south
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
A1 noun/adjective /saʊθ/

south

Meaning
the direction towards the bottom of a map, opposite to north
Example
The sun rises in the east and sets in the south.
C1 adjective /ˈsiː.di/

Seedy

Meaning
squalid and disreputable; shabby and run-down; full of seeds
Example
They avoided walking through the seedy part of town at night.
A2 adjective, noun /tʃaɪˈniːz/

chinese

Meaning
relating to China, its people, or its language
Example
We went to a Chinese restaurant last night.
B2 verb /ˈælaɪ/

ally

Meaning
To unite or form a connection or partnership with another person, group, or nation.
Example
The two countries decided to ally against their common enemy.
C1 noun /stɑːr ˈæn.ɪs/

Star Anise

Meaning
star-shaped spice pod with a licorice-like flavor used in cooking
Example
She added star anise to the soup for aromatic flavor.
C1 noun /plɔɪ/

ploy

Meaning
a clever plan or action designed to gain an advantage
Example
She used a clever ploy to win the debate.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈskɔːr/

underscore

Meaning
to emphasize or highlight something
Example
The incident underscored the need for better safety measures.
A2 noun /ˈkænsər/

cancer

Meaning
A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue.
Example
Smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer.
C1 adjective /ˌaʊtˈlændɪʃ/

outlandish

Meaning
Looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar; strange.
Example
He wore an outlandish costume to the festival.
B2 adjective /ˈrɪɡ.ər.əs/

rigorous

Meaning
Extremely thorough and demanding in analysis or practice.
Example
A rigorous study plan helps students achieve better results.
B2 noun /prəˈseʃ.ən/

Procession

Meaning
a group of people or vehicles moving forward in an organized way, especially as part of a ceremony
Example
The wedding procession walked slowly to the church.
A1 conjunction /waɪl/

while

Meaning
during the time that something is happening
Example
She was reading while waiting for the bus.
C1 adjective /ˌmet.əˈbɒl.ɪk/

metabolic

Meaning
Relating to the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Example
Regular exercise enhances metabolic efficiency.
C1 noun, verb /ˈɔːtɒpsi/

autopsy

Meaning
a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease
Example
The autopsy revealed that the victim had died from poisoning.
A1 noun /iːst/

east

Meaning
The direction from which the sun rises; one of the four cardinal points.
Example
The sun rises in the east.
C1 verb /kənˈtraɪv/

contrive

Meaning
to plan or devise cleverly or skillfully
Example
She contrived a clever plan to surprise her friends.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlf ɪnˈdʌldʒəns/

self-indulgence

Meaning
The act of allowing oneself to enjoy pleasures or desires excessively.
Example
His weekend of self-indulgence included eating sweets and watching movies nonstop.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌwɜːrld/

underworld

Meaning
The criminal world of organized crime or the mythical world of the dead.
Example
The detective spent years studying the secrets of the underworld.
B1 noun /kəʊst/

Coast

Meaning
the part of the land near the sea; the edge of the land
Example
We drove along the coast to enjoy the view.
B2 adjective /ˈpoʊ.lər/

polar

Meaning
relating to the North or South Pole; opposite in nature or character
Example
Penguins live in polar regions of the Earth.
B2 noun /ˈzɪɡzæɡ/

Zigzag

Meaning
a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns; a pattern of sharp turns
Example
The road follows a zigzag pattern up the mountain.
B1 noun /fɒɡ/

Fog

Meaning
a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that reduces visibility
Example
Dense fog covered the highway this morning.
C1 adjective /hɪpˈnɒtɪk/

hypnotic

Meaning
Producing sleep or a trance-like state; mesmerizing.
Example
The music had a hypnotic effect on the audience.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpʌlsɪv/

impulsive

Meaning
acting suddenly without careful thought
Example
She made an impulsive decision to buy the car.
C1 noun /ˈɪnflʌks/

influx

Meaning
A large arrival or flow of people or things.
Example
The city experienced an influx of tourists during the festival.
C2 noun /ˌæk.rəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/

acrophobia

Meaning
An extreme or irrational fear of heights.
Example
Her acrophobia prevented her from climbing the tall building.
B1 adverb /ɪnˈtaɪərli/

Entirely

Meaning
completely; wholly; fully
Example
The building was entirely destroyed in the fire.
B2 noun /ˌærɪˈstɑːkrəsi/

aristocracy

Meaning
a class of people holding exceptional rank and privileges, especially hereditary nobility
Example
The aristocracy often had influence over political decisions.
C2 noun, verb /ˈkæŋkər/

canker

Meaning
A fungal disease of plants; an ulcerous sore in the mouth; to corrupt or destroy slowly
Example
The tree was infected with a canker that damaged its bark.
C2 noun /ˈwɪndbæɡ/

windbag

Meaning
a person who talks too much, especially in a boring or boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the windbag at the party because he never let anyone else speak.
A2 verb /pʊl/

pull

Meaning
to exert force to move something toward oneself; to drag or tug
Example
Please pull the door to open it.
B2 verb /ˈhʌvər/

hover

Meaning
to remain in the air in one place without moving forward or backward
Example
The helicopter hovered over the city.
B2 noun /ˌdɪsəˈpruːvəl/

disapproval

Meaning
The expression of an unfavorable opinion or judgment
Example
Her parents showed clear disapproval of her decision to drop out of college.
C1 noun /ˈswiːt.miːt/

Sweetmeat

Meaning
a small piece of confectionery or candy; a sweet delicacy
Example
The children enjoyed the traditional sweetmeats during the festival.
B2 noun /ˈwɪd.oʊ.ər/

Widower

Meaning
a man whose wife has died and who has not married again
Example
The elderly widower lived alone but had regular visits from his children.
B2 noun/verb /ræft/

raft

Meaning
A flat structure made of logs or planks tied together, used as a boat or floating platform; to travel or transport on such a structure.
Example
They built a raft to cross the river.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

compulsive

Meaning
Resulting from or acting on an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes.
Example
He is a compulsive gambler who cannot stop placing bets.
C2 adjective /ˈtʃɜːrlɪʃ/

churlish

Meaning
Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.
Example
It would be churlish to refuse her kind invitation.
C1 adjective /ˈæmərəs/

amorous

Meaning
Showing, feeling, or relating to romantic love or desire.
Example
He sent her an amorous letter filled with declarations of love.
C2 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
C2 noun /ˌɪrɪˈdɛsəns/

iridescence

Meaning
a play of lustrous, changing colors like those of a rainbow
Example
The butterfly's wings shimmered with iridescence.
B1 verb ɪnˈvɛst

invest

Meaning
To put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage.
Example
Investing in intellectual property can generate passive income.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈmɒdəl/

remodel

Meaning
To change the structure or form of something, especially a building.
Example
They decided to remodel their kitchen last summer.
B2 adverb /ˈmiːn.taɪm/

Meantime

Meaning
during the time between two events; in the period of time between now and when something else happens
Example
The food will be ready in an hour; in the meantime, we can watch TV.
A2 noun /ɔɪl/

Oil

Meaning
a viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, used for cooking or fuel
Example
Heat the oil in a pan before adding the vegetables.
B2 adjective /ˈfeɪvərəbəl/

favorable

Meaning
expressing approval or support; advantageous
Example
The weather conditions were favorable for the outdoor event.
A1 verb /ˈwɔːtər/

water

Meaning
to give water to plants or animals; to irrigate
Example
She waters the plants every morning.
B1 noun /ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

ingredient

Meaning
A component part or element of something, especially in a recipe.
Example
Flour is a key ingredient in baking bread.
B2 verb /fɔɪl/

foil

Meaning
To prevent something (especially a plan) from succeeding.
Example
The police foiled the robbery attempt.
B2 adjective /kənˈdɪʃ.ən.əl/

Conditional

Meaning
dependent on certain conditions; not absolute
Example
The job offer is conditional upon passing the background check.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪtərəl/

littoral

Meaning
Related to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.
Example
The littoral zone is home to many unique marine species.
C1 noun /nuːs/

Noose

Meaning
a loop with a running knot used for hanging; a trap or snare
Example
The cowboy made a noose to catch the wild horse.
C1 noun ˈrɛp.ə.twɑːr

repertoire

Meaning
A stock of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or a performer knows or is prepared to perform.
Example
The actor's repertoire includes both comedy and drama.
C1 adjective ɪkˈskwɪzɪt

exquisite

Meaning
Extremely beautiful and delicate.
Example
The exquisite craftsmanship of the watch made it a collector's item.
C1 noun /kəʊˈhiːʒən/

cohesion

Meaning
The action or fact of forming a united whole.
Example
The team showed excellent cohesion throughout the project.
B1 adjective /ˈkwɑː.lɪ.faɪd/

Qualified

Meaning
having the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience for a particular job or activity; certified
Example
She is a qualified doctor with years of experience.
B2 noun /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/

sergeant

Meaning
A rank of non-commissioned officer in the armed forces or police.
Example
The sergeant gave orders to the soldiers before the mission.
C1 adjective /ˈrep.jə.tə.bəl/

Reputable

Meaning
having a good reputation; respected and trusted
Example
She works for a reputable law firm in the city.
A2 noun /drʌm/

Drum

Meaning
a percussion instrument typically made of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched over one or both ends
Example
The drummer kept perfect time on his drum kit.
C1 verb /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/

decimate

Meaning
To destroy or kill a large proportion of something.
Example
The wildfire decimated the forest.
C1 noun /sɪlt/

silt

Meaning
Fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment.
Example
The river deposited layers of silt along its banks.
A1 noun /ˈsekənd/

second

Meaning
a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute; also the position after first
Example
He finished the race in second place.
C1 verb /blæntʃ/

blanch

Meaning
to turn pale from shock, fear, or to briefly boil food to remove skin or prepare it
Example
She blanched at the sight of blood.
C1 noun /ˈhɛrətɪk/

heretic

Meaning
a person who holds beliefs that go against established religious teachings or accepted beliefs.
Example
The church declared him a heretic for his radical ideas.
C1 adjective /dræb/

drab

Meaning
Dull, lacking brightness or interest; monotonous.
Example
The room looked drab with its gray walls and dim lighting.
C2 noun /liːən/

lien

Meaning
A legal right to keep possession of property until a debt is paid.
Example
The bank placed a lien on the house until the mortgage was cleared.
B1 verb /sɪˈlekt/

select

Meaning
to choose from a number of alternatives; to pick out
Example
Please select your favorite color.
B2 noun /wɜːrd fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/

word formation

Meaning
the process by which new words are created or existing words are modified in a language
Example
Word formation helps learners understand how new vocabulary develops in English.
C2 adjective /ˈnɪɡərdli/

niggardly

Meaning
unwilling to spend or give; stingy or miserly
Example
He was too niggardly to leave a decent tip.
B1 adjective /ˈdiːsənt/

decent

Meaning
conforming to standards of propriety, good taste, or morality
Example
He found a decent job after months of searching.
B2 adjective /proʊn/

Prone

Meaning
having a tendency to; inclined; lying face down
Example
He is prone to making mistakes when he's tired.
B2 noun /ˈbɒmər/

Bomber

Meaning
military aircraft designed to drop bombs on targets
Example
The bomber squadron flew over the city at dawn.
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.
C2 noun /ˈlænjæp/

lagniappe

Meaning
A small gift or bonus given by a seller to a customer.
Example
The shopkeeper offered a piece of candy as a lagniappe.
B1 adjective /ˈrɔɪ.əl/

Royal

Meaning
belonging to or connected with the monarch or monarchy; magnificent; excellent
Example
The royal family attended the ceremony.
B1 adjective /ˌoʊld ˈfæʃənd/

old-fashioned

Meaning
not modern; belonging to an earlier time
Example
He still wears an old-fashioned hat.
C1 noun /ədˈmɪtəns/

admittance

Meaning
the process or fact of entering or being allowed to enter a place
Example
No admittance without a valid ticket.
C2 noun /ˈmɪsɪv/

missive

Meaning
a written message, especially a formal or official letter
Example
He sent a long missive to the governor.
C1 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈbæləns/

counterbalance

Meaning
to offset or balance the effect of something
Example
Exercise can counterbalance the negative effects of stress.
B2 verb /ˈɪmɪteɪt/

imitate

Meaning
to copy the behavior or manner of someone or something
Example
Children often imitate their parents' behavior.
C2 verb /tæmp/

tamp

Meaning
to press down tightly by packing
Example
He tamped the soil around the plant to secure it.
B1 adjective /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/

significant

Meaning
Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy.
Example
Social media has a significant impact on relationships.
C2 adjective /ˈbrækɪʃ/

brackish

Meaning
Slightly salty, often describing water that is a mix of fresh and seawater.
Example
The river estuary contained brackish water.
C1 verb /bɪˈriːv/

bereave

Meaning
to deprive someone of a loved one through death
Example
She was bereaved of her husband last year.
A1 noun /ˈmʌni/

money

Meaning
A medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; wealth or financial resources.
Example
He saved enough money to buy a new car.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkoʊ.ɪt/ or /ɪnˈkoʊ.eɪt/

inchoate

Meaning
Just begun and not fully formed; rudimentary.
Example
His inchoate ideas needed more research to be developed.
C1 noun /luːm/

Loom

Meaning
a machine for weaving cloth; to appear threatening or menacing
Example
The weaver worked at the loom to create beautiful fabrics.
A2 noun /pəˈluː.ʃən/

pollution

Meaning
The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.
Example
Industrial pollution harms marine life.
B1 noun /ˈspeʃəlɪst/

Specialist

Meaning
a person who has specialized knowledge or training in a particular area; an expert
Example
She consulted a heart specialist about her condition.
C1 noun /hjuːˈmɪl.ɪ.ti/

humility

Meaning
The quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.
Example
She accepted the award with grace and humility.
C2 adjective /sɪər/

sere

Meaning
Dry or withered, especially vegetation.
Example
The sere leaves crumbled under his feet.
C2 noun /ruːθ/

ruth

Meaning
A feeling of pity, compassion, or sorrow.
Example
He felt no ruth for the people he had betrayed.
A2 noun /ɡɑːd/

god

Meaning
a deity; a supreme being believed to control the universe
Example
People in different cultures worship God in various ways.
C2 noun /ˈvɔːdəvɪl/

vaudeville

Meaning
A type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of comedy, song, dance, and variety acts.
Example
The vaudeville show included comedians, magicians, and dancers.
A1 adjective/adverb /ɪˈnʌf/

enough

Meaning
as much or as many as required
Example
We have enough food for everyone.
C2 adjective /ɔːrˈθɑːɡənl/

orthogonal

Meaning
at right angles; independent or unrelated
Example
In mathematics, two vectors are orthogonal if their dot product is zero.
B2 adjective /məˈtjʊr/

mature

Meaning
fully developed or grown, especially emotionally or intellectually
Example
She has become a mature and confident leader.
C2 adjective /ˈæmbjələˌtɔːri/

ambulatory

Meaning
Relating to or able to walk; relating to outpatient medical care.
Example
The patient is ambulatory and does not require bed rest.
C2 noun /maɪˈkrɒmɪtər/

micrometer

Meaning
A device used for measuring small distances with great accuracy.
Example
The engineer used a micrometer to measure the thickness of the wire.
B2 noun əˌpriː.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃən

appreciation

Meaning
An increase in the value of an asset over time.
Example
Real estate properties often experience appreciation over time.
C2 noun dʒɛsˌtɪk.jʊˈleɪ.ʃənz

gesticulations

Meaning
Expressive hand or body movements while speaking to convey thoughts or emotions
Example
His energetic gesticulations made the speech more engaging.
C2 noun (plural) /ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃənz/

machinations

Meaning
complicated and secret plans, often intended to cause harm
Example
The politician was brought down by his own machinations.
B2 adjective səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl

sustainable

Meaning
Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; conserving an ecological balance.
Example
Sustainable practices mitigate environmental impact.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

arability

Meaning
The quality of land being suitable for growing crops.
Example
The arability of land depends on soil quality and water availability.
B2 noun ˈsiːzənəl ˈvedʒtəbəlz

seasonal vegetables

Meaning
Vegetables that grow during specific seasons or times of the year
Example
Seasonal vegetables grow abundantly in winter.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ə.stər.i/

Monastery

Meaning
a building or group of buildings where monks live and worship
Example
The ancient monastery was built on a hilltop.
C2 verb /ˈvaʊtʃ.seɪf/

vouchsafe

Meaning
to grant or give something in a gracious or condescending manner
Example
He vouchsafed them a rare smile.
B1 adverb /ˈkloʊsli/

closely

Meaning
in a way that is very near in space, time, or relationship; carefully and attentively
Example
The detective examined the evidence closely.
B1 noun /ˈdrɛsɪŋ/

dressing

Meaning
a sauce for salads; or material used to cover a wound
Example
She prepared a delicious salad with Italian dressing.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfɪdəns/

diffidence

Meaning
Lack of self-confidence; shyness or modesty.
Example
Her diffidence made it hard for her to speak in public.
C2 noun /ˈdʒaɪənt sneɪk hɛd/

Giant snake head

Meaning
a large predatory freshwater fish with an elongated body and snake-like head
Example
The giant snake head is a fierce predator that can survive out of water for hours.
B2 noun ˈæsɛt

asset

Meaning
A useful or valuable thing, person, or quality.
Example
Real estate is one of the most valuable assets.
A2 adjective /ˈjuːs.ləs/

Useless

Meaning
having no beneficial purpose; not useful
Example
This broken computer is completely useless.
B2 verb /əˈpoʊz/

oppose

Meaning
to disagree with or resist; to act against
Example
Many citizens oppose the new tax policy.
B2 noun /ˈnuː.kʌm.ər/

New-comer

Meaning
a person who has recently arrived in a place or joined a group
Example
The newcomer was warmly welcomed by the team.
B2 noun /ɪnˈtɒlərəns/

intolerance

Meaning
unwillingness to accept or endure beliefs, behaviors, or conditions different from one's own
Example
The leader was criticized for his intolerance toward other religions.
C1 adjective /ˈɪndɪɡoʊ bluː/

Indigo-blue

Meaning
a deep blue color with a purplish tinge
Example
The indigo-blue sky looked magnificent at twilight.
C1 verb /ˈpæmpər/

pamper

Meaning
to treat with excessive care and attention; to spoil
Example
Parents often pamper their first child.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈʃeɪkən/

Unshaken

Meaning
not disturbed or affected; firm and steady; unwavering
Example
Her faith remained unshaken despite all the challenges.
C1 noun /drɑːft/ (UK), /dræft/ (US)

draught

Meaning
a current of cool air in a room or another confined space; also a portion of liquid, especially beer, served from a barrel or cask
Example
She closed the window to keep out the cold draught.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈrɪəl/

unreal

Meaning
not real or not based on reality; exaggerated or imaginary
Example
The experience felt unreal after the sudden news.