This week on The Missing Workbook
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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.
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View all levelsC2+ is beyond the official CEFR scale: rare, specialist, and literary words kept for reference.
380 words
ovary
C2
/ˈoʊvəɹi/
(vertebrates) one of usually two organs that produce ova and secrete estrogen and progesterone
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watchmaker
C2
/ˈwɑːtʃˌmeɪkɚ/
a craftsperson or company that makes, maintains, or repairs watches
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acumen
C2
/əˈkjumən/
A bony, often sharp, protuberance, especially that of the ischium.
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affiliate
C2
/əˈfɪliːˌeɪt/
a subsidiary or subordinate organization that is affiliated with another organization
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duchy
C2
/ˈdʌtʃi/
a territory ruled by a duke or duchess, or historically held as their domain
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gossamer
C2
/ˈɡɑ.sə.mɚ/
A fine film made up of cobwebs, seen floating in the air or caught on bushes, etc.
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acrobatics
C2
/ˌækrəˈbætɪks/
Difficult and impressive physical movements such as jumps, flips, and balances.
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geneticist
C2
/dʒəˈnɛtɪsɪst/
a scientist who specializes in genes, heredity, and genetic variation
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wallflower
C2
/ˈwɔlˌflaʊ.ɚ/
Any of several short-lived herbs or shrubs of the Erysimum genus with bright yellow to red flowers.
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foray
C2
/ˈfɔɹ.eɪ/
an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence)
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minster
C2
/ˈmɪnstɚ/
A large or important church, especially a cathedral.
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vestal
C2
/ˈvɛstəl/
a Vestal Virgin, one of the priestesses who tended the sacred fire of Vesta in ancient Rome
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buccaneer
C2
/ˌbʌkəˈnɪɚ/
A pirate, especially one who attacked Spanish ships in the Caribbean in the 1600s.
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tomfoolery
C2
/ˌtɑːmˈfuː.lɚ.i/
playful, foolish, or nonsensical behavior or talk
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litany
C2
/ˈlɪtəni/
any long and tedious address or recital
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forefinger
C2
/ˈfɔɹˌfɪŋ.ɡɚ/
the finger next to the thumb; the index finger
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lichen
C2
/ˈlaɪ.kən/
Any of many symbiotic organisms, being associations of algae and fungi, often found as white or yellow-to-blue–green patches on rocks, old walls, etc.
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pitter-patter
C2
/ˈpɪtərˌpætər/
a rapid succession of light tapping sounds, especially footsteps or raindrops
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ulster
C2
/ˈʌlstər/
a long, loose, heavy overcoat, traditionally of rough wool and sometimes made with a shoulder cape
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cancan
C2
/ˈkænˌkæn/
a lively French stage dance performed with high kicks, traditionally by a chorus line
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ardor
C2
/ˈɑːɹdɚ/
Strong enthusiasm or passion for something.
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tracheotomy
C2
/ˌtreɪkiˈɑtəmi/
a surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air
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theologian
C2
/ˌθi.əˈloʊdʒən/
a scholar or specialist who studies theology and religious doctrine
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breastplate
C2
/ˈbrestˌpleɪt/
a piece of armor that protects the chest or front of the torso
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crustacean
C2
/kɹʌsˈteɪʃən/
an arthropod such as a crab, lobster, shrimp, or barnacle, usually with a hard shell
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interloper
C2
/ˌɪntɚˈloʊ̯pɚ/
One who interferes, intrudes or gets involved where not welcome, particularly a self-interested intruder.
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pageantry
C2
/ˈpædʒ.ən.tri/
elaborate, colorful ceremony and display, especially on a public or royal occasion
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plover
C2
/ˈplʌvɚ/
a compact shorebird with a short bill, pointed wings, and a habit of running along open ground or water margins
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freemasonry
C2
/ˈfriˌmeɪsənri/
the organization, beliefs, and ceremonies of the Freemasons
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narwhal
C2
/ˈnɑːrwəl/
a medium-sized Arctic toothed whale whose male usually bears a long, spirally twisted tusk formed from an upper canine tooth
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cowshed
C2
/ˈkaʊˌʃɛd/
a farm building in which cows are kept
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odometer
C2
/oʊˈdɑːmətɚ/
a meter that shows mileage traversed
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zeitgeist
C2
/ˈtsaɪtˌɡaɪst/
the spirit of the time
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effrontery
C2
/ɪˈfɹʌntəɹi/
Insolent and shameless audacity.
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chronology
C2
/kɹəˈnɑl.ə.d͡ʒi/
The arrangement of events in the order they happened.
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meteorology
C2
/ˌmiːti.əˈɹɑləd͡ʒi/
The scientific study of the atmosphere, especially the weather and forecasting it.
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cheval
C2
/ʃəˈvæl/
a supporting frame, especially a frame holding a full-length mirror that can be tilted; also short for cheval glass
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harmonics
C2
/hɑɹˈmɑnɪks/
the study of musical sounds, harmony, and their acoustic relationships
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pewter
C2
/ˈpjuːtər/
a grey, workable alloy consisting chiefly of tin mixed with small amounts of other metals
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currant
C2
/ˈkʌɹənt/
a small tart red, black, or white berry growing on a shrub of the genus Ribes
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stargazing
C2
/ˈstɑrˌɡeɪzɪŋ/
observation of the stars
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midwinter
C2
/ˌmɪdˈwɪntɚ/
the middle and often coldest part of winter
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sycophant
C2
/ˈsɪkəfænt/
One who uses obsequious compliments to gain self-serving favour or advantage from another; a servile flatterer.
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shoestring
C2
/ˈʃuːstrɪŋ/
a cord or lace used to fasten a shoe
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oleander
C2
/ˌoʊliˈændɚ/
a poisonous evergreen shrub with narrow leathery leaves and clusters of white, pink, or red flowers, widely grown in warm regions
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saunter
C2
/ˈsɔntɚ/
a careless leisurely gait
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asymmetry
C2
/eɪˈsɪmɪtɹi/
An absence of symmetry or proportion between the parts of a thing, or a distinction that produces such a lack of symmetry.
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praetor
C2
/ˈpriːtər/
an annually elected magistrate of the Roman Republic, especially one responsible for administering justice
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engraver
C2
/ɪnˈɡreɪvɚ/
a craftsperson or artist who cuts words or designs into a hard surface, or prepares engraved plates for printing
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carbolic
C2
/kɑrˈbɑlɪk/
phenol, especially when used as an antiseptic or disinfectant
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presbytery
C2
/ˈprɛzbɪtɛri/
in Presbyterian churches, a governing council of ministers and elected elders from congregations in a district
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apoplexy
C2
/ˈæpəplɛksi/
dated: sudden unconsciousness or paralysis caused by a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage
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homily
C2
/ˈhɑməli/
a sermon explaining a religious or moral subject, especially one based on a passage of scripture
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shipman
C2
/ˈʃɪpmən/
Synonym of sailor
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goiter
C2
/ˈɡɔɪtər/
an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland that can cause swelling at the front of the neck
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noddy
C2
/ˈnɑːdi/
any of several stout-bodied tropical seabirds of the genus Anous, closely related to terns
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chicanery
C2
/ʃɪˈkæɪn(ə)ɹi/
Deception by the use of trickery, quibbling, or subterfuge.
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prelate
C2
/ˈprel.ət/
a Christian cleric of high rank or authority, such as a bishop, archbishop, or abbot
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enchanter
C2
/ɪnˈtʃæntɚ/
a magician or sorcerer who casts spells
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hegemony
C2
/hɪˈd͡ʒɛ.mə.ni/
the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others
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chloral
C2
/ˈklɔːr.əl/
a pungent, colorless oily aldehyde, CCl3CHO, used to make chloral hydrate and other chemicals
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breakwater
C2
/ˈbreɪkˌwɔtɚ/
a barrier built offshore or at a harbor entrance to reduce the force of waves and protect the water or coast behind it
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waddy
C2
/ˈwɒdi/
an Australian Aboriginal hardwood club used traditionally for hunting or fighting
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calumny
C2
/ˈkæləmni/
Falsifications or misrepresentations intended to disparage or discredit another.
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pleurisy
C2
/ˈplʊrəsi/
inflammation of the pleura around the lungs, typically causing sharp pain during breathing
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anatomist
C2
/əˈnætəmɪst/
One who studies, teaches, writes on, or does research on anatomy and anatomical structures.
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buffoonery
C2
/bəˈfuːnəɹi/
Silly, clownish behavior meant to amuse or that looks foolish.
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latchkey
C2
/ˈlætʃˌki/
a key used to open the latch of an outside door
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sophistry
C2
/ˈsɑ.fɪ.stɹi/
The actions or arguments of a sophist.
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scullion
C2
/ˈskʌljən/
historical: a low-ranking kitchen servant who performed menial work such as cleaning pots and dishes
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pinion
C2
/ˈpɪnjən/
the smaller of two meshing gears, or a small gear that engages with a rack
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schist
C2
/ʃɪst/
a coarse-grained metamorphic rock whose aligned platy minerals allow it to split into thin layers
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typography
C2
/taɪˈpɑɡɹəfi/
the craft of composing type and printing from it
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churchwarden
C2
/ˈtʃɝːtʃˌwɔrdən/
a lay officer responsible for the property, administration, and secular affairs of an Anglican parish
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cutaway
C2
/ˈkʌtəweɪ/
a drawing, photograph, or model with part of the exterior removed to reveal the internal structure
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milkweed
C2
/ˈmɪlkˌwiːd/
any of various plants, especially of the genus Asclepias, with milky sap and pods containing silky-tufted seeds
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navvy
C2
/ˈnæv.i/
a laborer employed in heavy excavation or construction work, especially on canals, roads, or railways; chiefly British and historical
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statuary
C2
/ˈstæ.t͡ʃu.ɛəɹi/
statues considered collectively
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notepaper
C2
/ˈnoʊtˌpeɪ.pɚ/
paper, often in small sheets with matching envelopes, intended for writing letters or notes
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panoply
C2
/ˈpænəpli/
A splendid display of something.
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turnkey
C2
/ˈtɜː(ɹ)nˌkiː/
a complete product that is ready to be deployed immediately, without further customization
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astrakhan
C2
/æs.trəˈkæn/
the tightly curled black or gray fleece of a young karakul lamb, used as fur
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dromedary
C2
/ˈdrɑməˌdɛri/
the one-humped camel of North Africa and southwestern Asia
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cubist
C2
/ˈkjuː.bɪst/
an artist who works in the style of cubism
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hominy
C2
/ˈhɑːməni/
maize kernels treated with an alkali to remove the hulls, eaten whole or dried and ground into grits
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corollary
C2
/kɒˈɹɒləɹi/
a practical consequence that follows naturally
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recidivist
C2
/ɹɪˈsɪdɪvɪst/
One who falls back into prior habits, especially criminal habits.
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fetter
C2
/ˈfet.ə/
a chain or shackle placed around the feet or legs to restrict movement
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halfpenny
C2
/ˈheɪp(ə)ni/
an English coin worth half a penny
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grandee
C2
/ɡrænˈdiː/
a nobleman of the highest rank in Spain or Portugal
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millinery
C2
/ˈmɪl.əˌner.i/
women's hats and related decorative headwear considered collectively
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stanchion
C2
/ˈstæn.tʃən/
an upright post, pole, or bar used to support a structure or form part of a barrier
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blue jay
C2
/ˈbluːˌdʒeɪ/
a crested North American jay with bright blue, white, and black plumage
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teetotaller
C2
/ˈtitoʊtəlɚ/
a total abstainer from alchohol
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encyclical
C2
/ɛnˈsɪk.lɪ.kəl/
an authoritative pastoral letter issued by the pope and circulated broadly within the Roman Catholic Church
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perfumery
C2
/pɚˈfjuːməri/
perfumes or fragrant preparations collectively
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