Marginal
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 /ˈmɑːr.dʒɪ.nəl/

Marginal

Meaning
relating to or situated at the edge; minimal; slight
Example
The marginal improvement in sales was barely noticeable.
A2 verb /ˈmæri/

marry

Meaning
to become husband and wife; to perform a wedding ceremony
Example
They plan to marry next summer.
B2 noun /ˈmɪsaɪl/ or /ˈmɪsəl/

missile

Meaning
a weapon that is self-propelled and directed toward a target
Example
The army launched a missile towards the enemy base.
C1 noun /ˈmiːnnəs/

Meanness

Meaning
The quality of being unkind, spiteful, or unfair; stinginess
Example
His meanness towards the poor children shocked everyone in the neighborhood.
A2 adjective /ˈmuːvɪŋ/

moving

Meaning
causing strong feelings, especially of sympathy or sadness
Example
Her speech was so moving that everyone cried.
C1 noun /məˈtɜːrnəti/

Maternity

Meaning
The state of being a mother; motherhood
Example
The hospital has an excellent maternity ward for new mothers.
C1 verb /məˈruːn/

maroon

Meaning
to leave someone trapped and isolated, especially on an island
Example
The sailors were marooned on a deserted island.
C1 adjective /mɪˈrækjələs/

Miraculous

Meaning
supernatural; amazing; extraordinary
Example
Her miraculous recovery amazed all the doctors.
B1 noun /məˈskiː.toʊ/

Mosquito

Meaning
a small flying insect that bites people and animals to feed on their blood
Example
The mosquito bit me on the arm last night.
C1 adverb /ˈmiːk.li/

Meekly

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

mistaken

Meaning
wrong or incorrect because of an error in judgment or understanding
Example
I was mistaken about the meeting time.
C2 adjective /ˈmɒn.teɪn/

montane

Meaning
Relating to mountainous regions; found in mountain environments.
Example
Montane forests host a variety of unique species.
C2 noun /mɪf/

miff

Meaning
A petty quarrel or annoyance.
Example
They had a slight miff over the seating arrangement.
C1 noun /ˈmiːdieɪtər/

Mediator

Meaning
A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict agree
Example
The United Nations often acts as a mediator in international disputes.
B2 noun /ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃən/

moderation

Meaning
The avoidance of excess or extremes; keeping balance or within reasonable limits.
Example
He drinks wine in moderation.
A2 noun /ˈmoʊtər/

motor

Meaning
a machine that produces motion or power to make something work
Example
The car’s motor stopped suddenly.
C2 noun /ˈmɒnəɡrɑːf/

monograph

Meaning
A detailed written study of a single specialized subject or aspect of it.
Example
The professor published a monograph on ancient pottery.
A2 adjective /ˈmærid/

Married

Meaning
having a husband or wife
Example
She is married to a doctor.
B2 noun /mɪθ/

myth

Meaning
A traditional story explaining natural or social phenomena, often involving supernatural beings; a widely held but false belief.
Example
The myth of the phoenix tells of a bird reborn from its ashes.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈnoʊmər/

misnomer

Meaning
A wrong or inaccurate name or designation.
Example
Calling the tiny dog a 'giant' is a misnomer.
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.
C2 noun /mæn əv wɔːr/

Man of war

Meaning
a warship; a naval vessel equipped with weapons for warfare
Example
The man of war sailed across the ocean to defend the coast.
A2 adjective /meɪn/

main

Meaning
most important; chief in size, extent, or importance
Example
The main reason for his success is hard work.
B2 adjective /məˈtjʊr/

mature

Meaning
fully developed or grown, especially emotionally or intellectually
Example
She has become a mature and confident leader.
A2 /ˈmaɪ.krəˌfoʊn/

microphone

Meaning
A device that converts sound into an electrical signal, typically used to amplify or record voices or music.
Example
She spoke into the microphone during the presentation.
B1 noun /ˈmeɪkʌp/

makeup

Meaning
cosmetics used to enhance or alter appearance
Example
She applied makeup before the party.
C1 noun /ˈmɒk.ər.i/

Mockery

Meaning
teasing and contemptuous language or behavior; ridicule
Example
His speech was met with mockery from the audience.
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 /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərər/

manufacturer

Meaning
A person or company that makes goods in large quantities.
Example
The manufacturer produces cars for the global market.
B2 noun /mɑːrz/

Mars

Meaning
The fourth planet from the Sun; the Roman god of war
Example
Scientists are planning a manned mission to Mars in the next decade.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəmˌsaɪˈkoʊsɪs/

metempsychosis

Meaning
The supposed transmigration of the soul, especially its reincarnation after death.
Example
Ancient philosophers often debated the idea of metempsychosis.
C1 adjective /maɪˈkroʊ.bi.əl/

microbial

Meaning
Related to bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic organisms.
Example
Microbial activity in the soil improves fertility.
A2 noun /ˈmiːdiə/

Media

Meaning
The main means of mass communication regarded collectively
Example
The news was widely reported in all forms of media.
B2 adjective /mɪsˈliːdɪŋ/

misleading

Meaning
giving the wrong idea or impression
Example
The advertisement was misleading and gave false information.
C1 adjective ˌmæk.roʊ.iː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk

macroeconomic

Meaning
Relating to the large-scale or general economic factors, such as interest rates and national productivity.
Example
Government policies impact macroeconomic stability.
A2 noun /ˈmæɡəziːn/

magazine

Meaning
A periodical publication containing articles, photographs, and advertisements.
Example
She bought a fashion magazine at the store.
B1 noun /ˈmʌs.əl/

Muscle

Meaning
a body tissue consisting of fibers that can contract to produce movement
Example
Regular exercise helps strengthen your muscle.
C2 verb /məˈkadəˌmaɪz/

macadamize

Meaning
to construct or cover a road with broken stone
Example
The government decided to macadamize the old rural roads.
C2 verb /ˌmɪs.əˈtrɪb.juːt/

misattribute

Meaning
to incorrectly credit something, such as a work or remark, to the wrong person or source
Example
The quote was misattributed to Shakespeare.
B2 noun /ˌmedɪˈkeɪʃən/

medication

Meaning
a drug or other form of medicine used to treat or prevent disease
Example
The doctor prescribed medication for his headache.
B2 noun /ˈmɔɪs.tʃər/

Moisture

Meaning
water or dampness that exists in small amounts in the air or on a surface
Example
The skin cream helps retain moisture.
B2 noun /maɪˈnɔːr.ɪ.ti/

minority

Meaning
A smaller number or part, especially a group differing from the majority.
Example
The law aims to protect the rights of ethnic minorities.
C2 noun /ˈmɪsəl/

missal

Meaning
a book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass throughout the year
Example
The priest read from the missal during the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈmʌstərd ɔɪl/

Mustard Oil

Meaning
oil extracted from mustard seeds, commonly used for cooking and medicinal purposes
Example
We use mustard oil for cooking vegetables in our kitchen.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈkɒn.dʌkt/

Misconduct

Meaning
Unacceptable or improper behavior, especially by a professional person
Example
The officer was dismissed for professional misconduct.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪ.trɪks/

matrix

Meaning
An environment or structure in which something develops; also a mathematical array of numbers.
Example
The cultural matrix shaped his worldview.
C2 noun /ˈmeɪsə/

mesa

Meaning
An isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in arid regions.
Example
The hikers stopped to admire the mesa rising above the desert floor.
C2 noun /ˈmɒkəsɪn/

moccasin

Meaning
A soft leather shoe, traditionally worn by Native Americans, often made from deerskin.
Example
He slipped on a pair of comfortable moccasins before going outside.
C2 noun /mɪlk raɪs/

Milk rice

Meaning
A sweet dessert made from rice cooked with milk and sugar
Example
My grandmother makes delicious milk rice for special occasions.
C2 noun /mɪˈsɑːɡəmi/

misogamy

Meaning
Hatred or dislike of marriage.
Example
His misogamy prevented him from ever settling down with a partner.
C2 noun /ˈmɪs.kri.ənt/

Miscreant

Meaning
A person who behaves badly or illegally; a villain or criminal
Example
The miscreant was caught stealing from the store.
C1 noun /moʊld/

Mould

Meaning
a hollow container used to give shape to molten material; fungus
Example
She poured chocolate into the mould to make candies.
C1 noun /ˈmelənkəli/

Melancholy

Meaning
A feeling of pensive sadness; thoughtful or gentle sadness
Example
A deep melancholy settled over him after reading the old letters.
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.
C1 verb /ˈmʌd.əl/

muddle

Meaning
to mix things up in a confused way or to make a mess of something
Example
He muddled the papers and couldn’t find the report.
C1 adjective /ˌmɒnəˈlɪθɪk/

monolithic

Meaning
Massive, uniform, and indivisible; resembling a large single stone or structure.
Example
The company maintained a monolithic structure resistant to change.
C1 adjective /ˈmiːɡər/

meager

Meaning
Lacking in quantity or quality; inadequate.
Example
He could barely survive on his meager salary.
A1 noun /mɪlk/

Milk

Meaning
a white liquid produced by cows, goats, or other mammals, used as food
Example
Children need to drink milk for strong bones.
A1 noun /ˈmʌni/

money

Meaning
A medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; wealth or financial resources.
Example
He saved enough money to buy a new car.
A2 adjective /mæd/

Mad

Meaning
angry; mentally ill; insane
Example
He was mad at his friend for being late.
B1 adjective, preposition, noun /mɪd/

mid

Meaning
being in the middle of something; the central part or point
Example
She joined the project in mid June.
C1 adjective, verb /muːt/

moot

Meaning
Adjective: subject to debate or irrelevant. Verb: to suggest an idea for discussion.
Example
The issue of funding became a moot point after the project was canceled.
C1 noun ˈmæŋɡroʊv ˈfɒrɪst

Mangrove Forest

Meaning
A coastal forest ecosystem characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in intertidal zones.
Example
Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest.
C2 verb /məˈlɪŋɡər/

malinger

Meaning
to exaggerate or fake illness in order to escape duty or work
Example
He tried to malinger to avoid going to school.
B2 noun /ˈmʌð.ər.hʊd/

Motherhood

Meaning
the state of being a mother; the qualities of a mother
Example
She embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood.
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.
A2 noun /ˈmaɪkroʊweɪv/

Microwave

Meaning
an electric oven that uses electromagnetic radiation to heat food quickly
Example
She heated the leftover pizza in the microwave for two minutes.
C1 adjective /məˈlɪʃəs/

Malicious

Meaning
having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone; spiteful
Example
The malicious software damaged many computers.
C1 noun /ˌmaʊntəˈnɪə/

mountaineer

Meaning
A person who climbs mountains as a sport or profession.
Example
The mountaineer reached the summit after a long climb.
B2 adjective /ˈmɪnɪməm/

minimum

Meaning
The least or smallest amount or quantity possible, attained, or required.
Example
This year saw a minimum unemployment rate.
C2 verb /miːt/

mete

Meaning
To dispense or allot justice, punishment, or harsh treatment.
Example
The judge will mete out punishment according to the crime.
C1 adjective /məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/

meticulous

Meaning
Extremely careful and precise in attention to detail
Example
A meticulous researcher checks every detail before publishing.
A2 noun /ˈmiːnɪŋ/

Meaning

Meaning
What is meant by a word, text, or concept; significance or purpose
Example
The teacher explained the meaning of the difficult word to the students.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪ.triˌɑːrk/

matriarch

Meaning
A woman who is the head of a family or community.
Example
The matriarch of the family made all important decisions.
C2 adjective /ˌmædʒɪˈstɪəriəl/

magisterial

Meaning
Having the characteristics of a master or authority; commanding and dignified.
Example
The professor spoke in a magisterial tone during the lecture.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˈriːd/

misread

Meaning
to read something incorrectly or interpret wrongly
Example
He misread the instructions and built the shelf incorrectly.
A1 verb, noun /mɪs/

miss

Meaning
to fail to hit, reach, or meet; to feel the absence of someone or something
Example
I really miss my family when I travel abroad.
C2 verb /ˈmæstɪkeɪt/

masticate

Meaning
to chew food thoroughly before swallowing
Example
He slowly masticated the bread before swallowing.
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.
C1 noun /mɪˈlɪʃə/

militia

Meaning
a group of ordinary people who are trained to act as soldiers in emergencies
Example
The village formed a militia to defend against attacks.
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.
C1 adjective /məˈkɑː.brə/

Macabre

Meaning
disturbing because concerned with death; gruesome and horrifying
Example
The horror movie had a macabre atmosphere.
A2 adjective /maɪld/

mild

Meaning
not severe or strong; gentle in nature
Example
The patient had only mild symptoms.
C2 noun /ˌmjuːlˈtɪər/

muleteer

Meaning
a person who drives or takes care of mules
Example
The muleteer guided the animals safely across the mountain path.
C2 noun /ˈmæntl̩/

mantel

Meaning
A shelf above a fireplace, often used for decoration.
Example
She placed family photos on the mantel above the fireplace.
B2 adjective /mɑːrkt/

Marked

Meaning
clearly noticeable; distinct; obvious
Example
There was a marked improvement in her performance.
C2 verb /ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/

mollify

Meaning
To calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety.
Example
The manager tried to mollify the angry customers with discounts.
C2 noun /miːd/

mead

Meaning
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water.
Example
The Vikings were known to drink large amounts of mead during feasts.
C1 noun /ˈmæk.rəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts/

macronutrients

Meaning
Nutrients that are needed in large amounts to provide energy and building materials for the body, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Example
Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are vital macronutrients.
C2 noun /ˈmɪlk pɒt/

Milk-pot

Meaning
a container specifically used for storing or serving milk
Example
She poured fresh milk from the milk-pot into her glass.
C1 verb, noun /mɛʃ/

mesh

Meaning
To fit or work together properly; or a material made of interlaced threads.
Example
The two gears mesh perfectly to keep the machine running smoothly.
B2 noun /ˈmɑːrdʒɪn/

Margin

Meaning
The edge or border of something; an amount allowed beyond what is needed
Example
Please write your notes in the margin of the page.
C2 noun /maɪˈkrɑː.skə.pi/

microscopy

Meaning
The use of a microscope to observe small objects or organisms.
Example
Microscopy revealed the structure of the cells.
B1 noun /ˈmaɪ.krəˌskoʊp/

microscope

Meaning
An optical instrument used for viewing very small objects, such as cells, by magnifying them.
Example
The scientist observed the bacteria under the microscope.
C1 verb /mɔːrf/

morph

Meaning
to change smoothly from one form, shape, or character into another
Example
The caterpillar will morph into a butterfly.
C1 noun ˌmɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən

mitigation

Meaning
The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Example
Mitigation of climate change requires collective effort.
C1 adjective/noun nɪˈmɒn.ɪk

mnemonic

Meaning
Assisting or intended to assist memory; a device or technique to aid memory.
Example
A mnemonic device helps students remember complex concepts.
C1 adjective /məˈtɜːrnəl/

Maternal

Meaning
relating to a mother; motherly
Example
She showed maternal care towards the orphan child.
C2 noun /ˌmɒnəˈmeɪniə/

monomania

Meaning
Excessive concentration or obsession with a single subject or idea.
Example
His monomania for collecting stamps worried his family.
B1 noun /ˈmɪk.sər/

Mixer

Meaning
an electric kitchen appliance used for mixing, beating, and whipping ingredients
Example
The chef used a mixer to prepare the cake batter.
C1 noun /məˈrɑːl/

Morale

Meaning
the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group
Example
The team's morale improved after the victory.
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.
C2 noun /maɪˈnjuːʃə/

minutia

Meaning
a small or trivial detail of something
Example
He was bored by the minutia of office paperwork.
C1 noun /ˈmæɡnɪtuːd/

Magnitude

Meaning
The great size or extent of something; importance
Example
The magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 7.5 on the Richter scale.
B2 noun /ˈmɪd.deɪ/

Midday

Meaning
The middle of the day; twelve o'clock in the daytime; noon
Example
The sun is brightest at midday when it's directly overhead.
C2 verb /ˌmɛtəˈmɔrfoʊz/

metamorphose

Meaning
To change in form, structure, or substance; to transform completely.
Example
The caterpillar metamorphosed into a butterfly.
A2 noun, verb /ˈmætər/

matter

Meaning
A subject or situation under consideration; to be important.
Example
It doesn’t matter what others think.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈmeʒ.ər.ə.bəl/

Measurable

Meaning
able to be measured; quantifiable
Example
The project's success was measurable by increased sales.
B2 noun /ˈmɒdjuːl/

module

Meaning
a self-contained unit of a course or system, typically part of a larger whole
Example
The module on machine learning was difficult but informative.
B1 adjective /ˈmen.təl/

Mental

Meaning
relating to the mind; intellectual; psychological
Example
She has strong mental health and resilience.
C2 noun /ˈmæl.kənˌtɛnt/

malcontent

Meaning
A person who is dissatisfied or rebellious; one who is not content.
Example
The malcontent voiced his grievances against the government.
B2 adjective /ˈmɪθɪkəl/

Mythical

Meaning
existing only in myths or legends; imaginary or fictitious
Example
Dragons are mythical creatures that appear in many cultures.
B2 adjective /mæɡˈnɛtɪk/

magnetic

Meaning
having the power to attract metal objects or to attract people or things in a strong way
Example
The magnetic field of the Earth protects us from harmful solar radiation.
C1 noun /ˈmɛdli/

medley

Meaning
A mixture of different things, especially musical tunes combined together.
Example
The band played a medley of popular songs.
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.
C1 noun /ˌmɪdˈsʌm.ər/

midsummer

Meaning
The middle of summer, often around the summer solstice in June.
Example
We had a festival to celebrate midsummer.
C2 noun /ˈmɪstəs/

Mengra / Mystus

Meaning
a genus of catfish found in Asia, commonly known as bagrid catfish
Example
The mystus fish is commonly found in rivers and streams of South Asia.
B2 adjective /ˌmʌltɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/

multilingual

Meaning
Able to speak or written in several languages.
Example
She grew up in a multilingual household.
B2 noun /ˈmɒtəʊ/

motto

Meaning
A short sentence or phrase that expresses a guiding belief or principle.
Example
Her motto in life is 'never give up.'