pithy
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
C1 adjective /ˈpɪθ.i/

pithy

Meaning
concise and meaningful; full of substance
Example
She gave a pithy comment that summarized the issue perfectly.
C1 noun/verb /ˈsuː.tʃər/

suture

Meaning
A stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision.
Example
The doctor used a suture to close the wound.
C2 adjective /ˈtriːkli/

treacly

Meaning
Excessively sweet or sentimental, like treacle.
Example
The movie was too treacly for my taste.
C2 adjective /ˈlæk.ti.əl/

lacteal

Meaning
Relating to or resembling milk; conveying chyle or milky fluid.
Example
The lacteal vessels in the small intestine absorb dietary fats.
C2 noun /ˈɛkwɪpɪdʒ/

equipage

Meaning
Equipment or a carriage with its accessories.
Example
The nobleman arrived in a grand equipage.
C2 noun /ˈper.ɪ.dʒiː/

perigee

Meaning
the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the Earth
Example
The moon appeared much larger during its perigee.
A1 noun /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

morning

Meaning
the early part of the day, typically from sunrise until noon
Example
I like to go for a run in the morning.
C1 noun /ˈmʌf.lər/

Muffler

Meaning
a long strip of cloth worn around the neck for warmth
Example
She wrapped a warm muffler around her neck before going outside.
C1 adjective ˈzɛləs

zealous

Meaning
Having or showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective; fervent.
Example
The zealous volunteers worked tirelessly for the cause.
C1 adjective /ˈmærɪtəl/

marital

Meaning
Relating to marriage or the relationship between husband and wife.
Example
They sought counseling to resolve their marital issues.
C1 noun/verb /smʌdʒ/

smudge

Meaning
a dirty mark or smear; to make something dirty or unclear by rubbing or touching
Example
She accidentally smudged her lipstick on the napkin.
C1 noun /ˈlɪrɪk/

lyric

Meaning
the words of a song or a short poem that expresses personal feelings
Example
She memorized every lyric of her favorite song.
B2 noun/verb /ˈɡreɪzɪŋ/

grazing

Meaning
The act of animals eating grass in a field; also lightly touching or scraping against something.
Example
Cows were grazing peacefully in the meadow.
C2 noun /ˌhoʊ.mi.oʊˈsteɪ.sɪs/

homeostasis

Meaning
The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Example
The human body maintains homeostasis through temperature regulation.
C2 noun /ɔːrˈθɑːɡrəfi/

orthography

Meaning
The conventional spelling system of a language.
Example
English orthography can be confusing for learners.
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 /moʊt/

mote

Meaning
A tiny particle or speck, especially of dust.
Example
A mote of dust floated in the sunlight.
C2 verb /ˈdɛsɪkreɪt/

desecrate

Meaning
to treat a sacred place or object with disrespect or violation
Example
The vandals desecrated the ancient temple walls with graffiti.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊtˌluːs/

footloose

Meaning
Free to go anywhere or do anything; not tied down by responsibilities.
Example
After graduating, he felt footloose and ready to explore the world.
C2 noun /fiːˈkʌndɪti/

fecundity

Meaning
the ability to produce an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertility
Example
The fecundity of the river delta supports diverse wildlife.
C1 verb /diːˈfɒrɪst/

deforest

Meaning
to clear an area of trees, usually on a large scale
Example
The region has been heavily deforested for agriculture.
C2 adjective /æmˈbroʊʒiəl/

ambrosial

Meaning
Exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell; divine.
Example
The aroma of freshly baked bread was simply ambrosial.
A2 verb /ɡriːt/

greet

Meaning
to welcome someone; to say hello
Example
She greeted her guests warmly at the door.
C1 noun /rɪˈtriː.vəl/

retrieval

Meaning
The process of getting something back, especially from storage or memory.
Example
The brain's retrieval system helps recall past experiences.
C2 noun /ɪˈlɛk.trə.taɪp/

electrotype

Meaning
A duplicate printing plate made by electroplating a mold of the original.
Example
The printer used an electrotype to produce multiple copies of the page.
C2 adjective /ˌiːvənˈhændɪd/

evenhanded

Meaning
Fair and impartial; showing no bias or favoritism.
Example
The judge was praised for her evenhanded approach to the case.
C1 noun proʊˈæktɪv ˈseɪvɪŋ

proactive saving

Meaning
Actively planning and setting aside money in advance to prepare for future financial needs
Example
Proactive saving ensures financial stability in old age.
C2 noun /ˈtɒksɪn/

tocsin

Meaning
an alarm bell or signal; a warning that something bad is about to happen
Example
The data breach sounded a tocsin for stricter security.
C1 verb bɪˈkwiːð

bequeath

Meaning
Leave something to someone in a will; pass down or hand down to the next generation.
Example
The scientist bequeathed his research papers to the university.
C1 noun /ˈmætɪneɪ/

matinee

Meaning
A performance, especially a play or movie, that takes place in the afternoon.
Example
We bought tickets for the Sunday afternoon matinee.
C2 noun /kəˈpærɪsən/

caparison

Meaning
an ornamental covering for a horse; rich and elaborate clothing or decoration
Example
The king’s horse was adorned with a golden caparison.
C1 adjective /prəˈfɛtɪk/

prophetic

Meaning
accurately predicting or describing what will happen in the future
Example
His prophetic words came true after many years.
A2 verb /əˈtend/

attend

Meaning
to be present at; to give attention to; to take care of
Example
I will attend the conference next week.
C1 adjective, adverb (informal, vulgar) /ˈfʌkɪŋ/

fucking

Meaning
used for emphasis, often expressing anger or frustration (vulgar slang)
Example
It was a fucking disaster!
C1 adjective /ˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl/

consequential

Meaning
Having important or significant consequences; resulting from something.
Example
The meeting was consequential for the future of the project.
A2 noun /vəˈkæbjʊləri/

vocabulary

Meaning
the set of words known and used by a person, group, or language; the words used in a particular field or subject
Example
Reading every day helps improve your vocabulary.
A2 noun /paɪ/

Pie

Meaning
a baked dish of fruit, meat, or vegetables, typically with a top and base of pastry
Example
My grandmother makes the best apple pie in town.
B1 verb /krɔːl/

crawl

Meaning
to move slowly on hands and knees; to move very slowly
Example
The baby crawled across the floor to reach the toy.
B2 noun /dʒɜːrk/

Jerk

Meaning
a quick, sharp, sudden movement; an abrupt pull or twist; a foolish person
Example
The sudden jerk of the train caused passengers to lose their balance momentarily.
A2 noun /ˈheəkʌt/

haircut

Meaning
the act or style of cutting hair
Example
I got a haircut before the wedding.
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 /ˈrʊkəri/

rookery

Meaning
a place where rooks or other birds breed and nest in colonies
Example
We saw a rookery full of noisy birds near the forest.
A2 noun /maʊθ/

Mouth

Meaning
the opening in the face used for eating, drinking, speaking, and breathing
Example
Please open your mouth wide for the dentist to examine.
C1 adjective /ˈnæk.ərd/

Knackered

Meaning
extremely tired; exhausted
Example
I'm absolutely knackered after working all day.
C2 noun, adjective /klɛərˈvɔɪənt/

clairvoyant

Meaning
a person who claims to have clairvoyance; having the ability to see beyond normal senses
Example
The clairvoyant predicted that she would travel abroad soon.
B2 adverb /ˈiːɡərli/

Eagerly

Meaning
with keen interest or enthusiasm; with great desire
Example
The children eagerly waited for the holiday to begin.
C2 noun /ˌprɛsiˈɒsɪti/

preciosity

Meaning
Excessive refinement or affected elegance in language, style, or behavior.
Example
The author's preciosity made the novel difficult to read for some audiences.
B2 adjective /naɪˈiːv/

naive

Meaning
Having a lack of experience or sophistication; overly innocent or trusting.
Example
She was naive to believe the scammer’s story.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛn.ju.əs/

tenuous

Meaning
Very weak, thin, or slight; lacking a strong basis.
Example
The evidence against him is quite tenuous.
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.
C1 verb /səbˈmɜːrdʒ/

submerge

Meaning
to put under water or cover with liquid
Example
The floodwaters threatened to submerge the village.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛstɪv/

restive

Meaning
unable to stay still or silent; restless and impatient
Example
The crowd grew restive as they waited for the concert to begin.
C2 noun /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəns/

inadvertence

Meaning
Failure to pay attention; carelessness.
Example
The error happened through sheer inadvertence.
C2 noun /səˈlɛrɪti/

celerity

Meaning
swiftness of movement; speed
Example
The soldier moved with great celerity to deliver the message.
C1 noun /ˌjuːθəˈneɪʒə/

euthanasia

Meaning
The practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.
Example
The debate about euthanasia raises difficult ethical questions.
A2 pronoun /ˈnoʊˌbɑːdi/

nobody

Meaning
no person; not anyone
Example
Nobody came to the party.
B2 verb /ˈtɛrəˌfaɪ/

terrify

Meaning
To cause someone to feel extreme fear.
Example
The loud thunder terrified the children.
B1 verb /kəˈmɪt/

commit

Meaning
To carry out or perpetrate an act; to pledge or bind to a course of action.
Example
He committed a serious mistake in the report.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊdaɪˈnæmɪks/

hydrodynamics

Meaning
The branch of science concerned with the motion of fluids, especially liquids, and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids.
Example
Hydrodynamics is essential in designing efficient ship hulls.
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 /flæmˈbɔɪənt/

flamboyant

Meaning
showy, strikingly bold or colorful; confident and lively
Example
His flamboyant style drew everyone's attention at the party.
C2 adverb /əˈθwɔːrt/

athwart

Meaning
Across or in opposition to something.
Example
A fallen tree lay athwart the road, blocking traffic.
B1 noun /ˈsɜːvənt/

servant

Meaning
a person who performs duties for others, especially in a household
Example
The servant opened the door for the guests.
C1 verb rɪˈlɪŋ.kwɪʃ

relinquish

Meaning
To give up any authority, responsibility, or property.
Example
He decided to relinquish his position as CEO.
C1 verb /əˈpreɪz/

appraise

Meaning
to evaluate the value, quality, or importance of something
Example
The jeweler appraised the diamond before buying it.
C2 noun /ˌmɛɡələˈmeɪniə/

megalomania

Meaning
A condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, wealth, or omnipotence.
Example
The dictator’s megalomania led him to believe he was invincible.
B1 noun /ˈproʊɡræmɪŋ/

programing

Meaning
the process of writing computer code to create software or applications
Example
He spends most of his time learning computer programming.
B2 adverb /ˈhev.ɪ.li/

Heavily

Meaning
with great weight; to a great degree; intensely
Example
It rained heavily throughout the night.
B1 noun /ˈfæn.si/

Fancy

Meaning
a feeling of liking or wanting something; imagination or fantasy
Example
The child had a fancy for becoming a famous astronaut when he grew up.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪn.tɪ.leɪ.tɪŋ/

scintillating

Meaning
brilliantly clever, exciting, or sparkling
Example
Her scintillating conversation kept everyone entertained.
B2 noun /mɒsk/

mosque

Meaning
A Muslim place of worship.
Example
They gathered at the mosque for the Friday prayer.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪəbəl/

unemployable

Meaning
Not able to be employed; lacking the skills or qualities necessary for employment
Example
Due to his criminal record, he was considered unemployable in most companies.
B2 adverb /ɪmˈpɒlɪtli/

impolitely

Meaning
in a rude or discourteous manner; without showing respect or proper manners
Example
He spoke impolitely to the waiter despite the polite service.
C1 adjective /ˈtæntəmaʊnt/

tantamount

Meaning
Equivalent in seriousness or effect; virtually the same as.
Example
His refusal to speak was tantamount to an admission of guilt.
B2 adjective /rɪˈzɜːrvd/

Reserved

Meaning
slow to reveal emotion or opinions; restrained in manner
Example
She is quite reserved and doesn't talk much in meetings.
C2 noun /skʌlˈdʌɡəri/

skulduggery

Meaning
underhanded or dishonest behavior
Example
The politician was accused of financial skulduggery.
B2 noun /faɪˈnæn.ʃəl rɪˌspɒn.sɪˈbɪl.ə.ti/

financial responsibility

Meaning
The practice of managing money and other financial resources in a responsible and effective manner.
Example
Financial responsibility ensures long-term economic stability.
A2 adjective /ˈmeɪdʒər/

major

Meaning
important, serious, or significant
Example
Climate change is a major concern for the world.
C2 noun /ˌkæstɪˈɡeɪʃən/

castigation

Meaning
Severe criticism or punishment for wrongdoing.
Example
The manager’s harsh castigation shocked the entire team.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːrksəm/

irksome

Meaning
annoying or irritating
Example
Waiting in a long line is one of the most irksome tasks.
B2 noun /ˌɔːtəbaɪˈɒɡrəfi/

autobiography

Meaning
An account of a person's life written by that person.
Example
She published an autobiography about her journey to success.
C1 adjective /ˈflʌstərd/

flustered

Meaning
in a state of confusion or agitation
Example
She appeared flustered after being asked so many questions.
C2 verb /ˈɡʌzəl/

guzzle

Meaning
to drink greedily or excessively
Example
He guzzled three cans of soda in a few minutes.
C2 verb /ˈʌndərˌraɪt/

underwrite

Meaning
To guarantee financial support, especially by agreeing to cover losses or risks; in insurance, to assess and accept risks.
Example
The bank agreed to underwrite the company's new bond issue.
C2 verb /ˈædjʊˌleɪt/

adulate

Meaning
to praise or flatter excessively
Example
The fans adulated the actor after his performance.
C1 noun /ˌriː.dɪs.trɪˈbjuː.ʃən/

redistribution

Meaning
The sharing of wealth or resources more equally among society.
Example
The government introduced a redistribution policy to reduce inequality.
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.
B1 noun praɪd

pride

Meaning
A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements or from achievements associated with one.
Example
Victory Day fills our hearts with pride.
C2 adjective /ˈpjuːtətɪv/

putative

Meaning
commonly accepted or supposed; generally regarded as such
Example
He is the putative father of the child.
C2 adjective /əˈvʌŋkjələr/

avuncular

Meaning
kind and friendly, like an uncle
Example
He had an avuncular manner that made everyone feel comfortable.
B2 verb /spɪt/

spit

Meaning
to force liquid, especially saliva, out of the mouth
Example
He spat on the ground in anger.
B1 noun /ˈbeɪs.mənt/

Basement

Meaning
the lowest floor of a building, typically below ground level
Example
We store old furniture in the basement.
C2 verb /ˈfrʌktɪˌfaɪ/

fructify

Meaning
To make fruitful or productive; to bear fruit.
Example
The new policies will help fructify the economic potential of the region.
C1 noun /dɪˈvaɪzər/

divisor

Meaning
A number by which another number is divided.
Example
In the equation 12 ÷ 3, the number 3 is the divisor.
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 adjective /ˈpɛti/

petty

Meaning
Of little importance or trivial; also describes a person overly concerned with small or unimportant matters.
Example
She often gets upset over the most petty things.
C2 adjective /ˈslɪpʃɒd/

slipshod

Meaning
done in a careless, sloppy, or untidy way
Example
The project failed due to slipshod planning.
B1 verb /sərˈvaɪv/

survive

Meaning
To continue to live or exist after a difficult event or situation.
Example
He managed to survive the storm.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪz.ə.reɪt/

commiserate

Meaning
To express sympathy or compassion for someone's misfortune.
Example
She called her friend to commiserate after his loss.
B2 noun /hɪˈstɔːriən/

historian

Meaning
a person who studies or writes about history
Example
The historian gave a lecture on ancient civilizations.
B2 adjective /sə'spɪʃ.əs/

Suspicious

Meaning
having or showing distrust; doubtful; questionable
Example
The police found his behavior very suspicious.
C1 verb /ɡeɪp/

gape

Meaning
to stare with mouth wide open; to be wide open
Example
The crowd gaped at the amazing magic trick.
B2 verb /ˈbrɔːdən/

broaden

Meaning
to make wider or larger in scope; to expand ideas, experience, or understanding
Example
Travel can broaden your perspective on different cultures.
C2 noun /ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm/

mesmerism

Meaning
A state of fascination or hypnotism.
Example
The magician held the audience in a state of mesmerism.
C1 noun /kɑːrˈtɒɡrəfər/

cartographer

Meaning
A person who makes maps.
Example
The cartographer carefully drew the map of the new territory.
C2 noun /ˈɪd.i.ə.si/

Idiocy

Meaning
extremely stupid behavior or actions; foolishness
Example
The decision to ignore safety protocols was pure idiocy that endangered everyone.
C1 noun /ɪkˈstræv.ə.ɡəns/

Extravagance

Meaning
lack of restraint in spending money; excessive expense
Example
The wedding celebration was criticized for its unnecessary extravagance.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈkluːsɪv/

inclusive

Meaning
Including all the services, facilities, or items normally expected or required; not excluding any section of society or any party involved.
Example
Inclusive growth benefits all sections of society.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpæsɪv/

impassive

Meaning
Not showing or feeling emotion; expressionless.
Example
Despite the shocking news, she remained impassive.
A2 noun ˈhɪs.tər.i

History

Meaning
The study of past events; a chronological record of events and heritage.
Example
The history of ancient civilizations fascinates scholars.
C1 noun /ˈbeɪ.zəl siːdz/

Basil Seeds

Meaning
small black seeds from the basil plant, often used in drinks and desserts
Example
I added basil seeds to my lemonade for a refreshing drink.
C1 proper noun ˈɡləʊbəl ˈfaʊndriz

GlobalFoundries

Meaning
A specific company in semiconductor manufacturing.
Example
GlobalFoundries is a leading semiconductor company.
C1 noun /ˈmæroʊ/

Marrow

Meaning
A soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones; the essence of something
Example
The bone marrow produces blood cells in the human body.
C1 adjective /ˈdjuːtɪfəl/

Dutiful

Meaning
conscientiously fulfilling one's duty; obedient; respectful
Example
She is a dutiful daughter who always helps her parents.
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.
C2 verb /ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːnd/

importuned

Meaning
asked someone persistently and pressingly for something
Example
She importuned her boss for a raise until he finally gave in.
C1 adjective /ˈskræpi/

scrappy

Meaning
Determined and willing to fight or argue; also messy or disorganized.
Example
Despite being small, he was a scrappy fighter.
C1 verb/noun /stuːp/

stoop

Meaning
To bend one's body forward and downward; also a small porch or staircase at the entrance of a house
Example
He had to stoop to pick up the coin.
C1 noun /ˌʌnbɪˈliːf/

Unbelief

Meaning
lack of religious belief; skepticism or doubt
Example
His unbelief in the supernatural made him a skeptic.
C2 noun ˈvaɪ.və ˈvəʊs

viva voce

Meaning
An oral examination, typically for an academic qualification.
Example
Viva Voce tests communication skills.
B2 adjective /sɪˈlek.tɪv/

Selective

Meaning
relating to or involving careful selection; choosy about what to accept
Example
The university has a selective admission process for new students.