photosynthesis
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 ˌfoʊ.t̬oʊˈsɪn.θə.sɪs

photosynthesis

Meaning
The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
Example
Plants depend on photosynthesis for survival.
B1 noun, verb /paʊnd/

pound

Meaning
a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces or a unit of currency
Example
The price of the book is five pounds.
C2 noun /ˈpraɪəri/

priory

Meaning
a small monastery or convent governed by a prior or prioress
Example
The old priory was converted into a museum.
C2 noun /pəˈtruːn/

poltroon

Meaning
a cowardly person
Example
He acted like a poltroon during the crisis.
B2 verb /pruːn/

prune

Meaning
to cut off unwanted parts of a plant or tree to help it grow better
Example
Gardeners prune the trees in spring to encourage growth.
A2 adjective ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl

physical

Meaning
Relating to things perceived through the senses as opposed to the mind; tangible or concrete.
Example
Physical components form the system's base.
C2 noun /prɔːŋ/

prong

Meaning
a projecting pointed part, such as one of the pointed ends of a fork
Example
The fork has four prongs.
B2 noun /fəˈnɒmɪnən/

phenomenon

Meaning
an observable event, fact, or occurrence, often unusual or remarkable
Example
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒmɪsəri/

promissory

Meaning
Containing or conveying a promise, especially in writing.
Example
He signed a promissory note to repay the loan.
B1 noun /ˈproʊtiːn/

protein

Meaning
a molecule composed of amino acids essential for bodily functions
Example
Proteins are essential for building and repairing tissues in the body.
C1 verb /ˌpriːdɪˈspoʊz/

predispose

Meaning
To make someone more likely to behave in a certain way or be affected by something.
Example
His genetics may predispose him to diabetes.
C1 noun /pæŋ/

pang

Meaning
a sudden sharp feeling of pain or emotional distress
Example
She felt a pang of guilt after the argument.
C1 noun /pəˈfjuː.mər.i/

perfumery

Meaning
the art, business, or products of making perfumes
Example
She works in a perfumery that creates luxury scents.
C1 adjective /ˌpæn.əˈmer.ɪ.kən/

Pan-American

Meaning
relating to all the countries of North, Central, and South America
Example
The Pan-American Games bring together athletes from across the continent.
B1 verb /pərˈsweɪd/

persuade

Meaning
to convince someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument
Example
He persuaded his friend to join the club.
A2 adjective /ˈplɛzənt/

pleasant

Meaning
giving a sense of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction
Example
We had a pleasant evening at the park.
C1 adjective /ˈprɛdəˌtɔri/

predatory

Meaning
Relating to animals that prey on others; exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.
Example
The predatory bird swooped down on its prey.
B2 noun/verb /ˈpriːfɪks/

prefix

Meaning
a word, letter, or number placed before another; as a verb, to add something in front of something else
Example
Developers often prefix variables with an underscore.
A1 noun/verb /pɛn/

pen

Meaning
A writing instrument using ink; also, to write something.
Example
She used a pen to sign the document.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪθ.i/

pithy

Meaning
concise and meaningful; full of substance
Example
She gave a pithy comment that summarized the issue perfectly.
B1 noun /ˈpeɪstri/

pastry

Meaning
a baked food product made from flour, fat, and water, often sweet or savory
Example
I bought a box of fresh pastries for breakfast.
C1 adjective /ˈpɛndənt/

pendent

Meaning
hanging down or suspended
Example
The pendent branches touched the ground.
B2 noun /ˈpes.ə.mɪst/

Pessimist

Meaning
a person who tends to see the worst aspect of things or believes that the worst will happen; someone who lacks hope or confidence in the future
Example
Being a pessimist, he always expected the worst outcome.
C2 noun ˌpɜː.tɪˈnæs.ɪ.ti

pertinacity

Meaning
Firm determination and persistence in achieving something.
Example
His pertinacity in achieving his goals was inspiring.
C2 noun /prəˈfʌn.dɪ.ti/

profundity

Meaning
Deep insight; great depth of knowledge or thought.
Example
The profundity of his words left a lasting impact.
C1 noun /ˈsuːdənɪm/

pseudonym

Meaning
a fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name
Example
Mark Twain was the pseudonym of Samuel Clemens.
B1 noun /praɪˈɔːr.ə.ti/

Priority

Meaning
something that is more important than other things and needs attention first
Example
Health should be our top priority.
C2 adjective /ˈprɪɡɪʃ/

priggish

Meaning
self-righteously moralistic and superior
Example
He came across as priggish when correcting everyone's manners.
B2 verb /pəˈtroʊl/

patrol

Meaning
to move around an area to watch or guard it
Example
The police patrol the streets at night to ensure safety.
B2 adjective /ˈpæsɪv/

passive

Meaning
not actively responding or participating; in grammar, denoting the voice in which the subject undergoes the action
Example
Instead of taking charge, he remained passive during the meeting.
A2 noun /ˈpʊd.ɪŋ/

Pudding

Meaning
a sweet dessert typically made by boiling or steaming
Example
My grandmother makes delicious chocolate pudding for dessert.
B2 noun /ˈpæm.flət/

pamphlet

Meaning
a small booklet or brochure containing information or arguments about a subject
Example
The health department distributed a pamphlet about nutrition.
A2 noun /ˈfəʊtəɡrɑːf/

photograph

Meaning
a picture made using a camera
Example
She took a photograph of the sunset.
A1 noun /fəʊn/

phone

Meaning
a device for communication, typically used to make calls or send messages
Example
I need to charge my phone.
C1 adjective /ˈpʌn.dʒənt/

Pungent

Meaning
sharp; strong-smelling; acrid;
Example
The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
C2 adjective /prɪˈmɒnɪtəri/ or /ˌpriːməˈnɪtəri/

premonitory

Meaning
giving a warning or prediction about something, especially something unpleasant
Example
He ignored the premonitory signs of illness.
B1 noun /plʌm/

Plum

Meaning
a small round fruit with smooth red or purple skin, sweet flesh, and a single large seed
Example
The purple plum was juicy and delicious.
C1 noun /ˌpændəˈmoʊniəm/

pandemonium

Meaning
Wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
Example
When the concert was canceled, pandemonium broke out among the crowd.
C1 noun /ˈpɛntəɡən/

pentagon

Meaning
A plane figure with five straight sides and five angles; also refers to the US Department of Defense building.
Example
The Pentagon is one of the most iconic government buildings in the United States.
C2 noun /prəˈfjuːʒən/

profusion

Meaning
an abundance or large quantity of something
Example
Spring brought a profusion of wildflowers to the valley.
B2 verb praɪˈɒraɪtaɪz

prioritize

Meaning
To designate or treat something as more important than other things
Example
Prioritize your tasks to stay efficient.
C2 noun /pɪks/

pyx

Meaning
a small container, often used in Christian liturgy to carry the consecrated host
Example
The priest placed the consecrated host into the pyx before visiting the sick.
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.
B2 noun /prɒkˈsɪmɪti/

proximity

Meaning
Nearness in space, time, or relationship.
Example
The proximity of the school to her house made it convenient.
C1 noun ˌpɒlɪˈneɪʃən

Pollination

Meaning
The process by which pollen is transferred from flowers, enabling plant reproduction.
Example
Butterflies play a vital role in pollination.
C1 adjective /pɒˈstɪəriər/

posterior

Meaning
Situated at or toward the back; later in time.
Example
The posterior part of the brain controls vision.
B1 noun /prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/

pronunciation

Meaning
the way a word or language is spoken; the act or result of pronouncing words
Example
Her pronunciation of French words has improved significantly.
C1 adjective /prəˈsiːdʒərəl/

procedural

Meaning
Relating to an established or official way of doing something; concerned with procedure.
Example
The committee followed the procedural rules strictly.
A2 noun; adverb /pərˈsɛnt/

percent

Meaning
a proportion out of one hundred; by each hundred
Example
Sales increased by ten percent this year.
C2 noun /ˌfɑːrməkəˈpiːə/

pharmacopoeia

Meaning
An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.
Example
The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage.
C1 verb প্রিসিপিটেট

precipitate

Meaning
To fall from the sky as rain, snow, or other forms of water.
Example
Vapor precipitates as rain in warmer climates.
A2 noun /ˈprɛzɪdənt/

president

Meaning
the elected head of a republican state
Example
The president addressed the nation last night.
B2 noun /fɪˈlɒsəfə/

philosopher

Meaning
a person engaged in the study of philosophy or in serious thinking about fundamental questions
Example
Socrates was a famous philosopher of ancient Greece.
A1 noun /praɪs/

price

Meaning
the amount of money expected, required, or given for something
Example
The price of the car has increased recently.
C1 noun /ˈpɑːrlər/

parlor

Meaning
A sitting room in a private house, or a shop providing specified services.
Example
They welcomed the guests into the front parlor.
B1 noun

Pause

C1 noun /ˈpɛs.tɪ.saɪd ˈrɛz.ɪ.djuː/

pesticide-residue

Meaning
Chemical remnants left over from pesticides used on crops or in soil.
Example
Excess pesticide-residue in food can be harmful to health.
C2 adverb /ˌpɛlˈmɛl/

pell-mell

Meaning
In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner.
Example
The children ran pell-mell through the playground.
C2 noun /pʌntʃ ˈfoʊrən/

Panch Phoron

Meaning
a Bengali spice blend containing five whole spices: cumin, fennel, fenugreek, nigella, and mustard seeds
Example
The aroma filled the kitchen when she heated panch phoron in oil.
C1 noun /saɪˈkoʊsɪs/

psychosis

Meaning
A severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are impaired, leading to a loss of contact with reality.
Example
The patient was diagnosed with psychosis after experiencing hallucinations.
B2 verb /pərˈsiːvd/

perceived

Meaning
to become aware of something through the senses or the mind; to understand or interpret
Example
She perceived a hint of sadness in his voice.
C1 verb /ˈprɪkəl/

prickle

Meaning
to cause a slight stinging or tingling sensation on the skin
Example
Her skin began to prickle in the cold wind.
B1 noun /ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən/

preparation

Meaning
The act of getting ready or making arrangements for something.
Example
The team made careful preparation for the presentation.
C1 noun /peɪˈiː/

payee

Meaning
A person to whom money is paid or is to be paid.
Example
The payee must sign the check before cashing it.
C1 noun /ˈpæd.ək/

paddock

Meaning
a small enclosed field where horses or other animals are kept
Example
The horses were grazing in the paddock.
B2 adjective /ˌpoʊstˈwɔːr/

post-war

Meaning
relating to the period after a war has ended
Example
The country experienced rapid economic growth in the post-war years.
B2 noun /pəˈsjuːt/

pursuit

Meaning
the act of chasing or trying to achieve something
Example
He dedicated his life to the pursuit of happiness.
A2 noun /prɪns/

prince

Meaning
a male member of a royal family, especially the son of a king or queen; a ruler of a principality
Example
The prince addressed the nation on his birthday.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪˌmoʊni/

patrimony

Meaning
Property or inheritance passed down from one's father or ancestors.
Example
The castle was part of his patrimony from his noble ancestors.
A2 noun /pərˈmɪʃən/

permission

Meaning
the action of allowing or granting consent
Example
You need permission to enter the restricted area.
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.
C1 noun

Peck

C2 verb /prəˈpɪʃieɪt/

propitiate

Meaning
to win or regain the favor of someone by doing something that pleases them
Example
He offered gifts to propitiate the angry gods.
C2 noun /pɛnˈtæmɪtər/

pentameter

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

pernicious

Meaning
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
Example
The pernicious effects of smoking are well-documented.
B1 noun /ˈpɜr.fjuːm/

Perfume

Meaning
a fragrant liquid made from essential oils and alcohol; a pleasant smell
Example
She wore her favorite perfume to the party.
B1 verb /preɪ/

pray

Meaning
to speak to God or a deity; to hope earnestly
Example
Many people pray for peace in the world.
C1 noun /prəˈspɛktəs/

prospectus

Meaning
a printed document that advertises or describes a school, business, or investment offering
Example
The university sent out a prospectus to attract new students.
C1 adjective /ˈpʌlməˌneri/

pulmonary

Meaning
relating to the lungs
Example
The patient suffered from a serious pulmonary infection.
B1 noun /pərˈsɛntɪdʒ/

percentage

Meaning
a proportion or share in relation to a whole
Example
The percentage of students who passed the exam was high.
C1 noun ˌprɒf.ɪ.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

profitability

Meaning
The degree to which a business or activity yields profit or financial gain.
Example
Increasing sales and reducing costs boosted profitability.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

penetrable

Meaning
Capable of being passed through or entered.
Example
The thin wall was easily penetrable.
C1 noun /ˈpɑːrtʃmənt/

parchment

Meaning
a thin material made from animal skin, used in the past for writing
Example
The ancient manuscript was written on parchment.
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.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɪʒən/

parisian

Meaning
relating to Paris or its people
Example
She wore a Parisian style dress at the party.
B2 noun prəˈsiːdɪŋz

proceedings

Meaning
An event or a series of activities involving a formal or set procedure.
Example
The proceedings discussed language issues.
C2 adjective /pəˈrɒnɪməs/

paronymous

Meaning
Words that are derived from the same root or sound alike.
Example
The words 'effect' and 'effective' are paronymous.
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.
B1 noun /ˈpɪdʒ.ən/

Pigeon

Meaning
a grey and white bird with a fat body that is common in cities
Example
The pigeon pecked at breadcrumbs on the sidewalk.
B2 verb /prɪˈzɜːv/

preserve

Meaning
to keep something in its original state; to protect from harm or decay
Example
We must preserve our natural environment.
B2 noun

Patriot

C2 noun /ˈpærəpɛt/

parapet

Meaning
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or bridge.
Example
The soldier hid behind the parapet for protection.
C1 noun /plɔɪ/

ploy

Meaning
a clever plan or action designed to gain an advantage
Example
She used a clever ploy to win the debate.
B1 noun ˈpɒl.ə.si

policy

Meaning
A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual; a contract of insurance.
Example
Effective policies drive national development.
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.
C2 noun /ˈpærəmʊr/

paramour

Meaning
a lover, especially an illicit one
Example
The secret paramour was finally revealed.
A1 noun /piːˈɛm/

pm

Meaning
abbreviation for post meridiem; after midday
Example
The meeting is scheduled at 3 pm.
C2 noun /ˌpɛkjʊˈleɪʃən/

peculation

Meaning
The act of embezzling or stealing money, especially from public funds.
Example
The minister resigned after being accused of peculation.
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.
C2 noun /ˌpɒl.iˈsɪl.ə.bəl/

polysyllable

Meaning
a word with more than one syllable
Example
The word 'elephant' is a polysyllable because it has three syllables.
C2 verb /ˈpʌkər/

pucker

Meaning
to tighten or contract into small folds or wrinkles
Example
She puckered her lips before kissing the child.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛstɪlənt/

pestilent

Meaning
Causing or tending to cause death or destruction; harmful or pernicious.
Example
The pestilent atmosphere of the swamp made people sick.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪzəm/

pugilism

Meaning
The practice or sport of boxing.
Example
He studied the art of pugilism in his youth.
C1 noun /pəˈlɪɡ.ə.mi/

Polygamy

Meaning
the practice of marrying multiple spouses at the same time
Example
Polygamy is illegal in many countries around the world.
B2 noun /ˈpleɪˌɔːf/

playoff

Meaning
a series of games played to determine a champion among top teams
Example
The team qualified for the playoffs after a strong season.
B1 adverb /ˈpɜr.sən.ə.li/

Personally

Meaning
as a person; in one's own opinion; for oneself; in person
Example
Personally, I think the movie was excellent, though others disagree.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrləns/

parlance

Meaning
a particular way of speaking or using words, common to a group
Example
In legal parlance, the term has a different meaning.
C1 verb /pərˈplɛks/

perplex

Meaning
To confuse or puzzle someone.
Example
The complex instructions perplexed the students.
C2 noun /ˌpɜː.spɪˈkæs.ɪ.ti/

perspicacity

Meaning
Sharp insight, keen understanding and discernment.
Example
Her perspicacity in business decisions led to success.
C2 adjective /ˈpaɪbɔːld/

piebald

Meaning
having irregular patches of two colors, especially black and white
Example
The farmer owns a piebald horse with black and white spots.
B2 verb, noun, adjective /prɑːmpt/

prompt

Meaning
To cause someone to take action; done without delay.
Example
His speech prompted the audience to ask questions.
C1 noun/verb /pɔːr/

pore

Meaning
As a noun: a tiny opening in the skin or surface. As a verb: to study something carefully.
Example
She pored over the documents for hours before making a decision.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːrɡəˌtɔːri/

purgatory

Meaning
A place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven; a temporary condition of torment or suffering.
Example
After the accident, the long recovery felt like a kind of purgatory.
C1 noun /ˈprɒspɛktər/

prospector

Meaning
a person who searches for mineral deposits, especially gold
Example
The prospector spent years in the mountains searching for gold.
B2 adjective /ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/

promising

Meaning
showing signs of future success or potential
Example
She is a promising young scientist with great ideas.
C1 verb /pɑːrs/

parse

Meaning
to analyze a sentence or text grammatically or logically
Example
The software can parse large amounts of text data efficiently.
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 verb /ˈpruːfˌriːd/

proofread

Meaning
to read written material and mark any errors
Example
She proofread the report before submission.
B1 noun /piː/

Pea

Meaning
a small round green seed eaten as a vegetable
Example
The children enjoyed eating sweet peas with dinner.
B2 noun pɛsts

pests

Meaning
Harmful or troublesome creatures, especially insects or small animals that damage crops, food, or living spaces.
Example
Pests can damage crops and cause diseases.