English Vocabulary
Pick a CEFR level (A1–C2) — 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.
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35 words
searchlight
C2+
/ˈsɝːtʃˌlaɪt/
To scan or sweep across like a searchlight.
detectaphone
C2+
/dɪˈtɛktəfoʊn/
a sensitive microphone able to record conversations covertly even through a wall.
cipher
C2+
/ˈsaɪfər/
a secret code; a zero; a nonentity; to encode or do arithmetic
clasp
C2+
/klæsp/
to grasp or hold tightly; a fastening device
contrivance
C2+
/kənˈtraɪvəns/
a cleverly made device or scheme; an artificial or strained arrangement
jack
C2+
/dʒæk/
a device for raising heavy objects; also, to raise or boost
maze
C2+
/meɪz/
a network of confusing paths; to bewilder
blower
C2+
/ˈbloʊɚ/
a device that produces a current of air; (British slang) a telephone
emulator
C2+
/ˈɛmjəˌleɪtər/
hardware or software that imitates another system, or one who emulates
executable
C2+
/ˈɛksɪkjutəbəl/
able to be carried out or run, especially a computer program file
lookup
C2+
/ˈlʊkˌʌp/
the act of searching for information in a reference or database
algorithm
C2+
/ˈælɡəˌrɪðəm/
a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or computation
bot
C2+
/bɑt/
a software program that runs automated tasks; also a botfly larva
coder
C2+
/ˈkoʊdɚ/
a person who writes computer programs or converts data into code
codify
C2+
/ˈkɑdəˌfaɪ/
to arrange laws or rules into a systematic code
committer
C2+
/kəˈmɪtɚ/
one who commits something, such as code changes or an act
compiler
C2+
/kəmˈpaɪlɚ/
one who compiles; a program that translates source code into machine code
decidable
C2+
/dɪˈsaɪdəbəl/
able to be decided; in logic, solvable by an algorithm
digitally
C2+
/ˈdɪdʒɪtəli/
by means of digital technology; or with the fingers
digitize
C2+
/ˈdɪdʒɪˌtaɪz/
to convert information into digital form
fastener
C2+
/ˈfæsənɚ/
a device that holds or joins things together
flasher
C2+
/ˈflæʃɚ/
a device or thing that flashes, such as a blinking light
gripper
C2+
/ˈɡrɪpɚ/
a device or part that grips or holds firmly
igniter
C2+
/ɪɡˈnaɪtɚ/
a device that sets fire to or starts the combustion of something
ignitor
C2+
/ɪɡˈnaɪtɚ/
a device that ignites a fuel or charge; variant of igniter
meshwork
C2+
/ˈmɛʃˌwɝk/
a network of interlaced threads, fibers, or strands
recursive
C2+
/rɪˈkɝsɪv/
characterized by repeated application of a rule, defined in terms of itself
scanner
C2+
/ˈskænɚ/
a device that examines or digitizes images, codes, or signals
shim
C2+
/ʃɪm/
a thin wedge or strip used to fill a gap or level something
skimmer
C2+
/ˈskɪmər/
a utensil or device for removing matter from a liquid surface
theoretic
C2+
/ˌθiəˈrɛtɪk/
concerned with theory rather than practical application
transformer
C2+
/trænsˈfɔrmɚ/
a device for changing the voltage of an alternating current
exfiltration
C2+
/ˌɛksfɪlˈtreɪʃən/
the secret, covert removal of someone from a dangerous or hostile place
splice
C2+
/splaɪs/
to join two pieces of rope, film, or other material by intertwining or overlapping the strands or ends
subetherics
C2+
/ˌsʌb.iˈθɛr.ɪks/
in science fiction, devices or systems that communicate through a subether medium, usually faster than light