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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All 27,899 wordsC2+ is beyond the official CEFR scale: rare, specialist, and literary words kept for reference.
2331 words
hippopotamus
C2
/ˌhɪp.əˈpɑ.tə.məs/
The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
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pulley
B1
/ˈpʊli/
a grooved wheel over which a rope, belt, or chain runs, used to change the direction of a force or help lift a load
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magenta
C1
/məˈdʒen.tə/
a vivid reddish-purple color; in printing, one of the primary subtractive colors
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drawbridge
C2
/ˈdɹɑbɹɪd͡ʒ/
A hinged bridge which can be raised (to prevent its being crossed, as across a moat, or to allow watercraft to travel beneath it).
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bosh
C2
/bɑʃ/
foolish, untrue, or pretentious talk or writing; nonsense
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matchbox
C2
/ˈmætʃˌbɑːks/
a small box made to hold matches, often with a rough striking surface on one side
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voyeur
C2
/vɔɪˈjɜɹ/
a viewer who enjoys seeing the sex acts or sex organs of others
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stockpile
B2
/ˈstɑkˌpaɪl/
A large supply of something kept for future use.
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dustbin
B1
/ˈdʌstbɪn/
A container for rubbish, kept until it is collected (British English).
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leaflet
B2
/ˈliːflɪt/
A small printed sheet of paper that gives information or advertises something.
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requiem
C2
/ˈrɛkwiəm/
a Christian Mass or other service for the repose of the dead
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turnpike
C2
/ˈtɜː(ɹ)npaɪk/
an expressway on which tolls are collected
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colic
B2
/ˈkɑlɪk/
severe, often spasmodic pain in the abdomen, especially pain arising from the intestines
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nought
B2
/nʊt/
The number zero.
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slouch
C2
/ˈslɐʊ̯t͡ʃ/
A hanging down of the head; a drooping posture; a limp appearance
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stratosphere
C2
/ˈstrætəsˌfɪr/
The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, where the ozone layer absorbs the sun's ultraviolet rays.
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sombrero
C1
/səmˈbɹɛɹ.oʊ/
in English, a broad-brimmed hat of a type associated especially with Mexico and the southwestern United States
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drawback
C1
/ˈdɹɔˌbæk/
A disadvantage or negative feature of something.
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dreamland
C2
/ˈdriːmˌlænd/
an imaginary world experienced in dreams or created by the imagination
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downpour
B2
/ˈdaʊn.pɔːr/
a sudden or heavy fall of rain
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archipelago
C2
/ˌɑɹkəˈpɛləˌɡoʊ/
a group or chain of islands
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baritone
B2
/ˈbɛrəˌtoʊn/
the adult male singing voice between tenor and bass in range
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phlegm
C2
/flɛm/
thick mucus produced in the respiratory passages, especially when coughed up
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snowfall
B1
/ˈsnoʊfɔl/
an occasion or period during which snow falls
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soloist
B2
/ˈsoʊˌloʊəst/
a musician who performs a solo
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checker
A2
/ˈtʃɛkɚ/
a flat round piece used in checkers, draughts, backgammon, and some other board games
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enamel
C2
/ɪˈnæməl/
the hard, white outer covering of the crown of a tooth
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bonne
C2
/ˈbɑːn/
a French nursemaid or children's governess, especially in an English-speaking household
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conceit
B2
/kənˈsiːt/
too much pride in yourself and what you can do
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brainstorming
B1
/ˈbreɪnˌstɔrmɪŋ/
A way of solving problems by having a group share many ideas freely.
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cornea
B2
/ˈkɔːrniə/
the transparent curved layer at the front of the eye that covers the iris and pupil and helps focus light
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interlude
C2
/ˈɪntə(ɹ)luːd/
A short period or event that comes between two longer ones.
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guile
C2
/ɡaɪl/
Deceptiveness, deceit, fraud, duplicity, dishonesty.
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influx
C2+
/ˈɪnˌflʌks/
A flow inward or into something; a coming in.
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orifice
C2
/ˈɔɹəfɪs/
an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
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ammonium
C1
/əˈmoʊni.əm/
the ion NH4 derived from ammonia
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conclave
C2
/ˈkɑnˌkleɪv/
a private, confidential, or secret meeting of a select group
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tonne
B2
/tʌn/
A unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms.
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mantelpiece
C2
/ˈmæntlpiːs/
A shelf that is affixed to the wall above a fireplace.
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sleight
C2
/slaɪt/
skillful use of the hands, especially in performing tricks
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cripes
C2+
/kɹaɪps/
a mild, old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, alarm, annoyance, or disbelief
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churchyard
C2
/ˈt͡ʃɝt͡ʃ.jɑɹd/
land beside or around a church, often used as a burial ground
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mimosa
C2
/mɪˈmoʊsə/
a cocktail made with sparkling wine and orange juice
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tuff
C2
/tʌf/
rock formed from compacted or cemented volcanic ash and other fine volcanic fragments
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milligram
B1
/ˈmɪlɪɡɹæm/
an SI unit of mass equal to 10⁻³ grams. Symbol: mg
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footnote
B2
/ˈfʊtˌnoʊt/
A short note at the bottom of a page that gives extra information or a source.
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kiln
C1
/kɪln/
a furnace or heated chamber used to fire, bake, calcine, or dry materials such as pottery, bricks, lime, timber, or grain
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synthesis
C2
/ˈsənθəsəs/
The combining of separate ideas, things, or influences into a single, coherent whole.
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laudanum
C2
/ˈlɔːdənəm/
an alcoholic tincture of opium formerly used as a painkiller, sedative, and sleep aid
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curvature
C1
/ˈkɜɹ.və.tʃəɹ/
The shape of something curved.
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impressionist
B2
/ˌɪmˈprɛʃənəst/
A painter who works in the Impressionist style.
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tomahawk
C2
/ˈtɑːməˌhɔːk/
a light axe or hatchet associated historically with Indigenous peoples of North America and later made in many specialized forms
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monocle
C2
/ˈmɑnəkəl/
lens for correcting defective vision in one eye
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stiletto
C2
/stɪˈlɛtoʊ/
a small dagger with a tapered blade
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linoleum
C1
/lɪˈnoʊ.li.əm/
a durable floor covering traditionally made from solidified linseed oil on a canvas or similar backing
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nuance
C2
/ˈnju.ɑns/
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
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bandana
C2
/bænˈdænə/
a large, usually colorful square of cloth worn around the head or neck
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grime
B2
/ɡraɪm/
dirt, soot, or grease that is ingrained and difficult to remove
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crevice
C2
/ˈkrɛvəs/
A narrow crack or fissure, as in a rock or wall.
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fantasia
C2
/fænˈteɪ.zi.ə/
a free-form instrumental composition, often weaving together several themes
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tussle
C2
/ˈtʌsəl/
a vigorous physical struggle, scuffle, or contest
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ingratitude
C2
/ɪnˈɡɹætɪtud/
A lack or absence of gratitude; thanklessness.
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glint
B1
/ɡlɪnt/
A quick flash of light reflected from a shiny surface.
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wafer
B2
/ˈweɪfɚ/
a thin disk of unleavened bread used in the Eucharist or Communion
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varmint
C2+
/ˈvɑɹmɪnt/
a troublesome wild pest, especially around farms
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sunstroke
C2
/ˈsʌnˌstɹoʊk/
heatstroke caused by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or intense heat
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honeycomb
B2
/ˈhʌniˌkoʊm/
a structure of hexagonal wax cells made by bees to hold honey, pollen, and developing young
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purview
C2
/ˈpɜː(ɹ)vjuː/
Scope or range of interest or control.
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cellophane
C2
/ˈsɛləfeɪn/
a thin, transparent wrapping film made from regenerated cellulose
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cutlass
C2
/ˈkʌtləs/
a short, heavy sword with a broad, curved, single-edged blade, formerly used especially by sailors
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avarice
C2
/ˈævəɹɪs/
reprehensible acquisitiveness
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pallet
B2
/ˈpælɪt/
A flat wooden platform on which goods are stacked for storing or moving.
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icicle
B2
/ˈaɪsɪkəl/
a hanging, tapering piece of ice formed when dripping water freezes
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banister
B2
/ˈbænɪstɚ/
the handrail or complete railing beside a staircase or balcony
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pall
C2+
/pɔl/
a heavy, fine canvas, especially one laid over a coffin or tomb
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alameda
C2
/ˌæləˈmeɪdə/
a public promenade or broad avenue bordered with trees, especially in Spain or Spanish-speaking America
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regalia
C1
/rɪˈɡeɪ.li.ə/
ceremonial emblems, ornaments, or objects that indicate royalty, office, or membership
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backpacking
B1
/ˈbækˌpækɪŋ/
Travelling cheaply with only the things you can carry in a backpack.
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hullo
C2
/hʌˈləʊ/
an expression of greeting
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eggshell
B1
/ˈeɡˌʃel/
the hard, thin outer covering of an egg
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paintbrush
B2
/ˈpeɪntˌbɹʌʃ/
A brush used for applying paint.
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juggernaut
C2
/ˈd͡ʒʌɡ.ɚ.nɔt/
a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way
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eardrum
C2
/ˈiɚˌdɹʌm/
the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound
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oho
C2+
/oʊˈhoʊ/
an exclamation expressing surprise, discovery, or triumphant realization
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troubadour
C2
/ˈtrubəˌdɔr/
a medieval lyric poet and musician, especially one composing in Occitan and singing of courtly love
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chrysalis
C2
/ˈkɹɪsəlɪs/
The hard case in which a caterpillar changes into a butterfly or moth.
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goldmine
C2+
/ˈɡoʊldˌmaɪn/
a mine from which gold ore is extracted
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twinge
C2
/twɪndʒ/
a sudden, brief, sharp pain
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teatime
C2
/ˈtiːˌtaɪm/
the customary time in the afternoon or early evening when tea is served
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naturalist
B2
/ˈnætʃɝələst/
a biologist knowledgeable about natural history (especially botany and zoology)
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kaleidoscope
C2
/kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp/
a tube containing mirrors and loose colored pieces that form changing symmetrical patterns when rotated
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wayside
C1
/ˈweɪsaɪd/
The edge or side of a road or path.
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mot
C2
/moʊ/
a short, pithy, or witty remark; a bon mot
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gnat
C1
/næt/
a very small two-winged fly, especially one that swarms or bites
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commode
C2
/kəˈməʊd/
A toilet, or a chair with a built-in chamber pot.
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flagstaff
C1
/ˈflæɡˌstæf/
a pole or staff from which a flag is flown
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