Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

adjective C2
/ˈwæɡ.ɪʃ/

playfully humorous or mischievous

"His waggish remarks made everyone laugh."

Waif definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Waif

noun C2
/weɪf/

a homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, often a child

"The young waif wandered the streets in search of food."

noun C2
/ˈwɑːmpəm/

beads made by Native Americans from shells, used as money or decoration

"The tribe traded furs for wampum."

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wangle

verb C2
/ˈwaŋɡl/

To achieve something by clever or sometimes dishonest persuasion or trickery.

"He wangled a free ticket to the concert."

noun C2
/ˈwɒntənnəs/

The quality of being reckless, cruel, or deliberately malicious.

"His wantonness shocked everyone at the gathering."

verb C2
/ˈwɔːbəl/

To sing or whistle with a quavering voice or with trills.

"The bird warbled a sweet tune in the morning."

noun C2
/ˈwɔːrˌmʌŋɡər/

A person who advocates or promotes war or conflict.

"The leader was criticized as a warmonger by his opponents."

noun C2
/ˈwɒrən/

A network of interconnected rabbit burrows; also used metaphorically for a densely populated building or district.

"The old part of the city is a warren of narrow streets."

noun C2
/ˈweɪstrəl/

A person who wastes time, money, or resources; an idler or spendthrift.

"The young man was dismissed as a wastrel by his family."

noun C2
/ˈweɪvlət/

a small wave or ripple on the surface of water or another medium

"The pond was disturbed only by the tiny wavelets caused by the breeze."

verb C2
/ˌweɪˈleɪ/

to stop or interrupt someone unexpectedly, often to attack or detain them

"He was waylaid by reporters as he left the courthouse."

adjective C2
/ˈwiːk niːd/

Lacking determination or courage; easily frightened or yielding.

"The leader was criticized for being weak-kneed in the face of opposition."

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weal

noun C2
/wiːl/

A raised mark on the skin left after a blow; or general well-being and prosperity.

"The charity worked for the common weal of the community."

noun C2
/ˈwɛlkɪn/

The sky, the heavens, or the upper air.

"The eagle soared high into the welkin."

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welt

noun C2
/wɛlt/

A raised mark on the skin, usually from a blow or allergic reaction.

"He had a red welt on his arm after the bee sting."

welter definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C2
/ˈwɛltər/

to roll or toss about in a confused or disorderly way; to be in turmoil

"The city weltered in chaos after the sudden blackout."

verb C2
/ˈwiːdəl/

to persuade or coax someone by using flattery or smooth talk

"She managed to wheedle extra pocket money from her father."

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whelp

noun C2
/wɛlp/

a young offspring of a dog or other carnivorous mammal; sometimes used to mean an impudent young person

"The farmer found a wolf whelp hiding near the barn."

adverb, noun C2
/ˈwɛə.wɪð/

With which; the means or resources needed for something.

"He lacked the money wherewith to buy a new house."

verb C2
/ˈwɪni/

to make the high-pitched sound a horse makes

"The horse whinnied when it saw its rider."

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whit

noun C2
/wɪt/

a very small part or amount

"He doesn't care a whit about the outcome."

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whorl

noun C2
/wɜːrl/

A pattern of spirals or concentric circles, often found in fingerprints, shells, or flowers.

"The fingerprint displayed a clear whorl pattern."

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wile

noun C2
/waɪl/

A trick or clever scheme meant to deceive or outwit someone.

"He used every wile to win her trust."

adjective C2
/ˈwɪloʊi/

Gracefully tall, slender, and flexible, like a willow tree.

"She moved with a willowy elegance across the stage."

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windbag

noun C2
/ˈwɪndbæɡ/

a person who talks too much, especially in a boring or boastful way

"Everyone avoided the windbag at the party because he never let anyone else speak."

verb C2
/ˈwɪn.oʊ/

to remove the less desirable parts from a group; originally, to separate grain from chaff by blowing air

"The committee will winnow the list of applicants to ten finalists."

adjective C2
/ˈwɪnsəm/

pleasant and attractive in a fresh, innocent, or charming way

"Her winsome smile instantly put the nervous guests at ease."

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wispy

adjective C2
/ˈwɪspi/

Thin, delicate, and weak in appearance or form.

"Her wispy hair blew gently in the breeze."

adjective C2
/ˈwɪtləs/

lacking intelligence or good sense

"It was a witless decision to leave the door unlocked."

noun C2
/ˈwɪtlɪŋ/

a person who has little wit or pretends to be witty

"He acted like a witling among scholars."

noun C2
/ˈwɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

a clever or funny remark

"Her witticism made everyone laugh during the meeting."

adverb C2
/ˈwɪtɪŋli/

Consciously and intentionally; on purpose.

"He wittingly withheld information from the police."

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wizen

verb C2
/ˈwɪzn/

To become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled.

"The flowers began to wizen after days without water."

adjective C2
/ˈwɪzn feɪst/

Having a dry, wrinkled, and withered face.

"A wizen-faced old man sat quietly in the corner."

adjective C2
/ˈwɪznd/

Shriveled, wrinkled, or withered, often due to age.

"The wizened tree stood in the field for centuries."

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wont

adjective C2
/woʊnt/ or /wɔːnt/

accustomed or used to doing something

"She rose early, as she was wont to do."

adjective C2
/ˈwɜːkmənˌlaɪk/

Showing efficient, competent, and practical skill, but without flair or creativity.

"The carpenter delivered a workmanlike performance on the project."

noun C2
/reɪθ/

A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially seen shortly before or after their death.

"A wraith appeared in the fog near the old castle."

noun C2
/ˈræŋɡlər/

a person who argues noisily; or someone who takes care of livestock on a ranch

"The cowboy worked as a wrangler on the ranch."

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wrest

verb C2
/rɛst/

to forcibly pull something from a person's grasp; to seize with effort or struggle

"The police had to wrest the weapon from the suspect's hand."

noun C2
/rɛtʃ/

an unfortunate or miserable person; a despicable or contemptible person

"The poor wretch was left out in the cold with no shelter."

adjective C2
/ˌrɒŋˈhɛd.ɪd/

Having or showing bad judgment or stubbornly holding to wrong ideas.

"The policy was considered wrongheaded and harmful."