period
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
A2 noun /ˈpɪərɪəd/

period

Meaning
a length or portion of time
Example
The meeting will last for a period of two hours.
C2 noun /ˈpɪərɪdʒ/

peerage

Meaning
the title or rank of a peer; the nobility as a group
Example
He was elevated to the peerage by the king.
C1 noun /ˈpɒlɪɡlɒt/

polyglot

Meaning
a person who knows and can use several languages
Example
She is a polyglot, fluent in English, Spanish, and Bengali.
C2 noun /ˈpæk.ɪ.dɜːrm/

pachyderm

Meaning
a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus
Example
The zoo had several pachyderms, including elephants and rhinos.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk/

peripatetic

Meaning
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or based on lifestyle.
Example
He led a peripatetic life as a traveling teacher.
B2 noun /pʌŋk/

punk

Meaning
a type of popular music, or the culture associated with it, characterized by loud, fast rhythms and rebellious attitudes
Example
He’s always been into punk music and fashion.
C1 adjective /ˈpæl.ɪd/

Pallid

Meaning
pale, especially because of poor health; lacking substance or vitality
Example
His pallid complexion showed signs of illness.
A2 adjective /praʊd/

Proud

Meaning
feeling deep pleasure from one's achievements; having high self-respect
Example
She was proud of her daughter's academic achievements.
C2 noun /pəˈræm.bjə.leɪ.tər/

Perambulator

Meaning
a four-wheeled carriage for a baby; baby stroller or pram
Example
She pushed the perambulator through the park while the baby slept peacefully.
B2 noun /ˈpoʊ.di.əm/

Podium

Meaning
a small platform on which a person may stand to be seen by an audience
Example
The winner stood on the podium to receive the gold medal.
C1 noun /ˈpɔː.pəs/

Porpoise

Meaning
a small toothed whale with a low triangular dorsal fin and a blunt rounded snout
Example
The porpoise jumped gracefully out of the water.
A2 adjective /ˈpraɪ.vət/

Private

Meaning
personal; confidential; not public; individual
Example
This is a private conversation between two friends.
C2 noun /ˈpɛdɪmənt/

pediment

Meaning
a triangular gable found above the horizontal structure of a building, often in classical architecture
Example
The ancient temple had a pediment decorated with sculptures.
C1 adverb /pɜːr ˈseɪ/

per se

Meaning
By or in itself; intrinsically.
Example
The idea is not bad per se, but it needs improvement.
C1 verb /ˌpriːˈmɛdɪteɪt/

premeditate

Meaning
to think about and plan something (especially a crime) beforehand
Example
The suspect was accused of premeditating the crime.
B2 noun /ˈpɪk.səl/

pixel

Meaning
the smallest unit of a digital image or display
Example
The image is blurry because some pixels are missing.
A2 noun /ˈpoʊɪm/

poem

Meaning
a piece of writing that expresses ideas, feelings, or tells a story in a distinct form, often using rhyme or meter
Example
She wrote a beautiful poem for her mother.
C2 noun /pɪˈdɒl.ə.dʒi/

pedology

Meaning
The study of soils in their natural environment.
Example
Pedology helps scientists understand soil fertility.
B2 noun /ˈpesɪˌmɪzəm/

pessimism

Meaning
A tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe the worst will happen.
Example
Her constant pessimism made it hard to stay optimistic.
A2 adjective /ˈprɒpər/

proper

Meaning
conforming to accepted standards of behavior or morality
Example
He made sure to wear proper attire for the interview.
B2 adjective /fəˈnɒmɪnəl/

phenomenal

Meaning
extraordinary, remarkable, or exceptional in a way that is very impressive
Example
The team achieved phenomenal success in the tournament.
B1 noun /ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən/

preparation

Meaning
The act of getting ready or making arrangements for something.
Example
The team made careful preparation for the presentation.
C2 noun /pɛnˈtæmɪtər/

pentameter

Meaning
A line of verse consisting of five metrical feet.
Example
Shakespeare often wrote his plays in iambic pentameter.
C1 verb /piːv/

peeve

Meaning
To annoy or irritate someone.
Example
His constant interruptions really peeve me.
C1 noun /ˈplæn.teɪn ˈflaʊ.ər/

Plantain flower

Meaning
The flower bud of a banana plant, used as a vegetable in cooking
Example
We cooked plantain flower curry for dinner.
B2 noun /ˌpɜː.sɪˈvɪə.rəns/

perseverance

Meaning
Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
Example
His perseverance helped him achieve his dreams.
C1 adjective /ˈpræk.tɪ.kə.bəl/

practicable

Meaning
able to be done or put into practice successfully
Example
The plan is not practicable without more resources.
B1 noun /pɒnd/

Pond

Meaning
a small body of still water formed naturally or by artificial means
Example
The children fed the ducks at the pond in the park.
A2 noun /ˈpɛni/

penny

Meaning
a small coin of low value; a very small amount of money
Example
He found a penny on the sidewalk and smiled.
C2 verb /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
C1 noun /ˈprɒk.tər/

proctor

Meaning
a person who supervises students during an examination
Example
The proctor reminded students to keep their phones switched off.
B1 noun /ˈpælɪs/

palace

Meaning
a large and impressive building that is the official home of a king, queen, or other ruler
Example
The royal family lives in a magnificent palace.
C1 adjective /pərˈpɔːrtɪd/

purported

Meaning
alleged or claimed to be true, often without proof
Example
The purported evidence was later proven false.
C1 noun /ˈpæl.ə.tə.bəl miːt/

Palatable meat

Meaning
Meat that is pleasant to taste; appetizing meat dish
Example
The chef prepared palatable meat dishes for the dinner party.
A2 verb /prəˈvaɪd/

provide

Meaning
to give or supply something that is needed or wanted
Example
The teacher will provide extra materials for the students.
C2 adjective /pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

polemical

Meaning
relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech
Example
She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs.
A2 noun /ˈpoʊɪtri/

poetry

Meaning
a literary form that uses rhythmic and metaphorical language to express emotions or ideas
Example
She loves reading poetry in her free time.
A2 noun /ˈpjuːpəl/

pupil

Meaning
a student, especially a young one; the central opening of the eye that lets in light
Example
The pupil listened carefully to the teacher during class.
B2 noun /prəˈpɔːʃən/

proportion

Meaning
a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole
Example
The proportion of students passing the exam was high.
C2 noun /ˈfænˌtæzəm/

phantasm

Meaning
an illusion, ghost, or figment of the imagination
Example
The child claimed to see a phantasm in the old house.
C2 verb /prɪˈværɪkeɪt/

prevaricate

Meaning
to avoid telling the truth by not giving a direct answer
Example
The politician began to prevaricate when asked about the scandal.
C2 adjective /ˌpɪkəˈrɛsk/

picaresque

Meaning
relating to a style of fiction depicting the adventures of a roguish hero
Example
The novel is a picaresque tale of a clever vagabond.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊ.ə.si/

poesy

Meaning
poetry; the art or composition of poems
Example
The anthology was filled with romantic poesy.
C2 adjective /ˌpærəˈdɪɡmətɪk/

paradigmatic

Meaning
Serving as a typical example or model of something.
Example
Her success story is paradigmatic of the opportunities education can provide.
B1 verb /piːl/

peel

Meaning
to remove the outer covering or skin from a fruit or vegetable
Example
She peeled the mango before eating it.
C2 noun /ˌfɪzɪˈɑːkrəsi/

physiocracy

Meaning
an economic theory that land and its natural products are the source of wealth
Example
Physiocracy emphasized the importance of agriculture in national wealth.
C2 adjective /ˈprəʊ.lɪks/

prolix

Meaning
using too many words; tediously lengthy
Example
The professor’s prolix lecture put many students to sleep.
B1 noun /ˈpɪ.ti/

Pity

Meaning
a feeling of sadness or sympathy for someone's misfortune; something that causes regret or disappointment
Example
I felt pity for the homeless man in the rain.
C1 adjective /ˈperɪɡrɪn/

Peregrine

Meaning
wandering; traveling; migratory
Example
The peregrine falcon is known for its incredible speed.
A2 noun /pen stænd/

Pen stand

Meaning
a container or holder designed to keep pens, pencils, and other writing instruments organized
Example
He organized his pens in the pen stand on his desk.
C2 noun /ˈpɑr.bəl/

Parbal

Meaning
A green vegetable also known as pointed gourd, commonly used in South Asian cuisine
Example
Mother prepared parbal curry with fish.
C2 verb /ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/

putrefy

Meaning
to decay or rot, producing a foul smell
Example
The meat began to putrefy in the heat.
C2 noun /ˈpɛstɪləns/

pestilence

Meaning
A deadly or virulent epidemic disease that spreads rapidly.
Example
The medieval city was devastated by a pestilence.
B1 noun /ˈpɑːrləmənt/

parliament

Meaning
the highest legislative body in a country
Example
The bill was passed in parliament after a long debate.
B2 verb /ˈprɒspər/

prosper

Meaning
to succeed or flourish, especially in financial or business matters
Example
With hard work and determination, she managed to prosper in her career.
B2 noun /ˈpʌŋk.tʃər/

Puncture

Meaning
a small hole in a tire that causes air to escape
Example
I had to fix a puncture in my bicycle tire this morning.
C1 noun /ˈpriːˌkɜrsər/

precursor

Meaning
Something or someone that comes before another and indicates the approach of something else.
Example
The steam engine was a precursor to modern trains.
C1 noun /ˈpær.ə.di/

Parody

Meaning
an imitation of a particular style for comic effect; a humorous exaggerated copy
Example
The comedy show featured a parody of famous politicians.
B2 noun /ˈpjʊə.rɪ.ti/

Purity

Meaning
the state of being pure; cleanness or freedom from contamination
Example
The purity of the mountain water was remarkable.
C1 noun /pəˈrɪm.ɪ.tər/

perimeter

Meaning
the continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure or area
Example
The soldiers guarded the perimeter of the camp.
C2 noun /ˌpɛntəˈhiːdrən/

pentahedron

Meaning
A solid geometric figure with five faces.
Example
In geometry class, the teacher explained the structure of a pentahedron.
B2 verb /plʌk/

pluck

Meaning
to take hold of and quickly remove; to gather courage or determination
Example
She plucked a flower from the garden.
B1 noun /ˈpeɪvmənt/

pavement

Meaning
a hard paved surface such as a road or sidewalk; the act or result of paving
Example
She walked along the pavement to reach the bus stop.
B2 adjective /pəˈluː.tɪd/

polluted

Meaning
Contaminated with harmful or poisonous substances.
Example
Polluted air causes severe health problems.
A2 adverb /ˈprɒb.ə.bli/

Probably

Meaning
almost certainly; very likely; in all likelihood
Example
He will probably arrive late tonight.
C1 adjective /ˈpɜːrtɪnənt/

pertinent

Meaning
Relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
Example
She asked a pertinent question during the meeting.
B2 adjective /ˈpeɪ.ə.bəl/

Payable

Meaning
required to be paid; owed as a debt
Example
The amount is payable within thirty days of the invoice date.
C1 noun /prɪˈtɛnʃən/

pretension

Meaning
A claim or assertion to something, often without justification; an attempt to impress by showing greater importance or talent than is actually possessed.
Example
His pretension to be an expert was quickly exposed.
B1 noun /pɑːrˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/

participation

Meaning
the action of taking part in something
Example
Her participation in the competition was commendable.
C2 noun ˌpɜː.tɪˈnæs.ɪ.ti

pertinacity

Meaning
Firm determination and persistence in achieving something.
Example
His pertinacity in achieving his goals was inspiring.
B2 noun /prɪˈdɪk.ʃən/

Prediction

Meaning
a statement about what will happen in the future; a forecast
Example
The weather prediction says it will rain tomorrow.
B2 noun /prɒkˈsɪmɪti/

proximity

Meaning
Nearness in space, time, or relationship.
Example
The proximity of the school to her house made it convenient.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈsaɪkɪk/

psychic

Meaning
relating to the mind or supernatural powers; a person claiming to have extrasensory abilities
Example
The psychic claimed she could predict the future.
C2 noun /ˌpoʊpʊˈriː/

potpourri

Meaning
a mixture of dried flowers and spices kept in a bowl to perfume a room; a miscellaneous collection
Example
The living room was filled with the scent of potpourri.
C2 noun /ˈpɔl.zi/

Palsy

Meaning
paralysis, especially that which is accompanied by involuntary tremors; loss of muscle control
Example
The elderly man suffered from palsy in his hands.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːrfəri/

porphyry

Meaning
A hard igneous rock containing crystals, often used for decorative or building purposes.
Example
The ancient Romans used porphyry to make columns and statues.
C1 noun /ˈpruːdəns/

prudence

Meaning
The quality of being cautious, wise, and exercising good judgment.
Example
She invested her money with great prudence.
B1 noun /peɪs/

pace

Meaning
the speed at which something happens or is done
Example
She walked at a slow pace.
C1 adjective /pərˈtɜːrbd/

perturbed

Meaning
feeling anxious, unsettled, or disturbed
Example
He looked perturbed after hearing the bad news.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪ.ɡən/

Pagan

Meaning
a person holding religious beliefs other than the main world religions; a heathen
Example
Ancient Romans considered early Christians to be pagans.
A1 noun /pəˈliːs/

police

Meaning
a body of officers representing the civil authority of government
Example
The police arrived quickly to investigate the scene.
C2 noun /ˌperəˈreɪʃən/

peroration

Meaning
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.
Example
The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically.
C2 verb /prəˈroʊɡ/

prorogue

Meaning
to discontinue a session of a parliament or assembly without dissolving it
Example
The president decided to prorogue parliament until the crisis was resolved.
C2 adjective /ˌpɜːrtɪˈneɪʃəs/

pertinacious

Meaning
holding firmly to an opinion, purpose, or course of action; stubbornly persistent
Example
The pertinacious lawyer refused to give up the case.
B2 verb /pərˈsiːv/

perceive

Meaning
to become aware of or understand something through the senses
Example
I perceive a change in his attitude.
C1 noun /pəˈraɪə/

pariah

Meaning
An outcast; someone who is rejected by society or a social group.
Example
After the scandal, he became a social pariah.
C1 noun /pəˈsweɪsɪvnes/

persuasiveness

Meaning
The quality of being good at persuading someone to do or believe something.
Example
Her persuasiveness convinced the team to follow her suggestions.
C1 verb /ˈpæmpər/

pamper

Meaning
to treat with excessive care and attention; to spoil
Example
Parents often pamper their first child.
B2 noun /ˈpɪm.pəl/

Pimple

Meaning
a small, inflamed elevation of the skin; a spot on the skin, especially on the face
Example
She was embarrassed about the pimple on her forehead.
C2 noun, verb /ˌpæm.fləˈtɪər/

pamphleteer

Meaning
a person who writes or distributes pamphlets, often to promote a political or social cause
Example
In the 18th century, many pamphleteers influenced public opinion.
B1 noun prəˈtek.ʃən

protection

Meaning
The action of protecting someone or something, or the state of being protected.
Example
The movement focused on the protection of rights.
C1 noun /prəʊˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

procrastination

Meaning
The act of delaying or postponing tasks or activities.
Example
Procrastination is the enemy of success.
C1 noun /ˈpɛnɪtəns/

penitence

Meaning
The action or feeling of showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong.
Example
His eyes were full of penitence after realizing his mistake.
C1 adjective /prɪm/

prim

Meaning
stiffly formal and proper in appearance or behavior
Example
She looked prim in her neatly pressed dress.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsɪflɑːʒ/

persiflage

Meaning
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
Example
Their conversation was full of persiflage and jokes.
B1 verb pres

press

Meaning
Exert force on (someone or something), typically with one's finger or hand, in order to move them away from oneself.
Example
Press firmly to operate the machine.
B2 verb /ˈprɒsɪkjuːt/

prosecute

Meaning
to institute legal proceedings against someone
Example
The lawyer decided to prosecute the case after gathering sufficient evidence.
C2 adjective /pjuːˈtrɛsənt/

putrescent

Meaning
undergoing the process of decay; rotting
Example
The putrescent odor made everyone leave the room.
A2 noun /ˈplɛʒər/

pleasure

Meaning
a feeling of happiness or enjoyment
Example
It was a pleasure to meet you.
A2 noun; adverb /pərˈsɛnt/

percent

Meaning
a proportion out of one hundred; by each hundred
Example
Sales increased by ten percent this year.
B2 adjective /prəˈspɛktɪv/

prospective

Meaning
likely or expected to happen in the future; potential
Example
The company is meeting with prospective clients next week.
B2 adverb /prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/

predominantly

Meaning
mainly; for the most part
Example
The population in the city is predominantly young.
C2 adjective /pəˈluːsɪd/

pellucid

Meaning
Transparently clear; easy to understand.
Example
The lake water was so pellucid that you could see the stones at the bottom.
A1 noun /ˈpɛnsəl/

pencil

Meaning
an instrument for writing or drawing, typically made of wood with a graphite core
Example
He drew a picture with a pencil.
B2 adjective /ˈpæʃənət/

passionate

Meaning
showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief
Example
He is passionate about environmental conservation.
C1 verb /ˌpoʊstˈdeɪt/

postdate

Meaning
To assign a date later than the actual date to a document or event.
Example
She postdated the check to next month.
A1 noun, verb /pleɪs/

place

Meaning
a particular position or location; to put something in a specific position
Example
She placed the books on the table.
B2 verb /poʊz/

pose

Meaning
To assume a particular position, especially for a photograph or display; to present a problem or question.
Example
She posed for a picture in front of the monument.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrtnəs/

pertness

Meaning
boldness or forwardness in speech or behavior; sauciness
Example
Her pertness during the meeting surprised everyone.
B1 verb /prəˈmoʊt/

promote

Meaning
to help something develop or increase; to advance someone to a higher position
Example
The company promotes environmental awareness.
B2 noun/verb /pɜːrk/

perk

Meaning
A benefit or advantage associated with a job; or to become more lively or cheerful.
Example
One of the perks of working here is free lunch every Friday.
C1 noun prəˈtɛk.ʃə.nɪ.zəm

protectionism

Meaning
The theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports.
Example
The government's protectionism helped local businesses grow.
A1 noun /fəʊn/

phone

Meaning
a device for communication, typically used to make calls or send messages
Example
I need to charge my phone.
B2 noun /ˈprɛsɪdənt/

precedent

Meaning
An earlier event or decision that serves as a guide or example for future similar situations.
Example
The judge’s ruling set a new precedent for similar cases.
C1 noun /ˈpluː.mɪdʒ/

plumage

Meaning
the feathers covering a bird's body
Example
The peacock's plumage was vibrant and eye-catching.
A1 noun ˈpɛrənts

Parents

Meaning
One's father and mother.
Example
The family tree starts with the child's parents.
B2 noun /ˈpɪlər/

pillar

Meaning
a strong vertical support or mainstay of a structure or system
Example
The ancient temple was supported by massive stone pillars.
A1 noun /ˈpeɪ.pər/

paper

Meaning
A material manufactured in thin sheets from the pulp of wood or other fibrous substances, used for writing or printing on.
Example
The student submitted his research paper on artificial intelligence.
C2 adjective /prəˈpɪʃəs/

propitious

Meaning
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
Example
The sunny weather was a propitious start to the picnic.
B2 noun ˌpʌŋkˈtʃʊəlɪti

punctuality

Meaning
The quality of being on time; the habit of arriving or doing things at the agreed or proper time.
Example
Punctuality is a valued trait in professional settings.
B2 adjective /ˈpær.ə.lel/

Parallel

Meaning
side by side and having the same distance continuously between them; similar or corresponding
Example
The two roads run parallel to each other for several miles.