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
All 27,899 wordsC2+ is beyond the official CEFR scale: rare, specialist, and literary words kept for reference.
2331 words
twang
C2
/twæŋ/
a sharp, vibrating sound like that of a plucked string
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
stencil
C1
/ˈstɛn.səl/
a thin sheet with letters, shapes, or a design cut from it, used to reproduce the pattern on another surface
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
parapet
C2
/ˈpæɹ.ə.pɪt/
A low protective wall.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
basalt
C2
/bəˈsɔlt/
the commonest type of solidified lava
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
spittle
C2
/ˈspɪtəl/
saliva, especially when expelled from the mouth or appearing as froth or drool
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
dustpan
B2
/ˈdʌstˌpæn/
a flat, shallow container with a handle into which dirt is swept
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
sunburst
C1
/ˈsʌnˌbɝst/
a sudden strong appearance or outburst of sunlight, especially through clouds
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
scion
C2
/ˈsaɪ.ən/
a descendent or heir
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cornucopia
C2
/ˌkɔɹ.nəˈkoʊ.pi.ə/
An abundance or plentiful supply.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
vestige
C2
/ˈvɛs.tɪd͡ʒ/
an indication that something has been present
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
beadle
C2
/ˈbiːdəl/
historically, a minor parish officer who kept order, carried messages, or performed ceremonial duties
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
medulla
C2
/məˈdʌlə/
the medulla oblongata, the lowest part of the brainstem, which helps regulate breathing, heart rate, and other automatic functions
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
guideline
B2
/ˈɡaɪdˌlaɪn/
A general rule or piece of advice that tells you how something should be done.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
folio
C2
/ˈfoʊliˌoʊ/
a book made from sheets folded once to form two leaves each, especially a large-format volume
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
banns
C2
/bænz/
a public announcement, traditionally made in church, of an intended marriage
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
follicle
C1
/ˈfɑlɪkəl/
A small cavity or sac, such as a hair follicle.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
dictaphone
C2
/ˈdɪktəˌfoʊn/
a tape recorder that records and reproduces dictation
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
flotilla
C2
/floʊˈtɪlə/
A small fleet of warships (usually of the same class), or a fleet of small ships.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
firebrand
C2
/ˈfaɪɚ.bɹænd/
An argumentative troublemaker or revolutionary; one who agitates against the status quo.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bramble
C2
/ˈbɹæm.bəl/
a rough, thorny shrub or vine, especially a blackberry bush
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
blurb
C2
/blɝ(ː)b/
A short promotional description of a book, film, or product, often quoting praise.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
rhesus
C2
/ˈɹiːsəs/
of southern Asia
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
silkworm
C2
/ˈsɪlkwɝm/
the silk-producing caterpillar of a moth, especially the domesticated Bombyx mori raised for commercial silk
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
workbench
B2
/ˈwɝk.bɛnt͡ʃ/
A strong table used for doing manual work, such as by a carpenter or mechanic.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bacillus
C2
/bəˈsɪləs/
any rod-shaped bacterium
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
subculture
B2
/ˈsʌbˌkʌltʃɚ/
A group within a society whose customs, tastes, or beliefs differ from the main culture.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quip
C1
/kwɪp/
A clever, witty remark.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
gamut
C2
/ˈɡæm.ət/
A (normally) complete range.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cavalcade
C2
/ˈkæv.əlˌkeɪd/
A procession of riders, vehicles, ships, etc.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bassinet
C2
/ˌbæs.ɪˈnɛt/
a small bed for a newborn baby, traditionally basket-shaped and sometimes fitted with a hood
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
yardstick
C2
/ˈjɑɹdˌstɪk/
a straight measuring stick one yard, or thirty-six inches, long
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
detritus
C1
/dɪˈtɹaɪ.təs/
Scattered waste, rubbish, or leftover fragments.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tankard
C2
/ˈtæŋkɚd/
large drinking vessel with one handle
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
floe
C2
/floʊ/
A flat sheet of ice floating on the surface of the sea.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
afterglow
C1
/ˈæftərˌɡloʊ/
light or color remaining in the sky after the sun has set
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
basilisk
C2
/ˈbæz.ə.lɪsk/
a mythical serpent or dragon said to kill by its breath or gaze
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
antithesis
C2
/ænˈtɪθ.ɪ.sɪs/
The exact opposite of something.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
spyglass
C2
/ˈspaɪˌɡlæs/
a small portable telescope, especially a collapsible refracting telescope used at sea
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
superlative
A2
/suˈpɝː.lə.tɪv/
The form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree, such as 'fastest' or 'best'.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
incubus
C2
/ˈɪŋkjəbəs/
in folklore, a male demon believed to lie upon and sexually assault sleeping women
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
misprint
B2
/ˈmɪspɹɪnt/
an accidental error in printed or published text
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
nocturne
C2
/ˈnɑːk.tɝːn/
a gentle, lyrical, or dreamlike musical composition suggestive of night, especially one for solo piano
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
acolyte
C2
/ˈæk.ə.laɪt/
An altar server.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
handrail
B2
/ˈhændˌɹeɪl/
A rail along a staircase, ramp, or path that you hold for support.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bearskin
C2
/ˈbɛrˌskɪn/
the pelt of a bear, especially when used as a rug or covering
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
trice
C2
/traɪs/
only in 'in a trice': a very short time; an instant
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
reverb
C2
/ˈɹiːˌvɜː(ɹ)b/
An electronic effect that adds echoes or a sense of space to a recorded sound.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
peerage
B2
/ˈpɪr.ɪdʒ/
the rank, title, or dignity of a British peer
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
phantasm
C2
/ˈfæntæzəm/
an apparition, phantom, or image that appears real but has no physical existence
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
womankind
C2
/ˈwʊm.ənˌkaɪnd/
old-fashioned: women considered collectively, especially in contrast with men
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
puce
C2
/pjuːs/
a color varying from dark purplish brown to dark red
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
firelight
C2
/ˈfaɪɚ.laɪt/
The light of a fire, such as from a campfire or fireplace.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
polyp
C2
/ˈpɑːlɪp/
an abnormal growth projecting from a mucous membrane, such as in the nose or colon
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quintet
C2
/kwɪnˈtɛt/
a musical composition for five performers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
verve
C1
/vɝv/
Great energy, enthusiasm, and style, especially in art or performance.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bantam
C2
/ˈbæntəm/
a chicken of a naturally small breed or a miniature variety of a larger breed
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hansom
C2
/ˈhænsəm/
Ellipsis of Hansom cab.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
lozenge
C2
/ˈlɑz.ɪnd͡ʒ/
a small medicated tablet or sweet, often used for a sore throat
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hobgoblin
C1
/ˈhɑːbˌɡɑːblɪn/
a small, grotesque supernatural creature in folklore, often mischievous or frightening
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
elan
C2
/eɪˈlɑːn/
energetic confidence, enthusiasm, and stylish flair
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
proconsul
C2
/proʊˈkɑːnsəl/
in ancient Rome, a former consul or other magistrate given consular authority to govern a province or command an army
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
succour
C2
/ˈsʌkɚ/
Aid, assistance, or relief given to one in distress; ministration.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
jackknife
C2
/ˈdʒækˌnaɪf/
a large pocketknife whose blade folds into the handle
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
lyceum
C2
/laɪˈsiːəm/
a hall or association providing public lectures, debates, readings, or concerts
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
goer
C2
/ˈɡoʊɚ/
One who, or that which, goes.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
idyll
C2
/ˈaɪ.dəl/
a simple poem or prose work portraying pastoral life or a peaceful, contented scene
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
earache
B1
/ˈiɹeɪk/
A pain inside the ear.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
duodenum
C2
/ˌduːəˈdiːnəm/
the first and shortest section of the small intestine, between the stomach and the jejunum
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
stegosaurus
C2
/ˌstɛɡəˈsɔrəs/
a large herbivorous dinosaur of the genus Stegosaurus, with upright plates along its back and spikes on its tail
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
postscript
B2
/ˈpoʊstˌskrɪpt/
a note added to a letter after the signature, usually introduced by P.S.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hexagon
B1
/ˈhɛksəɡɑn/
a polygon with six sides and six angles
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
copse
C1
/kɒps/
Any thicket of small trees or shrubs, coppiced or not.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pincushion
B2
/ˈpɪnˌkʊʃ(ə)n/
a small stuffed or magnetic holder in which sewing pins and needles are kept
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
flambeau
C2
/ˈflambəʊ/
A burning torch, especially one carried in procession.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
brouhaha
C2
/ˈbruˌhɑˌhɑ/
A noisy and excited reaction to something, often greater than it deserves.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
colitis
C2
/kəˈlaɪtɪs/
inflammation of the colon
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
bedclothes
C2
/ˈbɛdˌkloʊðz/
sheets, blankets, quilts, and other coverings used on a bed
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
eglantine
C2
/ˈɛɡlənˌtaɪn/
a prickly Eurasian wild rose with fragrant leaves, pink flowers, and red hips; sweetbrier
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cottonwood
C2
/ˈkɑːtənˌwʊd/
any of several North American poplar trees whose seeds have tufts of cottonlike hairs
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
shrike
C2
/ʃɹaɪk/
a predatory songbird with a hooked bill, known for impaling uneaten prey on thorns or wire
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
toadstool
C2
/ˈtoʊdˌstuːl/
a mushroom, especially one regarded as poisonous or unsuitable for eating
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
agave
C2
/əˈɡɑːveɪ/
any of a genus of succulent plants with a rosette of thick, often spiny leaves and a tall flowering stalk
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tern
C2
/tɝːn/
a slender seabird related to gulls, typically with long pointed wings and a forked tail
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
instep
B2
/ˈɪnˌstɛp/
the arched upper part of the foot between the toes and the ankle
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
broadsword
C2
/ˈbrɔːdˌsɔːrd/
a sword with a broad blade, typically sharpened on both edges and designed mainly for cutting
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tenderfoot
C2
/ˈtɛndɚˌfʊt/
an inexperienced newcomer, especially one unaccustomed to frontier, outdoor, or mining life
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ecologist
B2
/iːˈkɒləd͡ʒɪst/
A scientist who studies the relationships between living things and their environment.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
nib
C2
/nɪb/
the pointed part of a pen that contacts the writing surface and delivers ink
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
opossum
C2
/əˈpɑsəm/
a mainly nocturnal American marsupial with a pointed snout and usually a long, nearly hairless prehensile tail
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
goldfinch
C2
/ˈɡoʊldˌfɪnt͡ʃ/
small European finch having a crimson face and yellow-and-black wings
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
crag
C2
/kɹæɡ/
A rocky outcrop; a rugged steep cliff or rock.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
whippoorwill
C2
/ˈʍɪp.ɚˌwɪl/
a nocturnal North American nightjar whose repeated call sounds like 'whip-poor-will'
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
forethought
C2+
/ˈfɔː(ɹ)θɔːt/
Thinking beforehand or in advance, planning; prior or previous consideration.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
trestle
C1
/ˈtrɛs.əl/
a frame with a horizontal bar supported by spreading legs, used alone or in pairs to hold a tabletop, planks, or another work surface
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
underbrush
C2
/ˈʌndɚˌbɹʌʃ/
shrubs, young trees, ferns, and other dense vegetation growing beneath taller trees
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
panacea
C2
/ˌpæn.əˈsiː.ə/
A solution to all problems.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off