.
B2 adjective /ˈmaɪnd.fəl/

Mindful

Meaning
being conscious or aware; paying attention to the present moment
Example
She is always mindful of her surroundings and pays attention to details.
B2 noun /ˈmaɪnd.fʊl.nəs/

mindfulness

Meaning
The basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we're doing.
Example
Mindfulness practices improve focus and emotional balance.
B1 noun /mʌɡ/

Mug

Meaning
a large cup, typically cylindrical and having a handle and used without a saucer
Example
She drank her morning coffee from a ceramic mug.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈmɑːrʃən/

martian

Meaning
Related to the planet Mars; or an imaginary being from Mars.
Example
The movie showed a Martian visiting Earth.
C2 verb /ˌmɪskənˈstruː/

misconstrue

Meaning
To interpret something wrongly or misunderstand the meaning.
Example
She misconstrued his silence as anger.
C1 adjective /məˈroʊs/

morose

Meaning
sullen, gloomy, or ill-tempered
Example
He became morose after losing his job.
A1 noun ˈmuːviz

movies

Meaning
A story or event recorded by a camera as a set of moving images and shown in a theater or on television.
Example
Watching movies helps in language learning.
C1 noun /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/

misgivings

Meaning
feelings of doubt or concern about the outcome or propriety of something
Example
She had serious misgivings about signing the contract.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪhɛm/

mayhem

Meaning
Violent or extreme disorder; chaos and destruction.
Example
The protest turned into mayhem when the crowd clashed with the police.
B2 noun /ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm/

mechanism

Meaning
A system of parts working together in a machine; a process or technique for achieving something.
Example
The mechanism of the clock stopped working after years of use.
C1 verb /ˈmɛdəl/

meddle

Meaning
to interfere in something that is not one's concern
Example
He always tries to meddle in other people’s business.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪndləs/

mindless

Meaning
without thought or intelligence; done without consideration
Example
He was bored by the mindless tasks at work.
A2 adverb /ˈmoʊstli/

Mostly

Meaning
mainly; for the most part; usually
Example
The students are mostly from local schools.
B2 verb /mɒk/

mock

Meaning
To make fun of someone or something in a cruel or unkind way.
Example
The students mocked his accent during class.
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.
C1 noun /məˈræŋ/

meringue

Meaning
A light dessert topping made from whipped egg whites and sugar.
Example
She decorated the pie with a fluffy meringue topping.
C1 adjective /ˈmærɪtəl/

marital

Meaning
Relating to marriage or the relationship between husband and wife.
Example
They sought counseling to resolve their marital issues.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˈriːd/

misread

Meaning
to read something incorrectly or interpret wrongly
Example
He misread the instructions and built the shelf incorrectly.
B2 noun ˈmʌltiˌtɑːskɪŋ

multitasking

Meaning
The performance of more than one task at the same time
Example
Multitasking reduces efficiency.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛtəlˌsʌm/

mettlesome

Meaning
Full of courage and spirit; lively and spirited.
Example
The mettlesome young rider never backed down from a challenge.
A2 noun /ˈmoʊ.mənt/

Moment

Meaning
a very brief period of time; an exact point in time
Example
Please wait a moment while I check your order.
C2 noun /məˈbɒkrəsi/

mobocracy

Meaning
Rule or control by a mob or mass of people, often disorderly.
Example
The protest turned into mobocracy when the crowd started destroying property.
A2 adjective ˈmed.ɪ.kəl

medical

Meaning
Relating to the practice of medicine or the treatment of illness and injuries.
Example
Medical education has improved significantly.
C2 verb /ˌmælˈtriːt/

maltreat

Meaning
To treat someone cruelly or unfairly.
Example
The law punishes those who maltreat animals.
C1 noun /ˈmɪd.əl.mæn/

Middleman

Meaning
A person who acts as an intermediary between two parties in a business transaction
Example
They decided to cut out the middleman and sell directly to customers.
C1 noun /ˈmɪd.waɪf/

midwife

Meaning
A person, typically a woman, trained to assist women during childbirth.
Example
The midwife stayed with the mother throughout her labor.
C1 noun /ˌmjuːnɪsɪˈpæləti/

municipality

Meaning
a city or town that has its own local government
Example
The municipality is planning to build a new library.
A1 modal verb, noun /meɪ/

may

Meaning
Used to express possibility, permission, or uncertainty; also the name of the fifth month of the year.
Example
You may leave early if you finish your work.
C2 noun /ˌmɒnəˈmeɪniə/

monomania

Meaning
Excessive concentration or obsession with a single subject or idea.
Example
His monomania for collecting stamps worried his family.
A2 adjective /ˈmɒdən/

modern

Meaning
relating to the present or recent times, not ancient or old-fashioned
Example
They live in a modern apartment with new facilities.
C2 noun /ˌmɪstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

mystification

Meaning
the act of making something unclear or confusing; a state of being puzzled or bewildered
Example
The audience watched in mystification as the magician performed his tricks.
B1 noun məˈdʒɒrəti

majority

Meaning
The greater number; the larger part of something.
Example
The majority demanded their rights.
C2 noun /ˌmɪnəˈrɛt/

minaret

Meaning
A tall, slender tower of a mosque, from which the call to prayer is announced.
Example
The minaret of the mosque could be seen from miles away.
A1 noun /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

morning

Meaning
the early part of the day, typically from sunrise until noon
Example
I like to go for a run in the morning.
C2 verb /məˈmɔːriəlaɪz/

memorialize

Meaning
to preserve the memory of a person or event, often through a ceremony, monument, or record
Example
The city decided to memorialize the hero with a statue in the central square.
B2 noun /məˈræl.ə.ti/

Morality

Meaning
principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong behavior
Example
The debate focused on the morality of the decision.
C1 noun ˌmɒd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃənz

modifications

Meaning
The action of making partial or minor changes to something.
Example
DNA modifications enable enhanced traits in crops.
B2 noun /məˈskiː.toʊ net/

Mosquito-net

Meaning
a fine mesh fabric used to cover beds or windows to keep mosquitoes and other insects out
Example
We use a mosquito net to protect ourselves from insect bites.
B2 noun ˈmaɪl.stəʊn

milestone

Meaning
An important event or stage in the development, progress, or history of something.
Example
This discovery is a milestone in biotechnology.
B1 adverb /ˈmeɪn.li/

Mainly

Meaning
for the most part; chiefly; primarily
Example
The conference was mainly about environmental protection and climate change.
C1 adjective /ˈmel.əʊ/

Mellow

Meaning
soft and pleasant; relaxed and gentle
Example
The mellow evening light created a peaceful atmosphere.
C1 adjective /mʌnˈdeɪn/

mundane

Meaning
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary
Example
She tried to escape her mundane routine by traveling.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːrbɪd/

morbid

Meaning
Having an abnormal interest in disturbing or unpleasant subjects such as death or disease.
Example
She had a morbid fascination with crime stories.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌltɪfɔːrm/

multiform

Meaning
Having many different forms or appearances.
Example
The festival was a multiform celebration of art, music, and culture.
C2 noun ˌmɛtəkɒɡˈnɪʃən

metacognition

Meaning
Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes
Example
Metacognition enhances problem-solving abilities.
B2 noun /ˈmɛtəfɔːr/

metaphor

Meaning
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable.
Example
Time is a thief is a common metaphor for how quickly life passes.
B2 noun /ˈmaɪ.ɡrənt/

migrant

Meaning
A person who moves from one place to another, especially to find work or better living conditions.
Example
Many migrants travel long distances to find employment.
C2 adjective /mɜːrˈkjʊriəl/

mercurial

Meaning
subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
Example
She is known for her mercurial temperament.
C1 adjective məˈdʒes.tɪk

Majestic

Meaning
Having impressive beauty, dignity, or grandeur; regal and stately in appearance.
Example
The majestic Himalayas stand tall against the sky.
B2 adverb /ˈmɒdərətli/

moderately

Meaning
to a reasonable extent, not excessively
Example
She exercises moderately to stay healthy.
C1 verb /mɑːrd/

marred

Meaning
to spoil or damage the quality or appearance of something
Example
The celebration was marred by bad weather.
C2 noun /ˈmædrɪɡəl/

madrigal

Meaning
A short, lyrical poem set to music, typically from the Renaissance period.
Example
The choir performed a beautiful madrigal from the 16th century.
B2 noun /mæt/

Mat

Meaning
a piece of coarse material placed on a floor for people to wipe their feet on
Example
Please wipe your feet on the mat before entering.
C1 adjective /məˈkɑː.brə/

Macabre

Meaning
disturbing because concerned with death; gruesome and horrifying
Example
The horror movie had a macabre atmosphere.
B2 adverb /ˈmiːn.taɪm/

Meantime

Meaning
during the time between two events; in the period of time between now and when something else happens
Example
The food will be ready in an hour; in the meantime, we can watch TV.
C1 noun /ˈmænɪkɪn/

mannequin

Meaning
a life-sized model of a human figure used by shops to display clothes
Example
The mannequin in the shop window was dressed in a red gown.
C1 noun /ˈmjuːtɪni/

mutiny

Meaning
an open rebellion against authority, especially by soldiers or sailors
Example
The sailors staged a mutiny against their captain.
B2 noun /ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪ.vjər/

Misbehaviour

Meaning
Bad or unacceptable behavior, especially by children or in formal situations
Example
The student was punished for his misbehaviour in class.
A2 noun /ˈmɒn.stər/

Monster

Meaning
a large, ugly, and frightening imaginary creature; a cruel person
Example
The children were scared of the monster under the bed.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪ.ɡrə.tɔːr.i/

Migratory

Meaning
moving from one place to another; characterized by seasonal movement
Example
Many birds are migratory and travel thousands of miles each season.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəˌθiːɪzəm/

monotheism

Meaning
The belief in the existence of only one God.
Example
Islam and Christianity are religions based on monotheism.
B2 noun ˈmaɪnd.set

mindset

Meaning
The established set of attitudes held by someone.
Example
A growth mindset helps individuals embrace challenges.
C2 noun /ˈmæl.əˌfæk.tər/

malefactor

Meaning
A person who commits a crime or does evil.
Example
The malefactor was arrested for the robbery.
C1 noun ˌmɑːr.dʒɪ.nəl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

marginalization

Meaning
The treatment of a person, group, or concept as insignificant or peripheral.
Example
Economic policies should address the marginalization of the poor.
B1 noun, verb /ˈmɒnɪtər/

monitor

Meaning
to observe and check the progress or quality of something; also a device that displays information
Example
The teacher monitors the students during the exam.
B2 verb /ˈmɑː.vəl/

marvel

Meaning
To be filled with wonder or astonishment.
Example
People marvel at their surroundings.
B2 adverb /ˈmɔːrəli/

Morally

Meaning
in accordance with principles of right and wrong behavior; ethically
Example
She felt morally obligated to help the refugees.
C2 adjective /ˈmɔːrɪbʌnd/

Moribund

Meaning
near death; dying; in a state of decline or decay
Example
The moribund patient was in critical condition.
A2 verb /mætʃ/

match

Meaning
to be equal to something; to find something that corresponds to another
Example
The colors of her dress match perfectly with her shoes.
A2 noun /ˈmʌŋki/

Monkey

Meaning
a primate mammal that typically has a long tail and lives in trees
Example
The monkey swung from branch to branch in the jungle.
C2 noun /mɪˈsɑːɡəmi/

misogamy

Meaning
Hatred or dislike of marriage.
Example
His misogamy prevented him from ever settling down with a partner.
C1 verb, noun /mʊər/

moor

Meaning
As a verb: to tie a ship so that it stays in place. As a noun: open, uncultivated land.
Example
The sailors moored the ship at the dock.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪn.ɪ.skjuːl/

miniscule

Meaning
Extremely small or tiny.
Example
The error was so miniscule that nobody noticed it.
C2 noun /ˈmeɪdənˌhʊd/

maidenhood

Meaning
The state of being a maiden; girlhood or virginity.
Example
The poem celebrated the innocence of maidenhood.
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 /mʌlkt/

mulct

Meaning
to punish by a fine or to defraud someone of money
Example
The corrupt official was mulcted for his misconduct.
C2 noun /mɪˈtɒnɪmi/

metonymy

Meaning
A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted with another closely related word or concept.
Example
In the phrase 'the crown will decide,' 'crown' is a metonymy for monarchy.
B1 noun /ˈmeʒərmənt/

measurement

Meaning
the size, length, or amount of something, as determined by measuring
Example
The tailor took my waist measurement before stitching the suit.
C1 verb /ˈmɪŋɡl/

mingle

Meaning
to mix or combine; to move among people and engage socially
Example
Guests mingled at the party, chatting and laughing together.
A2 verb /mɪks/

mix

Meaning
To combine different substances or elements together.
Example
She likes to mix different colors to create new shades.
C1 noun ˌmɪsˈmænɪdʒmənt

mismanagement

Meaning
Bad or careless management of something.
Example
Mismanagement of plastic waste worsens pollution.
C1 adjective /ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/

makeshift

Meaning
used as a temporary substitute; improvised
Example
They used boxes as a makeshift table.
C2 adjective ˈmiː.ni.əl

menial

Meaning
Not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
Example
He refused to do menial work.
C2 noun, verb /ˈmaɪər/

mire

Meaning
A stretch of swampy or boggy ground; as a verb, to entangle or involve someone in a difficult situation.
Example
The car was stuck in the mire after the heavy rain.
C2 adjective /mɛnˈdeɪʃəs/

mendacious

Meaning
not telling the truth; lying
Example
The politician was known for his mendacious statements.
B2 adjective /ˈmɛʒərd/

measured

Meaning
carefully considered and deliberate
Example
She spoke in a calm, measured tone.
B2 noun /məˈkænɪks/

mechanics

Meaning
the branch of physics concerned with the motion of objects and the forces acting on them; also refers to the practical details of how something works
Example
He studied the mechanics of the machine before fixing it.
A1 title /mɪz/

ms

Meaning
a title used before a woman's name, regardless of marital status
Example
Ms. Akter will give a speech at the seminar.
A2 noun /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

making

Meaning
the process of producing or constructing something
Example
The making of the movie took over two years.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəfɪˈzɪʃən/

metaphysician

Meaning
A person who studies or is an expert in metaphysics.
Example
The metaphysician debated the essence of reality with his peers.
C1 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd siːdz/

Mustard seeds

Meaning
small round seeds from the mustard plant, used as a spice and for making mustard condiment
Example
Mustard seeds are often tempered in hot oil to release their nutty flavor before adding to dishes.
C1 noun ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

micronutrients

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by organisms in small quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions.
Example
Micronutrients are essential for cellular function.
C1 noun məˈriːn ˈsɜː.veɪ

marine survey

Meaning
A systematic examination of the sea, seabed, and underwater features for the purpose of making maps or gathering other information.
Example
The marine survey identified the ideal cable routes.
C2 noun /mɪˌsɛdʒəˈneɪʃən/

miscegenation

Meaning
the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types
Example
The law once prohibited miscegenation in many countries.
C1 noun /ˈmæk.ər.əl/

Mackerel

Meaning
a streamlined marine fish with a forked tail and wavy stripes
Example
Mackerel is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
A2 adjective /ˈmuːvɪŋ/

moving

Meaning
causing strong feelings, especially of sympathy or sadness
Example
Her speech was so moving that everyone cried.
C2 noun /ˈmɒnəˌsɪləbəl/

monosyllable

Meaning
A word consisting of only one syllable.
Example
Words like 'yes' and 'no' are monosyllables.
A2 noun, verb /ˈmætər/

matter

Meaning
A subject or situation under consideration; to be important.
Example
It doesn’t matter what others think.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪsən/

mason

Meaning
a person skilled in building with stone, brick, or concrete
Example
The mason carefully laid the bricks for the new house.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈkɒn.dʌkt/

Misconduct

Meaning
Unacceptable or improper behavior, especially by a professional person
Example
The officer was dismissed for professional misconduct.
C2 noun/verb /ˈmæn.ə.kəl/

manacle

Meaning
A metal shackle for fastening someone's hands or ankles; also to restrain with such shackles.
Example
The prisoner was manacled before being taken to court.
C1 verb /məˈnuː.vər/

manoeuver

Meaning
To move skillfully or carefully; to guide or manipulate into a desired position.
Example
The driver skillfully manoeuvered the car through the narrow street.
A1 pronoun /maɪˈsɛlf/

myself

Meaning
used for emphasis or to refer to oneself
Example
I will do it myself.
B2 noun /moʊd/

Mode

Meaning
a way or manner in which something occurs or is done; a setting
Example
The computer has a sleep mode to save energy.
B1 noun /ˈmɛθ.əd/

Method

Meaning
A particular way of doing something, especially a systematic or established procedure
Example
She developed a new method for solving mathematical problems.
C2 verb /ˈmjuːtɪleɪt/

mutilate

Meaning
to inflict serious damage on something, often by cutting or tearing
Example
The ancient manuscript was mutilated by careless handling.
A2 interjection /mˈhm/

mm-hmm

Meaning
A sound used to express agreement or acknowledgment in conversation.
Example
‘Do you understand?’ ‘Mm-hmm.’
C1 adjective /ˈmɜːki/

murky

Meaning
Dark, gloomy, and difficult to see through; obscure.
Example
We avoided swimming in the murky river.
C1 verb məˈnɒp.ə.laɪz

monopolize

Meaning
Control exclusively, dominate market.
Example
The company tried to monopolize the market.
B2 verb /məˈnɪpjʊleɪt/

manipulate

Meaning
to handle or control skillfully; to influence someone in a clever way
Example
She can manipulate the software to create stunning graphics.
A2 noun /ˈmænɪdʒər/

manager

Meaning
a person responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff
Example
The manager approved the new project plan.
C1 noun /ˈmɒdɪfaɪər/

modifier

Meaning
a word or element that changes, limits, or describes the meaning of another word; something that alters or adjusts
Example
In the phrase 'very cold', 'very' is a modifier of 'cold'.
A2 verb /ˈmɪsɪŋ/

missing

Meaning
Being without or lacking; failing to be present or included.
Example
Many youths are missing economic opportunities.