shrivel
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 verb /ˈʃrɪvəl/

shrivel

Meaning
To become dry, wrinkled, and smaller due to lack of moisture.
Example
The flowers shriveled under the hot sun.
C2 noun /ɡæf/

gaff

Meaning
A social blunder or mistake; also a hook or device used in fishing or theater.
Example
He made a major gaff during the meeting by forgetting the client's name.
C1 adjective /ˈspraɪtli/

sprightly

Meaning
full of energy and life; lively
Example
The sprightly old man danced with joy at the wedding.
B1 noun ˈkɒnsept

concept

Meaning
An abstract idea or general notion
Example
The concept of chasing two rabbits teaches focus.
B1 adjective /ˈtɪpɪkəl/

typical

Meaning
having the usual qualities of a particular type of person or thing
Example
It was a typical summer day, hot and humid.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪlədʒi/

trilogy

Meaning
a set of three related works, usually books or films, that form a connected story
Example
The director finally released the third film to complete the sci-fi trilogy.
B2 noun /ˈdɛməˌkræt/

democrat

Meaning
a supporter of democracy or a member of the Democratic Party in the US
Example
He is a strong democrat who believes in equal rights.
C1 noun /ˈbjuːɡəl/

Bugle

Meaning
a brass musical instrument similar to a trumpet but without valves, used especially for military calls
Example
The soldier played the bugle to signal the start of the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˌɛfəˈvɛsəns/

effervescence

Meaning
The release of gas bubbles; vivacity or high-spiritedness.
Example
Her effervescence made her the life of the party.
C1 noun /ˈɛləkwəns/

eloquence

Meaning
Fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.
Example
His eloquence in speech won him great respect.
A2 noun ˈmem.bərz

members

Meaning
A person, animal, or plant belonging to a particular group; an individual belonging to a group such as a society or team.
Example
Members collaborate to finalize recruitment decisions.
A1 pronoun /wɪtʃ/

which

Meaning
used to ask about one or more items from a defined set
Example
Which one do you prefer, the red or the blue?
C2 noun/verb /ˈkɜːrtsi/

curtsy

Meaning
a respectful bow made by women by bending the knees with one foot in front of the other
Example
She gave a quick curtsy before leaving the stage.
C1 adjective /ˈhæb.ɪ.tə.bəl/

Habitable

Meaning
suitable or good enough to live in
Example
The planet Mars may become habitable in the future.
B2 noun /skɑːr/

Scar

Meaning
a mark left on the skin after a wound has healed; lasting emotional damage
Example
The accident left a permanent scar on his forehead.
C2 noun /ˈfeɪ.tə.lɪ.zəm/

fatalism

Meaning
the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable
Example
He embraced fatalism, believing that nothing he did could change his destiny.
C1 verb /ˌriːɪnˈtɪɡreɪt/

reintegrate

Meaning
To bring someone or something back into a group or society after being separated.
Example
The program helps prisoners reintegrate into society.
A1 verb, adjective /kloʊz/ (verb), /kloʊs/ (adjective)

close

Meaning
To shut something (verb); near in space or relationship (adjective).
Example
Please close the door when you leave.
A1 verb /ˈlɪsən/

listen

Meaning
to pay attention to sounds; to hear someone or something with thoughtful attention
Example
Please listen carefully to the instructions.
A1 noun ˈstjuː.dənt

student

Meaning
A person who is studying at a school or university.
Example
Students participated actively in the protests.
C2 noun ˈvɜː.mɪ.kʌl.tʃər

vermiculture

Meaning
The cultivation of earthworms, especially for use in composting organic waste.
Example
Vermiculture enriches soil with natural nutrients.
B1 adjective /rʌf/

Rough

Meaning
having an uneven surface; not smooth; harsh
Example
The rough surface of the rock hurt my hands.
C2 verb /ˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

furbish

Meaning
to polish, renovate, or give a fresh look to something
Example
The workers furbished the old sword until it gleamed like new.
A1 preposition /baɪ/

by

Meaning
indicating the agent performing an action, or the means of achieving something
Example
The book was written by a famous author.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpjuːɪsəns/

impuissance

Meaning
inability to take effective action; helplessness
Example
The government’s impuissance in the face of crisis frustrated the people.
B1 noun /ˈsɜːr.kəmˌsˌtæn.sɪz/

Circumstances

Meaning
the conditions that affect a situation, action, or event; facts or conditions connected with or relevant to an event
Example
Under normal circumstances, she would have arrived by now.
C2 verb /fleɪl/

flail

Meaning
to wave or swing something about wildly; to thrash about
Example
He flailed his arms to keep afloat in the water.
B2 adjective /ˈpleɪfəl/

playful

Meaning
full of fun and high spirits; lively
Example
The puppy was very playful, running around the garden.
C2 adjective /ˌɒbsəˈlɛsnt/

obsolescent

Meaning
Becoming outdated or on the way to becoming obsolete.
Example
The obsolescent technology could not compete with modern devices.
C2 noun /ˈdɛskænt/

descant

Meaning
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
Example
The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn.
A2 noun /ˈpeɪmənt/

payment

Meaning
the action or process of paying money for something
Example
The payment for the order was received yesterday.
C1 noun /moʊˈzeɪɪk/

mosaic

Meaning
A picture or pattern produced by arranging together small pieces of stone, tile, or glass.
Example
The church ceiling was decorated with a beautiful mosaic.
C2 noun /boʊ/

beau

Meaning
a male admirer or boyfriend; a fashionable young man
Example
She arrived at the party with her beau.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːrθ.li/

Earthly

Meaning
relating to the earth or human life; worldly; material rather than spiritual
Example
He focused on earthly pleasures rather than spiritual growth.
C2 noun /ˈluːkər/

lucre

Meaning
money, especially when regarded as sordid or gained dishonorably
Example
He was motivated more by lucre than by duty.
B2 noun /ˈmɪs.tʃɪf/

Mischief

Meaning
Playful behavior that causes minor trouble or annoyance but is not meant to cause serious harm
Example
The children were full of mischief during the summer holidays.
B2 adjective /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/

specialized

Meaning
designed or developed for a particular purpose or function
Example
He has a specialized knowledge of ancient civilizations.
B1 noun /skriːn/

Screen

Meaning
a flat surface on which pictures or words are shown; a movable partition used to divide a room
Example
The movie was displayed on a large screen in the theater.
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.
B2 noun /ˌkɔːrpəˈreɪʃən/

corporation

Meaning
A large company or group of companies that is legally recognized as a single entity.
Example
The corporation invested heavily in renewable energy projects.
B1 noun, verb /ˈrɒkɪt/

rocket

Meaning
a missile or vehicle propelled by a rocket engine; to increase or move very quickly
Example
The company’s profits rocketed after the new product launch.
B2 noun ˈwɜːrkˌləʊd

workload

Meaning
The amount of work to be done by someone or something.
Example
His workload has increased dramatically in the past month.
B2 noun/verb /sɪˈmɛnt/

cement

Meaning
a powdery substance that binds materials together; to make something strong or permanent
Example
The treaty helped cement the relationship between the two countries.
A2 noun /dʒuːs/

Juice

Meaning
the liquid obtained from or present in fruit or vegetables; the liquid that comes from meat when it is cooked
Example
The fresh apple juice was delicious and packed with vitamins.
C2 noun /laʊs/

Louse

Meaning
a small insect that lives on the hair or skin of people or animals
Example
The child had a louse in his hair.
A2 verb /diːl/

deal

Meaning
to distribute or give out something; to handle or manage
Example
He had to deal with many problems at work.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.kəˌroʊl/

barcarole

Meaning
a traditional Venetian boat song, often in 6/8 time
Example
The orchestra played a beautiful barcarole that reminded me of Venice.
A1 noun /bæɡ/

bag

Meaning
a container made of flexible material, used for carrying items
Example
She carried her books in a bag.
C2 noun /kəˌmɒd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

commodification

Meaning
The transformation of goods, services, ideas, or social relations into market commodities.
Example
The commodification of education has increased tuition costs.
B1 adverb /rɪˈpiː.tɪd.li/

Repeatedly

Meaning
again and again; many times over
Example
He repeatedly asked for help with his homework.
B2 noun /ˈɪdɪət/

idiot

Meaning
a person who acts in a way that is considered very stupid or foolish
Example
He acted like an idiot at the party last night.
A1 interjection /baɪ/

bye

Meaning
used to say goodbye; a short and informal farewell
Example
I said bye to her before leaving.
A2 adjective /ˈkruːəl/

cruel

Meaning
Willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.
Example
It was cruel to make fun of the injured boy.
B1 verb /rɪˈfɜː/

refer

Meaning
to mention or allude to something; to direct someone to a source of information
Example
Please refer to page 45 for more details.
C1 verb ˈplʌmɪtɪŋ

plummeting

Meaning
Falling or dropping suddenly and steeply; decreasing rapidly
Example
The fertility rate in Bangladesh is plummeting.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːrtɛnt/

portent

Meaning
A sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
Example
The sudden drop in stock prices was seen as a portent of economic trouble.
B2 adjective /ˈkeər.friː/

Carefree

Meaning
free from anxiety or responsibility; lighthearted; worry-free
Example
She lived a carefree life, traveling the world without any worries.
B2 adjective ˈskɒl.ə.li

scholarly

Meaning
Having or showing great knowledge or learning; academic in approach or method.
Example
He wrote a scholarly article on ancient philosophy.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪtɪd/

emaciated

Meaning
Abnormally thin or weak, usually due to illness or lack of food.
Example
The emaciated dog was rescued from the abandoned house.
C2 verb /ˌænɪmədˈvɜːt/

animadvert

Meaning
To comment critically or unfavorably.
Example
The teacher animadverted on the student's careless mistakes.
B2 adjective /ˈvɜː.bəl/

verbal

Meaning
Relating to or in the form of words; spoken rather than written.
Example
Verbal communication is essential in most situations.
C2 verb /ˈmæsəˌreɪt/

macerate

Meaning
to soften or break up something, especially food, by soaking in liquid
Example
The chef macerated the fruit in wine before serving.
A2 noun /stɛə/

stair

Meaning
a step or set of steps leading from one level to another
Example
He tripped on the stair and fell down.
A1 noun /ˈmjuːzɪk/

music

Meaning
vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce harmony, melody, or rhythm
Example
She loves listening to classical music.
B2 noun ˈɡloʊbəl kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən

global collaboration

Meaning
Cooperation and partnership between countries or organizations worldwide to address common challenges.
Example
Global collaboration is necessary to address climate change.
B1 noun /tʃɑːrt/

chart

Meaning
a sheet of information in the form of a table, graph, or diagram
Example
The teacher used a chart to explain the statistics.
C2 noun /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/

underling

Meaning
a person of low rank or importance; a subordinate
Example
The manager ordered his underlings to finish the task quickly.
B2 noun ˈkæp.ɪ.təl.ɪ.zəm

capitalism

Meaning
An economic system where trade, industry and production are privately owned and operated for profit.
Example
Capitalism encourages innovation and competition.
B2 noun/verb /hɜːrd/

herd

Meaning
a large group of animals of the same type that live and feed together; or to gather animals into a group.
Example
The shepherd herded the sheep into the pen.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌski/

musky

Meaning
having a strong, sweet, earthy smell like musk
Example
The perfume had a musky fragrance.
C2 noun /pəˈtiːnə/

patina

Meaning
a surface film or sheen on metal, stone, or wood due to age or use; also, a superficial appearance
Example
The bronze statue developed a green patina after years in the sea air.
C1 noun esˈθet.ɪks

aesthetics

Meaning
A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art and design.
Example
Interior design focuses on aesthetics and functionality.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.strəˈmɛn.təl.ɪst/

instrumentalist

Meaning
A person who plays a musical instrument.
Example
The instrumentalist played a beautiful solo on the violin.
B1 noun /ˈiː.tɪŋ ˈhæb.ɪts/

eating habits

Meaning
A person's usual pattern and preferences in food consumption.
Example
Developing good eating habits leads to better health.
B2 noun /rɪˈdʒɛkʃən/

rejection

Meaning
the action of refusing or dismissing something or someone
Example
Her rejection of the offer surprised everyone.
B2 noun, verb /ˈædvɜːrt/

advert

Meaning
(noun) a notice or announcement in a public medium promoting a product, service, or event; (verb) to refer to something in speaking or writing
Example
The company placed an advert in the newspaper for the new position.
C1 adjective /ˈtæk.taɪl/

tactile

Meaning
Connected with the sense of touch; perceptible by touch or giving a sensation when touched.
Example
The tactile experience of the fabric was soft and smooth.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈprɒbəbl/

improbable

Meaning
Not likely to be true or to happen.
Example
It seems improbable that he will arrive on time.
B2 adjective /prəˈdʌk.tɪv/

Productive

Meaning
efficient; yielding good results; fruitful
Example
Working from home has made me more productive than ever before.
B1 noun /hjuːˈmænɪti/

humanity

Meaning
the quality of being human; kindness or compassion towards others; all human beings collectively
Example
Kindness is one of the greatest expressions of humanity.
B1 noun /ˌkɒn.trɪˈbjuː.ʃən/

contribution

Meaning
A gift or payment to a common fund or collection.
Example
His contribution to the project was vital.
C1 verb /brɔɪl/

broil

Meaning
To cook food by direct heat, usually under a grill or over a fire.
Example
She broiled the chicken until it was golden brown.
C2 noun /laʊt/

lout

Meaning
An uncouth or aggressive man or boy.
Example
The drunken lout caused a scene at the party.
B1 noun /ˈtreʒər/

Treasure

Meaning
a quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects; something of great worth or value
Example
The pirates buried their treasure on the island.
C1 verb /ɪnˈɡroʊs/

engross

Meaning
to absorb all the attention or interest of someone
Example
She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot the time.
C1 verb /ɪnˈskraɪb/

inscribe

Meaning
to write or carve words or symbols on a surface
Example
They inscribed her name on the trophy.
C2 noun /kɒˈkeɪd/

cockade

Meaning
a rosette or knot of ribbon, usually worn on a hat as a badge of office or party
Example
The soldier wore a red cockade on his cap.
B2 adjective + noun kriˈeɪtɪv ɪɡˈzɪbɪts

creative exhibits

Meaning
Artistic displays or presentations that show originality and imagination.
Example
The creative exhibits highlighted recycling possibilities.
C2 noun /ˈsɪʒ.ən/

scission

Meaning
the act of cutting or dividing something
Example
The political party suffered a scission over ideological disputes.
C2 noun /ˌrɛv.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/

revocation

Meaning
The act of officially canceling or withdrawing something.
Example
The court ordered the revocation of his license.
C2 noun /ˈtrɪp.lɪ.kət/

triplicate

Meaning
A set of three identical copies of something.
Example
The documents were prepared in triplicate for official use.
C1 adjective /ˌnjʊə.rəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

neurological

Meaning
Relating to the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system.
Example
Meditation has positive neurological effects on mental health.
C1 adjective /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/

sanguine

Meaning
Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation.
Example
Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future.
B1 noun /ˈɡɪvər/

giver

Meaning
a person who gives something
Example
She was always a generous giver to charity.
C1 noun /ˈblʌdˌbæθ/

bloodbath

Meaning
an event in which a lot of people are killed or injured, especially in a violent conflict
Example
The war turned into a bloody bloodbath.
C2 adjective /dɛˈspɒtɪk/

despotic

Meaning
exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, or authoritarian way
Example
The king’s despotic rule left the people in misery.
B2 noun /ˈskɔːr.pi.ən/

Scorpion

Meaning
a small creature with eight legs, two claws, and a curved tail with a poisonous sting
Example
The scorpion hid under the rock during the day.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈskɔːr/

underscore

Meaning
to emphasize or highlight something
Example
The incident underscored the need for better safety measures.
B1 verb /splɪt/

split

Meaning
to divide or separate into parts or groups
Example
He split the log in two with an axe.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪ/

belay

Meaning
to secure a rope by winding it around an object; to stop or cancel an order (nautical/military use)
Example
The climber asked his partner to belay the rope tightly.
B2 noun /ˈpeə.rən.tɪŋ/

parenting

Meaning
The care and training a child receives while growing up, involving the development of their mental, physical, and social aspects.
Example
Effective parenting helps children develop confidence and independence.
B2 noun /ˈprɛzɪdənsi/

presidency

Meaning
the office or position of being a president
Example
He was elected to the presidency in 2020.
B2 adjective /leɪm/

Lame

Meaning
unable to walk normally because of an injury or illness affecting the leg or foot; weak and unconvincing
Example
The injured horse was lame and couldn't walk properly.
C2 adverb /əˈθwɔːrt/

athwart

Meaning
Across or in opposition to something.
Example
A fallen tree lay athwart the road, blocking traffic.
C1 adjective ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk

idiosyncratic

Meaning
Relating to idiosyncrasy; peculiar or individual.
Example
His idiosyncratic behavior set him apart from his colleagues.
C2 noun /ˈbʊlrʌʃ/

bulrush

Meaning
A tall plant with long leaves that grows in or near water, also known as a cattail.
Example
The pond was surrounded by tall bulrushes swaying in the wind.
C1 verb /dɪsˈsætɪsfaɪ/

dissatisfy

Meaning
to fail to please or meet expectations; to make someone unhappy
Example
The poor service dissatisfies many customers.
C2 noun /ˈkoʊdə/

coda

Meaning
the concluding passage of a piece of music or a literary work
Example
The novel ends with a reflective coda that ties up the themes.
A2 adjective, noun /dɛd/

dead

Meaning
No longer alive; the end of life.
Example
The old tree is completely dead.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɪŋɡoʊˌɪzəm/

jingoism

Meaning
extreme patriotism expressed in aggressive foreign policy
Example
The politician's speech was filled with jingoism.
A2 adjective /niːt/

Neat

Meaning
clean and tidy; well-organized; carefully done
Example
Her room is always neat and organized.
C2 noun /ˈdjʊərəns/

durance

Meaning
imprisonment or confinement
Example
The prisoner spent years in durance before his release.
B2 adjective ˌkɒn.trəˈvɜː.ʃəl

controversial

Meaning
Giving rise to public disagreement or heated discussion.
Example
The policy remains controversial.
C2 noun /ˈɡoʊld.moʊ.hɜːr/

Goldmohur

Meaning
A tropical tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame tree or royal poinciana
Example
The goldmohur tree bloomed beautifully in the summer heat.
A2 noun /ˈketʃ.ʌp/

Ketch-up

Meaning
a thick sauce made chiefly from tomatoes, vinegar, and spices
Example
She squeezed some ketchup on her french fries before eating them.
B2 noun /əˈbɔːrʃən/

abortion

Meaning
The deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, usually performed during the first 28 weeks.
Example
The debate about abortion continues to divide public opinion.
B2 adjective /teɪm/

Tame

Meaning
domesticated and not wild; gentle and easy to control
Example
The tame lion performed tricks in the circus.
B2 noun /ˈrɒbər/

robber

Meaning
a person who steals property from others, often using force or threat
Example
The robber was caught after a quick police chase.
B1 noun /ˈkɒstjuːm/

costume

Meaning
a set of clothes worn to represent a particular character, culture, or occasion
Example
She wore a beautiful costume for the Halloween party.
C2 adjective /ˈɛrənt/

errant

Meaning
behaving wrongly or straying from the proper course or standards
Example
The teacher disciplined the errant student.
C2 noun /tækˈsɒnəmɪst/

taxonomist

Meaning
A scientist who classifies organisms into groups based on their characteristics.
Example
The taxonomist discovered a new species of insect.