English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
reluctant or unwilling to do something
"She was loath to admit her mistake in front of everyone."
to feel intense dislike or disgust for
"He absolutely loathes being late to meetings."
movement or the ability to move from one place to another
"Walking is the most common form of human locomotion."
A powered rail vehicle used for pulling trains.
"The old steam locomotive was restored for the museum."
a large insect that flies in groups and eats crops
"The locusts destroyed the entire wheat field."
An upper room or space, often under the roof of a building.
"She converted the old loft into a modern studio."
Of great height; elevated in character or style; noble.
"He set himself the lofty goal of ending poverty."
Long life or long existence of something.
"Good habits contribute to health and longevity."
A place for watching; a person keeping watch.
"The guard kept a lookout for suspicious activity."
to appear as a large, often frightening or unclear shape, usually something threatening or about to happen
"Dark clouds loomed over the city, signaling an approaching storm."
to steal goods, typically during war, riot, or chaos
"The rioters looted several shops during the protest."
with one side lower, larger, or different from the other; uneven or imbalanced
"The cake looked lopsided after being decorated in a hurry."
of very poor quality; bad or unpleasant
"He felt lousy after catching the flu."
feeling sad, depressed, or lacking enthusiasm
"He felt low-spirited after hearing the bad news."
humble in status, position, or manner
"She rose from a lowly position to become the company's CEO."
to apply oil or grease to reduce friction between surfaces
"The mechanic lubricated the car engine parts."
The application of a substance such as oil or grease to reduce friction between moving parts.
"Lubrication reduces wear and tear in machines."
expressed clearly; easy to understand; showing clarity of thought
"She gave a lucid explanation of the complex problem."
producing a great deal of profit
"He left his job for a more lucrative business opportunity."
so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing
"It is ludicrous to think the Earth is flat."
a vehicle designed for carrying luggage and cargo
"The luggage van carried all the passengers' suitcases."
to calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements
"The mother lulled the baby to sleep with a gentle song."
a soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep
"She sang a lullaby to her baby every night."
to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way
"The bear lumbered through the forest in search of food."
The intrinsic brightness of a celestial object; the quality of emitting light.
"The luminosity of the star was measured with advanced instruments."
Emitting or reflecting light, especially in the dark; shining brightly.
"The luminous stars lit up the night sky."
a compact mass of a substance, especially one without a definite or regular shape
"She found a lump of sugar in the bowl."
A person who is insane or acting in a foolish or reckless way; also used as an adjective meaning insane.
"The driver was driving like a lunatic on the highway."
to make an abrupt, unsteady, or uncontrolled movement; a sudden movement or stagger
"The bus lurched forward as the driver hit the brakes."
to attract or tempt someone, often by offering something appealing
"The advertisement lured customers with promises of discounts."
shocking or sensational in a vivid way, often involving crime or violence
"The newspaper published a lurid account of the crime."
to remain hidden so as to wait for an opportunity to attack or observe
"A stranger lurked in the shadows."
deliciously sweet or rich; highly appealing to the senses
"She served a luscious chocolate cake."
rich, abundant, and luxurious, especially referring to vegetation
"The valley was filled with lush green fields."
a very strong sexual desire or an intense craving for something
"His mind was clouded by lust for power."
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially from a polished surface
"The diamond had a brilliant luster."
the words of a song or a short poem that expresses personal feelings
"She memorized every lyric of her favorite song."