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.
B2 noun /dɪˈkeɪ/

Decay

Meaning
the process of rotting or decomposing; gradual decline or deterioration
Example
The old building showed signs of decay after years of neglect.
B2 verb /ˈvaɪəleɪt/

violate

Meaning
to break or go against a rule or law; to disrespect
Example
Parking here violates the city regulations.
B2 noun əˈmendmənt

amendment

Meaning
A minor change in a document.
Example
The amendment was not supported.
B2 noun /ˈkreɪ.dəl/

Cradle

Meaning
a small bed for a baby, especially one that rocks from side to side
Example
The baby sleeps peacefully in the cradle.
B2 noun /ˈɑp.tə.mɪst/

Optimist

Meaning
a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future; someone who sees the good side of things
Example
As an optimist, she always believed things would improve.
B2 noun ˌreɪ.di.oʊ.ækˈtɪv.ə.ti

radioactivity

Meaning
The emission of ionizing radiation or particles caused by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei.
Example
Radioactivity is used in medical treatments like cancer therapy.
B2 adjective /ˈbaɪəst/

Biased

Meaning
showing prejudice for or against someone or something unfairly
Example
The judge was accused of being biased against the defendant.
B2 noun ˈkærɪktər dɪˈvɛləpmənt

character development

Meaning
The process of creating a believable character in fiction by giving the character depth and personality.
Example
The character development of Sydney Carton is profound.
B2 noun /mæt/

Mat

Meaning
a piece of coarse material placed on a floor for people to wipe their feet on
Example
Please wipe your feet on the mat before entering.
B2 adjective /ɪˈrɛləvənt/

Irrelevant

Meaning
not connected with or relevant to something; having no bearing on the matter
Example
Your past mistakes are irrelevant to this discussion.
B2 noun /ˈtɜr.mər.ɪk/

Turmeric

Meaning
A bright yellow spice powder made from the root of a tropical plant, used in cooking and medicine
Example
Add turmeric to the curry for color and flavor.
B2 noun /braɪb/

Bribe

Meaning
a sum of money or something valuable given to someone to persuade them to do something dishonest or illegal
Example
The corrupt official was caught accepting a bribe from the construction company.
B2 verb /həˈræs/

harass

Meaning
to persistently annoy or torment someone
Example
The employees complained that their boss harassed them.
B2 noun /ˈsɛmɪˌtɛri/

cemetery

Meaning
a place where dead people are buried
Example
The old cemetery is located at the edge of the village.
B2 noun /saɪˈkaɪətri/

psychiatry

Meaning
the branch of medicine focused on the study and treatment of mental illness
Example
She decided to study psychiatry to help people with mental health issues.
B2 noun /aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

identification

Meaning
the process of recognizing or proving who or what someone or something is
Example
You need proper identification to enter the building.
B2 verb /sʌk/

suck

Meaning
to draw something into the mouth by using the lips and tongue
Example
The baby began to suck her thumb.
B2 noun /beɪ/

Bay

Meaning
a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward
Example
The boats are anchored in the bay.
B2 noun /ˈtiːmmeɪt/

teammate

Meaning
a member of the same team
Example
He congratulated his teammate after scoring the goal.
B2 noun ˈbɪz.nɪs ˈfaɪ.næns

business finance

Meaning
The area of finance that deals with sources of funding and the capital structure of corporations.
Example
Effective business finance enhances profitability.
B2 adjective /əˈsɪdɪk/

acidic

Meaning
containing acid; having a sour taste; sharp or biting in tone
Example
The lemon has an acidic taste that makes your mouth pucker.
B2 noun /mɪˈθɒlədʒi/

mythology

Meaning
A collection of myths, especially belonging to a particular culture or religion.
Example
Greek mythology is filled with stories of gods and heroes.
B2 noun /ˈbʊlɪt/

Bullet

Meaning
a metal projectile fired from a gun
Example
The bullet missed its target and hit the wall.
B2 verb /ɪˈnɪʃieɪt/

initiate

Meaning
to begin or start; to introduce someone to a new activity
Example
The company will initiate a new training program.
B2 verb /rɪp/

rip

Meaning
to tear something quickly or violently
Example
He accidentally ripped his shirt on the fence.
B2 adjective /nəˈtɔːriəs/

notorious

Meaning
Famous or well-known for something bad or undesirable
Example
The area is notorious for its high crime rate.
B2 verb /ɪnˈroʊl/

enrol

Meaning
To officially register or sign up for a course, program, or membership
Example
She decided to enrol in a language course to improve her skills.
B2 noun /ˈaʊt.breɪk/

Out-break

Meaning
a sudden occurrence or eruption of something, especially disease or violence
Example
The outbreak of flu affected many students in the school.
B2 verb /əˈblaɪdʒ/

oblige

Meaning
to compel or require someone to do something; to help or do a favor
Example
I would be happy to oblige you with the information you need.
B2 verb /pruːn/

prune

Meaning
to cut off unwanted parts of a plant or tree to help it grow better
Example
Gardeners prune the trees in spring to encourage growth.
B2 verb /ˈbrɔːdən/

broaden

Meaning
to make wider or larger in scope; to expand ideas, experience, or understanding
Example
Travel can broaden your perspective on different cultures.
B2 noun /ˈsɜr.neɪm/

Surname

Meaning
a hereditary name common to all members of a family; family name
Example
Please write your first name and surname on the form.
B2 adjective /juːˈnæn.ɪ.məs/

Unanimous

Meaning
fully in agreement; shared by all
Example
The committee reached a unanimous decision.
B2 noun /ɪnˈfek.ʃən/

Infection

Meaning
the process of infecting or the state of being infected; a disease caused by germs
Example
The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection in her throat.
B2 noun /ˈbrɔːdˌkæstər/

broadcaster

Meaning
a person or organization that transmits a broadcast program.
Example
The broadcaster aired the match live to millions of viewers.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈpliːt/

incomplete

Meaning
Not finished, lacking some parts or not whole.
Example
Her report was incomplete and needed further details.
B2 noun ˈæsɪd reɪn

acid rain

Meaning
Rainfall made acidic by atmospheric pollution, especially from industrial emissions.
Example
Acid rain damages crops and buildings.
B2 noun ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃənz

revolutions

Meaning
Dramatic and wide-reaching changes in political, social, or economic systems, often involving the overthrow of a government or social order.
Example
Revolutions often lead to significant societal changes.
B2 adjective ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜː.ri.əl

entrepreneurial

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
Example
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a successful startup.
B2 verb /ˈtaɪtən/

Tighten

Meaning
to make something more secure or less loose
Example
He tightened the screws to secure the shelf.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

incapable

Meaning
lacking the ability, skill, or capacity to do something
Example
He is incapable of understanding complex instructions.
B2 noun /ˈbælət/

ballot

Meaning
a process of voting, usually in secret; the paper used to record a vote
Example
Voters cast their ballot in the election.
B2 adverb /ˈpʌb.lɪk.li/

Publicly

Meaning
in a public manner; openly; for everyone to see or know
Example
The company publicly announced their new policy.
B2 noun /əˈkjuːzd/

accused

Meaning
a person who has been charged with a crime
Example
The accused pleaded not guilty in court.
B2 adverb /ˈbrɔːdli/

broadly

Meaning
in a general or wide manner.
Example
The rules are broadly similar across all regions.
B2 verb /stɪə(r)/

steer

Meaning
to guide or control the movement of a vehicle, vessel, or person
Example
He steered the car carefully through the narrow street.
B2 adjective /ˈpʌz.lɪŋ/

Puzzling

Meaning
confusing; perplexing;
Example
The scientist found the results puzzling.
B2 adjective /ˈræp.ɪd/

Rapid

Meaning
happening in a short time or at a fast pace
Example
The rapid growth of technology has changed our daily lives.
B2 noun oʊˈbiː.sə.t̬i

obesity

Meaning
The condition of being grossly fat or overweight.
Example
Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
B2 adjective /ˈɡɪf.tɪd/

Gifted

Meaning
having exceptional talent or ability; talented;
Example
She is a gifted musician who plays multiple instruments.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.kli.hʊd/

likelihood

Meaning
the chance or probability of something happening
Example
There is a strong likelihood of rain tomorrow.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑːrti/

Hearty

Meaning
enthusiastic and friendly; substantial and nourishing
Example
He gave us a hearty welcome when we arrived at his home.
B2 noun /ˈwɜːrʃɪp/

Worship

Meaning
the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity; religious devotion and practice
Example
They gather every Sunday for worship.
B2 noun /həˈraɪ.zənz/

horizons

Meaning
The limit of a person's mental perception, experience, or interest.
Example
The telescope opens new horizons for astronomy.
B2 noun /nɒt/

Knot

Meaning
a fastening made by tying a piece of string, rope, or something similar; a hard mass in wood
Example
The sailor tied a secure knot to anchor the boat safely.
B2 noun /ˈsɪnəmən/

Cinnamon

Meaning
aromatic spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species
Example
Cinnamon is often used in baking and desserts.
B2 verb /tæp/

tap

Meaning
to strike something lightly, usually with a quick, sharp sound
Example
He tapped on the door to get her attention.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌbreɪk/

outbreak

Meaning
a sudden start or occurrence of something unpleasant, like disease or violence
Example
There was an outbreak of flu in the city.
B2 noun /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

Agony

Meaning
extreme physical or mental suffering; intense pain
Example
He was in agony after the accident.
B2 noun, adjective /ˈsoʊʃəlɪst/

socialist

Meaning
a person who advocates for socialism; relating to socialism
Example
He is a well-known socialist writer.
B2 noun /ˈkɒmənˌteɪtər/

commentator

Meaning
a person who reports and discusses events, especially on TV or radio
Example
The commentator described the football match in detail.
B2 noun/verb /flɑːk/

flock

Meaning
a group of birds or animals; to gather or move in a crowd
Example
Tourists flocked to the beach during summer.
B2 noun /bætʃ/

batch

Meaning
a quantity of items produced or processed at one time
Example
She baked a fresh batch of cookies this morning.
B2 noun /ˈɔːkʃən/

Auction

Meaning
a public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder
Example
The antique furniture was sold at an auction last weekend.
B2 adjective /ˈklæsɪfaɪd/

classified

Meaning
arranged into categories; officially secret or restricted
Example
The report contains classified information and cannot be shared publicly.
B2 adjective /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl̩/

biological

Meaning
relating to the science of biology or to life and living organisms
Example
She is studying biological sciences at university.
B2 verb /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/

sympathize

Meaning
to feel sorry for someone; to understand and share someone's feelings
Example
I sympathize with your loss.
B2 adjective /dɪˈskriːt/

discreet

Meaning
careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially to keep something confidential or avoid embarrassment
Example
She was discreet about the details of their conversation.
B2 noun; verb /ˈkætəlɒɡ/

catalogue

Meaning
a complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or systematic order; to make a systematic list of items
Example
The library decided to catalogue all new books digitally.
B2 adjective /ˈrɪski/

risky

Meaning
Involving the possibility of danger, harm, or loss
Example
Investing in that startup is risky but could bring high rewards.
B2 noun /ˈɡreɪt.fəl.nəs/

Gratefulness

Meaning
the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for kindness
Example
She expressed her gratefulness to the doctors who saved her life.
B2 noun/verb jiːldz

yields

Meaning
The amount of agricultural produce harvested per unit of land area.
Example
Crop yields have declined due to extreme weather.
B2 noun /ˈmɔːl.tə/

Malta

Meaning
a sweet citrus fruit similar to orange, also known as blood orange or sweet orange
Example
Malta is a popular citrus fruit in Bangladesh known for its sweet taste and high vitamin C content.
B2 adjective /pəˈsɪs.tənt/

persistent

Meaning
continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period
Example
Despite many setbacks, her persistent efforts led to success.
B2 adjective /ˈlɒŋ ˈstændɪŋ/

long-standing

Meaning
having existed or continued for a long period of time
Example
They have a long-standing relationship with their suppliers.
B2 noun dʒəˈnet.ɪks

genetics

Meaning
The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
Example
Genetics plays a pivotal role in healthcare advancements.
B2 noun /præŋk/

prank

Meaning
A trick that is intended to be funny but not harmful.
Example
They played a harmless prank on their friend during the party.
B2 noun /kɒk/

Cock

Meaning
an adult male chicken
Example
The cock crowed loudly at dawn to wake everyone up.
B2 noun /kwəʊˈteɪʃən/

quotation

Meaning
a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated exactly; an estimated price given for goods or services
Example
The article opened with a famous quotation from Shakespeare.
B2 adjective /ˈskeptɪkəl/

Sceptical

Meaning
having doubts; not easily convinced; questioning the truth of something
Example
Many scientists remain sceptical about the new theory.
B2 adjective /stiːp/

steep

Meaning
Having a sharp inclination or high slope; also can mean excessive (as in price).
Example
The hikers climbed a steep mountain trail.
B2 adverb /ˈsɪmɪlərli/

similarly

Meaning
in a similar way
Example
Similarly, we can achieve success with dedication and hard work.
B2 adjective aɪˈkɒnɪk

iconic

Meaning
Very famous or popular, especially being considered to represent particular opinions or a particular time.
Example
The line "It was the best of times..." is iconic.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈsɜːrtənli/

uncertainly

Meaning
in a way that shows doubt or lack of certainty
Example
She glanced uncertainly at the complicated instructions.
B2 noun /ˈkæʃ.uː nʌt/

Cashew Nut

Meaning
a kidney-shaped nut with a creamy texture and mild flavor
Example
Cashew nuts are often used in cooking and as a healthy snack.
B2 verb /ˈkɒm.plɪ.keɪt/

complicate

Meaning
To make something more difficult or confusing.
Example
The new rules will only complicate the process.
B2 noun /ˈwaɪnəri/

winery

Meaning
a place where wine is made
Example
They visited a famous winery in France.
B2 noun /waɪt ænt/

White-Ant

Meaning
a small social insect that lives in colonies and feeds on wood and plant matter
Example
White ants damaged the wooden furniture in our house.
B2 noun /ˈrest.ləs.nəs/

Restlessness

Meaning
the inability to rest or relax as a result of anxiety or boredom
Example
His restlessness during the long meeting was obvious to everyone.
B2 noun /kənˈsɛʃən/

concession

Meaning
something that is granted, especially in response to demands; a compromise
Example
The company made several concessions during the negotiations.
B2 adjective /ˈfræʤaɪl/

fragile

Meaning
Easily broken or damaged; delicate.
Example
Be careful with that vase, it's very fragile.
B2 noun /dwɔːrf/

dwarf

Meaning
a person, animal, or plant much smaller than average
Example
Snow White lived with seven dwarfs.
B2 noun /ˈfjʊr.i/

Fury

Meaning
wild or violent anger; extreme intensity of emotion or activity
Example
His fury was evident when he discovered someone had stolen his bicycle.
B2 verb /stæk/

stack

Meaning
to arrange things in a neat pile or one on top of another
Example
He stacked the books neatly on the shelf.
B2 noun /taɪm ˈblɒk.ɪŋ/

time blocking

Meaning
A time management method where you divide your day into blocks of time and assign specific activities to each block.
Example
Time-blocking helps in better productivity and efficiency.
B2 noun /ˈwɒr.i.ər/

Warrior

Meaning
a person who fights in battles; a brave or experienced fighter
Example
The brave warrior defended his village from the invaders.
B2 noun/verb /ˈsæd.əl/

saddle

Meaning
A seat fastened on the back of a horse for riding; to burden someone with a responsibility.
Example
He saddled the horse before going for a ride.
B2 verb /ˈprɒsɪkjuːt/

prosecute

Meaning
to institute legal proceedings against someone
Example
The lawyer decided to prosecute the case after gathering sufficient evidence.
B2 noun /ˈbroʊ.kər/

Broker

Meaning
a person who buys and sells goods or assets for others; an intermediary
Example
The stock broker helped me invest my money wisely.
B2 noun /əˈtɜːrni/

attorney

Meaning
a person who practices law; a lawyer
Example
She hired an attorney to represent her in court.
B2 noun /ˈbæŋkrʌptsi/

bankruptcy

Meaning
the state of being unable to pay debts owed, declared by a legal process
Example
The company declared bankruptcy after months of financial struggles.
B2 noun /ˈfrɛʃnəs/

freshness

Meaning
The quality of being new, clean, and full of energy.
Example
The freshness of the morning air made everyone feel alive.
B2 adverb /ˈraɪtli/

Rightly

Meaning
correctly; properly; justly
Example
She rightly pointed out the mistakes in the report.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈfɪʃ.əl/

Unofficial

Meaning
not officially authorized or confirmed; informal
Example
The unofficial results showed a close race.
B2 noun əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti

accountability

Meaning
The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.
Example
Accountability is key to maintaining trust in any system.
B2 noun ˈbaɪ.əʊˌfjuː.əl

biofuel

Meaning
A fuel derived immediately from living matter, as opposed to fossil fuels derived from long-dead biological matter.
Example
Biofuels reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.
B2 noun /ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ/

phishing

Meaning
The fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information.
Example
Phishing emails often trick people into revealing passwords.
B2 noun /ˈsɛm.ɪ.nɑːr/

seminar

Meaning
A meeting for discussion or training, especially in an academic setting.
Example
The professor invited all students to attend the seminar on climate change.
B2 noun /hɪp/

hip

Meaning
The part of the body on either side of the pelvis, or informal: trendy and fashionable.
Example
She put her hands on her hips.
B2 noun /ˈænsestri/

ancestry

Meaning
one’s family origins or lineage
Example
He is proud of his royal ancestry.
B2 noun ˈæmbɪəns

ambience

Meaning
The character and atmosphere of a place.
Example
The restaurant's ambience was relaxed and inviting, perfect for a casual dinner.
B2 noun /ɪmˈpeɪʃəns/

impatience

Meaning
The state of being quickly irritated or unable to wait calmly.
Example
His impatience grew as the meeting dragged on.
B2 verb /dɪˈsɛnd/

descend

Meaning
To move or fall downward; to come or go down from a higher place.
Example
The hikers descended the steep mountain path.
B2 noun prəʊb

probe

Meaning
An unmanned exploratory spacecraft designed to transmit information about its environment.
Example
The probe collected data from the planet's surface.
B2 verb /ˈkɪdnæp/

kidnap

Meaning
to take someone away illegally by force
Example
The criminals kidnapped the wealthy businessman.
B2 adjective /dɪˈskʌr.ɪ.dʒɪŋ/

Discouraging

Meaning
making someone feel less confident or enthusiastic about doing something
Example
The coach's discouraging words affected the team's morale.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈteɪk/

overtake

Meaning
to catch up with and pass someone or something; to surpass
Example
The runner managed to overtake his competitor in the final lap.
B2 noun /ˈsɑːrˌkæzəm/

sarcasm

Meaning
The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
Example
His sarcasm often made people laugh but sometimes offended them.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/

indulge

Meaning
to allow oneself to enjoy something enjoyable, often excessively
Example
He indulged in a piece of chocolate cake after dinner.
B2 noun /ˈsʌfərɪŋ/

suffering

Meaning
the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship
Example
They tried to relieve his suffering with medicine.