smudge
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/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 verb ˈsɪŋ.krə.naɪz

synchronize

Meaning
To coordinate in time; to cause to occur or operate at the same time or rate.
Example
The dancers need to synchronize their movements.
C1 noun /ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/

serendipity

Meaning
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example
Finding that old photo album was pure serendipity.
C1 noun /ˈstaɪləs/

stylus

Meaning
a small tool used for writing, drawing, or touching screens
Example
She used a stylus to draw on her tablet.
C1 noun /suˈpriː.mə.si/

Supremacy

Meaning
the state of being supreme; highest authority or power
Example
The country established naval supremacy in the region.
C1 noun /ˌsəʊ.ʃi.əʊˈek.ə.nɒm.ɪk ˈprɒɡ.res/

socioeconomic progress

Meaning
Advancement in both social and economic conditions of a society or community.
Example
Socioeconomic progress uplifts marginalized communities.
C1 adverb /suːˈpɜːb.li/

Superbly

Meaning
in an excellent or outstanding manner
Example
She performed superbly in the dance competition.
C1 noun /ˈslændər/

Slander

Meaning
the action of making false spoken statements damaging to someone's reputation
Example
The politician sued the newspaper for slander.
C1 verb /ʃraʊd/

shroud

Meaning
to cover or hide; to wrap in cloth
Example
The mountain peak was shrouded in mist.
C1 adjective /ˈstɒdʒi/

stodgy

Meaning
Dull, uninspired, or old-fashioned; also heavy and hard to digest when referring to food.
Example
The lecture was so stodgy that many students struggled to stay awake.
C1 noun ˌskeɪ.ləˈbɪl.ə.ti

scalability

Meaning
The capacity to be changed in size or scale; the ability of a system to handle a growing amount of work.
Example
The new software offers high scalability for large enterprises.
C1 verb /siːð/

seethe

Meaning
To be filled with intense but unexpressed anger or agitation.
Example
She was seething with anger after the unfair decision.
C1 adjective /ʃrɪl/

shrill

Meaning
High-pitched and piercing in sound.
Example
The shrill whistle startled everyone in the room.
C1 verb /ˈstriːm.laɪn/

streamline

Meaning
To make a process simpler and more efficient.
Example
The company aims to streamline production to reduce costs.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛptɪk/

septic

Meaning
Infected with harmful bacteria; relating to or causing infection.
Example
The doctor treated the patient's septic wound immediately.
C1 adjective ˈsek.tər spəˈsɪf.ɪk

sector-specific

Meaning
Relating to or designed for a particular sector or industry.
Example
Sector-specific policies attract targeted investments.
C1 noun, verb /səˈpiːnə/

subpoena

Meaning
a legal document ordering someone to attend court; to summon someone with such a document
Example
The witness received a subpoena to appear in court next week.
C1 verb /ˈstaɪfəld/

stifled

Meaning
to suppress, hold back, or prevent something from happening
Example
He stifled a laugh during the serious meeting.
C1 noun /ˈskruːpəl/

scruple

Meaning
A moral or ethical consideration that restrains actions.
Example
He had no scruples about lying to get ahead.
C1 noun /ˈstjuːpər/

stupor

Meaning
a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility
Example
He remained in a stupor after hearing the shocking news.
C1 noun /skɪt/

skit

Meaning
a short, humorous performance or piece of writing
Example
The students performed a funny skit at the event.
C1 adjective /sɪər/

Sear

Meaning
withered; dried up; burned or scorched
Example
The sear leaves fell from the trees in autumn.
C1 adjective /ˌsuː.pəˈsɒn.ɪk/

Supersonic

Meaning
faster than the speed of sound; relating to speeds greater than the speed of sound
Example
The supersonic jet broke the sound barrier.
C1 noun /skwɔːl/

squall

Meaning
a sudden violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet
Example
A sudden squall caught the sailors off guard.
C1 noun /ʃɑːrd/

shard

Meaning
a broken piece of glass, metal, or pottery
Example
He cut his finger on a shard of glass.
C1 noun /sɪˈtɑːr/

Sitar

Meaning
a traditional Indian stringed musical instrument with a long neck and resonating body
Example
The sitar creates beautiful ragas in Indian classical music.
C1 verb /ˈskævɪndʒ/

scavenge

Meaning
to search through waste or discarded material to find useful items
Example
The children scavenged for food in the garbage dump.
C1 noun /ˈstɪɡmə/

stigma

Meaning
a mark of shame or disgrace associated with a particular circumstance or quality
Example
There is still a stigma around mental health issues in many societies.
C1 verb /ˈsætəˌraɪz/

satirize

Meaning
to mock or criticize something using satire
Example
The play satirizes the greed of modern corporations.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪkəl/

satirical

Meaning
containing or using satire to criticize or mock
Example
The satirical cartoon mocked the government's new policy.
C1 verb /ˈseɪ.vər/

savor

Meaning
To enjoy something completely, especially by dwelling on it.
Example
He savored every bite of the delicious cake.
C1 noun ˈstræt.ə.sfɪər

stratosphere

Meaning
The layer of the earth's atmosphere above the troposphere, extending to about 50 km above the earth's surface.
Example
The stratosphere provides a unique environment.
C1 adjective /ˈskwiːmɪʃ/

squeamish

Meaning
easily made to feel sick, faint, or disgusted
Example
She felt squeamish at the sight of blood.
C1 adjective /səˈdʒɛstɪv/

suggestive

Meaning
tending to suggest ideas or images; sometimes implies something sexual or provocative
Example
The painting was highly suggestive and sparked much debate.
C1 noun /ˈsʌn.stroʊk/

Sunstroke

Meaning
a serious condition caused by overheating from prolonged exposure to high temperatures
Example
The worker suffered from sunstroke after working outside all day.
C1 noun /ˈsɔː.dʌst/

sawdust

Meaning
The tiny particles of wood produced by sawing or sanding.
Example
The floor was covered with sawdust from the carpentry work.
C1 verb /ˌsuːpərˈsiːd/

supersede

Meaning
To replace or take the place of something because it is more modern or effective.
Example
This new law will supersede the old regulations.
C1 verb /skwɪnt/

squint

Meaning
to look with partly closed eyes
Example
She squinted at the bright sunlight.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪk/

satiric

Meaning
Relating to or using satire.
Example
The novel takes a satiric view of urban life.
C1 noun /ˈʃɜːrbət/

sherbet

Meaning
a sweet flavored drink or a frozen dessert made from sweetened fruit juice
Example
On hot days, she enjoys a glass of lemon sherbet.
C1 noun /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

sustainable agriculture

Meaning
Farming practices that meet current food needs while preserving environmental resources and maintaining the ability to produce food for future generations through ecologically sound methods.
Example
Sustainable agriculture practices protect the environment while ensuring food security.
C1 adjective /ˈswoʊlən/

swollen

Meaning
Enlarged or puffed up, usually due to injury, inflammation, or fluid accumulation
Example
Her ankle was swollen after she twisted it during the hike.
C1 noun /ˈsɪlk.wɜːrm/

Silk-worm

Meaning
the caterpillar of a moth that produces silk fibers used to make silk fabric
Example
Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves to produce silk.
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 adjective /səkˈsɪŋkt/

succinct

Meaning
Briefly and clearly expressed; characterized by clear, precise expression in few words.
Example
His speech was succinct and impactful.
C1 noun /ˈsed.ɪ.mənt/

Sediment

Meaning
matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; particles deposited by water or wind
Example
The river carried sediment downstream during the flood.
C1 verb /səbˈsaɪd/

subside

Meaning
to become less intense, violent, or severe; to sink or fall to a lower level
Example
After the storm, the floodwaters began to subside.
C1 verb /səbˈstænʃieɪt/

substantiate

Meaning
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
Example
The lawyer worked to substantiate the claims with solid evidence.
C1 verb /ˈsætʃəˌreɪt/

saturate

Meaning
to fill completely with something until no more can be absorbed
Example
The heavy rain saturated the ground within minutes.
C1 verb /sleɪ/

slay

Meaning
to kill violently; informally, to impress greatly
Example
The hero vowed to slay the dragon.
C1 adjective /ˈsæljʊˌtɛri/

salutary

Meaning
Producing good effects; beneficial, especially after something unpleasant.
Example
The accident was a salutary reminder to drive carefully.
C1 noun /səˈbætɪkəl/

sabbatical

Meaning
A period of paid leave granted to a teacher or worker for study or travel, traditionally every seventh year.
Example
She took a sabbatical to research her new book.
C1 noun/verb /stæmˈpiːd/

stampede

Meaning
A sudden, uncontrolled rush of people or animals; to cause a mass movement.
Example
The loud noise caused a stampede of the crowd.
C1 adjective /ʃruːd/

Shrewd

Meaning
having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute
Example
The shrewd businessman made a profitable deal in the competitive market.
C1 adjective /ˈstraɪ.dənt/

strident

Meaning
loud and harsh; presenting a point of view in a forceful way
Example
His strident voice made the debate uncomfortable.
C1 adjective /ˈsaʊnd.pruːf/

Sound-proof

Meaning
impervious to sound; preventing sound from entering or leaving
Example
The recording studio has sound-proof walls.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌltri/

sultry

Meaning
Uncomfortably hot and humid; also describes someone attractive in a passionate or sensual way.
Example
The sultry weather made it hard to focus on work.
C1 verb /swɜːrv/

swerve

Meaning
to change direction suddenly, especially to avoid hitting something
Example
The car swerved to avoid the dog.
C1 noun /səˈprɑːnoʊ/

soprano

Meaning
the highest female or boy’s singing voice
Example
She sang beautifully in the soprano range during the concert.
C1 noun /səˈvænə/

savanna

Meaning
a grassy plain with scattered trees, typical of tropical and subtropical regions
Example
Giraffes browsed on acacia trees across the wide savanna.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːr.vɪ.tuːd/

Servitude

Meaning
the state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful
Example
Many people fought to escape the servitude imposed by the colonial system.
C1 noun /ˌsɛnsɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən/

sensitization

Meaning
The process of becoming sensitive to a substance, situation, or influence.
Example
The doctor warned about the sensitization caused by repeated exposure to chemicals.
C1 noun /ˈsæf.aɪər/

Saphire

Meaning
a precious stone that is typically blue in color
Example
The royal crown was adorned with a large sapphire.
C1 verb /ˈswɪndl/

swindle

Meaning
to cheat someone out of money or possessions by deceit
Example
The con artist tried to swindle the old man out of his savings.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈæn.ju.əl/

semiannual

Meaning
Occurring twice a year; every six months.
Example
The company holds a semiannual meeting with all employees.
C1 verb /ˈsʌkɪŋ/

sucking

Meaning
Drawing in a liquid, air, or other substance through the mouth or a tube by creating a vacuum; also used figuratively for something unpleasant or ineffective
Example
The baby is sucking on a pacifier.
C1 noun /ˈspɪnstər/

spinster

Meaning
An unmarried woman, often one who is older and considered unlikely to marry
Example
The novel featured a kind-hearted spinster who cared for the village children.
C1 adjective /ˈstoʊɪk/

stoic

Meaning
Showing little or no emotion, even in difficult situations.
Example
She remained stoic during the crisis, never showing fear or panic.
C1 noun /siˈɛrə klʌb/

Sierra Club

Meaning
An American environmental organization founded in 1892 by John Muir, focused on promoting conservation of the natural environment by influencing public policy decisions.
Example
John Muir founded the Sierra Club in 1892 to protect wild areas.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈstɜː.lɪŋ/

sterling

Meaning
British money, especially pounds; of excellent quality.
Example
She was praised for her sterling work on the project.
C1 verb /sʌlk/

sulk

Meaning
to be silent and bad-tempered because you are angry or disappointed
Example
She sulked in her room after the argument.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛlf əbˈzɔːrbd/

self-absorbed

Meaning
Excessively preoccupied with oneself and one’s own thoughts, feelings, or interests.
Example
He was too self-absorbed to notice his friend's distress.
C1 noun /ˌsɛnsəˈbɪləti/

Sensibility

Meaning
the ability to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences; sensitivity
Example
Her artistic sensibility made her appreciate fine details in paintings.
C1 noun /spæt/

spat

Meaning
a short, petty quarrel or argument
Example
They had a brief spat about who should do the dishes.
C1 noun /ˈsɛpərətɪst/

separatist

Meaning
A person who supports the separation of a group from a larger body, often for political or cultural independence.
Example
The separatist group demanded independence from the central government.
C1 noun /ˈstoʊəˌweɪ/

stowaway

Meaning
A person who hides on a ship, plane, or other vehicle in order to travel secretly without paying.
Example
The crew discovered a stowaway hiding in the cargo hold.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪm.jʊ.leɪ.tɪd/

simulated

Meaning
Artificially created to look real but not actually real.
Example
The pilot trained in a simulated flight environment.
C1 adjective /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/

sanguine

Meaning
Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation.
Example
Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future.
C1 noun /sloʊθ/

Sloth

Meaning
laziness; reluctance to work or make an effort
Example
His sloth prevented him from achieving his goals.
C1 adjective /sər'pæs.ɪŋ/

Surpassing

Meaning
exceeding; going beyond; outstanding
Example
Her surpassing beauty made everyone stop and stare.
C1 verb /ˈstɪɡmətaɪz/

stigmatize

Meaning
to describe or regard someone as worthy of disgrace or disapproval
Example
People with certain illnesses are often unfairly stigmatized.
C1 verb /səˈfɪstɪkeɪt/

sophisticate

Meaning
to make something more complex or refined; to educate or develop in taste and manners
Example
Traveling abroad helped sophisticate his worldview.
C1 adjective ˈsɒvrɪn

sovereign

Meaning
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; independent.
Example
The sovereign government has control over its currency.
C1 noun, adjective, verb /səˈbɔːrdənət/ (noun/adjective), /səˈbɔːrdəˌneɪt/ (verb)

subordinate

Meaning
lower in rank or position; to treat as less important
Example
He manages ten subordinates in his department.
C1 noun /sɪlk klɔːθ/

Silk cloth

Meaning
fabric made from natural fibers produced by silkworms
Example
The bride wore a beautiful dress made of silk cloth.
C1 noun /ˈstɪmjʊlənt/

stimulant

Meaning
A substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.
Example
Coffee is a common stimulant that helps people stay awake.
C1 adjective /sɔɪld/

soiled

Meaning
dirty or stained; not clean
Example
His clothes were soiled after playing in the mud.
C1 verb /snʌb/

snub

Meaning
to insult or ignore someone by treating them rudely
Example
He felt hurt when his invitation was snubbed.
C1 adjective /səbˈmɪs.ɪv/

Submissive

Meaning
ready to obey others; yielding to authority; humble and compliant
Example
She became submissive after years of harsh treatment.
C1 noun /ˈsiːskeɪp/

seascape

Meaning
A view or painting of the sea.
Example
The artist painted a beautiful seascape at sunset.
C1 noun /ˈsaɪnəs/

sinus

Meaning
A cavity within a bone or tissue, especially those in the bones of the face connected with the nasal cavities.
Example
He suffered from a sinus infection that caused headaches.
C1 noun ˌsteɪbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən

stabilization

Meaning
The process of making or becoming stable.
Example
The stabilization of the structure was essential after the earthquake.
C1 noun /ˌsəʊʃəˈbɪləti/

sociability

Meaning
The quality or state of being sociable; friendliness.
Example
Her sociability made her popular in the office.
C1 verb /ˈskʌr.i/

scurry

Meaning
To move quickly with short, hurried steps.
Example
The mice scurried across the kitchen floor when the lights turned on.
C1 noun /ˈʃʊɡ.ər ˈkæn.di/

Sugar candy

Meaning
crystallized sugar formed into small pieces; rock candy made from sugar syrup
Example
The children enjoyed eating colorful sugar candy at the festival.
C1 adjective /ˈstʌm.pi/

Stumpy

Meaning
short and thick; having a short, thick appearance
Example
The stumpy little dog wagged its tail enthusiastically.
C1 noun səbˈsɪs.təns

subsistence

Meaning
The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level.
Example
Many farmers depend on subsistence agriculture.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛn.sər.i/

sensory

Meaning
Related to the five human senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell).
Example
Sensory feedback enhances the VR experience.
C1 adjective /ˈskɔːrnfəl/

Scornful

Meaning
showing contempt or disdain; expressing scorn
Example
She gave him a scornful look when he made the rude comment.
C1 noun ˈsɪn.tæks

syntax

Meaning
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.
Example
Programming languages follow strict syntax rules.
C1 noun /ˈstɒpɪdʒ/

stoppage

Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing; a halt in operation or activity
Example
The sudden stoppage of the train caused delays for all passengers.
C1 noun /ˈskælpəl/

scalpel

Meaning
A small and extremely sharp bladed instrument used for surgery and dissection.
Example
The surgeon carefully used a scalpel to make the first incision.
C1 verb /ˈsaɪdˌstɛp/

sidestep

Meaning
To avoid something by stepping aside; to evade a problem or question indirectly.
Example
The politician tried to sidestep the difficult question.
C1 noun /səˈlɪn.ə.t̬i/

salinity

Meaning
The salt content of soil or water, typically measured as a concentration.
Example
The salinity of the ocean varies depending on depth and location.
C1 adjective /səˈdɪs.tɪk/

sadistic

Meaning
Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering on others.
Example
The villain had a sadistic smile while hurting his enemies.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈsɒlvənt/

solvent

Meaning
a liquid that dissolves other substances; also means able to pay debts
Example
Acetone is a common solvent used in laboratories.
C1 noun /strəˈtiː.dʒɪk ˈɪn.saɪts/

strategic insights

Meaning
Deep understanding and wisdom gained through careful analysis for planning purposes.
Example
Strategic insights guide policymaking.
C1 verb /ˈskʌt.əl/

scuttle

Meaning
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps; or to deliberately sink a ship.
Example
The children scuttled back to their seats when the teacher entered.
C1 adjective /ˈspraɪtli/

sprightly

Meaning
full of energy and life; lively
Example
The sprightly old man danced with joy at the wedding.
C1 adjective /səbˈdʒɛktɪv/

subjective

Meaning
based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than facts
Example
Beauty is often considered a subjective concept.
C1 noun /ˌsæl.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/

Salutation

Meaning
a greeting; an expression of goodwill
Example
The letter began with a formal salutation.
C1 verb /ˈsɛvər/

sever

Meaning
to cut off or separate, especially by cutting; to end a connection or relationship
Example
He had to sever ties with the company after the dispute.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrli/

surly

Meaning
bad-tempered and unfriendly
Example
The waiter gave us a surly look when we asked for more water.
C1 noun /ˈskeɪp.ɡəʊt/

Scapegoat

Meaning
a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others
Example
He became the scapegoat for the team's poor performance.
C1 adjective /ˌsækrəˈlɪdʒəs/

sacrilegious

Meaning
Showing disrespect or irreverence toward something sacred.
Example
The painting was criticized as being sacrilegious.
C1 verb /splaɪs/

splice

Meaning
to join two pieces of rope, film, or other material by weaving or attaching them together
Example
The technician spliced the two wires to restore the connection.
C1 adjective /ˈsaɪz.mɪk/

seismic

Meaning
Relating to earthquakes or vibrations of the earth and its crust.
Example
The region is known for its seismic activity.
C1 noun /ˈstrɑːtəm/

stratum

Meaning
a layer or level of material, or a social class in society
Example
The upper stratum of society enjoyed privileges not available to others.
C1 verb /sluː/

slew

Meaning
To turn or slide violently in a particular direction.
Example
The car slewed across the icy road.
C1 noun /ˈskep.tɪ.sɪ.zəm/

skepticism

Meaning
A skeptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something.
Example
His skepticism about new technology often makes him resistant to change.
C1 noun /stæɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

stagnation

Meaning
A state of inactivity or lack of growth, especially in an economy.
Example
High unemployment led to economic stagnation.