vex
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 /veks/

vex

Meaning
to annoy or frustrate someone; to cause trouble
Example
The constant noise from construction vexes the residents.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈdjʊər.ɪŋ/

Enduring

Meaning
lasting; permanent; continuing for a long time
Example
Their enduring friendship lasted for decades.
B2 adjective ˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl

logical

Meaning
Of or according to the rules of logic or formal argument.
Example
Logical circuits ensure effective computation.
B2 verb /ˈtaɪtən/

Tighten

Meaning
to make something more secure or less loose
Example
He tightened the screws to secure the shelf.
B2 adjective /ˈθret.ən.ɪŋ/

Threatening

Meaning
expressing a threat; menacing; intimidating
Example
The dark clouds looked threatening before the storm.
A2 verb riˈsaɪklɪŋ

recycling

Meaning
The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects to prevent waste.
Example
Recycling plastic helps in reducing waste.
B2 noun /ˈher ˌpɪn/

Hair pin

Meaning
a thin piece of metal or plastic used to hold hair in place
Example
She used several hair pins to secure her elegant updo.
C2 adjective /ˈtriːzənəbl/

treasonable

Meaning
Relating to or involving the crime of treason.
Example
The general was accused of treasonable conduct.
B2 noun /taɪm/

thyme

Meaning
A small aromatic herb used in cooking and medicine.
Example
She sprinkled thyme on the roasted chicken.
B2 noun /ˈdeb.riː/

debris

Meaning
Scattered pieces of waste or remains.
Example
Debris in the eyes causes irritation.
B1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈstændəbl/

understandable

Meaning
Able to be understood; reasonable or justifiable.
Example
Her reaction was understandable given the situation.
C2 adjective/noun /fɪˈduː.ʃi.er.i/

fiduciary

Meaning
Involving trust, especially with regard to the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary.
Example
Banks have fiduciary duties towards their clients.
B2 adjective/noun /staʊt/

stout

Meaning
Strong, thick, or heavily built; also a kind of dark beer
Example
The stout man lifted the heavy box with ease.
B1 noun ɡlæns

glance

Meaning
A quick or brief look.
Example
He glanced at the river and felt calm.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrməns/

conformance

Meaning
The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law.
Example
The product was tested for conformance with safety standards.
C1 adjective /kəˈmɛmərətɪv/

commemorative

Meaning
Serving as a reminder or in honor of a person or event.
Example
They issued a commemorative coin for the independence anniversary.
C2 noun /ˈlæn.sɪt/

lancet

Meaning
a small, sharp, two-edged surgical knife used for making small incisions
Example
The doctor used a lancet to prick the patient’s finger for a blood test.
C1 adjective /ˈkɜːrsəri/

cursory

Meaning
Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
Example
He gave the report only a cursory glance before the meeting.
C1 adjective /pərˈtɜːrbd/

perturbed

Meaning
feeling anxious, unsettled, or disturbed
Example
He looked perturbed after hearing the bad news.
C2 verb /diːˈnæʃənəlaɪz/

denationalize

Meaning
to transfer ownership from the government to private individuals or companies
Example
The government decided to denationalize the bank to encourage private investment.
C1 noun ˈfɔː.saɪt

foresight

Meaning
The ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future.
Example
His foresight helped the company avoid financial losses.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːlki/

balky

Meaning
difficult, uncooperative, or stubborn
Example
The balky printer refused to work when needed most.
C2 noun /ˌpɛkjʊˈleɪʃən/

peculation

Meaning
The act of embezzling or stealing money, especially from public funds.
Example
The minister resigned after being accused of peculation.
B2 noun /ˌɡriːn ˈen.ə.dʒi/

green energy

Meaning
Energy derived from renewable sources that have minimal environmental impact.
Example
Green energy reduces environmental harm.
B2 noun /ˈder.ɪŋ/

Daring

Meaning
adventurous courage; willingness to take risks
Example
The mountain climber's daring impressed everyone at the base camp.
C2 noun /ɪˈmɛtɪk/

emetic

Meaning
a substance that causes vomiting
Example
The doctor administered an emetic to remove the poison.
B2 noun /ˈʌndərkləʊðz/

underclothes

Meaning
Clothing worn beneath outer clothes, such as underwear or lingerie
Example
He folded his underclothes neatly before packing them.
B2 adjective /ˈstʌf.i/

Stuffy

Meaning
lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated; formal and conservative in attitude
Example
The room was stuffy and needed fresh air.
C1 adjective /ˈneɪm.ləs/

Nameless

Meaning
having no name; anonymous; unknown; unidentified
Example
The nameless fear haunted him throughout the night.
A2 verb /rɪˈmeɪn/

remain

Meaning
to stay in the same place; to continue to exist
Example
Only a few guests remain at the party.
C2 adjective /ˈbɒni/

Bonny

Meaning
cheerful; pretty; attractive
Example
The bonny child played happily in the garden.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡoʊ/

undergo

Meaning
to go through something, especially something unpleasant or difficult
Example
She had to undergo surgery to recover.
C1 noun /ɪˈreləvəns/

irrelevance

Meaning
the quality of not being connected to or important for a particular matter; lack of significance
Example
His long explanation only highlighted the irrelevance of the details to the main issue.
A2 noun /dɪər/

Deer

Meaning
a graceful wild animal with antlers, especially the male
Example
We saw a beautiful deer grazing in the meadow.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɜːrstɪs/

interstice

Meaning
a small space that lies between things
Example
Light filtered through the narrow interstices of the wall.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdɪɡ.nə.ti/

Indignity

Meaning
treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or loss of dignity; humiliation
Example
She refused to suffer the indignity of being searched without proper cause.
C1 adjective dɪ ˈskrɛʃ.ən.er.i

discretionary

Meaning
Available for use at the discretion of the user; not required or mandatory.
Example
He set aside some discretionary income for travel.
C2 adjective /ˈtɜːrdʒɪd/

turgid

Meaning
Swollen or distended; (of language) pompous and overcomplicated.
Example
The professor’s lecture was so turgid that many students lost interest.
B2 noun /ˈveɪ.pər/

Vapour

Meaning
a substance in the form of a gas, especially when it has changed from a liquid or solid state
Example
Water vapour rose from the hot pavement after the rain.
A2 verb /stʌk/

stuck

Meaning
unable to move; fixed in one position; unable to continue
Example
The door is stuck and won't open.
C2 noun /maɪˈkrɒmɪtər/

micrometer

Meaning
A device used for measuring small distances with great accuracy.
Example
The engineer used a micrometer to measure the thickness of the wire.
C2 verb /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs/

convalesce

Meaning
to recover health and strength after illness or medical treatment
Example
After the surgery, she spent several weeks convalescing at home.
C1 adjective dɪsˈfʌŋkʃənl

dysfunctional

Meaning
Not operating normally or properly.
Example
The dysfunctional system led to numerous delays and errors.
B1 noun /ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt/

Judgement

Meaning
the ability to make considered decisions or form sensible opinions; an official decision made by a judge or court
Example
The jury's judgement was based on careful consideration of all the facts.
B1 verb /rɪˈvjuː/

review

Meaning
to examine or assess something again; to write a critical evaluation
Example
I need to review my notes before the exam.
C2 verb /ɪˈvɪns/

evince

Meaning
to show or demonstrate clearly
Example
She evinced her interest in the project through active participation.
B2 noun /sfɪər/

sphere

Meaning
a round, three-dimensional shape that is perfectly symmetrical around its center; an area of activity or knowledge
Example
The Earth is almost a perfect sphere.
B2 noun /ˈkæp.ʃən/

caption

Meaning
a brief explanation or description accompanying an illustration or photograph
Example
The caption under the photo explained who the people were.
C2 verb /slʌf/ or /sluː/

slough

Meaning
To shed or cast off (like dead skin); also a swampy or muddy area.
Example
The snake sloughed off its old skin.
A2 verb /ˈhɜːri/

hurry

Meaning
to move or act with great speed; to rush
Example
We need to hurry or we'll be late.
C2 adjective /ˈliːwərd/

leeward

Meaning
On or toward the sheltered side away from the wind.
Example
They built their camp on the leeward side of the hill.
C1 adjective /əˈsɛndənt/

ascendant

Meaning
Rising in power or influence; dominant.
Example
She is an ascendant leader in the political party.
B2 verb /ɪnˈrɪtʃ/

enrich

Meaning
To improve or enhance the quality or value of something.
Example
Space exploration enriches human understanding.
C1 noun /rɑk sɔlt/

Rock Salt

Meaning
natural salt crystals formed from evaporated ancient seas; unrefined salt
Example
Rock salt is considered healthier than table salt.
B2 noun /ˌsɛlf rɪˈspɛkt/

self-respect

Meaning
A feeling of pride and confidence in oneself; self-worth.
Example
She refused to compromise her self-respect by accepting unfair treatment.
B1 verb /dɪˈnaɪ/

deny

Meaning
to refuse to accept or admit something; to declare something untrue
Example
He denied stealing the money.
B1 noun ˌɪndɪˈpendəns

independence

Meaning
The fact or state of being independent; freedom from outside control; not being subject to another's authority.
Example
Independence inspired the movement.
C2 noun /ɪˈnɪkwɪti/

iniquity

Meaning
Immoral or grossly unfair behavior.
Example
The dictator's regime was marked by corruption and iniquity.
C1 verb /ˈɛnərˌdʒaɪz/

energize

Meaning
To give energy or vitality to something or someone.
Example
The motivational speech helped energize the team.
A2 verb /riːˈsaɪ.kəl/

recycle

Meaning
to process used materials so they can be used again instead of being thrown away
Example
We should recycle paper and plastic to reduce waste.
C1 adverb /ˈhɑr.tɪ.li/

Heartily

Meaning
in a sincere and enthusiastic manner; wholeheartedly
Example
She heartily welcomed her guests to the party.
A2 noun /wiːl/

wheel

Meaning
a circular object that revolves on an axle and is used to move or carry things
Example
The wheel of the car broke down on the way.
B2 verb /ɪˈvɑːlv/

evolve

Meaning
to develop gradually, especially into a more complex or advanced state
Example
Over time, the company evolved into a global brand.
C1 noun /ˈpoʊlstər/

pollster

Meaning
a person or organization that conducts surveys to gauge public opinion
Example
The pollster predicted a close election outcome.
C2 verb /ˈʌndjʊleɪt/

undulate

Meaning
To move with a smooth, wave-like motion.
Example
The snake undulated across the sand.
C2 noun /ˈɡræn.tɔːr/

grantor

Meaning
A person or entity that makes a grant or transfers property or rights to another.
Example
The grantor transferred the property rights to the nonprofit organization.
C2 noun /ˈæsənəns/

assonance

Meaning
the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words in poetry or prose
Example
The poet used assonance to create a musical effect in his verse.
C1 verb /prɪˈkluːd/

preclude

Meaning
To prevent something from happening; to make impossible.
Example
Heavy rain precluded the possibility of a picnic.
C1 verb /ˈvɛnəˌreɪt/

venerate

Meaning
to regard with great respect; revere
Example
People venerate saints for their holiness.
C1 noun /sʌˈmeɪʃən/

summation

Meaning
The process of adding things together; a summary of points.
Example
The lawyer gave a powerful summation of the case.
C2 adjective /ˌʌltrəˈmʌndeɪn/

ultramundane

Meaning
Relating to things beyond the physical world; supernatural or transcendental.
Example
Philosophers often discuss ultramundane realities beyond human perception.
B2 noun, verb /ˈblɒsəm/

blossom

Meaning
a flower or mass of flowers on a tree or plant; to develop or flourish
Example
The small garden began to blossom in spring.
C2 noun/verb /ɡəˈfɔː/

guffaw

Meaning
a loud and boisterous laugh
Example
The audience guffawed at the comedian’s joke.
B2 noun /ˈæbi/

abbey

Meaning
A large church building or monastery where monks or nuns live, work, and worship.
Example
The old abbey on the hill attracts many tourists each year.
C1 adjective /æmˈfɪb.i.əs/

Amphibious

Meaning
able to live both on land and in water; suitable for both land and water operations
Example
The amphibious vehicle can travel on both land and water.
A2 adjective /mæd/

Mad

Meaning
angry; mentally ill; insane
Example
He was mad at his friend for being late.
C2 noun /ˌsuː.pər.əˈbʌn.dəns/

superabundance

Meaning
An excessive or overflowing amount of something.
Example
The garden was filled with a superabundance of flowers.
B2 noun /ˌkɔr.əˈspɑn.dəns/

Correspondence

Meaning
letters sent or received; similarity or equivalence; communication by exchange of letters
Example
The historical correspondence between the two famous writers was recently published.
C2 adjective /ˈmɜːrkəntaɪl/

mercantile

Meaning
related to trade or commerce
Example
The city grew rapidly due to its mercantile activities.
C1 noun /rɪˈteɪnər/

retainer

Meaning
a fee paid in advance to secure someone's services, or a device that holds something in place
Example
The lawyer asked for a retainer before taking the case.
A2 noun /ˈæk.tər/

Actor

Meaning
a person whose profession is acting on the stage, in movies, or on television
Example
The famous actor won an award for his performance in the new movie.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈkwaɪtɪd/

unrequited

Meaning
Not returned or reciprocated, especially in the context of love or affection.
Example
He suffered from unrequited love for years.
B2 verb /ɡloʊ/

glow

Meaning
To shine with a steady light, often softly; to radiate warmth or happiness.
Example
The lanterns glowed softly in the dark.
C2 verb /ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːnd/

importuned

Meaning
asked someone persistently and pressingly for something
Example
She importuned her boss for a raise until he finally gave in.
B2 adjective /ˈdʒuːsi/

juicy

Meaning
Full of juice; succulent; also used to describe something exciting or scandalous.
Example
The steak was so juicy that it melted in my mouth.
B2 noun /toʊl/

toll

Meaning
A charge payable for using a road or bridge; also the extent of damage or suffering caused by something.
Example
The flood took a heavy toll on the village.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪdeɪt/

antedate

Meaning
to be earlier in time; to assign a date earlier than the actual one
Example
The manuscript antedates the modern printing press.
B2 noun /ˈskaɪˌskreɪpər/

Skyscraper

Meaning
a very tall building of many stories
Example
The new skyscraper dominates the city's skyline.
C1 adjective /ˈplɒd.ɪŋ/

plodding

Meaning
slow-moving and unexciting; showing steady effort
Example
The movie was entertaining but a bit plodding in the middle.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkəmˈpliːtnəs/

incompleteness

Meaning
the state of not being complete or whole; lack of necessary parts or fullness
Example
The incompleteness of the report caused delays in the project.
C1 adjective, verb /ɪɡˈzɛmpt/

exempt

Meaning
Free from an obligation or liability imposed on others.
Example
Students with high grades are exempt from the final exam.
C1 verb /bɪˈhɛd/

behead

Meaning
to cut off a person's or animal's head; to remove the leader or most important part
Example
The historical account describes how the traitor was beheaded as punishment.
B1 adverb /ˌhæfˈweɪ/

halfway

Meaning
at or to a point equal in distance between two points
Example
We met halfway between the two towns.
C2 noun /ˈrɛkjʊzənt/

recusant

Meaning
a person who refuses to submit to authority or comply with rules
Example
The recusant opposed the new law.
A1 pronoun /ðoʊz/

those

Meaning
used to refer to people or things that are far away or distant in space, time, or thought
Example
Those are the shoes I want.
C2 adjective /ɛkˈstrɪnzɪk/

extrinsic

Meaning
Not part of the essential nature of someone or something; coming from outside.
Example
His motivation was largely extrinsic, driven by rewards and recognition.
B1 noun /əˈdʒen.də/

Agenda

Meaning
a list of items to be discussed at a meeting; a plan of action
Example
The meeting agenda includes budget discussions.
A1 noun, verb /ˈiː.meɪl/

e-mail

Meaning
messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to another
Example
I sent an e-mail to my professor yesterday.
B2 adjective /ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri/

complementary

Meaning
combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other
Example
The two partners have complementary skills.
A2 noun /ˈfæktəri/

factory

Meaning
A building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured.
Example
He works in a shoe factory.
C2 noun /fækˈtoʊtəm/

factotum

Meaning
an employee who does many different types of work; a general servant
Example
He worked as a factotum, handling both clerical and maintenance duties.
B2 noun /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/

sergeant

Meaning
A rank of non-commissioned officer in the armed forces or police.
Example
The sergeant gave orders to the soldiers before the mission.
C2 verb ɪmˈbaɪb

imbibe

Meaning
Absorb or assimilate ideas or knowledge. To drink or take in.
Example
He tried to imbibe the wisdom from his mentor.
A2 adjective /əˈnɔɪɪŋ/

annoying

Meaning
causing irritation or mild anger; bothersome or troublesome
Example
The constant noise from the street was extremely annoying.
B2 noun /məˈlɛəriə/

malaria

Meaning
a serious infectious disease spread by mosquitoes, causing fever, chills, and sweating
Example
Malaria is a common disease in tropical regions.
B2 noun /ˈlɒtəri/

lottery

Meaning
A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving prizes to the holders of numbers drawn at random.
Example
He won a car in the national lottery.
B2 noun ˌsaɪ.bə.sɪˈkjʊə.rɪ.ti

cybersecurity

Meaning
The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks
Example
Cybersecurity ensures safe digital operations.
C2 adjective /ˌhæɡ.i.əˈɡræf.ɪk/

hagiographic

Meaning
Excessively flattering or idealized, often in a biography or portrayal of someone.
Example
The documentary was criticized for its hagiographic portrayal of the leader.
C2 adjective /ˌæf.əˈrɪs.tɪk/

aphoristic

Meaning
expressed in the style of a short, witty saying
Example
Her writing style is concise and aphoristic.
C2 noun /ˈaɪdɪl/

idyll

Meaning
An extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque episode or scene, often idealized.
Example
Their honeymoon was an idyll on a tropical island.
B2 noun /ˈvel.vɪt/

Velvet

Meaning
a soft, luxurious fabric with a thick, short pile on one side
Example
The royal curtains were made of rich red velvet.
C1 adjective /sɪmˈfɒnɪk/

symphonic

Meaning
relating to or having the character of a symphony or symphony orchestra
Example
The concert featured a symphonic masterpiece.
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 əˈkjuː.ə.ti

acuity

Meaning
Sharpness or keenness of thought, vision, or hearing.
Example
His intellectual acuity made him a brilliant scientist.
C2 verb /prəˈpaʊnd/

propound

Meaning
To put forward an idea, theory, or point for consideration.
Example
The professor propounded a new theory on climate change.
C2 noun /bəˈnæləti/

banality

Meaning
The condition of being unoriginal, boring, or obvious; trite remark or quality.
Example
The speech was criticized for its banality and lack of originality.
B2 verb /ˈlaɪtən/

lighten

Meaning
to make something brighter or less dark; to make something less heavy or serious
Example
A joke can lighten the mood during a tense meeting.
C2 noun /ˈbækənæl/

bacchanal

Meaning
A noisy party involving drinking and revelry.
Example
The festival turned into a wild bacchanal by midnight.
A1 article /æn/

an

Meaning
used before a noun to refer to a non-specific item that begins with a vowel sound
Example
She ate an apple for breakfast.
A2 verb /diːl/

deal

Meaning
to distribute or give out something; to handle or manage
Example
He had to deal with many problems at work.
B1 noun ˈkɒn.fər.əns

conference

Meaning
A formal meeting of people with a shared interest, typically one that takes place over several days.
Example
The climate conference emphasized renewable energy.