Abstract Ideas
Truth, freedom, meaning, values, and the vocabulary of thought.
459 words
Download MarkdownSome words in this topic are A2–C2 — part of Pro. A1 words are always free.
Go ProA1 (3)
A2 (13) Pro
truth
A2
/tɹuθ/
The real facts about something, rather than what is imagined or invented.
M
S
sake
A2
/ˈseɪk/
The benefit, good, or advantage of someone or something.
M
S
empty
A2
/ˈɪm(p).ti/
Containing nothing or no one
M
S
beauty
A2
/ˈbjuti/
The quality of being very pleasing to look at or experience.
M
S
freedom
A2
/ˈfɹi.dəm/
The state of being free and able to do what you want.
M
S
meaning
A2
/ˈmi.nɪŋ/
What a word, sign, or action expresses or stands for.
M
S
purpose
A2
/ˈpɝpəs/
The reason why something is done or made.
M
S
value
A2
/ˈvæl.ju/
How much something is worth in money.
M
S
ability
A2
/əˈbɪl.ə.ti/
the fact of being able to do something
M
S
useful
A2
/ˈjusfl̩/
Helpful or able to be used for a practical purpose.
M
S
symbol
A2
/ˈsɪmbəl/
A thing that stands for or represents an idea, quality, or feeling.
M
S
wisdom
A2
/ˈwɪzdəm/
The ability to make good decisions using knowledge and experience.
M
S
ideal
A2
/aɪˈdi(ə)l/
The best possible; perfect for a particular purpose.
M
S
B1 (31) Pro
reality
B1
/ɹiˈæləti/
The way things really are, as opposed to how they are imagined or hoped to be.
M
S
useless
B1
/ˈjuːs.ləs/
Not useful; having no practical value or purpose.
M
S
advance
B1
/ədˈvæns/
To move forward, or to make progress in a positive way.
M
S
teaching
B1
/ˈtiːt͡ʃɪŋ/
The job or activity of giving lessons to students.
M
S
impression
B1
/ɪmˈpɹɛʃn̩/
The effect or feeling that someone or something leaves in your mind.
M
S
existence
B1
/ɛɡˈzɪs.təns/
The fact or state of being real or present.
M
S
intention
B1
/ɪnˈtɛnʃn̩/
what you plan or mean to do.
M
S
abandon
B1
/əˈbæn.dən/
to leave a person or place forever, especially someone who needs you
M
S
concept
B1
/ˈkɑn.sɛpt/
an abstract idea or general notion
M
S
foundation
B1
/ˌfæʊ̯nˈdeɪ̯ʃən/
The solid structure built underground that supports a building.
M
S
basis
B1
/ˈbæɪ.sɪs/
The main idea or fact that something is built on or developed from.
M
S
misunderstanding
B1
/ˌmɪsʌndɚˈstændɪŋ/
A failure to understand something correctly; a mistaken idea about its meaning.
M
S
specifically
B1
/spəˈsəf.ə.kli/
In a clear and exact way, naming one particular thing.
M
S
accidentally
B1
/ˌæk.sɪˈdɛnt(ə)li/
By chance and not on purpose.
M
S
principle
B1
/ˈprɪnsəpəl/
A basic truth or rule that explains how something works or guides how you act.
M
S
philosophy
B1
/fɪˈlɑ.sə.fi/
The study of ideas about life, knowledge, truth, and the meaning of existence.
M
S
logic
B1
/ˈlɑ.d͡ʒɪk/
A sensible way of thinking that uses clear reasons.
M
S
essence
B1
/ˈɛsəns/
The most basic and important quality that makes something what it is.
M
S
notion
B1
/ˈnoʊʃən/
An idea or belief about something.
M
S
inquiry
B1
/ɪnˈkwaɪ(ə)ɹi/
A question or request for information.
M
S
phenomenon
B1
/fəˈnɑ.məˌnɑn/
Something that happens or exists and can be seen, especially something studied or noticed.
M
S
philosopher
B1
/fəˈlɑsəfɚ/
A person who studies or teaches ideas about life, knowledge, and the meaning of existence.
M
S
significance
B1
/səgˈnɪfɪkəns/
The importance or value of something.
M
S
meaningful
B1
/ˈmi.nɪŋ.fl̩/
Having real importance, value, or purpose.
M
S
B2 (34) Pro
found
B2
/ˈfæʊ̯nd/
To start or set up an institution, company, or organization.
M
S
absurd
B2
/æbˈsɚd/
completely unreasonable or silly; ridiculous
M
S
conspiracy
B2
/kənˈspəɹəsi/
A secret plan by a group of people to do something harmful or illegal.
M
S
creation
B2
/kriːˈeɪʃən/
The act of making or bringing something into existence.
M
S
consciousness
B2
/ˈkɑnʃəsnəs/
The state of being awake and able to think and notice things.
M
S
illusion
B2
[ɪˈluː.ʒən]
A false idea or belief about something.
M
S
pointless
B2
/ˈpɔɪntləs/
Having no purpose; not worth doing because it achieves nothing.
M
S
virtue
B2
/ˈvɜːt͡ʃuː/
A good moral quality in a person.
M
S
equivalent
B2
/ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
Equal in value, meaning, or effect.
M
S
morality
B2
/ˌmɔˈræləˌtiː/
Beliefs and standards about what is right and wrong behavior.
M
S
indication
B2
/ɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/
A sign that something exists, is true, or may happen.
M
S
necessity
B2
/nɪˈsɛsəti/
Something you must have; an essential thing.
M
S
seldom
B2
/ˈsɛldəm/
not often; rarely
M
S
competent
B2
/ˈkɒmpətənt/
Having enough skill, knowledge, or ability to do something well.
M
S
satisfactory
B2
/sætɪsˈfækt(ə)ɹi/
Good enough for a particular purpose; acceptable.
M
S
faulty
B2
/ˈfɔlti/
Not working correctly because of a defect.
M
S
paradox
B2
/ˈpæɹ.əˌdɑks/
A statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true.
M
S
interruption
B2
/ˌɪntəˈɹʌpʃən/
something that stops an activity for a while.
M
S
philosophical
B2
/ˌfɪl.əˈsɑ.fɪ.kl̩/
Relating to philosophy or the study of ideas about life and knowledge.
M
S
relativity
B2
/ɹɛl.əˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/
(physics) The scientific theory that space and time are not fixed but depend on the observer's motion.
M
S
knowingly
B2
/ˈnoʊɪŋli/
In a way that shows you are fully aware of what you are doing; on purpose.
M
S
trusty
B2
/ˈtrʌsti/
Reliable and able to be depended on, often used jokingly of a familiar object.
M
S
misconception
B2
/ˌmɪs.kənˈsɛp.ʃən/
A wrong idea or belief based on a misunderstanding.
M
S
adequately
B2
/ˈædəkwɪtli/
enough or well enough for a particular purpose
M
S
C1 (43) Pro
ego
C1
/ˈiɡo/
A person's sense of their own importance or value.
M
S
meaningless
C1
/ˈmiːnɪŋləs/
Having no meaning or sense.
M
S
harassment
C1
/həˈɹæs.mənt/
Repeated, deliberate behaviour that pesters, threatens, or intimidates someone.
M
S
commence
C1
/kəˈmens/
To begin or start.
M
S
suffice
C1
/ˈsʌ.fɪs/
to be enough for a particular purpose
M
S
anesthesia
C1
/ˌæn.əsˈθi.ʒə/
loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness
M
S
fanatic
C1
/fəˈnæt.ɪk/
A person with extreme, often unreasonable enthusiasm for a cause or belief.
M
S
justification
C1
/ˌd͡ʒɐstɪfɪˈkæɪʃən/
A good reason or explanation that makes an action or belief seem acceptable.
M
S
occurrence
C1
/əˈkɝ.əns/
Something that happens; an event.
M
S
premise
C1
/ˈpɹem.ɪs/
A statement or idea that is accepted as true and used as the basis for an argument.
M
S
cynicism
C1
/ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm/
A distrustful attitude that assumes people act only out of selfishness.
M
S
realist
C1
/ˈriːəlɪst/
A person who accepts situations as they truly are and deals with them in a practical way.
M
S
compatibility
C1
/kəmˌpætəˈbɪləti/
the ability of people, ideas, or things to exist or work together without conflict
M
S
omission
C1
/oʊˈmɪʃən/
something that has been omitted
M
S
commonality
C1
/ˌkɑməˈnæləti/
a feature or quality shared by two or more people or things
M
S
entanglement
C1
/ɪnˈtæŋɡəlmənt/
the state or process of becoming twisted together, trapped, or caught
M
S
incidence
C1
/ˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/
How often something happens, especially something unwanted.
M
S
ornamental
C1
/ˌɔɹ.nəˈmɛn.təl/
Used for decoration rather than for any practical purpose.
M
S
pertain
C1
/pərˈteɪn/
to relate to or be relevant to a particular subject or situation
M
S
cessation
C1
/sɛˈseɪʃən/
The stopping or ending of something, whether for a while or for good.
M
S
abstraction
C1
/æbˈstɹæk.ʃn̩/
A general idea formed from specific examples, rather than a concrete thing.
M
S
touchstone
C1
/ˈtʌtʃˌstoʊn/
a standard, principle, or criterion by which the quality or truth of something is tested
M
S
modulation
C1
/ˌmɑd͡ʒəˈleɪʃən/
in electronics, the transmission of a signal by using it to vary a carrier wave
M
S
finality
C1
/faɪˈnælɪti/
the quality or state of being final, conclusive, and not open to further change
M
S
C2 (138) Pro
proposition
C2
/ˌpɹɑpəˈzɪʃən/
An idea, plan, or suggestion that is offered for consideration.
M
S
calamity
C2
/kəˈlæmɪti/
An event that causes great harm, loss, or suffering; a disaster.
M
S
technicality
C2
/ˌtɛk.nɪˈkæl.ə.ti/
a small or specialized rule or detail that can have an important practical consequence
M
S
vigilance
C2
/ˈvɪd͡ʒɪlɪns/
vigilant attentiveness
M
S
monstrosity
C2
/mɑːnˈstrɑːsəti/
something hideous or frightful
M
S
sensibility
C2
/ˌsɛn(t)səˈbɪləti/
refined sensitivity to pleasurable or painful impressions
M
S
superfluous
C2
/suˈpɝflu.əs/
More than is needed; unnecessary.
M
S
transcend
C2
/trænˈsend/
to go beyond the ordinary limits, range, or physical constraints of something
M
S
bastion
C2
/ˈbæsti.ən/
a group that defends a principle
M
S
testy
C2
/ˈtɛsti/
easily irritated or annoyed
M
S
futility
C2
/fjuˈtɪləti/
the quality of being pointless or incapable of producing a useful result
M
S
skepticism
C2
/ˈskɛp.tɪˌsɪ.zəm/
doubt about the truth of something
M
S
catty
C2
/ˈkæti/
marked by or arising from malice
M
S
seminal
C2
/ˈsemɪnəl/
strongly influencing later ideas, work, or developments; formative and original
M
S
disintegration
C2
/dɪsˌɪnd.əˈɡɹeɪ.ʃən/
a loss (or serious disruption) of organization in some system
M
S
fruition
C2
/fɹuˈɪʃən/
The point at which a plan or effort is finally achieved and produces results.
M
S
logistic
C2
/ləˈdʒɪstɪk/
relating to the detailed organization and movement of people, materials, or equipment
M
S
denote
C2
/dɪˈnoʊt/
To be a sign of something; to indicate.
M
S
individualism
C2
/ˌɪndɪvɪˈduːəˌlɪzəm/
The belief that the freedom and self-reliance of each person matter more than the group or the state.
M
S
pithy
C2
/ˈpɪθi/
concise and full of meaning
M
S
happenstance
C2
/ˈhæpənˌstæns/
A chance event; something that happens by luck rather than planning.
M
S
connotation
C2
/ˌkɑnəˈteɪʃən/
A feeling or idea that a word suggests, beyond its literal meaning.
M
S
schism
C2
/ˈskɪzəm/
division of a group into opposing factions
M
S
reciprocity
C2
/ˌresɪˈprɑːsəti/
the practice or expectation of exchanging comparable actions, help, feelings, or advantages for mutual benefit
M
S
C2+ (197) Pro
metaphysics
C2+
/ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪks/
the branch of philosophy studying being and reality
M
S
pre-Socratic
C2+
/ˌpɹiːsəˈkɹætɪk/
relating to Greek philosophy before Socrates or independent of his influence
M
S
matter-of-factness
C2+
/ˌmæt.ɚ.əvˈfækt.nəs/
The state or quality of being matter-of-fact
M
S
otiose
C2+
/ˈoʊʃiˌoʊs/
serving no practical purpose; futile or idle
M
S
earmark
C2+
/ˈɪrmɑrk/
to set aside funds or resources for a particular purpose
M
S
intentional
C2+
/ɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/
done on purpose; deliberate
M
S
nonsensical
C2+
/nɑnˈsɛnsɪkəl/
having no meaning or making no sense
M
S
potentiality
C2+
/pəˌtɛnʃiˈæləti/
latent capacity for development or achievement
M
S
abnormality
C2+
/ˌæbnɔrˈmæləti/
an abnormal feature, characteristic, or occurrence
M
S
entirety
C2+
/ɪnˈtaɪərti/
the whole of something; completeness
M
S
manifestation
C2+
/ˌmænəfɛˈsteɪʃən/
an event or sign that shows something clearly
M
S
ornamentation
C2+
/ˌɔrnəmɛnˈteɪʃən/
decorative details added to something for adornment
M
S
postulate
C2+
/ˈpɑstʃəˌleɪt/
to assume the existence of something as a basis for reasoning
M
S
booty
C2+
/ˈbuti/
valuable goods seized as plunder; loot
M
S
butty
C2+
/ˈbʌti/
a sandwich (British, dialectal)
M
S
conformance
C2+
/kənˈfɔrməns/
compliance with rules, standards, or specifications
M
S
forsooth
C2+
/fɔrˈsuθ/
indeed; in truth (archaic, now often used ironically)
M
S
rendition
C2+
/rɛnˈdɪʃən/
a performance or interpretation of something, or a translation
M
S
abnegation
C2+
/ˌæbnɪˈɡeɪʃən/
the renunciation or denial of something, especially self-interest
M
S
afterlife
C2+
/ˈæftɚlaɪf/
existence believed to follow death
M
S
devastation
C2+
/ˌdɛvəˈsteɪʃən/
severe and widespread destruction or ruin
M
S
intimacy
C2+
/ˈɪntəməsi/
close familiarity or personal closeness
M
S
mannerism
C2+
/ˈmænərɪzəm/
a habitual and distinctive gesture or way of speaking
M
S
peculiarity
C2+
/pɪˌkjuliˈærəti/
an odd or distinctive trait or characteristic
M
S
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