tenuous
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 adjective /ˈtɛn.ju.əs/

tenuous

Meaning
Very weak, thin, or slight; lacking a strong basis.
Example
The evidence against him is quite tenuous.
C1 verb /raɪl/

rile

Meaning
to irritate or annoy someone
Example
His careless comments really riled her.
C1 verb /bɪˈhoʊld/

behold

Meaning
to see or observe something, especially something remarkable or impressive
Example
She stood quietly to behold the sunrise over the hills.
B2 noun ˈwɪl.paʊər

willpower

Meaning
The ability to control your thoughts and actions in order to achieve what you want to do.
Example
Strong willpower is essential for achieving long-term goals.
C2 noun /ˌɛpɪˈsaɪklɔɪd/

epicycloid

Meaning
a curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle that rolls around the outside of another circle
Example
The mathematician demonstrated how to draw an epicycloid.
B1 noun /ˈen.trəns/

Entrance

Meaning
an opening that allows access to a place; the action of entering
Example
The main entrance to the building was decorated with beautiful flowers.
C1 noun /ˈbʊzəm/

bosom

Meaning
the human chest, especially a woman’s breast; also used metaphorically to refer to closeness or intimacy
Example
She kept the secret close to her bosom.
C1 adjective /ˈrʌɡ.ɪd/

Rugged

Meaning
rough and uneven; having a rough irregular surface; tough and strong
Example
The hikers crossed the rugged mountain terrain.
C2 verb /ˈɪŋkʌlpeɪt/

inculpate

Meaning
To blame or accuse someone of wrongdoing.
Example
The evidence seemed to inculpate the suspect in the crime.
C2 noun /ˈdeb.juː.tɑːnt/

debutante

Meaning
A young woman making her first formal appearance in society.
Example
The debutante wore a white gown at the ball.
A2 verb /pʊl/

pull

Meaning
to exert force to move something toward oneself; to drag or tug
Example
Please pull the door to open it.
C1 verb /wɑːft/

waft

Meaning
to move gently through the air, carried by a breeze
Example
The smell of fresh bread wafted through the kitchen.
C1 noun /ɪɡˈzɜːr.ʃən/

exertion

Meaning
Using energy or effort to achieve something.
Example
Excessive exertion can lead to fatigue and burnout.
C1 adjective /ˌɔː.riˈen.təl/

Oriental

Meaning
relating to the countries of East Asia; eastern
Example
The museum has a beautiful collection of oriental art.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈteɪk/

undertake

Meaning
to commit to and begin a task or project; to take on responsibility
Example
She decided to undertake a challenging project.
B2 verb /mɜːrdʒ/

merge

Meaning
to combine or join together; to blend into one
Example
The two companies decided to merge to increase their market share.
B2 noun /səkˈsɛʃ.ən/

succession

Meaning
The process of ecological change in which one community of organisms is gradually replaced by another.
Example
Forest succession occurs when old ecosystems are replaced by new ones.
B2 adverb /sɪˈvɪərli/

severely

Meaning
to a great degree; very seriously or harshly
Example
The patient was severely injured in the accident.
B2 noun /ˈweə(r)haʊs/

warehouse

Meaning
a large building where goods are stored before being sold or distributed
Example
The company stores all its products in a big warehouse.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈiːkwəl/

Unequal

Meaning
not the same in quantity, size, or value; not fair or just
Example
The distribution of wealth is unequal in many countries.
B1 noun /ˈprɒf.ɪt/

Profit

Meaning
money that is earned in trade or business after paying costs
Example
The company made a significant profit this quarter.
C2 noun /ˌpɛdəˈɡɒdʒɪks/

pedagogics

Meaning
the science or art of teaching
Example
He studied pedagogics to become a better teacher.
B2 noun /ˈɔːrɡənaɪzər/

organizer

Meaning
a person who arranges or coordinates activities, events, or groups; a tool or item used to keep things in order
Example
She worked as the main organizer of the international conference.
B2 noun /moʊˈmɛn.təm/

momentum

Meaning
The quantity of motion of a moving body; the impetus and driving force gained by the development of a process or course of events.
Example
The company gained momentum after launching a new product.
B2 noun/verb /ˈɡlɪtər/

glitter

Meaning
To shine with bright, shimmering light; or decorative sparkles.
Example
Her dress glittered under the stage lights.
C1 noun /ˈdaɪhɑːrd/

diehard

Meaning
A person who strongly resists change and remains loyal to a belief or cause.
Example
He is a diehard fan of classic rock music.
C1 noun /ˈtaɪ.ɡrəs/

Tigress

Meaning
an adult female tiger
Example
The powerful tigress hunted silently through the jungle.
B1 noun /bʌntʃ/

Bunch

Meaning
a number of things of the same type fastened together or occurring close together
Example
She picked a bunch of flowers from the garden for her mother.
A2 noun /ˈkʌp.bɔːrd/

Cupboard

Meaning
a piece of furniture with doors and shelves for storing dishes, food, or clothes
Example
She stored all the plates and bowls in the kitchen cupboard.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtənt/

inadvertent

Meaning
Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning; unintentional.
Example
Her inadvertent mistake caused a delay in the project.
C1 verb /rɪˈtɔːrt/

retort

Meaning
To reply quickly or sharply, often in a witty or angry manner.
Example
He quickly retorted that he was not to blame.
C1 noun /ˈmɒd.ə.sti/

Modesty

Meaning
the quality of being humble and not boastful about achievements
Example
Despite his success, he showed great modesty.
C2 verb /ˈtʃæfɪŋ/

chaffing

Meaning
Teasing or joking in a lighthearted way.
Example
They were chaffing each other during lunch.
B2 noun ˈterɪtəri

territory

Meaning
An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.
Example
The king expanded his territory.
A2 noun /buːt/

Boot

Meaning
sturdy footwear covering the foot and ankle or lower leg
Example
He laced up his hiking boots before the mountain trek.
C2 verb /ˈpɜːrdʒər/

perjure

Meaning
To knowingly tell a lie in a court of law after swearing to tell the truth.
Example
He was accused of trying to perjure himself during the trial.
C2 noun /ˈpɒl.iˌθi.ɪz.əm/

polytheism

Meaning
the belief in or worship of multiple gods
Example
Ancient Greeks practiced polytheism, worshiping gods like Zeus and Athena.
B2 noun /prɒp/

prop

Meaning
an object used on stage by actors during a performance; something that supports or holds up
Example
The actor forgot his prop on stage.
C1 noun /ˈproʊbeɪt/

probate

Meaning
the official proving of a will in a court of law
Example
The family had to go through probate after his death.
C2 noun ˌæɡ.roʊˈiː.koʊˌsɪs.təm

agroecosystem

Meaning
An ecological system centered on agricultural activities and processes.
Example
A healthy agroecosystem improves soil fertility.
B2 adjective /ˈvaɪəbəl/

viable

Meaning
Capable of working successfully; feasible.
Example
A viable solution is necessary for long-term success.
C2 noun dʒɛsˌtɪk.jʊˈleɪ.ʃənz

gesticulations

Meaning
Expressive hand or body movements while speaking to convey thoughts or emotions
Example
His energetic gesticulations made the speech more engaging.
C1 verb /həˈluːsɪneɪt/

hallucinate

Meaning
to see, hear, or sense things that are not actually present, often due to illness or drugs
Example
After taking the medicine, he began to hallucinate strange shapes.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrðərəns/

furtherance

Meaning
The advancement or promotion of something.
Example
The new policy was introduced in furtherance of social justice.
C1 noun /djʊˈrɛs/

duress

Meaning
threats, violence, or pressure used to force someone to do something
Example
She signed the contract under duress.
B2 noun ɪnˈtɛɡrɪti

integrity

Meaning
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
Example
Teachers' integrity fosters a positive learning environment.
C2 adjective /ˈæk.rɪd/

Acrid

Meaning
having a strong, unpleasant, and sharp smell or taste
Example
The acrid smoke from the fire made everyone cough.
C1 noun /ˈæptɪˌtjuːd/

aptitude

Meaning
a natural ability or talent to do something well
Example
She has a strong aptitude for learning new languages.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/

commonplace

Meaning
ordinary or unremarkable; something that is usual or commonly found
Example
Smartphones have become commonplace in modern life.
A2 verb /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/

changing

Meaning
The act of becoming different; ongoing process of change.
Example
The weather is changing rapidly.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfʌdld/

befuddled

Meaning
confused, unable to think clearly
Example
He looked befuddled after hearing the complex instructions.
B2 noun /ˈpoʊ.di.əm/

Podium

Meaning
a small platform on which a person may stand to be seen by an audience
Example
The winner stood on the podium to receive the gold medal.
C1 adjective /ˈvɛlvəti/

velvety

Meaning
having a smooth, soft texture like velvet
Example
She spoke in a low, velvety voice.
C1 noun /ˈplɛθərə/

plethora

Meaning
an excessive amount of something
Example
She has a plethora of books on her shelf.
B1 noun /ˈfaɪn.dɪŋ/

finding

Meaning
a discovery, conclusion, or result reached after investigation
Example
The scientist published her findings in a leading journal.
B2 verb /kriːp/

creep

Meaning
to move slowly and quietly; to make someone feel uncomfortable
Example
She crept quietly up the stairs to avoid waking anyone.
C1 noun /ˈsiːskeɪp/

seascape

Meaning
A view or painting of the sea.
Example
The artist painted a beautiful seascape at sunset.
B2 noun /siːdʒ/

siege

Meaning
A military operation in which a place is surrounded to force its surrender.
Example
The castle fell after a long siege.
B2 noun /eɪk/

Ache

Meaning
a continuous or prolonged dull pain in a part of one's body
Example
He had a terrible headache after working late.
C1 noun /ˈmæntl̩/

mantle

Meaning
A cloak or covering; also the layer of the earth between the crust and the core.
Example
The leader assumed the mantle of responsibility.
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.
C2 noun /ˈɡælvəˌnɪzəm/

galvanism

Meaning
Electricity produced by chemical action, especially in a battery; the therapeutic use of electricity in medicine.
Example
Galvanism played a key role in early experiments with electricity.
B1 noun ˈkæn.dɪ.deɪts

candidates

Meaning
A person who applies for a job or is nominated for election; someone being considered for a position.
Example
Candidates undergo a rigorous selection process.
B2 verb /spɪn/

spin

Meaning
To turn around quickly or cause something to rotate
Example
The dancer began to spin gracefully on the stage.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːrtɪnənt/

impertinent

Meaning
rude and showing a lack of respect
Example
It was impertinent of him to question the manager's decision.
C1 noun trænˈsɛndəns

transcendence

Meaning
Existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level.
Example
The artist's work was a symbol of transcendence in creativity.
A2 noun /dʒoʊk/

Joke

Meaning
a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter; something not to be taken seriously
Example
Everyone laughed at his funny joke during the dinner party.
B2 noun /ˌvaɪ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/

Violation

Meaning
the action of violating someone or something; the action of breaking or failing to comply with a rule or formal agreement
Example
The company was fined for violation of environmental regulations.
C1 noun /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/

linguistics

Meaning
The scientific study of language and its structure.
Example
She decided to major in linguistics at university.
B1 verb /peɪst/

paste

Meaning
to stick something onto a surface using glue or adhesive
Example
I paste the picture into my scrapbook.
C1 noun /ˈæftərˌθɔːt/

afterthought

Meaning
Something added or considered later than originally planned.
Example
The gift seemed like an afterthought rather than a genuine gesture.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.səˈbɔːr.dɪ.nət/

insubordinate

Meaning
Defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.
Example
The insubordinate employee refused to follow the manager's instructions.
B2 verb /breɪd/

braid

Meaning
to weave together strands of hair or material
Example
She braided her hair before going to school.
B2 adjective /ˌsaɪkiˈætrɪk/

psychiatric

Meaning
relating to mental illness or its treatment
Example
The psychiatric hospital provides care for those with severe conditions.
C2 verb /ɛnˈkɪndl/

enkindle

Meaning
to set on fire or inspire strong emotion
Example
The speech enkindled hope in the audience.
C1 noun /dɪˌpriː.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃən/

depreciation

Meaning
A reduction in the value of an asset with the passage of time, due to wear and tear.
Example
The car's depreciation rate is high after five years.
C1 adjective /məˈroʊs/

morose

Meaning
sullen, gloomy, or ill-tempered
Example
He became morose after losing his job.
B2 noun /ɪnˈsɪstəns/

insistence

Meaning
the act of demanding something firmly or repeatedly
Example
At his insistence, we stayed longer.
B2 noun /pænt/

Pant

Meaning
a piece of clothing worn on the lower body covering each leg separately
Example
She bought a new pair of pants for the party.
C1 noun /ˈpʌntʃ laɪn/

punch line

Meaning
The final part of a joke or story that makes it funny.
Example
Everyone laughed loudly at the punch line of his joke.
B2 adjective /ˈdæz.lɪŋ/

Dazzling

Meaning
extremely bright and impressive; brilliant and stunning
Example
The dazzling lights of the city amazed the tourists.
B1 noun /ˈseɪ.vɪŋz/

savings

Meaning
Money that is saved, especially in a bank or official scheme for future use.
Example
Many people invest their savings in real estate.
C2 noun /ˈjuːzjuːfrʌkt/

usufruct

Meaning
The legal right to use and enjoy the benefits of someone else’s property without owning it.
Example
The tenant had the usufruct of the land but not its ownership.
B2 noun /mɪl/

mill

Meaning
a building equipped with machinery for grinding grain or manufacturing goods
Example
The old flour mill has been converted into a museum.
C1 adverb /əˈlɒft/

aloft

Meaning
Up in or into the air; overhead.
Example
The kite was flying aloft in the clear sky.
B1 noun /bloʊ/

Blow

Meaning
a powerful stroke with a hand, weapon, or hard object
Example
The boxer delivered a devastating blow to his opponent.
A2 adverb /ˈsɪm.pli/

Simply

Meaning
in a clear and easy way; merely; just
Example
I simply wanted to help you with your homework.
C2 noun /ˌdɪvɪˈneɪʃən/

divination

Meaning
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means
Example
Ancient people often relied on divination to guide important decisions.
B2 noun ˈmaɪl.stəʊn

milestone

Meaning
An important event or stage in the development, progress, or history of something.
Example
This discovery is a milestone in biotechnology.
B1 adverb /əˈprɒk.sɪ.mət.li/

approximately

Meaning
used to show that something is almost, but not completely, accurate or exact
Example
The journey takes approximately three hours.
C2 verb /ˈɪntərˌdɪkt/

interdict

Meaning
to prohibit or forbid something by authoritative order, often by law or decree
Example
The court moved to interdict the sale of the illegal goods.
C1 noun /ˈkændɪdnəs/

candidness

Meaning
The quality of being open, honest, and straightforward
Example
Her candidness during the meeting impressed everyone.
C1 noun /ˌsɛnsɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən/

sensitization

Meaning
The process of becoming sensitive to a substance, situation, or influence.
Example
The doctor warned about the sensitization caused by repeated exposure to chemicals.
C1 noun, adjective /dɪˈrɪvətɪv/

derivative

Meaning
Something that is based on another source; in math, a measure of how a function changes.
Example
The film was criticized for being too derivative of earlier works.
A2 noun /ɔɪl/

Oil

Meaning
a viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, used for cooking or fuel
Example
Heat the oil in a pan before adding the vegetables.
B2 noun ˈkrɪp.toʊˌkɝː.ən.si

cryptocurrency

Meaning
Decentralized digital currency operated using blockchain technology.
Example
Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency in the market.
C2 adjective /bəˈnɛfɪsənt/

beneficent

Meaning
generous or doing good
Example
The beneficent leader donated funds to build a hospital.
C1 noun /ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛstʃən/

indigestion

Meaning
Discomfort or pain in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food.
Example
He avoided spicy food because it often gave him indigestion.
C2 noun /kəmˈpɒz.ɪ.tər/

Compositor

Meaning
a person who arranges type for printing or creates musical compositions
Example
The compositor carefully arranged the text for the newspaper.
C2 verb /ʧeɪf/

chafe

Meaning
To make or become sore by rubbing; to feel irritation or impatience.
Example
The tight shoes began to chafe his heels.
B2 noun /əkˌsɛs.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

accessibility

Meaning
Accessibility or availability, easy availability of any place or service.
Example
Improved accessibility helps people with disabilities.
C2 verb /ˈsɜːrkəmskraɪb/

circumscribe

Meaning
to limit or restrict something within boundaries
Example
The rules circumscribe the powers of the committee.
B1 adjective /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Ancient

Meaning
belonging to the very distant past; very old; historical
Example
We visited the ancient ruins of the Roman empire.
B2 verb /əˈstaʊnd/

astound

Meaning
to greatly surprise or amaze someone
Example
The magician's final trick astounded the audience.
C2 noun /ˈel.ɪ.fənt ˈæp.əl/

Elephant Apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with a hard shell and acidic flesh
Example
Elephant apple is used to make delicious jams and pickles.
B1 noun /ˈfaɪ.tər/

Fighter

Meaning
a military aircraft designed for attacking other aircraft; a person who fights
Example
The fighter jet flew overhead during the military parade.
C1 verb /ˈhjuːmənaɪz/

humanize

Meaning
To make something more humane, kind, or relatable.
Example
The teacher tried to humanize the lesson with personal stories.
B1 adjective /ˈfrʌstreɪtɪŋ/

frustrating

Meaning
causing annoyance or dissatisfaction
Example
The slow internet connection was really frustrating.
B2 noun /ˈmɑːr.tɪn/

Martin

Meaning
small swift-flying bird that catches insects on the wing
Example
The martin built its nest under the bridge.
B2 adjective /ˈhevənli/

Heavenly

Meaning
relating to heaven; extremely pleasant or beautiful
Example
The chocolate cake had a heavenly taste that melted in my mouth.
A2 noun /dɪˈlɪv.ə.ri/

Delivery

Meaning
the action of delivering letters, parcels, or goods; the process of giving birth
Example
The delivery of the package was delayed due to bad weather conditions.
B2 adjective /ˈɑːrbɪˌtrɛri/

arbitrary

Meaning
based on random choice or personal whim, rather than reason or system
Example
The teacher's arbitrary grading upset many students.
A1 noun/verb /ˈraɪ.tɪŋ/

writing

Meaning
The activity of putting words on paper or composing text; the written form of communication.
Example
She spends hours every day on her creative writing.
C1 verb /ˈswɪndl/

swindle

Meaning
to cheat someone out of money or possessions by deceit
Example
The con artist tried to swindle the old man out of his savings.
C2 adjective /ˈflaɪti/

flighty

Meaning
unstable, impulsive, or easily distracted; lacking seriousness or stability
Example
She’s too flighty to stick with one job for long.
C2 adverb /ɪnˈdjuːbɪtəbli/

indubitably

Meaning
Without a doubt; certainly.
Example
She is indubitably the best candidate for the job.
B2 noun /ˈvjuːpɔɪnt/

viewpoint

Meaning
a particular attitude or way of considering a matter
Example
From his viewpoint, the situation was hopeless.
B2 noun /ˈsɛktər/

sector

Meaning
a distinct part or area of an economy, society, or industry
Example
The technology sector is growing rapidly.
B2 adjective /prəˈpoʊzd/

proposed

Meaning
suggested or put forward for consideration or discussion
Example
The proposed changes will improve the system.
C1 noun /draɪ ˈtʃɪl.i/

Dry Chilli

Meaning
dried chili peppers used as spice for adding heat to food
Example
The recipe calls for two dry chillies to make it spicy.
B2 adjective /əˈbrʌpt/

abrupt

Meaning
Sudden or unexpected, often without warning.
Example
The car came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the road.