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.
272 words
lute
C2
/luːt/
a plucked string instrument with a rounded back, flat front, fretted neck, and usually a bent-back pegbox
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feeder
A2
/ˈfidɚ/
a container or device that supplies food to people or animals
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forceps
C2
/ˈfɔɹ.sɛps/
a medical or surgical instrument with two blades or pincers, used for grasping, holding, or extracting something
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stethoscope
C2
/ˈstɛθəsˌkoʊp/
a medical instrument used to listen to sounds made by the heart, lungs, and other internal organs
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tongs
B2
/tɔŋz/
a tool with two joined arms used to grip, lift, or hold objects without touching them directly
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boathouse
C2
/ˈboʊtˌhaʊs/
a building beside or over water in which boats and boating equipment are kept
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mouthpiece
B2
/ˈmaʊθ.piːs/
the part of a pipe, musical instrument, telephone, or similar device placed at or near the mouth
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photocopy
B1
/ˈfəʊtəˌkɒpi/
A copy of a document made by a special machine.
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circuitry
B2
/ˈsɝkətɹi/
The system of electrical circuits inside a device, considered as a whole.
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nutcracker
B2
/ˈnʌtˌkɹækɚ/
a tool with two hinged arms or another lever mechanism used to crack nutshells
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megaphone
C2
/ˈmɛɡəˌfoʊn/
a cone-shaped acoustic device held to the mouth to intensify and direct the human voice
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dynamo
C2
/ˈdaɪnəmoʊ/
An electricity generator; a dynamo-electric machine.
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dispenser
B2
/dɪˈspɛnsər/
a device or container that releases a substance or item in measured amounts
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pitchfork
C2
/ˈpɪt͡ʃˌfɔɹk/
a long-handled hand tool with sharp widely spaced prongs for lifting and pitching hay
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harrow
B2
/ˈhæɹoʊ/
A heavy farm tool dragged across ploughed land to break up and smooth the soil.
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steroid
C2
/ˈstɛɹɔɪd/
any of a class of organic compounds built around a characteristic structure of four fused carbon rings
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copier
B1
/ˈkɑpiər/
a machine that makes paper copies of documents or images
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firework
B1
/ˈfaɪɚˌwɚk/
A device that explodes with bright colored lights and loud bangs, used for celebrations.
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scythe
B2
/ˈsaɪð/
A tool with a long curved blade and a long handle, used for cutting grass or grain by hand.
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modem
B1
/ˈmoʊdəm/
A device that connects a computer to the internet through a telephone or cable line.
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amplifier
B2
/ˈæm.plə.faɪ.ɚ/
A piece of electronic equipment that makes a sound or signal louder or stronger.
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compressor
B2
/kəmˈprɛsɝ/
a mechanical device that compresses gases
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tester
B1
/ˈtɛstəɹ/
a device or instrument used to test the quality, operation, or properties of something
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barometer
B2
/bəˈɹɑ.mə.tɚ/
An instrument that measures air pressure to help predict the weather.
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oboe
C2
/ˈoʊ.boʊ/
a high-pitched woodwind instrument with a narrow conical bore and a double reed, used especially in orchestras and chamber music
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paraphernalia
C2
/ˌpɛɹəfɚˈneɪli.ə/
a collection of miscellaneous equipment or objects used for a particular activity
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drumstick
B1
/ˈdrʌmˌstɪk/
a stick used for striking a drum or similar percussion instrument
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trappings
C1
/ˈtræpɪŋz/
the outward signs, accessories, or equipment associated with a role, rank, or activity
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shaver
C2
/ˈʃeɪvɚ/
a tool or machine used for shaving, especially an electric razor
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excavator
C2
/ˈɛkskəˌveɪtɚ/
a large powered machine with a boom and bucket, used for digging and moving earth
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truss
C2
/tɹʊs/
a rigid framework of connected beams that supports a roof, bridge, or other structure
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cave-in
C2+
/ˈkeɪvˌɪn/
the sudden collapse of earth, rock, a roof, or another enclosing structure
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harpsichord
C2
/ˈhɑːrp.sɪ.kɔːrd/
a keyboard instrument in which pressing a key plucks a string, producing a bright, crisp tone
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sundial
B1
/ˈsʌnˌdaɪ.əl/
A device that shows the time by the shadow a pointer casts on a marked surface as the sun moves.
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collider
C2
/kəˈlaɪdɚ/
A machine that speeds up particles and makes two beams of them crash into each other for research.
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bagpipe
C2
/ˈbæɡpaɪp/
a wind instrument whose pipes are sounded from air stored in a bag, usually referred to in the plural as bagpipes
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automation
C1
/ˌɔ.təˈmeɪ.ʃən/
equipment used to achieve automatic control or operation
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vise
C1
/vaɪs/
a tool with two jaws that close to hold an object firmly while it is being worked on
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spacesuit
C2
/ˈspeɪs.suːt/
a sealed protective suit with life-support equipment that allows an astronaut to survive and work in space or a near-vacuum
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hairdryer
B1
A small electric machine that blows hot air to dry your hair.
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utensil
C1
/ˈju.tɛn.sɪl/
A tool or container used in the kitchen for cooking or eating.
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spectrometer
C2
/spekˈtrɑː.mə.t̬ɚ/
an instrument that separates radiation, particles, or signals into a spectrum and measures their intensity or abundance by wavelength, frequency, energy, or mass-to-charge ratio
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cornet
B2
/kɔɹˈnɛt/
A brass musical instrument, slightly smaller than a trumpet and with a bright tone.
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electrode
C2
/ˌɪˈlɛktroʊd/
A conductor through which electric current enters or leaves a device, liquid, or circuit.
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grater
C2
/ˈɡɹeɪtɚ/
a kitchen tool with a rough or perforated cutting surface used to shred food into small pieces
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pickaxe
C2
/ˈpɪkˌæks/
a heavy tool with a long handle and a pointed metal head, used for breaking hard ground or rock
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harmonium
C2
/hɑːrˈmoʊ.ni.əm/
a small keyboard instrument whose free reeds are sounded by air supplied through bellows
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slicer
B2
/ˈslaɪ.sɚ/
a knife, utensil, or machine designed to cut food or other material into slices
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timepiece
C2
/ˈtaɪmˌpiːs/
an instrument for measuring and showing time, especially a clock or watch
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bassoon
B2
/bəˈsun/
a large double-reed woodwind instrument with a long folded tube, typically playing in the tenor and bass registers
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rasp
C2
/ɹæsp/
The sound made by this tool when used, or any similar sound.
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scraper
C2
/ˈskreɪpɚ/
a tool, blade, or implement used to remove material by scraping
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sextant
C2
/ˈsɛk.stənt/
A navigational device for deriving angular distances between objects so as to determine latitude and longitude.
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repeater
C1
/rɪˈpiː.tɚ/
an electronic device that receives a signal and retransmits it, often after amplifying it
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masher
C2
/ˈmæʃər/
a utensil or machine used to crush food or another material into a soft mass
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concertina
C2
/ˌkɑːnsərˈtiːnə/
a small free-reed musical instrument with bellows between two end boards, played by pressing buttons while expanding and compressing it
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gimlet
C2
/ˈɡɪmlət/
a small hand tool with a screw-shaped point, used for boring holes in wood
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chronometer
C2
/krə(ʊ)ˈnɒmɪtər/
A device for measuring time, particularly a precision mechanism for measuring time of day.
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selector
B2
/səˈlɛktɚ/
a control or device used to choose one of several settings or inputs
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speculum
C2
/ˈspɛkjələm/
a medical instrument used to hold open a body passage so that its interior can be examined
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lean-to
C2
/ˈliːn.tuː/
a simple shelter or extension with a roof that slopes in one direction, often built against another structure
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cathode
C1
/ˈkæθ.oʊd/
a negatively charged electrode that is the source of electrons entering an electrical device
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refit
B1
/ˈriːˌfɪt/
a thorough repair, renovation, or replacement of equipment, especially on a ship
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fixings
B1
/ˈfɪk.sɪŋz/
the preparations, arrangements, equipment, or supplies needed for an activity or occasion
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resonator
C1
/ˈrɛzəˌneɪtər/
an object, chamber, or part of an instrument that vibrates at particular frequencies and strengthens or shapes a sound
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colliery
C2
/ˈkɑljəri/
a coal mine together with its surface buildings and equipment
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zither
C2
/ˈzɪ.ðɚ/
a stringed instrument with many strings stretched across a flat, usually horizontal soundbox and played by plucking or strumming
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auger
B2
/ˈɔ.ɡɚ/
a tool with a helical cutting bit used for boring holes in wood, soil, ice, or another material
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trope
C2
/tɹoʊp/
a familiar theme, device, or convention that recurs in a type of story, art, or discussion
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seismograph
C2
/ˈsaɪz.mə.ɡɹæf/
an instrument that automatically detects and records the intensity, direction and duration of earthquakes and similar events.
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stylus
C2
/ˈstaɪ.ləs/
a pen-shaped device used to write, draw, or select items on a touchscreen or graphics tablet
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pianoforte
C2
/piˌænoʊˈfɔrteɪ/
the full or historical name for a piano, a keyboard instrument whose hammers strike strings and whose volume varies with the player's touch
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bourdon
C2
/ˈbʊɹdən/
a continuous low drone or bass tone, especially one produced by a bagpipe, hurdy-gurdy, or similar instrument
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cupola
C2
/ˈkuːpələ/
a small dome or domed structure built on top of a roof
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balustrade
C2
/ˈbæl.ə.stɹeɪd/
A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.
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spectroscope
C2
/ˈspɛktɹəˌskoʊp/
an instrument that disperses electromagnetic radiation into its component wavelengths so that the resulting spectrum can be viewed or examined, especially in visible light
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cashpoint
B1
A machine in a wall where you can take out cash using a bank card.
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whetstone
C2
/ˈwɛtˌstoʊn/
a flat stone or bonded abrasive used to sharpen the edge of a knife or tool
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spectrograph
C2
/ˈspɛk.trəˌɡræf/
an instrument that separates radiation, sound, or charged particles into a spectrum and records or maps the resulting distribution
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gimbal
C2
/ˈd͡ʒɪmbəl/
a device for suspending something, such as a ship's compass, so that it will remain level when its support is tipped.
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collet
C2
/ˈkɑlɪt/
a slotted, tapered sleeve that closes around a tool or workpiece to hold it firmly in a machine
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dulcimer
C2
/ˈdʌl.sɪ.mɚ/
a stringed instrument with strings stretched over a usually trapezoidal soundboard and struck with small hammers
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interferometer
C2
/ˌɪn.tɚ.fəˈrɑː.mə.tɚ/
an instrument that superimposes two or more waves and analyzes their interference pattern to make precise measurements of distance, wavelength, refractive index, or related quantities
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theodolite
C2
/θiˈɑ.dəˌlaɪt/
a surveying instrument with a movable telescope for precisely measuring horizontal and vertical angles
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skulduggery
C2
/ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəɹi/
A devious device or trick.
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mattock
C2
/ˈmætək/
a heavy digging tool with a horizontal blade, often paired with a pick or axe blade on the other end
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windlass
C2
/ˈwɪndləs/
a machine with a horizontal or vertical rotating drum around which a rope or chain is wound to raise or haul heavy loads, especially a ship's anchor
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micrometer
B2
/maɪˈkɹɑmɪtəɹ/
A tool for measuring very small distances, such as thickness or diameter, with great precision.
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accoutrement
C2
/əˈkuː.tɚ.mənt/
an item of equipment, clothing, or decoration used for a particular activity or role, most often in the plural
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maintainer
B1
/meɪnˈteɪnɚ/
a person responsible for keeping equipment, a system, or a place in good condition
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downstroke
C2
/ˈdaʊnˌstɹoʊk/
a stroke or movement made downward, especially with a pen, brush, tool, or musical plectrum
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taximeter
C1
/ˈtæk.siˌmiː.t̬ɚ/
a device in a taxi that calculates and displays the fare according to distance traveled and waiting time
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trephine
C2
/tɹɪˈfaɪn/
a surgical instrument with a cylindrical cutting edge for removing a circular section of bone or other tissue
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parer
C2
/ˈpɛr.ɚ/
a tool used to remove a thin outer layer from fruit, vegetables, or another object
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organon
C2
/ˈɔɹ.ɡəˌnɑn/
an instrument of thought or a systematic body of principles used in scientific or philosophical inquiry
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turnscrew
C2+
/ˈtɝnˌskru/
a screwdriver or similar device for turning screws; now chiefly dated
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