Abstract Ideas
Truth, freedom, meaning, values, and the vocabulary of thought.
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Some words in this topic are A2–C2 — part of Pro. A1 words are always free.
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suffering
B2
/ˈsʌfəɹɪŋ/
A state of pain, distress, or great unhappiness.
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coincidence
B2
/koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/
A surprising situation in which events happen at the same time by chance, with no real connection.
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ease
B2
/iz/
The state of being able to do something without difficulty.
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engagement
B2
/ɪnˈɡeɪd͡ʒ.mənt/
An agreement to marry, or the period before the wedding.
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madness
B2
/ˈmæd.nəs/
The state of being mentally ill; insanity.
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radar
B2
/ˈɹeɪˌdɑɹ/
A system that uses radio waves to find the position and speed of distant objects such as ships and planes.
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warren
B2
/ˈwɔːr.ən/
a connected system of burrows in which rabbits live, or the rabbits occupying it
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audition
B2
/ɑˈdɪʃən/
A short performance to show whether an actor, singer, or musician is suitable for a role.
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priority
B2
/pɹaɪˈɔɹ.(ə.)ti/
Something that is more important than other things and needs attention first.
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coma
B2
/ˈkoʊmə/
A deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness, usually caused by serious injury or illness.
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consciousness
B2
/ˈkɑnʃəsnəs/
The state of being awake and able to think and notice things.
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discipline
B2
/ˈdɪsəplɪn/
The ability to control your own behaviour and keep working hard.
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retirement
B2
/riːˈtaɪɝmənt/
The period of life after you stop working permanently.
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illusion
B2
[ɪˈluː.ʒən]
A false idea or belief about something.
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obsession
B2
/əbˈsɛʃən/
A state of thinking about something or someone all the time, in an unhealthy way.
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identification
B2
/aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/
An official document that proves who you are.
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probation
B2
/proʊˈbeɪ.ʃən/
a court-ordered period in which an offender remains in the community under stated conditions instead of, or after, imprisonment
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exposure
B2
/ɪkˈspoʊ.ʒɚ/
The state of being affected by something, such as a substance or influence.
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distraction
B2
/dɪsˈtɹæk.ʃən/
Something that takes your attention away from what you should be doing.
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temptation
B2
/ˌtɛmpˈteɪʃən/
A strong wish to have or do something you know you should avoid.
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exile
B2
/ɪɡˈzaɪl/
The state of being forced to live away from your home or country.
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addiction
B2
/əˈdɪkˌʃən/
the condition of not being able to stop taking a drug or doing something harmful
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extension
B2
/ɪkˈstɛnʃən/
An extra part added to something to make it bigger or longer.
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nuisance
B2
/ˈnuː.səns/
Something that annoys you or causes trouble.
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portion
B2
/ˈpoɹʃən/
A part of something larger.
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wit
B2
/wɪt/
The ability to say clever, funny things quickly.
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ignorance
B2
/ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/
A lack of knowledge or information about something.
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unity
B2
/ˈjunɪti/
The state of being joined together as one; agreement and harmony.
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greatness
B2
/ˈɡɹeɪtnəs/
The quality of being remarkable, important, or admirable.
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vanity
B2
/ˈvænəti/
Too much pride in your own appearance, abilities, or achievements.
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consolation
B2
/ˌkɑn.səˈleɪ.ʃən/
Comfort you feel after a disappointment or loss.
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redemption
B2
/ɹɪˈdɛmpʃən/
The conversion (of a security) into cash.
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bravery
B2
/ˈbɹeɪ.və.ɹi/
Courage; the quality of facing danger or pain without showing fear.
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morality
B2
/ˌmɔˈræləˌtiː/
Beliefs and standards about what is right and wrong behavior.
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resolution
B2
/ˌɹɛzəˈluːʃ(ə)n/
A firm decision to do or not do something.
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assessment
B2
/əˈsɛsmənt/
A careful judgement about the quality, value, or importance of something.
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indication
B2
/ɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/
A sign that something exists, is true, or may happen.
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generosity
B2
/ˌd͡ʒɛn.əˈɹɑ.sə.ti/
The quality of being kind and willing to give money, time, or help.
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evaluation
B2
/ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃn̩/
A careful judgement about the value or quality of something.
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revelation
B2
/ˌɹɛv.əˈleɪ.ʃən/
A surprising fact that is made known, especially one that changes how you see things.
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dedication
B2
/ˌdɛdəˈkeɪʃən/
The hard work and commitment you give to something you care about.
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assumption
B2
/əˈsʌm(p).ʃ(ə)n/
Something you accept as true without proof.
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necessity
B2
/nɪˈsɛsəti/
Something you must have; an essential thing.
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fragrance
B2
/ˈfɹeɪɡɹən(t)s/
A pleasant smell.
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interpretation
B2
/ɪnˌtɝpɹəˈteɪʃən/
the meaning or explanation you give to something that is not clear.
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stability
B2
/stəˈbɪlɪti/
A steady, balanced state that is not likely to change or fall over.
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immortality
B2
/ˌɪmɔːɹˈtæləti/
The state of being able to live forever.
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ownership
B2
/ˈoʊnɚʃɪp/
The fact of owning something; legal possession.
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popularity
B2
/ˌpɑ.pjəˈlæɹ.ə.ti/
The state of being liked or enjoyed by many people.
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hesitation
B2
/ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/
A pause before doing something, usually because you are nervous or unsure.
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journalism
B2
/ˈd͡ʒɝnl̩ˌɪzəm/
The work of collecting, writing, and reporting news for newspapers, TV, or the internet.
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circumstance
B2
/ˈsɝ.kəmˌstæns/
A fact or condition that affects a situation or event.
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bankruptcy
B2
/ˈbæŋkˌɹʌp(t).si/
The legal state of being unable to pay your debts.
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sincerity
B2
/sɪnˈsɛɹəti/
The quality of being honest and truly meaning what you say.
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commonwealth
B2
/ˈkɑmənˌwɛlθ/
A group of countries or states that share a common government or interests.
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segment
B2
/ˈsɛɡmɛnt/
one of the parts that something is divided into
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resentment
B2
/ɹɪˈzɛnt.mənt/
Anger or displeasure stemming from belief that one or one's group has been wronged or betrayed by others; indignation.
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coalition
B2
/koʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/
A group of political parties or organizations that join together for a shared aim.
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caste
B2
/kast/
social status or position conferred by a system based on class
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erection
B2
/ɪˈrɛkʃn/
Anything erected or built.
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paralysis
B2
/pəˈɹæləsəs/
The loss of the ability to move part or all of the body.
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mentality
B2
/mɛnˈtæləti/
a habitual way of thinking or a characteristic set of attitudes and beliefs
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projection
B2
/pɹəˈd͡ʒɛkʃən/
A prediction or estimate based on current information.
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endurance
B2
/ɪnˈdʊɹəns/
The ability to keep going through pain, difficulty, or long effort.
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conception
B2
/kənˈsepʃən/
an idea or way of understanding something
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granite
B2
/ˈɡɹæn.ɪt/
something having the unyielding firmness quality of granite
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proximity
B2
/pɹɑkˈsɪm.ɪ.ti/
Nearness in space, time, or relationship.
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innovation
B2
/ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/
A new idea, method, or invention.
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paradox
B2
/ˈpæɹ.əˌdɑks/
A statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true.
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imitation
B2
/ɪmɪˈteɪʃn̩/
A copy of something, often one that is not as good as the original.
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friction
B2
/ˈfɹɪkʃən̩/
The rubbing of one object or surface against another.
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exhaustion
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔːs.t͡ʃən/
The state of being extremely tired.
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socialism
B2
/ˈsoʊʃəlɪzəm/
Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.
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optimism
B2
/ˈɑptɪmɪzəm/
A tendency to expect the best, or to believe that things will turn out well.
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righteousness
B2
/ˈɹaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/
The quality of being morally good and doing what is right.
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novelty
B2
/ˈnɑvəlti/
The quality of being new, unusual, and interesting.
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blindness
B2
/ˈblaɪndnəs/
The condition of not being able to see.
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fascination
B2
/fæsɪˈneɪʃən/
A strong attraction or interest in something.
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maturity
B2
/məˈtʊəɹəti/
state of being mature
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capability
B2
/ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
The power or ability to do something.
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relaxation
B2
/rᵻˌlækˈseɪ.ʃən/
The state of resting and being free from work, stress, or worry.
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vandalism
B2
/ˈvændəˌlɪzəm/
deliberate or reckless damage to public or private property
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canon
B2
/ˈkæn.ən/
A general rule or principle that is widely accepted in a field.
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indigestion
B2
/ˌɪn.dɪˈdʒes.tʃən/
pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, often after eating and sometimes accompanied by bloating, nausea, belching, or heartburn
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concession
B2
/kənˈsɛʃən/
something you allow or give up to end an argument or reach agreement
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unrest
B2
/ʌnˈɹɛst/
A state of trouble and anger among people, often shown through protests or riots
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contradiction
B2
/ˌkɑːntɹəˈdɪkʃən/
A situation in which two things cannot both be true at the same time.
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trait
B2
/tɹeɪt/
A particular quality or feature of someone's personality or character.
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variation
B2
/ˌvɛəɹiˈeɪʃn̩/
A change or difference in amount, level, or form.
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recollection
B2
/ɹɛkəˈlɛkʃən/
A memory of something from the past.
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ornament
B2
/ˈɔɹnəmənt/
An object used to decorate something and make it more attractive.
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realization
B2
/ˌɹiə.lɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/
The moment of suddenly understanding or becoming aware of something.
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distortion
B2
/dɪˈstɔrʃən/
A change that makes something untrue or inaccurate; a misrepresentation.
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bureaucracy
B2
/bjʊˈɹɑ.kɹə.si/
A system of government or management run through many departments and strict official rules.
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sanitation
B2
/ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən/
The systems for keeping places clean and removing waste to protect health.
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advancement
B2
/ædˈvæns.mənt/
Progress or development in knowledge, skill, or a field of work.
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