English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
CEFR Level
showing great care, attention, and diligence in work or tasks
"She was admired for her sedulous efforts in completing the project on time."
proper or appropriate in behavior or appearance
"It was not seemly to argue loudly during the ceremony."
A feudal lord; a man of authority in medieval Europe.
"The seignior demanded taxes from the peasants."
A large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water.
"The fishermen cast their seine into the river."
An instrument that measures and records details of earthquakes, such as force and duration.
"The seismograph detected a strong tremor in the area."
The act of belittling or humiliating oneself.
"His constant self-abasement made others uncomfortable."
Partially civilized; having some aspects of civilization but not fully developed.
"The tribe was described as semicivilized by early explorers."
Only partly conscious; not fully aware of surroundings.
"He was semiconscious after the accident and could barely respond."
A school or college for training priests, ministers, or rabbis.
"He decided to enroll in a seminary to study theology."
The process of growing old or the condition of aging.
"The biologist studied senescence in plants to understand aging."
The part of the brain or mind concerned with the reception and interpretation of sensory stimuli.
"The patient’s sensorium was clouded after the accident."
Given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.
"His sententious remarks annoyed the audience."
The capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.
"Many argue that animals possess sentience."
Capable of being separated or divided.
"The two issues are separable and should be discussed independently."
Occurring every seven years.
"The festival is a septennial tradition in the village."
A small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is buried.
"The ancient king was laid to rest in a grand sepulcher."
Relating to a tomb or burial; gloomy, dismal.
"The abandoned house had a sepulchral silence about it."
the act of burying a dead body; burial; a grave or tomb
"The ancient king's sepulture was discovered by archaeologists."
Lacking independence of thought; blindly following.
"The sequacious students never questioned their teacher's opinions."
A condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.
"Lung scarring can be a sequela of severe pneumonia."
Following in order or as a result.
"The sequent events changed the course of history."
To take legal possession of assets until a debt is paid or disputes are resolved.
"The court decided to sequestrate the company's property."
An angelic being associated with light and purity, often depicted as a high-ranking angel in Christian theology.
"The stained-glass window depicted a seraph with outstretched wings."
Of or like a seraph; angelic, pure, and blissful.
"She gave him a seraphic smile that calmed his fears."
Dry or withered, especially vegetation.
"The sere leaves crumbled under his feet."
The status or condition of being a serf, bound to work for a lord.
"Many peasants in medieval Europe lived under serfdom."
An officer responsible for maintaining order during meetings or legislative sessions.
"The sergeant-at-arms escorted the disruptive member out of the hall."
To make a saw-toothed edge or notched margin.
"The craftsman serrated the knife blade for better cutting."
pressed or crowded together, often in rows or ranks
"The soldiers stood in serried ranks, ready for inspection."
a navigational instrument with a graduated arc of 60°, used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon
"Using a sextant, the navigator fixed the ship’s position at noon."
a group of six people playing music or a piece written for six performers
"The jazz sextet filled the small club with a warm, layered sound."
to make or become six times as great or as many
"Within two quarters, the campaign sextupled their daily sign-ups."
a large citrus fruit similar to grapefruit; pomelo
"The shaddock is the largest citrus fruit in the world."
a remote, beautiful, imaginary place where life is perfect and peaceful
"They described the island as a modern-day Shangri-La."
a bundle of grain stalks laid lengthwise and tied together after reaping; a bundle of objects tied together
"The farmer carried a sheaf of wheat on his shoulder."
A large freshwater catfish with a broad flat head and long barbels
"The sheat-fish is one of the largest freshwater fish in South Asia."
to put a sword or knife back into its cover
"He quickly sheathed his sword after the duel."
A custom, phrase, or belief distinguishing a particular group of people, often used to identify outsiders.
"The phrase became a political shibboleth during the campaign."
Lacking ambition or the ability to accomplish anything; lazy and unmotivated.
"He was seen as a shiftless young man with no goals."
worn or faded from being displayed in a shop; no longer fresh or original
"The shopworn shoes were sold at a discount."
To remove the outer covering, such as the husk of corn or shell of shellfish.
"She learned how to shuck oysters quickly."
a person, especially a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous or dishonest methods
"The businessman was exposed as a shyster who cheated clients."
A hissing or hushing sound, especially in speech with 's' or 'sh'.
"The poet used sibilance to create a soft, hissing effect in the verse."
Making or characterized by a hissing sound.
"The word 'snake' starts with a sibilant sound."
To pronounce with a hissing sound.
"The actor sibilated his lines for dramatic effect."
Prophetic, mysterious, or cryptic in meaning.
"The old woman gave a sibylline warning about the future."
Directed to the side; indirect, furtive, or not straightforward.
"She gave him a sidelong glance across the room."
Relating to the stars or constellations; measured relative to the stars.
"Astronomers use sidereal time to track the positions of stars."
the meaning or sense conveyed by a word, action, or symbol
"The signification of the gesture was misunderstood."
a large freshwater fish with silvery scales, commonly farmed for food
"Silver carp is widely cultivated in fish farms across Asia."