viva voce
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
C2 noun ˈvaɪ.və ˈvəʊs

viva voce

Meaning
An oral examination, typically for an academic qualification.
Example
Viva Voce tests communication skills.
C1 noun fɔːlt ˈtɒl.ər.əns

fault-tolerance

Meaning
The ability of a system to continue operating properly in the event of the failure of some of its components.
Example
Fault-tolerance ensures dependable systems.
B2 noun /ɡʌm/

Gum

Meaning
the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth; a viscous secretion
Example
The dentist checked her gum for any signs of disease.
A2 verb /klɪk/

click

Meaning
to press a button on a computer mouse or similar device
Example
She clicked the link to open the website.
A1 noun /stɑːr/

Star

Meaning
a fixed luminous point in the night sky that produces light and heat through nuclear fusion
Example
Thousands of stars are visible in the clear night sky.
A2 adverb /twaɪs/

twice

Meaning
two times
Example
I have seen that movie twice.
B1 noun /weɪst/

Waist

Meaning
the part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips
Example
She tied a belt around her waist.
B2 verb /dɪˈnaʊns/

denounce

Meaning
To publicly declare something to be wrong, evil, or condemn strongly.
Example
The leader denounced corruption in his speech.
C1 noun /ˌzɛnəˈfoʊbiə/

xenophobia

Meaning
fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers
Example
Xenophobia can lead to discrimination and social division.
B1 noun ˈɪmpækt

impact

Meaning
A strong effect or influence; the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.
Example
The decision had great impact.
B1 noun /dɪˈskʌvəri/

discovery

Meaning
The act of finding or learning something for the first time.
Example
The discovery of penicillin changed medical history.
C2 noun /ˈbuːt.leɪs/

Boot-lace

Meaning
a cord or string used to fasten a boot or shoe
Example
I need to tie my boot-lace before going for a walk.
C2 noun /əˈpɒθəˌkɛri/

apothecary

Meaning
A historical term for a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs.
Example
The village apothecary provided remedies for many common illnesses.
B1 noun

Pattern

A2 verb /dɪˈstrɔɪ/

destroy

Meaning
to damage something so badly that it cannot be used
Example
The fire destroyed the entire building.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪtɪŋ/

extenuating

Meaning
serving to make a fault or an offense seem less serious
Example
She asked for leniency due to extenuating circumstances.
A2 adverb /ˈsɪə.ri.əs.li/

seriously

Meaning
in a solemn or thoughtful manner
Example
She took the matter very seriously.
C1 adjective /ˈɒptɪk/

optic

Meaning
Relating to the eye or vision.
Example
The optic nerve carries signals from the eye to the brain.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌpl/

supple

Meaning
Easily bending or moving without breaking; flexible and adaptable.
Example
The gymnast’s body was remarkably supple.
B1 noun /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/

operation

Meaning
an act or process of functioning or operating
Example
The hospital performed a successful operation.
B2 noun /ˈtiːmmeɪt/

teammate

Meaning
a member of the same team
Example
He congratulated his teammate after scoring the goal.
A1 noun /ˈeɪprɪl/

april

Meaning
the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar
Example
April is known for its pleasant spring weather.
C1 verb /trænˈspaɪər/

transpire

Meaning
to occur, happen, or become known
Example
It transpired that he had lied about his age.
B1 adjective /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/

automatic

Meaning
working by itself without direct human control
Example
This car has an automatic transmission.
A2 verb /ʌpˈdeɪt/

update

Meaning
to make something more modern or current; to provide new information
Example
Please update your software regularly.
C1 adjective /aɪˈreɪt/

irate

Meaning
Extremely angry.
Example
The customer became irate after waiting for hours.
C1 noun /ədˈhiːʒən/

adhesion

Meaning
the process or state of sticking to something
Example
Strong adhesion is needed for the tiles to stay in place.
B2 noun /hɜːb/ (US) /hɜːb/ or /ɜːb/

herb

Meaning
a plant used for flavoring food, medicine, or perfume
Example
Basil is a popular herb used in Italian cuisine.
B1 adverb /ˈkɒnstəntli/

Constantly

Meaning
continuously over a period of time; always; without stopping
Example
The baby was constantly crying throughout the night.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkəmˌpætəˈbɪlɪti/

incompatibility

Meaning
the state of being unable to exist or work together harmoniously; lack of compatibility
Example
The project failed because of incompatibility between the two software systems.
B1 verb /ˈwɒndər/

Wander

Meaning
to walk aimlessly without a fixed destination
Example
She likes to wander through the old city streets.
C1 verb /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrt/

disconcert

Meaning
To unsettle, confuse, or disturb the composure of someone.
Example
The sudden change of plans disconcerted the team.
C1 adjective /ˈnæk.ərd/

Knackered

Meaning
extremely tired; exhausted
Example
I'm absolutely knackered after working all day.
C2 verb /ˌfɔːrˈrʌn/

forerun

Meaning
To go before; to precede in time, place, or action.
Example
Dark clouds often forerun a storm.
B2 adverb /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/

urgently

Meaning
in a way that requires immediate attention or action
Example
The patient urgently needs medical attention.
C2 noun /ˌfrɪdʒɪˈdɛːriəm/

frigidarium

Meaning
a large cold pool in ancient Roman baths used for cooling off after hot baths
Example
The ruins of the Roman frigidarium are still visible today.
A1 noun /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/

walking

Meaning
the activity of moving on foot at a moderate pace
Example
Walking every morning is good for your health.
C1 noun ˌdʒɛriˈætrɪk səˈsaɪəti

geriatric society

Meaning
A society or community where elderly people make up a large proportion of the population
Example
A geriatric society demands specialized healthcare systems.
C1 noun /ˈnʌt.meg/

Nut meg

Meaning
a spice made from the seed of the fruit of an evergreen tree, used in cooking and baking
Example
The recipe called for a teaspoon of ground nutmeg to flavor the custard.
C1 noun /ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪzeɪʃən/

personalization

Meaning
The action of making something personal or individual; customization.
Example
Personalization in marketing improves customer engagement.
C2 noun ˈdɒɡ.ɪd.nəs

doggedness

Meaning
Stubborn persistence in achieving something without giving up.
Example
His doggedness in pursuing his goals was inspiring.
B2 noun /soʊl/

Sole

Meaning
the bottom part of the foot; the bottom part of a shoe
Example
I have a blister on the sole of my foot.
B1 adverb /ˈtɛmpərɛrɪli/

temporarily

Meaning
for a limited time; not permanently
Example
The road is closed temporarily for repairs.
C1 noun /ˈkæv.əl.ri/

Cavalry

Meaning
soldiers who fight on horseback; the part of an army formerly composed of troops on horseback
Example
The cavalry charged across the field with great speed.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪˌtʃeɪmbər/

antechamber

Meaning
a small room serving as an entry to a larger one
Example
The guests waited in the antechamber before being admitted to the hall.
A1 adjective /naɪs/

Nice

Meaning
pleasant; agreeable; satisfactory; good; attractive
Example
She wore a nice dress to the party.
B2 noun /stjuːˈpɪdəti/

stupidity

Meaning
lack of intelligence or common sense
Example
His stupidity caused a lot of problems for the team.
C2 noun /ˈθɝː.moʊ.klaɪn/

thermocline

Meaning
A layer in a body of water in which temperature changes rapidly with depth.
Example
The thermocline separates warm surface water from cold deep water.
C2 adjective /haɪˈbɜːrnəl/

hibernal

Meaning
Relating to or occurring in winter.
Example
The hibernal season is often harsh in the mountains.
C1 adjective /ˈliː.ni.ənt/

Lenient

Meaning
tolerant; forgiving; merciful; not strict in punishment or judgment
Example
The teacher was lenient with students who submitted their homework late.
B2 noun /ˈpæd.i/

Paddy

Meaning
rice in its natural state before processing; a field where rice is grown
Example
The farmers worked hard in the paddy fields during harvest season.
C2 noun /ˈhɑː.mə.li/

Homily

Meaning
a religious discourse delivered as part of a church service; a tedious moralizing lecture
Example
The priest delivered an inspiring homily about compassion and forgiveness during Sunday service.
C1 adjective /ˌiːvænˈdʒɛlɪkəl/

evangelical

Meaning
Relating to the Christian gospel, especially the teachings that emphasize personal faith and the authority of the Bible.
Example
She grew up in an evangelical church community.
B2 adjective /əˈfekʃənət/

Affectionate

Meaning
loving; caring; tender; showing affection
Example
She is very affectionate towards her children.
C1 noun /ˈpoʊl.stɑːr/

Polestar

Meaning
a bright star that appears to stay in the same position in the sky and is used for navigation
Example
Sailors used the polestar to navigate across the ocean.
C1 adjective /haɪˈdrɔːlɪk/

hydraulic

Meaning
operated by the pressure of liquid, especially water or oil
Example
The mechanic repaired the hydraulic system of the machine.
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.
B1 noun /blæk ˈber.i/

Black berry

Meaning
a small dark purple or black fruit that grows on bushes
Example
We picked fresh blackberries from the garden for our pie.
C2 noun /ˈɛpənɪm/

eponym

Meaning
A person after whom a discovery, invention, place, or other thing is named.
Example
Sandwich is an eponym named after the Earl of Sandwich.
B2 noun /ˈiː.ɡoʊ/

Ego

Meaning
a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance
Example
His big ego prevented him from accepting criticism from others.
A1 noun /keɪk/

Cake

Meaning
a sweet baked dessert made from flour, sugar, and other ingredients
Example
They ordered a chocolate cake for the birthday party.
B1 noun /swet/

Sweat

Meaning
moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, typically as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, fever, or fear
Example
After running for an hour, he was covered in sweat.
C1 noun /rɪˈspɒndənt/

respondent

Meaning
A person who replies to something, especially in a survey or legal case
Example
The survey had over 1,000 respondents.
C2 noun /ˌprɛsiˈɒsɪti/

preciosity

Meaning
Excessive refinement or affected elegance in language, style, or behavior.
Example
The author's preciosity made the novel difficult to read for some audiences.
B2 verb /kənˈsiːv/

conceive

Meaning
to form or imagine an idea in the mind; to become pregnant
Example
It is hard to conceive how such an idea could succeed.
B2 noun /mɪθ/

myth

Meaning
A traditional story explaining natural or social phenomena, often involving supernatural beings; a widely held but false belief.
Example
The myth of the phoenix tells of a bird reborn from its ashes.
B1 noun ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv

alternative

Meaning
(Of one or more things) available as another possibility or choice.
Example
Finding an alternative to plastic is essential.
B2 noun /ˈdɔː.weɪ/

doorway

Meaning
the space where a door opens into a room or building
Example
She stood in the doorway waiting for him to arrive.
B2 noun /dɪˈsɛnt/

descent

Meaning
the action of moving downward, falling, or dropping; ancestry or origin
Example
The climbers began their descent from the mountain peak.
A1 adjective /ˈrɛd.i/

ready

Meaning
Prepared or available for use or action.
Example
She was ready to leave for the airport.
C1 noun /ˈænərki/

anarchy

Meaning
a state of disorder due to the absence or failure of government or authority
Example
The collapse of the regime led to anarchy in the streets.
C1 verb /drɛntʃ/

drench

Meaning
to make someone or something completely wet
Example
The sudden rain drenched the players on the field.
A1 pronoun /ʃi/

she

Meaning
a female person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified
Example
She is going to the market to buy vegetables.
C1 noun ˈæltruɪzəm

altruism

Meaning
The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Example
His altruism motivated others to volunteer.
C2 adjective /ˈfraʊzi/

frowsy

Meaning
Scruffy and neglected in appearance; musty or stale in smell.
Example
He wore a frowsy old jacket that smelled of damp.
C2 adjective /djuːˈplɪsɪtəs/

duplicitous

Meaning
Deceitful; deliberately deceptive or dishonest.
Example
The politician was criticized for his duplicitous statements.
B2 adverb /ˈæŋkʃəsli/

anxiously

Meaning
in a worried, nervous, or uneasy manner; with anxious anticipation
Example
She waited anxiously for the exam results.
A1 noun /bed/

Bed

Meaning
a piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress
Example
She made her bed every morning before going to work.
B2 noun /ˈfjʊr.i/

Fury

Meaning
wild or violent anger; extreme intensity of emotion or activity
Example
His fury was evident when he discovered someone had stolen his bicycle.
B2 adjective /ˈvɒl.ən.tər.i/

Voluntary

Meaning
done willingly without being forced; given or done freely
Example
She made a voluntary donation to the charity.
B2 noun /ˈsæŋk.tʃuˌɛr.i/

sanctuary

Meaning
A place of safety, refuge, or protection; a sacred place.
Example
The forest is a sanctuary for endangered animals.
B2 adverb /ˈdɪmli/

dimly

Meaning
in a faint or unclear way; with little light
Example
The room was dimly lit by a single candle.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌmp.tʃuˌɛr.i/

sumptuary

Meaning
Relating to laws or regulations intended to limit personal spending on luxury goods.
Example
In medieval Europe, sumptuary laws restricted the wearing of expensive fabrics to the nobility.
C1 noun ˌmiː.diˈɒk.rə.ti

mediocrity

Meaning
Being average or ordinary, not particularly good.
Example
He refused to settle for mediocrity and aimed for greatness.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdjuːbɪtəbl/

indubitable

Meaning
Impossible to doubt; unquestionable.
Example
It is indubitable that hard work leads to success.
C1 adjective /dɪˈlɪriəs/

delirious

Meaning
in an extremely disturbed or excited state of mind, often due to illness or emotion
Example
He was delirious with fever and kept muttering nonsense.
C2 noun /ˈfærɪsiː/

pharisee

Meaning
A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.
Example
He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults.
C1 noun ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən

degradation

Meaning
The condition or process of degrading or being degraded.
Example
Soil degradation due to overuse is a growing issue.
B2 noun ˌɪm.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃən

implication

Meaning
A conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated; a likely consequence.
Example
The implication of climate change is severe.
C2 verb /dɪˈkænt/

decant

Meaning
To pour liquid gently from one container into another, especially without disturbing the sediment.
Example
She carefully decanted the wine into a clean glass.
B2 adjective /ˈkjuːbən/

cuban

Meaning
relating to Cuba, its people, or its culture
Example
We enjoyed delicious Cuban coffee at the café.
A1 noun /noʊˈvɛmbər/

november

Meaning
the eleventh month of the year in the Gregorian calendar
Example
November is often cool and quiet before winter begins.
B1 adjective /ˈprɛʃəs/

precious

Meaning
of great value; highly esteemed or cherished
Example
This ring is very precious to my grandmother.
C2 adjective /səˈprɛsəbl̩/

suppressible

Meaning
capable of being restrained, controlled, or prevented
Example
The symptoms of the disease are suppressible with medication.
A2 adverb /ˈfaɪ.nəl.i/

Finally

Meaning
at last; after a long time; in the end; as the last point
Example
After years of hard work, she finally achieved her goal.
C2 noun /juːˌtrɑː.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

eutrophication

Meaning
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Example
Excess fertilizers lead to eutrophication in lakes.
C1 noun /ˌriː.dɪs.trɪˈbjuː.ʃən/

redistribution

Meaning
The sharing of wealth or resources more equally among society.
Example
The government introduced a redistribution policy to reduce inequality.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbəl/

Unavoidable

Meaning
cannot be avoided; certain to happen; inevitable
Example
The meeting is unavoidable, so we must attend.
C2 noun /ˈhɛptəˌɡɒn/

heptagon

Meaning
A polygon with seven sides and seven angles.
Example
The math teacher drew a heptagon on the board.
C1 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl/

diabolical

Meaning
Wicked, cruel, or outrageously bad; resembling the devil.
Example
The dictator’s diabolical rule brought misery to the nation.
B2 noun, verb /ˈplɑːstər/

plaster

Meaning
a soft mixture applied to walls or used to cover wounds; or to cover or coat with plaster
Example
The workers plastered the walls to make them smooth.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsɪv/

delusive

Meaning
Giving a false or misleading impression; deceptive.
Example
His promises turned out to be delusive and untrustworthy.
B2 noun /ˈbæŋkrʌptsi/

bankruptcy

Meaning
the state of being unable to pay debts owed, declared by a legal process
Example
The company declared bankruptcy after months of financial struggles.
C2 noun /ɪnˈdɛntʃər/

indenture

Meaning
A formal legal agreement, contract, or document, often relating to work or service.
Example
In the 18th century, many workers came under indenture to work overseas.
B2 noun /səˈspɪʃən/

Suspicion

Meaning
a feeling or thought that someone is guilty of an illegal or dishonest activity
Example
The police arrested him on suspicion of theft.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈtɒn.ə.məs/

autonomous

Meaning
Acting independently or having the freedom to do so.
Example
Autonomous systems ensure greater precision.
C1 noun /ˈpraɪməsi/

primacy

Meaning
the state of being first in importance or authority
Example
The primacy of education cannot be denied.
C1 verb /kəˈleɪt/

collate

Meaning
to collect, arrange, and combine in order
Example
The secretary collated the reports before the meeting.
C1 noun, adjective /ˌnɒn ˈrɛzɪdənt/

non-resident

Meaning
a person who does not live in a particular country or place permanently
Example
Non-resident students often pay higher tuition fees.
C2 adjective /ˈkjʊərətɪv/

curative

Meaning
Able to cure disease or restore health.
Example
The doctor prescribed a curative treatment for the illness.
B1 noun /tʌn/

ton

Meaning
A unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds (US) or 1,000 kilograms (metric); a large amount of something
Example
The truck carried a ton of apples to the market.
C2 verb /ˈbækbaɪt/

backbite

Meaning
to speak negatively about someone who is not present; to slander behind someone’s back
Example
It is wrong to backbite your colleagues behind their backs.
A1 verb /sɪŋ/

sing

Meaning
to make musical sounds with the voice
Example
She sings beautifully in the choir.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈfekʃəs/

infectious

Meaning
capable of causing infection or disease; spreading easily from one person to another; able to spread feelings or attitudes such as enthusiasm
Example
Her infectious laughter made everyone in the room smile.
C1 adjective /ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊniəs/

sanctimonious

Meaning
Making a show of being morally superior to others; hypocritically pious.
Example
He gave a sanctimonious speech about honesty while he himself was corrupt.
C1 adjective /bræʃ/

brash

Meaning
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overconfident way
Example
His brash comments offended many people at the meeting.
B2 adjective /ɪkˌsperɪˈmentl/

experimental

Meaning
based on untested ideas or techniques; relating to experiments or testing
Example
The scientists developed an experimental drug to treat cancer.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrtən/

hearten

Meaning
To give courage, confidence, or hope.
Example
The teacher’s encouragement heartened the students.
B2 noun /kənˌfɪɡəˈreɪʃən/

configuration

Meaning
an arrangement of parts or elements in a particular form or structure
Example
The configuration of the system needs to be adjusted for better performance.
A1 verb /wɪʃ/

wish

Meaning
to want something to happen; to desire or hope for
Example
I wish I could fly like a bird.
B1 adverb /ˈpɜːfɪktli/

perfectly

Meaning
in a perfect manner; without flaws
Example
She performed the task perfectly.