English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
Having extreme or fanatical support for something; relating to or suffering from rabies.
"He was a rabid fan of the football team."
A viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals, usually transmitted through animal bites.
"The dog was vaccinated against rabies."
Lively, entertaining, or slightly shocking (especially in a sexual way).
"The novel was full of racy dialogues."
the quality of shining with bright light; a glowing or beaming quality
"Her face was filled with radiance after hearing the good news."
Shining brightly; expressing great happiness.
"She looked radiant in her wedding dress."
to emit energy or light; to spread out from a center
"The fireplace radiates warmth throughout the room."
A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets, one or more of which are drawn at random for a prize; to sell something in such a lottery.
"The charity decided to raffle a bicycle to raise funds."
One of the sloping beams that supports a roof.
"The old barn’s rafters were exposed."
having a stylish, confident, and slightly disreputable appearance
"He walked in with a rakish smile and tilted hat."
boisterous, energetic, and difficult to control.
"The rambunctious children filled the house with noise."
a tropical fruit with red spiky skin and white translucent sweet flesh similar to litchi
"The rambutan looks scary with its hairy skin but tastes very sweet inside."
a consequence of an action or event, often complex or unwelcome.
"The new law has serious social ramifications."
existing or spreading unchecked, often in an undesirable way
"Corruption was rampant in the city administration."
a defensive wall of a castle or fort
"The soldiers stood on the rampart, watching the enemy approach."
poorly built or maintained; in a state of disrepair
"They lived in a ramshackle old house on the edge of town."
having a bad taste or smell due to being old or spoiled (especially fats or oils)
"The butter had gone rancid after being left out too long."
To make something happen in a random order or manner.
"The software can randomize the order of questions."
to search a place roughly and steal or damage things
"Burglars ransacked the house while the family was away."
to speak or shout in an angry, uncontrolled way
"He ranted about the unfair treatment at work."
The quality of moving or happening quickly; swiftness or speed.
"The rapidity of technological change is astonishing."
A close and harmonious relationship where people understand each other well.
"The teacher quickly built a strong rapport with her students."
Completely absorbed or fascinated by something.
"She listened with rapt attention to the speaker’s words."
A feeling of intense joy, delight, or ecstasy.
"She listened to the music in rapture."
to speak in a rough, harsh voice or to scrape with a coarse sound
"He rasped out a warning before collapsing."
having a harsh, rough, or grating sound
"His raspy voice revealed years of smoking."
the action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement
"The treaty required ratification by both countries' parliaments."
to approve or confirm something officially, usually by law or formal consent
"The government ratified the trade agreement."
a fixed amount of something, especially food, officially allowed to each person
"During the war, each family received a weekly ration of rice."
the underlying reason or explanation for something
"The rationale behind his decision was clearly explained."
the action of attempting to explain or justify behavior or an attitude with logical reasons, even if these are not appropriate
"His excuse was just a rationalization for his careless mistake."
to attempt to explain or justify behavior or decisions with logical reasons, even if they are not true or appropriate
"She tried to rationalize her lateness by blaming the traffic."
to justify or explain something with logical reasons, even if not appropriate or true
"He tried to rationlize his mistake by blaming the system."
loud, harsh, and unpleasant sound or behavior
"The crowd became raucous after the team scored."
to cause severe and extensive damage or destruction
"The hurricane ravaged the coastal villages."
to speak or write about something with great enthusiasm or admiration
"Critics rave about the new movie."
a large, black bird with a thick bill and harsh croaking voice
"The raven perched on the old oak tree and cawed loudly."
Extremely hungry; famished.
"After the long hike, she was ravenous and ate quickly."
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
"The river carved a deep ravine through the mountains."
fresh unprocessed root of the turmeric plant used as a spice and medicine
"Grate raw turmeric into the curry for authentic flavor."
To completely destroy or demolish something, especially a building.
"The old factory was razed to make way for new apartments."
A substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a chemical reaction.
"Oxygen is a reactant in the process of combustion."
Opposing political or social progress or reform; extremely conservative.
"The group took a reactionary stance against the new policies."
responding to situations rather than initiating them; chemically active
"The company took a reactive approach to customer complaints."
To change or move something again in order to achieve a better fit, condition, or balance.
"He readjusted the chair to make it more comfortable."
The act of changing or correcting something again to make it suitable or balanced.
"After moving to a new city, he went through a period of readjustment."
To state again strongly; to confirm or strengthen a statement or belief.
"The president reaffirmed his commitment to education reform."
a person or machine that cuts and gathers crops
"The reaper moved slowly through the golden fields."
a partial refund given to someone who has paid too much money for something
"The store offered a rebate on bulk purchases."
resisting authority or control; showing a desire to rebel
"The rebellious teenager refused to follow the school rules."