overhead
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 ˈəʊ.və.hed

overhead

Meaning
Ongoing business expenses not directly attributable to creating a product or service.
Example
The company reduced its overhead to increase profits.
C2 adjective /ˈɒf.biːt/

offbeat

Meaning
Unusual, unconventional, or different from the norm.
Example
She has a very offbeat sense of humor.
A2 noun /ˈɔr.dər/

Order

Meaning
a command or instruction; the arrangement of things following a particular sequence
Example
The teacher gave an order to sit down quietly.
C2 noun ˌɒbfəsˈkeɪʃən

obfuscation

Meaning
The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
Example
The obfuscation of the data made it difficult to interpret.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwiːnɪŋ/

overweening

Meaning
excessively arrogant or prideful
Example
His overweening pride cost him many friends.
C2 noun /ˈəʊpəs/

opus

Meaning
A creative work, especially a large and important piece of music or art.
Example
The composer considered the symphony his greatest opus.
C1 noun /əbˈzɜːrvətɔːri/

observatory

Meaning
A building equipped for observing astronomical or meteorological events.
Example
The observatory is open to the public on weekends.
C2 noun /əbˈstrʌkʃənɪst/

obstructionist

Meaning
a person who deliberately delays or prevents progress by being uncooperative or oppositional
Example
The obstructionist in the committee kept delaying the decision-making process.
B2 verb əbˈzɜːrvd

observed

Meaning
To celebrate or keep a religious or other festival.
Example
The day is observed annually to raise awareness.
A1 adjective/adverb /ˈoʊnli/

only

Meaning
without others; solely
Example
He is the only person who knows the secret.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtpoʊst/

outpost

Meaning
A small military camp or position at some distance from the main force, used especially as a guard.
Example
The soldiers were stationed at a remote outpost.
C1 adjective /ˌɑːpərˈtuːn/

opportune

Meaning
Happening at a suitable or convenient time.
Example
She arrived at an opportune moment to help.
B2 noun /ˈɔːrɡənaɪzər/

organizer

Meaning
a person who arranges or coordinates activities, events, or groups; a tool or item used to keep things in order
Example
She worked as the main organizer of the international conference.
B2 noun /ˌɑb.zɚˈveɪ.ʃən/

Observation

Meaning
the action of watching something carefully; a comment or remark
Example
The scientist made careful observations of the experiment.
A1 preposition /ɒn/

on

Meaning
physically in contact with and supported by a surface
Example
The book is on the table.
A2 verb /ˈɔːfər/

offer

Meaning
to present something for acceptance or rejection; to propose
Example
She offered to help with the project.
A2 noun /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/

opening

Meaning
an act or instance of beginning something
Example
The opening of the new store was a huge success.
C2 verb /ˈɑːbvieɪt/

obviate

Meaning
To remove a need or difficulty; to prevent or avoid something.
Example
This new system obviates the need for manual data entry.
C2 noun /ˈɒlɪv brɑːntʃ/

olive-branch

Meaning
A symbol of peace or reconciliation; an offer to end conflict.
Example
He extended an olive-branch to his rival after years of hostility.
C2 noun /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪzəm/

opportunism

Meaning
The practice of taking advantage of opportunities regardless of principles or ethics.
Example
His decision was driven by opportunism, not values.
C2 noun /oʊliˈændər/

Oleander

Meaning
a poisonous evergreen shrub with clusters of white, pink, or red flowers
Example
The beautiful oleander flowers bloomed in the garden despite their toxic nature.
C1 noun /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔːr.ɒn/

oxymoron

Meaning
a figure of speech where two contradictory terms are combined
Example
The phrase 'deafening silence' is a classic oxymoron.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌsɛt/

outset

Meaning
the beginning or start of something
Example
From the outset, the project seemed ambitious but achievable.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈstrɪp/

outstrip

Meaning
To go faster or do better than someone or something; to surpass.
Example
The company outstripped its competitors in sales last year.
C2 noun /ˈɒlɪv bɑːb/

Olive barb

Meaning
A small freshwater fish with olive-colored body and barbels
Example
The olive barb is commonly found in South Asian rivers.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈriːtʃ/

overreach

Meaning
to go beyond what is proper, acceptable, or achievable; to overextend
Example
The politician overreached by making promises he couldn't keep.
C1 adjective/adverb /ˌɒfˈhænd/

offhand

Meaning
Without previous thought or preparation; casual and sometimes dismissive.
Example
She gave an offhand reply to his serious question.
C2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈstraɪd/

overstride

Meaning
To stride over something; to step across with long steps.
Example
He managed to overstride the narrow stream with ease.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈteɪk/

overtake

Meaning
to catch up with and pass someone or something; to surpass
Example
The runner managed to overtake his competitor in the final lap.
B2 noun /ˈaʊt.saɪ.dər/

Out-sider

Meaning
a person who does not belong to a particular group; someone not accepted by a group
Example
As an outsider, he found it difficult to understand their traditions.
B2 verb /ɒpt/

opt

Meaning
to choose or decide to do something instead of something else
Example
Many students opt to study abroad for better opportunities.
B1 noun /ˈɑː.lɪv/

Olive

Meaning
a small oval fruit with a hard pit, typically green or black, used for eating or making oil
Example
Olive oil is considered one of the healthiest cooking oils available.
A2 adjective /əˈlɪmpɪk/

olympic

Meaning
related to the Olympic Games, a major international sporting event
Example
She trained hard to compete in the Olympic Games.
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.
C2 noun (plural) /ˈɔːrdʒiːz/

orgies

Meaning
Wild gatherings involving excessive indulgence in food, drink, or sexual activity.
Example
The ancient Romans were infamous for their lavish feasts and orgies.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊpəˈlɛsənt/

opalescent

Meaning
showing or reflecting a milky, iridescent light like an opal
Example
The opalescent sky glowed with shades of pink and blue.
C1 noun /əˈkɜr.əns/

Occurrence

Meaning
an instance or event of something happening; the fact of occurring
Example
The occurrence of earthquakes is common in this region.
B1 noun ˈɒk.sɪ.dʒən

oxygen

Meaning
A colorless, odorless reactive gas, the chemical element of atomic number 8 and the life-supporting component of the air.
Example
Oxygen is vital for life.
B2 adjective, verb /əbˈskjʊr/

obscure

Meaning
Not clearly expressed or understood; to make something difficult to see or understand.
Example
The meaning of the poem was obscure to most readers.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈduː/

outdo

Meaning
To do better than someone else; to surpass.
Example
She always tries to outdo her classmates in exams.
B1 noun ˌɔː.ɡən.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

organization

Meaning
An organized group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government department.
Example
The organization was officially inaugurated in 2024.
B1 noun /ˈɑp.ʃən/

Option

Meaning
a thing that is or may be chosen; an alternative course of action
Example
You have the option to work from home or office.
C1 adjective /ˌɒmnɪˈprezənt/

omnipresent

Meaning
(of God) present everywhere at the same time.
Example
Social media has become an omnipresent force in modern society.
B2 noun /ˈɒpəreɪtər/

operator

Meaning
a person who operates equipment, a business, or controls something
Example
The machine operator ensured that everything ran smoothly.
B2 adjective /ˈɒp.tɪ.məl/

optimal

Meaning
Best or most favorable; the most effective under particular conditions.
Example
The optimal temperature for plant growth is around 25°C.
C1 noun /ˈɑːlɪˌɡɑːrki/

oligarchy

Meaning
A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.
Example
The nation was ruled by a wealthy oligarchy that controlled all resources.
C2 noun /ˈoʊɡər/

ogre

Meaning
A mythical monster, often depicted as large, hideous, and cruel; metaphorically, a cruel or terrifying person.
Example
The villagers feared the ogre who lived in the dark forest.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈlʊk/

overlook

Meaning
to fail to notice or consider something; to have a view from above
Example
It's easy to overlook small details when you're in a hurry.
C1 verb /ˈɒfsɛt/

offset

Meaning
To counterbalance or compensate for something.
Example
The company's losses were offset by gains in other departments.
A2 noun /ɔɪl/

Oil

Meaning
a viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, used for cooking or fuel
Example
Heat the oil in a pan before adding the vegetables.
C2 adjective /ˈɔːrəˌtʌnd/

orotund

Meaning
full, rich, and clear in sound; pompous in style
Example
The actor's orotund voice filled the theater.
C1 adjective ˈɒptɪmaɪzd

optimized

Meaning
Made as fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible; improved to achieve maximum efficiency.
Example
The system has been optimized for faster performance.
C1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈbɛrɪŋ/

overbearing

Meaning
unpleasantly or arrogantly domineering
Example
His overbearing attitude made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 noun /ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃən/

ostentation

Meaning
excessive display of wealth or knowledge intended to attract admiration or envy
Example
The billionaire’s party was full of ostentation and luxury.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.ə.tər/

Orator

Meaning
a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled in speaking
Example
The famous orator delivered an inspiring speech.
C1 verb ˈɔː.kɪ.streɪ.tɪd

orchestrated

Meaning
Planned or coordinated carefully and deliberately.
Example
The attacks were orchestrated with precision.
C2 adjective /ˈɒpjʊlənt/

opulent

Meaning
Ostentatiously rich, luxurious, or lavish.
Example
They hosted an opulent wedding with gold decorations.
B2 adjective ˌɒp.ərˈeɪ.ʃən.əl

operational

Meaning
In working order; ready for use.
Example
The space project will be operational by 2025.
C1 noun /ˈɒktɪv/

octave

Meaning
A series of eight musical notes, or the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency.
Example
The singer's voice could easily reach the higher octave.
B1 verb /oʊ/

owe

Meaning
to be under obligation to pay or repay; to be indebted
Example
I owe my success to my parents' support.
C2 adjective /ˈɒkjʊlər/

ocular

Meaning
Relating to the eye or vision.
Example
The patient was referred to a specialist for ocular treatment.
B2 noun /ˌaʊtˈsaɪdə(r)/

outsider

Meaning
a person who is not accepted as a member of a particular group or community
Example
As a new student, she often felt like an outsider at school.
C1 verb /aʊtˈwɪt/

outwit

Meaning
to defeat or gain an advantage over someone by being more clever or cunning
Example
The fox managed to outwit the hunters.
B2 adjective /əˈfen.sɪv/

Offensive

Meaning
causing displeasure or resentment; insulting; aggressive
Example
His offensive remarks hurt everyone's feelings.
B2 adjective /ˈɔː.də.li/

Orderly

Meaning
well-organized; systematic; peaceful
Example
Please keep your desk orderly and clean.
B2 adjective /aʊtˈreɪdʒəs/

outrageous

Meaning
Shockingly bad or excessive; very unusual or amusing.
Example
The comedian told an outrageous joke.
A2 adverb /ˈɒbviəsli/

obviously

Meaning
in a way that is easily perceived or understood; clearly
Example
Obviously, he didn’t read the instructions.
A2 noun /ˈɒpərə/

opera

Meaning
a dramatic performance in which the actors sing most of their lines
Example
We watched a beautiful opera at the theater last night.
A2 noun /ˈɒm.lət/

Omelet

Meaning
a dish made from beaten eggs cooked in a frying pan and often folded around a filling
Example
She made a cheese omelet for breakfast.
C1 noun /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪst/

opportunist

Meaning
A person who takes advantage of situations for personal gain, often disregarding principles.
Example
He is seen as an opportunist who always puts his interests first.
B2 noun ˈaʊt.pʊt

output

Meaning
The amount of something produced by a person, machine, or industry.
Example
Climate change reduces agricultural output.
C2 noun /ɒkˈteɪvoʊ/

octavo

Meaning
A size of book page resulting from folding a sheet of paper into eight leaves (sixteen pages).
Example
The old library contained rare octavo editions of Shakespeare.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrnɪˈθɒlədʒɪst/

ornithologist

Meaning
a scientist who studies birds
Example
The ornithologist spent years studying migratory birds.
B2 noun /ˈaʊt.kʌm/

Outcome

Meaning
the result or consequence of an action or situation; the final product
Example
The outcome of the election surprised everyone.
C1 adjective /əbˈnɒkʃəs/

Obnoxious

Meaning
extremely unpleasant; offensive; annoying
Example
His obnoxious behavior at the party annoyed everyone.
B2 noun /ˈoʊ.vər ɡroʊθ/

Over growth

Meaning
excessive growth beyond normal size; too much development or expansion
Example
The overgrowth of weeds made the garden look untidy.
C1 adjective /əbˈzɜːrvənt/

Observant

Meaning
quick to notice things; watchful; attentive
Example
The observant detective noticed every small detail at the crime scene.
B2 adjective /ˈɔɪl.i/

Oily

Meaning
covered with oil; containing oil; greasy
Example
Her oily skin needs special care.
A1 pronoun /aʊərz/

ours

Meaning
belonging to or associated with us
Example
This victory is ours.
C2 adjective /ˌɔːfˈkiː/

off-key

Meaning
out of tune; not in accordance with expected standards
Example
The singer was slightly off-key during the performance.
B2 noun /oʊk/

oak

Meaning
a large tree that produces acorns and has strong, hard wood
Example
The old oak tree provided shade for the entire yard.
A2 noun /ˈɒbdʒɪkt/

object

Meaning
a thing that can be seen and touched
Example
The table is an object in the room.
B2 noun /əbˈdʒek.ʃən/

Objection

Meaning
an expression of disagreement or disapproval; a reason for disagreeing
Example
The lawyer raised an objection during the trial.
C1 adjective /əbˈtjuːs/

Obtuse

Meaning
annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand; lacking in intelligence or perception
Example
He was being deliberately obtuse about the instructions.
C1 adjective /ˈəʊnərəs/

onerous

Meaning
involving a great deal of effort, difficulty, or burden
Example
Fulfilling the contract proved to be an onerous task for the company.
C2 noun /ˌɑːbdʒərˈɡeɪʃən/

objurgation

Meaning
a harsh scolding or strong rebuke
Example
His misconduct earned him a severe objurgation from the manager.
C1 noun /ɒpˈtɒmətri/

optometry

Meaning
The practice or profession of examining the eyes and prescribing corrective lenses.
Example
She studied optometry at the university to become an eye specialist.
A2 noun /ˈʌn.jən/

Onion

Meaning
a round vegetable with a strong taste and smell, made up of many layers
Example
I need to chop some onions for the curry recipe.
C1 noun /əˈpreʃ.ən/

Oppression

Meaning
cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority; the state of being subject to harsh treatment
Example
The people fought against political oppression.
C1 adjective ˈɒk.sɪ.də.tɪv

oxidative

Meaning
Related to or caused by oxidation, especially cellular damage from free radicals.
Example
Excess stress can lead to oxidative damage in cells.
B2 noun /wʌn θɜːd/

one-third

Meaning
one part of something that is divided into three equal parts
Example
One-third of the class was absent today.
B2 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/

overwhelming

Meaning
Very intense; overpowering.
Example
Large tasks can feel overwhelming.
B2 verb /əbˈteɪn/

obtain

Meaning
to get or acquire something
Example
You need to obtain a visa before traveling abroad.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtˌkraɪ/

outcry

Meaning
A strong expression of public anger or disapproval.
Example
The decision sparked an outcry among the citizens.
B1 verb /əbˈzɜːrv/

observe

Meaning
to watch carefully; to notice or perceive something
Example
Scientists observe the behavior of animals in the wild.
C1 verb /əbˈsɛs/

obsess

Meaning
To preoccupy or fill the mind of someone continually and to an excessive degree.
Example
She tends to obsess over small details.
A2 verb /oʊˈbeɪ/

obey

Meaning
to follow orders or instructions; to comply with rules
Example
Children should obey their parents and teachers.
C2 noun /ˌoʊpəˈlɛsəns/

opalescence

Meaning
a milky or pearly appearance of a surface like that of an opal
Example
The pearl had a gentle opalescence under the light.
C1 adverb /ˈɒp.tɪ.məl.i/

optimally

Meaning
In the most effective or efficient way possible.
Example
Tasks should be allocated optimally for maximum output.
C1 noun /ˈɒn.slɔːt/

onslaught

Meaning
A fierce or destructive attack.
Example
The village faced an onslaught of enemy forces.
B2 adjective /ˌɔːɡənaɪˈzeɪʃənəl/

organizational

Meaning
relating to the structure or arrangement of a company or group
Example
He works on improving the organizational structure of the company.
C2 noun /əbˈstɛtrɪks/

obstetrics

Meaning
The branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of women giving birth.
Example
She is studying obstetrics to become a specialist in childbirth.
C1 noun /ˈɒstrəsɪzəm/

ostracism

Meaning
The act of excluding someone from a group or society.
Example
The student faced ostracism after breaking the rules.
C1 noun /ˈɔːr.ə.tɔːr.i/

oratory

Meaning
The art of public speaking; skilled and confident delivery of speeches to an audience.
Example
His exceptional oratory skills won him the debate competition.
C1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈrɔt/

overwrought

Meaning
extremely agitated or nervous; excessively elaborate
Example
She was too overwrought to speak clearly after the accident.
C1 noun /ˈɑn.set/

Onset

Meaning
the beginning or early stages of something; the start of a medical condition
Example
The onset of winter brought heavy snowfall.
B1 verb /əˈkɜːr/

occur

Meaning
to happen or take place; to be found or present
Example
The accident occurred at the intersection during rush hour.
C1 noun /oʊˈbɪt.ʃu.er.i/

Obituary

Meaning
a notice of someone's death published in a newspaper; biographical account of deceased person
Example
The newspaper published his obituary yesterday.
A2 noun əˈlɪm.pɪk ɡeɪmz

Olympic Games

Meaning
The world's largest international sports competition held every four years, bringing together athletes from different countries to compete in various sports.
Example
The Olympic Games bring together the world's top athletes.
B2 noun/verb /ˌoʊvərˈlæp/

overlap

Meaning
To extend over and cover partly; an area where things coincide.
Example
The two meetings overlap by an hour.
B2 noun /ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən/

opposition

Meaning
the action of opposing or resisting something
Example
The opposition to the new law was strong.
B2 noun /ˈaʊt.laɪn/

Outline

Meaning
a general description or plan showing the essential features of something; the main points
Example
The teacher provided an outline of the course syllabus.
B2 noun /ˈɒs.trɪtʃ/

Ostrich

Meaning
a large flightless bird native to Africa with long legs and neck
Example
The ostrich is the world's largest bird.
C1 adjective /əbˈstrʌk.tɪv/

Obstructive

Meaning
deliberately creating difficulties or preventing progress; hindering or blocking something
Example
The obstructive policies hindered economic growth.
B2 adverb /ˈaʊtraɪt/

Outright

Meaning
completely; directly; without reservation or concealment
Example
She rejected the proposal outright.
A2 adjective /ɒd/

Odd

Meaning
strange; unusual; different from what is normal or expected
Example
That's an odd way to solve the problem.
C2 adjective /ˈɒsiəs/

osseous

Meaning
consisting of or turned into bone; bony
Example
The fossil showed osseous structures of the ancient creature.
C2 verb /ˈɑːskjʊleɪt/

osculate

Meaning
To kiss.
Example
They osculated under the mistletoe during the party.
B1 noun /ˈɔːfɪsər/

officer

Meaning
a person in a position of authority, especially in law enforcement
Example
The officer gave him a ticket for speeding.
B2 adjective /əˈpəʊzd/

opposed

Meaning
being against or in disagreement with something
Example
She is strongly opposed to animal testing.
B2 adjective ɔːrˈɡæn.ɪk

organic

Meaning
Produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.
Example
Organic farming improves soil health and reduces pollution.