CEFR Level
a person, usually a landlord, who seizes another's property for unpaid debt or rent
"The distrainor took possession of the tenant's car until the debt was cleared."
deeply distracted or absent-minded, often due to worry or grief
"He looked distrait after hearing the sad news."
the state of being separated or not united
"Civil wars often result from national disunion."
a word consisting of two syllables
"The word 'happy' is a disyllable."
to be indecisive or unable to make a decision
"He dithered for hours before choosing a restaurant."
a short, simple song or poem
"She sang a cheerful little ditty while cooking."
A substance that promotes the production of urine.
"Coffee has a mild diuretic effect."
active during the day; occurring daily
"Most birds are diurnal creatures, active in daylight hours."
digression; wandering from a path or subject
"His lecture was full of divagation, making it hard to follow the main point."
capable of being turned aside or redirected
"Funds from the budget are not legally divertible."
the action of selling off or disposing of business interests or assets
"The divestiture of the subsidiary was completed last year."
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means
"Ancient people often relied on divination to guide important decisions."
the act of revealing or disclosing something secret or private
"The divulgence of company secrets caused a major scandal."
a list or schedule of cases to be tried in a court or items to be done
"The judge reviewed the docket before starting the session."
stubbornly devoted to a theory or doctrine without regard to practical considerations
"His doctrinaire approach to politics alienated many supporters."
To move in a weak and unsteady way, especially due to old age.
"The old man doddered across the street with a cane."
Weak, shaky, or unsteady, especially due to old age.
"The doddering professor struggled to climb the stairs."
to take off an item of clothing, especially a hat, as a sign of respect
"He doffed his hat as the procession passed."
A wild rose species with pink or white flowers and thorny stems, common in hedgerows
"The dog-rose bush grew wild along the countryside path."
Stubborn persistence in achieving something without giving up.
"His doggedness in pursuing his goals was inspiring."
Comic or irregular verse, often poorly constructed and lacking in artistic quality.
"The poet’s work was dismissed as mere doggerel by the critics."
To state opinions or beliefs as if they were absolute truths.
"The professor tended to dogmatize on political issues."
A state of inactivity, stagnation, or low spirits; also a region near the equator with calm winds.
"After the project failed, the team was stuck in the doldrums for months."
Expressing sorrow or sadness; mournful.
"She gave him a doleful look before leaving."
Filled with grief or sadness; mournful.
"The dolesome ballad brought tears to their eyes."
A state of great sorrow or distress.
"The nation was in deep dolor after the tragedy."
Expressing great sorrow or distress.
"He spoke in a dolorous tone after the loss."
A stupid or slow-witted person.
"Only a dolt would believe such a story."
Life at home or devotion to family life.
"She enjoys the domesticity of cooking and gardening."
to assert one's will over another in an arrogant way
"He tends to domineer over his younger colleagues."
A person who gives something, especially money or goods, as a donation.
"The donator wished to remain anonymous after contributing a large sum."
A person who receives a gift or donation.
"The scholarship fund’s donee expressed heartfelt gratitude."
A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.
"The old house had a dormer overlooking the garden."
Relating to the back or upper side of an animal or body part.
"Sharks have a prominent dorsal fin."
The period of old age, especially when one is weak or senile.
"He spent his dotage reminiscing about his youth."
a close-fitting jacket worn by men in the Renaissance; also, a pair of similar things
"The actor wore a velvet doublet for the Shakespearean play."
brave, valiant, courageous
"The doughty soldier never backed down from a challenge."
to fit or combine perfectly together
"Her plans dovetail perfectly with our goals."
unfashionable, dull, or shabby in appearance
"She wore a dowdy dress to the party."
To search for underground water or minerals using a divining rod; also to drench or extinguish with liquid.
"The farmer tried to dowse for water in the dry field."
The most respected or prominent person in a particular field.
"He is regarded as the doyen of modern literature in the country."
The basic monetary unit of Greece before the adoption of the euro.
"The old coin collection included a silver drachma."
A systematic search or investigation, often by police to catch criminals.
"The police launched a dragnet to capture the fugitives."
to force someone to do something through coercion or intimidation
"The manager tried to dragoon the team into working overtime."
a male duck; a type of waterfowl
"The drake led his family of ducks across the pond."
to speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel sounds
"He tends to drawl when he is tired."
the remnants of a liquid left in a container, together with any sediment or grounds; the most worthless part of something
"He drank the dregs of the coffee before leaving."
dehydrated leaves of the fenugreek plant used as a herb in cooking
"Add dried fenugreek leaves to the curry for extra flavor."
dehydrated petals from roses used for culinary and aromatic purposes
"The dessert was garnished with dried rose petals."
silly or nonsensical talk
"The politician’s speech was full of meaningless drivel."
