polemic
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
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪk/

polemic

Meaning
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
Example
The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies.
C1 noun /ruːz/

Ruse

Meaning
an action intended to deceive someone; a trick or stratagem
Example
The thief used a clever ruse to distract the guard.
B2 noun /ˈteɪ.lər/

Tailor

Meaning
a person whose job is making and altering clothes
Example
The tailor measured him for a new suit.
B2 adverb /prɪˈzjuːməbli/

presumably

Meaning
used to convey that something is assumed to be true though not known for certain
Example
Presumably, he forgot to send the email.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːtəl/

Mortal

Meaning
subject to death; having a limited lifespan; human
Example
All human beings are mortal and will eventually die.
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 /kɜːrl/

Curl

Meaning
a piece of hair that curves or coils; something with a spiral or curved shape
Example
She had beautiful natural curls that framed her face perfectly.
B2 noun /rɪˈbel.jən/

Rebellion

Meaning
an act of armed resistance to an established government or leader
Example
The rebellion against the king lasted for three years.
A2 noun /ˈpɪloʊ/

Pillow

Meaning
a soft cushion used to support the head while sleeping
Example
She rested her head on the soft pillow.
C2 noun /ˌɛfəˈvɛsəns/

effervescence

Meaning
The release of gas bubbles; vivacity or high-spiritedness.
Example
Her effervescence made her the life of the party.
B2 noun /ɪnˈtɜː.prə.tər/

Interpreter

Meaning
a person who translates orally from one language into another; someone who explains meaning
Example
The international conference hired professional interpreters to translate speeches in real time.
B1 adjective /ˈmʌl.tɪ.pl̩/

Multiple

Meaning
having many parts, elements, or members; numerous
Example
She suffered multiple injuries in the accident.
C2 adjective /ɪˈmɛrɪtəs/

emeritus

Meaning
having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honor
Example
He is a professor emeritus at the university.
C2 verb /juˈzɜrp/

usurp

Meaning
to take someone's position of power illegally or by force
Example
The general tried to usurp the king's throne.
C2 noun /ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃər/

ligature

Meaning
A thing used for tying or binding tightly; in music/printing, two or more notes or letters joined together.
Example
The doctor used a ligature to stop the bleeding.
A2 noun /træʃ/

Trash

Meaning
waste material; refuse; something of poor quality or little value
Example
Please take out the trash before you leave.
C1 noun /dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs/

disservice

Meaning
A harmful action; something that does damage rather than help.
Example
Spreading false information is a disservice to the community.
C1 adjective /ˈrɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/

retrograde

Meaning
moving backward or returning to a worse condition
Example
The policy was seen as a retrograde step for human rights.
B1 adjective /rɪˈkwaɪəd/

required

Meaning
necessary or compulsory
Example
A visa is required to enter the country.
B2 adverb /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/

urgently

Meaning
in a way that requires immediate attention or action
Example
The patient urgently needs medical attention.
B1 adjective /ˈɪnəsənt/

Innocent

Meaning
free from guilt or sin; pure; harmless; naive
Example
The innocent child had no idea that her parents were planning a surprise party.
B1 adjective /əˈɡrɛsɪv/

aggressive

Meaning
ready or likely to attack or confront; forceful
Example
The salesman used an aggressive strategy to close the deal.
C1 adjective /ˈpʌlməˌneri/

pulmonary

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

incredibly

Meaning
to a great degree; extremely or unbelievably
Example
The view from the top of the mountain was incredibly beautiful.
B2 noun /ˈkæriər/

carrier

Meaning
A person or thing that carries, transports, or conveys something; also an organization that provides transport services.
Example
The airline is the largest carrier in the country.
C1 noun /wɪsp/

wisp

Meaning
A small thin or twisted bunch, piece, or amount of something.
Example
A wisp of smoke rose from the chimney.
C2 verb /dɪˈsɛmbəl/

dissemble

Meaning
to conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to pretend
Example
He tried to dissemble his anger with a forced smile.
B1 noun /ˈfɪzɪks/

physics

Meaning
the natural science that studies matter, energy, and the interactions between them
Example
She decided to major in physics at the university.
B2 noun /ˈkɑː.bən ˈfʊt.prɪnt/

carbon footprint

Meaning
The amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.
Example
Reducing carbon footprint is essential for combating climate change.
B1 adverb /ˈber.li/

Barely

Meaning
scarcely; only just; almost not
Example
I barely passed the exam.
A1 verb /hæv/

have

Meaning
to possess, own, or hold
Example
They have three children.
B1 noun /ˈsɛtʌp/

setup

Meaning
an arrangement of things or the way in which something is organized or prepared
Example
The setup of the event took hours to complete.
A2 noun /kwiːn/

queen

Meaning
a female ruler of a country or the wife of a king
Example
The queen addressed her people with grace.
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 /ˈdʒel.ə.si/

Jealousy

Meaning
a feeling of envy of someone or their achievements; resentment against a rival
Example
His jealousy over his colleague's promotion led to tension in the workplace.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɔːb/

bedaub

Meaning
to smear or cover with a sticky or dirty substance
Example
The children bedaubed the wall with paint.
B1 noun ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən

inspiration

Meaning
The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Example
His journey to success became an inspiration for many.
C1 noun /rɪˈkluːs/

recluse

Meaning
A person who lives alone and avoids other people; someone who lives a solitary life.
Example
The old man lived as a recluse in the mountains.
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.
B2 adjective /ˌpeɪ.triˈɑː.tɪk/

Patriotic

Meaning
showing love for one's country
Example
The patriotic citizens celebrated Independence Day with great enthusiasm.
C2 adjective ɪnˈfiː.zə.bəl

infeasible

Meaning
Not possible to do easily or conveniently; impracticable.
Example
Restoring the forest may become infeasible if destruction continues.
C1 noun /ˌɒbstəˈtrɪʃən/

obstetrician

Meaning
A doctor specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and women's reproductive health.
Example
The obstetrician monitored the mother’s health throughout the pregnancy.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈtræn.sɪ.dʒənt/

intransigent

Meaning
Unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something.
Example
His intransigent stance delayed the agreement.
B2 noun /ˈædvərtaɪzər/

advertiser

Meaning
a person or company that advertises a product, service, or event
Example
The advertiser paid millions for a Super Bowl commercial spot.
C2 conjunction /ˌɪnəzˈmʌtʃ æz/

inasmuch-as

Meaning
Because; since.
Example
He cannot attend, inasmuch as he is unwell.
B2 noun /frɒk/

Frock

Meaning
a dress, especially a simple or casual one for women or children
Example
The little girl wore a pink frock to her birthday party.
B2 noun /bɪd/

Bid

Meaning
an offer to pay a certain amount for something; an attempt to obtain or achieve something
Example
She made a bid for the antique vase at the auction.
C1 verb /bɪˈstoʊ/

bestow

Meaning
To give or present something as a gift or honor.
Example
The king bestowed honors upon the brave soldiers.
C1 noun /woʊ/

woe

Meaning
great sorrow, distress, or trouble
Example
Her heart was filled with woe after hearing the sad news.
B2 noun /ˌdel.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

delegation

Meaning
A group of people chosen to represent others in negotiations or discussions.
Example
The delegation presented their country's agenda.
A1 noun /help/

Help

Meaning
the action of helping someone to do something; assistance or support
Example
The volunteer offered his help to carry the elderly woman's groceries to her car.
C1 adjective /ɪˈniː.bri.eɪ.tɪd/

inebriated

Meaning
under the influence of alcohol; drunk
Example
He stumbled into the room completely inebriated.
B2 noun /ˈkeɪ.ɒs/

Chaos

Meaning
complete disorder and confusion; a state of total confusion with no order
Example
The earthquake caused chaos in the city as buildings collapsed and people panicked.
A1 noun, adjective /hæf/

half

Meaning
one of two equal parts of something
Example
He ate half of the cake.
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.
C1 noun /dɪˈfaɪəns/

defiance

Meaning
Open resistance or bold disobedience.
Example
The protest was an act of defiance against injustice.
A2 adverb /ˈbæk.wərdz/

Backwards

Meaning
in the direction that is behind; in reverse order
Example
He counted backwards from ten to one.
C1 verb /rɪˈlɛnt/

relent

Meaning
to become less severe, harsh, or strict
Example
After hours of begging, she finally relented.
B2 verb /kəmˈpaɪl/

compile

Meaning
to collect information or material and put it together in a list, report, or book
Example
She compiled the research data into a detailed report.
C1 noun /ˈlɪɡ.əmənt/

ligament

Meaning
A tough band of tissue that connects bones at a joint.
Example
He tore a ligament in his knee while playing football.
B2 adjective /prɪˈventɪv/

Preventive

Meaning
designed to prevent something from happening; protective against disease
Example
Regular exercise is a preventive measure against heart disease.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈtɛnʃəs/

sententious

Meaning
Given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.
Example
His sententious remarks annoyed the audience.
C2 noun /lɪnt/

lint

Meaning
small soft fibers that come off cloth, often found in dryers or on clothes
Example
There was lint all over his black shirt after the wash.
C1 noun /pɪˌdɛs.tri.ə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

pedestrianization

Meaning
Making areas pedestrian-friendly, closing any area to vehicle traffic and making it open only for pedestrians.
Example
The pedestrianization of city centers reduces pollution.
B1 verb /əˈtɛmpt/

attempt

Meaning
to make an effort to achieve or complete something difficult
Example
He attempted to climb the mountain despite the bad weather.
C1 verb /ˈtræmpəl/

trample

Meaning
to tread heavily on something and cause damage or injury
Example
The crowd trampled the flowers in the park.
C2 verb /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪt/

emaciate

Meaning
To make abnormally thin or weak, usually because of illness or lack of food.
Example
The prisoners were emaciated after months without proper food.
B2 noun /ˈɒkjʊpənt/

occupant

Meaning
A person who resides in or is present in a house, vehicle, seat, or place.
Example
The car had three occupants at the time of the accident.
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 adjective kənˈven.ʃən.əl

conventional

Meaning
Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed; traditional, standard, customary.
Example
Many farmers still use conventional farming methods.
B2 adverb /kənˈtɪnjuəli/

Continually

Meaning
without stopping; repeatedly
Example
She continually checked her phone for messages.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌfɑːðər/

forefather

Meaning
an ancestor, especially one who was part of an earlier generation of a family or nation
Example
Our forefathers fought for independence.
C2 verb /ʃiːð/

sheathe

Meaning
to put a sword or knife back into its cover
Example
He quickly sheathed his sword after the duel.
C1 noun /hɪˈpɑː.krə.si/

Hypocrisy

Meaning
the practice of claiming to have moral standards that one does not actually possess; insincerity
Example
His hypocrisy was exposed when he criticized others for the same mistakes he had made.
C1 noun /əˈkʌmpənɪmənt/

accompaniment

Meaning
Something that goes together with or complements another thing, often music or food.
Example
The dish was served with a spicy sauce as an accompaniment.
B2 verb ɪmˈpaʊərɪŋ

empowering

Meaning
Giving someone the authority or power to do something; making someone stronger and more confident.
Example
Empowering children can lead to societal progress.
C2 noun /ˈsɛnʃəns/

sentience

Meaning
The capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.
Example
Many argue that animals possess sentience.
B2 adjective /slaɪ/

sly

Meaning
Clever in a deceitful or cunning way.
Example
She gave him a sly smile.
C2 noun /bɪˈnɪɡnɪti/

Benignity

Meaning
kindness; gentleness; the quality of being benign or gracious
Example
Her benignity towards all people made her beloved by everyone.
C2 noun /ˈvɜːrdɪɡriːs/

verdigris

Meaning
A green or bluish deposit that forms on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces due to oxidation.
Example
The old statue was covered in verdigris after years of exposure to the rain.
C1 verb /ɪˈdʒektɪd/

ejected

Meaning
to force someone or something to leave a place; to push or throw something out forcefully
Example
The pilot was ejected from the aircraft during the emergency.
A1 verb /stɒp/

stop

Meaning
to cease moving or operating; to halt; to prevent
Example
Please stop talking during the movie.
C1 noun /əˌsæsɪˈneɪʃən/

assassination

Meaning
The act of killing someone important, often for political or ideological reasons.
Example
The assassination of the president shocked the nation.
C1 adjective səˈsaɪ.ə.təl

societal

Meaning
Relating to society or social relationships.
Example
Societal benefits of space tourism are under debate.
B1 verb /ˈpʌnɪʃ/

punish

Meaning
to give a penalty for wrongdoing; to discipline
Example
The teacher will punish students who cheat.
B2 adjective /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbl/

disagreeable

Meaning
Unpleasant or offensive; causing discomfort or annoyance.
Example
The weather was cold and disagreeable.
A1 noun /ɡaɪ/

guy

Meaning
an informal term for a man; sometimes used to refer to a person in general
Example
That guy over there is my best friend.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒəbəl/

incorrigible

Meaning
incapable of being corrected, improved, or reformed
Example
He is an incorrigible optimist who never loses hope.
A2 verb /sɜːrv/

serve

Meaning
to provide service; to work for; to offer food or drink
Example
She serves breakfast at 8 AM every morning.
C1 verb /ɪnˈʃraɪn/

enshrine

Meaning
to preserve or cherish something as sacred or important
Example
The constitution enshrines the right to freedom of speech.
C1 verb /trænsˈɡrɛs/

transgress

Meaning
to go beyond the limits of a moral law, command, or boundary; to sin
Example
He apologized after realizing he had transgressed the community's rules.
A2 noun /kæp/

Cap

Meaning
a head covering with a visor; a protective covering
Example
He wore a baseball cap to protect himself from the sun.
C1 noun /ˈpoʊlstər/

pollster

Meaning
a person or organization that conducts surveys to gauge public opinion
Example
The pollster predicted a close election outcome.
A2 verb /lɪft/

lift

Meaning
to raise or move upward; to pick up
Example
He lifted the heavy box with effort.
A1 verb /ɡes/

guess

Meaning
to give an answer or opinion without complete knowledge; to estimate
Example
Can you guess the answer?
B1 verb /dɪˈvaɪd/

divide

Meaning
to separate into parts; to split or break apart
Example
Please divide the cake into eight pieces.
A1 determiner /sʌm/

some

Meaning
an unspecified amount or number of something
Example
I have some money in my wallet.
C1 noun /ˈfjʊərɔːr/

furor

Meaning
An outbreak of public anger or excitement.
Example
The politician's remarks created a furor in the media.
C1 adjective /əˈbliːk/

Oblique

Meaning
slanting; diagonal; indirect or evasive
Example
The artist drew an oblique line across the canvas.
C1 noun ˈhɛroʊˌɪzəm

heroism

Meaning
Great bravery; the qualities or attributes of a hero.
Example
The heroism of freedom fighters inspires the nation.
C1 noun /brʌnt/

brunt

Meaning
the worst part or main impact of something unpleasant
Example
The small town bore the brunt of the storm.
B2 adjective strəˈtiː.dʒɪk

strategic

Meaning
Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.
Example
Strategic policies enhance competitiveness.
C1 noun /ˈfæm.ɪn/

Famine

Meaning
extreme scarcity of food; a period when food is extremely scarce
Example
The severe drought led to widespread famine in the region.
C2 noun, verb /ˈhæmstrɪŋ/

hamstring

Meaning
a tendon at the back of the thigh; as a verb, to cripple or severely restrict the effectiveness of someone or something.
Example
Budget cuts hamstrung the organization’s plans.
B2 adjective /ˈdaʊt.fəl/

Doubtful

Meaning
uncertain; questionable; feeling uncertain about something
Example
I am doubtful about the success of this project.
B2 noun /ˈdʒɝː.nə.lɪŋ/

journaling

Meaning
The practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences regularly.
Example
Journaling helps in organizing thoughts and reducing stress.
C2 noun /tɪlθ/

tilth

Meaning
The physical condition of soil in relation to its suitability for planting crops.
Example
The farmer checked the soil's tilth before planting the seeds.
A2 noun /stoʊn/

stone

Meaning
a hard, naturally occurring mineral material found in the earth
Example
He threw a stone into the lake.
B1 noun roʊps

ropes

Meaning
A length of thick strong cord made by twisting together strands of hemp, sisal, nylon, or similar material.
Example
The ropes were tied securely to lift the heavy load.
C1 noun, verb /ˈfɜːrloʊ/

furlough

Meaning
temporary leave of absence from work, especially that granted to an employee or soldier
Example
Many workers were placed on furlough during the crisis.
B1 noun /træm kɑːr/

Tram car

Meaning
An electric vehicle that runs on rails along the street
Example
The tram car stopped at every station in the city center.
C1 noun /ɪˈnɪɡ.mə/

enigma

Meaning
A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
Example
Life remains an enigma to many.
C2 adjective /mæɡˈnɪləkwənt/

magniloquent

Meaning
using high-flown or pompous language
Example
The politician’s magniloquent speech impressed the crowd.
B1 verb /ˈkɒnsəntreɪt/

concentrate

Meaning
to focus all one's attention or mental effort on a particular object or activity
Example
She tried to concentrate on her studies despite the noise.
B2 noun /ˈkɑn.ʃəns/

Conscience

Meaning
an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior
Example
His conscience prevented him from lying to his parents about his grades.
A2 noun /ɡəˈrɑːʒ/

Garage

Meaning
a building or space for housing a motor vehicle; a commercial establishment for repairing motor vehicles
Example
He parked his car in the garage to protect it from the hailstorm.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɪvəl/

Uncivil

Meaning
not polite or courteous; rude and discourteous in behavior
Example
His uncivil remarks during the meeting offended everyone present.
A1 verb /luːz/

lose

Meaning
to be unable to find something; to fail to win; to misplace
Example
I hope I don't lose my keys again.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈstreɪ.ni.əs/

extraneous

Meaning
Not directly related or essential to the matter at hand; irrelevant.
Example
The editor removed extraneous details from the report.
C2 adjective /ˈvækjuəs/

vacuous

Meaning
Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
Example
She gave a vacuous smile during the serious discussion.
B2 noun /ˈkɒmɜːs/

commerce

Meaning
the activity of buying and selling goods and services
Example
International commerce has expanded significantly in recent years.