swell
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 verb /swel/

swell

Meaning
to become larger, rounder, or thicker; to increase in size
Example
Her ankle began to swell after the injury.
B2 verb /kɜːrb/

curb

Meaning
to restrain, control, or limit something
Example
The government took steps to curb inflation.
B2 verb /ɪmˈbɑːrkɪŋ/

embarking

Meaning
Beginning a journey or enterprise.
Example
The group is embarking on a long journey.
B2 adjective /ˈprɪv.ə.lɪdʒd/

Privileged

Meaning
having special advantages; favored; elite
Example
She comes from a privileged background with many opportunities.
B2 adjective /ˌkɒm.plɪˈmen.tər.i/

Complimentary

Meaning
expressing praise or admiration; given or supplied free of charge as a courtesy
Example
The hotel offers complimentary breakfast for all guests.
B2 noun /ˈhæs.əl/

Hassle

Meaning
irritating inconvenience; trouble or difficulty; a situation causing problems
Example
Booking tickets online can save you the hassle of waiting in long queues at the theater.
B2 noun /ɔːˈtɒn.ə.məs ˈviː.ɪ.kəlz/

autonomous vehicles

Meaning
Vehicles that can operate and move without human intervention or control.
Example
Autonomous vehicles are revolutionizing the future of transport.
B2 verb /ˈkɪdnæp/

kidnap

Meaning
to take someone away illegally by force
Example
The criminals kidnapped the wealthy businessman.
B2 noun /ˈdaʊn.fɔːl/

Downfall

Meaning
a loss of power, prosperity, or status; the cause of such a loss
Example
His arrogance and pride led to his eventual downfall in business.
B2 noun noʊˈbel praɪz

Nobel Prize

Meaning
Any of six international prizes awarded annually for outstanding work in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, economics, and the promotion of peace.
Example
Nobel Prize recognition evaded Bose's contributions.
B2 noun /ˈrɛfjuːdʒ/

refuge

Meaning
a place that provides shelter or protection from danger or distress
Example
The villagers took refuge in the temple during the storm.
B2 noun/verb /bruːz/

bruise

Meaning
As a noun: an injury appearing as a purple or blue mark on the skin; As a verb: to injure without breaking the skin
Example
He got a bruise on his arm after falling.
B2 noun /ˈtæksˌpeɪər/

taxpayer

Meaning
a person who pays tax to the government
Example
The taxpayers' money is used to fund public services.
B2 adverb /ˈwɪl.ɪŋ.li/

Willingly

Meaning
in a willing manner; voluntarily; with free will
Example
She willingly helped her neighbors during the emergency.
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 daɪˈmen.ʃən

dimension

Meaning
An aspect or feature of a situation, problem, or thing; a measurable extent.
Example
Renewable projects add a new dimension to urban planning.
B2 adjective /ˈkɒmɪkəl/

comical

Meaning
Funny in a strange or silly way; amusing.
Example
His comical expressions made everyone laugh.
B2 noun /ˈhɔːr.ər/

Horror

Meaning
an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust; something that causes such feelings
Example
The survivors described the horror of the earthquake that destroyed their entire village.
B2 verb, noun /sniːz/

sneeze

Meaning
to expel air involuntarily from the nose and mouth due to irritation; the act of sneezing
Example
I had to sneeze during the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈsikwəns/

Sequence

Meaning
a particular order in which related events, movements, or things follow each other; a set of related events, movements, or things that follow each other in a particular order
Example
The dance sequence was perfectly choreographed.
B2 noun /ˌsuː.pərˈstɪʃ.ən/

Superstition

Meaning
a belief or practice considered irrational or supernatural
Example
Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck is a common superstition.
B2 verb /wɛd/

wed

Meaning
to marry someone; to enter into a marriage
Example
They decided to wed in a small ceremony by the beach.
B2 noun ɪˈmjuː.nɪ.ti

immunity

Meaning
The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies.
Example
A strong immunity protects against infections.
B2 verb /kənˈsiːd/

concede

Meaning
to admit something is true or valid, often reluctantly
Example
She finally conceded that she was wrong.
B2 verb /pɔːˈtreɪ/

portray

Meaning
to describe or represent something or someone in a work of art or literature
Example
The novel portrays a vivid picture of life in the countryside.
B2 noun ˈstræt.ɪ.dʒiz

strategies

Meaning
A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim; the art of planning and directing operations.
Example
Effective strategies can mitigate climate change impacts.
B2 noun ˈpeɪtriəˌtɪzəm

patriotism

Meaning
The quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
Example
Victory Day reflects the patriotism of the entire nation.
B2 noun /ɡloʊb/

Globe

Meaning
a spherical or rounded object; the earth; a spherical model of the earth
Example
The teacher used a globe to show the students the locations of different countries.
B2 noun /fɔːrt/

Fort

Meaning
a strong building or group of buildings where soldiers live and defend
Example
The ancient fort stood on top of the hill for centuries.
B2 noun ˌpʌŋkˈtʃʊəlɪti

punctuality

Meaning
The quality of being on time; the habit of arriving or doing things at the agreed or proper time.
Example
Punctuality is a valued trait in professional settings.
B2 noun /wɪt/

Wit

Meaning
mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence; a natural aptitude for using words in a clever and amusing way
Example
She has a sharp wit and quick sense of humor.
B2 noun /ˈset.əl.mənt/

Settlement

Meaning
a place where people establish a community; an agreement that ends a dispute
Example
The early settlement was built near the river for easy access to water.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈbreɪkəbəl/

Unbreakable

Meaning
not able to be broken or damaged; very strong and durable
Example
Their friendship formed an unbreakable bond.
B2 noun /wæks/

Wax

Meaning
a solid substance that melts when heated, used for making candles and polishing
Example
She used candle wax to seal the old letter.
B2 noun /lʌŋ/

Lung

Meaning
either of the two organs in the chest that you use for breathing
Example
Smoking can cause serious damage to your lungs.
B2 verb /ræm/

ram

Meaning
to strike or push something with great force
Example
The truck rammed into the wall.
B2 verb /əˈplɔːd/

applaud

Meaning
to show approval by clapping or expressing admiration
Example
The audience applauded the performance.
B2 adjective /prəˈspɛktɪv/

prospective

Meaning
likely or expected to happen in the future; potential
Example
The company is meeting with prospective clients next week.
B2 verb /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/

emerge

Meaning
to come into view or become apparent; to arise or appear from something
Example
New opportunities will emerge as the industry grows.
B2 adjective /ɡrɪm/

grim

Meaning
very serious or gloomy in appearance or outlook
Example
The future looked grim after the disaster.
B2 noun /hiːl/

Heel

Meaning
the back part of the human foot below the ankle
Example
She wore shoes with high heels to the party.
B2 noun /ˈstiː.mər/

Steamer

Meaning
a ship or boat powered by steam engines
Example
The old steamer crossed the river slowly.
B2 verb /ɪnˈspekt/

inspect

Meaning
to examine something carefully to check for problems or faults
Example
The engineer will inspect the building for structural damage.
B2 noun /əˈsʌmpʃən/

Assumption

Meaning
a thing that is accepted as true without proof; a supposition
Example
His assumption about the weather proved to be wrong.
B2 verb /ˈkɒm.plɪ.keɪt/

complicate

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

temper

Meaning
to moderate, soften, or tone down something; also to strengthen by heat treatment (as in metal).
Example
She tried to temper her criticism with kindness.
B2 adjective /kənˈsɜːvətɪv/

conservative

Meaning
Favoring traditional views and values; resistant to change.
Example
He has conservative views on family and society.
B2 noun, verb /tæɡ/

tag

Meaning
a label attached to something for identification or information; or to attach such a label
Example
She tagged her luggage before boarding the plane.
B2 adjective /ˈmɒdɪst/

modest

Meaning
Having or showing a humble estimate of one’s importance; simple and not extravagant.
Example
She lives in a modest house in the countryside.
B2 verb /ˈmɑːdərət/

moderate

Meaning
to make less extreme or intense; to control or preside over
Example
She moderated the heated debate between the candidates.
B2 noun /ˈɡuːs.ber.i/

Gooseberry

Meaning
a small round green or red berry that grows on a thorny bush
Example
Gooseberries are rich in vitamin C and make excellent jams.
B2 verb /stɜːr/

stir

Meaning
to mix or move something in a circular motion, especially in liquid
Example
She stirred the soup to make sure it didn't burn.
B2 noun /ˈsɒlɪtjuːd/

solitude

Meaning
The state or situation of being alone.
Example
Solitude can provide the opportunity for deep reflection.
B2 adverb /rɪˈpɔːtɪdli/

reportedly

Meaning
according to what is said or believed, although not confirmed
Example
The company has reportedly agreed to the new terms.
B2 noun/verb /sɪˈmɛnt/

cement

Meaning
a powdery substance that binds materials together; to make something strong or permanent
Example
The treaty helped cement the relationship between the two countries.
B2 noun /ɪnˈspekʃən/

inspection

Meaning
a careful examination of something, especially to check that it is correct or safe
Example
The building passed the safety inspection last week.
B2 adjective /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/

symbolic

Meaning
serving as a symbol or representing something else
Example
The dove is symbolic of peace and freedom.
B2 noun /ˌrezəˈveɪʃən/

Reservation

Meaning
the action of reserving something; an arrangement whereby something is reserved for a particular person; a qualification to an expression of agreement or approval
Example
I made a reservation at the restaurant for tonight.
B2 verb /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/

succeeding

Meaning
coming after or following in order; continuing to succeed
Example
In the succeeding years, the company expanded rapidly.
B2 adjective /ˈrɪtʃ.u.əl/

Ritual

Meaning
relating to religious or ceremonial practices
Example
The wedding ceremony included many traditional ritual elements.
B2 noun /ˌɛkspɜːˈtiːz/

expertise

Meaning
Expert knowledge or skill in a particular area.
Example
His expertise in graphic design is widely recognized.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈnɑː.lɪ.dʒə.bəl/

Knowledgeable

Meaning
having extensive knowledge; well-informed; educated
Example
She is very knowledgeable about ancient history.
B2 noun /dɪˈnɒmɪˌneɪtər/

denominator

Meaning
the number below the line in a fraction; a common factor in a situation
Example
In the fraction 3/4, the number 4 is the denominator.
B2 noun /ˌæbəˈlɪʃən/

abolition

Meaning
the act of formally ending or eliminating a system, practice, or institution
Example
The abolition of slavery was a major milestone in human rights history.
B2 noun /ɡɪə(r)/

gear

Meaning
Equipment or apparatus for a particular purpose; also a toothed wheel in machinery.
Example
The climber packed all his gear before starting the journey.
B2 verb, noun /kəˈmjuːt/

commute

Meaning
Verb: to travel regularly between home and work; Noun: the journey to and from work.
Example
He commutes two hours every day to reach his office.
B2 noun /juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/

Utility

Meaning
the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial; a public service
Example
The utility of solar panels increases with rising electricity costs.
B2 noun ˈnætʃərəl ˈhæbɪtæt

Natural Habitat

Meaning
The natural environment where organisms live and fulfill their life needs.
Example
Protecting the natural habitat is crucial for butterflies.
B2 verb /ɪnˈʃʊər/

insure

Meaning
to provide insurance; to make certain
Example
I need to insure my new car.
B2 verb /rɪˈkleɪm/

reclaim

Meaning
To take back or recover something; to restore to a usable state.
Example
The farmer worked to reclaim the barren land.
B2 noun /ˈmɪks.tʃər/

Mixture

Meaning
a combination of different substances or elements
Example
The cake batter is a mixture of flour, eggs, and milk.
B2 noun /paʊtʃ/

pouch

Meaning
a small bag or pocket, often used to carry small items
Example
She kept her coins in a small leather pouch.
B2 verb /ɛksˈheɪl/

exhale

Meaning
to breathe out air from the lungs
Example
She slowly exhaled after holding her breath.
B2 adjective /ˈtrædʒɪk/

Tragic

Meaning
very sad; involving death or extreme suffering
Example
The plane crash was a tragic accident.
B2 noun ˈme.trɪks

metrics

Meaning
A system or standard of measurement; a set of numbers that give information about a particular process or activity.
Example
Metrics are crucial for evaluating performance.
B2 adjective rəʊˈbʌst

robust

Meaning
Strong and healthy; vigorous; able to withstand or overcome adverse conditions.
Example
The robust infrastructure ensures reliable communication.
B2 noun /ˈreb.əl/

Rebel

Meaning
a person who resists authority or control
Example
The young rebel refused to follow the school rules.
B2 adjective /ˈpæn.ɪ.ki/

Panicky

Meaning
feeling or showing panic; anxious and fearful
Example
The crowd became panicky when the fire alarm sounded.
B2 noun /ˈtɒl.ər.əns/

Tolerance

Meaning
the ability to accept different opinions or behavior; willingness to allow something to exist
Example
Religious tolerance is important in a diverse society.
B2 verb /ˈrendər/

render

Meaning
to provide or give; to make or cause to become
Example
The artist renders the scene beautifully.
B2 noun ɪkˈspænʃən

expansion

Meaning
The action of becoming larger or more extensive; growth or development.
Example
Volunteering helps in the expansion of social networks.
B2 adjective /ʌnfəˈmɪl.jər/

Unfamiliar

Meaning
not known or recognized; strange
Example
The city was unfamiliar to me since I had never been there before.
B2 adjective /ˈpær.ə.lel/

Parallel

Meaning
side by side and having the same distance continuously between them; similar or corresponding
Example
The two roads run parallel to each other for several miles.
B2 adjective /ˈɒp.ʃən.əl/

Optional

Meaning
not compulsory; left to choice
Example
Wearing a tie is optional for this event.
B2 noun /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/

proceeding

Meaning
a course of action; often used for a legal process or event
Example
The court proceedings lasted for several hours.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənl/

institutional

Meaning
Relating to an organization or established practice.
Example
The government made several institutional reforms in education.
B2 adjective /ˈɔː.rəl/

Oral

Meaning
spoken rather than written; relating to the mouth
Example
The oral examination will test your speaking skills.
B2 verb /prɪˈsiːd/

precede

Meaning
to come before something in time, order, or position
Example
A brief introduction precedes each chapter.
B2 noun /ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm/

mechanism

Meaning
A system of parts working together in a machine; a process or technique for achieving something.
Example
The mechanism of the clock stopped working after years of use.
B2 noun /səbˈmɪʃən/

submission

Meaning
the act of yielding to authority or presenting something for consideration
Example
Her submission of the report was appreciated by the manager.
B2 noun /ˈkænjən/

canyon

Meaning
A deep gorge, typically one with a river flowing through it.
Example
The Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon over millions of years.
B2 phrase teɪk ˈpɜː.sən.əl.i

take personally

Meaning
To interpret someone's words or actions as a personal attack or criticism.
Example
Don't take it personally, he didn't mean to upset you.
B2 adjective /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkl/

economical

Meaning
Careful in the use of resources; providing good value or efficiency.
Example
Driving a hybrid car is economical in the long run.
B2 adjective ˌpriːhɪˈstɒrɪk

prehistoric

Meaning
Belonging to the time before written records.
Example
The prehistoric era was marked by the rise of early humans.
B2 adverb /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəli/

Artificially

Meaning
by artificial means; not naturally; in a fake manner
Example
The lake was artificially created for irrigation purposes.
B2 adjective /ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt/

subsequent

Meaning
Coming after something in time; following in time or order.
Example
Subsequent events clarified the outcomes.
B2 noun /ˈvɜː.tʃuː/

Virtue

Meaning
behavior showing high moral standards; a good or useful quality of a thing
Example
Honesty is considered the highest virtue in many cultures.
B2 noun /ˈriːteɪlər/

retailer

Meaning
a person or business that sells goods to consumers rather than to other businesses
Example
The retailer offers discounts on electronic products.
B2 adjective /ˈfjʊə.ri.əs/

Furious

Meaning
extremely angry; violent; fierce;
Example
She was furious when she discovered the mistake.
B2 noun /ˌsɛkʃuˈæləti/

sexuality

Meaning
a person's capacity for sexual feelings and orientation
Example
She spoke openly about her sexuality and identity.
B2 adverb /drəˈmætɪkli/

dramatically

Meaning
in a sudden, striking, or exaggerated way
Example
Sales increased dramatically after the campaign.
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 /ɪˈkwɪp/

equip

Meaning
to provide someone or something with the necessary items or skills for a task
Example
The school equipped its students with modern technology.
B2 adverb /pəˈtɛnʃəli/

potentially

Meaning
with the possibility of becoming something in the future
Example
This project is potentially a huge success.
B2 noun /ˈwɪzdəm/

Wisdom

Meaning
the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the soundness of an action or decision
Example
Age brings wisdom and experience.
B2 adjective /dʌm/

Dumb

Meaning
unable to speak; silent; lacking intelligence; stupid
Example
She remained dumb during the entire meeting.
B2 noun /ɪnˈkwaɪəri/ or /ˈɪnkwəri/

inquiry

Meaning
An act of asking for information; an investigation into something.
Example
The committee launched an inquiry into the financial irregularities.
B2 noun ˈɡloʊbəl kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən

global collaboration

Meaning
Cooperation and partnership between countries or organizations worldwide to address common challenges.
Example
Global collaboration is necessary to address climate change.
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.
B2 noun ˈiːkoʊˌtʊrɪzəm

Eco-tourism

Meaning
A form of tourism involving responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.
Example
Eco-tourism promotes responsible travel to natural areas.
B2 verb /ʌnˈveɪl/

unveil

Meaning
to reveal or disclose something, especially in a formal manner
Example
The company will unveil a new product next week.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈtɛnsɪv/

intensive

Meaning
Involving a lot of effort, energy, or concentration in a short period of time.
Example
She attended an intensive English course before moving abroad.
B2 noun /ˈsteɪdiəm/

stadium

Meaning
a large structure with seating for sports, concerts, or other events
Example
Thousands of fans filled the stadium to watch the final match.
B2 verb /əˈkʌstəm/

accustom

Meaning
to make someone familiar with something through regular experience or use
Example
It took him a while to accustom himself to the new environment.
B2 adjective /ˈɡraʊndɪd/

grounded

Meaning
Well balanced and sensible; having a sound basis in reality or fact.
Example
Staying grounded during difficult situations helps with resilience.
B2 noun/verb rɪˈfɔːm

reform

Meaning
Make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.
Example
Reform in the education system was a priority.
B2 adjective /ˈwɪt.i/

Witty

Meaning
having or showing quick intelligence; amusing in a clever way
Example
Her witty response to the critic's question impressed the entire audience.
B2 noun /dɪsˈtrɛs/

distress

Meaning
extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
Example
He felt a deep sense of distress when he heard the bad news.
B2 noun səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

sustainability

Meaning
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain ecological balance.
Example
Sustainability ensures long-term environmental health.
B2 adjective ˈkʌl.ɪ.nər.i

culinary

Meaning
Related to cooking or the preparation of food, especially in a sophisticated or professional manner.
Example
Culinary advancements enhance the dining experience.