tarnish
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 verb /ˈtɑːrnɪʃ/

tarnish

Meaning
To lose luster, especially as a result of exposure to air or moisture; to damage reputation.
Example
The silver jewelry tarnished quickly when left in the open air.
A2 noun /ˈtɜːr.nɪŋ/

Turning

Meaning
a place where a road branches off from another; a side road
Example
Take the first turning on the left.
B1 noun taɪm ˈmænɪdʒmənt

time management

Meaning
The process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities
Example
Time management is crucial for success.
B2 adjective /ˈtɒl.ər.ə.bəl/

Tolerable

Meaning
able to be endured; acceptable though not ideal
Example
The heat was barely tolerable in the afternoon.
C1 noun /toʊm/

tome

Meaning
a large, heavy book, often scholarly or serious in nature
Example
She spent the afternoon reading an old tome on medieval history.
C1 verb /ˈtæmpər/

tamper

Meaning
To interfere with something in a harmful, unauthorized, or improper way.
Example
The evidence was tampered with before the trial.
C1 noun /tiː ˈstreɪnər/

Tea-strainer

Meaning
a small perforated device used to strain tea leaves from brewed tea
Example
I always use a tea-strainer when pouring tea into cups.
B2 noun /ˌtɜːrməˈnɑːlədʒi/

terminology

Meaning
the set of technical or special words used in a particular subject
Example
Medical terminology can be difficult for new students to understand.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtər/

titter

Meaning
to laugh in a quiet, nervous, or restrained way
Example
The students began to titter when the projector froze.
B2 noun /ˈθiːsɪs/

thesis

Meaning
A long piece of writing on a particular subject, usually for a degree at a university.
Example
She spent two years writing her doctoral thesis.
A2 adjective /tʌf/

tough

Meaning
strong, durable, and difficult to break or deal with
Example
He had a tough day at work.
B2 noun /ˈtreɪ.tər/

Traitor

Meaning
a person who betrays someone or something, such as a friend, cause, or principle
Example
The spy was branded a traitor to his country after being caught.
A1 verb /θɪŋk/

think

Meaning
to have thoughts or ideas; to use your mind to consider something
Example
I think this is a good idea.
C2 noun /ˈterəpɪn/

terrapin

Meaning
a small freshwater turtle, especially one found in North America
Example
The terrapin slowly crawled into the pond.
C1 adjective /təˈrɛstriəl/

terrestrial

Meaning
Relating to the Earth or land as opposed to the sea or air; living or growing on land.
Example
Humans are terrestrial beings who live on land.
C1 noun /ˈtrɛmər/

tremor

Meaning
a slight shaking movement in a person’s body or in the ground
Example
A small tremor was felt before the earthquake.
C2 noun /ˈtɛsteɪtər/

testator

Meaning
a person who has made a will
Example
The lawyer read the will of the deceased testator.
B2 adjective /ˈtɒksɪk/

Toxic

Meaning
poisonous; very harmful or unpleasant
Example
The factory released toxic chemicals into the river.
B2 noun /ˈtraɪ.əl/

Trial

Meaning
a formal examination of evidence in a court; a test of performance or quality
Example
The murder trial lasted for three weeks in the county courthouse.
A1 adverb /təˈdeɪ/

Today

Meaning
on this day; at the present time
Example
Today is a beautiful day for a walk.
C1 verb /ˈtræmpəl/

trample

Meaning
to tread heavily on something and cause damage or injury
Example
The crowd trampled the flowers in the park.
B1 adjective /ˈθæŋk.fəl/

Thankful

Meaning
pleased and relieved; expressing gratitude; appreciative
Example
I am thankful for all your help and support.
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.
B2 adverb /ðɛrˈæftər/

thereafter

Meaning
from that time on
Example
He moved to Canada and thereafter started a new life.
B1 noun /θroʊt/

Throat

Meaning
the passage that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach and lungs; the front part of the neck
Example
He had a sore throat and couldn't speak clearly.
C2 verb /ˈtrʌŋkeɪt/

truncate

Meaning
to shorten something by cutting off the top or the end
Example
The article was truncated to fit the limited space.
B1 verb /ˈθretən/

threaten

Meaning
to express an intention to harm or punish someone; to be likely to cause harm
Example
The storm clouds threaten to bring heavy rain tonight.
A2 adjective /ˈter.ə.bl̩/

Terrible

Meaning
extremely bad or serious; causing fear or dread; very poor quality
Example
The weather was terrible during our vacation.
C1 verb /tiːm/

teem

Meaning
to be full of or swarming with
Example
The forest teems with wildlife.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪmərəs/

timorous

Meaning
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or lack of confidence
Example
The timorous student hesitated to ask the teacher a question.
A1 noun /ˈtɔɪlət/

toilet

Meaning
a fixture used for the disposal of human waste
Example
The public toilet was clean and well maintained.
B1 noun /ˈtreɪlər/

trailer

Meaning
a preview of a movie or a vehicle used for transporting goods
Example
The movie trailer was released last week.
B1 adjective /trɪˈmendəs/

Tremendous

Meaning
extremely large, great, or intense; extraordinary
Example
She made tremendous progress in her studies.
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 verb /ˈtrænsplænt/

transplant

Meaning
to move something, especially a plant or organ, from one place to another
Example
The doctors transplanted a kidney into the patient.
C1 noun /təˈlɛpəθi/

telepathy

Meaning
the supposed communication of thoughts or ideas by means other than the known senses
Example
The twins claimed to share telepathy with each other.
B2 noun /taɪd/

Tide

Meaning
the alternate rising and falling of the sea, usually twice in each lunar day, due to the attraction of the moon and sun
Example
The fishermen waited for high tide to launch their boats.
C2 noun /ˈtjuːtərʃɪp/

tutorship

Meaning
The office or position of a tutor; guidance or instruction given by a tutor.
Example
He thrived under the tutorship of his mentor.
B1 adjective /ˈtrɪki/

Tricky

Meaning
requiring skill or careful handling; difficult to deal with
Example
This math problem is quite tricky to solve.
B2 noun /ˈtɛlɪˌskoʊp/

telescope

Meaning
An optical instrument used to make distant objects appear closer and larger by collecting and focusing light.
Example
The astronomer used a telescope to observe the distant planets.
B2 adjective /ˈtʌtʃ.ɪŋ/

Touching

Meaning
causing feelings of sympathy or emotion; moving
Example
The touching story brought tears to everyone's eyes.
C1 noun /ˌtɛstɪˈməʊnɪəlz/

testimonials

Meaning
Written or spoken statements of praise or recommendation from clients or customers.
Example
Positive testimonials can enhance a company's reputation.
B2 noun /ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvɪŋ/

thanksgiving

Meaning
an annual holiday in the US for giving thanks, celebrated with a meal
Example
We spent Thanksgiving dinner with our family.
B2 noun ˈtrækɪŋ ˈprɒɡrɛs

tracking progress

Meaning
The process of monitoring and evaluating advancement towards goals or objectives.
Example
Regular tracking progress helps in achieving long-term goals.
A2 noun /ˈθiːətər/

theater

Meaning
a building or area for dramatic performances
Example
We are going to the theater tonight.
B2 noun /ˈtɜːr.nɪp/

Turnip

Meaning
a round root vegetable with white or purple skin and white flesh
Example
We grew turnips in our vegetable garden.
C2 noun /ˈtɒksɪn/

tocsin

Meaning
an alarm bell or signal; a warning that something bad is about to happen
Example
The data breach sounded a tocsin for stricter security.
C2 noun /ˈθɔːməˌtɜrdʒɪst/

thaumaturgist

Meaning
A worker of miracles or magician.
Example
The thaumaturgist amazed the audience with his tricks.
A2 noun /teɪp/

tape

Meaning
a long, narrow strip of material, often sticky on one side, used for fastening or sticking things together
Example
I need some tape to seal this box.
C2 noun /ˈtrɛsəl/

trestle

Meaning
a frame or support consisting of a horizontal beam held up by two pairs of sloping legs, used especially for supporting a bridge or table
Example
The workers built a wooden trestle to support the temporary bridge.
C1 noun /ˈtoʊtəm/

totem

Meaning
A natural object, animal, or symbol that is revered as a spiritual emblem by a group or tribe.
Example
The eagle is considered a sacred totem in many cultures.
A2 noun/verb /ˈtræn.spɔːrt/

transport

Meaning
The movement of people or goods from one place to another.
Example
Efficient transport systems reduce travel time.
B2 adjective /ˈθɔːr.ni/

Thorny

Meaning
having thorns; difficult to handle or deal with
Example
The thorny issue of budget cuts needs careful consideration.
B2 noun /ˈtoʊ.kən/

token

Meaning
A symbol or object that represents something, often given as a sign of appreciation or as a substitute for money.
Example
She gave him a small gift as a token of gratitude.
A1 adverb /təˈɡeðər/

Together

Meaning
with each other; in unity; at the same time
Example
We should work together to solve this problem.
B2 noun /ˈtɛkstʃər/

texture

Meaning
the way something feels when you touch it; the quality of a surface or substance
Example
The fabric has a soft and smooth texture.
C1 adjective /ˈtiːmɪŋ/

teeming

Meaning
full of or swarming with things or people
Example
The market was teeming with shoppers.
C2 noun /traɪˈʌmvɪrət/

triumvirate

Meaning
A political regime ruled or dominated by three powerful individuals.
Example
The Roman Republic was once governed by a triumvirate.
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.
A2 noun /tɪp/

tip

Meaning
a small but useful piece of advice
Example
I received a tip on how to improve my presentation.
C1 adjective /tɛmˈpɛstjuəs/

tempestuous

Meaning
Characterized by strong and turbulent emotions or stormy conditions.
Example
Their tempestuous relationship often swung between love and anger.
A1 noun /tɜːrn/

Turn

Meaning
an act of moving something in a circular direction; a change of direction; an opportunity to do something
Example
It's your turn to speak at the meeting.
C2 noun /tækˈsɒnəmɪst/

taxonomist

Meaning
A scientist who classifies organisms into groups based on their characteristics.
Example
The taxonomist discovered a new species of insect.
C1 noun /ˈtem.pər.ə.mənt/

Temperament

Meaning
a person's natural disposition or mood; characteristic behavior patterns
Example
She has a calm temperament that helps her handle stress well.
C2 verb /traɪˈsɛkt/

trisect

Meaning
To divide into three parts.
Example
The teacher asked the students to trisect the line segment.
C2 adjective /ˈtjuːtɪlɑːr/

tutelar

Meaning
Serving as a guardian or protector.
Example
The tutelar spirit of the forest was believed to protect travelers.
B1 verb /tɔs/

toss

Meaning
To throw something lightly or casually; to move or turn suddenly.
Example
He tossed the keys onto the table.
C1 noun /ˈtaɪ.rənt/

Tyrant

Meaning
a cruel and oppressive ruler; a person who exercises power in a harsh manner
Example
The people rebelled against the cruel tyrant.
C1 noun /ˈtrænsfərəns/

transference

Meaning
The act of moving something from one place, person, or situation to another.
Example
The transference of knowledge is essential in education.
C2 noun /ˈtɪŋktʃər/

tincture

Meaning
a slight trace of something; a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
Example
There was a tincture of sadness in her smile.
B2 noun /ˈtrʌmpɪt/

Trumpet

Meaning
a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; military signal instrument
Example
The soldier played the trumpet to signal the troops.
B1 noun /təˈbækoʊ/

tobacco

Meaning
a plant grown for its leaves, which are used in making cigarettes and cigars
Example
He stopped smoking tobacco after his health scare.
B2 verb /triːd/

tread

Meaning
to step or walk on something; to crush with feet
Example
Don't tread on the flowers.
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.
C2 noun /tɑːrn/

tarn

Meaning
A small mountain lake or pool.
Example
We camped near a tranquil tarn in the highlands.
C2 noun /tɔːˈtɒlədʒi/

tautology

Meaning
the unnecessary repetition of the same idea in different words
Example
The phrase 'it will happen or it won’t' is a tautology.
A2 noun /taɪər/

tire

Meaning
a rubber covering around a wheel
Example
The car’s tire burst on the highway.
C1 noun /ˈtjuːmʌlt/

tumult

Meaning
A loud, confused noise, especially caused by a crowd; commotion or disorder.
Example
The protest created a tumult in the city square.
C2 adjective /trænzˈmɪsəbl/

transmissible

Meaning
able to be passed or spread from one person or thing to another
Example
COVID-19 is a highly transmissible disease.
C1 adjective /ˈtrɛtʃərəs/

treacherous

Meaning
Dangerously unstable or deceptive; likely to betray trust.
Example
The treacherous road made driving difficult.
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 verb /trəˈdjuːs/

traduce

Meaning
To speak badly of someone or tell lies to damage their reputation.
Example
He was furious when he found out that his rivals had traduced him.
B1 verb /ˈtrɪp.əl/

triple

Meaning
To increase or become three times as much.
Example
The company tripled its profits in just one year.
A2 adjective, noun, verb /ˈtoʊ.təl/

total

Meaning
the whole amount; complete
Example
The total cost was too high.
B1 noun /ˈtreɪ.dər/

Trader

Meaning
a person who buys and sells goods or financial securities for profit
Example
The trader made a good profit from selling imported goods.
B1 adverb /ˈθæŋkfəli/

thankfully

Meaning
used to express relief or gratitude
Example
Thankfully, she arrived just in time for the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˈtɔːrtʃərəs/

torturous

Meaning
Extremely painful or causing great suffering; relating to or involving torture.
Example
The journey through the desert was long and torturous.
B2 verb /twiːk/

tweak

Meaning
to make small adjustments; to fine-tune something
Example
We need to tweak the design slightly.
C1 noun /taɪˈreɪd/

tirade

Meaning
a long, angry, or critical speech
Example
The manager launched into a tirade about poor performance.
A2 adjective /ˈtiːnˌeɪdʒ/

teenage

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of people aged between 13 and 19 years old
Example
She spent her teenage years in a small town.
C1 noun /təˈlɛfəni/

telephony

Meaning
the technology and systems for transmitting voice over distances by telephone
Example
Modern telephony has evolved to include internet-based calls.
B2 noun ˈtraɪəmf

triumph

Meaning
A great victory or achievement.
Example
The novel is considered one of Dickens' greatest triumphs.
A2 pronoun /ðəmˈsɛlvz/

themselves

Meaning
used to emphasize the subject of the sentence or to refer to the subject doing something to itself
Example
They fixed the problem themselves.
C1 noun /ˈtɒr.ənt/

Torrent

Meaning
a strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid; a sudden, violent, and copious outpouring
Example
The heavy rain created a torrent of water rushing down the mountain.
B2 noun /ˈtɛnənsi/

tenancy

Meaning
The possession or occupation of land or property as a tenant.
Example
The tenancy agreement was signed for two years.
B2 verb /ˈtɪkəl/

Tickle

Meaning
to touch someone lightly to make them laugh; to amuse or please
Example
The feather tickles when it touches your skin.
C1 adjective /tɔːt/

taut

Meaning
stretched or pulled tight; tense
Example
The rope was pulled taut between the two poles.
B2 noun /ˈten.ənt/

Tenant

Meaning
a person who rents and occupies property owned by someone else
Example
The landlord met with the new tenant to sign the lease agreement.
A2 noun /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

thinking

Meaning
the process of considering or reasoning about something
Example
Her thinking was clear and precise.
B1 adverb /ˈtɛrəbli/

terribly

Meaning
to a very great or extreme degree; very badly or unpleasantly
Example
He felt terribly sad after hearing the news.
C2 noun /trʌs/

truss

Meaning
a framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or other structure
Example
The engineer designed a strong truss for the new bridge.
A2 adjective /θɪn/

Thin

Meaning
having little thickness; not thick; slender
Example
She wore a thin jacket in the cold weather.
C1 adverb /ˌðɛrəˈbaʊt/

thereabout

Meaning
Approximately or around that place, amount, or time.
Example
The repairs will cost five hundred dollars or thereabout.
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 noun ˈtreɪd.ɒf

trade-off

Meaning
A situation where accepting one advantage means giving up another benefit.
Example
There is always a trade-off between price and quality.
C2 noun /ˈtæksɪˌdɜːrmi/

taxidermy

Meaning
The art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals for display.
Example
The museum had a large collection of taxidermy animals.
B2 noun /ˈten.ʃən/

Tension

Meaning
mental or emotional strain; a strained state or condition
Example
The deadline created a lot of tension in the office.
B2 verb, noun, adjective /ˈtɛndər/

tender

Meaning
to offer formally; soft and delicate in texture or character; a formal offer or proposal
Example
The company tendered its resignation to the board.
C1 noun trəˈdʒek.tər.i

trajectory

Meaning
The path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces.
Example
The satellite followed its intended trajectory.
C2 noun /ˈtrʌmpəri/

trumpery

Meaning
worthless nonsense or showy but worthless things
Example
The speech was full of political trumpery.
A1 adjective /taɪəd/

Tired

Meaning
feeling exhausted; in need of sleep or rest
Example
I am too tired to continue working.
C1 adjective /ˈtækt.ləs/

tactless

Meaning
showing a lack of sensitivity in dealing with others
Example
His tactless remark embarrassed everyone at the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈtriː.oʊ/

trio

Meaning
A group of three people or things, especially in music or performance.
Example
The jazz trio played beautifully at the concert.
C2 noun /ˈteɪbər/

Tabour

Meaning
a small side drum or tambourine used especially in folk music
Example
The folk musician played a lively tune on his tabour.
A2 noun /θɔːts/

thoughts

Meaning
An idea or opinion produced by thinking, or occurring suddenly in the mind.
Example
Focus your thoughts on positive outcomes.
A1 noun /tuː/

two

Meaning
the number following one
Example
She has two children.
B2 noun /tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒɪ.kəl ədˈvɑːns.mənt/

technological advancement

Meaning
Progress or improvement in technology that leads to better solutions or capabilities.
Example
Technological advancement is revolutionizing healthcare.
B1 adverb /ðʌs/

thus

Meaning
as a result or consequence of something previously stated
Example
He was late, thus he missed the meeting.
B1 noun /ˈθɛrəpɪst/

therapist

Meaning
a person trained to provide treatment or counseling for physical or mental health
Example
The therapist helped him overcome his anxiety.
C2 verb /ˈtrʌk.əl/

truckle

Meaning
To submit or yield obsequiously to someone in power.
Example
He refused to truckle to the demands of the corrupt officials.
A2 adjective /taɪt/

tight

Meaning
firmly held in place, not loose or slack
Example
The knot was too tight to untie.