outset
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
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌsɛt/

outset

Meaning
the beginning or start of something
Example
From the outset, the project seemed ambitious but achievable.
B1 noun /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/

automobile

Meaning
a road vehicle powered by an engine, typically with four wheels
Example
He bought a new automobile last week.
B1 noun /ˈsɜr.fɪs/

Surface

Meaning
the outside part or uppermost layer of something
Example
The submarine emerged to the surface of the ocean.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsɪflɑːʒ/

persiflage

Meaning
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
Example
Their conversation was full of persiflage and jokes.
B2 adjective /fəˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/

Forgiving

Meaning
ready and willing to forgive; merciful; lenient
Example
She has a forgiving nature and rarely holds grudges.
C1 adjective liːst prɪˈpeərd

least prepared

Meaning
Having the minimum level of readiness or equipment to handle a situation.
Example
Bangladesh is among the least prepared for climate adaptation.
C1 noun /ɪkˌsperɪˈmɛnteɪʃən/

experimentation

Meaning
The process of performing a scientific procedure to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.
Example
Experimentation leads to groundbreaking products.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌpliənt/

suppliant

Meaning
Humbly or earnestly asking for something, especially from a person in authority.
Example
The suppliant man begged for mercy at the king's feet.
A1 verb /ɡes/

guess

Meaning
to give an answer or opinion without complete knowledge; to estimate
Example
Can you guess the answer?
B2 noun /nɒsˈtæl.dʒə/

nostalgia

Meaning
A sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
Example
Listening to old songs fills me with nostalgia.
C2 noun /ˌbluː ˈblʌd/

Blue-blood

Meaning
a person of noble birth; aristocrat
Example
She came from a family of blue-bloods with centuries of royal heritage.
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.
C2 verb /ˈdʌv.teɪl/

dovetail

Meaning
to fit or combine perfectly together
Example
Her plans dovetail perfectly with our goals.
C1 adjective /kəˈləʊ.kwi.əl/

colloquial

Meaning
Used in ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal language.
Example
His colloquial expressions made the speech relatable.
C1 noun/verb /rɪˈpriːz/

reprise

Meaning
A repetition or return to an earlier theme, role, or action.
Example
The actor reprised his role in the sequel.
A2 verb /fiːd/

feed

Meaning
to give food to a person or animal
Example
She feeds the birds every morning.
B2 adjective /ˈhʌm.bəl/

Humble

Meaning
modest; not proud; unassuming;
Example
Despite his success, he remained humble and kind.
B1 noun /ˈskwɪr.əl/

Squirrel

Meaning
a small agile tree-dwelling rodent with a long bushy tail
Example
The squirrel gathered nuts for winter.
C1 noun /ˈmænər/

manor

Meaning
A large country house with lands; the main house of an estate.
Example
The old manor stood proudly on the hill for centuries.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪtriɑːrk/

patriarch

Meaning
a male head of a family or tribe; an older respected man who leads a group
Example
As the family patriarch, he mediated disputes and kept long traditions alive.
C1 noun /ɪkˈspæns/

expanse

Meaning
a wide, open area of land, sea, or sky
Example
The desert is a vast expanse of sand and rock.
C2 adverb /əˈmʌk/

amuck

Meaning
in a frenzied, uncontrolled, or chaotic manner
Example
The bull ran amuck through the village.
C2 noun /səˈlɛrɪti/

celerity

Meaning
swiftness of movement; speed
Example
The soldier moved with great celerity to deliver the message.
C2 adverb /əˈθwɔːrt/

athwart

Meaning
Across or in opposition to something.
Example
A fallen tree lay athwart the road, blocking traffic.
A2 noun /bænd/

band

Meaning
a group of musicians who play music together
Example
The band performed live at the concert.
B2 noun /kəmˈpliːʃən/

completion

Meaning
the action or process of finishing something
Example
The completion of the project will take another few weeks.
B2 noun /ˈsaɪrən/

siren

Meaning
A device that makes a loud prolonged sound as a signal or warning; in mythology, a creature that lures sailors with enchanting songs.
Example
The police car passed with its siren blaring.
C1 adjective /ˈblaɪtɪd/

blighted

Meaning
Spoiled, damaged, or destroyed.
Example
The blighted neighborhood was abandoned by most residents.
C1 adverb /ˈfɪksɪdli/

Fixedly

Meaning
in a steady, unmoving manner; with intense concentration
Example
He stared fixedly at the painting.
B2 noun /ˌreɡ.jʊˈleɪ.ʃənz/

regulations

Meaning
Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority.
Example
Strict regulations ensure fair practices.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːdʒ/

centrifuge

Meaning
A machine that spins substances at high speed to separate different components.
Example
The lab technician used a centrifuge to separate the blood cells from the plasma.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk ə ˌbræk/

bric-a-brac

Meaning
Small decorative objects or ornaments, often of little value.
Example
The shelves were filled with old bric-a-brac from her travels.
C1 adjective /ˈɛərˌtaɪt/

airtight

Meaning
Completely sealed so that no air can get in or out.
Example
Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
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.
C1 noun /əˈduː/

ado

Meaning
a fuss or unnecessary activity; trouble or difficulty
Example
Without further ado, let’s begin the ceremony.
B2 noun /əkˌseləˈreɪʃən/

acceleration

Meaning
the rate at which velocity changes over time; the act of speeding up
Example
The car showed rapid acceleration as it entered the highway.
A2 noun /ˈnoʊ.tɪs/

Notice

Meaning
attention to something; a written or printed announcement
Example
The notice on the board announced the school closure.
B2 noun /ˈtreɪdmɑːrk/

trademark

Meaning
a symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product
Example
The company’s logo is its trademark.
B2 adjective ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntl

instrumental

Meaning
Serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool; having a part in bringing about a result.
Example
Children can be instrumental in building a better society.
C2 noun /ˈskɪz.əm/ or /ˈsɪz.əm/

schism

Meaning
A division or split between strongly opposed parties, often in religion or organizations.
Example
The schism in the church led to the formation of two separate groups.
C1 verb /səbˈsɪst/

subsist

Meaning
To maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level.
Example
Many villagers still subsist on fishing and farming.
C2 noun /ˈsɛpəlˌtʃər/

Sepulture

Meaning
the act of burying a dead body; burial; a grave or tomb
Example
The ancient king's sepulture was discovered by archaeologists.
B2 verb /ʌnˈfəʊld/

unfold

Meaning
to open or spread out something that was folded; to gradually reveal or develop
Example
She unfolded the letter carefully.
B2 phrase kəˈlek.tɪv ˈæk.ʃən

collective action

Meaning
Action taken by a group of people working together toward a common goal or purpose.
Example
Collective action is needed to mitigate climate change.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈweɪl/

bewail

Meaning
to express deep sorrow or regret over something; to mourn openly
Example
She bewailed the loss of her childhood home.
C1 noun /ˈriːkɔːrs/

recourse

Meaning
a source of help or protection in a difficult situation
Example
The students had no recourse but to appeal to the principal.
B2 verb /əˈkʌmplɪʃ/

accomplish

Meaning
to achieve or complete successfully
Example
She managed to accomplish all her goals for the year.
A2 noun breɪn

brain

Meaning
The organ inside the head that controls thought, memory, feelings, and activity
Example
The brain can only focus on one thing at a time.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊnsəlɪŋ/

counseling

Meaning
professional guidance or therapy to help resolve personal or psychological problems
Example
She decided to go for counseling after feeling stressed for months.
C1 noun /ˈɑːdəsi/

odyssey

Meaning
a long, adventurous journey; a series of experiences
Example
Her career has been an odyssey of challenges and achievements.
C1 noun /ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk ˈmaɪl.stəʊn/

diplomatic milestone

Meaning
A significant achievement or important event in diplomatic relations.
Example
Hosting the summit was a diplomatic milestone.
C2 noun /rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns/

recognizance

Meaning
A legal obligation or bond entered into before a court, especially to ensure future appearance.
Example
He was released on his own recognizance.
C2 noun /broʊɡ/

brogue

Meaning
A strong outdoor shoe; also a marked accent, especially Irish or Scottish.
Example
He bought a pair of stylish brogues for the wedding.
B2 adjective /rɪˈfreʃ.ɪŋ/

Refreshing

Meaning
making one feel energized and renewed; pleasantly new or different
Example
The cool breeze was refreshing after the hot day.
C1 noun /tʃæmp/

champ

Meaning
an informal word for champion or winner.
Example
He is the new champ of the boxing tournament.
C2 noun /boʊl/

boll

Meaning
The rounded seed capsule of plants such as cotton or flax.
Example
The farmer examined the cotton boll to check its quality.
C2 noun /ˈtaɪtwɒd/

tightwad

Meaning
a person who is unwilling to spend money; a miser
Example
Everyone calls him a tightwad because he never buys gifts.
C1 noun /ˌriː.pəˈkʌʃ.ən/

repercussion

Meaning
An unintended consequence occurring some time after an event or action.
Example
The economic crisis had severe repercussions on global trade.
C1 noun /ˈdɒktrɪn/

doctrine

Meaning
A set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religious, political, or other group.
Example
The church follows a strict doctrine on moral values.
C1 noun /ˈkɒndɪmənts/

condiments

Meaning
Seasonings or sauces used to add flavor to food.
Example
Ketchup and mustard are popular condiments for burgers.
C2 noun /ˈɪl.i.æd/

iliad

Meaning
An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, describing the events of the Trojan War.
Example
Students studied the Iliad to understand Greek mythology and heroism.
B2 noun ˈæsɪd reɪn

acid rain

Meaning
Rainfall made acidic by atmospheric pollution, especially from industrial emissions.
Example
Acid rain damages crops and buildings.
B2 noun /ˈkæbɪnət/

Cabinet

Meaning
a piece of furniture with doors and shelves used for storage
Example
The kitchen cabinet is full of dishes and utensils.
C1 verb məˈtæb.ə.laɪz

metabolize

Meaning
Process and use food for growth and to replace tissue, or process other substances in the body.
Example
The liver helps to metabolize toxins.
C2 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
A2 adverb /bɪˈjɒnd/

Beyond

Meaning
further away than; exceeding; more than
Example
The mountains stretched beyond the horizon.
B2 verb /ˈnɒmɪneɪt/

nominate

Meaning
to propose someone for a position or award
Example
The committee decided to nominate her for the award.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌm.weər/

Somewhere

Meaning
in or at some place; in an unspecified location
Example
I left my keys somewhere in the house.
C1 noun /dɪˌlɪb.əˈreɪ.ʃənz/

deliberations

Meaning
Careful consideration and discussion before making decisions.
Example
Deliberations on sustainability continued for hours.
B2 adjective /dɪˈpɛndəbl/

dependable

Meaning
able to be trusted or relied on; consistently reliable
Example
She is a dependable colleague who always meets deadlines.
C2 noun /fɔːrˈbɛrəns/

forbearance

Meaning
Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance, especially in difficult situations.
Example
She showed remarkable forbearance during the heated argument.
B2 adverb /rɪˈlʌk.tənt.li/

Reluctantly

Meaning
in an unwilling manner; with hesitation or resistance
Example
She reluctantly agreed to help with the project.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnɔːˈspɪʃəs/

Inauspicious

Meaning
unlucky; showing signs that future success is unlikely; unfavorable
Example
The dark clouds seemed inauspicious for the wedding.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsɪv/

delusive

Meaning
Giving a false or misleading impression; deceptive.
Example
His promises turned out to be delusive and untrustworthy.
C1 noun /læʃ/

Lash

Meaning
an eyelash; a sharp blow with a whip or rope; to strike forcefully
Example
She carefully applied mascara to make her lashes look longer and darker.
B2 noun /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/

establishment

Meaning
An organization, business, or system; the act of setting something up.
Example
The restaurant is a new establishment in town.
A1 noun /sɔːŋ/

song

Meaning
a short piece of music with words that are sung
Example
She sang a beautiful song at the concert.
C1 noun /ˌhoʊmiˈɑːpəθi/

homeopathy

Meaning
a system of alternative medicine based on treating diseases with highly diluted substances
Example
He believes in homeopathy for treating common colds.
C2 noun /əˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

annunciation

Meaning
The announcement of something; in Christianity, the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive Jesus.
Example
The church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation with a special service.
B1 adjective /trɪˈmendəs/

Tremendous

Meaning
extremely large, great, or intense; extraordinary
Example
She made tremendous progress in her studies.
C1 adverb /ˈhɑr.tɪ.li/

Heartily

Meaning
in a sincere and enthusiastic manner; wholeheartedly
Example
She heartily welcomed her guests to the party.
C2 adjective /ˌæk.rɪˈmoʊ.ni.əs/

acrimonious

Meaning
Bitter and angry, often involving harsh words.
Example
The debate turned acrimonious after the controversial remark.
C1 noun /ˈkæləs/

callus

Meaning
A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area subjected to friction.
Example
A callus formed on his palm from using tools every day.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.li.oʊ/

folio

Meaning
A sheet of paper folded once to form two leaves (four pages) of a book; also a term for a large book or manuscript.
Example
The library houses an ancient Shakespeare folio.
B2 noun /ˈbrʌðərhʊd/

brotherhood

Meaning
The relationship between brothers; an association of people with common interests
Example
The soldiers shared a strong sense of brotherhood.
B2 noun /juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/

Utility

Meaning
the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial; a public service
Example
The utility of solar panels increases with rising electricity costs.
A1 noun /ˈvɪlɪdʒ/

village

Meaning
a small community or group of houses in a rural area
Example
They live in a small village surrounded by mountains.
B2 noun /wɪðˈdrɔːəl/

withdrawal

Meaning
the act of taking something back or removing oneself from a situation
Example
He made a withdrawal of $500 from his bank account.
C1 adjective /ˈbɔɪstərəs/

boisterous

Meaning
noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy
Example
The children were boisterous during the birthday party.
B2 noun /ˈkɒpə/

copper

Meaning
a reddish-brown metal used for electrical wiring, coins, and more
Example
Copper is a good conductor of electricity.
C1 noun /pəˈpaɪrəs/

papyrus

Meaning
An ancient writing material made from the pith of the papyrus plant; also refers to the plant itself.
Example
The ancient scroll was written on papyrus.
A2 noun /ˈlaɪ.ən/

Lion

Meaning
a large tawny-colored cat that lives in prides, found in Africa and northwestern India
Example
The lion roared loudly in the savanna.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːr.nɪst/

Earnest

Meaning
sincere; genuine; showing deep and serious conviction
Example
He made an earnest attempt to solve the problem.
C1 noun koʊˈhisɪv ˈjunɪts

cohesive units

Meaning
Groups or organizations that work together as unified wholes, with members closely bound together.
Example
Early humans formed cohesive units for survival.
C1 adjective /ˈteɪn.tɪd/

Tainted

Meaning
contaminated or affected by something bad or undesirable
Example
The water supply was tainted with harmful chemicals.
C2 noun /ˈpʌlkrɪˌtjuːd/

pulchritude

Meaning
physical beauty
Example
The actress was admired for her pulchritude as well as her talent.
C2 noun /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.zəns/

cognizance

Meaning
Awareness, knowledge, or understanding of something; conscious perception.
Example
The judge took cognizance of the new evidence.
C1 noun /prɪˈzʌmp.ʃən/

Presumption

Meaning
an idea that is taken to be true without proof
Example
There is a presumption of innocence in the legal system.
A2 adjective /ɡriːk/

greek

Meaning
relating to Greece, its people, or its language
Example
We enjoyed delicious Greek food at the restaurant.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.ʃɒt/

Upshot

Meaning
the final result or outcome of a series of events; conclusion
Example
The upshot of the meeting was a decision to postpone the project.
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.
B2 noun kjuːz

cues

Meaning
Signals or hints from conversation or environment that help understanding
Example
Facial expressions provide cues about a person's emotions.
B2 adjective /ˈɪrɪteɪtɪd/

irritated

Meaning
feeling annoyed or impatient; having inflamed or sore physical condition
Example
She felt irritated by the constant noise outside her window.
B2 noun ˈsɜːrkjələr ɪˈkɒnəmi

circular economy

Meaning
An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources through reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling.
Example
Adopting a circular economy can reduce waste.
C2 adjective /ˈæpəˌleɪt/

appellate

Meaning
relating to appeals in a court of law
Example
The case was taken to an appellate court.
B2 verb /riːp/

reap

Meaning
to cut or gather a crop; to receive as a consequence of actions
Example
Farmers reap wheat in the late summer.
C1 verb /tiːm/

teem

Meaning
to be full of or swarming with
Example
The forest teems with wildlife.
A1 noun, verb /wɪl/

will

Meaning
expressing future tense or intention; a legal document
Example
She will attend the meeting tomorrow.
B2 verb /wɪðˈstænd/

withstand

Meaning
to resist or endure something without being harmed
Example
This building can withstand strong earthquakes.
B2 noun /ˈtɔːrsoʊ/

torso

Meaning
The trunk of the human body, excluding the head and limbs.
Example
The artist painted the torso of the model in great detail.
B2 noun ˌreɪ.di.oʊ.ækˈtɪv.ə.ti

radioactivity

Meaning
The emission of ionizing radiation or particles caused by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei.
Example
Radioactivity is used in medical treatments like cancer therapy.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈtɛmpərd/

untempered

Meaning
not moderated or softened; lacking proper balance or control
Example
The untempered anger of the crowd caused chaos.
B2 noun /ˈbækɪŋ/

Backing

Meaning
help or support; financial or material support
Example
The project received backing from several major investors.
C1 noun /ˈrʌmpəs/

Rumpus

Meaning
a noisy disturbance; an uproar or commotion
Example
The children caused quite a rumpus in the playground.
B2 noun /bɪzˈnɛs sʌˈsɛs/

business success

Meaning
The achievement of desired outcomes in business operations, typically measured by profitability, growth, and sustainability.
Example
Innovation drives business success.
A1 verb /fɔːl/

fall

Meaning
to drop down from a higher place; to decrease; to happen or occur
Example
The leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
B1 noun /ˈplʌm.ər/

plumber

Meaning
a person who installs or repairs water pipes
Example
The plumber fixed the leaking pipe in the kitchen.
B1 noun /ˈmɪr.ɪ.kəl/

Miracle

Meaning
An extraordinary and welcome event that cannot be explained by natural or scientific laws
Example
The patient's recovery was called a miracle by the doctors.
C1 noun ˈsɛlf pəˈzɪʃən

self-possession

Meaning
The quality of being calm and confident and in control of one's emotions; composure.
Example
His self-possession during the crisis was remarkable.
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.