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.
380 words
rub-a-dub
C2
/ˌrʌb ə ˈdʌb/
the repeated beating or sound of a drum; a continuous rhythmic drumming
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
augury
C2
/ˈɔː.ɡjʊ.ɹi/
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
capstan
C2
/ˈkæpstən/
a vertical revolving cylinder used to wind a rope or cable and exert heavy pulling force, especially aboard a ship
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
conveyancing
C2
/kənˈveɪənsɪŋ/
the legal work of preparing documents and completing the transfer of property from one owner to another
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
missal
C2
/ˈmɪsəl/
a book containing the prayers and texts used in the Roman Catholic Mass
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
armorer
C2
a manufacturer of firearms
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tensor
C2
/ˈtɛn.sɚ/
A mathematical object that describes linear relations on scalars, vectors, matrices and other algebraic objects, and is represented as a multidimensional array.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
haymaker
C2
/ˈheɪˌmeɪkɚ/
a powerful, often wide-swinging punch intended to knock an opponent down
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
supplicant
C2
/ˈsʌplɪkənt/
one who comes to humbly ask or petition
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ethnologist
C2
/ɛθˈnɑːlədʒɪst/
a scholar who studies and compares peoples, cultures, and social institutions, especially within the field of ethnology
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
stripling
C2
/ˈstrɪplɪŋ/
a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
soldiery
C2
/ˈsəʊldʒəɹi/
Soldiers considered as a group.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
carnelian
C2
/kɑɹˈniː.li.ən/
a translucent red, orange, or reddish-brown variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pleasantry
C2
/ˈplɛzəntɹi/
A playful remark; a jest.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
lawgiver
C2
/ˈlɔˌɡɪv.ɚ/
One who provides laws to a society.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
physiologist
C2
/ˌfɪziːˈɑːlədʒɪst/
a biologist specializing in physiology
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
assize
C2
/əˈsaɪz/
A statute or ordinance, especially one regulating weights and measures.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
oculist
C2
/ˈɑkjəlɪst/
dated: a specialist who diagnoses or treats eye disorders or tests vision
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
chanticleer
C2
/ˌtʃæntɪˈklɪr/
literary: a rooster, especially one personified in a fable or story
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
concomitant
C2
/kənˈkɑːmətənt/
Something happening or existing at the same time.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gloaming
C2
/ˈɡloʊ.mɪŋ/
twilight or dusk, especially the dim light just after sunset
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
roentgen
C2
/ˈrent.ɡən/
a non-SI unit of exposure to X-rays or gamma rays, equal to 0.000258 coulomb per kilogram of dry air
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
coquetry
C2
/ˈkoʊkətri/
playfully flirtatious behavior intended to attract interest, often without serious romantic intent
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
sweetbriar
C2
/ˈswiːtˌbraɪər/
a Eurasian wild rose with prickly stems, fragrant leaves, pink flowers, and red hips
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tautology
C2
/tɔˈtɑl.ə.d͡ʒi/
useless repetition
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
revelling
C2
/ˈɹɛvəlɪŋ/
boisterous or festive celebration, especially with drinking; revelry
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ptarmigan
C2
/ˈtɑːmɪɡən/
large Arctic and subarctic grouse with feathered feet and usually white winter plumage
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bushranger
C2
/ˈbʊʃˌreɪn.dʒɚ/
historical Australian usage: an escaped convict or other outlaw who lived in the bush and survived by robbery
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ecliptic
C2
/ɪˈklɪptɪk/
the great circle on the celestial sphere representing the Sun's apparent yearly path
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
classicist
C2
/ˈklæs.ɪ.sɪst/
a scholar who studies the languages, literature, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
mottling
C2
/ˈmɑːtəlɪŋ/
spots or blotches of different shades or colours
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pedantry
C2
/ˈpɛdəntri/
an ostentatious or ill-timed display of learning
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ortolan
C2
/ˈɔːrtələn/
a small migratory Eurasian bunting, Emberiza hortulana, historically fattened and eaten as a delicacy
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
mineralogist
C2
/ˌmɪn.əˈrɑː.lə.dʒɪst/
a scientist who studies the formation, composition, properties, and classification of minerals
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
deviltry
C2
/ˈdɛv.əl.tri/
wicked, malicious, or recklessly mischievous behavior
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
philter
C2
/ˈfɪltɚ/
a supposedly magical potion, especially one intended to arouse love
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
directress
C2
/dəˈrɛktrəs/
A female director.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tragedian
C2
/trəˈdʒiːdiən/
an actor who specializes in tragic roles
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
currier
C2
/ˈkʌɹɪɚ/
a craftsperson who dresses and finishes tanned leather by scraping, softening, coloring, and treating it
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
trumpery
C2
/ˈtɹʌmpəɹi/
showy but worthless objects, ornaments, or finery
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
porphyry
C2
/ˈpɔɹ.fɪ.ɹi/
an igneous rock containing conspicuous large crystals within a much finer-grained groundmass
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
albumen
C2
/ˈælbjʊmən/
the white part of an egg
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
descant
C2
/ˈdɛskænt/
A lengthy discourse on a subject.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
perihelion
C2
/ˌpɛɹ.əˈhiː.li.ən/
The point in the elliptical orbit of a comet, planet, etc., where it is nearest to the Sun.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
snuffer
C2
/ˈsnʌfɚ/
a small cone or bell on a handle used to extinguish a candle flame
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bandolier
C2
/ˌbæn.dəˈlɪr/
a belt worn over one shoulder with loops or pockets for carrying cartridges
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
mummery
C2
/ˈmʌməɹi/
a ridiculous, showy, or insincere ceremony or performance
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bootmaker
C2
/ˈbuːtˌmeɪ.kɚ/
a craftsperson or manufacturer who makes boots
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
mineralogy
C2
/ˌmɪnəˈɹɑlədʒi/
the branch of geology that studies minerals, including their composition, structure, properties, and classification
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bacteriologist
C2
/bækˌtɪriˈɑlədʒɪst/
a scientist who specializes in the study of bacteria
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
malmsey
C2
/ˈmɑ(l)mzi/
a rich sweet fortified wine, especially a Madeira made from the Malvasia grape
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
flivver
C2
/ˈflɪv.ɚ/
an automobile or cart, particularly one which is old and inexpensive.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tanager
C2
/ˈtænədʒɚ/
any of numerous, often brightly colored songbirds native to the Americas
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
miscellany
C2
/ˈmɪsəˌleɪni/
a varied collection or mixture of different kinds of things
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
empiricist
C2
/emˈpɪr.ə.sɪst/
a philosopher or thinker who holds that knowledge comes chiefly from experience and observation
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
blether
C2
/ˈblɛðər/
chiefly Scottish and Northern English: foolish, idle, or long-winded talk
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
roguery
C2
/ˈroʊɡəri/
dishonest, unscrupulous, or criminal behavior characteristic of a rogue
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
metaphysician
C2
/ˌmɛtəfɪˈzɪʃən/
a philosopher who studies or develops theories about metaphysics
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pleader
C2
/ˈpliːdɚ/
formal or historical: a lawyer or advocate who pleads cases in court
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
reflexion
C2
/ɹɪˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/
Uncommon spelling of reflection.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hearer
C2
/ˈhɪɹɚ/
One who hears.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
speechmaking
C2
/ˈspiːtʃˌmeɪ.kɪŋ/
delivering an address to a public audience
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quaver
C2
/ˈkweɪvər/
in British musical terminology, a note with half the time value of a crotchet; an eighth note
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
baptistry
C2
/ˈbæp.tɪ.stri/
a part of a church, or a separate building beside one, where baptisms are performed
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bilberry
C2
/ˈbɪl.bɛr.i/
a small dark-blue edible berry resembling a blueberry and growing wild in northern Europe
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
arrear
C2
/əˈɹɪɹ/
an unpaid or overdue amount, now most commonly used in the plural arrears
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
servitor
C2
/ˈsɝːvətɚ/
archaic or formal: a male servant or attendant
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
geometer
C2
/dʒiˈɑmətɚ/
a mathematician who specializes in geometry
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
foppery
C2
/ˈfɑː.pɚ.i/
ostentatiously fashionable dress, affected manners, or behavior characteristic of a fop
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
psalmist
C2
/ˈsɑːmɪst/
a writer or composer of psalms, especially one of the biblical Psalms
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quaestor
C2
/ˈkwistɚ/
an ancient Roman magistrate chiefly responsible for public revenue, accounts, and financial administration
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
irrelevancy
C2
/ˌɪˈrɛləvənsi/
Something that has no bearing on the matter being discussed.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quinsy
C2
/ˈkwɪn.zi/
a painful abscess beside a tonsil, usually occurring as a complication of tonsillitis
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
murrey
C2
/ˈmɝːi/
heraldry: a dark mulberry or purplish-red color
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
parenthetical
C2
/pɝɛnˈθɛtɪkəl/
an expression in parentheses, especially serving as an aside or supplementary piece of content
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
baronetcy
C2
/ˈbærənətsi/
the hereditary rank, dignity, or title of a baronet
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
formulary
C2
/ˈfɔːrmjəleri/
an official list of medicines approved for use or covered by a health plan
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
kulan
C2
/ˈkuːˌlɑːn/
an Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus) of the Central Asian steppes and deserts, especially the Turkmen kulan subspecies (E. h. kulan)
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
dolmen
C2
/ˈdoʊlmən/
a prehistoric megalithic tomb formed from a large horizontal capstone supported by two or more upright stones, often originally covered by a mound
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
withy
C2
/ˈwɪð.i/
a tough, flexible willow twig or branch, especially one used for binding or weaving
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
phylactery
C2
/fəˈlæktəri/
either of two small leather cases containing Torah passages, traditionally worn during weekday morning prayer; a tefilla
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cracksman
C2
/ˈkræksmən/
dated or literary: a burglar, especially one skilled at breaking open safes
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
euphony
C2
/ˈjuːfəni/
A pronunciation of letters and syllables which is pleasing to the ear.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
annal
C2
/ˈænəl/
a record of an event or of the events of one year in a historical chronicle, now most often used in the plural annals
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
millenary
C2
/ˈmɪləˌnɛri/
a period of one thousand years; a millennium
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
penholder
C2
/ˈpɛnˌhoʊl.dər/
a handle into which a detachable pen nib is fitted
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
Vulgate
C2
/ˈvʌlɡeɪt/
the Latin version of the Bible chiefly prepared by Saint Jerome and adopted as the Catholic Church's standard Latin text
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
wherry
C2
/ˈwɛɹi/
a light rowboat formerly used to carry passengers or goods on rivers and in harbors
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
polyandry
C2
/ˌpɑːˌliːˈændri/
having more than one husband at a time
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
toothing
C2
/ˈtuːθɪŋ/
bricks or stones left projecting alternately at the end of a wall so that a later extension can be bonded to it
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
barberry
C2
/ˈbɑɹbɛɹi/
a thorny shrub of the genus Berberis, typically bearing yellow flowers and red or dark berries
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
agrimony
C2
/ˈæɡ.rɪˌmoʊ.ni/
a perennial herb of the genus Agrimonia, with spikes of small yellow flowers and bristly fruits
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
relativist
C2
/ˈɹɛl.ə.tɪv.ɪst/
One who follows, believes or espouses relativism.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
scoter
C2
/ˈskoʊtɚ/
a large northern sea duck of the genus Melanitta, whose adult males are predominantly black and which feeds by diving
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ashlar
C2
/ˈæʃ.lɚ/
a block of building stone cut or worked into a regular rectangular shape
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tenantry
C2
/ˈtɛnəntri/
the tenants of an estate, district, or landlord considered collectively
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off