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.
855 words
antiparticle
C2
/ˈæntiˌpɑ(ɹ)tɪkəl/
a subatomic particle with the same mass and spin as another particle but opposite charge or other quantum numbers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
wapiti
C2
/ˈwɑːpəti/
the North American elk (Cervus canadensis), a large deer whose males bear branching antlers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
typescript
C2
/ˈtaɪpskɹɪpt/
a typewritten manuscript or other text prepared in typewritten form, especially as a copy for printing
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
oatcake
C2
/ˈoʊtˌkeɪk/
Any of many flat biscuits, or cakes, made from oatmeal.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gules
C2
/ˈɡjuːlz/
heraldry: the color red, conventionally shown by vertical hatching in monochrome engraving
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
footmark
C2
/ˈfʊtˌmɑrk/
a mark or impression left by a foot or shoe on a surface
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
canebrake
C2
/ˈkeɪn.breɪk/
a dense thicket of cane, bamboo, or similar tall plants
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tidemark
C2
/ˈtaɪdˌmɑɹk/
a line on a shore or structure showing the highest or lowest level reached by a tide
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bibelot
C2
/ˈbɪb.əˌloʊ/
a small decorative object, curiosity, or trinket, often collected for its beauty
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
mudcat
C2
/ˈmʌdˌkæt/
US: any of several catfish associated with muddy water, especially a bullhead or flathead catfish
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
jalousie
C2
/ˈd͡ʒæləsiː/
Upward sloping window slats which form a blind or shutter, allowing light and air in but excluding rain and direct sun.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
footlight
C2
/ˈfʊtˌlaɪt/
a stage light positioned along the front edge of a stage and directed upward at the performers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
nudibranch
C2
/ˈnuːdɪˌbræŋk/
a shell-less marine gastropod in the group Nudibranchia, often brightly colored and bearing exposed gills or other respiratory structures
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
opuntia
C2
/əˈpʌntiə/
botany: any cactus of the genus Opuntia, whose members typically have flattened jointed pads and include the prickly pears
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
metaphase
C2
/ˈmɛtəˌfeɪz/
the stage of mitosis or meiosis in which condensed chromosomes align before being separated
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
artel
C2
/ɑːrˈtɛl/
a traditional Russian or Soviet cooperative association of workers or craftspeople
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
haycock
C2
/ˈheɪkɑːk/
a small conical pile of hay left in a field to dry
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
Miocene
C2
/ˈmaɪəˌsiːn/
the geological epoch from about 23 million to 5.3 million years ago, within the Neogene Period
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
plowshare
C2
/ˈplaʊˌʃer/
the sharp cutting blade of a plow that slices horizontally through the soil
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
syenite
C2
/ˈsaɪəˌnaɪt/
a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed mainly of alkali feldspar with minerals such as hornblende or biotite and little or no quartz
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
fieldfare
C2
/ˈfiːldfer/
a large Eurasian thrush, Turdus pilaris, with a gray head and rump, often seen in flocks during winter
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pastrycook
C2
/ˈpeɪstriˌkʊk/
a cook or shopkeeper who specializes in pastries, cakes, and desserts
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
rushlight
C2
/ˈrʌʃˌlaɪt/
an inexpensive candle made by dipping the dried pith of a rush in melted fat or grease
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gewgaw
C2
/ˈɡuɡɔ/
a showy but cheap or worthless trinket, ornament, or decorative object
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tympanum
C2
/ˈtɪmpənəm/
the eardrum or tympanic membrane, and historically the middle-ear cavity behind it
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
mulga
C2
/ˈmɐlɡə/
Any of a number of small acacia trees, especially Acacia aneura, forming dense scrub in dry inland areas of Australia.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
triplane
C2
/ˈtraɪˌpleɪn/
an airplane that has three pairs of wings, one above the others
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
iodoform
C2
/aɪˈoʊ.də.fɔːrm/
a pale yellow crystalline compound, CHI₃, with a strong odor, formerly used as an antiseptic
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
piggin
C2
/ˈpɪɡɪn/
a small wooden pail or scoop made with one stave extending upward to form a handle
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
foolscap
C2
/ˈfʊlˌskæp/
a traditional British size of writing or printing paper, historically about 13 by 16 inches before folding or cutting
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
thistledown
C2
/ˈθɪs.əlˌdaʊn/
the soft, feathery hairs attached to ripe thistle seeds that help the wind carry them
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
boathook
C2
/ˈboʊtˌhʊk/
a long pole with a hook at one end, used aboard a vessel to push off obstacles or catch a line, buoy, boat, or floating object
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
frijol
C2
/friːˈhoʊl/
a bean, especially a common bean of a kind widely eaten in Mexico and the southwestern United States
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
counterplot
C2
/ˈkaʊn.tɚ.plɑt/
a plot intended to subvert another plot
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
harlequinade
C2
/ˌhɑr.lə.kwəˈneɪd/
a comic theatrical entertainment featuring Harlequin and other stock characters, especially the concluding section of a traditional British pantomime
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quincunx
C2
/ˈkwɪŋkʌŋks/
An arrangement of five units with four forming the corners of a square and the fifth at the centre of the square, a pattern corresponding to the five-spot on dice, playing cards, or dominoes
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
deuteron
C2
/ˈduː.təˌrɑːn/
the nucleus of a deuterium, or hydrogen-2, atom, consisting of one proton bound to one neutron
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hoarfrost
C2
/ˈhɔːrfrɑːst/
a white deposit of feathery ice crystals formed when water vapor freezes directly onto a cold outdoor surface
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
handspike
C2
/ˈhænd.spaɪk/
a stout bar used as a lever, especially by sailors to turn a capstan or windlass
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
reductio
C2
/rɪˈdʌkʃiˌoʊ/
an argument that disproves a proposition by showing that it leads to an absurdity or contradiction; short for reductio ad absurdum
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
greenstone
C2
/ˈɡriːnˌstoʊn/
any of various compact dark-green rocks, especially altered basic igneous rocks such as diabase or diorite
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
muscovado
C2
/ˌmʌskəˈvɑːdoʊ/
a dark, moist, minimally refined cane sugar that retains much of its natural molasses
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gamboge
C2
/ɡæmˈbuʒ/
a yellow to orange gum resin from Southeast Asian Garcinia trees, formerly used as a pigment and purgative
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
taille
C2
/taɪ/
A form of taxation levied on the land of peasants in pre-Revolutionary France.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gimcrack
C2
/ˈd͡ʒɪmkɹæk/
a showy ornament or object of little practical use or value
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
twite
C2
/twaɪt/
a small brown finch, Linaria flavirostris, breeding in northern Eurasia and identified by its yellow bill and forked tail
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hamadryas
C2
/ˌhæməˈdraɪəs/
a large baboon native to northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, whose adult males have a silvery mantle
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
aphis
C2
/ˈeɪfɪs/
technical and now uncommon: an aphid, especially an aphid of the genus Aphis
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
maidenhair
C2
/ˈmeɪdənˌhɛr/
a fern of the genus Adiantum, with delicate fan-shaped leaflets on slender dark stalks
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
inexactitude
C2
/ˌɪnɪɡˈzæktəˌtuːd/
lack of exactness, accuracy, or precision
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
crinoid
C2
/ˈkraɪnɔɪd/
a marine echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, including sea lilies and feather stars, with feathery arms around a central body
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
obolus
C2
/ˈɑː.bə.ləs/
an ancient Greek coin, especially a small silver coin worth one sixth of a drachma
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gobbet
C2
/ˈɡɑ.bɪt/
a lump, chunk, or fragment of something soft, especially raw flesh
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
allamanda
C2
/ˌæləˈmændə/
a tropical American shrub or woody vine of the genus Allamanda, grown for its large funnel-shaped flowers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
muntjac
C2
/ˈmʌntdʒæk/
a small Asian deer of the genus Muntiacus, whose barking call gives it the alternative name barking deer
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
eclat
C2
/eɪˈklɑː/
brilliant, stylish, or conspicuous effect or display
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
sunbonnet
C2
/ˈsʌnˌbɑnət/
a bonnet with a broad brim or projecting sides designed to shade the face and neck from sunlight
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
luteum
C2
corpus luteum
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
porterage
C2
/ˈpɔɹtəɹəd͡ʒ/
the work or service of carrying luggage or goods, especially by a porter
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
promptitude
C2
/ˈprɑːmp.təˌtuːd/
the characteristic of doing things without delay
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
moue
C2
/muː/
a small pout or grimace expressing disdain, discontent, mock annoyance, or flirtatious displeasure
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
aiguille
C2
/eɪˈɡwiːl/
a sharp, needle-shaped pinnacle of rock, especially in the Alps
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
metatarsus
C2
/ˌmɛtəˈtɑːrsəs/
the part of a vertebrate foot between the tarsus and the toes, consisting in humans of five metatarsal bones
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
zareba
C2
/zəˈriːbə/
an improvised defensive enclosure or stockade, especially one made from thorn bushes in parts of Africa
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
blackcap
C2
/ˈblækˌkæp/
a small Eurasian warbler, Sylvia atricapilla, whose adult male has a black crown
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
corncrib
C2
/ˈkɔrnˌkrɪb/
a ventilated farm building or bin used to store and dry ears of maize
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bema
C2
/ˈbimə/
a raised platform in ancient Greece used by speakers, officials, or judges addressing an assembly or court
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
positronium
C2
/ˌpɒzɪˈtɹɒniəm/
an unstable exotic atom consisting of an electron bound to its antiparticle, a positron, with no atomic nucleus
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
kirkyard
C2
/ˈkɪɹkjaɹd/
A churchyard, especially one in Scotland.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
workbox
C2
/ˈwɝːkˌbɑːks/
a box for holding sewing, needlework, craft, or other work materials and tools
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
auspice
C2
/ˈɔspɪs/
Patronage or protection.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
whipcord
C2
/ˈwɪpˌkɔrd/
a thin, strong, tightly twisted cord, originally used for the lash of a whip
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ambuscade
C2
/ˈæm.bəˌskeɪd/
an ambush, or a concealed position from which a surprise attack is made
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
linstock
C2
/ˈlɪnˌstɑk/
A pointed forked staff, shod with iron at the foot, to hold a lighted match for firing cannon.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
millrace
C2
/ˈmɪlreɪs/
a channel that carries a current of water to or away from a waterwheel
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
diablerie
C2
/diˈɑːbləri/
sorcery, witchcraft, or supposed dealings with devils
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
eclogue
C2
/ˈɛk.lɒɡ/
a short pastoral poem, often presented as a monologue or dialogue between shepherds
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
kilovolt
C2
/ˈkɪləˌvoʊlt/
one thousand volts. Symbol: kV or KV.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
lancelet
C2
/ˈlænslət/
a small translucent, fishlike marine chordate that retains a notochord and usually lives partly buried in sand
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
idyl
C2
/ˈaɪdəl/
a short poem or prose piece depicting peaceful rural or pastoral life
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
paronomasia
C2
/ˌpɛɹ.ə.noʊˈmeɪ.ʒi.ə/
rhetoric: a pun or play on words, especially one exploiting similar sounds with different meanings
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
discomposure
C2
a temperament that is perturbed and lacking in composure
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ouzel
C2
/ˈuːzəl/
an old name for the Eurasian blackbird or a related dark thrush, retained especially in ring ouzel
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
trotline
C2
/ˌtɹɑtˈlaɪ̯n/
a long fishing line set in the water with many shorter baited lines and hooks attached
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ilex
C2
/ˈaɪlɛks/
an evergreen Mediterranean oak with leathery leaves; the holm oak
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
villanelle
C2
/ˌvɪləˈnɛl/
a nineteen-line poem with five three-line stanzas and a final four-line stanza, using two repeating refrains and two rhymes
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gerousia
C2
/dʒəˈruːʒiə/
in ancient Greece, a council of elders; specifically, the Spartan senate formed by twenty-eight elders and the two kings
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
woodyard
C2
/ˈwʊdˌjɑːrd/
a yard where timber or firewood is stored, cut, processed, or sold
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
platysma
C2
/pləˈtɪz.mə/
either of two broad muscles located on either side of the neck and innervated by the facial nerve
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
abysm
C2
/əˈbɪzəm/
a bottomless gulf or pit
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
rockwork
C2
/ˈrɑkˌwɝk/
ornamental or structural work made from arranged rocks, especially in a garden
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ellipsoid
C2
/ɪˈlɪp.sɔɪd/
a surface whose plane sections are all ellipses or circles
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
balas
C2
/ˈbaləs/
a pale red or rose-coloured spinel historically called a balas ruby and often mistaken for true ruby
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cantatrice
C2
/ˌkæntəˈtriːtʃeɪ/
a professional female singer, especially an opera singer
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
uprush
C2
/ˈʌpˌɹʌʃ/
a sudden rapid movement or surge upward
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tragus
C2
/ˈtreɪɡəs/
the small pointed flap of cartilage immediately in front of the opening of the external ear
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off