straightforward
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
B1 adjective /ˌstreɪtˈfɔːwəd/

straightforward

Meaning
easy to understand or do; simple
Example
Her explanation was straightforward and clear.
C2 noun (plural, informal) /skædz/

scads

Meaning
A large number or quantity of something (informal).
Example
She has scads of friends in the city.
A2 adjective /ˈsɪli/

Silly

Meaning
foolish; lacking good sense or judgement
Example
Don't be silly, of course you can do it!
C1 adjective /ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊniəs/

sanctimonious

Meaning
Making a show of being morally superior to others; hypocritically pious.
Example
He gave a sanctimonious speech about honesty while he himself was corrupt.
B2 adjective /ˈsændi/

Sandy

Meaning
covered with sand; containing sand; having the texture of sand
Example
The sandy beach stretched for miles along the coast.
B2 noun/verb /swɑːmp/

swamp

Meaning
An area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects; a bog or marsh.
Example
The village was built near a swamp.
C2 adjective /svelt/

svelte

Meaning
Attractively thin, graceful, and elegant in appearance or movement.
Example
She looked svelte in the elegant black dress.
B2 verb /soʊ/

sow

Meaning
to plant seeds in the ground; to scatter seeds for growing
Example
The farmer will sow wheat seeds in the field tomorrow.
B2 adjective ˈstrʌktʃərəl

structural

Meaning
Relating to or forming part of a structure.
Example
The structural integrity of the bridge was tested after the storm.
C2 adjective /səˈræfɪk/

seraphic

Meaning
Of or like a seraph; angelic, pure, and blissful.
Example
She gave him a seraphic smile that calmed his fears.
A2 noun /suːt/

suit

Meaning
a set of clothes made of the same fabric, usually consisting of trousers and a jacket
Example
He wore a black suit to the wedding.
C2 noun /ˈsɪlədʒɪzəm/

syllogism

Meaning
A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed premises.
Example
The philosopher explained the concept of syllogism using simple examples.
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.
A2 noun /ˈsteɪʃən/

station

Meaning
a place where a particular service is provided, especially for transportation
Example
We arrived at the station just in time for the train.
B2 adjective /ˈʃæb.i/

Shabby

Meaning
worn out; in poor condition; showing signs of wear; unfair or mean
Example
His shabby clothes showed that he had been traveling for days.
A2 adverb /ˈstrɒŋɡli/

strongly

Meaning
in a strong manner or to a great extent
Example
She strongly believes in the power of positive thinking.
C2 adjective /sʌbˈdʒeɪsənt/

subjacent

Meaning
lying immediately beneath; underlying
Example
The geological survey revealed subjacent layers of rock.
C2 adjective /sɪˈdɪʃəs/

seditious

Meaning
Encouraging rebellion against authority.
Example
The activist spread seditious pamphlets among the crowd.
A1 noun /ˈʃʊɡər/

Sugar

Meaning
sweet crystalline substance used as a sweetener
Example
Please add two teaspoons of sugar to my coffee.
A2 verb /səkˈsiːd/

succeed

Meaning
to achieve the desired aim or result; to do well
Example
She worked hard to succeed in her career.
A1 adjective strɒŋ

strong

Meaning
Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
Example
A strong defense secures victory.
B2 adjective /səbˈstæn.ʃəl/

Substantial

Meaning
large in size, amount, or importance; considerable; significant
Example
There was a substantial increase in sales this quarter.
B2 adjective /sɑːrˈkæstɪk/

sarcastic

Meaning
Using irony or mockery to convey contempt or humor.
Example
She made a sarcastic remark about his cooking.
A2 noun /ˈsuː.pəˌmɑː.kɪt/

supermarket

Meaning
a large self-service store selling food and household goods
Example
She went to the supermarket to buy groceries.
B1 verb /ʃɪft/

shift

Meaning
To move or change from one place, position, or situation to another.
Example
She had to shift her focus to the new project.
C1 noun /ˈstætʃər/

stature

Meaning
A person's natural height or their reputation and importance.
Example
Her intellectual stature made her a respected figure in academia.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

singular

Meaning
Remarkable, extraordinary; or grammatical form referring to one person or thing.
Example
She has a singular talent for painting.
C1 adjective /ˈsted.fæst/

Steadfast

Meaning
firm in belief, determination, or adherence; unwavering
Example
She remained steadfast in her commitment to helping the poor.
B2 noun /ˈsɛm.iˌsɜːr.kəl/

semicircle

Meaning
Half of a circle or something shaped like half of a circle.
Example
The students sat in a semicircle around the teacher.
B1 noun, verb /ʃeɪd/

shade

Meaning
a sheltered or darker area where direct light is blocked; to block light from something
Example
We sat under the tree for some shade.
C1 verb /ˈswɛltər/

swelter

Meaning
to suffer from intense heat
Example
We began to swelter in the midday sun.
A2 adjective /ˈsep.ər.ət/

Separate

Meaning
distinct; not connected; individual; apart
Example
Please keep your personal and professional lives separate.
C2 adjective /ˈsɛpərəbəl/

separable

Meaning
Capable of being separated or divided.
Example
The two issues are separable and should be discussed independently.
B1 adverb /səˈpraɪzɪŋli/

surprisingly

Meaning
in a way that causes surprise or amazement
Example
Surprisingly, she finished the entire project in just one day.
C1 adjective /spɑːrs/

sparse

Meaning
thinly scattered or distributed; not dense or abundant
Example
Vegetation was sparse in the desert.
C2 noun /ˈsɪbəraɪt/

sybarite

Meaning
a person who loves luxury and pleasure
Example
The millionaire was a true sybarite who lived only for comfort and enjoyment.
B2 adjective /ˈʃɔːrt ˌsaɪtɪd/

Short-sighted

Meaning
lacking foresight or consideration for the future; myopic
Example
His short-sighted decision to quit school early affected his career prospects.
B1 noun /ˈsæm.ən/

salmon

Meaning
A large fish with pink flesh, often eaten as food.
Example
They served grilled salmon for dinner.
C1 adjective /ˈsɔːsi/

saucy

Meaning
Boldly rude, cheeky, or playfully disrespectful.
Example
The child gave a saucy reply to his teacher.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃuəl/

sensual

Meaning
Relating to or involving gratification of the senses and physical pleasure.
Example
The painting had a sensual quality that captivated viewers.
C1 adjective /ˈsaɪt.ləs/

Sightless

Meaning
unable to see; blind; lacking vision
Example
The sightless man navigated the street with his guide dog.
B1 noun /ˈsʌb.ɜːb/

Suburb

Meaning
a residential area outside the central part of a city; an outlying district of a city
Example
They moved to a quiet suburb to raise their children away from city noise.
B2 noun /ˈsʌm.ɪt/

summit

Meaning
A high-level meeting between leaders, especially of governments; a conference.
Example
The summit addressed pressing global issues.
C2 adjective /ˈsɛrid/

serried

Meaning
pressed or crowded together, often in rows or ranks
Example
The soldiers stood in serried ranks, ready for inspection.
B2 noun /ˈskʌlp.tʃər/

Sculpture

Meaning
the art of making objects by carving; a work of art made by carving
Example
The museum displays ancient Greek sculpture.
C2 noun /sɪˈdɪʃ.ən/

Sedition

Meaning
conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against authority; treason
Example
The activist was charged with sedition for his inflammatory speeches.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊkspɜːrsən/

spokesperson

Meaning
a person who speaks on behalf of others or an organization
Example
The spokesperson addressed the press conference on behalf of the company.
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.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈtɛnʃəs/

sententious

Meaning
Given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.
Example
His sententious remarks annoyed the audience.
B2 noun /ˌsɛlf əˈwɛə.nəs/

self-awareness

Meaning
Conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.
Example
Self-awareness helps in understanding one's emotions and actions.
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 noun /ˈseɪɑːns/

seance

Meaning
A meeting where people attempt to communicate with the spirits of the dead.
Example
They held a seance to contact their late grandmother.
B1 noun /ʃɑːrk/

Shark

Meaning
a large marine fish with sharp teeth and a cartilaginous skeleton
Example
The shark is a powerful predator of the ocean.
B2 noun /səˈspens/

Suspense

Meaning
a feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what will happen
Example
The movie kept us in suspense until the very end.
B1 noun /seɪk/

Sake

Meaning
purpose or reason for doing something; benefit or interest
Example
She worked overtime for the sake of her family's future.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlf əˌfɜːˈmeɪʃən/

self-affirmation

Meaning
The practice of affirming one's own worthiness and value as an individual.
Example
Daily self-affirmation can boost your confidence.
C1 /skwɒt/

squat

Meaning
to crouch or sit with knees bent and body close to the ground
Example
He squatted down to tie his shoes.
B1 adjective /ˈsɛpəreɪtɪd/

separated

Meaning
divided or disconnected from something else; not together
Example
They have been living in separated houses since the divorce.
B1 verb səˈpɔːrtɪŋ

supporting

Meaning
Giving assistance to; helping to bear the weight of something.
Example
Supporting education initiatives helps reduce child labour.
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.
C2 noun /ˈseɪ.ɡoʊ/

Sago

Meaning
starchy foodstuff obtained from the pith of various tropical palm stems
Example
She prepared sago pudding for dessert.
B2 noun /ˈspɒnsər/

sponsor

Meaning
a person or organization that provides funds for a project or activity in exchange for publicity or support
Example
The company became the main sponsor of the event.
B2 noun /ˌstɪm.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/

stimulation

Meaning
The action of arousing interest, enthusiasm, or excitement.
Example
Stimulation reduces stress and aids relaxation.
B2 noun /ˈʃʌv.əl/

Shovel

Meaning
a tool with a broad flat blade and long handle used for digging and moving earth, snow, or other materials
Example
He grabbed a shovel to clear the snow from the driveway.
B2 noun /ˈseɪf.ɡɑːrd/

Safeguard

Meaning
measure or action designed to protect someone or something
Example
New safeguards were implemented to prevent data breaches.
C2 verb /sɪˈkwɛstreɪt/

sequestrate

Meaning
To take legal possession of assets until a debt is paid or disputes are resolved.
Example
The court decided to sequestrate the company's property.
C2 verb /sweɪð/

swathe

Meaning
To wrap or cover closely or completely.
Example
She swathed the baby in a soft blanket.
C2 adjective /ˈstraɪ.eɪ.tɪd/

striated

Meaning
marked with thin lines, grooves, or stripes
Example
The muscle fibers appeared striated under the microscope.
A2 noun /ʃɔːrts/

shorts

Meaning
a short garment worn on the lower half of the body that covers each leg separately, usually above the knees.
Example
He wore a pair of blue shorts to the beach.
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 adjective /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/

sanguine

Meaning
Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation.
Example
Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future.
B2 noun /ˈʃɔːrt.kʌm.ɪŋ/

Shortcoming

Meaning
a fault or failure to meet a certain standard; a deficiency
Example
Despite his many talents, he has some shortcomings.
C1 noun /stɪnt/

stint

Meaning
a period of time spent doing a particular job or activity
Example
She did a short stint as a teacher before moving abroad.
C1 noun /ˈsɑːɡə/

saga

Meaning
A long story of heroic achievement, or a long, complex series of events.
Example
The company's rise and fall became a corporate saga.
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.
B1 noun, verb /spoʊk/

spoke

Meaning
As a noun, a bar connecting the center of a wheel to its rim; as the past tense of 'speak'.
Example
The bicycle's spoke was bent after the accident.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊ.vi.ət/

soviet

Meaning
relating to the Soviet Union or its government
Example
The Soviet era saw significant changes in Eastern Europe.
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 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.
B2 noun ˈsæt.əl.aɪt

satellite

Meaning
An artificial object which has been intentionally placed into orbit around a celestial body.
Example
Satellites provide critical data for research.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/

schadenfreude

Meaning
pleasure derived from another person's misfortune
Example
He felt a sense of schadenfreude when his rival failed.
B2 noun/verb /skɔːrn/

scorn

Meaning
the feeling or expression of contempt or disdain; to treat with contempt
Example
She looked at him with open scorn.
C1 verb /siːp/

seep

Meaning
to flow or leak slowly through small openings or pores
Example
Water began to seep through the cracks in the wall.
A2 noun /staɪl/

Style

Meaning
a particular way of doing something; a distinctive appearance or manner of expression
Example
She has her own unique style of writing that captivates readers.
B2 verb /ʃɛd/

shed

Meaning
to let something fall off naturally, such as leaves, hair, or tears
Example
Trees shed their leaves in autumn.
A1 noun /ʃɒp/

shop

Meaning
a place where goods are sold to customers
Example
I need to go to the shop to buy some groceries.
C2 noun /ˌsuːpərɪnˈtɛndəns/

superintendence

Meaning
the act of overseeing, supervising, or managing
Example
The superintendence of the school is the principal’s duty.
B2 verb /ˈskætər/

scatter

Meaning
to spread or throw around in different directions
Example
The wind scattered the leaves across the yard.
B2 noun /ˈswɛər wɜːrd/

swear-word

Meaning
An offensive or rude word used to express anger or frustration.
Example
He shouted a swear-word when he hit his toe.
B2 verb /slæm/

slam

Meaning
to close or hit something with great force
Example
He slammed the door angrily after the argument.
B2 noun /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/

shipping

Meaning
the process of transporting goods
Example
The shipping of the products was delayed due to weather conditions.
B1 verb /ʃaʊt/

shout

Meaning
to say something very loudly
Example
He shouted at the top of his lungs to get their attention.
B1 adjective /slaɪt/

Slight

Meaning
small in degree; not severe or intense; slim; thin
Example
There was a slight delay in the train schedule.
B1 noun /ˈsʌn.flaʊər/

Sun flower

Meaning
a large yellow flower that turns to face the sun
Example
The sunflower field looked amazing in the bright sunlight.
C1 verb /skwɪnt/

squint

Meaning
to look with partly closed eyes
Example
She squinted at the bright sunlight.
B1 noun, verb /skiːm/

scheme

Meaning
a plan or arrangement, especially one that is secret or dishonest
Example
They devised a scheme to cheat investors.
A2 noun /ˈsɪk.nəs/

Sickness

Meaning
the state of being ill; a disease or illness
Example
She took time off work due to sickness.
C2 adverb /ˌsʌb ˈroʊzə/

sub rosa

Meaning
secretly, in confidence, or in private
Example
The deal was made sub rosa to avoid public scrutiny.
B2 noun /ˈsnoʊ.fɔːl/

Snowfall

Meaning
the process of snow falling from the sky; the amount of snow that falls
Example
The heavy snowfall blocked all the roads yesterday.
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.
B2 noun ˌsɛlf.kənˈtrəʊl

self-control

Meaning
The ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and desires in order to obtain some reward, or avoid some punishment, typically in the longer term.
Example
Self-control is important for maintaining a balanced life.
C2 noun /ˈslʌɡərd/

sluggard

Meaning
A lazy, sluggish person.
Example
The sluggard refused to get out of bed even at noon.
C1 verb ˈsɪn.θə.saɪ.zɪŋ

synthesizing

Meaning
Combine (a number of things) into a coherent whole.
Example
He excels in synthesizing ideas from different sources.
C1 adjective /ˈspel.baʊnd/

Spellbound

Meaning
completely fascinated and unable to move or think about anything else; enchanted
Example
The children sat spellbound as the magician performed his tricks.
C1 noun /ˈstjuːpər/

stupor

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

stoke

Meaning
To add fuel to a fire; to encourage or increase a strong feeling or activity.
Example
The politician’s speech stoked anger among the crowd.
C1 adjective /seɪdʒ/

Sage

Meaning
wise; showing wisdom from experience; prudent; having good judgment
Example
The sage advice from the elder helped solve the problem.
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 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.
C2 noun /ˈsaʊər wʊd ˈæp.əl/

Sour wood apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with hard shell and tangy flesh; elephant apple
Example
The sour wood apple has a unique taste that many people enjoy.
B1 verb /ˈsɪzər/

scissor

Meaning
to cut with or as if with scissors
Example
The tailor scissored the fabric neatly.
C1 noun /ˈsɑːri/

Saree

Meaning
a garment consisting of a length of cotton or silk elaborately draped around the body, traditionally worn by women from South Asia
Example
She looked elegant in her red silk saree at the festival.
C1 noun /ˌstætʃuˈɛt/

statuette

Meaning
A small statue, usually decorative or artistic.
Example
The artist won a gold statuette for his work.
B1 noun /ˈsɛtɪŋ/

setting

Meaning
the environment or place where something happens
Example
The setting of the movie was a beautiful beach.
B1 noun /skɑːrf/

Scarf

Meaning
a length of fabric worn around the neck or head for warmth, protection, or fashion
Example
She wrapped a warm scarf around her neck in the cold weather.
A2 noun /ˈsɒkər/

soccer

Meaning
a sport in which two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opposing goal
Example
He loves to play soccer with his friends.
C2 verb /səˈbɔːrn/

suborn

Meaning
to bribe or induce someone unlawfully to perform an act, especially to commit perjury
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to suborn a witness.
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 noun /ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ/

shibboleth

Meaning
A custom, phrase, or belief distinguishing a particular group of people, often used to identify outsiders.
Example
The phrase became a political shibboleth during the campaign.
C2 adjective /suːˈpɜːrnəl/

supernal

Meaning
Relating to the heavens; celestial or divine.
Example
The painting captured a supernal beauty that felt otherworldly.
B1 verb /ʃuːt/

shoot

Meaning
to fire a bullet or arrow from a weapon; to take a photograph or film
Example
He learned how to shoot a bow and arrow.