CEFR Level
a support used by someone injured to walk; also something relied upon for support or help
"He had to use crutches after breaking his leg."
the most important or decisive point of an issue
"The crux of the problem lies in poor communication."
an underground chamber, especially one beneath a church, used as a burial place
"The tourists explored the ancient crypt beneath the cathedral."
having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure
"She left a cryptic message on his voicemail."
to form crystals; to make an idea or plan clear and definite
"Her vague thoughts began to crystallize into a solid plan."
A street or passage closed at one end; a dead end.
"They bought a house at the end of a quiet cul de sac."
to select or remove from a larger group, often to reduce numbers
"The farmers decided to cull the sick animals from the herd."
to reach the highest point or final stage
"The negotiations culminated in a successful agreement."
the highest point or final result of something
"Graduation day is the culmination of years of hard work."
deserving blame or responsibility for a wrongdoing
"The judge found him culpable for the accident."
Large, heavy, or difficult to handle; complicated and inefficient.
"The cumbersome package was too heavy to carry alone."
A spice made from the dried seeds of a plant in the parsley family, with a warm earthy flavor
"Cumin is an essential spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking."
Increasing gradually by addition; growing in quantity, force, or effect.
"The cumulative effect of stress can harm your health."
Able to be cured or healed.
"The doctor assured her that the disease was curable."
a person who is responsible for the care and management of a museum, gallery, or collection
"The curator organized a new exhibition of ancient artifacts."
a rule requiring people to stay indoors after a certain time, usually at night
"The city imposed a curfew during the unrest."
A small roller used for curling hair.
"She used a curler to style her hair for the party."
aromatic leaves from the curry tree used in South Asian cooking
"Fresh curry leaves add authentic flavor to Indian dishes."
Written with characters joined together in a flowing manner.
"The teacher asked students to write the essay in cursive handwriting."
Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
"He gave the report only a cursory glance before the meeting."
Rudely brief in speech or manner.
"His curt reply made everyone uncomfortable."
to reduce or limit something, especially something considered undesirable
"The company had to curtail its spending due to budget cuts."
a person who has responsibility for or looks after something; a caretaker or guardian
"The school custodian ensures that all buildings are clean and secure."
the legal right or responsibility of taking care of someone or something
"The mother was granted custody of her children after the divorce."
a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable reasons
"He was too much of a cynic to believe in true love."
An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism.
"His cynicism made it hard for him to trust anyone."
To take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
"He dabbled in painting during his college days."
Silly or foolish.
"It was a daft idea to go hiking without water."
a short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a weapon
"The assassin concealed a dagger beneath his cloak."
a garden plant with brightly colored flowers that bloom in summer and autumn
"She planted colorful dahlias in her garden last summer."
Delicately small, pretty, and often considered elegant.
"She wore a dainty necklace made of pearls."
to make something slightly wet; to make something less strong, active, or intense
"The rain dampened the excitement of the outdoor concert."
something that reduces or lessens the force, effect, or excitement
"The cancellation of the trip put a damper on their enthusiasm."
small white or grey flakes of dead skin that form on the scalp and fall from the hair
"He used a special shampoo to treat his persistent dandruff problem."
to hang loosely or swing freely
"The keys dangled from his belt."
A person who enjoys doing dangerous or risky things.
"The stunt was performed by a famous daredevil."
the theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin, emphasizing natural selection
"Darwinism revolutionized the way scientists understood the origin of species."
stylish and confident; lively and energetic; attractive and charming
"He looked dashing in his new suit."
a single piece of information; a fact used as a basis for reasoning or calculation
"Each datum in the survey was carefully analyzed."
to make someone feel intimidated, discouraged, or less confident
"The steep climb did not daunt the experienced hikers."
seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating
"Starting a new business can be a daunting task."
The time in the morning when daylight first appears; dawn.
"They set out on their journey at daybreak."
to stun or confuse someone temporarily with a shock or surprise
"The bright lights dazed the runners as they entered the stadium."
a situation in which no progress is possible; complete standstill
"The negotiations reached a deadlock when neither side would compromise."
a situation in which progress is impossible because of disagreement
"Negotiations reached a deadlock after neither side agreed to compromise."
A scarcity or lack of something.
"There was a dearth of food during the famine."
A sudden and complete failure; a fiasco.
"The product launch turned into a complete debacle."
To officially prevent someone from doing something.
"He was debarred from entering the competition due to cheating."
to reduce the quality, value, or dignity of something
"Corruption can debase the values of a society."
having lost quality, value, or moral character
"The debased currency lost the trust of the people."
