waylay
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 verb /ˌweɪˈleɪ/

waylay

Meaning
to stop or interrupt someone unexpectedly, often to attack or detain them
Example
He was waylaid by reporters as he left the courthouse.
C2 noun /kwɪˈɛsəns/

quiescence

Meaning
A state of quietness, inactivity, or dormancy.
Example
The volcano has been in a state of quiescence for decades.
B2 verb /klæʃ/

clash

Meaning
to come into conflict or collision with something or someone.
Example
The two cars clashed in the intersection.
A1 adverb /ɛls/

else

Meaning
In addition; besides.
Example
Is there anything else you need?
B2 noun /ˈmɪd.deɪ/

Midday

Meaning
The middle of the day; twelve o'clock in the daytime; noon
Example
The sun is brightest at midday when it's directly overhead.
B1 adjective /ˌwel bɪˈheɪvd/

Well-behaved

Meaning
conducting oneself in a proper and polite manner; showing good manners
Example
The children were well-behaved during the ceremony.
A2 noun /ˈbʌt.ər.flaɪ/

Butter-fly

Meaning
a flying insect with large colorful wings
Example
The beautiful butterfly landed on the flower.
C2 verb /ɪˈluːmɪn/

illumine

Meaning
to light up or make clear
Example
The rising sun illumined the mountain peaks.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌbɛər/

forebear

Meaning
An ancestor, especially one who lived a long time ago.
Example
He often speaks of his forebears with great respect.
C1 noun /ˈwɒndərlʌst/

wanderlust

Meaning
A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
Example
Her wanderlust took her to every corner of the globe.
B2 verb /ɪnˈteɪl/

entail

Meaning
to involve something as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence
Example
The job will entail a lot of travel across the country.
B1 noun ˌtɑːdʒ məˈhɑːl

Taj Mahal

Meaning
A famous mausoleum in India, considered one of the most beautiful structures ever built and a symbol of love.
Example
The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful structures ever built.
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 noun /ˈdʒʌŋk.tʃər/

Juncture

Meaning
a particular point in events or time; a critical moment when important decisions must be made
Example
At this juncture, we need to make a crucial decision about our future.
A1 adverb /ˈɔːfən/

often

Meaning
frequently, many times
Example
I often visit my grandparents on weekends.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪviə/

trivia

Meaning
Details or information that are considered unimportant or of little value.
Example
The quiz was filled with fun trivia about movies and music.
B2 noun /kɒt/

Cot

Meaning
a small bed, especially a portable one or one for a baby
Example
The baby sleeps peacefully in her cot.
C2 noun, verb /ˈpɑːrli/

parley

Meaning
a discussion between opposing sides, especially to negotiate terms
Example
The generals met to parley over the terms of surrender.
B2 adjective /ˌrez.ɪˈden.ʃəl/

residential

Meaning
Designed for people to live in.
Example
The institution was fully residential.
C2 noun /ˌɪnjuːˈɛndəʊ/

innuendo

Meaning
An allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.
Example
The manager's innuendo was directed towards his competitor.
C1 verb /ˈkaʊər/

cower

Meaning
to crouch down in fear
Example
The child cowered behind the sofa during the thunderstorm.
B2 noun /laɪm/

Lime

Meaning
a small green citrus fruit with acidic juice
Example
Add a slice of lime to your drink.
C1 noun /bɒmˈbɑːrdmənt/

bombardment

Meaning
a continuous attack with bombs or other projectiles
Example
The city endured a heavy bombardment during the war.
B2 verb /rɪˈzuːm/

resume

Meaning
to start again after a pause or interruption
Example
We will resume the meeting after lunch.
B2 noun /ˈɔːkʃən/

Auction

Meaning
a public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder
Example
The antique furniture was sold at an auction last weekend.
B2 noun /ˌaʊtˈsaɪdə(r)/

outsider

Meaning
a person who is not accepted as a member of a particular group or community
Example
As a new student, she often felt like an outsider at school.
B2 noun /ˌpɛnɪˈtreɪʃən/

penetration

Meaning
The act of piercing or entering into something.
Example
The company's market penetration grew rapidly.
B1 noun /ˈmem.bə.ʃɪp/

membership

Meaning
The state of belonging to or being part of an organization or group.
Example
The country's membership in the organization marked 50 years.
A2 noun /ˈbæskɪt/

basket

Meaning
a container made of woven materials used for carrying or storing things
Example
She carried the apples in a basket.
B2 noun /səˈlɪsɪtər/

solicitor

Meaning
A type of lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents, often representing clients in lower courts.
Example
She consulted a solicitor before signing the contract.
B2 adjective /ˈaɪ.dəl/

Idle

Meaning
lazy; inactive; not working or being used
Example
The factory workers were idle during the strike.
A1 number /ɪˈlɛvən/

eleven

Meaning
the number after ten and before twelve; 11
Example
There are eleven students in the classroom.
C2 noun /səˈɡæs.ə.t̬i/

sagacity

Meaning
The quality of being sagacious; having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment.
Example
His sagacity made him a great leader.
B2 noun ˈəʊnəʃɪp

ownership

Meaning
The act, state, or right of possessing something; legal title to something.
Example
Ownership of resources was crucial.
A2 verb /rɪˈkwaɪər/

require

Meaning
to need something; to demand or insist on
Example
This job requires excellent communication skills.
C2 adjective /ˌfærɪˈseɪɪkəl/

pharisaical

Meaning
Excessively concerned with formal rules or outward show of morality, often in a hypocritical way.
Example
His pharisaical behavior made people doubt his sincerity.
C2 noun /nɪˈkrɒlədʒi/

necrology

Meaning
An obituary notice or a list of people who have recently died.
Example
The newspaper published a necrology of notable figures who passed away that 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 verb /ʌnˈmɑːsk/

unmask

Meaning
to remove a mask or covering; to reveal the true identity, nature, or intentions of someone or something
Example
The investigation helped unmask the real culprit behind the crime.
C1 noun /ˈæpəθi/

apathy

Meaning
a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern
Example
The students showed apathy towards the new rules.
B2 noun kəˈmɒd.ə.ti

commodity

Meaning
A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold.
Example
Oil is a valuable commodity in the global market.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

nugatory

Meaning
Of little or no value; worthless or insignificant.
Example
His efforts were nugatory and did not change the outcome.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪks/

polemics

Meaning
the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute
Example
The conference was full of polemics on economic reforms.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊksmən/

spokesman

Meaning
a person who speaks on behalf of others, especially for a group or organization
Example
The spokesman addressed the crowd during the rally.
C1 noun /djuːˈɛt/

duet

Meaning
a musical performance by two singers or instrumentalists
Example
They sang a beautiful duet together on stage.
C1 noun /ˈmɪm.ɪk/

Mimic

Meaning
A person who copies or imitates the actions, speech, or mannerisms of others
Example
The talented mimic could perfectly imitate famous celebrities.
C1 noun əˈtrɒs.ɪ.tiz

atrocities

Meaning
Extremely wicked or cruel acts, typically involving physical violence or injury.
Example
The atrocities shocked the international community.
C1 noun /pəˈræl.ə.sɪs/

Paralysis

Meaning
the loss of the ability to move part or all of the body; complete inability to act or function
Example
The accident left him with paralysis in his legs.
B2 noun /ˈdʒɝː.nə.lɪŋ/

journaling

Meaning
The practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences regularly.
Example
Journaling helps in organizing thoughts and reducing stress.
B1 noun /juːˈten.səlz/

Utensils

Meaning
tools or implements used for cooking, eating, or serving food
Example
Please wash all the cooking utensils after preparing dinner.
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.
B2 noun /ˈfeɪbəl/

fable

Meaning
a short story, typically featuring animals as characters, that conveys a moral lesson
Example
Aesop’s fables are famous for teaching valuable lessons through simple stories.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈtaɪtəld/

entitled

Meaning
having the right to do or have something; feeling deserving of special treatment
Example
Employees are entitled to paid leave.
B2 noun /ˈvæljuː ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃən/

value proposition

Meaning
A statement that explains the unique benefits or value that a product or service offers to customers.
Example
A clear value proposition attracts more customers.
C1 noun /ˈtæn.ər/

tanner

Meaning
A person whose job is to tan animal hides to make leather.
Example
The tanner worked long hours to produce fine leather.
C2 adjective /pəˈrɛmptəri/

peremptory

Meaning
Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a commanding way.
Example
The officer gave a peremptory order to evacuate the building.
A1 noun /ˈʃʊɡər/

Sugar

Meaning
sweet crystalline substance used as a sweetener
Example
Please add two teaspoons of sugar to my coffee.
C2 adjective /ˌmɔːrɡəˈnætɪk/

morganatic

Meaning
relating to a marriage in which one partner, usually of lower social rank, does not share the titles or privileges of the other
Example
The prince entered into a morganatic marriage with a commoner.
B2 noun /ˈmɔːr.nɪŋ/

Mourning

Meaning
the expression of deep sorrow for someone who has died
Example
The family is in mourning for their grandmother.
B2 noun /ˈæktɪˌvɪzəm/

activism

Meaning
The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.
Example
Her environmental activism inspired many young people to take action.
C2 adjective /ˈmɒθ ˌiːtən/

moth-eaten

Meaning
Damaged or worn out, especially by moths or age.
Example
He wore a moth-eaten sweater on the cold day.
C2 adjective /ˈdəʊ.lə.rəs/

dolorous

Meaning
Expressing great sorrow or distress.
Example
He spoke in a dolorous tone after the loss.
C2 noun /ˈklɔɪstər/

cloister

Meaning
a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other.
Example
The monks walked silently through the cloister.
B1 noun /ˈtɛkstbʊk/

textbook

Meaning
a book used for studying a subject in school or college
Example
She bought a new biology textbook for her class.
C2 noun /ˈtɪl.ər/

Tiller

Meaning
a person who tills or cultivates land; a farmer
Example
The tiller worked hard in the fields every morning.
B1 noun /kənˌsɪdəˈreɪʃən/

consideration

Meaning
careful thought or attention to something before making a decision
Example
After much consideration, she accepted the job offer.
A2 verb /kjʊər/

cure

Meaning
to make someone healthy again after an illness
Example
The new medicine cured her of the infection.
B2 adverb /ˈdɪmli/

dimly

Meaning
in a faint or unclear way; with little light
Example
The room was dimly lit by a single candle.
B2 noun /ˌkɒnsərˈveɪʃən ˈmuːvmənt/

Conservation Movement

Meaning
A political, environmental, and social movement that seeks to protect natural resources including plant and animal species as well as their habitat for the future.
Example
The conservation movement began in the 19th century to protect wildlife.
C1 noun /ˈruː.bi/

Ruby

Meaning
a precious red gemstone; a deep red variety of corundum
Example
The ruby ring was her most treasured possession.
C2 noun /ˌfɪzɪˈɑːkrəsi/

physiocracy

Meaning
an economic theory that land and its natural products are the source of wealth
Example
Physiocracy emphasized the importance of agriculture in national wealth.
C1 noun /əˈpærəl/

apparel

Meaning
Clothing, especially formal or special clothes.
Example
The store specializes in wedding apparel.
A2 verb /ˈprɒmɪs/

promise

Meaning
to assure someone that one will definitely do something; to give one's word
Example
I promise to help you with your homework.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbl/

irretrievable

Meaning
impossible to recover or regain
Example
The documents were lost in an irretrievable way after the fire.
C1 verb ˈdiː.vi.eɪt

deviate

Meaning
To depart from an established course or normal pattern.
Example
He tends to deviate from the original plan.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl/

centrifugal

Meaning
Moving or tending to move away from a center.
Example
The centrifugal force pushes the clothes to the sides of the washing machine.
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.
B2 noun /ˈkɔːtruːm/

courtroom

Meaning
a room in which legal cases are heard and decided by a judge
Example
The witness was called to testify in the courtroom.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɜːrvɪsəbəl/

Unserviceable

Meaning
not in working order; unable to be used; defective
Example
The old computer became unserviceable after the system crash.
B2 noun /ˈfrɪkʃən/

friction

Meaning
the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another; conflict or tension between people or groups
Example
There was friction between the two departments over resource allocation.
C1 adjective /bəˈroʊk/

baroque

Meaning
relating to a highly ornate and extravagant style of art, architecture, or music from the 17th and early 18th centuries; excessively elaborate or complex
Example
The church was decorated in a baroque style with intricate details.
C1 noun /ˈmenəs/

Menace

Meaning
A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat
Example
The reckless driver was a menace to everyone on the road.
A2 noun /ɡest/

Guest

Meaning
a person who is invited to visit someone's home or attend a particular social occasion
Example
We invited several guests to our wedding celebration last weekend.
B2 adjective /ˈɡlæm.ər.əs/

Glamorous

Meaning
having glamour; attractive in an exciting way; fashionable;
Example
The actress looked glamorous in her designer gown at the awards ceremony.
B2 noun/verb /pɜːrk/

perk

Meaning
A benefit or advantage associated with a job; or to become more lively or cheerful.
Example
One of the perks of working here is free lunch every Friday.
C1 noun, adjective, verb /səˈbɔːrdənət/ (noun/adjective), /səˈbɔːrdəˌneɪt/ (verb)

subordinate

Meaning
lower in rank or position; to treat as less important
Example
He manages ten subordinates in his department.
C2 verb /ˈɛkspieɪt/

expiate

Meaning
to make amends for guilt or wrongdoing
Example
He tried to expiate his crime by helping the poor.
C1 noun /ˌvɜːbəlɪˈzeɪʃən/

verbalization

Meaning
The action of expressing something in words.
Example
The verbalization of his thoughts was clear and direct.
C1 adjective /ˈhæɡ.ərd/

Haggard

Meaning
looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering
Example
After working three nights without sleep, he looked haggard.
C2 noun /pəˈtruːn/

poltroon

Meaning
a cowardly person
Example
He acted like a poltroon during the crisis.
C1 noun /ɪˌreɡjəˈlærɪti/

irregularity

Meaning
lack of regularity or consistency; a deviation from what is normal, expected, or orderly
Example
The audit revealed several financial irregularities in the company’s records.
B2 adjective /ˈneɪvəl/

naval

Meaning
relating to a country's navy or military ships
Example
The country invested heavily in naval defense.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfleɪm/

inflame

Meaning
to arouse strong feelings or provoke anger; to cause inflammation in the body
Example
The politician's remarks served to inflame public opinion.
C1 adjective /ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv/

apprehensive

Meaning
feeling anxious or fearful that something bad will happen
Example
He was apprehensive about starting a new job in a foreign country.
C2 adjective /əˈbɑː.mə.nə.bəl/

abominable

Meaning
causing moral revulsion; extremely unpleasant
Example
The prisoners were kept in abominable conditions.
C1 adjective /pərˈpetʃuəl/

perpetual

Meaning
never-ending or continuous
Example
She lived in perpetual fear of being discovered.
B1 noun ɪmˈpruːv.mənts

improvements

Meaning
The action of making or becoming better; an instance of something becoming or being made better.
Example
Continuous improvements increase productivity.
C2 verb, adjective /ˈstraɪeɪt/

striate

Meaning
to mark with stripes or grooves; striped or streaked in appearance
Example
The rock surface was striated by glacial movement.
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.
A2 adverb /ˈrɑː.ðər/

Rather

Meaning
to some extent; instead; preferably
Example
I would rather stay home than go to the party.
B2 verb ˈtrɪɡərz

triggers

Meaning
To cause or initiate something to happen
Example
Air pollution triggers chronic diseases.
C2 adjective /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪd/

rarefied

Meaning
Of high moral, intellectual, or cultural value; distant from ordinary life.
Example
He works in the rarefied world of classical music.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌpliənt/

suppliant

Meaning
Humbly or earnestly asking for something, especially from a person in authority.
Example
The suppliant man begged for mercy at the king's feet.
C1 noun /ˈkuːdɒs/

kudos

Meaning
Praise and honor received for an achievement.
Example
She received kudos for her excellent performance.
C1 noun /ɪˈmɜː.ʃən/

immersion

Meaning
Complete engagement in an environment or experience.
Example
Immersion in VR games makes users feel like they are inside the virtual world.
A2 verb /fraɪ/

fry

Meaning
to cook food in hot oil or fat
Example
She fries eggs for breakfast every morning.
B1 noun /ɪkˈspreʃ.ən/

Expression

Meaning
the act of making thoughts or feelings known; a look on someone's face
Example
The artist's painting was a beautiful expression of her inner emotions.
C2 verb /kəˈdʒoʊl/

cajole

Meaning
To persuade someone to do something by flattery or gentle urging.
Example
She managed to cajole her friend into joining the trip.
C2 verb /ɪnˈvaɪərən/

environ

Meaning
to surround or enclose; to encircle
Example
Mountains environ the small valley.
B2 adjective /blænd/

bland

Meaning
lacking strong features, flavor, or character; dull or uninteresting
Example
The soup was too bland for my taste.
C2 noun /ˈrɛkjʊzənt/

recusant

Meaning
a person who refuses to submit to authority or comply with rules
Example
The recusant opposed the new law.
B2 adjective /ˈnær.ə.tɪv/

Narrative

Meaning
relating to storytelling; descriptive; telling a story; recounting events
Example
The narrative structure of the novel was quite complex.
C1 adjective /ˈreɪ.si/

racy

Meaning
Lively, entertaining, or slightly shocking (especially in a sexual way).
Example
The novel was full of racy dialogues.
C2 noun /ˈkoʊ.tə.ri/

coterie

Meaning
a small, exclusive group of people with shared interests
Example
He belonged to a coterie of artists who met every Friday.
B1 adjective, noun /ˈroʊmən/

roman

Meaning
relating to Rome or its people; a citizen of ancient Rome
Example
The Roman Empire influenced much of modern civilization.
A2 noun /ˈlaɪ.ən/

Lion

Meaning
a large tawny-colored cat that lives in prides, found in Africa and northwestern India
Example
The lion roared loudly in the savanna.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkəl/

unequivocal

Meaning
Leaving no doubt; clear and unambiguous
Example
She gave an unequivocal answer to the question.
C1 adjective ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet.ɪ.kəl

hypothetical

Meaning
Based on or serving as a hypothesis; supposed but not necessarily real or true.
Example
The discussion was based on hypothetical scenarios.
C1 adjective /koʊˈɜːrsɪv/

coercive

Meaning
Relating to or using force or threats to make someone do something.
Example
The government faced criticism for adopting coercive measures against protestors.
B2 verb /maʊnt/

mount

Meaning
to climb up, rise, or fix something in place
Example
They plan to mount a camera on the wall.
C2 noun /ˈdeɪ.ɪs/

Dais

Meaning
a raised platform, typically at one end of a room or hall, for speakers or honored guests
Example
The principal stood on the dais to address the entire school assembly.