English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
to imagine or picture something in the future; to visualize a possibility or goal
"She envisions a world where everyone has equal access to education."
A long narrative poem or story about heroic deeds; also used to describe something grand or impressive.
"The Iliad is considered one of the greatest epics of ancient literature."
a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time
"The flu epidemic affected thousands of people in the city."
a mathematical statement that shows the equality of two expressions
"He solved the equation to find the value of x."
to provide someone or something with the necessary items or skills for a task
"The school equipped its students with modern technology."
The quality of being fair and impartial; ownership interest in a company or property.
"She invested in the company to gain equity."
Equal in value, function, meaning, or effect.
"One euro is roughly equivalent to one dollar."
a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic
"The invention of the internet marked a new era in communication."
to remove completely; to delete or wipe out
"Use an eraser to erase the pencil marks."
to build or construct something upright
"The workers erected a new building in the city center."
To build; construct; set up in a vertical position.
"The workers were erecting a new building downtown."
the process of wearing away rock, soil, or land by wind, water, or ice
"Coastal erosion has caused significant damage to the shoreline over the years."
to burst forth suddenly and violently
"The volcano erupted after centuries of dormancy."
a sudden violent occurrence or outburst; volcanic explosion
"The volcanic eruption forced thousands of people to evacuate the area."
to increase rapidly or make something become more intense or serious
"The conflict began to escalate after the negotiations failed."
to accompany someone; to guide or protect while going somewhere
"The guard escorted the visitor to the office."
A short piece of writing on a particular subject.
"She wrote an essay about climate change."
The intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something that determines its character.
"The essence of democracy is freedom of speech."
Used to emphasize the basic or fundamental nature of something.
"The two plans are essentially the same."
An organization, business, or system; the act of setting something up.
"The restaurant is a new establishment in town."
A large area of land, property, or possessions owned by someone, often including a big house.
"The family owned a large estate in the countryside."
lasting or existing forever; without end
"They pledged their eternal love for each other."
a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to a particular group, system, or profession
"He has a strong work ethic and always meets deadlines."
relating to moral principles or the right and wrong behavior
"The company follows strict ethical standards in its business practices."
moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conduct of an activity
"Business ethics require companies to act fairly and responsibly."
relating to a population subgroup with a common national or cultural tradition
"The festival celebrated the city's diverse ethnic communities."
the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession
"Proper etiquette requires standing when a lady enters the room."
To remove people from a dangerous place to safety.
"The residents were ordered to evacuate the building after the fire alarm."
To escape or avoid something, especially by cleverness or trickery.
"He tried to evade the question by changing the subject."
To assess or judge the value, quality, or significance of something.
"The teacher will evaluate the students’ projects tomorrow."
The process of assessing or judging the value, quality, or importance of something.
"The teacher’s evaluation of the project was very positive."
Happening at the end of a process or as the final result.
"His hard work led to his eventual success."
Remaining green and functional throughout the year; not shedding leaves seasonally.
"Evergreen trees like pine and fir stay green year-round."
clearly seen or understood; obvious
"It was evident that she was upset."
to bring a feeling, memory, or image into the mind
"The old song evoked memories of her childhood."
the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form
"The theory of evolution explains how species change over time."
relating to or characterized by evolution, especially in terms of gradual development or change
"The company has adopted an evolutionary approach to its product development."
to develop gradually, especially into a more complex or advanced state
"Over time, the company evolved into a global brand."
Developing gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form; changing and developing.
"Education plays a role in evolving societal norms."
to describe something as better, worse, or more important than it really is
"He tends to exaggerate his achievements."
a statement that represents something as better or worse than it really is
"His story about the fish he caught was clearly an exaggeration."
A person who tests or inspects knowledge, skills, or qualifications
"The examiner reviewed each student's answer sheet carefully."
to go beyond a limit or expectation
"The athlete exceeded everyone's expectations by winning the gold medal."
to be exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity or subject
"She always tries to excel in her studies."
the quality of being outstanding or extremely good
"The school is known for its academic excellence."
Unusually good; outstanding.
"She has shown exceptional talent in mathematics."
An amount more than necessary, permitted, or desirable.
"Too much sugar can lead to excess weight gain."
more than is necessary, reasonable, or acceptable
"Eating excessive sugar can lead to health problems."
to cry out suddenly in surprise, strong emotion, or excitement
"She exclaimed with joy when she saw the gift."
A sudden cry or remark expressing strong emotion or surprise.
"She let out an exclamation of joy when she heard the news."