English C2 Words: 874 Words (Proficient)
All 874 English C2 words, each with its meaning and an example sentence: rare, precise words that separate proficient speakers from advanced ones. Practice them out loud with your AI language tutor to make them stick.
874 words
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- aberrationa deviation from what is normal
- abhorto hate intensely
- abhorrentcausing intense hatred or disgust
- abhorrentlyin a hateful, disgusting way
- abjectextremely bad or degrading
- abundantlyvery clearly, in great quantity
- accountabilitybeing responsible and answerable for actions
- accrueto accumulate gradually over time
- acreagean area of land in acres
- acrobaticshowing impressive gymnastic skill
- acrobaticallyin a gymnastically skillful way
- acrobaticsspectacular gymnastic or balancing feats
- ad libdone without preparation, improvised
- ad-libto improvise speech or performance
- additivea substance added to improve something
- adeptvery skilled at something
- adhereto stick to, or comply with
- adhesionsticking firmly to a surface
- adornmenta decoration or ornament
- adulterateto make impure by adding a substance
- affectationartificial behavior meant to impress
- aghastfilled with shock or horror
- agileable to move quickly and easily
- agilitythe ability to move quickly and easily
- all-encompassingincluding or covering everything
- allegoricalexpressing meaning through symbolic figures
- allegorya story with a hidden symbolic meaning
- allotto give a share of something
- allotmentan allocated share, or a garden plot
- alludeto refer to something indirectly
- allusionan indirect reference to something
- amorphouslacking a clear shape or structure
- amorphouslyin a shapeless, unstructured way
- anarchiclacking order or control, chaotic
- angsta feeling of deep anxiety or dread
- angstyfull of anxious emotional distress
- angularhaving sharp corners, or lean and bony
- angularitythe quality of having sharp angles
- annexa building attached to a larger one
- anonymitythe state of being unidentified
- antediluvianextremely old or hopelessly outdated
- anthologya collection of selected literary works
- anthropologicalrelating to the study of human cultures
- anthropologicallyfrom the perspective of anthropology
- anticlimacticallyin a disappointingly unexciting way
- antidotea remedy that counteracts poison or harm
- antithesisthe direct opposite of something
- antitheticaldirectly opposed to something
- apostlean early disciple, or passionate advocate
- apprehendto arrest, or to understand
- aptitudea natural ability or talent
- arcanemysterious and understood by few
- arcanelyin a mysterious, obscure way
- archetypalrepresenting a typical, perfect example
- archetypean original or typical example of a type
- archivalrelating to historical records or archives
- ardorgreat enthusiasm or passion
- arduousrequiring great effort, very difficult
- arduouslywith great effort and difficulty
- armorya place where weapons are stored
- articulationclear expression, or clear pronunciation
- artifactan object of historical or cultural interest
- artificeclever trickery or cunning skill
- assimilateto absorb and integrate into a group
- assimilationthe process of integrating into a group
- astringenta substance that tightens skin tissue
- athleticismphysical strength, fitness, and agility
- attributiveplaced directly before the noun it modifies
- attritiona gradual reduction through wear or loss
- attunedhaving a sensitive awareness of something
- austereseverely plain or strict in style
- austerelyin a severely plain or strict way
- austerityextreme plainness, or strict economic cutbacks
- authenticitythe quality of being genuine
- automateto make a process run automatically
- autonomousself-governing, acting independently
- autonomouslyindependently, without outside control
- autopilotan automatic vehicle control system
- aversestrongly disliking or opposed to something
- avianrelating to birds
- axioma statement accepted as self-evidently true
- axiomaticself-evident, not requiring proof
B
- babbleto talk rapidly without making sense
- banishto send someone away as punishment
- banishmentthe state of being expelled or exiled
- baroquehighly ornate and elaborate in style
- baublea small showy trinket of little value
- behesta person's order or request
- belligerencehostile and aggressive behavior
- belligerenthostile and aggressive
- beneficiarya person who receives a benefit
- bereftdeprived of or lacking something
- bereftlyin a manner showing deep loss
- besiegeto surround with armed forces, or overwhelm
- blandishmentflattery intended to persuade someone
- blighta plant disease, or something that spoils
- blitzto attack or work on suddenly and intensively
- blubberthe fat layer of whales and seals
- blubberyresembling whale fat, thick and fatty
- blurba short promotional description
- bogusnot genuine, fake
- bona fidegenuine, made in good faith
- bouta short period of intense activity or illness
- brandishto wave something threateningly
- breadwinnera person who earns money to support a family
- brevitythe quality of concise expression
- brimto be nearly overflowing with something
- brimstonesulfur, especially in religious imagery
- brinkthe point just before something happens
- broodto think anxiously and at length
- brouhahaa noisy, excited reaction or fuss
- buccaneerto act recklessly like a pirate
- buffooneryridiculous, silly behavior
- burgeoninggrowing or increasing rapidly
- buzzarda large bird of prey
C
- caffeinateto add or consume caffeine
- calamitouscausing severe damage, disastrous
- calamitouslyin a disastrous, severely damaging way
- calamityan event causing great suffering, a disaster
- callousshowing no concern for others' feelings
- callouslyin a way showing no concern for others
- calorificrelating to the heat or energy content
- capacioushaving a lot of space inside, roomy
- carbonizeto convert into carbon by burning
- catastrophicallyin a way causing sudden great damage
- caya small low island of sand or coral
- centralizedconcentrated under a single authority
- choreographicalrelating to the composition of dance
- choreographythe sequence of steps in a dance
- chronologicallyarranged in order of occurrence
- chronologythe arrangement of events in time order
- chrysalisthe hard casing of a moth or butterfly pupa
- cinematographerthe person in charge of filming
- cinematographythe art of camera work in film
- circumnavigateto travel all the way around something
- circumnavigationa journey all the way around something
- clinchto settle a deal or contest decisively
- cloistera covered walkway in a monastery
- cloisteredshut away from the outside world
- coaxto gently persuade someone
- cocoonto wrap snugly and protectively
- cogentclear, logical, and convincing
- cogentlyin a clear, convincing manner
- cognitiverelating to mental processes of thinking
- collideto crash into something, or conflict
- collidera device that makes particles collide
- colloquialused in ordinary, informal conversation
- colloquiallyin an informal, conversational way
- colloquiuman academic conference or seminar
- combustionthe process of burning with oxygen
- commensuratecorresponding in size or degree
- commensuratelyin a proportionate, corresponding manner
- commodea chest of drawers, or a toilet fixture
- commoditya raw material or product that can be traded
- compellinglyin a way that strongly convinces
- computerizeto convert a process to computer control
- conciliationthe act of ending a dispute peacefully
- conciliatoryintended to end a dispute peacefully
- concurrenceagreement, or events happening together
- condensationwater droplets forming from vapor
- condoneto accept behavior that is generally wrong
- conduita channel for conveying fluid or information
- confabulateto fabricate false memories unintentionally
- confabulationthe fabrication of false memories
- confectiona sweet food, or elaborate creation
- confrontationaltending to deal with situations aggressively
- confrontationallyin an aggressive, challenging manner
- conglomeratea large corporation formed from several companies
- conjectureto guess based on incomplete information
- connotationan implied meaning beyond the literal one
- connoteto imply a meaning beyond the literal one
- consignto hand over or send for a purpose
- consignmentgoods sent for sale or delivery
- consternationanxious dismay at something unexpected
- constrainedlimited or restricted in some way
- contagionthe spreading of disease by contact
- contemptuousshowing scorn or disdain
- contemptuouslyin a scornful, disdainful manner
- contractualrelating to a formal binding agreement
- contractuallyin a way governed by a formal contract
- contraptiona strange or complicated device
- contriveto skillfully plan or engineer something
- cordonto close off an area with a barrier
- corpsea dead human body
- corpusa collection of texts used for study
- correlatesomething related to another thing
- correlationa mutual relationship between things
- cosmicrelating to the universe, vast in scale
- cossetto pamper someone excessively
- counselformal advice, or a legal advisor
- counterproductivehaving the opposite of the intended effect
- counterproductivelyin a way that has the opposite intended effect
- cripplingcausing severe damage or weakness
- cronya close friend, especially one favored unfairly
- crystallizationthe process of forming crystals, or clarifying
- cullto selectively remove or kill from a group
- cultishresembling a cult in devotion
- curateto select and organize items for display
- curatora person who manages a museum's collection
D
- dampento make slightly wet, or reduce intensity
- deadento reduce the intensity or sensation of
- decentralizeto transfer control away from a central authority
- declinationa polite refusal, or a downward slope
- deficientlacking a necessary quality or element
- deficientlyin a way that lacks a necessary element
- delicatessena shop selling fine prepared foods
- demystificationmaking something confusing easier to understand
- demystifyto make something less confusing
- denotationthe literal, primary meaning of a word
- denoteto indicate or signify something
- denounceto publicly condemn something as wrong
- denunciationa public condemnation of something
- depravedmorally corrupt or wicked
- depravitymoral corruption or wickedness
- deprecateto disapprove of, or declare obsolete
- deprecatinglyin a way expressing disapproval or self-belittlement
- depressiverelating to psychological depression
- derelictabandoned and in poor condition
- derisioncontemptuous mockery or ridicule
- derisiveshowing contempt or ridicule
- derisivelyin a mocking, contemptuous manner
- deterrentsomething that discourages an action
- detractto reduce the value of something
- devianta person who departs from social norms
- deviantlyin a way departing from accepted norms
- diffusespread out, not concentrated
- diligentlywith careful and persistent effort
- diminishto make or become smaller
- disdainfulshowing contempt or lack of respect
- disparageto speak critically and dismissively of
- disparagementthe act of criticizing or belittling
- disparagingexpressing a critical or scornful opinion
- disparaginglyin a critical, scornful manner
- dispersalthe spreading of something over an area
- disperseto spread out or scatter
- dissembleto conceal one's true feelings or intentions
- disseminateto spread information widely
- disseminationthe act of spreading information widely
- dissensiondisagreement causing conflict within a group
- distillto purify by heating, or extract the essence
- distillationpurification of a liquid, or a concentrated essence
- divinationseeking knowledge of the future supernaturally
- dole outto distribute something in portions
- domesticitylife at home and family relationships
- drabnessthe quality of being dull and colorless
- dribbleto flow in drops, or bounce a ball
- drudgeryhard, tedious, menial work
- dubiouslyin a way showing doubt or suspicion
- dwarfisma medical condition of unusually short stature
E
- ebbto gradually decrease or recede
- eccentricityunusual or odd behavior
- echoa repeated sound bouncing back
- echolocatelocate objects using reflected sound
- echolocationsound-based location using echoes
- economizespend or use less, save resources
- ecotourismtourism focused on nature conservation
- edificationmoral or intellectual improvement
- edificea large, imposing building
- edifyinstruct so as to improve morally
- egalitarianbelieving everyone deserves equal rights
- eke outmanage to obtain with great effort
- elasticityability to stretch and recover shape
- elatedextremely happy and excited
- elationa feeling of great happiness
- electrodea conductor carrying electric current
- elephantinehuge and clumsy in size or manner
- embedfix firmly into a surrounding mass
- embodimenta perfect representation of an idea
- embodyrepresent an idea in concrete form
- eminencefame or high standing
- eminentfamous and respected in a field
- emolumenta salary or fee from employment
- emulatetry to match by imitation
- emulationan effort to imitate and equal
- emulsificationmixing two liquids into a stable blend
- emulsifiera substance that stabilizes a liquid mixture
- emulsifymix two liquids into a stable blend
- enablerone who makes something possible
- encompassinclude comprehensively, surround
- encumberburden or restrict with a weight
- encumbrancea burden that hinders or restricts
- enduringlyin a lasting, long-term way
- engendercause or give rise to something
- enthuseexpress great enthusiasm
- ephemerashort-lived items, not meant to last
- ephemerallasting for a very short time
- ephemeralitythe quality of being short-lived
- epoxya strong synthetic resin adhesive
- equablecalm and even-tempered
- equilibriuma state of balance
- etchcut a design into a surface
- etchinga print made from an etched plate
- ethosthe guiding spirit or values of a group
- euphemisma mild substitute for a harsh word
- euphemisticusing mild words for something unpleasant
- euphemisticallyin a mildly worded, indirect way
- euphoriaintense happiness and excitement
- euphoricfeeling intense happiness
- euphoricallyin a state of intense happiness
- evokinglyin a way that calls up feelings or images
- exaltedheld in very high regard or rank
- exaltedlyin a highly elevated or exalted manner
- exorcisma ritual to expel an evil spirit
- exorcista person who expels evil spirits
- extantstill existing, not extinct
- extracurricularoutside the regular school curriculum
- exudegive off a feeling or smell strongly
F
- fabledfamous, celebrated in legend
- fabricateinvent falsely, or manufacture
- fabricationan invented lie, or act of manufacturing
- fabulateinvent fictitious stories
- fabulationthe invention of fantastical stories
- facsimilean exact copy of a document
- fallacya mistaken belief based on faulty reasoning
- farcicalridiculously absurd, like a farce
- feignpretend to feel or experience something
- ferocityfierce, violent intensity
- fetea large public festival or celebration
- figurativelyin a metaphorical, non-literal sense
- flaggingbecoming weaker or tired
- flatoutcompletely and directly, without hesitation
- flightinessimpulsive, unreliable changeability
- flightyimpulsive and prone to changing interests
- flitmove quickly and lightly from place to place
- floea sheet of floating sea ice
- floodgatesa barrier controlling a sudden rush
- fluctuaterise and fall irregularly
- fluctuationan irregular rise and fall
- forfeiturethe loss of something as a penalty
- forlornsad, lonely, and abandoned
- forlornlyin a sad, abandoned manner
- formidablyin an impressively powerful or intimidating way
- fractiousirritable and hard to control
- frolicplay and move about happily and carefree
- fruitionthe point when a plan is fully realized
G
- galea very strong wind
- gambita calculated move to gain advantage
- gauchesocially awkward or tactless
- genomicrelating to an organism's complete genes
- genomicallyin terms of genome analysis
- glitzsuperficial glamour and showiness
- glitzysuperficially glamorous and showy
- glory intake great pride or delight in
- gouta joint disease causing painful swelling
- gravitatemove toward something naturally
- gravitationalrelating to the force of gravity
- gravitationallyin terms of gravitational force
- grievancea formal complaint about unfair treatment
H
- habitationa place where people live, or living there
- hamperhinder or slow progress
- haphazardlacking order, done randomly
- haphazardlyin a disorganized, random manner
- haplessunlucky, unfortunate
- happenstancea chance event or circumstance
- haughtilyin an arrogant, disdainful manner
- haughtyarrogantly superior and disdainful
- hauntinglyin a memorably eerie or beautiful way
- headmistressthe female head of a school
- helma ship's steering wheel, or leadership role
- heraldsignal the approach of something
- hermeticcompletely sealed and airtight
- hermita person living alone in seclusion
- hindercreate difficulty, delay progress
- hindrancesomething that obstructs progress
- hindsightunderstanding gained only after the fact
- histrionicexcessively theatrical or dramatic
- histrionicallyin an excessively theatrical manner
- hitchfasten to something, or hitchhike
- hithertountil now, up to this point
- hoistraise or lift up
- homesteada house and its surrounding farmland
- hoteliera person who owns or manages a hotel
- huddlecrowd together closely
- hullthe main body of a ship, or a seed's shell
- hypnotherapytherapy using hypnosis to treat conditions
- hypothesisa proposed, testable explanation
- hypothesizepropose a testable explanation
- hypotheticalbased on an imagined situation, not fact
- hysteriaexaggerated, uncontrollable emotion
- hystericalaffected by wild, uncontrollable emotion
- hystericallyin an uncontrollably emotional way
I
- idiomaticusing natural, native-sounding expressions
- idiomaticallyin a natural, native-sounding way
- idiosyncrasya peculiar personal habit or trait
- idiosyncraticpeculiar and unique to an individual
- ignominiouscausing public shame or disgrace
- ignominiouslyin a shameful, disgraceful way
- impeccableflawless, without any fault
- impeccablyin a flawless, faultless way
- imperceptibletoo slight to be noticed
- imperceptiblyin a way too slight to notice
- impositionan unwelcome burden placed on someone
- impresarioan organizer of entertainment or performances
- impressionisticbased on general impressions, not exact detail
- impressionisticallyin a way based on general impressions
- improvisationalcreated spontaneously without preparation
- inartisticlacking artistic skill or taste
- inchoatejust begun, not fully formed
- inchoatelyin a partially formed, undeveloped way
- incipientbeginning to develop or appear
- incisecut into a surface, often to mark it
- incongruitya lack of harmony, something out of place
- incongruousout of place, not fitting the context
- incongruouslyin a way that seems out of place
- incumbentthe current holder of an office
- indignantangry about something seen as unfair
- indignantlyin an angrily offended manner
- indiscretenot separated into distinct parts
- indiscretiona minor lapse of good judgment
- individualismbelief in individual independence and self-reliance
- indolencelaziness, avoidance of effort
- indolentlazy, avoiding effort
- indolentlyin a lazy, effortless way
- inducebring about or cause, or persuade
- inducementsomething that persuades someone to act
- indulgenceallowing oneself a pleasure, or leniency
- indulgentlyin a lenient, permissive way
- inexorabilitythe quality of being unstoppable
- inexorableimpossible to stop or prevent
- inexorablyin an unstoppable, inevitable way
- infallibilitythe quality of never being wrong
- infallibleincapable of being wrong or failing
- infalliblywithout ever failing or being wrong
- infernalhellish, or extremely troublesome
- infernallyextremely, in a troublesome way
- informanta person who provides information, often secretly
- ingenuousinnocent, artless, and trusting
- ingenuouslyin an innocent, artless way
- ingratea person who is ungrateful
- ingratiatetry to gain someone's favor deliberately
- ingratiatingintended to win favor, often excessively
- ingratiatinglyin an excessively favor-seeking manner
- innuendoan indirect, often suggestive remark
- inscrutableimpossible to interpret or understand
- instantaneoushappening immediately, without delay
- instantaneouslyhappening immediately, with no delay
- insularnarrow-minded, isolated from outside ideas
- integrationcombining parts into a unified whole
- interlockingfitting together closely like puzzle pieces
- interludea pause or interval between events
- intermediarya go-between linking two parties
- interrogatequestion closely, often formally
- interrogationthe process of closely questioning someone
- interrogativehaving the form of a question
- interrogativelyin a questioning manner
- interspersescatter among other things at intervals
- interweaveweave or combine closely together
- intrinsicbelonging naturally, essential to something
- intrinsicallyin a naturally inherent way
- ironicshowing a contrast between expectation and reality
- irrelevancysomething unrelated to the matter at hand
- irrevocableunable to be changed or undone
- irrevocablyin a way that cannot be undone
J
K
- kineticrelating to motion, full of energy
- kineticallyin a way relating to motion
- knacka natural talent for doing something
L
- lamentexpress deep sorrow or regret
- lamentationan expression of deep sorrow
- laryngitisinflammation of the larynx causing hoarseness
- lassitudea state of weariness and lack of energy
- laudpraise highly
- laudatoryexpressing praise or admiration
- leavenadd something to lighten or enliven
- leaveninga substance that makes dough rise
- legiona large military unit, or a great many
- liaisecommunicate and cooperate closely with others
- locomotionthe ability to move from place to place
- locomotivea powered vehicle that pulls trains
- loiterstand around idly without purpose
- luridshockingly vivid and sensational
- luridlyin a shockingly vivid manner
- lyricalexpressing emotion beautifully, song-like
- lyricallyin a beautifully expressive, song-like way
- lyricista person who writes song lyrics
M
- maelstroma powerful whirlpool, or great turmoil
- maggotthe larva of a fly
- magnanimitygenerosity and forgiveness toward others
- magnanimousgenerous and forgiving toward others
- magnanimouslyin a generous, forgiving manner
- magnatea wealthy, powerful businessperson
- magpiea black-and-white bird that collects objects
- malicethe intention to harm someone
- maliciousintending to do harm
- maliciouslywith intent to cause harm
- malleabilitythe quality of being easily shaped
- malleableeasily shaped or influenced
- mangleseverely damage by crushing or tearing
- marinera sailor who works on ships
- marketabilityhow well something can be sold
- materialismexcessive focus on possessions over other values
- materialisticoverly concerned with possessions
- materializationthe process of becoming real or actual
- materializebecome real, or appear suddenly
- maverickan independent thinker who defies convention
- meagerlacking in quantity, scanty
- mediatehelp resolve a dispute between parties
- mediationthe process of helping resolve a dispute
- mediocritythe quality of being merely average
- melancholya deep, pensive sadness
- melodiouspleasant sounding, tuneful
- melodiouslyin a pleasant, tuneful way
- menacea threat or source of danger
- menacingsuggesting danger, threatening
- menacinglyin a threatening manner
- menialunskilled and low in status
- mercantilerelating to trade and commerce
- mercenarya soldier hired to fight for pay
- meritquality of deserving praise or reward
- meshto fit together well, interlock
- mesmerichypnotically captivating
- metalledsurfaced with stone or gravel
- meteorologicalrelating to weather and the atmosphere
- meteorologythe study of weather and the atmosphere
- methodologicalrelating to a system of methods used
- methodologicallyin terms of the methods used
- methodologya system of methods used in a field
- meticulousshowing great care and precision
- meticulouslywith great care and precision
- midwiferythe profession of assisting childbirth
- miena person's manner or appearance
- milieua person's social environment or setting
- minefielda situation full of hidden dangers
- minstera large or important church
- misdemeanora minor criminal offense
- modernisman early twentieth century movement rejecting tradition
- monasticrelating to monks or their way of life
- mooran open area of high, uncultivated land
- moribundin terminal decline, lacking vitality
- mottledmarked with patches of different colors
- mull overto think about something carefully
- mundanitythe quality of being ordinary and dull
- munificencegreat generosity
- muscle-boundhaving overly large, stiff muscles
- mutinousrebellious, refusing to obey authority
- mutinouslyin a rebellious manner
- myriadcountless, a very great number of
- mystiquean aura of mystery surrounding something
N
- nascentjust beginning to exist or develop
- neophytea person new to a subject or activity
- nighnear in time or place
- nonchalantcalmly unconcerned, casually indifferent
- nonchalantlyin a calmly unconcerned way
- nostalgiaa sentimental longing for the past
- nostalgicfeeling a sentimental longing for the past
- nostalgicallywith a sentimental longing for the past
- notorietyfame for something bad or unpleasant
- notoriouslyin a way that is widely known unfavorably
O
- obliqueindirect, not straightforward
- octogenariana person in their eighties
- opacitythe quality of not letting light through
- opaquenot transparent, blocking light
- opulencegreat wealth and luxury
- opulentrich and luxurious
- opulentlyin a rich, luxurious way
- ordainto officially appoint someone as clergy
- orerock or mineral from which metal is extracted
- ornateelaborately decorated
- ostensiblestated as true but perhaps not
- ostensiblyapparently, though maybe not actually true
- outmodedno longer fashionable or useful
- overlayto cover with a layer of something
P
- painstakingdone with great care and thoroughness
- painstakinglywith great care and thoroughness
- palatablepleasant to taste; acceptable
- palatethe roof of the mouth; sense of taste
- parablea simple story teaching a moral lesson
- paradoxicalseemingly contradictory yet possibly true
- paradoxicallyin a way that seems contradictory
- paralyzinglyto a degree that paralyzes or immobilizes
- parametera factor that defines the limits of something
- paramountmore important than anything else
- parasiticliving off another organism at its expense
- parochialnarrow in scope or outlook
- patchilyunevenly, in an inconsistent manner
- patchyexisting unevenly, inconsistent in quality
- patronizeto treat condescendingly; to be a regular customer of
- patronizingtreating someone as less intelligent, condescending
- patronizinglyin a condescending manner
- pedestala base supporting a statue or column
- perchto sit or rest on something narrow or high
- pervasivespreading widely throughout something
- pervasivenessthe quality of being present everywhere
- perversedeliberately behaving contrary to what is expected
- perversitydeliberate contrariness or unreasonableness
- philanthropicrelating to generous giving to good causes
- philanthropicallyin a generous, charitable way
- philanthropista person who donates generously to good causes
- philanthropythe practice of donating to good causes
- philistinea person hostile or indifferent to art and culture
- physiologicalrelating to the body's normal functions
- physiologicallyin terms of the body's functions
- plumagea bird's feathers collectively
- plumea large feather, or a rising cloud shaped like one
- plutocrata wealthy person who has power through wealth
- polysyllabichaving many syllables
- ponderousslow and clumsy; dull and labored in style
- ponderouslyin a slow, heavy, clumsy way
- portraiturethe art of creating portraits
- positto put forward as fact or basis for argument
- posterityfuture generations
- posturalrelating to the position of the body
- posturingbehavior meant to impress or mislead
- practitionera person actively practicing a profession
- precociousshowing unusually early maturity or ability
- precociouslywith unusually early maturity or ability
- preconceptionan idea formed before having actual knowledge
- predilectiona special liking or preference
- preeminentsurpassing all others, distinguished above the rest
- preoccupationsomething that occupies one's thoughts constantly
- prescriptivelaying down strict rules for what should be done
- presentationalrelating to the way something is presented
- preservationista person who advocates preserving something
- pressurizationthe process of maintaining air pressure inside a space
- pressurizeto force someone into doing something; to maintain air pressure
- presupposeto assume beforehand as a precondition
- presuppositionsomething assumed true beforehand
- primevalrelating to the earliest ages of the world
- priseto force something open using leverage
- prissyexcessively concerned with propriety, prim
- proceduralrelating to the way things are officially done
- profitabilitythe degree to which something yields profit
- proliferationa rapid increase in the number of something
- prolongto extend the duration of something
- promenadea paved public walkway, especially by the sea
- promotablecapable of being promoted
- pronelikely to suffer from something; lying face down
- proportionalcorresponding in size or amount to something else
- proportionallyin proportion, correspondingly
- propositiona statement or proposal put forward for consideration
- proprietaryprivately owned and controlled, as of a product
- proprietorialpossessive, acting as if one owns something
- proscribeto forbid something, especially by law
- proscriptionan official ban or prohibition
- prostrateto lie face down, often in submission
- protrudeto stick out beyond a surface
- protrusionsomething that sticks out
- proverbialreferred to in a well known saying
- provincialnarrow minded and unsophisticated; relating to a province
- provocationan action that provokes anger or a reaction
- proximalnearer to the point of reference or attachment
- prurienceexcessive interest in sexual matters
- prurienthaving excessive interest in sexual matters
- punitiveintended as punishment
- punitivelyas or by way of punishment
- puritanicalexcessively strict in moral or religious matters
- pyrea pile of wood for burning a body
Q
- qualitativerelating to quality rather than quantity
- qualma feeling of doubt about whether an action is right
- quiverto shake with a slight rapid motion
R
- rapturea feeling of intense pleasure or joy
- rapturousshowing intense pleasure or enthusiasm
- rapturouslywith intense pleasure or enthusiasm
- ravishto fill someone with intense delight
- reboundto spring back or recover quickly after a setback
- rebuketo criticize someone sharply
- recitationthe act of reciting something aloud from memory
- reclusea person who lives alone and avoids others
- reclusivepreferring to live alone and avoid others
- reconcileto restore friendly relations; to make compatible
- reconciliationthe restoration of friendly relations
- recoursea source of help when in difficulty
- recumbentlying down
- recuperateto recover from illness or exhaustion
- recuperationthe process of recovering from illness
- recuperativehelping the body recover from illness
- redundancythe state of being no longer needed
- redundantlyunnecessarily, in a repetitive way
- regulatoryrelating to rules that control an activity
- reissueto issue something again
- relegateto assign to a lower or less important position
- remitto send money as payment; to cancel a punishment
- remittancea sum of money sent, especially abroad
- remonstrancea forcefully expressed protest
- remonstrateto protest or object forcefully
- remorsefulfeeling deep regret for wrongdoing
- reposeto lie at rest; to be situated
- reproachto express disapproval to someone
- reptilianrelating to or resembling a reptile
- requisitionan official demand for goods or supplies
- residualremaining after most of something has gone
- residuea small quantity remaining after the main part is used
- resoundto fill a place with sound
- resoundingemphatic and unmistakable; loudly echoing
- resoundinglyemphatically and unmistakably
- resuscitateto revive someone from unconsciousness
- resuscitationthe act of reviving someone from unconsciousness
- retrospectionthe act of looking back on past events
- retrospectivelooking back on or applying to the past
- revelatoryrevealing new or surprising information
- reverba persisting echo of sound
- reverberateto echo repeatedly through a space
- reverberationthe prolonged echoing of a sound
- revileto criticize with contempt
- revulsiona strong feeling of disgust
- rhetoricpersuasive language, often lacking real substance
- rhetoricalrelating to persuasive style; not needing a real answer
- rhetoricallyfor persuasive effect rather than a literal answer
- ricketyshaky and likely to collapse
- rifewidespread, especially of something bad
- rifta serious disagreement between people
- rompto play boisterously; to win easily
- rompera one-piece garment for a baby
- ruminantof an animal that chews cud
- ruminateto think deeply about something
- ruminationdeep continuous thought about something
- ruminativethoughtful, given to deep reflection
S
- salivaryrelating to saliva
- sandwichedtightly fitted between two other things
- scavengeran animal or person that searches through discarded matter
- scholarlyrelating to serious academic study
- scrolla roll of paper or parchment with writing
- secularnot religious or spiritual
- secularlyin a non-religious way
- seedysordid and disreputable in appearance
- seismicrelating to earthquakes; extremely significant
- selectivitythe quality of being careful in choosing
- self-aggrandizementenhancing one's own power or importance
- shambleto walk in a shuffling, awkward way
- sheafa bundle of things tied together
- shimmerto shine with a soft wavering light
- shoala large group of fish; a shallow sandy area
- side-stepto avoid dealing with something directly
- singeto burn something slightly on the surface
- skewto distort or make results biased
- slaba thick, flat piece of solid material
- slitherto move with a smooth twisting motion
- smatteringa small scattered amount, especially of knowledge
- snippeta small piece of information or text
- snobberybehavior showing contempt for those seen as inferior
- solicitto ask for something persistently
- soliloquizeto speak one's thoughts aloud while alone
- solipsismthe belief that only one's own mind can be known to exist
- solitarinessthe state of being alone
- solitaryalone, without companions
- solitudethe state of being alone
- spatialrelating to space, position, or area
- spatiallyin terms of space or position
- spirea tall pointed structure on top of a building
- splinterto break into small sharp fragments
- spontaneitythe quality of acting on impulse without planning
- spuriousfalse, not genuine, based on faulty reasoning
- spuriouslyfalsely, based on faulty reasoning
- squintto look with eyes partly closed
- squirmto wriggle due to discomfort or embarrassment
- squirmytending to wriggle restlessly
- stabilizeto make or become steady and unchanging
- standinga person's reputation or status
- sterilityinability to produce offspring or ideas
- stipulatespecify as a required condition
- stipulationa condition specified in an agreement
- stoicismcalm endurance of hardship without complaint
- stratosphereupper layer of Earth's atmosphere
- stringentstrict and rigorously enforced
- stringentlyin a strict, rigorously enforced way
- stultifymake ineffective or dull through routine
- stultifyinglyin a mind-numbing, dulling manner
- subsidizesupport financially, often with public funds
- subsidyfinancial support granted by government
- subsistsurvive at a minimal level, especially with food
- subsistencethe minimum level needed to survive
- substantiateprovide evidence to support a claim
- succumbgive way to something overwhelming, or die
- suffusespread throughout or over gradually
- sulphurpale yellow nonmetallic chemical element
- sulphuriccontaining or relating to sulphur
- summarilyimmediately and without formal process
- superfluousunnecessary, more than what is needed
- superfluouslyin an unnecessary, excessive way
- surrealismartistic movement featuring dreamlike, irrational imagery
- surrealistartist who practices surrealism
- surreptitiousdone secretly or stealthily
- surreptitiouslyin a secret, stealthy manner
- swivelturn around a central point
- syllabicrelating to or based on syllables
- synthesiscombination of elements into a coherent whole
T
- tacitunderstood without being openly stated
- tacitlyin a way understood without being stated
- taciturnreserved and saying very little
- taciturnityhabitual reserve and reluctance to speak
- tactica specific action planned to achieve a goal
- tacticalrelating to careful planning to achieve a goal
- tacticallyin a manner carefully planned to gain advantage
- tantalizetease by showing something desirable but unattainable
- tantalizinglyin a way that teases with something desired
- taste-makerperson who influences trends and popular taste
- teembe full of or swarming with something
- telescopicrelating to a telescope or extending in sections
- telescopicallyin a manner relating to a telescope
- tenaciousholding firmly to a purpose, persistent
- tenaciouslyin a persistent, firmly holding manner
- tenacitypersistence in holding firmly to a purpose
- testimoniala statement testifying to someone's character or quality
- tetchyeasily irritated, bad-tempered
- thicketa dense group of bushes or small trees
- timiditylack of courage or confidence
- topographicalrelating to the physical features of a place
- topographicallywith respect to physical geographic features
- topographythe physical arrangement of features of a place
- topplefall over or cause to fall from power
- torrentialfalling heavily and rapidly, like a torrent
- totemicserving as a symbol of a group's identity
- tottermove unsteadily as if about to fall
- tranquilizemake calm or sleepy, especially with a drug
- transmittera device that sends out a signal
- treacherousdangerous or guilty of betrayal
- treacherouslyin a dangerous or disloyal manner
- treacherybetrayal of trust, disloyalty
- triflesomething of little value or importance
- truisma statement that is obviously true, a cliché
- turreta small tower on a building or vehicle
U
- unadulteratedpure and complete, with nothing added
- uncannystrange and mysterious in an unsettling way
- undemonstrativenot openly showing feelings or affection
- undemonstrativelywithout openly showing feelings
- undiminishingnot decreasing in strength or amount
- unencumberednot burdened or held back by anything
- unequivocalleaving no doubt, completely clear
- unequivocallyin a way that leaves no doubt
- unexceptionalordinary, not remarkable in any way
- unexceptionallyin an ordinary, unremarkable way
- unexcusednot officially permitted or justified
- unfeasiblenot able to be done, impractical
- unfeasiblyto an impractically or implausibly extreme degree
- unharriednot harassed, troubled, or hurried
- unmediatedoccurring directly, without an intervening agent
- unnervemake someone anxious or lose courage
- unnervingcausing anxiety or loss of confidence
- unnervinglyin a way that causes anxiety or unease
- unobtrusivenot conspicuous or attracting attention
- unobtrusivelyin a way that avoids attracting attention
- unobtrusivenessthe quality of not attracting attention
- unpromisingnot likely to turn out well
- unravelcome undone, or gradually solve something
- unsurpassedbetter than any other, unequaled
- unsuspectednot known or suspected to exist
- utilitarianpractical and functional rather than attractive
- utilizationthe act of making practical use of something
V
- vandalperson who deliberately destroys property
- vandalizedeliberately destroy or damage property
- venomouspoisonous or full of spite and malice
- venomouslyin a poisonous or spiteful manner
- verbatimin exactly the same words, word for word
- verilytruly or certainly, in archaic speech
- verisimilitudethe appearance of being true or real
- veritableused to emphasize something as truly so
- verminwild animals regarded as pests
- vestigialremaining as a trace of something once larger
- vestigiallyas only a residual trace
- vicinitythe surrounding area or nearby region
- vindicateclear someone of blame or justify a claim
- vindicationclearance from blame or proof of being right
- virginalpure, untouched, or resembling a virgin
- virtuositygreat technical skill in an art
- virtuosoa highly skilled performer, especially a musician
- vis-a-visin relation to, or compared with
- vocationalrelating to a specific trade or occupation
- voracityextreme eagerness or greed, especially for food
- vortexa whirling mass of air, water, or fluid
W
- wallowroll around in mud or indulge excessively
- wanegradually decrease in strength or size
- waywarddifficult to control, disobedient or erratic
- wheezebreathe with a whistling or rasping sound
- whirmake a continuous low buzzing or whirring sound
- whirlwinda fast, hectic sequence of events
- whollyentirely, completely, to the fullest extent
- wistfulshowing wishful, sad longing for something
- wistfullywith wishful, sad longing
- wordagethe number or amount of words used
- wordsmitha skilled user of words, especially a writer
- wrackcause severe suffering or destruction to
Z
Exam equivalence: C2 corresponds to roughly Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) or IELTS 8.5+. Values are approximate and vary by exam session.
Levels come from the CEFR-J Vocabulary Profile v1.5 by Yukio Tono, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and the Octanove Vocabulary Profile C1/C2 by Octanove Labs, CC BY-SA 4.0 Meanings and example sentences are written by VocaFlare.
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English word lists by level: FAQ
Common questions about CEFR-level vocabulary lists.