taboo
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
C1 noun /təˈbuː/

taboo

Meaning
a social or cultural prohibition against certain practices or discussions
Example
Talking about money is considered a taboo in some cultures.
C1 noun /pɔl/

Pall

Meaning
a cloth spread over a coffin; a dark covering that creates a gloomy atmosphere
Example
A pall of smoke hung over the burning building.
B2 noun /ɡlɪmps/

Glimpse

Meaning
a momentary or partial view; a brief look or sight of something
Example
Through the window, I caught a glimpse of the beautiful garden behind the house.
B2 noun /əˈstrɒnəmər/

astronomer

Meaning
a scientist who studies the stars, planets, and the universe
Example
The astronomer observed the new comet through his telescope.
B2 noun, verb /ˈɑːrkaɪv/

archive

Meaning
A collection of historical documents or records; to store or preserve information for future use.
Example
The library decided to archive all the old manuscripts.
A2 noun,verb /kɔːrt/

court

Meaning
a place where legal cases are heard or to seek favor or attention
Example
He courted the judge with respect.
A2 verb /kənˈteɪn/

contain

Meaning
to have or include within; to restrain or control
Example
This box contains important documents.
C1 noun /ˌænɛkˈseɪʃən/

annexation

Meaning
the act of adding or taking control of territory or property, especially by a state
Example
The annexation of the region led to international condemnation.
B2 noun /ˈmeɪnˌlænd/

mainland

Meaning
the principal landmass of a country or continent, as opposed to the surrounding islands
Example
The mainland of Australia is home to most of its population.
C1 phrase ˌbaɪ.oʊ.daɪˈvɜː.sɪ.ti ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən

biodiversity preservation

Meaning
The protection and conservation of the variety of life in all its forms, including different species, genetic diversity, and ecosystems.
Example
Biodiversity preservation is critical for ecological balance.
C2 noun /kənˈtɔːrʃən/

contortion

Meaning
a twisted or bent shape; the act of twisting out of the normal shape
Example
The gymnast's contortion amazed the audience.
A1 noun /ˈsɛvən/

seven

Meaning
the number following six and preceding eight
Example
She has seven apples in her basket.
C2 adjective /ˌhæfˈbeɪkt/

half-baked

Meaning
poorly thought out or badly planned
Example
The manager quickly rejected his half-baked proposal.
A2 noun /spɒt/

spot

Meaning
a particular place or position
Example
I found a great spot for a picnic in the park.
A2 adjective /ˈbeɪ.sɪk/

Basic

Meaning
fundamental; essential; forming the foundation or starting point
Example
Learning basic English grammar is essential for beginners.
B2 noun ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈbæləns

ecological balance

Meaning
A state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms.
Example
Maintaining ecological balance is essential for a sustainable planet.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.ləs/

Lawless

Meaning
without law; anarchic; unruly; criminal
Example
The frontier town was known for its lawless behavior and chaos.
B2 noun /wɒsp/

Wasp

Meaning
a flying insect with a yellow and black striped body and a painful sting
Example
The wasp stung me when I disturbed its nest.
C2 noun /ˈɑːr.bɪ.trɑːʒ/

arbitrage

Meaning
The simultaneous buying and selling of securities in different markets to take advantage of differing prices.
Example
Investors use arbitrage to make profits in global markets.
C2 noun /ˈmɪsɪv/

missive

Meaning
a written message, especially a formal or official letter
Example
He sent a long missive to the governor.
B2 verb /spɛər/

spare

Meaning
To give something that one has extra of; to refrain from harming or killing.
Example
Could you spare me a few minutes of your time?
C1 adjective /ˈspaɪn.ləs/

Spineless

Meaning
lacking courage or determination; weak-willed
Example
He was too spineless to stand up for his beliefs.
A2 noun /ˈtrʌb.əl/

Trouble

Meaning
difficulty or problems; effort or exertion made to do something
Example
The car broke down and caused a lot of trouble for the family.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtʃænt/

enchant

Meaning
to delight or charm greatly; to cast a spell over
Example
The storyteller enchanted the children with his tales.
C1 verb /ɜːr/

err

Meaning
to make a mistake or be incorrect
Example
To err is human, to forgive divine.
C2 noun /ˈdɛskænt/

descant

Meaning
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
Example
The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn.
C1 noun /ˌdʒenəˈræləti/

generality

Meaning
A vague, non-specific statement or principle that applies broadly.
Example
The speech was full of generalities and lacked concrete details.
C2 noun /ˈdɛrɪk/

derrick

Meaning
A framework or tower used for supporting a crane, especially for oil drilling or lifting heavy loads.
Example
The workers assembled a derrick at the oil drilling site.
C2 noun /bʊr/

Boor

Meaning
a rough and bad-mannered person; someone who lacks refinement or culture
Example
The wealthy businessman was actually a boor who showed no respect for others.
A1 verb /baɪ/

buy

Meaning
to get something by paying money for it; to purchase
Example
I want to buy a new car this year.
B1 noun /ˈaɪ.braʊ/

Eyebrow

Meaning
the strip of hair growing on the ridge above the eye socket
Example
She raised her eyebrow in surprise.
C1 noun /ˈtʃæplɪn/

chaplain

Meaning
A member of the clergy attached to a private chapel, institution, hospital, or military unit.
Example
The army chaplain offered prayers before the battle.
C1 noun /ˈplez.ən.tri/

Pleasantry

Meaning
a remark made in order to be polite or friendly; light conversation or jokes
Example
They exchanged pleasantries before the meeting began.
C1 noun /ˈten.jər/

Tenure

Meaning
the period of time during which someone holds an office or position
Example
During his tenure as CEO, the company expanded globally.
C2 adjective /ɪˈlɪbərəl/

illiberal

Meaning
Opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.
Example
The government was criticized for its illiberal policies.
B1 verb /ˈʌpˌɡreɪd/

upgrade

Meaning
to raise something to a higher standard, improve
Example
We decided to upgrade the software to the latest version.
C2 noun /ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd/

broadside

Meaning
a strong verbal attack or a sheet of paper printed on one side
Example
The politician launched a broadside against his opponent.
C2 noun /ˌklɛptəˈmeɪniæk/

kleptomaniac

Meaning
A person with an irresistible urge to steal, typically without need or profit.
Example
The kleptomaniac was caught shoplifting again.
B2 noun /kraɪˈtɪəriən/

criterion

Meaning
A standard or rule used to make a judgment or decision.
Example
Honesty is an important criterion for this job.
C1 adjective /ˈɪrɪtəbl/

irritable

Meaning
easily annoyed or made angry
Example
She became irritable after working long hours without rest.
B2 noun /haɪv/

Hive

Meaning
a structure in which bees live and produce honey; a place full of busy activity
Example
The garden was buzzing with activity as bees flew back and forth from their hive.
C1 noun /ˈkɒn.vɔɪ/

convoy

Meaning
a group of vehicles or ships traveling together, often for protection
Example
The military convoy moved through the desert at dawn.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/

intestate

Meaning
Having died without leaving a valid will.
Example
She died intestate, so her assets were distributed by law.
B1 adverb /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/

Absolutely

Meaning
completely; totally; without exception
Example
I absolutely agree with your decision.
C1 noun ˌkɒn.əˈteɪ.ʃən

connotation

Meaning
The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal definition
Example
The word 'home' has a warm connotation of comfort and family.
B1 noun /peɪs/

pace

Meaning
the speed at which something happens or is done
Example
She walked at a slow pace.
A2 noun /ɜːθ/

Earth

Meaning
the planet on which we live; the ground or soil
Example
The astronauts could see Earth from their spacecraft in orbit.
B1 noun /ˈprɪnsɪpl/

principle

Meaning
A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
Example
Honesty is a key principle of leadership.
C1 adjective /ˌɛvərˈlæstɪŋ/

everlasting

Meaning
Lasting forever or for an indefinitely long time.
Example
The poet wrote about his everlasting love for nature.
B1 noun /ˈskwɪr.əl/

Squirrel

Meaning
a small agile tree-dwelling rodent with a long bushy tail
Example
The squirrel gathered nuts for winter.
C1 noun /ˈmʌltɪplaɪər/

multiplier

Meaning
a number or factor by which another number is multiplied; something that increases the effect or value of something else
Example
In economics, government spending can act as a multiplier for economic growth.
C1 adjective /ˌpæn.əˈræm.ɪk/

panoramic

Meaning
Giving a wide view of an extensive area in all directions.
Example
The hotel offers panoramic views of the ocean.
B2 noun /ˈbaɪoʊ ˌdeɪtə/

Bio-data

Meaning
biographical data; a resume or curriculum vitae containing personal and professional information
Example
Please submit your bio-data along with the job application.
C1 adjective /ˈɛm.ɪ.nənt/

eminent

Meaning
Famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.
Example
He is an eminent scientist known for groundbreaking research.
B1 noun /læd/

lad

Meaning
a boy or young man; a male youth
Example
The young lad helped his father in the shop.
C1 noun /ˌɑːr.kəˈpɛl.əˌɡoʊ/

archipelago

Meaning
A group of islands clustered together in a body of water.
Example
Indonesia is an archipelago with thousands of islands.
C1 noun /ˈsɒlstɪs/

solstice

Meaning
the two times in the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator (summer and winter solstice)
Example
People celebrate the summer solstice with festivals and rituals.
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 verb baɪnd

bind

Meaning
To tie, fasten, or hold together securely.
Example
This force binds quarks together.
B1 noun /ˈwaɪldˌlaɪf/

wildlife

Meaning
animals, birds, and plants living in their natural environment
Example
The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈprɒbəbl/

improbable

Meaning
Not likely to be true or to happen.
Example
It seems improbable that he will arrive on time.
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 noun /bɪˈliːvər/

believer

Meaning
a person who believes in something, especially a religious faith, idea, or principle
Example
She is a strong believer in hard work and honesty.
B1 adjective /ˈsɪvəl/

civil

Meaning
Relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, or being polite and courteous.
Example
They settled the matter through civil discussion.
C1 noun /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/

linguistics

Meaning
The scientific study of language and its structure.
Example
She decided to major in linguistics at university.
C1 noun

Kin

A1 verb /liːv/

leave

Meaning
to go away from; to depart or exit
Example
The train leaves at 6 PM.
B1 adjective /strɪkt/

Strict

Meaning
demanding exact conformity to rules; severe; rigorous
Example
The teacher is very strict about homework deadlines.
B2 verb /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/

distinguish

Meaning
to recognize or show the differences between two or more things; to set apart as different
Example
It can be difficult to distinguish between truth and rumor.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnɪnˈfɔːrmd/

uninformed

Meaning
lacking knowledge or awareness about a particular subject; not educated or informed
Example
The decision was made by an uninformed committee.
C2 adjective ɪnˈfiː.zə.bəl

infeasible

Meaning
Not possible to do easily or conveniently; impracticable.
Example
Restoring the forest may become infeasible if destruction continues.
C2 verb /ˈnɪɡəl/

niggle

Meaning
to cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or worry
Example
A small doubt niggled at her mind.
B2 noun /ˈfjuː.nər.əl/

Funeral

Meaning
a ceremony typically held shortly after a person's death, usually including burial or cremation
Example
Hundreds of people attended the funeral to pay their respects to the beloved teacher.
C2 noun /ˌæriˈviːst/

arriviste

Meaning
A person who has recently gained wealth or status but is considered arrogant or socially unsophisticated.
Example
The business world is full of ambitious arrivistes.
C1 verb /ˈstaɪfl/

stifle

Meaning
to prevent or restrain an action, idea, or emotion; to suffocate
Example
She tried to stifle a laugh during the serious meeting.
C2 noun /ˈɔːspɪs/

auspice

Meaning
A sign, omen, or divine token; also refers to protection or support.
Example
The project was launched under the auspice of the government.
B2 noun /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/

anxiety

Meaning
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Example
Meditation helps reduce anxiety and stress.
B2 verb /vaʊ/

vow

Meaning
to make a serious promise; to pledge solemnly
Example
They vowed to love each other forever.
C2 noun ˌbaɪ.oʊ.əˈveɪ.lə.bɪl.ə.ti

bioavailability

Meaning
The degree to which a substance can be absorbed and used by the body.
Example
Turmeric's bioavailability increases when consumed with black pepper.
C2 adjective /ˈɪndələnt/

indolent

Meaning
Wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
Example
The indolent cat slept in the sun all afternoon.
C2 noun /ˈlɪtɪɡənt/

litigant

Meaning
a person involved in a lawsuit
Example
The court summoned both litigants for the hearing.
A1 noun /kloʊðz/

clothes

Meaning
garments worn on the body
Example
She bought new clothes for the party.
C2 noun /baɪˈmɛstər/

bimester

Meaning
A period of two months.
Example
The academic program is divided into six bimesters.
B2 verb /tʌk/

tuck

Meaning
to push or fold something neatly into a particular place
Example
She tucked the blanket around the baby to keep him warm.
C1 verb /ˈwɒd.əl/

waddle

Meaning
to walk with short steps and a clumsy swaying motion, like a duck
Example
The duck waddled across the yard.
C2 noun /foʊ ˈpɑː/

faux pas

Meaning
a social blunder or mistake in etiquette
Example
He committed a major faux pas by forgetting her birthday.
C2 noun /ˈoʊ.kəm/

oakum

Meaning
loose fibers obtained by untwisting old ropes, used for caulking ships
Example
The shipbuilders used oakum to seal the gaps in the wooden planks.
B2 noun /ˈkwɔːtərˌbæk/

quarterback

Meaning
the player who directs a team’s offense in American football
Example
The quarterback threw a perfect pass.
A1 noun /tə'meɪ.toʊ/

Tomato

Meaning
a red or yellow edible fruit that is typically eaten as a vegetable
Example
She added fresh tomatoes to the salad.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsɛnseɪt/

insensate

Meaning
lacking physical sensation or empathy; without feeling or sensitivity
Example
The dictator's insensate cruelty shocked the world.
C2 verb /lɪm/

limn

Meaning
to depict or describe something vividly in words or art.
Example
The author limned the beauty of the countryside.
B2 noun /ɪmˈbærəsmənt/

embarrassment

Meaning
a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness
Example
Her face turned red with embarrassment after the mistake.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈɡʌst/

august

Meaning
Respected and impressive; inspiring reverence or admiration.
Example
The king entered the hall with an august presence.
C1 adjective /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/

precipitous

Meaning
Extremely steep or sudden; done quickly without careful consideration.
Example
The hikers struggled to climb the precipitous slope.
A1 adverb /ðeər/

There

Meaning
in or at that place; to that place
Example
I will meet you there at 5 PM.
B2 noun /ˌmɪsˈfɔːrtʃən/

misfortune

Meaning
Bad luck or an unfortunate event.
Example
He suffered the misfortune of losing his job during the recession.
C1 adjective /ˈfɪs.kəl/

fiscal

Meaning
Relating to government revenue, especially taxes, or public money management.
Example
The government introduced new fiscal policies to control inflation.
B2 noun /ˈspɒt.laɪt/

spotlight

Meaning
a strong beam of light directed onto a particular area; figuratively, public attention
Example
The singer stood proudly in the spotlight.
C1 adjective eɪˈsɪŋ.krə.nəs

asynchronous

Meaning
Of or requiring a form of computer control timing protocol in which a specific operation begins upon receipt of an indication that the preceding operation has been completed.
Example
Asynchronous courses allow students to learn at their own pace.
A2 noun /ˈsɒftweə/

software

Meaning
the programs and other operating information used by a computer
Example
He installed the software to enhance the performance of his computer.
C1 noun /ˈæd.və.ser.i/

adversary

Meaning
One's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
Example
The boxer faced a strong adversary in the ring.
B1 noun /ˈkæləri/

calorie

Meaning
A unit of energy, often used to measure the energy content of food and drink.
Example
She checks the calorie count before eating any packaged food.
C1 adjective /ɡlʌm/

Glum

Meaning
sad; dejected; downcast; gloomy
Example
He looked glum after hearing the bad news.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌŋkɪt/

junket

Meaning
A trip or celebration, often funded by someone else, usually for pleasure or promotional purposes.
Example
The company organized a junket for journalists to promote their new resort.
C1 noun /ɪkˈspoʊnənt/

exponent

Meaning
a person who supports, promotes, or explains an idea; in math, a symbol denoting power
Example
She is a leading exponent of modern dance.
A2 adjective /tʌf/

tough

Meaning
strong, durable, and difficult to break or deal with
Example
He had a tough day at work.
A2 noun /ˈstʌmək/

Stomach

Meaning
the organ in the body where food is digested; the belly or abdomen
Example
My stomach hurts after eating too much.
C1 verb /ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːrmɪn/

predetermine

Meaning
to establish or decide something in advance
Example
The outcome of the match seemed predetermined.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.kɔːd/

concord

Meaning
Agreement or harmony between people or groups.
Example
The leaders worked towards international concord.
C1 noun /ˈweɪs(t).koʊt/

waistcoat

Meaning
a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket
Example
He wore a black waistcoat with his suit.
B2 noun /ˌriː.ɪnˈfɔːrs.mənt/

reinforcement

Meaning
Strengthening or supporting something, especially behavior or learning.
Example
Positive reinforcement helps in learning.
B2 adjective /pəˈθet.ɪk/

Pathetic

Meaning
arousing pity; extremely poor or inadequate
Example
His pathetic attempt to apologize made things worse.
C1 verb /əˈsæsɪneɪt/

assassinate

Meaning
To murder someone important, often a political or religious leader, usually by surprise attack.
Example
The rebels planned to assassinate the king.
C2 noun /əˈdjuː/

adieu

Meaning
A farewell or goodbye, often used in a formal or poetic sense.
Example
She bid her friends adieu before leaving for France.
C2 adjective /droʊl/

droll

Meaning
curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement
Example
He had a droll sense of humor that made everyone laugh.
C1 noun /bɪˈtreɪər/

Betrayer

Meaning
a person who betrays someone or something; one who is disloyal
Example
The betrayer was exposed and faced severe consequences.
B1 noun /ˌmæθəˈmætɪks/

mathematics

Meaning
the abstract science of number, quantity, and space; the study of numbers and their operations
Example
Mathematics helps us understand patterns in nature and the universe.
C1 noun /ˈtʃʌk.əl/

Chuckle

Meaning
a quiet or suppressed laugh; to laugh quietly or with amusement
Example
He gave a soft chuckle when he heard the funny joke.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsəˈproʊpriˌeɪt/

misappropriate

Meaning
to use something dishonestly or illegally for one's own purposes
Example
He was accused of misappropriating company funds.
A2 noun /teɪst/

Taste

Meaning
the sensation produced when food touches the tongue; personal preference or liking
Example
This cake has a sweet taste that I really enjoy.
B2 noun /ˈdɛnɪmz/

denims

Meaning
pants or clothes made from denim fabric, usually jeans
Example
He wore blue denims with a white shirt.