English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
behaving like a maniac; showing excessive enthusiasm or madness
"He gave a maniacal laugh during the movie."
Having qualities or characteristics traditionally associated with a man; manly.
"His manlike courage impressed everyone in the village."
The quality of being manly; courage, strength, and honor associated with men.
"His manliness was admired by his peers."
A shelf above a fireplace, often used for decoration.
"She placed family photos on the mantel above the fireplace."
The act of a slave owner freeing their slaves.
"The manumission of the slaves marked a turning point in history."
to release from slavery or servitude; to set free
"The landowner decided to manumit his slaves."
to roam in search of things to steal or attack
"The bandits marauded through the village at night."
a person who roams around in search of things to steal or people to attack
"Villagers feared the marauders who raided their homes."
the soft inner part of the banana plant stem that is used as a vegetable in cooking
"The marrow of plantain tree is commonly used in traditional Bengali cuisine."
A strict disciplinarian who demands rigid adherence to rules.
"The new manager was such a martinet that even minor infractions were punished."
spice obtained from the reddish seed covering of the nutmeg seed
"A pinch of mace adds warmth to the dessert."
a person who derives pleasure from their own pain or humiliation
"He was called a masochist for enjoying tough challenges."
a party or gathering where people wear masks and costumes; a false outward show
"The charity event was held as a grand masquerade."
to chew food thoroughly before swallowing
"He slowly masticated the bread before swallowing."
The act of killing one's own mother.
"The crime of matricide shocked the entire town."
To enroll as a student in a college or university.
"She matriculated at Oxford University last year."
Overly sentimental, often tearfully or weakly emotional.
"He became maudlin after a few drinks."
To speak or move aimlessly and incoherently.
"He maundered on about his old memories."
A large stately building that houses a tomb or several tombs.
"The king was buried in a grand mausoleum."
an expert or connoisseur in a particular field
"He is a tech maven who always knows the latest trends."
excessively sentimental, often to the point of being sickly
"The movie was criticized for its mawkish sentimentality."
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water.
"The Vikings were known to drink large amounts of mead during feasts."
Unwilling to speak directly and honestly; insincere or evasive in speech.
"The manager gave a mealy-mouthed excuse instead of admitting the mistake."
not willing to speak directly and honestly; evasive in speech
"The politician gave a mealymouthed response to the tough question."
contemptibly small or insignificant
"He was paid a measly sum for the hard work."
a large medal or decorative piece, often worn as jewelry or used in architecture
"She wore a gold medallion around her neck."
fond of interfering in other people’s affairs
"She found her neighbor to be meddlesome and annoying."
Situated in or pertaining to the middle; located toward the midline of the body or structure.
"The medial side of the knee is more prone to injury."
Related to mediation, helping to resolve conflicts through diplomatic means.
"His mediative skills helped resolve the conflict."
Relating to or denoting prehistoric monuments made of or containing large stones.
"The megalithic structures in ancient civilizations are fascinating."
A condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, wealth, or omnipotence.
"The dictator’s megalomania led him to believe he was invincible."
A mixture of different things or styles.
"The festival offered a melange of music, food, and art."
A noisy, confused fight or crowd situation.
"A melee broke out during the football match."
To make something better or improve a condition.
"The new policies aim to meliorate the living conditions of the poor."
The belief that the world tends to improve and that humans can aid its betterment.
"Her philosophy of meliorism kept her hopeful during difficult times."
Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear.
"The singer’s mellifluous voice enchanted the audience."
to preserve the memory of a person or event, often through a ceremony, monument, or record
"The city decided to memorialize the hero with a statue in the central square."
a collection of wild animals kept for exhibition; a diverse or strange group of people or things
"The circus had a menagerie of exotic animals."
not telling the truth; lying
"The politician was known for his mendacious statements."
the tendency to be untruthful; dishonesty
"The journalist exposed the mendacity of the officials."
a beggar; a person who lives by asking for alms
"The mendicant asked for food at the monastery gate."
a genus of catfish found in Asia, commonly known as bagrid catfish
"The mystus fish is commonly found in rivers and streams of South Asia."
lowly and sometimes degrading; related to unskilled or routine tasks
"He worked long hours doing menial tasks in the factory."
related to trade or commerce
"The city grew rapidly due to its mercantile activities."
subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
"She is known for her mercurial temperament."
apparently attractive but having no real value or integrity.
"The design was flashy but meretricious."
An isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in arid regions.
"The hikers stopped to admire the mesa rising above the desert floor."
A state of fascination or hypnotism.
"The magician held the audience in a state of mesmerism."
Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.
"Metacognition helps students improve their learning strategies."
Relating to metallurgy or the branch of science concerned with the properties of metals and their production.
"He studied metallurgical engineering at the university."