This week on The Missing Workbook
1 new learner
12 reviews
Word
English Vocabulary
Pick a CEFR level (A1–C2, plus C2+ for rare words beyond the CEFR scale) — A1 is the friendliest place to start — and browse its words grouped by topic: travel, food, the body, emotions, and more. Each word shows its meaning, example sentences, and US/UK pronunciation.
Choose your level
View all levelsC2+ is beyond the official CEFR scale: rare, specialist, and literary words kept for reference.
928 words
lustrous
C1
/ˈlʌ.stɹəs/
brilliant
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
undeserving
C1
/ˌʌndɪˈzɝvɪŋ/
not worthy of a reward, benefit, punishment, or particular treatment
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unmanageable
C1
/ənˈmænɪdʒəbəl/
Difficult or impossible to control or deal with.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unscientific
C1
/ənˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
not consistent with the methods or principles of science
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
out-and-out
C1
/ˌaʊtənˈaʊt/
complete, absolute, and without qualification
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
self-reliant
C1
/ˌsɛlf rɪˈlaɪənt/
depending on one's own abilities, judgment, or resources rather than on other people
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
wearily
C1
/ˈwɪɹɪli/
In a weary manner; feeling weary.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
symphonic
C1
/sɪmˈfɑː.nɪk/
relating to, written as, or characteristic of a symphony or symphony orchestra
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
contentedly
C1
/kənˈtɛn.tɪd.li/
with equanimity
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
climactic
C1
/ˌklaɪˈmæk.tɪk/
Forming or relating to the most exciting or decisive moment.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ceaselessly
C1
/ˈsiːzləsli/
Without ever stopping or pausing.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
moonless
C1
/ˈmuːn.ləs/
having no visible moon or moonlight
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
penultimate
C1
/pɪˈnʌl.tə.mət/
coming immediately before the last in a sequence; second to last
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
superficially
C1
/ˈsuːpɝˌfɪʃəli/
In a shallow way, without going into depth.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
recurrent
C1
/ɹɪˈkɝənt/
Recurring; happening time after time.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tertiary
C1
/ˈtɝ.ʃiˌɛɹ.i/
coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
concentric
C1
/kənˈsɛntrɪk/
having the same center, as two or more circles, spheres, or rings
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
dimly
C1
/ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
intuitively
C1
/ˌɪnˈtuːɪtɪvli/
In a way based on instinct or natural understanding, rather than reasoning.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ashy
C1
/ˈæʃi/
pale or gray like ash, especially because of illness, shock, or fear
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
irrepressible
C1
/ˌɪrəˈprɛsəbəl/
impossible to repress or control
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
greenish
C1
/ˈɡɹiːnɪʃ/
of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
phenomenally
C1
/fəˈnɑːmənəli/
In a remarkable or amazing way
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
divergent
C1
/dɪˈvɝ.d͡ʒənt/
Differing from one another or from a standard.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
populous
C1
/ˈpɑpjələs/
densely populated
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
domestically
C1
/dəˈmɛstɪkli/
Within a country, rather than abroad.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
aspirational
C1
/ˌæspəˈɹeɪʃənəl/
expressing ambition, hope, or a desired higher status
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
macaw
C1
/məˈkɑ/
any of several large, long-tailed parrots native to Central and South America, usually with powerful bills and brightly colored plumage
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
congratulatory
C1
/kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪtɔri/
expressing pleasure and praise for someone's success, good fortune, or special occasion
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
indecipherable
C1
/ˌɪn.dɪˈsaɪ.fɚ.ə.bəl/
impossible or extremely difficult to read or decode
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
dialectic
C1
/ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk/
of or relating to or employing dialectic
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
grammatical
C1
/ɡɹəˈmæt.ɪ.kəl/
conforming to the rules of grammar or usage accepted by native speakers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
feathery
C1
/ˈfɛðəri/
covered, edged, or decorated with feathers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
downhearted
C1
/ˌdaʊnˈhɑːrtɪd/
sad, discouraged, or low in spirits
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unproductive
C1
/ˌʌn.pɹəˈdʌk.tɪv/
not producing desired results
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
craggy
C1
/ˈkræɡi/
full of steep rocks or crags; rough and rugged
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
readable
C1
/ˈɹiː.də.bəl/
Clear enough to be read or made out.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cost-effective
C1
Giving good value for the money spent; worth the cost.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
sedentary
C1
/ˈsɛd.ən.tɛɹ.i/
Involving a lot of sitting and little physical activity.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
naively
C1
/naɪˈivli/
In a way that shows a lack of experience or judgement, or too much trust.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
serviceable
C1
/ˈsɝvɪsəbl̩/
intended or able to serve a purpose without elaboration
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
lackluster
C1
/ˈlæklʌstə(ɹ)/
Not impressive; dull and lacking energy or excitement.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
inwardly
C1
/ˈɪnwɚdli/
with respect to private feelings
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unconvincing
C1
/ˌənkənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
Not believable or persuasive.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
wifely
C1
/ˈwaɪf.li/
of, relating to, or traditionally regarded as characteristic of a wife; now often old-fashioned
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
blithely
C1
/ˈblaɪθli/
In a carefree way that shows no concern, often when you should be concerned.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
uncultured
C1
/ʌnˈkʌl.tʃɚd/
(of persons) lacking art or knowledge
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
thunderstruck
C1
/ˈθʌn.dɚ.strʌk/
so astonished or shocked that one is temporarily unable to react or speak
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unaided
C1
/əˈneɪdɪd/
carried out without aid or assistance
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tiptop
C1
/ˈtɪpˌtɑːp/
informal: excellent or of the highest quality
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
refreshingly
C1
/riːˈfrɛʃɪŋli/
in a pleasantly new or different way
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
materially
C1
/məˈtɪriːəli/
with respect to material aspects
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hierarchical
C1
/ˌhaɪˈɹɑɹkɪkəl/
classified according to various criteria into successive levels or layers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
lymphatic
C1
/lɪmˈfæt.ɪk/
relating to lymph or to the network of vessels and tissues that carries it through the body
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
laterally
C1
/ˈlæ.tə.ɹə.li/
in a lateral direction or location
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
natured
C1
/ˈneɪtʃɝd/
having a specified temperament or disposition, used chiefly in compounds such as good-natured and ill-natured
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unfailing
C1
/ənˈfeɪlɪŋ/
unceasing, not wavering or in danger of stopping
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
appallingly
C1
/ʌˈpɑlɪŋli/
In a shocking and extremely bad way.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
courtly
C1
/ˈkɔɹtli/
Befitting of a royal court; reflecting the manners or behaviour of people at court.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
recessive
C1
/ɹɪˈsɛsɪv/
Describing a gene whose effect only appears when both inherited copies carry it; the opposite of dominant.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unrivaled
C1
/ʌnˈraɪvəld/
having no equal or competitor; better or greater than all others of the same kind
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
neglectful
C1
/nɪˈglɛktfəl/
Failing to give proper care or attention to something or someone.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
stoat
C1
/ˈstəʊt/
Mustela erminea, the ermine or short-tailed weasel, a mustelid native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
earthen
C1
/ˈɝθən/
made of baked clay
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
knightly
C1
/ˈnaɪtli/
relating to knights, knighthood, or medieval chivalry
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
flat-footed
C1
/ˈflætˌfʊtɪd/
informal: directly, openly, and without qualification or hesitation
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
remorseless
C1
/rɪˈmɔrsləs/
Showing no guilt, pity, or mercy.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
masterly
C1
/ˈmæstɚli/
Executed in the manner of a master; showing competence and skill; masterful.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
geologically
C1
In terms of geology; from the point of view of the earth's rocks and structure.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
scornful
C1
/ˈskɔɹnfəl/
Showing that you think someone or something is worthless and deserves no respect.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gusty
C1
/ˈɡʌs.ti/
marked by sudden, brief bursts of strong wind
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
fiendishly
C1
/ˈfiːndɪʃli/
In an evil or wicked way.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
soluble
C1
/ˈsɑljəbəl/
susceptible of solution or of being solved or explained
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
conscientiously
C1
/ˌkɑːntʃiːˈɛntʃəsli/
In a careful and thorough way, with great attention to duty.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
dutifully
C1
/ˈduːtiːfəli/
In a way that shows you are doing your duty, often willingly and without complaint.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
conical
C1
/ˈkɑ.nɪk.əl/
relating to or resembling a cone
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tactfully
C1
/ˈtæktfəli/
In a way that is careful not to offend or upset others.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
vainly
C1
/ˈveɪnli/
In a vain pursuit; to no avail.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
anticlimactic
C1
/ˌæntiːklaɪˈmæktɪk/
Disappointing because it is far less exciting than expected.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bated
C1
/ˈbeɪtɪd/
held back, reduced, or restrained, now used chiefly in the phrase 'with bated breath'
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
clumsily
C1
/ˈklʌmsəli/
in an awkward manner, or without skill
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
defensible
C1
/dɪˈfen.sə.bəl/
capable of being justified or supported by sound reasons
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
impious
C1
/ˈɪmpi.əs/
lacking due respect or dutifulness
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
awestruck
C1
/ˈɑːstrʌk/
filled with overwhelming wonder, admiration, reverence, or fear
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quick-witted
C1
/ˌkwɪkˈwɪtɪd/
able to think, understand, and reply rapidly and intelligently
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
longitudinal
C1
/ˌlɔn.dʒɪˈtu.dɪ.nəl/
over an extended time
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
busily
C1
/ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
rigidly
C1
/ˈɹɪd͡ʒ.ɪd.li/
in a rigid manner
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
voiceless
C1
/ˈvɔɪsləs/
unable to speak or produce a normal vocal sound
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
unchangeable
C1
/ʌnˈt͡ʃeɪnd͡ʒəbəl/
not changeable or subject to change
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
provocatively
C1
/proʊˈvɑːkətɪvli/
In a way that deliberately causes a strong reaction or argument.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
fiddly
C1
/ˈfɪdli/
Difficult to do or use because it involves small parts or careful handling.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quantitative
C1
/ˈkwɑn.təˌteɪ.tɪv/
expressible as a quantity or relating to or susceptible of measurement
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
disquieting
C1
/dɪˈskwaɪətɪŋ/
Making you feel worried or uneasy.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
serenely
C1
/sɝˈiːnəli/
in a peacefully serene manner
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
incisive
C1
/ɪnˈsaɪ.sɪv/
suitable for cutting or piercing
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off