startled
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
B2 adjective /ˈstɑːrtəld/

startled

Meaning
suddenly shocked or surprised by something unexpected
Example
She was startled by the loud noise outside.
C1 adjective /ˈmærɪtəl/

marital

Meaning
Relating to marriage or the relationship between husband and wife.
Example
They sought counseling to resolve their marital issues.
C1 noun /ˈæbsɛs/

abscess

Meaning
A swollen area within body tissue containing pus, usually caused by infection.
Example
The dentist treated the abscess in his tooth.
A1 adjective (superlative) /ˈɡreɪ.tɪst/

greatest

Meaning
The highest degree of greatness; the most outstanding or important.
Example
He is considered one of the greatest leaders of all time.
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.
B2 adverb /ˈsmɑːt.li/

Smartly

Meaning
in a clever or intelligent way; neatly and stylishly; quickly
Example
He was smartly dressed for the business meeting.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɪʒən/

parisian

Meaning
relating to Paris or its people
Example
She wore a Parisian style dress at the party.
C2 noun /ˈæl.kə.laɪ ækt/

Alkali Act

Meaning
A British law passed in 1863 to regulate the emission of hydrochloric acid gas from alkali works, representing one of the first pieces of environmental legislation.
Example
The Alkali Act of 1863 was one of the first environmental laws.
A1 adjective /njuː/

new

Meaning
recently made, discovered, or introduced; not existing before
Example
He bought a new car yesterday.
C2 noun ˌæɡ.roʊˈiː.koʊˌsɪs.təm

agroecosystem

Meaning
An ecological system centered on agricultural activities and processes.
Example
A healthy agroecosystem improves soil fertility.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərˈsɛsər/

intercessor

Meaning
a person who intervenes or pleads on behalf of another
Example
He acted as an intercessor to resolve the conflict between the two families.
B2 noun /ˈpred.ə.ses.ər/

Predecessor

Meaning
a person who held a job or office before the current holder; something that came before another thing
Example
The new manager learned from his predecessor's mistakes.
C2 noun /ˈslʌɡərd/

sluggard

Meaning
A lazy, sluggish person.
Example
The sluggard refused to get out of bed even at noon.
C1 adjective /ˈhɑːrdi/

hardy

Meaning
Strong, robust, and capable of enduring difficult conditions.
Example
Hardy plants can survive the harsh winter.
C2 adjective /ˌtaɪtˈfɪstɪd/

tightfisted

Meaning
unwilling to spend money; stingy
Example
He is so tightfisted that he refuses to tip at restaurants.
B1 adjective /ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/

Principal

Meaning
main; primary; most important; chief
Example
The principal reason for the meeting was to discuss the budget.
A2 verb /bɪˈheɪv/

behave

Meaning
to act in a particular way; to conduct oneself
Example
Children should behave well in school.
B2 noun /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərər/

manufacturer

Meaning
A person or company that makes goods in large quantities.
Example
The manufacturer produces cars for the global market.
C2 adverb /ˌsʌb ˈroʊzə/

sub rosa

Meaning
secretly, in confidence, or in private
Example
The deal was made sub rosa to avoid public scrutiny.
B1 noun pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.pənts

participants

Meaning
People who take part in something; those involved in an activity or event.
Example
Participants will enjoy breathtaking views.
B2 adverb /ˌælfəˈbɛtɪkli/

alphabetically

Meaning
in the order of the letters of the alphabet
Example
The names are listed alphabetically in the register.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbər/

arbor

Meaning
a shady garden shelter formed by trees, climbing plants, or latticework
Example
They rested under the arbor covered with roses.
C2 noun /prɪˈfɜːrmənt/

preferment

Meaning
promotion or advancement in rank, position, or office
Example
He hoped for preferment in the government office.
C1 noun /fɪˈlæn.θrə.pɪst/

philanthropist

Meaning
a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good causes
Example
The philanthropist donated millions to build schools in rural areas.
C2 noun /ˈwɒntənnəs/

wantonness

Meaning
The quality of being reckless, cruel, or deliberately malicious.
Example
His wantonness shocked everyone at the gathering.
C1 noun /mɪˈtrɒp.ə.lɪs/

Metropolis

Meaning
A very large city, especially the main city of a country or region
Example
New York is a bustling metropolis with millions of residents.
C2 verb /ˈwɛltər/

welter

Meaning
to roll or toss about in a confused or disorderly way; to be in turmoil
Example
The city weltered in chaos after the sudden blackout.
B2 adjective /ˈtaɪm.li/

Timely

Meaning
happening at the right time; punctual
Example
His timely arrival saved the meeting.
A2 adverb /ˈbædli/

badly

Meaning
in a way that is not good; poorly or severely
Example
He performed badly in the exam.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbɪtər/

arbiter

Meaning
a person who has the authority to settle a dispute or decide an issue
Example
The principal acted as the arbiter in the conflict between the students.
B1 noun /ˈproʊˌfaɪl/

profile

Meaning
a description or representation of someone or something; an outline
Example
He updated his profile on the company website.
B2 noun /trænˈzækʃən/

transaction

Meaning
an instance of buying or selling something; a business deal or exchange
Example
Every online transaction is recorded for security purposes.
C1 noun /ˈplæz.mə/

Plasma

Meaning
the liquid part of blood; ionized gas; blood serum without clotting proteins
Example
Blood plasma contains various proteins and nutrients.
A1 adjective /ʃɔːrt/

Short

Meaning
having a small length, height, or duration; not long
Example
The meeting was very short, lasting only ten minutes.
B2 noun /θret/

Threat

Meaning
a statement of intention to inflict harm; a person or thing likely to cause danger
Example
The storm poses a serious threat to coastal areas.
B1 phrase bɛst ˈɛf.ərt

best effort

Meaning
The maximum amount of effort or energy that someone can give.
Example
He gave his best effort to complete the task on time.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvɛtərət/

inveterate

Meaning
having a long-established habit, activity, or interest that is unlikely to change
Example
He is an inveterate reader who spends hours in the library every day.
B1 noun /ˈhʌŋɡər/

hunger

Meaning
the feeling of discomfort caused by lack of food
Example
The child cried out of hunger.
B2 adjective /pəˈzes.ɪv/

Possessive

Meaning
showing a desire to own or control something; unwilling to share; jealously protective
Example
He is very possessive about his car.
B2 noun /dɪˈvoʊ.ʃən/

Devotion

Meaning
love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause
Example
Her devotion to helping others made her a beloved figure in the community.
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.
B2 noun /ˈfreʃmən/

freshman

Meaning
a first-year student at a high school, college, or university
Example
The freshman felt nervous on his first day at university.
C2 noun /ˈbeɪlɔːr/

bailor

Meaning
a person who temporarily transfers possession of goods or property to another under a bailment agreement
Example
The bailor entrusted the valuable artwork to the museum for safekeeping.
C1 adjective /ˈdaʊ.ər/

dour

Meaning
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance
Example
His dour expression made the meeting uncomfortable.
C2 noun /rɪˈfræk.tər/

refractor

Meaning
A type of telescope that uses lenses to focus light.
Example
Refractor telescopes use lenses to focus light.
C1 noun /nɔːrm/

Norm

Meaning
a standard of behavior; what is typical or expected
Example
Working late has become the norm in this company.
B1 noun /kəˈnæl/

canal

Meaning
an artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, or drainage
Example
The canal was built to help transport goods across the region.
C1 verb /pərˈplɛks/

perplex

Meaning
To confuse or puzzle someone.
Example
The complex instructions perplexed the students.
C1 adjective /ˈfrɛn.zid/

frenzied

Meaning
Wildly excited or uncontrolled
Example
The frenzied crowd cheered as the band took the stage.
C2 noun /ˈreɪləri/

raillery

Meaning
good-humored teasing or joking
Example
Their friendship was full of light-hearted raillery.
C1 adjective /tænˈdʒɛnʃəl/

tangential

Meaning
relating to or along a tangent; slightly or indirectly related to something
Example
His remarks were tangential to the main topic of discussion.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəʊˌkʌltʃər/

monoculture

Meaning
The agricultural practice of growing only one type of crop over a large area and for many consecutive years, which can lead to increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Example
Monoculture can lead to soil depletion and increased pest vulnerability.
B2 noun ˌjuːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən

utilization

Meaning
The action of making practical and effective use of something.
Example
Increased plastic utilization calls for better waste management.
A1 noun, verb /ˈiː.meɪl/

e-mail

Meaning
messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to another
Example
I sent an e-mail to my professor yesterday.
B2 adjective /ˌfæʃ.ənd/

Outdated

Meaning
obsolete; no longer current
Example
This computer software is completely outdated.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrdəməm/

Cardamom

Meaning
aromatic seeds from a plant in the ginger family, used as a spice
Example
The recipe calls for a pinch of ground cardamom.
C1 noun /dɪˈrɪʒən/

derision

Meaning
Contemptuous ridicule or mockery.
Example
His ideas were greeted with derision by the audience.
C1 verb /ˈdæb.əl/

dabble

Meaning
To take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
Example
He dabbled in painting during his college days.
B2 noun /ˈmes.ɪn.dʒər/

Messenger

Meaning
a person who carries messages or communications between parties
Example
The messenger delivered important battle plans to the commander.
B2 adverb /ˈmɪzərəbli/

Miserably

Meaning
in a wretched or unhappy manner; extremely badly
Example
The team performed miserably in the championship.
A2 adjective /fəˈmɪl.jər/

Familiar

Meaning
well-known; easily recognized; having knowledge of; informal and friendly
Example
This song sounds familiar to me.
C1 noun /ˌkɒndʒʊˈɡeɪʃən/

conjugation

Meaning
the variation of the form of a verb to indicate tense, person, and number
Example
French verbs have complex conjugations.
C1 noun /ˈkeɪ.sɪŋ/

Casing

Meaning
a cover or shell that protects or encloses something
Example
The mechanic removed the engine casing to examine the internal parts.
A1 noun /kaʊ/

Cow

Meaning
a large farm animal kept for milk or meat
Example
The cow produces fresh milk every morning.
A2 verb /daɪ/

die

Meaning
to stop living; to cease to exist
Example
The flowers will die without water.
B1 noun /piːtʃ/

Peach

Meaning
a soft round fruit with fuzzy skin, sweet flesh, and a large pit in the center
Example
The peach was perfectly ripe and juicy when I bit into it.
C2 verb /ˈvæsɪleɪt/

vacillate

Meaning
to waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive
Example
He vacillated between studying law and becoming a writer.
C2 adjective /ˈreɪ.moʊs/

ramose

Meaning
having many branches.
Example
The ramose tree shaded the entire garden.
B1 noun /broʊˈʃʊr/

brochure

Meaning
a small booklet or pamphlet containing information or advertising
Example
The travel agent gave us a brochure about the holiday package.
B2 noun /ˈæŋk.lət/

Anklet

Meaning
a piece of jewelry worn around the ankle
Example
She wore a beautiful silver anklet on her left foot.
C2 noun /ˈhaɪdrə/

hydra

Meaning
a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology; a problem that seems to grow worse when attempts are made to solve it
Example
Corruption is like a hydra, hard to defeat completely.
B2 verb /əˈkɒmədeɪt/

accommodate

Meaning
To provide lodging, space, or meet the needs of someone.
Example
The hotel can accommodate up to 200 guests.
C1 verb /ɪnˈterəˌɡeɪt/

interrogate

Meaning
to ask someone questions in a thorough and formal way; to question intensively
Example
The police interrogated the suspect for hours.
C1 noun dʒuːˈdɪʃ.ər.i

judiciary

Meaning
The judicial authorities of a country; the system of courts that interprets and applies the law.
Example
The judiciary ensures the rule of law.
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.
C2 noun /ˈfɒpəri/

foppery

Meaning
Foolish or excessive concern with one's appearance or manners; pretentious behavior.
Example
His obsession with fashion was dismissed as mere foppery.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈkɒmən/

uncommon

Meaning
rare, unusual, or remarkable
Example
It is uncommon to see snow in this region.
B1 verb /ˈkɒntrækt/

contract

Meaning
to make smaller; to enter into a formal agreement
Example
The company will contract a new supplier for materials.
A2 verb /səˈdʒɛst/

suggest

Meaning
to put forward an idea, plan, or recommendation for consideration
Example
He suggested going to the new restaurant for dinner.
C2 noun (plural) /ˈlɪniəmənts/

lineaments

Meaning
The features or distinctive characteristics of the face or body.
Example
The lineaments of his face were sharp and stern.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛn.ju.əs/

tenuous

Meaning
Very weak, thin, or slight; lacking a strong basis.
Example
The evidence against him is quite tenuous.
B1 noun /tɑːsk/

task

Meaning
a piece of work or duty to be done
Example
He completed the task before the deadline.
A2 noun /vɔɪs/

voice

Meaning
the sound produced by the vocal cords; the ability to speak or express oneself
Example
She has a beautiful voice that captivates the audience.
B2 adjective /ˈvɒl.ən.tər.i/

Voluntary

Meaning
done willingly without being forced; given or done freely
Example
She made a voluntary donation to the charity.
C1 verb /bɔːk/

balk

Meaning
to hesitate or refuse to proceed or comply
Example
She balked at signing the contract without reading it fully.
C1 verb /ˈfrɒlɪk/

frolic

Meaning
to play and move about cheerfully, energetically, or playfully
Example
The children frolicked in the garden all afternoon.
C2 noun juːˈbɪkwɪti

ubiquity

Meaning
The fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.
Example
The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed communication.
A2 noun ˈprɒdʒ.ekts

projects

Meaning
Individual or collaborative enterprises that are carefully planned to achieve a particular aim.
Example
These projects aim for technological breakthroughs.
C1 verb /ˈnɛsəl/

nestle

Meaning
to settle or lie comfortably within or against something
Example
The child nestled into her mother's arms.
B1 noun /əˈtendəns/

Attendance

Meaning
the action or state of going regularly to or being present at a place or event
Example
The teacher takes attendance at the beginning of each class.
B1 noun /ˈvæl.juː/

Value

Meaning
the importance or worth of something; the amount of money that something is worth
Example
This antique vase has great sentimental value to our family.
C1 noun /ˈæntlɚ/

antler

Meaning
The branched horns on the head of a deer or similar animal, usually shed and regrown annually.
Example
The deer’s antlers grew larger each year.
A1 adverb /ˈnɛvər/

never

Meaning
at no time in the past or future; not ever
Example
I have never seen such a beautiful sunset.
C2 noun /ˈpɔl.zi/

Palsy

Meaning
paralysis, especially that which is accompanied by involuntary tremors; loss of muscle control
Example
The elderly man suffered from palsy in his hands.
B1 verb /ʌnˈpæk/

unpack

Meaning
to remove items from a container; to explain or analyze something in detail
Example
After arriving home, she began to unpack her suitcase.
C2 noun /ˌmɑːrtəˈnɛt/

martinet

Meaning
A strict disciplinarian who demands rigid adherence to rules.
Example
The new manager was such a martinet that even minor infractions were punished.
B1 adjective /ˈklæsɪk/

classic

Meaning
Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.
Example
That movie is a classic example of 90s comedy.
B2 adjective /ˈmiː.nɪŋ.ləs/

Meaningless

Meaning
without purpose; having no significance; pointless
Example
The data became meaningless without proper context.
B2 adjective ˈɡrædʒ.u.əl

gradual

Meaning
Taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees.
Example
Gradual changes are more sustainable.
C2 noun ˈbaɪəʊˌsaɪd

biocide

Meaning
A chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.
Example
Biocides help control pests and reduce the spread of diseases.
B2 noun /ˈbɪtərnəs/

Bitterness

Meaning
anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment; a sharp, unpleasant taste
Example
She spoke with bitterness about her former employer.
B1 noun /bʌntʃ/

Bunch

Meaning
a number of things of the same type fastened together or occurring close together
Example
She picked a bunch of flowers from the garden for her mother.
C1 adjective /ˌɒmnɪˈprezənt/

omnipresent

Meaning
(of God) present everywhere at the same time.
Example
Social media has become an omnipresent force in modern society.
B2 noun /ˈbækdrɒp/

backdrop

Meaning
a painted cloth or other structure used behind a stage
Example
The backdrop for the play was a beautiful mountain scene.
C1 noun /ˈmætrəˌmoʊni/

matrimony

Meaning
The state of being married; marriage.
Example
They entered into matrimony after years of friendship.
B2 verb /ˈbɔɪkɑt/

boycott

Meaning
to refuse to buy, use, or participate in something as a protest
Example
They decided to boycott the company's products.
B1 adjective /ˈsɛpəreɪtɪd/

separated

Meaning
divided or disconnected from something else; not together
Example
They have been living in separated houses since the divorce.
C2 verb /ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪteɪt/

incapacitate

Meaning
to deprive someone or something of the ability or strength to function
Example
The severe injury incapacitated the player for the rest of the season.
A1 pronoun /ˈɛvrɪwʌn/

everyone

Meaning
every person; all people
Example
Everyone must bring their own lunch.
A2 noun /ədˈvæn.tɪdʒ/

Advantage

Meaning
a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable position; a benefit
Example
Having a college degree gives you an advantage in the job market.
B2 noun /ˈsʌm.ɪt/

summit

Meaning
A high-level meeting between leaders, especially of governments; a conference.
Example
The summit addressed pressing global issues.
C1 verb /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/

apprehend

Meaning
to arrest or seize someone; to understand or perceive something
Example
The police managed to apprehend the thief after a long chase.
C1 noun /ˈroʊdənt/

rodent

Meaning
a small mammal such as a mouse, rat, or squirrel, characterized by constantly growing incisors
Example
The farmer set traps to catch the rodents in his barn.
B1 noun /ˈfʌŋkʃən/

function

Meaning
An activity or purpose natural to or intended for a person or thing.
Example
The main function of the heart is to pump blood.
C1 adjective /ˈwer.i/

Wary

Meaning
cautious; careful to avoid danger or problems
Example
She was wary of strangers approaching her at night.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪtəs/

serendipitous

Meaning
Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example
Their meeting at the café was purely serendipitous.
B1 noun /ˈdɛdˌlaɪnz/

deadlines

Meaning
The latest time or date by which something should be completed.
Example
Setting deadlines helps finish tasks.
C1 noun /ˈʃoʊ.vəˌnɪz.əm/

chauvinism

Meaning
Excessive or prejudiced support for one's own cause, group, or gender, often with contempt for others.
Example
The company's culture was criticized for promoting male chauvinism.
C2 noun /ˈmækɪntɒʃ/

mackintosh

Meaning
a waterproof raincoat, originally made from rubberized fabric
Example
He wore a mackintosh to stay dry in the rain.
B1 noun /ˈmɛdəl/

medal

Meaning
a piece of metal given as an award for achievement
Example
She won a gold medal in the 100-meter race.
C1 adjective /ˌæpəˈθɛtɪk/

apathetic

Meaning
showing or feeling little or no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
Example
He was apathetic about the outcome of the match.