musty
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 /ˈmʌsti/

musty

Meaning
having a stale, moldy, or damp smell
Example
The old books had a musty odor.
C2 verb /ɪˈmæskjʊleɪt/

emasculate

Meaning
To make someone weaker or less effective; to deprive of strength or vigor.
Example
The constant criticism emasculated his confidence.
C2 adjective /eɪˈsɛptɪk/

aseptic

Meaning
Free from contamination caused by harmful microorganisms; sterile.
Example
Surgeons must work in an aseptic environment to prevent infection.
C2 noun /ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/

umbrage

Meaning
A feeling of resentment or offense.
Example
She took umbrage at his rude remark.
B2 noun /ˈhɛdˌkwɔːrtərz/

headquarters

Meaning
The main office or center of operations of an organization.
Example
The company’s headquarters is located in New York.
B2 noun /ˈməʊtərɪst/

motorist

Meaning
a person who drives a motor vehicle, especially a car or motorcycle
Example
The motorist stopped to help after seeing the accident on the highway.
C1 noun /lɔnˈdʒɛvəti/

longevity

Meaning
Long life or long existence of something.
Example
Good habits contribute to health and longevity.
C2 noun /ˈpriːsɛpt/

precept

Meaning
A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
Example
Honesty is a fundamental precept in all religions.
C1 noun /ɡlɪtʃ/

glitch

Meaning
A sudden, usually temporary fault or malfunction in a system or device.
Example
The computer crashed due to a minor glitch in the software.
A1 verb /wɪʃ/

wish

Meaning
to want something to happen; to desire or hope for
Example
I wish I could fly like a bird.
B1 noun ɡrəʊθ

Growth

Meaning
The process of increasing in physical size, number, value, or strength.
Example
Economic growth improves living conditions.
C1 noun /ˌriː.əˈdʒʌst.mənt/

readjustment

Meaning
The act of changing or correcting something again to make it suitable or balanced.
Example
After moving to a new city, he went through a period of readjustment.
B1 adjective /ˈprɛɡnənt/

pregnant

Meaning
having a child developing in the womb; also, full of meaning or significance
Example
She announced that she was three months pregnant.
B1 noun /ˈtʃær.ɪ.ti/

Charity

Meaning
the voluntary giving of help to those in need; kindness and tolerance in judging others
Example
The wealthy businessman donated millions to charity for education.
B1 verb /tɔs/

toss

Meaning
To throw something lightly or casually; to move or turn suddenly.
Example
He tossed the keys onto the table.
A2 verb /rɪˈmaɪnd/

remind

Meaning
to cause someone to remember something
Example
Please remind me to call her tomorrow.
C1 verb /ˈwɒd.əl/

waddle

Meaning
to walk with short steps and a clumsy swaying motion, like a duck
Example
The duck waddled across the yard.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈweɪ.vər.ɪŋ/

unwavering

Meaning
Steady or resolute; not wavering.
Example
He showed unwavering dedication to his goal.
B1 noun ˈwɔː.mɪŋ

warming

Meaning
The process of becoming warmer; an increase in temperature.
Example
Warming is accelerating due to greenhouse gases.
C1 adjective /praɪˈmiːvəl/

primeval

Meaning
Relating to the earliest ages in history; ancient and primitive.
Example
The explorers ventured into the primeval forest untouched by humans.
C2 noun /ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ/

hand-wringing

Meaning
excessive worry or concern expressed in a visible or dramatic way.
Example
There was much hand-wringing over the political crisis.
C1 noun /kəˈmoʊʃən/

commotion

Meaning
A state of noisy confusion or disturbance.
Example
The sudden commotion in the market drew everyone's attention.
A2 adjective, noun /ˈplæstɪk/

plastic

Meaning
a synthetic material that can be molded; flexible or easily shaped
Example
These containers are made of durable plastic.
B2 verb /əˈkʌstəm/

accustom

Meaning
to make someone familiar with something through regular experience or use
Example
It took him a while to accustom himself to the new environment.
C1 noun /ˈæmfɪˌθiətər/

amphitheater

Meaning
A large open circular or oval building with rising tiers of seats, used for public events.
Example
The concert was held in an ancient amphitheater.
C1 noun /ˈvælər/

valor

Meaning
Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.
Example
The soldier was honored for his valor during the war.
A2 noun /ˈpær.ət/

Parrot

Meaning
a tropical bird with a curved beak and often brightly colored feathers that can be taught to speak
Example
The colorful parrot repeated everything the children said.
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.
A1 noun /mɑːm/

mom

Meaning
an informal word for mother
Example
My mom makes the best homemade food.
B1 noun /ˈdaɪəɡræm/

diagram

Meaning
a simplified drawing that shows the structure, relationship, or process of something
Example
The teacher explained the system using a clear diagram.
C2 noun/verb /ˈkɜːrtsi/

curtsy

Meaning
a respectful bow made by women by bending the knees with one foot in front of the other
Example
She gave a quick curtsy before leaving the stage.
B2 adjective /ˈvaɪtl/

vital

Meaning
essential or necessary for life or success
Example
It's vital to stay hydrated during the summer.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsɪd.ju.əs/

deciduous

Meaning
Referring to trees that shed their leaves seasonally, typically in autumn.
Example
Oak and maple trees are deciduous, shedding leaves in autumn.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪl.fəl/

Wilful

Meaning
deliberately stubborn; done on purpose; intentional
Example
His wilful disobedience led to punishment.
A1 adverb /əˈraʊnd/

Around

Meaning
in a circle; on all sides; in the vicinity; approximately
Example
Look around and you will see many beautiful flowers.
C2 noun /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪk/

ecclesiastic

Meaning
A member of the clergy or church official.
Example
The council was attended by several high-ranking ecclesiastics.
C1 adjective /ˈlɪvɪd/

livid

Meaning
Extremely angry; furious.
Example
She was livid when she found out about the betrayal.
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.
B2 noun /doʊs/

dose

Meaning
a measured amount of a medicine or drug taken at one time
Example
The doctor prescribed one dose of the medicine every six hours.
C2 adverb /bɪˈtaɪmz/

betimes

Meaning
early; in good time
Example
She rose betimes to finish her work.
C1 noun /ˈɡaɪ.zər/

geyser

Meaning
A natural hot spring that intermittently ejects a column of water and steam into the air.
Example
The geyser erupted, shooting water high into the sky.
C1 noun /draɪ fɪʃ/

Dry fish

Meaning
fish that has been preserved by drying in the sun or by other dehydration methods
Example
Dry fish is a popular preserved food in many coastal regions.
C1 noun /prəˈpɛlənt/

propellant

Meaning
A substance that drives or pushes something forward, especially fuel in rockets or engines.
Example
The rocket uses a liquid propellant to launch into space.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkəˈsɪləbəl/

decasyllable

Meaning
A line of verse with ten syllables.
Example
The poet often wrote in decasyllable form.
A2 noun /ˈloʊ.kəl/

Local

Meaning
belonging or relating to a particular area or neighborhood; a person living in a particular area
Example
The local people are very friendly.
B2 verb /ˈstɑːrtl/

startle

Meaning
To surprise or frighten someone suddenly.
Example
The loud noise startled the children.
C1 verb /hɜːrl/

hurl

Meaning
To throw something with great force.
Example
The boy hurled a stone into the river.
C2 noun /fəˈlɪsɪti/

felicity

Meaning
intense happiness; the ability to find appropriate expression for one's thoughts
Example
She was known for her felicity in conversation and cheerful nature.
B1 adverb /ˈmiːn.waɪl/

Meanwhile

Meaning
at the same time; during the same period
Example
She was cooking dinner, meanwhile he was setting the table.
C1 noun ˌfiː.zəˈbɪl.ə.ti

feasibility

Meaning
The state or degree of being easily or conveniently done; possibility.
Example
The company conducted a feasibility study before launching the project.
C1 noun/verb /tɔːrˈpiːdoʊ/

torpedo

Meaning
A self-propelled underwater missile; to attack or destroy something suddenly and forcefully.
Example
The submarine launched a torpedo at the enemy ship.
C1 adjective /ˈaɪərnˌklæd/

ironclad

Meaning
impossible to change, break, or dispute; very strong and firm
Example
The company had an ironclad contract with its suppliers.
A2 noun ˈpʌblɪk træns ˈpɔːt

public transport

Meaning
Transportation systems available for use by the general public, typically including buses, trains, and metros.
Example
Public transport systems are essential for reducing traffic congestion.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbl/

unaccountable

Meaning
Not able to be explained or justified.
Example
She felt an unaccountable fear as she entered the dark room.
C1 noun /ˈsəʊdiəm/

sodium

Meaning
a soft, silver-white chemical element that is highly reactive and found in salt.
Example
Sodium is an essential element for maintaining fluid balance in the body.
C2 adjective /rəˈʃɛrʃ/

recherche

Meaning
Rare, exotic, or obscure, often in a sophisticated or refined way.
Example
The gallery displayed many recherche artworks from unknown artists.
C2 noun /ˈɒbsɪkwi/

obsequy

Meaning
A funeral rite, usually used in plural form obsequies.
Example
The village gathered for the obsequy of their beloved teacher.
B2 adjective /əˈstɒnɪʃt/

astonished

Meaning
feeling very surprised or amazed
Example
She was astonished by the magician's incredible trick.
B1 noun ˈseʃən

session

Meaning
A meeting of an official body, especially a legislature, council, or court of law, to conduct its business.
Example
The session was held on February 25.
B2 adjective /ˌɪntərˈmiːdiət/

intermediate

Meaning
Coming between two things in time, place, or order; in the middle level or stage.
Example
She is taking an intermediate-level French course.
B2 adjective /ˈɡlæm.ər.əs/

Glamorous

Meaning
having glamour; attractive in an exciting way; fashionable;
Example
The actress looked glamorous in her designer gown at the awards ceremony.
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.
C2 noun /ˈfæn.feər/

fanfare

Meaning
a short ceremonial tune or display of publicity to attract attention
Example
The new product was launched with much fanfare.
C1 noun /ˈstɔːrhaʊs/

storehouse

Meaning
A place where goods, supplies, or valuables are stored; a repository
Example
The warehouse acted as a storehouse for all the imported goods.
C1 noun /təˈlɛpəθi/

telepathy

Meaning
the supposed communication of thoughts or ideas by means other than the known senses
Example
The twins claimed to share telepathy with each other.
C1 adverb /ɔːˈtɒnəməsli/

autonomously

Meaning
In an independent or self-governing manner.
Example
The robot can operate autonomously without human intervention.
A2 noun /mjuˈziːəm/

museum

Meaning
a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited
Example
We visited the art museum to see the new exhibition.
C2 noun /ɒmˈnɪpətəns/

omnipotence

Meaning
The quality of having unlimited power or authority.
Example
Many religions describe God’s omnipotence as absolute.
C2 noun /ˈruː.mɪ.nənt/

ruminant

Meaning
a cud-chewing mammal, such as a cow or sheep
Example
Cows are ruminants that chew cud.
C2 verb /ˈsʌli/

sully

Meaning
to damage the purity, integrity, or reputation of something
Example
The scandal sullied the politician’s reputation.
B2 verb /ˈflætər/

flatter

Meaning
to praise excessively or insincerely to gain favor
Example
He tried to flatter his boss to get a promotion.
C2 verb /ʧeɪf/

chafe

Meaning
To make or become sore by rubbing; to feel irritation or impatience.
Example
The tight shoes began to chafe his heels.
B2 noun /ˈriːzənɪŋ/

reasoning

Meaning
the process of thinking about something in a logical way in order to form a conclusion or judgment
Example
Her reasoning for leaving was clear and logical.
A2 noun /ˈdɒlfɪn/

Dolphin

Meaning
A highly intelligent marine mammal with a streamlined body and dorsal fin
Example
Dolphins are known for their playful behavior and intelligence.
A2 noun /dʒæz/

jazz

Meaning
a style of music characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and strong rhythm, originating in African American communities
Example
She loves listening to live jazz on weekends.
C1 verb /zæɡ/

zag

Meaning
to make a sharp change in direction, especially in a zigzag pattern
Example
The rabbit zagged quickly to escape the fox.
C1 noun /pluːm/

plume

Meaning
a large, soft feather or something resembling a feather
Example
The soldier wore a red plume on his helmet.
B2 noun /brɪŋk/

brink

Meaning
The edge or point just before a significant event or change.
Example
The company was on the brink of bankruptcy.
C1 noun /beɪn/

bane

Meaning
A cause of great distress, harm, or annoyance.
Example
Traffic jams are the bane of city life.
B2 noun /ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəri/

beneficiary

Meaning
a person who receives something, especially money or property, from a will or insurance policy
Example
She is the sole beneficiary of her father’s estate.
C2 noun /ˈnæfθə/

naphtha

Meaning
A flammable oil containing hydrocarbons, obtained from petroleum or coal tar, used as fuel or solvent.
Example
The factory stored barrels of naphtha for industrial use.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːdreɪ/

padre

Meaning
A title for a priest, especially in the Roman Catholic Church; also used informally for 'father'.
Example
The soldiers attended mass led by the padre.
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.
A2 noun /kwiːn/

queen

Meaning
a female ruler of a country or the wife of a king
Example
The queen addressed her people with grace.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪvəlrəs/

chivalrous

Meaning
Behaving in a courteous, gallant, and honorable way, especially toward women.
Example
He was chivalrous, always opening doors for others.
C1 noun /ˈɑːr.tər.i/

Artery

Meaning
a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to other parts of the body
Example
The doctor checked the pulse in his artery.
C1 adverb /ɪnˈdɛfɪnətli/

indefinitely

Meaning
for an unlimited or unspecified period of time
Example
The project has been postponed indefinitely.
B2 verb /saɪ/

sigh

Meaning
to let out a long, deep breath as an expression of tiredness, relief, or sadness
Example
She sighed with relief when she heard the good news.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/

insignificant

Meaning
Too small or unimportant to be worth considering.
Example
The cost was so insignificant that nobody noticed it.
A2 noun /ˈnek.ləs/

Necklace

Meaning
a piece of jewelry that is worn around the neck
Example
She wore a beautiful diamond necklace to the party.
C2 noun ˈpær.ə.ɡən

paragon

Meaning
A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality; a model of excellence.
Example
Neom is a paragon of sustainable urban design.
C2 verb /daʊz/

dowse

Meaning
To search for underground water or minerals using a divining rod; also to drench or extinguish with liquid.
Example
The farmer tried to dowse for water in the dry field.
C1 verb /dɪsˈpruːv/

disprove

Meaning
to show that something is false or wrong
Example
The scientist worked hard to disprove the old theory.
C2 adjective /ˈpjuːɪsənt/

puissant

Meaning
having great power or influence; mighty
Example
The king was a puissant ruler whose word was law.
B1 adjective /ˈkɒn.stənt/

Constant

Meaning
occurring continuously over a period of time; unchanging; steady
Example
The machine runs at a constant speed.
B2 noun /rɒd/

rod

Meaning
a thin straight bar, especially of metal or wood
Example
He used an iron rod to support the structure.
A2 adverb /ˈiːkwəli/

equally

Meaning
in an equal or fair way; to the same degree
Example
The prize money was equally divided among the winners.
B1 noun /ˈeər fɔːrs/

Air force

Meaning
the military organization of a country that uses aircraft for fighting
Example
The air force conducted a training exercise over the mountains.
C1 noun, verb /fɔːrd/

ford

Meaning
A shallow place in a river where one can cross; to cross a river at such a place.
Example
The travelers decided to ford the river at dawn.
C1 noun /ˈleɪˌpɜːrsən/

layperson

Meaning
A person who is not a member of the clergy or does not have specialized knowledge in a subject.
Example
The judge explained the law so that the layperson could understand.
C1 adjective /ˈpɜːrmiəbl̩/

permeable

Meaning
allowing liquids or gases to pass through
Example
The soil in this area is very permeable to water.
C2 adjective /ˌprɛsɪˈdɛnʃəl/

precedential

Meaning
Relating to, or serving as, a precedent; having authority as an example.
Example
The court’s decision has precedential value.
B2 noun /ˈfaʊn.dər/

Founder

Meaning
a person who establishes an institution or settlement; someone who starts or creates something
Example
Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple Inc. and revolutionized personal computing.
C2 noun /ˈvɜːrbiɪdʒ/

verbiage

Meaning
Excessive use of words, often with little content or meaning; wordiness.
Example
The contract was filled with unnecessary legal verbiage.
A1 adverb /ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li/

Usually

Meaning
in most cases; generally; as a rule
Example
I usually wake up at 7 AM every morning.
C1 verb /əˈliː.vi.eɪt/

alleviate

Meaning
To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe; to relieve or ease.
Example
Meditation can alleviate stress and improve focus.
C2 noun /ˈnɪn.i/

Ninny

Meaning
a silly or foolish person; someone who lacks common sense
Example
Don't be such a ninny, use your brain!
C1 noun /stɛntʃ/

stench

Meaning
A very strong and unpleasant smell.
Example
The stench of garbage filled the alley.
B2 noun ˈɪnər strɛŋkθ

inner strength

Meaning
Mental or spiritual power that helps a person cope with difficulties.
Example
Community service fosters inner strength in individuals.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɜːrvɪsəbəl/

Unserviceable

Meaning
not in working order; unable to be used; defective
Example
The old computer became unserviceable after the system crash.
C1 adjective ʌnˈpær.ə.leld

Unparalleled

Meaning
Having no equal; unmatched, peerless, and supreme in quality or achievement.
Example
The unparalleled beauty of the Taj Mahal amazes visitors.
B1 noun /ˈɪnstəns/

instance

Meaning
An example or single occurrence of something.
Example
This is just one instance of his generosity.
C1 adjective /ˈsɔːrdɪd/

sordid

Meaning
involving immoral or dishonorable actions; dirty or unpleasant
Example
The newspaper exposed the politician's sordid past.
B2 noun /dɪˌskrɪm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Discrimination

Meaning
the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people; recognition of difference
Example
The company was sued for racial discrimination in their hiring practices.
C2 noun /ˌtrænsfəˈriː/

transferee

Meaning
A person to whom a right, property, or responsibility is transferred.
Example
The transferee must sign the contract before taking ownership.
B1 noun /ˈneɪʃən/

nation

Meaning
a large group of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language
Example
The nation celebrated its independence day with pride.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛtʃ.u.əs/

impetuous

Meaning
Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.
Example
His impetuous decision led to unexpected consequences.
B2 noun /ˈpiː.lər/

Peeler

Meaning
a kitchen tool used to remove the outer skin or peel from fruits and vegetables
Example
Use a peeler to remove the potato skin.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈkæst/

recast

Meaning
To present or change something in a different form or style.
Example
The director decided to recast the role with a younger actor.
A2 adverb /ˈiːzɪli/

Easily

Meaning
without difficulty; in a simple or effortless manner
Example
She easily solved the math problem in minutes.
B2 adjective /ˈruː.tɪd/

Rooted

Meaning
deeply established; firmly fixed
Example
His beliefs are deeply rooted in tradition.