English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
To provide with a quality, ability, or gift; to donate funds for a purpose.
"The university was endowed with a generous donation."
An income or form of property given or bequeathed to someone.
"The university received a large endowment for research."
Able to be tolerated or endured; bearable.
"The pain was harsh but endurable."
To give energy or vitality to something or someone.
"The motivational speech helped energize the team."
to cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition
"His policies engendered trust among the citizens."
Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change.
"Cultural practices are often deeply engrained in the fabric of society."
to cut or carve a design, letter, or pattern into a hard surface
"The craftsman engraved her name on the silver ring."
to absorb all the attention or interest of someone
"She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot the time."
completely absorbed or deeply involved in something
"She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot the time."
to completely surround or cover something or someone
"The village was engulfed by floodwaters."
a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand
"Her sudden disappearance remains an enigma."
mysterious and difficult to interpret or understand
"He gave me an enigmatic smile."
having or showing a rational, modern outlook; having spiritual knowledge or understanding
"The enlightened teacher shared wisdom with all her students."
to join or sign up, especially for military service; to secure someone's support or help
"He decided to enlist in the army after graduation."
to make something more lively, interesting, or cheerful
"Her jokes helped enliven the dull meeting."
a feeling of hostility, hatred, or opposition
"There was a long history of enmity between the two families."
The extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong.
"The enormity of the crime shocked the entire community."
a group of things or people viewed as a whole, especially performers in music or theater
"The theater ensemble gave a spectacular performance."
to preserve or cherish something as sacred or important
"The constitution enshrines the right to freedom of speech."
to become twisted together or caught in something; to involve in difficulties
"The fish got entangled in the net."
showing initiative and resourcefulness; willing to take risks to achieve success
"She is an enterprising young entrepreneur."
to captivate or hold someone’s attention completely
"The magician’s tricks enthralled the children."
Captivating and holding one's attention completely; fascinating.
"The movie was enthralling, keeping the audience engaged till the end."
to attract or tempt someone by offering something appealing
"The advertisement was designed to entice customers into the store."
the whole of something; the complete form
"He watched the movie in its entirety."
the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment; a right to benefits
"The program provides entitlement to health care."
A group of people attending or surrounding an important person.
"The celebrity arrived with her entourage of assistants and bodyguards."
The main course of a meal (US); the right to enter or access (formal).
"The restaurant’s signature steak was served as the main entree."
To establish something so firmly that it is difficult to change.
"The company entrenched its position in the market through innovation."
Firmly established and unlikely to change.
"Corruption is deeply entrenched in the system."
to mention things one by one; to list or count
"She enumerated the reasons for her decision."
to pronounce words clearly; to express an idea clearly
"The teacher asked him to enunciate each word."
feeling or showing envy; jealous
"She felt envious of her friend's new car."
A significant change in environmental conditions or ecological systems.
"The city demonstrates environmental transformation."
Lasting for a very short time; fleeting.
"The beauty of the sunset was ephemeral, fading within minutes."
A section at the end of a book, play, or speech that serves as a conclusion.
"The author included an epilogue to explain what happened to the characters later."
A sudden realization or insight into the essence of something.
"During meditation, she had an epiphany about her life purpose."
Happening occasionally or in separate parts; related to episodes.
"Her interest in art was episodic, coming and going over the years."
A descriptive phrase or word used to characterize someone or something, often as a nickname.
"He earned the epithet ‘The Great’ for his remarkable achievements."
A perfect example of a particular quality or type.
"She is the epitome of kindness."
A period of time in history or a person's life, typically one marked by notable events or characteristics.
"The invention of the internet marked a new epoch in human history."
To make equal or level in status, value, or amount.
"The team equalized the score in the last minute."
Relating to horse riding or horseback riders.
"She won several equestrian competitions."
A state of balance or stability between opposing forces.
"The economy is finally moving towards equilibrium."
The time or date when day and night are of equal length, occurring twice a year.
"The spring equinox marks the beginning of longer days."