precipice
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 noun /ˈprɛsɪpɪs/

precipice

Meaning
A very steep cliff or a situation of great danger.
Example
The hikers stood at the edge of the precipice, gazing into the valley below.
B2 noun /ˈpɪs.təl/

Pistol

Meaning
a small gun that can be held and fired with one hand
Example
The officer drew his pistol from the holster.
C1 adjective /ˈpɑːm.pəs/

Pompous

Meaning
showing off; pretentious; overly grand
Example
His pompous attitude annoyed everyone at the meeting.
C2 adjective /ˌpluːˈpɜːrfɪkt/

pluperfect

Meaning
a verb tense expressing an action completed before another past action
Example
By the time she arrived, he had finished his homework, showing the pluperfect tense.
B2 noun /ˌpʌɪ.əˈnɪr/

Pioneer

Meaning
a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new area; someone who develops new ideas or methods
Example
She was a pioneer in the field of computer science.
C1 verb /piːk/

pique

Meaning
to stimulate interest or curiosity; to arouse resentment or anger
Example
Her remarks piqued his curiosity about the secret project.
B2 adjective /ˈpæn.ɪ.ki/

Panicky

Meaning
feeling or showing panic; anxious and fearful
Example
The crowd became panicky when the fire alarm sounded.
B2 noun plɒt

plot

Meaning
The main story of a piece of writing, or the series of events that happen in it.
Example
The plot of A Tale of Two Cities is intense and gripping.
C1 noun /ˌplɔː.zəˈbɪl.ə.ti/

plausibility

Meaning
The quality of being reasonable or probable.
Example
The plausibility of his explanation convinced the jury.
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 pəˈfɔː.məns

performance

Meaning
The action or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function.
Example
Performance improvements boost confidence.
A2 noun /ˈpʌp.i/

Puppy

Meaning
a young dog
Example
The puppy wagged its tail when it saw its owner.
C1 noun ˈprəʊses stəˈbɪlɪti

process stability

Meaning
The consistency and steadiness of biological or functional processes
Example
Cold air ensures process stability in plants.
C1 noun /prɒɡˈnoʊsɪs/

prognosis

Meaning
A forecast of the likely outcome of a disease or situation.
Example
The doctor gave a positive prognosis for the patient's recovery.
C2 adjective /ˈpliːnəri/

plenary

Meaning
complete in every way; fully attended or absolute
Example
The committee held a plenary session to discuss all matters of importance.
B2 adverb /prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/

predominantly

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

Piddling

Meaning
trivial; insignificant; small in amount
Example
He was annoyed by the piddling amount of money he received.
C1 noun /ˈpɪɡmənt/

pigment

Meaning
a natural or artificial substance used to give color to something
Example
The artist mixed different pigments to create the perfect shade of blue.
B2 noun /pɔːrtʃ/

porch

Meaning
a covered area at the entrance of a building, often with a roof and open sides
Example
We sat on the porch and enjoyed the evening breeze.
C2 noun /pɪˈdɒl.ə.dʒi/

pedology

Meaning
The study of soils in their natural environment.
Example
Pedology helps scientists understand soil fertility.
B1 noun /ˈpaɪ.lət/

Pilot

Meaning
a person who operates the controls of an aircraft
Example
The experienced pilot landed the plane safely during the storm.
A1 verb /pʊt/

put

Meaning
to place something in a particular position; to move to a location
Example
Please put the book on the table.
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 /ˈpɛndjələm/

pendulum

Meaning
A weight suspended from a pivot so that it swings freely, often used to regulate clocks.
Example
The pendulum swung back and forth inside the clock.
B2 verb /prəˈvoʊk/

provoke

Meaning
To cause someone to become angry or to cause a reaction.
Example
His words provoked a heated argument.
A1 noun /pɑːrt/

part

Meaning
a piece or segment of something
Example
She gave me a part of her chocolate.
C1 noun /ˈpɔːpər/

pauper

Meaning
A very poor person.
Example
The pauper begged for food on the street corner.
B2 noun /ˈpetəl/

Petal

Meaning
One of the colored segments of a flower that forms the corolla
Example
Each petal of the daisy was white with a yellow center.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/

preengage

Meaning
To contract or engage beforehand; to arrange in advance.
Example
The workers were preengaged before the project officially started.
A1 noun /ˈpɑːti/

party

Meaning
a social gathering of people, typically for entertainment
Example
We had a great time at the birthday party.
C2 verb /priːˈfɪɡjər/

prefigure

Meaning
to represent, show, or foreshadow something in advance
Example
The economic reforms prefigure major social changes.
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.
C1 noun /pəˈvɪliən/

pavilion

Meaning
A large tent or temporary building, often used for events or exhibitions.
Example
The wedding reception was held in a decorated pavilion.
C2 verb /ˈpɛrəɡrɪˌneɪt/

peregrinate

Meaning
To travel or wander from place to place.
Example
He loved to peregrinate across the countryside during summer.
A2 noun/verb /puːl/

pool

Meaning
a small body of still water, or a game played in a rectangular table with balls
Example
The children swam in the pool all afternoon.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪθɒs/

pathos

Meaning
a quality in speech, writing, or events that evokes pity or deep emotion
Example
The documentary balanced pathos with hope, making the audience both weep and think.
C1 adjective /ˈprɒdɪɡəl/

prodigal

Meaning
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant
Example
The prodigal son returned home after wasting his inheritance.
B2 noun /ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃən/

proposition

Meaning
A statement, idea, or plan put forward for consideration or discussion.
Example
The company made a business proposition to the investors.
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.
B1 noun /pəˈlɪtɪʃən/

politician

Meaning
a person who is involved in politics, especially as a profession
Example
The politician promised to improve the economy.
B2 noun /ˈfɪzɪsɪst/

physicist

Meaning
a scientist who studies or specializes in physics
Example
The physicist explained the theory of relativity to the students.
B1 adverb /praɪˈmɛrɪli/

primarily

Meaning
for the most part; mainly
Example
She is primarily responsible for managing the finances.
B2 adjective prɪˈlɪm.ɪ.nər.i

preliminary

Meaning
Denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.
Example
Preliminary steps are crucial before the main project.
C2 noun /pəˈruːzl/

perusal

Meaning
The action of reading or examining something carefully.
Example
The contract was given to the lawyer for perusal.
A1 noun /ˈprɒb.ləm/

Problem

Meaning
a situation that causes difficulties and needs to be dealt with or solved
Example
We need to solve this problem quickly.
C1 noun /ˈpʌndɪt/

pundit

Meaning
An expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give opinions to the public.
Example
Political pundits debated the election results on television.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːpərɪzəm/

pauperism

Meaning
The state of being extremely poor.
Example
The country struggled with rising pauperism in the 19th century.
C2 noun /paɪər/

pyre

Meaning
A heap of combustible material, especially one used for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.
Example
The villagers built a pyre to honor the deceased.
B2 noun /ˈpɪt.ʃər/

Pitcher

Meaning
a large container with a handle and spout used for storing and pouring liquids
Example
The water pitcher on the table was filled with ice-cold lemonade.
B2 noun /prɪˈtens/

Pretence

Meaning
an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true
Example
He made no pretence of being interested in the conversation.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪt.i.ə.bəl/

pitiable

Meaning
deserving sympathy or compassion
Example
The stray dog looked pitiable in the rain.
C2 noun /ˈfærɪsiː/

pharisee

Meaning
A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.
Example
He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults.
B1 verb প্রিভেন্টস

prevents

Meaning
To stop something from happening or arising.
Example
Bangladesh's warm climate prevents snowfall.
B2 adjective /pəˈrɛntəl/

parental

Meaning
relating to a parent or parents; characteristic of a mother or father
Example
Parental guidance is important for a child's development.
B2 noun ˈpeɪtriəˌtɪzəm

patriotism

Meaning
The quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
Example
Victory Day reflects the patriotism of the entire nation.
B2 noun ˈprɑː.sest fuːdz

processed foods

Meaning
Foods that have been altered from their natural state through various methods such as canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration and aseptic processing.
Example
Excessive consumption of processed foods leads to health issues.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛrənˈθɛtɪkəl/

parenthetical

Meaning
Relating to or expressed in parentheses; a side remark or digression.
Example
He added a parenthetical comment during the lecture.
C2 adjective /ˈpɔːrtli/

portly

Meaning
Having a stout or somewhat fat body, often implying dignity or authority.
Example
The portly man entered the room with confidence.
C1 noun /ˈpærəˌlɛlɪzəm/

parallelism

Meaning
The state of being parallel or similar; in literature, the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same or similar in construction.
Example
The writer used parallelism to give rhythm to his prose.
B2 noun /ˈpraɪ.vət ˈtuː.tər/

Private tutor

Meaning
a teacher who gives individual instruction to a student outside of regular school
Example
The private tutor helped the student improve his math skills.
B1 noun /ˈprɪzənər/

prisoner

Meaning
a person who is in prison
Example
The prisoner was granted parole after serving 10 years.
C1 noun, verb /pliːt/

pleat

Meaning
a fold in fabric made by doubling the material back upon itself
Example
She added a pleat to the skirt for extra volume.
C2 noun /pəˈlæv.ər/

palaver

Meaning
prolonged and idle discussion; fuss or unnecessary talk
Example
After much palaver, they finally agreed on the plan.
B2 noun /ˌprɒp.əˈɡæn.də/

Propaganda

Meaning
information spread to promote a particular political cause or point of view
Example
The government used propaganda to influence public opinion during the war.
C2 noun /ˈpɒmfrɪt/

Pomfret

Meaning
A deep-bodied marine fish with silvery scales, popular in Asian cuisine
Example
The restaurant serves delicious pomfret curry with rice.
C2 noun /fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒi/

philology

Meaning
the study of language in written historical sources; linguistics
Example
She devoted her career to philology, researching ancient manuscripts.
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 adjective /prəˈfɛtɪk/

prophetic

Meaning
accurately predicting or describing what will happen in the future
Example
His prophetic words came true after many years.
C2 noun /ˈpɒm.əl/

pommel

Meaning
the rounded knob on the handle of a sword or saddle
Example
He gripped the sword firmly by the pommel.
A1 noun /piːˈɛm/

pm

Meaning
abbreviation for post meridiem; after midday
Example
The meeting is scheduled at 3 pm.
C1 noun /ˈpɪt.əns/

pittance

Meaning
a very small or inadequate amount of money
Example
She worked long hours for a mere pittance.
B1 adverb /ˈpɜːfɪktli/

perfectly

Meaning
in a perfect manner; without flaws
Example
She performed the task perfectly.
B1 noun /ˈpɑr.səl/

Parcel

Meaning
an object or collection of objects wrapped in paper for carrying or sending by mail; a piece of land
Example
The postman delivered a parcel to our door.
A2 adjective /ˈpeɪ.ʃənt/

Patient

Meaning
able to wait calmly; tolerant
Example
She was very patient with her young students.
C2 adjective /prɪˈpɒndərənt/

preponderant

Meaning
Having superior weight, force, influence, or importance.
Example
The preponderant influence of the media shapes public opinion.
C1 verb /ˈpeɪtrənaɪz/

patronize

Meaning
to treat someone in a condescending way; to be a regular customer of a business
Example
Don't patronize me with your fake sympathy.
C2 adjective /pɔːrˈtɛntəs/

portentous

Meaning
Giving a sign or warning that something, often bad or serious, is going to happen; or overly solemn and pompous.
Example
His portentous tone made everyone nervous about the news.
C1 noun /ˈpiːɒn/

peon

Meaning
a low-ranking worker, often performing menial tasks
Example
The office peon delivered the files to each department.
B1 noun /ˈpiː.nʌt/

Peanut

Meaning
an edible seed that grows underground and is commonly eaten as a snack or used in cooking
Example
Roasted peanuts are a popular snack in many countries.
C1 noun /pəˈθɒlədʒi/

pathology

Meaning
the scientific study of diseases, their causes, processes, and effects on the body
Example
Advances in pathology helped the doctors identify the rare infection quickly.
C2 noun /pɪˈnɒlədʒi/

penology

Meaning
The study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation.
Example
He decided to specialize in penology to help improve the prison system.
C2 adjective /paɪd/

pied

Meaning
having two or more different colors, typically in blotches
Example
The pied cat had black and white patches all over its body.
C2 adjective /ˌpɒliˈæn.ɪ.ɪʃ/

pollyannaish

Meaning
overly or blindly optimistic
Example
Her pollyannaish attitude ignored the obvious problems.
C2 noun /ˈpær.əkˌsɪz.əm/

paroxysm

Meaning
A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.
Example
She was seized by a paroxysm of laughter.
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.
B1 noun /ˈpæk.ɪt/

packet

Meaning
a small package or container holding items or information
Example
He bought a packet of biscuits from the shop.
B2 noun /ˈpɪl.ɡrɪm/

Pilgrim

Meaning
a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons; a traveler
Example
The pilgrim walked for days to reach the holy shrine.
C1 verb /proʊˈtruːd/

protrude

Meaning
To stick out or extend beyond a surface.
Example
A nail was protruding from the wooden board.
B1 adjective /ˈpeɪn.fəl/

painful

Meaning
causing physical or emotional pain
Example
The injury was very painful, and he needed immediate care.
B2 verb /pɪntʃ/

pinch

Meaning
to squeeze tightly between the fingers; to take a small amount
Example
She pinched a bit of salt into the soup.
B2 noun /ˈpɒm.ɪˌɡræn.ɪt/

Pomegranate

Meaning
a round fruit with thick red skin containing many small red seeds with juice
Example
The pomegranate seeds were sweet and refreshing.
C1 noun /ˈpær.ə.saɪt/

Parasite

Meaning
an organism that lives on or in another organism and benefits at its expense; a person who depends on others
Example
The dog was treated for intestinal parasites.
C2 verb /ˈpælpɪˌteɪt/

palpitate

Meaning
to beat rapidly and strongly, often because of fear, excitement, or illness
Example
Her heart began to palpitate with fear.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛʃən/

precession

Meaning
The slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around another axis, often referring to Earth's rotation.
Example
Astronomers study the precession of the equinoxes.
C2 noun /ˈprɪvɪti/

privity

Meaning
A close, private, or special relationship; in law, the direct connection between parties to a contract.
Example
There was no privity of contract between the supplier and the customer.
C2 noun /ˈplɛbɪsaɪt/

plebiscite

Meaning
a direct vote by the electorate on an important public question
Example
The government held a plebiscite to decide on the new constitution.
C1 noun ˌpriːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən

preoccupation

Meaning
The state of being absorbed in thought; mental distraction.
Example
His preoccupation with work led to neglecting his personal life.
C1 noun /ˈprɒfəsi/

prophecy

Meaning
a prediction or message about the future, often believed to be divinely inspired
Example
The prophecy foretold the rise of a great leader.
C1 verb prəˈpel

propel

Meaning
To drive, push, or cause to move in a particular direction, typically forward.
Example
Lack of proper guidance can propel adolescents toward delinquency.
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 /prəˈtɛktər/

protector

Meaning
a person or thing that protects someone or something
Example
The dog was seen as the family's protector.
B1 noun /ˈpraɪ.və.si/

Privacy

Meaning
the state of being alone and not watched or disturbed by other people; the right to keep your personal information secret
Example
Everyone has the right to privacy.
C1 adjective /ˈplaɪəbəl/

pliable

Meaning
easily bent or flexible; adaptable
Example
The metal is pliable enough to be shaped into jewelry.
A2 noun /ˈpɑːswɜːd/

password

Meaning
a secret word or phrase used to gain access to something
Example
Make sure your password is strong and unique.
B2 verb /prɪˈskrʌɪb/

prescribe

Meaning
to recommend or authorize the use of something, especially medicine
Example
The doctor prescribed medication for my cold.
C2 noun /ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/

peccadillo

Meaning
a small or minor fault or sin
Example
Forgetting to call was just a small peccadillo, not a serious mistake.
C2 noun /ˌfəʊ.təʊ.sen.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/

photosensitivity

Meaning
Sensitivity to light, especially abnormal sensitivity that may cause discomfort or damage.
Example
Overrubbing can increase photosensitivity.
A2 noun /per/

pair

Meaning
two things of the same kind that are used together
Example
She wore a matching pair of shoes.
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 /pəˈveɪʒən/

pervasion

Meaning
the act of spreading through or being present everywhere in something
Example
There was a pervasion of hope throughout the community.
A2 adjective /ˈprɒpər/

proper

Meaning
conforming to accepted standards of behavior or morality
Example
He made sure to wear proper attire for the interview.
C2 noun/adjective /prɪˈsɪpɪtənt/

precipitant

Meaning
As a noun: a substance that causes a substance to be deposited from a solution; as an adjective: acting hastily or impulsively.
Example
The chemist added a precipitant to the solution to observe the reaction.
B2 noun /pɪt/

pit

Meaning
a large hole in the ground or a hollow area
Example
The workers dug a deep pit to build the foundation.
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.
C1 noun /pɔl/

Pall

Meaning
a cloth spread over a coffin; a dark covering that creates a gloomy atmosphere
Example
A pall of smoke hung over the burning building.
B2 noun /ˈpɜː.tʃəs.ɪŋ ˈpaʊ.ɚ/

purchasing power

Meaning
The amount of goods and services that can be purchased with a unit of currency.
Example
Due to inflation, people's purchasing power has decreased.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪks/

polemics

Meaning
the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute
Example
The conference was full of polemics on economic reforms.
C2 adverb /pəˈfɔːs/

perforce

Meaning
by necessity; inevitably
Example
He had to perforce accept the decision.
A2 noun,verb /pleɪn/

plane

Meaning
a flat surface; an aircraft; to make smooth
Example
The carpenter used a tool to plane the wood.
B2 noun, verb, adjective /ˈpeɪtənt/ or /ˈpætənt/

patent

Meaning
a government license granting exclusive rights to an inventor; also to obtain such rights
Example
He patented his new invention to protect it from being copied.
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.